Risk Management Safety FAQ's

• How Do I Order Safety Videos?
• Do I have to keep an OSHA 300 Log?
• When do I have to post the OSHA 300 Summary?
• What is a Serious Accident/Injury?
• How soon should I report a Serious Injury or Illness or a Fatality?
• Does My Business Need an Ergonomic Evaluation?
• What is a Bloodborne Pathogen?
• Do I Need an Eyewash Station?
• What Is A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?
• Who needs MSDS's?
• Why Do I Have to Label Chemical Containers?
• What Is An Emergency Action Plan?
• What Should An Emergency Action Plan Include?

How Do I Order Safety Videos?

We have over 400 free safety videos which you can borrow for up to 14 working days. Select the titles from our extensive Risk Management Safety Video Library.

Do I have to keep an OSHA 300 Log?

Employers with 11 or more employees, excluding some low-hazard establishments in the retail, services, finance and real estate sectors, must keep an OSHA log. The Log includes work-related injuries and illnesses for the previous calendar year. If you are unsure whether your business fits these criteria, use our Contact us page to locate a local Risk Management Consultant for help.

Our Risk Management Rx (RMRx) Safety Advisor product will create the OSHA 300 Log for you whenever needed - just record incidents in RMRx throughout the year.

When do I have to post the OSHA 300 Summary?

February 1 begins the three-month posting period for employers' summaries of work-related injuries and illnesses for the previous calendar year.

Starting February 1 and ending April 30, employers must post the Cal/OSHA Form 300A in a conspicuous place or places where notices to employees customarily are posted. Employers with no injuries or illnesses should post the 300A with zeros through the total lines.

What is a Serious Accident/Injury?

A serious injury or illness is defined in section 330(h), Title 8, California Administrative Code.

A serious injury or illness means any injury or illness occurring at work or in connection to work which requires inpatient hospitalization for more than 24 hours (other than for medical observation) or in which an employee suffers a loss of any member of the body or suffers any serious degree of permanent disfigurement.

How soon should I report a Serious Injury or Illness or a Fatality?

Immediately report these to the nearest District Office of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

This means as soon as practically possible once you know or would have known about the incident, but no longer than 8 hours. If exigent circumstances exist, the time frame for the report may be extended.

Does My Business Need an Ergonomic Evaluation?

• Do your employees spend four or more hours per day working at a computer?
• Are they engaged in any kind of repetitive motion (the same movement over and over again)?
• Do they hold the same posture for prolonged periods of time?
• Do their jobs involve lifting and bending?
• Are any employees currently experiencing pain or discomfort which you associate with the physical requirements of their jobs?

To request a workplace ergonomic evaluation, call your Risk Management Consultant or Contact Us.

What is a Bloodborne Pathogen?

A (human) bloodborne pathogen is a microorganism (bacteria, virus, etc.) that lives in the bloodstream and can cause disease in humans.

The blood borne pathogen standard was put into effect by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and was designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other blood borne pathogens.

Do I Need an Eyewash Station?

Emergency eyewash stations are required within 100 feet (10 seconds) of a direct line of travel from areas where corrosive chemicals are stored or used. Inspect the station monthly and flush it weekly if plumbed into the water system. Do not use one pint or one quart eyewash bottles for first aid use with corrosive chemical exposure.

What Is a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is designed to provide employees and emergency personnel with the proper procedures for handling or working with a particular substance.

MSDS's include information such as physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point etc.), toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, and spill/leak procedures. These are useful if a spill or other accident occurs.

Our Risk Management Rx (RMRx) Safety Advisor system has an MSDS Management tool that will help you organize and save time tracking this information.

Who needs MSDS's?

MSDS's are meant for:

1. Employees who may be occupationally exposed to a hazard at work.
2. Employers who need to know the proper methods for storage etc.
3. Emergency responders such as fire fighters, hazardous material crews, emergency medical technicians, and emergency room personnel.

MSDS reflect the hazards of working with the material in an occupational fashion. For example, an MSDS for paint is not highly pertinent to someone who uses a can of paint once a year, but is extremely important to someone who does this in a confined space 40 hours a week.

Why Do I Have to Label Chemical Containers?

Employers must ensure that each hazardous chemical container in their workplace is labeled, tagged, or marked with the identity of the hazardous chemical and the appropriate hazard warning.

Existing labels on incoming containers of hazardous chemicals must be preserved and maintained unless the employer replaces the label immediately with the required information. Labels must be prominently displayed, legible, and in English. Required information in other languages may be added to the label as long as it is presented in English as well.

What Is An Emergency Action Plan?

An emergency action plan covers designated actions employers and employees must take to ensure employee safety from fire and other emergencies.

What Should An Emergency Action Plan Include?

At the minimum, the following:

1. A designated assembly location and procedures to account for all employees after an evacuation;
2. Names, titles, departments, and telephone numbers of individuals both within and outside your company to contact for additional information or explanation of duties and responsibilities under the emergency plan;
3. Procedures for employees who remain to perform or shut down critical plant operations, operate fire extinguishers, or perform other essential services that cannot be shut down for every emergency alarm before evacuating; and
4. Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to perform them.