10 Tips for Building a Stronger Safety Committee

1. Involve others at all levels of your company. Ensure your safety committee represents the mix of your organization’s labor force and management.
2. Look for enthusiastic volunteers as well as former “Safety Champions.” That enthusiasm can be invaluable when you get going, and those with experience can help guide.
3. Develop a basic curriculum and Safety Manual. Be prepared to provide resources, coaching, support and other help that workers may need.
4. Set some achievable goals to get a powerful start. Achieving some immediate accomplishments in pushing safety forward can provide some powerful and lasting momentum.
5. Plan meetings ahead of time. Besides showing respect to the committee, developing and sharing a meeting agenda and goals a few days in advance can help the committee keep organized and on track.
6. Generate an atmosphere of respect and trust. Workers need to know they can come to you about any issue.
7. Set term limits for committee members. Avoid “burnout” and try to keep consistent member investment and energy.
8. Don’t be boring. Safety meetings often have a reputation for being boring, especially if they are conducted the same way every time. Try mixing up the format between presentations, video, and maybe even a guest speaker. If you are looking for ideas see next tip!
9. See what others are doing. A quick search on the internet or networking with other industries can give you a lot of great ideas for your safety meetings as well as help you see your own from a different perspective.
10. Give recognition and rewards often and consistently. Rewards and recognition can generate better mindfulness than a constant stream of “Do this. Don’t do that.”

Congratulations!

Natalie Smith, of Bellingham WA and Nicole Anders, of Sequim WA have been awarded The Monty C. Lish & Stanley O. McNaughton Scholarship for Safety and Health Careers.

Natalie was also awarded the American Association of Safety Councils Scholarship as a member of Evergreen Safety Council.

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.

Vehicle/Equipment Movement Planning & Safety

Traffic Control Inside the Construction Site

Whether it’s a road construction site or a large building construction site, the interaction of heavy equipment and large trucks with on-foot workers commonly creates a high fatality and high hazard zone. For these high risk construction zones, training is essential for all personnel.

Targeted training can help increase construction employee awareness and reduce incidents caused by heavy construction equipment including backing operations, struck-by, caught-between, and vehicle accidents.

With funding from an OSHA Susan Harwood Targeted Topic Training Grant Evergreen Safety Council is now able to offer this targeted training. Best of all you may qualify for this training free of charge.

Improve your safety inside the construction site with this essential, targeted 2-hour training class available for workers or supervisors. All participants will learn the importance of situational awareness and the basics of an internal traffic control plan (ITCP). Supervisors and safety personnel will learn how to develop and implement an effective ITCP.

Training all your workers in these basic rules will help them not only stay safe but be able to recognize an ITCP and keep it functioning smoothly.

Learn more about the classes on our website - www.esc.org. 

* You and your team may qualify for FREE training! Find out today: Call ESC Toll Free 800-521-0778

This material was produced under grant number SH-31248-SH7 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of labor, nor does mention trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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

Evergreen Safety Council has a new President/Executive Director

Meet Jeffrey D. Vaughan

This past Fall saw a change of guard at Evergreen with the retirement of Tom Odegaard. Tom had been a steadying and leading force for the organization for more than 14 years as President/Executive Director.  True to his military background, his wish for his retirement party was to have a Hail and Farewell Ceremony, a traditional event that celebrates both those coming to and departing from an organization. As we said goodbye to Tom, we welcomed Jeffrey Vaughan as the new President/Executive Director.

Vaughan graduated from Utah State University with a BS degree in Public Health and a minor in Chemistry.  After graduation he came to the Pacific Northwest to work as an occupational health and safety professional.

Now with 25 years of experience working in a variety of industries as an occupational safety professional, he also has experience working as a public safety policy maker and as an executive manager.

This experience gives him a strong understanding of the value that safety has in business and in our communities.

He was particularly excited by the breadth and variety of ESC programs that not only cover workplace and occupational safety but includes traffic / workzone training and certification, vehicle safety training, and even motorcycle and new driver training and testing for licensing.

It is an honor to be able to serve you as the new President of the Evergreen Safety Council. I have long appreciated Evergreen and the work they do to make our world a safer place. Being a part of this great organization is a humbling and exciting opportunity for me.

