Loss Control

Think Globally - Act Locally

You have heard the slogan – Think Globally – Act Locally!  In this global economy with so much competition for natural resources, the slogan is becoming more necessary and demands more of our attention.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is running a “Pick 5” campaign, urging all of us to pick at least 5 elements of 10 in a commitment to action to protect the environment.  The 10 action steps cover elements which can be used at work and at home:

 

Use less water.  Does your business, or your home, have toilets which are not Energy Star rated?  If so, every flush of the toilet may require more than 1.6 gallons of water. 

Do you turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth, or do you let the water run?  Controlled water flow shower heads are a great way to reduce water use.  Using less water for your daily activities, and ensuring your plumbing does not have leaks, are the first steps in water conservation.

 

Commute without polluting.  Do you carpool, or work at home during the week to avoid having to drive to work?  Many companies allow employees to work at home 2-3 times each week, or setup employees to work out of their homes.

How are you and your company saving on fuel costs?

For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/epahome/trans.htm 

 

Save electricity.  Programmable thermostats, turning off electricity when leaving a room (even the company bathroom!), installation of compact fluorescents, and purchase of Energy Star products will help save electricity.  Appliances and products should be Energy Star qualified or other energy -saving certification.

 

Reduce, reuse, recycle.  Are you purchasing product in individual packaging?  Are you recycling that packaging once it is time for disposal?  Many companies have partnered with paper shredding and recycling companies to remove waste paper or paper no longer needed from offices. 

Many people have gone to paperless billing for their personal finances, as well as electronic payments.  Does your company still send out paper invoices, or do your customers pay by electronic payment?

 

Test your home for radon!  Radon is an odorless, naturally-occurring gas which can seep into your home and cause lung cancer.   A simple, non-evasive test can be completed by any home or building inspection contractor at a nominal cost. 

 

Check your local air quality.  Do you change out your air filters on a regular basis?  Clean filters allow your HVAC unit to run more efficiently, which draws less energy.

Before exercising, use your local air quality forecast to help plan the best time to work out or run.

 

Use chemicals safely.  Whether using in the home or operation, review the cleaning materials used.  Ensure chemicals are stored safely and out of the way of children or those who should not have access to the chemicals.  Use pesticides carefully, especially where children or animals play.

 

eCycle!  Do you have old computers that you need to rid of?  Instead of throwing electronics away to be put in a landfill, take all electronics to a recycling center that accepts what you have. 

 

Enjoy the outdoors safely!  Use sunscreen when working and playing outdoors.  When visiting a beach, find out the quality of the water from the state office.  The state office can also provide that UV index to help you protect yourself and your children.

 

Spread the word!  Teach others what steps you take to protect the environment.  Set up recycling containers at your work.  Share information at your child’s school, and help that school set up recycling containers.  Most importantly, start at home!

 

For more information on EPA’s Pick 5 campaign, see http://www.epa.gov/pick5/

Safe Summer Driving Tips From America's Top Truck Drivers

Now that the summer months are finally here, so is the typical summer road congestion.  We have the "normal" daily activities - the work commute, the trucks trying to get their loads delivered on time, etc.  However, we can now add the thousands of family vacationers to that list, along with being in the heart of road construction season.  This recipe tends to present additional challenges in our attempts to avoid accidents.

This combination of factors adds to the distractions and challenges of everyday driving in that we have additional traffic, distracted drivers (people driving in areas not familiar to them), narrow roads due to construction, and roads with modified surfaces due to construction, not to mention the road construction crews entering and exiting travel lanes, etc.  Needless to say, preparation before traveling is essential, regardless of the length of the trip involved.  Knowing where potential problem areas are before you enter one is certainly one way to prevent an accident.

The American Trucking Association has a group of "Elite" drivers known as "America's Road Team".  This group has offered some advice on how to safely navigate through your highway traffic.  These tips, along with a link to the full article from the ATA is below.

