The Leader - Spring 2019 - Profiles in Safety

VOL6/NO2/SPRING 2 019

“It’ll never happen to me.”

PERSONAL ACCOUNTS

Confined Space Rescue Training, Equipment & Stand-by Services WE DO RESCUE

800-647-7626 RocoRescue.com

DEPLOYS IN MINUTES

ALERTS IN SECONDS

RUNS FOR DAYS

The Radius® BZ1 Area Monitor, together with the RGX™ Gateway, helps you to see gas hazards at a location in real time. With a 7-day run time, you can spend more time focused on your team’s safety and less time setting up equipment and swapping batteries.

Visit us at VPPPA Booth #415 www.indsci.com/real-time

CONTENTS

VOL 6 | NO 2 | SPRING 2 019

FEATURES

12

Big Trouble

By Chad Hymas

26

Tyler and I Were Great Friends…

By T.J. Lyons, OHST, CSP, CRIS,

16

Eastern Region SHE Manager

Triumph Over Tragedy

By Curtis Weber

20

Safety Lives in the Heart

By Spencer Beach

22

Just A Second Ago

30

Pursuing the Passion for Safety

By Regina McMichael, CSP, CET

32

Lessons

By Mark D. Norton MAOM, CSSM, Norton Safety Services, LLC

By Brad Livingston and Kayla Rath

You can read about Chad Hymas (pictured above) on page 12.

COLUMNS 6 8 34

A Message from the VPPPA Chairperson Global Safety and Health Watch Company Profile

By Jamie Mitchell, Communications Coordinator, VPPPA, Inc.

SECTIONS 10 38 40 50 52 54

Infographic Corner OSHA Corner Membership Corner State-Plan Monitor Regional Round-Ups Calendar of Events

Beginning this month, you can find our feature articles translated into Spanish at vpppa.org.

A Message From the VPPPA Chairperson National Office Staff in Washington, D.C. We are also steadfast in the implementation of our 2022 Strategic Plan. Our focus on delivering value is driving everything we do and every decision we make. We are taking a hard look at all of our processes including national committees and making changes to improve effectiveness. Registration for the Safety+ Symposium is now open! We are growing our strategic partnerships and in collaborative discussions with industryleading organizations like the OSHA Safe + Sound Campaign. We are making progress with increasing global presence and encouraging safety excellence on the world stage. Our emphasis on becoming your

W

resource for safety management system elcome to our updated Spring Issue of The Leader Magazine.

We zeroed in on personal stories

where people, not numbers, are the focus of attention. These accounts remind us of why we do what we do every second, every minute, every hour and every day of every year. Injuries are indiscriminant and lay in waiting for a precise moment in time to manifest themselves. A moment of tiredness, of inattention, of miscalculating the risk, of complacency, or a combination of all can completely change how we live our lives.

Our ultimate focus at VPPPA is to help you help others lower the risk of injury in the performance of your organizational mission so that every worker can enjoy quality of life.

Performance excellence in the protection of people transcends the workplace. It improves lives and safeguards livelihoods.

How we all approach our work is a cogwheel within a complex and integrated system.

One seemingly small and insignificant action can cause a major effect in everything that matters most. As these stories come to life page by page, consider the lessons, the takeaways, and the journey that can be embarked on today to help make your workplace and your home a safer place.

We are uniquely positioned to help every business and every employee lower operational risk and reach higher levels of success with our vast network including

excellence is guiding us in the development and deployment of our VPPPA Body of Knowledge—a platform to transform the way you access best practices, educational information and business resources. Yes, there will be an app for that.

We continue to celebrate our 35th year of service together with our OSHA and industry partners, our exhibitors and our entire VPPPA community. Take full advantage of the yearlong contests, enjoy our throwbacks and our big New Orleans-style bash at the Safety+ Symposium, and more.

There is no better time to join our National Board and to set the pace for the next 35 years. Submit your nomination by May 24, 2019. Consider running and enhancing your career while helping us forge our future.

Other ways to make a difference include volunteering for a committee, writing for the Leader and our blog, delivering powerful and industry-leading webinars, and contributing to our new body of knowledge platform.

We are striving to be your Association of choice for business success and market share enhancement. In this regard, let us know how

Chairperson J.A. Rodriguez, Jr., CSP, SGE, Raytheon Company, LLC Vice Chairperson Terry Schulte, NuStar Energy, LP

Treasurer Chris Adolfson, Idaho National Laboratory Secretary Dan Lazorcak, CSP, Honeywell International Director from a Site With a Collective Bargaining Unit Jack Griffith, CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company Director from a Site Without a Collective Bargaining Agent Vacant Director from a DOE-VPP Site Stacy Thursby, AECOM Director from a VPP Contractor/ Construction Site Brad Gibson, S&B Engineers & Constructors Director-at-Large Johnathan “JD” Dyer, Shermco Industries Director-at-Large Kristyn Grow, CSP, CHMM, SGE Cintas Corporation Director-at-Large Sean D. Horne, Valero Energy Director-at-Large Alice Tatro, Acushnet Company—Ball Plant II Director-at-Large Kimberly Watson, Oldcastle Infrastructure Director-at-Large Vacant Editor Kerri Carpenter, VPPPA, Inc. Associate Editor Jamie Mitchell, VPPPA, Inc. EDITORIAL MISSION

The Leader (ISSN 1081-261X) is published quarterly for VPPPA members. The Leader delivers articles from members for members, safety and health best practices, developments in the field of occupational safety and health, association activities, educational and networking opportunities and the latest VPP approvals. Subscriptions are available for members as part of their membership benefits and at a 50 percent discount beyond the complimentary allotment. The nonmember subscription rate is $25 a year.

Ideas and opinions expressed within The Leader represent the independent views of the authors.

can deliver what you need to better protect

Postmaster >> Please send address changes to:

our nation’s workforce, and how we can help

VPPPA, Inc. • 7600 Leesburg Pike, East Building, Suite 100 • Falls Church, VA 22043-2004

your organization enhance its competitive advantage in the global marketplace.

We are your Association. You are VPPPA. Commit… Perform… Deliver… Protect...

We are truly transforming tomorrow together.

sites and organizations and a remarkable

—J.A. Rodriguez, Jr.

Leader—Spring 2019

VPPPA National Board of Directors

we can help, how we can improve, how we

10 regional boards, thousands of member

6

www.vpppa.org

VPPPA, Inc., the premier global safety and health organization, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes advances in worker safety and health excellence through best practices and cooperative efforts among workers, employers, the government and communities.

vpppa.org

By Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator, VPPPA, Inc.

Global Safety and Health Watch

Safety Standards Around the World

E

very year on April 28

Safety and Health Act of 1970,

40 percent. In 1982, OSHA

Workers Memorial

signed by President Richard

announced the start of the

Day is recognized.

Nixon. This administration sets

Voluntary Protection Programs

This is a day to

the rules for, and also enforces,

and approved the first VPP

safety and health in the U.S.

site. OSHA’s website notes,

remember workers who have suffered injuries or died from hazards at work. The annual Profiles in Safety issue of the Leader magazine shares the stories of those who were injured, or even killed, on the job. Each worker has a different story to share. A few of the following articles describe workers who did not know their workplace safety rights, as well as those who did not receive proper training to perform their daily tasks safely. Many countries operate under strict safety and health guidelines, but unfortunately this doesn’t keep traumatic incidents from occurring on the job. In addition, these safety guidelines haven’t always been the norm. VPPPA urges all workers to know their rights and speak up when you

VPPPA urges all workers to know their rights and speak up when you feel uncomfortable or unsafe at work. It could save your life.

8

Leader—Spring 2019

feel uncomfortable or unsafe at

According to OSHA’s website: Under federal law, you are entitled to a safe workplace.

Your employer must provide a workplace free of known health and safety hazards. If you have concerns, you have the right to speak up about them without fear of retaliation. You also have the right to:

• Be trained in a language you understand

• Work on machines that are safe

• Be provided required safety gear, such as gloves or a harness and lifeline for falls

• Be protected from toxic chemicals

• Request an OSHA inspection, and speak to the inspector

• Report an injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records

work. It could save your life.

• See copies of the workplace

United States

• Review records of work-

Late 1960s America saw an increase in occupational injuries and illnesses. The injuries were becoming more severe and 14,000 workers

injury and illness log related injuries and illnesses

• Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace The agency opened its

“Emphasis on partnerships increased dramatically in the 1990s, and participation in the agency’s premier effort, the Voluntary Protection Programs, increased eight-fold.” Years later, there are now thousands of workers striving to achieve safety and health excellence and a VPP Star.

Canada

According to the Canadian government, “There are fourteen jurisdictions in Canada—one federal, ten provincial and three territorial–each having its own occupational health and safety legislation, outlining the general rights and responsibilities of the employer, the supervisor and the worker.”

However, like in the U.S., safety was not always the top priority. For example, in the late 1960s, workers in Ontario, Canada began to openly criticize the lack of safety regulations. This forced the Government of Ontario to start taking a look at their

were dying on the job each

doors on April 28, 1971. Since

health and safety laws and

year. As a response to this, the

then, in the U.S., workplace

make necessary updates. In

Occupational Safety and Health

fatalities have been reduced

1974, uranium miners in Elliot

Administration (OSHA) was

by 60 percent and the injury

Lake, ON, became alarmed

created with the Occupational

and illness rate is down by

by the prevalence of lung vpppa.org

A wide variety of safety

the history behind why these

cancer and silicosis among

China created their original

their fellow workers and went

Workplace Safety Law. This law

standards exist across the

policies are needed, we can

on strike to fight for better

focused on industries in which

globe. Every country operates

only continue to aim for the

conditions. The government

employees were thought to be

a little differently with what

improvement of safety policies

appointed a Royal Commission

most at risk.

steps they take to ensure the

everywhere. Part of that

safety and health of their

improvement involves alerting

workers. The above examples

employers of safety issues,

only scratch the surface of

watching out for yourself and

this topic. As we reflect on

your co-workers.

to investigate safety in

Later, in 2014, this

mines, led by Dr. James

Workplace Safety Law was

Ham–which became known

revamped and significantly

as the Ham Commission. The Ham Commission Report recommended workers, employers and the government all work together to create joint labor-management health and safety committees.

By 1978, the Occupational Health and Safety Act was established in Canada and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) was created.

The CCOHS provides a wealth of resources for workers of all ages regarding types of hazards, health and wellness, your rights and responsibilities with workplace safety and more. The CCOHS notes, “Employers, managers, supervisors, workers, and the government all have responsibilities when it comes to workplace health and safety.

Additionally, workers have the rights to refuse unsafe work, participate in health and safety activities, and know about

increased government regulations and control over workplace safety and accident prevention. Peter Pang, the

www.osha.gov/workers/index.html

founder and Chairman of the

www.canoshweb.org/

newly combined IPO Pang

www.ccohs.ca/

Xingpu Law Firm, wrote that, “The most important feature

www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/global-hr/pages/chinaworkplace-safety-law.aspx

of the 2014 amendments to

www.ipopang.com/blog/protecting-worker-safety-in-china/

the law was to clarify the obligations and responsibilities of employers in China to provide a safe and healthy working environment for employees by establishing a comprehensive workplace health and safety program and developing a clear “responsibility system.” The purpose of the ‘responsibility system’ is to organize and delegate responsibilities as they relate to workplace health and safety.”

Pang continues with other information that, “Chinese officials have also become increasingly aggressive in

dangers in the workplace.”

implementing the Law. For

China

official Xinhua news agency

object and see the “Made in

launching a nationwide safety

It is common to pick up an China” label on the tag— countless Western companies now produce their goods in China. While China may have different standards for safety

SOURCES

example, in January 2017, the announced that it would be inspection in workplaces in China. The announcement also noted that ‘China’s workplace safety record improved in the first five months of 2017,

www.osha.gov/as/opa/osha-at-30.html wohis.org/history/ www.osha.gov/workersmemorialday/index.html www.ituc-csi.org/april-28-international-workers www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/workmemorial/default.html

Testing for Safety

Accredited Proof Testing Laboratory Services

Rubber Gloves, Sleeves, Blankets, Line Hose, Footwear, Jumpers, and Hotsticks

and health than countries like

with the number of accidents

the U.S., they are taking steps

dropping 25 percent year

to put employees ahead of

on year to around 19,000,

profits. In China, employee and

according to the State

workplace safety is regulated

Administration of Work Safety.

by the People’s Republic of

These accidents left some

Burlington

China’s State Administration

13,000 people dead, down 16.9

of Workplace Safety. In 2002,

percent year on year.’”

www.BurlingtonSafety.com

vpppa.org

Los Angeles 800-296-2803 • San Francisco 888-817-1412 Metro NY/NJ/PA 800-220-2120 • info@BurlingtonSafety.com

Safety Laboratory Inc.

Now you can Buy Online!

Your One-Stop Shop

Leader—Spring 2019

9

Infographic Corner

According to OSHA, worker injuries and illnesses are down, from 10.9 incidents per 100 workers in 1972 to 2.8

Workers younger than age 25 experienced the highest rate of fatal electrocutions, at

There were approximately

Over half of the approximately

nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported by private industry employers in 2017.

private industry injury and illness cases reported in 2015 involved days away from work, job transfer or restriction.

per 100 in 2017.

2.8 million

In 2017, there were 366 fatal falls to a lower level out of 971 construction fatalities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

10

Leader—Spring 2019

1.2 per 100,000 full-time workers.

2.9 million

Burns occur mainly in the home

and workplace. vpppa.org

Portable gas detectors you can count on

MGC Simple & Simple Plus

the multi gas detectors that you never have to charge Our Family of Products Detect combustible gases (LEL), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen (O2)

Multi Gas Clip

The portable multi gas detector that can run continuously for two months on one charge due to advanced infrared sensor technology.

Detects combustible gases (LEL), H2S, CO and O2.

Multi Gas Clip Pump

Compact, light-weight, handheld/wearable multi gas detector with internal pump draws from 75 ft. & runs for an average of 52 hours on a single charge. Detects combustible gases (LEL), H2S, CO and O2.

Single Gas Clip

NEW

Eliminate downtime with our ultra-reliable portable gas detector. Detects H2S, CO or O2.

3 year multigas

Single Gas Clip Plus MGC Simple & MGC Simple Plus

ASS E

A US

uTwo or three year run time with no charging or calibration uDetect in oxygen deficient or oxygen enriched environments uLEL sensor is immune to sensor poisoning uFails to safe uSimple, one button operation uLogs data at one second intervals whenever gas is detected LED IN MB u100% Quality control tested uFull two or three year warranty

Hibernate mode offers extended life option when detector is not in use. Detects H2S or CO.

Compatible Docking Stations Portable, durable 4-bay dock stations quickly bump test, calibrate & log data for up to four detectors at once with the push of a button.

