Workplace Safety Plan Worksheet HRM/420 University Of Phoeni ✓ Solved

Workplace Safety Plan Worksheet HRM/420 University of Phoeni

Workplace Safety Plan Worksheet HRM/420 University of Phoenix Material: OSHA has cited your company, Smith & Baker Construction Co. (SBCC), in the past year for violations. SBCC operates in California, Arizona, and Nevada. The violations were: Andrew fell into an open excavation in California due to a failure to identify the hazard; Thomas fell from scaffolding during construction of a three-story office building in Arizona; Lindsay became ill from breathing toxic contamination while walking the work site in Nevada. For each individual (Andrew, Thomas, Lindsay), in no more than 175 words each: 1) Identify OSHA regulations or standards applicable to the scenario and describe how the regulation applies and was violated. 2) Describe ways to minimize the identified safety concerns. 3) Explain one or two workers' compensation issues under the applicable state laws you must address for each individual. 4) Describe ways to minimize the risk of employee injury to avoid future workers' compensation claims. Provide APA-formatted references.

Paper For Above Instructions

Executive Summary

This analysis addresses three incidents at Smith & Baker Construction Co. (SBCC): (1) Andrew's excavation fall in California, (2) Thomas's scaffolding fall in Arizona, and (3) Lindsay's toxic exposure in Nevada. For each case I identify applicable OSHA standards, describe how they were violated, propose mitigation measures, explain workers' compensation issues under the relevant state systems, and recommend strategies to reduce future claims. The recommendations combine regulatory compliance, engineering and administrative controls, and claims-management best practices (OSHA, 2016; NIOSH, 2018).

1. Andrew — Excavation Fall (California)

Applicable standards and violation: OSHA's excavation and trenching standard (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P) applies, including requirements for protective systems, sloping, benching, and competent person inspections (OSHA, n.d.-a). California OSHA enforces equivalent or stricter rules (Cal/OSHA, n.d.). The violation occurred because SBCC failed to identify the hazard and provide protective systems or a competent person inspection, exposing Andrew to a collapse/fall hazard (OSHA, n.d.-a; NIOSH, 2018).

Mitigation: Implement written excavation procedures, designate and train a competent person to inspect daily and after events, use shoring/sloping/benching appropriate to soil type, install physical barriers and access ladders, and maintain emergency rescue plans (OSHA, n.d.-a; NIOSH, 2018). Conduct pre-task hazard analyses and include excavation checks in permits.

Workers' compensation issues (California): California's Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) requires prompt reporting and medical care; SBCC must report the injury to the DWC and its insurer, ensure timely medical treatment under state fee schedules, and preserve records for claims adjudication (California DWC, n.d.). Potential issues include permanent impairment ratings, temporary disability benefits, and claims for inadequate safety leading to penalties.

Prevention of future claims: Reduce claim frequency by enforcing excavation permits, frequent training, robust supervision, and post-incident root-cause analysis to correct system failures and document corrective actions to limit liability and recurrence (OSHA, 2016).

2. Thomas — Fall from Scaffolding (Arizona)

Applicable standards and violation: Scaffolding requirements (29 CFR 1926.451) require competent assembly, guardrails, fall protection, and load limits (OSHA, n.d.-b). The incident indicates failure to provide fall protection, inadequate scaffolding assembly, or lack of qualified supervision. Arizona enforces OSHA standards and has its own enforcement mechanisms (ADOSH/Industrial Commission of Arizona, n.d.).

Mitigation: Use guardrails, personal fall arrest systems where appropriate, ensure scaffold components meet manufacturer specs, require scaffold inspection by a competent person before use, and implement training for scaffold erectors and users (OSHA, n.d.-b; NIOSH, 2015). Enforce toolbox talks and site-specific fall-prevention plans.

Workers' compensation issues (Arizona): Arizona’s Industrial Commission administers claims and benefits including medical care, temporary disability, and potential permanent impairment awards (Industrial Commission of Arizona, n.d.). Key issues: timely reporting, ensuring treatment authorization, and handling subrogation or third-party claims if negligent equipment was provided by a subcontractor.

Prevention of future claims: Adopt a fall prevention program (training, equipment maintenance, inspections), maintain records proving compliance, and use return-to-work programs to limit indemnity costs and speed recovery (OSHA, 2016; BLS, 2022).

3. Lindsay — Toxic Exposure (Nevada)

Applicable standards and violation: Respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134) and Hazard Communication (1910.1200) apply where airborne contaminants or hazardous materials are present; construction-specific provisions for hazardous substances also apply (OSHA, n.d.-c). The violation appears to be failure to identify airborne toxicants, lack of monitoring, inadequate PPE, and no hazard communication or exposure controls (OSHA, n.d.-c; NIOSH, 2017).

Mitigation: Conduct exposure assessments, implement engineering controls (ventilation, isolation), provide appropriate respirators with medical clearance and fit testing, enforce hazard communication and labeling, and train employees on recognition and response (OSHA, n.d.-c; NIOSH, 2017). Establish a hazardous materials plan and site air-monitoring protocol.

Workers' compensation issues (Nevada): Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations handles claims; employers must report occupational illnesses and ensure access to medical care and temporary disability benefits where appropriate (Nevada DIR, n.d.). Issues include proving causation for occupational illness, potential long-term care needs, and occupational disease claim documentation.

Prevention of future claims: Proactive industrial hygiene program, routine monitoring, PPE programs, substitution of less hazardous materials when possible, and early medical surveillance reduce both health risk and compensable claims (NIOSH, 2017; OSHA, 2016).

Integrated Recommendations

Across all sites, SBCC should: (1) adopt an integrated safety management system that enforces OSHA regulations and state requirements, (2) designate competent persons and perform documented inspections, (3) provide targeted training and PPE, (4) implement pre-job hazard analyses, and (5) maintain robust incident reporting and claims management procedures to expedite care and control costs (OSHA, 2016; BLS, 2022). These steps reduce harm, regulatory penalties, and workers' compensation exposure.

References

  • Cal/OSHA. (n.d.). Excavation, trenching, and shoring. California Department of Industrial Relations. https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh
  • California Division of Workers' Compensation. (n.d.). Employer responsibilities and reporting. https://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc
  • Industrial Commission of Arizona. (n.d.). Workers' compensation. https://www.azica.gov
  • Nevada Division of Industrial Relations. (n.d.). Workers' compensation in Nevada. https://dir.nv.gov/Industrial-Relations
  • NIOSH. (2017). Respiratory protection and occupational respiratory hazards. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh
  • NIOSH. (2018). Preventing worker injuries in excavations. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/excavation
  • NIOSH. (2015). Falls in construction: strategies for prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/falls
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (n.d.-a). Excavations (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P). https://www.osha.gov
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (n.d.-b). Scaffolding (29 CFR 1926.451). https://www.osha.gov
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (n.d.-c). Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134) and Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200). https://www.osha.gov