STARK COUNTY SAFETY COUNCIL
Ohio’s New Cellphone Driving Law
Effective: April 4, 2023
Ohio’s distracted driving law goes into affect on April 4, 2023. Starting then, law enforcement will issue warnings to drivers found violating the law for the first six months.
After this six-month grace period, law enforcement will have the authority to issue citations. Penalties include a fine of up to $150 for a driver’s first offense and two points on their license unless a distracted driving safety course is completed. Increased penalties can occur if the driver is a repeat offender.
There are some cellphone usage allowances that won’t get drivers in trouble:
• Drivers are allowed to use a phone when the vehicle is parked or stopped at a red light.
• Drivers are allowed to swipe their screens to answer a call.
• Holding a cellphone to your ear during phone calls is allowed.
• Emergency calls will not be restricted.
• Use of a GPS function or navigation device is fine, but device must be mounted on the dash or console, and not hand held.
Section 4511.204 | Driving while texting.
Get ready for National Work Zone Safety Week April 17 - 21 with Matt Flynn, Instructor from The Ohio Laborers’ Training Center. Learn how to keep work zones safe as both a worker and a traveler.
The leading cause of highway construction worker injuries and fatalities is contact with construction vehicles, objects, and equipment. These injuries and deaths are preventable through a number of good practices.
Bring a donation for the Spring Food Drive and get an extra chance to win a $25 Visa Card!
REGISTER ONLINE
You do not need to be a SCSC member to attend - all are welcome! Season passholders do NOT need to register.
Spotlight Company:
www.supportstarkdd.org
The Stark County Safety Council is hosting a Food Drive for Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. Bring a donation to the April luncheon for an extra chance to win a $25 Visa card!
Question: How do you protect yourself, your employees, and your business from a workplace emergency?
Answer: A workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that threatens your employees, customers, or the public; disrupts or shuts down your operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. Emergencies may be natural or manmade and can include the following: Floods, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Fires, Toxic gas releases, Chemical spills, Radiological accidents, Explosions, Civil disturbances, and Workplace violence.
The best way is to prepare to respond to an emergency is before it happens. Few people can think clearly and logically in a crisis, so it is important to do so in advance, when you have time to be thorough.
1. Brainstorm the worst-case scenarios. Ask yourself what you would do if the worst happened. What if a fire broke out in your boiler room? Or a hurricane hit your building head-on? Or a train carrying hazardous waste derailed while passing your loading dock? Once you have identified potential emergencies, consider how they would affect you and your workers and how you would respond.
2. Develop an emergency action plan: An emergency action plan covers designated actions employers and employees must take to ensure employee safety from fire and other emergencies.
At a minimum, your emergency action plan must include the following:
• A preferred method for reporting fires and other emergencies
• An evacuation policy and procedure
• Emergency escape procedures and route assignments
• Names, titles, departments, and telephone numbers of individuals both within and outside your company to contact for additional information or explanation of duties and responsibilities under the emergency plan
• Procedures for employees who remain to perform or shut down critical plant operations,
• Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to perform them
• Designated assembly location and procedures to account for all employees
• Consider OSHA’s e-tool if you are starting from scratch
3. Perform Drills – practice and see where you need to improve.
No matter what kind of business you run, you could potentially face an emergency. The source of the emergency could be external, such as a local chemical plant that catches on fire or an oil truck that overturns on a nearby freeway. The source may be within your physical plant. Regardless of the source, these events could have a direct impact on your employees and your business and should be addressed by your emergency action plan.
If you are looking for more information attend the Emergency Preparedness Planning class in North Canton BWC office on April 25.
Division of Safety & Hygiene
MONTHLY LEARNING April 2023
The Division of Safety & Hygiene’s Education and Training Services Center offers a wide variety of continuing education courses that emphasize the practical application of safety principles, development of a safety culture, current and proposed standards for regulatory compliance, risk reduction, and BWC programs.
IN-PERSON CLASSES
BWC is once again offering in-person occupational safety and health courses for Ohio employers with active workers’ compensation coverage and their employees at no extra charge.
ONLINE eCOURSES
Click here for
These on-demand courses cover topics including Bloodborne Pathogens, Developing a Safety Culture, OSHA Recordkeeping 101, and others. Online course times range from 30 minutes to approximately two hours and provide the ultimate in convenience for learning at your pace and at your desired time.
SPECIAL EVENT: FALL STAND-DOWN WEBINAR
In anticipation for the National Fall Safety Stand-Down, BWC’s Divison of Safety and Hygiene will host a panel of experts to discuss the latest data, trends, and standards on the underlying causes of falls and fall protection equipment in construction.
LIMITED SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
The Trench Safety Conference will feature 4 OSHA Directors and other experts. 300+ safety professionals are expected to attend.
CLICK HERE to email us for details and to reserve your sponsorship today!
Upcoming Events (to-date):
APRIL 13 - WORKZONE SAFETY & STARK COUNTY HUNGER DRIVE
MAY 11 - BARRY GULLICKSON - 3M FALL PROTECTION SPECIALIST
MAY 23 - TRENCHING CONFERENCE AT THE PRO FOOTBALL HOF
JUNE 8 - MONTHLY LUNCHEON - STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO
JULY 13 - SHAWN BAIN, DRUG INTELLIGENCE OFFICER
AUGUST 10 - MONTHLY LUNCHEON
SEPTEMBER 14 - SAFETY FAIR/MONTHLY LUNCHEON
FY24 SEASON PASSES WILL BE ON SALE SOON. WATCH YOUR E-NEWS FOR DETAILS.
