Engineering Extension

Managers of small businesses are aware of the economic impacts of job-related accidents, incidents and illness. They create medical expenses, raise insurance premiums and cause production losses. The growing complexity of materials, manufacturing processes and regulations makes controlling safety and health hazards in the workplace increasingly difficult—and often, increasingly expensive.

Employers in South Dakota who need assistance in identifying and correcting safety and health hazards in the workplace can call for a free, on-site consultation service. Consultation staff assist employers interested in providing safe, healthy and productive work environments. OSHA Consultation is separate from OSHA Enforcement; there are no fines or penalties levied for any safety or health hazards identified during a visit.

An on-site visit by a professional from Engineering Extension can help employers better manage safety and health conditions and reduce costs by improving conditions in the workplace. Since 1981, Engineering Extension has provided a service staffed with well-qualified, OSHA-trained safety and health professionals with many years of experience in industry, government and academia.

• Determination of compliance with OSHA regulations and consensus standards.
• Comprehensive hazard evaluations.
• Job safety analysis.
• Safety program audits.
• Technical program development.
• Assistance with hazard controls.

• Comprehensive hazard evaluations.
• Chemical exposure assessment.
• Technical program audits.
• Noise evaluation and control.
• Evaluation of ventilation systems.
• Determination of compliance with OSHA regulations and consensus standards Indoor air quality investigation.

• Employer must meet eligibility requirements.
• Lower than National Averages for Injury and Illness reporting.
• Strive for continuous improvement with workplace safety and health programs.
• SHARP Award recipients are exempt from OSHA compliance inspections for one to three years.

• Walk-through surveys to assist businesses in achieving in-compliance status with federal regulation and consensus standards.
• Surveys of work practices to pinpoint causes of injuries or illnesses.
• Noise measurements to evaluate noise exposure and assist with hearing conservation.
• Air sampling and analysis to measure contaminants, such as dust, fumes, gases and vapors.
• Evaluation of technical programs, such as lockout/tagout, confined space entry, hazard communication and respiratory protection.
• Assist in developing a written OSHA-mandated program (HAZCOM, lockout/tagout, respiratory protection).
• Confidential written report.
• References to safety and health standards.
• Suggestions and practical solutions for correcting hazards and improving the company’s safety and health programs on-site formal and informal training assistance.

Grain storage bin entry is very dangerous and exposes workers to serious suffocation hazards - a leading cause of fatalities in this industry. Suffocation can occur when workers are engulfed (buried or covered) by grain or when bins develop hazardous atmospheres or a lack of oxygen.

• OSHA Standard for Grain Facilities: 29 CFR 1910.272
• OSHA Grain Handling: Grain Handling Operations
• OSHA Factsheet: Factsheet Bin Entry
• National Graining and Feed Association

Engineering Extension can provide customized on-site training. The type of training courses/topics include: trenching, confined space, machine guarding, electrical safety, lockout tagout safety, fall protection and spray finishing.

Engineering Extension is no longer conducting 10- and 30-hour Outreach Training classes for construction or general industry. However, the link below will help you find OSHA-authorized trainers. The Department of Labor/Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists only those trainers who have requested their contact information be made public.

OSHA Outreach Trainers

To assist the employer in developing an effective safety and health program management system, our staff maintains an extensive collection of reference materials. These include generic safety and health programs, OSHA compliance resources, OSHA inspection and citation statistics and program development resources, all of which are available in our office.

New OSHA Standards and Resources

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• OSHA Consultation Directory
• OSHA Publications
• Respirable Silica Standard
• Construction Silica Standard
• Crane Operator's Certification
• National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation

OSHA's Safe and Sound Program

• Safe and Sound Program Guidelines
• Recommended Practices for General Industry
• Recommended Practices for Construction

Great Resources

• OSHA Youtube
• WorkSafeBC

Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs

• Safety and Health Programs
• Hazard Communication Program 29 CFR 1910.1200
  • All companies that work with hazardous materials of any type are required to develop and implement a "Hazard Communication" program.
• Personal Protective Equipment 29 CFR 1910.132
  • All employers are required to perform an assessment on each operation in their workplace to determine the need for personal protective equipment.
• Respirator Protection Program 29 CFR 1910.134
  • The employer must develop and implement an effective written Respirator Protection Program in work places where respirators are required to be worn.
• Emergency Action Plan 29 CFR 1910.38
  • All companies must have an Emergency Action Plan to ensure employee safety in the event of an emergency. Companies with 10 or more employees must have this plan in writing.
• Control of Hazardous Energy 29 CFR 1910.147
  • Employers must have a written Lockout/Tagout Program when workers perform maintenance or repair work and could be injured by unexpected startup of machinery or equipment.
• Bloodborne Pathogens 29 CFR 1910.1030
  • Workers in many different occupations are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. Employer must develop a written Exposure Control Plan to ensure employee protection when potentially exposed to these pathogens.
• Hearing Conservation Program 29 CFR 1910.95
  • Employers must have a written Hearing Conservation Program where employees are exposed to noise levels over 85 dBA averaged over eight hours. The plan must include annual audiogram testing and required hearing protection.
• Chemical Hygiene Program 29 CFR 1910.1450
  • This written program applies to laboratories and the use of hazardous chemicals.
• Overhead and Gantry Cranes 29 CFR 1910.179
  • There are many types of cranes, hoists and rigging devices found within establishments. A written Safety and Operations Plan which includes equipment inspections and employee training to maintain a safe workplace.
• Confined Space Program 29 CFR 1910.146
  • Employers must have a written Confined Space Program where workers are required to enter spaces which are not for human occupancy.
• Respirable Crystalline Silica 29 CFR 1910.1053 and Construction Standard 29 CFR 1926.1153
  • Employers who work with silica containing products must have a written Exposure Control Plan.

OSHA Compliance Assistance Quick Start Guide:

• Step-by-step Guide for General Industry, Healthcare and Construction
• Trenching and Excavation Safety
• Oregon OSHA, Safe Practices for Small Business Owners and Contractors Publication #2174