Welding and Manganese: Potential Neurologic Effects
     Welding fumes are composed of metals and most fumes contain a small percentage of manganese. There is a concern by workers, employers, and health professionals about potential neurological effects associated with exposure to manganese in welding fumes. NIOSH has been conducting research and reviewing the published scientific literature to assess this problem.
     Manganese is an essential nutrient. A healthy person with normal liver and kidney function can excrete excess dietary manganese. Inhaled manganese is of greater concern because it bypasses the body’s normal defense mechanisms. This can lead to manganese accumulation and adverse health effects including damage to the lungs, liver, kidney and central nervous system. Male workers exposed to manganese also have a higher risk of fertility problems. Prolonged exposure to high manganese concentrations (>1 mg/m3) in air may lead to a Parkinsonian syndrome known as “manganism.” Chronic exposure to the manganese-containing pesticide, maneb, is also reported to cause Parkinson-like symptoms. Parkinson-like symptoms may include tremors, slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, and poor balance.
     Recent studies indicate neurological and neurobehavioral deficits may occur when workers are exposed to low levels of manganese (<0.2 mg/m3) in welding fumes. These effects include changes in mood and short-term memory, altered reaction time, and reduced hand-eye coordination. Affected workers frequently show abnormal accumulations of manganese in a region of the brain known as the globus pallidus. The globus pallidus plays an important role in movement regulation. NIOSH is currently reviewing its Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for manganese as a result of these studies. Evaluation of the available scientific literature of manganese exposure during welding is complicated by several factors. These factors include inconsistent conclusions, limited data on the biological processes that might result in given health outcomes, and the complex mixtures of welding fumes. A comprehensive review of the available scientific literature is in development and will be made available for public review by early 2009. Pending the issuance of a final document, existing NIOSH resources are offered to provide assistance in assessing and controlling work-related exposures to welding fumes.

Click here for the full report and resources.

NIOSH Focus - Hazards to Outdoor Workers
     Outdoor workers are exposed to many types of hazards that depend on their type of work, geographic region, season, and duration of time they are outside. Industry sectors with outdoor workers include the agriculture, forestry, fishing, construction, mining, transportation, warehousing, utilities, and service sectors. Outdoor workers include farmers, foresters, landscapers, groundskeepers, gardeners, painters, roofers, pavers, construction workers, laborers, mechanics, and any other worker who spends time outside. Employers should train outdoor workers about their workplace hazards, including hazard identification and recommendations for preventing and controlling their exposures.
     Physical hazards to outdoor workers may include extreme heat, extreme cold, noise, lightning, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Extreme heat conditions can cause heat stroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, and other problems. Extreme cold conditions can cause hypothermia, frostbite, and other problems. Too much noise exposure may cause a temporary change in hearing or a temporary ringing in workers' ears (tinnitus). Repeated exposures to loud noise can lead to permanent, incurable hearing loss or tinnitus. Lightning kills about 80 people in the United States each year and injures hundreds. Among construction workers, laborers, machine operators, engineers, roofers, and pipefitters have been struck by lightning most often on the job. UV radiation can cause problems such as sunburn and skin cancer.
     Biological hazards include vector-borne diseases, venomous wildlife and insects, and poisonous plants. Vector-borne diseases may be spread to workers by insects, such as mosquitoes, or ticks. When a mosquito or tick bites a worker, it may transfer a disease-causing agent, such as a parasite, bacterium, or virus. Mosquito-borne diseases include West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis, western equine encephalitis, and LaCrosse encephalitis. Tick-borne diseases include Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, southern tick-associated rash illness, tularemia, tick-borne relapsing fever, anaplasmosis, Colorado tick fever, Powassan encephalitis, and Q fever.

Click here for the full report.
 

Summertime = Tick Time
     Tick-borne pathogens can be passed to humans by the bite of infected ticks. Ticks can be infected with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Some of the most common tick-borne diseases in the United States include: Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, anaplasmosis, Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, and tularemia. Other tick-borne diseases in the United States include: Colorado tick fever, Powassan encephalitis, and Q fever. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the United States. In 2005, more than 23,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
     Outdoor workers are at risk of exposure to tick-borne diseases if they work at sites with ticks. Worksites with woods, bushes, high grass, or leaf litter are likely to have more ticks. Outdoor workers in most regions of the United States should be extra careful to protect themselves in the spring, summer, and fall when ticks are most active. Ticks may be active all year in some regions with warmer weather.

