November 2013

Transcription

November 2013

BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES: LEADERSHIP LEVERAGE
NOVEMBER 2013
VOL. 82 NO. 11 | www.ohsonline.com
CONFINED SPACES:
Monitoring for Dangerous
Gases 14
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:
Dust Mask or N95? 20
HAND PROTECTION:
Answering Food Industry
Challenges 36
DEFIBRILLATORS & CPR:
Fast Reponse Saves Lives
51
Top of the
Line Protection
FIND OUT WHAT G MEANS,
TURN TO PAGE 15
1113ohs_c1_v2.indd 1
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FROM THE EDITOR
Everything Really Is Bigger in Texas
H
oneywell Life Safety executives
cut the ribbon on a beautifully designed Training & Customer Experience Center on Sept. 18, welcoming hundreds of customers and media
representatives to tour the 30,000-squarefoot facility in Pasadena, Texas. The $3 million facility includes simulated confined
space, construction, heavy metal fabrication,
oil & gas, emergency responder, and utilities/
energy environments that illustrate the full
spectrum of products offered by three HLS
units—Honeywell Safety Products, Honeywell Fire Systems, and Honeywell Gas and
Flame Detection—for all of those industries.
The training
gym has 40-foot
ceilings. There
are classrooms,
meeting rooms,
and a “vision
room” where the
company encourages customers to
brainstorm about
their safety challenges and possible solutions.
It’s a unique facility that already is booked through June 2014,
said Mark Levy, Honeywell Life Safety’s
president. He said the location was chosen
because it’s in the heart of the refineries and
the energy and petrochemical industries located in and around Houston, which is a major hub for clients in Latin America, as well.
“We want to be where we’re needed, and
this is it,” Levy said. “This is the heartland of
the oil and gas and industrial area, it all either
originates in Houston
or is blessed by Houston, and the whole oil
and gas and chemical industries. This is
the crossroads of this
world,” which is concentrated within a 50- “We hit a sweet
mile radius of the new spot. We’ll be
facility, he continued.
here for the long
“We hit a sweet spot.
We’ll be here for the haul,” Honeywell
long haul.” Levy said Life Safety Presithere’s nothing else dent Mark Levy
like it within Honey- said Sept. 18.
well or anywhere else.
The center can accommodate small classes of 10-12 students, classes of 30-40, and
up to 125 in a lecture hall. While building it
took about two and half years, from conception to completion, the facility is the crown
jewel in the Honeywell Safety Institute, an
education and training initiative that Levy
and several colleagues—including Honeywell Safety Products President Jack Boss and
Carl Johnson, president of Honeywell Analytics Global—announced just a few months
earlier. Asked how the training facility fits
into the Honeywell Safety Institute, Levy
replied, “This is the megacenter now. This is
the mother ship, so to speak.”
He said that Honeywell recognizes there
is an urgent need for heightened safety
equipment and training to ensure worker
safety improves, both in the United States
and around the world.
JERRY LAWS
jlaws@1105media.com
www.ohsonline.com
VOLUME 82 NUMBER 11
EDITORIAL STAFF
EDITOR Jerry Laws
E-NEWS EDITOR Brent Dirks
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT TEAM Cindy Horbrook
Lindsay Page
Jamie Friedlander
ART STAFF
ART DIRECTOR Dale Chinn
PRODUCTION STAFF
DIRECTOR, PRINT AND
ONLINE PRODUCTION Jenny Hernandez-Asandas
PRODUCTION MANAGER Teresa Antonio
SALES STAFF
WEST DISTRICT SALES MANAGER Barbara Blake
972-687-6718
EAST DISTRICT SALES MANAGER Jenna Conwell
610-436-4372
SECURITY, SAFETY, AND HEALTH GROUP
PRESIDENT & GROUP PUBLISHER Kevin O’Grady
PUBLISHER Karen Cavallo
GROUP CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Margaret Perry
GROUP MARKETING MANAGER Susan May
GROUP WEBSITE MANAGER Scott Newhouse
GROUP WEBINAR ADMINISTRATOR Tammy Renne
PRESIDENT & Neal Vitale
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & Richard Vitale
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Michael J. Valenti
VICE PRESIDENT, Christopher M. Coates
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
VICE PRESIDENT, Erik A. Lindgren
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY &
APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
VICE PRESIDENT, David F. Myers
EVENT OPERATIONS
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10/10/13 10:19 AM
Accidents happen
everywhere…
Up to the moment visibility is crucial to running a successful incident management
program. With PureSafety, your software goes where you go, allowing you to submit
observations and reports directly from your mobile device. You can also view all active,
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CIRCLE 15 ON CARD
Untitled-9 1
UL and the UL logo are trademarks of UL LLC © 2013
10/1/13 2:43 PM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOVEMBER 2013 | Volume 82, Number 11 | www.ohsonline.com
HEALTH CARE
30
Health Protection/Promotion for the
Workforce: The Business Case
We all feel the hurt when employee health is not addressed.
by Robert Eric Dinenberg
HAND PROTECTION
Food Production Begins with Your Hands
Because the food-processing environment is multifaceted,
no one glove can be considered the industry standard.
by David Shutt
40
Toward Safer
Cleaning
Operations
According to OSHA, 40
percent of all janitorial injuries involve eye
irritation or burns; 36
percent are skin irritation
or burns; and 12 percent
are the result of breathing fumes. by Robert Kravitz
40
ALTURASOLUTIONS COMMUNICATIONS
36
TRAINING: FALL PROTECTION
11
features
Top of the Line Protection
This is a perfect time for employers to become more familiar
with ways in which they can protect their workers from head,
face, and eye injuries. by Robert Kravitz
51
The Latest Scoop on AEDs
The latest research, best practices, and results show these
life-saving devices are appropriate for workplaces everywhere. by Greg Slusser
54
Preparing for the Silent
Workplace Catastrophe
Given the known prevalence of SCA, prudence dictates
recognizing cardiac arrest in the safety planning process.
by John Ehinger
CONFINED SPACES
14
Is that Really a Confined Space?
When a person is performing atmospheric testing, he or
she must accurately sample the atmosphere to ensure no
hazardous gases are present. by Dan Keener
SPECIAL SECTION: RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
20
26
28
6
19
Dust Mask or N95?
OSHA’s respiratory regulations require that you have a
written program outlining your company’s usage of
respirators. The program needs to be reviewed annually.
by Barry R. Weissman
Exploring Crystalline Silica Exposure
When respirators are used to lower exposure to respirable crystalline silica, employers must establish a written
respiratory program meeting the requirements of 29 CFR
1910.134. by Karen D. Hamel
Respiratory Protection New Products
1113ohs_006_008_TOC_v2.indd 6
Creating a Safe Workplace
ANSI standards call for fall protection equipment to
be inspected by the user before each use and also
inspected at least once a year by a competent person.
by Kevin Duhamel
DEFIBRILLATORS & CPR
HEAD & FACE PROTECTION
11
46
departments
4
10
58
62
63
64
65
66
From the Editor
Newsline
Product Spotlights
Practical Excellence
by Shawn Galloway
New Products
Classifieds & Literature Library
Advertiser Index
Breakthrough Strategies
by Robert Pater
Find OHS on:
Twitter
http://twitter.com/OccHealthSafety
Facebook http://facebook.com/ohsmag
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/
occupational-health-and-safety-magazine
www.ohsonline.com
10/15/13 3:02 PM
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Untitled-2 1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOVEMBER 2013 | Volume 82, Number 11 | www.ohsonline.com
www.ohsonline.com
2014 Conference Preview
11/13 Webinars: FR Garments,
Hearing Protection, Fall Protection
“Fall Protection on Flat Roofs: General Industry & Construction” and “Establishing Hearing Conservation in the Workplace”
are the titles of the free webinars in our Nov. 6, 2013, VPPPA
Supercast. The following day’s webinar is “FR Garments: The
3-Second Myth – Compliance vs. Protection.” You can sign up
for all three by clicking on the Webinars tab at the top of our
new and improved website.
Getting Ready for Winter’s Worst
The cities of New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Orlando will host
at least two of the biggest U.S. safety, health, and environmental conferences apiece next year. Show organizers apparently aren’t superstitious: Two of the New Orleans events
will start in September 2014, in the middle of the Atlantic
hurricane season.
Cold temperatures, snow,
and ice can make driving
hazardous and pose dangers
for employees who work outdoors. Many state and federal
agencies offer tips for preparing home heating systems,
motor vehicles, and travelers
for even the worst conditions
that winter can bring.
®
ASME Pressurized Portable
• ASME, Div. VII, Section 1 Certified, CRN registered stainless steel tank.
• ANSI Z358.1 rated for minimum of 15 minutes of eyewash flushing.
• 180 days between service when using Hydrosep® and potable water.
• Model 01104002 shown with eyewash & drench hose fluid flushing features.
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More info at www.enconsafety.com/ASME
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or call us: 1(800) 283-6266
Encon® is a registered trademark of Encon Safety Products, Inc. Houston, TX.
Circle 26 on card.
8
1113ohs_006_008_TOC_v2.indd 8
www.ohsonline.com
10/15/13 3:02 PM
More Air. More Wear.™
Introducing AirWave, the next wave in respiratory
protection—a revolutionary step forward from today’s
AirWave is available in a classic 2-strap (4200 series)
and also in the 4600 and 4800 series which feature
disposable respirators. Its patent pending wave technology
allows easier breathing for cool comfort, providing the
protection you need all day long. Plus, it delivers on the
another Moldex exclusive, the hangable and adjustable
cloth SmartStrap. To request a sample* please call
(800) 421-0668, scan QR code below or visit us on-line
Moldex commitment—comfortable, durable respirators
that increase compliance and decrease costs.
at www.moldex.com.
4200 Series
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*Certain eligibilty requirements apply. To qualify, please fill out
the on-line sample request form and check “AirWave with
SmartStrap” box at bottom of form. Moldex, Ideas that wear
well, Dura-Mesh, AirWave, FlexFit, SmartStrap and the
PVC-Free logo are registered trademarks.The mesh design and
waved design are trademarks of Moldex-Metric, Inc. Patents
Pending. ©2013.
®
CIRCLE 34 ON CARD
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NEWSLINE
On the Move
PBI Performance Products, Inc., a manufacturer of thermal and flame-resistant
products that is based in Charlotte, N.C.,
promoted Bill Lawson to president of the
company effective Sept. 1. He had been
PBI’s COO and managing director since
2005. PBI announced that Grant Reeves
had stepped down as president but continues to support PBI as senior vice president
of The InterTech Group, Inc., which purchased PBI from Celanese Corporation in
2005. . . . Speakman® Company recently
appointed Tara Steinhilper as national accounts manager, making her responsible
for corporate programs such as Ferguson,
HD Supply, Grainger, and Interline, according to the company’s announcement. .
. . Quintron Systems, Inc., which provides
advanced interoperable voice systems and
physical access control/intrusion detection
systems, appointed James St. Pierre as director of sales and marketing. His prior position was director of sales for Monitor Dynamics. . . . Ergodyne recently added
Regional Sales Director Mike Freeman and
National Accounts Director Jeff Bazal to its
sales team. Freeman has 14 years of previous experience with the oil and gas industry, while Bazal previously worked as director of national and international accounts
for Sqwincher, according to Ergodyne. . . .
Juliann Sum became the acting chief of
Cal/OSHA in September 2013, with Christine Baker, director of the parent agency,
the Department of Industrial Relations,
announcing her appointment. Sum replaced Ellen Widess, who resigned but
continues as special advisor to Baker. . . .
Three directors-at-large were elected to the
board of the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association, Inc.
during its 2013 annual national conference:
Bill Harkins, turnaround manager at
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company in
Baytown, Texas; J.A. Rodriguez Jr., senior
manager of EHS at Raytheon Intelligence
Information and Services in Dulles, Va.;
and Terry Schulte, health, safety and environmental manager at NuStar Energy, LP
in Elk Grove, Calif.
www.ohsonline.com
ADVISORY BOARD
Joe E. Beck
Professor, Environmental Health Science
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Ky.
Leo J. DeBobes, MA (OH&S), CSP, CHCM,
CPEA, CSC, EMT
Stony Brook University Medical Center
Stony Brook, NY
Scott Lawson
The Scott Lawson Companies
Concord, N.H.
Angelo Pinheiro, CSP, CRSP, CPEA
Senior HES Professional
Marathon Oil Company
Houston, Texas
William H. Weems, DrPH, CIH
Director, Environmental & Industrial Programs
University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Barry R. Weissman, MBA, REM, CSP,
CHMM, CHS-V, CIPS
Corporate Manager — Health & Safety
Benjamin Moore Paint Co.
Flanders, N.J.
Henry Wright
Vice President & Manager - Risk Control
BB&T Insurance Services Inc.
Charlotte, N.C.
I did !
JULIE CARTER, Graduate 2010
Corporate Director
Environmental Safety & Health
Roy Anderson Corp
Visit Us Online to Learn More About Julie’s CSU Experience!
Online Degrees. Affordable Tuition. Superior Service.
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1113ohs_010_Newsline_v3.indd 10
www.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 10:19 AM
Top of the Line Protection
W
This is a perfect time for employers to become
more familiar with ways in which they can
protect their workers from head, face, and
eye injuries.
BY ROBERT KRAVITZ
hen it comes to work-related injuries to
the eyes, face, and head, the statistics are
sobering. According to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2008, approximately 3.7 million injuries and illnesses were reported
in private industry workplaces at a rate of 3.9 per 100
full-time workers. Among the nearly 1.1 million injuries resulting in at least one day away from work, more
than 70,000 were head injuries, and more than 60 percent of all head injuries occurred to the face.
Injuries to the eyes in the workplace accounted for
37 percent of all head injuries resulting in days away
from work. The study stated that there were 27,450
non-fatal occupational injuries or illnesses involving
the eye (or eyes) and that men made up about 81 percent of these eyes-related injuries. It also found that
62 percent of all face injuries resulted in lost workdays
and that men aged 25 to 44 suffered more eye injuries
than men in other age groups. No explanation for this
was provided.
The BLS study concluded that “workers who were
most at risk of incurring an eye injury included those
in the manufacturing, construction, and trade industries, and those in the production; installation, maintenance, and repair; construction and extraction; and
service occupations.”
Interestingly, this study was conducted in 2008,
when the economic slowdown leading to the Great
Recession was just beginning. However, for many
industries where these head, face, and eye injuries
occurred, the downturn had already begun. This
implies that if the economy had not been entering a
recession, more workers would probably have been
employed in these industries and, therefore, these
numbers most likely would have been even higher
and all the more sobering.
Now, many of these same industries that were the
first to experience the downturn—especially the construction industry (both residential and commercial),
as well as factories and other industrial locations—are
adding workers because the economy has significantly
picked up. So this is a perfect time for employers to
become more familiar with ways in which they can
protect their workers from injuries, especially when it
comes to the head, face, and eyes.
