Safe Workplace and Safety News

Workplace accidents are not just about the workplace. I never want to forget the personal side of safety. Today's edition of the Nova Scotia Chronicle Herald has an article about a court hearing concerning the death of a New Glasgow (Nova Scotia, Canada) city worker in October 2006. The article states:

"A letter covered in colourful handmade hearts sat on a judge's desk Tuesday as punishments were proposed for the Town of New Glasgow in the 2006 death of an employee in a collapsed trench."

"Judge James Campbell listened intently for more than two hours as Crown and defence lawyers discussed fines and other sanctions, but it was the letters from Frederick Michael (Mike) Bonvie's young daughters that really seemed to have an impact on him."

"'It's an incredibly powerful message and a tribute to a dad,' said the judge, adding he'd like to see it on every job site in Nova Scotia as a reminder of workplace safety."

You can read the complete article at: http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1035015.html

Labels: workplace safety

The Society for Human Resource Management reports, in an article published today, on a proposed rule issued by OSHA on December 26th concerning testing of industrial respirators (see our Dec 27th blog post). The article states that OSHA has "issued a proposed rule—Abbreviated Bitrex Qualitative Fit-Testing Protocol (ABQLFT)—that would give employers the option of deciding which 'qualitative fit-test' to use when determining whether respirators will protect workers from airborne contaminants. The proposed regulation would not change how respirators are tested but would reduce the time for each test."

What's new in this article is that it includes a response from the AFL-CIO in which they say they may have concerns about this change. The article reports that:

"The AFL-CIO has already consulted a respirator expert who has 'serious concerns' over shortening the fit-test period from 1 minute to 15 seconds, says Bill Kojola, an industrial hygienist for the AFL-CIO. The union is reviewing the regulations but has not yet taken a formal position. But the agency should take pause, especially given the potential harm to workers should the shorter test period not be sufficient to test the fit of respirator masks properly, he says."

Read the article here: http://www.shrm.org/hrnews_published/articles/CMS_024445.asp

Labels: Industrial Health, Industrial Safety

OSHA Investigation followed amputation of employee's hand caught in unguarded rotating valve

Mantrose-Haeuser Co. Inc., an Attleboro, Mass., manufacturer of industrial and pharmaceutical food coatings, faces $192,000 in proposed fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The company was cited for a total of 29 alleged repeat, willful and serious violations of safety and health standards at its 113 Olive St. plant following a July 17, 2007, incident in which an employee lost his hand when it became caught in an unguarded rotating valve of a dust collection hopper.

Because the plant was cited for a similar hazard in April 2005, this lack of machine guarding resulted in OSHA issuing the company a repeat citation with a proposed fine of $35,000. Two other repeat citations, carrying $25,000 in fines, were issued for unguarded work platforms and an emergency exit door that could not be opened. A repeat citation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for a substantially similar hazard and that citation has become final.

OSHA's inspection also found that the plant had not developed and implemented required procedures to shut down machines and lock out their power sources to prevent their unintended startup. This situation resulted in the issuance of one willful citation carrying a proposed fine of $70,000. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

Additionally, 25 serious citations, with $62,000 in fines, were issued for hazards involving blocked, obstructed and unmarked emergency exit doors and routes; lack of lockout/tagout devices and training; trip and fall hazards; fire extinguishers not being readily available; deficiencies in respirator training and fitting; confined space hazards; a defective powered pallet jack; unlabeled containers of chemicals; unapproved containers for flammable liquid; and lack of written procedures, training and other elements of the plant's process safety management program. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

"The number of citations reflects the wide array of hazards found during our inspection as well as the employer's knowledge of the lockout hazard and the recurrence of conditions cited during an earlier OSHA inspection," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director in Braintree. "As demonstrated in this case, continued failure to adhere to safety and health standards exposes employees to serious injuries and potentially fatal fire, chemical, mechanical, fall, confined space and machine guarding hazards."

Fine To Be Challenged By Mantrose-Haeuser Co.

In a press release from Mantrose-Haeuser Co. they stated that they intend to challenge the citations. "The safety and well-being of our employees is, and has been our top priority, and we are committed to doing whatever we can to prevent accident or injury," said Brian Terando, plant manager. "We have been meeting and fully cooperating with OSHA throughout its review of our operations. However, we respectfully disagree with the nature of some of its findings. There is no basis on which to characterize any actions as either 'willful' or 'repeat.'"

"The company took immediate corrective actions following the accident to improve the safety of the dust-collection process, including installing additional protection, implementing new operational procedures and updating our training programs," said Terando. "We continuously evaluate our operations to identify and implement practices to improve employee health and safety throughout the plant."

Labels: LOTO, OSHA Citations

The following is a press release that OSHA issued today:

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced today in the Federal Register (www.osha.gov) that they have extended the public comment period for 30 days on the Agency's Confined Spaces in Construction Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The Notice was originally published in the November 28, 2007, Federal Register (72 FR 67351).

