Understanding PPE Exceptions: When and How to Accommodate Employees

What are TRI supplier notifications?

Supplier notification helps ensure that purchasers are informed that products they purchase have TRI-listed substances. Covered suppliers must send notifications for mixtures or trade name products with TRI chemicals to:

• Their customers if their customers own or operate TRI facilities, or
• Anyone who will later distribute that mixture or trade name product to others who own or operate TRI facilities.

Supplier notifications must include:

• A statement that the mixture or trade name product contains a TRI chemical,
• The chemical name and Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN), and
• The percentage (by weight) of that chemical within the mixture or trade name product.

The supplier notification must be in writing. If you’re required to prepare and distribute a safety data sheet (SDS) for the mixture or trade name product under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200, then:

• Your supplier notification must be attached to the SDS, or
• The SDS must be modified to include the required supplier notification information.

Typically, the supplier notification is found in section 15 of the SDS.

Who’s required to send a supplier notification?

Notifications must be provided by a facility or establishment that:

• Has a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code that corresponds to Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes 20-39;
• Manufactures (including imports) or processes a TRI chemical; and
• Sells or otherwise distributes that chemical within a mixture or trade name product to TRI-covered facilities or others who may, in turn, distribute such a mixture or trade name product to TRI-covered facilities.

If a facility meets all three criteria, then a supplier notification is required with at least the first shipment of the calendar year containing that TRI chemical. For chemicals newly added to the TRI list, notifications must be provided starting with the effective year of the chemical on the TRI list.

What’s the problem?

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2020 automatically updates the list of toxic chemicals subject to TRI reporting. This update happens annually as of January 1 of the year following specific triggering events. (See the preamble to the proposed rule for a list of triggering events.)

EPA must also publish a final rule to update the TRI list in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs). However, the problem is these final rules and conforming CFR edits have trailed the January 1 effective date. Stakeholders have questioned whether the supplier notification requirements for such NDAA-added PFAS begin either:

• On January 1, when the PFAS is added to the statutory TRI chemical list; or
• Upon EPA completing a rule to include the added PFAS in the CFRs.

The answer is the supplier notification requirements begin on January 1, when the PFAS is added to the statutory TRI chemical list. Suppliers that wait until EPA issues a rule may run into noncompliance.

What’s proposed?

On January 17, EPA proposed to edit the definition of “toxic chemical.” Specifically, EPA includes in the definition the PFAS that are automatically added to the TRI chemical list pursuant to the NDAA. Such PFAS are effectively TRI-listed chemicals as of the applicable January 1st following specific triggering events.

Put another way, EPA proposes to amend the CFR to confirm that the TRI chemical list includes:

• All chemicals found at 40 CFR 372.65; AND

• Any PFAS that have been automatically added pursuant to NDAA section 7321(c), which is codified at 15 U.S.C. 8921(c)(1).

Because some covered PFAS will not be listed in the CFR right away, the regulated community can find information on the latest NDAA-added PFAS here.

How does it work?

Let’s say a PFAS or class of PFAS is listed as added automatically to TRI on January 1, 2024. That means it was added for reporting year 2024. Supplier notifications would start January 1, 2024. Then, TRI-covered facilities would report for that PFAS or class of PFAS by the July 1, 2025, reporting deadline (and in later years).

Similarly, a PFAS or class of PFAS listed as added on January 1, 2025, means it’s added this reporting year (2025). So, those supplier notifications started January 1, 2025, and TRI-covered facilities would report the PFAS or class of PFAS by the July 1, 2026, deadline (and in later years).

What’s the comment deadline?

According to the proposed rule, comments must be received on or before February 18, 2025.

Key to remember

EPA proposes to clarify the timeline for chemical suppliers. It specifies when to notify customers that a product contains a PFAS regulated under 40 CFR 372. Comments are due by February 18, 2025.

‘Fire from the Storm’ video

The CSB’s new 17-minute safety video, "Fire from the Storm," includes a riveting animation of the events leading to a fire and toxic gas release. The incident occurred when Hurricane Laura damaged a chemical storage facility in Louisiana.

Rainwater then reached the chemical storage. The chemical decomposed, producing toxic chlorine gas and a fire. A large plume of chlorine traveled over the community.

The CSB video calls on OSHA and EPA to amend regulations on Process Safety and Risk Management, respectively. Five key safety issues contributing to the incident are covered:

• Extreme weather preparation,
• Process hazard analyses,
• Emergency preparedness and response,
• Adherence to hazardous materials codes, and
• Gaps in regulatory coverage of reactive chemical hazards.

The latest video follows two others issued in October and July. It also aligns with an alert shared last July on hurricane preparedness.

Cold weather alert

Cold weather can crack or break pipes. It can also lead to ruptured or damaged process equipment and/or failing instruments. In December, CSB rang alarm bells over an uptick in chemical incidents during cold weather. The CSB alert listed over a dozen safety steps and links to guidance on cold weather operations.

Process safety management programs are regulated at 29 CFR 1910.119. Per the alert, these programs should consider how low temperatures may affect piping, equipment, and instruments. Equipment susceptible to ice or hydrate formation should also be identified and properly winterized.

Extreme weather dangers are a recurring theme for CSB. Last July, during hurricane season, Owens said, “When it comes to extreme weather, chemical companies should expect the unexpected and must always be prepared for the worst-case scenario.”

Event summaries issued

In a move toward transparency, CSB compiled summaries for 26 of the chemical incident reports it has received. These events summarized in Incident Reports Volume 1 resulted in five fatalities, 17 serious injuries, and about $697M in property damage in 15 states since April 2020.

For over two years the board has posted “overall” data about incidents reported under 40 CFR 1604. That’s the Reporting of Accidental Releases standard. CSB now calls this standard the “Accidental Release Reporting Rule (ARRR).”

For the record, CSB has received 460 reports in the last five years. The reports reveal 68 fatalities and 249 serious injuries/illnesses. Over 200 of these incidents involved property damage of $1M or more.

