Our FAQ's

What Safety Services Are Provided By the ICW Group Loss Control Department?

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?

How soon should I report a Serious Accident or Fatality?

What is a Serious Accident/Injury?

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?

Why Do I Have to Label Chemical Containers?

What Is An Emergency Action Plan?

What Should An Emergency Action Plan Include?

 

What Safety Services Are Provided By the ICW Group Loss Control Department?

We offer comprehensive on-site job and hazard surveys, safety programs, Fire system analysis, supervisory training programs, employee safety training, videos, and more! See Our Services for more information.

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How Do I Order Safety Videos?

ICW has over 400 safety videos for your use. The videos are free and may be borrowed for up to 10 working days. See our extensive Video Lending Library listing. To order videos Contact Us.

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Do I have to keep an OSHA 300 Log?

The requirement for keeping an OSHA 300 log is applicable to employers with 11 or more employees, excluding some low-hazard establishments in the retail, services, finance and real estate sectors.

If you are unsure whether your business fits this criteria, contact your ICW Safety Services Representative for help.

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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.

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How soon should I report a Serious Accident or Fatality?

Immediately report a serious accident or illness or death to the nearest District Office of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

"Immediately" means as soon as practically possible but not longer than 8 hours after the employer knows or with diligent inquiry would have known of the death or serious injury or illness. If the employer can demonstrate that exigent circumstances exist, the time frame for the report may be made no longer than 24 hours after the incident. See  http://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/342.html for details on requirements.

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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.

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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, Contact Us.

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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 designed to eliminate or minimize occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other blood borne pathogens.

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Do I Need an Eyewash Station?

Emergency eyewash stations are required wherever corrosive chemicals are used or stored.

The eyewash should be located within 100 feet (10 seconds) direct line of travel from areas where corrosive chemicals are stored and or used. The station should be inspected monthly and flushed weekly if plumbed into the water system. One pint or one quart eyewash bottles are not approved for first aid use with corrosive chemical exposure.

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What Is a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is designed to provide both workers 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 of particular use if a spill or other accident occurs.

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Who Needs MSDS?

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
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