OSHA's preliminary top 10 violations for fiscal year 2014 were recently announced at the National Safety Council Expo by the deputy director of OSHA's Directorate of Enforcement Programs, Patrick Kapust.

Before we cover those most cited standards, let's a look at a few statistics from 2013.

• The 3,929 fatal work injuries that occurred in private industry is the lowest total since BLS began collecting this data more than 20 years ago.
• Transportation-related incidents accounted for 40% of all fatal work injuries, but declined in 2013.
• One out of six fatal work injuries was the result of violence – including suicide and homicide.
• Fatal work injuries involving contractors accounted for 17% of all fatal work injuries in 2013.

In some aspects things are better, but clearly, we still have much work to do. Based on 2013's numbers, on average, there are 85 deaths a week or more than 12 deaths every day. Despite being the lowest total since the fatal injury census was first conducted in 1992, that's still too many deaths!

Many, if not close to all, of these deaths are preventable with proper training and a conscience decision from all parties involved to do things as safe as possible and report unsafe actions. As you can see in the most frequently cited standards, many are still "doing it the way we always have done it." For some, this is laziness or a disregard for safety; and for others, it is simply ignorance to the rules and guidelines. The numbers below should be a reminder that we do still have much to do, and that will be hard without open dialogue and a decision to do better for the sake of all those who became a statistic below.
 

Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards for FY 2014:

1. Fall Protection (Construction) (29 CFR 1926.501) 6,143 violations
• OSHA-10 Construction Industry Training
• Fall Protection Training
1. Examples being: failing to use fall protection correctly or failing to provide fall protection.
    
2. Hazard Communications (29 CFR 1910.1200) 5,161 violations
• Hazard Communications Training
1. Examples being: failing to have safety data sheets (SDS) for each chemical in the workplace or chemical labeling mistakes.
    
3. Scaffolding (Construction) (29 CFR 1926.451) 4,029 violations
• OSHA-10 Construction Industry Training
1. Examples being: loading scaffolds in excess of their capacity or failing to protect employees from fall hazards on scaffolds.
    
4. Respiratory Protection (29 CFR 1910.134) 3,223 violations
• OSHA-10 General Industry Training
• Respiratory Protection Training
1. Examples being: lack of a written program or failing to train employees.
    
5. Lockout / Tagout (29 CFR 1910.147) 2,704 violations
   
• OSHA-10 General Industry Training
• Lockout/ Tagout Training
1. Examples being: complete lack of a hazardous energy control program or failing to apply locks.
    
6. Powered Industrial Trucks (29 CFR 1910.178) 2,662 violations
• Forklift Operator Safety Training
1. Examples being: lack of operator training or forklifts not in safe operating condition.
    
7. Electrical - Wiring Methods (29 CFR 1910.305) 2,490 violations
• OSHA-10 General Industry Training
• NFPA 70E Arc Flash Safety Training
1. Examples being: conductors enter boxes unprotected or employees are exposed to live contacts.
    
8. Ladders (Construction) (29 CFR 1926.1053) 2,448 violations
• OSHA-10 Construction Industry Training
1. Examples being: using an inappropriate type of ladder for the job or using a ladder not designed for the load it is carrying.
    
9. Machine Guarding (29 CFR 1910.212) 2,200 violations
• OSHA-10 General Industry Training
1. Examples being: not using guards at point of operation for machinery that may pose a hazard or guards are removed by employees.
    
10. Electrical - General Requirements (29 CFR 1910.303) 2,056 violations
• OSHA-10 General Industry Training
• NFPA 70E Arc Flash Safety Training
1. Examples being: not having workers appropriately trained to avoid electric shock or electrocution or not guarding live parts.
    

ALS is the acronym for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It is also known as motor neurone disease (MND), Charcot disease, and many know it as Lou Gehrig’s disease (named after the famous baseball player from the 1920s and 30s who was forced to retire and died from ALS).

The disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The brain sends motor neurons to the spinal cord and from there get sent to muscles all over your body. ALS/MND affect these neurons in a way where they begin to degenerate/break down and then die, unable to send any more messages to the muscles. These muscles that enable us to move around, speak, breathe, swallow, etc. are then weakened and eventually waste away. You are still able to think, see, taste, smell, and feel but you may experience paralysis, muscle weakness, or difficulty breathing, swallowing, or even speaking. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within 3 to 5 years from the onset of symptoms. However, about 10 percent of those with ALS survive for 10 or more years. One of these survivors is none other than Stephen Hawking, an English theoretical physicist, who you may be familiar with.

ALS is one of the most common MNDs. People of any race and ethnic background can be affected and in 90-95% of all ALS cases, the disease occurs at random with no clearly associated risk factors. These cases are individuals with no family history of ALS, however 5-10% are inherited. ALS is more common among men than women, with white males, non-Hispanics, and aged 60-69 years being the most common. However, again, younger and older people can also develop the disease.

The Truth Hurts:

• No test can provide a definite diagnosis of ALS, however having signs and symptoms of both upper and lower motor neuron damage are a strong suggestion of the disease.