The Evergreen Safety Council has a distinguished 85 year history as a leader in safety.  It is my objective to build upon this history by improving our reach and effectiveness as we work with each of you to increase the safety of our workplaces, roadways, and homes.

-Jeffrey Vaughan

6 Myth-Busters for the New Distracted Driving Law

1. You are allowed to call 911 in an emergency situation.
2. A primary offense is whenever a trooper observes drivers making contact with their phone other than the one touch/swipe. This is what troopers will be mainly focused on. Primary offenses will now be reported to your insurance companies.
3. Food, drinks, grooming, and smoking. All of these things are secondary violations/observations. It is pretty common to eat, drink, smoke, or do any other number of activities while driving. These activities are allowed as long as they do not interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle. If the driver does commit another traffic offense and is dangerously distracted, then they are subject to another $99 fine.
4. GPS and music. A good rule to follow, start both of these things before anything else. Drivers are allowed one touch/swipe as long as your device is connected to Bluetooth.
5. Authorized emergency personnel, including troopers, are exempt from this law. Uber, Lyft, and other ride share services are not (Meaning, they also must abide by the one touch/swipe rule).
6. CDL holders will still operate according to Federal Motor Carrier Regulations (The CDL will be disqualified after two or more convictions of any state law on hand-held mobile telephone use while operating a CMV).

Please refer to wadrivetozero.com for additional resources and information.

Contributed by Stephanie Dyck, Director of Operations

Big News! ESC Awarded OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant for 2017-2018

The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program funds eligible nonprofit organizations to provide training and education for workers and employers on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of safety and health hazards in their workplaces. Target audiences include underserved, low-literacy, and workers in high-hazard industries. Since 1978, over 2.1 million workers have been trained through this program.

Evergreen Safety Council was awarded a Targeted Topic Training Grant for “Construction Road Zones - heavy construction equipment, backing operations, struck-by/caught-in, caught-between, vehicle accidents.” The main purposes for this targeted training will be to:

1. train and increase construction employee awareness in this high fatality and high-hazard industry, and
   
   
2. educate and train Small Business Construction Owners, Supervisors and Safety Personnel how to develop and implement internal traffic control plans (ITCP’s) that address the hazards of Roadway Work Zone Construction and large building construction work zones while eliminating the incidents caused by heavy construction equipment, backing operations, struck-by, caught-between and vehicle accidents for road way construction workers in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Idaho and Oregon).

ESC’s Project Coordinator will be our new Regional Manager – Inland Northwest, Kevin Proctor.

Kevin has spent the past 25 years working in the area of Risk Management & HR in Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. Kevin joined the ESC team this past summer to expand service and client support east of the Cascades.

The End of an Era at Evergreen Safety Council

An end to an era is soon approaching us here at Evergreen Safety Council. Tom Odegaard is retiring.

Tom became Evergreen’s Executive Director in September, 2003, replacing the previous Executive Director, Monty Lish, which were some big shoes to fill. Tom did a great job filling them.

During his nearly 15 year career with Evergreen he had several major accomplishments. His first, and probably biggest accomplishment, was that he could handle the crazies known as “the staff,” especially his ESC trainers.

Although the program existed before he came on board with ESC, Tom took our Pilot/Escort Vehicle Operator (P/EVO) course to new levels. Working with WSDOT, and meeting with industry leaders, Tom grew the course into a nationally recognized program, ensuring Evergreen Safety Council as the leader in that training.

Under Tom’s guidance, the P/EVO Course, along with the Flagger Certification Course, became endorsed by the American Association of Safety Councils in March of 2014–further cementing Evergreen Safety Council as a leader in quality safety training.

Tom played a major role in the development of a Washington State specific flagger training video, “Work Zone Safety Depends on You.”  He spearheaded the effort and partnered with the Northwest
Laborers-Employers Training Trust to receive a Labor & Industries (L&I) SHIP grant. This video has been placed on the L&I video site to help refresh and remind flaggers of the importance of their job and how to be safe.

He helped guide ESC through the economic downturn of 2008. In 2012 ESC had to start the process of finding a new home. Tom worked tirelessly looking at various buildings throughout the Puget Sound to find our current location. The new home provided three training rooms, a computer lab, and our own motorcycle range where training can occur seven days per week. He orchestrated the move so that we were able to keep business open and had very little disruption to our customers.