Single Gas Clip Dock, Multi Gas Clip Dock, MGC Pump Clip Dock & MGC Simple Clip Dock

Visit our booth# 646 at VPPPA Safety+ Gas Clip Technologies • +1.972.775.7577 • gascliptech.com

BIG

By Chad Hymas

TROUBLE 12

Leader—Spring 2019

vpppa.org

“It’ll never happen to me.”

T

hat’s what I thought.

Things were solidifying in

That’s what everyone

my life more than ever before.

thinks.

Feeding the elk on the ranch

Today I look down

over me, as I thought to myself

had I experienced so much pain.

that I’d made it work, again.

I began counting. “One. Two.

Just a split-second later that

Three. Four. Please, God…” And

was the last chore I needed to do

same bale of hay rolled off the

then again. “One. Two. Three.

at my hands, and I distinctly

before I could see my little boy

tractor arm and dropped 15

Four. Please…”

remember how they used to be.

Kyler walk for the first time. I

feet, crushing my body beneath

My legs used to carry me across

had told Shondell that I’d hurry.

it’s 2,000 pounds. I never saw

after the Life Flight (a medical

the basketball court. My arms

It was with that “hurry-up”

it coming.

helicopter transport service)

used to pick up my young sons

attitude that I raced onto the

and throw them high into the

farm and hopped onto the tractor.

air. My hands used to lay pipe and handle machinery. That was then.

That was before I learned…it can happen to anybody.

Never take safety for granted.

In just a split second everything can change if you choose to take a shortcut or disregard a pre-op.

One split-second decision can change your entire life, just like it did mine.

On April 3, 2001, I chose to take a shortcut. I skipped a pre-op and my life changed.

Earlier that day my wife, Shondell, had called and asked if I would hurry home. Our youngest son, Kyler, had just taken his first steps, and she wanted me to see him walk before he went to bed. Thrilled with the news, and eager to be with my family, I sped through my responsibilities.

At that time in my life, I was the head contractor of the landscaping company that I

I drove the tractor over to the one-ton bale of hay and began lifting it from 15 feet off the ground. In raising it, I had to engage the hydraulics.

The bale of hay lifted, but then quickly slipped back onto the stack of bales, indicating that the tractor was running low on hydraulic fluid.

I remember the thoughts that went through my mind, “I don’t

surrounded by my wife, my

top of my head and neck, my

parents and my siblings. The

breathing became labored, and

doctors began to paint a mental

I wondered how long I could

picture of what my life would

stay conscious. Twice, a painful

look like: big trouble. My choice

tingle crossed over my face,

to ignore the hydraulics in the

and I feared suffocation. I was

tractor had now changed the

rapidly losing the ability to

way I would eat, move, dress,

take in oxygen. Twice I begged,

sleep and work.

“Please, God, let me stay.”

I wanted to live. I had two

As I thought, and re-thought, about how the accident

kids and a wife that needed me.

happened that night, I realized

And I needed them. Never before

that my own ego had been my

home.” I remember making a conscious choice to strategically ignore the hydraulic issue. That decision meant one thing for me...BIG TROUBLE. Have you been there before?

Have you been in similar circumstances? The whistle blows, and you’ve got plans for the weekend, or you’ve got people waiting on you.

Maybe you want to be done for the day. Perhaps you just want to be home. Or, you just want to go to lunch, so you hurry. You overlook things that are essential, or skip steps to

When it had become legal to

complete your tasks in less time.

As the tractor arm lapsed, I

I pursued our dream of owning

threw the hydraulics back into

a ranch and had purchased 40

gear, and the bale raised again. A

head of elk from Colorado.

certain kind of smugness came

vpppa.org

until I awoke from surgery

one-ton bale of hay resting on

have time for this! I want to get

had built with my brothers. raise elk in Utah, Shondell and

I was in big trouble. With that

I don’t remember anything

Leader—Spring 2019

13

slow you down? Trust me, luck

that I’ll always remember.

always runs out. Safety is worth

“Chad, I don’t care how you

the time and effort every single

end up or what happens. Just

time. Err on the side of safety,

promise me that you’ll fight

rather than gambling on speed.

for your life, and we’ll get

It could save your life. Or at

through this.” I made her that

least save your life, as you know

promise. I knew she loved me.

it today.

I knew I could trust her to be

Counting helped me to stay conscious until some

there for me, even though my life would be different.

demise. Have you said to yourself,

again. My previous experience

45 minutes had gone by. The

My split-second decision also

“It’s no big deal. I’ve done it a

became my worst enemy.

sun had set by that time, and

changed her life. It changed the

with my head crushed into the

lives of my children, my parents

steps, not placed a chock block,

hit the hydraulics in gear, and

steering column, I suddenly

and siblings. My choice that

not worn safety glasses or a

the bale would raise up, like it

became aware of headlights on

night to skip a step that would

hardhat? Have you gotten off a

did the night before. Then I’d

the dirt below. It was Shondell.

have taken only minutes out

million times.” Have you skipped

machine the wrong way, or not secured a brace, thinking the whole time, “It’s no big deal. I’ve done it this way before.”

Even though I knew the risks, and had even heard horror stories, I chose to maneuver the tractor without addressing the hydraulics because the very night before I had done the same thing! Almost 24 hours earlier, the tractor arm had malfunctioned as well. I knew the hydraulics were low, but rather than take the time to fix the problem, I chose to strategize around it.

Do you know how long it would have taken me to add hydraulic fluid? Only minutes.

My thinking was that I could

throw the tractor in reverse and

that I will never forget, but

the lives around me, forever.

fall forward to the ground. I

I never wish to hear again in

I could not roll back time and

could simply drag it over to the

my lifetime. As she frantically

take that decision back. I could

bull pen. I’d be home quickly,

reached for me under the bale of

only roll forward into my

just as I promised Shondell I

hay, I was only able to blink my

new circumstances.

would be.

eyes, a signal she was unable to

Some of you may be thinking, “That’s a pretty stupid mentality.” I agree. Yet, how many of you, at your workplace, during your day, with all of your responsibilities, have followed a similar thought process?

The second time I chose to do this, the outcome was different. The hydraulics kicked in and the bale of hay fell backwards, over the tractor arm, and landed on top of me.

The success I’d had the night before was only luck, and my

chose to ignore it. In fact, because

luck had run out. How long will

I had rigged a solution the night

you gamble by skipping pre-

before, and my prior experience

ops or safety steps that seem

told me that it would work

unnecessary or that seem to

Leader—Spring 2019

of my evening, affected all of

the bale of hay would naturally

Yet, because I was in a hurry, I

14

She screamed in such a way

I was now a quadriplegic. I

see. In her attempt to touch my

had broken three of the seven

face, she had opened a pathway

vertebrae in my neck; C-4, 5 and

for more air, and I waited,

6. They told me I would need an

counting, hoping I could last

electric wheelchair. Someone

until more help arrived.

would need to dress me and drive

Not long after she left my side, I saw more lights. A

me wherever I needed to go.

They told me that statistically

flashlight shone into my eyes,

my marriage would not survive

and the officer yelled, “He’s

the emotional challenges of

alive! Help me get this bale of

my new life. They told me that

hay off him!” It took eight men

I should put away any hopes of

to get the bale of hay off of my

sports, mobility and a career. I

body. Life Flight landed, and

didn’t like what they said.

as I waited in the ambulance

“When do I see my boys?” I

to be flown to the hospital,

asked. It didn’t seem to merit

the door opened and there

the doctor’s attention. “When do

stood Shondell, with that first

my boys get to see me?” I asked

officer. She stepped inside,

again, more emphatic, more

closer to me, and spoke words

pointed than before.

vpppa.org

going into your lungs, and eat

focus, I would compel my body

As he had promised, the doctor

responded, “Chad, you’ve got a

My doctor cautiously

1,200 calories without choking,

to take it in. After I was sure that

released me from the ICU and I

tube for oxygen, a tube for liquids

in a 24-hour period then, and

the liquid and food had settled,

was able to see my boys.

and a feeding tube. You can’t

only then, will I move you out of

Shondell would make a note of it

breathe, drink or eat on your own.

the intensive care unit, and you

on a log. At the end of every day,

affected them. I missed seeing

Not to mention the hospital

can see your two boys.”

we would calculate the progress.

Kyler’s first steps. While he

has a policy that children under

I don’t think I’ve ever worked

My split-second decision had

Twelve days later at 9:30

was taking his first steps, little

eight cannot enter the ICU;

harder, and with more focus

PM, Shondell called the doctor

did I know then that I had been

besides, I don’t think you are in

that I did at that time. It was like

and the tubes were removed.

taking my last.

any shape to be seen.”

an Iron Man competition, as I

I didn’t realize it at the time,

forced myself past what I felt was

but my face had been severely

humanly possible in every area. If

traumatized during the accident.

I could just see my boys, and hear

It was a Hollywood makeover

them call me Dad, somehow, I

gone terribly wrong. In addition

knew that things would be ok.

to that, I was a virtual network

There would be some semblance

of tubes, monitors and IVs. The

of my old life, some comfort

doctor was right. My two little

that all was not lost that night

boys would have been frightened

under that bale of hay.

at what they saw.

Seeing my frustration (and

Just as I did while I was under that bale of hay, I counted.

hearing it in my comments about

“One CC of water. Two. Three.

hospital policy), the doctor made

Four. Please God…” And then

me a deal. “Chad,” he said, “If

again. “One CC. Two. Three.

you can teach yourself to breathe

Four. Please.” Not only did I

on your own again, even for

have to swallow the food and

a short period of time, drink

the liquids, but I had to keep

2,000 CC’s of liquid without it

them down. With every bit of

vpppa.org

At the age of 27, Chad Hymas’ life changed instantaneously when a safety-related accident left him a quadriplegic. Since that time, Chad has been recognized by the state of Utah as the Superior Civilian of the Year. He has been voted “Most Influential Safety Speaker In the World.” He is the president of his own communications company and an internet marketing company.

At 37 years of age, Chad is the one of the youngest ever to receive the CPAE award and be inducted into the National Speaker Hall of Fame.

As a member of the National Speakers Association, Chad spoke at over 220 events last year. Chad Hymas leads an energetic life as a safety speaker and author. He is one of the leading safety speakers in North America, delivering his safety message in a unique, humorous style.

Clients include: De Beers, Barrick Goldstrike, BorgWarner, Smoky Canyon, Cortez Gold Mine, Holcim, Kennecott Mine, Newmont Mine, and others.

Chad is married, and he and his wife are the proud parents of four children. They currently reside in Rush Valley, Utah on a 200-acre wildlife preserve. Chad is a world-class wheelchair athlete enjoying basketball, wheelchair rugby, hang-gliding, and snow skiing. In July 2003, Chad set a World Record by wheeling a personal marathon of over 500 miles from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas. Chad is also the author of the regionally bestselling book Doing What Must Be Done.

Leader—Spring 2019

15

TRIUMPH OVER TRAGEDY

By Curtis Weber

At age 17, I had the world in front of me. I had a great childhood, great family, great friends and great opportunities ahead. I had my life heading in the exact direction I always dreamed it would go. With the world literally in the palm of my hands, I was weeks away from living out a childhood dream. That dream was taking my biggest passion in life, hockey, to the next level and play the game that I loved for as long as possible competitively.

However, that summer instead of joining my new team at the Junior level, I found myself batting for my life in a Saskatchewan hospital.

running tools to the guys, or

A

make sense for us to hire and hot summer day

this straight before we go any

because, I often hear or get the

in July of 1999,

further—I wasn’t some young,

sense that, because someone

started out like so

inexperienced 17-year-old kid

has worked in a particular

many others for

that, should have been looked

field for X number of years,

after better.

these things won’t happen

me. Getting up in the early hours before the sun rises,

You see, I’ve been traveling

to them. My father had taken

whatever they told us to do. By the time we were in our early teens, we could physically build the bins ourselves.

But this year was different.

A few of the guys had to leave our family-run business for full-time work. I was the last man standing on the crew and realizing I’ll be moving away from home to follow my passion of hockey, it didn’t train a few more people to fill the void that last summer of the family business. In an attempt to keep busy and stay in shape for that last summer at home, I decided to look for a new work opportunity. My father was

before most others will hit their

the world for the past 13 years,

over a business at the age of

snooze button for the first time,

sharing my experiences of a

18, building steel grain bins in

gave me a great sense of pride,

near-fatal electrical incident,

the prairies of Western Canada.

purpose and responsibility. Not

working in an industry that

Naturally, by the time my two

and was asked if I’d be available

a bad set of beliefs and values

I literally grew up in. “I was

brothers and I were old enough

to work for them. A natural fit

for a 17-year-old kid, working

raised in the industry that

to help out (about five years

for me, since these guys had now

his third day of his first ever

nearly took my life,” is a

old), our jobs went from picking

taken over some of the contracts

“real” job. What can I say, I

common quote from my

up the nuts/bolts off the ground,

that my dad had turned over,

was raised right! But let’s get

presentations. I say this,

cleaning up the garbage onsite,

doing the exact same work.

16

Leader—Spring 2019

approached by another smaller construction group in our town

vpppa.org

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2019

17

times, like so many others have before us.

Instead of voicing my concern, asking a question or suggesting a better way to do the maneuver (remember I grew up building these things, I knew what we were doing wasn’t the best way), I grabbed hold of the steel structure, steadying it from the heavy winds as we approached the overhead line. That’s when the predictable happened.

The preventable happened. I became the ground point as over 40,000 volts of electricity surged through me.

After a long and trying day for

On the third day of my new job, my first “real” job, I wouldn’t return home. My life would change, and it would never be the same.”

—CURTIS WEBER

Prior to the maneuver, we had a

our crew, we found ourselves

brief discussion around how we

much further behind in the

would complete the task along

progress we were hoping for

with the associated risks. But we

and felt the pressure to pick up the pace. The next task we faced, proved to be the last one we would attempt that day. We attempted to transport a steel

had a job to get done. We were already behind. We identified the hazard. We assessed the risk.

What more could we have done?