The overall data reports provide:

• The name and location of the chemical facility,
• The date of the incident, and
• Whether the incident involved a fatality, serious injury, or substantial property damage.

However, the latest Volume 1 also reveals:

• A summary of the event,
• Its probable cause, and
• Images of the involved facility or incident scene.

Owens argued, “The American people have a right to know about the kinds of dangerous chemical incidents that happen across this country every week.”

Reporting form change

It’s worth noting that CSB updated its Accidental Release Reporting Form and Instructions last June. The changes:

• Merge the form and instructions into a single document;
• Make minor formatting and grammar corrections;
• Indicate a fourth reporting method (to call CSB to relay the National Response Center ID number);
• Clarify that only “substantial” property damage information is required; and
• Add a confidential and disclosure statement.

Key to remember

CSB continues to deliver videos, weather-related alerts, and data. The agency has also updated its reporting form and launched an initiative to reveal more incident details on a regular basis. Expect more from the board in 2025, along with any number of investigative reports.

Heat NEP extended

On January 16, the agency extended its National Emphasis Program (NEP) on outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards. The program was due to expire April 8, 2025. However, OSHA extended it until April 8, 2026. The program (described in CPL 03-00-024) targets over 70 high-risk industries when a heat warning or advisory is issued for a local area. Inspections are also conducted for heat-related fatalities, complaints, and referrals, no matter the industry.

Between April 8, 2022, and December 29, 2024, OSHA:

• Conducted about 7,000 heat-related inspections,
• Issued 60 heat citations for violations of the General Duty Clause, and
• Handed out 1,392 Hazard Alert Letters.

Amputations NEP extended

OSHA argues that employees are frequently injured when working on or around machinery and equipment. This is especially the case with insufficient guarding and/or energy control procedures. For that reason, on November 18, OSHA directed its offices to continue inspections under CPL 03-00-022 until June 30, 2025. That’s the NEP on amputations in manufacturing. It targets industrial and manufacturing workplaces with machinery and equipment that could cause amputations.

Injury/illness recordkeeping directive revised

Effective January 13, OSHA issued CPL 02-00-172. This directive provides enforcement guidance for 29 CFR 1904, which goes over injury and illness recordkeeping and reporting. The latest directive replaces a 20-year-old CPL.

OSHA says the new CPL reflects updated recordkeeping policies. It also incorporates revisions related to exemptions, employee rights, and electronic submissions. These stem from final rules published in 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2023.

Vessels directive revised

On November 13, OSHA published CPL 02-01-066. The directive concerns the agency’s authority over workers not only on vessels but also at facilities on/adjacent to U.S. navigable waters or on the Outer Continental Shelf.

The new directive provides guidance related to towing vessels, marine construction, and personal flotation devices. It supersedes older directives.

List of low-hazard industries revised

On November 14, OSHA issued a memo with a revised table listing “low-hazard industries.” These industries had days away, restricted, or transferred work injury/illness incidence rates in 2023 below the national private sector average. That national average was 1.5 per 100 full-time equivalent workers.

The table is referenced in CPL 02-00-170, which provides enforcement exemptions and limitations as required by Congress. Check out the article, “Is YOUR location immune from OSHA safety inspections?”

Penalty adjustments revised

On January 7, OSHA issued its memo, “2025 Annual Adjustments to OSHA Civil Penalties.” The memo goes over gravity-based penalty amounts for serious violations. While high gravity violations can reach $16,550, low gravity violations are just $7,093. A maximum $16,550 penalty may be proposed if OSHA thinks it’s appropriate to achieve deterrence.

The memo also offers a table of serious-willful penalty reductions for employer size. For example, an employer with 10 or fewer employees may receive an 80 percent reduction.

OSHA coordinates with EPA under new memo

On December 17, OSHA and EPA entered into a memo of understanding to coordinate protections for workers using chemical substances under two laws. Those include the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Under the memo, OSHA and EPA will share information on chemical-related priorities, risk evaluation, rulemaking, and enforcement activity.

TSCA regulates the use of chemicals more broadly, while the OSH Act regulates health and safety in the workplace. TSCA also covers a wider range of workers than OSHA, such as volunteers, self-employed workers, and some state and local government workers. That means EPA’s findings and worker protection regulations may differ from OSHA’s.

COVID-19 NEP cancelled

On January 16, OSHA tossed its NEP on COVID-19. According to the agency, this enforcement program (DIR 2021-03 (CPL 03) in place since 2021) was cancelled because of:

• A decline in COVID-19 complaints and inspections in high-risk workplaces in the last 12 months; and
• Updated public health guidance indicating the global health emergency has ended.

SST program future unclear

We’re waiting to see if OSHA will post a new Site-Specific Targeting (SST) Program. Its existing one (CPL 02-01-064) expires on February 7, 2025.

Under the SST Program, OSHA selects random targets of non-construction, non-office, non-government workplaces (with 20 or more employees) that are either:

• "High-rate” establishments with the highest rates of injuries/illnesses; or
• “Upward-trending” establishments with rates above the industry’s national average that trended upward in certain years.

Key to remember

The last administration continued to issue a stream of enforcement instructions for its offices and inspectors up to the last week. Of course, the new administration may revisit all enforcement documents.

More than just rules

The order covers not only final and proposed regulations but also “notices of inquiry,” any type of notice of proposed rulemaking, and guidance documents that interpret existing statutes or regulations.

The order will be overseen by the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), a position to which Trump has nominated Russ Vought.

OMB wastes no time

The OMB, which must approve most rulemaking activities, has already sent numerous pending rules back to the agencies for review. Among the rules withdrawn on January 21, 2025:

• A proposal to update the new-driver training regulations to address sexual harassment and the safety of women truck drivers and vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists.
• A proposal to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to account for the use of trucks and buses equipped with automated driving systems.
• A proposal from the Department of Health and Human Services to implement hair testing for federal workers.
• Proposed railroad noise-emission enforcement rules from the Federal Railroad Administration.
• A proposed air-emissions reporting requirement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as proposed EPA standards for emissions from PFAS manufacturing facilities.