During his tenure he increased our presence in the community and continued to grow our training programs. Elected President of the American Association of Safety Councils (2010 - 2012), he is also a member of the Washington Governor’s Industrial, Safety & Health Board. Working with staff he helped bring the nationally recognized Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS) program to ESC as well as developing a New Driver Training Program for both teen and adult drivers. Tom also got Evergreen approved as a Department of Licensing Testing Center for cars, motorcycles, and 3-wheel vehicles. Most recently he helped institute the Professional Safety Academy, a series of specialized safety courses that can be taken independently or as a series for certification as a Safety Specialist. He also helped procure a Susan Harwood grant for 2017-2018, with ESC being awarded a Targeted Topic Training Grant for “Construction Road Zones.”

Evergreen Safety Council, like many companies, has had a lot of up and downs over the years. Tom has stayed constant and steady. He has been a friend. He takes the time every day to talk to each of his staff members to see how we are doing. He allowed the staff to celebrate accomplishments both personal and professional, provided encouragement when we needed it, and showed compassion when we lost friends of the Council. While he will be missed by all of us at Evergreen Safety Council, he certainly deserves his retirement. His hard work and diligence have greatly benefited us. His contributions to our overall strategy and the daily operation of Evergreen with the guidance he has provided will be sorely missed.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training and Consultation Evergreen Safety Council, and Tina Bacon, New Driver Training Programs Manager, Roadway & Traffic Programs Coordinator

Work Zone Safety for Drivers

Summer has arrived and as usual so has the road construction season. With all the projects going on you are going to be driving through quite a few work zones this summer.

A few facts from the Federal Highway Administration:

• Between 2010 and 2014 in work zone crashes more than:
• 4,400 persons died (85% were the driver or passenger),
• 200,000 persons were injured.
• Drivers are the most frequent fatality in work zone crashes.
• Most work zone fatalities involve working-age adults.
• Rear-end crashes (running into the rear of a slowing or stopping vehicle) are the most common type of work zone crash.
• Fatal work zone crashes occur most often in summer and fall.
• The majority of fatal work zone crashes occurred on roads with speed limits greater than 50 mph.
• Stopping distance for motor vehicles at 50 mph:
• Dry roadway~300 ft
• Wet roadway~400 ft
• Icy pavement~1250 ft
• A loaded 80,000 lb. tractor-trailer requires almost 50% more stopping distance.
• It takes only an extra 25 seconds to cover 1 mile at 45 mph compared to 65 mph.

As you are driving, what can you do to keep yourself safe as you drive through a work zone? According to the Federal Highway Administration you should:

Stay Alert and Minimize Distractions

• Dedicate your full attention to the roadway
• Avoid changing the radio station, using a mobile phone, eating, or other distractions that can remove your concentration from the road

Keep Your Headlights On

Pay Attention to the Road

• “Listen to the signs”
• Watch brake lights on vehicles ahead
• Watch traffic around you and be prepared to react Merge into the Proper Lane
• Merge well before you reach the lane closure
• Be aware that traffic patterns can change daily

Don’t tailgate

• Follow other vehicles at a safe distance

Obey the Posted Speed Limit

• Workers may be present just feet away
• Fines may be doubled for moving traffic violations
• Be prepared to slow down further if conditions indicate the need

Change Lanes Safely

• Change lanes only where pavement markings indicate, and only when traffic conditions permit

Follow Instructions from Flaggers

Expect the Unexpected

• Workers, work vehicles, or equipment may enter your lane without warning
• Other vehicles may slow, stop, or change lanes unexpectedly

Be Patient

Enjoy your summer and everyone STAY SAFE.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

Congratulations to T BAILEY, INC. for earning Evergreen Safety Council’s John D. Spellman Safety Award for 2016

Founded in 1991 and located in Anacortes, WA, T BAILEY, INC. is a diversified heavy-civil/industrial general contractor. Their expertise is construction. They build and repair huge storage tanks, apply coatings, build foundations, excavations, and piping systems. They are also experts in heavy steel plate/structural fabrication. Their vast experience in aboveground, field-erected fuel and water tank projects has established T BAILEY, INC. as one of the Northwest leaders in safety, quality
control, and project management.

