The state of Minnesota is implementing a new set of standards to reduce on job risk for window washers.

The standard requires employers whose workers are suspended more than 14-feet above grade to have a comprehensive written safety plan and provide employee training for window-washing and building-maintenance activities. It also addresses and outlines worker safety requirements in the areas of:

• Anchors and anchor points;
• Appropriate recordkeeping regarding employee training and retraining;
• Fall protection;
• Proper care, use and inspection of equipment;
• Rope descent systems; and
• Visual inspections of building exteriors before work begins.

“This new standard ensures a plan is in place to reduce risks to workers and that systems are in place to identify and control workplace hazards,” said Commissioner Ken Peterson, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). “The goal is to prevent accidents.”

The new set of rules come on the heels of three window washing deaths in the past three years that MNOSHA said all could have been prevented through the proper use of safety equipment and procedures.

Since MNOSHA began a local emphasis inspection program for the window-washing and building-maintenance industry in October 2010 the organization has inspected 34 window washing companies.

During these inspections, MNOSHA investigators found worksites lacking proper safety equipment for employees and improper usage of suspension scaffolds and lifelines.

The new safety standard for window-washers takes effect March 1, 2012.

For help complying with this new standard call 877-201-8923.

Regulators issued 19 citations after an August fire and explosion left three workers dead and 10 acres burned in east Wyoming, the Associated Press reports.

The explosion happened Aug. 29 as workers James Turner, Llewellyn Dort and Gerardo Alatorre, were installing pipe between storage tanks and a heater treater at a Samson Resource Company-operated oil well in Converse County. The exact circumstances that led to the explosion and deaths has yet to be determined.

A report compiled by the state’s occupational epidemiologist — who stepped down in frustration last month — noted that Wyoming’s occupational death rate was three and a half times the national average. The state’s booming oil industry, according to the report, accounted for 20% of occupational fatalities between 2001 and 2008.

A slate of workplace accidents, including this one, provided cover for Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead’s request last week to add three new positions to the six-person state Occupational, Safety and Health Administration. “I hope the Legislature supports my request to strengthen Wyoming OSHA,” Mead was quoted by the AP, ” This is one more step toward making Wyoming a safer place for workers.”

Samson had hired two local service companies to perform the installation on the non-producing well in an attempt to bring it back into production. Turner worked for Double D Welding and Fabrication in Mills, Wyo., and  Dort and Alatorre worked for Wild West Construction out of Glenrock, Wyo. There were no other workers onsite when the explosion took place

According to Wyoming OSHA, the regulatory body could not release the citations, which were mailed late last week, until receipt has been confirmed.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed $318,000 in fines against Jenny-O Turkey Store, concluding the company was not doing enough to protect the safety and health of its employees after one worker severed his arm at the company’s Barron, Wis., turkey processing facility.

The fines against Jenny-O, a Hormel subsidiary, come as a result of an investigation into a July 20 accident that sent a veteran employee to the hospital to have an arm reattached. Shawn Redman, 35, lost the arm below the elbow when it got trapped in a moving production line as he performed cleaning duties in a confined space.

“Failing to ensure protection through appropriate training and adherence to OSHA regulations led to a worker losing an arm,” said Mark Hysell, director of OSHA’s Eau Claire Area Office.

The OSHA citation includes four willful violations involving confined space regulations. It also cites seven serious violations for failing to provide safety provisions such as rescue and emergency services.

Redman had to walk down 25 stairs and 200 feet across the production floor to get a coworker’s attention after the injury.

A confined space by definition has limited or restricted means for entry or exit, and it is not designed for continuous employee occupancy. The room where the incident occurred, according to OSHA, posed both electro-mechanical and atmospheric hazards, neither of which were properly abated before allowing a worker to enter the space.

OSHA requires employers address confined space hazards with a written permit space program that reduces risks and ensures the availability of rescue and emergency services if needed.

We hear a ton of safety myths everyday that have no basis on research or facts. These consist of things that sound great that people say to get our attention. In many instance the people spewing these fantasies may even believe them themselves. However, as safety professionals we can’t live in a fantasy world, we must use cold hard data to back our claims.

To help you from falling victim to fake claim here are 10 quick Tweetable workplace safety facts. To share these facts simply click on the link you wish to share and it will post on your Twitter account.

10. Average OSHA fine is $1,000

In 2010 the average OSHA fine was $1,028 and the average company received more than two fines per inspection.

