OSHA Training News Update
January 13, 2021
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Too Much Sitting Got You Down?
You Could Be Suffering From Sitting Disease
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In the current age of easy-access technology, a significant percentage of Americans stare at a computer screen for much of their day, whether at an office desk or at home. And when we’re not on our computers, we’re glued to our smartphones. An average office worker sits for 15 hours every day, which calculates to about 80,000 hours spent sitting over a lifetime. Including exercise and physical activity, people across the U.S. only spend approximately 3 hours per day simply standing.
This sedentary lifestyle has been coined “sitting disease,” which is broadly defined as a condition of increased sedentary behavior associated with adverse health effects. Sedentary behavior can be defined by two things: the position you are in, which is generally reclining or sitting, and the amount of energy your body has expended.
Any extended sitting, such as at a desk or in front of a computer, can be harmful. Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns, according to Mayo Clinic College of Medicine professor Dr. Edward Laskowski (What are the risks of sitting too much?). He cites an analysis of 13 studies of sitting time and activity levels which found that those who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risks posed by obesity and smoking.
OSHA has developed a Computer Workstations eTool to illustrate basic ergonomic principles that will help you create a safe and comfortable computer workstation. The best way to set up a computer workstation is to follow the ergonomic principle of neutral body positioning, which is a comfortable working posture in which your joints are naturally aligned. Working with the body in a neutral position reduces stress and strain on the muscles, tendons and skeletal system and reduces your risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).
One of the most effective positions is the standing posture, with legs, torso, neck and head approximately in-line and vertical and feet slightly apart. Elevating one foot on a rest can also be beneficial. One easy and relatively inexpensive solution is to utilize a stand up desk converter, which sits on a desk or worktable and provides the flexibility to alternate between standing and sitting.
Whether you are working from home or in an office, it is important to maintain ergonomic awareness of your posture, bodily movement and the amount of sitting/reclining you are doing throughout the day to help prevent long term health issues.
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OSHA's Lockout/Tagout Standard Requires that Workers be Protected from Hazardous Energy Releases |
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OSHA’s lockout/tagout (LOTO) standard establishes the employer’s responsibility to protect workers from hazardous energy releases on machines and equipment during service and maintenance. The standard gives employers the flexibility to develop an energy control program suited to the needs of their workplaces and the types of machines and equipment being maintained or serviced.
OSHA has produced a Fact Sheet that highlights OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout standard and outlines some of the most critical requirements for employers, including:
- Develop, implement and enforce an energy control program when machines and equipment are being maintained or serviced.
- Use lockout devices for equipment that can be locked out.
- Use tagout devices only if they provide protection equivalent to lockout devices.
- Provide effective training as mandated for all employees covered by the standard.
Training is vital to ensure that workers understand and can follow the applicable provisions of the hazardous energy control procedures. All employees who work in an area where energy control procedure(s) are utilized need to be instructed in the purpose and use of the energy control procedure(s), especially prohibition against attempting to restart or reenergize machines or other equipment that are locked or tagged out. Workers who are authorized to lockout machines or equipment and perform the service and maintenance operations need to be trained in recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of energy and the means and methods of isolating and/or controlling the energy.
OSHA #7115 - Lockout/Tagout, a 1-day class that focuses on employer roles and responsibilities in the development and implementation of an energy control program, is being offered on January 29, 2021, online via Zoom. CLICK HERE to register.
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February 1-3, 2021 | VILT via Zoom
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This 3-day course uses ergonomic principles to recognize, evaluate and control workplace conditions that cause or contribute to musculoskeletal and nerve disorders. Topics include work physiology, anthropometry, musculoskeletal disorders and use of video display terminals. The course emphasizes industrial case studies on analysis and design of work stations and equipment, practice sessions in manual lifting and current OSHA compliance policies. Class size is limited and open to participants located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam or American Samoa only. REGISTER HERE
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January 28, 2021 | VILT via Zoom
February 4-5, 2021 | VILT via Zoom (2 half-days)
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This 1-day course provides an introduction to basic accident investigation procedures and describes accident analysis techniques to help participants gain the basic skills necessary to conduct an effective accident investigation at their workplace. The course is designed for individuals responsible for their organization's safety and health system, and who would be involved in conducting accident and/or near-miss investigations. Class size is limited and open to participants located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam or American Samoa only. REGISTER HERE
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February 8-11, 2021 | VILT via Zoom
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This 4-day course covers industrial hygiene practices and related OSHA regulations and procedures. Course topics include recognition, evaluation and control of chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic hazards, respiratory protection, engineering controls, OSHA sampling protocols and strategies, and workplace health program elements The course features workshops in health hazard recognition, OSHA health standards and use of sampling equipment. Class size is limited and open to participants located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam or American Samoa only. REGISTER HERE
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2021 Virtual Instructor-Led Training via Zoom |
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The following is a partial list of upcoming 2021 classes offered online in a live-video format via Zoom. PLEASE NOTE: The OSHA numbered live, online video-based classes via Zoom are only available to participants located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam or American Samoa.
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January 19-22, 2021 Last chance to register!
Covers AB 2799 Cannabis Industry Compliance - 8 half-day sessions
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January 19-29, 2021 Last chance to register!
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January 20-22, 2021 Register today!
- January 28, 2021
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February 4-5, 2021 2 HALF-DAYS
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2021 In-Person Training
(Includes Hybrid of Zoom and In-Person)
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The following is a partial list of upcoming 2021 in-person and hybrid classes offered by the OSHA Training Institute Education Center following strict safety and physical distancing guidelines. PLEASE NOTE: Our in-person class schedule is subject to change based on state or county orders to stay at home.
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February 3-5, 2021 | (Zoom/In-Person: Dublin CA) Almost Full!
- February 10-12, 2021 | Sacramento CA
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March 20-28, 2021 | Dublin CA WEEKENDS
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The OSHA Training Institute Education Center’s Catalog is now available to download or request a copy by mail.
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Many of our OSHA classes are now being offered live, online via Zoom. We are also offering in-person OSHA classes following physical distancing and other strict safety guidelines when stay at home orders are lifted. In-person class sizes are reduced, so early registration is strongly advised. Visit our website for an updated class schedule.
Our offices are currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, but we are available to respond to inquiries by email at otc@clpccd.org or phone at (866) 936-OSHA (6742) (phone inquiries will be answered within 24 hours).
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