June is National Safety Month — Themed “No 1 Gets Hurt”

Observed annually in June, National Safety Month focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road, and in our homes and communities. This year the theme is “No 1 Gets Hurt” and the month is broken into four focus weeks, each designated for a particular safety issue: week one focuses on emergency preparedness; week two has the focus of wellness; week three emphasizes fall prevention, and week four concentrates on driving safety.

Like the prompt to check your smoke alarms when Daylight Savings hits, we here at ESC see National Safety Month as a great reminder to look at your safety programs to see if they need updating, revising, or compliance checks. It is also a great time to begin building and implementing a safety program if you need one.

Did You Know? ...There are Federal and State legal requirements to have an Accident Prevention Program

Having a good safety manual is at the core of your safety program. It provides the guidelines and direction for your entire safety program, as well as outlining the roles and responsibilities of employees and management in your safety program. To maintain efficacy it requires periodic review.

Another often recommended review process is to get a third party audit of your safety programs and procedures. Safety audits conducted by knowledgeable, experienced professionals will assist in reducing personnel risk and insure compliance with applicable standards and regulations. They will also help you avoid “insider blind-spots” with their neutral assessment and objective positioning. You will also benefit from their wide experience in multiple environments as they are able to share best practices that can strengthen individual programs, validate existing programs, and provide recommendations for growth or change when deemed necessary.

A well prepared and well executed safety audit can make a substantial difference in the prevention of accidents and injuries. Thoroughly completed audits with proper follow through are viewed favorably by regulatory agencies and can strengthen your company’s accident prevention plan.

Evergreen Safety Council offers customized, onsite safety inspections and audits to help you figure out if your safety program is effective in practice. Our highly trained safety consultant/trainers can perform an inspection or audit at your facility and then give you a detailed report of what was found and recommendations on improvement. (See next page).

Need help getting the whole team up-to-date? Evergreen Safety Council also offers a wide range of training classes and services that can be tailored to address your organization’s needs based on your consultation.

The four areas that this year’s National Safety Month covers are some of the most hazardous issues faced by employees. Driving is the number one killer on the job.  Wellness, falls and emergency preparedness are other important areas to consider and review in your safety program and APP.

Hypothermia

According to the Mayo Clinic, Hypothermia is a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature. Hypothermia occurs as your body temperature falls below 95 F (35 C).

When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system, and other organs can’t work normally. Left untreated, hypothermia can lead to heart and respiratory failure and even death.

Often caused by cold weather exposure or immersion in cold water, hypothermia treatments are generally methods to warm the body back to a normal temperature.

Like many conditions, a person with hypothermia may not be aware of their condition, as the symptoms can come on gradually and confused thinking, associated with hypothermia, can prevent self-awareness. Being aware of the symptoms of hypothermia can help protect you and those around you.

Symptoms include:

• Shivering
• Slurred speech or mumbling
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Weak pulse
• Clumsiness or lack of coordination
• Drowsiness or very low energy
• Confusion or memory loss
• Loss of consciousness
• Bright red, cold skin (in infants)

Prevention is key and many say easier than the cure. The CDC/NIOSH has the following recommendations for employers to help their employees prevent cold stress issues, such as hypothermia.

• Schedule maintenance and repair jobs in cold areas in warmer months.
• Schedule cold jobs for the warmer part of the day.
• Reduce the physical demands of workers.
• Use relief workers or assign extra workers for long, demanding jobs.
• Provide warm liquids to workers.
• Provide warm areas for use during break periods.
• Monitor workers who are at risk of cold stress.
• Provide cold stress training that includes information about:
  
  • Worker risk,
  • Prevention,
  • Symptoms,
  • The importance of monitoring yourself and coworkers for symptoms,
  • Treatment, and
  • Personal protective equipment.

NIOSH makes the following recommendations to workers for cold stress prevention

• Wear appropriate clothing—tight clothing may restrict circulation while several loose layers provide better insulation. Movement restricting clothing may result in a hazardous situation.
• Make sure to protect the ears, face, hands and feet in extremely cold weather.
• Boots should be waterproof and insulated.
• Heat rises—wearing a hat will keep your whole body warmer.
• Limit the amount of time in the cold and move into warm locations during breaks.
• Carry cold weather gear, such as extra socks, gloves, hats, jacket, blankets, a change of clothes and a thermos of hot liquid.
• Include a thermometer and chemical hot packs in your first aid kit.
• Avoid touching cold metal surfaces with bare skin.
• Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.

