OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) of Highly Hazardous Chemicals

The US Department of Labor's Bureau of Laborof chemicals in use at the workplace. The 1910.119
Statistics reported 5,702 workplace relatedPSM standard mandates the use of MSDS,
fatalities (around 4 deaths per 100,000 workers)meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200,
and approximately 4.2 million incidents ofsection (g).
workplace related non-fatal injuries and illnesses.An IIPP is a mechanism for reviewing and
This demonstrates the continuing need for OSHAeliminating/reducing potential hazards in the
programs and initiatives to ensure safety andworkplace. An effective IIPP can not only protect
health in the workplace.workers but also benefit employers by reducing
Available data from the US Bureau of Laborlost man-days and workers' compensation costs.
Statistics (BLS) highlights the fact that non-fatalThe workplace Injury and Illness Prevention
workplace injuries and illnesses have beenProgram (IIPP) can be conveniently discussed in
progressively reduced from 5.3 to 4.6 cases/ 100terms of the California-OSHA adopted IIPP.
equivalent full time workers, during the periodApplicable categories of employers in California are
2002 to 2005. Stringent regulations for workplacerequired by law, Title 8 (T8), of the California
safety and the dedication of agencies enforcingCode of Regulations (CCR) to have an effective,
the same have made this remarkable feat adocumented Injury and Illness Prevention
reality.Program.
The Occupational Safety and Health AdministrationThe Cal-OSHA mandated IIPP essentially has
(OSHA), an agency under the Department ofseven basic components. These are: (1)
Labor, has the primary responsibility of developingidentification of program implementing personnel,
and enforcing worker and workplace related(2) a written outline of the company's system of
health and safety regulations. OSHA promotesevaluating and combating safety and health
workplace safety through a variety of ways,hazards, (3) a schedule of periodic inspections, (4)
including the 29 CFR 1910.119 PSM standard andinvestigation procedures for workplace injuries and
the 29 CFR 1910.120 HAZWOPER standard. Theillnesses, (5) a description of employee training
essentials of the OSHA Workplace Injury andprogram(s) on safe work practices and specific
Illness Prevention Program emanate from thejob-related safety information, (6) a system for
provisions of these standards.communicating with employees on occupational
All employers are required to implement andhealth and safety matters and for enforcing safe
maintain (a) a workplace Injury and Illnessworking practices, and (7) a retention policy for
Prevention Program (IIPP), (b) an OSHArecord documentation compliance.
mandated Hazard Communication Program (as perRecords and reports (29 CFR 1904) are integral
29 CFR 1910.1200), (c) an Emergency Action Planand important parts of any effective OSHA
(EAP) in accordance with provisions of 29 CFRworkplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
1910.38 and (d) a Fire Protection Plan.Records help to identify causes of incidents and
The EAP, orientated towards disasterdevelop future strategies for improving workplace
management, and the IIPP, designed forsafety. Records typically include work-related
minimizing incidents, are not mutually exclusive.accidents, fatalities, injuries and illnesses, incidents
The two programs complement each other andof exposure to toxic or hazardous materials,
have certain common requirements. An exampleMaterial Safety Data Sheets, health and safety
of this is the recommended use of Materialrelated training imparted to employees,
Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to identify potentialinspections, audits and other statutory records
hazards that may arise from the different typesrequired for worker's compensation, insurance etc.