The proposed rule addresses issues specific to the construction industry. It uses a step-by-step approach to confined space safety by explaining how to assess the hazards, classify the space, and implement effective procedures to protect employees. The rule would also require controlling contractors to coordinate confined space operations among a site's multiple employers.

Public comments must be submitted no later than February 28, 2008, and may be sent by regular mail, express mail, hand delivery, messenger, or by courier service. Comments should be sent to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA -2007-0026, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210. Comments are accepted electronically at www.regulations.gov. Comments may be submitted via FAX to 202-693-1648.

Labels: OSHA, osha information

This article comes from today's issue of The Anchorage Daily News.

A business owner noticed the smell of marijuana in the company parking lot during the lunch break. At first he thought it might be coming from students at a nearby school, but he soon realized that it had to be one of his employees. All of his employees are good, valuable workers and he does not want to lose any of them. He is wondering what he should do.

This article answers his question and describes what he should do to handle this situation.

Labels: Industrial Health

Safety Online reports that, according to a survey taken at the 2007 National Safety Council (NSC) Congress, noncompliance with PPE requirements is the #1 safety issue in the workplace. The article reports that 87% of those who responded to the survey report having "observed workers failing to wear PPE when they should have been." This is statistically the same as it was in 2006 when the survey found 85% answered yes to this same question. The survey also asked why people did not comply with PPE requirements. The answer is that it is an issue of comfort and style. The article states:

"So it's not surprising that when asked 'what' could be improved about the PPE they were currently purchasing, three quarters of survey respondents said they would make it "more comfortable." Safety professionals also gave the nod to more fashionable PPE. Eighty-four percent said that they would be more apt to purchase fashionable and attractive PPE if workers would be more likely to wear it and the price was comparable to what they were currently paying for similar products."

For more information read the entire article at:
http://www.safetyonline.com/content/news/article.asp?docid=a9441b5b-0008-48a3-8c71-79ae2c948182

Labels: PPE

I am not someone who thinks that whatever is being done in Europe is automatically better and is the example that we must follow in the U.S. Yes, they may have some good ideas, but we have some smart folks in the U.S. also. Each idea should be evaluated on its merits and applicability to the situation. I don't have enough information to evaluate the following, but I thought it was interesting and was worth mentioning.

A news article in Personnel Today talks about tax, and other government incentives the EU is putting in place to try to improve workplace safety. The article has a subheading that states:

"Employers with good workplace safety records could pay less tax and win more government contracts under new EU plans."

The goal is to reduce workplace accidents by 25% over the next five years by offering tax breaks and favored status for getting government contracts as incentives for improving safety. There would also be tougher sanctions for firms with poor safety records.

Labels: workplace safety

"Every year, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration sends letters to approximately 80,000 employers across the country requesting their injury and illness data from the previous year. This is reported in what's known in the industry as the 300 Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. From this data, OSHA picks 14,000 workplaces with the highest incident rates. Not only are these workplaces listed on OSHA's website, but from the 14,000 workplaces listed, 4,500 are then targeted for wall-to-wall inspections."

This is the introductory paragraph to an article from Reuters. The article is titled "Solid Recordkeeping Advice Can Keep You Off OSHA's Radar".

Accurate record keeping is fundamental. The article recommends the following for accurate OSHA 300 recordkeeping:

#1: Learn about OSHA’s injury and illness recordkeeping exemptions:

#2: Brush up on how to record OSHA recordable days

#3: Know the difference between recordable and non-recordable cases

Labels: OSHA Inspections

What would we read if we looked at news about workplace accidents published in the last few days? Here are a few links to news stories published in the past two days.

Feds investigate DeLand industrial accident: "An accident at a manufacturing plant that left a worker without a leg is under investigation by the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration, an agency official said Wednesday."

Hastings man dies in AGP plant accident: "A Hastings man is dead after an early morning accident at the AGP plant east of town. The Adams County Attorney's Office says the man is 36–year–old Robert Grant Ervie, an employee at AGP."

Nevada OSHA Probing Death At Cosmopolitan Site On Las Vegas Strip: "Nevada state Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials are investigating after a construction worker found dead at a construction site on the Las Vegas Strip. Workers at the Cosmopolitan tower construction site reported finding Taylor's body about 8:30 p.m. Monday."

Worker's Hand Caught In Industrial Press: "A worker was hospitalized with trauma after his hand became trapped in a machine Wednesday morning in the West Side's Garfield Park neighborhood."

Worker Killed In Construction Accident At Trump Building In SoHo: "A construction worker was killed Monday afternoon when portions of a scaffold collapsed at the construction site of the Trump SoHo building at Varick and Spring Streets."

