Question of the Week | OSHA News, Rules, and Interpretations | CSB News

Health and Safety News

Volume 9, Issue 1

January 2, 2008

Question of the Week

Security vs. Safety

Q. As part of an effort to increase security, our building is installing electronic card-access devices at internal doorways, designated fire stairs, and new electronically controlled turnstiles in the lobby. Workers must swipe their cards to exit and enter certain areas.

If any of these devices were to fail, employee access to exit routes would be hindered. Do any of these devices constitute obstructed access to an exit?

A. OSHA last revised its standards for ‘Means of Egress’ December 7, 2002 [29 CFR, Subpart E]. The performance-oriented rules were rewritten in clearer language to be more easily understood by employers and employees, and to contain fewer cross-references to other OSHA standards. Furthermore, OSHA approved the use of the National Fire Protection Association's Standard 101, Life Safety Code, 2000 Edition (NFPA 101-2000). So, employers who comply with the NFPA 101-2000 standards will be in compliance with the corresponding OSHA standards.

The NFPA standards include a section on “Access-Controlled Egress Doors.” The devices you describe are allowed if they are equipped with an approved entrance and egress control system, provided the following criteria are met:

(1) One of the following shall be provided:

(a) A sensor on the egress side, arranged to detect an occupant approaching doors that are arranged to unlock in the direction of egress upon detection of an approaching occupant or loss of power to the sensor.

(b) Listed panic hardware or exit hardware that, when opened, unlocks the doors.

(2) Loss of power to the part of the access control system that locks the doors shall automatically unlock the doors in the direction of egress.

(3) The doors shall be arranged to unlock in the direction of egress from a manual release device located 40 to 48 inches vertically above the floor and within 60 inches of the secured doors. The manual release device shall be readily accessible and clearly identified by a sign that reads Push to Exit.

(4) When operated, the manual release device shall result in direct interruption of power to the lock, independent of the access control system electronics, and the doors shall remain unlocked for not less than 30 seconds.

(5) Activation of the building fire-protective signaling system, if provided, shall automatically unlock the doors in the direction of egress, and the doors shall remain unlocked until the fire-protective signaling system has been manually reset.

(6) Activation of the building's automatic sprinkler or fire detection system, if provided, shall automatically unlock the doors in the direction of egress, and the doors shall remain unlocked until the automatic sprinkler or fire detection system has been manually reset.

If your security measures comply with these provisions, they are approved by the NFPA and OSHA. State and local laws may vary.

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OSHA News, Rules, and Interpretations

12/21/2007—OSHA Recognized for Extraordinary Service to Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of the National Ombudsman recognized the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for its outstanding service and responsiveness to small businesses coping with regulatory enforcement issues. OSHA was one of six federal agencies that demonstrated a strong commitment to regulatory fairness and fairness in enforcement that assisted the Office of the National Ombudsman in support of small business interests.

12/20/2007—General Working Conditions in Shipyard Employment

OSHA proposes to revise the standards on general working conditions in shipyard employment. The proposed revisions would update existing requirements to reflect advances in industry practices and technology. The proposal also would cross reference general industry standards either that are already applicable to shipyard employment or that OSHA intends to apply.

12/14/2007—Updating OSHA Standards Based on National Consensus Standards

In this direct final rule, the Agency is removing several references to consensus standards that have requirements that duplicate, or are comparable to, other OSHA rules.

12/12/2007—U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA Proposes More Than $55,000 in Penalties Against Mississippi Cookie Manufacturer Following Fatality

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed 19 serious and four other-than-serious safety violations with $55,100 in penalties against DeBeukelaer Corp., following an investigation prompted by the death of an employee at the company's Gluckstadt, Miss., bakery in June.

12/05/2007—Bronx, New York, Manufacturer Faces $382,500 in U.S. Labor Department OSHA Fines for Uncorrected and Other Safety and Health Hazards

Gen-Cap Industries Inc., a Bronx manufacturer of fireproof doors, faces a total of $382,500 in proposed fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for 76 alleged safety and health violations at its 913 Edgewater Road plant, including 14 instances of failing to correct hazards cited in previous OSHA inspections.

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For Lion Members and Recent Course Attendees: Visit the Lion Online Library to view the most recent OSHA rules and interpretive letters.

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CSB News

12/20/2007—CSB Comments on Proposed Fire Code at NYFD's Public Forum: Applauds City on Revision Efforts and Emphasizes Importance of Providing Training to Fire Inspectors
Commenting today at a New York City public forum on the final draft of the city's proposed Fire Code, U.S. Chemical Safety Board Investigations Manager Stephen Selk, PE, applauded the city's Mayor, City Council and Fire Department's efforts on its comprehensive revision of the city's nearly 90-year-old fire code and encouraged applicable training of fire inspectors.

12/19/2007—CSB Deploys to Fatal Jacksonville, Florida Explosion
A board member and six-person investigation team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) are deploying to the scene of a fatal explosion and fire at a chemical plant which occurred today in Jacksonville, Florida.
The team is expected to arrive on site mid-morning December 20 to begin its investigation at T2 Labs, a company that produces octane-enhancing additives for gasoline. According to media reports, three people were killed and several injured in the blast, which was felt several miles away.

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