Arbill's - Safer Every Day® Vol 2 Issue 2 by Arbill

’s

issue 2 , volume 2 , summer

HERE COMES THE SUN

’17

ADVICE FROM EHS EXPERTS Best practices for heat stress prevention programs

Don’t let your workers get burned by skin cancer

PRODUCT REVIEWS Prevent injuries with these must-have products

PLUS

Calendar of Events, OSHA By The Numbers & much more!

TO P R E E D I U G IMATE THE ULT

V E NT

T STR A E H G IN

ESS

PROVIDES THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR EMPLOYEES SAFE

DUPONT™ TYVEK® 800 J YOU'RE COMFORTABLY PROTECTED. Providing a suitable protective barrier against many low-concentration, water-based, inorganic chemicals and particles, down to one micron in size, our new Tyvek® 800 J coverall offers an optimum fit with full freedom of movement. Developed to our highest standards, it is soft, comfortable and lightweight without compromising durability. In a Tyvek® 800 J, you’re comfortably protected. To order the Tyvek® 800800 J coverall, To order the Tyvek® J cover- or any DuPont’s safety-related products, contact youryour Arbill representative or call 800-523-5367. all, orofany of DuPont’s safety -related products, contact Arbill representative or call 800 -523-5367.

CONTENT

Arbill’s Safer Every Day

issue 2 , volume summer 2017

A R B I L L’ S S A F E R E V E R Y D A Y M A G A Z I N E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 7

PUBLISHER

Julie Copeland

Workplace heat stress prevetnion

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Robyn Zlotkin

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF David Gerhardt

ART DIRECTOR Julie Lazarus

ADVERTISING SALES Bill Gabriele

ADVERTISING DESIGN Amanda Rouda

06 OSHA Resources

38 OSHA By The Numbers

08 Here Comes The Sun

40 Advice From A Workers’

Utilize OSHA’s database of information to keep employees cool

Protect your workforce from skin cancer

18 Technology Can Reduce The Risk Of Heat Stress

New tools to minimize the dangers of heat stress

26 EH&S Insight

Best practices and advice on establishing a heat stress prevention program

31 Arbill Around and About

Spreading the word about workplace safety

32 Product Reviews

New and innovative products to keep your workers safe

Think you know OSHA? Put your knowledge to the test

Comp Attorney

Heat and workers’ comp claims: What you need to know

44 Waging A War Against The Heat

Strategies to keep our military from succumbing to the heat

48 OSHA Reporting Rule Would Have Gone Too Far

NAM provides valuable insight

50 Safety Calendar

Every safety event, conference or tradeshow worth attending

Safer Every Day is published four times a year by Arbill Industries, Inc. At Arbill, we envision a future in which every worker makes it home safely, every day. Working together, we WILL reduce injuries in the workplace. Arbill knows that maintaining a diverse and talented network of suppliers makes good business sense as they bring innovation, flexibility and enhanced opportunities for our business and theirs. Moreover, as a women owned company, Arbill understands the challenges of, and staunchly supports, diverse companies. For more information on becoming a member of Arbill’s diverse supplier network, contact Robert J. Murphy, CPSM, at rmurphy@arbill.com.

GET IN TOUCH

We welcome your content suggestions, feedback and Letters To The Publisher. To submit your comments and suggestions, click here.

ADVERTISE

If you would like to reach more than 35,000 professionals who are interested in safety, safety products, safety training and safety programs, contact Bill Gabriele at 215-501-8208.

04 Letter from Arbill’s CEO

Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 3

Letter from Arbill’s CEO

WELCOME!

ON BEHALF OF ARBILL, military personnel from the dangers I want to welcome you of hot weather and you can also test to our fifth issue of Safer yourself with our “OSHA by the NumEvery Day! Just as our bers” statistics quiz, to see how well mission promises, Safer you think you know safety topics. Also, Every Day is back to probe sure to check out our calendar of vide practical information to help you upcoming safety-related events. keep your employees safe. While we endeavor to be a safety Since we are in the midst of sumthought leader and have a vision for JULIE COPELAND mer, this issue focuses on heat the look and feel of this magazine, your Twitter: @arbill stress, and provides you with tips and needs as the reader are of paramount insights to protect your employees. importance. That said, your suggesIn addition to informative full-length tions for future content, Letters to the articles, we have also included product reviews, Editor, and constructive feedback are greatly appreinsight on workers’ compensation best practices, ciated. To share your thoughts, click here to access tips from OSHA, and an inside look at a new tech- our suggestions page. nology to keep your employee’s safe from the heat. Safer Every Day is designed to be an essential Also in this issue you will get valuable insight component of your company’s safety program. I from Arbill’s EHS expert, Lisa Miller. Lisa and her look forward to your input and hope you utilize all team routinely have a huge impact on the compa- of the benefits of this quarter’s issue. nies that assist by making their workplaces safer Have a safe day! and OSHA compliant. In this issue read about best practices and advice on establishing a heat stress prevention program. Julie Copeland But wait, we have more…Retired Brigadier GenCEO, Arbill eral Michael Bobeck offers guidance on protecting

3 THINGS YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS ISSUE

Skin Cancer You can play a role in preventing skin cancer

4 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Technology Is Your Friend How technology can reduce heat stress

OSHA Report Rule What you need to know to stay current

Advice From OSHA To Stay Cool*

W ITH THE FOCUS OF THIS ISSUE BEING BEAT THE HEAT, OSHA OFFERS SUGGESTIONS TO AVOID HEAT STRESS, HEAT-RELATED RESOURCES, AND THE ACT GOVERNING EMPLOYER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A SAFE WORKPLACE.

ummer has begun and it brings hot weather – and potentially dangerous work conditions. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration reminds employers and workers to take precautions to stay safe before a heatwave begins. OSHA’s message is simple: Water. Rest. Shade. On hot days, the agency recommends frequent breaks in a cool or shady environment, and drinking water every 15 minutes. OSHA also urges employers to allow new workers to acclimate and build up resistance to the increased temperatures. A recent study of heat-related workplace fatalities found that most occurred during the worker’s first week on the job. As part of its Heat Illness Prevention Campaign, OSHA offers a

O K N OT D T H I S K I NL . OF COO

6 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

website to raise awareness of heat illness symptoms and prevention with educational and training resources in several languages. The site also links to the OSHA-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Heat Safety Tool, an app available for iPhones and Androids. OSHA encourages employers and safety professionals to use the site to share examples of how they are keeping workers safe in the heat. In addition to featuring the best examples on its website, the agency will also feature them in its bimonthly newsletter “Quick Takes.” OSHA urges employers, employees and safety professionals to share their heat tips and photos on Twitter using the hashtags: #WaterRestShade and #ProTips. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. Click here to review this ACT.

™ Uvex HydroShield

MAXIMUM PROTECTION NOW ON LARGER SELECTION. Honeywell Uvex HydroShield TM anti-fog is now available in a greater selection of Uvex Safety Eyewear models and tints to keep you fog-free longer than ever before. The dual-action HydroShield anti-fog lens coating provides up to 60X longer lasting fog-free performance - even after extended wear and repeated cleanings – and provides 2X greater scratchresistance than our next best anti-fog coating. See more details at

www.uvex.us

CONSISTENTLY CLEARER. LONGER. SAFER.

