Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/653106
These grantees demonstrated their abil- ity to provide occupational safety and health training, education, and related assistance to workers and employers in high-hazard industries, small-business employers, and vulnerable workers. The grant program is an essential com- ponent of OSHA's worker protection efforts. Since 1978, approximately 2.1 million workers have been trained through this program. Under the Oc- cupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. Hempel names new CEO CONROE, Tex.—Hempel A/S has named Henrick Andersen as its new CEO. Andersen succeeds Pierre-Yves Jullien, who will retire on March 31 after 40 years with Hempel, 10 of which he served as CEO. The company is in the home stretch of a 5-year growth plan that included an aggressive strategy to quadruple its decorative portfolio, double its protective portfolio, and ramp up its marine products to become one of the top 10 global coating suppli- ers. Hempel is a leading global supplier of protective coatings for the decorative, protective, marine, container, and yacht markets. Confined space rules updated for construction applications WASHINGTON, D.C.—In the works since 1980, OSHA recently pub- lished new construction-specific con- fined space safety regulations under rule 1926.1201-1213. The regulations went into effect in August, while full enforce- ment was delayed until October 2015. Many industrial painters are familiar with, and have been following, con- fined space regulations under the Gen- eral Industry Orders rule 1910.146, but these guidelines have generally been triggered by maintenance in industrial plants and were not specific to construc- tion. Most large or sophisticated owners required compliance with the confined space regulations, including permit-re- quired confined spaces, for any mainte- nance work on their tanks, pipelines, sewers, pits, or similar spaces that fit the definition of a confined space. Confined spaces are classified as work areas that are large enough for a worker to enter, are not designed for long-term occupancy, have limited access and egress, and pose a potential for haz- ardous atmospheres or engulfment or entrapment hazards. Even now, most work that complied with 1910.146 will comply with the new construction stan- dard. Similarly, if contractors follow the new 1926.1200 series sections on in- dustrial property, they generally won't run afoul of the regulations. A knowledgeable, qualified, and em- powered person, such as the project manager, superintendent, or safety rep- resentative, should be designated as the party responsible for all activities in the space. That person needs to be aware of every process that occurs, from con- structing access, erecting containment, c l e a n i n g , o r p a i n t i n g t o containment/access removal. She or he can consider what training each partici- pant needs, what safety or rescue equip- ment may need to be prestaged in the space, and how the company can accu- rately account for everyone in the event of an emergency. Coordination with local fire, police or other emergency re- sponders may also be appropriate. Valmont acquires American Galvanizing OMAHA, Nebr.—Valmont Industries has expanded its coatings footprint with the acquisition of American Galvaniz- ing Co., Folsom, N.J., a leader in hot- dip galvanizing in the Northeast US. American Galvanizing provides corro- sion protection services to structural steel fabricators and steel manufacturers throughout the region. Founded in 1946, Valmont is a global leader in de- signing and manufacturing highly engi- neered products that support global in- frastructure development and agricul- tural productivity. In its coatings seg- ment, Valmont provides coatings ser- vices that protect against corrosion and improve the service lives of steel and other metal products. 6 POWDER COATING, March 2016 across the nation for education and training programs to help high-risk workers and their employers recognize serious workplace hazards, implement injury prevention measures, and under- stand their rights and responsibilities. The department's Susan Harwood Training Grant Program funds grants to nonprofit organizations, including community/faith-based groups, em- ployer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, and colleges and universities. Target trainees include small-business employers and underserved vulnerable workers in high-hazard industries. The hands-on training supported by these grants helps assure that workers and employers have the tools and skills they need to identify hazards and prevent injuries. In its 2015 award, OSHA is awarding approximately $2.2 million in new, tar- geted topic training and training and educational materials development grants to 19 organizations to develop materials and programs addressing workplace hazards and prevention strategies. Both grant types require that recipients address occupational safety and health hazards designated by OSHA, including preventing construc- tion hazards and hazardous chemical exposures. In addition, 15 organizations will re- ceive approximately $2.3 million in new capacity-building developmental grants to provide occupational safety and health training, education, and re- lated assistance to workers and employ- ers in the targeted populations. Organi- zations selected to receive these grants are expected to create organizational ca- pacity to provide safety and health training on an ongoing basis. Two of the 15 organizations received capacity- building pilot grants designed to assist organizations in assessing their needs and formulating a capacity-building plan before launching a full-scale safety and health education program. OSHA also awarded approximately $3 million in follow-on grants to 20 capac- ity building developmental grantees and $3 million in follow-on grants to 26 targeted topic grantees that performed satisfactorily during fiscal year 2014.