OSHA Announces Employer-paid Personal Protective Equipment Final Rule
     The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a final rule on employer-paid personal protective equipment (PPE). Under the rule, all PPE, with a few exceptions, will be provided at no cost to the employee. OSHA anticipates that this rule will have substantial safety benefits that will result in more than 21,000 fewer occupational injuries per year. The rule was published in the Federal Register on November 15, 2007.
     The final rule contains a few exceptions for ordinary safety-toed footwear, ordinary prescription safety eyewear, logging boots, and ordinary clothing and weather-related gear. The final rule also clarifies OSHA's requirements regarding payment for employee-owned PPE and replacement PPE. While these clarifications have added several paragraphs to the regulatory text, the final rule provides employees no less protection than they would have received under the 1999 proposed standard.
     The rule also provides an enforcement deadline of six months from the date of publication to allow employers time to change their existing PPE payment policies to accommodate the final rule.

Click here for a fact sheet on the new final rule.

Click here for the full Federal Register notice.

New Spanish Teaching Materials
     OSHA's Directorate of Training and Education collaborated with the University of South Florida, an OSHA Training Institute Education Center, to compile safety and health PowerPoint presentations in Spanish. These new resources are designed to assist OSHA construction and general industry outreach trainers and others in conducting Spanish-language training for employees.

Click here for more information.
 

NIOSH Safety and Health Topic - Body Art
     For people who do not know much about the body art industry, tattoos and body piercings appear as permanent markings and decorative metal. But this industry is actually a unique form of art. Tattoo artists can honor people or memories that were an important part of a person's life. Body piercers intricately place each piercing to express a person's individuality or culture. The body art industry is unique because its artists express themselves through living art, but in doing so, artists may also come in contact with their client's blood. Because of this, tattoo artists and body piercers may also be exposed to a bloodborne pathogen such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These bloodborne pathogens are viruses that are spread by coming in contact with the blood of an infected person. Body artists may be exposed to a bloodborne pathogen by getting stuck with a used needle or if blood splashes into their eyes, nose, or mouth.
     Bloodborne pathogens can be dangerous and may cause permanent illness. Not only are artists at risk, but so are their families. If an artist gets one of these viruses, he or she may become ill and not be able to support his or her family, or may possibly expose family members to the virus.
     The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) looked at artists' work practices to see what can be done to lower their chance of being exposed to a bloodborne disease.

Click here for the full report and recommendations.

Expanded Ergonomics Solutions for Electrical Contractors eTool
     Employers and employees in the electrical contracting industry will benefit from the launch of two new modules as part of OSHA's interactive Web-based Ergonomics Solutions for Electrical Contractors eTool. The modules identify potential ergonomic hazards and possible solutions to reduce injuries from electrical installation, repair and prefabrication processes. 

Click here for the Ergonomics eTool for Electrical Contractors

Good News - Workplace Injury and Illness Overall Rate Lowest Ever Recorded
     The rate of workplace injuries and illnesses in private industry declined in 2006 for the fourth consecutive year, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Approximately 4.1 million injuries and illnesses occurred in 2006. The number translates to a rate of 4.4 cases per 100 full-time employees, slightly less than the 4.6 rate reported last year. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao said that "workplace injuries and illnesses declined three percent in 2006 over the previous year against the backdrop that overall hours worked increased (two percent). The Department of Labor continues to focus on ensuring that workplace injury and illnesses rates continue to decline and that workers are healthy and safe on the job."

Click here for the full report.
 

Preparing for the Holiday Shopping Season - Safely
     It is that time of year; that's right-shopping season is back. The holiday season can bring out the best in people while, at the same time, present serious work-related challenges to those employees working in various retail industries. From repetitive stress and musculoskeletal disorders to workplace violence-some important precautions are in order to help ensure that this holiday season is truly a joyous time for working men and women in the industry. Here are a few tips, and some helpful resources:

• To help reduce workplace violence incidents, employers should establish engineering controls including good visibility and lighting, video surveillance, door detectors and buzzers, and alarms.
• Good administrative and work practice controls include increasing staffing at high-risk locations and times; locking delivery doors and establishing rules for employees leaving facilities; and establishing emergency procedures and systems of communications.
• To help reduce debilitating ergonomic-related injuries involving lifting, employers should routinely review the jobsite and activities of employees for possible ergonomic issues, paying particular attention to risk factors relating to "force," "repetition," "awkward and static postures," and "contact stress."
• Employers should equip stockrooms and central processing areas with turntables and roller bed conveyors to reduce lifting and carrying; when lifting is required, employees should focus on using leg muscles and keeping the back straight.

