What are OSHA Regulations?

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations are a set of standards that, when followed, create a safe and healthy workplace for all. These regulations apply to all businesses. Some of them vary slightly by industry, while others apply across every business. It depends on the industry in question.

Sometimes, people use the acronyms OSHA and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) interchangeably. While there is some overlap between the two sets of regulations, they are not the same.

What is the difference between OSHA and ADA?

The short answer is that the OSHA standards apply to everyone. They are created with the average person in mind. ADA regulations apply specifically to all areas of public life. This is to prevent discrimination against Americans with disabilities.

Another difference is where these standards apply. For example, OSHA standards apply to workplace facilities. As mentioned before, ADA regulations apply to all public facilities.

There are other differences as well, but the above are the major differences.

How do these regulations impact facilities planning?

These regulations impact facilities planning to the extent that both sets of regulations should be taken into account as the facilities are being planned. This ensures that your workers are protected according to standard regulations. In addition, the company is protected under these same standards in the event that anything does happen.

Examples of OSHA regulations

Some major places where you might encounter OSHA regulations include companies with older machinery or  electrical systems. Additionally, excessive noise and confined spaces are two other common situations that are addressed within OSHA regulations.

Machinery

The OSHA has a very specific set of guidelines that ensure worker’s safety around most heavy machinery. Depending on the machine in question, light machinery may be subject to these rules as well.

Older electrical systems

These present hazards that may fly under the radar for years. OSHA has design requirements for electrical systems and safety-related work practices that ensure your business is in proper order.

Excessive noise

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. OSHA requires employers to implement a hearing conservation program when noise exposure is at or above 85 decibels averaged over 8 working hours, or an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Hearing conservation programs try to prevent initial occupational hearing loss,

Confined spaces

Finally, many workplaces contain areas that are "confined spaces" because while they are not necessarily designed for people, they are large enough for workers to enter and perform certain functions of a job. OSHA standards provide a legal framework for construction across industries, including shipyard employment, paperboard mills, and grain handling facilities.

How can I use a CMMS to comply with the ADA and OSHA?

A CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) can help you and your company comply with ADA and OSHA by providing you a birds-eye view of your company’s facilities from the maintenance perspective.

When fed the proper raw data, the system enables you to check your existing facilities against the rules and regulations. This enables you to make the necessary changes, if any, to make sure that you are in compliance with both OSHA and ADA regulations.