Rachel Krubsack

ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY

Rachel has been with J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc since 2010. She researches and creates content on a variety of workplace safety topics, including hearing conservation, training requirements, bloodborne pathogens, emergency action plans, lockout/tagout, and hazard communication.

Rachel also contributes content on compliance and best practices for use in J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. products, including the Employee Safety Training Advisor newsletter and the following manuals: OSHA Rules for General Industry, Hazard Communication Compliance, and Hazard Communication Pro.

Have a compliance question for Rachel? Send it through J. J. Keller's Expert Help feature included with all publications in the Compliance Library.

Expert Advice from Rachel

FAQs answered by Rachel Krubsack

Is OSHA safety training mandatory?

ANSWER:
Some types of training are mandatory, but whether employees must be given specific training will depend on their job duties. OSHA has training requirements for hazard communication (HazCom), lockout/tagout, bloodborne pathogens, forklift operators, and many other topics. Of course, many employers provide additional training that is not specifically required in order to better protect employees.

How often does OSHA training need to be done?

ANSWER:
A best practice is to review each applicable OSHA rule for its employee training and information requirements; some rules have annual training and/or employee information requirements. While OSHA’s training requirements vary from rule to rule, there are some commonalities:

Training is required for each employee who is exposed to the hazard.
Initial training is required before the employee is exposed to the hazard.
Refresher training can be required on a scheduled basis, as needed when workplace conditions have changed, or if the employee is no longer performing safely.

What is the purpose of a hazard communication program?

ANSWER:
Chemicals pose a wide range of health hazards (such as irritation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity) and physical hazards (such as flammability, corrosion, and reactivity). OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS or HazCom) at 1910.1200 is designed to ensure that information about these hazards and associated protective measures is disseminated to employees who are exposed.

Products written by Rachel Krubsack

OSHA Rules for General Industry

MORE INFO

Employee Safety Training Advisor

MORE INFO

Recent Articles by Rachel Krubsack

› Quick Tip — Are floor signs (that are adhered to the floor) required to warn employees of hazards ahead of them?

› Michigan invites employers to “Take a Stand” for workplace safety and health

› Training Blueprint — Make sure authorized employees have LOTO training

› OSHA reveals its Top 10 list for FY 2018 violations

› New standard aims to prevent dropped objects