Kentucky State OSHA Regulations
- Kentucky's OSH program regulates laws that affect shipyard employees.shipyard 106 image by Krzysztof Szargiej from Fotolia.com
The Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970 (OSH Act) was established to "assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women," according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) website. The OSH Act created OSHA to enforce safety standards and regulations. Each state is required to maintain practices comparable to the federal government's requirements. Kentucky's state-specific standards include general, maritime and construction regulations. The Kentucky Standards Board, which is a group appointed by the governor of Kentucky from several industries, monitors Kentucky OSHA regulations. - The Kentucky Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) program requires the enforcement of general regulations. The OSH program monitors several areas, including the handling of batteries, off-highway motor vehicles and fire department facilities. The purpose of the Kentucky general OSHA regulations is to ensure the "safe and healthful working conditions of Kentucky workers," according to the statute.
For example, facilities that charge batteries---automobile repair shops, for instance---must provide a location for "flushing electrolyte from the eyes and skin," according to the first section of the general industry standards. Additionally, employees are required to wear goggles when removing a battery from a vehicle.
General industry regulations provide employers with basic guidance on meeting employee safety requirements. - The maritime industry employs seamen and other water vessel employees. Kentucky's maritime regulations do not apply to issues under the control of the United States Coast Guard, according to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The Kentucky OSH manages several areas of shipyard employment, including surface preparation; welding, cutting and heating; health and sanitation; life preservation and housekeeping.
The maritime regulation ensures that "personal flotation devices shall be inspected for dry rot, chemical damage, or other defects which may affect their strength and buoyancy," according to 29 C.F.R. Part 1915. - The construction industry exposes workers to job-related hazards. The Kentucky OSH program focuses on regulating employee exposure to high voltage. It requires the "testing of supply lines in excess of 600 volts," according to the Kentucky Administrative Regulation (KAR), which applies to workers who are not affiliated with utility companies.
