Occupational Safety and Health Programs
-
The Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) Asbestos Program is responsible for the regulation of occupational asbestos exposure in the Commonwealth. The Program works with employers, employees, unions and state and local agencies to create healthier and safer work conditions for Massachusetts workers through site visits, analytical services, and technical information. The Program aids in the coordination of OSHA, EPA and Multi-State regulatory authorities along with the North Eastern U.S. States (CONES) in the common goal of protecting the public from long term damage from excessive asbestos exposure.
-
The Division of Occupational Safety's (DOS) Lead Program seeks to reduce the incidence and the elevated nature of occupational lead exposures and thereby lower the adult blood lead levels (BLL) in Massachusetts, in concert with the BLL goal set by the CDC in "Healthy People 2000". The Occupational Blood Lead Registry, housed within the program, tracks elevated blood lead levels, provides educational counseling and guidance to workers, and through its medical consultant offers advice to physicians on the medical management of lead poisoning.
-
The Mine Safety and Health Program is administered in Massachusetts by the Division of Occupational Safety in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration. All mine operators are required to provide annual health and safety refresher training for each employee. The Division of Occupational Safety conducts eight hour annual refresher training which is available to contractor employees as well. The trainings are provided free of charge and are conducted by approved MSHA instructors. Topics range from the proper use of personal protective equipment (e.g., harnesses and respiratory devices), to the identification of hazards, to first aid.
-
-
-
The Industrial Hygiene Laboratory, located in the Division's West Newton office, provides analytical and technical support to engineers and inspectors within the department, unions, local boards of health and state agencies. Samples are collected from workplaces throughout the Commonwealth and evaluated to assist in the identification and subsequent control and elimination of hazards to the workers.