Sign Builder Illustrated columnist Jim Hingst writes in his latest blog: “In some cases, your employees will not recognize the hazards in your shop or on the job site.
Your responsibility is to educate your people about these hazards, such as those posed by contact with solvents or other hazardous materials. If your employees are exposed to hazardous fumes, vapors, dusts, etc. over OSHA’s permissible exposure limits (as stated on the MSDS), you must take the following steps:”
+ You are required by law to evaluate the dangers within your workplace and inform your employees of the dangers to which they are exposed. You must also instruct them on when and how to use respirators and other safety equipment. Communicate this information verbally and then put it in writing.
+ As an employer you are required to provide each employee with an appropriate respirator necessary to protect the employee’s health. The type of respirator required is outlined in OSHA regulations in 29 CFR 1910.134.
+ You are also required to “develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use. The program must be administered by a suitably trained program administrator.”
+ You must instruct employees on how to care for and maintain any safety equipment that they would use.
To read more of Jim’s overview about these safety tips, be sure to click HERE.