Here Comes the Sun Don’t let your workers get burned by skin cancer. A Cause for Concern

With the winter behind us and the heat of summer here, many of us are looking forward to spending time outdoors and soaking up the sun. While fun in the sun can be healthy, as with most things in life, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. For outdoor workers in particular, the sun can pose a serious risk. Few people would dispute that sun exposure is the primary cause of skin cancer, specifically the ultraviolet radiation due to sun exposure, although many don’t realize the extent or severity of the risk for outdoor workers such as landscapers, construction workersor others who spend a majority of their working hours exposed to the sun. Outdoor workers are at an increased risk for skin cancer as they receive significantly more ultraviolet radiation than people who work indoors. Beside the increased daily exposure, the risk for skin cancer is also elevated for outdoor workers due to the extent of exposure throughout their working life. Adding to the severity of the exposure, outdoor workers are more likely to work around surfaces that increase the sun’s ultraviolet potency due to reflection from surfaces like metal or concrete.

8 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 9

 Meetings  Provide information  Provide protection

With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that outdoor workers experience twice the number of nonmelanoma skin cancers (i.e. basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas) than indoor workers and the risk does not go away with the changing of the seasons.

some people don’t realize that skin cancer, although it has the highest cure rate of other cancers, is nonetheless a deadly disease and, when it kills, it does so in a protracted and often torturous manner. Certainly, this hazard should not be ignored.

Unrecognized Risk?

It’s well established that OSHA requires employers to minimize the risk of harm to their employees. While there’s no specific regulation pertaining to exposure to the harmful rays of the sun, there is Section 5(a) (1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (more commonly known as the General Duty Clause) which requires employers to provide employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to their employees. Since there is no denying that over-exposure to the harmful

While skin cancer due to sun exposure is widely considered to be the most preventable type of cancer, the high incidence rate of skin cancer for outdoor workers may indicate that compliance with safe sun standards and best practices is not ideal. Why might this be the case? Perhaps because the imminent risk of serious injury or death (i.e. from notorious hazards such as falls, electrocution, struck by or caught in/between) tends to overshadow a hazard like skin cancer that can kill gradually, but too often just as surely. Perhaps 10 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Employer Obligation

rays of the sun poses a recognized same employers reported that when hazard to employees, it hardly seems small packets of sunscreen were disa stretch to see this recognized haztributed to workers, compliance with DON T GET BURNED ard being under the reach of the application was nearly 100 percent. BY SKIN CANCER. General Duty Clause. Additionally, A more cost-effective approach to IT S PREVENTABLE some states have recognized skin the small packets of sunscreen may AND THE RISK MOST cancer acquired from sun exposure be using wall-mounted dispensers of on the job as a work-related matter sunscreen, much like the bathroom’s CERTAINLY CAN BE that triggers workers compensation soap dispenser. Interestingly, reported CONTROLLED. ” coverage. The hit to productivity is compliance was higher when the dispenser was located in a common area also sobering: statistics show that annually, companies in the United States lose more like a break room, meeting room or job site trailer rather than $100 million in productivity because of restricted than a private area like the bathroom or portable toilet. activity or absence from work due to skin cancer.

Act to Prevent

Your takeaway?

Don’t get burned by skin cancer. It’s preventable and the risk most certainly can be controlled. We encourage employers with employees at risk to follow a methodical approach to educate workers on the risk and promote compliance with sun-safe practices. By doing so, they satisfy OSHA requirements, decrease their exposure for workers compensation claims and improve productivity through decreased missed work time due to skin cancer. Most importantly, they save lives and prevent needless suffering.

So then, how can employers with employees at risk of skin cancer address employee health and safety, reduce workers’ compensation claims and promote productivity by reducing the incidence of skin cancer? Consider the following three steps taken by employers committed to reducing the risk of skin cancer: 1. Conduct jobsite meetings, tool-box talks or safety meetings that focus on the risk and causes of skin cancer and ways to prevent it. 2. Ensure that affected employees are provided with information about detection and treatment of skin cancer. If you have questions or would like more information 3. Provide physical barriers such as appropriate hats on this topic, contact The Graham Company’s or full-brim hard hats to shield the face and ears from Safety Services at 215-701-5252. An excellent link with sun exposure, safety eye wear that blocks ultraviolet information regarding skin cancer and preventative radiation, neck flaps to protect the back of the neck means and methods can be found here. and, of course, sunscreen. Significantly, with regard to sunscreen, some employers note that workers often don’t purchase and Bette McNee is a licensed as a Registered Nurse who joined The Graham Company in 2014. Bette is a apply sunscreen before work and member of the Technical Development Department may not know what sunscreen works and works in the rapidly expanding Health and Human best for their anticipated exposure. Services Department as a resource for regulatory and Further, if they do purchase suncompliance issues related to the industry. screen, the employees may not know how to properly apply and reapply it Bette McNee, RN, NHA, Clinical Risk Management Consultant,The Graham Company, bmcnee@grahamco.com throughout their shift. However, the Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 11

// BY MICHAEL DALTON

odayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most successful companies are guided by safety programs designed to protect the most vital asset to the company - their employees. A good portion of these companiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; overall success is attributed to standards designed to reduce worker accidents and provide safe working conditions. One of the most critical planning areas for employers is preparing employees for seasonal changes and the issues that result from them. Heat stress and worker fatigue are two key industrial safety factors workers experience during summer or in jobs involving high temperatures. Many common worker safety issues can be directly and indirectly related to these two things.

12 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 13

The amount of fluid a person can lose daily through perspiration and/or urination.

14 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

Employees with occupations that routinely place them in heat intense environments find themselves subject to heat-related issues more often than those with less severe duties. In high temperatures, reduction in job performance and adverse physical reactions related to the severe climate are more likely. “Heat illness” is fundamentally the body’s reaction to increased temperatures, which provides the conditions for potential overheating and other adverse effects. Heat Stress will take its toll. Whether it is a reduction in performance, worker accident or even possibly a fatality, the fact is, if a proper plan isn’t in place to handle heat stress, it can cost both the employer and employee drastically, through loss of staff and/or loss of income or revenue. Potential costs for a lost time worker injury can be astounding. Simply put, preventing heat stress is much cheaper than the alternative.

workday. Electrolyte replacement solutions such as “Sqwincher” are purposely formulated to rehydrate and restore the body and prevent muscle cramping by providing essential carbohydrates and minerals that quickly stabilize the body. These beverages are absorbed significantly faster than water alone, allowing the body to replenish electrolytes and minerals needed for proper rehydration.

Diet

Another factor influential in copOne of the best recommendations for handling heat stress is to combat the problem through proper hydration procedures coupled with a wellbalanced diet and built-in commonsense methods.