Some particularly sad news comes from today's issue of the Air Force Times about the death of a young child resulting from "workplace complacency." - Toddler death at Tyndall ruled an accident.

Labels: workplace fatalities, workplace safety

The State of California has an excellent "Guide to Developing Your Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program with Checklists for Self-Inspection".

It is available at: http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/iipp.html

What is an Injury & Illness Prevention Program?

The California guide defines it as: "Your Injury and Illness Prevention Program must be a written plan that includes procedures and is put into practice. These elements are required:

• Management commitment/assignment of responsibilities;
• Safety communications system with employees;
• System for assuring employee compliance with safe work practices;
• Scheduled inspections/evaluation system;
• Accident investigation;
• Procedures for correcting unsafe/ unhealthy conditions;
• Safety and health training and instruction; and
• Recordkeeping and documentation."

The guide covers the following topics:

Why Have a Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program?
Accidents Cost Money
Controlling Losses
Cal/OSHA Injury & Illness Prevention Program

What is an Injury & Illness Prevention Program?
Management Commitment/Assignment of Responsibilities
Safety Communications
Hazard Assessment & Control
Accident Investigation
Safety Planning, Rules & Work Procedures
Safety & Health Training

Getting Started on Your Injury & Illness Prevention Program
Assign Responsibilities
Look at What You Have
Safety & Health Survey
Workplace Assessment
Review & Compare
Develop an Action Plan
Take Action
Maintain Your Program

Safety & Health Recordkeeping
Injury & Illness Records
Exposure Records
Documentation of your Activities

Model Programs

Sources of Information & Help
Cal/OSHA Consultation Service
Other Sources

Appendix A: Model Policy Statements
Appendix B: Non-Mandatory Checklist Evaluation
Appendix C: Code of Safe Practices
Appendix D: Title 8, Sections 3203 and 1509

Labels: workplace safety

Some areas of the nation have already experienced the harsh, sometimes damaging effects of winter. With the cold weather upon us, OSHA is encouraging employers and employees to take necessary precautions to prevent and treat cold-related health problems. Employees who work outside – such as in construction, commercial fishing, maritime and agriculture – are especially vulnerable.

Exposure to freezing and cold temperatures for extended periods of time may cause serious health problems such as trench foot, frostbite and hypothermia. In extreme cases, including cold water submersion, exposure can lead to death. Danger signs include uncontrolled shivering, slurred speech, clumsy movements, fatigue and confused behavior. If these signs are observed, call immediately for emergency help.

OSHA's Cold Stress Card provides a reference guide and recommendations to combat and prevent many cold weather-related illnesses and injuries. Available in English and Spanish, this laminated card is free to employers, employees and the public. Tips on how to protect employees include:

• Recognize the environmental and workplace conditions that may be dangerous.
• Learn the signs and symptoms of cold-induced illnesses and injuries and what to do to help employees.
• Train employees about cold-induced illnesses and injuries.
• Encourage employees to wear proper clothing for cold, wet and windy conditions, including layers that can be adjusted to changing conditions.
• Be sure that employees in extremely cold conditions take frequent, short breaks in warm dry shelters to allow their bodies to warm up.
• Try to schedule work for the warmest part of the day.
• Avoid exhaustion or fatigue because energy is needed to keep muscles warm.
• Use the buddy system: Work in pairs so that one employee can recognize danger signs.
• Drink warm, sweet beverages (sugar water, sports-type drinks) and avoid drinks with caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas or hot chocolate) or alcohol.
• Eat warm, high-calorie foods such as hot pasta dishes.
• Remember that employees increase their risks when they take certain medications, are in poor physical condition or suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease.

For free copies of OSHA's Cold Stress Card in English or Spanish, go to OSHA's website, www.osha.gov, or call 202-693-1888.

Labels: OSHA

The following is an OSHA press release:

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reopened the public comment period for the review of its methylene chloride (MC) Standard (29 CFR §1910.1052). The Review was originally announced in the July 10, 2007, Federal Register (72 FR 37501 – 37503).

OSHA issued the Standard in 1997 to protect employees from occupational exposure to MC. The Federal Register notice (www.osha.gov) invites suggestions from the public on how the Standard’s requirements could be modified to reduce the burden on employers while maintaining employee protection. OSHA is accepting comments until March 10, 2008.

Among its many applications, methylene chloride is used in metal degreasing and aircraft paint removal. It is also used to strip finishes from furniture prior to refinishing, as well as in the manufacturing of some plastics, adhesives, inks, and ink solvents.

Public comments must be submitted no later than March 10, 2008, and can be sent by regular mail, express, hand delivery, or by courier service. Comments should be sent to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2007-0024, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room N2625, Washington, DC 20210. Comments are also accepted electronically at www.regulations.gov. Comments may be sent by FAX to 202-693-1648.