     Take the following steps to protect yourself from tick bites:

• Wear a hat and light-colored clothing, including long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into boots or socks.
• Use insect repellents that provide protection for the amount of time you will be outdoors:
  • Follow repellent label directions for use.
  • Use repellents containing 20%-30% DEET on your exposed skin and clothing to prevent tick bites.
  • Reapply repellents as needed.
• Use repellents such as Permethrin for greater protection.
  • Permethrin kills ticks on contact.
  • Permethrin can be used on clothing but should not be used on skin.
  • One application of permethrin to pants, socks, and shoes typically stays effective through several washings.
• Check your skin and clothes for ticks every day. The immature forms of these ticks are very small and may be hard to see.
  • Remember to check your hair, underarms, and groin for ticks.
  • Immediately remove ticks from your body using fine-tipped tweezers.
  • Grasp the tick firmly and as close to your skin as possible.
  • Pull the tick's body away from your skin with a steady motion.
  • Clean the area with soap and water.
• Wash and dry work clothes in a hot dryer to kill any ticks present.
• Learn the symptoms of tick-borne diseases.
• If you develop symptoms of a tick-borne disease seek medical attention promptly. Be sure to tell your health care provider that you work outdoors in an area where ticks may be present.

News You Can Use

Hazard Alert - Electric Safety in Construction for Non-Electricians
     Hundreds of construction workers are killed by electricity every year, and most of them are not electricians.  The majority of electrocutions are from contact with overhead power lines.  Other causes include contact with defective power tools and metal objects contacting energized (live) wiring, equipment, or machinery.  Household current can even be fatal.
     The Center for Construction Research and Training offers this hazard alert pocket card outlining risks, training requirements, OSHA compliance, and recommended procedures.

Click here to download in English

Downed Trees and Branches from Summer Thunderstorms
     Summer thunderstorms often leave behind downed trees and branches, placing tree removal crews very much in demand. When power lines are involved, there can be a number of hazards inherent in tree trimming or removal of debris. Homeowners and employees working to clear away trees should have an understanding of proper safety measures. Here are a few recommendations from OSHA:

• Do not do any tree trimming or removal work within ten feet of a power line unless you are a trained line-clearance tree trimmer.
• Do not trim or remove trees in hazardous weather conditions.
• Only use heavy equipment, such as chain saws, if you have received proper training to operate it safely.
• Determine the tree's falling direction before cutting it down.

     OSHA's Tree Trimming & Removal QuickCard® (English/Spanish) is a useful resource explaining some of the precautionary measures that everyone should take to protect themselves when clearing away trees.

Click here to download in English.

Personal Protective Equipment Selection Criteria Training
     Individuals responsible for the hazard assessment of the workplace and the selection of the required personal protective equipment (PPE) will find this a useful training guide covering

• Workplace assessment to determine if PPE is needed;
• Criteria for selecting appropriate PPE;
• Proper use, care and maintenance of PPE;
• Training requirements;
• Documentation needed for compliance with OSHA regulations.

     Note -  This course does not cover respiratory protection, electrical protection, bloodborne pathogens or ergonomic concerns.
     PowerPoint Presentation materials include instructor notes with suggestions and script notations to use during the presentation and student handouts that ycan be copied for those attending the presentation.

Click here for the PowerPoint Presentation

Source: Ohio Division of Safety & Hygiene 

How To Comply With the Most Commonly Violated OSHA Safety Standards in Janitorial and Housekeeping Operations
     It takes one employee an average of 15 minutes to clean a restroom with six toilets and three sinks, restocking supplies and emptying trash, according to the International Sanitary Supply Association. That single set of tasks costs housekeeping departments about $15 or less in wages and supplies. But if an employee violates a regulation dictating the safety of the work involved, those same 15 minutes can cost tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention potential injury to the employee.
     If workers don’t follow regulations put forth by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory bodies — and properly document their actions — companies are subject to inspections, citations and fines, not to mention the lost work and workers’ compensation payout that could accompany an injury.
     Because of the high cost associated with safety problems, it is important for housekeeping executives to know which statutes commonly are violated, and how to comply with the rules. An examination of OSHA’s inspection-records database found several statutes that cleaning professionals commonly violate. By taking a closer look at these oft-cited standards, housekeeping executives pinpoint likely areas of concern and focus their effort toward streamlining the compliance process, reducing the potential for citations and keeping employees safe.

