NORMAS DE SEGURIDAD DE LA STPS

Introduction to Labor Regulations in Mexico

Overview of Legal Framework

• The discussion begins with the constitutional basis for labor regulations in Mexico, specifically Article 123, which mandates employers to adhere to hygiene and safety standards.

• Compliance with these standards is guided by the Federal Labor Law and the Federal Regulation on Safety and Health at Work.

Categories of Safety Norms

• There are five categories of safety norms: health (10 norms), specific (7 norms), product-related (9 norms), organizational (6 norms), and others relevant to today's discussion.

• Six out of nine product-related norms pertain to fire-fighting equipment, while three focus on personal protective equipment.

Key Safety Norms Discussed

General Information on Norms

• Today's presentation provides a general overview; each norm is extensive enough for individual webinars. Feedback is encouraged for future detailed discussions.

• Focus will be on key employer obligations that frequently present challenges in workplaces.

Specific Norm Applications

• NOM 001 STPS 2008: Applies to all workplaces nationwide regarding buildings and installations.

• NOM 002 STPS 2010: Concerns fire prevention and protection applicable across all work centers.

Detailed Examination of Specific Norms

Machinery and Chemical Handling

• NOM 004 STPS 1999: Pertains only to workplaces using machinery due to their operational nature.

• NOM 005 STPS 1998: Relates to handling, transporting, and storing hazardous chemicals; applicable where such substances are present.

High-Risk Activities

• NOM 009 STPS 2011: Addresses work at heights over 1.8 meters, considered high-risk regardless of whether performed by contractors or internal staff.

Organizational Norm Compliance

Personal Protective Equipment Standards

• NOM 017 STPS 2008: Mandates the use of personal protective equipment in relevant workplaces.

Critical Processes Involving Chemicals

• NOM 028 STPS 2012: Covers safety in processes involving chemicals; its application depends on specific criteria outlined in an appendix.

Mandatory Compliance Across All Workplaces

Nationwide Applicability

• Certain norms like NOM 030 STPS 2009, along with NOM related to safety services, are mandatory across all sectors regardless of activity type.

Obligations of Employers and Safety Regulations

Overview of NOM 001 STPS 2008

• The discussion begins with the obligations of employers, focusing on NOM 001 STPS 2008, which outlines safety conditions for buildings and work areas to ensure proper functioning and maintenance.

• Regular ocular inspections are mandated every 12 months or after significant events (e.g., earthquakes) to identify unsafe conditions. Workers must be informed to maintain safe use of facilities.

Facilities Requirements

• Work centers must provide adequate sanitary facilities including toilets, changing rooms, showers, and urinals tailored to the activities performed at the site.

Structural Safety Measures

• Section 7 of NOM 001 specifies safety measures for structures such as roofs, walls, floors, stairs, ramps, and ladders.

• Stairs must have uniform tread widths and riser heights within a tolerance of ±0.5 cm; vertical distance between steps should be at least 200 cm.

Fire Prevention Standards: NOM 002 STPS 2010

• Transitioning to NOM 002 STPS 2010 which sets requirements for fire prevention and protection. It emphasizes risk classification based on workplace areas.

• Areas classified as ordinary risk require fire detection systems; high-risk areas necessitate fixed systems along with alarms.

Additional Resources

• For deeper insights into fire safety regulations under NOM 002 STPS 2010, viewers are encouraged to access webinars by Engineer Edgar Morales available on SECOBAM's website or YouTube.

Machinery Safety: NOM 004 STPS 1999

• Discussion shifts to NOM 004 STPS 1999 that establishes safety conditions for machinery operation and maintenance aimed at protecting workers from operational risks.

Protective Devices in Machinery

• Protective devices serve as physical barriers against moving parts while safety devices halt operations or trigger alarms when interrupted.

Risk Analysis Requirement

• A crucial aspect is conducting a risk analysis considering factors like moving parts, heat generation, electrical systems, sharp surfaces, particle projection risks during machinery operation.