In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration withdrew a proposed rule on infectious diseases on January 14 and its COVID-19 healthcare rule on January 15, prior to the inauguration.

President Trump issued a similar regulation freeze upon his 2017 inauguration. Soon after, he announced a “two for one” order requiring agencies to eliminate two regulations for every new one issued.

Proposed legislation

Bipartisan legislation has recently been introduced in the House that would require businesses to provide restroom access to truckers who are loading or delivering cargo at their warehouses, manufacturers, distribution centers, retailers, and ports.

Supported by leading organizations in the trucking industry, the Trucker Bathroom Access Act (H.R. 9592) was introduced on Dec. 15, 2022. The bill requires retailers, warehouses, and other establishments with existing restrooms to provide access to drivers who are loading or delivering cargo. Additionally, operators of ports and marine terminals must provide access for drayage and parking while accessing such restrooms.

This amendment to Title 49 would exempt some employers from the bill including filling and service stations, and restaurants 800-square feet or smaller with restrooms intended for employee use only. The bill doesn’t require employers to construct new restrooms but to give truck drivers the same access as employees or customers.

Your restroom availability affects their health

Commercial truckers and delivery drivers are the lifeline of our supply chain of supplies, products, and consumables. Working tirelessly all hours, during holidays and weekends, and throughout the pandemic, they continue to deliver critical food and emergency supplies to companies everywhere. Employers have the privilege of demonstrating gratitude to truckers and delivery drivers with a positive work environment.

The benefits of allowing truckers and delivery drivers the convenience and safety of readily available, sanitary restroom facilities are plenty. They’re able to rest and reset when necessary, which keeps them and others safer on the roads. Equally important, restroom availability prevents drivers from having to search for available facilities elsewhere, allowing them to keep a timely delivery schedule, limit supply chain delays, and ultimately lower costs for employers and customers.

Keys to remember

The proposed Trucker Bathroom Access Act will require retailers, warehouses, and other establishments with existing restrooms to provide access to truckers and delivery drivers who are loading or delivering cargo. Access to restrooms keeps them refreshed and ready to deliver essential supplies to companies across the country.

What does the standard require?

The OSHA First Aid standard (29 CFR 1910.151) requires trained first aid providers at all workplaces of any size if there is no “infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees.”

In addition to first aid requirements, several OSHA standards also require training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) because sudden cardiac arrest from asphyxiation, electrocution, or exertion may occur. These standards include permit-required confined spaces; logging; diving; and electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution.

First aid trained or first responder?

OSHA requires prompt first aid treatment for injured employees, either by providing for the availability of a trained first aid provider at the worksite, or by ensuring that emergency services are within reasonable proximity of the worksite. Whether the first aid provider is a first responder or is first aid trained is up to you and your risk assessment.

Employees considered first aid trained can provide initial treatment to an injured person until more qualified personnel arrive. First aid trained individuals can triage injuries, control the scene to keep others safe, and call for emergency services when needed. Not all first aid trained employees will feel comfortable performing CPR, using an automated external defibrillator (AED), or splinting a broken bone, however.

First responders, though similar in their role, typically have a higher degree of training than first aid trained individuals. Generally speaking, first responders are those that beat the ambulance to the scene such as firefighters or police officers. These responders can perform rescue services or escalate emergency care as needed, such as performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or controlling severe bleeding.

Who is more vital for handling an emergency at your facility? Both! First aid trained employees have process and facility training that first responders may not. For example, they may be more familiar with chemicals on site or process operations. Therefore, they can navigate facilities to reach injured employees quicker to begin initial treatment. First responders, on the other hand, will have a higher level of training for first aid treatment of more complicated injuries.

What’s considered “near proximity”?

OSHA clarifies in a letter of interpretation (LOI) from March 23, 2007, that, “While the first aid standards do not prescribe a number of minutes, OSHA has long interpreted the term ’near proximity’ to mean that emergency care must be available within no more than 3-4 minutes from the workplace. Medical literature establishes that, for serious injuries such as those involving stopped breathing, cardiac arrest, or uncontrolled bleeding, first aid treatment must be provided within the first few minutes to avoid permanent medical impairment or death. Accordingly, in workplaces where serious accidents such as those involving falls, suffocation, electrocution, or amputation are possible, emergency medical services must be available within 3-4 minutes, if there is no employee on the site who is trained to render first aid.”

Regarding work areas, such as offices, where the possibility of such serious work-related injuries is less likely, a longer response time of up to 15 minutes may be reasonable. OSHA gives employers discretion in determining higher risk areas that may need sooner response times.

Employers choosing to rely on assistance from outside emergency responders as an alternative to providing trained responders must ascertain that emergency medical assistance will be promptly available when an injury occurs.

Training requirements

OSHA doesn’t offer first aid or CPR training, nor certify trainers. Training by a nationally recognized organization, such as the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross is recommended. Successful completion of any first aid training program should include instructor observation of acquired hands-on skills and written performance assessments.

Keys to remember

OSHA 1910.151 requires employers to ensure prompt first aid treatment for injured employees, either by providing for the availability of a trained first aid provider at the worksite, or by ensuring that emergency services are within reasonable proximity of the worksite. Employers should consider the workplace, hazards, workforce, and location when determining whether to have first aid trained employees or first responders for medical aid.

The basics of logging exemptions

To be able to use this logging exemption in 395.1(e)(1), the driver must:

• Stay within 150 air-miles of the work reporting location for the day (draw a 150 air-mile radius circle around the work reporting location for the day — the driver must stay within this circle),
• Be back to — and released from — the work reporting location for his/her 8- or 10-hour break within 14 hours, and
• Include the starting and ending times for the day and the total hours on duty on the time record for the day.

The company must retain the time record and have it available for inspection for six months.

What if the driver goes too far or works too many hours?

If the driver cannot meet the terms of the exemption (he or she goes too far or works too many hours), the driver must complete a regular driver’s log for the day as soon as the exemption no longer applies.

