Safety & Health Hazard Topics

Heat Stress

Many workers spend some part of their working day in a hot environment. Workers in foundries, laundries, construction projects, and bakeries — to name a few industries — often face hot conditions which pose special hazards to safety and health. The following materials can assist employers and employees in recognizing and evaluating hazards in the workplace.

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WATER. REST. SHADE.
Heat Stress Pamphlet
Training PowerPoint
Occupational Heat Exposure
Employer Responsibilities
Information for Workers
OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App
Using the Heat Index to Protect Workers

Grain Protection

There are several provisions employers must follow to comply with the grain handling standard. They include requirements for hot work: entering bins, silos, tanks, and other storage structures: inside bucket elevator legs: preventive maintenance. Having a smooth-running grain handling system is critical. The more efficient the system is, the less the grain needs to be moved, and the less risk there will be of mechanical damage.

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Grain Handling Guidance

Fall Protection

Falls are among the most common causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths. Employers must set up the workplace to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls.

More Info & Resources

Fall Protection and Prevention Pamphlet
Fall Protection and Prevention Presentation
Residential Fall Protection and Prevention Presentation

Other Resources:
Fall Protection
Publications
Construction Safety
Falls from Height
Fatal Work Related Falls

Agriculture

Agriculture ranks among the most dangerous industries. Farmworkers are at high risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries, work-related lung diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, skin diseases, and certain cancers associated with chemical use and prolonged sun exposure. Between 2003 and 2011, 5,816 agricultural workers died from work-related injuries in the US.

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Farm vehicle safety

Combustible dusts (grain bins)

Nuisance dusts

Exposure to heat

Chemicals and pesticides

Confined spaces and dangerous gases (wells, bins, silos and pits)

Equipment guarding

Entrapment (bins and silos)

First Aid

Fall protection

Orchard ladders

Zoonotic diseases

Labor Law issues (child labor)

Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS)

PPE

Tree trimming

Tree felling

Noise

Electrical Safety

OSHA electrical safety focuses on preventing electrocution and other electrical hazards by establishing standards for electrical equipment, work practices, and training, with a strong emphasis on lockout/tagout procedures and safe distances from energized lines

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OSHA Electrical Standards

OSHA Fact Sheet

OSHA Quick Card

Electrical Safety Training Presentation

Electrical Safety Handout

Reverse Signal

The Department of Labor and Industry’s Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Program and the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board have adopted a final regulation for Reverse Signal Operation Safety Requirements for Vehicles, Machinery and Equipment for General Industry and the Construction Industry, 16 VAC 25-97.

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Text of Regulation
Quick Card Text of the Regulation
Explanation of Regulation
PowerPoint Presentation
Training Certification Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Interpretations
Outreach/Phased Enforcement Explanation

Tree Trimming

The Department of Labor and Industry’s Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Program and the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board have adopted a final regulation for Tree Trimming Operations, 16VAC25-73. For additional information on safety, educational programs, meetings, publications and guidelines for tree service operations, be sure to visit the Tree Care Industry Association webpage.

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News Article: English | Spanish
Explanation of Outreach: English | Spanish

Training Materials
The following supporting documentation was designed to assist in the understanding and implementation of this regulation.
Text of Regulation: English | Spanish
Training Certification Form: English | Spanish
Interpretations: English
Outreach/Phased Enforcement Explanation: English | Spanish
Powerpoint Presentation: English

Quick Cards – Quick reference guides for sections §40, thru §90 G-H

VOSH Directives on Tree Trimming Operations

VOSH Program Directive 02-244
Tree Trimming Operations, 16VAC25-73, Inspection Procedures and Interpretations

VOSH Program Directive 14-234
Local Emphasis Program – Tree Trimming Operations

Trenching and Excavation

Trench collapses, or cave-ins, pose the greatest risk to workers’ lives. Employers should ensure there is a safe way to enter and exit the trench. Keep materials away from the edge of the trench. Look for standing water or atmospheric hazards. Never enter a trench unless it has been properly inspected.

More Info & Resources

Trenching and Excavation Safety Flyer
Trenching & Excavation Safety Presentation
Digging Deep into Safety Article

Struck-By

Struck-by injuries are produced by forcible contact or impact between the injured person and an object or piece of equipment.

More Info & Resources

OSHA’s Fatal Four: Struck-by Hazards
Struck-by Hazards Presentation
OSHA E-tool
CPWR Resources