Protecting the Face and Eyes
According to some reports, as many as 90 percent of
all workplace eye injuries could be prevented if proper
safety glasses are worn. The BLS study reports that
some of the occupations that have the highest number
of eye injuries include those in the construction industry, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers. In adwww.ohsonline.com
1113ohs_011_012_head_v4.indd 11
NOVEMBER 2013 |
Occupational Health & Safety
11
10/15/13 11:15 AM
BLS lists custodial work as one of the top five
high-risk occupations, with a great deal of the
work-related injuries in this industry happening
as a result of the use of chemicals.
dition, those working with various types of chemicals are also high
on the list. Along with chemicals, these workers are exposed to
airborne objects and particulate matter as well as dust, all of which
can do harm if exposed workers’ eyes are not protected.
Before selecting any type of eye protection, employers and managers are encouraged to assess the head, face, and vision hazards
their workers are likely to face. This is because different hazards
may require different safety gear. Some safety eyewear is designed
to look like large glasses; in fact, they are designed to be placed
over workers’ glasses, should they be wearing them. Especially
valuable in settings where chemicals may be a hazard, they provide
basic splash and impact protection and, because many styles wrap
around the face, peripheral vision is protected.
All safety eyewear must comply with the American National
Standards Institute’s ANSI Z87.1 standard for eye and face protection devices. In addition, frames should meet the Canadian Standards Association’s CSA Standard Z94.3, also for impact resistance.
These standards do not apply to dress eyewear.
For workers in construction, cutting, grinding, and similar occupations, along with safety eyewear, faceshields or welding helmets
are also called for. Faceshields should have a wraparound design to
protect from airborne filings, splashes, dust, or debris. If welding helmets are worn, employers and workers should know that there are
two types of safety helmets: older models that are passive and newer
types that are auto-darkening.
Passive helmets are made with a shaded piece of glass or polycarbonate that contains a dark filter. Auto-darkening helmets, on
the other hand, darken automatically as soon as welding work begins and offer greater flexibility for the worker. No matter which
type is selected, both welding helmets and faceshields should be
made of high-quality, durable materials that deflect sparks and reduce the risk of “burn-through” during specific work applications.
Finally, in high-dust environments or where hazardous chemicals are used, goggles that seal tightly to the face should be worn
at all times.
Many cleaning chemicals, whether green or conventional,
can prove dangerous if they come in contact with the eyes. BLS
lists custodial work as one of the top five high-risk occupations,
with many of the work-related injuries in this industry happening as a result of the use of chemicals. Jennifer Meek of Charlotte
Products/Enviro-Solutions, a leading manufacturer of conventional and green cleaning chemicals, said workers should know
that just because a chemical is labeled “green” does not mean it
is safer than a conventional product. “Green cleaning chemicals
tend to be highly concentrated, so proper use and application is
a must,” she said.
Head Protection
Both the Canadian Standards Association and OSHA have safety
standards designed to help protect workers from various head injuries. For example, hard hats labeled ANSI Type I and CSA Type
I are intended to protect the wearer against impact to the crown of
the head only. Type II helmets are designed to protect against both
crown and side impacts. Many workers wear safety caps, and often
they wear them backward, but not all caps should be worn backward. Those that are approved for reverse wear will have a reverse
symbol—two arrows adjoined in a circle—which identifies them as
meeting ANSI and CSA standards to be worn in both directions.
Wearing a safety cap in reverse that does not have this label can
result in serious injury.
For workers involved in welding and similar activities, where a
helmet and faceshield may be worn together, some form of mounting system that attaches the headgear to the face is necessary. The
system should be easy to use, durable, flexible, and compatible with
different types of faceshields and other protective gear.
Turning to Distributors and Suppliers
Many managers and employers are too busy with their own work
to be familiar with all of the considerations in selecting PPE for
the head, face, and eyes. As a result, it can be valuable to select a
distributor or supplier familiar with the type of work, the related
hazards, and compliance issues. These astute providers can prove
so valuable that finding such a supplier should be the primary goal
before making any purchasing selection.
Robert Kravitz writes frequently for the professional cleaning, building, and safety industries. He may be reached at rkravitz@rcn.com.
12
1113ohs_011_012_head_v4.indd 12
Circle 43 on card.
www.ohsonline.com
10/15/13 11:15 AM
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CIRCLE 23 ON CARD
6/10/13 10:02 AM
CONFINED SPACES
Is That Really a Confined Space?
H
When a person is performing atmospheric
testing, he or she must accurately sample
the atmosphere to ensure no hazardous
gases are present.
BY DAN KEENER
INDUSTRIAL SCIENTIFIC
14
1113ohs_014_018_Keener_v3.indd 14
ow many times have you heard the question
asked, “Is that really a confined space?” This
is asked a lot more than you might think.
To truly understand what a confined space
is, let’s start with its definition. A confined space is
an area that is large enough and configured such that
an employee or person can bodily enter and perform
some type of work; has limited or restricted means
for entry or exit; and is not designed for continuous
occupancy.
Some examples of confined spaces include storage
tanks, sewers, manholes, tunnels, ship voids, pipelines, silos, wells, pits, and trenches. These also require
a permit for entry. In the United States, any pit or
trench with a depth equal to or greater than 4 feet is
classified as a permit-required confined space.
A permit-required confined space has to have one
or more specific characteristics, the first being that it
contains hazardous gases or has the potential to be a
hazardous space. These are classified into three categories: toxic; asphyxiating; and flammable or explosive atmospheres. Depending on the chemicals and
their concentration, they can present multiple atmospheric hazards.
Methane, for example, is an odorless substance
that is nontoxic and is harmless at some concentrations. Methane can displace all or part of the atmosphere in a confined space, and the hazards presented
by such displacement can vary greatly, depending on
the degree of displacement.
Employees might be exposed to these atmospheric
hazards because their employer has not properly evaluated the work operations or the conditions within
the permit space. Problems can occur when an employer has not selected the necessary atmospheric
test instruments or has failed to ensure their proper
use. Problems have arisen because most of the instruments used to test the flammability of a permit
space atmosphere do not identify oxygen-deficient
atmospheres. In fact, because some of these instruments rely on the presence of oxygen, their readings
can be inaccurate in oxygen-depleted atmospheres.
Therefore, as a final thought on atmospheric hazards,
it is recommended that employers test and monitor
their entry spaces with instruments that will detect all
aspects of hazardous atmospheres entrants could encounter in the spaces.
The second characteristic of a permit-required
confined space is that it contains some type of material that has the potential to engulf a person. “Engulfment” refers to situations in which a confined
space entrant is trapped, usually by dry bulk materials. The engulfed entrant is in danger of asphyxiation
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Untitled-6 1
9/26/13 1:47 PM
CONFINED SPACES
or of filling the victim’s respiratory system as the engulfing material is inhaled.
Another characteristic is that it contains a mechanism that
could trap or asphyxiate a person. Many accidents have occurred
in confined spaces because employers failed to isolate equipment
within the space; thus, it was improperly guarded. Deaths have
resulted from mechanical injuries, such as the crushing of the
victim. All of the accidents that have occurred would not have
taken place if the correct preventive action plan was to secure the
machinery or equipment so that it would not have been activated
while employees were exposed to it. This procedure is commonly
called lockout/tagout.
CFR 1910.147 covers servicing or maintenance work being performed on machinery or equipment located in a confined space.
CFR 1910.147 (O) was written to say that when work inside a permit space does not involve servicing or maintenance of machinery
or equipment in the permit space, the standards on machine guarding require the equipment to be guarded to protect employees from
any mechanical hazards posed by the machine. In any event, the
rule on permit-required confined spaces, section 1910.146, requires employers to evaluate any mechanical hazards found in permit spaces and to take all steps necessary to protect entrants.
to regulate confined space entries. CFR 1910.146(c) subsection (d)
states that “There may be no hazardous atmosphere within a space
whenever an employee is inside the space.” This means when a person is performing atmospheric testing, he or she must accurately
sample the atmosphere to ensure no hazardous gases are present,
and only then will the person be able to acquire a permit for entry.
When it comes to confined space sampling, the operator performing the sample tests has, in my opinion, the most important
job. This person is responsible for making sure that proper sampling techniques are performed because of the stratification of
gases that may be present. To properly sample a confined space, the
operator must sample prior to entry, prior to re-entry, and continuously while work is being completed. Depending on the gases present, it is also important to sample at the top, middle, and bottom of
a confined space exceeding 4 feet at any given time.
It is recommended to sample every 4 feet due to the weights of
gases. Some are lighter than air (methane), some are slightly lighter
(carbon monoxide), and some are heavier than air (hydrogen sulfide). In these environments, the operator will be sampling for the
oxygen content. If the oxygen content is between 19.5 percent and
23.5 percent, it would be safe to enter. The operator also will be
sampling for combustible gas levels lower than 10 percent LEL, and
last, to determine whether any toxic gas is present.
Atmospheric Sampling in Confined Spaces
This is why there are specific regulations when it comes to confined
spaces. For example, regulation number CFR 1910.146 was created
Pits and Trenches
Now that we’ve covered permit-required confined spaces and prop-
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Untitled-2 1
10/15/13 10:17 AM
CONFINED SPACES
er sampling of these environments, let’s talk about open confined
spaces such as pits and trenches. Most people would not consider
these as confined spaces, but depending on conditions, they most
certainly are. A trench excavation would certainly seem to meet the
confined space criteria. A trench excavation means a narrow excavation (relative to its length) made below the surface of the ground.
The depth is greater than the width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not more than 15 feet.
Does this meet the requirements for a confined space? Let’s
see. Does it have the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere?
Oxygen-deficient, toxic, or flammable atmospheres can occur in
trenches, displacing the normal air. Some of the most common
gases of concern are carbon monoxide, methane, and hydrogen
sulfide. These gases should be suspected whenever trenches are
near combustion engines, sewage lines, landfills, swamps, leaking
underground storage tanks, or when anything in decomposition is
nearby. Hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air and may fill the trench,
starting from the bottom. Laws state that if hazardous atmospheres
could reasonably be expected to exist, the atmospheres shall be
tested before employees enter excavations greater than 4 feet in
depth. So the answer is yes, this meets the requirements.
Could an entrant become trapped or asphyxiated by converging
walls or by a floor that slopes downward and tapers to a smaller
area? Trenches without adequate sloping or other protection from
collapse create the potential for entrants to be engulfed in a cavein of the surrounding earth. Excessive rainwater, groundwater, or
18
liquid from leaking or damaged pipes also may create conditions
for engulfing trench entrants. The answer is yes.
Can a pit or trench contain any other recognized serious safety
or health hazard? Access into trenches more than 4 feet deep usually can be accomplished only by ladder, which poses known risks
of slipping and falling. Entrants also could be struck by excavation
machinery or by falling materials from overhead. Again, the answer is yes.
By now, my hope is that you realize a trench excavation may
indeed present many of the hazards of a permit-required confined
space. In general practice, all trench excavations over 4 feet in
depth should be considered confined spaces until a competent person has ruled out all of the potential hazards associated with them.
Proceed with Caution
Confined spaces always have been presented with a question mark.
The only question you should be asking yourself is whether there is
any doubt about whether or not it is a confined space. It is always
best to err on the side of caution and find out by educating yourself
on confined spaces and researching the laws regarding entrance.
These laws were written to help companies implement safe practices to be used when conducting work inside a confined space.
After spending much time as a Training Specialist at Industrial Scientific, Dan Keener was recently promoted to iNet Associate Program
Manager. He can be reached at dkeener@indsci.com.
www.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 10:20 AM
NOVEMBER 2013
VOL. 82 NO. 11 | www.ohsonline.com
Dust Mask
or N95?
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1113ohs_019_RespCovr_v1.indd 19
| Occupational
| Occupational
NOVEMBER
JULY
2013
2013
Health
Health
& Safety
& Safety
19
10/10/13 10:21 AM
Dust Mask or N95?
OSHA’s respiratory regulations require that
you have a written program outlining your
company’s usage of respirators. The program
needs to be reviewed annually.
By Barry R. Weissman
“I
need a mask,” said Jim Oswald, the newest employee
at the Hightower Chemical Company.
“They’re in the cabinet with the other PPE,” replied
Oscar Cohen, supervisor of the organic mixing section.
“The what cabinet?”
“PPE. You know, the protective equipment,” said Oscar.
“Oh, you mean the green cabinet?”
“Yes.”
Jim went over, opened the green cabinet, and saw boxes and
bags of masks, gloves, mops, brooms, and other tools. He grabbed
a bag of paper masks and took them back to his work station.
Tearing open the bag, he took one and put it on, throwing the
open bag back onto his bench. He then began to pour 12 liters of
acetone into the reaction flask, according to the formulation sheet.
As soon as he began pouring, he found himself short of breath.
Oscar saw what was happening and pulled him away from
the area.
“What were you thinking, Jim? That dust mask is not the correct PPE for you to use with organic solvents,” Oscar said.
“What do you mean? I thought I could use it for everything,” Jim replied. “It says on the bag that they are all-purpose
dust masks.”
In an embarrassed tone, Oscar said to him, “Jim, I don’t think
that we ever got you trained in PPE. Come with me to the safety
office, and we’ll see if Barry can give you some training.”
Knocking on the door, they found Barry reading the current
edition of Occupational Health & Safety magazine on his computer.
“Come on in, fellows,” he greeted them. “What can I do for you?”
20
1113ohs_020_024_Weissman_v3.indd 20
Oscar explained what had happened and said he thought Jim
hadn’t received any training in PPE usage, especially respirators.
Barry clicked a few buttons on his computer and pulled up the
training database. “No, it doesn’t look like you got properly onboarded with your training. Let’s take care of that now,” he said.
“First, what is Jim’s job classification?”
Oscar said, “He is blender-man/mixer. He’ll be working in my
department weighing up formulations. He will need full- and halfface respirators, safety glasses, goggles, faceshield, and both regular and coated coveralls. And we want to get him on the Hazmat
Team. He will need twenty-four hours of Hazwoper training.”
“Jim, the first thing that we’re going to do is send you out
for a physical examination,” Barry said. “I’m going to give you
some time to fill out this questionnaire. It is known as Appendix
C from the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard, 1910.134.
Once you’ve completed it, take it with you to the clinic. The doctor will review it. She will answer any questions you have about
it and give you a physical examination. While you’re there, we’ll
also give you the Hazmat Team physical. That will give us a baseline so we’ll know what your levels are. If you were to get exposed to a chemical, we would have something for comparison.
“Do you have any questions of me, before you go?”
Training Fundamentals
When Jim returned, he has an approval letter from the clinic
doctor indicating that he was fit for both respirator usage and
for the Hazmat Team.
Barry began Jim’s training by telling him, “You know who
OSHA is, don’t you?” And Jim nodded yes.
“Our company has to comply with all of the OSHA regulations, and we especially want to keep our employees safe while
they are working. As you know, we work with some chemicals
that are considered hazardous, and if we don’t work with them
properly, then you or other employees could become sick. We
work to ensure your safety by following the ‘hierarchy of controls.’
“The hierarchy starts with:
■ substitution or elimination of a hazard
■ engineering controls
■ administrative or work practices and, finally
■ personal protective equipment, or PPE.