17-year-old kid, with all that

Complete chaos ensued. I and not breathing. After being

power line with a crane. A the best one. Remember that

—CURTIS’ CO-WORKER MIKE laid motionless, unresponsive

structure under an overhead decision that I knew wasn’t

His body was engulfed in a huge ball of fire, thrown violently back and forth, four to five feet off the ground, as each cycle had passed through him.”

revived onsite temporarily,

We made contact with an overhead power line that just twelve minutes earlier, we had a discussion about, and spoke of the potential for loss of life if we weren’t careful.”

doctors at the hospital gave my family no hope of survival. I slid into a coma, which lasted

The day started out very

experience, who literally grew

positive. It was the Friday of a

up in the industry that he was

long weekend. We were told by

working in that day? Yup,

the boss, he’d planned an easy

that was me. But remember I

day for us so that we could all

was 17, on my third day of my

start our long weekend early.

first “real” job, working with

Unfortunately, this positive day

people twice my age, complete

quickly turned negative. Nearly

strangers. Remember being 17?

halfway through the morning,

Have teenage children at home?

we were told that a grain bin we

Yes, we’re impressionable

had already nearly completed

people, we put our heads down,

was not the right size and that

keep our mouths shut, appear

we’d have to tear it down and

confident/competent. Especially

return at a later date when the

with how the day’s events

or discussion around who

to where my 13 and 21-year-

proper material was delivered

unfolded, who was I to make the

was going to do what, when

old brothers were waiting for

to site. There goes our easy, be

day any longer with a discussion

and where, we attempted the

updates, and tell them the news.

home early day. Sound familiar?

about that overhead power line.

maneuver, like so many other

But I wasn’t done fighting…

18

Leader—Spring 2019

Without a documented plan,

six weeks. The first four nights my parents were called into a conference room with a team of doctors, where they were told their son wouldn’t survive.

“We need to start bringing the rest of the family in to say their goodbyes, we’re sorry there’s just nothing more we can do.” As hard as that was for my parents, they said it was a thousand times harder to walk down the hall,

vpppa.org

I believe that I was destined

There was this little burned up person, looking up at me as if to say, Mom help me. That was just too much!”

—CURTIS’ MOTHER, DONNA Awakening from that sixweek long coma, it was time to

me to really connect with them

between. Sharing my story at

to be where I am today and

not only on a professional

safety meetings of 20 people,

doing what I do now. In

level, but more importantly for

to industrial operations of

the moments I realized my

me, on a personal level.

8000 people, and even large

injuries, I wasn’t fazed by

Following the long road

them. I’ll never forget the look

to recovery, I have compiled

of horror on my mother’s face

over 13 years of experience in

as she came into my hospital

the safety field, working as

room one day, months after

a Safety Consultant, Safety

the incident, to tell me what

Officer and Safety Trainer.

had happened. What I’d lost.

Above all, for 15 years I’ve

What I looked like. She told me

been speaking across North

of my amputated limbs first. I

America and overseas as a

remember looking at my right

keynote speaker at conferences

arm first. There was no hand,

understand and comprehend

and events in every kind of

no wrist, no forearm. Just this

industry imaginable, from the

what had happened while I was

little stump at my elbow. I

corporate level to the worker

unconscious for a month and

wasn’t scared. I wasn’t angry.

level and everywhere in-

a half. All of which, everyone

I wasn’t feeling depressed

around me already knew. I had

or sorry for myself. The one

third and fourth degree burns to over 60 percent of my body.

The remaining 40 percent of my body burnt to a lesser degree or used as “spare parts” to repair other areas that were more significantly damaged.

The severe burns would result in the loss of my right arm, left leg and the severe scaring of my face and body.

I’m a lefty in hockey and it’ll be easier to handle a puck with my hockey stick as long as my bottom hand is good. throwing hand, my writing hand and instantly, I asked for a pen and paper to start practicing writing, I asked for a football/baseball to practice for the first time, my family

that was just the beginning

was terrified of what my

of my recovery. I spent the

reaction would be. Yup, that

next six years traveling from

was the same reaction. At least

initial 30 operations, I had 14 reconstructive surgeries, many lasting upwards of 10-12 hours, some of which my doctors said they had only heard of being done once or twice before.

childhood dreams of being a professional hockey player, but one that couldn’t be more rewarding or gratifying!

To contact Curtis Weber please email cweberconsulting@ gmail.com or call him at 1-306441-3328. You can also find more information on his website at curtisweber.com.

EMPOWER RESCUERS

WITH UNRIVALED SUPPORT

But then I realized that’s my

throwing. As for seeing myself

surgeries. On top of those

for life, one that replaces my

was at least it’s my right arm.

nearly 30 surgeries. However,

reconstructive and plastic

me a new passion and purpose

thing I remember thinking

In a six month span I’d have

Saskatchewan to Toronto for

global conferences, has given

it wasn’t my whole face. At least I still had my vision. No matter how bad I realized my situation was, I always knew, unfortunately, there was somebody worse off and how selfish would that be of me to feel sorry for myself.

Today, as an International Safety and Motivational Speaker, I am so grateful to be

A sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victim’s best chance of survival is immediate CPR and a rescuer equipped with an AED. The ZOLL AED Plus® with Real CPR Help® can help make the difference between life and death.

REAL CPR HELP provides integrated, real-time feedback on CPR compression rate and depth.

FIVE-YEAR BATTERY AND PAD LIFE means fewer replacements and a low cost of ownership.

DESIGNED TO BE DURABLE, the AED Plus can be used in various environments.

where I am, and doing what I do now. I’ve dedicated my entire career to using my story

I felt sorrier for the people who felt sorry for me, than I ever felt sorry for myself!”

—CURTIS WEBER vpppa.org

and its many messages and learnings to inspire change in the way people perceive safety. I have developed many different presentations, all completely customized and tailored for each specific, unique audience which allows

For more information about the ZOLL AED Plus stop by booth # 409 ©2018 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. AED Plus, Real CPR Help, and ZOLL are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

MCN PP 1810 0354

Leader—Spring 2019

19

SAFETY LIVES IN THE HEART

By Spencer Beach

It was a beautiful spring morning on April 24, 2003, when Spencer Beach rolled out of bed at 6:00 AM. The sun was already up and the open window was allowing a slight breeze into the room.

After getting ready for work, he gently kissed his pregnant wife, Tina, goodbye and whispered

affectionately how he didn’t feel like working that day. He was thinking of phoning in sick. But being a third-generation flooring installer, and not one to cop-out of work, this sentiment was fleeting

as he grabbed his wallet and left the house for

another day of service work as he did every day.

20

Leader—Spring 2019

ne of the reasons he

he couldn’t ignore the fact that he

contemplated phoning

had a wife and a baby on the way.

in sick that day was

Both were depending on him. He

a nagging gut feeling

couldn’t lose his job!

about a specific service

Spencer did not work for

he had started two days earlier.

a company, or industry, that

This service was different than

believed in safety. He had never

the regular 20-minute services

received any training on chemical

he dealt with. He was being

use, first aid, emergency

sent into a brand new house to

procedures, PPE, right to refuse

remove vinyl flooring throughout

unsafe work, etc. Instead, he

the main level with a chemical

worked for a company that

because another crew had

believed in solely “getting it

installed the wrong color. Spencer

done.” When you work with

didn’t want to have that chemical

this kind of mentality, that gut

taste in his mouth again after

feeling is easy to ignore because

being exposed to so many fumes.

not getting your work done is

Despite the instinct to skip work,

a violation of the employment vpppa.org

agreement. Although it was a

and tried the garage door one last

the safety professional unrolling

worker’s culture. This happens

false perception, it was the only

time. Grasping the red-hot door

a new process, or a co-worker

as the worker comes to work

understanding Spencer had. He

handle with all his remaining

questioning what they are doing

year-after-year, doing their

couldn’t risk his job. He had to get

strength, he gave the door

as they try to help mitigate an

job in a way they don’t get hurt.

it done. So, he ignored his own

everything he had left. Finally, the

uncontrolled hazard.

intuition, told Tina he loved her

door swung open as he jumped

Then they can continue to make

and went to work.

into the garage and to safety.

Arriving at that worrisome

In 20 short seconds the

Safety is not a personal journey that affects only the worker if things go wrong.

service around 1:00 PM, he

damage was done. He had

Instead, as Spencer unfortunately

turned down the thermostat,

received third and fourth degree

found out, he shattered his

opened the doors for ventilation

burns to 90 percent of his body

loved ones lives along with his

and began to work. By 4:00 PM,

and was given a five percent

own during those 20 fateful

he was almost done for the day.

chance to live. If only he would

seconds. For this reason, Spencer

There was just a few square

have listened to that nagging

includes his family’s journeys

feet of material left to remove

gut feeling. If only he would

and emphasizes that “your safety

behind the front door. After

have listened to himself.

is definitely not about you.”

taking a quick break, where

Spencer did survive. After

he called Tina, he went back

14 months in the hospital and

of safety into what Spencer

to work and closed the door

four years of therapy, he slowly

defines as “the safety bubble.”

so he could access this final

rebuilt his life. Although the

He finds that we should

area. Another tradesperson in

local workers’ compensation had

consciously pop that safety

the house was just finishing

retired him, he persevered and

bubble—intentionally making

up for the day. He came down

retrained as a safety professional

our safety easy to talk about. By

the stairs, stepped over top

and a motivational speaker.

doing that, we can change safety

of Spencer, said goodbye and

Using his lifetime of experience

from someone “telling us how to

reclosed the door.

as a trade’s person, his

live” and turn it to hearing that

That tradesperson took a few

newfound safety profession and

someone’s “helping us live.”

steps away from the house when

his extrovert personality, he took

Spencer reseeds in the heart that

all of a sudden there was a loud

to the stage at conferences and in

safety never stops the activity

whistle caused by air being pulled

work places helping companies

(controlling how we live). It only

into the house through any

and fellow safety professionals

improves the way the activity

crevice it could find. Then BANG!

grow to new levels with their

is performed (helping us live)

Fire erupted from nowhere. As

corporate safety culture.

as the uncontrolled hazard

the fumes ignited, it filled every room with a dense fire.

Spencer jumped to his feet

He focuses his message on people’s behaviors and bridging

People close off the topic

becomes a controlled hazard.

He bridges the worker’s

the gap between the company

culture with the company’s

and grabbed onto the front door

culture and the work culture. He

culture by asking one simple

handle and tried to open the

achieves this by turning off the

question: “Why did you come

door, but it wouldn’t budge.

power point, so he can speak to

to work today?” Taking a

That whistle he heard moments

people directly. Spencer found

closer look at one of the most

earlier created a vacuum. A

that safety behaviors live in the

popular answers can help

vacuum he found himself now

heart, not the head. It’s in the

people understand the worker’s

trapped in, and on the wrong

heart that Spencer seeds new

culture, and how it feeds the

side of. All he knew though, was

and stronger beliefs in safety.

company culture.

this door was not opening. He

It’s imperative to learn the

Many people go to work in

blindly ran down the hallway

feeling of “you, speaking to

order to make money. That

to the garage entry. That door

you,” or the acknowledgement

shared universal value is the

didn’t open either. His clothes

of gut feelings, instincts and

essence of the worker’s safety

were melting to his body, while

intuition. What do most people

culture, as that money is what

the skin on his faced felt like

do when they get a gut feeling

provides for the family. That

it was shrinking. He could feel

about something? They tend

same reason to provide for

his energy being drained. After

to ignore it, to swallow it, to

his family is why Spencer felt

trying the front door and garage

push it deep down inside where

compelled to go to work on that

door one more time each, he

they can’t hear it anymore. In

ill-fated day, although his gut

collapsed into a ball and gave

essence, people fail to listen

told him differently.

up. It was too much to bear

to themselves, creating a

anymore. He wanted it over.

dangerous hazard. If people are

of all of the various things the

Thinking of Tina and his

Showing the worker how out

not willing to listen to their own

company may offer the workers,

unborn baby gave him one last

feelings, imagine how much

it is the company’s safety system

burst of energy. He rose to his feet

more they don’t want to listen to

that most closely aligns with the

vpppa.org

their money, so they can take that money home to spend on the people they love and doing the things they love to do. Why wouldn’t you want to work with safety when it so closely fits the reason you came to work?

In every safety presentation Spencer gives, he concludes with his definition of safety.

What a fitting way to end this story. This is how his definition of safety speaks to the heart.

“Protect yourself adequately, at home, at work, at play and while driving. So that you have a long, rich, joyous, prosperous life! Where you get to do everything you ever wanted to do.

With all the people you love, who you wanted to do those things with!”

That’s Spencer’s definition of safety. He hopes it becomes yours!

Spencer Beach, a thirdgeneration floor technician, was involved in all types of commercial and residential construction as a laborer, supervisor, and manager.

He is a Construction Safety Officer and has completed the Occupational Health & Safety certificate program through the University of Alberta Faculty of Extension. Spencer was a member of Toastmasters and is also a certified WHMIS trainer.

You can reach Spencer Beach at www.spencerspeaks.ca.

Leader—Spring 2019

21

JUST A AGO

By Brad Livingston and Kayla Rath

22

Leader—Spring 2019

vpppa.org

Friday, 10:40AM, on September 20, 1991.

BOOM! The explosion of the first

1 2

gas tank blew me from where I was standing— straight up

I do this ALL the time!

third-degree burns, the doctors

Translation: I don’t need

gave me a five percent chance

your reminders, input

of survival. It was a few more

or opinions.

weeks before the medical staff

This is how I’ve ALWAYS done it!

Translation: I don’t need to change.

3

It’ll NEVER happen to me!

Translation: If it happens,

so that I landed on top of a

which of course it won’t,

second tank. I was surrounded

but if it does, it’ll happen to

by flames; my clothes were on fire and the heat and pain

somebody else.

These statements all stem

determined I was probably going to live, but even if I did, they would most likely have to amputate both legs and both hands. Why? Because I wasn’t wearing my PPE. By the grace of God, they were able to save my feet and both hands. Now, when an audience sees what I look like, that my hands are permanently shaped like claws and that I can’t pick my feet up when I walk,

were unimaginable. Ten short

from a dangerous word and an

they gain a new understanding

seconds later... BOOM! I was

even more dangerous mindset:

and respect for the importance

flying through the air again,

complacency. Anyone who thinks

of proper safety gear.

this time landing back on the

these kinds of thoughts has

ground. I had to roll to get out

developed tunnel vision. Or

a half months. When I regained

of the fire, but I only had the

it’s like they’re working with

consciousness, it took a number

strength to roll three times.

blinders on. When I make my

of days for me to wrap my brain

The heat had taken every bit

presentation, I help the audience

around what had happened.

of my strength and energy.

remove those blinders. For

Then my wife gave me the news

My left leg was in excruciating

many, it’s the first time they’ve

about my co-worker, Tracy.

pain and was apparently

ever thought beyond themselves

“He’s dead.” Dead. He isn’t

enough to consider how other

coming back. He was a good man

people would be affected if they

now gone for absolutely no

got hurt. When workers take

reason, other than to save three

what they know in their head and

minutes. Eventually, I went to

move it 12 inches down to their

see his widow and explained to

heart, they create an emotional

her why things happened the

understanding of their personal

way they did. I’ll never forget

safety responsibility.

the tears on her face, or the pain

shattered. All it would do was flop with each roll. After what seemed like a hopelessly long time, a couple of men appeared and dragged me away from the flames. “Where’s my coworker? Is he okay?” My throat felt like it was on fire and I wasn’t sure I had even made an audible sound.