Everyone that works outdoors in the winter (and their employers) needs to understand the issues of cold stress and take appropriate actions and provide training.

Stay warm and safe this winter.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training and Consultation, Evergreen Safety Council

Workers and Fatigue

In dealing with safety you learn that there are hazards out there that are recognized, but there is no actual rule that covers the hazard.  This is true about sleep and the workplace.  There is no OSHA rule that covers fatigue, etc. that comes from lack of sleep to working unusual shifts.

According to OSHA, extended or unusual work shifts may be more stressful physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Non-traditional shifts and extended work hours may disrupt the body’s regular schedule, leading to increased fatigue, stress, and lack of concentration. These effects lead to an increased risk of operator error, injuries and/or accidents.

Fatigue is a message to the body to rest. If rest is not possible, fatigue can increase until it becomes distressing and eventually debilitating. The symptoms of fatigue, both mental and physical, vary and depend on the person and his or her degree of overexertion.

Some examples include:

• Weariness,
• Sleepiness,
• Irritability,
• Reduced alertness, lack of concentration and memory,
• Lack of motivation,
• Increased susceptibility to illness,
• Depression,
• Headache,
• Giddiness, and/or
• Loss of appetite and digestive problems.

OSHA recommends that when there is a choice, managers should limit the use of extended shifts and increase the number of days employees work. Working shifts longer than 8 hours will generally result in reduced productivity and alertness. Additional break periods and meals should be provided when shifts are extended past normal work periods. Tasks that require heavy physical labor or intense concentration should be performed at the beginning of the shift if possible. This is an important consideration for pre-emergency planning.

In addition managers and supervisors should learn to recognize signs and symptoms of the potential health effects associated with extended and unusual work shifts. Workers who are being asked to work extended or irregular shifts should be diligently monitored for the signs and symptoms of fatigue. Any employee showing such signs should be evaluated and possibly directed to leave the active area and seek rest.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

Safety Violations Can & Will Get You Fined

A Washington State roofing company  has been repeatedly cited for several safety violations, and most notably for fall protection violations by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). 

Recently fined $427,000 for exposing workers to fall hazards without adequate fall protection, the company was also cited for failing to effectively train workers in how to use fall protection systems or equipment.  This is considered a “serious” violation, with a penalty of $7,000 alone.  A serious violation exists in a workplace if there is a substantial probability that worker death or serious physical harm could result from a hazardous condition.

“Falls from heights are completely preventable, and yet they’re a leading cause of worker fatalities and hospitalizations in our state,” said Anne Soiza, assistant director for L&I’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health.  “We’re hopeful that this will lead to proper fall protection practices for all of their workers, all the time, going forward.”

Save lives and your bottom line.

Are you concerned that your company may not be up-to-date on state regulations and required training?

We can help.  Evergreen Safety Council experts can provide customized safety training at your site or ours.

Our consultants can also help with:

• Developing written safety programs,
• Safety audits and inspections,
• Assist with OSHA/L&I citation abatement, or
• Serve as safety advisors for projects

For more information, please contact Stephanie at (800) 521-0778 or Stephanie@esc.org.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training and Consulting Evergreen Safety Council

The Safety Role of the Front Line Supervisor

Over the years we have heard the question “who is responsible for safety” many times. Of course there are the normal answers such as “you,” or “the company,” or the all-encompassing “everyone.” Now how about this one: “my supervisor is responsible for safety.”

In my years of working in the safety field, i have learned that safety is not separate from production–it is part of production. So the statement about supervisors being responsible for safety is very true. If supervisors are responsible for production, that means they have a responsibility for safety as well so that production does not suffer. Just look at what happened in 1999 at the Milwaukee Brewers stadium build when they had a crane collapse: it shut the project down for six months. Talk about a slowdown in production.

Yes, i know that actually everyone has a responsibility for safety. Yet employees can often be so focused on their job they get “tunnel vision” and do not see the hazards. So it is up to the front line supervisor to assist their employees in doing their jobs safely.

As a supervisor you need to stop and take a look to see what your employees are doing, and if they are doing it safely and correctly.

Look at a few simple things, such as:

• Where are they standing?  Are they standing out of harm’s way?
• Do they appear to have their mind on the task or are they “spacing” out?
• Do they appear to be frustrated or in a good mood?
• Are they rushed/hurried or are they taking time to do the job correctly?
• Are they wearing PPE like they are supposed to?

If everything looks good you need to tell them. Tell them they are doing a good job and doing things safely. 

