February 1st, 2010 at 9:25 am
Julie Tisdale-Pardi from the NIOSH Science Blog contacted us to bring attention to a recent blog post titled “The Effectiveness of Workplace Training“, which outlines some of the work they’ve been putting in recently to help companies justify the cost of workplace safety training.
From the article :
This report shows that investment in training results in positive changes in worker knowledge and skills, attitudes, and behavior. These results are encouraging given that a primary purpose for workplace training is to impart new skills/behaviors that are transferred into the workplace. However, this research revealed that training as a lone intervention has not been demonstrated to have an impact on reducing injuries or symptoms. The fact that the study did not show an effect of training on health outcomes was, in part, an indication that training alone is not sufficient to result in reduced morbidity, mortality, or injury. For training to be effective in preventing occupational injuries and illness, it also requires management commitment and investment and worker involvement in a comprehensive hazard identification and risk management program.
– Carol Merry Stephenson, Ph.D.
The article can be found here, and is an excellent read. Thanks Julie!
October 30th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced it is issuing $87,430,000 in proposed penalties to BP Products North America Inc. for the company’s failure to correct potential hazards faced by employees. The fine is the largest in OSHA’s history. The prior largest total penalty, $21 million, was issued in 2005, also against BP.
Safety violations at BP’s Texas City, Texas, refinery resulted in a massive explosion — with 15 deaths and 170 people injured – in March of 2005. BP entered into a settlement agreement with OSHA in September of that year, under which the company agreed to corrective actions to eliminate potential hazards similar to those that caused the 2005 tragedy. Today’s announcement comes at the conclusion of a six-month inspection by OSHA, designed to evaluate the extent to which BP has complied with its obligations under the 2005 agreement and OSHA standards.
“When BP signed the OSHA settlement from the March 2005 explosion, it agreed to take comprehensive action to protect employees. Instead of living up to that commitment, BP has allowed hundreds of potential hazards to continue unabated,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “Fifteen people lost their lives as a result of the 2005 tragedy, and 170 others were injured. An $87 million fine won’t restore those lives, but we can’t let this happen again. Workplace safety is more than a slogan. It’s the law. The U.S. Department of Labor will not tolerate the preventable exposure of workers to hazardous conditions.”
Read More…
August 20th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
For the 2nd year in a row we are happy to announce that we have once again ranked among america’s 5000 fastest growing private companies, according to Inc. magazine. For those who don’t know, here is some basic information about our company.
Safety Services Company was founded in 2003 by President/CEO Devon Dickinson, operating out of Yuma, Arizona. Devon continues to hold an active role and provides the driving force behind our immense success.
“When we started in 2004, we had only 11 employees. Our annual revenue in 2005 was $2.4 Million, growing 272% in just 3 years, finishing out the 2008 year with a Gross Revenue of $8 Million. Our company has continued to see success even throughout an economic recession, which has hit the construction and manufacturing industries particularly hard.”
You can read more about our products and services by going to our website, www.safetyservicescompany.com
Through a commitment to a safe workplace, progressive safety culture, and some hard work – we believe that every company can be not only 100% compliant, but 100% safe.
Devon Dickinson – President/CEO
Safety Services Company
Related Links :
June 11th, 2009 at 11:30 am
The June 18 meeting of the Cal/OSH Standards Board in Oakland will include an emergency proposal on heat illness prevention that seeks to bring “more specificity and enforceability” to General Industry Safety Orders §3395.
The proposed amendments will, according to the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR):
- Clarify the provisions on when and how to provide shade, drinking water and employee training;
- Add tiered procedures to be followed when temperatures are above 85F and 95F;
- Add related requirements to implement “feasible and effective” measures for protecting employees working outdoors;
- Eliminate the definition of the “preventative recovery period.”
DIR says the board meeting will give the public an opportunity to comment on the emergency proposal. The board is expected to vote on the proposal at the same meeting.
Source : Cal-OSHA Reporter
June 10th, 2009 at 6:19 am
An april release from the OSHA quick-takes shows another great example of the dangers of trench collapses. In this example – OSHA claims that just minutes after an OSHA officer stopped work on an 8 foot trench, it collapsed. This collapse was particularly mind-blowing, due to an unnamed employee arguing with the OSHA officer literally 3 seconds before the trench collapses. A video transcript :
OSHA Officer : “This is a good demonstration as to why you’re not supposed to be down there without caving protection…”
Employee : “I understand that, but when we also would’ve seen any type of movement, we would have been out of there and been able to excavate it out before it happened….and I know it’s a…a “what-if” on both ends…”
**3 Seconds Elapses…**
**Trench Collapses**
OSHA Officer : “I mean I wouldn’t wanna be down in there when that happens…and it’s hard to judge when those things happen.”
You can see the fissure on the left side of the trench, about 0.5″-1″ wide which gradually grows during the course of the video. While this particular example seems underwhelming, keep in mind that this trench is approximately 8 feet deep, Earth falling on you from above is never a good thing no matter what quantity.