Just A Second Ago I was fine: happy and healthy and enjoying my job. And now, I’m laying here on the ground, expecting to die at any moment. My lovely wife... My three beautiful daughters... what’s going to happen to them? Who is going to take care of and provide for them? How did this happen?

Why did it happen? How did it happen to me?

As a motivational safety speaker, I answer these

We saved three minutes but lost so much more. We should

and anger in her voice.

After two more months in the Burn Intensive Care Unit,

before we started the welding,

I was transferred to rehab,

but we didn’t have time. Had we

which is a nice word for “I’m

gauged them, we would have

going to cause you a lot of pain

seen that the liquid levels were

for five hours each day!” Every

nowhere near what we had been

day seemed to have more bad

told they were, and we never

news about what I was going

would’ve done the welding. We

to live with for the rest of my

ignored the proven procedures,

life. Two months into rehab

which when followed would

I still couldn’t walk, and I

ensure that we went home at

didn’t think I could handle the

the end of the day. Instead

pain anymore. I told my wife I

we took a shortcut; all to save

wanted to quit. That afternoon

three minutes.

instead of therapy, I spent an hour with my occupational

questions with three simple

my family was told I wouldn’t

therapist, my counselor, and

statements, which describe

make it through the night,

my wife, and they convinced

people who have never

and my heart did, in fact, stop

me to change my perspective. I

personally accepted their

several times. With 63 percent

decided to not let my physical

safety responsibility.

of my body having second- and

circumstances determine

vpppa.org

Brad Livingston

I was unconscious for two and

have gauged those two tanks

The day after the explosions,

I was unconscious for two and a half months.

When I regained consciousness, it took a number of days for me to wrap my brain around what had happened.

Leader—Spring 2019

23

I said it then, and I continue to say it in every presentation since: children don’t understand....

And we shouldn’t have to. That’s not our job; it’s yours. ­Kayla Rath

whether or not I enjoyed life.

a decision was made to take a

isn’t about “them” anymore, it’s

Life was flying by and I wanted

shortcut. It was not my own, yet

about their children, their spouse,

to enjoy it. To enjoy life includes

every day since, I’ve lived with

their parents.

enjoying work!

the consequences of that choice.

working for in the first place. We

follow procedures, for any

asked to tell the story of the

work to provide food and shelter

reason, be it a shortcut, pride,

accident from the family’s

for our kids, to give them the

complacency, a bad attitude,

perspective. What is it like

football cleats and ballet lessons

or any kind of distraction, that

when Dad doesn’t come home

they want. Why would any of us

action must be able to JUSTIFY

from work? I said it then, and

take a risk that puts the ones we

everything that happens from

I continue to say it in every

love most at risk? Maybe they’re

that point on. The truth is,

presentation since: children don’t

not hurt physically, but take it

nothing can justify what I went

understand. We don’t understand

from someone who knows, the

through. Saving three minutes

the nature of the work our

emotional scars go just as deep.

can never justify that a good

parents do. We don’t understand

man was killed. There is no

the safety protocols and

handicapped father caused my

justification for what my family,

procedures. We don’t know what

sisters and I to grow some pretty

friends and co-workers had to

PPE is. And we shouldn’t have to.

thick skin. We saw the looks

endure. I want my audience to

That’s not our job; it’s yours.

people would give him when

understand that if they get hurt,

I was nine years old and

he entered a basketball gym. I

what they experience is nothing

in the fourth grade when the

started holding his hand as often

compared to the ripple effect they

principal came to my classroom

as I could any time we went

will put their family through.

and told me to get my things

somewhere new, not because I

together. I remember every

was scared, but because I knew

detail of walking down the hall

people were going to stare at

with him, seeing teachers crying

him. I heard the words they

and avoiding eye contact with

threw out, and I knew they

me. I remember how it took

thought he looked like a freak

my mom’s best friend longer

or a monster. But then I wanted

than usual to drive me to the

them to see that he was holding

middle school where my sisters

the hand of a normal teenage

were students. I remember

girl, and it didn’t matter what

the look on their faces as she

they thought of him, because he

told us that our dad had been

had someone who loved him,

burned in an explosion, and

and who wasn’t scared of him.

Kayla Rath’s Story

The night of the accident, my dad was supposed to take me to a football game.

Instead, I

sat with my sisters in a home that was not our own, crying unending tears, and tensing up every time the phone rang, wondering if it was Mom calling to tell us that Dad was dead.

That night, my sisters and I were riding the waves of the ripple effect. We didn’t know how high they were going to go, we didn’t know how fast they would fall, and we didn’t know when they would ever end.

Twenty-seven years later, I tell my audience, the ripple lasts forever. September 20, 1991,

that he most likely wouldn’t

After the accident, I wrestled for a long time with anger.

out the window later that day

Anger that it happened in the

and thinking, “But it was such

first place. Anger that my dad

a beautiful day. How does bad

couldn’t even walk. Anger that I

stuff happen on days this nice?”

had to move from our hometown

I so clearly remember walking

and go be with Dad in a city nine

into my closet to pack an

hours away. Anger that he wasn’t

overnight bag and feeling as if

home with us to keep us safe

I’d been punched in the gut. I

and protect us. Even anger with

began crying uncontrollably and

myself for being mad at him,

couldn’t lift my arms to take

when I clearly saw how much

my shirts off their hangers. My

pain he was in, and how hard he

oldest sister came in and asked if

was working to get better. It took

she could help. I looked at her and

many years for me to get the

said, “Brandi, I don’t know what

nerve up to be able to look at him

clothes to wear to dad’s funeral.”

and tell him, “I’m mad at you.

presentation, I often see a

Leader—Spring 2019

Growing up with a

survive. I remember looking

During that part of my

24

They are who we’re all

Four years ago, I was first

Any time we choose to not

Why did you let this happen?”

I was a child. My dad’s

“lightbulb moment” on the faces

decision to take a shortcut felt

of the audience. It’s the moment

like a personal decision to NOT

I look for more than any other;

come home to me. I didn’t

it’s the moment when I know

understand then the pressure

the audience gets it. Working safe

of working on a timeline, but I vpppa.org

stress that no child should ever have to understand that. It’s our job, and their right, to work safely and effectively so that at the end of the day, we go home to them.

Safety is forward thinking. We can’t assume that just because we’ve always done something one way, that it’s the safest way.

Just because we “get away” with one shortcut, doesn’t mean it will work the next time. Every day we have the responsibility to ourselves, our families, and our employers, to get a job done in the safest way possible, to make

The waves of the ripple effect still continue today.

I can’t hear an ambulance without worrying that it’s headed for my own husband, or one of our children. ­Kayla Rath

certain we understand exactly

our co-workers, so that they go home to their own families.

The waves of the ripple effect still continue today. I can’t

love sharing the story of my family—we are the lucky ones.

We survived and we came out of it stronger and more committed to one another than ever. My presentations are successful because they cause people to think beyond safety for themselves; now safety is about their family. My end goal is simple: do not let your family be caught up in the ripple effect.

Brad Livingston and Kayla Rath

what needs to take place, and to watch out for the safety of

Traveling to share my story is now my full-time job. I

are motivational safety speakers

have said that children who experience trauma at an early age go through life with an expectancy that the trauma is

hear an ambulance without

going to show up again. It is

worrying that it’s headed for

absolutely true. I’m a happy

my own husband, or one of our

person, and I love life, but that

children. I have my emergency

doesn’t change the fact that a

preparedness list ready because

decision made 27 years ago still

I expect the worst. Psychologists

impacts me today.

who have one goal in mind, to

inspire workers to make decisions that will bring them home to their families each night. No matter

the industry, no matter the job.

From the CEO, to the new hire,

Brad and Kayla tell a story that all employees need to hear.

They can be reached at:

(620) 697-2105 or on their website: www.safetydifference.com.

SAFETY IS SMART BUSINESS DEPEND ON US TO DO IT RIGHT

ANALYZE • SPECIFY • MANUFACTURE • INSTALL SAFETYRAILCOMPANY.COM

vpppa.org

I 888-434-2720 Leader—Spring 2019

25

26

Leader—Spring 2019

vpppa.org

TYLER AND I WERE GREAT FRIENDS …

By TJ Lyons, OHST, CSP, CRIS, Eastern Region SHE Manager

T

yler was one of our best project managers. He lived overseas in Japan for nine years and was one of those guys who would meet you at the airport when you arrived. I saw him a few times each year, and we spoke almost every week. He enjoyed my

visits and we saw a lot of the country on the weekends.

He loved his kids and would regale anyone within earshot (he was a loud talker) about

his young son trying to drive on the “wrong” side of the road. His two kids went to an American school, so they could meet other U.S. citizens, but spoke the local language perfectly. Tyler loved working overseas and embraced the local culture. When we walked into a restaurant he was greeted by his first name and the staff would chat with him endlessly. We often ended our day in a downtown bar.

When I think of those evenings I wonder if I missed something. In retrospect, I now find it odd he never introduced me to his family, especially since he talked about his children endlessly and I loved hearing about how he was raising them abroad. Sometimes, I was troubled by his outbursts with others. vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2019

27

As a safety professional, suicide was never in my wheelhouse.

The act never came up in any conversations over my entire career, except for one time when a safety manager attributed a fall on a Los Angeles construction site to suicide.

One Thursday in July of 2016, I called Tyler and we spoke for about half an hour. Plans were made for my next trip to see him, and a road trip was planned to break up a long time away from home. Unfortunately, that road trip never happened.

Tyler hanged himself that Saturday.

As a safety professional, suicide was never in my wheelhouse. The act never came up in any conversations

THESE ARE A FEW OF THE REASONS WHY WE NEED TO CARE: hose toiling in the construction and extraction trades T rank second in our sons and daughters taking their lives.

Engineers and architects rank fifth. Police officers, like my son who lives in New York City, rank sixth.

The World Health Organization reveals that close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Many more attempt suicides, and I cannot imagine that number or the resulting injuries; however, indications show that for each adult who died by suicide there may be 20 others who attempted it. uicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to S 29-year-olds globally.

told, “…perhaps we can make some suggestions on things you should write on.” The title of the column they would not allow. It was called: “Things we would rather not talk about.” Below is a section from that column.

In my opinion, suicide prevention falls into the human resources (HR) and safety groups. We want to help those needing it, but a distracted worker also threatens others. Site safety staff and HR often have the ear of the workers. We

uicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 S and about four in five (10,688) deaths included in the analysis were among men. The U.K. Office of National Statists (ONS) found low-skilled male construction workers had the greatest suicide risk, at 3.7 times above the national average.

look for those doing well,

I n male-dominated trades like construction, we will see more men taking their lives than women. Men commit suicide about four times more often than women, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

First intervention could be

those doing something unsafe, and those who are a bit off—complaining of a hangover, a fight with a partner, or fielding calls during work from creditors. supported by a trained safety manager on your project or someone in HR getting a call

study showed that life stressors typically will A accumulate until a worker is triggered to suicide by an on-the-job event.

from a concerned supervisor.

ata indicates workers are six times more likely to die D from suicide than from falls, according to the Building Engineering Services Association.

but a suicide will affect those

national suicide prevention group says construction A workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than in workplace accidents.

There is also an operations side to suicide. Not to take anything away from the loss, around the person who is gone. Work will stop to allow grieving and counseling.

Often, counseling is needed but will not be asked for. The person lost has to be replaced, and in an isolated area

over my entire career, except

that will take time. Suicide

for one time when a safety Psy. D., who developed a

Los Angeles construction site

suicide prevention program.

I can share an example of

to suicide. Back then, I thought

As she accepted the award she

our reluctance here in the

that was a bit of a stretch.

mentioned how glad she was to

U.S. to confront suicides.

Suicide is not something we can

bring awareness to suicide for

Our unwillingness to tackle

see on a project, talk about or

it was a construction risk. I asked

this epidemic remains our

even know about.

her to lunch that day, cried at

largest barrier as a country to

bring suicide awareness as

the table and was stunned by

adressing these deaths. Often

a topic discussed during the

what I learned.

called the forgotten health

OSHA National Safety Stand-

and safety issue, I once wrote

Down. I have started those

In the fall of 2016, after Tyler’s death, I attended the International Risk Management

Sally has a passion for

Though I am not an expert,

is a project risk we cannot

manager attributed a fall on a

overlook. That’s an operations and risk responsibility. We all share a key to helping out.

My goal for 2019 is to

Conference. This is a gathering

prevention that I love. I once

a column for the International

conversations and am getting

of the top risk managers and

offered some of her suggestions

Risk Management Institute,

promises as I write this piece.

insurers from across the world.

as I presented at a safety

Inc. (IRMI) on the topic and

I aspire to encourage firms

Each year they present an award

meeting. By the time I got home

submitted it to my managers for

to take advantage of their

for those who stand out in the

I had two emails asking for more

approval. The article was passed

employee assistant resources,

industry. That year’s winner

information and one call from a

up to the top and rejected at

and offer counseling or experts

was Sally Spencer-Thomas,

very worried dad thanking me.

the highest of levels. I was then

who can speak on the topic. I

28

Leader—Spring 2019

vpppa.org

want to see the industry taking the time to speak to the workers, not at them. We can offer tips on

Rates of suicide per 100,000 population, by sex, and ranked overall by Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) group—17 states, 2012*

where to go or who to call. Sally

SOC code

Occupational group

Overall

Male

Female

had written a guide on “What

45

Farming, fishing, and forestry

84.5

90.5

—*

Question? Four Responses That

47

Construction and extraction

53.3

52.5

—

Make a Difference,” and I have

49

Installation, maintenance, and repair

47.9

47.5

—

51

Production

34.5

39.5

10.8

of the tips when talking to a

17

Architecture and engineering

32.2

36.3

—

good friend. This tool itself

33

Protective service

30.5

34.1

14.1

for any safety meeting. (Sally’s

27

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media

24.3

32.9

12.4

article is located in the sources

15

Computer and mathematical

23.3

32.8

12.5

53

Transportation and material moving

22.3

30.2

4.8

If They Say ‘Yes’ to the Suicide

sent that to scores of people.

I have personally used one

provides the speaking points

section below.)

Reluctance to

U.S. CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Weekly / Vol. 65 / No. 25 July 1, 2016

in construction

have put together a model

confront suicides is based on two things. Few are aware of the

threat on their

worksites, and

there are a lack of resources to deal with supporting any response to the suicide challenge.

program to combat suicides.

Based on earlier initiatives in the UK, like the Shattered Lives program (an effort to stop falls), I suspect they will be as sucessful in reaching out to every worker in the UK. Reluctance to confront suicides in construction is based on two things. Few are aware of the threat on their worksites, and there are a lack of resources to deal with supporting any response to the suicide challenge.

Often, I am asked where to start. I offer that we need to create those caring conversations with those doing

My wife Tracey often warns

recognize someone who wants

me not to tread too far into the

to kill themselves, and how to

science of suicide. I suspect

keep them alive.

she has told me a dozen times,

There is nothing I love

“You are not the expert, TJ.”

more than the field of safety.

