mrsoshasafety

Protruding steel reinforcing bars must be guarded.  Impalement onto rebar can cause serious internal injuries or death.

Acceptable methods of rebar protection are bending rebar so exposed ends are no longer upright or the use of rebar caps or wooden troughs.

All rebar caps are not created equal.  The OSHA Standard states that rebar “be guarded to eliminate the hazard of impalement.”  Sometimes the force caused by the fall can cause the rebar to push through a plastic cap and impale the worker…in violation of the above Standard.

California does not allow mushroom caps to be used for rebar protection.  Not so at the federal level.  According to Standard Interpretation Letter dated 5/29/1997.  “There is no change in OSHA policy nor is there a ban on the general use of the small plastic (mushroom) rebar caps as recommended by their manufacturer.”  The letter further states that when working at grade, mushroom caps protect against abrasions and cuts.  It is the employer’s responsibility to determine the proper way to protect workers from impalement hazards.

Only rebar caps offering impalement protection (usually with steel reinforcement) should be used when workers are working at height above rebar. 

Fall prevention/protection is the first line of defense against impalement hazards.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the number of nonfatal injuries decreased 7% from 2007 to 2008. 

In 2008, the severity of injury required an employee to take 8 days to recuperate compared to 7 days away from work in 2007.

Injuries to workers 55-64 increased 3%.

Injuries to workers 65 and older , increased 13%.

Injuries to Hispanic workers increased 10%.

In 2008, sprain or strain injuries accounted for 39% of the injuries.  40% of these injuries were back injuries.

By reviewing the above statistics, you can determine if your workers fall into any of the above categories.  Also, determine what activities could result in a sprain or strain.  Concentrate on these areas for the next few months.  If you need a tailgate safety meeting for back injuries, contact me at tpenewell@mrsoshasafety.com and I’ll send you tailgate meetings covering these hazards—FREE!

The number of workers dying on the job decreased in 2008. This is due in part to fewer workers working. In fact, the numbers and percentages of deaths decreased in all areas.  Fewer workers died from falls or from vehicle accidents for example. The only statistic that is on the rise is the number of suicides in the workplace.  Suicides rose to 28% in 2008.

This is an alarming statistic and given this difficult economy, there may not be good news for awhile.  When we are worried about layoffs, having to do more work with fewer people, survivor’s guilt (why do I still have a job when others don’t) we can see how workplace stress is growing leading to overburdened individuals to take a permanent solution to a temporary problem. 

These are strange times.  No one has a road map.  You have to take care of yourself and do what you can to manage stress.  A few suggestions:

Get away.  Take a walk at lunch or break.  Even getting up and walking away from a stressful situation helps. 

Laugh.  Humor is not always appropriate (for example, funerals, serious family situations, etc.), but try not to take the situation too seriously and when possible find humor in what’s going on.

Talk to someone.  This should be someone you trust.  Sharing your burdens with a valued friend helps reduce stress.

And, please, if you feel suicide is the only answer, stop, call someone and get immediate help!

During fit testing and respiratory training, we ask students how they determine when a cartridge needs to be replaced.  We usually receive these responses:  no answer just a deer in headlight expression, I don’t know, or when I smell something.  None of these meet OSHA regulations.  In fact, OSHA states relying on odors will not be permitted as the primary basis for determining service life.

Did you know your respiratory protection policy must contain a respirator cartridge exchange schedule?  This change schedule indicates how often cartridges need to be replaced and criteria used to make this decision.  The service life of a cartridge is the time it provides protection from chemicals in the air.  Service life depends on amount of contaminants in the air, temperature, humidity, the filtering capacity of the cartridge, air flow through the filter, work rate, other contaminants and the wearer’s breathing rate.

OSHA requires that employers determine this service life using test data, mathematical estimates or information provided by either the chemical or respirator manufacturers.  OSHA further requires that employers should be conservative when determining a realistic cartridge service life. 

