This standard has some sweeping changes.  However, these changes only affect cranes used in construction or cranes that are used for construction activities.  The rule goes into effect November 8, 2010.  Certain provisions have delayed effective dates from 1 to 4 years.

Revisions include:
• Operator certification and qualification requirements.
• Qualification for signal persons are specified.
• Requirement added for the use of qualified rigger when employees are in the fall zone to handle the load and for rigging operations during assembly/disassembly.

• Information exchange requirements between employers are specified regarding ground conditions.
• Pre-erection inspection of tower training.
• Employers must pay for the cost of operator certification for operators who they employ on the effective date of the final rule
• All pole work performed with digger derricks related to power transmission and telecommunications work are excluded and are covered by 1910.269.
• Operator certification test may be administered in a language understood by the operator candidate.
• Employers must comply with local and state licensing laws which will be considered to meet requirements of this final rule.
• Employers must comply with manufactures recommendations for the use of synthetic slings.

If you would like to review the 1070 pages of the crane standard. it's found here

http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2010-17818_PI.pdf

Heat stress is one of the most serious health hazards facing workers in the Gulf.  The risk from the heat and humidity is exacerbated by the long days worked and the protective equipment required, e.g. chemical resistant Tyvek coveralls, boots and gloves. More than 667 workers have already been treated for heat-related illness, some were very serious.

At OSHA's urging, BP has now implemented at all work sites a heat stress management plan that includes a matrix setting out specific work/rest requirements based on the heat, relative humidity, and the protective equipment worn.

Administrative or work practice controls of an effective heat program include:

• Acclimatize workers
• Replace fluids
• Reduce the physical demands
• Provide recovery areas
• Reschedule hot jobs
• Monitor workers

OSHA has more information on its website to help companies protect their workers from heat.  Remember, heat is dangerous, simple measures can save lives…be proactive…not reactive.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show 72 crane-related fatal occupational injuries in 2006.  These include all fatalities where the source of the injury was a crane, the secondary source of the injury was a crane, or where the worker activity was operating a crane.  Chart shows that 61% of the fatalities were caused when crane came in contact with objects or equipment. 

Properly trained operators and a well thought out and implemented crane policy can eliminate most accidents.  AGC of Colorado established a crane task force and published a free downloadable Mobile Crane User Guideline that can asist with your crane program.  Access it here.  
http://tinyurl.com/25q8fvr

OSHA is proposing legislation could put a business owner in prison up to 10 years with a felony conviction  if a worker dies on the job.  This sounds like a good idea on paper, but I think it will be a disaster if implemented.

The climate between OSHA and business is now adversarial.  There is no more working together.  If you have a good safety record, you are under reporting and if you have a bad safety record, then you are…well…bad.  An inordinate amount of new laws have been enacted and changed during this president’s administration.  Some of them are good, while some are draconian or ludicrous.

Whether you believe illegal aliens should be given immunity or not.  The botton line is they did do something wrong if they entered the country illegally.  Our government turns a blind eye to that, but business owners that are providing employment and a tax base for our communities are now the “bad guys” and have to be punished.

The world has gone mad

A heart attack is caused by a circulation problem, caused when one or more arteries delivering blood ot the heart is blocked.  Oxygen in the blood  cannot reach the heart muscle and the heart muscle becomes damaged.  This damage can lead to trouble with the heart’s electrical system.  This may lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest is caused by an electrical problem in the heart and results in the heart unable to beat.

Every year more than 250,000 Americans die from sudden cardiac arrest.  CPR  or cardiopulmonary  resuscitation is a key to survival. But CPR is more effective when coupled with an automated external defibrillator (AED).  An AED is a portable electronic device that is simple and easy for a non-medical person to use.  The AED talks a person through the process  of applying an electric shock that should start the heart to beat normally when a person suffers fron sudden cardiac arrest.

The cost of these devices has come down over the years and AED’s are now available for less than $1000.  As the price is reasonable, we want to encourage businesses, apartment buildings, public buildings, etc. to add AED’s to their first aid program.  The American Heart Association says that at least 20,000 lives could be saved annually with prompt use of AED’s.

The key to success is early intervention.  Get First Aid/CPR/AED training today—the life you save may be your loved one.

With this heat wave, companies and workers must do everything they can to keep safe.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat illnesses and what to do in an emergency situation.

