Expanding Our Understanding of the Psychosocial Work Environment
     There is broad recognition that the psychosocial environment at work can affect physical and mental health as well as organizational outcomes such as work performance and effectiveness. This has been the focus of publications, recommendations and conferences developed by the NORA Organization of Work Team. Past research across several disciplines has revealed that gender- and race-related factors such as values, biases, harassment, discrimination, and lack of support for work-family balance can affect physical and mental health. However, these features of the work environment have rarely been included simultaneously with the study of other workplace conditions. Thus, knowledge is still very limited about correlations among them, as well as about potential confounding and interactions. This document is targeted to occupational safety and health researchers interested in evaluating the role of discrimination, bias and work-family issues in occupational injuries and illness. It will also be of interest to other health researchers interested in questions of the impact of workplace discrimination and bias on health.
     To develop this compendium, the researchers at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, through a contract with NIOSH, scanned the formal literature broadly to identify and disseminate information on measures used by researchers to assess the following domains:

• racism and racial/ethnic prejudice
• sexism and sexual harassment
• gender and racial discrimination
• work-family integration and balance
• support for diversity in the workplace/workforce

Click here for the full report.

OSHA Establishes a New National Emphasis Program on Silica
     The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) to target worksites where employees are at risk for developing silicosis. The NEP compliance directive builds on policies and procedures instituted in the 1996 Special Emphasis Program and includes an updated list of industries commonly known to have overexposures to silica; detailed information on potential hazards linked to silica and about current research regarding silica exposure hazards; guidance on calculating the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for dust containing respirable crystalline silica in the construction and maritime industries; and guidance on conducting silica-related inspections. Two additional elements included in the directive are an evaluation procedure for recording reductions of employee exposures to silica, as well as information on outreach programs, partnerships and alliances with employers to share resources and training to reduce employee exposures.
     Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by breathing in a large amount of crystalline silica.

Click here for more information.

Enforcement Procedures Directive for New Hexavalent Chromium Standards
     OSHA has issued a new compliance directive for occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The directive, OSHA Instruction CPL 02-02-074, Inspection Procedures for the Chromium (VI) Standards, was effective January 24, 2008. The Cr(VI) standards were originally published in the Feb. 28, 2006, Federal Register.  The standards became effective on May 30, 2006. Employers with 20 or more employees were given six months from the effective date to comply with most of the provisions. Employers with less than 20 employees were allowed 12 months from the effective date to come into compliance with most of the provisions. All employers were given four years from the effective date to install feasible engineering controls.
     The Cr(VI) standards are applicable to general industry, construction and shipyards (Sections 29 CFR 1910.1026, 29 CFR 1926.1126 and 29 CFR 1915.1026, respectively). Highlights of the new Cr(VI) directive include procedures for reviewing an employer's air sampling records to determine exposure levels; guidance on how employers can implement effective engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain exposure below approved permissible exposure limits; requirements for employers to provide hygiene areas to minimize employees' exposure to Cr(VI); guidelines requiring employers to maintain exposure and medical surveillance records; and a requirement that CSHOs evaluate portland cement wherever it is being used.
     The standards lower the permissible exposure limit for hexavalent chromium to 5 micrograms of Cr(VI) per cubic meter of air as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Hexavalent chromium compounds are regularly used in the chemical industry in pigments, metal plating and chemical synthesis. Significant health effects associated with exposure to Cr(VI) are lung cancer, nasal septum ulcerations and perforations, skin ulcerations, and allergic and irritant contact dermatitis.

Click here for more information.
 

OSHA Issues Portland Cement Guidance Document
     The U.S Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released Preventing Skin Problems from Working with Portland Cement, a new guidance document created to educate employers and employees about effective ways to prevent skin-related injuries in the cement and cement-related industries. Portland cement is a generic term used to describe a variety of building materials that have strong adhesive properties when mixed with water. Wet portland cement can damage the skin because it is caustic, abrasive, and absorbs moisture. It also contains trace amounts of hexavalent chromium, a toxin harmful to the skin. Portland cement is an ingredient in concrete, mortar, plaster, grout, stucco, and terrazzo.
     The new guidance addresses ways to prevent or minimize skin problems through the proper selection and use of gloves, boots and other personal protective equipment, including: kneepads; proper skin care and work practices such as use of pH neutral or slightly acidic soaps; and ways of making cement products less hazardous. OSHA estimates that there are more than one million employees that work with either portland cement or concrete which contains portland cement. The product is estimated to account for 25 percent or more of all work-related skin problems, while occupational skin disease is estimated to account for 10-15 percent of all work-related diseases.

Click here to for more information.
 

News You Can Use

Resource Center Helps Employers Hire Military Veterans
     The U.S. Department of Labor has established a comprehensive career website for hiring veterans of America's military. Desired to assist managers, human resources specialists and veterans, this resource is devoted to match employment opportunities with veterans. 

     The Employer Zone includes the following.

• Hire a Veteran Now!
• One-Stop Career Centers
• 10 Reasons to Hire Vets
• Be a HireVetsFirst Employer
• The Skills Translator
• Employer Testimonials
• Hire an Injured Veteran

     In addition, there is a video showing that getting connected to the right veteran for the right job is as easy as 1, 2, 3—and it’s absolutely FREE.