This is not only my concern,

Keeping others out of trouble

but my frustration.

is my passion. Now I am

As a safety professional, I

striving to learn ways to help

can walk any worksite in the

our sons and daughters stay

world. I know how to approach

around–even if we don’t

the unsafe worker with care and

always know what to look out

I can tell if a crane is going to

for, or understand what they

fail. What I don’t know is how to

are going through.

TJ Lyons oversees projects and staff across the Eastern U.S region. This includes pharmaceutical plant construction and renovation, solar field installations, semiconductor production facilities and similar high purity gas or materials system installation or renovations. He has spent over 30 years designing practical approaches to safety on environmental and construction projects in the U.S. and overseas.

His passion is moving sites from hazard management to hazard elimination to keep our sons and daughters safe.

Trade organizations are

our work first. People will ask for

now looking closely at suicide

help if they trust you completely.

prevention. My favorite example

Secondly, we must bring

is a partnership formed in the

awareness to this challenge

www.sallyspencerthomas.com/dr-sally-speaks-blog/whatdoyousay

United Kingdom. Our friends

at all levels, and like a safety

www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/

across the pond often take the

concern—provide some tools on

lead on helping workers. A

recognition and remedies.

www.omicsonline.org/open-access/mates-in-constructionsuicide-prevention-program-a-five-year-review-2161-0711-1000465. php?aid=79054

group called Mates in Mind is

In my opinion, VPP sites

run by those in the industry,

are among the best in the

the Health in Construction

United States. Communication

Leadership Group and British

is critical at all levels and

Safety Council.

between those levels. Where a

These groups see this as a

VPP project team is engaged,

health concern. I agree with

their CEO will stop and ask a

that idea. Like our physical

worker how his or her task is

health, mental health is just

going. Safety professionals and

as important—but we are

all leaders now need to start

reluctant to tread there. They

asking, “How are you doing?”

vpppa.org

SOURCES

www.thebesa.com/news/workers-six-times-more-likely-to-die-fromsuicide-than-falls/ www.toolbusiness.co.uk/company-news/Mates-in-Mind-is-the-wayforward-on-mental-health-in-construction www.irmi.com/articles/expert-commentary/suicide-inconstruction-industry If you are in crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to anyone. All calls are confidential. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Leader—Spring 2019

29

PURSUING THE PASSION FOR

safety training ninja

B y R eg

30

Leader—Spring 2019

ina McMichael,

CSP , CE T

vpppa.org

I have a passion for safety.

The simple reason behind this passion is because at 1:20PM on February 6,

1986, my husband, Kevin Bryant, fell 24 feet and 11 inches, and died.

K

evin was a roofer

day. Through uncertainty, my

in the residential

path became clear quickly when

construction

I stumbled across a safety degree

industry, doing

program offered at Virginia

his job how most

Commonwealth University. I

information about the space we

ashamed by some others who

were inspecting after we exited.

seem to believe that yelling at

Like most safety

their jobs and blaming them

stories of compassion and

for accidents would somehow

humanity during my time

improve safety performance.

working in the field. I am truly

Trying to do our jobs, pay our

people who were just like my

bills and see our loved ones.

late husband Kevin and I—just

Blame, yelling and threats are

trying to pay the bills and live

not the pathway to safer work

their lives. Five years ago, I was encouraged to share my experience publicly. I pushed back; it had only been 28 years— was I ready to talk about Kevin’s death? Most of the people I have

enrolled and got my BS in Safety

many other days on the job, he

and Risk Administration using

climbed onto a roof hoping not

my workers’ comp benefit,

know my back story. It has taken

to fall. At the time he was using

scholarships and loans. I was

33 years, but I now feel obliged

fall protection practices that are

very lucky—it was a small

to share my story and hopefully

similar to those still used today

program with amazing staff,

inspire others to be the best

in various industries. They go

who knew my story and skillfully

to work to pay the bills and hope

guided me through school and

safety professionals they can be.

they don’t get hurt. Kevin and I

prepared me for the world of

were just regular people, living

professional safety work.

My first job out of college

worked with in my career didn’t

To grow their technical and soft skills to be a compassionate and driven human.

A lot has changed in the safety

one day he was gone. As a young

was an excellent learning

window, I was instantly thrust

experience and I had great

into a world without any idea how

mentors who taught me

to navigate. A tragic world that no

valuable lessons on how to

spouse, child, parent or loved one

talk with people—and just as

eludes many companies. That

should have to enter. A complex

importantly, how not to. One day

magical element, the special

world of workers’ compensation,

a worker from my training class

sauce, the secret passageway

legal battles, accusations of

was waiting for me outside of a

into the safest work seems to be

unsafe behaviors, all while

confined space operation where

mourning Kevin, who was lost.

I was conducting air monitoring,

missed by many professionals.

As a 20-year-old woman,

while several other workers

We are all just people.

blessed to have worked with

roofing was done in 1986. Like

ordinary lives and suddenly

workers repeatedly, threatening

professionals, I have many

world since 1986, but one of the critical elements of a great safety system and culture still

performance. Compassion, understanding and connection with our colleagues is how we will move safety forward. We need to base our work in decency and humanity. We all need to strive to be better, kinder humans. To be servant leaders and inspire best safety practices.

My challenge to everyone reading this article: what have you done today to show you really care? Did you talk with your people with kindness and inspiration? Did you leave your desk and spend time with the people you are trying to protect to better understand the context of their work? Did you lead by example in a challenging situation for your executives and workforce to witness? Safety is a challenging career. We can

This secret passageway, I

only control our own behavior.

believe, is to pursue a greater

The more we dedicate ourselves

sense of humanity in the

to lead with compassion and

workplace, to simply be a good

humanity, the closer we are to

human. To show care and help

making the job a little easier.

workers get home safely every

Perhaps influencing decisions that sends workers home to

I was blindsided with the

conducted structural integrity

unanswerable question… why

tests. The worker was covered

did he die? I chose to settle my

in sweat and afraid that we had

workers’ compensation claim

been overcome by a hazard

for less than the law allowed. A

because he had lost contact

conscious choice based on my

with us. Yet, appropriately, he

day. Throughout the years,

survival. I could not continue to

refrained from entering the

I have been inspired by the

their loved ones safe. How

dwell in that dark world filled

space, despite his fear and desire

uplifting compassion of fellow

awesome would that be? Make

with pain and ugliness. Kevin

to help me and the others. I was

safety professionals. Sadly, I

your commitment to humanity

was dead, I could not bring him

honored that moment not just

back, and the only option left

for his caring for me, but more

have been embarrassed and

and to do great things!

for me was to survive. For me

because he was following his

this meant that only when the

training, the training where I

legal process was done, could I

convinced him that no matter

move on to the next chapter of

what, NO MATTER WHAT, he

my life. To that end, I settled for

was not to ever attempt a rescue.

less money, but kept my heart

He was not trained, authorized

and soul with a new passion to

or outfitted to conduct a rescue.

make a difference in safety one

His job was to collect the

vpppa.org

Regina McMichael, CSP, CET is President of The Learning Factory, Inc.

She is the author of, and is known as, “The Safety Training Ninja.” She is a leading motivational safety speaker and a Director on the Board of

Certified Safety Professionals. Regina has helped companies grow their safety passion for over 30 years. She has been developing, delivering,

and implementing training programs for every type of organization. The system of great training works in every industry and discipline. You can

reach her at regina.mcmichael@gmail.com or visit ReginaMcMichael.com.

Leader—Spring 2019

31

LESSONS

Sadly, on many occasions throughout my career in safety, I found myself standing over the body of a worker, asking one simple question…Why?

By Mark D. Norton MAOM, CSSM, Norton Safety Services, LLC

F

or me, the choice to get

medic, flying out to treat an

into the safety field was

amputation victim, or retrieve

what I call collateral. By

survivors (if all went well) of a

that I mean, my choice came

capsized fishing vessel off the

from two distinct paths. First, as a

coast of Cape Cod, MA, or in

result of my job as a Flight Medic

the frigid waters of Kodiak, AK,

in the U.S. Coast Guard, where I

the lessons and the scenarios

witnessed the aftermath of risky

all had the same overtones as

behavior, unsafe work operations

those I encounter today in a

and the failure to train personnel

manufacturing facility, or on a

properly. This usually presented

construction site. Different faces,

itself in the form of some type

different environments, yet

of shipboard emergency, like

similar situations, breakdowns

serious physical injuries, up

and excuses. It is these lessons

to, and including, fatal events.

that safety professionals dread

In many cases this was due to

the most but have a duty to

the failure to pay attention to

impart to others. We do it with

one’s surroundings. Whenever I

the hope that others within the

responded to one of these events

organization learn, grow and

as a flight medic, I couldn’t help

improve. In a word…prevention.

but think, “if only we had been able to prevent this.”

Secondly, I came into

day, never really focusing on

a direct result of always wanting

the potential for risk or injury.

to help people avoid suffering.

I looked at things differently

Eventually, I was accepted into

before I got into the safety field.

the Navy’s Preventive Medicine

Never really considering the role

School. Only one Coast Guard

we as individuals play in those

enlisted person was chosen per

near-misses or close calls, but

class year and was I lucky enough

that changed one day in 1980.

It was the day before

graduating, I was one of only a

Thanksgiving in 1980, when

handful of Preventive Medicine

an 18-year-old young adult

Technicians in the entire Coast

was roused from his sleep in

Guard. That one person on base

the middle of the night by an

tasked with risk identification,

oncoming shift worker, pleading

mitigation and more importantly,

with him to take his car, go into

prevention, in all aspects of work

town and retrieve some supplies

and the work environment. That

for the next day at work. The

was my start in Occupational

young 18-year-old just ended

Safety and Health, later

his shift, retiring immediately

transitioning into a 24-year-

to bed, as he had to get up again

long career with state OSHA. It

in four hours for another shift.

was in this role, that I knew my

Reluctantly, the 18-year-old

deliberate choice to get involved

begged the oncoming co-worker,

in safety was the right choice.

“Find someone else! I have to

Sadly, on many occasions

Leader—Spring 2019

who went through the day-to-

occupational safety and health as

to get the coveted spot. Upon

32

I wasn’t always the safety guy.

I was, like many of you, someone

get back up in a few hours and

throughout my career in safety,

I want to sleep.” Eventually

I found myself standing over

he gave in and agreed. After

the body of a worker, asking

getting dressed, he took the keys

one simple question…Why? The

and went out to the employee

events I witnessed were clearly

parking lot, located the vehicle

preventable and did not have

and climbed in. Immediately

to occur. As I flash back three

upon entering the vehicle he

and a half decades to my early

realized it was not like other

years as a 21-year-old flight

vehicles he had driven. It looked vpppa.org

unfamiliar. It was a standard. He had never driven one of these before, but he thought, “How hard could this be?” It took a couple of tries, but he finally got the car started and pulled forward across the parking lot, sputtering the whole way. When the front tires finally crept across some railroad tracks, the car stalled.

Fortunately, I was given another chance, but the question I now have to answer is… how many chances do we get?

Not knowing if it was the car, or something he did, the young,

the track. Several co-workers

to understand the equipment you

heard the collision and ran over

are asked to operate and to bring

to the vehicle to see two people

out the importance of speaking

trapped inside after being

up when you’re not comfortable

struck by the train. Emergency

with a given task. I use it to show

responders arrived and worked

how we as human beings expect

with others to extricate the

warnings to come with every

occupants, who were then

event, and when they don’t we

transported to the hospital,

mistakenly believe all is safe.

where they were both treated

At that moment in time I was

for shock and the driver was

certain this was my last night,

treated for some fractured ribs.

my last memory, and truthfully

Some of you reading may

it very easily could have been.

inexperienced driver sat in the

they would have been smashed

recognize this story as it is

Fortunately, I was given another

blackness of night straddling the

between the train and the vehicle

something I share when I speak

chance, but the question I now

tracks, with pouring rain beating

on one side or knocked down

to groups. I share it to illustrate

have to answer is… How many

down on the vehicle. Oblivious to

when the train took the car down

how important it is to pay

chances do we get?

everything around him. Unaware

the tracks on the other side. The

attention to your environment,

of the position he had placed

driver grabbed the wheel, and

himself in. His only thought was

Ron jumped from his position in

“start the car!” Yet, it would not

the passenger seat to the driver’s

start. After what appeared to be

lap. The front of the train came

forever in his attempts to start

smashing into the passenger side

the vehicle, a second co-worker,

door of the little green Datsun

Ron, who went along for the

B-210. Metal bending and glass

ride, suddenly asked “Hey, do

breaking, the train attempted to

you feel what I feel?” the car

screech to a halt. The train then

was starting to vibrate… The

took the car down the tracks

young driver looked up and out

about 75 to 100 yards and started

of the passenger side window,

to roll the vehicle. They were

just in time to notice a train

going to go under and there was

heading straight for them. The

nothing they could do about it.

train’s single light, desperately

Suddenly, the back end of

searching for its next victim…

the vehicle, still hanging out

or so it seemed. The driver knew

from the side of the train as it

instantly that they were not

made its way down the tracks

going to get out in time, this

struck a parallel fence line,

was it, they were going to die!

causing the vehicle to swing

In a split second he assessed

out and away from the train.

the situation and concluded

The car and its payload came to

if they had exited the vehicle

rest on the berm to the side of

vpppa.org

With a career spanning more than 35 years in occupational safety & health, Mark Norton says he has found the “perfect fit.” He has held positions as a U. S. Coast Guard Flight Medic and Preventive Medicine Technician, as well as a 24-year career with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health. While at ADOSH he held positions from CSHO, to Assistant Director and has had direct involvement in all aspects of OSHA compliance, consultation, training and cooperative programs throughout the state of Arizona. Mark worked to help employers achieve VPP Star level programs throughout Arizona, as a VPP Coordinator for eight years while at ADOSH, leading all VPP activities. In addition, he has been an EHS manager at a VPP site, and he still works today as a consultant, assisting organizations striving for a world class safety culture. He has truly seen it from all sides!

Known to his VPPPA friends as “The Professor” Mark is also a member of the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, OSHA Training Institute. Teaching a wide array of classes relating to construction and general industry OSHA regulations, accident investigation and more. Mark travels the country as a speaker, consultant, trainer and coach, working to share the benefits of effective safety and health management.

Mark holds a BS in Business Management and MA in Organizational Management and has published two books on the topic of safety and health management. He is the recipient of the 2008 National VPPPA Chairman’s Award, the 2009 ASSP Safety Professional of the Year, Southern Arizona Chapter, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for his work in Occupational Safety & Health.

Leader—Spring 2019

33

By Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator, VPPPA, Inc.

Company Profile

VPP All Stars:

The Voluntary Protection

Cintas Corporation

P

Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA) is dedicated to helping those who aspire to safety and health excellence.

