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| Volume #2, Newsletter #1 |
Fall 2013 |
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Message From Commissioner Malveaux
Last month I sat down to write my last Commissioner’s Corner, as I left the agency in October to resume my legal career. As I look back on my time at DOLI, I am pleased at the strides we took to strengthen our agency’s programs to make Virginia a safe, healthy, and productive place to work.
We increased the size and expertise of our Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and will now have workers focused on several industries all over the state. We have also added a Coordinator for the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) for small business, as well as a Safety and Health Trainer for small employers. DOLI continues to expand on-site consultation and voluntary compliance programs for small business. We are working cooperatively with the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) and the Workers Compensation Commission (WCC) in new ways to enhance our safety and health compliance targeting.
We now process child labor employment certificates electronically. The Registered Apprenticeship Division continues to partner with other agencies and employers to enhance workforce readiness in targeted industries; particularly in energy, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Division will continue its vigilance in its inspection of boilers and pressure vessels to ensure safe operation and to protect the property and lives of its citizens. These steps will save DOLI, employers and employees time and money, and enchance workplace safety and health significantly.
Finally, DOLI has made significant strides in its outreach efforts. We released a series of Public Service Announcements this year on some of the most common safety and health issues; including Overhead Line Safety, Fall Protection, Reverse Signal Awareness, Heat Stress, and Trenching Safety. We also expanded our social media presence by launching the agency’s Facebook page.
I enjoyed seeing many of you at our recent VOSH conference. The conference not only provided an outstanding program of seminars and speakers, but it provided an opportunity for DOLI staff and employers to network and share best practices with each other.
It has been a pleasure to serve the Commonwealth as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. Work smart, work safe, Virginia.
 
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2013 VOSH Conference
The 18th Annual Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Conference took place October 9-11, 2013 at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Spa and Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia and was presented in cooperation with the Virginia State Association of Occupational Health Nurses. Conference participants engaged in safety and health training sessions on asbestos abatement, safe driving strategies, trenching and excavation safety, strains and the injured worker, and much more! Safety and health equipment and related products were displayed and demonstrated at 35 vendor exhibits. Conference participants enjoyed the opportunity to network with each other and strengthen relationships with other safety and health professionals.
Concurrent sessions included opportunities to learn about the VPP and SHARP programs, what to expect during a VOSH inspection, and ergonomic interventions. Keynote speaker John Henshaw, former Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) presented on current issues in safety and health and the value of a safety culture. David Fialkov, an associate with Steptoe & Johnson's Washington D.C. office, spoke on wellness programs and the Affordable Care Act. J. A. Rodriguez returned this year and spoke on turning a definite "no" into a sustainable "yes." The OSHA 10-Hour Courses in General Industry and Construction were offered for free this year. Those completing the 10-Hour course received a 10-Hour OSHA completion card in either General Industry or Construction.
The conference has enjoyed great success in the past, and as promised, this year was better than ever, continuing the tradition of improving training sessions while maintaining an affordable price to employers, employees, and safety and health professionals in Virginia.
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Electronic Employment Certificates
DOLI has been feverishly working on the transition to an automated process for the issuance of child labor employment certificates. Children and their parents no longer need to apply for an employment certificate at their school. Effective September 9, the first phase of the electronic conversion allows employers and parents to electronically access, complete, and download forms required for the issuance of an employment certificate. Visit DOLI's website for more information.
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Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
Are you a company that manufactures, distributes, or otherwise handles chemicals? If so, you need to train your employees on new label elements and safety data sheet (SDS) requirements by December 1, 2013.
The United Nations created GHS with the purpose of implementing a universal system of classifying chemical regulations and standards. Many countries use their own system for classifying and labeling chemical products. This can be time consuming and costly for companies that operate globally and have to comply with many different sets of regulations and standards. It creates confusion and uncertainly for workers who need to understand the hazards in this global environment. In 2012, OSHA aligned the Hazard Communication (HAZCOM) standard with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). OSHA will still refer to the measure as HAZCOM, or revised HAZCOM.
What Does This Mean For My Company?
