OSHA Requests Comments on Proposed Updates to Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting Requirements
     OSHA is requesting public comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking announced in the June 22 Federal Register that updates two aspects of the agency's recordkeeping and reporting requirements for work-related injuries and illnesses. Comments must be submitted by Sept. 20, 2011.
     Under the proposal, employers would be required to report to OSHA any work-related fatalities and in-patient hospitalizations within eight hours, and work-related amputations within 24 hours. Under the current regulation, employers are required to report any work-related fatality and only work-related in-patient hospitalizations of three or more workers and are not required to report amputations. OSHA is also proposing to update Appendix A of the recordkeeping rule (Part 1904 Subpart B) that lists industries partially exempt from the requirements to maintain work-related injury or illness logs because of their relatively low injury and illness rates. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system used in the current list of industries would be replaced by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) used by most federal agencies.

For more information and to submit comments.

Frequently asked questions.

New Report on Carcinogens May Afect Hazard Communication Programs
     The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released the National Toxicology Program's (NTP) 12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC), one of the two cancer lists referenced in OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). As a result, employers that manufacture, distribute, or use any of the eight chemicals with new or updated listings in the 12th RoC need to determine if the changes have any impact on their existing hazard communications programs.
     Chemicals listed in the RoC are considered carcinogens under OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. Therefore, manufacturers and importers of a chemical or a product containing a chemical listed in the RoC must list the chemical on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) if it is present at a concentration of 0.1% or greater when the product has not been tested as a whole, and they must include warning information about cancer in the MSDS. Chemicals listed on the RoC that are present at less than 0.1% must also be listed if they could be released from the product in concentrations that could present a health risk to workers. The MSDS must also indicate that the NTP lists the chemical as a carcinogen. Employers that use chemicals with new or updated cancer listings in the RoC or products that contain these chemicals should review incoming MSDSs for new information and must train workers about any new chemical or product hazards.
     Employers must also look at how the chemical or product is used in their workplaces and make sure that the precautions and protective equipment they require are sufficient to protect workers from anticipated exposures.

For more information and to download the 12th Report on Carcinogens.

Call for Nominations: 2012 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards
     Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards.  The awards are given by NIOSH in partnership with the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) to recognize excellence in hearing loss prevention. The deadline for self-nominations is September 1.

For more information.
 

From the NIOSH Science Blog - Construction Equipment Visibility
     Road construction workers face many hazards on the job. In addition to many of the hazards present on a "traditional" construction site, road workers also need to contend with moving vehicles both in and around the job site. Road construction workers risk injury from construction equipment operating within work zones. From 1995 through 2002, 844 fatal occupational injuries occurred at road construction sites. The majority of these fatalities, 693 (82%) cases, were reported to be transportation incidents. Fatalities involving a ground worker being struck by a vehicle or equipment accounted for 509 (73%) of the transportation incidents. Victims were as likely to be struck by construction equipment (32%) as by highway vehicles (28%). Backing up accounted for at least 50 percent of fatalities from being run over by construction equipment.

For the complete report.

New OSHA Program To Protect Workers In The Primary Metals Industries
     OSHA issued a new directive establishing a National Emphasis Program (NEP) for the Primary Metals Industries. The purpose of this NEP is to identify and reduce or eliminate worker exposures to harmful chemical and physical hazards in primary metals industries that extract and refine metals. Among these establishments are those that manufacture nails, insulated wires and cables, steel piping, and copper and aluminum products. Workers exposed to various substances found in these industries can suffer damage to the eyes, nose, throat and skin and can experience difficulty breathing and chest and joint pain. Overexposures can also lead to death.

For more information.
 

Department of Labor Agencies To Host Live Web Chats
Officials representing seven of the U.S. Department of Labor’s agencies, including OSHA,  will host live Web chats to discuss their respective regulatory agendas during the week of July 11. These events will be open to the public and members of the press.

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration Monday July 11 2:30–3:30 p.m. EDT
• Mine Safety and Health Administration Thursday, July 14 Noon–1 p.m. EDT

To view the agenda and participate in the live Web chat.

Personal Noise Indicator from

Designed for variable noise environments to help workers identify potentially hazardous noise levels and know when hearing protection devices (HPDs) may be required. Green flashing LED indicates that noise levels are below 85 dB where HPDs may not need to be worn; red flashing LED indicates noise levels are above 85 dB, a potentially dangerous noise level where HPDs may be required. Small, lightweight design (.6 oz.) clips to shirt or jacket and includes a rechargeable battery that operates for up to 200 hours between charges. Can be used as an effective training tool within a hearing conservation program (consult OSHA Standard 1919.95) to help ensure workers know when and where to wear hearing protection.

For more information and prompt shipment.

News You Can Use

Defining Work-Related Hearing Loss: Your Questions Answered
     Whether or not a hearing loss case ultimately is related to on-the-job exposure, determining work-relatedness can help employers prevent noise-induced hearing loss by identifying patterns of hearing loss and instituting hazard controls. Here, your questions about work-relatedness are answered. When an employee is found to have a standard threshold shift (STS) on the annual audiogram as part of the hearing conservation program, certain evaluation and follow-up actions are required. If the STS is confirmed or if no retest is completed within 30 days, and the decrease in hearing results in hearing levels that are consistent with at least a mild hearing loss (25 dB average hearing level), the STS must be recorded on the OSHA Illness and Injury Log (OSHA 300 Log).  These “recordable” hearing loss cases have received some attention since the new rules for recordable hearing loss went into effect in January 2003. Prior to that, hearing loss was lumped in with “other” illnesses. Now, under the revised record keeping final rule, hearing loss cases are recorded in a separate column.

