Scissor Lifts & Fall Protection: A Safety Officers Opinion

There is continuing discussion about the need to utilize appropriate fall protection (harness lanyard connected to anchorage point) while working within scissor lifts. Let’s not mask the need by referencing minimalist OSHA regulations and interpretations which essentially differ the strict need to be “tied off”. Even with full rail systems people are falling. On a recent fatality investigation, yes a fall from a fully railed lift, I commented; “look at all the modern, excellent equipment we use on projects in construction and yet we still have these accidents!” Let’s stop the parochial review of what OSHA may enforce and manufacturer’s may suggest and get serious about preventing accidents. I have no patience for so called “safety professionals” who use rote necessitation of OSHA regulation and interpretive letters when their job is solely accident prevention. We recently saw one contractor who built a diamond plate stair system to be placed on a scissor lift platform to gain elevation. They said their “PE” designed it so it must be OK!

Scissor Lift Tie Off Point

Author: John P. Coniglio - PhD, CSP, CHMM, RPIH, CSC

Managing Director of OSEA (www.osea.com)

Narcotic Painkillers - In the Workplace

Reviewing cases involving industrial accidents presents many interesting facts about the

workplaces we toil within, both construction & industrial. This information is gathered to a large degree from transcripts of testimonies from the injured and of interest is after the incident’ outcomes as it pertains to the treatment (medical) and the waiting disruption of the lives of injured workers.

I have always been amazed at the amount of narcotic pain medicine prescribed (loratab a favorite) to individuals with a past history of drug abuse. In several cases the worker sought out further treatment for addiction after on-going receipt of narcotic pain ‘killers’. It made me wonder why these physicians are prescribing these narcotics and what are the alternatives? The National Safety in its July 2014 edition of 'Safety & Health’ magazine reported on a study of prescription painkillers; “worker use of prescription painkillers; wide-spread, varies by state report”, authored by the Workers Compensation Research Institute released May 14, 2014. Upon review of 264,000 workers compensation cases and this 1.5 million Rx associated with them demonstrated some startling facts.

• On average 85% of injured workers in most states (25 states included in study), received narcotic painkillers.

• Typically the workers received 1800 milligrams of morphine equivalent narcotics per claim.

• Workers in N.Y and Louisiana received 3600 milligrams on average. This is equivalent to taking a 5 milligram Vicodan tablet ever 4 hours for 4 months.

You further have to ask yourself how much of these narcotics go beyond the injured worker to others for illicit use? We all know the problems occurring with Rx drugs getting into the hands of recreational drug abusers!These drugs are leaving Rx by physicians working under U.S. authorization and certainly their aim is pain reduction after an accident. But it seems clear that the physicians and the U.S. Systems of States must begin to reconsider this approach and seek improved treatment and alternative pain reduction treatment. Perhaps faster diagnosis and treatments authorized by the W.C. Systems would shorten the pain cycle experienced and get the resolution of the problem faster. Certainly, prevention of the accident in the first place would resolve the problem. Treatment modalities using narcotics as a last resort, not first reaction, would seem in order. Long term chronic cases should be sent to pain clinics for alternative treatment options. Any worker taking narcotic pain relievers would be suspect for return to work while taking the medication. Close review of a patients history of past drug abuse would certainly give pause to prescribing narcotics.

This is a serious situation requiring study and response...

Author: John P. Coniglio - PhD, CSP, CHMM, RPIH, CSC

Managing Director of OSEA (www.osea.com)

How do we make safety a priority?

You don’t!  Surprising response to this often asked question.  We've tried over the years.  Our humanist tendency compels us to set safety as the standard.  Yet, our “blind eye”, not an uncaring spirit puts it behind other workplace concerns.  Safety First!  Well, how has that worked?  While we do make continual improvements, those come from regulatory pressure, technological advancements and a clear change from a heavy industrial complex to a service driven economy.  Serious accidents still occur at an unacceptable rate, especially in what is left of industry and in construction.  We have also lagged in adjusting our thinking to prevention in the service sector with ergonomics being a prime concern.

What’s the answer?  Safety needs only to be a common thread mixed within all the other threads of the workplace.  Part of the common fabric of planning, decision making and expectation-at all levels!  Just an automatic part of what we plan and do.

Start with culture, quite frankly an over worked phrase!  But the truth is, it’s important and the very factor that separates average from exceptional.  Some companies have found the formula to achieve the common expectation of a safe work environment.  With our basic socialization within the workplace, hierarchy of position and leadership, it’s not surprising that as always is stated, it starts at the top!  Management sets the tone, the pace and the expectation.  Culture emanates from this simple fact.  Management sets the culture not the employee. To think passing this responsibility down the line to them is the answer only sets an improper expectation and the foundation for excuse.  Effective management does not work toward minimal compliance to regulations as an expectation; they espouse an, “Is It Safe” environment.  This equals the concern for profitability and quality.