9. Overexertion accounts for 25 percent of all workplace injuries

According to Liberty Mutual Safety Index overexertion, or injuries caused by lifting, pushing, pulling, holding and carrying, costs businesses $12.75 billion in direct annual expenses and accounts for more than 25% of the national burden. Furthermore “Fall on same level” ranks as the No. 2 cause of disabling injury that drives direct costs of $7.94 billion, or 15.8% of the total injury burden.

8. Scaffolding, Fall Protection violations number 1 OSHA citations

According to OSHA the most violated standard the past year was a dead heat between fall protection and scaffolding requirements.

7. Nearly 75 percent of illicit Drug users employed

According to OSHA of the 7.2 million illicit drug users aged 18 or older in 2005, 12.9 million (74.8 percent) were employed either full or part time. Furthermore, research indicates that between 10 and 20 percent of the nation’s workers who die on the job test positive for alcohol or other drugs.

6. Hazardous Substances cause 10 percent of skin cancers
According to the International Labour Organization Hazardous substances kill about 438,000 workers annually, and 10% of all skin cancers are estimated to be attributable to workplace exposure to hazardous substances.

 5. Workplace safety programs decrease injuries by 50 percent

According the American Society of Safety Engineers a comprehensive workplace safety program can decrease the likely hood of a workplace injury by up to 50 percent.

 4. 6,000 people die a day of workplace injury

According to the International Labour Organization each day, an average of 6,000 people die as a result of work-related accidents or diseases, totaling more than 2.2 million work-related deaths a year. Of these, about 350,000 deaths are from workplace accidents and more than 1.7 million are from work related diseases. In addition, commuting accidents increase the burden with another 158,000 fatal accidents.

 3. code> Workplaces see $3 to $1 return on workplace safety

Ninety-five percent of business executives report that workplace safety has a positive impact on a company’s financial performance, according to the findings of The Executive Survey of Workplace Safety by the Liberty Mutual Group, the nation’s leading provider of workers compensation insurance. Of these executives, 61 percent believe their companies receive a return on investment of $3 or more for each $1 they invest in improving workplace safety.

The survey also reveals executives realize the benefits of workplace safety go beyond the company’s bottom line, with 70 percent reporting that protecting employees is a leading benefit of workplace safety.

 2. Workplace injury and illness more costly than all cancers combined

In a study funded by the National Institute of Safety and Health, public health sciences professor J. Paul Leigh of the University of California, Davis, pegs the cost of work-related injury and illness in 2007 at about $250 billion. That puts the price to of workplace health and safety problems above the economic burden posed by all cancers combined.

1. Workplace fatalities down 62% and injuries down 42 %

Since OSHA was created in 1971, the workplace fatality rate among employees has decreased by 62%⁽¹⁾ and occupational injury and illness rates have declined by 42%⁽²⁾. At the same time, US employment in the private sector and the number of workplaces has doubled, increasing from 56 million workers at 3.5 million establishments to 114 million workers at 7 million establishments.⁽³⁾

A study of workers compensation claims across 38 states shows the average cost of a fall for roofers and carpenters is more than double the average cost of all other occupational classifications.

The OSHA study, which looked at data from 2005-2007, found the average cost of falls from elevation at $106,000 for roofers, $97,000 for carpenters and less than $50,000 for all other industries.

A fall from elevation is considered any fall from a height greater than 6-feet not involving scaffold or ladder.

In addition to looking at cost of falls from height the study reviled the average cost of falls from ladders and scaffolding was $68,000 for roofers and $62,000 for carpenters.

To limit these types of incidents OSHA requires companies to have in place comprehensive training programs on fall protection and ladder usage.

Here at Safety Services we offer affordable training solutions to meeting these government requirements.

Call 877-201-8923 for more info.

Ever since man picked up a rock more than 2 million years ago and used it break apart wood, bone and other objects the hammer was destined to become an integral tool in the construction of human society.

Yet despite more than 2 million years of experience using hammering devices, mankind still suffers from hammer related injuries at a rate as high as any other hand tool.

Why?

Improper use, selection and maintenance

However, by following the advice in this article you and your employees can help prevent hammer related injuries in the workplace.

Hammer Selection

There is no such thing as a “universal” hammer. Each hammer is designed for a specific job and using the improper hammer can increase the probability of an injury.

The following is a look at a few of the more popular hammers and their intended usage.

Ball Pein Hammer-For riveting, center punching and bending or shaping soft metal. Choose a size to match the task.