The 3 valid ways to estimate a cartridge’s service life are:

1.      Experimental Tests.   This is a more accurate service life, but can take time and money to perform tests.

2.   Manufacturer’s Recommendations.  Accurate estimate, but may not take into account all your workplace variables.

3.   Math Method.  Not as accurate as experimental testing and may result in a shorter service life due to conservative assumptions.

The OSHA website provides a “Rule of Thumb” tool http://tinyurl.com/yfnkp58 that provides an estimate of cartridge service life that can be used in conjunction with one of the 3 methods discussed above.

Service life is critical.  Just wearing a respirator with a cartridge doesn’t provide protection if the cartridge no longer has filtering capabilities.

Respirators protect workers from a variety of hazards—chemical, biological and radiation.  Some of these hazards involve immediate life-threatening or may protect workers from hazards when performing ordinary tasks.

The goal of the respirator is to seal off and isolate the wearer’s respiratory system.  This allows work  to be performed in a hazardous atmosphere

To correctly select the proper respirator, it is necessary to know what airborne hazards are present in the work environment.

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approves respirators and respirators fall in 3 main categories.

1.      Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators (Usually discarded when done—sometimes called N95 respirators.)

The N95 respirator is the most commonly used respirator. N95 translates:  not resistant to oil and filters against 95% of the airborne particles. (See table below.)

2.   Elastomeric Respirators (Reusable)

3.   Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR)

*High Efficiency Particulate Air.

The two most common types of Particle filtering respirators are filtering and elastomeric.  Elastomeric respirators have a facepiece and replaceable cartridges.

If your respirator is NIOSH approved, it has a NIOSH approval number.  Usually this number is found on the packaging, not on the respirator itself.  Both an approval label and instructions come with all NIOSH-approved respirators.

OSHA has a great video showing how to put on, wear and take off respirators.  Click here for free training video.  http://tinyurl.com/yhdu9n4

If your employees need to wear respirators, your company needs a respirator policy that meets federal or state guidelines. 

Now is a good time to review your Safety Program to determine if it is fully implemented and you are current with your safety requirements.

First thing is to find your safety manual, dust it off and review it.  If you know where it is, kudos.  Check the following:

·       Is the company address and phone numbers correct?

·       Are the key personnel listed in safety program still with the company?

·       Review your inspection schedule.  Are you inspecting to this schedule.  Do you know where these inspection reports are?

·       Review your safety training requirements.  Did you train new employees when they were hired?  Were employees trained if new processes or equipment were added to the workplace?  How about ongoing training?  Many state OSHA’s require that construction workers attend tailgate safety meetings.  Do you comply?  This training must be documented.  Do you have the sign in sheets for this training?

·       Managers, supervisors, foremen, etc. need additional training so they can successfully do their job from a safety standpoint.  Often workers are promoted because they do a good job, but do not receive appropriate training to deal with the hazards the employees they are supervising are exposed to.  OSHA requires these employees receive additional training corresponding to their position.

·       Do you have policies and procedures covering all hazards.  All companies need policies for:  emergencies, accidents, inspections and training.  If you have chemicals, a hazard communication policy is required.  You might need a policy for one of these (not a complete list):  lockout/tagout, confined space, excavations, fall protection and scaffolding. 

·       About half the states have a state plan and these state OSHA plans may have unique requirements that must be followed.  All other states fall under federal guidelines. 

Regulations change—you must be compliant and aware of the latest laws.  Ignorance of the law is no defense to a citation.  Current regulations are updated on the corresponding OSHA website.  Go to http://tinyurl.com/yzoklua for a link to the each of the state OSHA websites or federal OSHA.

If you need help or have any questions, call us at 800-200-0888.

REMEMBER

·       Poor safe work habits can lead to legal difficulties

·       Safety Compliance can affect the ability of the Company to bid for and obtain work.

·       Supervisors can have individual liability.

·       The purpose of an effective safety program is not avoiding OSHA citations, but preventing exposure.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to train employees on the health and safety requirements of their job.