To raise awareness and prevent accidents like this, OSHA provides specific information on Trench and Excavation in their usual format, laid out to answer any questions you have regarding this.
- What OSHA standards apply to trenching and excavation?
- What information is available to the construction industry regarding trenching and excavation?
- What are the potential hazards and possible solutions associated with trenching and excavation?
- What additional information is available regarding trenching and excavation?
Additionally, OSHA Directive CPL 02-00-069 [CPL 2.69], (1985, September 19). Establishes a National Emphasis Program (NEP) for the programmed safety inspection of trenching and excavation operations.
A video of the incident can be seen by clicking here.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:04 am
We recently have been going through some restructuring and refocusing, and as part of it, we want to know if you have any needs, questions, suggestions, ideas, or complaints!
Our goal is to provide you guys with safety information to help you supplement your existing program and keep you updated on the current regulations to keep you out of trouble. Recently we have been trying to make sure we have diverse topics, informing updates, and valuable tools to keep your jobsite/workplace safe, but if you have any suggestions on how we can better do that, we definitely want to know.
If so, you can email us – info@safetyservicescompany.com
OR
Leave a comment below!
March 21st, 2009 at 1:15 am
New York City Buildings Commissioner Robert Limandri is now blaming workers for the cause of the March Crane Collapse in New York. Limandri was quoted saying that the workers did not follow the proper safety procedures or equipment guidelines, causing the crane to collapse.
“And what now happens is that they notify us. We show up and we actually make sure that all the new rules being put into place are being followed.”, Said Limandri.
For More info and Updates, see the New York Public Radio Website.
March 20th, 2009 at 12:59 am
The latest in mainstream safety news is that 28 year-old Anthony Paino, while working on a 10 story hotel undergoing construction, was not wearing a harness while working on the Gansevoort Hotel, and fell 10 stories to his death, on the top of an adjacent building. Paino was working for a steel
Anthony Paino and Fiance'
subcontractor by the name of L.M.C. Specialties, working under Levine Builders, General Contractor. Other employees had confirmed that Paino was not wearing the safety harness used to prevent falls of this nature.
What will surprise most is that there is actually an on-site Safety Manager, who worked for Total Safety Consulting, who was present at the hotel during the accident. Steve Solomon, a spokesman for Levine Builders, was quoted saying, “We strongly believe that all of the safety precautions were taken on this job.”
The New York Department of Buildings issued eight Environmental Control Board issues as follows :
- Failure to provide adequate guardrails on the seventh, ninth, tenth floors
- Failure to provide horizontal safety netting on the seventh floor
- Failure to safeguard the public and property
- Failure to provide overhead protection on the third-floor setback
- Failure to provide overhead protection on the fourth-floor setback
- Failure to provide protection near holes throughout the job site
- Smoking refuse
- Obstructed standpipe and stairwell
The Department of Buildings has also issued a stop-work order on the Hotel until further Notice.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Anthony. Unfortunately these accidents are all too common, even more unfortunately, they are almost always preventable, with vigilant focus on safety, and following the required safety guidelines. Our hope is that Anthony’s accident will inspire others to pay attention and always operate safely no matter what the conditions or circumstances.
February 25th, 2009 at 8:52 am
The San Diego Union-Tribune brings us an update on the Scaffolding Collapse in San Diego back in Late August – (Raw Video Footage). Cal-OSHA has released an official report detailing the fault of the collapse rests on the shoulders of a Scaffolding Contractor, ‘Paramount Scaffold, Inc.’ Cal-OSHA has issued a total fine of $10,120 for two violations of California Safety Regulations.
Perhaps the most publicized of the lawsuits arising from the accident has been filed by the widow of Tyrone Allen, Tina Allen, who alleges a wrongful death lawsuit, due to the fact that a crane operator had noticed the initial buckling of the Scaffold nearly an hour before it’s collapse, and nothing was done to prevent it.
Paramount Scaffold has not yet made any public comments aside from stating that they had not seen the report.
Related Links:
Scaffold Safety Requirements and Tips
Better Fall Protection in Your Workplace: News and Safety Tips
Walkway and Scaffolding Collapse, Injuring 16 Pedestrians in Downtown San Diego
February 24th, 2009 at 7:30 am
A popular forklift accident video is currently making it’s way around the social media giants of the web. The video shows a forklift driver carrying a very wide load through an aisle which is not big enough. The seemingly makeshift shelves crumble when he takes out one of the legs.
Now is a great time to remind ourselves of the very strict laws OSHA has in place for this type of setup, specifically OSHA CFR 1910.22 B, C, and D :
1910.22(b)(1)
Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways and wherever turns or passage must be made. Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repairs, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.
1910.22(d)(2)
It shall be unlawful to place, or cause, or permit to be placed, on any floor or roof of a building or other structure a load greater than that for which such floor or roof is approved by the building official.
-OSHA.gov
See the video, Click Here – Forklift Accident Video.
To read more on the OSHA requirements that SHOULD have been followed to prevent this accident, you can visit OSHA’s website, www.osha.gov, or just Click Here.
