OSHA Focus on Pandemic Influenza  [reprinted from last month's Saf-T-Gardian]
     A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population; begins to cause serious illness; and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide. A worldwide influenza pandemic could have a major effect on the global economy, including travel, trade, tourism, food, consumption and eventually, investment and financial markets. Planning for pandemic influenza by business and industry is essential to minimize a pandemic's impact.
     During a pandemic, transmission can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patient to workers in health care settings, but also among co-workers in general work settings. A pandemic would cause high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Click here for more OSHA Resources.

Click here to watch a Workplace Preparation Webcast Video (46 minutes).

From CDC-NIOSH - Occupational Health Issues Associated with H1N1 Influenza Virus (Swine Flu)
     The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is coordinating with other parts of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address national health needs associated with preventing the spread of H1N1 Influenza Virus and providing information to workers and employers. NIOSH provides technical guidance for workers, including health-care and transportation workers, for whom job-related questions about exposure or infection may be an occupational concern.

Click here for more information.

NIOSH Power Tools Database - Noise Data

     Now available is an informational database of power tools commonly used in the occupational setting. The database was developed by NIOSH and includes data gathered by NIOSH researchers. The database is particularly helpful in determining the "real-world" noise level of power tools as they are used on the job. The database contains such information as sound power levels, sound pressure level and downloadable exposure and wave files. Further, links to the NIOSH Hearing Protector Compendium are included to assist in choosing appropriate hearing protection.

Click here for more information.

OSHA's Role in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
     The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009. The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. OSHA's role is to ensure that worker protection laws are enforced as recovery infrastructure investments are carried out.

Click here for more information.                                         

OSHA Notifies Workplaces with High Injury and Illness Rates
     The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has notified more than 13,500 employers nationwide that their injury and illness rates are considerably higher than the national average. A letter sent this month to those employers explained that the notification was a proactive step to encourage employers to take action now to reduce these rates and improve safety and health conditions in their workplaces.
     OSHA identified businesses with the nation's highest rates of workplace injuries and illnesses through employer-reported data from a 2008 survey of 80,000 worksites (this survey collected injury and illness data for calendar year 2007). Workplaces receiving notifications had rates more than twice the national average among all U.S. workplaces for injuries resulting in days away from work, restricted work activity, or job transfer.
     Employers receiving the letters were also provided copies of their injury and illness data, along with a list of the most frequently cited OSHA standards for their specific industry. The letter offered assistance in helping to reduce these numbers by suggesting, among other things, the use of free OSHA safety and health consultation services provided through the states, state workers' compensation agencies, insurance carriers, or outside safety and health consultants.

Click here for more information.
 

OSHA Announces Rulemaking on Combustible Dust Hazards
     OSHA will issue an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and convene related stakeholder meetings to evaluate possible regulatory methods, and request data and comments on issues related to combustible dust such as hazard recognition, assessment, communication, defining combustible dust and other concerns. Since 1980, more than 130 workers have been killed and more than 780 injured in combustible dust explosions. These include 14 people who were killed in a dust explosion Feb. 7, 2008, at an Imperial Sugar Co. plant in Georgia and three workers who were burned in April 2009 in an Illinois pet food plant dust explosion.
     Combustible dusts are solids finely ground into fine particles, fibers, chips, chunks or flakes that can cause a fire or explosion when suspended in air under certain conditions. Types of dusts include metal (aluminum and magnesium), wood, plastic or rubber, coal, flour, sugar and paper, among others.

Click here for more information.
 

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. 

Cool polyester mesh fabric

Stock sizes S M  L  XL  2XL  3XL  4XL 5XL

News You Can Use

Save Your Knees
     Knee pain affects people of all ages - check out a one-stop shop from knee experts.  The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has created a comprehensive, interactive site about KNEES!  The new Save Your Knees web portal is full of multimedia information focused on knees:  keeping knees healthy, exercise, common knee problems, injury prevention, treatments, including non-surgical and surgical options, and more.  Now patients, physicians and the public have a trusted source. The portal provides the most up-to-date knee information.
     On the site you will find:

• Question of the Week – multiple choice, true/false, polls. Each week a new question will be featured.