It is up to the employer to design, conduct, evaluate and revise the training they provide.  Job safety training is money well spent.  Safety training reduces injuries, creates better morale among workers and reduces workers’ comp costs.

OSHA training should follow these steps:

Step 1.  Determine if training is needed.  Training should be provided before an accident occurs.  Before they start a task, train employees on how to do the job and how to use equipment safely.

Step 2.  Identify training needs.  Start with a job hazard analysis. Develop a step-by-step process of the job being done. Look for critical areas, where is the employee most at risk.  Where could an employee be injured?  What can be done to protect employee from hazards?  For example, in a lifting situation, employee is taught to lift with legs not back or in a cutting situation, safety glasses may be required to protect eyes from dust or flying debris.

If you notice an increase in a specific type of injury, this is a clear indication that training is required to eliminate or reduce those types of accidents.

Watch employees.  Are they working safe?  Do you see unsafe acts?

Step 3.  Identify objectives.  What do you want your employees to learn?  Be specific.   For example:  After Back Safety Training employees should be able to perform lifts using proper lifting techniques.

Step 4.  Develop learning activities.  Will the training be provided individually or in a group?  What training method will be used; demonstration, lecture, or role playing?  What material will be used to provide training; videos, or power point?  Will you use an in house trainer or outside safety consultant?

Step 5.  Conduct the training. Training consists of  1) Provide overview of material; 2) Relate information to audience; and 3) Reinforce and summarize objectives and key points.  Better said, tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them.

Step 6.  Evaluate effectiveness.  This can be done with student evaluations, supervisor observations and workplace improvements.

As you can see, providing effective safety training is complex.  Outsourcing safety training to M.R.S. OSHA Safety  (800-200-0888)  or other experienced, skilled instructors makes this simple for employers while providing top-notch training for employees. 

Whether you do the training yourself or outsource it, the main thing is to provide safety training.  Training protects not only your employees, but also your company.

Do you know when you or your employees need to wear high-visibility gear?  Do you know what level of protection is needed? Are you in compliance with current regulations?

On November 24, 2008, a new federal regulation, 23CFR634, went into effect mandating that anyone working in the right-of-way of a federal-aid highway must wear high-visibility clothing.

Part 634 states:  "All workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to construction equipment within the work area shall wear high-visibility safety apparel."

But who are workers?  According to Part 634 - "Workers means people on foot whose duties place them within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway, such as highway construction and maintenance forces; survey crews; utility crews; responders to incidents within the highway right-of-way; firefighters and other emergency responders when they are not directly exposed to flame, fire, heat, and/or hazardous materials; and law enforcement personnel when directing traffic, investigating crashes, and handling lane closures, obstructed roadways, and disasters within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway."

Consider these factors when determining what type of clothing is needed:

·                   Speed and volume of traffic through workzone.

·                   Time of day - there is less visibility at night.

·                   Workzone activity - are there lots of construction vehicles and all kinds of work being done?

·                   Type of activity worker is performing - Is worker focused on task at hand or watching oncoming traffic?

·                   Proximity to traffic and other construction vehicles.

High Visibility Clothing must meet ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards and comes in 3 types- class 1, class 2 or class 3 garments.  Class 1 provides the least level of visibility and class 3 provides the greatest amount of fluorescent and reflective material.

Hari Kalla from the Federal Highway Administration offers the following suggestions:

Class 3 clothing is recommended for the following:

·                   Anyone with a high task load and works close to moving equipment or traffic at high speeds.

·                   Night workers.

·                   "Cluttered" work zones with high levels of activity.

·                   Workers with no separation between them and traffic.

·                   This might include:  roadway construction personnel, utility workers, survey crews and emergency response personnel.

·                    

Class 2 clothing is recommended for the following:

·                   Flaggers (mandatory that flaggers wear class 2 garments; class 3 is suggested for night time flagging).

·                   When more visibility is needed due to bad weather.

