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By: Carrie Bettinger – CSP, CHMM
 (http://www.osha.gov/)
As a seasoned safety instructor I have learned that providing real examples of injuries or fatalities that have occurred is a way to really reach workers and begin to change their attitude toward safety. Recently I conducted fall protection training and was on the new and improved OSHA website looking at a running tally of worker fatalities per week featured on the homepage. While looking through these fatalities you see a tragic and consistent pattern of worker cause of death: Falls.
In the space of 10 days 18 worker fatalities were reported and 7 of them were from falls:
- 8/15/2009 Victim was installing asphalt shingles and fell 40 feet to the ground.
- 8/21/2009 Victim was working in the basket of an articulating truck mounted boom. During movement of the boom, victim was catapulted out of the basket.
- 8/21/2009 Victim was pressure washing a vessel standing on a scaffold 15 to 20 feet, and fell.
- 8/22/2009 Victim was performing drywall work and fell 9 feet from a tubular welded scaffold.
- 8/24/2009 Victim was cleaning out a pit at a grain elevator. He was walking near the unguarded opening and fell through, 15-20 feet, to the bottom of the pit.
- 8/25/2009 Victim was working from an 8-foot step ladder doing caulking on a ceiling/wall area and fell to the ground.
- 8/26/2009 Victim fell from a 3-step ladder.
It would be nice to say this was just a strange coincidence or a freak occurrence that these fatalities all happened within this 10-day timeframe. Unfortunately when you look through the previous weeks for 2009, 2008, 2007, etc. you will realize that this is normal for the United States workplace.
It does not matter what industry we look at; Marine, Agriculture, Construction or General Industry, it is clear that we are not protecting workers with the methods that are available and feasible in 99% of cases.
In the above cases every single one could have been prevented with better planning, correct work platforms, conventional fall prevention and worker training. Below are the fixes that could have been done and are being done by those companies who want to ensure every one of there employees go home to their families every day.
- Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) designed specifically for roofers such as “Safety in a Bucket” that comes with a roof ridgeline anchor, body harness and rope lanyard.
- All workers in aerial lifts must wear a PFAS and attach it to the approved anchor point on the bucket/basket.
- Inspect the scaffold and ensure it is stable, fully planked and guardrails are around every side a fall can occur from. These rules apply to every industry not just construction.
- Same as above and any construction company applying OSHA’s 10’ fall protection rule on a scaffold needs to wake up and realize that the worker who fell that 9’ had a 50% chance of dying and being in compliance does not bring that worker back.
- Guarding a pit, skylight or other hole can be as simple as placing and securing a piece of plywood over it. Other ideas would be installing fold down guardrails that could have been installed and in the up position while workers were near the pit and down for normal operations. A warning line that is as simple as cones and caution tape set up 6’ from the edge of the pit can prevent workers from getting too close to an opening.
- The first question that a worker needs to ask before they grab a ladder is “is it right for the job?” For the worker doing the ceiling caulk which requires both hands removed from the ladder you know this is the wrong choice. A ladder is great for a quick job where no more than one hand needs to come off the ladder such as a simple light bulb change. But very often they are grabbed and treated like a scaffold without the safety scaffolds offer workers. For tasks that workers need both hands to perform use a work platform like a mobile scaffold (baker’s rack/scissorlift) or a platform ladder like the Gorilla Work Platform Ladder. Train employees on the safe use of ladders during a 15 minute Toolbox Talk and discuss proper setup, 3 points of contact, not rushing any movement, electrical lines, and clearing the area around them in case of a fall.
- Most importantly as seen in fatality 7 emphasize to workers that a fall from any height can be deadly.
I have heard numerous excuses from workers as to why they did not utilize fall protection for a task that could have easily ended their lives. As a safety professional I tell them that it is required by law and our employers and we must utilize the equipment and follow the rules. As a mother, a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister and a friend I tell them it’s what I would do for my family and to live a long injury-free life.
By: Genya Mallach – CSP
As I was riding on a bus towards one of the world’s oldest ecological treasures, a sad site appeared; the famous Ein Gedi Resourt that attracted tourists from all over the world (and once was a few meters away from the water) now sits nearly 700 meters away from the waters of the Dead Sea. It’s great to be in the biggest natural SPA in the world, whose mud contains over 21 different minerals and said to have healing properties.
People from all over the world flock to this region to experience the atmosphere of the lowest spot of the earth and to also float on the mineral rich water, because it’s too hard put your feet down to the bottom, even if you are only 3 feet deep. The sea lies approximately 1,300 feet below the sea level, is approximately 76 km long, up to 18 km wide and it is 400 meters deep at the deepest point. Over the last 20 years the level of the sea has dropped by approximately one meter per year.