• Plan your route (know where you are going)
• Keep extra water in your vehicle (they also recommend sunscreen and non perishable snacks in the event of a breakdown in a remote area)
• Be aware of truck blind spots (if you can't see the driver in their mirrors, they probably can't see you either)
• Slow Down (speeding is much more dangerous due to construction zones, motorcycles, additional traffic, etc.)
• Wait until parked to use cell phone (if the wheels are turning, stay off the phone)
• Buckle up (in a previous post, I linked a video to the Volvo web site that shows what happens inside a truck cab without a seat belt during a roll over)
• Don't cut in front of trucks (always leave lots of space, and give plenty of advance notice before making a move.  There is a common misconception that trucks can slow down much faster than they really are able.  In the many truck driver meetings I've attended, this has been the number one complaint by a huge margin).

To read the full story from the ATA, please click here ---> http://www.truckline.com/pages/article.aspx?id=15%2F%7BC4187953-4463-459F-A592-C16D29AFE284%7D

Federal Minimum Wage Laws Change July 24, 2009

On July 24, 2009 the Federal Minimum Wage for nonexempt employees will increase to $7.25 per hour. There are several states that also have their own minimum wage laws.  In these instances, the employee is eligible to receive the higher wage of the two options. 

The law requires employers to display a poster outlining the information of FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act.)  You can learn more about the Minimum Wage laws and download the required poster by visiting the following website:

http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/flsa/

Please note that you can download the FLSA Wage posters in English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Thai, Hmong, Vietnamese and Korean. 

Fourth of July Fireworks Safety Tips

 

Fourth of July is a time to celebrate our Nation's independence and this is most commonly done through barbecues and firework displays with friends and family. Over the past two and half decades, the use of fireworks in the United States has increased dramatically from 29 million pounds in 1976 to 265.5 million pounds in 2007. The Fourth of July is also the most common day for household fires - - Fire departments nationwide respond to more fire calls on this day that any other day of the year. 

As we are quickly approaching the Fourth of July, I thought it may be beneficial to review some basic firework safety tips:

• Avoid using consumer fireworks and attend a firework display presented by professionals. 
• Always use fireworks outdoors and away from any combustible materials - - this includes landscaping, trees, shrubs, picnic tables, etc.
• Always read and follow the directions on each display item. 
• Be sure to obey local laws.  If fireworks are illegal in your state DO NOT use them.
• Be sure to verify laws with local authorities if you live in a drought area. 
• Always have a source of water on hand, such as a bucket or hose with a constant water supply. 
• Only use fireworks as intended.  Do not combine or alter the fire works in any way. 
• Never reuse or relight a "dud."  Wait 20 minutes and then submerse the fire work in a bucket of water. 
• Always wear safety glasses.
• Keep spectators a safe distance from the launching/shooting area. 
• Never consume alcohol while lighting fireworks.  Be sure to have a "designated shooter." 
• Children under the age of 12 should not handle sparklers.  Be sure to ALWAYS monitor children playing with sparklers.  Do NOT permit children to light fireworks. 
• Do NOT use homemade or illegal fireworks. 

You can learn more about firework safety be visiting the following sites:

http://www.fireworksafety.com/

http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=297

Product Recalls

In recent months, it seems that there has been an increase in the number of product safety recalls.  Product recalls can affect any industry, such as consumer products, food products as well as vehicles.  However, it is always the end user who is put at risk.

As a consumer, it can be challenging and frustrating trying to keep up with product recalls.  For example, in the past month I have received five product recall emails for a wide variety of products, such as cookie dough, trampolines, bicycles, nose spray and digital clamp meters. 

In an effort to assist consumers with tracking product recalls the federal government established a website (www.recalls.gov) which provides a listing of product recalls by a variety of categories, such as consumer products, motor vehicles, boats, food, medicine, cosmetics and environmental products.   The website also provides the opportunity to sign up for product recall email notifications which can make tracking recalls much less difficult.  Another nice feature of this website is that the information is provided in both English and Spanish. 