·                   When the workzone is complex and cluttered.

·                   This might include:  Forestry operations, ship cargo loading operations, roadway construction personnel, utility workers, survey crews and school crossing guards in traffic, delivery drivers, high-volume parking and/or toll gate personnel, emergency response personnel, law enforcement personnel, trash collection and recycling and accident site investigators.

Class 1 garments cannot be worn to comply with 23CFR634.

Class 1 clothing is recommended for the following:

·                   Worker's attention is fully on oncoming traffic.

·                   Where there is separation between the worker and traffic.

·                   This might include:  parking lot attendants, people retrieving shopping carts and some delivery drivers.

Policemen and firefighters are required to wear high visibility clothing in certain situations.  Policemen are not required to wear high visibility clothing in "adversarial or confrontational" roles.  This gives them the ability to protect themselves (for example, by pulling a weapon) during traffic stops and searches.  However, police officers must wear high visibility clothing when directing traffic, investigating crashes and handling lane closures.

Firefighters failed to ask for any exemptions prior to the November effective date.  Afterwards, they became concerned that if they wore high visibility clothing over their turnouts this might put them at added risk during a fire.  Effective July 15, 2009, firefighters are exempt from wearing high-visibility apparel when exposed to hazardous conditions where the use of such apparel may increase the risk of injury to the firefighter.

Whether you're a firefighter, a police officer, a construction worker, a surveyor or crossing school guard, wear high visibility apparel so you are able to be seen by road traffic. 

Don't be one of the 100 workers killed in a work zone every year!

Look for unusual conditions in chemical storage areas, such as:

·         improper storage of chemicals

·         leaking or deteriorating containers

·         spilled chemicals

·         temperature extremes (too hot or cold in storage area)

·         lack of or low lighting levels

·         blocked exits or aisles

·         doors blocked open, lack of security

·         trash accumulation

·         smoking or open lights or matches

·         fire equipment blocked, broken or missing

·         lack of information or warning signs ("No Smoking", "Flammable Liquids", "Acids", "Corrosives", "Poisons", Chemical Storage")

Any of these conditions should be corrected immediately.

Routine inspections of chemical storage areas will help to correct deficiencies and prevent accidents.

Look around your workplace--how do you store your chemicals?  During inspections, I notice that usually chemicals are stored (or not stored) randomly all over the workplace.  They are left where they were last used or shoved back onto shelves with newer chemicals placed in front of them.  Shelves are overcrowded and workers have to move stuff around to reach the required container.

When it comes to hazardous materials, we know it's important to have a written policy, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS's) and train employees on how to work with chemicals safely, BUT it is also extremely important to store these substances safely.  Chemicals must be stored in accordance with strict OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations.  Improper storing and handling can lead to serious consequences.  Materials Handling and Storage Regulations are found in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart N.  Store everything according to OSHA's general storage requirements. 

Storage Basics

Storage of material must not create a hazard.  Aisles and passageways must be kept clear.  Material must be stored securely.  Storage areas shall be kept free from accumulation of materials that constitute hazards from tripping, fire or explosion.

In addition to the basics, OSHA has specific chemical storage requirements (see 29 CFR 1910 Subpart H).  These requirements are based on the type of chemical, its container and even on how it's used.  For example, in the Flammable and Combustible Liquids section, is information on how much of a chemical that can be on the premises, what kind of storage cabinet is needed and even where you can or cannot put that storage cabinet.

Before a chemical can be stored properly, we need to know its hazards.  This is where the MSDS comes in.  An MSDS provides us with all data known about a chemical including its hazards.  Chemical hazards are: flammable/combustible, reactive, toxic, explosive, oxidizing, carcinogenic, and corrosive.  Than can be health hazards.  When trying to determine these hazards, review these sections.

Physical/Chemical Characteristics Section

This gives information on the physical properties of a chemical, including its color and odor so it can be identified.  Under what conditions is it a liquid, solid or vapor.  What are the freezing or boiling points.  Is it an acid or base.