Importance of Contextual Risk Assessment

• Each piece of equipment requires individual risk assessments due to varying environmental factors (e.g., proximity to storage vs. boilers).

Development of Safety Programs

• Following risk assessment completion, a specific safety program for machinery operation and maintenance is required. This includes training records for personnel involved in maintenance tasks.

Maintenance Procedures Documentation

Preventive and Corrective Maintenance in Machinery Operations

Importance of Safety Procedures

• The operation of machinery requires adherence to specific procedures as outlined by NOM 005 STPS 1998, which establishes safety conditions for handling, transporting, and storing hazardous chemicals.

• A risk analysis is crucial and must align with the characteristics of the process and properties of the chemical substances involved, following guidelines from the safety data sheet compliant with NOM 018.

Risk Analysis Requirements

• The current regulations (NOM STPS 2015) emphasize identifying serious risks associated with chemical substances used in dangerous activities such as working at heights or confined spaces.

• After conducting a risk analysis, it is necessary to determine emergency shower stations, eyewash stations, and spill containment systems based on exposure levels.

Safety Programs and Procedures

• Companies must implement a specific safety and hygiene program for managing hazardous chemicals, including cleaning procedures that are often overlooked.

• An inventory of maximum quantities of chemicals handled should be maintained alongside personal protective equipment requirements for workers exposed to these substances.

Prohibitions in Hazardous Areas

• Strict prohibitions against eating or smoking in areas where hazardous substances are stored are essential for maintaining safety standards during operations involving dangerous tasks like electrical maintenance or welding.

Compliance with NOM Regulations

• Transitioning to NOM 006 involves establishing operational procedures for material handling that include emergency response protocols.

• It’s important to note that certain sections from previous regulations (NOM 006 STPS 2014) have been rendered ineffective by the introduction of NOM 0361 STPS 2018.

Machinery Safety Measures

• Chapter 7 outlines mandatory safety measures such as having a specific program for machinery inspection and maintenance along with detailed records regarding machinery types and maintenance schedules.

• Daily checks at the start of each workday are required to ensure operational controls are functioning correctly, including visual alarms and other safety devices.

Equipment Specifications

• Technical sheets from manufacturers provide critical information on what needs regular inspection; this includes various types of lifting equipment like hoists and cranes used in material handling.

Height Work Safety Standards

• According to NOM 009 STPS 2011, an analysis of risks related to working at heights must be conducted prior to any activity execution. This includes identifying safe zones for such operations.

Safety Regulations for Working at Heights

Compliance with Safety Standards

• Emphasizes the importance of supervising contractors to ensure compliance with safety standards when engaging third-party services for work at heights.

• Highlights the necessity of having procedures and authorizations in place to verify contractor supervision.

Work Permits and Safety Measures

• Discusses essential elements that a work authorization must include: date, duration, work area, and supervisor's signature.

• Outlines critical safety measures such as fall protection systems, including harnesses, life lines, shock absorbers, anchorage points, and connectors.

Equipment Requirements

• Introduces various types of scaffolding (e.g., tower scaffolds, suspended scaffolds), elevating platforms, ladders, and safety nets.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Identifying Risks

• The NOM 017 STPS 2008 standard sets minimum requirements for employers to select appropriate PPE based on workplace hazards.

• Stresses the need to identify risks workers face before determining necessary PPE using Table A1 from the standard.

Determining Appropriate PPE

• Explains how risk identification leads to analyzing job descriptions to ascertain required protective equipment effectively.

• Once PPE is determined using Table A1, it’s crucial to identify areas where its use is mandatory according to NOM 026 STPS.

Training and Documentation

Importance of Training Records

• Underlines the significance of maintaining records for both PPE distribution and worker training on proper equipment usage.