The sad part is that this magnificent wonder is disappearing and there is very little that can be done. One major reason is that the waters of the Jordan river, which once flowed into the sea, now merely is a trickle by the time it gets down to the sea. Most of it is being diverted for agriculture and drinking water. Also, this mineral rich water is being evaporated because of the industrial plants that extract the minerals. The evaporative losses are way too greater than the make-up from the Jordan river.
There have been several proposals to pump the water from the Mediterranean Sea or from the Red Sea, however, the Israeli experts claim that chemical and biological reactions produced by mixing Dead Sea water with seawater could change the blue color of the Dead Sea and may create deadly gases.
According to Amos Bein of the Geological Survey of Israel, the sea will continue falling about three feet a year for the next 150 years or so, until the water becomes so supersaturated with salt that evaporation effectively stops. At that point, according to Bein, the surface of the Dead Sea will be one-third smaller and about 434 feet lower than today. So “it is possible that the Dead Sea will never dry up.”
By: Martha Hernandez
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancer. Lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year. An estimated 40,170 women are expected to die from the disease in 2009 alone. Today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States – my cousin is a survivor and my mother is a two time survivor.
A woman has a 12 percent chance of developing invasive breast cancer. With early detection nearly 90 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer will live at least five years.
You can lower the risk of death from breast cancer by:
- Performing monthly Breast self-exam (BSE) – The Susan G Komen website has a wonderful opportunity which will allow you to download breast self-exam cards:
http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/DownloadBSECards.html
- Get your annual mammogram beginning at the age of 40
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Exercise regularly
- Limit your alcohol consumption
Proposed Changes to the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
Paula Kaufmann, CIH
Both OSHA and the EPA seemed to have recently awoken from their regulatory slumber. OSHA has announced its first major rulemaking during the Obama administration with a proposed change to the agency’s Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard. The existing OSHA HazCom Standard provides workers with the right to know the hazards and identities of the chemicals they are exposed to while working, as well as the measures they can take to protect themselves. This standard was originally adopted in November 1983 and has been enhanced a few times with the latest revision in February 1994.
The proposed changes set the stage for the United States to catch up with the global community in the use of globally consistent methods for chemical hazard classification, hazard labeling, and the format of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). The proposed changes will align the HazCom Standard with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling (GHS). The GHS was adopted by the UN in 2003 with a goal of implementation in 2008. Most multinational companies have been following both the global system and the current OSHA Hazard Communication Program in recent years. The US Department of Transportation has already modified the DOT requirements to make them consistent with international UN transportation requirements and the GHS. Now it is time for OSHA.
The proposed changes will significantly improve the quality and consistency of information provided to workers, employers and chemical user by having a standardized approach to identifying the hazard, labeling the hazard on containers and equipment, and documentation of the hazard on a MSDS. The most pronounced change that chemical purchasers and workers will see is a consistent hazard warning statements and warnings (including pictograms) along with MSDSs will always have the same information located in the same place. These changes are critical not only for everyday users of the chemicals but also emergency responders and medical personnel.
However, the changes won’t be required next week and probably not even next year. The process for moving through a major revision to an established regulation can be long and loud (with input from all vantages points on the changes). OSHA took the first step of this process in September 2006 with an “Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” (ANPR). The recent step, in September 2009, is detailing the changes to HazCom with the publishing of a “Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” (NPRM). Next is the comment period (90 days – December 29, 2009) and then public hearings scheduled for early 2010. OSHA will then draft a Proposed Standard which will have to be reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget and will consult with the Small Business Administration. The Proposal Standard will then get published in the Federal Register, and will most likely have a comment period. FINALLY, OSHA will incorporate changes from comments into the Final Standard, which will be published in the Federal Register with the provisions taking effect over the following months or years.
It’s a long process. Regulators don’t have the window of time to slumber.
My next blog entry will focus on a proposal for a sweeping change to the EPA regulation named the Toxic Substance Control Act.
Outdoor Air Sampling Program at Selected Schools Around the Country
By: Lee Bishop – CIH
For the last several months, the United States Environmental Protection Association has been involved in evaluating outdoor air for potential air toxics at 63 elementary, middle and high schools in 22 states across the country. Citing that the EPA is responsible for protecting “the American public where they live, work and play – and that certainly includes protecting schoolchildren where they learn”, Administrator Lisa P. Jackson kicked-off the program which began at the end of March 2009.
The program was developed after the EPA began reviewing air modeling results of potential pollution sources near schools, a newspaper series regarding air toxics at schools, and information from state and local air pollution control agencies.
The goal of the program is to collect vapor and particulate air samples around selected schools, analyze the samples for potential air pollutants, report the chemicals and levels found, evaluate intervention possibilities, and take action to reduce the types and amounts of pollutants being released around schools.