“If we are able to substitute a less hazardous material for the
more hazardous material, then we wouldn’t need as much protection for our employees. For example, say we were using mineral spirits for cleaning. It is a solvent and tends to dry out skin
when it comes in contact. Could we use soap and water to do the
cleaning? That might be possible in some instances. Or what if
the parts came in clean—we wouldn’t have to do anything. We’ve
protected you because there is no hazard.
“Next is engineering controls. This includes equipment that
works to protect employees by sucking fumes, vapors, or dusts
away from your breathing zone. Another engineering control
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CIRCLE 5 ON CARD
Untitled-2 1
4/2/13 10:38 AM
would be to enclose the process if it were noisy or to make a
work space enclosure for you if we couldn’t enclose the machine.
“Our third step in the hierarchy is administrative or work
practices. This would be such things as signs reminding you to
wear your eye protection, or maybe we would spit the shift between two employees. That would give them job enrichment and
rotation. It would also cut their exposure to noise or hazardous
materials, for example, by half.
“Last step in the hierarchy is PPE,” Barry continued. “Why do
you think that it is the last step?”
Jim thought for a moment and said, “Is it because the worker
has choices?”
“Exactly right,” Barry answered. “The employees have to
know and understand all of the details about the PPE they are
going to need and the hazards of the chemicals to ensure they are
using the correct PPE and that it will provide them with the protection against the hazards in their workplace. In addition, some
employees want to get an extra feeling of protection, so in your
section we have lots of suction. That suction, by the way, should
have pulled those acetone vapors away from you. I’ll talk to Oscar about putting in a work order to have maintenance check the
motor and the ducts.
“For you, Jim, we’ll start your training with respiratory protection. The first thing you need to know is the difference be-
tween the various respirators we have, and also when you should
use each type and when you shouldn’t use them.
“You had the plain-paper mask with one strap. These come
ten to a bag. They are only for non-regulated materials. The janitorial staff likes them when they are dumping the trash cans; that
is the only time they should be used.”
“But I’ve seen guys with masks that looked like that,” said Jim.
“What where they?”
“In the manufacturing area we use several types of masks,
and what you probably saw were the disposable, N95 dust respirators. They have been tested by NIOSH, which is a government
agency that does research for OSHA. The N95 may look similar
to the dust mask, but only because they are both white—that’s
where the similarity ends. The N95 has two straps, and an approval number is printed on the respirator. When it’s properly
fitted to you, you can be confident that the N95 will provide you
protection from dusts primarily and some other materials. The
N means that it is not resistant to oil vapor, so we don’t use those
masks in the fabrication shop. And the 95 means that it provides
95 percent filtration efficiency of particles.
“We also use what are called tight-fitting, air-purifying halfand full-face respirators,” Barry added. “They are also approved
by NIOSH, and they have the ability to protect you from a wider
variety of materials, just by changing out the cartridge and/or
Circle 17 on card.
22
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10/15/13 9:46 AM
CIRCLE 8 ON CARD
Untitled-9 1
10/1/13 2:37 PM
filters on the front of the mask.
“To ensure that you get properly fitted, OSHA requires several things.
1. You had your medical examination. That’s to ensure you
are medically qualified to wear the respirator and it will not
cause you any medical complications or put an undue stress on
your body and its systems.
2. Training. That’s what you are getting now. You need to
understand the different types that are available to use, when
they can be used or cannot be used, and their limitations. You
should also understand that information about the chemicals
can be found on SDS, or Safety Data Sheets, that you can access
and print from that computer station in the lunch room.
3. Fit testing. This is a method of testing the fit of each respirator that you will use to ensure it fits properly on your face.
There are two methods we use. For the N95, we use a qualitative
fit test. You put on that hood over there, and you let me know if
you smell or taste the special test material. I note the concentration level where you first notice it. You then put the respirator
on, go back under the hood, and I spray the solution again. You
will be doing some tasks such as normal breathing, deep breathing, and turning your head from side to side and up and down.
Finally, you talk out loud and then breathe normally again. All
the while, I’m spraying the solution. You determine if you smell
or taste it inside the respirator mask.
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“For the half- and full-face, tight-fitting respirators, we can
use either the qualitative method or the quantitative method.
This involves hooking your respirator up to a machine that measures either the particles inside the respirator versus the particles
outside or the vacuum inside the respirator. The machine will
then use that information to calculate a fit factor. The higher the
fit factor, the better the respirator fits you.
“Since it is getting late, let’s get the fit tests done. We can continue with the rest of the classroom training tomorrow morning.”
Does the Story End?
This is just the beginning. OSHA’s respiratory regulations in 29
CFR 1910.134 require the three points described above. They
also require that you have a written program, reviewed annually,
that outlines your company’s usage of respirators. 1910.134(c)
lists the topics to be included. Make the revisions, do the training, and observe your employees. If they are using the respirators
correctly, then your program is one to be proud of.
Barry R. Weissman, REM, CSP, CHMM, CHS-V, CIPS, is the
Corporate Safety Manager for a major consumer product company. He is owner and moderator of RegulatoryPost, a Yahoo!
Group that provides safety tips and links to free EHS information.
You can subscribe by sending a blank email to: RegulatoryPostsubscribe@yahoogroups.com.
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CIRCLE 29 ON CARD
Untitled-4 1
5/29/13 3:47 PM
When respirators are used to lower exposure
to respirable crystalline silica, employers must
establish a written respiratory program meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134.
By Karen Hamel
W
hat do a dentist, a pottery shop owner, and a
foundry worker have in common? They work in
environments that could expose them to respirable crystalline silica. In fact, OSHA estimates
more than 2 million employees in the United States share this
potential risk. Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can cause
silicosis, a form of lung cancer, and many other respiratory
diseases. Because these risks are well documented, OSHA has
established safety standards to help prevent health problems
caused by silica.
Sources of Silica
Although crystalline silica is an inhalation hazard, it is very useful. Sand containing silica is used to make glass and ceramics.
It’s also used to form molds in foundries and for sandblasting
operations. Gravel and sand are used to make concrete for roads
and other construction projects, and sand is an essential filter for
water and sewage treatment.
Activities that involve drilling, grinding, cutting, crushing, or
polishing materials such as stone, masonry, concrete, tile, rock,
and other minerals can expose workers to respirable silica dust.
It also can be present in floor sweeping compounds and loose
absorbents that are used in many facilities. The industries most
commonly at risk for silica exposure are mining, construction,
foundries, manufacturing, and agriculture. However, exposure
can also occur in industries such as jewelry making, dentistry,
and porcelain finishing.
Silicosis
Silicosis is a preventable fibrotic lung disease that is caused by
the inhalation of crystalline silica dust, causing the formation of
scar tissue that reduces the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. There
is no known cure for silicosis.
Documented cases of silicosis date as far back as ancient
Greece. By 1800, the disease was commonly known as “grinders’ asthma,” “masons’ disease,” “potters’ rot,” and “stonemasons’
disease.” From 1968 to 1990, silicosis was listed as the underlying
cause of death for 6,322 workers in the United States.
The effects of silica exposure can happen rapidly or may take
15-20 years to develop. The three most common forms of silicosis are chronic, acute, and accelerated. Chronic silicosis is the
most common form and typically occurs after 15 to 20 years of
26
1113ohs_026_28_Hamel_v3.indd 26
low to moderate exposure. As the disease progresses, shortness
of breath occurs; in later stages, fatigue, chest pain, and eventual
respiratory failure often happen. Acute silicosis occurs within a
few months or up to two years after exposure to very high concentrations of respirable silica dust. Accelerated silicosis can occur 5-10 years after exposure to respirable silica dust. With both
of these latter forms of silicosis, symptoms include shortness of
breath, weakness, and weight loss. Other diseases that may be
accelerated by and have been linked to crystalline silica exposure
include tuberculosis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and renal diseases.
Recognition of the Hazard
Crystalline silica dust can be extremely fine and, in fact, sometimes the particles may not even be visible. Where silica dust is
generated, employers must test air quality and establish a safety
program to prevent exposure when dust exceeds the permissible
exposure limit (PEL).
OSHA and other workers’ safety organizations, including
ASTM International, NIOSH, the National Institutes of Health,
the American Lung Association, and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, recognize the hazards of crystalline silica and have established standards and guidance to help protect
workers from its dangers. OSHA issued its first guidelines for
workplaces with silica exposure in 1972, and in 1996 it initiated
a silicosis national emphasis program. This program is aimed at
significantly reducing exposure by providing ways to control the
hazard, as well as providing outreach and compliance assistance
to employers.
OSHA recently published a notice of proposed rulemaking
that would amend its current regulations regarding crystalline
silica exposure. The proposal seeks to lower the PEL of crystalline
silica for workers in general industry, construction, shipyards,
manufacturing, and other trades. It would also incorporate many
common-sense work practice controls and other measures, such
as air monitoring and respiratory protection programs, to help
prevent or limit dust from entering workers’ lungs. Successful
silica safety programs combine different types of control measures into a framework that identifies specific issues faced by
workers and addresses how each hazard will be prevented. Many
of the control measures that can be used to prevent or reduce
silica exposure are common-sense approaches that are not overly
expensive or difficult. In addition to guidance provided by safety
groups, tool manufacturers and insurance carriers are traditionally good sources for suggesting engineering controls that increase the safety of different types of power tools.
Engineering Controls and PPE
Written plans are used to document the locations where respi-
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10/10/13 10:23 AM
rable crystalline silica exposure may exist and to describe steps
that will be taken to protect workers from these hazards. Plans
should list how hazardous areas will be identified and how access to these areas will be restricted.
Engineering controls and respiratory protection protocols
are important parts of safety plans. Because processes change
and new control measures are always being discovered, plans
must be reviewed at least annually and should be readily available for employees and inspectors to review.
Engineering controls for silica vary slightly depending on the
tools or processes used. They can be grouped into four categories: substitution, isolation, ventilation, and dust suppression.
Substitution involves replacing silica with another less-hazardous material. Isolation is the process of creating a physical barrier around a process to contain and restrict dust from spreading
throughout the workplace. Ventilation can be achieved either by
supplying clean air to a worker performing a dusty task or by
exhausting dust-filled air before it can be inhaled. Using water
to wet down an area is the most common form of dust suppression; saws, grinders, drills, milling machinery, and other tools
easily can be fitted with water-based dust suppression systems.
Sometimes, engineering controls are not feasible or do not reduce crystalline silica exposure below the PEL. In these cases,
respiratory protection can be used to supplement the safety pro-
gram and bring exposure levels below the PEL.
OSHA currently enforces PELs for crystalline silica exposure
in general industry, shipyards, and construction. Under the new
proposal, PELs would be reduced from 100 μg/m3 in many industries to 50 μg/m3 for all industry sectors covered by the rule.
When respirators are used to lower exposure to respirable
crystalline silica, employers must establish a written respiratory
program that meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134. The
program must describe how respirators will be selected, fitted,
and maintained, and it must describe how respirators are to be
worn, cleaned, maintained, and replaced.
Medical Surveillance and Training
The OSHA proposal would require employers to provide medical surveillance to employees who are exposed to respirable
crystalline silica above the PEL for 30 or more days per year. Because exposure can cause lung cancer, employers are obligated
under OSHA’s HazCom standard to ensure workers understand
this hazard and have access to labels, safety data sheets, and
other information about it. After training, employees should be
able to demonstrate how to use engineering controls and, when
necessary, PPE, to protect themselves from silica exposure.
Karen D. Hamel is the technical education manager for New Pig
Corp. She can be reached by e-mail at karensp@newpig.com.
ICE & SNOW TRACTION AIDS
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OUR PRODUCTS
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www.ohsonline.com
1113ohs_026_28_Hamel_v3.indd 27
Circle 38 on card.
ALL PURPOSE
27
10/10/13 10:23 AM
POWERED AIR-PURIFYING
RESPIRATOR
EVAHL, the newest Powered
Air-Purifying Respirator from
Bullard, is NIOSH approved
with a HazLoc rating. EVAHL
can be used in multiple
hazardous locations, which
may exist due to flammable
gases or vapors, flammable
liquids, combustible dust,
or ignitable fibers. Equipped
with an ergonomic singlefilter design, dual speeds,
two alarms, and a visual
fuel gauge, EVAHL offers
cutting-edge technology in a
compact, streamlined design
for added customer comfort.
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
DISPOSABLE RESPIRATOR
RESPIRATOR FIT TESTING
PLEATED RESPIRATOR
A new addition to Magid’s
family of Precision Safety®
Disposable Respirators
is the IR1950N95 Disposable N95 Respirator.
Engineered to maximize
ventilation while maintaining a solid barrier against
airborne particulates, this
high-efficiency valve keeps
the wearer’s face cool and
dry. IR1950N95 respirators
are ideal for applications
such as grinding, sanding,
sweeping, and assembly.
Occupational Health Dynamics’ Quantifit offers an
impressive array of advantages that can dramatically improve your respirator
program. Within the first 10
seconds of testing, you will
know whether the respirator user has a basic fit or
not, and the OSHA-accepted
CNP Redon protocol takes
as little as two to three minutes. On-board data storage
can store more than 500
tests, and the Quantifit is so
easy to use that the subject
can test himself.
The VFlex 1805 respirator/surgical mask from
3M boasts an innovative,
pleated design that helps increase surface area for ease
of breathing, offering wearers enhanced comfort and
reliability. Available in two
sizes and constructed to fit a
broad range of face shapes,
the VFlex 1805/1805S features an adjustable noseclip
to provide a secure seal and
an elastic headband with no
rubber latex components.
The mask is NIOSH N95 approved and FDA cleared.
CIRCLE 312 ON CARD
CIRCLE 313 ON CARD
RUGGED COMFORT
RESPIRATOR
FLUID RESISTANT
SURGICAL MASK
3M introduces the Rugged
Comfort Half Facepiece
Reusable Respirator 6500
Series. The 6500 Series
respirator can withstand
long hours of wear and
extreme conditions. The
over-molded design also
allows for simplified cleaning and maintenance. The
valve cover design directs
exhaled breath and moisture
downward to reduce fogging,
and the advanced facepiece
design affords a wide field
of view.
The Aura 1870+ from 3M
features a flat-fold design
that provides the highest
level of fluid resistance. It is
packaged individually to help
ensure protection from contamination. The embossed
top panel is designed to
accommodate eyewear
and helps reduce fogging,
while a convenient chin tab
allows for easy positioning,
donning, and adjusting. The
mask is NIOSH N95 approved and FDA cleared.
CIRCLE 311 ON CARD
CIRCLE 310 ON CARD
SCBA
RESPIRATOR CLEANING PADS
The Scott Air-Pak 75i SCBA
from Scott Safety is a
NIOSH-approved SCBA
designed with durability,
dependability, and user-focus
in mind. It features Scott’s
unique dual-redundant pressure reducer coupled with
the innovative and patented
Scott Vibralert end-of-service
indicator to provide dependable protection in even the
most demanding industrial
applications. It is NIOSHapproved for use in non-fire
related, IDLH environments.
Allegro Industries carries
respirator cleaning pads,
which are individually
packaged and contain 70%
isopropanol. The cleaning
wipes are designed for use
on rubber respirator masks
and other personal safety
equipment. For manufacturers who recommend using
non-alcohol wipes, Alcohol
Free Pads are also available.