Empowering employees to be part of this process gets them to be part of this process, gets them to work automatically in a safe manner and not just toward minimal compliance.

Profitability, quality and safety are then one fabric!

Author: John P. Coniglio - PhD, CSP, CHMM, RPIH, CSC

Managing Director of OSEA (www.osea.com)

Legalized Marijuana In the Workplace

Denver has recently legalized the use of recreational marijuana.  Without entering into a discussion of the social/political aspects of this step, what will the impact be on the workplace?

Marijuana contains several chemicals referred to as cannabinoids, more often as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).  Its effect is unique preventing classification as a stimulant, sedative, tranquilizer or hallucinogen.  Marijuana has definitive medical use and currently 20 states allow such use.  It would seem proper with its clinically positive impact to allow this use as a pharmaceutical since we prescribe opiates for pain control.  Why not marijuana?

However, recreational allowance opens many doors for possible impact in the workplace not to mention driving automobiles!  At what level does impairment have a negative impact and if it is legal, when does it become “illegal” in the workplace?

The effect of marijuana (THC) is like most substances, dose related.  Currently many workplaces espouse “drug free” workplaces.  This affords a ZERO tolerance for drug and alcohol use and when detection is positive, removal from the workplace and often entry into an employee assistance program or loss of employment.  Positive test results generally indicate use within 1-3 days with detection period expanded for chronic users.  An immunoassay after 4 hours of use can trigger a positive hit (50 ng/ml) following use.  Lower levels can be detectable for as long as 5 weeks in urine.

The literature is expansive on impact but no definitive charting appears as to what level establishes impairment.  If you have a “ZERO” tolerance, will the legalization impact handling of positive results and continued employment?  Will challenges appear?

What to do?   There is no place for drug or alcohol use in the workplace.  This includes the lingering effect and possible impairment from prior use before reporting to work.  While definitive levels for establishing impairment is still being investigated and established, literature points out it definitely exists with marijuana use.  ZERO tolerance should remain in place and with an effectively communicated policy in place with training and uniform enforcement all will be so advised and held accountable!

Author: John P. Coniglio - PhD, CSP, CHMM, RPIH, CSC

Managing Director of OSEA (www.osea.com)

Source information: 

National Highway & Traffic Safety Administration, Drugs and Human Performance Fact Sheet.

Marijuana Meets The Workplace

So what do you think of legalization of “weed”!  Why not, alcohol is legal.  But how do we equate usage with impairment?  Will we derive some level of allowable dose similar to alcohol for defining legal impairment?  And, if we do, will the “ZERO” tolerance in place now at many workplaces (as part of a Drug & Alcohol Policy), hold up to future liberalized interpretation when a dismissal occurs after a failed drug test because Cannabis (THC) was detected?

marijuana has a greater half life than alcohol since is is stored in the fat cells.  Simply put, it is detectable for a far greater period after use especially in chronic users.  Will some level of the chemical component detected be acceptable as we go forward and begin to quantify the impairment levels at varying doses?

This is a changing Frontier.  Liberalization of drug use will open doors to acceptability at some level which will or could impact the workplace.  Will “ZERO” tolerance hold up?  What do you think?

As someone stated to me recently, we dumb them down in school, get em’ high and wonder why we are falling behind!

Have some thoughts on this developing area, share them.

Author: John P. Coniglio - PhD, CSP, CHMM, RPIH, CSC

Managing Director of OSEA (www.osea.com)

The Best Feedback Comes From Within

The Best Feedback Comes From Within

Is it safe?  This is the most important question that needs to be answered in the workplace.  Chance taking is not a proper form of risk assessment!  So how do we know if it is safe?  How do we know that the employee can answer that question?  We train (hopefully), we set standards (hopefully above minimal compliance), and we seek feedback.

Some of the best organized feedback can come from the safety committee.  These voluntary members can collect information from fellow workers, ply their knowledge reviewing issues and with proper training sort through the mundane and present information on critical items for review and discussion.  Most importantly, things unnoticed now have a communication path.

We can engineer operations but no one is closer to the task than the employee, the same people that should make up the safety committee.  The worker tasked with completion of the operation is the best source of information on the safe aspects and quite frankly, productivity considerations.  Often, these suggestions not only affect safety considerations, but improved process and productivity.

A well-organized safety committee empowers the workforce to participate, voice their concerns, to be part of the successful operation and most importantly, part of the change.  The commitment to such an effort is demanding but has great return on invested time.  This form of involvement and communication is excellent.

• If you do not have a safety committee, start one!   Seek out assistance to help properly organize and seek out voluntary participation.  Make it important!
• If you have one, review its operation and make adjustments as needed to keep it effective.

