Safe Workplace and Safety News

The National Safety Council has released a white paper describing the risks of using a cell phone while driving. The white paper, "Understanding the distracted brain: Why driving while using hands-free cell phones is risky behavior," addresses the lack of understanding about the dangers of cell phones and hands-free devices.

The white paper includes references to more than 30 scientific studies and reports, describing how using a cell phone, hands-free or handheld, requires the brain to multitask – a process it cannot do safely while driving. Cell phone use while driving not only impairs driving performance, but it also weakens the brain’s ability to capture driving cues. The white paper is available for free download on the NSC Website.

The paper describes how drivers who use cell phones have a tendency to "look at" but not "see" up to 50 percent of the information in their driving environment. A form of inattention blindness occurs, which results in drivers having difficulty monitoring their surroundings, seeking and identifying potential hazards, and responding to unexpected situations.

Numerous public opinion surveys show most drivers believe using a cell phone while driving is dangerous. However, many admit they regularly talk or text while driving. At any time, 11 percent of all drivers are using cell phones, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NSC estimates more than 1 out of every 4 motor vehicle crashes involves cell phone use at the time of the crash.

"Cell phone use while driving has become a serious public health threat," said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO. "This white paper provides the necessary background and context for lawmakers and employers considering distracted driving legislation and policies. Several states and municipalities have passed legislation allowing hands-free devices while driving. These laws give the false impression that hands-free phones are a safe alternative, when the evidence is clear they are not. Understanding the distraction of the brain will help people make the right decision and put down their cell phones while driving."

To learn more about cell phone use while driving, visit distracteddriving.nsc.org

Related Past Posts:
Create No Driving While Texting Policy
Florida Manufacturer Ignores Fire Department
Company Cited For Poor Hazard Communication

Labels: NSC, Transportation Safety, Vehicle Safety

This is an interesting title for a safety article. But, on the other hand I've never considered the hazards of working in a nursery... the garden type not the ones with lots of little kids. It turns out that nurseries can be very dangerous places. An article by Todd Davis published today in Nursery Management & Production magazine provides some helpful tips we all can use to help reduce injuries.

Read the article here and learn about trailer, tarp and lifting injuries and their prevention.

Labels: Safety Training, Transportation Safety, workplace safety

Any good proof is based upon assumptions: if the assumptions are good, the proof is valid. If the assumptions are bad, then the proof is worthless, or as writer Angelo Donghia puts it, "Assumption is the mother of screw-up."

In the world of personal protective equipment, bad assumptions are hazardous and can result in injury — or worse. Unfortunately, despite 25 years of solid regulation, some persistent bad assumptions are very widespread in Hearing Conservation Programs (HCPs). A new white paper identifies six of the most common bad assumptions about hearing protection for noise-exposed workers. Perpetuated unchecked, these assumptions torpedo an otherwise healthy Hearing Conservation Program, and leave the door open for hearing loss among workers exposed to hazardous noise.

The white paper titled, "Best Practices in a Hearing Conservation Program: US Airways," details how the merger between US Airways and America West led the newly formed company to enhance its occupational Hearing Conservation Program.

The white paper examines how, in the time since America West merged with US Airways to become the number four carrier in the United States, the new US Airways endeavored to consolidate and enhance its corporate safety program — and specifically its Hearing Conservation Program.

The white paper identifies and discusses the best practices of an occupational Hearing Conservation Program including:

* Involving employees in the hearing protection device process.
* Making audiometric testing accessible to all employees.
* Using motivational materials to support employee understanding of the Hearing Conservation Program.

"The program was developed by combining the strongest and most effective elements of each of the two original airlines’ programs. The result is a lesson in best practices management," said Renee S. Bessette, COHC, Marketing Manager, Howard Leight/Sperian Hearing Protection, LLC.

"All workers have a role in making a Hearing Conservation Program successful. By educating employees about noise-induced hearing loss, hearing safety and hearing protection devices, and by making the knowledge regarding the program and its components accessible, the company is able to not only strengthen its Hearing Conservation Program but improve overall personal safety awareness in the workplace as well," she said.

To download the new white paper, click here: "Best Practices in a Hearing Conservation Program: US Airways,”.

Labels: Industrial Health, PPE, Transportation Safety

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently noted that falls in the transportation industry are covered under the American National Standard Institute (ANSI)/ASSE Z359 Fall Protection standards, including rolling stock, which refers to all vehicles, such as trailers, that move on a railway. The response is due to a recent request from a safety product manufacturer for interpretation of rolling stock as it applies to the Z359.0-2009 and ANSI/ASSE Z359.2-2007 Fall Protection standards.