Click here for more information.

Your Child Could Be At Risk
     Approximately 2,400 children receive emergency room treatment every year for injuries caused by inserting objects into electrical receptacles, according to a 10-year report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This equates to about seven children each day. Even more alarming is that the report found that over 70% of these electrical incidents occur at home, with adult supervision typically present. Objects children insert are everyday, easily accessible household items:

Click here for the full report.

Source: Electrical Safety Foundation International

Motorcycles: Increasing Driver Awareness
     More than two-thirds of the time when cars and motorcycles crash, the driver causes the wreck, not the motorcyclist. Most of the time, the driver didn't see the motorcycle. Here are some tips for motorcyclists to help them stay visible.

1. Don't assume a driver can see you. The primary precautions are: helmets with retro-reflective materials; bright, contrasting clothing; fluorescent vests.
2. In 23 states, motorcyclists must keep their headlight on at all times. It is a good idea everywhere.
3. If you can't see a driver's face in his rear-view mirror, he can't see you, either. Be aware when you are in a blind spot.
4. Use your turn signals and don't make any sudden moves.
5. The most likely situations for a wreck:

• A car turning left in front of you.
• A driver changing lanes or turning when you are in his blind spot.
• Road hazards (potholes, standing water, railroad tracks) that make drivers do something sudden or unexpected.

"If you're going to test-drive a motorcycle, make sure you don't also test the hardness of the helmet, the scuff-resistance of your pants, the response time of the nearest ambulance, and the blood supply of the local Red Cross."

Click here for more motorcycle safety resources.

Source: Naval Safety Center

Physically Active Jobs May Decrease Prostate Cancer Risk
     Men with jobs that require them to be physically active may be getting benefits beyond salary -- a decreased risk of developing prostate cancer, according to a study at UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center.  Researchers studied more than 2,100 men who worked at the Rocketdyne facility in the San Fernando Valley, many of whom were exposed to radiation and chemicals that may have increased their risk for certain cancers. The research team identified 362 men who developed prostate cancer and compared them to 1,805 men of similar age and socioeconomic status who did not get prostate cancer. The study, done in conjunction with researchers at the Olive View-UCLA Education and Research Institute and the University of Michigan, appears in the February issue of the journal Cancer Causes Control.

Click here for the full report.

Source: Occupational Health & Safety Magazine

Gas Home Appliance Safety
     PG&E has prepared this quick reference guide for safety using gas appliances at home, including gas ranges, gas ovens, water heaters and furnaces.

Click here for more information.

Free Road Construction Safety Download
     The Roadway Safety Awareness Program provides an overview of common hazards in highway and road construction and simple prevention measures. It is designed for use by supervisory personnel with some safety and health experience or by safety and health personnel to orient new workers as they arrive on the jobsite. The program contents are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.  This program is not intended as a compliance guide. It is intended to help your company produce the worker awareness needed to achieve best practices. It is not a substitute for an OSHA 10-hour course or more in-depth training. It is a labor-management safety reminder.
     This material was produced under grant number 46C4-HT23 from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration and is based upon work supported by the Federal Highway Administration under grant agreement DTFH61-06-G-00007. It was developed by a consortium of trade associations and labor unions.

Click here to download.
 

Focus on Disaster Preparedness

ASSE White Paper: Understanding Crisis Management
     Crisis management planning has received considerable attention given terrorist activities that have occurred. The rush to better address this subject by many companies is similar to what occurred during the months and year proceeding 1/1/2000. Many environmental, health and safety professionals are being required to step up and lead these crisis management plans. Others are being required to work closely with security, human resource, and other professionals to assist with the plans.
     This is a comprehensive subject which includes all aspects of business including operations, marketing and media relations, distribution, and legal. As such, there is a great need for interpersonal communication between the various groups. Unfortunately, many parts of a program are established on a piece-meal basis by the individual groups responsible for components without the higher level oversight needed to ensure a comprehensive program. Many of the most significant business concerns are often not addressed.

Click here for the full executive summary.

Source: American Society of Safety Engineers

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1. SEE NO EVIL - Protective eyewear comes into the 21st century with wrap-around styles that are fashionable, comfortable, and in full compliance with ANSI Z87.1 as required by OSHA.
2. HEAR NO EVIL - Put hearing protection where the noise is.  Many styles of earplugs are now available in bulk dispensers that can be placed virtually anywhere.
3. SPEAK NO EVIL - Full facepiece respirators include a speaking diaphragm for clear and easy communications. 
4. STEP ON IT  - Anti-fatigue matting helps relieve back and leg fatigue.  Many materials and sizes available, including matting with colored edges that identify hazards in accordance with OSHA 1910.144.
5. JUST THE RIGHT TOUCH - Disposable gloves are available in a variety of materials and thicknesses for the best combination of sensitivity and durability.

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

Hi-Visibility Tri-Color Safety Vests Rated ANSI/ISEA-107 Class 2

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. 

Available with polyester knit, cool polyester mesh, or flame-retardant fabric

Stock sizes M  L  XL  2XL  3XL  4XL