• We do not have the answer as to what causes ALS and why some are afflicted while others are not.

• No cure has yet been found for ALS. We have some treatments that slow progression and relive some symptoms, however more research is necessary to further understand how to slow, even stop, ALS.

So with many unknown elements involved, we may ask, how do we help? Research is being done to further understand the disease and how to prevent and cure it. But one of the largest movements to fight back against ALS came when 29-year-old Pete Frates, who was diagnosed himself with ALS in 2012, posted a video on social media and challenged some friends to do the same. This was the start of what many know now as the “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.” Using the hashtag “#ALSIceBucketChallenge” the world over is fighting back against ALS. The viral challenge has since become a sensation, with people across the country and even worldwide showing support, raising awareness, and donating to the previously lesser-known disease.

The challenge has certainly increased awareness. With the assistance of donations (a part of the challenge as well) research and development for a cure for ALS can be realized hopefully much sooner than previously thought. With so many people together for a great cause, the ice bucket challenge has brought in over $41 million dollars so far!

In an effort to continue the trend of raising awareness of ALS, we here at Safety Training Services conclude this article with some helpful ALS facts provided by alsa.org, as well as a video of our company President, Rob Groszewski, showing his support.

“Facts You Should Know” – From alsa.org

• ALS is not contagious

• It is estimated that ALS is responsible for nearly two deaths per hundred thousand population annually.

• Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. The incidence of ALS is two per 100,000 people, and it is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans may have the disease at any given time.

• Although the life expectancy of an ALS patient averages about two to five years from the time of diagnosis, this disease is variable and many people live with quality for five years and more. More than half of all patients live more than three years after diagnosis.

• About twenty percent of people with ALS live five years or more and up to ten percent will survive more than ten years and five percent will live 20 years. There are people in whom ALS has stopped progressing and a small number of people in whom the symptoms of ALS reversed.

• ALS occurs throughout the world with no radical, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries.

• ALS can strike anyone.

• The onset of ALS is insidious with muscle weakness or stiffness as early symptoms. Progression of weakness, wasting and paralysis of the muscles of the limbs and trunk as well as those that control vital functions such as speech, swallowing and later breathing generally follows.

• There can be significant costs for medical care, equipment and home health caregiving later in the disease. It is important to be knowledgeable about your health plan coverage and other programs for which you may be eligible, including SSA, Medicare, Medical and Veteran Affairs benefits.

• Riluzole, the first treatment to alter the course of ALS, was approved by the FDA in late 1995. This antiglutamate drug was shown scientifically to prolong the life of persons with ALS by at least a few months. More recent studies suggest Riluzole slows the progress of ALS, allowing the patient more time in the higher functioning states when their function is less affected by ALS. Click here for more information on the drug. Many private health plans cover the cost of Riluzole. Further information on Riluzole coverage through Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit can be found in the Advocacy pages of this website.

In 1971, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created an Outreach Training Program as a voluntary program with a purpose to promote workplace safety and health, as well as help workers become more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights. Over the years OSHA has done well to expand the reach of the program and with this growth has increased training availability with their train-the-trainer format. In fact according to OSHA, between FY 2008 and FY 2013, more than 3.6 million workers were trained in job hazard recognition and avoidance through the program.

OSHA offers Outreach Training Programs for 4 industries: Construction, General Industry, Maritime, and Disaster Site work. For the sake of this article, we will be covering the construction and general industries. Although their class formats and even a few topics are similar, generally they cover a different set of topics and the atmosphere and scope is much different and taking one over the other can be unnecessary and a waste of time and money, depending on the industry you work in.

Why were these implemented?

The OSHA Outreach Training Program provides training on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of workplace hazards. Outreach classes also provide overview information regarding OSHA, including workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint.

Why take one over another?

The 10 hour courses are designed and intended for entry or lower level workers, due to the nature of the material covered. It is a more simplistic approach and covers a smaller scope. The 30 hour courses are designed and intended for higher level workers, those with some safety responsibility, due to the larger scope and more topics included in the 30 hour course. Although it should be noted, that any worker would benefit from either 10 hour or 30 hour courses; however as stated earlier, a worker in the construction industry would not get a proper representation of their industry in the general industry course and vice versa.

What is the difference between the two?

As per OSHA.gov’s website: “The 10 hour course provides basic awareness training on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of workplace hazards. The course also provides information regarding workers' rights, employer responsibilities, and filing a complaint.

The 30 hour course provides a greater depth and variety of training on an expanded list of topics associated with workplace hazards in each industry. OSHA provides authorized trainers procedures for each industry program on the topic outlines for each industry.”