Alcohol Free Pads contain
Benzalkonium Chloride and
also come in a larger, 8” by
11” size called “Big Ones.”
CIRCLE 314 ON CARD
CIRCLE 315 ON CARD
CIRCLE 317 ON CARD
CIRCLE 316 ON CARD
28
1113ohs_028_RespProds_v2.indd 28
www.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 11:35 AM
Is a Cut Level Going to
Protect Your People?
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CIRCLE 11 ON CARD
Untitled-4 1
9/3/13 4:53 PM
HEALTH CARE
Health Protection/Promotion for
the Workforce: The Business Case
We all feel the hurt when employee health is
not addressed.
W
BY ROBERT ERIC DINENBERG
orkplace injuries have an immense financial toll on employers with an annual impact in the billions of dollars.
Approximately 9.1 million American
workers had workplace-related injuries and illnesses
in 2007, with a cost of $250 billion.1 The National
Safety Council has estimated on-the-job injuries cost
the United States more than $130 billion annually.2
Of this figure, medical and administrative costs total
$46 billion and wage and productivity losses are an
astounding $68 billion.
In addition to the increasing health care cost of
occupational injuries and preventable chronic conditions, employers are beginning to understand the
significant productivity-cost impact related to poor
health of employees and workplace injuries that can
result in employee downtime and worker’s compensation costs. Research is now starting to show a greater
correlation between employee health and workplace
productivity than was previously realized. By reducing workplace injuries, employers can reduce worker’s
comp claims, achieve greater cost savings, and maintain a higher level of worker productivity.
It is reasonable to understand that many employers may question the return on investment of developing, implementing, and managing integrated worksite
health and disability prevention programs for employees. However, employers face a greater financial risk
when failing to prevent workplace-related disabilities
and injuries that will cost more in the long run. The
fact that many work-related injuries and disabilities are
preventable should be enough to shift the way many
employers view the investment to develop and implement a comprehensive disability prevention strategy.
The Dow Chemical Company Story
Dr. Ron Goetzel, director of the Emory University
Institute for Health and Productivity Studies and vice
president of consulting and applied research for Truven
Health Analytics, is a recognized expert in health and
productivity management, program evaluation, and
outcomes research. His studies focus on health promotion evaluation, disease prevention and management
programs, and the correlation between well-being and
overall health and work-related productivity.
Goetzel’s research on The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) points to a model that would keep employees healthy while saving money for employers. He
estimated Dow potentially could reap an astounding
30
1113ohs_030_032_Dinenberg_v4.indd 30
300 percent return on investment if it managed just
a 1 percent risk factor improvement. Even with such
a small level of improvement, it was determined that
Dow would achieve a total savings of $50 million over
the course of five years.3
With a formal health promotion program in place
for more than 25 years, Dow has been successful in establishing a culture of health and focuses strongly on
prevention and addressing chronic disease risk factors, such as physical inactivity, obesity, and tobacco
use among its employees. Achievements that Dow has
realized include:
■ Employees reducing their risk of chronic disease by 15 percent between 2004 and 20084
■ Saving more than $100 million in U.S. health
care costs between 2004 and 20105
A recent National Institutes of Health publication
by Goetzel titled “Second-Year Results of an Obesity
Prevention Program at The Dow Chemical Company”6 allows for a “look under the hood” at the health
promotion practices at Dow. Dow’s standard health
promotion programs that are individually focused are
listed as:
1. Dissemination of health education materials
2. Physical activity and weight management
counseling
3. Health assessments
4. Online behavior change programs
5. Reimbursement for participation in community-based weight management, tobacco cessation, or
diabetes education programs
6. Preventive screening reimbursements
In this recent NIH study Goetzel led, all participants had access to the above list of individually focused interventions, and a select group of participants
also had access to additional environmentally focused
resources, such as:
1. Environmental prompts that encourage
healthy food choices and being physically active
2. Point-of-choice messages to encourage healthy
food choices and being physically active
3. Modifying vending machine items and cafeteria menus
4. Creating and promoting the use of walking paths
5. Disseminating messages that encourage
healthy eating and being physically active
6. Making available an online weight tracking
program
7. Establishing wellness ambassadors at local departments
8. Developing an employee recognition program
for employees who adopt healthy lifestyles
www.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 10:26 AM
5.5 HAS
ARRIVED.
LIGHTER. SMALLER. SAFER.
You asked. We listened. Our new 5.5 cylinders offer up to a 10% reduction in
weight at a reduced profile while keeping the form you are accustomed to.
How did we do it? To put it simply, we increased the pressure. That allowed us
to build a smaller and lighter cylinder that reduces fatigue, raises productivity
and increases safety. Plus, the 5.5 is compatible with the Scott Safety Air-Pak 75i
SCBA and high-pressure air carts so you can quickly conform to the new cylinders.
TO LEARN MORE VISIT: SCOT TSAFET Y.COM/5 .5
© 2012 Scott Safety. SCOTT, the SCOTT SAFETY Logo and Scott Health and Safety are registered and/or unregistered marks of
Scott Technologies, Inc. or its affiliates.
Untitled-1 1
LET’S WORK.
CIRCLE 40 ON CARD
4/2/13 2:06 PM
HEALTH CARE
9. Setting health objectives as a component of management goals
10. Providing management training on
health-related topics
11. Sharing reports to senior leaders on
achievement of program participation targets
12. Providing additional support and
training to the wellness ambassadors
The study concludes that, in addition
to individual interventions, environmental
interventions can support weight management and risk reduction after two years.
An Integrated Approach
It stands to reason that workplace environmental interventions such as offering healthier food choices in cafeterias or
promoting staircase use can have a positive mass effect on all employees—just as
installing hand rails on all staircases can
have a mass effect to keep employees safe
from falls. And why not do both? Indeed,
research shows that programs that provide
both workplace health promotion and occupational safety and health may be more
effective than programs that provide health
promotion alone.
Interventions such as worksite health
promotion, health and safety protection,
and disability prevention also can reduce
comp costs. Navistar, a manufacturer of
heavy trucks and mid-range diesel engines
headquartered in Lisle, Ill., achieved substantial gains in both overall health and
safety results. The manufacturer’s injury
incidence frequency rate dropped to 455
injuries in 2009, as compared to 2,446 injuries in 1998.9 In addition, both Navistar’s
worker’s comp costs and hospital admission rate per employee dropped, and the
company achieved a 48 percent decrease in
controllable absences from workplace injuries and illnesses.
Research coming from NIOSH’s Total
Worker Health™, a strategy that integrates
occupational safety and health protection
with health promotion, supports the effectiveness of combining these efforts.
Health care spending is now at more
than $2.5 trillion10, and employers on average pay more than a third of this cost. Employers need to improve employee health
and prevent work-related injuries, illnesses,
and disabilities in order to reduce prevent-
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32
1113ohs_030_032_Dinenberg_v4.indd 32
Circle 25 on card.
able health care expenditures and protect
their bottom line. Employers who ignore
the health of their employees face financial
consequences and are at a tremendous disadvantage in the race of industry.
Conclusion
We all feel the hurt when employee health
is not addressed. Employees suffer with disease and disability, and employers suffer financially. A growing body of science shows
us the way forward: We can provide not
just individually focused health promotion
programs, but also environmentally focused health promotion programs. When
these are integrated, overall effectiveness
can be optimized. Multiply this action
across many of the companies and organizations of the country, and it becomes clear
just how important a healthy workforce is
to a strong, and prosperous nation.
Robert Eric Dinenberg, M.D., MPH, is
chief medical officer of Viridian Health
Management.
REFERENCES
1. Leigh, JP. Economic burden of occupational
injury and illness in the United States. Milbank
Q. 2011 Dec;89(4):728-72.
2. National Safety Council. Injury Facts, 2001
Edition. Itaska, IL: National Safety Council;
2001.
3. Why a Healthy Workforce is good for business,
By Amanda Lewis, Human Capital Institute,
http://www.theihcc.com/en/communities/population_health_and_wellness/
why-a-healthy-workforce-is-good-for-business_gza1kwwg.html
4. Dow Family Health. www.dow.com/familyhealth/
5. Baase, CM. Principles of integrated health:
A path to health care reform. Testimony
before the Senate Committee on Health,
Education, Labor and Pensions. February
23, 2009. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/
pkg/CHRG-111shrg47760/pdf/CHRG111shrg47760.pdf
6. Goetzel, RZ, et al. Second-year results of an
obesity prevention program at the Dow Chemical
Company. J Occup Environ Med. 2010;
52(3): 291-302
7. OSHA, Business Case for Safety and Health,
http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/products/topics/businesscase/costs.html
8. http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/safetypays/index.html
9. Bunn WB, Stave GM, Allen GM, Naim AB. How
to align evidence-based benefit design with the
employer bottom-line: a case study. J Occup
Environ Med. 2010; 52:956-963
10. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,
Office of the Actuary, National Health Statistics
Group, National Health Care Expenditures Data,
January 2012.
www.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 10:26 AM
Hand Protection
C L E A N I N G H A N D S P R O P E R LY I S E S S E N T I A L
Introducing Deb GrittyFOAM™, from the inventors of foam soap.
Non-abrasive, environmentally sustainable bio-scrubbers
suspended in thick, creamy and deep-cleaning foam. GrittyFOAM™,
a completely different experience to traditional heavy-duty hand
cleansers that is preferred by 9 out of 10 workers.*
Enhance hand protection in your facility by providing products
people like and want to use.
TO EXPERIENCE GRITTYFOAM IN YOUR FACILITY,
CALL 1-800-248-7190
www.grittyfoam.com
© Deb Group Ltd. 2012 *Industrial Survey, Deb Group, August 2012
CIRCLE 18 ON CARD
Untitled-1 1
4/5/13 9:48 AM
Untitled-5 2
10/10/13 11:32 AM
EASY CHOICES
WITHOUT
OVERCOMPLICATING
Choosing safety eyewear may seem complicated.
Compliance, compatibility, preferences and a
dizzying array of choice can make the job
time-consuming and expensive.
ENTER BOUTON OPTICAL: Styles that match the
head shape and lenses that match the work environment.
ANY QUESTIONS? Call us at 1-800-262-5755
and we’ll connect you to an Authorized Distributor
who will show you how easy safety eyewear really is.
GO TO: www.boutonoptical.com for details.
Use the QR code to
CHECK OUT THE
BOUTON® OPTICAL DIFFERNECE!
SEE WHO PUT THEIR FACE IN IT.
PROTECTIVE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS, INC.
Albany, NY 12205 | 800-262-5755 | www.pipusa.com
CIRCLE 35 ON CARD
Untitled-5 3
10/10/13 11:32 AM
HAND PROTECTION
Food Production Begins with Your Hands
Because the food-processing environment is
multifaceted, no one glove can be considered
the industry standard.
BY DAVID SHUTT
F
ood industry workers face a myriad of hazards, including sharp knives, extreme temperatures, and harsh chemicals, as well as
the bacteria, grease, and oils inherent in food
products. Combined, these make proper glove usage
essential to worker safety.
Each year, 80 million people in the United States
experience food poisoning, and it is lethal in 5,500 of
these cases. Anyone who has ever suffered through
food poisoning knows the importance of contamination-free food sources. Similarly, food industry
workers who have endured cuts, skin irritation, and
other reactions while handling food are familiar with
the need to protect their hands from work hazards. In
2010, rates of work-related injury or illness for fulltime food manufacturing workers were higher than
the rates for all of manufacturing and for the private
sector as a whole. Rates were lower than the manufacturing average for workers in bakery manufacturing,
and rates were higher in seafood product preparation
and packaging, as well as in dairy manufacturing.
On a positive note, the Bureau of Labor Statistics
data indicated the incidence of injuries and illnesses
reported in the meat industry for 2010 were the lowest
(6.5 injuries per 100 full-time workers per year) since
BLS began recording these data. This is an improvement of more than 60 percent over the last 10 years,
and this trend continues to improve today.
Proper Protection: A Two-Way Street
Selecting the proper glove for the right application
can help food handlers and food processors improve
worker safety and reduce injury costs while ensuring safe food products. Wearing gloves prevents the
worker’s hands from getting dirty or injured when
handling food. Conversely, gloves also prevent workers, especially those with open wounds or cuts on
their hands or fingers, from contaminating food.
Glove integrity is key to glove performance in
food processing and food service. Gloves are charged
with keeping food oils and their associated hazards
off workers’ hands and, equally important, keeping
potential human pathogens from workers’ hands out
of food. Even though gloves have also been shown to
transfer or amplify risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes hand washing with soap
36
1113ohs_036_038_Shutt_v2.indd 36
and water or even using hand sanitizers may not be
enough to prevent the transmission of viral microorganisms. Various glove types have different efficacies
and risk reduction limitations.
Glove Regulations
Gloves used in contact with food are covered under
Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
FDA considers it necessary for all food service and
food processing gloves to be covered under 21 CFR
177 parts 170-199 for repeat contact with food items
under indirect food additive regulations.
The FDA food code recognizes that various grades
of gloves are available for use by food facilities and
considers them to be either single-use gloves or multiple-use gloves. The distinction between the two lies
with material durability, strength, and cleanability.
Multi-use gloves are required to be durable, nonabsorbent, and resistant to corrosive facility sanitizers.
These gloves also must have sufficient strength to
withstand repeated washing/sanitizing treatments
without damage or decomposition. Both multi- and
single-use glove types are required to be safe for contact with food, and rules do not permit migration of
substance, color, or taste to food.
Some workers wear the same glove over
and over. Others, due to cross-contamination concerns, change gloves 30 or
more times during their work shift.
Gloves for the Processing Environment
Because the food-processing environment is multifaceted, no one glove can be considered the industry
standard. Workers preparing meat, fish, and poultry
need cut resistance. Food handlers working with extreme temperatures need thermal protection. Industry teams that sanitize food prep areas need barrier
protection from harsh chemicals.
Some workers wear the same glove over and over.
Others, due to cross-contamination concerns, change
gloves 30 or more times during their work shift. Some
workers require ultimate dexterity while wearing
gloves. For others, dexterity is not a key concern. Here
is a quick look at a few of the most prevalent glove
types in the food industry:
■ Cut-resistant gloves. The level of cut protection needed is generally a product of the application.
Applications such as cutting and deboning demand
performance from advanced fiber and yarn techwww.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 10:27 AM
NEXT TO
AMPLITUDE® FR,
everything else
is primitive.
Amplitude® FR is Milliken’s line of innovative,
flame-resistant fabrics for industrial workwear.
And it’s plain as day:
If your workers aren’t
wearing it, they’re
wearing fabric that’s
weighing them down
and not properly
protecting them.
Amplitude FR, on
the other hand, is the
perfect blend of comfort
and safety, so there’s
nothing stopping your
workers from being more productive day in and day
©2013 by Milliken & Company.
13WKWR6825
out. Which means everyone’s happier.