Body Hydration

One of the most important steps is to properly hydrate. In order to combat the effects of heat the body reacts by perspiring, releasing essential moisture to cool the skin. Sweat acts as a built-in cooling system for the body. Once perspiration begins, dehydration has already started. Dehydration causes the body to pull fundamental fluids and elements from different locations throughout the body to compensate for a lack of these vital elements elsewhere. It is imperative to balance the intake of fluids equal to the amount being released through perspiration or urination throughout the day. It is important to start the hydration process before work and exertion and/or perspiration has begun.

Employees should begin their day by consuming a regimen of water and fluids designed to keep the body hydrated and maintain stable electrolyte balance. A person can lose as much as six quarts of fluid daily through perspiration and/or urination. Workers should be encouraged to consume a balanced rotation of water and electrolyte replacement drinks throughout the day or during periods of strenuous work. A common misunderstanding is that water is an appropriate solution for rehydration. When a person perspires, essential mineral salts and electrolytes are depleted from cells as well as water. These components are critical in keeping the body safely balanced throughout a demanding

ing with heat stress is a balanced diet. The metabolic rate of an individual can add 10 to 100 times more heat to the body than radiation and convection combined. Employees who are exposed to heat should avoid eating heavy or fatty meals during working hours. Also, workers who consume more fluids during work are less likely to overeat due to a decrease in appetite. It is important to note that liquids should not take the place of proper eating habits. A wellbalanced diet is key to the body’s ability to combat all illnesses, not just heat stress. An effective electrolyte replacement drink can be the right solution. They are designed to address issues for workers whose vocation causes a drastic reduction in body fluids and the resulting electrolyte imbalance. Balanced electrolyte sources, such as Sqwincher beverages can reduce accidents and increase productivity by helping your workers stay alert. Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 15

Other important worker safety practices during hot & intensive work:  When possible, wear loose lightweight clothing.  Wear hats, gloves and clothing that will protect you from damaging UV exposure.  Apply an effective sunscreen with proper UV protection to protect against skin burns.  Use personal protective clothing and cooling devices designed to protect against heat and exposure.  Take frequent breaks in cool, well ventilated shaded areas  Make sure workers are acclimated to their working conditions. (OSHA recommends 6 days to gradually get used to extreme environments.)  Know your employees and their habits. Be certain to keep them informed of the dangers associated with heat stress in their workplace. Maintaining an acute awareness to the danger signs and a thoroughly managed safety program are key to safely maintaining heat stress. For more information on heat stress reduction programs and products, contact your Arbill representative or call 800-523-5367. 16 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

A15007 (1-5) Hand Protection / Disposable Nitrile

Percept 4 Mil 9.5”

This 4 mil glove is perfect for individuals needing comfort, durability and dexterity. The black color helps to hide dirt while the textured fingers provide a secure grip in both wet or dry applications. It features a rolled cuff for ease of donning and has an ambidextrous design. The glove is powder-free and appropriate for medical/exam use. The Percept 4 comes in 5 sizes (SmallXXLarge)

Consistent with our mission to reduce incidents by developing the most innovative, appealing

and best performing workplace safety products, Truline is ready to help you have your safest summer ever. For information on ordering any of Truline’s more than 800 quality safety products, including our summer glove series, A24430 (2-7) & A24433 (2-8) Protective Clothing

Triguard MP

Protect your workers with the Triguard MP microporous coverall. The Triguard MP offers better liquid barrier and chemical particulate/spray protection than traditional “white” suits. Ideal for painting, cleaning, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and many other tasks. Low linting and low static garment, available in open wrist and ankle or elastic wrist and ankle style. Available in up to six sizes.

contact Marcelo Rodriguez at 215-501-8190 or by email at mrodriguez@Arbill.com

10450 Drummond Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154 exclusively by

Arbill.com 800.523.5367

Safely Leading the World at Work

Scott Vicek photo-illustrations by

Storm Erikson

Heat related injuries harm

18 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

of workers annually

TECHNOLOGY CAN MITIGATE MANY OF THESE HEAT-RELATED INJURIES

Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 19

HEAT RELATED INJURIES

eat stroke and heat exhaustion can occur quickly and early warning signs are often ignored as workers are focused on accomplishing their assigned tasks. These injuries are typically associated with work being done outside, but can occur when working inside as well. This has become a major concern of EHS groups across a wide swath of industries.

the red alert wbgt solution

The fact is that heat related illness is very preventable. When environmental conditions represent a risk to workers, a few easy prophylactic measures can be The Red Alert WBGT Heat illness Prevention Solution taken to dramatically mitigate risk: While these tips has been designed through collaboration with EHS are simple and don’t require any expensive equipspecialists specifically to provide an effective tool for ment, the key to a successful safety program lies monitoring workers and ensuring adherence to your in identifying significant risk factors for heat related organization’s heat safety protocols. injuries and providing proper oversight to ensure that At the core of the solution is the Red Alert real-time workers are following thermal stress mitigaawareness software platform combined with the rugtion protocols. Unfortunately, neither of these ged Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker with WBGT (Wet are reliably accomplished using tools that Bulb Globe Temperature). WBGT provides an accurate are currently available. environmental measure of the risk of thermal stress taking into account not just temperature but also Two organizations have partnered together to create a solution that solves both of these humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud covproblems, providing instant awareness to heat er (solar radiation) and provides accurate heat related risk levels in a work environment, and index readings. enabling effective oversight both at the workThe Red Alert software stack fused with site and at a regional or even global level. This the Kestrel 5400 enables full awareness of solution, offered by Blueforce Development WBGT levels at the work site and throughout Corporation in conjunction with Kestrel® the organization. Leveraging off the shelf Weather and Environmental Instruments, is smartphones and tablets and using the effective for preventing heat related illness OSHA color coding system corresponding on the job and keeping workers healthier and to risk levels, the system functions autonomore productive. Arbill markets the Blueforce mously and enables supervisors both in the Kestrel 5400 field and in centralized EHS monitoring censolution under the name “Red Alert.” 20 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Wear appropriate clothing and adjust carried loads

Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 21

HEAT RELATED INJURIES

Drink water regularly even if not feeling thirsty

22 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

ters with full awareness of heat risk. real time. For the workers on the ground, The information can be displayed on they simply glance at the deployed senAdjust work site so workers easily identify current sor station to see what the protocols are pace when the working conditions and associated for the day. If your company has crews environment working in austere environments away protocols on a colored screen. EHS presents risk supervisors can remotely monitor in from reliable cellular signal, the solution real time the conditions facing their works well with alternate communication workers, regardless of their location pathways. or work environment. With Red Alert, your organization Add-on capabilities are easily integratwill have up-to-the-minute information on ed as well, such as real-time physiological monitorwhat their workers are facing to ensure that all working of workers in particularly hazardous environments ers (regardless of location) are made aware of and are and the ability to enable workers with mobile tools complying with required prevention protocols. for panic signaling and streamlined real-time protocol adherence reporting. All of this is accomplished using off-the-shelf mobile devices loaded with Blueforce IN-FACILITY THERMAL RISK MONITORING: Red Alert software. for Indoor WBGT Monitoring The human body is not only at risk of heat related illness while exposed to sun. Many workers face OBILITY: Red Alert WBGT for Mobile very real indoor heat risks. Manufacturing shop Work Crews floors, refineries, power plants and warehouses can Your employees are most vulnerable all contain potential areas for excessive indoor heat. when they are working outside of compaWorkers whose jobs require them to exert themselves ny facilities. Oil workers, pipeline crews, while wearing heavy protective clothing are especially linemen, construction workers, miners, at risk. and many other occupations are required to work outAdditionally, indoor temperatures are not constant. doors where there is little opportunity to meaningfully A common problem is that indoor locations may use control their work environment. centralized temperature sensors with no practical way Leveraging the inherent mobile capabilities in the Red to both monitor and display localized WBGT conditions. Alert platform, the WBGT solution ensures that no matter The Red Alert WBGT system solves this problem. where your workers are, you will have real time awareThe solution is deployed throughout a facility and ness as to the thermal risk levels they are facing. The attached to inexpensive tablets or monitors which solution is flexible and easy to deploy. display in real time the OSHA color code along with For most applications, all the crew has to carry with the expected protocols. Every worker knows exactly them is a small ruggedized case containwhat the heat risk condition is in his/her ing a handheld Kestrel sensor and one immediate vicinity and the protocols smart device easily mounted on a small they are required to follow, greatly reducTake frequent tripod at the job site. ing employer liability breaks and get For operations covering large geoSupervisors are able to subscribe out of the sun graphic areas, these sensor stations to the deployed sensor nodes which periodically if can be moved easily as the crews move. enables awareness of real time condiworking outside Data is disseminated using standard celtions. This makes protocol enforcement lular networks and is easily available in a much easier proposition. Furthermore, Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 23

these supervisors can access this information from both mobile (decentralized) locations or an EHS monitoring center. For organizations with geographically dispersed operations, a regional or global EHS monitoring center can view global operations on a single pane of glass. If desired, the Red Alert platform allows for easy integration of additional sensor types as well, such as multi- gas or radiation sensors. The Red Alert WBGT system is both cost effective and operationally effective. It can be deployed very quickly and will pay dividends immediately reducing heat related illness and liability. A healthy workforce is an efficient workforce.

OMMON RELEVANT OPERATING PICTURE: Monitoring Enablement with Red Alert Command Center and EDGE Software Platforms

Providing powerful thermal risk detecting capabilities to workers is not of value unless an organization is enabled to monitor them. Highly scalable, Red Alert Command Center provides a single pane of glass on which EHS teams and supervisors can monitor their workers throughout the world from the safety of an office, or from distant field locations. Command Center is flexible and scalable with the ability to monitor thousands of subscribed endpoints, both human and sensors. Command Center software can be deployed at the global, regional and local levels to work with existing oversight models. It can run on hardware ranging from a relatively low powered tablet or notebook computer up to a highpowered fusion center with a 50ft screen. To augment centralized or decentralized monitoring models, Red Alert software can work in concert with Command Center as an autonomous agent package that can monitor endpoints and engage 24 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

pre-determined escalation protocols in the event extreme heat levels are reached. These protocols can include notification of personnel who may not be in front of a Command Center screen. The ability to monitor environmental conditions and ensure worker adherence to protocols in real time is a key distinguishing feature of the WBGT solution. This is enabled by the Red Alert Platform.

EAL-TIME AWARENESS OF THERMAL RISK: Enabling EHS Groups to Reduce Heat Related Illness

The end goal and the reason for the Red Alert WBGT solution is to enable EHS organizations to reduce the threat of heat related injury to its workers. These organizations have a legal responsibility under OSHA to provide working conditions that are free from known dangers. This is obviously not feasible when dealing with heat as a risk factor. Heat stress management instead relies on utilizing reliable and standardized risk metrics and ensuring that workers adhere to protocols that are appropriate to the threat level. The WBGT solution greatly enhances an organization’s EHS apparatus to effectively accomplish this mission.

Benefits of the Red Alert WBGT Solution:

• Real time Heat Index Monitoring • The display of OSHA, Heat Index, Risk Level and Protective Protocols to be followed • Enablement of real-time monitoring of ground conditions by supervisors on the ground and in centralized EHS monitoring centers • Archived full chain of custody data • Autonomous alerting functionality to safety personnel and supervisors • Reduced Workers compensation claims and insurance liabilities

Learn warning signs of heat related illness and keep an eye on co-workers

To learn how the Red Alert solution can be customized for your company, including scheduling a demo, contact your Arbill representative or call 800523-5367.

Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s || Safer Every Day 25 21

BEST PRACTICES & ADVICE ON

ESTABLISHING A HEAT STRESS PREVENTION PROGRAM One of the keys to beating the heat is to develop a heat stress training program

PLAN

and incorporate it into your health and safety plans.

PRO TECT

E T A U L A EV

N I A TR

At a minimum, your plan should include the following components Knowledge of the hazards of heat stress; Recognition of predisposing factors, danger signs, and symptoms; Awareness of first-aid procedures for, and the potential health effects of, heat stroke; Employee responsibilities in avoiding heat stress; Dangers of using drugs, including therapeutic ones, and alcohol in hot work environments; Use of protective clothing and equipment; and Purpose and coverage of environmental and medical surveillance programs and the advantages of worker participation in such programs

28 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

An essential component of your plan must be training. Specifically, workers and supervisors should be trained about the hazards of heat exposure and their prevention. Training topics should include:

Risk factors for heat-related illness  Different types of heatrelated illness, including how to recognize common signs and symptoms  Heat-related illness prevention procedures  Importance of drinking small quantities of water often  Importance of acclimatization, how it is developed, and how your worksite procedures address it  Importance of immediately reporting signs or symptoms of heat-related illness to the supervisor  Procedures for responding to possible heat-related illness  Procedures to follow when contacting emergency medical services  Procedures to ensure that clear and precise directions to the work site will be provided to emergency medical services 

Finally, when investigating heat stress in your workplace, provided below is a general workplace review of sample questions that the Compliance Officer may wish to consider.

WORKPLACE DESCRIPTION A. Type of business B. Heat-producing equipment or processes used C. Previous history (if any) of heat-related problems D. At "hot" spots: 1. Is the heat steady or intermittent? 2. Number of employees exposed? 3. For how many hours per day? 4. Is potable water available? 5. Are supervisors trained to detect/evaluate heat stress symptoms? ARE EXPOSURES TYPICAL FOR A WORKPLACE IN THIS INDUSTRY? A. Weather at Time of Review B. Temperature C. Humidity D. Air velocity E. Is Day Typical of Recent Weather Conditions? (Get information from the Weather Bureau) F. Heat-Reducing Engineering Controls G. Ventilation in place? H. Ventilation operating? I. Air conditioning in place? J. Air conditioning operating? K. Fans in place? L. Fans operating? M. Shields or insulation between sources and employees? N. Are reflective faces of shields clean?