For the full report.

Source: EHS Today Magazine

For information on Understanding the Upcoming NRR/Hearing Changes

Source: Howard Leight by Honeywell

Link Between Medication Adherence and Workplace Health Studied
     A new study suggests that while medication adherence is a critical element in reducing the impact of illness, employers should view it as just one of multiple components that are needed in strategic employee disease-management initiatives. The study, published in the June issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM), suggests that individual health risks and comorbidity - that is, the presence of more than one chronic disease — remain significant predictors of reduced workplace productivity, even in a population with a high rate of medication adherence. The study found significant links across the population studied between high health-risks and lower job performance, while comorbidity was a significant predictor of absenteeism in five of the study’s nine subsamples.
     Researchers gathered data from more than 64,000 workers with chronic health conditions, spread over five employers, making it one of the largest studies of its kind. The analysis evaluated the impact of medication adherence, comorbidity, health risks and other factors on markers of workforce productivity such as absenteeism and job performance (also known as “presenteeism”). The research was coordinated by a team from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM), Alere Health, and the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), and was funded by the National Pharmaceutical Council (NPC).
     The study corroborates previous evidence linking the number of comorbidities in employees with their level of absence from work.

For more information.

Source: American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Study: Parents Must Play a Larger Role in the Safety, Health of Working Teens
     Approximately 80 percent of U.S. teenagers are employed during their high school years. About 38 workers under the age of 18 in the United States die from work-related injuries each year, and an additional estimated 146,000 experience nonfatal injuries or illnesses. Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Injury Prevention Research Center and North Carolina State University stress that parents could help their teenagers better understand and prepare for workplace hazards.
     The researchers interviewed a nationally representative sample of 922 working teens, as well as a parent of each teen. They found 90 percent of parents helped their teens identify a job opportunity and 82 percent helped their children fill out job applications. But parental involvement dropped precipitously once the child was employed. For example, 46 percent of parents had helped their teen ask questions about workplace safety and only 36 percent of parents helped their child learn about youth work restrictions.

For the full report.

Source: EHS Today Magazine.

National Academies Offer Free PDF Downloads
     All PDF versions of books published by the National Academies Press (NAP) are now downloadable free of charge to anyone. The National Academies Press (NAP) was created by the National Academies to publish the reports issued by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council, all operating under a charter granted by the Congress of the United States. The NAP publishes more than 200 books a year on a wide range of topics in science, engineering, and health, capturing the most authoritative views on important issues in science and health policy.

For more information.

Summertime Blues
     Summer is the time to enjoy time away from work, socialize with friends and family and participate in activities we enjoy. Unfortunately, for many people, summer fun turns into avoidable tragedy. Just as with on the job activities, risk evaluations need to be considered for off-the-job fun. Mowing the lawn in flip-flops? Bad idea. Knocking that wasp nest down with a broom? Ditto. Adding extra charcoal lighter fluid to burning coals? Fuggedaboutit! Doing any of these activities while drinking? Do you really want a quick trip to the emergency room?

For the full report.

Source: EHS Today Magazine

1. DON'T BE SHOCKED - Electrical protective equipment must be used when working on or near potentially energized circuits of 50 volts or more.
2. DON'T BE SHOCKED - Protective safety caps and hats meeting ANSI Z89.1 Class E are tested at 20,000 volts for 3 minutes and are considered dielectric.
3. DON'T BE SHOCKED - Rubber insulating blankets are the most flexible and versatile form of temporary cover-up protection for energized circuits and equipment.
4. DON'T BE SHOCKED - A complete Lockout/Tagout program includes locks, hasps, tags, signs, and key stations - available individually or as complete kits
5. DON'T BE SHOCKED - Dielectric switchboard matting provides additional protection in front of switchgear, motor control centers, and other high voltage apparatus.

Want more information on any of this month's Saf-T-Tips?  E-mail us for a prompt reply.

• Safety directors
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• One NFPA 70E page cuts your PPE training by 75%. This one concept can fool-proof and simplify your PPE approach
• Two Common places for an Arc Flash
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• Seven Habits of Highly Safe Electricians
• Full, practical understanding of the NFPA 70E and great ideas from trainers who have implemented it!

Tuition - One day Seminar tuition is $350/person, with a $50 discount for companies sending 5 or more attendees.

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Get a "Head" Start on Summer Heat With Cool-Off Bandanas

Tie it as a headband or wear it around your neck with the unique closure.  Simply soak Cool Offs in cold water for 10 - 15 minutes to activate the magic cooling crystals for all day cool comfort  Lightweight and comfortable with a 100% cotton outer shell.  Can be used over and over.  Assorted colors.

To order for immediate shipment.

Claudia Welnicki is a member of the Saf-T-Gard Sales Team and joined Saf-T-Gard about 1 year ago.

• What Claudia likes about Saf-T-Gard: "I like being part of a 'team' of knowledgeable people in the safety industry who support one another on a daily basis."
• What makes Claudia's day: "When I can provide our customers with the products and services that enable their workers to go home safe at the end of a work day."
• Claudia's outside interests are: "Scrapbooking, cardmaking, reading, and gardening."
• Anything else: "I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, 3 great daughters and son-in-laws, and 2 awesome grandchildren and many supportive friends, all of whom I love spending time with."