If the driver has had to complete a log 8 or fewer days out of the last 30 days, the driver can use a paper log for the day. If the driver had to complete a log more than 8 days out of the last 30 days, the driver needs to use an electronic log for the day (unless one of the ELD exemptions applies, such as operating a vehicle older than model year 2000).

30-minute break exemption

When a property-carrying driver is operating under the 150 air-mile exemption, the driver is also exempt from having to take the required 30-minute break (see 395.3(a)(3)(ii)).

If the driver began the day as a 150 air-mile driver and has driven more than 8 consecutive hours without a break, and something unexpected happens and the driver can no longer use the 150 air-mile exemption, the driver must stop and immediately take the 30-minute break as well as start logging. If the driver went outside of the 150 air-mile area before the driver had 8 hours of driving without a break from driving, the driver would be expected to take the break at the appropriate time.

Common myths

Here are some of the common myths and misunderstandings about the 150 air-mile exemption:

• The driver must have the time records in the vehicle. Myth. The driver simply needs to explain to an officer during a roadside inspection that he/she does not have logs due to operating under the 150 air-mile exemption and that the required time records are back at the carrier’s office (just telling the officer, “I don’t have any logs” will lead to a violation, so the driver needs to know to provide the full explanation).
• The driver must log the previous seven days if he/she had been using this exemption and suddenly can’t. Myth. If the driver cannot use the exemption on one particular day, that is the only day the driver must use a regular log (either paper or electronic).
• Passenger-carrying drivers and drivers hauling hazardous materials cannot use this exemption. Myth. There are no restrictions on the use of this exemption, so any commercial driver can use it.
• A driver that crosses state lines cannot use this exemption. Myth. As this exemption appears in the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) regulations, it can be used by interstate drivers.
• Only drivers that operate out of a “company terminal” can use the 150 air-mile exemption. Myth. As long as the driver makes it back to the work reporting location for the day within the appropriate number of hours, the driver can use the exemption.
• Drivers that move from one jobsite to another every few weeks cannot use this exemption. Myth. If a driver that normally uses this exemption switches work reporting locations, the day the driver switches work reporting locations is the only day the driver cannot use the exemption.
• Drivers covered by this exemption are also exempt from the driver qualification (licensing and medical cards), driving, and vehicle inspection requirements. Myth. The only rules the driver is exempt from are the logging requirement in 395.8 and the 30-minute break requirement in 395.3.
• The driver cannot drive more than 150 miles for the day. Myth. The driver can drive as many miles as he/she wants to or needs to, as long as the driver stays within the 150 air-mile radius circle and gets back to the work reporting location within the appropriate number of hours.
• If a 150 air-mile driver gets into a vehicle with an ELD, the driver must use it. Myth. The carrier can have the driver log in and have the driver entered into the system as an “exempt driver,” or the carrier can request that the driver not log into the device and then attach a comment to the unassigned driving time generated by the driver’s movements. The comment would need to explain that the driver using the vehicle was a 150 air-mile driver who submitted a time record. It is up to the carrier to decide which option to use. If stopped for a roadside inspection, the driver will need to be able to explain to the inspector that he/she is an exempt driver using the 150 air-mile exemption, so using the electronic log is not required.

What’s different with the ‘150 air-mile non-CDL property-carrying drivers’

The 150 air-mile exemption at 395.1(e)(2) only applies to drivers that: Operate property-carrying vehicles that do not require a CDL to operate, and Stay within the 150 air-miles of their work reporting location.

If the driver stays within the 150 air-mile radius of the work reporting location, and returns to the work reporting location within 14 hours on 5 of the last 7 days, and 16 hours on 2 of the last seven days, the driver is allowed to use a time record in place of a log.

If the driver does not meet the terms of the exception, the driver will need to complete a log for the day. If the driver had to log more than 8 days out of the last 30 days, the driver will need to use an electronic log for the day. All of the other issues discussed above would apply to these drivers as well.

Managing the use

If you have drivers that use these exemptions, you will need to check time records to make sure they are complying with the appropriate time limits. You will also need to check movement records to verify that the drivers using these exemptions are staying within the mandated area (within 150 air-miles of the work reporting location for the day).

If a driver is over the hours limit, or has gone too far, you need to verify that the submitted a log for the day, either paper or electronic, depending on how many days the driver had to log out of the previous 30 days.

Verifying compliance is important

During an audit, if it is discovered that your drivers are using these exemptions incorrectly, you will be cited for not having drivers’ logs when required. Each day this occurred will be another violation, so the fine could be rather large if you are not managing the use of these exemptions!

What is the new timeline?

OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) – Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards is extended until April 8, 2026, or until replaced by an updated compliance directive. The previous NEP was set to expire on April 8, 2025. Inspections will continue through regional offices and state plan programs. Outreach will still be provided under this NEP.

Why the NEP is important?

Temperatures have reached record levels recently, and heat has become the leading cause of death among all hazardous weather conditions in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 479 worker deaths and 33,890 work-related heat injuries and illnesses that resulted in days away between 2011-2022.

Workers in both outdoor and indoor work settings may be at risk from:

• Elevated temperatures and humidity;
• Heat-generating processes, machinery, and equipment such as ovens, furnaces, or hot asphalt; and
• Labor-intensive activities during the heat such as construction, roofing, landscaping, or firefighting.

How an NEP differs from a standard

An NEP is not a mandate or regulation, but rather provides an enforcement program targeting specific high-hazard industries or workplace activities where heat-related injuries or illness could occur if not managed. Examples related to this OSHA’s heat NEP include working outdoors during a heat wave or working indoors near radiant heat sources like commercial driers or metal-working foundries.

Key to remember: OSHA has extended its National Emphasis Program (NEP) – Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards until April 8, 2026, or until replaced by an updated compliance directive while the proposed rule is reviewed by the new administration.

A dangerous state of mind

This detached mental state is known as highway hypnosis or white line fever attention. Although not true hypnosis, this dulled, trance-like state can be brought on by the monotony of the road. A driver who is bored and staring at, for example, the white lines or a snow shower in headlights might drift off into an experience called “driving without attention.”

