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.

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

Forklifts, Powered Industrial Trucks and a Rodeo

The Department of Labor & Industries has conducted numerous inspections as the result of near-fatal exposures to carbon monoxide in industries using forklifts in warehouses and freezers.  High concentrations may be rapidly fatal without producing significant warning symptoms. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are also emitted in the combustion process and high levels may cause respiratory symptoms and severe health effects.

It is very important to establish and maintain correct carburetor balance of fueled equipment used indoors. By following the controls listed in this Hazard Alert, employers can help prevent a disaster from occurring.

• Where possible, substitute equipment that doesn't produce CO or NOx (e.g. electric forklifts).
• Ensure proper maintenance of forklifts to reduce emissions
• Use and maintain catalytic converters on forklifts where applicable (the tuning of engines and installation of catalytic converters can reduce both CO and NOx emissions)
• Install feedback fuel control systems to reduce emissions
• Do not allow forklifts to idle while waiting to resume operations
• Ensure proper ventilation of work areas
• Use CO sensors or alarms; conduct periodic sampling of the work area for CO and NOx
• Provide training to employees on the symptoms, sources, and prevention of CO and NOx poisoning

It is important to recognize that although adjustment of carburetor balance on fueled engines can reduce CO emissions to safe levels, over-adjustment can actually increase NOx emissions to hazardous levels. It is very important to establish and maintain correct carburetor balance of fueled equipment used indoors. By following the controls listed in this Hazard Alert, employers can help prevent a disaster from occurring. Read the full article.

Let Evergreen Safety Council help with Forklift Operator Training and Forklift Instructor Training.

YEEHAW!  15th Annual Forklift Rodeo

Presented by the Material Handling Committee of the Governor’s Industrial Safety & Health Advisory Board and the Department of Labor & Industries:
    •    June 9, 2012 – Central Regional Competition
    •    July 14, 2012 – Eastern Regional Competition
    •    August 18, 2012 – Western Regional Competition

The competition is limited to 30 drivers at each location. The top 5 individual competitors from each regional event will proceed to the finals held at the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference. Come witness the finals in a statewide competition that will include a written exam, pre-flight inspection and driving skills.  Register today.   Spectators are welcome free of charge.

4 feet triggers the need for guardrails / PPE

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training

Do you have employees that work on top of a retaining wall 4 feet or more above the ground to weed-eat or perform other grounds maintenance?  

Well, if the surface the employee is working on is greater than 45 inches in all direction, then WAC296-24, Part J-1 comes into play, which is the walking-working surface rule.  

So, if you answered, "Yes" it is time to protect them from falling by such things as standard slats, standard grill work (as specified in WAC 296-24-75011(11)), or standard railing.  You could also put them in a fall protection harness and make that part of your PPE program.

Yes, you heard right.  You have an employees exposed to a fall hazard of 4 feet or more at a permanent place of employment, they have to be protected.  This would also include a loading dock, etc. 

So, take action today.  Get the guardrails or other PPE out of the storage closet, or put safety into design issues and keep walking surface less than 4 feet.

43 deaths is 43 too many

Contributed by Eric Tofte, Director of Training
As we leave the year 2011, it is time to reflect on the fatalities that occurred on the job in Washington State. According to the Department of Labor & Industries 43 workers were killed on the job in 2011 (as of 12/13/2011). When reviewing the types of fatalities, it is all over the board from workplace violence to allergic reactions to bee stings. Here are just a few from DOSH:


October 22, 2011 - An employee of a self storage unit was stabbed and killed while performing his usual work duties.

September 28, 2011 - A worker who was hanging sheetrock, was stung by a bee and died.

September 15, 2011 - A worker died in a 10 car motor vehicle accident.

August 18, 2011 - A worker surveying fish was found unconscious face down in the water.

August 12, 2011 - A worker was stung by wasps or hornets and died due to venom.

June 6, 2011 - A worker was caught and crushed between a protruding door on the shovel and a stump.

February 19, 2011 - A worker was caught between two tractor trailers as one was pulling out of a designated parking area.

The list does go on, and if you would like to see the complete list it can be found on L&I’s web site.
The point is that 43 on-the-job fatalities is 43 too many. In some of the cases it was just an accident, but in others it was poor training and poor safety programs.

It is imperative that employees receive training on the hazards that they face on the job. This can be anything from working around heavy equipment to protecting oneself from workplace violence.  It is also important that every employer determines what hazards their employees face and how they can be protected from these hazards by appropriate training and/or PPE and the like.

We at Evergreen understand that these can be daunting tasks, but also understand they are extremely important to do. If you need to develop and/or update your company's safety programs or training, please email me or give us a call 800-521-0778.

