bwadmin

In March 2010 AT&T put together a documentary on texting while driving.  It is stories from people who lost loved ones (the trivial text message being sent was “Yeah”), a young man who killed a bicyclist and another young man who survived a crash caused by distraction from texting.

This short video is powerful.  Consider passing this information on to workers, co-workers, children, college students you know…

We need to protect our employees who are on the road: driving, in work zones, commuting, going to lunch, or going to dinner with family. But, distracted driving affects everyone, not just workers.  You shouldn’t do it and you should be concerned about other people doing it.

We are all aware of the heat and humidity right now.  In St Paul as I write this, the heat index is 111 degrees.  Workers, both indoors and out, need to take precautions.

OSHA has a new campaign to prevent heat illness.

• Drink plenty of water and other non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages.
• Take frequent rest breaks in a shady or cool spot.
• Take your time.
• Report heat symptoms early
• Watch out for your co-workers.
• Know what to do in an emergency.

Safety suppliers, such as Continental Safety Equipment in Eagan, carry cooling headbands, such as the Chill-Its.  It is an inexpensive investment that can help keep workers cool.  Here is a link.

OSHA has more information on OSHA’s campaign and protecting workers from heat here.

We’ve talked about this before:  Federal OSHA is considering requiring companies to develop Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (I2P2).  It may sound intimidating, but Minnesota already requires it, through the AWAIR (A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction) program.

OSHA has a new website dedicated to I2P2 here.

According the National Electrical Code/National Fire Protection Agency, the term “electrically safe work condition” was first introduced into the electrical code in 1995.  Deenergizing (locking and tagging out of service) any equipment or electrical systems is a fundamental requirement prior to working on equipment or circuits.   In safety, we call it LOTO or lockout/tagout.  Working on live or potentially live equipment requires greater level of precaution and special flame resistant protective equipment and clothing (down to the underwear).

For more information, contact CHESS or refer to this recent article.

Last week Governor Dayton submitted a recommendation of essential services to continue in the event of a government shutdown. Our understanding is that this is a recommendation only, and that an appointed judge or Special Master would make the final recommendation.

Here is the summary by department with comments on how we are interpreting the recommendation:

1. Department of Labor & Industry activities recommended to continue:
   • W/C claims and benefits activities, approval of medical treatment
   • OSHA compliance for high risk activities.
   • Construction industry inspection services & support staff
   • Incident command, technology security, support for critical services

   Total FTE (Full time equivalent employees): 32

   Our interpretation:

   • W/C claims will still get processed.
   • OSHA will not do programmed inspections, but will, we believe, still respond to imminent danger (and probably fatality) reports.
   • We do not know if the shutdown would mean a grace period for compliance deadlines. (That is, if you were supposed to pay a penalty by July 5, you might have until the end of the shutdown). Other media is reporting that taxes must still be paid, so a fine might fill into that category.
   • OSHA grants won’t be processed.
2. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) activities recommended to continue:
   • petroleum remediation at four sites
   • air quality index monitoring
   • Biowatch monitoring services
   • four closed landfill sites
   • seven superfund sites
   • emergency response
   • incident command & support for critical services

   Total FTE: 13

   Our interpretation:
   In normal times , Emergency Response alone has about 8-10 people. With only 13 total people at the MPCA in shutdown mode they will be hard pressed to handle the above list. We believe the permitting process will grind to a halt.

Our thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by the storms that came through the Twin Cities over the weekend. To prevent further tragedy, remember these safety tips:

• Don’t use a chainsaw unless you know how. Branches may be under pressure and snap unexpectedly.
• Stay away from power lines. You may not be able to tell if they are live or not.
• Wear sturdy footwear. Ground may be uneven and there are many cut hazards around.
• Ask for help. Work in teams when doing clean up.

Every business is required to have a first aid kit available to employees.  They must be checked on a regular basis to make sure they are stocked and no products are out of date.

There are requirements for minimum supplies in first aid kits (bandages, cold packs, compress, adhesive tape, antiseptic, burn treatment, exam gloves, triangular bandage).  Many companies stock more than the minimum requirements.  Additional supplies should be relevant to the potential first aid needs in your company, and within your budget.  If supplies expire without getting used, we recommend re-evaluating whether or not you really need those supplies.

Medications, saline solution and other products should all be in single use packets.  Once opened, containers should be disposed of.

If you have questions about first aid supplies for your company, or if you need first aid/CPR training, please contact us.

The Minnesota Safety Conference is this week:  Wednesday through Friday.  CHESS will be at the expo, booth 206, on Wednesday and Thursday.  Stop by and see us. 

We hope to post updates from the conference and information about any new products, so watch this space…

Grilling season has started (we hope).  We often see grills available at workplaces, so this information is relevant at home or work.  The National Fire Protection Association offers these tips and facts:

In 2004-2008, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 7,700 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including an average of 3,200 structure fires and 4,500 outside fires. These 7,700 fires caused an annual average of 13 civilian deaths, 120 civilian injuries and $70 million in direct property damage.