Know what Federal OSHA  will look for when they come out.  California has an extensive heat regulation and requires companies to have a written program.  See http://tinyurl.com/258fsrt for help in complying with California regulations..

Know how to protect yourself while working in heat.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT ILLNESS

Heat-related illnesses occur when a body is unable to cool itself.   Older workers, workers in poor physical condition, workers with a poor diet or employees taking certain medications are more at risk.  Some heat-related illnesses are: heat rash, heat cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Heat stroke is the most serious and can result in death. However it is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of all heat-related disorders.

The following symptoms are commonly associated with the different heat illness medical conditions. Given the variability in recognition and reporting of heat illness symptoms, the information listed below should be used only as a general guideline.

Heat Rash (Prickly Heat) - Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating and clogged pores during hot, humid weather. 

General Symptoms:

·       Can cover large parts of the body

·       Looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters

·       Often occurs on the neck, chest, groin, under the breasts, or in elbow creases

·       Uncomfortable so it can disrupt sleep and work performance

·       Complicated by infections

Workers experiencing heat rash should:

·       Try to work in a cooler, less humid environment when possible.

·       Keep the affected area dry.

·       Dusting powder may be used to increase comfort.

Heat Cramps - Heat cramps affect people who sweat a lot during strenuous work activity. Sweating makes the body loose salts and fluids and minerals. If only the fluids are replaced and not the salts and minerals painful muscles cramps may result. 

General Symptoms:

·       Painful muscle spasms in the stomach, arms, legs, and other body parts may occur after work or at night.     

Workers with heat cramps should:

·       Stop all activity, and sit in a cool place.

·       Drink water.

·       Do not return to strenuous work for a few hours after the cramps

subside because further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

·       Seek medical attention if any of the following apply:

o   The worker has heart problems.

o   The worker is on a low-sodium diet.

o   The cramps do not subside within one hour.

Fainting (Heat Syncope) - Employees who stand for long periods or suddenly get up from a sitting or lying position when working in the heat may experience sudden dizziness and fainting. In both cases, the fainting is caused by a lack of adequate blood supply to the brain. Dehydration and lack of acclimatization to work in warm or hot environments can increase the susceptibility to fainting. Victims normally recover consciousness rapidly after they faint. 

General Symptoms:

·       Sudden dizziness

·       Light-headedness

·       Unconsciousness

Workers with heat syncope should:

·       Sit or lie down in a cool place when they begin to feel symptoms.

·       Slowly drink water, clear juice, or a sports beverage.

·       If they have or are fainting, call 911, notify their supervisor and make arrangement for transportation to medical facility.

Heat Exhaustion - Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and the salt contained in sweat. Older employees or those with high blood pressure are more susceptible to heat exhaustion.  Cool temperature is not a valid indicator of a normal body temperature.  Although the skin feels cool the internal body temperature may be dangerously high and a serious medical condition may exist.

General Symptoms:

·       Heavy sweating

·       Painful muscle cramps

·       Extreme weakness and/or fatigue

·       Nausea and/or vomiting

·       Dizziness and/or headache

·       Body temperature normal or slightly high

·       Fainting

·       Pulse fast and weak

·       Breathing fast and shallow

·       Clammy, pale, cool, and/or moist skin

Workers with heat exhaustion should:      

·       Move to cool area and replace fluids.

·       If needed, call 9-1-1.

Heatstroke - Heatstroke is usually fatal unless emergency medical treatment is provided promptly. 

General Symptoms:

·       No sweating because the body cannot release heat or cool    down

·       Mental confusion, delirium, convulsions, dizziness

·       Hot and dry skin (e.g., red, bluish, or mottled)

·       Muscles may twitch uncontrollably

·       Pulse can be rapid and weak

·       Throbbing headache, shallow breathing, seizures and/or fits

·       Unconsciousness and coma

·       Body temperature may range from 102 - 104 °F or higher within 10-15 minutes

If the muscles begin to twitch uncontrollably, keep the person from self-injury. Do not place any objects in the mouth.

Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until emergency medical treatment is provided to the victim.

Workers with heat stroke should:     

·       Get medical help immediately.

·       Move employee to shady area and remove outer clothing.

·       Wet skin and increase air movement around worker.

·       Give fluids to drink.

NEVER leave a suspected heat stroke victim alone or let them go home.

Always seek medical help.