The neat thing about these programs is that they are customizable to a company’s own wants and needs. For example, the 10 hour General Industry course covers the following mandatory topics:

• Introduction to OSHA
• Walking/Working Surfaces
• Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention and Protection Plans
• Electrical Hazards
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Hazard Communication

With the following example topics being selective or optional and can be selected to best tailor to a specific company based on want/need:

• Hazardous Material Flammable/Combustible
• Machine Guarding
• Confined Space Entry Awareness
• Lock Out/Tag Out

The list becomes even longer when you look at a 30 hour OSHA course. It is a more detailed version of the previous topics and also includes Materials Handling in the mandatory topics, but adds 6 or so additional topics to be covered. The construction industry courses include even more additional topics for individual selection. The mandatory topics are different as well, tailored to include more construction specific topics, the most important difference is that of “Focus Four Hazards” which include: Fall Protection, Electrical, Struck By, and Caught in/Between.

Can anyone take either class?

These courses are not designed to be exclusive to an age group. Everyone, of all ages, can benefit from OSHA courses. Especially the general industry as it covers a good number of general topics (as the name would imply) that can be used in any setting, even an office workplace or at home.

And again, you should be certain to verify which course (General Industry or Construction Industry) is a best fit for you when registering. At STS, we are happy to answer anyone's questions regarding this difference, as it important to attend the correct one for your industry. Find out more by contacting us! 

Are these classes required?

Short answer, no. They are a recommendation from OSHA as an orientation to occupational safety and health for workers. However, some states have enacted laws that mandate the training. Also, certain employers or organizations may require this training.

What are the benefits to me?

With the courses not being mandatory for all, what is the reason you should take these courses? Well, in a perfect world, one would hope you’d want to take these courses simply to establish a good safety values and attitude at your workplace. But the reality is often times not so. So below you will find a few valuable reasons to engage yourself or your staff into OSHA compliance safety training.

• It promotes good safety culture through peer training
• Training is intended to be participatory, using hands-on activities
• Trainers are able to tailor the training topics based on specific needs of their audience
• Outreach training content includes hazard recognition and avoidance, workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and hot to file a complaint; it emphasizes the value of safety and health to workers, including young workers
• Outreach training is available in languages other than English (Spanish, Polish, etc.)

Emergency response is an important topic. Although some may never see an incident that requires such structure, prevention is the goal so being proactive is paramount. We here at Safety Training Services, Inc. enjoy educating others on safety topics and for today, our topic is an very important one. We will be covering the importance of the Incident Commander and why you should know what they and an Incident Command System are.

First off, what is an Incident Command System?

Well an Incident Command System, or ICS for short, is a way to standardize the structure of emergency response to allow responders to follow an integrated organizational structure so that any incident can be structured similarly without being hindered by jurisdictional boundaries.

ICS was developed to address the following problems:

• Different organizational structures for emergency response.
• Inadequate communications
• Lack of reliable incident information
• Too many people reporting to one supervisor
• Unclear lines of authority
• A lack of structure for coordinated planning among agencies
• Difference of terminology among agencies
• Unclear or unspecified incident objectives
   

An ICS divides an emergency response into five manageable functions essential for emergency response operations:

1. Command
2. Operations
3. Planning
4. Logistics
5. Finance & Administration

What is an Incident Commander?

The incident commander, IC for short, is the overall manager of the emergency response. They directly control the resources and personnel involved in the response. In fact, the IC is responsible for all aspects of the response. This also includes setting priorities and defining organized roles for the response.

Even if other positions are not assigned, the Incident Commander will always be designated.

IC Responsibilities

Unless otherwise specified, the following are some of the complex responsibilities of the Incident Commander.

• Review OSHA's Common Responsibilities (osha.gov)
• Assess the situation and/or obtain a briefing from prior IC
• Brief the Command Staff and Section Chiefs
• Review meetings and briefings
• Establish immediate priorities especially the safety of responders, other emergency workers, bystanders, and people involved in the incident
• Establish an appropriate organization
• Approve the use of trainees, volunteers, and auxiliary personnel
• Stabilize the incident by ensuring life safety and managing resources efficiently and cost effectively
• Determine incident objectives and strategy to achieve the objectives
• Authorize release of information to the news media
• Ensure planning meetings are scheduled as required
• Establish and monitor incident organization
• Approve the implementation of the written or oral Incident Action Plan (IAP)
• Ensure that adequate safety measures are in place
• Coordinate activity for all Command and General Staff
• Coordinate with key people and officials
• Approve requests for additional resources or for the release of resources
• Keep agency administrator informed of incident status
• Ensure incident Status Summary (ICS Form 209) is completed and forwarded to appropriate higher authority
• Order the demobilization of the incident when appropriate

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

‘If PPE is to be used to reduce the exposure of ICS/UC workers to hazards, a PPE program should be initialized and maintained. This program should contain identification and evaluation of hazards in the scene and if use of PPE is an appropriate control measure; if PPE is to be used, how it is selected, maintained and its use evaluated; training of workers using the PPE; and vigilance of the program to determine its effectiveness in preventing worker injury or illness. For more on PPE, see OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety and Health Topics Page.‘

The FOUR Keys to Successful Implementation

• Learn

• Plan

• Start Early

• Practice

Independence Day (AKA ‘Fourth of July’) has been celebrated with fireworks since 1776, when the United States declared its independence from Great Britain (now known as the United Kingdom).