Emergency Washing Facilities

News from DOSH - Eyewash and Shower
Contributed by John M Neibel, Safety Intern, Evergreen Safety Council


Example of Approved
Emergency Eyewash Equipment

 In July of 2011 DOSH (L&I ) released a new directive on emergency washing facilities DOSH Directive 13.00 , this new directive is primarily meant for the inspectors. It tells them what to look for when citing businesses for not having the correct washing for up for their location and hazards; however at the same time it provides guidance to all who are not sure if they need the emergency washing facilities.

So take a look at this directive and see if you might need to update your location and or type of emergency washing facility.

General Rules

Emergency washing facilities, WAC 296-800-15030 through -15040.

Emergency Washing Facilities (366 KB PDF) DOSH Directive 13.00.

If you have questions, we can help, give us a call 800-521-0778.

Workers get injured when they fail to properly lockout/tagout

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

As some of you know, I tend to harp on lockout/tagout issues a lot of the time. Well there is a reason for this, many workers get injured when they fail to properly lockout, tagout and try out of a piece of equipment they are going to work on.

Here from Washington State SHARP is another example reported in July of 2011:

A 21-year-old is not expected to regain the full use of his hand after it was caught in a clogged dust collection machine. Four fingers were broken and the skin from two fingers and the back of his hand was removed when the machine was started by the victim’s supervisor. The victim’s hand was caught in the fan as he tried to reach the blockage. Earlier, the victim’s supervisor tried to reach the blockage but was unable to. The victim then tried, believing his longer arms could reach the blockage. The supervisor was unaware that the victim’s arm was inside the machine when she started it.

The worker was from a temporary help agency and was employed one month at the storm water filtration equipment manufacturer when the incident occurred. The company had a lockout/tagout plan in place to prevent these injuries. The victim had not been trained in the lockout/tagout plan. The victim is likely to be out of work for more than six months.

If you would like to read the entire hazard alert, please follow this link.

60TH Governor’s Safety and Health Conference coming to Tacoma

Tunnel boring, refinery investigations, and the impact of Japan’s nuclear reactor accident are among the topics that will be covered at the 60th Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference held this year at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center on Sept. 28 and 29.

"Even after 60 years, this conference continues to offer safety and health information that is both useful and relevant to modern safety concerns,” said Sharon Ness, president of the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Advisory Board. “Our goal is to make it worthwhile for both employers and workers to take time from their busy schedules and attend this important event.”

The conference is sponsored each year by the Advisory Board and the Department of Labor & Industries with support from industry partners. This year’s theme is "Sixty years of investing in tomorrow through safety and health today.”

The keynote speaker is Dr. John Howard, director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The conference will begin with the presentation of the Lifesaving and Humanitarian Awards, emceed by “Evening Magazine” television host Meeghan Black.

Workshops will include presentations by Norm Nyhuis Safety Trainer / Consultant with Evergreen Safety Council on distracted driving and Matt Pomerinke, a Longview man who lost his arm to a sawmill accident and now participates in L&I’s Injured Young Worker Speakers’ Program.

Other workshops will cover forklift safety, confined space work, crane and rigging safety, tree falling, excavation and workplace violence. The 38th Annual Poletop Rescue Competition and the 14th Annual Forklift Rodeo will both take place on the first day of the conference. The complete program is available at http://www.wagovconf.org/.

Registration for the two-day event is $180 until Sept. 27 or $200 at the door. Groups of six or more get a $50 discount on those prices; registration for students and apprentices is $25.

To register, visit the website or call (206) 972-1961. For conference information, call toll free 1-888-451-2004. TDD users call 1-360-902-5797. Online registration closes Sept. 27.



Issues with the Draft Fall Protection Code

Well, I’ve been told that I need to come up with a blog that might rattle some cages, here goes...but before, my apologies to my friends at DOSH. I do believe in their mission, but have heartburn with the draft fall protection code that is sitting in the wings.

Here are a couple of my issues.

First OSHA has exempted rolling stock from their definition of walking/working surfaces. - OSHA’s Definition - Walking/working surface means any surface, whether horizontal or vertical on which an employee walks or works, including, but not limited to, floors, roofs, ramps, bridges, runways, formwork and concrete reinforcing steel but not including ladders, vehicles, or trailers, on which employees must be located in order to perform their job duties.

Whereas, Washington State DOSH has not addressed vehicles, etc. in their draft rule. - DOSH’s Definition - Walking/working surface means any area including but not limited to floors, a roof surface, bridge, the ground, and any other surfaces whose dimensions are 45 inches or more in all directions, through which workers can pass or conduct work.