 OSHA extimates that over 1,000,000 million forklifts are used at U.S. workplaces.  Accidents like the one above occur all to often.  OSHA specific training regulations went into effect in December 1999.  These new training regulations save 100 lives a year.

Items covered during training are:  keep all body parts in cab and lockout/tagout equipment before working on it.  Following these 2 simple rules would have saved this operator’s life.  Because forklifts are so widely used, operator’s underestimate their dangers and hazards.

The standard requires employers to develop and implement a training program based on the general principles of safe truck operation, the types of vehicle(s) being used in the workplace, the hazards of the workplace created by the use of the vehicle(s), and the general safety requirements of the OSHA standard.

Trained operators must know how to do the job properly and do it safely as demonstrated by workplace evaluation. Formal (lecture, video, etc.) and practical (demonstration and practical exercises) training must be provided.

Employers must also certify that each operator has received the training and evaluate each operator at least once every three years.

Prior to operating the truck in the workplace, the employer must evaluate the operator's performance and determine the operator to be competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely.

Refresher training is needed whenever an operator demonstrates a deficiency in the safe operation of the truck.

Training shall consist of a combination of formal instruction (e.g., lecture, discussion, interactive computer learning, video tape, written material), practical training (demonstrations performed by the trainer and practical exercises performed by the trainee), and evaluation of the operator's performance in the workplace.

I do a lot of forklift training for my clients and I appreciate the work, but bringing this training in-house is a good move.  It makes since economically and from a safety standpoint.  If you don’t want to take the time to develop your own safety training program, buying a training package makes sense. 

Sorry for this cheap shameless plug, but you might want to check us out if you are looking for a train-the-trainer forklift package.  If you want more info, go to http://tinyurl.com/2dt2xkx

The implementation of the GHS can have numerous benefits for governments, business and industry, and public interest and labour groups. Implementing the GHS also provides a number of international benefits.  It is anticipated that application of the GHS will:

·         Enhance the protection of human health and the environment by providing an internationally comprehensible system,

·         Provide a recognized framework to develop regulations for those countries without existing systems,

·         Facilitate international trade in chemicals whose hazards have been identified on an international basis,

·         Reduce the need for testing and evaluation against multiple classification systems.

·         The GHS can also support the implementations of the Millennium Development Goals to “ensure environmental sustainability”.

The tangible benefits to governments are:

·         Fewer chemical accidents and incidents,

·         Lower health care costs,

·         Improved protection of workers and the public from chemical hazards,

·         Avoiding duplication of effort in creating national systems,

·         Reduction in the costs of enforcement,

·         Improved reputation on chemical issues, both domestically and internationally.

Benefits to business and industry include:

·         A safer work environment and improved relations with employees,

·         An increase in efficiency and reduced costs from compliance with hazard communication regulations,

·         Application of expert systems resulting in maximizing expert resources and minimizing labor and costs,

·         Expanded use of training programs on health and safety,

·         Reduced costs due to fewer accidents and illnesses,

·         Improved corporate image and credibility.

Benefits to workers and the public include:

·         Improved safety for workers and others through consistent and simplified communications on chemical hazards and practices to follow for safe handling and use,

·         Greater awareness of hazards, resulting in safer use of chemicals in the workplace and in the home.

The purpose of the GHS is to promote common, consistent criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health, physical and environmental hazards, and to encourage the use of compatible hazard labels, material safety data sheets for workers, and other hazard communication information based on the resulting classifications.

Now, OSHA is in the process of adopting these requirements for American workplaces.   The standardization will ultimately be good news for all concerned, facilitating improvements to both efficiency and worker safety. However, in the short term, the implementation of the GHS will require changes in all American workplace hazcom and other safety programs-including new labels and MSDS’s.

Fed-OSHA announced a proposed rule to revise and remove requirements within OSHA standards that are confusing, outdated, duplicates or inconsistent.  One of the changes is to General Industry Subpart E:  The title of this subpart is “Means of Egress” with a proposed name change to “Exit Routes and Emergency Planning”.  Which is a definite improvement.

 
While this is a simple change, it does provide clarity.  Besides General Industry Standards, Maritime, Construction and Agricultural changes are proposed. 

Maybe California should get on board and update their regulations.  In California, regulations allow an employer to notify Cal-OSHA by telephone or telegraph of a serious workplace injury or death, but not by fax or email.

This always makes me laugh, does anyone know how to send a telegram?  Are telegrams still around or did they go away with buggy whips?