Click here for the full report.

Source: Housekeeping Solutions Magazine

Rescue Training: Making Timely Rescue a Reality
     While fall protection compliance rates are climbing, some companies are discovering that they lack expertise in fall rescue equipment and procedures – a discovery they often make only after a fall has occurred. Don't be afraid of the "R" word when developing your fall protection plan. Rescue, as the last component of a fall protection plan, is a good problem to have. It means the worker was wearing his harness and attached to an anchor, thus making the fall protection plan a success. But many people balk at the topic of fall rescue because they find it difficult or confusing.
     For the workers across multiple industries who rely on fall protection equipment while working at height, sometimes hundreds of feet above the ground, proper rescue training is imperative. All employees – whether they are construction workers, tower climbers, utilities professionals, oilrig workers or even vehicle inspectors – must be trained to use any equipment they regularly encounter on the job. Fall protection equipment and rescue training are no different.

Click here for the full report.

Source: Occupational Hazards Magazine 

Prepare for the Hot Weather Ahead
     The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health offers these recommendations (requirements in California) to prevent heat illness.

1. Training - Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.
2. Water - Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least one quart per hour, and encourage them to do so. [Ed. Note - electrolyte replacement beverages are an excellent solution.]
3. Shade - Provide access to shade for at least 5 minutes of rest when an employee believes he or she needs a preventative recovery period. They should not wait until they feel sick to do so.
4. Planning - Develop and implement written procedures for complying with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard.

Click here for more resources.

Focus on Disaster Preparedness and Recovery

Off-the-Job Safety: Tips for Residents in Flood Areas
     As residents in the Midwest begin their cleanup efforts following days of severe flooding, the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) offers health and safety tips for residents returning to their homes and businesses. According to RIA, residents returning to flooded areas should enter premises only during daylight hours and avoid using candles or gas lanterns. Children, pregnant women and people with health problems should avoid the flooded area until cleanup is complete.

Click here for the full report. 

Source: Occupational Hazards Magazine

Key Products You Need When CPR is needed.....   Will you be ready? The Saf-T-Gard CPR Kit allows your company or facility to be prepared in the event of an emergency requiring CPR assistance.  Each durable plastic kit contains two MICROSHIELD ® clear mouth barriers with gloves and wipes, two disposable antiseptic towelettes, two disposable wipes and one red biohazard waste bag.  Click here for more information or to order now for immediate delivery.

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1. THICK OR THIN - EITHER WAY YOU WIN- Chemical resistant gloves are available in a wide range of thicknesses.  Thinner gloves offer more tactile sensitivity.  Thicker gloves offer more durability and protection against chemical permeation and degradation.
2. COATING GLOATING - EYEWEAR  - Protective eyewear is available with fog-free coatings as well as anti-scratch coatings.
3. COATING GLOATING - GLOVES - Industrial gloves are available with protective coatings of latex rubber, neoprene and nitrile synthetic rubbers, PVC and PVA and PU plastics - each with different properties for protection against chemicals, abrasion, cuts and punctures, and tactile sensitivity.
4. OSHA HEARS YOU - YOU HEAR OSHA - Your workers are entitled to a choice of hearing protection to achieve desired levels of protection with comfort.  Many different types of earplugs and earmuffs are available to help you comply with this important requirement.
5. DIVERSE WORKFORCE - DIVERSE PRODUCTS - Smart business and regulatory compliance demand that PPE properly fit the worker to be effective.  Respirators and protective eyewear are available to fit Asian and Hispanic workers with unique facial characteristics.

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 tri-color safety vest features 2 inch wide reflective stripes are combined with a 3 3/4 inch wide orange contrasting base stripe.  Hook/loop closure on front.  1 outer pocket at right waist and 1 inner pocket at left chest. 

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