And since Washington triggers fall protection at 4 feet - The employer shall ensure that the appropriate fall protection system is provided, installed, and implemented according to the requirements in chapter 296-155 WAC, Part C-1 when employees are exposed to fall hazards of 4 feet or more to the ground or lower level when on a walking/working surface. I see an issue with an employee, say on a flat bed over 4 feet off the ground, and may have to be tied off or otherwise protected from falling. See how this can potentially be an issue for employers. Let’s have guard rails on equipment, yeah.

One other part of the draft regulation that may cause an issue for employers is work on steep sloped roofs (greater that a 4:12 pitch) because the new code will require fall protection on these steep slopped roofs at 4 feet:

Fall protection on steep-pitched and low-pitched roofs.
(a) Steep-pitched roofs. Regardless of the work activity, employers shall ensure that employees exposed to fall hazards of 4 feet or more while working on a roof with a pitch greater than 4:12 use one of the following:

(i) Fall restraint system. Safety monitors and warning line systems are prohibited on steep-pitched roofs;

(ii) Fall arrest system; or

(iii) Positioning device system.

I just thought I’d make you aware of what is coming down the pike. If you would like, you can read the entire draft fall protection code for yourself.

Stay safe

Eric C. Tofte

Director of Training

Office - 206-382-4090

Cell - 206-459-4843

Using a Flagger? Then its not Short Duration

Recently I have been receiving calls regarding short duration work zones and flagging operations. The crux of the calls deal with the Short Duration “exemption” regarding amount of traffic control devices, signs, etc when using a flagger for a short duration.  

The answer to this is simple in Washington State. IF YOU USE A FLAGGER FOR EVEN 1 SECOND – YOU MUST HAVE A FULL TRAFFIC CONTROL SET UP.  So you better at least of 3 signs for each approach (4 if speed is 45 mph or greater).  

Once more - If you are using flaggers, you cannot use the short duration exemption in Washington State, DOSH outweighs the MUTCD.  If you want more info check out WRD 27.20.

Thanks,

Eric C. Tofte

Director of Training

Office - 206-382-4090

Cell - 206-459-4843

14th Annual Forklift Rodeo

About the Forklift Rodeo

Drivers use expert forklift operating skills to negotiate a fun and challenging driving course that includes various tasks and hazards. Contestants are evaluated on the safe, efficient, skillful and proper completion of the course using accepted forklift operation standards. Register Today!

The 2011 Washington State competition is co-sponsored by the Materials Handling Planning Committee of the Governor’s Industrial Safety & Health Advisory Board and the Department of Labor & Industries.

Upcoming Regional Competition
August 20
Auburn Boeing
2400 Perimeter Road, Auburn, WA

Regional Competition Day Schedule
9:00 a.m. Registration/Written test
10:00 a.m. Drivers meeting/Course familiarization
10:30 a.m. Driving competition begins

*Bring a lawn chair and sunscreen. Seating may be limited.

2011 Regional Forklift Rodeo Prizes
1st place $300
2nd place $200
3rd place $100
4th place $50
5th place $50
6th place $50
7th place $50

The top five individual competitors from each regional competition will advance to the final competition to be held at the 2011 Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference.

Finals in Tacoma September 28, 2011
Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference
Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center
1500 Broadway Tacoma, WA

Employers are encouraged to sponsor in-house competitions and send their best drivers. Contact Al Rainsberger for sample rules and course diagrams.
Phone: 206-281-3842 / toll free: 1-888-451-2004

2011 Final Forklift Rodeo Prizes

1st place $500

2nd place $400

3rd place $300

4th place $200

5th place $100

Forklift to be provided at competition site. Forklifts will be provided by the Washington State Forklift dealers in your area. Forklifts are sit-down, propane-powered with pneumatic tires, standard 42” forks, counterbalanced, with a capacity of 5,000 lbs.

Washington state authorizes new program for injured workers

Under a new program in Washington state, employers who provide temporary work to an injured employee may be reimbursed for half of the worker's pay.

The Stay-at-Work Program is part of a workers' compensation bill (.pdf file) signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) on June 15.

According to the Washington Department of Labor & Industries, keeping injured workers in light-duty jobs helps employers retain valuable workers and avoid major increases in their L&I premium rates.

The new law also permits injured workers 55 and older to negotiate a settlement agreement with periodic payments instead of remaining in the workers' comp system or being re-trained.

Other parts of the law include:

• Safety grants for innovative return-to-work programs for injured workers
  
• An independent study on occupational disease claims in Washington
  
• A performance audit of the workers' comp claims management system
  
• A "rainy day" fund to stabilize rate changes during economic recessions

Source: The National Safety Council

Mitigating Safety Violations

On April 15th Washington Governor Gregoire signed a bill into law which now requires that businesses must mitigate serious safety violations even if the company is going to appeal the citation. So even if you get cited and appeal the citation, you must fix what DOSH says is the problem during the appeal process. To read more on this.