Of course if you see things that are incorrect or unsafe, you need to correct those issues on the spot. The best techniques are those that let the employee know that the supervisor is correcting his/her actions because of caring that the employee goes home at night healthy and uninjured. Here again we have found the one-on-one method (with no embarrassment or belittling) to be the most productive.

As a supervisor you must also understand, and stay on top of, the safety rules of both your company and OSHA (or State OSHA). Monitor their websites for updates and online learning opportunities, and know that we are here as a resource for training and consulting.

As a supervisor you should be aware that your employees are looking to you for leadership, and you need to be prepared. Understand the rules and regulations and most importantly communicate with your employees to ensure a safe and productive team.

By Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

The Outdoor Heat Exposure Rule

Working outdoors in hot weather can result in serious illness or even death.  Workers exposed to extreme heat may experience symptoms of heat-related illnesses (HRI), such as heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, fainting, heat stroke and other symptoms.

HRI ranges from relatively harmless conditions such as heat edema (swelling) and heat cramps to more serious illness such as heat syncope (fainting) and heat exhaustion. The most serious and often fatal form of HRI is heat stroke.

HRI is also linked to injuries from falls, equipment operation accidents, and other on-the-job incidents. Such incidents can happen when someone with heat stress becomes fatigued, dizzy, confused, or disoriented.

In Washington State employers must provide training to workers so they understand what heat stress is, how it affects their health and safety, and how it can be prevented. The Outdoor heat exposure Rule WAC 296-62-095 applies from May 1 through September 30, every year, when exposures are at or above a specific temperature. In Washington DOSH looks at the temperature and the type of clothing the worker is wearing to determine if compliance with the rule has been put into effect.

If you have workers that are working in the outdoors you need to be aware of this situation to ensure your workers are safe. Evergreen Safety Council can help you provide the training and/or develop your heat illness prevention program.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

Injury Prevention

Most of us know that the major focus of workplace safety is injury prevention. In order to accomplish this, the first thing any business needs to do is a hazard assessment. Actually that is what safety is about—finding hazards and fixing them. Since most of you reading this understand the basics of finding hazards, we want to focus on some basic practices to prevent workplace incidents.

As you search for hazards understand that even though you as the employer have a duty to protect employees, each worker also has a responsibility to stay safe.  Make sure your employees are following the practices below:

Be safe in transit. Make sure your employees are driving safely and are operating safe vehicles.

Avoid taking short cuts. It is natural to want to get done on time, but do not short cut safety when it comes to on the job.

Know the weather. Dress and be prepared for cold weather and hot weather.

Make sure to use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and know how to use them.

Injury reduction is a team effort!  Help your company accomplish this and please feel free to contact us at Evergreen Safety Council. We would be honored to be part of your safety team.

By Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

Heat Illness

Summer time is coming and workers on both sides of the Cascades need to be aware of heat illness.  By now all employers should know about Washington’s Outdoor Heat Exposure rule found in WAC 296-62-095.

Working outdoors in hot weather can result in serious illness or even death.  Workers exposed to extreme heat may experience symptoms of heat-related illnesses (HRI), such as heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, fainting, heat stroke, and other symptoms.

According to DOSH heat-related illness is also linked to injuries from falls, equipment operation accidents, and other on-the-job incidents. Such incidents can happen when someone with heat stress becomes fatigued, dizzy, confused, or disoriented.

Since heat can lead to other issues and potential incidents, it is important that all of us working out-of-doors take care to avoid heat illness issues. The most important thing to do is to hydrate the night before and stay hydrated.  Drink plenty of proper fluids the night before and continue to drink fluids (i.e., water or sport drinks) throughout the day.  Remember that we not only need water, but electrolytes, which can be gained from drinking sport drinks in addition to water.

In addition to taking care of ourselves, we have to look out for our co-workers whom may suffer the effects of heat illness.  The following are from the OSHA fact sheet on heat illness.

Heat Stroke is the most serious heat-related health problem. Heat stroke occurs when the body's temperature regulating system fails and body temperature rises to critical levels (greater than 104°F).This is a medical emergency that may result in death! The signs of heat stroke are confusion, loss of consciousness and seizures. Workers experiencing heat stroke have a very high body temperature and may stop sweating. If a worker shows signs of possible heat stroke, get medical help immediately, and call 911. Until medical help arrives, move the worker to a shady, cool area and remove as much clothing as possible. Wet the worker with cool water and circulate the air to speed cooling. Place cold wet cloths, wet towels or ice all over the body or soak the worker’s clothing with cold water. 