Fire/Explosion Section

This section describes how to prevent a fire or explosion when storing and using the product.

Reactivity Section

This section tells you under which conditions dangerous chemical reactions can occur. How to avoid dangerous mixtures and how to use appropriate storage methods.

Health Hazards Section

This section includes information on acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) health effects, signs and symptoms. It gives first aid procedures to follow in an emergency.

Hazardous Materials Storage Rules:

Store like chemicals together and away from chemicals that might cause a reaction if mixed.

All chemicals should be labeled and dated.

Flammable materials should be stored in approved, dedicated, flammable materials storage cabinet.

Liquids should be stored in unbreakable or double-contained packaging or storage cabinet should have the capacity to hold the contents if the container breaks.

No flames or hot work in flammable/combustible storage area.

Remember, while it is important to work safely when using chemicals, it is just as important to store hazardous materials safely according to MSDS and OSHA requirements.

This weekend marks the end of daylight saving time and many

experts believe the danger of traffic accidents increases due to the

time change.

Night falls an hour earlier and the commute home from work or

school will likely be in the dark. The change of waking time coupled with earlier nightfall, throws off our internal clock. It can take as long as two weeks for our bodies to adjust.

We have a fundamental problem in our current 24/7 society that we are somewhat sleep deprived. Small adjustments in sleep schedules can have some negative impact on our motor skills.  The shift from daylight saving to standard time this weekend could put drivers at greater risk of traffic accidents on their Monday commute—and maybe even for the next couple of weeks.

Extra Care Needed

People should be especially careful when driving home after a

long, hard day at work. Dark roads added to end-of-day exhaustion and stress is a recipe for disaster.  Caffeinated beverage can help you with your commute home.  Drivers aren’t the only ones which may be at risk.

Pedestrian fatalities following the time change jumped dramatically, before dropping again in December.  The difficulty adjusting to the end of daylight savings time was a major factor in these fatal accidents.

What Fatigue Does

With the switch from daylight saving to standard time comes sleep

deprivation for those who have trouble adjusting, which means

more sleepy drivers on the road.  When you drive tired, the risk of having an accident goes way up.  That’s because not getting enough sleep negatively affects your:

-Judgment, making it more likely that you’ll make mistakes and take risks

-Concentration, allowing your mind to wander and increasing the chances of being distracted

-Reflexes, slowing your reaction time

-Alertness, increasing the chance that you’ll miss important traffic cues

-Mood, putting you in a bad mood and leaving you unmotivated

Research shows that inattention and other mental lapses contribute to as many as half of all crashes. While fatigue may not be involved in all these crashes, it clearly contributes to many of them.

You may be exempt from wearing a hard hat; however, you will be required to obtain a “Certificate of Exemption” from management.

If you have a “hard head” and believe that your head meets OSHA requirements for head protection, you do not need to wear a hard hat.

Upon successful completion of testing, you will receive a wallet-sized card stating your head conforms to ANSI Z89.2-2003. You must carry this card with you at all times. Test procedures require the following:

1. Impact Test. While lying horizontally, with your head resting on a 0.75 inch steel plate, an 8 pound steel ball will be dropped several times from a height of 15 feet. Your head will pass if there is no damage.

2. Chemical Resistance Test – Your head will be subjected to a variety of acids, gasses, solvents, oils and industrial gasses. You must pass with no deformities.

3. Fire Resistance Test – Your head will be subjected to a torch for five minutes. If it is slowly burning, you will achieve a Class “E” or “G” rating. If holes appear in your head, you will receive a “C” rating.

4. Electrical Resistance Test – Your head must sustain 2200 volts AC, 60 HZ for 3 minutes with leakage currents not exceeding 9 mille amperes.

5. All tests must be conducted at a variety of temperatures ranging from minus 20 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you do not feel that your head will meet all of the above requirements, do not despair, your hard hat does.

If you do not have an exemption certificate, you will be required to wear your hard hat.

