January 26, 2012
Recent EH&S Trends Based on 2011 Data
February 2, 2012
The EH&S Compliance Cycle: Audits, Development, Implementation, and Maintenance
February 9, 2012
Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) & August Mack’s eCAP Programe
February 16, 2012
Background Contaminants
February 21, 2012
IDEM Rule 6 Storm Water Permits
February 23, 2012
Environmental Due Diligence for Commercial Property Transaction
March 2, 2012
How Do You Manage Your Safety Risk in Environmental Remediation Projects?
March 8, 2012
Changes to Indiana Closure Guidance
March 15, 2012
Environmental Considerations with Land Use Redevelopment
March 22, 2012
Updated Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) Standards
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) notified 15,000 workplaces nationwide that their injury and illness rates are higher than the national average. Two of the criteria OSHA used to identify these workplaces are the facility’s Days Away, Restrictions and Transfers (DART) rate and Days Away from Work Injury and Illness (DAFWII) case rate.
A facility manager’s first reaction should be to calculate both rates to see if OHSA will potentially be showing up at the facility. The DART rate calculation is N ÷ EH * (200,000): N being the number of cases involving days away and/or restricted work activity and/or job transfers; EH being the total number of hours worked by all employees during the calendar year; and 200,000 being the base number of hours worked for 100 full-time equivalent employees.
The DAFWII calculation is N ÷ EH *(200,000): N being the number of cases involving days away from work; EH being the total number of hours worked by all employees during the calendar year; and 200,000 being the base number of hours worked for 100 full-time equivalent employees.
What does final number mean for the regulated facility? If your facility has DART rate of 11.0 or greater, or a DAFWII rate of 9.0 or greater, the facility will be on the primary target list. OSHA also developed a secondary list of facilities that have a DART rate 7.0 - 11.0, or a DAFWII rate of 5.0 - 9.0. The facilities can expect someone from OSHA to be potentially knocking on their facility door. Again, only one of these criteria must be met.
If you suspect your facility may be on an OSHA target list, be prepared! You will need to demonstrate your workplace is safer than most, and have an active, ongoing program to reduce injury and illness.
If you would like to learn more about whether or not OSHA is targeting your facility, please register here for August Mack’s July 22nd webinar on this subject.Matthew Gerner is a former August Mack Environmental, Inc. employee.