Fireworks themselves are dated back to 7^th century China, where they were invented and used in many festivities. Fast forward to mid-17^th century; Europe was blown away by Chinese fireworks and the popularity would rise and they were used for celebration of many important events. Finally in the late 18^th century, the early European settlers brought this love of fireworks to this country and used them as rally devices, political attractions, and of course to celebrate important events.

In times past, pyrotechnicians were highly respected individuals and the art of making fireworks was a complex science with its own knowledge and techniques. Today, we have fireworks displays for festivals and celebrations, and even competitions, around the world. Did you know that the largest consumer of fireworks in the United States is the Walt Disney Corporation?

Unfortunately somewhere down the line fireworks got arguably too popular and now we have many individual consumers purchasing and igniting their own. This isn’t in itself bad, but two things are happening: people are not taking proper safety precautions and the injuries are piling up yearly, and other people are making their own. Remember when I said pyrotechnics were an art and a science? Making your own fireworks is a recipe for disaster unless you are a professional, and the numbers below will show it. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people seem to truly understand the associated risks including devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.

Failure to follow these fireworks safety tips can lead to serious burns, injuries, or even worse! In 2012, an estimated 9,200 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries. 36% of this number was under the age of 15. In fact, children between the ages of 10 and 14 are at three times the risk of fireworks-related injuries than the general population.

Quick Facts/Statistics about Fireworks
 

• In 2011, fireworks caused about $32 million in direct property damage.
  
• In 2012, more than 36% of fireworks-related injuries in Indiana were to children under 18 years old.
• Also in 2012, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,700 people for fireworks-related injuries.
  • 55% were to the arms/legs combined and 31% were to the head.
• On Independence Day in a typical year, far more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for 2 out of 5 of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.
• 65% of the fireworks injuries in 2013 occurred during the month surrounding July 4^th.
• Illegal and homemade fireworks were involved in all 8 fireworks-related deaths reported in 2013.
• Top 2 fireworks types from injuries were Sparklers (31%) and Firecrackers (11%).
  • Sparklers burn at extremely hot temperatures, from 1200 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
    
    

And finally, I leave you with the 10 tips to keep you safe this Independence Day.

1. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
2. Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper, which is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers. And remember, homemade fireworks are also dangerous and illegal!
3. Never ignite fireworks indoors. Fireworks should only be lit on a smooth, flat surface; and should always be away from buildings, dry vegetation, and flammable materials.
4. Never ignite fireworks in a metal or glass container.
5. Keep any type of ladder or pole (used to set up or light fireworks) at least 10 feet from any power lines.
6. Never point or throw fireworks at a person, animal, or building.
7. Fireworks should not be used by persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
8. Light fireworks one at a time, then back away quickly. Never place any part of your body directly over the fireworks themselves when lighting the fuse and never attempt to relight a “dud.”
9. Have a fire extinguisher, water hose, or water-filled bucket nearby. Fireworks stay hot for a bit after they’ve burned out. Douse and dispose!
10. Never allow young children to use fireworks. This includes sparklers, as they burn at temperatures hot enough to melt some metals. For older children, always have adult supervision when they are using or around fireworks. (Glowsticks make a great alternative to fireworks for young children).

Remember to stay safe this holiday and practice situational awareness. Accidents are preventable, if we practice good safety culture. 

And remember, July is also National UV Safety Month! Head over to our previous July blog article covering safety tips to beat the heat. Click here to read 5+ Tips to Survive UV Safety Month this July.

Safety Training Services is here for ALL your safety needs! Whether its OSHA compliant safety training, first aid kits & fire extinguisher, equipment & supplied air rentals, field (rescue) work, or consulting, STS can help you and your company! Click here for 'Real Experience. Real Training. Real Results.'

July is UV Safety Month.

This month, we take a look at educating ourselves and other individuals on how to protect
ourselves from overexposure to the sun. The sun emits radiation in the form of ultraviolet (UV) light. This is classified into 3 types based on wavelength: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC, the shortest length, never reaches us on the ground because our protective ozone layer blocks all UVC light. But UVA and UVB pass right through. This is potentially dangerous as UVA light is what causes wrinkling or leathering of the skin and UVB causes sun burns. They both can cause skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with millions of new cases diagnosed each year. The main cause of skin cancer is exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) ray's. These UV rays can weaken the immune system, increase sun spots and wrinkles, cause blotchy skin, and lead to premature aging.

The two most common types of skin cancer,

1. Basal cell

2. Squamous cell carcinomas

are highly curable!

Melanoma, the 3rd most common type of skin cancer, is more dangerous. About 65-90% of melanomas are caused by exposure to UV light. Skin cancer affects people of all ages, including older adults.

Although anyone get skin cancer, those with fair skin, blond or red hair, and blue or green eyes are at the greatest risk. But everyone else should still take precautions, as everyone is at an equal risk for eye damage due to overexposure to the sun's UV rays. 