Product Recall Information Websites:

www.recalls.gov

http://www.cpsc.gov/

Driver Safety Training for Commercial Motor Vehicles

Many companies have employees who drive a commercial vehicle for delivering product, picking up raw materials, etc.  It is important to provide ongoing training to these drivers to maintain awareness of the hazards they face on a daily basis.  This type of training will help to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents.  Attached is a link to a new website created by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration.  The website offers driving tips, ideas and suggestions which are supported by short real-world video clips.  There are several different training categories available, including topics such as seat belt use, driving on unfamiliar roads, driver fatigue, and driver distraction.  The website does not require a membership, log-on information or subscription.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/outreach/education/driverTips/index.htm

Tie-Down Storage

For the most part, it seems that drivers of trucks are very aware of the consequences of improperly securing their loads, particularly when operating flat bed trailers.  When you think about it, it's pretty amazing that only a few straps, or a couple chains, can literally hold thousands of pounds of cargo in place, when properly used.  Think about the very large odd shaped items that are on trailers traveling down the highway, the large coils of steel, or the skids of building materials on their way to a job site or retail operation.  Think also about the potentially catastrophic consequences that could arise if these straps failed.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has very specific rules and requirements in place to help guide drivers toward properly securing their loads (http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/truck/vehicle/cs.htm).  However, the proper storage of these slings can often be overlooked.

Recently, Heavy Duty Trucking Magazine (May 2009 Edition) published a very good article relating to the proper care and storage of straps, chains and other tie down devices.  Here are a few key points referenced in that article to consider in making sure your tie down equipment stays in good condition:

• Store chains and slings in a dry place to keep from rusting and rotting.  Also, keep nylon strapping out of direct sunlight to prevent potential breakdown due to ultraviolet rays.

Toolboxes mounted on the outside of the equipment tend to leak, so consider this when using toolboxes for storage

Make sure that you use the right strap for the right load.  Also, make sure you use multiple straps if required to reduce the strain on a single strap.  Increased break angles can cause unnecessary wear and weakening of straps and chains.

Watch how you drape straps over the load.  Avoid stringing straps over sharp edges and corners.  If this can't be avoided, use some form of cushioning, such as wood, fabric, rubber, etc., to protect the straps and load.

Use care when removing straps.  Don't pull them out from under loads, to prevent fraying or cutting of straps.

Avoid using damaged straps (frayed, cut, sliced, etc)

Certain cargoes are specifically addressed in the Federal Motor Carrier Standards, such as metal coils, that need blocked and braced.

Some limited damage may be permissible according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, so it's important to know the details of the criteria.  In order to ensure safety, however, it's best to always replace damaged straps as soon as possible, as it's not really possible to fully know the degree that a damaged strap's strength has been reduced.

Mending or trying to repair damaged straps is unreliable

Tie downs are not made for lifting, lowering, or suspending products - there are other products designed for this purpose.

Additional helpful information can be found by following the links below:

http://www.wstda.com/products/index.cfm

http://www.heavydutytrucking.com/current/issue/index.asp

 

Cell Phone Use Bans

There is a great deal of information on the Internet regarding the dangers of using cell phones while operating vehicles. Many states have begun to enact various laws banning cell phone use and texting while driving.  The link below is to a document from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and provides a state by state breakdown of the cell phone and texting laws in each state. This is an excellent summarization of the state bans and I have used this document several times recently as a quick reference in discussions with customers.

 

http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

Loss Control "made simple"?

Is there really such a thing?

Risk Management/ Loss Control approaches (as life in general), have a way of becoming so complex that we don't think that we can effectively control losses anymore. So what do we do? We develop new approaches and theories to manage risk ... such as "behavioral based" and related cultural approaches. We train, train, and train some more. We create incentives, accountability, and rules ... more and more rules ... we develop trademarked approaches and devise new terminology for those approaches.

So does controlling losses/injuries at the workplace need to be complicated?

Years ago, when I was new in the Loss Control field, I was introduced to principles espoused by The University of Liverpool (UK). This approach yielded a simple framework of controlling losses.