The Clean Air Act lists 187 individual chemicals as agents that can affect the public’s health if present at sufficiently high amounts. And, although the amount of air toxics has decreased by 40% between 1990 and 2005, some schools are located in areas which may include a number of potentially toxic industries, are nearby highways, or are subject to weather-related conditions which may concentrate toxic materials.
By the end of this summer, the evaluation of the air samples at 11 schools had been completed and posted to the website http://www.epa.gov/schoolair/schools.html.
October is Fire Safety Month
By: John DeFillippo, CHMP, EMT-B
October is Fire Safety Month. We’ll see the billboards and commercials and kids will learn about fire in school, but what does it mean?
It’s time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and don’t forget the carbon monoxide detectors, there should be one near all bedrooms. Check your fire extinguishers. Is the charge still good? What’s the expiration date? If you have kids, do they know what to do in case of fire?
The numbers speak pretty loud. According to the National Fire Protection Association there were over 1,451,500 fires reported in the U.S. in 2008 that took 3,320 civilian lives and injured 16,705 others. The cost in property damage was $15.5 billion. Fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined.
As with many tragedies, much of this loss could have been prevented. Planning and preparedness is critical, at home as well as at work. Fire rarely gives you a second chance. A small flame can quickly get out of control. Fast, proper, action can save lives and property. Improper action, like using the wrong type of extinguisher, can turn a bad situation into a catastrophe. Would you know what to do? At work, are you familiar with the fire and emergency action plans? If there are fire extinguishers have employees been trained in their use? The law requires both.
In a fire, it’s often the smoke that kills. It can quickly disorient and trap occupants. Many fall victim to smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. The gasses given off by many household materials when burning can be highly toxic. Staying low to the floor may help you escape. When you’re out, stay out. Too many have died going back to retrieve some keepsake. Take the time to learn what to do and practice fire prevention. It’s time well spent.
The swine flu vaccine was approved for release by the FDA. It will be about 4 weeks before you are able to be vaccinated. In the meantime, you may have a number of questions regarding the vaccine and its safety. It is important to be educated about the virus and vaccine before making a decision regarding whether you should be vaccinated. By being educated you can protect yourself and others, including family members or coworkers.
The first thing you should do is view the websites of the FDA & CDC. They include a number of links and answers to many of the questions you may have regarding the vaccine. Another great resource is flu.gov, which is a site maintained by the United Department of Health and Human Services. There is also a wealth of information on non-government websites and there several worthwhile free webinars available. One such webinar is being facilitated by Emilcott, and more information can be found here.
Losing a (Once Winning) Battle with Poison Ivy
By Paula Kaufmann – CIH
For years I was the “go to person” when poison ivy was spotted in a yard – I was the neighborhood “poison ivy abatement expert”. I could always remove (yank out) the vines and clean up the debris with no rash appearing on my skin. I thought I was immune to the allergic response of the poison ivy sap. But, I was wrong.
As an industrial hygienist, I should have known better. For me, getting sensitized to the poison ivy required many, many exposures. But eventually, I did get sensitized. And now, I get contact dermatitis when I don’t even realize that poison ivy is near me.
I should have known better … I did the thing that I constantly preach not to do. I exposed myself to a chemical when I could have protected myself. I routinely design work procedures and select personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize worker exposure to all chemicals. The fundamental concept is to minimize exposure because individuals have a range of response to acute or chronic exposure to chemicals. Some people have a response with very low exposures and others can tolerate much higher exposures before showing a response. This is known as the dose-response curve and we (industrial hygienist’s) explain this to workers and their management during occupational health safety training sessions.
There is lots of information on the web about poison ivy – how to minimize exposure, decontaminate your skin when you think you have had contact with the sap, and both home remedies for treatment of the rash. Here are a couple of sites with comprehensive information:
http://www.nps.gov/public_health/info/factsheets/fs_pivy.htm
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm049342.htm
Just to think, if I hadn’t been so careless about exposing myself to the poison ivy, I may not have become sensitized over my lifetime. All I can do now is try not to scratch and not do anymore weeding of the garden this season. In my next life, I’m going to wear a hazmat suit when clearing the overgrowth in the yard. I wish I had a second chance in this life!
What is National Preparedness Month?