Today’s older Americans face increased sun-related health problems because when they were growing up, little was known or communicated about protection from UV rays. The good news, however, is skin cancer can be prevented! Here are some safety tips to protect your skin while being outdoors this summer:

• Choose sunglasses based on 100% UV protection of both UVA and UVB rays. The color and how expense they were mean nothing compared to the REAL reason we wear sunglasses.
• Go for the wrap arounds. That means they wrap around your temples so that the sun's rays can't enter from the side.
• You may have contact lenses with UV protection, but don't rely on this; remember your sunglasses.
• Put on sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going outside. Don't wait until you are outside and already exposed.
• Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15.
• Broad spectrum sunscreen protects against overexposure from both UVA and UVB rays.
• Put on sunscreen before applying makeup, insect repellent, or tanning oils.
• The longer the amount of time that you plan to be outside, the higher the SPF on your sunscreen should be.
• Reapply sunscreen as needed, about every 2 hours; even if its water-resistant.
• Be careful between the hours of 10 am & 4 pm. These are peak sunlight hours where the UV light is most intense.
• UV light is also more intense at higher altitudes.
• Intense UV light can be reflected off of water, snow, sand, and cement.
• In addition to sunglasses, wear a hat. Broad-brimmed hats especially, protect your eyes, ears, face, and neck.
• Don't forget the children; they too are at risk!

UV radiation is not limited to just us humans either. Both plants and other animals are affected by it. For example, a plant's overexposure to the sun could mean affecting its photosynthesis. This can affect the growth of the plant, and therefore can potentially impact the structure of an ecosystem in a negative way. Animals, especially those with little to no hair, can get sunburn just like any of us. This is why pigs (and other similar animals) roll around in the mud, they use it like sunscreen!

In 1996, the National Safety Council (NSC) established June as National Safety Month to increase awareness of key safety issues. The idea is to decrease the number of unintentional injuries and deaths. NSC is also aligned with government agencies, such as OSHA, to help strengthen the influence of compliance in workplace safety.

The 2014 theme for National Safety Month is “Safety: It takes all of us.” Each week of National Safety Month focuses on a specific safety venue: workplace, traffic, home, and community. For example, the 2014 safety issues are as follows:
 

Prevent prescription drug abuse

Prescription drug abuse is the intentional use of a medication without having a prescription for it. This also includes using prescription drugs in ways other than intended or prescribed. Prescription drug abuse has become a serious safety issue. As of 2013, it was the second most widespread drug issue in the United States.

Here are some tips to stay safe with your medications:

1. Keep your meds in a secure place. Leaving them out in plain view can lead to theft.
2. Keep track of your medicine. Know how many pills you have, and what they look like.
3. Don’t share any medications.
4. Dispose of your meds correctly.
• Keep meds in original container.
• Remove your information
• For pills, add water/soda to dissolve them; for liquids, use cat litter or dirt.
• Close and secure with duct tape.
• The disguised & sealed container can now be thrown out with the normal trash.
   

Stop slips, trips, and falls

Some of the worst yet most common type of office injuries in the workplace, but they are also the easiest to correct.

• wet or oily surfaces
• occasional spills
• weather hazards
• loose, unanchored rugs or mats
• flooring or other walking surfaces that do not have same degree of traction in all areas

• obstructed view
• poor lighting
• clutter in your way
• wrinkled carpeting
• uncovered cables
• bottom drawers not being closed
• uneven (steps, thresholds) walking surfaces

• Clean all spills immediately
• Mark spills and wet areas
• Mop/sweep debris from floors
• Remove obstacles from walkways and always keep them free of clutter
• Secure mats, rugs and carpets that do not lay flat
• Always close file cabinet or storage drawers
• Cover cables that cross walkways
• Keep working areas and walkways well lit
• Replace used light bulbs and faulty switches
   

Be aware of your surroundings

Contact with objects is the second leading cause of cases with days away from work. This includes:

• Being struck against an object
• Struck by an object 
• Caught in an object or equipment
• Caught in collapsing material

Here are some tips to help prevent injury from contact with objects:

• Neatly store loose materials
• Secure items that are stored at a height
• Store heavy objects close to the floor
• Open one filing cabinet drawer at a time to prevent a tip-over
• Wear the proper PPE for your environment
• Always walk behind moving equipment, if possible
• Never obstruct your vision by overloading moving equipment
• Only operate equipment that you are properly trained to use
• Make sure all the safety devices on your equipment are in good working order before use
• Use extra caution around corners and near doorways
   

Put an end to distracted driving

Driving while using a cell phone has been a part of our culture. What, to some, can be seen as a necessity, others realize how dangerous it really is. Whether its business or personal, we need to remind ourselves that this is a potentially life-altering activity. Here are some tips from the National Safety Council about how to break this bad habit.