I.        The first step in the process is the identification of hazards. To do this, “PEME” is utilized:

• People: The most basic of the categories. To effectively and safely perform a job from the get-go, the best applicant must be chosen (employee selection). An applicant whom is not suited for the job may  be hazardous to her/himself and co-workers. Finding the right employee for the organization and the then placing her/himself in the right environment is also key.  Training and leadership are the final two elements of people within an organization. People of course is the key  ingredient in behavioral based programs.
• Equipment: To perform a job safely, employees need the right equipment (equipment selection) to perform the job- not only the correct production equipment, but equipment that is safe for the employee. Equipment such as the proper tools, vehicles, personal protective equipment, material handling equipment, etc. are important. Not only having the proper equipment, but arranging it so that the operation is efficient (e.g. workflow). Employees using the equipment as designed is also important. Finally- and not the least important-  is maintaining the equipment. How many losses are contributed by a malfunctioning or poorly operating piece of equipment?
• Material: Material can include chemicals, gases, micro-organisms, wastes, sharps, dusts/fumes and of course the material being processed. Using a cheaply made or improper material not only increases wear on equipment, but subjects the employee to high risk. Not only that, but not using the proper material (e.g. lubricant) can heighten risk.
• Environment: Environment is an aspect that is commonly overlooked when determining how safe an operation is. Behavior is affected by light, temperature (e.g. heat), ventilation, noise, space,  and other environmental variables.

II.          So once hazards are broken down and identified, we decide who can be harmed as a result of uncontrolled PEME?

III.         What controls are in place, and would either modification or additional controls be more effective?  Another “simple steps” that I derived- not from the University of Liverpool- but from multiple sources (one of these truisms that is so old and simple it can’t be derived from any one single source)- are the five commandments of controlling operations:

1. Eliminate the Operation

2. Change the Operation

3. Guard the Operation

4. Personal Protective Equipment

5. Education & Training

In a nutshell, we look to eliminate the exposure- engineer the exposure out of the process/job. After that, in succession we modify or use different methods for getting the product/service delivered . Note that education/training is last. Does that mean it is any less important? By no means- it simply means that we rely on the employee to take safe action the least- we protect the employee in spite of her/himself.

IV.        The next two steps are what often fail- step four being recording and actually implementing the recommended actions- and….

V.         Reviewing, updating, and follow-up on the implemented actions. Again- very important that once action is implemented, that self-assessment is made to prevent “backsliding”.

So, Loss Control made simple- right? Well, not really, but approaches to categorize and “break down” exposures and controls such as this one can be an effective means to simplify the complex and get back to basic loss control- controlling the operation.

More can be found at http://www.liv.ac.uk/safety/safety_issues/risk_assessment/risk_assessment.htm

Beat the Heat!

Summer is just around the corner, and the temperatures are rising.  Are you and your employees prepared for the heat exposure?  Here is some information to share with your employees on how to beat the heat!

 

Who can be affected by heat? 

 

Anyone working in high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact with hot objects, or strenuous physical activities all has a high potential for heat stress exposure. 

 

What are the causal factors to heat stress?

 

1.)   Age, weight, degree of physical fitness, degree of acclimatization, metabolism, use of alcohol or drugs, medical conditions (hypertension) – all affect a person’s sensitivity to heat.

2.)   Environmental factors such as ambient air temperature, radiant heat, air movement, conduction, and relative humidity affect an individual’s response to heat.

 

What are the types of Heat Stress Disorders?

 

Heat Fatigue can occur when a worker is not acclimatized to the heat.

 

A.)         Acclimatization involves repeated exposing a person to work in hot environments for progressively longer periods of time.  Acclimatization schedules will vary depending on how the new the employee is, and how much exposure to heat they have had in the past.

 

B.)         Signs and symptoms of heat fatigue include impaired performance of skilled sensorimotor, mental, or vigilance jobs.  Treatment involves moving to a cooler climate before a more serious heat-related condition develops.

 

C.)         Heat Edema is the result of the body not able to dump the salt and water it is ingesting, and usually shows up as ankle swelling.  Heat Edema usually happens a day or two after the individual enters into a hot environment.

 

 

Heat Cramps are painful spasms of the muscles.