Milliken is a two-time winner of America’s
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CIRCLE 33 ON CARD
Untitled-4 1
8/27/13 3:30 PM
HAND PROTECTION
Workers faced with cleanup and sanitation responsibilities require
either a heavy-duty disposable glove or a multi-use glove that
provides barrier protection.
nology materials such as Dyneema® and
Kevlar® or the use of stainless steel mesh.
Advanced fibers are increasingly popular
due to the strength and cut resistance that
can be incorporated into gloves through
intricacies of design, knitting configurations, and complexity of blended fibers.
These achieve various cut resistance levels
within American Society of Testing and
Materials (ASTM). ASTM uses cut protection performance as the approved test
to rate performance and validates product
performance and cut level.
■ Disposable gloves. Most gloves in
the food handling environment are disposable. These range in materials from vinyl to natural rubber latex to nitrile, with
various quality levels within each material
category. Vinyl gloves, for example, can be
of minimum quality for quick, slip-on/slipoff applications or can be highly engineered
with “stretch” formulation and form-fitting
comfort. Nitrile gloves tend to be of higher
quality for unmatched dexterity and reduced hand fatigue, which is required for a
longer wearing period.
■ Gloves for sanitation. Workers faced
with cleanup and sanitation responsibilities require yet another glove type—usually either a heavy-duty disposable glove
or a multi-use glove that provides barrier
protection to keep the sanitizing solutions
away from workers’ skin. In some cases,
chemical-resistant gloves are required.
Multi-use gloves come lined or unlined,
and some models offer arm protection. At a
minimum, they are waterproof and prevent
penetration of cleaning solvents. Gloves for
this purpose are available in materials ranging from nitrile and natural rubber latex to
neoprene and polyvinyl chloride.
A Glove for Every Hand
Based on the above definitions, it is apparent that there are as many applications as
there are gloves to protect the worker from
the many potential perils that exist in the
workplace. With the high rates of both
food contamination and worker injury in
the food industry today, it is no wonder the
glove industry has put millions of research
dollars into making sure there is indeed a
glove for every hand involved in the U.S.
food supply line.
It is essential that food industry workers are protected from these many dangers. Using the research and array of hand
protection options that are available today,
it shouldn’t be a question of “should,” but
rather, “how.”
David Shutt coordinates Showa Best
Glove’s new product development in general
purpose, disposable, and chemical-resistant
glove lines among research and development, field sales, and marketing teams, as
well as distributor and end-user customers.
He has more than 25 years’ experience in
the industry. The company is based in Menlo, Ga.; visit www.showabestglove.com for
information.
38
1113ohs_036_038_Shutt_v2.indd 38
Circle 32 on card.
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CIRCLE 7 ON CARD
Untitled-1 1
TRAINING DEADLINE
FOR GHS/HAZCOM
IS DEC. 1, 2013
3/4/13 10:46 AM
HAND PROTECTION
Toward Safer Cleaning Operations
According to OSHA, 40 percent of all janitorial
injuries involve eye irritations or burns;
36 percent are skin irritations or burns; and
12 percent are the result of breathing fumes.
BY ROBERT KRAVITZ
KAIVAC
positions, carrying tools and equipment, and using a
range of cleaning tools and equipment. The result is
that many cleaning workers are exposed to high-risk
factors for musculoskeletal disorders. BLS reports that
20 percent of the occupational accidents and injuries
in the United States occur within just five industries,
with cleaning and janitorial work among them.1
A Washington State study found that cleaning
workers have an annual incidence rate of 10.4 injury
claims per 100 workers. This compares to the overall service industry, which has about half this rate of
claims. However, the cleaning industry’s actual rate
of injury may be considerably higher, given that accidents and injuries often go unreported.
Given how dangerous this work can be and how
costly an injury can be for workers and their employers, it is critically important that facility administrators, as well as the professional cleaning industry,
encourage safer, more ergonomic ways to perform
cleaning tasks.
The following paragraphs present three specific
cleaning tasks—floor mopping, vacuuming, and
cleaning with chemicals—along with their risk factors
and ways to make them safer.
Chemicals
This photo shows a no-touch system.
A
ccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
as of 2010, there were approximately 2.5
million cleaning workers in the United
States. The actual number may be considerably higher, however, because many cleaning workers own their businesses and might not be included
in this number. Additionally, cleaning workers who
work part time may not be counted.
Cleaning work can be quite dangerous because
workers are exposed to a variety of on-the-job hazards. These include walking on wet floors, standing on
stools and ladders, bending and lifting, making repetitive movements and motions, maintaining awkward
40
1113ohs_040_044_Kravitz_v3.indd 40
Cleaning chemicals, both green and conventional, are
usually safe as long as they are used properly, said Jennifer Meek of Charlotte Products/Enviro-Solutions, a
leading manufacturer of professional cleaning chemicals. “The problems occur when they are not used
properly or, when using green cleaning chemicals,
custodial workers believe just because it is green it is
safe. All cleaning chemicals must be used properly to
promote safety,” she said.
The key concerns with cleaning chemicals are the
fumes that may be released by the chemicals, improperly diluting the chemicals with water, as well as skin
and eye irritation. According to the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, as many as 40 percent of all janitorial injuries involve eye irritations or
burns; 36 percent are skin irritations or burns; and 12
percent are the result of breathing fumes.
Additionally, chemical-related problems occur
when chemicals are not stored properly or are mixed
with chemicals that can produce very unhealthy, if not
deadly, fumes. According to Meek, chemicals should
always be stored in gallon containers, off the floor so
that they are easy to reach, with similar chemicals
stored in the same area. If workers have a second
language, labels for storage areas should be written
in both first and second languages or a color-coding
system should be implemented.
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10/10/13 10:28 AM
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Tel: 1 800 874 2811 Web: www.tsi.com/trust
CIRCLE 19 ON CARD
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HAND PROTECTION
As to mixing chemicals, bleach is invariably the chemical to use most carefully. Mixed with ammonia, it can produce
mustard gas. Other serious health risks are
present when bleach is mixed with the following common cleaning chemicals:
■ Glass or window cleaner
■ Chlorinated scouring powder
■ Drain cleaner
■ Hydrogen peroxide
■ Chlorinated disinfectants
■ Vinegar
“The most effective way to prevent
cleaning chemical–related injuries is proper training of cleaning workers on an ongoing basis,” Meek said. “While an MSDS2 can
be accessed in an emergency, the goal is to
never have that emergency. Training is the
best way to prevent it.”
At 29 CFR 1910.138(a), OSHA states
that employers should select and require
workers to wear appropriate hand protection when their hands are exposed to hazards such as skin absorption of harmful
substances, cuts or lacerations, chemical
burns, thermal burns, and severe abrasions.
Employees should base the PPE selection
on a hazard assessment, according to the
agency’s PPE standard.
Mopping
Traditional floor mopping using a mopand-bucket system has several MSD risk
factors, especially given the fact that a
bucket when filled with water can weigh
as much as 40 pounds. Because of the way
most buckets are designed, filling or emptying a bucket requires the cleaning worker
to lift the bucket from floor level to a waistlevel sink. Even if the drain area is at floor
level, the worker still must bend or squat to
lift the bucket for draining, creating an opportunity for a strained back.
The actual mopping process is also
viewed as a risk factor. It entails wringing
out the mop head, lifting and carrying the
mop while it is wet, and then using repetitive motions to perform the mopping. Additionally, many mop poles may be too
short or too long for the worker, which can
negatively impact shoulders and require
reaching or bending to use the mop effec-
tively. Not to be forgotten, mopping a floor
means the floor is now wet, making a slipand-fall accident more likely. Some chemicals used to clean floors also can increase
the likelihood of a slip-and-fall accident.
To reduce these risk factors, administrators should ensure cleaning workers use
lighter mop heads, such as microfiber mop
heads. They also should select bottomdraining buckets, buckets that can be filled
with a hose system, and mop poles that are
telescoping and can be adjusted to the appropriate length for each cleaning worker.
Another option, according to Rick
Goggins, CPE, an ergonomist in the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (Olympia, Wash.), is the use of “notouch” cleaning systems. A typical system
might include a water tank that can be filled
and emptied with a hose to eliminate lifting;
a metered sprayer for applying cleaning solution; an indoor power washer for rinsing
the cleaning solution; and a wet/dry vacuum for cleaning and drying the floor.
“These systems can reduce lifting, awkward postures, and repetitive motions re®
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42
www.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 10:28 AM
CIRCLE 13 ON CARD
Untitled-9 1
10/1/13 2:33 PM
HAND PROTECTION
lated to mopping and scrubbing,” Goggins
said. “Some systems also include training
materials [onboard, in the form of videos
and printed information] that can help to
standardize cleaning processes.”
Vacuuming
The risks for MSDs from vacuuming can
impact all cleaning workers because vacuums are the one tool used by almost all
cleaning technicians. Most cleaning workers use upright vacuum cleaners, which
require considerable hand and arm movement as well as grip force to use. Awkward
posture is also often required, and the
worker must repeatedly lift and carry the
machine, then plug it in and unplug it from
the wall, all of which can put stress on the
back, shoulders, arms, and wrists. Noise
and soiled exhaust can further negatively
impact the worker.
Newer vacuum cleaners have several
features that make them easier to use and
help eliminate the risk for MSDs. For instance, according to Jolynn Kennedy with
Tornado Industries, a leading manufacturer of professional vacuum cleaners, some
vacuum cleaners now weigh as little as
eight pounds, have 50-foot cords, are quieter, and have multi-stage or HEPA filtra-
let roco
be your
safety
line
tion systems that prevent dust from being
released from the vacuum’s exhaust to help
protect indoor air quality.
“Another option is to consider other
types of vacuum cleaners,” said Kennedy.
“For instance, some new backpack vacuums have totally redesigned harnesses that
are much more comfortable to wear and
stabilize and balance the machine so it is
far easier to use.”
Backpacks also get the ergonomic endorsement of Goggins, who added that
studies have shown backpacks can “increase
productivity by as much as 100 percent
while requiring the same amount of operator energy expenditure as upright vacuums.
Furthermore, in situations where stairways
must be vacuumed, backpack vacuums
leave one hand free to use the handrail.”
Long-Term Solutions
One of the best ways to minimize the
number of cleaning-related injuries is very
simply to find ways to do less cleaning.
There are systematic approaches that can
accomplish this. For instance, does your
facility have 15 feet of matting installed
at key entries? Fifteen feet of matting can
keep as much as 80 percent of outside soil,
moisture, and contaminants from entering the building.
Also, HVAC filter systems that are
changed regularly reduce the amount of
dust in the facility, and installing sensorcontrolled faucets, paper dispensers, toilets,
and urinals decreases the number of fixtures that must be cleaned. Some facilities
have even done away with the traditional
trash can at every workstation. Emptying
trash is very taxing on the body and frequently causes musculoskeletal injuries.
Switching to a centralized trash can to serve
many workers is one of the easiest and most
cost-effective steps administrators can take
to make cleaning safer and healthier.
TRAINING
UÊOpen-Enrollment Courses
UÊOn-Site Training
EQUIPMENT
UÊOnline Catalog
UÊSpecialty Gear & Team Kits
SERVICES
UÊContracted Safety & Rescue Teams
UÊSite Assessments & Rescue Preplanning
ROCORESCUE.COM
UÊInformative Blogs & Articles
UÊSafety Tips & Educational Videos
Robert Kravitz writes frequently on cleaning and building operations topics. He may
be reached at 773-525-3021.
REFERENCES
Scan the QR Code to
access RocoRescue.com
RocoRescue.com | info@RocoRescue.com
7077 Exchequer Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70809 | 225-755-7626 | 800-647-7626
44
Circle 37 on card.
1. As of 2011; the other occupations included
in this top category include laborers, nursing
aides/orderlies, heavy tractor/trailer/truck drivers, and police officers.
2. Safety Data Sheets accompany all cleaning
chemicals sold in North America. They list the
key ingredients in the chemical, as well as
emergency phone numbers should an injury or
accident occur.
www.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 10:28 AM
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CIRCLE 30 ON CARD
Untitled-4 1
8/27/13 3:27 PM
According to ANSI standards, fall protection
equipment should be inspected by the user
before each use and inspected at least once a
year by a competent person.
BY KEVIN DUHAMEL
A
s 2013 comes to a close, insurance and federal regulatory agencies are sure to be compiling year-end statistics and reports. While
some figures may be surprising, one that is
likely to stay true to past years’ results is the incidence
of injuries and fatalities from workplace falls.
Each year, falls from heights ranging from just
a few inches to 120 stories account for more than 30
percent of all fall-related injuries and work-related
deaths. Such injuries not only endanger the integrity
of the workplace and the safety of employees, but also
cost businesses millions of dollars each year in medical expenses, lost wages, and lower productivity.
Therefore, fall protection planning and the correct
fall protection training are essential to ensuring the
safety and health of your employees and your company. Developing a comprehensive fall protection and
training plan is the right decision for the safety of employees, the financial health of the company, and the
integrity of the product.
Before a company can implement a plan or begin
training, it must first decide what type of fall protection to employ. The most foolproof form of fall protection is simply to eliminate the fall hazard, which
in some facilities can be done by changing the workflow process. Often, however, the hazard cannot be
eliminated, meaning that some sort of safety protection must be added. In its simplest form, this could
be a railing, or it could be more involved, such as a
restraint system or possibly personal fall protection
equipment, including a harness, lanyard, and rigid
rail anchor systems.
Restraint systems prevent workers from falling
by keeping them from reaching an area where the
fall hazard exists. Restraint is typically the preferred
fall protection system when the environment allows
because a fall is completely avoided. The downside,
however, is that once in place, restraint systems are
inflexible, unable to accommodate multiple workers,
and limited to the length of the system.
Fall arrest systems allow the worker to fall—just
not very far. The systems enable workers to safely perform their duties from the height required while tied
off to the system. The systems are professionally engineered and typically custom designed for the specific
work environment.
There are two types of fall arrest systems: those
46
1113ohs_046_050_Duhamel_v3.indd 46
GORBEL INC.
Creating a Safer Workplace
that use a wire rope to support a worker and those that
use a rigid rail. Wire rope systems allow the worker
to fall into a previously inspected clearance area, preventing injury with a harness, trolley, and wire rope
lifeline. Such systems require additional fall clearance
due to the initial sag or stretch of the wire. A rigid rail
fall arrest system allows workers to fall with the peace
of mind that their fall will be stopped using a harness
attached to a custom-engineered support. Rigid rail
systems can accommodate longer distances between
supports, reducing both material and installation
costs. These systems provide uninterrupted protection for additional workers on the same system.
The Importance of Training
While choosing the correct type of fall protection is
critical, training employees on how to use the chosen
system properly is equally important. A successful fall
protection training program ensures that companies
and all of their employees know what fall hazards
exist in their workplace, which products and equipment can be used in each work space, how to anchor
a worker to the system properly, how to wear a fall
protection harness correctly, and how to inspect and
maintain fall protection equipment so the system can
continue to provide safety and peace of mind.
Most fall protection systems must be customized
to fit the facility at hand. As such, it is also important
that companies decide what they want to achieve
through fall protection. A common goal is to eliminate any serious injury or fatality related to falls. Do
www.ohsonline.com
10/15/13 9:47 AM
Raise your fall
protection standards.