• Schedule calls for times when you will not be driving.
• Tell other people not to call you when they know you are driving.
• Plan your day ahead of time so you won’t need to use a cell phone while driving.
• Change your voicemail greeting to something like: “Hi, you’ve reached (insert name). I’m either away from my phone or I’m driving. Please leave me a message.” You can also let callers know approximately what time you will be available again so they know when to expect to hear from you.
• If a ringing phone is too tempting, get in the habit of silencing your phone before you start to drive, or lock it in the trunk or glove box.
• Work with your coworkers and family members on breaking the habit and hold each other accountable.
• Allow enough time during your commute for stops so you can pull over and park in a safe location to check email and voicemail messages.
• Consider using call-blocking technology when you are driving.
• Remember, hands-free devices don’t make you safer—while they allow for one more hand to be placed on the steering wheel, they do not reduce cognitive distraction to the brain.

Remember, accidents are preventable. There is almost always no reason for them other than a lack of training. Be sure to take an appropriate amount of time daily, weekly, monthly, annually to have safety meetings, training days, etc. If you are interested or have any questions regarding safety training or any question on frequency of training, contact STS.

Hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking,” is a technique used to extract natural gas from shale rock layers deep in the earth. This process was developed and first used in the mid-to-late 1940s; and to date, the U.S. has over a million successful applications.

Fracking involves first drilling into the shale rock layer of the earth and then directing/injecting a high pressure mixture of water, sand, and other chemicals into the rock to create fractures that allow the oil and natural gas to escape. These then flow out to the head of a well to be captured & processed for our energy consumption.

The process is commonly done by drilling horizontally into the rock layer; however this process can be carried out vertically as well. Either way, this creates new pathways for gas to be released or simply used to extend existing channels.

Advantages

Fracking’s first advantage lies in its ability to get at hard to reach places. There are many places where resources of oil and gas are plentiful, but inaccessible without a drilling process such as this. According to BBC News, fracking has “significantly boosted domestic oil production and driven down gas prices in the US,” and has “presented an opportunity to generate electricity at half the CO2 emissions of coal.”

The National Petroleum Council estimated that hydraulic fracturing would eventually account for nearly 70% of natural gas development in North America. In the United States, 45% of domestic natural gas production and 17% of oil production would be lost within 5 years without usage of hydraulic fracturing.

Safety

The US has been extensively using fracking since its roots in the 1940s, and the process has revolutionized the energy industry but has prompted some environmental & health concerns.

1. It can take up to 7 million gallons to frack a single well, and at least 30 percent of that water is lost forever. Because such huge amounts of water have to be used and transported, this comes at a significant environmental cost. Large trucks must move this from point A to point B, therefore resources such as gas must be used and of course the emissions and air pollution that comes with.  There is no mandate on disclosing what chemicals are included in the mixture that gets pumped into the drilled hole either, so potentially we could be inserting carcinogenic chemicals into the air unknowingly. The industry suggests pollution incidents are results of bad practice, rather than inherent to the process. However, many studies are funded by mining & oil companies or by environmental groups, so this can make them appear unreliable, at times.
    
2. We have seen cases where uranium, radium, radon, and thorium (included in the chemical mixtures) have been dislodged. This brings up the concern about levels of radioactivity in the wastewater after fracking. Recycling this wastewater is/was a temporary solution, but unfortunately is not a permanent one. In other cases, no elevated radiation levels were found.
    
3. Seismicity is another potential issue. Hydraulic fracturing, as part of its process, creates micro seismic events. These are too small to be detected without sensitive instruments. There have been a few instances of tremors and even earthquakes triggered due to the process. These were enough to be felt by people. Several were linked to fracking (including a 4.0 magnitude), and the U.S. Geological Survey has stated “that there is no guarantee that larger quakes will not occur.” Frequency of quakes has also been increasing, and concerns are rising over whether or not certain underground lines/structures could withstand these earthquakes.
    
4. Some argue the process of fracking causes distraction from researching renewable energy & its resources. As stated earlier, fracking accounts for a good percentage of overall U.S. gas & oil production and environmentalists say that this stops from investing in new renewable sources and continues our reliance on fossil fuels.
    
5. I won’t go into much detail about health effects, because of its controversial nature, but there is concern about possible long and short term health effects of the contamination (air/water). Specifically, concerns of infertility, birth defects, and cancer are brought up.

Hydraulic fracturing is currently used in the United States (although Vermont has become the first state to ban it), China, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, and the United Kingdom. A moratorium on fracking is in place in places like Germany and parts of Canada (Quebec) and is currently banned in Tunisia, Bulgaria, and in France.

This is a controversial topic to be discussed and debated for some time. How do to we mate progress with environmental sustainability? If you have questions, like I did, there is great information at Frac Focus, which is the national hydraulic fracturing chemical registry. Their website is located here:  http://fracfocus.org/welcome

“We have regulations in place to ensure on-site safety, prevent water contamination, mitigate seismic activity and air pollution and we have been successfully regulating for gas and oil drilling for over 50 years.”

--Spokesman for the Department of Energy and Climate Change

Well, what do YOU think?

