OSHA, CDC, and FDA Offer Information and Assistance Relating to Hurricane Cleanup and Other Natural Disasters
     OSHA is providing technical assistance and outreach on worker safety and health issues to those areas hardest hit by both the flooding and downed trees and power lines caused by Hurricane Irene. As residents along the east coast of the United States and Puerto Rico recover from Irene's impact, OSHA is urging workers and members of the public engaged in hurricane cleanup activities to be aware of the hazards they might encounter and the steps they should take to protect themselves. OSHA's Hurricane Response and Recovery Web page provides information on precautions that workers and employers should take during hurricane clean up operations. The page contains fact sheets, concise "QuickCards," frequently asked questions, safety and health guides and additional information in English and Spanish.
     OSHA also unveiled a new Floods Web page to assist workers and the public on how to make an evacuation plan, emergency supply kits, and flood watches and warnings. The page also provides guidance on the hazards when flooding occurs, such as areas to avoid when using a vehicle, and safety and health hazards such as downed electrical lines, mold and wild animals.
     After natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, excess moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family. People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold. People with immune suppression (such as people with HIV infection, cancer patients taking chemotherapy, and people who have received an organ transplant) are more susceptible to mold infections. People who are sensitive to mold may experience stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation. People allergic to mold may have difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. People with weakened immune systems and with chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. If you or your family members have health problems after exposure to mold, contact your doctor or other health care provider.
     When returning to your home after a hurricane or flood, be aware that flood water may contain sewage.  CDC offers recommendations on dealing with the cleanup of flood water.  In addition, the FDA offers guidance for food and water safety during hurricanes, power outages, and floods.

Access OSHA's Hurricane Response and Recovery Information

Access OSHA's Floods Information

Access CDC Information on Mold

Access CDC Flood Water Cleanup Information

Access FDA Food and Water Safety Information

September 2011 is Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Month
     Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn recently proclaimed September 2011 as Occupational Health and Safety Month to recognize the importance of the first national conference on Eliminating Health and Safety Disparities at Work, September 14–15 in Chicago, co-sponsored by NIOSH. The conference will bring together representatives from multiple disciplines and perspectives to understand the causes of occupational health and safety disparities and to identify and share promising practices for eliminating disparities through innovative intervention programs. The second day of the conference will include an interagency town hall meeting on environmental justice in the work environment, convened by the Working Group on Environmental Justice, to explore interagency solutions for alleviating health disparities in the workplace setting.

For more information or to register.

New OSHA Video on Preventing Fatal Falls in Residential Construction
     OSHA's narrated Residential Fall Protection slide presentation is the latest compliance assistance tool available to help the residential construction industry comply with the requirements of the agency's Fall Protection standard. The presentation describes safety methods for preventing injuries and deaths from falls, and explains techniques currently used by employers during various stages of construction. These techniques include the use of bracket scaffolds, anchors, safety net systems, safety harnesses and lines, and guardrails for activities such as installing roof trusses and sheathing, decking, reroofing and installing walls, among others. Falls are the leading cause of death for workers involved in residential construction. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2009 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries showed that 78 workers died from falls while constructing residential buildings. OSHA hopes the presentation will help employers protect their workers and reverse this deadly trend.

Access the presentation.

Older Workers Are the Fastest-Growing Segment of the Employed Population - And Are Injured More Often
     NIOSH reports that older workers (defined as those aged ≥55 years) are the nation's fastest growing segment of the working population. These workers have the highest rates of all age groups for fatal occupational injuries and require more time than younger workers to recover from nonfatal occupational injuries. In 2009, 17% of employer-reported nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses were among workers aged ≥55 years, and median number of days absent from work exceeded those for younger age groups. Older workers have unique patterns of injury compared with other age groups, including lower rates for some types of injuries and illnesses (e.g., such as contact with objects and equipment) and increased rates for others (e.g., falls on the same level, fractures, and hip injuries). As the workforce ages, additional research and interventions by public health agencies are needed to protect worker health. Steps to improve older worker safety and health are expected to affect the larger workforce because many efforts, such as implementing fall-prevention strategies, would be beneficial for workers of all ages.

