OSHA too vague
I just finished reading Ryan Ebens’ excellent article on being OSHA compliant [October’s “The Cutting Edge” column, Page 48]. All employers should be concerned for the safety of their employees. However, if OSHA really wants to achieve its goal of providing a safe working environment for all employees, it needs to do more than write vague guidelines.
I offer the following example from section 1910.213(c) ( 2) of OSHA’s standards: “The spreader shall be
made of hard tempered steel, or its equivalent, and shall be thinner than the saw kerf. It shall be of sufficient width to provide adequate stiffness or rigidity to resist any reasonable side thrust or blow tending to bend or throw it out of position.”
The two sentences raise more questions than they answer. What is an acceptable equivalent of hard tempered steel? What constitutes sufficient width or stiffness for such a device? What is a reasonable side thrust or blow? Specific examples of acceptable
guards and safety equipment for each and every machine covered by the regulations would be more helpful to everyone involved in the industry.
As an employer wanting to create the safest possible working environment, I need answers and solutions. What guards are acceptable to OSHA for each piece of equipment in my business? Where can the guards be purchased? Do the guards come with a certificate of compliance from OSHA?
My interpretation of a “reasonable side thrust” may not agree with OSHA’s
interpretation. Where does that leave me? If I attempted to comply with a regulation without standards and failed, would I be fined as if I made no attempt at all? This is the dilemma that OSHA has left all of us in.
If employers are given specific solutions to safety problems, they will be more likely to implement them. OSHA, please provide us with regulations and solutions that meet those regulations. I would hate to think that OSHA intentionally keeps its regulations vague so they can impose exorbitant fines on violators.
WWW.LENEAVESUPPLY.COM
Steve Wigfield Petaluma, Calif.
BlueLinx Holdings Inc. of Atlanta, a leading distributor of building products in North America, announced Aug. 9 that it acquired Austin Hardwoods, a privately held hardwood lumber distributor based in Austin, Texas. The acquisition expands BlueLinx’s presence in the Southwest and is expected to enhance the company’s ability to service industrial customers in certain local markets. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Operating since 1972, Austin Hardwoods sells hardwood boards, veneers and plywood. The company produced total sales in excess of $22 million for 2005 and operates four facilities in Texas, located in Austin, Dallas, El Paso and San Antonio.
With the addition of Austin Hardwoods, BlueLinx now operates 10 facilities in Texas. Austin Hardwoods will continue to operate under its current name under the direction of the management team and employees currently in place at the company. BlueLinx is not acquiring any of Austin Hardwoods’ franchised locations.
An incorrect photo appeared with The Cutting Edge column, “An efficient approach to casegood assembly,” in the November issue. A correct photo of author Gary Balcom appears below.
Gary Balcom
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