WORK PRACTICES TO DETECT, EVALUATE, AND PREVENT OR REDUCE HEAT STRESS A. Training program? B. Content? C. Where given? D. For whom? E. Liquid replacement program? F. Acclimatization program? G. Work/rest schedule? H. Scheduling of work (during cooler parts of shift, cleaning and maintenance during shutdowns, etc. ) I. Cool rest areas (including shelter at outdoor work sites)? J. Heat monitoring program? K. Personal Protective Equipment L. Reflective clothing in use? M. Ice and/or water-cooled garments in use? N. Wetted undergarments (used with reflective or impermeable clothing) in use? O. Circulating air systems in use? P. First Aid Program Q. Trained personnel? R. Provision for rapid cooldown? S. Procedures for getting medical attention? T. Transportation to medical facilities readily available for heat stroke victims? U. Medical Screening and Surveillance Program V. Content? W. Who manages program?

For more information on establishing a heat prevention program at your company, contact Arbill’s EHS Solutions Specialist, Lisa Miller, at 215-290-8802, for a no-cost consultation.

Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 29

Arbill Arbill Arbill isisimproving isimproving improving workplace workplace workplace safety safety safety throughout throughout thethe United United States States withwith its its patent patent pending pending pending SafetyCare SafetyCare SafetyCare solution. solution. solution. After After After aa comprehensive comprehensive a comprehensive safety safety assessment assessment of your of your facilities facilities – that that – that examines examines examines more more more than than than 400 400 400 potential potential potential safety-related safety-related safety-related issues issues – Arbill – Arbill designs designs twotwo prescription prescription prescription options options options for forfor workplace workplace workplace safety safety safety at at your at your your facilities. facilities. YouYou chose chose thethe prescription prescription plan plan that thatthat best best best suits suits suits your your your company company company toto improve toimprove improve safety, safety, safety, reduce reduce reduce injuries, injuries, andand assure assure OSHA OSHA compliance. compliance. 1)1)1) Option Option Option One: One: One: SafetyCare SafetyCare SafetyCare prescription prescription prescription offering offering forfor OSHA OSHA compliance. compliance. 2)2)2) Option Option Option Two: Two: Two: SafetyCare SafetyCare SafetyCare prescription prescription prescription offering offering forfor Arbill’s Arbill’s award award winning winning brand brand brand promise promise promise ofof aof a guaranteed guaranteed a guaranteed 10% 10% 10% reduction reduction in incidents. in incidents.

SafetyCare SafetyCare Contact Contact Contact Arbill Arbill Arbill today today today toto schedule to schedule schedule an anan assessment assessment assessment of your of your safety safety needs. needs. From From complex complex complex EH&S EH&S EH&S issues issues issues totosafety tosafety safety and and and sustainability sustainability sustainability programs programs programs andand policy policy development, development, thethe Arbill Arbill EH&S EH&S EH&S Solu Solu Solu ons onsons team team team isisyour isyour your go-to go-to go-to resource resource resource for forfor EH&S EH&S EH&S problem problem solving, solving, OSHA OSHA compliance compliance andand injury injury injury reduction. reduction. reduction. For For For more more more informa informa informa on onon contact contact contact EH&S EH&S EH&S Advisor Advisor Advisor Lisa Lisa Miller Miller at lmiller@arbill.com at lmiller@arbill.com or call or call 215-290-8802. 215-290-8802. 215-290-8802.

AROUND & ABOUT ARBILL IN ASIA

Arbill is a third generation, familyowned business. As this picture shows, it’s never too early to get the fourth generation involved in the business! CEO Julie Copeland’s 14-year old son, Austin (center), accompanied Julie (second from right) and Robyn Zlotkin (far left), Arbill’s President and co-owner, on a product development trip to Asia that took place from June 19th to July 1st.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURES

Josh Goldstein, Arbill’s Director of Government Affairs, attended the National Association of Manufacturers’ (NAM) Manufacturing Summit, held June 21st and 22nd at the Grand Hyatt, in Washington, DC. Josh was part of a select group who heard speakers Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, among others, before meeting with members of Congress to discuss issues important to manufacturers.

WBENC CONFERENCE HOSTS THOUSANDS

Arbill, a woman owned business, attended the WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) national conference in Las Vegas, which was held from June 2124. WBENC is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States. Shown above, posing with a silent auction poster at the event, from left to right, are David Gerhardt, David Glass and Howard Jacobs. NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH

Celebrating National Safety Month (June) takes many forms. At Arbill, on June 2nd, it included a parking lot barbecue feast at our company headquarters in Philadelphia, lunch with co-workers, and a beat the clock competition that included seeing how quickly you can put on PPE from head to toe.

Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 31

PRODUCT REVIEWS In each issue of Safer Every Day we will feature safety-related products that provide a high level of protection, safety and the peace of mind that safety professionals are looking for when sourcing products to keep their coworkers accidentfree. If you have questions about any of the products shown, or if you would like to make a purchase, contact Arbill at 800-523-5367.

Hand Protection ITEM ID: A15007 (1-5) BRAND: TRULINE PRODUCT NAME: DISPOSABLE NITRILE PERCEPT 4 MIL 9.5”

This 4 mil glove is perfect for individuals needing comfort, durability and dexterity. The black color helps to hide dirt while the textured fingers provides a secure grip in both wet or dry applications. It features a rolled cuff for ease of donning and has an ambidextrous design. Powder-free. Medical/exam. 32 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

3M Hearing Solutions

Easy made smart. Introducing 3M™ E-A-R™ Easy Touch Earplugs. Now you can get the best benefits of a push-to-fit earplug — comfort, hygiene, ease-ofuse — for what you’d expect to pay for a disposable roll-down earplug. Featuring patented technology, 3M™ E-A-R™ Easy Touch Earplugs are the costeffective alternative your employees will want to wear. Now that’s smart.

Find smart hearing protection at 3M.com/EasyTouch.

▶ Foam stem for secure grip and easy insertion ▶ Comparable pricing to disposable foam earplugs ▶ Ideal for workers with gloved or dirty hands ▶ Soft foam for extendedwear comfort ▶ Compatible with the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Dual-Ear Validation System

PRODUCT REVIEWS

Fall Limiter ITEM ID: MFLEC2 BRAND: HONEYWELL P R O D U C T N A M E: MILLER TURBOLITE EDGE PERSONAL FALL LIMITER The new Miller TurboLite Edge Personal Fall Limiter provides you with protection for foot level tie-off and work near sharp and smooth edges, eliminating the risk of your lifeline being severed, and reducing the force that could result in the event of a fall. TurboLite Edge PFLs offer versatility, enhanced user mobility, and maximum safety.

Anti-fog Lens ITEM ID: A303501 BRAND: TRULINE P R O D U C T N A M E: WRAPTOR 120 The Wraptor 120 offers a dual injected temple for comfort and style with an Anti-fog lens for maximum performance. A sealed gasket lining provides added coverage against airborne particles or light liquid splash.

If you would like to have a product considered for inclusion in the Product Review section, please click here, provide your contact information and describe the product you would like to include.