OSHA has superb resources on its Web site for additional information to help prevent workplace violence as well as for reducing musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace.

NIOSH - Filling the Gap, Data on Contract Worker Safety and Health
     NIOSH has partnered with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and ORC Worldwide supported by the Duke Energy Foundation to fill a critical data gap – data related to occupational safety and health of contract workers. Reliance on contract workers to perform a wide array of functions and tasks appears to be a long-term trend. But national, state, and industry-level data bases for assessing safety and health for this population are either absent or extremely limited. A Task Force of representatives from each partner will review existing data, identify the types of data that need to be collected, and the effectiveness of enhancing data systems.

Learn more about this effort by contacting Elyce Biddle at EBiddle@cdc.gov.
 

Click here to order.

News You Can Use

Don't Leave Safety Out in the Cold
     With winter looming just around the corner, outdoor workers are at risk of getting cold stress if the proper controls to minimize cold weather hazards are not in place. The season is upon us now, marking the transition from the sweltering temperatures of summer to the wet, blustery and icy weather conditions of winter. For workers – especially those who must spend part or all of their time outdoors – winter weather can be deadly.
     In the winter months, construction industry workers, police and fire department personnel, mail carriers, transportation workers and any other workers whose occupations involve outdoor work are at the whim of Mother Nature. Cruel winds, temperatures that sometimes dip into the single and even negative digits, snow and freezing rain and sleet can cause workers to suffer from cold stress. While much attention is paid to heat stress and its potentially deadly effects, very little is paid to cold stress.
     Prolonged exposure to cold weather can invite an onslaught of injuries as serious as frostbite – an irreversible condition in which the exposed part of the skin freezes – hypothermia and even death. In addition, prolonged exposure to cold weather can lead to other types of ailments. For example, exposure to cold can aggravate existing medical conditions such as arthritis, increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and affect dexterity, mental skills and coordination.
     Despite the laundry list of hazards and ailments associated with cold stress, there are steps both workers and employers can take to minimize its risks. Leading safety and health experts share information about the causes of cold stress and what administrative and engineering controls employers can implement to protect workers.

Click here for the full report.

Source: Occupational Hazards Magazine

Oh, My Aching Back!
     Now available is a short e-course that explains strategies to prevent back pain and injuries through understanding the structure and function of the back. The objectives of this e-course are:

• Identify the structures in your back
• Explain how to care for your back
• Demonstrate safe materials handling techniques
• Identify back injury hazards in your workplace
• Explain methods of preventing back injuries

Click here for the e-course.

Prepared by the Saskatchewan (Canada) Worker's Compensation Board

Classroom Outreach - ASSE Offers Safety Suitcase
     The American Society of Safety Engineers' new Safety Suitcase is an informational tool or tools that can be used when visiting schools to talk about the occupational safety, health and environmental profession. The public relations team in working with the Public Relations Committee at ASSE has developed this interactive tool for ASSE members, student members and their friends to take to classrooms, schools, science fairs and other organizations.
     The suitcase is a tool designed to educate 4th – 6th grade students about safety -- safety at work and the safety, health and environmental profession. The intention is to reach out to young kids that are just forming their ideas about life, careers and their futures. As kids know about police, firemen and doctors, this kit will help introduce to them what we do everyday to keep people safe at work and how we help their families and friends.
     Inside the kit you will find an icebreaker script, a career role-playing game, a PowerPoint presentation, personal protective equipment (PPE) and a few more things to help you teach kids, teens and their teachers about the importance of being safe at work.
     The sequence of the presentation, which lasts about one hour, should go as follows:

• The Icebreaker and PPE discussion (about 15 minutes);
• The PowerPoint presentation immediately followed by a question and answer period (about 15 minutes);
• The Career Role Playing Game (20 – 30 minutes); and
• Pass out the Certificates and Pencils to the students.

     There are also evaluation forms included in the kit for both teachers and presenters.

Click here for more information.