In 2015, T BAILEY, INC. cut their number of injuries in half, and reduced the number of injuries in field operations by 60%. They received the Steel Tank Institute Safety Award of Achievement for the fourth year in a row. They also received the Blueprint Award of Excellence from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) for achieving the lowest Experience Modification Rating possible for a company of their size. L&I showed that this also saved the company more than $250,000 per year in Worker’s Comp premiums, and put hundreds of dollars more in every worker’s paycheck.

In 2016, T BAILEY, INC. workers again reduced their number of injuries by 67% from the previous year. They received an Award of Excellence from the Steel Tank Institute, and another from Washington L&I, for going more than 365 days with no OSHA recordable injuries.

T BAILEY, INC.’s robust and dynamic safety program starts with full commitment from all workers, from their Owner and CEO to their newest employee. All employees worked very hard to change the safety culture of the company. Their consistent efforts have resulted in fewer accidents and injuries, and a considerable reduction in their experience factor rating. They have networked with other companies, and developed best practices for safety that they have found to be most effective in their line of work. They share their successes, and mentor their neighbors.

Their safety program includes safety and health training for all workers, knowledge assessment testing, periodic inspections, safety audits, and annual recertification. Many of their workers also received Safety Leadership Training in 2016. With their safety committee, they investigate all safety incidents, and then develop a corrective action plan. Their workers were trained to perform a Job Hazard Analysis on all major job functions, and develop posted Standard Operating Procedures from each JHA. Finally, they reward high levels of safety participation by individuals and teams and celebrate success proudly and often.

ESC will present the 11th annual John D Spellman Safety award to the leadership and employees of  T BAILEY, INC. on July 12 in Anacortes.

The annual John D. Spellman Safety Award was created in 2006 to recognize ESC member organizations and individuals that have demonstrated outstanding safety achievements or have shown they are actively pursuing and reinforcing a positive safety culture in their workplace. The award also
recognizes one of Washington’s great public servants, Governor John D. Spellman. King County’s first elected County Executive and Washington’s 18th Governor. Currently serving as Chairman Emeritus, he served as President/Executive Director during ESC’s critical restructuring in 1989 and served as Chairman of the Board from 1998 to 2016.

Contributed by Tom Odegaard, President/Executive Director Evergreen Safety Council

Develop Your Defensible Space

Wildland-Urban Interface

An interesting term that means where the homes meet the forest (wildland). It is this area that can become dangerous during the summer months, when there is a high threat of wildfire. This year the threat is higher due to the wet winter and the larger than normal amount of grasses and other fine fire fuels in the forest.

This year the threat may also be high in the Western Washington area, in addition to the already dry Eastern Washington area.

So what can you do?

The basic step is called developing a defensible space around your home or workplace. Things like using the zone concept of limiting the amount of flammable vegetation and materials surrounding the building and increasing the moisture content of remaining vegetation. The building itself and everything around it up to 100 – 200 feet is known as the ‘home ignition zone.’  In areas across the country where the risk of wildfire is high, the home ignition zone extends up to 200 feet beyond the actual home structure.

There is not enough space in this article to cover all that should be done, but there are several websites that can help you. One that I worked with in Chelan County is www.firewise.org where you can learn more about the zone concept under the Wildfire Preparedness tab.

If you live in an area that could be threatened by wildfire take a moment to check out the information and start developing your defensible space. You can’t wait until the last minute on this one.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

Injury Prevention and Safety in the Workplace

Some Quick Tips to Get You Started

I know that safety professionals understand the cost of workplace injuries and illnesses and that part of their job is to provide ways to reduce, if not eliminate, injury costs. Of course there are both direct and indirect costs to injuries such as training replacement, investigation cost, loss of productivity, and so on. With that said here are a few ideas to assist with injury prevention.

One of the first things is to identify your workplace hazards. Perform a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) to determine safety issues. Pay attention to common incidents. You need to understand what your hazards are at your workplace.

Then be sure to educate your employees regarding identified hazards. Train them in hazard avoidance and job safety. Continually cultivate a safety attitude among both employees and management.

Eliminate all the hazards you can and be sure to provide employees with the proper personal protective equipment. PPE is essential in the workplace and proper use and training is needed from date of first hire.