• Healthy Knees at Any Age – click and drag the slider bar to select your age group. Links change to appropriate information for any age.
• Fun Knee Facts – quick, interesting facts that change randomly.
• Kids Korner – Meet the Boneses (a family shaped like bones!) and more for little learners.
• eMotion Pictures – stories and artwork from artists suffering from knee pain.
• Patient Stories – direct accounts from orthopaedic patients with knee problems.
• ...and more...

Click here for more information.

Most Employers Underestimate Full Costs of Employee Health on Productivity
     Poor health among workers is far costlier to U.S. employers than they realize, impacting their profitability and undercutting the nation's overall productivity. A recent multi-employer study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine indicates that the costs of poor health are much greater for employers than medical and pharmaceutical spending alone. The multi-year study of 10 organizations employing more than 150,000 workers indicates that employers who focus only on medical and pharmacy costs in creating employee health strategies may misidentify the health conditions that most impact the productivity of their employees – while underestimating the impact of other factors. One such factor, "presenteeism," occurs when employees with health conditions are present at their jobs but are unable to perform at full capacity. The study closely examined the effects of presenteeism, concluding that impaired employee-performance typically creates a greater drain on a company's productivity than employee absence – a finding which could come as a surprise to some employers.
     The study also found that when considering medical and drug costs alone, the top five conditions driving costs are cancer (other than skin cancer), back/neck pain, coronary heart disease, chronic pain and high cholesterol. But when health-related productivity costs are measured along with medical and pharmacy costs, the top five chronic health conditions driving these overall health costs shift significantly, to depression, obesity, arthritis, back/neck pain and anxiety. The study suggests that many employers miss an opportunity to improve productivity and their bottom-line results by failing to recognize and prioritize these health conditions when they develop integrated employee-health strategies and related interventions.

Click here for the full report.

Source: EHS Today Magazine

Don’t Let Spring Cleaning Turn Messy
     Spring is here and it’s finally time to put those winter coats away, clean out the closet and get organized. As you climb ladders, lift boxes, scrub floors and sort through clutter, remember to keep safety top of mind. Follow the Home Safety Council’s safety tips to protect your family as you welcome the warmer weather.

Click here for the full report.

Source: Home Safety Council
 

Fact Sheet: Teens at Work, Know the Risks
     Approximately 80 percent of U.S. teens work annually at some time during their high school years, many during the summer. While they earn extra money and gain valuable work experience, the risk of serious injury or even a fatal injury is present. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2004 alone, more than 38,000 teen workers were injured on the job, and another 134 were fatally injured. Workers aged 15 to 17 spend most of their work hours in food preparation and service jobs, handling stock or in labor jobs, as administrative support jobs, farming, forestry or in fishing jobs. Common injuries sustained among teens include sprains, strains, contusions, lacerations, and fractures.
     Teens: Working at a job while you’re still in school can be great! Not only can you earn money, you can develop new skills and explore future careers. Teens have become an important part of the workforce because so many high school students now have part-time jobs.
     Although most teens work fewer hours and hold less dangerous jobs than adults, teenagers have a high rate of work-related injuries. Every year in the U.S., nearly 70 teenagers under age 18 die from work-related injuries. Another 77,000 teen workers are hurt badly enough to end up in hospital emergency rooms. Additionally, more than 5,000 workers of all ages die from work-related injuries each year and four million more suffer work-related illnesses and debilitating injuries countrywide.

Click here for the full report.

Source: American Society of Safety Engineers
 

Prep for a Safe Prom and Graduation
     The school year ends with prom and graduation. As a parent, you want these festivities to be special, but also safe. Encourage your teen to practice safe driving behaviors while going to and from prom, graduation and beyond.

Click here for the full report.

Source: National Safety Council

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.

• What Barb likes about Saf-T-Gard: "I truly believe in the products that I'm selling. The products are needed, useful and help protect people in their work environment and keep them safe. I also love the fact that I look forward to coming to work each day. This is due to the camaraderie and team work that is shared throughout this entire company." 
• What make Barb's day: "People are what make my day at Saf-T-Gard. The customers, prospects and everyone around me. I get great pleasure from talking, helping and listening which are my main components to my job. It's always an exciting and interesting day at Saf-T-Gard."
• Barb's outside interests include but are not limited to taking long walks with my cocker spaniel Clea, gardening growing everything from vegetables to wild flowers, spending quality time with my husband and 2 children, dancing, swimming, movies, shopping, reading and dining out." 
• Anything else: [from an observer] "Barb combines a smile and cheerful spirit with a deep sense of professionalism."