Companies must train employees on GHS formatting by December 1, 2013. Employees must become familiar with new label elements; including the definitions for hazards, the classification of mixtures, and the format for SDSs; which will replace Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Labels on shipped containers will now require signal words, hazard pictograms, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and the name, address, and telephone number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party. Signal words alert users of the relative severity of a potential hazard. “Warning” indicates a less severe hazard; “Danger” alerts users to a more severe hazard. Pictograms identify the product the same way globally. Hazard statements describe the nature of the chemical and precautionary statements describe the measures that should be taken to prevent adverse effects.
Additional Deadlines
June 1, 2015 - New label requirements and SDS sheets must be in place. Distributors must be in compliance if they are not passing along manufacturer labels.
December 1, 2015 - Distributors may ship products under the old system. All labels must be updated by this date.
June 1, 2016 - Employers must update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication programs as necessary, and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards. The transition period is complete and all manufacturers, distributors, importers and employers must be in compliance with the final standard.
Useful Links for Additional Information
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| Public Service Announcements |
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DOLI recently took its PSA campaign to the airwaves across the Commonwealth.
With the help of several industry partners, DOLI sponsored a series of public service announcements on safety and health issues facing Virginia workers. Topics include Trenching and Excavation, Overhead Power Lines, Heat Stress, Reverse Signal and Fall Protection. The campaign was designed to encourage workers to think about safety while on the job.
The PSAs began airing in northern Virginia and Richmond on local NBC affiliates, and in Roanoke and Tidewater on local CBS affiliate stations. The PSAs began airing August 26 and will continue to air through mid-December.
The complete PSA campaign is available to view anytime on DOLI's YouTube channel.
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| Virginia Industry Environment Conference |
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Staff from Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) and the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) joined industry and environmental leaders of the Commonwealth at the 11th Annual Virginia Industry Environmental Conference on September 12 at the Virginia Wyndham Crossings in Glen Allen.
The conference, planned by the Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA), allowed staff from VOSH to present a robust session focused on safety, best practices, new technologies, construction and maintenance standards as well as updates on pending, proposed and existing safety and health issues. VPP staff presented an overview of the required elements for participation in VPP.
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| Voluntary Protection Program Update |
Congratulations to the following sites for their recent re-certification as a STAR site:
RR Donnelley & Sons Roanoke Plant
Tenaska-Virginia Generation Station
Dominion North Anna Power Station
Eastman Chemicals CP Films
Virginia VPP has expanded to include three regional coordinators and an office manager. VPP can now expand the number of participants without diminishing the quality of the new entrants.
Don’t miss the Region III VPPPA 2014 Conference at the Pittsburgh Wyndham Hotel and Conference Center, May 6-9, 2014. Region III will hold a free (no tuition) class for prospective Special Government Employees (SGEs). The class is scheduled for May 5-6, 2014. Approved participants will spend two days learning about the responsibilities of an SGE and how they can support the VPP program. In order to participate, applicants must complete the SGE application and the Financial Disclosure form. Applications must be sent to the OSHA SGE Coordinator by January 15, 2014 to participate in the class.
Becoming an SGE is an excellent way to continue the growth of the VPP program and contribute to the sustained reduction of accidents at VPP sites.
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| Fraudulent VOSH Solicitations |
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We have all heard the stories of individuals falsely identifying themselves as DOLI, VOSH or OSHA employees. These con artists attempt to conduct inspections, training, and threaten employers with fines if they do not purchase specific workplace posters or other materials. In some instances these individuals have fraudulently issued citations, attempting and at times successfully forcing employers to write checks to cover fines and penalties on the spot.
Employers are able to download posters free of charge by visiting DOLI's website.
Additional OSHA publications, posters, fact sheets, etc. can be ordered through the publications office or, in most cases, downloaded directly from OSHA's website. OSHA’s publications and posters, including the “OSHA Workplace Poster,” are available free of charge to anyone who asks and may be ordered by any of the following methods:
Online: Visit OSHA’s web publications page.
Fax: Send your request via fax to 202-693-2498.
Telephone: Call 1-800-321-6742 (OSHA) or 202-693-1999.
Mail: Send your request in writing to:
U.S. Department of Labor OSHA Publications Office 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Room N3101 Washington, D.C. 20210
Remember to ask for identification when you are unsure of any individual presenting themselves as an employee of DOLI or VOSH. If any employer feels they have received a fraudulent solicitation, they should contact their nearest regional office.
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