Incorporate a safety and wellness plan. The basis for a safe work environment is an effective accident prevention and wellness program. The program needs to cover all levels of employee safety and health with the encouragement to report hazards.

Maintain staffing levels. Low staffing levels can lead to overworked employees who may then suffer from exhaustion and cut corners to meet or exceed output. Hiring part-time or seasonal staff could help prevent accidents due to exhaustion.

Beware the shortcut—incidents happen when employees skip steps to get ahead of schedule. Consider developing written procedures for tasks so employees can refer back to them if there are questions.

Make sure equipment is in good working condition and that it is routinely inspected. Have an equipment preventative maintenance program established at your workplace.

Keep your workplace clean and neat. Poor housekeeping can cause serious safety hazards. Slips, trips, and falls are a leading causes of injury, especially with the aging workforce.

Monitor your safety measures. Your safety program needs to be ongoing. Keep track of your incident/accident data and keep reviewing your safety training programs to make sure they are up to date.

Some workers are injured severely enough that they cannot return to work and need ongoing medical care, leading to lost revenue and a reduction in workforce. Providing protective gear and minimal education isn’t enough. Follow the above tips, along with an effective accident prevention and wellness program to reduce the number of workplace injuries and the resulting costs.

If you need help, feel free to give Evergreen Safety Council a call.
 
Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training and Consultation, Evergreen Safety Council

Be Prepared for Winter Driving

Driving in the winter can be nerve wracking whether you are driving in the coastal rains or in snow and icy conditions. Getting prepared before a trip, or even day-to-day driving, can make all the difference in winter driving. It’s a good idea to review these things periodically even if you made an initial pass at the beginning of the winter

Tips to Winterize Your Car:

• Install winter wipers.
• Flush the cooling system and replace the coolant.
• Check your battery.
• Mount winter tires.
• Keep (non-freezing) washer fluid full.
• Pack a winter safety kit.
• Service your vehicle regularly (including tune up, battery check, and cooling systems).
• Maintain proper tire pressure.
• Keep the gas tank as full as possible.
• Clean all debris from your vehicle.
• Keep your rear-window defroster in working order.

Being Prepared—Accidents, pass closures, and other winter events can mean unexpected time in your car.  One of the most important items from the above list is making sure you have a winter safety kit.

Items for this emergency winter weather kit should include:

• Flashlight with extra batteries,
• Blanket/sleeping bag and warm clothing including: gloves/mittens, socks & hats, and boots,
• Nonperishable, high-energy foods,
• Water,
• First Aid Kit,
• Cell phone charger/battery booster,
• Tire chains and tool kit,
• Ice scraper/snowbrush,
• Small shovel,
• Cat litter/sand/salt to help with traction,
• Jumper Cables,
• Flares/Warning Triangle, and
• Whistle to signal for help.

When planning your trip and before leaving, check the weather.  Watch weather reports prior to long-distance trips or before driving in isolated areas.  Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected.  If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and expected time of arrival.

A Few Winter Driving Tips:

• Avoid driving when you are tired. 
• Always keep at least ½ tank of fuel in the vehicle.
• If you start your vehicle to warm it up – do it outside – avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Accelerate and decelerate slowly – reduce your speed overall.
• Do not use cruise control in wintery conditions.
• Increase following distance to 8 to 10 seconds.
• Look and steer in the direction you want to go.
• Avoid using your parking brake to slow or stop.
• If possible, don’t stop when going uphill.
• Be extra careful at intersections – cars may have difficulty stopping and vision may be impaired.
• Be extra alert for pedestrians.
• Share the road with snow removal equipment/crews.

If you do get stranded in an unfamiliar area, do not leave your car. Light flares in front and behind the car and make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow, mud or any object.

Be  Prepared and Be Safe This Winter.

Contributed by Tom Odegaard, President/Executive Director Evergreen Safety Council

February is American Heart Month

The first American Heart Month was declared by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. It was created to encourage Americans to join the battle against heart disease.  Since 2004, February also has been the month for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign to raise awareness of this number one killer of women.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.

While the entire month is dedicated as American Heart Month, the day of February 5th is National Wear Red Day.  By wearing red on February 5th you are helping raise women’s awareness and support education on cardiovascular health.