For the complete report.

Comprehensive Information from OSHA on Occupational Noise Exposure
     OSHA launched a new Safety and Health Topics page on Occupational Noise Exposure to provide resources to prevent noise-related hearing loss, which has been listed as one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for more than 25 years. Approximately 30 million people in the United States are occupationally exposed to hazardous noise and thousands of workers every year suffer from preventable hearing loss due to high workplace noise levels. The new Web page provides information on the health effects of hazardous noise exposure and comprehensive information on controls to prevent hearing loss.

For more information.
 

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

Nine Manufacturers, Distributors Announce Consumer Recall of Pourable Gel Fuel Due to Burn and Flash Fire Hazards
     The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in cooperation with nine manufacturers and distributors, is announcing a voluntary recall of all pourable gel fuels made or sold by these companies. Due to the serious risks of flash fire and burns when consumers add pourable gel to an already burning fire pot, consumers should immediately stop using the pourable gel fuel. The recall involves an estimated 2 million units of various pourable gel fuels packaged in one-quart plastic bottles and one-gallon plastic jugs and sold in scented and non-scented formulations, which were sold since 2008 by the named companies.
     The pourable gel fuel can ignite unexpectedly and splatter onto people and objects nearby when it is poured into a firepot that is still burning. CPSC is aware of 65 incidents resulting in two deaths and 34 victims who were hospitalized with second and third degree burns of the face, chest, hands, arms or legs. Consumers should not attempt to use or fix pourable gel fuel bottles with homemade remedies, or replace the fuel with other flammable materials.

For the full report.

Now Available - 2012 Edition of NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace
     Workplace safety in the United States is evolving due to better awareness and implementation of NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®. Yet hundreds of deaths and thousands of disabling injuries still occur each year due to shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast -- and most could be prevented through NFPA 70E compliance. The 2012 NFPA 70E responds to the challenges, making it easier to ensure an electrically safe working area and comply with OSHA 1910 Subpart S and OSHA 1926 Subpart K. Originally developed at OSHA's request, NFPA 70E responds to new information about the effects of arc flash, arc blast, and direct current (dc) hazards, and recent developments in electrical design and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

For more information and to order

Time Off Work for Exercise Linked to Increased Productivity
     Taking time out of the work week for an employee exercise program may lead to increased productivity - despite the reduction in work hours, reports a study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). In the study, one group of employees at a large Swedish public dental health organization was assigned to a mandatory exercise program carried out during regular work hours: 2½ hours per week. Another group received the same reduction in work hours, but no exercise program. (A third group worked regular hours with no exercise program.)
     Employees assigned to the exercise program also had significant increases in self-rated measures of productivity: they felt more productive while on the job and had a reduced rate of work absences due to illness. The results suggest that reducing work hours for exercise or other health promotion doesn’t necessarily lead to decreased productivity – and may even lead to increased productivity. The productivity gains seem to result from higher output during work hours and fewer missed work day.

For more information.

Source: American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Practice Four Healthy Behaviors, Have a Longer Life
     People can live longer if they practice one or more healthy lifestyle behaviors— not smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, and limiting alcohol—according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During the study period, people who engaged in all four healthy behaviors were 63 percent less likely to die early, compared to people who did not practice any of the behaviors. Not smoking provided the most protection from dying from all of the causes examined.
     People who engaged in all four healthy behaviors were 66 percent less likely to die early from cancer, 65 percent less likely to die early from cardiovascular disease, and 57 percent less likely to die early from other causes compared to people who did not engage in any of the healthy behaviors.

For the full report.