Driving without attention is a form of distracted driving. In this state, drivers may be subject to more near misses including crossing over the center line.

Contributing factors include:

• Miles of dull landscape with very little scenery changes
• Operating a vehicle at one speed on long stretches
• Traveling alone
• Traveling long distances, creating a tunnel vision of the road ahead
• Overconfidence and not paying attention to surroundings
• Fatigue
• Driving several hours without a break
• Wandering mind (daydreaming)
• A warm cab
• A heavy meal
• Night driving

Recalibrating the brain

How can drivers avoid driving without attention? The first impulse might be to consume caffeine. It may help in the short term. However, if the problem is truly fatigue, drivers need to be honest with themselves and pull over for rest.

For some drivers, a fresh perspective might be found through a short break to stretch their legs at a truck stop. Drivers don’t have to wait until the next fueling to take a break. They could stop for a couple of minutes, for instance, every 100 miles.

The following tips can also help maintain concentration:

• Keep the cab on the cool side.
• Listen to music.
• Move your eyes:
  • Look across the landscape, even if it is a flat stretch with minimal trees or buildings.
  • Glance in the review and side mirrors and at the items on the dash.
  • Read road signs and billboards.
• Keep the mind active through mental activity such as recalling the day’s events and conversations or other memory tests.
• Maintain proper posture while driving. Sit up straight, and do not slouch.

Key to remember: Distracted driving doesn’t always have to involve using cells phones or engaging in activities that take the eyes off the road. It can be as simple as zoning out and not paying attention to the road ahead.

For-hire vs. private

For-hire carriers use vehicles to transport people or property and are paid for their service. The fee could be a direct fee like a fare or a rate but could also be other indirect forms of compensation. Examples of for-hire operations include a trucking company that hauls other people’s property for a fee (direct compensation) or a hotel that includes in its service the transportation to and from the airport to the hotel (indirect compensation).

Private carriers, on the other hand, transport only their own goods or people. Examples include a manufacturer that uses its own commercial vehicles to transport its product, a construction or landscaping company that uses commercial vehicles to transport equipment and employees to job sites, or a utility company that operates commercial vehicles in support of its operations.

For-hire operating authority

While private carriers are not required to obtain operating authority from the FMCSA, for-hire carriers are required to get authority to move property or people that belong to somebody else and get paid for their service. Having authority is often referred to as having an MC Number.

The most common types of authority are:

• Property for-hire
• Passenger for-hire
• Household goods
• Broker
• Freight forwarder

If a company never operates a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), it is possible to have authority, but not have a USDOT number. For example, straight brokers or freight forwarders.

As part of obtaining for-hire authority, carriers must designate process agents and demonstrate financial responsibility (have proper insurance coverage).

One size does not fit all

Authorities are not all-inclusive. Separate authority is needed for each type of service offered. For instance, a for-hire, over-the-road carrier that also wants to be able to resell its extra demand will need both for-hire and brokerage authorities. A company is required to pay a $300 one-time fee for each type of authority needed.

Permanent authority required

There are no temporary permits available to substitute for authority. For-hire operations may not be performed until the proper authority has been granted. It’s not uncommon for otherwise private carriers to become for-hire carriers to generate revenue on back-hauls or help balance capacity and demand during slow periods or seasons.

Getting it right

Carriers need to get it right when it comes to authority. Carriers required to have authority — but don’t and operate anyway — can get themselves into trouble. Penalties for operating without proper authority can get expensive and can result in out-of-service orders.

Here are your options for January/February

Carriers must display one or more of the following to travel through IFTA member jurisdictions for the first two months of 2023:

• A valid 2023 IFTA license and two IFTA decals issued by an IFTA member jurisdiction (you filed on time and received your new credentials in time for 2023); or
• A valid 2022 IFTA license and two IFTA decals from an IFTA member jurisdiction as long as the renewal application has been filed for 2023 (you filed on time but didn’t receive your new credentials in time for 2023); or
• A valid trip permit issued by the IFTA member jurisdiction through which they are operating.

Remember, IFTA license renewals for 2023 must be filed with your base jurisdiction before the end of 2022. The two-month grace period is for display of renewal credentials, not to file your renewal application for those credentials.

For early filers

Carriers renewing credentials may operate with the new 2023 IFTA decals and license two months prior to the effective date shown on the credentials. These carriers must still file a fourth quarter report for 2022, including all operations for that quarter.

Credentials 101: IFTA license and decals

Any person or carrier based in an IFTA member jurisdiction operating a qualified motor vehicle(s) in two or more member jurisdictions is qualified to license under the IFTA program. Applications request basic information about the carrier and its operations and must be submitted with the applicable license and/or decal fees. Fees vary by jurisdiction.

The IFTA license is valid for the period of January 1 through December 31. Each IFTA license must be renewed for the next calendar year. The base jurisdiction will notify its licensees of the renewal requirements.

If the applicant meets all IFTA application requirements, the base jurisdiction will issue the IFTA license and decals. The license contains an account number assigned by the base jurisdiction. This account number is then used for reporting all IFTA activity of the licensee.

The licensee is required to make legible copies of the license and carry one copy in each vehicle. Since January 2019, the license may be carried electronically. Failure to display a copy of the license may subject the vehicle operator to the purchase of a trip permit and/or a citation. Each licensee is issued two vehicle identification decals for each qualified vehicle in the fleet. Decals must be placed on both sides of the vehicle’s cab (passenger and driver side). Failure to display the identification decals in the required locations may subject the vehicle operator to the purchase of a trip permit and a citation.

Key to remember: For seamless operation into the new calendar year, file your IFTA renewal application with your base jurisdiction well before December 31, 2022.

What is 392.2C?

Section 392.2C is enforcement’s code for “failure to obey traffic control device.” The C stands for control.

The citation appears in the severity table for the Unsafe Driving BASIC (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category). The violation has been assigned a value of 5 out 10, with 10 being the most severe. The violation is used when calculating both the carrier’s and driver’s Unsafe Driving BASIC scores.

In most instances, the traffic control device is not a signal light or stop or yield sign. Rather, it is the sign that instructs the driver to pull into a weigh station.