Kids love Halloween.  I know I did and still have fond memories of the fun of Trick or Treating on Halloween.  Nothing has changed, kids are still excited and focused on the candy and costumes—not necessarily on safety.  Safety rules are not a damper on fun, but a precaution to ensure that our little princesses, pirates, ghosts and goblins come home safely.  Some Halloween Safety Tips:

Make sure that costume is safe—eye holes are large enough and costume fits correctly so that the holes fit over the child’s eyes.  Costume shouldn’t drag on the ground and be a tripping hazard.

Costumes should have reflective tape or child should carry a flash light or glow stick.

Trick-or-Treaters should be accompanied by an adult (or responsible teenager).    Little ones may become frightened of people wearing scary costumes.

If kids are old enough to go unaccompanied, know their route and have a curfew.  Stress the importance of coming home on time and staying with the group.

Don’t cut across fields or back yards.

Warn them not to into cars or go into homes of strangers.

Kids should not eat any of their goodies until after it has been examined by a parent.

There is a difference between tricks and vandalism.  Throwing eggs at cars and houses may seem like a good idea at the time, but eggs can cause serious damage.  Tell children no tricks with eggs.

Tricks involving animals are not acceptable.  Make sure your child will not give in to peer pressure.  Harming animals is animal cruelty and punishable by law.  Tell children no tricks involving animals.

Halloween is not only a fun night for kids, but adults love to dress up and party on Halloween. 

If you are driving wearing your costume, make sure you can see well enough (don’t forget peripheral vision) to drive safely.

Don’t drink and drive.

Drive slowly in neighborhoods and expect the unexpected.  Kids have a habit of dashing into the street from between parked cars, so be alert.

Let’s make sure that everyone has fond memories of Halloween by staying safe.

If a worker is injured in the workplace, the remedy is to file a worker’s compensation claim.  Workers compensation is a form of insurance that provides medical care and salary compensation for employees injured in the course of their employment.  It also involves the mandatory relinquishment of the employee’s right to sue his employer.

An interesting case in Florida allows an injured worker to sue his employer over an injury that was originally submitted as a worker’s comp claim. 

 (Schroeder v. Peoplease Corp, No. 1D08-4247 Fla. 1^st Dist. Ct. App. 09/25/09)

A truck driver was rearranging his load, when he suffered heart problems.  He filed for worker’s compensation benefits.  The employer filed a notice of denial.  Employer stated heart problem was a preexisting condition and did not occur as a result of his employment.  A preexisting condition is a recognized defense for denying  workers’ comp benefits. 

Truck driver then filed a negligence lawsuit against his employer.  Trial court originally dismissed the case, stating that employer was immune from suit—that he could not sue his company because workers’ comp was his avenue of recourse.  HOWEVER, The Florida District Court of appeals reversed that decision and is allowing the negligent case to proceed. 

The court decided that since the employer determined that injury was not eligible for workers comp and was not caused by employment; then the employee was free to pursue additional legal means.

Sometimes we forget that for every action there is a reaction.  Don’t know who is wrong/right.  Just know this is a fascinating case and can’t wait for the next act.

What can be done to prevent getting sick?

According to the CDC: 

Best thing is to get flu shots. This year, 2 different flu shots are offered. The first is the seasonal flu vaccine and the second vaccine is protection for H1N1 flu. The following are the recommended groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months, healthcare and emergency medical personnel, people between 6 months to 24, and people between 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Cover nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze. THROW tissue in TRASH immediately after using it.

Wash hands often. Use soap and water. If not available, use an alcohol based hand wash.

Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth—germs are spread this way. H1N1 germs can live on doorknobs and other surfaces for 2 to 8 hours.

If you get sick:

Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

Try to stay away from others as much as possible to avoid spreading the flu. 

Be prepared to stay home for about a week, if you become sick.

Be prepared in case you get sick, you will probably be home for at least a week.

Wash your hands with soap and water (or an alcohol rub) after every sneeze or cough.

