Leuf wrote:
On Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:20:48 -0500, Frank Boettcher
wrote:

So how many people should it take to get hurt using an ill advised
"safety" device before either OSHA or the manufacturer would be moved
to specify or make something that works?

Well ideally there would be enough pressure for your company to be
going straight to the manufacturer saying your latch doesn't work for
us, on one side of me I've got my guys bitching they get hurt if they
use it and on the other I've got OSHA bitching if I don't use it. Do
something.

It doesn't really work that way. I'm thinking you've not worked in an
OSHA-controlled environment...

OSHA has the force of law and inspectors to enforce it and power of very
substantial fines with which to be punitive about it. Unfortunately, it
is one of those bureaucratic nightmares which has become the 900-lb
gorilla and often the good intentions are lost in detailed
"letter-of-law" enforcement. Not all inspectors are as qualified as
would be desirable nor are all as interested in working to find a safe
technique for a given operation as in finding violations.

Consequently, manufacturers of equipment have to produce it to OSHA
standards and if, for example in this case, the reg says "there shall be
a hook", then they're going to make the item with a hook because if they
don't they can't sell it as approved. And, unfortunately, Leuf is right
in that it isn't something one can simply tell OSHA "we'd rather do it
this way because..." and get an approval or waiver or any such relief in
a timely fashion.

But yes in reality it's just easier to pay the fine and
nothing changes until somebody gets killed.

The above said, however, last sentence doesn't in general reflect the
attitude of many companies on workplace safety, however. There are some
that tend to "not get it", but for the most part it is a serious effort.

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