By: Martha Hernandez
An effort to raise awareness – You never know when an emergency is going to happen. You must be and stay prepared for the unexpected at home, in school, at the workplace and in your community. Some emergencies which may happen: A Biological Threat , Blackouts, Earthquakes, Explosions, Fires, Floods, Hurricanes, Influenza Pandemic, Tornadoes, Wildfires, Winter Storms
Follow these simple steps for confidence during a disaster or crisis which may occur…
1. Create a kit of emergency supplies… (placing everything in a backpack is a great idea in case you have to evacuate quickly)
Items to include in your kit should be:
Copies of your important documents placed into a waterproof container
Birth certificates
Photo ids
Insurance cards
Copies of credit cards and ATM cards
Extra set of keys to your house and car
Cash or Traveler’s checks (stored in a waterproof container)
A week’s supply of medications and a list of the medications you take
Dosages, doctor’s names, doctor’s phone numbers
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Battery operated radio and extra batteries
Bottled water and non-perishable food
Personal Toiletries
Whistle
2. Create an emergency stash of Items to keep in your home (in case you are told to stay indoors)
Items to include should be:
Three days’ supply of water
Rule of thumb: a total of one gallon per person per day = 3 gallons per person
Manual (non-electric) can opener
Utensils
Three days’ supply of canned, non-perishable, ready-to-eat food
Canned fruit, beans
Special Needs items:
Infant care items
Items for elderly family members
Items for relatives with disabilities
Items for your pets
Phone that does not require electricity
3. Make a plan – for you and your family
Determine and practice:
Where to go – where is your location to reunite
Church, school, or a community center are ideal public places?
How to find one another
** Each family member must carry contact information
Phone numbers for work, school and each family member
A name a phone number of a relative who lives out of state – they can become your main number to call in case you get separated
How to use different routes to get to your meeting place
4. Stay Informed
Learn what could happen where you live
Learn how to respond to different emergencies
Learn about the emergency plans that your community has set up
By: Mike Gfroehrer
1. The uncontrolled release of water may result in mold (fungi) growth in a previously non-water damaged area of a building if the water release is not adequately addressed within 48 hours of its occurrence. In addition to mold growth, water damaged can result in structural damage and support the proliferation of other types of biological organisms including dust mites, cockroaches, rodents, algae, and/or bacteria.
2. The uncontrolled release of water in a building with a history of water damage may cause dormant mold colonies from prior water releases to become active in less than 48 hours.
3. One of the most important factors in effectively preventing or controlling mold growth inside a commercial building is to have a written Water Response Plan in place before an uncontrolled release of water occurs.
4. An effective Water Response Plan will include provisions to immediately stop the uncontrolled release of water and prevent its’ reoccurrence.
5. An effective Water Response Plan will include provisions to immediately start removing the water by mechanical means such as extraction with wet vacuums and the use of commercial-grade drying equipment. Areas where drywall (sheetrock) are covered by large pieces of furniture, wallpaper, or cove base/moldings may require special attention that potentially includes removal of sections of the drywall. The source of the water (domestic drinking water vs. rain penetration through the building vs. widespread flooding vs. sewage backup) will also impact the required response activity. Visible inspection, moisture meters, infrared cameras, measurement of temperature and relative humidity are all tools that that may be used to identify where water damaged materials exist.
6. Depending on the capabilities of the commercial building’s maintenance staff, the Water Response Plan should anticipate the use of outside contractors such as licensed plumbers, roofing contractors, environmental consultants, water/fire damage restoration contractors, and/or qualified mold remediation contractors. It is advisable to have an established relationship with each type of contractor in order to best control costs once the Water Response Plan requires activation.
7. The most common health effect resulting from indoor mold exposure is an aggravation of allergies and/or asthmatic conditions. Prolonged exposure may cause hypersensitivity in some individuals, resulting in these individuals experiencing a severe respiratory reaction even when very low concentrations of airborne mold are present at work or at home. The variety of responses is often seen when employees working in the same area report a wide range of individual responses when near the water damaged building materials.
8. If an uncontrolled release of water is not properly responded to mold growth will likely result. Once mold growth is suspected or confirmed a qualified individual should conduct an investigation to determine the extent of the mold growth and develop a Mold Remediation Work Plan. The Mold Remediation Work Plan should identify procedures to follow when cleaning or removing mold damaged building materials so that building occupants are protected and not adversely affected by the remediation project.
9. The Mold Remediation Work Plan must include: which building materials require removal; which building materials require cleaning and disinfection; a plan for the isolation of the work area using barriers (polyethylene sheeting) and negative air machines to control airborne dust generation; documentation of worker training in proper mold remediation work procedures; and the criteria of the Post Remediation Assessment. Simply put, spraying with bleach or covering with an anti-microbial paint is not an appropriate response where mold growth is confirmed to be present on installed building materials.
10. A Post Remediation Assessment (PRA) determines if the Mold Remediation Work Plan was successful in returning the area to non-water damaged condition. The PRA must be conducted prior to the removal of isolation barriers and should include: a visual inspection to confirm water and mold damaged has been removed and the area has been appropriately cleaned; a moisture survey, using moisture meters, to document remaining installed building materials are satisfactorily dry; and confirmation that corrective actions are in place to prevent additional water damage. Depending on the extent of the mold damage air and surface samples may be collected as part of the PRA. Whenever air or surface samples are collected a qualified individual, such as a Certified Industrial Hygienist, should be chosen to determine the sample locations and assist with the interpretation of results.
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