Companies like Cintas serve as an inspiration to other workplaces striving for a VPP Star, and they

erhaps you have seen one

Another area that the company

Kristyn Grow, Senior Safety

aim to help others achieve safety

of their trucks driving

leads in is safety.

and Health Manager.

and health excellence. VPPPA

down the highway, are

Cintas embarked on its

Stephen Jenkins, Safety

Chairperson, J.A. Rodriguez,

employed at one of their many

Voluntary Protection Programs

& Health Director at Cintas,

Jr. commented, “Cintas’

facilities, or you may even use

(VPP) journey in 2010 with

continued, “Cintas has a

commitment to the VPP safety

their wide variety of products

its first VPP Star site at the

strong commitment to safety

management system, protecting

and services at your workplace.

Chandler, Arizona location.

engagement at our facilities.

their people and to VPPPA is a

The VPP process doesn’t

So, it’s not surprising that more

model for all companies to follow

more than one million

happen overnight and often

than 100 of our U.S. locations

across the industry. The dramatic

businesses of all types and

requires years of work to

have received OSHA’s VPP Star

drop in injury rates over the last

sizes get Ready™ to open their

become a Star site, making

Recognition for Workplace

Cintas Corporation helps

doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance their customers’ images and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best.

Headquartered in Cincinnati,

Our safety vision is integrated into each of our locations, making it an integral part of our company culture. Pursing VPP Star certification keeps our safety vision top of mind for all of our employee-partners.

Cintas provides products and

the accomplishment that

Safety—the ultimate award

decade is the byproduct of this

services including uniforms,

much more exciting when it

for the practice of exemplary

mats, mops, restroom supplies,

organizational commitment

is completed. Cintas currently

occupational safety and health.

first aid and safety products, fire

and of the common cause that

has over 100 facilities in the

This distinction is no small

extinguishers and testing, and

is VPP excellence.” In addition,

program and many more

feat, given the fact that it can

safety and compliance training.

Grow noted, “Membership to

pursuing recognition—making

take several years to complete

the association is a resource

Cintas the number one

the rigorous onsite evaluations

to our Cintas locations. The

participant in the program. In

conducted by OSHA and other

association provides educational

addition, all 16 Cintas locations

agencies. Actively pursuing VPP

in Indiana have achieved VPP

opportunities, mentorship

across all locations ensures

Star status, making Cintas the

pairing and gives us the

that we are keeping our safety

number one participant in the

opportunity to present our best

journey top of mind.”

practices to other companies.”

Indiana OSHA VPP program.

CELEBRATING

SAFETY AND HEALTH EXCELLENCE

NY WITH PROUD TO BE THE ONLY COMPA WIDE 100 VPP STAR WORKPLACES NATION

34 Leader—Spring 2019

Having so many sites in VPP

VPPPA spoke with a few

is an amazing accomplishment,

leaders at Cintas Corporation,

but why is safety so important to

and we asked about the history

Cintas? “At Cintas, taking care

of the company’s interest in

of our employee-partners is of

VPP. “About 10 years ago our

vital importance. Our employee-

Executive Safety Council was

partners are essential to taking

formed, and Cintas created

care of our customers. All Cintas

our Safety Vision. Our safety

facilities uphold internationally-

vision is integrated into each

recognized standards, and

of our locations, making it an

they’re frequently assessed for

integral part of our company

adherence to safety guidelines.

culture. Pursing VPP Star

We also make sure our

certification keeps our safety

employees are empowered to

vision top of mind for all of

help make their workplaces safe

our employee-partners,” said

every day,” noted Grow.

Mentoring is a key aspect of VPPPA and is a proven success factor for sites working toward a VPP Star. We love to see sites like Cintas utilizing this resource to achieve their goals.

Here at VPPPA we are proud to have the opportunity to work with members of the Cintas community and proud to call them members of our association.

The Cintas “Journey to 100” VPP sites is an exhilarating accomplishment that will benefit workers, and their families, for countless years. vpppa.org

Brenda Wiederkehr, CSC Owner

Access Compliance, LLC Working with Employers to Advance a “Culture” of Safety and Compliance in the Workplace Proud to be certified in New York State as a Women’s Business Enterprise and the National Women’s Business Enterprise.

NYSWBE #53310 NWBEC #2005121673 Access Compliance is a full service agency devoted to assisting the safety and health programs of all entities involved in commerce to provide a safe and healthy environment for their employees.

For information about our services call: 1-800-732-8004

Veteran Owned Business

info@accesscompliance.net

FEATURED P R O D U C T S Booth 103

Booth 619

BOLLÉ SAFETY

EUREKA SAFETY INC

Bill Godfrey bill.godfrey@bolle-safety.com / 913-202-2711 Bollé Safety is one of the first manufacturers to offer

John Lynch jly@berger.se / 1-216-931-0069 www.eurekasafety.se

co-branding to its customers. Thanks to this experience

Protect your most valuable tool—your hands. Hand Arm

and because every day we push our limits to satisfy

Vibration Syndrome and vibration induced white finger

your needs, you benefit from an innovative service and

syndrome are serious and very real. Eureka’s line of vibration

an irreproachable quality of realization for the greatest

reducing gloves provide an unmatched level of protection

satisfaction of your teams.

when using high energy impact and/or vibration tools. Our

Bolle Brand Co-branding

Vibration Reducing Gloves

unique concept provides you with the correct protective glove to match the frequency range of the tool you are using.

Booth 520S

Booth 228

MARLIN

ROCO RESCUE

info@themarlincopmpany.com / 800-344-5901 themarlincompany.com Deliver the important messages that keep your employees

Teresa Wilson twilson@rocorescue.com / 800-647-7626 www.rocorescue.com

informed and motivated with Marlin’s Electronic

The just-released update of Petzl’s I’D L is more durable,

Communication Station (ECS). Address key issues like

more versatile and safer than ever. Designed for technical

teamwork, quality, diversity, and job safety along with

rescue, it is well suited for heavy loads and can be used to

news, sports, and weather to keep them engaged and

make a reversible haul system, among other functionalities.

Electronic Communication Station (ECS)

Petzl I’D L

coming back.

36

Leader—Spring 2019

vpppa.org

AN INTEGRATED SAFETY & HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS SYMPOSIUM

PRESENTED BY VPPPA & TSHC

Booth 646

Booth 415

GAS CLIP

INDUSTRIAL SCIENTIFIC

Jimmy Blount info@gascliptech.com / 1-877-525-0808 www.gascliptech.com

Nicole Steding nsteding@indsci.com / 412-490-1955 www.indsci.com

MGC Simple Plus multi-gas detector runs for three years

Detect up to five gases with multiple sensor options

continuously with no charging or calibration. Reliably test

including methane IR and PID for personal protection

for hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen

and confined space applications. Safety goes beyond gas

(O2) and combustible gases (LEL), even in oxygen-deficient

detection with team-based alarm sharing and remote live

environments. Visit our booth to learn more.

monitoring for in-plant or mobile worker environments.

MGC Simple Plus

Ventis® Pro5 Multi-Gas Monitor

Booth 135

Booth 444

VITAL ID CORP

WELLS LAMONT INDUSTRIAL

Sarah Neal mail@vitalid.com / 250-586-7060 vitalid.com

Ted Audia taudia@wellslamontindustrial.com / 847-983-1430 www.wellslamontindustrial.com

Vital ID allows workers to securely carry their own private

Protects the hand against possible exposure to lacerations

medical information and personal contacts for use in

or burns from sparks or hot parts—up to 350°F. Goatskin

the event of a medical emergency. Our products allow

welder with Kevlar® liner offering not only cut, but also

the emergency response team to retrieve vital life saving

heat, protection. Excellent dexterity to handle parts and

information within seconds.

perform the job!

Worker Safety IDs

vpppa.org

Cut and Heat Resistant Welder

Leader—Spring 2019

37

By Will Zettler OSHA’s Directorate of Standards and Guidance

OSHA Corner

Update to OSHA’s 2016 Walking-Working Surfaces Rule Although the length of a section of the ladder may be less than 24 feet, if a worker on that ladder could fall more than 24 feet, the worker must be provided with fall protection.

T

he Occupational Safety and Health

ladder while the worker climbs, provided the

Administration (OSHA) published a new

components meet all of the requirements for

rule on Walking-Working Surfaces and

personal fall protection systems, and the ladder

Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection

rungs are capable of supporting at least 5,000

Systems) on November 18, 2016. The rule became

pounds for each worker attached. Fall protection is

effective January 17, 2017, and revises and updates

not required on a multi-section fixed ladder with

OSHA’s general industry standards that address

offset platforms if the platforms are large enough

slip, trip, and fall hazards, as well as other

that it would not be possible for a worker to: (1) fall

walking-working surface hazards that cause

past the platform or (2) fall to the platform and roll

injuries and fatalities to workers.

over an unguarded edge.

The rule includes revised and new provisions

certifying anchorages by a qualified person.

fall protection systems; and adds requirements

OSHA issued enforcement guidance that

for training and personal fall protection systems.

explains how the agency will evaluate and

Finally, the rule increases consistency between

consider a building owner’s attempts to initiate

OSHA’s general industry and construction

inspect, test, and certify anchorages as an

standards, making compliance easier for

effort to comply with the Walking-Working

employers who conduct operations in both sectors.

Surfaces requirements. OSHA will consider what

Since the rule was published, OSHA has

anchorages are certified, and the employer’s

educational materials to help employers comply

efforts to obtain documentation from building

with the rule. The agency continues to work

owners regarding testing, certification and

with stakeholders to better understand their

maintenance performed on anchorages. If

responsibilities. Some of the most common

building owners and employers sufficiently

questions are about fixed ladders.

demonstrate and document their efforts, OSHA will exercise enforcement discretion on a case-

fixed ladders (that extend more than 24 feet

by-case basis. The memorandum can be found

above a lower level) with ladder safety systems

on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov/laws-regs/

or personal fall arrest systems. A fixed ladder

standardinterpretations/2017-11-20.

or ladder sections should be equipped with fall

OSHA continues to update its Frequently Asked

protection based on the height the ladder extends

Questions webpage to help address questions

above a lower level, and the distance a worker

about the Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal

on the ladder could fall. Although the length of a

Fall Protection Equipment rule. The webpage can

section of the ladder may be less than 24 feet, if a

be found on OSHA’s website at: www.osha.gov/

worker on that ladder could fall more than 24 feet,

walking-working-surfaces/faq.html. A PDF copy

the worker must be provided with fall protection.

of the final rule can be found on OSHA’s website

Employers can equip workers with a harness and a double lanyard system for tying off to the

Leader—Spring 2019

alternative protective measures are used before

conducted extensive outreach and issued

The new rule requires employers to equip new

38

Another area of interest is testing and

for ladders, stairways, rope descent systems and

at: www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/laws-regs/ federalregister/2016-11-18.pdf.

vpppa.org

Safe + Sound Wants Every Workplace to Have a Safety and Health Program

A

t the end of the work day, everyone deserves to go home safe and sound. To support that goal, Safe + Sound is a year-round campaign to encourage every workplace to

have a safety and health program. It is organized by leading safety and health organizations, including VPPPA, and supported by a wide variety of membership organizations.

Be Safe and Sound at Work

Safe + Sound provides free activities and resources that can help build effective safety and health programs. Each August, businesses of all sizes, and in all industries, across the country also celebrate their safety successes during Safe + Sound Week.

In 2018, nearly 50,000 participants received regular safety and health messages and more than 2,700 organizations participated in Safe + Sound Week.

Last year, VPPPA members supported Safe + Sound and shared information on safety and health programs. Those who participated found Safe + Sound to be a powerful way of showing their commitment to safety in the workplace.

It is so important to have safety and health programs implemented to prevent injuries and illnesses. The resources are fantastic and Safe + Sound Week is a great way to motivate members to get involved in preventative safety measures in the workplace. —VPPPA Region II

Participate all year long

In 2019, join Safe + Sound for quarterly webinars on the three core elements of an effective safety and health program—management leadership, worker participation, and finding and fixing hazards.

Afterwards, put best practices into action by taking on our 30-day challenges. You can follow Safe + Sound 2019 activities and share content on social media using #SafeAndSoundAtWork.

Celebrate your safety successes

Safe + Sound Week will be held from August 12-18, 2019. All workplaces can participate by hosting activities or events that celebrate safety and health successes achieved throughout the year.

As a Safe + Sound organizer, VPPPA will be highlighting ways to participate. Save the date!

Join Safe + Sound

Start making steps toward improving safety in your workplace today! Show your commitment to safety and health by joining Safe + Sound. Sign up for our mailing list at www.osha.gov/safeandsound.

By subscribing, you will receive a monthly newsletter on being Safe and Sound at Work. Topics include information on upcoming events, new resources and other announcements. vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2019

39

Like us on Facebook & Follow us on Twitter: @VPPPA

Membership Corner

Meet the VPPPA Team

VPPPA is 35!

How I Safety Contest

National Office Staff members on

as well as our partnership with OSHA. We

#HowISafety contest! One of the greatest things

the phone, chat with us via email

are celebrating this milestone with tons of

about our members is their passion for safety. This

and sometimes see us at regional

prizes, giveaways and contests on social media

contest is an excellent way for members to share

and national events. But we want

throughout the year, as well as during the 2019

their personal experiences and spread awareness

our members to be able to more

Safety+ Symposium in New Orleans, LA. You also

of safety practices.

easily put names with faces.

won’t want to miss our 35th birthday bash at

• Submit a photo of yourself on Facebook or

Check back here in future issues

Safety+ this year!

As VPPPA members, you talk to

This year is the 35th anniversary of the VPPPA,

We are thrilled to announce the return of the

Twitter representing how you are promoting/

to see more VPPPA National

We are celebrating our birthday all year long

Office staff member profiles.

with VPPPA trivia contests. We are posting trivia

Examples: Wearing your PPE, teaching a safety

questions twice a month with prizes for the

class, attending training, following safety

winners. You can find the trivia questions at vpppa. org/membership/vpppabirthday. Congratulations to our winners so far: Sheri F., Cintas; Kim B., Acushnet Golf; Vanessa K., Nucor; Brian B., Shermco; Joshua H., Prairie State Generating Company; Elisa C., Huber; Keenan M., Solvay.

practicing safety in the workplace or at home.

procedures etc.

• Write a short description or caption explaining the photo

• Include the #howisafety hashtag in your photo description

• If you don’t have a Facebook or Twitter account, you may email your photo entry to membership@

Join A Committee

Are you looking to get more involved in the VPPPA? Email committees@vpppa.org or visit vpppa.org/ connect/join-a-committee for more information.