Welding and Cutting Safety Standards

Risk Analysis Requirements

• NOM 027 STPS 2008 mandates conducting risk analyses for welding and cutting activities to prevent workplace hazards.

Specific Risks Associated with Welding Processes

• Provides examples of risks associated with different welding methods (e.g., plasma welding has ergonomic risks while oxy-fuel cutting presents other specific dangers).

Chemical Safety Management

Administration Systems for Chemical Hazards

Chemical Safety Regulations and Risk Management

Understanding Hazardous Chemicals and Compliance

• The discussion begins with the definition of hazardous chemicals as per regulatory standards, specifically referencing substances listed in Appendix A of the relevant norm.

• An inventory of chemicals is essential to determine compliance; for example, handling 300 kg of acetaldehyde may not trigger regulations, but 5000 kg of perchloric acid does.

• Certain exclusions from compliance are noted, such as when chemicals are below threshold amounts or stored in atmospheric tanks, including specific cases like internal combustion fuels and retail sales of hazardous substances.

Requirements for Compliance

• If a facility determines that it must comply with the regulations, it must implement a safety management system for processes involving hazardous chemicals.

• This system should include risk analyses for critical processes and equipment handling these substances, alongside environmental risk studies.

• Information gathering about workplace history and chemical incidents is crucial for identifying risks associated with hazardous materials.

Risk Analysis Methodologies

• Various techniques can be employed for risk analysis, including qualitative and quantitative methodologies to assess potential damage scenarios.

• Recommendations must follow the identification of probable damages to manage these risks effectively; this process requires significant time investment.

Safety Standards in Electrical Maintenance

Key Provisions Under NOM 029 STPS 2011

• The regulation outlines safety conditions for maintenance work on electrical installations; minors under 16 years old cannot perform maintenance tasks.

• A detailed work plan is required before maintenance activities commence. This plan should outline activity descriptions, involved personnel names, potential risks, and necessary protective equipment.

Importance of Documentation

• Authorization documentation must include details such as worker names, signatures from responsible parties, job types being performed, locations of work activities, along with start dates and times.

Preventive Health Services in Workplaces

Establishing Safety Responsibilities

• NOM 030 STPS 2009 mandates designating a responsible individual for workplace safety and health programs aimed at preventing accidents and occupational diseases.

Establishing a Workplace Safety Program

Importance of Diagnosis in Safety Programs

• The initial step in creating a workplace safety program is conducting a thorough diagnosis to assess current conditions and identify necessary preventive and corrective actions.

Conducting the Diagnosis

• The diagnosis can be performed either integrally or by specific areas, depending on the number of employees; fewer than 100 workers allows for an integral approach, while more requires area-specific assessments.

Identifying Hazards

• A comprehensive diagnosis must include identifying physical, chemical, and biological agents present in the workplace. This involves site visits to recognize potential hazards.

Reviewing Applicable Standards

• It’s crucial to review applicable safety standards that govern the workplace activities to ensure compliance and address any unsafe physical conditions identified during the assessment.

Components of the Safety Program

• The safety program should outline preventive and corrective actions based on diagnostic findings, health promotion initiatives, emergency response plans, timelines for implementation, and designated responsibilities for each activity.

Understanding Confined Spaces

Definition of Confined Spaces

• A confined space is defined as an area with limited ventilation where one or more individuals may perform work but is not designed for continuous occupancy.

Safety Conditions for Confined Spaces

• Regulations are established to protect workers' physical integrity when performing tasks in confined spaces. Identifying these spaces according to regulatory definitions is essential.

Classification of Confined Spaces

Criteria for Classification

• After identifying confined spaces, they must be classified using specific criteria: Type 1 if oxygen levels are between 19.5% and 23.5%, Type 2 if below 19.5% or above 23.5%.

Risk Analysis Requirements

• Prior to accessing confined spaces, a risk analysis must be conducted that includes monitoring atmospheric conditions continuously during worker presence to mitigate risks effectively.