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a Tether Track Rigid Rail Fall Arrest system from Gorbel. Designed
to comply with OSHA regulations and ANSI standards, our systems
feature an innovative enclosed track design that enhances mobility
and accommodates multiple workers. They also provide shorter
free-fall distances, reducing the risk of secondary injuries.
So, make Tether Track systems an essential part of your fall
protection plan and keep your workplace safe and productive.
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©2013 Gorbel Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Untitled-5 1
CIRCLE 28 ON CARD
5/23/13 2:16 PM
they also want to decrease the rate of injury by 50 percent, or
perhaps 70 percent? Creating such goals will allow companies to
select the correct system and, from there, to develop the correct
training regimen.
Completing a workplace assessment is a useful way for companies to identify these goals and pick a fall protection system. A
number of factors need to be considered when evaluating a workplace facility, including what other systems already may be in place,
floor space availability, ceiling space availability, and budget. If a
facility already employs a wealth of floor-mounted equipment, a
ceiling-mounted system may be most practical and out of the way.
How many workers will be using the system at a given time is another factor to keep in mind.
Adhering to OSHA Rules and ANSI Standards
Industry regulations also play a role in choosing a fall protection
system. OSHA mandates the 4-foot rule. The 4-foot rule refers to
Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR) and seeks
to ensure and enforce safe and healthful working conditions for
general industry, construction, and maritime trades. Employers are
responsible for providing their workers with a place of employment
free from recognized safety and health hazards. OSHA enforces
regulation 1926, Subpart M for construction and regulation 1910,
Subparts D and F for general industry, which require fall protection be provided at: 4 feet in general industry; 5 feet in shipyards; 6
feet in the construction industry; 8 feet in longshoring operations;
or any height when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance. If companies have workers
working at heights in any of these circumstances they are legally
required to implement a suitable fall protection system.
While considering fall protection, companies also should
be thinking about who can oversee the system, because industry regulations and standards (including the American National
Standards Institute’s and OSHA’s) require that a competent person
must verify the required maintenance procedures have been properly followed. Such a person, as defined by OSHA, is someone who
is “capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the
surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take
prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.” This person is usually also responsible for ongoing inspections. OSHA requires a visual inspection for wear and damage prior to each use, mandating
that any deterioration or defective components be removed from
service. According to ANSI, fall protection equipment should be
inspected by the user before each use and inspected at least once a
year by a competent person.
Elements of a Fall Protection Plan
In considering different fall protection options, companies are actually laying the framework for their formal fall protection plan.
Once goals have been determined and a fall protection system chosen, companies then are required to write a detailed and site-spe-
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48
www.ohsonline.com
10/15/13 9:47 AM
CIRCLE 2 ON CARD
Untitled-1 1
7/23/12 11:07 AM
cific plan on how the system will be used
to maintain productivity while protecting
employees. The plan should outline the fall
protection measures that will be employed,
spell out a rescue plan for worst-case scenarios, identify who is responsible for overall supervision and training, and include an
overview of training objectives.
Although all parts of the plan are important, companies are advised to pay
special attention to the training and rescue
plan sections of the document, because
both can be the deciding factors in the effectiveness of a fall protection system. The
rescue plan section should strive to mini-
mize the time between a fall occurrence
and getting medical attention to the fallen
worker. This step is vitally important to the
safety of a company’s workers and also the
company’s bottom line.
As with other parts of the fall protection
plan, a thorough rescue program should be
established prior to using fall protection
equipment. It is of critical importance that
the plan be understood and that all workers
feel confident implementing such a program. The plan must take into account the
equipment and special training necessary
for a prompt rescue under all foreseeable
conditions. The rescue plan aspect of fall
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50
Circle 22 on card.
protection should be especially emphasized
during employee training.
Transit Agency Reduces Fall Risks
A number of organizations have successfully addressed and implemented fall protection systems and training initiatives.
One such company is a municipal transportation authority for a major Northeast
city. The transit authority was in the process
of replacing old buses with more fuel-efficient hybrid vehicles. While fuel costs and
emissions were decreasing, the authority
discovered that its maintenance employees
would regularly be climbing up to the top
of the new buses to service the top-mounted electric battery packs. At the time, there
was no protection in place to prevent employees from falling.
After assessing the workplace, the authority found that it didn’t have room in
the facility to support the beams necessary for a wire rope system, nor enough
distance for the wire rope to stop the fall
before the workers would hit the floor.
The solution was installing four identical,
ceiling-mounted monorail systems with
self-retracting lanyards. The dual-trussed
monorail is 39 feet long, which fully covers the length of the buses. It allows more
than one worker to be on the roof of a bus
and permits two workers to pass each other
without disconnecting the lanyards from
their harnesses.
After going through training, all workers now can access the battery packs on the
roof as needed. A worker uses a hook to
pull down the lanyard and attaches it to his
or her harness. The transit authority is now
able to complete its operations safely and
efficiently, and management has the peace
of mind of a rescue plan if needed.
Of course, no fall protection system
can guarantee safety. Yet with the proper
education, planning, equipment, training,
and awareness, virtually any facility can be
transformed from hazardous to safe and
safety conscious.
Kevin Duhamel is Tether Track™ Product
Manager with Gorbel Inc. He has more than
15 years of safety industry experience and
expertise and has specialized in fall protection since 2008. He is a certified fall protection-competent trainer and inspector. The
company offers a document that addresses
the specifics of fall protection planning that
is available at www.gorbelrighttrack.com.
www.ohsonline.com
10/15/13 9:47 AM
The Latest Scoop on AEDs
The latest research, best practices, and results
show these life-saving devices are appropriate
for workplaces everywhere.
BY GREG SLUSSER
A
utomated external defibrillators (AEDs)
have become a familiar sight in many workplaces across America, yet these life-saving
devices still are not present in the majority
of them. Organizations without AED programs cite
various concerns, range from liability issues to costs, as
reasons to withhold a sudden cardiac arrest safety net.
There are many compelling reasons to have an
AED program. Leading this list, of course, is having
the ability to save the life of a co-worker stricken by
sudden cardiac arrest. Let’s take a look at the latest
research, best practices, and results to see how they
apply to your workplace.
1. Research shows speed to shock is the most
important lifesaving factor. Of the countless stud-
www.ohsonline.com
1113ohs_051_052_Slusser_v3.indd 51
ies about AEDs, the one making perhaps the most
important point is the Johns Hopkins study by Myron Weisfeldt and colleagues published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. This study
demonstrated that training lay (non-medical) volunteers to use AEDs doubled the survival of cardiac
arrest victims.
Most interestingly, laypersons using a defibrillator achieved the highest survival rate (40 percent)—
higher than health care workers, police, and EMS. The
overall survival rate among 13,769 victims eventually
reached by EMS personnel was 7 percent. The 33 percentage point difference between laypersons and EMS
is attributable simply to speed. The laypersons were
on the scene with an AED and were able to treat the
NOVEMBER 2013 |
51
10/10/13 11:36 AM
The basic elements of King County’s approach can be replicated
in any workplace by having AEDs readily available and employee
response teams trained in CPR and AED use.
victim more quickly than EMS responders.
The study’s authors even went so far as to
state that “speed is more important than
training” and encouraged early defibrillation programs in communities, including
workplaces.
2. AEDs are extremely reliable, but
maintaining them to ensure they are
ready for a rescue is important. AEDs
have proven very reliable at the scene of
sudden cardiac arrest. AED program expert Richard A. Lazar is the founder and
president of Readiness Systems (www.
readisys.com), which helps organizations
create and maintain operationally ready
and risk-managed AED programs. He
examined data the FDA used recently to
support proposed rules that would tighten
AED regulations.
Writing on his blog, Lazar said the data
shows that AEDs work as intended more
than 99.5 percent of the time. When they
don’t work, the reason is often related to
faulty inspection and maintenance. He
cited a recent University of Alabama at Birmingham study that evaluated five years of
data from Alabama communities involved
in the National Institutes of Health Public
Access Defibrillation (PAD) trial. The data
showed high percentages of AEDs with expired batteries, expired defibrillation pads,
and unresolved maintenance alerts. “These
are people problems, not device problems,”
he wrote.
If AEDs are inspected and maintained
regularly, the chances of an AED failing
when needed are virtually nil. Recent technological advances are making AEDs even
more reliable and easier to maintain and
use through features such as automated
daily self-tests, status screens showing the
readiness of defibrillation pads and the
AED’s battery, and embedded help videos
that can be used during training to review
the critical steps of a rescue.
3. You can’t argue with results. Virtually every day somewhere in America, an organization with an AED program saves the
life of a worker, customer, or community
member. A quick Google search finds these
organizations mentioned in news stories
about co-workers saving an employee’s life:
52
American Airlines, ARTCO/ADM, Bennett International Group, Delta Air Lines,
Honeywell, Indiana University-Purdue
University Fort Wayne, Maryland National
Capitol Park Planning Commission, New
Jersey Transit, Northern Virginia Electric
Cooperative, O’Hare International Airport,
Penn State University, Pentair, SANBlaze
Technology, Schick, State Farm, Systemax
Manufacturing, Trans International, WebMD, Wells Enterprises, and more.
The list of organizations saving customers or community members would go on
just as long. LA Fitness, for example, has
saved 50 lives since instituting its AED program. Life saves on airlines and in airports,
schools, athletic facilities, and casinos are
well documented, with thousands of saves
occurring in these locations. The Sudden
Cardiac Arrest Foundation’s You Can Save a
Life at School (www.sca-aware.org/schools)
and You Can Save a Life on Campus (www.
sca-aware.org/campus) programs provide
many examples of students and school employees saved by AEDs.
In addition, certain U.S. communities
have achieved exemplary results by combining access to AEDs with innovative EMS
services. For example, King County, Washington, has a sudden cardiac arrest survival
rate of 57 percent, according to Seattle and
King County Public Health. Through its
Shockingly Simple campaign, the county
has encouraged the purchase and registration of AEDs while improving the speed of
EMS response and the training of paramedics. A new initiative has EMS dispatchers
providing CPR instruction over the phone
while EMS is en route. The basic elements
of King County’s approach can be replicated in any workplace by having AEDs readily available and employee response teams
trained in CPR and AED use.
Yet the vast majority of workplaces have
not yet implemented AED programs. Citing concerns about legal liability, the time
involved, and costs, these workplaces are
basically betting that no employee, customer, or visitor suffers sudden cardiac arrest
on their premises. Or these organizations
are falsely assuming that EMS will arrive
to save the day, despite the evidence show-
1113ohs_051_052_Slusser_v3.indd 52
ing that EMS saves of sudden cardiac arrest
victims are quite rare in most communities,
the King County example notwithstanding.
Of about 380,000 annual incidences of sudden cardiac arrest, only about 8 percent of
victims survive the leading cause of death
in America. That’s nearly 1,000 people dying each day.
4. Reliable, regularly inspected, and
well-maintained AEDs are the best answer. Having one or more AEDs at your
workplace is simply the least risky approach to managing the possibility of sudden cardiac arrest, assuming the AEDs are
a reliable brand, regularly inspected, and
well-maintained. An employee response
team with an AED and training will typically “do the right thing” in response to
sudden cardiac arrest, Lazar said, and often
the team members are able to save a life.
And despite the warnings from naysayers,
well-intentioned and reasonable responses
by trained and prepared workplace teams
rarely result in adverse legal consequences.
Most importantly, correctly maintained
AEDs rarely malfunction—and they’re
easier to use than ever.
All AEDs provide real-time audio instructions for rescuers, and some have
video and text instructions. For example,
when the audio says and text reads, “Place
pads on patient’s chest,” the video shows
exactly where to place the pads. When it
comes to simplicity, AEDs have reached a
tipping point similar to when the iPhone
was introduced to cell phone users. The
iPhone made smartphones easy. Before the
iPhone, relatively few Americans used their
mobile phones to text, use the Internet, and
keep track of important personal information. Now, many people use their phones to
manage virtually every aspect of their lives.
Simply put, new AED technology
makes it easier to save a life while giving workplaces the opportunity to send a
strong message about health, safety, and
well-being to employees, Lazar explained.
“If you want to have an AED program,” he
said, “you can do it and you can do it well.”
Greg Slusser wrote this article on behalf
of Defibtech, the designer and manufacturer of the Lifeline™ and ReviveR™
families of AEDs and related accessories.
sales@defibtech.com, www.defibtech.com,
1-866-DEFIB-4-U (1-866-333-4248).
www.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 11:36 AM
CPR & First Aid Training:
A Must for Your Safety Program
What AHA Offers:
• eLearning Courses
• First Aid
• Classroom Courses
• CPR
• Instructor Training
• AED
• Nationwide Training
• Bloodborne Pathogens
Whether you need training for 10 employees or 100
in multiple locations, we can help develop a solution for you.
Visit www.heart.org/cpr for more information.
©2013, American Heart Association. 10/13 DS7350
CIRCLE 21 ON CARD
Untitled-2 1
10/11/13 2:17 PM
Preparing for the Silent Workplace Catastrophe
Given the known prevalence of SCA, prudence
dictates recognizing cardiac arrest in the safety
planning process.
BY JOHN EHINGER
K
illing more than 300,000 people in the
United States each year, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a remarkably underappreciated
public health issue. Because it can strike anyone at any time, preparation to address this exposure
in the work environment is prudent from a traditional
safety perspective. Importantly, cardiac emergency
response planning also makes sound business sense.
While thousands of youths die each year from
SCA, the risk of incidence increases dramatically as
we grow older, especially as underlying heart disease
is the leading cause of cardiac arrest. The number of
workers aged 55 and older increased 60.8 percent
from 2000 to 2010 and is forecast to jump another
38 percent by 2020.1 On top of this, the population
considered obese is cresting past 35.7 percent.2 The
confluence of these prevailing age, work, and health
trends underscores the burgeoning need to confront
SCA in the workplace.
Preparation is Critical
With 98 percent of lay adults understanding that automated external defibrillators (AEDs) deliver a shock
to restore normal heart rhythm in SCA victims and
60 percent being familiar with cardiopulmonary resuscitation,3 the ability to provide required lifesaving
aid in public settings is no longer an aspirational goal.
It is now something that can be pursued and realized
by the public at large.
While the tactical actions required to save an SCA
victim are well understood and can be easily implemented, time is the enemy in an SCA event. Survival
rates decrease by approximately 10 percent for each
minute that elapses without intervention4 and without
early intervention, SCA survival rates are less than 8
percent. Thus, both planning and training are essential to delivering positive outcomes when SCA strikes.
Recognizing this, the American Heart Association
has prescribed its “Chain of Survival” to maximize
lifesaving outcomes in cardiac arrest events, which
enumerates the following steps:
1. Immediate recognition of SCA and activation
of emergency response systems
2. Early “hands-only” CPR
3. Rapid defibrillation
4. Effective advanced life support
5. Integrated post-cardiac arrest care
Given the logistical realities and timing of EMS
response in the vast majority of circumstances, lay
54
1113ohs_054_056_Ehinger_v3.indd 54
action prior to EMS arrival is the only viable means
of saving an SCA victim and preventing permanent
disability. Of the five links in the chain, the first three
are both relevant to and necessary for lay responders.
