OSHA Allies with International Union of Operating Engineers for Training Programs, Upgrades Federal Targeting Program

OSHA recently announced that it has allied with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 18 and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 18 Apprenticeship and Training Program to provide engineering workers with information, guidance and access to training resources that will help them reduce and prevent hazards related to heavy-equipment operation.

The program dovetails with the OSHA 30 certification (for supervisors) and OSHA 10 hour training (for workers) that most employers now require of their employees to mitigate or eliminate onsite safety and health hazards. It also seamlessly complements the HAZWOPER certification that other contractors require.

"This alliance reflects a recognition of the importance of the safety and health of engineers and heavy equipment operators," said Deborah Zubaty, the OSHA area director in Columbus. "We want to ensure that all workers understand the hazards involved in operating heavy equipment and how best to protect themselves. Alliances such as this one help develop effective safety and health programs, while also opening the lines of communication among OSHA, employers and workers."


The alliance, according OSHA, is voluntary. Nevertheless, it is focused on achieving its goals via enhanced training, compliance with OSHA standards and regulations, and implementation of best work practices. Particularly, it is focused on identifying and managing safety hazards, improving safety and health programs, promoting symbiosis between labor and management, and promoting employee participation.

There is much work to be done though. In the wake of high numbers of lost-time injuries during FY 2011, OSHA has updated its Federal Agency Targeting Inspection Program (FEDTARG) directive for fiscal year 2012.

Although almost all construction employers today already require OSHA 30 certification for supervisors and OSHA 10 hour training for workers (some even look for 40 Hour HAZWOPER training), injuries (even fatalities) still occur each year, prompting the need for more vigilance and enhanced compliance with OSHA standards and regulations through additional directives such as the FEDTARG.

The FEDTARG lays out the procedures for carrying out programmed inspections at some of the most hazard-filled federal workplaces. Under the directive the following establishments will be subjected to targeted (unannounced) inspection: all those with 100 or more lost time cases (LTCs) during FY 2011; 50 percent of those with 50 to 99 LTCs; and 10 percent of those with 20 to 49 LTCs.

This year’s new FEDTARG is in line with OSHA's nationwide inspection targeting program for federal worksites, which started in 2008 following a Government Accountability Office audit report that recommended the agency develop a targeted inspection program for federal worksites.

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