Why should you Go Red? Heart disease is the number one killer of women, taking more lives than all forms of cancer combined.  Every 80 seconds, one woman is killed by heart disease and stroke.  That’s 1 in 3 deaths among women each year.  80% of these deaths can be prevented with education and action.  These statistics can be shocking, but building awareness is one of the best ways to fight this horrible disease.

Cardiovascular disease is also the leading global cause of death, accounting for more than 17.3 million deaths per year, a number that is expected to grow to more than 23.6 million by 2030.

While heart disease kills around 630,000 Americans each year, about 750,000 people in the U.S. have heart attacks each year.  Of those, about 116,000 die.  About 550,000 people in the U.S. have a first-time heart attack each year, and about 200,000 have recurrent heart attacks.

The American Heart Association gauges the cardiovascular health of the nation by tracking seven key health factors and behaviors that increase risks for heart disease and stroke.  Called “Life’s Simple 7,” they are: not smoking, physical activity, healthy diet, body weight, and control of cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar.  You don’t have to wait until February to get a jump on Life’s Simple 7:

• Get active
• Control cholesterol
• Eat better
• Manage blood pressure
• Lose weight
• Reduce blood sugar
• Stop smoking

Do a My Life Check® through the the American Heart Association website at http://bit.ly/2hkfLiW

The Best Defense May Actually Be Avoidance

As most of you know, safety is very important to us here at Evergreen Safety Council.  For the most part we do focus on workplace safety, but there are other areas of safety that we all need to be aware of, such as our personal safety. January is National Personal Self-Defense Awareness Month. The BEST Self Defense is Awareness and Avoidance.

The crime reports from 2015, compiled by the FBI, reveal that while there was a 2.6 percent decrease in the number of property crimes, there was a 3.9 percent increase in the number of violent crimes from the previous year.

According to the report, there were an estimated 1,197,704 violent crimes committed around the nation in 2015. 

• The estimated number of murders in the nation was 15,696.
• There were an estimated 327,374 robberies nationwide.
• During the year, there were an estimated 90,185 rapes.
• Property crimes resulted in losses estimated at $14.3 billion.

Now that we have your attention here are some tips that can help you avoid becoming a victim of a crime. A few simple precautions can help reduce the risk to yourself, and also discourage those who commit crimes.

At Home

• Always leave your headlights on when arriving home after dark until doors are unlocked.
• Have the door key ready so you can open the door immediately.
• Know who is at your door before opening it. (Consider a wide angle door viewer)
• Never let anyone into your home without proper identification and don’t be afraid to ask for it.
• Always leave outside lights on after dark, or use motion lights.
• In an apartment building, NEVER be alone in the laundry room.
• If you suspect anyone is in your house, do not go in, call the police.
• If you see or hear anything suspicious, call the police.

While You Are Out

• Pay close attention to your surroundings, avoid “automatic pilot” and be alert for suspicious persons.
• Stick to well-lit areas.
• Use common sense; plan your route to avoid uninhabited parks, parking lots, garages, and alleyways.
• Try NOT to go out alone at night. If meeting someone arrange it so you do not have to wait alone.
• Carry minimal items. Don’t display large sums of cash and don’t carry any more cash than is necessary.
• Alone at work after business hours? Keep the door locked.
• Working late? Have someone walk you to your car.

In Your Automobile

• Have your keys in hand so you can open the car door without delay.
• Don’t park in dark or poorly lit areas.
• Never pickup hitchhikers.
• Never leave your keys in the car.
• Always check the back seat of your car before getting in.
• Always lock your doors while driving.
• Never allow another vehicle to follow you home.
• If you stop to aid others, do not get out of the car.  Ask what the problem is and call the police.

And above all always stay alert.  If something in your gut tells you to avoid an area or situation, avoid it.  If we stay alert we can stay safe and have a great New Year.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training Evergreen Safety Council

One of the Biggest Recognized Hazards and Twelve Things to Make Your Workplace More Safe

As safety professionals we look at all sorts of hazards and then do our best to either eliminate, control, or protect employees from those hazards.  Well, over the years, fire has been one of the biggest recognized hazards due to its frequency and the damage it can quickly cause.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2015 there were 1,345,500 fires responded to in the United States. These fires caused 3,280 civilian deaths, 15,700 civilian injuries, and $14.3 billion in property damage.