In theory, none of the three lay activities is complicated, and today’s AEDs are exceptionally easy to
use,5 but when theory must be put into action, proper
planning, basic training, and communication protocols are critical to enabling lifesaving results.
Substantiating the value of preparation, research
was conducted on a number of Las Vegas casinos that
had implemented robust AED programs, including
training of dedicated employee responders. The study
found that the casinos’ programs enabled a mean response time of 2.9 minutes (versus 9.8 minutes for
paramedic arrival). More importantly, victims witnessed in ventricular fibrillation who received a shock
within three minutes enjoyed a survival rate of 74.2
percent versus 49.1 percent for those who received a
shock after three minutes. Clearly, these statistics underscore the need for immediacy of response.6
Enterprise Value Benefits
The lifesaving benefits of integrating a well-structured
cardiac emergency response protocol with other site
safety and disaster preparedness programs are selfevident: AEDs can save lives. OSHA recognizes this,
stating: “All worksites are potential candidates for
AED programs because of the possibility of SCA and
the need for timely defibrillation. Each workplace
should assess its own requirements for an AED program as part of its first-aid response.”7
While lifesaving may be the central reason for
implementing such a program, proactively addressing the issue of cardiac arrest in the workplace has additional and often underappreciated benefits. A 2009
American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation
study confirmed a tie between safety and morale, noting that companies with high morale also effectively
address psychological safety, providing employees
with peace of mind.8
Although employees are often the focus of site
safety preparations, and rightfully so, employees are
not the only beneficiaries of sound practice and risk
management. All of those who may frequent a location—customers, vendors, and other visitors—also
stand to benefit from these efforts. Importantly, this
second group is external to the organization and
therefore wields a powerful, direct influence on an entity’s reputation and brand.
Yet beyond employees, customers, vendors, and
the many individuals who may interact within a given
workplace, organizations must also consider broader
oversight when addressing risk and reputation. As
Elizabeth Lux wrote for The Wall Street Journal in
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CIRCLE 60 ON CARD
Untitled-5 1
10/9/13 12:27 PM
2010, “Few investors ask about reputation
at the annual general meeting. Until, that
is, something goes horribly wrong.”9 While
investors are often first concerned with the
bottom line, it is important to recognize
that planning and preparation for cardiac
arrest scenarios need not be expensive or
excessively time-consuming. Equally, because sound preparations include a wellconstructed communication strategy, the
very preparations themselves can generate
value for the enterprise—and drive bottom-line results—because they represent a
visible, tangible commitment to the welfare
of employees, customers, and visitors.
The value of these prophylactic efforts
is only enhanced when they are successfully activated. Following a lifesaving event
within a workplace, many organizations
find themselves inundated with flattering
coverage in TV, print, and other media outlets and, perhaps more importantly, the Internet, specifically in social media channels.
Considering the nature and volume of
information available to the public today,
the speed by which it travels, and the permanence of digital media, it is more important than ever before that brand impact
receive consideration in safety and risk assessments. In fact, in an April 2013 report,
Deloitte recommended integrating brand
risk into overall risk planning, noting this
is the first step in formulating a brand defense strategy.10 This outlook is further
bolstered by several studies that indicate a
positive correlation between firm value and
risk planning.11 Taking just a few proactive
steps in advance of an SCA event can position an organization well in the minds of all
key stakeholders.
The Incalculable Cost of
Not Being Prepared
While properly contemplating brand implications in risk and safety planning yields
positive results, the failure to do so can also
have even larger negative consequences.
When something goes “horribly wrong,”
inadequate or inappropriate emergency response procedures can have a catastrophic
and lasting impact on an enterprise. Whether this takes the form of a recorded 911 call
being blasted across Twitter and Facebook,
which then drives constant news channel
commentary, or a critical article in a major
publication criticizing an organization’s failure to prepare for a foreseeable event, it can
take years to recover from an incident.
56
Beyond the effects on brand reputation,
legal ramifications for the company are also
likely to ensue. Of late, the plaintiffs’ bar has
become increasingly active in circumstances
involving cardiac arrest. In step with this,
some recent litigation contends that AEDs
should be considered an expected standard
of care in sites with business traffic. This contention is based upon several factors, including heightened awareness of AED efficacy,
increased AED affordability and ease of use,
as well as the evolution of state-level Good
Samaritan protections. Not to be overlooked
among these developments is the fact that
suits have been filed in jurisdictions such
as Montana12 that historically have not been
viewed as hotbeds of litigation.
Legal activity is not restricted to thirdparty claims, however. For example, late
last year, a worker’s compensation appeals
panel in Tennessee ruled that an employee’s
work activities were a contributory factor
in his cardiac arrest and awarded compensation to his widow.13,14 More positively,
from the perspective of the employer, there
also have been recent court rulings upholding protections afforded under several state
Good Samaritan laws.15
Although the volume of litigation to
date related to cardiac event response protocols is not at the level of auto accidents
and other more common events, the trends
indicate that the exposure should not be
ignored, particularly in light of the demographic and health characteristics of both
the workforce and the customer population.
A Final Note
Every day in business, we see that the benefits of “doing the right thing” can extend
well beyond inherent ethical rewards.
These benefits include positive economic
returns, brand loyalty (from employees and
consumers), and strong word-of-mouth
support for organizations. As the role of
safety and loss prevention is no longer confined to reduction of losses and now also
comprises an expectation of value generation, proactive preparation to guard against
the impact of SCA meshes perfectly with
this paradigm.
Businesses painstakingly plan for a wide
spectrum of potential catastrophes, many
of which present fairly low probabilities of
occurrence. Nevertheless, there is inherent
value in this planning and preparation because the alternative, even if unlikely, can
be disaster. Given the known prevalence
1113ohs_054_056_Ehinger_v3.indd 56
of SCA, prudence dictates recognizing
cardiac arrest in the safety planning process. While lifesaving remains paramount,
organizations should begin to view SCA
protection efforts as another critical opportunity to improve employee morale and
loyalty while also protecting and enhancing
its brand and reputation.
John Ehinger is the CEO of CardioReady,
a suburban Philadelphia company that offers organizations turnkey preparedness and
training solutions aimed at improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest. For more
information, visit www.cardioready.com.
REFERENCES
1. Toosi, Mitra, “Labor force projections to 2020:
a more slowly growing workforce,” Monthly Labor
Review, January 2012, p. 43-64.
2. Ogden, Cynthia L. et al., “Prevalence of Obesity in the United States, 2009 – 2010, NCHS
Data Brief No. 82, January 2012.
3. Go, Alan S. et al., “Heart Disease and Stroke
Statistics – 2013 Update: A Report from the
American Heart Association,” Circulation, Dec.
12, 2012.
4. “Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics -- 2010
Update: A Report from the American Heart
Association,” Circulation, 2009-121: e46-e215,
p. 16.
5. All modern AEDs provide both visual and
audible prompts to guide users and will not
permit delivery of a shock unless the victim is in
a “shockable” heart rhythm.
6. Valenzuela, Terrence D. et al., “Outcomes of
Rapid Defibrillation by Security Officers after Cardiac Arrest in Casinos,” New England Journal of
Medicine, Volume 343, No. 17, p. 1206-1209.
7. OSHA, Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of
a Workplace First-Aid Program, OSHA 3317-06N
2006.
8. Behm, Michael, “Employee Morale: Examining
the Link to Occupational Safety and Health,”
Professional Safety, October 2009, p. 49.
9. Lux, Elizabeth, “Brand Value: It’s hard to define
and difficult to manage. But companies play fast
and loose with their reputations at their peril,”
The Wall Street Journal, Oct. 5, 2010.
10. “Using Metrics to Protect Brand Value,” Deloitte Risk & Compliance Journal, April 9, 2013.
11. E.g., Itner, Chris, Wharton School of the
University of Pennsylvania Aon Centre for Innovation and Analytics as presented in Business
Insurance May 14, 2013, webinar; Rego, Lopo L.
et al., “Consumer-Based Brand Equity and Firm
Risk,” American Market Association Journal of
Marketing, Vol. 73, November 2009, p. 47-60.
12. Bieber v. City of Billings
13. Cross v. R&R Lumber Company, Inc.
14. Worker’s compensation treatment of cardiac
arrest varies by state and job function.
15. E.g., Limones v. School District of Lee
County, et al.; Miglino v. Bally Total Fitness of
Greater New York
www.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 11:55 AM
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CIRCLE 4 ON CARD
Untitled-9 1
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1113ohs_058_061_ProdSpot_v2.indd 58
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Untitled-4 1
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Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
Publication Title: Occupational Health & Safety
Publication Number: 0362-4064
Filing Date: 9/30/13
Frequency of Issue: Monthly
Number of Issues Published Annually: 12
Annual Subscription Price: US $79, International $149
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Full Name and Complete Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor:
Kevin O’Grady, President/Group Publisher, 14901 Quorum Dr., Ste. 425, Dallas, TX 75254
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Owner(s): Stevens Publishing Acquisition, Corp. (SPAC), 9201 Oakdale Ave., Ste. 101, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Listing of shareholders in SPAC.
Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or more of the Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities:
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Publication Title: Occupational Health & Safety
Issue date for Circulation Data Below: September 2013
Extent & Nature of Circulation:
Average No. Copies Each Month
No. Copies of Single Issue
During Preceding 12 Months
Published Nearest to Filing Date
Total Number of Copies (Net Press Run)
49,857
50,248
Legitimate Paid/and or Requested Distribution
1. Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions
41,353
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Stated on PS Form 3541
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Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested
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Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation
41,408
40,763
Nonrequested Distribution
1. Outside County Nonrequested Copies Stated
7,741
8,273
on PS Form 3541
2. In-County Nonrequested Copies Distribution
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4. Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail
443
969
Total Nonrequested Distribution
8,184
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Total Distribution
49,592
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265
243
Total
49,857
50,248
Percent paid and/or Requested Circulation
83.50%
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16. Total Circulation includes elections copies. Report circulation on PS Form 3526X worksheet.
17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the November 2013 issue of this publication.
18. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete:
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60
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PRACTICAL EXCELLENCE
BY SHAWN GALLOWAY
Safety Strategy:
What Great Leaders Do Well
Great leaders choose an improvement direction after it is clear to them and those who
support it precisely where they are going.
O
ccasionally, some of the greatest truths in business are
found not only in the musings of great business leaders, but also in the creative genius of authors of fiction.
Consider the exchange between the characters Alice and
the Cheshire Cat of Lewis Carroll’s novel “Alice in Wonderland”:
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the
Cat. “I don’t much care where—” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat. “—so long as I get SOMEWHERE,” Alice added as an explanation. “Oh, you’re sure to do
that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”
Activities Follow Strategy
The popular paraphrasing that’s followed this famous fictional dialogue, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you
there,” holds great truth and is often found within many organizations when goals are set to improve both safety performance and
culture. It is typical for a well-intentioned leader to begin attempting to improve safety by focusing on the tactics, activities, and
methodology without first determining what results they should
provide and how progress will be measured.
Most of ProAct Safety’s client organizations, who are already
leaders in their industry for safety performance, do not recognize
sustainable improvement resulting from more meetings, activities, and mandates and realize that more of the same rarely brings
change. With fewer resources and increasing competitiveness in
operational priorities, it is imperative organizations remain strategically focused on the overarching strategic framework that prioritizes decisions and on the minutia of choosing the precise intervention proactively and aggressively monitoring measurements
that provide insight into progress.
Worthy Metaphors
In “Zoom In, Zoom Out,” Rosabeth Moss Kanter of Harvard Business School writes, “The lens through which leaders view the world
can help or hinder their ability to make good strategic decisions,
especially during a crisis. Zoom in, and get a close look at select
details—perhaps too close to make sense of them. Zoom out, and
see the big picture—but perhaps miss some subtleties and nuances.
Zoom buttons on digital devices let us examine images from many
viewpoints. They also provide an apt metaphor for modes of strategic thinking.”
Another metaphor worth considering comes from Roger L.
Martin of the Rotman School of Management at the University of
Toronto. In “The Execution Trap,” Martin writes of how the corporation can be conceived of as “a white-water river in which choices
cascade from the top to the bottom. Each set of rapids is a point in
the corporation where choices could be made, with each upstream
choice affecting the choice immediately downstream. Those at the
62
1113ohs_062_Galloway_v2.indd 62
top of the company make the broader,
more abstract choices involving larger
long-term investments, whereas the
employees toward the bottom make How improvement
more concrete, day-to-day decisions objectives are
that directly influence customer serprioritized and
vice and satisfaction.”
How improvement objectives are executed deterprioritized and executed determines mines not just
not just sustainability of results, but sustainability of
buy-in, as well. Leaders need both the
results, but buy-in,
zoom in and zoom out capability, as
well as an understanding that the de- as well.
cisions to improve safety will be carried out by others and often
impact other business priorities. When Martin writes of how the
day-to-day decisions influence customer service and satisfaction,
consider that employees of all levels, contractors and vendors included, are customers in safety. Do they see the value in and the
rationale of the improvement direction that often results in additional responsibilities, activities, and paperwork? Strategies are
rarely executed well when those involved are operating under the
mentality of have-to. If these customers of ours are not informed
and enabled to zoom out to see the big picture (i.e., what does safety excellence look like and how this contributes toward it), can we
expect to solicit more than compliance behavior?
What Great Leaders Do
Great leaders choose an improvement direction after it is clear to
them and those who support it precisely where they are going.
They do not get disrupted by nor react to events with new programs. They have a dual, proactive-prioritization strategic framework that justifies and validates return on investment of initiatives
aligned to prevent incidents and injuries and continuously mature
the culture. Strong, proactive, positive accountability systems are in
place to enhance the leaders’ role in soliciting discretionary performance, challenging status-quo thinking and managing the experiences, story-telling, and beliefs within the culture.
Finally, great leaders are not satisfied with great results. They
measure both leading (i.e., activities) and transformational (i.e.,
performance progress) indicators to validate and create confidence
in the lagging indicator results. When transformational results are
reached, there is unquestionable and shared conviction in the ability
to repeat and continuously improve. Great leaders achieve not only
zero injuries, but Sustainable Safety Culture Excellence, as well.
Shawn M. Galloway is the co-author of STEPS to Safety Culture
Excellence and president of ProAct Safety.
REFERENCES
1. Carroll, Lewis. (1865) Alice in Wonderland, Macmillian
2. Kanter, Rosabeth M. (2011) Zoom In, Zoom Out, Harvard Business Review,
March 2011
3. Martin, Roger, L. (2010) The Execution Trap, Harvard Business Review,
July-August 2010
www.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 10:29 AM
NEW PRODUCTS
MEDICAL GRADE TRANSFORMER
OIL EATER ABSORBENT PADS
FALL PREVENTION DEVICE
Bridgeport Magnetics releases the ISOPUCK transformers, which are hospital
grade isolation transformers compliant
with ANSI (UL), CSA and EN standards.