Source: Occupational Health & Safety Magazine

Best Practices for Use of Portable Gas Monitors in Confined Spaces
     In the confined work spaces found in chemical plants, paper mills, refineries, underground mines and utility passageways, the air may be contaminated with toxic or combustible gases or suffer from a lack of oxygen. Regulations call for the monitoring of these environments. Every day, workers who are just doing their jobs can come into contact with airborne contaminants that are harmful or even fatal. This especially is true of workers who must enter confined spaces to perform job tasks. To protect workers, employers are required by law to have a way to monitor the air before entry and during the entire time employees occupy the confined space. Employers must ensure a safe and healthy worksite to maintain production and to protect their workers.  Each person entering the confined space should be equipped with a portable gas monitor worn where it can be checked easily and frequently. It’s a must-have, life-saving tool that can be used in a wide range of industrial settings

For the full report.

Source: EHS Today Magazine

Exploratory Study to Identify Workload Factors that have an Impact on Health and Safety - A Case Study in the Service Sector
     The IRSST (Canada) just published an exploratory study that try to further understanding of workload by examining work activity within a dynamic context involving individuals, their occupational activities and their organizational environment. From this perspective, the study financed by the IRSST did not attempt to document either work overload or underload, but rather to understand the phenomenon on the basis of actual work situations.
     The new types of work organization could have negative impacts on individuals (fatigue, chronic stress, musculoskeletal disorders…) just as on establishments (absenteeism, personnel turnover…), which want to better understand the phenomenon in order to establish appropriate management measures. The scientific literature designates the workload as a common denominator in this case, except that evidence on the conceptualization of this phenomenon is limited and does not take into account its complexity. To define and characterize it according to a systematic approach, the researchers will attempt to determine its scope as well as the underlying dynamics and organizational processes. The results of this exploratory and descriptive study will be disseminated in the form of a summary fact sheet explaining the overall phenomenon of workload.

For the full report.

Source: IRSST
 

1. WHAT A SIGHT! - The ANSI-ISEA 107 standard focuses on hazards associated with low visibility on the outdoor jobsite.  Choose the proper class traffic safety vest for the application.
2. WE'LL DRINK TO THAT - Dehydration is the leading cause of heat-related injuries.  The body absorbs electrolyte fluid beverages (like Gatorade®) several times faster than water alone.
3. REAL KICK BACK STUFF - Protective footwear can now be selected for specific chemical protection, durability, steel toe protection, and slip-resistant safety soles.
4. JACK AND JILL WENT UP THE HILL - and we are sure they were wearing fall protection equipment.
5. GOIN' TO THE MAT - Anti-fatigue matting combines safety with comfort to enhance worker productivity.

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

Reusable Half Mask Respirator Protection

The sleek new 7000 half mask respirator introduces unique features and benefits for increased worker acceptance. Light weight design plus extra-wide sealing area provides all-day comfort. Mask drops down for convenient storage around the neck or locks down for custom fit. Adjustable head cradle and curved neck buckles for extra comfort. Low profile, compact design allows a wide field of vision, fits well under welding helmets and with safety glasses.

Reusable Full Face Respirator Protection

Technologically advanced features position the 9000 full face respirator as the leader in its field. The exclusive over-molded lens design eliminates the usual heavy clamping frame to create an innovative full face with lighter weight, greater field of vision, fewer parts, minimal maintenance and completely free of metal parts. Strap buckles are securely molded directly to the facepiece for rugged use and ease of adjustment. Lens is coated for scratch resistance.

Ergonomics on the Cutting Edge

Safety knives designed and developed in response to the direct feedback from safety professionals. The S4 features a shorter, slimmer, more ergonomic handle than previous models. Other features include a see-thru body for quick inspection of blade levels, an easier blade change release lever, and a new shorter, single-notch blade that eliminates any possibility of misalignment when loading replacement blades. Blade positions: Top (box) cut and two tray (window) cut positions.  Color coded - left hand model is red, right hand model is green.

To order for immediate shipment      
 

Steve Jones is a member of the Saf-T-Gard sales team and joined Saf-T-Gard over a year ago.

• What Steve likes about Saf-T-Gard: "Very knowledgeable co-workers.  If I have a question or a situation that needs to be addressed, I have many resources."
• What makes Steve's day: "Helping our customers.  Turning prospects into customers.  I love getting orders!"
• Steve's outside interests are: "Spending time with my wife.  Sports and music."
• Anything else: "In the process of buying a house."