Government Regulations OSHA

Government Regulations OSHA Sections of the ASME B31 code have been adopted with certain reservations or revisions by some state and local authorities as local codes. 

Also keep in mind that most asbestos abatement is closely monitored by state and local governments. Although OSHA has jurisdiction, the states and local regulators typically keep a watchful eye over ACM activities. 

Wliether a standard exists or not, eompanies should realize that operating safely is a responsibility of any eorporation and is a part of the eost of doing business. They should realize that operating safely does not rest on the shoulders of government regulation. After all, OSHA standards are minimum performanee standards and do not always offer the solution for eaeh situation. It is up to eaeh employer to develop the appropriate solutions to any identified hazards. 

A leader in applying PSA to other parts of the chemical process industry has been the AlChf. s Center for Chemical Process Safety. A major difference between PSA for nuclear power and PSA for chemical processing has been the lack of government regulations that require risk analysis for chemical processes. A primary impetuous has been the Occupational Safety and Health Administration s (OSHA) PSM rule that defines the application of PSA to the chemical industry for ihc proteciion of the public and workers. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agcrii, . (EPA) regulates waste disposal. 

The cost of corrective actions is not a consideration in the OS HA regulations, but it must be considered as part of the analysis. Because of the critical timeline that governs an OSHA-mandated investigation, a full cost-benefit analysis may not be possible. However, the investigating... 

Chapter 2 reviews the pertinent government regulations issued by the regulating agencies (such as U.S. EPA, OSHA, and the Department of Agriculture) and how these regulations impact various industries and their personnel. 

The importance of procedures is well documented and emphasized by various consensus groups and government regulations. For example, OSHA investigations conclude that poorly conceived operational or maintenance procedures are among the rmderlying factors that contribute to or heighten the consequences of an accident. ... 

A process design should be accompanied by a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for every chemical appearing in the process. These sheets, which are developed by chemical manufacturers and kept up to date under OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Agency of the federal government) regulations, contain safety and hazard information, physical and chemical characteristics, and precautions on safe handling and use of the chemical. The MSDSs, which usually involve several pages of information are available on the Internet at ... 

Table 3.1 represents the maximum amount of various classes of materials representing physical hazards allowed in a controlled area, e.g.., laboratories, for a Hazard Class 2 facility. Note that few laboratories will be considered Hazard C lass 2 occupancies. Mo st wiU beconsideredBusinessoccupancies, and the limits on flammables in these facilities will be governed by OSHA regulations. The limits for laboratories will be discussed in detail in a later section dedicated to flammable solvents. Similarly, Table 3.2 does the same for materials which represent health risks for a Hazard Class 4. One factor must be borne in mind, no flammable materials may be stored orused in a space that is below grade, i.e., in major part below ground level. 

The VPP places significant reliance on the cooperation and trust inherent in partnership. Sites choosing to apply for VPP recognition show their commitment to effective worker protection by inviting a government regulator into their workplace. In return, OSHA removes them from programmed inspection lists and does not issue them citations for standards violations that are promptly corrected. 

OSHA regulations apply to workers in private sector industries, the federal government, and state and local governments in OSHA-approved programs. However, self-employed workers, immediate family members of farm families without outside workers, and workers in some federal programs such as the Coast Guard or Federal Aviation Agency are exempt. 

The state of Washington exercises safety and health jurisdiction over most private sector employers in the state, and public sector employers except the federal government. Federal OSHA exercises jurisdiction over employers not covered by the state of Washington, including civilian federal employees and private contractors on military reservations and national parks, floating maritime operations, the United States Postal Service, tribal operations and tribal member employers on Indian Reservations and Trust Lands, and certain contractors within the boundary of the Hanford Reservation or the Hanford Reach National Monument not regulated by DOE or the state of Washington. See 29 CFR 1952.122. 

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