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Archive for the ‘Safety Security Solutions’ Category

OSHA Compliance Update: Walking and Working Surfaces OSHA New Rule

by Julianne Bass 08/17/2015

What have you been working on since 1990? The year the Simpsons aired for the first time, the Hubble telescope was placed into orbit, and the first navigation system was installed in a car. While all of that was happening, OSHA published the proposed rule addressing slips trips and falls in the workplace. Since then the issue of falls in the workplace has remained one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities. Noticing the need for an update OSHA reopened the rule for comments in 2003 which lead to a second proposed rule being published in 2010. After more than 2 decades in the making OSHA’s final rule on walking and working surfaces is set to be finalized, currently under final review by the white house.

View rule process here.

The New Rule

The new rule will specifically address floor and wall openings, stairs, ladders, scaffold, and elevated platforms. It will specifically impact the current regulation 29CFR 1910 Subpart D. The hope is that when this final rule is published it will provide more clarity, understanding and compliance flexibility in addition to consistency between construction, maritime, and general industry standards.

Changes

Some of the new expected changes will include the ability for businesses to choose from options when providing fall protection, clearly outlined methods of use for the different types of fall protection, and detailed expectations for training of workers around identifying fall hazards, addressing fall hazards, and properly protecting against fall hazards including the limitations of the provided methods of protections.

Check back with Emedco when they make it official for more information.

To view the proposed standard in its entirety click here

Stop Work Authority: Empower Your Workers to Make the Right Safety Call

by Julianne Bass 08/17/2015

Stop , collaborate and listen, stop work if you have an affliction. Isn’t that how the song goes? In any case, stop work authority is an important aspect in any workplace. While experience levels and knowledge of process vary greatly at any job, all workers should be trained on procedures to follow if they feel unsafe in a task that they have been asked to carry out.

So what is stop work authority exactly? Usually a program developed by individual companies, it is designed to give workers or contractors the responsibility to stop work if there is perceived danger in the work they are doing that they feel has not been properly addressed.

Common situations where stop work may be enacted include:

If there is a sudden change in work conditions
If a near miss accident happen in the course of work
If a worker lacks the knowledge/information/understanding to carry out a task
If there is an emergency
If the proper equipment is not provided
If there is clear and present danger or conditions

Stop work authority does not just fall to workers, a whole organization must be actively involved in the process to make sure workers feel that they will be properly supported if they to “stop work”. Upper management should demonstrate an accepting stop work culture and provide clear expectations for the policy. Supervisors should promote and reinforce stop work procedures and make sure the process is handled correctly and dangers are resolved and followed up with. Workers should understand the seriousness of what stop work means and initiate stop work and support others who do so when they is danger.

Do you feel like you have given your workforce the tools and support they need to stop work if necessary?

New Regulation in Focus: Confined Space in Construction

by Julianne Bass 06/02/2015

OSHA already has a confined space rule what do we need another one for? While it is true that there is already an existing confined space rule that was established through OSHA in 1993, this new regulation ensures the safety of construction workers throughout the evolving processes of a project; as the flow of workers, contractors, sub contractors, temp workers etc. file through any given site.

Key Differences

Key differences between the already existing confined space rule for general industry/ manufacturing and the new regulation for construction include more detailed coordination requirements among all parties working within a site; the requirement of a qualified person to evaluate and identify confined spaces and permit spaces; continuous monitoring for internal hazard, environmental hazard, or changes in safety, and the suspension of a permit instead of cancellation if conditions change unexpectedly rendering the space unsafe for a period of time.

Questions

For those wondering who exactly is affected by this regulation , OSHA makes it very clear that any and all construction employers who’s workers may be exposed to confined space hazards are responsible for taking the necessary action in applying this standard to their part of the construction process, regardless of whether or not a contractor or subcontractor is hired.

If your employees work on the site but will not enter the spaces you must also take the necessary steps to prevent your workers from entering them.

Lastly, if you are doing construction and general industry work in a confined space employers should follow the construction confined space standard.

In Effect as Of August 3, 2015

The new rule goes into effect as of August 3, 2015. To get more information and learn when your company will now need to start doing differently, click here.

Workplace Safety News Roundup

by Julianne Bass 05/28/2015

Keeping track of new OSHA regulations and taking advantage of supplemental safety training and reading materials makes a large difference in the success of the programs you implement in your workplace. Seeing what others are doing both for the better and worse help mold an all encompassing safety initiative. Here is a sampling of some of the news buzzing around workplace safety this month.

Despite delays, OSHA says to expect several rules soon

Several final and proposed OSHA rules – including a long-delayed update to the beryllium rule – are expected to be published in the next few months, according to the agency’s spring regulatory agenda, released May 21. According to the agenda, OSHA remains on track to complete the next steps for several other major rulemakings, including completing by June its analysis of comments on a proposed silica rule. A silica rule has been in the works since 2003, and OSHA has proposed new permissible exposure limits based on recommendations NIOSH originally issued more than 40 years ago.