Heat Exhaustion is the next most serious heat-related health problem. The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion are headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, confusion, thirst, heavy sweating and a body temperature greater than 100.4°F. Workers with heat exhaustion should be removed from the hot area and given liquids to drink. Remove unnecessary clothing including shoes and socks. Cool the worker with cold compresses to the head, neck, and face or have the worker wash his or her head, face and neck with cold water. Encourage frequent sips of cool water. Workers with signs or symptoms of heat exhaustion should be taken to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment. Make sure that someone stays with the worker until help arrives. If symptoms worsen, call 911 and get help immediately. 

Heat Cramps are muscle pains usually caused by physical labor in a hot work environment. Heat cramps are caused by the loss of body salts and fluid during sweating. Workers with heat cramps should replace fluid loss by drinking water and/or carbohydrate-electrolyte replacement liquids (e.g., sports drinks) every 15 to 20 minutes.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training, Evergreen Safety Council

Carbon Monoxide Poisonings at Indoor Work Places

In recent months a total of 11 employees were poisoned by carbon monoxide (CO) at 3 separate work places.

DOSH inspections tied the poisonings to propane- or liquid gas-powered equipment used in poorly ventilated, enclosed spaces. Built-in ventilation systems (HVACs) in these work spaces were either taken out of service (to avoid dust contamination during work activities) or not capable of removing a buildup of CO gas.  Hazard prevention starts with recognition that CO can become a danger on job sites like the ones described here. Dangerously high levels of CO built up in the air:

• After just 2 hours of pressure washing a concrete floor inside a 200 foot-long townhouse garage  
• Within 1 ½ hours of operating a power screed and two riding-power trowels inside a 12,000 sq.ft. warehouse. 
• During the work shift while using a floor-scraper machine to remove tile inside a 22,000  sq.ft. office space. 

Industrial fans and negative-pressure air machines are often not enough to stop a serious CO build up, even in large spaces. Testing the air for CO during work activities will tell you if your ventilation setup is keeping CO below regulatory limits. If high CO levels persist, you may need to add a portable ventilation system that can ensure enough contaminated air is effectively vented to the outside and replaced by fresh air.

To find help or learn more about CO hazards, rules, and regulatory limits, visit L&I’s  Carbon Monoxide topic page. This page also provides hazard prevention, training, and other resources to help you keep your employees safe and working.

Please share this bulletin with others in your industry and safety networks.

If you have questions or comments, please contact Nichole.Rose@lni.wa.gov.

CPR Training

Did you know that sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the number one cause of death in the United States?  About 300,000 out-of-hospital SCA’s occur annually and 80% of those occur at home!  As only about 8% of those experiencing out-of-hospital SCA’s survive, it seems vital that to increase those odds, we need to increase the number of people trained in CPR.  About 70% of Americans have never been trained in CPR or their training has significantly lapsed.  That’s important today, because in late 2010, CPR standards changed and it’s easier than ever to help a victim of witnessed SCA.

CPR training now emphasizes “Compressions First”, and for adult victims of witnessed SCA, Compression-Only (or “Hands-only”) CPR is something that even untrained bystanders can begin immediately and make a significant difference.  It’s easy!

• When someone collapses suddenly, is not responsive and is not breathing (or not breathing normally), make sure 9-1-1 has been called, and have someone get a portable defibrillator (AED) if it is available.  If no one else is around, do this yourself.
• Kneel directly over your victim and place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest.  Now put the other hand on top and interlace your fingers.  Push hard and fast until help arrives.*

*Hard is at least 2 inches into the chest

*Fast is at least 100 beats per minute (the song “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees is about 103.)

Please watch this one minute video tutorial. It’s the best minute you can ever spend to save someone you care about.

Finally, please consider signing up for Evergreen Safety Council’s next Open Enrollment First Aid / CPR & AED class on June 29, 2012.

Contributed by Kat Spitz, First Aid Trainer, Evergreen Safety Council

A Brief Safety Quiz

Here are six general workplace safety questions to get your brain working this morning.  The answers are below (no peeking) and feature helpful links for more information.  Good luck and have fun!