According to the NFPA in 2015

• A fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds.
• One structure fire was reported every 63 seconds.
• One home structure fire was reported every 86 seconds.
• One civilian fire injury was reported every 33.5 minutes.
• One civilian fire death occurred every 2 hours and 40 minutes.
• One outside and other fire was reported every 49 seconds.
• One highway vehicle fire was reported every 3 minutes 1 seconds.

Gives you the idea that fire safety is important and needs to be addressed in the workplace for employee safety.  In fact WAC 296-800-300 requires employers have fire extinguishers in the workplace and train employees in their use.

Twelve things to help make your workplace more fire safe:

1. Identify fire hazards around your workplace.  Gasoline and other flammable chemicals are common, but what about the clutter of paper or cardboard?
2. Practice good housekeeping, pick up clutter and don’t block fire exits.Designate smoking areas and ensure a place to extinguish smoking materials.
3. Train in fire safety and fire extinguisher use.
4. Report electrical hazards. Many fires start in faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment.
5. Maintain machinery and equipment.  Preventative maintenance can go a long way in preventing fires.
6. Keep fire sprinkler systems and smoke detectors in operating condition and remember to always keep sprinkler head free and clear of materials.
7. Use and store chemicals safely.
8. Control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste.
9. Prevent ignition sources in atmospheres that could be explosive.
10. Have a fire evacuation plan and ensure all employees know where to go when they evacuate.  
11. Post diagrams for exit locations and assembly areas.
12. Employees should have a list of emergency contact phone numbers that is written down.

Of course employee roles and responsibilities need to be assigned and trained before the emergency.  You need a written plan to form the basis and you need training to make it work.  There was once a great philosopher by the name of “Snoopy”  (yes the dog from Peanuts) that told his friend Woodstock that “ten minutes before the party is not the time to learn how to dance.”  In other words, you have to plan and train before it happens.

Fire and emergency planning can be difficult, but we can help, so give us a call today.

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training 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

Continental Mills, Inc. Cooks Up a Winning Safety Trend

Evergreen Safety Council is proud to recognize Continental Mills, Inc. as the 2015 recipient of the John D. Spellman Safety Award. 

Continental Mills, a manufacturer of premium dry-mix baked goods led by their Krusteaz® brand pancake, muffin, and cookie mixes, as well as their Ghirardelli® brownie mix, operates four manufacturing and distribution centers with corporate offices in Tukwila, WA.

Continental Mills, Inc. was chosen for the award because over the past eight years they achieved an 87% reduction in injury incident rates.  Though they started with an incident rate that was already well below the national average, further decreases since 2014 have moved them to a “Best in Class” ranking in their industry. The award was presented to Continental Mills on
June 24th, 2016.

Continental Mills employed a company-wide strategy led by Bob Toohey, CSP, Senior Manager of EHS, to improve their safety systems including:

• a goal of 100% employee involvement with program ownership by operations leaders,
• use of internal safety systems audits for continuing improvement, and
• establishing a “Risk Predictions” model and campaign for employee use on multiple levels in planning safe daily work.

John Heily, CEO & Chairman of the Board at Continental Mills stated “We are very proud of the recognition we have received from the Evergreen Safety Council for promoting a culture of safety in the workplace.  This recognition truly belongs to the 800 Continental Mills employees that make a safe workplace environment a reality.  We will continue to invest, collaborate, train, and listen to our workforce, and strive to achieve our preferred future which is having an accident free environment.

The annual John D. Spellman Safety Award was created in 2006 to recognize ESC members that have demonstrated outstanding safety achievements or have shown they are actively pursuing and reinforcing a positive safety culture in their workplace.  The award also recognizes Governor John D.
Spellman. King County’s first elected County Executive and Washington’s 18th Governor, Governor Spellman has also been a member of ESC’s Board of Directors for more than 35 years and has served as Chairman of the Board since 1998.

Family-owned Continental Mills, Inc. began operating in 1932 and produces more than 500 products under several breakfast, baking, and snack brands. Continental Mills headquarters is located in Tukwila, WA and employs 800 people between the Corporate office and four manufacturing facilities in Washington, Kentucky, Illinois and Kansas.  CM products are sold through retail, foodservice, and club store channels throughout the United States.

Contributed by Tom Odegaard, President/Executive Director 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