Author: John P. Coniglio - PhD, CSP, CHMM, RPIH, CSC

Executive VP of OSEA (www.osea.com)

2014 New Year's Resolution: Improve Safety Performance

10 ways to improve safety performance in 2014

1.     What is your safety culture?  Find out what employees and supervisors think of your safety effort.

2.     Do an assessment, get feedback.  Then follow up after 6 months to see if any adjustments are having impact on areas of negative feedback.

3.     Train and train effectively.  This includes all employees and supervision.

4.     Top management with renewed involvement.  Pace setters with vigor!

5.     Set goals and expectations.  Utilize the safety professional assisting the site to aid the process and gauge results.

6.     Do an audit of the facility and operations.  Use employees in the process.  Look beyond mere regulatory compliance and check to see things are safe.

7.     Review your safety management system or safety program. Update and plan for the year’s activity based on your expected operations, goals and objectives.  If you don’t have one, develop one.

8.      Reinvigorate your safety committee, if one is not present set it up.

9.      Begin to do or reevaluate current Job Safety (Hazard) Analysis for critical tasks.  This will include personal protection selection and evaluation of indoor air quality.

10.   Do safety briefs daily.  Review and discuss with work crews the day’s activity, safety concerns and expectations.

Good luck with your efforts as luck will come from nothing more than well directed effort!

Author: John P. Coniglio - PhD, CSP, CHMM, RPIH, CSC

Executive VP of OSEA (www.osea.com)

Changes to the Hazard Communication Standard

Major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard

• Hazard classification: Provides specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures.
• Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.
• Safety Data Sheets: Will now have a specified 16-section format.
• Information and training: Employers are required to train workers by December 1, 2013 on the new labels elements and safety data sheets format to facilitate recognition and understanding.

         osha.gov

OSHA Focuses on Temporary Workers

On April 29, 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a memorandum to its regional administrators advising them of a new effort using enforcement, outreach and training to protect temporary workers from workplace hazards.  The guidance is the result of a series of reports of temporary workers suffering fatal injuries during the first days on the job. 

The memo advises regional administrators to direct compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) to first determine, within the scope of their inspections whether any employees are temporary workers and whether any of the identified temporary employees are exposed to a violative condition.”  Second, CHSOs “should assess – using records review and interviews – whether those workers have in fact received required training in a language and vocabulary they understand.” For purposes of this information gathering, OSHA is focused on temporary workers supplied and paid by a staffing (or “temp”) agency.  An OSHA official confirmed to AGC in a recent conversation that the effort is not intended to cover directly hired temporary employees or employees managed by a professional employer organization (“PEO”).  

Within OSHA’s Information System, the directive instructs CHSOs to flag worksites where any temporary employees are exposed to violative conditions.  In addition, inspectors are now required to capture the name of the workers’ staffing agency, the agency’s location, and the extent to which the temporary workers are being supervised on a day-to-day basis by either the host employer or the staffing agency.

Increasing the Awareness

Increasing the Awareness: OSEA, Inc.

Occupational safety and health (OSH) consists of standard rules and
procedures designed to maintain workplace health and safety. The
main task is to increase the safety in a typically hazardous work
environment. Anyone who walks into an environment, including family
members and customers, must be safe at all times.

Occupational health and safety includes a range of topics, such as
chemistry, public health and work hygiene. Hazard assessment is done
to find, determine and reduce hazards. However, the program may not
remove all risks. A risk assessment is done to create a solution. Risks
are controlled using several steps: find the hazard, find the sources
close to the hazard, analyze the risk and find proper control methods.

When major workplace changes are made, these assessments must
be reviewed and redone regularly. After control measures are put into
place, the OSH expert must evaluate the effectiveness by reviewing
the risk levels. The risk level should be lowered one level at a time.

Not following occupational safety has legal, ethical and financial
effects. Breaking health and safety laws has punitive and financial
consequences. The obvious ethical consequences include lawsuits
created because of unnecessary illnesses, injuries and deaths. As far
as money goes, OSA reduces medical bills and sick leave payouts that
could add up for years.

Workplace rules and regulations are not all bloated and unnecessary.
Heavy industries, like those involving the use of metal or agricultural
equipment, require optimal safety. It is easy to lose a limb or swallow
a chemical that causes internal damage or death. Even a slip and fall
leads to a hospital visit. It is never unreasonable to promote mental
and physical wellness in the workplace. All workers must function well
in environments suited to their physical and psychological abilities.
However, no worker should have to function in a dangerous and
unpredictable environment.