Hand Drilling Hammer-The only hammer to use with star drills, masonry nails, steel chisels and nail pullers. Easy to handle; packs plenty of punch.

Rawhide Mallet-For use in furniture assembly, shaping soft sheet metals or any task that requires non-marring blows.

Brick Hammer-Designed for cutting and setting bricks or blocks, and for chipping mortar.

Shingling Hatchet- Used  for installing shakes and shingles. Handy gauge pin sets exposed length of shingle. Milled and crowned face sets nails cleanly.

Wallboard Tool-Multi-purpose tool scores wallboard, makes cutouts and sets nails with a perfect dimple.

Curved Claw or Nail Hammer-For use with finishing nails only. Choose 16 or 20 oz. weights for general carpentry; lighter weights for model work or fine cabinetry.

Straight Claw or Rip Hammer-For use with non-hardened, common or finishing nails only. Choose weights from 20 to 32 oz. for framing and ripping.

Remember when selecting a hammer to always use the appropriate weight so that only a natural swing is required. Let the weight of the hammer do the work.

Hammer Safety

Hammers injuries can be caused by trying to strike too heavy a blow with a lightweight hammer, by using a damaged hammer and by using the wrong style of hammer for the task.

These injuries can range from minors cuts and scrapes to possible broken bones of even damaged eyes.

Follow these tips to prevent hammer injuries.

• When using a hammer ensure proper clearance from fellow workers.
• Keep your work area clean and free from debris.
• Use hammers or mallets with insulated handles for work on or around exposed energized parts. The hammer should feel balanced and under control as you grip the handle.
• Wear proper eye protection.
• When pulling nails or prying material apart, make sure the claw of the hammer is in the proper position and the right leverage is applied.
• Never use anything other than a hammer to drive nails into material (i.e.… rock, brick, back of a tool).
• Avoid handles with sharp edges which can cut off circulation to your finger during long periods of use. Handles should be shaped to fit your hand comfortably.
• Use hammers with cushioned handles to  help absorb vibration, impacts, or squeezing pressure.
• Keep floors clean and dry to prevent accidental slips with or around dangerous tools.
• When hammering make sure you can easily reach your work without straining muscles.
• Make sure that you have secure footing and good balance while using a hammer. Use a vise, clamps, or other means to secure the piece you are striking.

Hammer Maintenance

One of the greatest hazards of hammer use is improper maintenance. As an employer it is your responsibility toensure the safe condition of the tools your employees use.

To ensure this safety you should train employees on how to properly maintain their hammers. To further enhance this training you should have employees sign off at least once a week that their equipment is in proper working condition.

Consider the following when crafting a hammer maintenance program.

• Hammers with loose, splintered or cracked handles are susceptible to having the head fly off during use.
• Use tool boxes or tool chests to keep hammers and tools organized.
• Hang larger tools on pegboards and never leave hammers or tools strewn about your work area.
• Replace broken equipment immediately. Make repairs only if you are qualified.
• Make sure you examine each hammer and tool before using.

The United States Department of Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) recently released a white paper affirming their belief that requiring all employers to maintain an Injury Illness Prevention Program (I2P2) will lead to both a decrease in occupational injuries and death and a cost savings for employers.

To substantiate these claims the paper pulls from multiple studies to illustrate the cost of workplace injury and effectiveness of I2P2 programs.

Highlighted studies pointing to the cost of injury, death and illness include a study by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute stating the most disabling workplace injuries in 2008 cost employers $53 billion.

A second study by the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI), estimates the annual workers’ compensation benefits paid for all compensable injuries and illnesses in 2009 at $58 billion (National Academy of Social Insurance, 2011). NASI further reports the total costs paid by employers for workers’ compensation increased from $60 billion in 2000 to $74 billion in 2009.

In terms of savings OSHA both looked at independent studies and examined the injury and illness prevention programs in eight states where the state had either required a program or provided incentives or requirements through its workers’ compensation programs.

In researching state programs OSHA found reductions in injury and illness from 9 to 60 percent by implementing an I2P2.

A few examples of state programs and their effectiveness include:

• Alaska which experienced a 17.4 percent decline injuries after requiring an I2P2
• California which experienced a 19 percent decline in injuries after requiring an I2P2
• Colorado which employers witnessed cumulative annual reduction in accidents of 23 percent and a cumulative reduction in accident costs between 58 and 62 percent.
• Hawaii which witnessed a net reduction in injuries and illnesses of 20.7 percent.