34 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Chemical Resistent Glove ITEM ID: 93-260/XL BRAND: ANSELL P R O D U C T N A M E: MICROFLEX 93-260 Ansell's Microflex 93-260 is the thinnest chemical resistant single use glove available on the market today. The glove’s unique, three-layer design features an exterior nitrile layer which delivers maximum protection against organic solvents. Its ﬂexible middle layer delivers maximum protection against acids and bases. The soft interior layer provides a continual dry feel, while also easing the donning and offing process.

Protective Eye-Wear ITEM ID: A30243 (0-2) BRAND: 3M P R O D U C T N A M E: SECUREFIT™ PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR 400 SERIES Greater comfort is achieved through advancements in science. The 400 Series features3M™ Pressure Diffusion Temple Technology, soft one-piece nose bridge, dual-injected temples and optional foam-lined gasket.

PRODUCT REVIEWS

Eye Protection ITEM ID: A30323 (4,6) BRAND: TRULINE P R O D U C T N A M E: JAVA SPORT EYE WEAR The Java Sport glasses offer dual injected temples in a sporty black and gray slate design. Available in your choice of clear anti fog or a Polarized lens. The Polarized lens are excellent for outside work while reducing glare and eyestrain while improving contrast and visual clarity. ANSI Z87+ ; CSA Z94.3 ; MIL-PRF-32432 Ballistic Fragmentation Class 1

Protective Clothing ITEM ID: A24430(2-7) BRAND: UVEX BY TRULINE P R O D U C T N A M E: TRIGUARD MP Protect your workers with the Triguard MP microporous coverall. The Triguard MP offers better liquid barrier and chemical particulate/spray protection than traditional "white" suits. Ideal for painting, cleaning, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and many other tasks. Low linting and low static garment, available in open wrist and ankle or elastic wrist and ankle style.

36 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

MICROFLEX ® XCEED ® WITH ERGOFORM ERGONOMIC DESIGN TECHNOLOGY Microflex XCEED disposable nitrile gloves with ERGOFORM™ Ergonomic Design Technology are designed to reduce hand fatigue enabling workers to exert less muscle effort and increase productivity. These innovative gloves support musculoskeletal health while minimizing the risk factors that lead to workplace injuries.

Our design reduces muscle

™

cause stress on joints, ligaments and tendons

Ergonomic fit ensures superior comfort and maximum range of motion

under the auspices of the united states Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) collects and publishes data on a wide array of safety-related issues. With statistics supplied by OSHA, in each issue of Safer Every Day we will give you the opportunity to test your safety knowledge. To play, simply select which of the multiple choice questions is correct. Get five out of five right and you can consider yourself an expert. Three or four correct and your score is average. Get below 3 correct and you have some work to do to enhance your knowledge of OSHA stats.

O S H A

BY THE NUMBERS

Which of the following in the most frequently cited OSHA standards violations? 1

A. Hazard Communications Standard B. Scaffolding, General Requirements C. Fall Protection D. Respiratory Protection E. Ladders

Approximately, how many whistle blower complaints does the Occupational Health and Safety Administration get each year? 2

A. 2,000 B. 2,500 C. 4,000 D. 5,000 E. 7,500

tion?

Which state was the last to pass workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; compensation legisla-

A. Mississippi B. Hawaii C. South Dakota

According to the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), which state has the highest number of workrelated fatalities per 100,000 workers? 4

A. New York B. New Mexico C. North Dakota D. Alaska E. Wyoming

Who was President of the United States when the Occupational Health and Safety Administration was founded? 5

A. Jimmy Carter B. Richard Nixon C. Gerald Ford D. Ronald Reagan E. Lyndon Johnson Answers on next page.

D. Alabama E. Louisiana

DID NOT DO AS WELL AS YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD? Send us an e-mail at osha@arbill.com or call us at 1-800-55-1222 38 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

1 2 3 4 5

C. Fall Protection B. 2,500 A. Mississippi E. Wyoming B. Richard Nixon; April 28, 1971

Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 39

exhaustion can result from work-related exposures and are considered to be “work-related injuries.” But these conditions do not generally result in disability of more than a few days, if at all. Most states impose waiting periods for workers’ compensation, meaning that no lost-time benefits are payable to the employee where the disability does not last more than a certain number of days (seven days is the most widely used parameter). But even in cases where no time from work is lost, employers are still responsible for medical care for their employees. This may include a visit by a paramedic or even a trip to the emergency WHEN EMPLOYEES’ room. Sunburn may simply require that the employee cover up better or wear sun screen. Employers are not required under workers’ compensation laws to provide protective clothing, sun screen or TURN IN TO WORKERS’ shade for their employees working outside. But an COMPENSATION CL AIMS ounce of preventing a workers’ compensation claim By Matthew S. Wynn, Esquire is worth a pound of paying for one, as they say. Of course, heat and sun exposure can cause serious injuries, even death—especially where the employee has a preexisting heart condition. Workers’ compensation courts across the country genverexposure to heat can occur erally recognize heart attacks as compensable indoors or out. Obvious “hot jobs” work injuries, where preexisting diseases of the include iron and steel foundries, heart are aggravated by exertion at work. It is the smelters, brick-firing plants, glass employee’s burden to show that the heat and/or products factories, commercial the exertion caused a material aggravation of the underlying condition. This requires expert medikitchens and bakeries, airports cal testimony. The employee’s expert will have to and laundries. Outdoor employment such as farm work, construction, highway convince the workers’ compensation judge or and road repair or resurfacing, and landscapreferee that the employee’s heart condition was ing also increases the risk of heatnot simply a “ticking time bomb,” related illness to exposed workers. which could have gone off at any When employers fail to take the time, regardless of the heat or exertion he or she experienced at work. necessary steps to help protect their employees from heat and sunHear t attack cases are relaMost claims are related injuries, they not only put the tively rare in workers’ compensainitially denied by employees at greater risk of harm, tion. Hence, both employees and but also expose themselves to a employers often face difficulties in employers...and costly workers’ compensation claim. finding medical experts to testify head to litigation. in these cases, and to provide the Certainly, injuries like sunburn or heat

Reactions to Heat

WORK RELATED HEART ATTACK

40 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

HEAT RELATED WORKERS’ CLAIM

42 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

unequivocal opinions that are necessary to support a judge’s conclusions on causality. Cardiologists do not regularly get involved in work-related injury cases and, overall, seem less willing to take an absolute position that working in the heat caused the heart attack to occur. Defense attorneys representing employers in such cases will obtain the employee’s health history, family history of heart problems, and look for aggravating factors other than work, such as smoking, obesity or diabetes. Most claims of a work-related heart attack are initially denied by employers or their insurers and, thus, head to litigation. Although the compensability of a heart attack case should ultimately turn on the medical evidence presented, the testimony of a sympathetic employee or widow can certainly sway the judge. Accordingly, with much at stake, a reasonable settlement of the case should always remain an option.

MAT T W YNN has been representing employers, insurers and third party administrators throughout Pennsylvania for nearly 25 years. He has served as co-chair of the Workers' Compensation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association and has published several articles in The Philadelphia Legal Intelligencer on workers' compensation topics from the employer's perspective. He has addressed various employer and insurer groups on workers' compensation issues and has been a featured speaker at Bar Association seminars. Additionally, Matt has appeared several times as a workers' compensation panelist on the television show Christopher Naughton's Law Journal. Matt practices out of the The Law Offices of Matthew S. Wynn LLC, in suburban Philadelphia, and represents clients throughout the state of Pennsylvania. If you have a suggestion for a workers’ compensation issue that you would like me to address in a future column, or if you have a question you would like to discuss, call me at (484) 581-7527 or email at mwynn@ wynnlegalteam.com.