Previously, we did an article on fire extinguisher service and the steps involved in monthly inspection. I wanted to take this a step further and discuss a few more topics related to fire extinguishers because we are all familiar with them, know what they are and for the most part, how they work. In order to fill in the few gaps left, we have put together this article covering training, selection, and location of fire extinguishers along with some statistics from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

So you’re ready to buy a fire extinguisher? Well first you need to know what you are using it for in order to choose the correct class of extinguisher. Below you will find a chart matching the facility with what fire extinguisher to be used:

As you can see, having an ABC fire extinguisher in most instances will take care of most fires. You simply need to be aware of the few instances where this is not the case. Electrical equipment, servers, and grease fires are the big ones to note. This requires a different type of fire extinguisher as seen above.

Now that you have your extinguisher type picked, your next task is to select an appropriate placement for the extinguisher. Remember when selecting a place for your fire extinguisher, they must be selected and positioned based on the potential type and size of fire that can occur [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(1)].

Fire extinguisher locations should be:

• Easily accessible
• Not blocked by equipment or other materials
• Near normal paths of travel
• Near entrance and exit doors
• Readily visible
• Mounted on a wall or placed in a fire extinguisher cabinet

Fire extinguisher travel distance varies on its classification:

• Class A; Within 75 ft travel distance; [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(2)]
• Class B; Within 50 ft travel distance; [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(4)]
• Class C; Based on its Class A or B hazard; [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(5)]
• Class D; Not more than 75 ft travel distance; [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(6)]
• Class K; Maximum travel distance of 30 feet; [NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers. See Section 6.6, Installations for Class K Hazards]

Once a fire extinguisher has been selected and placed in compliance with OSHA/NFPA standards, you then need to know how to use it. Training for yourself and/or employees is a very important step and should not be overlooked. The unfortunate reality, as you’ll see further below via the NFPA stats, is that fires happen all the time. Having properly learned how to use an extinguisher can save someone’s life. Below you find training specifics, as presented by the 1910.157 OSHA standard guidelines, as well as a few tips for how to engage employees further with hands-on training.

OSHA Training Standard Guidelines – 1910.157

• Have all employees who are expected to use fire extinguishers in an emergency been trained in the principles of extinguisher use and the hazards involved? [(g)(1)]
• Are employees trained when initially hired and then at least annually thereafter? [(g)(2)]
• Have all employees specifically designated as emergency responders in your emergency action plan (fire brigades, for example) been trained to use appropriate fire-fighting equipment? [(g)(3)]
• Do these specially designated employees receive training when they are initially assigned their special duties and at least annually thereafter? [(g)(4)]

Tips for hands-on training (to further engage & educate employees):

• Simulate various fire situations
  • Include different types of fires
• Consider using digital fire simulators
  • Train anywhere, safer than conventional fire extinguisher training, different difficulty levels, no recharging extinguishers
• Have employees work with varying sizes of extinguishers
  • Help employees to understand the potentials and limits of each type
• Teach employees to maintain proper distance from fires
  • This is dependent on the size of extinguishers used and type of fire
  • Make sure to demonstrate how to properly move away from a fire once it is believed to be under control
• Teach employees to check the pressure gauges and test extinguishers before approaching a fire.
  • An excellent learning tool can include having trainees select from multiple training extinguishers where one or more are not fully charged
• Keep class sizes small, ideally fewer than 20 students at a time.
  • This makes it easier for everyone to participate and stay engaged
• Allow all trainees to extinguish the fire and provide them with opportunities to refine their technique and retry if they fail

FIRES IN THE U.S. (Provided by NFPA)

In 2012, there were 1,375,000 fires reported in the United States. These fires caused 2,855 civilian deaths, 16,500 civilian injuries, and $12.4 billion in property damage.

• 480,500 were structure fires, causing 2,470 civilian deaths, 14,700 civilian injuries, and $9.8 billion in property damage.
• 172,500 were vehicle fires, causing 300 civilian fire deaths, 800 civilian fire injuries, and $1.1 billion in property damage.
• 692,000 were outside and other fires, causing 60 civilian fire deaths, 825 civilian fire injuries, and $813 million in property damage.

The 2012 U.S. fire loss clock a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds. One structure fire was reported every 66 seconds.

• One home structure fire was reported every 85 seconds.
• One civilian fire injury was reported every 32 minutes.
• One civilian fire death occurred every 3 hours and 4 minutes.
• One outside fire was reported every 46 seconds.
• One vehicle fire was reported every 156 seconds.

If you want your employees to use fire extinguishers correctly and effciently in an emergency, you must make sure they are fully trained. For more information, feel free to check out our fire extinguisher training course here:

In a previous article, we covered the 'Top Ten Violations' by Federal OSHA for FY 2013. I have wanted to come back to this topic once a bit more information was revealed, and what do you know? I recently came across an article from the National Safety Council (NSC.org) that not only had my previous list of "Most Frequently Cited" from last year, but it also included the top five sections cited under each OSHA Standard. As an added bonus, I have also included the "Top 10 Serious Violations" and the "Top 10 Willful Violations." Of course, both of these are for FY 2013 as well. 

Before I jump into the numbers, I wanted to help our readers fully understand what the difference between these types of violations. I have included below the definitions as stated by OSHA.