Who must pull into a weigh station?

The vehicles that must stop at scales and inspection locations vary from state to state and even from location to location within a state. The “weigh scale ahead” or similar sign should be the driver’s guide.

If the sign reads:

• All vehicles over 16,000 pounds, the driver can safely bypass the scale if under the weight threshold.
• All commercial motor vehicles, the driver should pull in. It is far better to be waived or green lighted through than to be chased down.

Often those who operate commercial vehicles not requiring a commercial driver’s license, such as a large pickup truck or small box truck, mistakenly believe weigh scale inspections are just for larger rigs.

What happens when a driver ignores signage?

If a driver goes past a weigh station without pulling in as directed by a traffic control device, enforcement will pursue and pull over the driver. The officer will then escort the driver back to the weigh station for a roadside inspection.

Even if the driver was honestly confused whether the sign applied to the vehicle, it is too late. And more than likely enforcement’s interest has been piqued. It is highly unlikely the driver will be waived through at this point, and 392.2C will be entered on the roadside inspection report.

Handling violations

CSA’s enforcement model suggests finding the root cause of roadside inspection violations to prevent future occurrences and ultimately improve BASIC scores.

A violation of 392.2C may have one of several root causes, such as:

• Confusion over applicability
• Inattentiveness (missing the sign)
• Running late
• Risky behavior (taking the chance that no one will pursue)
• Concern over other violations discovered once stopped

Whatever the reason, it must be addressed with the driver. Corrective actions range from refresher training to termination. If the driver was trying to avoid enforcement for other reasons (drugs, alcohol, over HOS limits), these other violations need to be addressed accordingly.

Key to remember: Failing to obey a traffic control device will be used in calculation of the CSA Unsafe Driving BASIC scores. Motor carriers should address the root cause of the violation so it does not recur.

Why bring this up now five years later?

There seems to be a resurgence of concern over employees NOT wanting to have their cameras on during meetings. This may, if employers peel back the layers, indicate there’s something else going on with workplace culture. Something deeper, that if not addressed could get pretty stinky.

Cameras on or off isn’t the issue

Often, when an issue bubbles up, it’s not really about the “thing.” It’s about a deeper-rooted grievance, annoyance, frustration, or some other negative emotion. The key is to find out what that is.

When talking about camera usage, for example, employers can start by asking themselves a few questions:

• Has the cameras-on policy been in effect for a while or is it new?
• Is the policy upheld consistently?
• Is it truly a “policy” or is it simply encouraged?
• If it’s a policy, is it in writing and has it been communicated?
• Has an employee’s behavior changed? (camera used to be on and now it’s not)
• What’s the reason for wanting cameras to be on?

What’s the ‘why’ behind a policy?

The answers to these questions just scratch the surface, but will help employers start to understand the disconnect, if there is one.

For some employers, having cameras on during meetings helps them read nonverbal cues and gauge audience reactions. It can be a positive way to improve communications.

For other employers, they might not trust that employees are giving meetings their full attention like they would in person. In that sense, cameras become a form of punishment … a babysitter, of sorts. Employees could perceive that as being treated like a child versus being trusted to get the job done like an adult.

Again, the issue isn’t the cameras, but rather company policies and workplace culture. If an employer has a bunch of meaningless policies that aren’t consistently enforced, it erodes employees’ trust and commitment, which can spiral into retention issues.

If, however, an employer has well-thought-out policies, explains the “why” behind them, and enforces policies the same way for everyone, not only will that help create buy-in, but it will also improve workplace culture. And that’s something all employers should focus on.

Key to remember: Peel back the layers of your “cameras on” policy if you have one. Know the reasons for the policy and how employees may react.

When could a mandatory posting change occur?

The timing of a posting change for federal contractors and general employers may be different, based on the wording in the executive orders impacting the poster:

• Federal contractors: The executive order banning affirmative action gives federal contractors time to comply with the change, stating that, “For 90 days from the date of this order, Federal contractors may continue to comply with the regulatory scheme in effect on January 20, 2025.” During that time, more guidance regarding a posting change may be provided.
• Employers with 15 or more employees: A posting change for other employers is not likely to come without its day in court. The Supreme Court found in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia that firing individuals because of their sexual orientation or transgender status violates Title VII, as this is discrimination on the basis of sex. It may take a court ruling to result in an official change to the department’s definition of sex and an update to the EEOC’s workplace poster. The EEOC’s website on sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination continues to state that the law forbids gender identity discrimination when it comes to any aspect of employment.

There is always the possibility that a government agency will make a change based on its own interpretation of the law, however. Federal contractors and employers with 15 or more employees should be ready to display a revised poster if a new version is released by the EEOC.

Key to remember: Changes to the way the current administration views affirmative action and the definition of sex could bring a mandatory change to the Know Your Rights poster from the EEOC.

Eligible employees

Employees must meet the eligibility criteria to take FMLA leave. This doesn’t require employees to work a full-time schedule, but they must:

• Have worked for the employer for at least 12 months (don’t have to be consecutive),
• Have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 months before the leave begins, and
• Work at a location with at least 50 company employees within 75 miles.

The 1,250 hours equates to someone working a little more than 26 hours per week, so part-time employees can be eligible to take FMLA leave.

12 workweeks

Once employees meet all three eligibility criteria, they may take up to 12 of their workweeks of leave in a 12-month leave year period for FMLA-qualifying reasons. The workweek is the basis of leave entitlement.

If, therefore, Joe Employee normally works 30 hours per week, he gets 12 of his 30-hour workweeks of leave. This translates into 360 leave hours. Part-time employees still get 12 workweeks of FMLA, but the number of hours in their leave “bucket” is smaller.

To help illustrate this, if Joe Employee needed seven weeks of continuous leave beginning December 12, 2024, his seven weeks of leave would end on January 30, 2025. The employer would simply count the weeks, as Joe would get seven of his 30-hour workweeks of leave. Joe would have five weeks of FMLA leave remaining in the 12-month leave year period.