Heat, the Unseen Enemy

nvisible, ubiquitous, and deadly. Operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan over the past sixteen years demanded tremendous awareness of the effects heat have on militar y operations. Heat accounts for two to three heat-related fatalities per year and more than 1,000 heat-related hospitalizations a year, according to the U.S Army Public Health Center. While heat awareness training for our service members has increased significantly, new personnel and recurring deployments accentuate the risk levels for heat casualties. The services have made great strides in combating the effects of heat on our troops by fielding new lighter clothing and equipment, increased research and development of sensor technol44 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 45

ogy, and emphasizing planning and training for high risk heat environments. Yet, excessive heat remains a pervasive unseen enemy that requires monitoring, conditioning, and a rapid response to prevent injury or death to our service members. Excessive heat and dehydration degrades the performance of our troops. Losing 4% of body weight from dehydration degrades physical performance 50%. This 4% body weight loss can occur in less than two hours. Every 1% loss of body weight increases core temperature, thus raising the risks of becoming a heat casualty. There are three types of heat injuries. These are serious and potentially life threatening. When in doubt seeking medical attention sooner, rather than later, is recommended:

If, however, after 30 minutes the condition appears to worsen, medical attention should be sought immediately.

Heat Stroke—the most severe, a lifethreatening condition requiring immediate medical care. The symptoms include: excessive sweating, convulsions and chills, confusion or lack of coherent thought, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. Rapid cooling and immediate evacuation is required. Treatment while waiting for emergency evacuation must include rapid cooling by removing clothing, placing cold soaked towels or sheets on the body, and fanning of the body to reduce core temperatures.

Too much water can also become dangerous and a Heat Cramps—symptoms include musless common type of injury is hyponatremia, or water cle cramps, pain, or spasms in the intoxication. Symptoms include: changes to mental status, repeated vomiting, a history of large volume abdomen, arms, or legs. Treatment includes: cessation of all activity, sitting in a of water consumption, distended or bloated abdocool place, drinking clear juice or an electromen, and very clear urine. This requires immediate lyte-rich sports beverage, or drinking water medical attention as well. One should not give more with food, avoiding strenuous work for a few water or an IV; providing some salty food or snacks hours after the cramps subside, and seekwhile waiting for medical care is recommended. ing medical attention if you experience heart Prevention is key, combating the effects of heat problems, are on a low-sodium diet, or if on our troops starts with knowing the WBGT (Wet the cramps do not subside within one hour. Bulb Globe Temperature) index, allowing time for the troops to acclimate to Heat Exhausthe environment, improvWet Bulb Gobe Temperature (WBGT) Categories tion—symptoms ing or maintaining physical Category WBGT, ° F WBGT, ° C Flag include: paleness, conditioning, eating a proper Color headaches, dizziness, diet with continuous hydra1 <82 <27.8 White tion, and monitoring troops’ nausea, weakness, and exertion levels. Monitoring muscle cramps. Treat2 <82-84.9 <27.8-29.3 Green ment includes moving the environmental effects 3 85-87.9 29.4-31.0 Yellow of heat is done by the use of into the shade, loos4 88-89.9 31.1-32.1 Red ening of the uniform the WBGT index to estimate the effects of temperature, or clothing, and drink5  90 32.2 Black ing approximately humidity, wind speed, and  Add 5°F for rucksack or body armor two quarts of water sunlight. The WBGT index  Add 10°F in MOPP 4 over an hour period. was developed in 1956 by

46 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

the United States Marine that "Using the ECTemp Corps at Parris Island has helped them identify and mitigate over 30 to reduce heat stress cases of heat stress and injuries in recruits. The WBGT is determined with prevented more serious special equipment and heat stress casualty situations." Other organizais calculated to reflect components of air, humidtions including the Defense ity, and wind that affect Threat Reduction Agency are also looking into biothe ‘actual temperature’ experienced by personnel. metric sensors that can The exertion levels and exposure times should be provide “real time” information to leaders moniplanned with adequate periods of rest, especially durtoring the health of service members through ing periods with high heat indexes. Heat injuries are wearable devices and embedded sensors. not confined to excessive heat environments, they Heat injuries are preventable with knowledge of can occur in cold weather as well. Heavy exertion, and assessment of the risk, planning activity levdehydration, poor diet, and wearing too much clothing els, physical conditioning, training and monitoring and not layering, can result in heat casualties. That of our service members. Mission success depends is why knowing the individual’s level of heat stress is on leaders and individuals knowing how to combat becoming increasingly important. Research and new excessive heat effects. Heat is an unseen enemy technology is beginning to provide that awareness. and will thwart successful operations, but wellThe Army Research Institute of Environmental Meditrained and equipped service men and women cine at Natick, MA is investigating non-invasive moniof our armed forces can prevail against heat. toring devices that can track physiological heath during both operations and training. The Estimated Core Temperature, or ECTemp, algorithm, developed by Dr. This synopsis relies upon the research and writings Mark Buller at the Institute provides accurate estifrom the US Army Public Health Center, TB Med mates of core body temperature by analyzing heart 507/AFPam48-152 and NAV SAFE SCEN. More rate changes over time. The Army’s Medical Research information can be found at the US Army Combat and Material Command cooperates with Zephyr TechReadiness Center and US Army Public Health Center. nology in developing the Bioharness. The Bioharness system will be used to monitor individual health BG, MICHAEL BOBECK (RE TIRED) status so as to prevent or mitigate Brigadier General (Retired) Michael Bobeck, served the risk of heat illness or injury. almost 38 years both on active duty in the Army and The Air Force Research Laborafull-time in the Army National Guard in Aviation and tory, or AFRL, has indicated that Safety positions. Key assignments included Directhe algorithm has proven to be tor, Joint Requirements Office for Counter WMD, J8 Joint Staff, Chief of Aviation and Safety for the Army successful in real-world conditions. National Guard and State Army Aviation and Safety The 350th Training Squadron has Officer for the NY Army National Guard. Active duty been working with Dr. Craig Murtours included the Army and Joint Staff, 160th Special Operations Aviation dock, one of the lead researchRegiment, 10th Mountain Division, and 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. ers from AFRL, and indicated He is a Master Army Aviator rated both in Helicopters and Fixed Wing. Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 47