2019 National Board of Directors Elections

In conjunction with the 2019 Safety+ Symposium, elections are scheduled to be held for VPPPA Name: Jamie Mitchell Job Title: Communications Coordinator Length of Time with VPPPA: 3 years

Alma Mater: University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill Fun Facts About Me: I was an Irish step dancer for over 10 years; I have a dog named Monkey; and I love going to concerts!

Favorite Food: Sushi Dream Vacation Spot: Prague (and I am going in May!)

Symposium, free airfare and lodging at New Orleans Marriott or New Orleans Sheraton on Monday, August 26–Friday, August 30.

are as follows:

• Vice Chairperson • Secretary • Director from a Site with a Collective

• Must be a member of VPPPA • VPPPA has all rights to use the pictures submitted • No nudity, graphic language or content, firearms

Bargaining Agent

Each position has a term of two years, beginning

Hometown: Asheville, NC

complimentary registration to the 2019 Safety+

The rules and requirements to enter this contest

at conferences, putting together awesome co-workers.

page in the “How I Safety” photo album

• The photo with the most likes will win a

there are several open positions:

VPPPA: Meeting our members the Leader magazine, and my

number in the email).

• The photo will be posted to VPPPA’s Facebook

National Board of Directors’ positions. This year

• Director from a DOE-VPP Site • Director-at-Large (three positions available)

Favorite Parts of Working for

vpppa.org (please include your member ID

or alcohol may be shown in any artwork or pictures submitted Submit your entry by June 14, 2019.

at the end of the 2019 Safety+ Symposium and terminating at the 2021 Safety+ Symposium.

Visit vpppa.org for more information.

The Leader Won A Bronze Award

We are excited to announce that the Leader

magazine won Bronze at the Association Trends All Media Awards. This award is for our Autumn 2018 issue of the Leader, “Substance Abuse & the Workplace,” in the Annual or Quarterly Magazine category. Thank you to all of the authors who contributed articles for this edition of the Leader, the awesome designers at Blue House DC, our readers and everyone else who had a hand in making this award possible!

Favorite Podcast: Crime Junkie

40 Leader—Spring 2019

vpppa.org

VPPPA Throwback Section To celebrate VPPPA’s 35th birthday, as well as our years of partnership with OSHA and other industry leaders, we are excited to present a VPPPA Throwback Section!

In these pages you can find a variety of fun facts about our association and the year we were formed.

HISTORY About VPP

• 1979—California began experimental program

• 1982—OSHA formally

• The World Population was about 4,726,000,000.

• Apple Computer, Inc. unveiled the Macintosh personal computer for $1,995, selling almost 250,000 in 1984.

• The top song was “Like A Virgin” by Madonna. Other

About VPPPA

Our story began in 1984 when OSHA first hosted a meeting for VPP site participants to

announced the VPP and

network, gather and share the

approved the first site.

benefits of involvement in the

• 1998—Federal worksites

VPP program. Unfortunately,

became eligible for VPP.

the next year OSHA was unable

According to OSHA, the

to host a meeting for the group.

average VPP site has a Days

Realizing the significance

Away Restricted or Transferred

of the VPP meeting, two

case rate of 52 percent below the

companies, Georgia Power

average for its industry. In 1982,

and Mobil Chemical, took it

the first VPP site was approved

upon themselves to sponsor

and by the end of 2018, there

the meeting instead. During

were 2,125 federal and state

this gathering, the attending

participants in the program.

participants decided to form an association that would provide support for companies participating in VPP. 35 years later VPPPA has continued to be a leader in safety and health excellence with an evergrowing network of member sites and organizations.

influential songs included: White Horse by Laid Back, Better Be Good to Me by Tina Turner, Jam on It by Newcleus and Thriller by Michael Jackson.

• The top movies included: Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Cop, Indiana Jones and Gremlins.

• Notable books included: You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, and What to Expect When You’re Expecting

by Arlene Eisenberg and Heidi Murkoff.

• Cost of a Superbowl ad in 1984: $368,000.

• DNA fingerprinting was introduced.

• Los Angeles hosted the 1984 Olympics.

• “Baby on Board” signs were marketed by their creator, Micheal Lerner.

• In July of 1984, President Ronald Reagan called ice cream “a nutritious and wholesome food” and

Top Ten Baby Names of 1984:

Jennifer, Jessica, Ashley, Amanda, Sarah, Michael, Chris, Topher, Matthew, Joshua, David

established National Ice Cream Month.

• Bill Murray is thought to have coined the modern use of the phrase “you’re toast” by adlibbing a line in Ghost Busters.

Attendees having a blast during the 2008 National Conference in Anaheim, CA. 42

Leader—Spring 2019

vpppa.org

VPPPA has had five Executive Directors in its 35-year-long history.

VPPPA NATIONAL OFFICE STAFF A VPPPA National Office Staff

VPPPA created a Facebook page in July 2009.

was first established in 1991.

The current staff of 10 includes: Sara Taylor, CMP Director of Operations Brielle Mroczko

VPPPA joined Twitter in February 2010.

Conference Coordinator Kerri Carpenter Communications & Outreach Manager Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator Heidi Hill

VPPPA has had eight different people hold the title of Chairperson in its 35-year-long history.

Senior Event Sales & Advertising Coordinator Katlyn Pagliuca Membership Manager Natasha Cole

VPPPA offers four scholarships each year.

Member Services Coordinator Sierra Johnson

THE LEADER MAGAZINE OVER THE YEARS

Special Projects Coordinator

few different designs. The most recent design being this 2019 Spring

Michael Khosrofian

The Leader magazine was first published in 1999 and has celebrated a issue. In 2015, the Leader was nominated for a Folio award, and in 2018,

Bryant Walker, CIOS, CSIS Information & Data Analyst Manager

The first VPP site was approved in 1982.

Accountant

the Leader was a Gold winner of the Association Media & Publishing’s 38th Annual EXCEL Awards. 2019 brought another win for the

There are 22 State-Plan states.

magazine with a Bronze Association Trends All Media Award.

TheLeader

AU T U M N

V O L U M E

2 0 0 0

9 ,

N O .

VPPPA’s quArterly PublicAtion on cooPerAtiVe initiAtiVes in sAfety, heAlth And enVironmentAl excellence

4

The quarterly publication of cooperative initiatives in safety, health, and environmental excellence

TheLeader spring 2013 >> volume 22 issue 1

inside >>

16th Annual Conference Highlights p.4

elements of an electrical safety program

Embracing the International Community: Charles Jeffress Challenges VPP sites p.6

Plus: Delegation & Abdication: The Right Role for Managers in an Employee-Driven Process p.12 Government Affairs Focus p.14-22 VPPPA Annual Report 2000 p.25

Autumn 2000 vpppa.org

Understanding nfpa 70e and How it impacts your Business

sneak Peek at tHe 2013 national conference in nasHville

Spring 2013

Autumn 2018

Spring 2019 Leader—Spring 2019

43

VPPPA Through the Years

44 Leader—Spring 2019

vpppa.org

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2019

45

1984

• 1st Meeting of VPP Participants • Meeting Held in Washington, DC, Sponsored by OSHA

1985

• VPPPA Established • Founding Chairperson: Ron Amerson • 1st Annual National Conference: Washington, DC

1986

• 2nd Annual National Conference: Atlanta, GA

1987

• 3rd Annual National Conference: Schaumberg, IL

1988

• 4th Annual National Conference: Atlanta, GA

1989

1990

1991

46 Leader—Spring 2019

1992

• 8th Annual National Conference: Orlando, FL

1993

• 9th Annual National Conference: San Antonio, TX • 2nd Executive Directors: Lee Anne Jillings • 2nd Chairperson: Robert Stegall

1994

• Mentoring Program Created • 10th Annual National Conference: Phoenix, AZ

1995

• Conference Surpasses 1,000 Participants • 11th Annual National Conference: Washington, DC

1996

• 12th Annual National Conference: Orlando, FL

1997

• 13th Annual National Conference: New Orleans, LA

1998

• 3rd Chairperson: Bob Brant • 14th Annual National Conference: Chicago, IL

1999

• The Leader Magazine Inaugural Issue • 15th Annual National Conference: Washington, DC

• 5th Annual National Conference: San Antonio, TX

• Paid Membership Categories Established • 6th Annual National Conference: Denver, CO

• VPPPA is Incorporated • 1st Executive Director: Margaret “Peggy” Richardson • First Staff Hired • 7th Annual National Conference: Washington, DC

vpppa.org

2000

• 4th Chairperson: June Brothers • 16th Annual National Conference: Seattle, WA

2005

2006 2001

2002

vpppa.org

• VPPPA Website Launched • Conference Surpasses 2,000 Participants • 17th Annual National Conference: New Orleans, LA

• 4th Executive Director: R. Davis Layne • 1st Assistant Executive Director: Adam K. Pawlus • 1st Scholarship Introduced • 21st Annual National Conference: Dallas, TX

• 22nd Annual National Conference: Orlando, FL

2007

• 23rd Annual National Conference: Washington DC

2008

• VPP Reaches 2,000 Sites • 6th Chairperson: David L. Jackson • 24th Annual National Conference: Anaheim, CA

2009

• 25th Anniversary of VPPPA • 25th Annual National Conference

2010

• 7th Chairperson: Mike Maddox • 26th Annual National Conference: Orlando, FL

• 10 VPPPA Chapters Established • 3rd Executive Director: Paul Villane • 18th Annual National Conference: Orlando, FL

2003

• 19th Annual National Conference: Washington, DC

2004

• • 20th Anniversary of VPPPA • 5th Chairperson: Mike Maddox • 20th Annual National Conference: Las Vegas, NV

Leader—Spring 2019

47

2011

• Conference Surpasses 3,000 Participants • 27th Annual National Conference: New Orleans, LA

2016

• 8th Chairperson: Mike Guillory • 5th Executive Director: Mike Maddox • 32nd Annual National Conference

VPPPA ANAHEIM | CA

AUGUST 20 -23 | 2012

2012

• 28th Annual National Conference: Anaheim, CA

2017 2013

• 29th Annual National Conference: Nashville, TN

2018

2014

• 30th Anniversary of VPPPA • 30th Annual National Conference: National Harbor, MD

2019 2015

48 Leader—Spring 2019

• The Leader is nominated for the Folio Award • 31st Annual National Conference: Grapevine, TX

• National Conference Rebranded as Safety+ Symposium • Safety+ Symposium: New Orleans, LA

• 9th Chairperson: J.A. Rodriguez, Jr. • The Leader wins Gold for Feature Article from the Excel Awards • First Strategic Plan Approved • Symposium Surpasses 3,500 Participants • Safety+ Symposium: Nashville, TN

• 35th Anniversary of VPPPA • Safety+ Symposium: New Orleans, LA

vpppa.org

Mo b il e l o t o

locKpoint Safety where you need it The mobile lockpoint Safety center saves time and helps prevent damage and injury by keeping the necessary Lockout Tagout solutions precisely where you need them – close by.

This first-of-its-kind safety center stores LOTO equipment in close proximity to danger zones which eliminates excuses to cut corners on safety.

800.352.ABUS | abus.com

Compiled By Katlyn Pagliuca Membership Manager, VPPPA, Inc.

State-Plan Monitor

CALIFORNIA

INDIANA

GE Flight Test Engine in Victorville celebrated

re-certification evaluations scheduled for 2019.

their eighth Cal/Star recertification on January 16.

Indiana’s three VPP Leaders are working with

The facility is the oldest Cal/Star site in California

several sites who will be ready for evaluations in

and was first awarded Cal/Star status in 1996.

2019 and 2020.

GE Cal/Star Ceremony

The site performs in-flight testing of jet engines

FEDERAL OSHA STATES Alabama Arkansas Colorado Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Kansas Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska New Hampshire North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Dakota Texas West Virginia Wisconsin

Indiana presently has 89 VPP sites. There are 17

In January 2019, the new Deputy

in a variety of atmospheric environments and

Commissioner of Indiana OSHA, Michelle Ellison

conditions using B747-400 and B747-100 aircraft.

and the three VPP leaders, hosted several VPP

Elisa Villanueva and David Matsumoto

site representatives at the annual VPP Advisory

performed the onsite re-evaluation in June of 2018.

Committee Meeting to discuss the results of

Some the 2018 Key Performance Indicators were:

2018 and look forward at the 2019 schedule.

• Safety Committee attendance.

• Training sessions and percent completion.

• Near misses reported/investigated.

• Risk assessment reviews.

The VPP sites provided feedback to the Deputy

Dignitaries who attended the ceremony were:

• Mayor Gloria Garcia, City of Victorville • Tony Mejia on behalf of District Supervisor Robert Lovingood

• Dokota Higgins on behalf of Congressman Paul Cook

• Rebecca Tennison on behalf of Senator Scott Wilk

• Iraj Pourmehraban, Cal/VPP Manager presented

Commissioner and VPP leaders at the meeting.

On February 26, the INSHARP & VPP Workshop was conducted at the Indiana Safety and Health Conference. This was a successful meeting where best practices were shared and sites were able to network with others during the meeting.

There will be a Special Government Employee (SGE) class from July 30-31 at Cintas #388 in Indianapolis. From August 1-2, there will be a free Basis Industrial Hygiene (IH) class at Cintas #388 in Indianapolis. For more information about SGE class or IH class contact Beth Gonzalez at

the Cal/Star certificate & flag on behalf of Cal/

bgonzalez@dol.in.gov. We are always looking

OSHA chief Julian Sum

for more SGEs to assist us with evaluations and

For more information on Cal/OSHA VPP visit:

mentoring sites.

www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/cal_vpp/cal_vpp_index.html

STATE-PLAN STATES Alaska Arizona California Iowa Indiana Kentucky Minnesota Michigan Nevada New Mexico North Carolina Oregon Puerto Rico South Carolina Tennessee Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wyoming PUBLIC SECTOR ONLY Connecticut Illinois New Jersey New York Virgin Islands

GE employees proudly displaying the Cal/Star flag and certificate 50 Leader—Spring 2019

vpppa.org

Three regional Best Practices Meetings will be conducted in:

• Crawfordsville at Nucor Steel on November 7 • Fort Wayne at Raytheon on November 13 • and Evansville at Cintas #314 on November 19.

At these meetings, sites will present best practices and have networking group discussions on various topics. For more information about Regional Best Practices Meetings email Beth Gonzalez at bgonzalez@dol.in.gov.

Minnesota currently has 35 MNSTAR sites.

Of the 35 MNSTAR sites, 33 are classified as general industry sites and two are resident contractors at a refinery.

After successful full safety and health visits in late fall of 2018, we are awaiting two applications for MNSTAR participation.

MINNESOTA

Our annual safety and health conference hosted by the Minnesota

We are pleased to have added a new MNSTAR site since the last publication:

• Monsanto—Redwood Falls Pre-Commercial located in Redwood Falls, received an initial certification for three years beginning in December 2018.