Comprehensive Risk Assessment

Factors Influencing Risk Assessment

• The risk assessment should consider various factors including atmospheric dangers (e.g., toxic gases), mechanical risks from equipment used (like cutting or welding), and characteristics of the confined space itself (shape, contents).

Emergency Preparedness Planning

• It's vital to have an emergency response plan tailored specifically for each type of hazard associated with confined spaces as outlined by relevant regulations.

Obligations Under Safety Regulations

Mandatory Emergency Plans

• Employers are required to develop an emergency response plan as mandated by NOM 002 STPS 2010 which applies universally across workplaces regardless of specific risks involved.

Comprehensive Coverage Required

Normative Compliance and Risk Assessment Overview

Importance of Identifying Applicable Norms

• The speaker emphasizes the need for organizations to identify which specific norms apply to their operations, rather than focusing solely on one standard. This approach aids in compliance with various requirements.

Risk Assessment Studies

• Highlighting the significance of risk assessment studies, the speaker mentions that Secoban can assist in conducting these evaluations for multiple norms, including Norma 4 and Norma 5.

• For Norma 017, while it does not require a formal risk analysis, it necessitates determining appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Secoban offers services to inventory job positions and identify risks associated with them.

Safety Diagnostics and Inspections

• The speaker discusses conducting safety diagnostics as part of compliance obligations under various norms. This includes identifying execution timelines and assigning responsibilities.

• Each norm has specific validity periods for inspection reports; for instance, some have a one-year validity while others extend up to three years.

Clarification on Inspection Reports

• The speaker clarifies that if no specific timeframe is established for inspection reports per the Federal Regulation on Occupational Safety and Health, a default validity period of one year applies.

Q&A Session Insights

Addressing Specific Norm Queries

• A question from Daniel Serrano regarding Norma 009 clarifies that work at heights is defined starting from 1.80 meters above ground level.

Chemical Substance Classification

• Ángel Vladimir raises a query about classifying chemical substances not listed in Appendix A. The response indicates that such substances are not considered hazardous unless specified otherwise in their safety data sheets.

Grounding Verification Procedures

• Daniel Serrano asks how to verify fixed grounding systems under maintenance conditions. It is suggested that verification should be conducted through established procedures outlined in Norma 022 STPS 2015.

Understanding Inspection Reports

• María Carrillo seeks clarification on what constitutes inspection reports. The response explains these are assessments by verification units evaluating compliance with applicable norms.

Evaluating Dust Exposure Areas

• Jessica Andraca questions how to determine areas for total dust evaluation without prior recognition under Norma 010. It is recommended to conduct an initial assessment based on this norm's guidelines.

Future Webinars and Updates

Upcoming Topics of Interest

Consultation on NOM-022 Compliance

Clarification on Procedures

• The speaker suggests consulting with colleagues involved in NOM-022 to confirm if there are specific procedures or activities for verifying compliance.

• It is indicated that results should be followed as they are already established and evaluated, with further details to be provided via email.

Measurement Obligations Post-NOM-010 Recognition

• Ángel Pérez Delgado raises a question about the obligation to measure all points recognized under NOM-010 STPS.

• The response confirms that measurements must indeed cover all points specified in the recognition process.

Internal vs. External Assessment for NOM-017 Compliance

• Marco Rivera inquires whether an external party is required for the personal protective equipment study under NOM-017 STPS.

• The answer clarifies that there is no requirement for an external entity; internal assessments can be conducted.

Fire Risk Equipment Considerations

• Alfredo Cortés discusses a scenario involving a rental property with high fire risk and questions regarding fixed equipment investments like hydrants.

• It is noted that grenades (fire extinguishers) are considered part of a fixed system, but compliance with distance regulations set by the norm must also be ensured.

Additional Resources and Questions

• The speaker encourages reviewing the webinar on NOM 002 for further insights into specific circumstances related to fire safety measures.