Safety tips

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.

For a lot more information, check the NFPA website on grilling. 

OSHA has issued a hazard alert on formaldehyde used in hair straightening and smoothing products in beauty salons.  It is harmful to both workers and customers.  Products have been found to contain formaldehyde even when labeled as not containing them.  This is a good reminder that everyone has the right to know about the hazards of their jobs so protective measures can be taken.

The more incidents that occur that result in no injury or equipment damage, or only minor damage, the greater the likelihood of a serious incident occurring.

One way to identify hazards is for employees to report near mishaps.  By tracking those and eliminating the hazards that led to the incident, you can reduce the likelihood of a serious accident.

Even tracking use of first aid supplies can provide useful information.  One of our clients has been doing this. We were able to do a trend analysis, looking at which pieces of equipment or tasks tended to cause more cuts.  Then we were able to engineer out many of the hazards, and to recommend personal protective equipment where we could not.

We must always be a nation that catches workers before they fall.

Hilda Solis, US Secretary of Labor.

Hilda Solis recently wrote a column in the Washington Post about what the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire means for workers today.  That fire occurred in New York on March 25, 1911; 146 mostly young women died in the fire or jumped to their death to escape the fire.  Fire exits were inadequate, doors were locked, there was no fire fighting equipment available, fire rescue ladders didn’t reach.  The lessons continue on.  Whether it is sweatshops of today, with Asian and African immigrants, or mine safety, the need to protect our workers will never go away.

All of those OSHA, DOT, EPA, PCA and Workers’ Comp regulations can be a confusing collection of headaches for business owners.  CHESS will be presenting a session on these mysteries, the misassumptions and common myths that we see in the automotive repair industry at the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers- MN conference. The conference is April 1 at Holiday Inn St Paul East.

For more information, see the AASP-MN website.

I learned some new statistics:  Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death, but people with chronic kidney disease are more likely to die of cardiovascular disease.   High blood pressure and diabetes can contribute to kidney disease.  Kidneys are part of the urinary system, they help cleanse blood, regulate blood pressure and maintain the acid-base levels in the body.

For more information, check the CDC website.

For tips on protecting your kidneys, check the National Kidney Disease Education Program site.

On March 25, 1911 New York City experienced one of the worst industrial accidents in history:  146 garment workers, mostly immigrant women, died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.  Workers were blocked from exiting and fire ladders could not reach the floors that they were on.   This horrific incident led to formation of the American Society of Safety Engineers and numerous workplace safety reforms.

TPT Television (public television station) is airing an episode of The American Experience focusing on the fire and its aftermath.  It airs tonight, Feb 28, at 8 pm and March 1 at 2 am.

Q: Can extension cords be repaired?
A: Yes, provided the repairs restore the cord to its approved condition.
Electrical equipment and conductors, including extension cords, must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). If a cord is repaired, it must be able to meet the same performance and safety standards as it did originally. Superficial nicks or abrasions in the outer jacket of the cord that do not expose the conductors or the inner insulation, or changes the flexibility of the cord, do not need to be repaired.

Cords that are No. 12 American Wire Gauge (AWG) or less cannot be repaired and must be disposed of.

From Minnesota OSHA’s “Safety Lines” newsletter, Jan 2011.

Before deciding to do training, we take a look at whether or not training is the solution.  Janet Keyes, Certified Industrial Hygienist and CHESS’s primary trainer, was recently asked about the top workplace incidents that training could help prevent.  This does not necessarily include OSHA required training.

Janet noted that her list excludes incidents or hazards for which engineering fixes alone are likely to be effective controls.  Working to engineer out a hazard is always the first priority.   For example, training to prevent falls is not a top training solution.  While falls are a leading cause of workplace fatalities, installing barriers or is often enough to prevent falls.  Back strain and ergonomics also does not show up on her list because design/process changes are more effective controls than training. 

Janet’s list:

• Motorized vehicle accidents
• Hazardous release of energy (lock out/tag out)
• Emergencies, particularly fire.  If people know what to do, they are more able to protect themselves.
• Chemical exposures/incidents

If you need assistance with training, or determining if training is the solution, give us a call.

We have been on a Burma Shave sign kick lately, so let’s add another one to the safety tip of the week.

This one is from 1941.

At intersections
Look each way
A harp sounds nice
But it’s hard to play

Burma-Shave

For those of you who don’t know what we are talking about, here is wikipedia’s entry on the Burma Shave highway signs.

Drive safely out there!

We want you to arrive and stay safe.  Whether you celebrate Christmas, Winter Solstice, New Year’s or not, this is undoubtedly a season of celebrations and parties.  We want everyone to have a wonderful, joyous season and prosperous 2011.  To do that, you must get to your destinations (home, work, celebrations) safely.

Don’t drink and drive.  Watch out for others who do.  Stay alert–don’t drive if you are sleepy and don’t allow distractions (cell phones, texting, etc).  Remember moderation.  It is a slippery time of year–wear non-slip footwear and drive for the weather.  Allow yourself extra time and save some stress.