The transformers are supplied with a
bracket for easy wall mounting next to a
power outlet or onto a medical cart and
they serve to guarantee that the leakage current from computers, printers or
medical electronics cannot exceed the
maximum allowed value even in the case
of frayed and aging insulation in operating
rooms and patient care areas. The ISOPUCK is available up to 3000VA and its
bare isolation transformers up to 6000VA.
A new line of eco-friendly absorbent
pads from Kafko, titled Oil Eater
Naturals, has been rolled out. The line
features eco-friendly absorbent pads,
rolls and socks made of natural plant
by-products. They feature a woven construction and are designed to provide a
safer and cleaner workplace while also
helping meet OSHA and EPA requirements. The products range in size from
16” x 18” to 28” x 150 feet and can be
used in production lines, industrial maintenance facility floors, loading docks,
paint shop floors and more.
Garlock Safety Systems has designed a
lightweight, portable device that protects
workers against falls. The unit—-which
has no single component weighing over
32 pounds—meets OSHA fall-arrest
standards and is approved for single-ply
membranes, BUR, concrete, TPO, and
EPDM substrates. The non-penetrating
system uses a counterweight design
and connects at a single tie-off point,
ensuring it does not interfere with a
worker’s job and can be easily transported. It meets fall-arrest standards for
anyone weighing up to 310 pounds and
can be placed on flat surfaces with a
maximum incline of 5 degrees.
CIRCLE 301 ON CARD
CIRCLE 300 ON CARD
CIRCLE 302 ON CARD
CUSTOM ROOF HATCHES
COMPACT TOUCH BUTTON
HANDHELD TABLET COMPUTER
The Bilco Company releases a new line
of custom roof hatches that can meet
nearly any access requirement. The
Type D double leaf roof hatch features
a large opening that allows equipment
to be easily installed or removed from a
building. Type D Equipment Access roof
hatches are designed for weathertight
performance and safe and easy operation regardless of the cover size and
weight. The product features full EPDM
gasketing, insulated covers and curb
and an overlapping cover design to ensure energy efficiency and performance.
Lighting and sensor manufacturer
Banner Engineering introduces the EZLIGHT® K30 Touch, a smaller version of
the company’s K50 touch. The singlepoint device features a compact, rugged
design and is optimal for use in efficient
machine activation and pick-to-light
operations. The touch button provides
simple, precise performance and can
easily change from green to red with the
touch of a finger—either bare or with a
work glove on. It features an ergonomic
design and requires no physical pressure to operate.
Rugged mobile computer manufacturer
Handheld introduces the new version
of its Algiz 7 super-rugged tablet. The
ultra-rugged Algiz 7 tablet PC is small,
light and fast, with multiple connectivity
options and a wide range of functions,
ideal for field workers demanding a
super-durable product that is tough and
powerful, yet light and easy to work with.
The Algiz 7 meets stringent MIL-STD810G military standards for withstanding
humidity, vibrations, drops and extreme
temperatures, and with its IP65 rating, it
keeps dust and water out, as well.
CIRCLE 303 ON CARD
CIRCLE 304 ON CARD
CIRCLE 305 ON CARD
www.ohsonline.com
1113ohs_063_NP_v4.indd 63
NOVEMBER 2013 |
63
10/15/13 3:03 PM
OH&S CLASSIFIEDS
*VTWSPLZ^P[O6:/(YLN\SH[PVUZMVYZHML[`NH[LZ
*DWHFRPHVIXOO\DVVHPEOHGDQGLQVWDOOVLQOHVVWKDQPLQXWHV
$YDLODEOHLQQRPLQDOVL]HVFRYHUVRSHQLQJVIURP}WR}
$YDLODEOHLQVDIHW\\HOORZJDOYDQL]HGVWDLQOHVVVWHHOILQLVKHV
7LH]L`9VHK*OHZRH45
;VSS-YLL! -H_! ^^ÎS\L^H[LYTMNJVT
,THPS!PUMV'IS\L^H[LYTMNJVT
Circle 66 on card.
Personnel
Blow-Off Gun
STILL USING¬COMPRESSED¬AIR¬FOR¬CLEANING?
Circle 65 on card.
2EENGINEERED
FOR¬EVEN¬BETTER
PERFORMANCE
!LSO¬IDEAL¬FOR¬CLEANING¬EQUIPMENT¬¬COMPONENTS
3!&%¬ALTERNATIVE¬TO¬COMPRESSED¬AIR
-EETS¬/3(!¬GUIDELINES
Specialized Safety Products
Sp
S
Circle 68 on card.
SALES SPECIALIZEDSAFETYPRODUCTSCOM
#ALL¬US¬AT¬
WWWSPECIALIZEDSAFETYPRODUCTSCOM
Manufactured & assembled in USA
Circle 67 on card.
PRODUCT LITERATURE
TRAIN THE TRAINER
The Scaffold Training Institute
provides “Train The Trainer”
programs and on-site training
anywhere in the world. Training materials include 340-page manuals,
DVDs, a Powerpoint presentation,
videos, and Interactive Computer
Based Training on CD-ROM. Courses ranging from 8 hours to 40
hours in length are available. Visit
or call 1-800-428-0162 for details.
www.scaffoldtraining.com
Circle 69 on card.
64
1113ohs_064_Classified_v1.indd 64
10/10/13 11:37 AM
FREE PRODUCT INFO
ADVERTISER INDEX
Quick, Easy and Direct...get the info you need NOW!
Go online to ohsonline.com/productinfo to request free information
from advertisers in this issue. Search by category or by company.
CIRCLE #
ADVERTISER
21 American Heart Association
www.heart.org
11 Banom
www.banom.com
13 Blackline GPS
www.blacklinesafety.com
22 BullEx Digital Safety
www.BullEx.com
8
BW Technologies by Honeywell
www.gasmonitors.com
23 CBS ArcSafe
www.cbsarcsafe.com
45 CPM West 2013
www.CPM-West.com
25 Danatec® Educational Services Ltd.
www.DanatecInc.com
18 Deb USA
www.grittyfoam.com
5
Draeger
www.draeger.com
26 Encon Safety Products
www.enconsafety.com
43 ERI Safety Videos
www.eri-safety.com
27 ESC Services
www.escservices.com/ohs
44 Gift Card Partners Inc.
info.giftcardpartners.com/OHS
28 Gorbel
www.gorbel.com
Grainger
www.grainger.com/safety
6
Grainger
7
Grainger
4
Incentive Marketing Association
www.incentivemarketing.org
12 JLG Industries
www.liftpod.com/28
30 Magid Glove & Safety Mfg. Co.
www.magidglove.com/t-rex
31 MCR Safety
www.mcrsafety.com
32 Metlon Corp.
www.metlon.com
33 Milliken Workwear
www.millikenfr.com
34 Moldex-Metric, Inc.
www.moldex.com/glide
29 North by Honeywell
www.northsafety.com
3
Oliver Safety Boots/Honeywell
www.oliversafetyboots.com
16 Pacific Handy Cutter
www.go-phc.com
35 Protective Industrial Products
www.boutonoptical.com
17 Revco Industries
www.blackstallion.com
36 Rite Hite
www.RiteHite.com
37 Roco Rescue
www.rocorescue.com
www.ohsonline.com
1113ohs_065_AdIndex_v2.indd 65
PAGE #
53
29
43
50
23
13
59
32
33
21
8
CIRCLE #
ADVERTISER
40 Scott Safety
www.scottsafety.com
60 Showa Best Glove
www.showabestglove.com
10 STOKO Skin Care
www.stokoskincare.com/
9
Summit Training Source
www.safetyontheweb.com/
38 Sure Foot Corporation
www.duenorthproducts.com
20 3M
www.3m.com/RuggedComfort
19 TSI Incorporated
www.tsi.com
15 UL Workplace Health and Safety
www.ulworkplace.com
2
Walgreens B2B Gift Cards
Giftcards.b2bactivations@walgreens.com
39 Wiley X Eyewear
www.wileyx.com
1
Workrite Uniform
www.workrite.com/Nomex
12
Product Spotlights
24
72 Condor exclusively from Grainger
www.grainger.com/dispclothing
70 Deb USA
www.grittyfoam.com
77 Draeger
www.draeger.com
71 Encon Safety Products
www.enconsafety.com/
73 MCR Safety
www.mcrsafety.com
74 Pacific Handy Cutter
www.go-phc.com
www.pipusa.com
www.pipusa.com
58
47
1
15
39
57
61
PAGE #
CIRCLE #
COMPANY
PAGE #
31
78 Scott Safety
www.scottsafety.com
55
Product Literature
67
69 Scaffold Training Institute
www.scaffoldtraining.com
16
Respiratory Protection New Products
27
3
41
5
49
17
7
58
58
61
58
60
60
60
315 Allegro Industries, Inc.
310 Bullard
311 Magid Glove & Safety Mfg. Co.
312 Occupational Health Dynamics
314 Scott Safety
313 3M
316 3M
317 3M
61
64
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
28
New Products
304 Banner Engineering
303 The Bilco Company
300 Bridgeport Magnetics
302 Garlock Safety Systems
305 Handheld
301 Kafko
63
63
63
63
63
63
60
45
2
38
37
9
25
PRESIDENT & GROUP PUBLISHER | Kevin O’Grady
972-687-6731 kogrady@1105media.com
68
PUBLISHER | Karen Cavallo
760-610-0800 kcavallo@hmemediagroup.com
42
34-35
22
48
■ WEST DISTRICT SALES MANAGER
SALES MANAGER | Barbara Blake
972-687-6718 bblake@1105media.com
■ EAST DISTRICT SALES MANAGER
SALES MANAGER | Jenna Conwell
610-436-4372 jconwell@1105media.com
44
NOVEMBER 2013 |
65
10/15/13 3:54 PM
BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES
B Y RO B E R T PAT E R
Leadership Leverage
A
ll of those who work in the land of too little time,
shrunken resources, and high expectations could use
more leverage to make big things happen. “Leverage” is
an interesting term. True, some equate this with force or
intimidation, as in “I have leverage over that person,” or just having
an extra edge. Finance-oriented people may define leverage as using borrowed funds to realize much larger gains.
Physically, leverage means employing the right mechanics (often with lever and fulcrum) to be able to move something that’s too
heavy or bulky to maneuver with direct force. The common thread
in all cases? Leverage means increasing your power to get the most
from the least.
For wise leaders, well-applied leverage entails
influencing people toward getting positive results
with minimal effort—high-grading leaders’ ability
“to change the future” beyond where it was heading.
Leverage is key to boosting “productivity,” as defined by the mathematical formula of output divided
by input: P = O/I. From this perspective, you can
raise productivity in four ways:
1. Raise output with the same input. Increasing
the numerator means getting more out of existing resources. It might equate to “working harder” with the
same staff, equipment, and/or timelines or using preexisting safety
programming to break through static plateaus of performance.
2. Lower input while maintaining output. Decreasing the denominator could translate into cutting staff or their budgets while expecting them to take care of the same workload as when fully staffed.
3. Lower input while simultaneously raising output. Raising numerator and lowering denominator, in other words, reducing budgets and/or staff while they are expected to get even more done.
This might sound theoretically compelling (only to those not actually doing the work), but in my experience this is non-sustainable
over the long haul. Sure, many people are able to work harder with
fewer resources and support for a limited time. But after a while
with no relief in sight, they often fatigue, get distracted, become
disillusioned, or burn out. Injuries, presenteeism (they’re there in
body but not fully in mind), absenteeism, disengagement, quality
issues, and accidents soon rise.
4. Raising output proportionally higher than raising input. This
typically means investing in changes (in equipment, procedures,
training, etc.) where the payback outpaces the investment. For example, purchasing PPE for a fraction of the costs of the injuries
they help prevent or releasing time for critical staff to plan a more
effective safety intervention, where release time is minimal compared to improvements in engagement, safety performance, communications, and smoother flow of production.
For many companies, this fourth strategy can be a realistic approach to leveraging productivity.
In his classic book “High Output Management,” Intel founder
Andrew Grove pointed to three types of leadership leverage for attaining maximum output from minimum input:
1. Influencing one person over a period of time. Examples of this
66
1113ohs_066_pater_v2.indd 66
might be a focused performance review, meeting with a worker to
set clearer expectations, anchoring praise for a job well done, etc.
2. Influencing many people at once. A typical example of this
“batching” approach would be broadcasting information to many
at the same time via email, conference call, or in person.
3. Influencing many people over time. This includes effective
training that changes skills and actions; creating policies and procedures that many can use into the future; hiring a lead, supervisor, or manager who changes the approach or culture; thorough
safety investigations that are realistic and internally publicized;
and more.
In addition to Grove’s three approaches, I propose a fourth:
Simultaneous Thinking, which is accomplishing
multiple objectives at the same time, such as making
plans and taking ensuing actions that simultaneously
elevate safety communications, safer actions, worker
engagement, managerial commitment, and quality.
There are several ways leaders can heighten their
leverage. One is to activate others. I think of leadership as “making positive things happen by working
through others.” It’s less what a leader does himself
or herself that makes the largest impact on the organization; it’s what he or she can bring about. Or,
going back to Grove, “Activity does not equal output.” The strongest
leaders make things happen.
Practical training for supervisors and managers should both inspire and provide them with tangible skills for making real change
occur, for passing the message and methods on for better and lasting performance. We’ve worked with another practical and proven
way to accomplish this: developing and then working through peer
change agents. Ranae Adee, former safety manager at a Pfizer plant,
carefully chose employees to become trained in a safety system,
then provided the time and support to catalyze improvements in
daily actions. Results were highly successful on multiple levels. Ranae said, “It was like we added 14 people to the safety office.”
Leaders also can heighten leverage by changing their “position.”
No, I don’t mean being on both sides of an issue like a gladhanding
politician (this will backfire, reducing credibility); I’m referring to
employing the Proximity Principle (similar in physics to the Moment Arm Principle and the Universal Gravitational Law). In other
words, the closer two objects are, the more pull/influence they exert on the other. On an injury prevention level, getting closer to
an object you wish to move/push/pull/lift (within limits) both increases ability to exert strength and reduces forces concentrating in
the lower back. In terms of leadership, making “closer” contact and
communications heightens influence.
Artfully selecting, applying, and sometimes combining Grove’s
three leverage approaches with working through others and
shrinking communication distance can help leaders create more
and better output with minimal time and input.
Robert Pater (rpater@MasteringSafety.com) is Managing Director, Strategic Safety Associates and MoveSMART®, www.MasteringSafety.com.
www.ohsonline.com
10/10/13 10:30 AM
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CIRCLE 10 ON CARD
Untitled-9 1
10/1/13 2:25 PM
bring it on.
I take pride in my job. In the trench, it’s me, my jackhammer
and falling rock. Down there, the only things tougher than
my environment are my Oliver boots. Thanks to them, the
last thing on my mind is my feet.
For more information on Oliver boots, visit
www.oliversafetyboots.com.
Over 125 years of proven performance in Australia’s toughest industries, now available in the U.S.A.
Build a culture of safety. Honeywell can help.
CIRCLE 3 ON CARD
Untitled-3 1
10/8/13 4:14 PM

November 2013

Transcription

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