OSHA Reporting Rule Would Have Gone Too Far

anufacturersare dedicated to safe and healthy workplaces, and government regulations help keep things in check. But sometimes those regulations go too far—undermining our safety and threatening our businesses. One recent example stands out. If manufacturers had not raised their voices, we might be reeling from its effects right now. Under the previous administration, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it would require 48 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

online reporting of workplace illnesses and injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would make this data public— available even to competitors. This regulation was expansive, targeting 441,000 companies. More than 260,000 small businesses would be subject to it that were not previously beholden to OSHA’s reporting standards and could be subjected to countless hours of reporting requirements. Manufacturers responded swiftly. Several trade associations noted that OSHA had not provided a site for form submission and argued that OSHA’s rule overstepped its statutory authority and would hurt business competitiveness and impede safety. Under the rule, routine safety incentive programs would face government scrutiny. Sensitive business data, including addresses and hours worked, would be public. This policy would jeopardize safety and hurt competitiveness, all while exceeding OSHA’s Occupational Health and Safety Act mandate. Thankfully, the current administration heard our voices and listened. They recognized manufacturers’ needs and suspended the rule. Then, on July 1st, as the rule was slated to go into effect, they proposed to delay its implementation until December. But this solution is temporary. On December 1st, more than 400,000 companies across the nation will submit their injury and illness reports, surrendering their data. Their proprietary information will become public as their safety programs become over-regulated and their compliance efforts complicated. Business growth and job creation could suffer as a result. The best products are made by the best people in the best workplaces. Government policy must account for real-world consequences. When it doesn’t, real-world families and businesses must speak up. Manufacturers must continue to voice their concerns until this policy is fixed. This policy needs more than delay–it demands reform.

AMANDA WOOD Amanda currently serves as the Director of Labor and Employment Policy for the National Association of Manufacturers. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. Click here to learn why you should join the NAM. At the NAM, Amanda is responsible for a number of high-priority policy where she oversees the NAMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s labor and employment policy work with an expertise on issues ranging from labor, employment, OSHA, unions, wages and the federal rulemaking process as well as how current initia- tives impact manufacturing competitiveness and job-creation. Amanda is a 2001 graduate of the University Of Maine School Of Law and is licensed to practice law in the State of Maine and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 49

SAFETY CALENDAR

In each issue of Safer Every Day, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll keep you updated with a list of EH&S events EVENT

DATE

LOCATIONS

FOCUS

Fleet Safety Conference

07/24/2017-07/26/2017

Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel Schaumburg, Illinois

Learning to navigate your organization through the myriad distracted driving pitfalls, legal compliance and liability while keeping the company's employees and the public safe.

NAEM 2017 Corporate Sustainability Management Conference

8/1/2017-8/2/2017

Chicago, Illinois

Get insights that will help you improve your company's performance internally as well as having better control of your sustainability data at both ends of the supply chain.

Safety+ 33rd Annual National VPPPA Safety & Health Conference

8/29/2017-9/1/2017

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

Learn from the berst in safety & health in more than 100 educational sessions. Network with thousands of safety & health leaders and decision makers. Share your successes and innovations to make workplaces safer across the globe.

2017 NSC Congress & Expo

9/23/2017-9/29/2017

Indiana Convention Center Indianapolis, IN

More than 14,000 environmental, health and occupational safety professionals attend this conference, which features more than 100 technical sessions and professional development seminars.

iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo

10/2/2017-10/4/2017

Kentucky Exposition Center 937 Phillips Lane Louisville, KY 40209

The iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo brings together leading safety and operations minds from across the country for three days of education and networking.

To have your event included in the Safer Every Day Safety Calendar, 50 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

occurring in the next few months. REGISTRATION LINK

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

COST

CONTACT

CLICK TO REGISTER

Safety Professionals

Fleet Full Conference Pass: $790 Supplier Pass: $1,500

800-576-8788

CLICK TO REGISTER

EHS and Safety Professionals

NAEM Member: $709 NonMember: $809

202-986-6616 sales@naem.org

CLICK TO REGISTER

Safety Professionals

VPPPA Member: $835 Non-Member: $1,035

703-761-1146 registration@vpppa.org

CLICK TO REGISTER

Safety Professionals

Member Group Rates: $810 (510 employees) Non-Member Group Rates: $990 (5-10 employees)

1-800-621-7619 congress.expo@nsc.org

CLICK TO REGISTER

Utility Safety or Operations Professional

Conference Pass: $1099

815-459-1796 info@incident-prevention.com

click here, & provide the information needed to complete the calendar grid. Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 51

CALENDAR EVENT

DATE

LOCATIONS

FOCUS

National Workers' Compensation and Disability Conference and Expo 2017

12/6/2017-12/8/2017

Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, Nevada

With proven guidance from industry experts, ample time to network and approved for CEU credits, there truly is no better place to find solutions to your workers' comp and disability management challenges.

REGISTRATION LINK

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

COST

CONTACT

CLICK TO REGISTER

HR and Workers' Comp Professionals

N/A

1-800-727-1227

’s

FOCUS ON

EYE & EAR N PROTECTIO pg 14

THANK YO U

Workplace Safety Secretsed You Ne to Know pg 23 OS HA’s g Rule: Recordkeepin? Friend or Foe

pg 6

PLUSt

Produc reviews, calendar ofnts, safety eve re! & much mo

e 1, spring issue 4, volum

’17

EH&S Sound Advice Noise

On Exposure

pg 30

’s

HER COME THE SEUS Do N

issu e 2

n’t let workers your by skin get burned cancer

2 , sum

mer ’17

AD FROM VICE EXPEREHS Best pra TS ctice

PRODU CT REVIEW Preven S ’t injur

wi ke th rs these Wormu Cost-mp have

, vol ume

for heat s str preven ess tio program n s

ies

produc ive The Expensts Eye Truth about ims Ear Cla PLU and CalendaSpg 52 Events r of , OSHA By Numbe The & much rs more! PROVIDES THEN INFORMATIO YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR SAFE EMPLOYEES

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PREVENTING

PROVID ES INFORM THE ATI YOU NEE ON D TO KEEP YOU EMPLO YEES SAF R E

E HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS issue of Safer Every Day and found the information useful. Safer Every Day is designed to be an essential component of your company’s safety program, and we want to make sure the magazine meets your needs. To share your thoughts and suggestions, click here to access our suggestions page. The next issue of Safer Every Day will focus on Tips and Insights to prepare for winter. It will feature informative full-length articles, winter best practices, EH&S insights and additional safety resources. If you would like to reach more than 35,000 safety professionals, secure your spot today in the upcoming issue by contacting Bill Gabriele at 215-501-8208 or David Gerhardt at 215-501-8287.

3 THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Steps to Stay Safe This Winter What you need to do today to have your safest winter ever.

54 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Next issue published in September 2017

New Construction Ruling Are you prepared for implementation of OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction ruling?

Winter weather and workers’ comp claims What you need to know.

There’s nothing predictable about life on a construction site. That’s why we’re here for you 24/7. Whether you need safety equipment ASAP. Or training for the crew. In fact, our rst call resolution record is, well, pretty close to perfect. Learn more about MSA’s complete line of safety solutions or request a General Safety Evaluation by visiting MSAsafety.com, keyword: safety eval.

V-Gard ®

A LTA IR®4 X

EV O TECH ®

M SA Lat ch w ay s®

Pr o t e ct i v e H e l m e t

M u l t i g a s D e t e ct o r

H a r n e ss

M i n i PFL