Safety Council, will be held May 7-8. The conference is the Midwest’s oldest and one of the largest gatherings of workplace safety and health professionals in the country. For more information, please visit: www.minnesotasafetycouncil.org/conf/.

This event is filled with training, exhibits, awards and networking opportunities.

One company, Sysco Asian Foods, located in St. Paul, received a five-year re-certification back in January.

We have scheduled re-certification visits for Danfoss Power Solutions and Marvin Windows this spring.

Unfortunately, we lost one company from our list of MNSTAR sites.

We look forward to working with companies that are interested in the MNSTAR program. Minnesota currently has 35 MNSTAR sites. Of the 35 MNSTAR sites, 33 are classified as general industry sites and two are resident contractors at a refinery. If you would like further information about the MNSTAR Program, please visit www.doli.state.

New Ulm Medical Center voluntarily withdrew from MNSTAR

mn.us/WSC/Mnstar.asp or contact Marnie Prochniak, MNSTAR/VPP

in January.

Coordinator, at marnie.prochniak@state.mn.us.

contacting each state Alaska Christian Hendrickson VPP Manager Christian.hendrickson@alaska.gov Phone: (907) 269-4946

Kentucky Brian Black VPP Program Administrator brian.black@ky.gov Phone: (502) 564-3320

New Mexico Melissa Barker VPP Coordinator melissa.barker@state.nm.us Phone: (505) 222-9595

Tennessee David Blessman VPP Manager david.blessman@tn.gov Phone: (615) 253-6890

Arizona Jessie Atencio Assistant Director jessie.atencio@azdosh.gov Phone: (520) 220-4222

Maryland Allen Stump VPP Manager allen.stump@maryland.gov Phone: (410) 527-4473

North Carolina LaMont Smith Recognition Program Manager lamont.smith@labor.nc.gov Phone: (919) 807-2909

Utah Jerry Parkstone VPP Coordinator jparkstone@utah.gov Phone: (801) 530-6901

California Iraj Pourmehraban Cal/VPP & PSM Manager ipourmehraban@hq.dir.ca.gov Phone: (510) 622-1080

Michigan Sherry Scott MVPP Manager scotts1@michigan.gov Phone: (517) 322-5817

Oregon Mark E. Hurliman, CSHM VPP/SHARP Program Coordinator mark.e.hurliman@oregon.gov Phone: (541) 776-6016

Vermont Daniel Whipple VPP Coordinator dan.whipple@vermont.gov Phone: (802) 828-5084

Hawaii Kristin Takaba OSH Program Specialist— Compliance Assistance kristin.a.takaba@hawaii.gov Phone: (808) 586-9090

Minnesota Tyrone Taylor, MBA Director of Workplace Safety Consultation MN Dept. of Labor & Industry Occupational Safety & Health Division tyrone.taylor@state.mn.us Phone: (651) 284-5203

Puerto Rico Judith M. Cruz Concepción Puerto Rico VPP Manager ​PR OSHA Voluntary Programs Division Cruz.Judith@dol.gov Phone: (787) 754-2172 ext 3343

Virginia Milford Stern VPP Manager milford.stern@doli.virginia.gov Phone: (540) 562-3580 x 123

Indiana Beth A. Gonzalez VPP Team Leader bgonzalez@dol.in.gov Phone: (317) 607-6118 Iowa Shashi Patel VPP Coordinator patel.shashi@iwd.iowa.gov Phone: (515) 281-6369

Nevada Jimmy Andrews VPP Manager jimmy.andrews@business.nv.gov Phone: (702) 486-9046

South Carolina Sharon Dumit VPP Coordinator sharon.dumit@llr.sc.gov Phone: (803) 896-7788

Washington John Geppert VPP Manager gepp.235@lni.wa.gov Phone: (360) 902-5496 Wyoming Clayton Gaunt VPP Manager clayrton.gaunt1@wyo.gov Phone: (307) 777-7710

For additional information and up-to-date contacts, please visit www.vpppa.org/chapters/contacts.cfm vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2019

51

Compiled by Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator, VPPPA, Inc.

Regional Round-Ups

REGION I vppregion1.com

Region I held its quarterly regional meeting on March 26, at the Raytheon Company Integrated Defense Systems, in Portsmouth, RI. Thank you, Raytheon, for your generosity in hosting, providing us lunch and giving us a tour.

Region I is holding its 2019 Safety & Health Excellence Conference & Expo on May 20–22 at the Holiday Inn by the

Region I Board of Directors

are you Risking?” Registration

a VPP overview and an

information can be found on the

introduction to VPPPA Region

Region II website. The safety

I and its website in an OSHA

forum is open to anyone who

Training Institute training

wishes to attend.

course in December. The intent

was held from April 2-4, at

the benefits of VPP and VPPPA.

Paulsboro Refining Company, in

Recent Mentor/Mentee Matches: • Coca-Cola mentoring Harris Rebar (Deerfield, MA)

• FLEXcon mentoring High Liner Foods (Peabody, MA,

be a VPP Application workshop

and Portsmouth, NH)

3:00PM on Monday, May 20.

For more information about

• Raytheon mentoring New England Sheets (Devon, MA)

• Dominion Nuclear mentoring

the conference and workshops,

Honeywell (Northport, CT)

including costs and registration

The following positions will

specifics, please check out

be up for re-election at the

the Region I website for

Region I meeting on May 20

more information.

at the 2019 Safety & Health Excellence Conference & Expo.

匀琀椀挀欀 漀甀琀 礀漀甀爀 眀爀椀猀琀 ℀ 䄀渀搀 猀愀瘀攀 愀 氀椀昀攀

刀攀最椀漀渀 ㈀Ⰰ 漀昀 琀栀攀 嘀倀倀倀䄀Ⰰ 栀愀猀 猀瀀漀渀猀漀爀攀搀 愀渀 䄀䔀䐀 䘀唀一䐀 昀漀爀 猀攀瘀攀爀愀氀 礀攀愀爀猀⸀ 䈀礀 瀀甀爀挀栀愀猀椀渀最 漀甀爀 愀 戀爀愀挀攀氀攀琀Ⰰ 礀漀甀 栀攀氀瀀 瀀甀爀挀栀愀猀攀 愀渀 䄀䔀䐀 匀攀攀洀猀 氀椀欀攀 愀 猀洀愀氀氀 琀栀椀渀最Ⰰ 戀甀琀 猀漀洀攀搀愀礀 椀琀 洀愀礀 洀攀愀渀 愀氀氀 琀栀攀 眀漀爀氀搀 琀漀 猀漀洀攀漀渀攀

• Chair • Treasurer • Director-at-Large • One Director-at-Large that is currently empty

• One Director-at-Large about to be empty because of retirement Contributed by Karen Girardin, Region I Chairperson

Regional News

• Raymond Robbins of Lockheed Martin–Rotary Missions Systems, in Owego, NY, is the 2019 Region II SGE of the Year.

We recently had two sites approved for new VPP Star participation:

• Sithe/Independence Power Partners, L.P. (Oswego, NY)

• Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC (West Deptford, NJ) Open elections for 2019:

• Vice Chairman • Secretary • Director at Large (3) Elections to be held at the 2019 Safety Forum in June.

Contributed by Grace Irby

REGION IX

www.regionixvpppa.org Spring is a time for renewal,

fresh growth and the emergence

Region II currently has four

it comes to safety & health

of new things. A time for new

www.vppparegion2.org

beginnings if you will, and when

upcoming VPP evaluations with

initiatives, it is that renewal

Ms. Greta Olsson, Olsson.greta@

and growth that helps to keep workers safe. That was, in part,

dol.gov, if you are interested in

some of what the message was

volunteering for any of these

about at the recent Region IX

SGE opportunities. More details

VPPPA Conference, held in mid-

on our website.

April, at the spectacular J.W.

The Region II 2019 Safety

Leader—Spring 2019

Paulsboro, NY.

REGION II

spots open for SGEs. Contact

52

A Region II SGE Class

was to heighten awareness of

Bay in Portland, ME. There will being held from 8:00AM–

“The Impact of an Injury, What

member, Jack Popp, provided

Marriott STARR Pass Resort,

Forum is going to be held June

in Tucson, AZ. The excitement

24-25, in Atlantic City, NJ, with

was palpable, as stakeholders

bonus workshops offered on

from across Region IX shared

June 26. Gary Norland is our

stories and examples of how

keynote speaker, presenting

to keep it fresh, renewing their vpppa.org

* SAVE THE DATE * SAVE THE DATE * SAVE THE DATE *

with the national state VPP managers forum. Jessie has been facilitating that role for the past two years. This is in addition to the continued support of VPP in Arizona, which is steadily growing.

Nevada’s state plan is moving forward with its commitment to growing VPP in the State of Nevada. Their VPP listing shows 10 active VPP sites within the

June 24th & 25th, 2019 At the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City, NJ The Impact of an Injury...What are you Risking?

Keynote Speaker, Gary Norland’s story and message is straight from the heart and he tells it like it is. Through sharing his real life experience of contacting a 200 amp, 12,500 volt power line and enduring electrical burns over 37% of his body, Gary explains the reality of life after such a catastrophic accident and reinforces the importance of taking safety seriously. Gary will talk about how his choice to avoid the use of proper safety equipment and rushing the clock cost him his independence and deeply affected the lives of those closest to him. To add to his dramatic story, Gary’s wife Jeanne will join the discussion to give her perspective on the impact that such a disastrous accident had on her and their children. You will leave greatly impacted by Gary’s harrowing story and vivid photos.

www.vppparegion2.org

* SAVE THE DATE * SAVE THE DATE * SAVE THE DATE *

state and they are working on adding to that number. Hawaii VPP state manager Nicole Bennett is still working hard to get more VPP star sites and Region IX VPPPA has been glad to continue the partnership in helping her.

Iraj and his team are working hard as usual in California as their VPP program remains strong, maintaining an active Labor & Management Committee, which involves a partnership between Region IX and Cal-OSHA. Their program continues to grow.

Even though Region IX

commitment to workplace

James Wulff, and the event was

comprises all state plan states,

safety & health.

made even more memorable.

they have a strong partnership

In addition to all that, Region

with their federal OSHA

delivered by Bob Veazie,

X had representation at the

stakeholders and VPP Manager

reminding everyone that world

conference through their

overall. Region IX assisted

class safety cultures don’t just

chairperson and treasurer,

Federal OSHA within the region

happen—they are created,

who were in attendance to

with the implementation of the

consisting of a system of

add another perspective.

Voluntary Protection Programs

risk management processes,

Closing the conference, I, “The

at several federal sites. For

driven toward continuous

Professor,” as my Region IX

example, Region IX assisted

improvement. Mix in the

family likes to call me, delivered

in the mentorship process

countless lessons shared during

a message regarding the

for two military installations,

the many breakout sessions

importance of doing the work.

enabling them to have some

throughout the event, all

I tried to illustrate how three

invaluable coaching on their

designed to share best practices.

simple words, can have such

journey into the Voluntary

Lessons which can serve as a

a tremendous impact on an

Protection Program. In addition

reminder for repeat attendees,

organizations mission towards

to that, this year’s regional

and new insight for those

world class safety. Yes, there

event delivered a fresh batch of

first-time attendees. Factor in

was something for everyone.

Special Government Employees,

From the opening keynote,

the presence of all the Regional

The Region IX Board would

preparation, and some basic foundational work. Region IX continues to do that work.

They continue to work hard at spreading the word, espousing the value of the Voluntary Protection Programs and the benefits of participating in such a program. You can rest assured, that your Region IX Board and their network of like-minded safety professionals, are already working on making 2019 and the 2020 regional conferences spectacular events.

Contributed by Mark D. Norton, Ambassador to Region IX

as Peter Wilsey, Federal OSHA,

VPP state plan managers from

also like to give a shout out

once again facilitated an SGE

Region IX, who were onsite

to Jessie Atencio, Director of

class in Tucson.

and available to meet with

the Arizona state plan and

their stakeholders, as was the

former VPP Coordinator, for his

about renewal, none of that

Deputy Regional Administrator,

commitment and leadership

renewal happens without some

vpppa.org

So even though spring is about renewal, none of that renewal happens without some preparation, and some basic foundational work.

So even though spring is

Leader—Spring 2019

53

More events to come!

Check VPPPA Regional websites for up-to-date information.

Calendar of Events May

6–9 Region VI

June

Oklahoma City, OK

14–15 Region V

Grand Rapids, MI

14–15 Region X Portland, OR

20–22 Region I Portland, ME

& Region VII Witchita, KS

VPPPA contacts

18-20 Region IV

Chattanooga, TN

July

24-25 Region II

Atlantic City, NJ

12

Last day to register at the regular rate for the Safety+ Symposium.

August

9

Cut-off date for Safety+ Symposium registration (onsite registration available at the event).

12-18 OSHA Safe + Sound Week 27–30

Safety+ Symposium New Orleans, LA

To reach the VPPPA National Office, call (703) 761-1146 or visit www. vpppa.org. To reach a particular staff member, please refer to the contact information below.

Sara A. Taylor, CMP Director of Operations staylor@vpppa.org

Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator jmitchell@vpppa.org

Natasha Cole Member Services Coordinator ncole@vpppa.org

Michael Khosrofian Accountant mkhosrofian@vpppa.org

Brielle Mroczko Conference Coordinator bmroczko@vpppa.org

Heidi Hill Senior Event Sales & Advertising Coordinator hhill@vpppa.org

Sierra Johnson Special Projects Coordinator sjohnson@vpppa.org

Courtney Malveaux, Esq Government Relations Counsel cmalveaux@vpppa.org

Kerri Carpenter Communications & Outreach Manager kcarpenter@vpppa.org

54 Leader—Spring 2019

Katlyn Pagliuca Membership Manager kpagliuca@vpppa.org

Bryant Walker, CIOS, CSIS Information & Data Analyst Manager bwalker@vpppa.org

vpppa.org

7600 Leesburg Pike, East Building, Suite 100 Falls Church, VA 22043-2004 Tel: (703) 761-1146 Fax: (703) 761-1148 www.vpppa.org VPPPA, a nonprofit 501(c) (3) charitable organization, promotes advances in worker safety and health excellence through best practices and cooperative efforts among workers, employers, the government and communities.

SCAN QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VPPPA, INC.

http://bit.ly/jVQcBo

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

NEVER FEAR ULTIM8 EXTREME CONDITION EYEWEAR

bollesafety-usa.com

ULTIMATE PROTECTION. ULTIMATE COMFORT. ULTIM8 PERFORMANCE. While you’re busy keeping the world operational, the new Bollé ® Safety ULTIM8 with PLATINUM coating will protect and perform like no other sealed eyewear tool on the market. No matter what work environment you’re in, the ULTIM8 provides advanced eye protection you can depend on. More than a goggle...much more than glasses, the ULTIM8 sets the new standard for performance, comfort and protection.

INNOVATIVE VISION