Guide to OSHA Compliance Directive

New OSHA compliance directive to Residential Fall Protection Requirements

OSHA has withdrawn the compliance directive related to the Residential Roofing Fall Protection Exception issued in 1995. As of December 22, 2010 a new compliance directive has been in effect due to a high number of fall-related deaths in the residential construction industry. The previous directive allowed residential builders to bypass certain fall protection requirements. According to data from the department of Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 40 workers are killed each year as a result of falls from residential roofs.

Workers engaged in residential construction six feet or more above a lower level surface must be protected by conventional fall protection (i.e., guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems) or alternative fall protection measures allowed under 1926.501(b) for particular types of work. A personal fall arrest system may consist of a full body harness, deceleration device, lanyard, and anchor point. (See the definition of "personal fall arrest system" in 29 CFR 1926.500). If an employer can demonstrate that the fall protection required is infeasible or presents a greater hazard, he or she must implement a written, site-specific fall protection plan meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.502(k). The fall protection plan must specify alternative measures that will be used to eliminate or reduce the possibility of employee falls.

Under the new policy, employers engaged in residential construction must comply with the OSHA Standard 29 1926.501(b)(13) and therefore, also familiarize themselves with the term and definition of "residential construction." The term is now interpreted as covering construction work that satisfies two elements:

1.	The end-use of the structure being built must be a home (e.g. a dwelling); and
2.	the structure being built must be constructed using traditional wood frame construction materials and methods. The limited use of structural steel in a predominantly wood-framed home, such as a steel I-beam to help support wood framing, does not disqualify a structure from being considered residential construction.

Compliance with this new requirement will particularly affect the roofing industry. New equipment designs in personal fall arrest systems (harness, lanyard and anchor) or guardrails can be used safely and effectively in residential construction, including roofing work. June 16th 2011 is the compliance date.

Professional Equipment offers fall protection products to assist with being in compliance with the new directive.

For additional information please read Guide to Fall Protection.

You may also review more information on the Compliance Directive for Fall Protection in Residential Construction by visiting the OSHA website!

Pick the Fall Protection Kit that fits your work and work site. One purchase and one container help keep you compliant with OSHA standards.

Compliance: Full-body harness and shock-absorbing lanyard meet or exceed OSHA 1926 and ANSI Z359.1-1998 performance standards.

Recall on Triad Group alcohol pads, wipes and swabs

Alcohol pads, wipes and swabs (both sterile and non-sterile) manufactured by Triad Group and also sold under a variety of other brands, are being recalled. These products were distributed to pharmacies in the United States, Canada and Europe—sold in individual packets and purchased from retail pharmacies in boxes of 100. The pads, wipes and swabs are used to disinfect an area prior to an injection. These products are also found in first aid kits, and it is recommended that all first aid kits be examined for containment of Triad products.

You may view a complete listing of brands that have purchased Triad Group's recalled pads, wipes and swabs.

Please review the FDA recall document on Triad Group pads, wipes and swabs.

If you have these products within your possession listing "Triad Group" as the manufacturer, you should not use the product and return it to the location it was purchased for a full refund.

Healthcare experts and patients should report adverse events or unwanted effects related to using these items to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Info and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

FDA regulates acetaminophen in prescription meds

The FDA asks that manufacturers of prescription products limit the amount of acetaminophen to no more than 325 milligrams (mg) per tablet or capsule. Yet this FDA request does not apply to over-the-counter (OTC) acetaminophen products at this time.

The FDA is taking this action to make prescription combination pain medications containing acetaminophen safer for patients to use. Overdose from prescription combination products containing acetaminophen account for nearly half of all cases of acetaminophen-related liver failure in the United States; many of which result in liver transplant or death.

Prescription products such as codeine (Tylenol with codeine), oxycodone (Percocet), and hydrocodone (Vicodin) contain acetaminophen. Also called APAP, acetaminophen is a drug that relieves pain and fever and is used in both prescription and OTC drugs.

The FDA also is requiring manufacturers to update labels of all prescription combination acetaminophen products to warn of the potential risk for severe liver injury.

Please visit the FDA website for more information and a list of acetaminophen affected products.