If, however, Joe Employee needed intermittent leave, the employer would count only the days (or hours) that Joe took leave. Employers like to think of these 12 weeks through the lens of how many hours of FMLA leave are available. Employees who normally work 40 hours per week get 480 hours of FMLA leave. Part-time employees who work less than 40 hours per week get fewer hours of FMLA leave.

Key to remember: Part-time employees can be entitled to FMLA leave as long as they meet the eligibility criteria, but they have fewer hours of FMLA leave.

OSHA’s announcement on helmets vs. hard hats

OSHA released a Safety and Health Bulletin (SHIB 11-22-2023) on November 22, 2023, detailing the key differences and benefits of using modern safety helmets over traditional hard hats.

And just a few weeks later, in the December 11, 2023 Trade Release, the Agency announced it would now require its inspectors to wear Type II head protection, which is also commonly referred to as safety helmets.

The two main benefits of Type II safety helmets

The November 22, 2023 SHIB discussed two main benefits of choosing modern safety helmets over traditional hard hats -- the construction of materials and the use of chinstraps.

And while OSHA has recognized the benefits of Type II safety helmets, and is actively taking steps to protect its own employees, it’s important to understand that there is not a new requirement for employers to make the switch to safety helmets.

That being said, a growing number of employers have recognized the benefits of added head protection and are choosing to use Type II helmets for their workers. In addition, some clients are starting to contractually require their construction contractors to make the switch as well.

Understanding the different types of head protection

Hard hats will have a Type I or Type II rating on the manufacturer’s sticker. These markings are based on ANSI Z89.1’s impact ratings.

Type I hard hats protect from objects or impacts from the top center area of the hard hat and are often used in work areas with no lateral head impact hazards.

Type II hard hats, on the other hand, offers protection from both top and lateral impacts and objects and is often found on construction job sites or complex general industry settings where workers face multiple head contact exposures.

Hard hats are classified based on their level of voltage protection. See the chart below.

Choosing the right head protection for your employees

Employers should conduct a job hazard analysis and/or a PPE assessment to determine which style hard hat is best for their workers. In general, OSHA recommends the use of Type II safety helmets at the following locations:

1. Construction Sites: For construction sites, especially those with high risks of falling objects and debris, impacts from equipment, or slips, trips, and falls, safety helmets have enhanced impact resistance and additional features that offer superior protection compared to the components and construction of traditional hard hats.

2. Oil and Gas Industry: In these sectors where workers face multiple hazards, including potential exposure to chemicals and severe impacts, safety helmets with additional features can provide comprehensive protection.

3. Working from Heights: For tasks or jobs that involve working from heights, safety helmets offer protection of the entire head and include features that prevent the safety helmet from falling off.

4. Electrical Work: For tasks involving electrical work or proximity to electrical hazards, safety helmets with non-conductive materials (Class G and Class E) provide protection to prevent electrical shocks. However, some traditional hard hats also offer electrical protection.

5. High-Temperature Environments: In high temperatures or where there is exposure to molten materials, safety helmets with advanced heat-resistant properties can provide additional protection to workers.

Key to remember: While there isn’t a new requirement for safety helmets, employers should review their workplace hazards to determine which style of hard hat will best protect their employees.

Choosing the correct year

The NAICS codes get updated every five years, with 2022 as the most current. Adding confusion, different OSHA regulations use different versions of the codes. For example:

• Employers trying to determine if they’re exempt from keeping a 300 Log under 1904.2 must use the 2002 codes.
• Employers trying to determine if they must submit injury data to OSHA by March 2nd must use the 2017 codes (OSHA updated from the 2012 codes as of January 1, 2024).

Searching codes online may default to the 2022 version, and some codes changed. For example, the 1904.41 appendix lists 4529 for “Other general merchandise stores” which covers retail outlets like dollar stores and variety stores. However, searching that code in the 2022 list shows “no result” since that number changed. The 2022 NAICS code for general merchandise stores is 4552, but that code does not appear in OSHA’s appendix. Employers using the 2022 NAICS codes may incorrectly believe their establishment is not on OSHA’s list.

Employers can search older versions of the NAICS codes at https://www.census.gov/naics/ which also indicates whether a particular code has changed in more recent versions.

Choosing the correct code

In addition to using the NAICS list for the correct year, employers must choose the correct code for each establishment. If a location engages in more than one type of business activity, employers must choose only one NAICS code for OSHA recordkeeping. OSHA says to choose the code for the activity that generates the most revenue or has the most employees.

In some cases, employers can divide a single physical location into more than one “establishment” as defined in 1904.46. To split a single location into multiple establishments, all of the following must apply:

• Each establishment represents a distinctly separate business;
• Each business engages in a different economic activity;
• No single NAICS code applies to the joint activities at the establishments; and
• Separate reports are routinely prepared for each establishment on the number of employees, their wages and salaries, sales or receipts, and other business information.

For example, OSHA noted that if an employer operates a construction company at the same physical location as a lumber yard, the employer may consider each business as a separate establishment.

For employers with multiple establishments, the NAICS code for each location should reflect the primary business activity at each establishment. For example, a manufacturing company might have a separate administration office. Using a manufacturing code for the office might not be appropriate, even though it supports the other manufacturing locations. However, NAICS codes starting 5511 for “Management of Companies and Enterprises” might apply.

For example, code 551114 gives examples as follows:

• Centralized administrative offices
• Head offices
• Corporate offices
• District and regional offices
• Subsidiary management offices

That might better describe a corporate administrative office, if the location does not have any warehousing or manufacturing operations. In fact, codes starting 5511 appear on OSHA’s list of establishments under 1904.2 that are exempt from keeping a 300 Log, so applying the correct code could mean that office doesn’t need a 300 Log at all.

Counting employees

Finally, counting employees gets confusing because some OSHA regulations require counting all employees in the company (combining all locations) and others require counting only the employees at each establishment.

