VOL6/NO2/SPRING 2 019
“It’ll never happen to me.” PERSONAL ACCOUNTS
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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
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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
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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
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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
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