The Z359 Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) stated that an interpretation was not necessary, as the committee agreed that the scope of the Z359 ASC and its projects and standards have always included rolling stock and therefore it is not exempt from the standard. The question of whether Z359.0 and Z359.2 apply to rolling stock was asked due to a proposal that the Z359 Committee develop a standard addressing fall protection specific to rolling stock. However, the committee notes that the transportation industry as a whole has also always been covered under the standards, and is not exempt.

Transportation-related incidents continue to be the number one cause of on-the-job-deaths; and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2008, the number of fatal work injuries in rail transportation increased. The Z359 ASC is concerned with falls from heights in the transportation industry including stationary vehicles, equipment, and railroad cars. Transportation professionals can turn to the current standards for guidance regarding fall protection.

ASSE serves as the secretariat for the Z359 Fall Protection standards, or Fall Protection Code. The ASSE Fall Protection Code currently includes nine standards: Z359.0-2009 “Definitions and Nomenclature Used for Fall Protection and Fall Arrest;” Z359.1-2007 “Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components;” Z359.2-2007 “Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program;” Z359.3-2007 “Safety Requirements for Positioning and Travel Restraint Systems;” Z359.4-2007 “Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components;” Z359.6-2009 “Specification and Design Requirements for Active Fall Protection Systems;” Z359.12-2009 “Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems;” Z359.13-2009 “Personal Energy Absorbers and Energy Absorbing Lanyards” as well as the historical ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-1992 (R1999).

For more information on the Z359 Fall Protection Code, version 2.0, visit https://www.asse.org/cartpage.php?link=z359-v2. For more information on the rolling stock issue, go to ASSE Transportation Practice Specialty’s interactive online TransActions newsletter at http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/5c406127#/5c406127/1 and turn to page 27.

Labels: ASSE, fall protection, Transportation Safety

Fifteen years ago the Springfield/Clark County (Ohio) Safety Council (SCCSC), seeking a showcase event that would advance its’ ability to reach out to its’ membership, started a Forklift Rodeo competition. This year's event, which has received international recognition, will be held October 30 & 31st.

Originally this was just a county-wide event, designed to, "promote the safe and efficient operation of forklifts in a fun, competitive environment." It was a modest success conducted out of doors on a parking lot. The second was rained out and postponed. Ever since it has been conducted indoors in a 35,000 sq. ft. Clark County Fairgrounds facility.

Under the direction of The Higgins Group, Inc., (HGI) the Rodeo’s innovator and facilitator, the SCCSC Rodeo has grown in popularity from a single county event, to a multi-county event, to an Ohio and regional event. It has grown from a one day to a two day (Fri – Sat ) event to enable increased participation. In 2006 it was renamed the "U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo," and it became an international competition.

Last month a regional rodeo, "SafeMOV Portugal," was conducted in Lisbon utilizing the HGI "how to" rodeo manual. The result was a huge success and they intend to send their two-person team to the SCCSC 2009 U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo. Meanwhile the Chesapeake Region Safety Council (Baltimore, MD) is preparing for an July 18th Forklift Rodeo with the assistance of HGI . They plan to send their championship team to the "U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo." A third rodeo using the SCCSC / HGI format also appears possible in Great Britain.

What are some of the features of the U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo?

1. Individual competition in conjunction with the two-person team element. Every operator is in the running for individual recognition as the "Top Gun" with the trophy and cash prize.

2. Two division levels, Master Operator & Championship which opens up the competition individual opportunity. Top Championship Division operators earn Master Operator qualification, cash prize, a jacket and they can compete in the Master’s Division in the future.

3. Top Teams (the combination of the two members scores, both divisions) earn a trophy.

4. A 25 question quiz taken from a Master Question File adds a knowledge element to the competition.

To learn more visit the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce website www.greaterspringfield.com.

For additional information about the U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo contact The Higgins Group at +1 937.325.7858 or info.higginsgroup@yahoo.com

Washington State also runs a Forklift Rodeo. This summer they will hold their 12th annual Forklift Rodeo at three locations around the state, with the finals being held in October in the Tacoma Dome.

Labels: safety, Safety Training, Transportation Safety

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released an addendum to the 50th Edition (effective January 1, 2009) of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.

A PDF version is available here.

Labels: Transportation Safety

The National Safety Transportation Board (NSTB) held a meeting last Thursday to review its Most Wanted List of safety improvements. The NSTB Safety Most Wanted list calls for action by federal agencies and state governments on the most critical transportation safety issues.

The Most Wanted List was developed in 1990 to focus attention on safety improvements the Board believes will have the greatest impact on transportation safety. Some of the issues to be reviewed this year include: runway incursions, flight crew resource management, positive train control, medically unqualified commercial drivers, operator fatigue, and collision prevention through advanced automobile technology.

An online brochure (pdf), listing the most wanted safety improvements is available at: http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/brochures/MostWanted_2008.pdf

More information in general is available at: http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/mostwanted/index.htm

Labels: Transportation Safety