• Section 1904.1 allows an exemption from keeping a 300 Log if the entire company has 10 or fewer employees, combining all establishments.
• Section 1904.2 allows an exemption from keeping a 300 Log based on the NAICS code for each location, regardless of the number of employees at the location.
• Section 1904.41 requires establishments in listed NAICS codes to submit injury data to OSHA annually, but only if the establishment (not the entire company) falls within an employee count range. Establishments with fewer than 20 employees need not submit even if the NAICS code appears in OSHA’s list.

Key to remember: NAICS codes update every five years, and employers must use the correct list, which may differ in various regulations.

Applying exemptions

Employers with 10 or fewer employees do not need to maintain a 300 Log, but this exemption counts all employees at all locations. If an employer has three locations, each with four employees, it has more than 10 employees and the size exemption will not apply.

The other exemption is based on each establishment’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. Employers might have some establishments that must keep a 300 Log and others that do not, like a manufacturing facility that maintains a 300 Log and an administrative office that is exempt.

In some cases, an establishment’s activities fit under more than one NAICS code, like a manufacturing plant with a distribution warehouse. OSHA advises using the code that either generates the most revenue or has the most employees, whichever the employer deems most applicable. Employers should check their workers’ compensation coverage to see which code they use.

For more information, see our article Which NAICS code should you use for OSHA?

Traveling and remote workers

If an employee has a recordable incident while visiting another establishment, the employer must record the case on the 300 Log for the establishment where the incident occurred, even if the employee normally works elsewhere.

However, if an employee has a recordable incident and is not at an establishment (such as traveling), the employer must record the case on the 300 Log for the establishment where the employee normally works.

Remote workers must be linked to a fixed establishment, typically the location from which they are supervised or receive job assignments. Recordable incidents to remote workers must be recorded on the 300 Log of the establishment to which they are linked. Employers also count remote workers as employees of the linked location, even if they work in another state.

Annual summaries

On February 1, each establishment that maintains a 300 Log must post a 300A annual summary for the previous calendar year. This is required even if the location has 10 or fewer employees, and even if the establishment had zero recordable incidents. Employers cannot combine multiple establishments on a 300A (although short-term establishments can be combined).

If some employees split their work time between locations, employers may distribute their hours worked between locations. However, if someone spends only a small amount of time visiting various locations, the employer may count all hours worked at the primary or linked location. Usually, this would not significantly impact the total hours worked for an establishment.

For more information, see our article Completing the 300A: Tips for the mathematically challenged.

OSHA requires a posting a physical copy of the 300A in the workplace until April 30, but employers may also post the summary on a company intranet for remote workers. OSHA does not require sending the 300A to remote workers who never visit the site, although California does require that.

Key to remember: Employers with multiple locations should confirm that the NAICS code for each location is correct, verify that incidents to traveling or remote workers are properly recorded, and ensure that each covered establishment posts a 300A as required.

Letters of Interpretation

As clarified in an OSHA Letter of Interpretation (LOI) dated October 18, 1995, “When any part of the body of an entrant breaks the plane of the opening of a PRCS large enough to allow full entry, entry is considered to have occurred and a permit is required, regardless of whether there is an intent to fully enter the space.”

This definition of “entry” might seem to be too strict. Still, OSHA’s letter clarifies that there are situations where a partial entry would be hazardous: “Examples of situations where entry by only part of the body into a PRCS can expose an entrant to the possibility of injury or illness are as follows:

1. An entrant can possibly suffer a burn while reaching into a PRCS, which is so classified because it contains a thermal hazard.
2. An entrant can possibly fall into a below-grade PRCS while standing on a vertical ladder in the opening of the space, which is so classified because it contains an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
3. An entrant can possibly become unconscious as result of his head accidentally entering a PRCS while they are reaching into a PRCS, which is so classified because it contains an oxygen deficient atmosphere.”

As another example, if the space contains a flammable or oxygen-enriched atmosphere, and if the activities during a partial entry could produce a spark or other ignition source, then a fire in the space could flash out of the opening and cause serious injuries to the employee.

OSHA’s guidance continues

This doesn’t necessarily mean you’d be fined if a permit wasn’t followed when someone reached a tank. OSHA’s guidance continues: “However, if entry by only part of the body does not expose the entrant to the possibility of injury or illness, then the violation may be considered a ‘de minimis’ violation.”

A de minimis violation is one in which a standard is violated, but the violation has no direct or immediate relationship to employee safety or health. These violations are documented but no citations are issued.

OSHA says examples of situations where entry by only part of the body into a PRCS would not expose an entrant to the possibility of injury or illness are as follows:

1. An entrant reaches through the opening of a horizontal PRCS, which is so classified only because it contains exposed live electrical parts ten feet from the opening.
2. An entrant puts his head through the opening of an overhead PRCS, which is so classified only because it contains unguarded rotating parts ten feet from the opening.

Also, consider a situation such as a worker reaching through a small grate to take a sample from a permitted space. The LOI further states, “If a part of the body were placed in an opening through which the worker could not pass into the permit-required confined space, no PRCS entry will have occurred.”

Keep in mind, however, that the employee would still need protection from any hazards involved in the task, but a permit would not be needed.

Key to remember

When any part of the body of an entrant breaks the plane of the opening of a PRCS large enough to allow full entry, entry is considered to have occurred, and a permit is required.

Total hours worked

Determining the total hours worked probably involves your Human Resources or payroll department. They key is to count only hours worked, not hours paid. Do not include vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other non-working time even if employees were paid for that time. If some employees are not paid the by the hour (such as salaried or commission employees) you can estimate their total hours.

The total hours are used to calculate the Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), or incident rate, which is expressed as a ratio of injuries per 100 workers. For instance, a rate of 2.3 means that for every 100 employees, 2.3 employees had recordable injuries.

However, the incident rate is actually a ratio of injuries per 200,000 hours worked (representing 100 employees working 40 hours per week for 50 weeks). This allows OSHA to compare locations regardless of part-time staff, since the rate depends on hours worked, not on the number of people. This is also why employers don’t count vacation or holiday hours; employees cannot get work-related injuries during those hours.

Key to remember: Correctly calculating your workforce size and total hours worked ensures an accurate 300A summary and incident rate.