TYPES OF VIOLATIONS

SERIOUS: A serious violation exists when the workplace hazard could cause an accident or illness that would most likely result in death or serious physical harm, unless the employer did not know or could not have known of the violation.

WILLFUL: A willful violation is defined as a violation in which the employer either knowingly failed to comply with a legal requirement (purposeful disregard) or acted with plain indifference to employee safety.

OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Violations for FY 2013

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501) – 8,739 

• Residential construction [(b)(13)] – 4,733
• Unprotected sides and edges [(b)(1)] – 1,696
• Roofing work on low-slope roofs [(b)(10)] – 912
• Steep roofs [(b)(11)] – 656
• Holes [(b)(4)] – 328
    

• Maintaining a written hazard communication program [(e)(1)] – 2,469
• Providing employees with information and training [(h)(1)] – 1,561
• Chemical container labeling [(f)(5)] – 701
• Maintaining Safety Data Sheets [(g)(8)] – 611
• Obtaining or developing Safety Data Sheets [(g)(1)] – 496
    

• Protection from falls to a lower level [(g)(1)] – 1,589
• Planking or decking requirements [(b)(1)] – 788
• Point of access for scaffold platforms [(e)(1)] – 871
• Foundation requirements [(c)(2)] – 632
• Guardrail requirements [(g)(4)] – 376
   

Respiratory Protection (1910.134) – 4,153 

• Medical evaluation general requirements [(e)(1)] – 705
• Establishing and implementing written respirator protection program [(c)(1)] – 650
• Covering situations when respirator use is not required [(c)(2)] – 510
• Respirator selection general requirements [(d)(1)] – 342
• Ensuring respirators are fit tested [(f)(2)] – 332
   

• Use of flexible cords and cables [(g)(1)] – 1,004
• Conductors entering boxes, cabinets, or fittings [(b)(1)] – 821
• Identification, splices and terminations [(g)(2)] – 703
• Covers and canopies [(b)(2)] – 577
• Temporary wiring [(a)(2)] – 194
    

• Safe operation [(l)(1)] – 905
• Refresher training and evaluation [(l)(4)] – 575
• Avoidance of duplicative training [(l)(6)] – 377
• Taking truck out of service when repairs are necessary [(p)(1)] – 336
• Maintenance of industrial trucks [(q)(7)] – 304
   

• Requirements for portable ladders used for accessing upper landing surfaces [(b)(1)] – 1,866
• Ladder use only for its designed purpose [(b)(4)] – 482
• Not using the top or top step of step-ladder as a step [(b)(13)] – 268
• Marking portable ladders with structural defects with tags noting them as defective [(b)(16)] – 215
• Employees shall not carry objects or loads that could cause them to lose balance and fall [(b)(22)] – 107
   

Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) – 3,505 

• Energy control procedure [(c)(4)] – 996
• Periodic inspection [(c)(6)] – 653
• Energy control program [(c)(1)] – 651
• Training and communication [(c)(7)] – 580
• Lockout or tagout device application [(d)(4)] – 169
    

• Installation and use of equipment [(b)(2)] – 814
• Space around electric equipment [(g)(1)] – 670
• Guarding of live parts [(g)(2)] – 347
• Services, feeders, and branch circuits [(f)(2)] – 327
• Examination of equipment [(b)(1)] – 280
    

• Types of guarding [(a)(1)] – 1,815
• Point of operation guarding [(a)(3)] – 662
• Anchoring fixed machinery [(b)] – 214
• Exposure of blades [(a)(5)] – 79
• General requirements [(a)(2)] – 73

Top 10 Serious Violations Federal OSHA issued in FY 2013

1. Fall Protection (1926.501) – 7,492
    
2. Scaffolding (1926.451) – 5,213
    
3. Hazard Communication (1910.1200) – 3,761
    
4. Ladders (1926.1053) – 3,162
    
5. Electrical – Wiring Methods (1910.305) – 2,923
    
6. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) – 2,832
    
7. Machine Guarding (1910.212) – 2,588
    
8. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178) – 2,539
    
9. Respiratory Protection (1910.134) – 2,365
    
10. Electrical – General Requirements (1910.303) – 2,204

Top 10 Willful Violations Federal OSHA issued in FY 2013

1. Fall protection (1926.501) – 73
    
2. Excavations (1926.652) – 34
    
3. Lead (1926.62) – 25
    
4. Machine Guarding (1910.212) – 23
    
5. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) – 20
    
6. Scaffolding (1926.451) – 19
    
7. Guarding Floor and Wall Openings and Holes (1910.23) – 18
    
8. Respiratory Protection (1910.134) – 17
    
9. Process Safety Management (1910.119) – 14
    
10. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178) – 10

Remember, in the safety world, if you think you have a problem....chances are you do! This is where Safety Training Services can help! We will train (and/or retrain) you and your employees on OSHA compliance & other safety-related courses. Our site or yours, our hands-on courses will provide you with appropriate training to keep you safe and consistent to OSHA requirements.