Two New Sources of Construction Safety Information

NIOSH Announces New Office of Construction Safety and Health
     In December, NIOSH announced its new Office of Construction Safety and Health. Christine Branche, Ph.D., NIOSH Principal Associate Director, will serve as acting director of the new office. Construction is a key industrial sector that employs over eight million Americans. To address the special problems in construction, it is critical that NOSH ensures rigorous coordination of our construction safety and health research. For more on construction research at NIOSH, go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/construction/.

and

CPWR Announces Construction Safety Web Resource
     CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training announced the launch of a new Web site, eLCOSH Images, to provide high-quality safety and health photos free to the construction industry. "We're able to offer this new service to trainers, safety managers and others concerned with safe construction practices because of an initial gift from NIOSH," said Pete Stafford, executive director of CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training. "NIOSH gave us hundreds of slides it had received from John Rekus, formerly with Maryland OSHA and safety consultant. We decided to create an online collection point for construction photos to be used in training, toolbox talks, or any other venture to improve safety and health conditions and work practices on U.S. construction sites, and we began with Rekus' images."

Click here to access the images.

Click here to visit CPWR.

     Are you ready to learn more about how to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses and comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, but aren’t sure where to start? By following this step-by-step guide, you can identify many of the major OSHA requirements and guidance materials that may apply to your workplace. Small and new businesses may find Quick Start helpful as an introduction to the compliance assistance resources on OSHA's website.
     This Quick Start feature is not comprehensive – there may be additional OSHA standards and guidance materials that also apply to your business. If you are in a state with an OSHA-approved state program, you are subject to state occupational safety and health regulations that may have more stringent or supplemental requirements. These state programs also provide compliance assistance services. Please contact your state program for additional information. In addition, you can request a free, confidential on-site consultation from the OSHA On-site Consultation Program.

Click here for more information.

Genetics in the Workplace - Implications for Occupational Safety and Health
     NIOSH has issued a report whose purpose is to consolidate the diverse literature and opinions on genetics in the workplace, to flag important issues, and to provide some considerations for current and future research and practice. Recent advances in understanding the human genome have created opportunities for disease prevention and treatment. Even though the focus of attention on applications of genetic discoveries has been largely outside of the workplace, genetic information and genetic testing are impacting today's workplace.

Click here to download the report.

OSHA Announces Informal Public Hearing on Hazard Communication Rule
     The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will hold three informal public hearings to accept comments and testimony on the proposed rule to align the agency's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The first hearing will begin March 2 at 9:30 a.m. in the auditorium of the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Additional hearings are scheduled for March 31 in Pittsburgh and April 13 in Los Angeles. OSHA will provide the location for the Pittsburgh and Los Angeles hearings in a future notice.
     A number of countries, including the United States, and international organizations participated in developing the GHS to address inconsistencies in hazard classification and communications. The system provides a single, harmonized system to classify chemicals, labels and safety data sheets with the primary benefit of increasing the quality and consistency of information provided to workers, employers and chemical users.
     Those interested in attending the hearings must provide a notice of intention to appear by January 18, 2010. Notices may be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Notices can also be submitted by regular mail to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-H022K-2006-0062, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave., Washington, D.C. 20210. Submissions not exceeding 10 pages can be faxed to the OSHA Docket Office at 202-693-1648. Technical inquiries should be directed to Maureen Ruskin, OSHA, Office of Chemical Hazards-Metals, 202-693-1950. Press inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Ashley, OSHA, Office of Communications, 202-693-1999.
 

Report Released from Aging Worker Conference
     A newly released report from a NIOSH-cosponsored national research workshop, "Healthy Aging for Workers," in February 2009 recommends attention to workplace environments to maintain "work ability" as workers age, along with legislative fixes and research to fill in knowledge gaps for keeping workers healthy and productive.
     The ultimate goal of the WorkLife initiative is to sustain and improve worker health through better work-based programs, policies, and practices. The WorkLife Initiative envisions workplaces that are free of recognized hazards, with health-promoting and sustaining policies, programs, and practices; and employees with ready access to effective programs and services that protect their health, safety, and well being.
     The protection, preservation, and improvement of the health and well-being of people who work are goals shared by workers, their families, and their employers. Ill health and injury, whether caused by work or resulting from off-work activities, reduces income, quality of life, and opportunity for both the affected workers and those dependent on them.

Click here for more information and the conference report and video.

Posters are ideal for:

• Training
• Communication/Announcements
• Procedures
• Campaigns and Promotions
• Boosting Employee Morale

Large size (24 x 18 inches) - made with durable double laminate and designed specifically for tough industrial-type environments, yet made to work nicely in a variety of locations from the front office to the production floor.