1. Who is responsible for a safe workplace per OSHA?

A. The sales rep

B. The manufacturer

C. The employer

D. Your coach

2. What is the definition of a confined space?

A. An open hallway

B. Any space smaller than a shower

C. A space too small for a grown man to enter standing up

D. Limited access, limited egress, not made for contentious occupancy

3. What is a MSDS?

A. Mostly Scattered Disorganized Safety

B. Must Speak and Do Something

C. Material Safety Data Sheet

D. Material Storing Document Sheet

4. What is the lowest height that triggers fall protection in Washington State?

A. 15 feet

B. 6 feet

C. 10 feet

D. 4 feet

5. Who is required to purchase PPE according to OSHA?

A. The employee

B. Carpool buddy

C. The employer

D. NIOSH

6. What state agency enforces worker protection?

A. L&I/DOSH

B. OSHA

C. EPA

D. IDLH

scroll down for the answers...

ANSWERS

C - This refers to the General Duty clause

D - This definition could save your life

C - These documents are available for your safety. A name changes is coming soon and these are going to be know as a Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

D - Falls are a hazard at height as well as 4 and 10 feet

C - This rule was effective on February 13, 2008 and implemented by May 15, 2008

A - This state agency has been keeping workers safe longer than the federal agency

Contributed by Al Filmore, Trainer / Consultant, Evergreen Safety Council

Gravity Never Forgets - Ladder Safety

As soon as you set foot on the ladder’s first rung and pull your body off the ground, gravity is working to bring you back to earth. Therefore, ladder safety begins from the ground up.  

Proper ladder setup will help prevent slips and falls. Place the base on a firm, solid surface. Avoid slippery, wet or soft surfaces. If you must put the ladder on a soft surface, place a board under the ladder’s feet to provide firm footing. Make sure the top of the ladder has firm support as well.

Never lean a ladder against a window pane or other unstable surface. If you’re using a straight or extension ladder, the angle of the ladder is the next critical safety factor. A straight or extension ladder should be placed 1 foot away from the surface it rests against for every 4 feet of ladder height. For example, if the ladder is 4 feet high, the bottom of the ladder should be 1 foot away from the support surface.

What's wrong with this picture?

If you use a ladder to access a roof or platform, make sure the ladder extends at least 3 feet over the roof or platform edge. Be sure to securely fasten straight and extension ladders to the upper support. If you have angled the ladder properly and still have doubts about its stability, have someone hold the ladder before climbing up.

If you’re using a step ladder, be sure to open it completely before you climb. If you have to use a step ladder near a doorway, lock or barricade the door and post signs so no one will open it and knock you off the ladder.

When you climb, always face the ladder and grip the rungs of the ladder to climb, not the side rails. Never get on or off a ladder from the side unless it has been secured to prevent movement.

Never climb with equipment in your hands. Use your pockets, equipment belt, or a tool pouch and raise heavy objects with a hand line. If you forget something, always climb down the ladder to retrieve it yourself; don’t have someone toss it up to you. And never ask someone to climb up your ladder to give you supplies. It is dangerous to exceed the weight limits that a specific ladder can handle.

When you descend a ladder, practice the same safety rules. Face the ladder, keep your body square and hold on to the rungs. Lastly, step off at the bottom rung of the ladder. Never jump off of a ladder.

Before you start to haul a ladder around, evaluate the area where you’ll be working.

Ladders can be heavy and unwieldy. You can strike another person or object, or hit electrical power lines. Make the ladder as compact as possible before transporting it.

Carry it horizontally while tilting it higher in front and lower in back. If the ladder is particularly long and heavy, get a coworker to help you carry it.

Ladder safety may seem simple, but injuries occur every year. Below are some ladder safety dos and don’ts:

• Use the right ladder for the job.
• Inspect the ladder before and after a job.
• Read all warning labels carefully and follow directions before you climb.
• Clean the ladder after each use to prevent dirt buildup.
• Wear clean, dry, slip-resistant shoes and use ladders with slip resistant feet.
• Don’t stand any higher than the third rung from the top of the ladder.
• Don’t lean too far or overreach. Reposition the ladder closer to the work instead.
• Don’t use a ladder as a bridge or scaffold.
• Don’t put a ladder on a box, barrel or other object to gain additional height.
• Don’t use a damaged or unsafe ladder.

Experts also warn about ladder use in bad weather. Descend immediately if high winds, rain or other inclement weather begins. Wind force can blow you off the ladder.  Rain can make the rungs and the ground slippery. Bitter cold can make metal ladders more brittle and can cause other structural damage. If you encounter bad weather while on a ladder, do not speed up to finish the job and risk injury. Wait to finish the job until conditions are once again safe.

Remember, don’t let gravity get you down. Practice ladder safety rules every time you climb to make your work easier, faster and safer.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training, Evergreen Safety Council