Study: Sitting May Increase Risk of Disease
     Most people spend most of their day sitting with relatively idle muscles. Health professionals advise that at least 30 minutes of activity at least five days a week will counteract health concerns, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes that may result from inactivity. According to researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia, a new model regarding physical activity recommendations is emerging. New research shows that what people do in the other 15 and a half hours of their waking day is just as important, or more so, than the time they spend actively exercising.
     In a series of studies, Hamilton, Theodore Zderic, a post-doctoral researcher, and their research team studied the impact of inactivity among rats, pigs and humans. In humans, they studied the effects of sitting in office chairs, using computers, reading, talking on the phone and watching TV. They found evidence that sitting had negative effects on fat and cholesterol metabolism. The researchers also found that physical inactivity throughout the day stimulated disease-promoting processes, and that exercising, even for an hour a day, was not sufficient to reverse the effect.
     There is a misconception that actively exercising is the only way to make a healthy difference in an otherwise sedentary lifestyle. However, Hamilton's studies found that standing and other non-exercise activities burn many calories in most adults even if they do not exercise at all.

Click here for the full report.

Source: Occupational Health & Safety Magazine

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tip
     Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas that is difficult to detect because it is odorless and invisible. As a result, it is known as “the silent killer.” According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), this poisonous gas kills nearly 300 people in their homes each year. CO is produced by fuel-burning appliances and equipment in our homes. If you have heating, cooking or power equipment that uses fuels such as oil, natural gas, coal, wood, propane, gasoline, etc., then your home is at risk for potential CO poisoning. Homes with attached garages are also at risk, because vehicles left running in the garage can cause CO to seep into the home.
     CO poisoning can be prevented by proper care and use of household equipment. CO alarms can provide early detection if CO leaks or accumulation occurs. Both are important for your safety. CO alarms are different from smoke alarms, and have different functions. CO alarms do not provide early warning of a fire. Smoke alarms do not provide early warning of CO exposure. Your home needs both CO and smoke alarm protection. Symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to symptoms of the flu, and can include headache, dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath. To distinguish between symptoms of flu and CO poisoning - if you feel better after leaving home and then worse again when you return, it may be CO exposure causing the symptoms. If your CO alarm sounds check to see if it is plugged in properly, or if battery-powered, check the battery to be sure the device is operating.

Click here for more information.
 

Focus on Disaster Preparedness

Winter Storms and Extreme Cold
     While the danger from winter weather varies across the country, nearly all Americans, regardless of where they live, are likely to face some type of severe winter weather at some point in their lives. That could mean snow or subfreezing temperatures, as well as strong winds or even ice or heavy rain storms. One of the primary concerns is the winter weather's ability to knock out heat, power and communications services to your home or office, sometimes for days at a time.

• Prepare For Winter Weather - Make sure your home is well insulated and that you have weather stripping around your doors and window sills to keep the warm air inside. Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify winter weather (such as "winter weather advisory", "winter storm warning", "winter storm watch"). Thoroughly check and update your family's emergency supply kit before winter approaches. Include adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm. If you have a car, fill the gas tank in case you have to leave.
• Make a Plan - Plan to stay inside and make it on your own, at least for a period of time. If you have a wood burning fire place, consider storing wood to keep you warm if winter weather knocks out your heat.
• Stay Informed - Monitor commercial radio, television and the Internet. Keep in mind that during a severe winter storm it could be hours, or even days, before emergency personnel are able to reach you.

Click here for more information.

Here's Something To Think About...
You should have at least one traditionally wired landline phone, as cordless or cellular phones may not work in an emergency.

Key Products You Need   Vehicle First Aid Kit - includes bandages, antiseptics, eye wash, cold pack, ammonia inhalants, aspirin, first aid spray, and more. Click here to order.

BE Prepared Informed Safe Visit www.saftgard.com/2besafe

1. HANDS THAT DO WORK - Need protection from chemical, physical and electrical hazards.
2. HANDS THAT DO WORK - Need barriers to protect products and processes from contamination.
3. HANDS THAT DO WORK - Should have hand protection that is comfortable and fits properly.
4. HANDS THAT DO WORK - Can be cleaned and sanitized with safe yet industrial strength hand cleaners and lotions.
5. HANDS THAT DO WORK - Are also the hands that hug our loved ones.

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

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High-visibility cold weather jacket features yellow waterproof oxford polymer-coated fabric with 4 ounce quilt lining, heavy duty zipper with storm flap, elastic waist and cuffs, and concealed hood.  2 inch wide reflective stripes, 2 horizontal and 6 vertical.  2 hip pockets and 2 inner pockets.  Meets ANSI/ISEA-107 standard for class 3 safety apparel. 

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