Currently thirty-four states require or encourage employers to implement I2P2 programs.

The basic elements of these programs are management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification and assessment, hazard prevention and control, education and training, and program evaluation and improvement.

Each element is important in ensuring the success of the overall program, and the elements are interrelated and interdependent.

OSHA began working on requiring employers to maintain an I2P2 in 2010. However, OSHA Director David Michaels told a house subcommittee in November 2011 that he was unable to provide a timeline for future activity on I2P2. Considering that some of the pushback from Congress has surrounded the I2P2 proposal in particular, the standard’s progress may depend on the as-yet undecided federal FY 2012 budget.

If you would like more information on purchasing an I2P2 program call 877-201-8923.

Read OSHA’s entire white paper below.

 
 
OSHAwhite Paper January 2012 Safety Manual

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced the minimum hourly wage rates employers must pay H-2A workers in order to ensure wages of similarly employed U.S. workers are not adversely affected.

The H-2A adverse effect wage rates are calculated for each occupation and location using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s annual wages rates from its regional Farm Labor Survey of nonfamily field and livestock workers.

Each year, the Labor Department publishes these rates in the Federal Register to notify employers participating in the H-2A program of their.

The rates are effective the day they are published and apply only to the H-2A program.

“Ensuring that employers participating in the H-2A program adhere to these wages helps protect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers while providing a legal means for employers to access foreign workers with critical skills needed to help keep our economy strong,” said Jane Oates, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. “Employers who play by the rules deserve to compete on a level playing field, and all workers deserve to work with dignity under the full protection of our laws.”

The rates are being published earlier than anticipated in order to provide growers with as much advance notice of changes as possible and to reduce application processing delays.

The amounts that employers may charge their workers for providing three meals a day and the maximum travel subsistence reimbursement that a worker with receipts may claim in 2012 will be published in a separate Federal Register notice in early 2012.

To facilitate the resolution of legal challenges filled against its new posting requirement, the National Labor Relations Board is postponing the effective date until April, 30 2012.

The delay is the second in the past three months to a posting approved in Sept. 2011 that would require more than six million private-sector employers by the National Labor Relations Act (“Act” or “NLRA”) to display employees’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act.

At the heart of the delays are three federal lawsuits filed against the National Labor Relations Board, saying the group overstepped its bounds when it set new regulations requiring employers to hang the poster.

“When everyone is worried about jobs, when everyone is worried about their economic future, why do we want to pick a fight with employers,” Kevin Shivers, president of the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, one of the three groups that have filed separate suits, told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), also known as the Wagner Act, was enacted in 1935 to encourage the practice of collective bargaining by employees through a representative to negotiate the terms and conditions of employment.

In specific the new notice contains:

1. A summary of employee rights under the NLRA, including: the rights to organize, form or join a union; the right to discuss wages and working conditions with co-workers; the right to take collective action to improve working conditions; and the right to engage in other protected activities.

2. Examples of employer or union illegal conduct under the NLRA;

3. A statement about the employer’s obligation to bargain in good faith if a union has been selected by employees;

4. Information concerning basic enforcement procedures; and

5. NLRB contact information.

As the winter season progresses falling temperatures leave many workers across North America exposed to cold stress related injuries.

These potential injuries include Hypothermia, frostbite, Trench Foot and Chilblains.

To help your company prevent these injuries follow these simple tips.

• Ensure your employees wear loose-layered clothing to insulate the body and promote circulation.
• Make sure employees keep extremities adequately protected with warm outerwear and waterproof boots.
• Limit prolonged time in cold weather conditions and take breaks to warm up.
• Keep a first aid kit that includes extra warm dry gear and hot packs.
• Monitor your co-workers and be on the lookout for exposure symptoms.
• Schedule maintenance and repair jobs in cold areas for warmer months.
• Schedule cold jobs for the warmer part of the day.
• Reduce the physical demands of workers.
• Use relief workers or assign extra workers for long, demanding jobs.
• Provide warm liquids to workers.
• Provide warm areas for use during break periods.
• Monitor workers who are at risk of cold stress.
• Provide cold stress training that includes information about:
• Worker risk
• Prevention
• Symptoms
• The importance of monitoring yourself and coworkers for symptoms
• Treatment
• Personal protective equipment

To help ensure workers are protected from cold stress, Safety Services Company offers a complete cold stress prevention training program.

For more info call 877-201-8923.