This OSHA Training blog is dedicated to enhancing knowledge of OSHA-related matters, especially in the areas of OSHA training and new/revised OSHA regulations.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This OSHA Training blog is dedicated to enhancing knowledge of OSHA-related matters, especially in the areas of OSHA training and new/revised OSHA regulations.
Curtis, Thanks for sharing this. It is the best summation of the rules and ideas I've seen on the subject.
ReplyDelete- Richard (SafetyRick) Zimmerman, CSP, EdD,
Rick. You bet! I am just surprised I have not heard from others about this topic. I fear this is something companies wait to do something about AFTER an accident has occurred.
ReplyDeleteI had a situation where a EE was texting while walking out into the employee parking lot. As she was texting she walked directly into a 12" high curb, tripping and falling, causing a severe contusion to the wrist. She ultimately failed the post-accident screening but under OSHA's rule will still be recordable. As she was working under the normal schedule and on the premise. The frustrating part is we do have a cell phone usage policy but it does not have anything to do with the OSHA side. As she tripped and fell causing a injury regardless of the reason or that she was under the influence of medications that was non-work related. She was terminated from the company but as a safety professional, I had to log it on the 300!!!
DeleteSuggestion: General rule - use cellphones the same way you would use a land line. Stop what you are doing. Remove yourself from your circumstance to a safe place. Answer the phone. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteA good idea in principle, but not sure how effective such a policy would be. With a land line, the phone is tied to a fixed point so the worker cannot wander too far while engrossed in a conversation. But with a cell phone, there is nothing to prevent a worker from answering a call or responding to a message when and where it comes through to them.
DeleteThere's something to prevent a worker from answering a call or responding to a message: A policy and a safety culture.
DeleteFirst we will try to convince employees it's a bad habit and unsafe. If they ignore the message, there will be consequences for their behavior if found not following this policy.
I've been trying to get our organization to accept a cell phone policy for several months. At the last mtg. w/ the president I was told, "We will follow Texas state law." So no cell phones in school zones. I'm frustrated beyond belief. This employer only wants to put window dressing on their Safety Program to be able to say, "Yes, we have a Safety Program." But it is only window dressing and they don't care about their employees proven by their actions and in-action. Guess they'll just wait for an avoidable accident and deal with the outcome. Only thing is I won't be here, I am now focused on being in the field coaching the employees out there on how to protect themselves and those on their crews. Changing a corporate culture ... very difficult.
ReplyDeletePart of why I like doing rail work-- FRA rules call for a $5,000 fine if caught using a cell phone within 500 ft of track.
ReplyDeleteTerry Callendrillo, CUSP, CHST, EMT-P,
Terry. Who gets the fine, the worker or the employer?
Delete
DeleteWorker. Also subject to removal from rail work. FRA is SERIOUS. Terry
As I came back from overseas this week, watching everyone use their cells while walking and driving both here and abroad, I wonder if we need to concentrate on minimizing the risk while using, rather than not using.
ReplyDeleteI think it may be too late to stop usage. It is pervasive.
Norman Umberger, P.E.
We do not allow cell phones in our manufacturing facility for anyone at the supervisor or lower position. This is for safety and for distraction. We do have safe areas where they could be used safely with Management approval. We are a chemical manufacturing plant. It is a good policy.
ReplyDeleteHi Curtis- I have been trying to catch up on your blogs and this one sounded interesting- but for some reason I can't read anything other than what I can see on this page. Have you taken this one down? Or did this one come down by accident? If so, I would still be interested in reading it. Thanks- Melissa Taylor, MS, CSP
ReplyDeleteMelissa. Not sure of the cause of the problem, but I reposted the link (http://www.oshatraining.com/osha-regulations-on-cell-phone-use-at-work.php). Please try again. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know. CC
DeleteIt has been really hard to enforce the 'no cell phone use' policy in our warehouse. It doesn't matter if they get suspended without pay. The problem continues. Not all supervisors enforce the policy though and that I think is our biggest problem. However, most employees use their phones to listen to music because it helps them focus on work and motivates them through the day to work harder. It may be impossible to completely eliminate the use of cellphones at work nowadays. Some of our positions are not dangerous and using a cellphone would not create a risk at all however, we have forklifts operating around the entire plant and that's our concern. Getting distracted on the phone, not seeing the forklift coming around the corner and getting hurt. This is a serious problem we've had for a long time but management is having a really hard time enforcing the policy. I'm curious to know if there is a company out there that has come up with an effective way to tackle this problem? Please let me know! Thanks, YBG, SEA-HR
ReplyDeleteHave a job event. Get a large amount of new potential employees lined up. Make an announcement that cell phone use on the work floor will result in termination. Fire everyone who does not comply and hire the new people one by one.
DeleteI am an OSHA Construction Trainer. I ask the students to sign a document that they will not use their cell phone or any Audio or Video devices during the training.
ReplyDeleteHello everyone! I work for a company that has a cell phone policy that prohibits cell phone usage while operating P.I.V. The question was asked " what defines operating a PIV?" and "Can an employee come to a complete stop in a safe location ,set the parking brake ,and send a quick text". My question is does osha give a definition to "operating a PIV"
ReplyDeleteSince your employer created this rule, your employer will have to define what they mean by "operate". OSHA does not address this issue in general.
DeleteWe have gone through various phases of a cell phone policy in our manufacturing warehouses. 1st allowing cell phones at the workstations, and only accepting emergency calls. Due to the abuse, we had to restrict cell phones to outside the building and in the break rooms. Still the employees abused the program. Now there's a zero policy for cell phones in the warehouse. We provide 3 numbers for families to use to get a hold of the employee. All management personnel knows if they receive an emergency call or text from a family member that it is considered an "All Stop" situation and the employee is immediately notified. If an employee in the warehouse is seen on the phone or with a phone at their station it's an immediate infraction. This includes chargers, because if a charger is present, then there's a cell phone present as well.
ReplyDelete