 

A.)     Can be caused by performing hard physical labor in hot environments.  Cramps are attributed to an electrolyte imbalance caused by sweating.  Cramps can be caused by too much or too little salt.  Intake of large amounts of water without salt replacement can cause cramps.  Excess salt can build up in the body if the water is lost through sweating and not replaced.  To counteract this, water must be taken every 15-20 minutes in hot environments.  Generally, a healthy diet is adequate for salt replacement.

 

B.)    For extreme conditions, commercially available carbohydrate-electrolyte replacement fluids are effective in minimizing physiological disturbances during recovery. 

 

 

Heat Exhaustion occurs when the body is subjected to hot working environments, resulting in profuse sweating and without allowing the body to recover.  An extended elevated body temperature will eventually result in tissue damage.

 

A.)    Primary signs and symptoms include headache, nausea or vomiting, vertigo, weakness, thirst, moist and clammy skin, weakness and giddiness.  Fainting can occur.  Fainting can be dangerous, especially when operating machinery.

 

B.)    Workers suffering should be removed from the hot environment and given fluid replacement.

 

C.)     People that experience heat stress may also develop aggressive behavior. 

 

 

Heat Stroke occurs when a body’s system of temperature regulation fails and the body temperature rises to critical levels.  A combination of environmental heat load and work load can contribute to heat stroke.

 

A.)     Primary signs and symptoms of Heat Stroke include confusion, irrational behavior, loss of consciousness, convulsions, vomiting, lack of sweating, hot and dry skin, abnormally high body temperature.

 

B.)     Heat Stroke is a very serious medical condition.  Move person to a shady area, and contact 911.  Outer clothing should be removed, and the worker’s skin should be wetted, and air movement around the worker increased to improve evaporative cooling.  Fluids should be replaced as soon as possible.

 

 

What are Preventive Measures and Controls to reduce exposure to heat stress?

 

1.)         Ventilation, air cooling, fans, shielding, insulation are the 5 types of engineering controls used to reduce heat stress in hot environments. 

 

2.)         Acclimatizing the body to the hot environment is a critical step in reducing heat exposure.  On the first day, the body temperature, pulse rate, and general discomfort will be higher.  With exposure each day, these responses will gradually decrease.  Acclimatization usually occurs in 5-7 days, but can take up to 2 weeks.     

 

Note:  If the person goes on vacation, or is away from the heat for an extended period of time, re-acclimatization needs to occur.

 

3.)         Water intake, around 1 cup (or 5-7 fluid ounces) at least every 20 minutes, can replace water needed to reduce heat exposure.  However, employees should be careful not to overload themselves with type of sports drinks which contain salt, as normal individuals replace their salt levels adequately in their summer diets.  Drink before you get thirsty.  Thirst can sometimes be an indication that your body is dehydrated already.    During a day’s work in the heat, a person may produce as much as 2 to 3 gallons of sweat.  Water intake should be equal to the amount of sweat produced.

 

4.)         Reduction of physical demands or work, such as excessive lifting, digging, movement of heavy object.  For jobs with high physical demands, activities should be performed in the early morning.  Frequent breaks should be taken in the shade.

 

5.)         Use of reflective clothing, with appropriate air exchange (breathable, like cotton) through the garment.  Clothing should be light-weight, light-colored, and loose-fitting. 

 

6.)         Use of light-colored hats protect the head, and shield the eyes.  UV-absorbent sunglasses should be worn, which block at least 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation.  Sun exposure should be limited between 10 am and 4 pm.

 

7.)         Sunscreen should be used by personnel who work outdoors.  A sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 should be used.  Re-application should occur based on the sunscreen recommendations.

 

8.)         Smaller meals should be consumed before activity.  Avoid heavy, hot meals as these make the body’s core temperature increase.  Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, which have higher water content than most prepared or processed foods.  Avoid caffeine and alcohol or large amounts of sugar.

 

9.)         Find out from your physician which medications and heat don’t mix.  If an employee has heart problems, or is on a low-sodium diet, their physician should consult the employee about what to do under these conditions.

 

10.)      Get plenty of rest.  A fatigued body is more likely to be effected by heat than a well-rested body.

 

 

Information taken from http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/index.html , http://www.safetyinfo.com/ , http://www.toolboxtopics.com/  , as well as other resources.