For more information click here

Do you work in one of the post dangerous states?

“Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect,” marks the 24th year the AFL-CIO has produced its findings on safety and health protections for workers in the United States. The report shows the highest workplace fatality rates were found in North Dakota, Alaska, Wyoming, West Virginia and New Mexico.

According to the report released April 29, 4,585 workers were killed in the United States in 2013 due to workplace injuries. An additional estimated 50,000 workers died from occupational diseases, resulting in a loss of nearly 150 workers each day from preventable workplace conditions.

To read more click here.

30 Years of Hearing Loss Trends

A new study in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) examines thirty years of hearing loss trends experienced by workers exposed to noise while at work, across various businesses. The analysis, released by the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, discovered that while progress has been made in lessening the risk of hearing loss within most business sectors, additional efforts are needed within the Mining, Construction, and Social and Health Care Assistance sectors.

To read more click here.

After dozens of worker injuries, Pa. company hit with $1 million+ in fines

A Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania-based company has had approximately 40 serious injuries among its workforce since 2000. These injuries include serious lacerations as well as crushed, fractured, dislocated andamputated* fingers.

After numerous inspections, warnings and fines, OSHA has levied $822,000 in fines against the company — bringing its total to more than $1 million in the last fifteen years. The company has also been placed in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

To read more click here.

Safety manager faces prison: Worker fatally burned in industrial oven

A former safety manager, an operations director and Bumble Bee Foods LLC all face criminal charges in connection with the death of an employee inside an industrial oven. Former Bumble Bee Safety Manager Saul Florez, the company’s Director of Plant Operations Angel Rodriguez and Bumble Bee Foods were charged with three felony counts each of an OSHA violation causing death. On Oct. 11, 2012, Jose Melena, 62, entered a 35-foot-long oven as part of his job at Bumble Bee’s Santa Fe Springs plant. Co-workers didn’t know Melena was inside. They loaded carts containing about 12,000 pounds of tuna into the oven, closed the door and started it.

To read more click here.

Preventing Facility Hazards: Electrical Safety Tips You Need to Know

by Julianne Bass 05/27/2015

Three of the top ten OSHA electrical safety violations are electrical in nature; in addition 5% of all on the job fatalities are due to improper interaction with electricity, proving that electrical hazards are a literal force to be reckoned with and require the proper attention from safety managers when assessing facility safety programs.

Here are 10 electrical safety tips to keep in mind when protecting your workers from electrical hazards.

Electrical Safety is important, any workplace and position can be affected by electricity. Before you begin your day make note of any electrical equipment you may come in contact with and ensure that it is properly grounded before use.
Standing in any type of wetness while using an electrical device of any kind is not a good idea. Try to avoid it whenever possible, this includes power tools, tablets, mobile phones, etc.
Assume power lines are always energized whenever your works brings you to an area where you need to be around them. Use non-conductive materials, and tools when near them.
A standard operating procedure in electrical safety to bring any machine being worked on to complete zero, fully de-energized before beginning repair or services.
After bringing a machine to complete zero for servicing, always use proper lock out protocol to prevent co-workers from re-energizing a machine while it is being worked on.
Never wear rings, watches, wristbands, or use metallic pencils or rulers while working with electrical equipment.
Ask can this job be completed with one hand? Only using one hand to work reduces the chances of electricity going through the chest cavity in the event of an accident.
If a spill happens on or near a machine do not try to clean it up. Shut the machine down completely and unplug it.
Never touch electrical equipment unless you are specifically instructed to do so. It is advisable to consider the use of electrical safety signs, and make sure your hands are not wet or sweating and as precaution use the back of your hand if possible.
The NFPA 70E Requirement were just made in 2015, refer to the changes to see what your facility should now be doing differently to ensure maximum workplace electrical safety.

NFPA 70E 2015 Updates in Your Workplace

by Julianne Bass 05/21/2015

NFPA 70E standards, developed on the request of OSHA help protect against the dangers of arc flash, arc blast, direct current hazards, electrical design and provide informational guidance on the personal protective equipment available. Due to the rapid advances in technology in the workplace not only do the work processes get smarter but also the need to have more sophisticated plans in place for defending against the dangers that come along with them.

NFPA 70E standards make it easier to ensure an electrically safe facility and comply with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K.

In order to keep up with ever-changing demands the NFPA has released updated to the 70E for 2015. Updates are usually made every 3 years, making the 2015 edition an update to the 2012 edition.

4 Key changes were made in this edition including:

Terminology
Coverage requirements
Elimination of HRC 0
Arc Flash / PPE Category Tables

These 2015 updates further the effort of trying to ensure clarity around electric safety and where employee/employer responsibilities lie.