If a family member becomes sick, it is safe for you to go to work unless you develop flu symptoms.

There is a pandemic occurring, take every precaution to keep yourself and your family safe.

Government Accounting Office (GAO) reports problems in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). 800,000 people work in the over 2200 companies currently in the VPP. Once in VPP, they are exempt from an OSHA programmed inspection.

According to OSHA's website: "The VPP promotes effective worksite-based safety an health. Approval into VPP is OSHA's official recognition of the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health.

GAO wants OSHA to strengthen the program's oversight activities. The main question, "What action does OSHA take when there is an injury or death at a VPP site?"

Between 2003 and 2008, there were 32 fatalities at 30 VPP sites. There was no documentation in the files as to whether these companies should remain in VPP. In addition, a company must have an average injury rate lower than those of like industries. In 12% of the VPP companies, their injury rate was as much as 7.5% higher.

Like the aviators in Top Gun, these VPP companies are supposed to be "the Best of the Best". If OSHA does not have the manpower to review these companies, this task could be outsourced to the private industry. This would provide a needed check and balance on this program.

A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) study came up with information that confirmed what many of us suspected. Texting while driving increases your chance of an accident by 23%. The study further reports that texting is the most dangerous cell phone activity while driving.


The study further reports that that anything that takes a driver's eyes from the road is hazardous. Texting has the longest duration of eyes off road -- equal to a driver traveling the length of a football field at 55 MPH.


The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that at least 25% of all police-reported crashes are due to driver inattention. Driver distraction is a form of inattention and responsible for more than half of these accidents.


To stay safe while driving, avoid distractions, whether you're changing stations on the radio, eating, drinking, reading a map or texting, it takes your eyes off the road and puts you at risk.

Temporary workers could benefit from a new video that provides occupational safety and health training.

The video or http://tinyurl.com/yzxxewn  includes a general safety orientation and six modules focusing on indentifying hazards at construction, landscaping, manufacturing and food distribution sites, warehouses and offices.

It is a product of an alliance among OSHA's Columbus, Ohio, Area Office, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, OSHA On-site Consultation, Staffmart, and the Ohio Staffing and Search Association.

Don't wear your personal protective equipment (PPE) and receive a $50 non-compliance ticket from the Yukon Health and Safety Board.  Starting July 1, not only will the worker receive a ticket, but also the Supervisor and Employer.  Supervisor's ticket is $250 and the employer's is $500.

"We still see far too many workplaces where preventing injuries is not enough," stated Board Director, Kurt Dieckmann,  "There is no leeway on this.  It is absolute zero tolerance."

Along with the ticket, violating workers and supervisors will be required to take an online PPE course offered through the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

Inspectors will be looking for workers not wearing work boots, safety glasses, hard hats, hearing protection, gloves or other needed PPE.

An employer can avoid a ticket if they can prove 3 things:  PPE was provided, employee received training on how to use PPE and was instructed to wear PPE when required. The supervisor may still be ticketed if workers under their control fail to wear appropriate PPE.

It is my opinion that a regulation fining U.S. workers for not following PPE safety rules is an excellent idea.  Most employers provide workers with PPE, training and wearing instructions, but workers just won't put their assigned safety gear on.  Go to any jobsite and you'll see workers either not wearing PPE or wearing it incorrectly (for example, hard hats worn backward).

This Yukon regulation confirms that employers are doing what is required.  The breakdown is at the supervisor/employee level and that is where exactly where the fines should be levied.

This law puts the onus where it belongs--on the worker.

Other than it is required by Federal and State law, why train?

UPS reports that it spends $38 million annually on safety training and this results in a savings to worker's comp of $87 million. This confirms what companies report -- every $1 spent on training results in a $3.00 savings.

In addition, 95% of business executives report that workplace safety has a positive effect on a companies financial performance.

In this financial climate, businesses look for ways to save money, cutting safety is never a good idea. Keep employees safe, keep training.