From time to time, the Region X office of OSHA in Seattle, to which Idaho belongs, issues a Local Emphasis Program (LEP).
LEPs are designed to help OSHA enforcement officers from the Boise Area Office target hazards or industries that are a particular risk to workers in Idaho. This is usually done through programmed inspections; the area office will draw up an inspection schedule for companies that fall within the LEP, and then conduct their enforcement inspections.
If your business falls under one of these LEPs, the Idaho Safety & Health Consultation Program can help you make sure you understand the relevant OSHA rules and regulations so you can apply them properly to your situation. Please contact us at consultation@boisestate.edu, or (208) 426-3283.
Current LEPS include:
Local Emphasis Program for Powered Industrial Trucks (PITs)
“The Boise Area Office has conducted five fatality investigations between 2006 and 2010 where employees were crushed or struck by PITs. In addition, the Boise Area Office has issued 38 General Duty Clause violations between 2006 and 2011 related to PIT operations. Of the 38 General Duty Clause violations, 32 violations were issued for not providing or wearing seatbelts; one violation related to a struck-by hazard; one violation concerned exceeding the rated capacity of the PIT; and four violations concerned fall hazards where employees were elevated on the forks.” (Background information from Region X Directive 13-18 CPL 04).
Local Emphasis Program for Residential Construction
“This Instruction provides the framework for a local emphasis program to reduce and/or eliminate hazards associated with residential construction in the state of Idaho.” (Executive Summary from Region X Directive CPL-04-00-001).
Local Emphasis Program for Logging in Idaho
“Logging operations in the state of Idaho, Region X, and nationwide have historically had a high incidence rate of fatal and/or serious injury and illness which was significantly above the national average for other occupations.” (Executive Summary from Region X Directive CPL 04-00-006).
Local Emphasis Program for Silviculture Contractors
“Silviculture operations have resulted in multiple fatalities, serious injuries, and have attracted significant public attention. National and local inspection scheduling systems do not adequately provide for regular programmed inspections of these work sites. The purpose of this instruction is to provide an inspection scheduling system to cover this segment of a high-hazard operation within the context of current law and OSHA policy. This instruction establishes a Local Emphasis Program (LEP) for silviculture operations.” (Executive Summary from Region X Directive CPL 04-00-013).
Local Emphasis Program for Silica Exposure and Slab Handling in Cut Stone and Stone Product Manufacturing
“This instruction establishes a Local Emphasis Program (LEP) for the cut stone and stone product manufacturing industry. The cut stone and stone product manufacturing industry has experienced significant growth in recent years in part because of the growing popularity of granite counter tops in new construction and remodeling projects in the residential construction industry. This industry presents two significant hazards to employees including excess to silica dust and a crushing hazard during material handling operations. This LEP will utilize outreach, compliance assistance and direct intervention to better focus attention on a health hazard specifically targeted in OSHA’s Strategic Management Plan. Current national and local inspection scheduling systems do not adequately provide for regular programmed inspections of this industry, and this LEP will provide an objective inspection scheduling system to cover this segment of a high-hazard operation within the context of current law and OSHA policy. Eligible employers who elect to schedule a full-service consultation visit with the Idaho Safety and Health Consultation Program will receive an inspection deferral under the terms of this LEP.” (Executive Summary from Region X Directive CPL-04-00-014).
Local Emphasis Program for Lead
“This instruction establishes a Local Emphasis Program (LEP) to address lead exposures in the workplace, including General Industry (1910), Construction (1926), Shipyards (1915), Longshoring (1918), and Marine Terminals (1917). This LEP will address a goal in the DOL’s Strategic Plan 2006-2011 to reduce occupational illnesses and employee exposures to lead and is required by OSHA Instruction CPL 03-00-009, National Emphasis Program – Lead, August 14, 2008.
The toxic effects of occupational exposure to lead are well established. Lead is a systemic poison that serves no useful function once absorbed by the body. It adversely affects body systems and organs, and causes health impairment arising from acute or chronic exposure, including damage to blood-forming organs, and nervous, urinary, and reproductive systems. In 1990, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) set a national goal to eliminate lead exposures that result in workers having blood lead concentrations greater than 25 ug/dl of whole blood.
This LEP will use outreach, compliance assistance and enforcement to more effectively focus on industry specific health hazards. It provides an objective inspection scheduling system to target selected industries in accordance with current law and OSHA policy.” (Executive Summary from Region X Directive CPL-04-00-018).
Local Emphasis Program for Inspections in the Grain Handling Industry
“This instruction establishes a Local Emphasis Program (LEP) to address serious and recognized hazards in the grain handling industry, including General Industry (1910).
The serious hazards associated with grain handling are well established. Grain engulfments, often resulting in a fatality of one or more, occur too often throughout the U.S. Hazardous atmospheres for workers entering grain bins have also continued to be a cause of worker deaths. Explosions and deflagrations from the ignition of combustible grain dusts are serious and recognized hazards. Additionally, facilities engaged in grain handling often have exposures to fall hazards from the numerous ladders and elevated platforms. Exposure to injury from unguarded equipment or equipment not properly de-energized and locked out continues to be a source of serious accidents.
This LEP will use outreach, compliance assistance and enforcement to more effectively focus on industry-specific and serious safety hazards. It provides an objective inspection scheduling system to target selected industries in accordance with current law and OSHA policy.” (Executive Summary from Region X Directive CPL 04-00-020.)
Local Emphasis Program for Construction Fall Hazards in Idaho
“Construction operations in the state of Idaho and nationwide have historically had a high incidence rate of serious injury. The leading cause of serious injury and death on construction sites is due to falls. Fall hazards account for approximately 33% of all occupational fatalities. This instruction establishes a Local Emphasis Program (LEP) for construction operations having potential fall hazards.” (Executive Summary from Region X Directive CPL 04-00-020).