"Got Shears?"

OSHA has implemented a National Emphasis Program (NEP) dealing with amputations. Compliance Directive CPL-2-1.33 is in effect until October 1, 2003 and encourages inspections in workplaces where saws, shears, slicers, slitters and power presses are present. Employers in 29 "high injury" SIC classifications which have the highest number of machine guarding violations will receive letters from OSHA regarding general industry inspections that are a part of this Program. In addition, OSHA Area Offices may add to their inspection lists any establishments where they are aware of amputation injuries or fatalities related to saws, shears, slicers, slitters and power presses in the last five years (known as the "four S's and a P").

If you are in one of the targeted SIC classifications, or have experienced a workplace fatality related to one of the types of equipment focused on by this Emphasis Program, or if your OSHA logs indicate an amputation injury during the past five years, expect special focus during any general industry inspection in the coming year, and possibly for a targeted OSHA inspection.