Construction Safety Tips for Workers
Construction is a field that involves the use of hazardous chemicals
and heavy equipment that could fall or break apart at any time.
Accidents and fatalities vary in different cities, but the main point is
that they do happen. Non-fatal illnesses and accidents cause all kinds
of problems with the most obvious being high medical expenses.
Construction safety is standard in this industry because dangers are
encountered every day.

There are numerous ways that construction workers protect
themselves. People who are involved in traditionally dangerous
jobs are required to review occupational safety and health (OSH)
guidelines. Employers must include safety in employee training. OSH
information is specially designed for employers and employees who do
not always pay attention to safety.

Paying attention is the most important part of construction safety.
Useful workers look out for hidden and visible dangers that are present
on the floors, lights, walls and ceilings. Accidents are caused by people
who are careless for one second and do not bother to look for hidden
dangers. Falling objects is another issue. If there is a suspended load,
no one should move or stand underneath it. Construction safety is
ignored mainly by workers who think that they are invincible and have
super strength. The fact is that a small mishap could lead to a serious
disaster.

Equipment should be handled correctly at all times. All workers must
know how to control the equipment properly. The lives of themselves
and others are easily at stake. Even non-construction workers have
been crushed by machines. Projects are done right only when the right
tools are used, such as gloves, goggles and hard hats.

Maintenance is part of safety. If a machine spurs or breaks down, the
best solution is to repair or replace it rather than continue to use it.
Good equipment is cleaned and checked for major faults. To prevent
a problem or solve it, employees must know about all of their options
and obligations. Workers and other members of the general public can
stay informed about current construction safety at www.osea.com.


Environmental Safety

Environmental safety refers to a set of complex regulations regarding
the work environment. Each company follows the set of regulations
that apply to them based on what kinds of materials are in the building
or on the property and what kinds of hazards the work provides.
Some regulations are established by companies in-house to prevent
accidents and injuries but others are required by OSHA.

Maintaining proper environmental safety regulations is an important
part of providing a safe workplace as required by OSHA. When they
are first starting up or whenever a major change is made, many
businesses choose to hire a consultant like those at osea.com to look
at their current regulations and make adjustments where needed. This
avoids potentially hazardous mistakes caused by not having protocols
in place later on.

Environmental safety protocols regulate how certain chemicals are
used, stored and processed as waste. These might be chemicals
involved in manufacturing, cleaning, experimentation or those being
transported. If a facility such as a school or medical hospital uses
nuclear material, environmental safety regulations are established to
determine how these materials are used, as well.

Aside from the regulation of acute toxins, environmental safety
regulations also provide guidelines for how to maintain general health
and avoid accident risks on the job. All sorts of things from the type
of ladders that can be used to what kind of first aid kits must be on
hand are covered. These regulations protect people by establishing
guidelines for safe behavior. They also help provide protection to
workers so that employers cannot ask them to perform tasks that
could be hazardous to their health.

OSHA citation and inspection statistics for Buffalo, NY

OSHA statistics for Buffalo, NY

safety talks save lives

Everyone has heard about the dreaded safety talk at there construction site. Most people show up, roll their eyes and look at their watch waiting for the safety guy to stop talking. What I don't understand is the same people go home and tell their kids to pay attention in school.  Repetition is a proven method of instruction; we counted to ten numerous times in kindergarten until we could say it backwards. Why do people not believe in the same concept for safety talks? If I tell you over and over that stepping on the top rung of a ladder is unsafe don't you think it is a lesson you will remember on the job? So next time you find yourself in a safety talk, pick your head up and listen, it might just save your life.

Construction Software: Awaiting Field Lens

Within the last year new software and apps have been popping up for the construction world with promises from "keep your company safer" to "save you money".  We fully understand the need for the construction industry to leverage new technology, however most of the products we have demoed were either garbage or way too complicated and seemed to make the job harder.  Lets face it if I have to train my employees on how to use software or an app because, well, its that complicated then I don't plan on using that product.  I want something that works right out of the box, is user friendly and actually makes my job easier or makes me more marketable to my clients.  One product that we got an inside look at is FieldLens (below) and it blew us away.  This is the first solution we looked at that will in our opinion put the competition to bed for sure, we are eagerly anticipating the beta release so we can get this thing working for us in the field.

Hands on safety training

OSEA, Inc. recently conducted the 40 hour Hazardous Waste Operations & Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) for some of our clients.  The following is a video of the hands on portion of our training.

safe work practices, at home?

Unfortunately small business owners and do-it-yourself home owners don't do it safe!  For the most part it is not that these people don't know what the standards for safety are (even common sense safety) rather it is they feel exempt.  "I have less than 10 employees" or "I'm just working at my house, OSHA has nothing to do with it"; what we always tell these individuals is you are correct OSHA will not come to your house or small business, however have you ever heard of civil lawsuits when someone gets hurt? how about NYS Code Rules? ah you should probably do some light reading this weekend!