**Due to changes in the standards this does mean that some FR manufacturers will need to modify the labeling of their clothing to reflect the new terminology.

For more specific information regarding these changes click here .

Preparedness: How to Improve Safety in the Workplace

by Julianne Bass 05/19/2015

There are a lot of “What ifs” in life, often followed by “that’ll never happen to me’s”, this way of thinking leaves people unprepared when the unthinkable does indeed happen to them. Often a dangerous mind set like this carries into the workplace, where consequences become even worse when disaster does strike. It is recommended that all companies have a worst case scenario plan in place. Having a concrete workplace safety planwill help cut down on the panic and chaos if an emergency situation occurs.

Key areas to keep in mind when assembling your workplace safety procedures include:

First Response

An emergency situation is underway what are the first and most critical steps in diffusing it? Do you have point people in place to carry out these tasks? How will you notify your employees of the situation and what are your directions for them to follow in order to keep everyone safe? How will you get in contact with local authorities if necessary? Do you have a backup safety plan?

The Situation

What type of emergency situation is underway? Do you have an emergency hazard communication labels or necessary supplies to combat or protect against it? What workplace safety ideas, plans have you put in place to safeguard any important information or documentation?

Aftermath

How will you assess the damage to your facility? Were you able to save all important information? Will your people be leery of coming back to work, and if so how will you help ease their fears? Having learned from your experience, what changes will you make to better your process should an emergency happen again? How much further training do you need to provide your employees?

If your facility doesn’t have a worst case scenario plan in place or even if it does, when is the last time it has been reviewed? Leaving your facility unprepared makes it most vulnerable to outside threats. For tips and best practices when beginning or updating your safety preparedness plans reference the resource made available through workplace safety tips from American Red Cross and OSHA to get started with the importance of workplace safety signs in your facility.

Now Trending in Workplace Safety: Mental Health in the Workplace

by Julianne Bass 05/05/2015

Stress, frustration, depression, these types of mental health issues can and often do have a greater impact on company productivity than physical injuries. Around 1 million employees in the U.S. alone miss work each day due to workplace stress and depression results in more days of disability than chronic health conditions.

Much emphasis is put on the maintaining a person’s physical capabilities but just as, if not more importantly their mental health is forgotten about. Have you ever had a day where you are physically at work but your mind is somewhere else. Perhaps thinking about a sick loved one, or dwelling on a personal situation? These distractions can be just as costly as physical injuries if not more so, putting the workers themselves but also those around them in danger. Stress alone causes absenteeism, productivity losses and sick leave totaling $300 Billion, so why does this issue continue to be ignored?

If you are looking to make the mental health of your workers a priority there are easy steps your facility can take, steps that will have long lasting benefits. Engagement of your employees is key. Engaged employees tend to perform better and achieve higher productivity because they have an emotional investment in creating value for their workplace. Unfortunately engagement levels today across differing industries are very low, no easier an opportunity to increase efficiency and have it carry over into other aspects of your facility. Perhaps first steps start with creating an open line of communication for worker feedback. How are you making the mental health of your workers a priority at your facility?

OUCH! My Back! Occupations In Need of Some Ergonomic Attention

by Julianne Bass 04/30/2015

$59,000 per employer could be saved with improved ergonomics, Do I have your attention yet? Many workers are injured on the job everyday due to little nuances and awkward movements within their job that can easily be eliminated through ergonomics.

There are 2 common approaches taken when dealing with ergonomic issues in the workplace. The first of which being reactive: taking action because something needs fixing with corrective action. This type of action would most likely arise because workers are starting to feel the effects of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD’s)such as carpel tunnel, tendonitis, rotator cuff injuries and trigger finger. Secondly, the proactive approach is one that actively seeks out areas that could be improved before they become a larger problem. These fixes usually take the form of equipment design or task design.

Below are the top positions that suffer ergonomic related MSD’s most:

Nursing assistants
Laborers
Janitors and cleaners
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
Registered nurses
Stock clerks and order fillers
Light truck or delivery services drivers
Maintenance and repair workers
Production workers
Retail salespersons
Maids and housekeeping cleaners
Police and sheriffs patrol officers
Firefighters
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
Assemblers and fabricators

If one of these areas of work apply to your facility, consider implementing ergonomics program. No need to think of ergonomics as an overwhelming undertaking. Start small by evaluating trends in your injury reporting, this may point you to the most immediate areas of concern within your workplace.

Workplace Safety News Roundup

by Julianne Bass 04/28/2015

The High Cost of Low Protection

The use of personal protective equipment is a vital component of workplace safety, but many employers are unduly concerned with the cost of introducing new safety measures. Ignoring the fact that the safety of your employees far outweighs the initial costs of using new PPE in your workplace, there are many reasons why you should introduce PPE and why you can actually save money by making sure you have proper hand protection in place.