News You Can Use

NFPA: Rising Energy Costs May Trigger More Heating Fires
     The substantially increased cost to heat your home this winter might drive you to use supplemental heating sources whenever possible. Fireplaces and space heaters can make a room toasty, but the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) urges consumers to use caution when using these devices by thinking fire-safety first.
     There were 45,500 home heating fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 2002, according to NFPA. These fires caused 220 deaths, 990 injuries and $449 million in property damage. These numbers have generally declined over recent years, but with natural gas and oil prices expected to rise sharply from last year at this time, those who never used supplemental heating may elect to do so, possibly causing more fires.
     Based on frequency of use, space heaters pose a higher risk of fire and fire death than central heating. Fireplaces and chimneys were involved in 43 percent of all home heating fires and 11 percent of the associated deaths. Fixed and portable space heaters, including wood stoves, were involved in 25 percent of the home heating fires, but 74 percent of the associated deaths. Central heating was involved in 19 percent of home heating fires and 10 percent of the associated deaths.

Click here to download a free executive summary (PDF, 32 KB) of this report.

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Carbon Monoxide & Your Forklifts: What You Should Know
     When forklifts are used inside buildings and within confined spaces, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up quickly -- and since it's impossible to smell, taste or see, you need to be aware of the symptoms and do everything you can to avoid overexposure before it's too late. Download this free cheat sheet now for some quick tips on recognizing the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and what you can do to reduce the risks.

To download this free cheat sheet, click here now.

The Cold Stress Equation

LOW TEMPERATURE + WIND SPEED + WETNESS = INJURIES & ILLNESS

How to Protect Workers

• Recognize the environmental and workplace conditions that lead to potential cold-induced illnesses and injuries.
• Learn the signs and symptoms of cold-induced illnesses/injuries and what to do to help the worker.
• Train the workforce about cold-induced illnesses and injuries.
• Select proper clothing for cold, wet, and windy conditions. Layer clothing to adjust to changing environmental temperatures. Wear a hat and gloves, in addition to underwear that will keep water away from the skin (polypropylene).
• Take frequent short breaks in warm dry shelters to allow the body to warm up.
• Perform work during the warmest part of the day.
• Avoid exhaustion or fatigue because energy is needed to keep muscles warm.
• Use the buddy system (work in pairs).
• Drink warm, sweet beverages (sugar water, sports-type drinks). Avoid drinks with caffeine (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate) or alcohol.
• Eat warm, high-calorie foods like hot pasta dishes.

Workers Are at Increased Risk When...

• They have predisposing health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
• They take certain medication (check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacy and ask if any medicines you are taking affect you while working in cold environments).
• They are in poor physical condition, have a poor diet, or are older.

Click here for more information.

How Safe Are Your Hoists? A Free Hazard Checklist
     The hoists and auxiliary equipment used at your facility can present a number of safety risks to your employees unless you take the measures necessary to secure them. Download this free hazard checklist to make sure you don't miss any steps when it comes to making your electric hoists safe.

To download this checklist, click here now.

NHCA Responds to EPA regarding NRR Changes
     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed changes in the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) for hearing protection devices.  The National Hearing Conservation Association has prepared a document outlining recommendations regarding devices for both industrial (occupational) hearing protection programs and for personal use.

Click here to download the report.

1. TAKE A DEEP BREATH - Air-purifying respirators do not supply oxygen and must not be used in atmospheres with less than 19.5% oxygen.  Be sure rather than be sorry.
2. WHAT THE FLOCK? - Chemical-resistant nitrile, neoprene, and rubber gloves are available with comfortable cotton flock linings that can absorb perspiration.
3. ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING - If your maintenance staff works on potentially energized circuits, they need low voltage rubber insulating gloves.
4. DON'T FALL FOR THIS - OSHA requires a personal fall arrest system be used anytime a worker is working 6 feet or more above a lower level.
5. CAN IT - Safety cans are available in a variety of materials and sizes for safe transfer of hazardous liquids.

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

• Safety directors
• Electrical contractors
• Maintenance electricians
• Linemen
• Owners
• Managers
• Supervisors who work directly with 480V or greater voltage equipment or oversee those who do

• 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
• Three misunderstood NFPA 70E concepts
• Four fixable things you don’t know about your electrical system that could wreck your plant
• Five Habits of Highly Safe Electricians
• Full, practical understanding of the NFPA 70E and great ideas from trainers who have implemented it!

Cold Weather High Visibility Hand Protection

Versa-Gard XG gloves feature a warm, fleecy acrylic glove in hi-viz orange or lime yellow color, palm coated with black natural rubber.  The flexible crinkle finish provides outstanding grip. Extended continuous elastic wrist.  Available in hand sizes 8, 9, 10, 11.

Click here to order
 

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• What Santos likes about Saf-T-Gard: "All the products Saf-T-Gard has. Also, how everyone at Saf-T-Gard works together as a team to accomplish day-to-day goals."

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• Santos' outside interests are: "Playing sports when I can.  I started school to get a business degree.  Taking walks in the evening with my wife Lisa & son Santos Jr. "