For further information, contact Joanna Dizikes Friedrich, Directorate of Evaluation and Analysis, OSHA, Room N3641, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20210, telephone 202-693-1939.

Labels: OSHA

With accident statistics showing that passive safety benefits have been optimized, the automotive industry is looking to active safety systems for the next reduction in injuries and fatalities on the road. Clearly, avoiding an accident is preferable to protecting the occupants of a vehicle from damage if it is involved in an impact with another vehicle or an immovable object.

Many studies have shown that leaving the road or making a lane change without checking the blind spot are major causes of traffic accidents. So is running into the back of another vehicle. These incidents are mostly due to driver error, mainly inattention. The new generation of driver assistance systems is designed to watch the road and other road users and warn the driver if anything potentially dangerous is about to happen. Some systems can take action to help the driver.

"All the latest driver assistance systems use some form of obstacle detection technology to constantly monitor what is going on around the vehicle," says ABI Research principal analyst David Alexander. "Ultrasonics, radar, lidar, and cameras all play a role in currently available technology, but we see some trends emerging that indicate a shift towards radar sensors as the key technology over the next five years."

A new ABI Research study, "Automotive Obstacle Detection Systems" examines the growing availability of a variety of driver assistance systems such as blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Ultrasonics remains the technology of choice for parking assistance, but even that domain could be challenged in the future as radar and camera technology become less expensive and more powerful.

"We see significant growth in this market over the next five years, and as volumes grow, the component costs are going to decline significantly," adds Alexander. "The migration from luxury to mainstream vehicles will be accompanied by a trend towards multiple functions for greater added value to the end consumer."

ABI Research is a market research firm focused on the impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets. For information, visit www.abiresearch.com, or call 1-516-624-2500.

Labels: Vehicle Safety

New OSHA Training Centers Extend Safety and Health Training Opportunities Throughout U.S

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced 8 new OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers and two renewals. Current OTI Education Centers offer training courses on OSHA standards and occupational safety and health issues. The additional OTI Education Centers, made up of non-profit organizations, will further increase OSHA’s reach throughout the country to provide safety and health training.

"We are pleased to add the new OSHA Training Institute Education Centers in our continuing effort to promote employee safety and health through training," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "These centers will extend access to a greater number of individuals who seek to incorporate OSHA safety and health practices into their workplaces."

The OTI Education Centers program was created in 1992 to complement the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) in Arlington Heights, Ill., which is OSHA’s premier training provider. The OTI Education Centers provide training nationwide to private sector and federal personnel from agencies outside OSHA. The OTI Education Centers trained more than 27,000 people during FY 2007, representing an all-time record for the program.

The new centers were selected through a national competition announced last July. Applicant organizations were evaluated based on occupational safety and health experience, continuing education training background, classroom and laboratory availability, and the ability to provide training throughout the region. OSHA provides no funding to the education centers. They support their OSHA training through their normal tuition and fee structures. The newly selected OTI Education Centers are:

Region III
A consortium comprised of:

• ECRI Institute - Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (lead organization)
• Chesapeake Region Safety Council - Baltimore
• Johns Hopkins University and Health System – Baltimore
• Mid-Atlantic Construction Safety Council – Philadelphia

Region IV
A consortium comprised of:

• North Carolina State University – Raleigh, N.C. (lead organization)
• University of Tennessee – Knoxville, Tenn.
• University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Region V
Heartland Safety and Health Education Center, a consortium comprised of:

• Indiana University – Bloomington, Ind. (lead organization)
• University of Wisconsin, Whitewater – Whitewater, Wis.

Region VI
The University of Texas at Arlington – Houston

Region VII
Metropolitan Community Colleges Business & Technology Center - Kansas City, Mo.

Region VIII
Mountain West OSHA Education Center, a consortium comprised of:

• University of Utah - Salt Lake City (lead organization)
• Salt Lake Community College – Salt Lake City
• Uintah Basin Applied Technology College – Vernal, Utah (new consortium member)

Region IX

• California State University, Dominguez Hills – Carson, Calif.M
• Chabot-Las Positas Community College District – Pleasanton, Calif.
• College of Southern Nevada – Las Vegas

The OTI Education Centers will also assist the agency in administering the OSHA Outreach Training Program – the agency’s primary method to train employees in the basics of occupational safety and health. OTI Education Centers are the principal distribution channel for Outreach Trainer courses, including prerequisite and update courses.

Trainer courses are offered by topic areas including construction, general industry, disaster site, and maritime. Through these train-the-trainer programs, qualified individuals who complete a one-week OSHA trainer course are authorized to teach 10-hour or 30-hour courses focusing on safety and health hazards.

Through the OSHA Outreach Training Program, more than one-half million people received training during FY 2007. For more information on the Education Centers program and the Directorate of Training and Education, please go to www.osha.gov.

Labels: OSHA, Safety Training