The Leader - Spring 2020: Safety Stories

VOL7/NO2/SPRING 2 02 0

Stories.

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CONTENTS

VOL 7 | NO 2 | SPRING 2 0 2 0

FEATURES

12

How Early Intervention Leads to Improved Worker Safety: 3 Success Stories

By Rebecca Lee, Director of

Injury Prevention and Treatment at HealthFitness

14

22

Safety—It’s about the Little Things

By Joe Roberts

26

The Days We Will Remember

Saving Lives and Limbs Through Safety Leadership

By Lee Shelby

18

By Ricky Rollins

30

From Magician to Safety Professional

The Jeff Walters Story

Written by Jeff Walters, edited by Jenn Shuffler and Martin Brabham

By John Drebinger

34

An Interview With Senator Mike Enzi

COLUMNS 7 8 10

A Message from the VPPPA Chairperson Global Safety and Health Watch COVID-19: VPPPA Members Making A Difference

SECTIONS 37 40 42 44 46

vpppa.org

Infographic Corner Membership Corner State-Plan Monitor Regional Round-Ups Ad Index Leader—Spring 2020

5

www.vpppa.org

VPPPA National Board of Directors

A Message From the VPPPA Chairperson

Chairperson J.A. Rodriguez, Jr., CSP, SGE, Raytheon Company, LLC

Health Support" icon to help protect everyone, everywhere. Please download this timely informational resource from

Vice Chairperson Terry Schulte, NuStar Energy, LP

any app store.

• We have continuously updated the VPPPA

Treasurer Vacant

Blog with a variety of resources, from tips to working safely from home, to a behavioral

Secretary Dan Lazorcak, CSP, Honeywell International

health question and answer monthly column that addresses mental health concerns, to the

Director from a Site With a Collective Bargaining Unit Jack Griffith, CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company

article titled: “Personal Protective Clothing & Equipment Crucial for Coronavirus” which was posted back in early February.

• We shared a webinar held by Jackson

Director from a Site Without a Collective Bargaining Agent Johnathan “JD” Dyer, Shermco Industries Director from a DOE-VPP Site Stacy Thursby, Navarro—DOE Legacy Management Support Director from a VPP Contractor/ Construction Site Brad Gibson, S&B Engineers & Constructors Director-at-Large Kristyn Grow, CSP, CHMM, SGE Cintas Corporation Director-at-Large Sean D. Horne, Valero Energy Director-at-Large Vacant Director-at-Large Shelly Ettel, PCAPP

Lewis, P.C. to assist employers affected

by COVID-19, which addresses the legal risks and best practices related to the

W

coronavirus from the perspectives of elcome to the Spring issue of our award-winning magazine, the Leader. In this issue, we

are focused on personal safety stories and lessons learned. We all have them, those unforgettable experiences that caused injury, illness and sometimes death. If you have worked longer than a few years, you have seen or experienced an unfortunate event at least once. Those flashes of an instant that change the lives of many, not just the injured

Director-at-Large Bill Linneweh, CSP, Hendrickson International

employee. As you reflect on these stories and

Director-at-Large Andy Youpel, SGE, Brandenburg Industrial Service Company

be turned into something positive, something

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.

your own experiences, consider how they can useful and something that can prevent future unplanned events from ever occurring again.

The world is at the onset of recovering from COVID-19. This pandemic is a reminder that it takes all of us to be successful, that thinking of others is the best defense and that together we can share resources, prioritize and brainstorm solutions to the most difficult challenges. We will never be the same. Our approach to work, social interaction and response to a similar outbreak is on a new level.

These are unprecedented times and many of us are feeling anxious and isolated. But I am here to tell you that you are not alone. You are part of a powerful and giving community and

Postmaster >> Please send address changes to:

our community takes care of its own. We are

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

VPPPA strong!

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.

during this historic pandemic:

vpppa.org

Here are some of the actions we have taken

• We are continuously updating our VPPPA

employment law, health and safety, data privacy and discrimination/human rights in the U.S., Europe and China.

• We offered a topical webinar on mental health while working from home.

That is not all. Many of our VPPPA members are working hard to contribute positively to their local and global communities during these challenging times. Our member sites are donating PPE, such as the much-needed protective gloves, masks and Tyvek suits.

Members are providing resources, articles, webinars and guides. Members are even supplying gas cards for people to get out and donate blood. We are very proud of the contributions by our member sites.

We are here for you. Please reach out with any questions, comments, or suggestions.

What else can we do to help?

On behalf of the VPPPA National Board of Directors, Regional Boards, and National Office Staff, we thank you for your support and humanitarian work during this time of urgent need. Please continue to share additional resources and positive stories with us for distribution on our multimedia channels. Count on us to be your COVID-19 informational resource. Together, we can make a big difference.

From all of us here at VPPPA, thank you and please stay safe!

We are truly transforming tomorrow together.

—J.A. Rodriguez Jr., CSP, SGE

Body of Knowledge app with the latest

COVID-19 information under the "Global Leader—Spring 2020

7

By Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator, VPPPA, Inc.

Global Safety and Health Watch

Unmasking the Details:

The History of These Small but Mighty Devices Respiratory Distress

Masks & Plagues

Chinese Imperial Court brought

and companies were mass-

Humankind has faced plagues

in a doctor named Lien-teh Wu

producing similar models. The

complication of COVID-19, also

throughout history. The use

to head its efforts against the

American Red Cross also stepped

known as the coronavirus. While

of protective masks began

plague. This is thought to be the

up to create masks. Volunteers

most cases (around 80 percent)

centuries ago with the original

first ever recorded collaboration

had been producing surgical

result in mild symptoms,

intent to block smells rather

between scientists and the

dressings for servicemen in WWI

other patients develop acute

than contagion. Before scientists

government to control and

but switched to making gauze

learned the facts about germ

contain a large plague in China.

masks to protect healthcare

(ARDS). According to the Mayo

theory, general beliefs were that

The widespread belief was that

workers caring for flu patients.

Clinic, severe shortness of

plagues came from gases that

this illness was being spread by

Five hundred and thirty-seven

breath, labored breathing and

emanated from the ground, or

fleas, but after Wu’s autopsy

volunteers worked for 17 days

low blood pressure are the

from the stench of those infected

of a victim, he determined it

in a row to produce 83,606

typical signs of ARDS. The causes

(they thought the “corrupt” air

was being spread through the

masks for hospitals, homes

vary from illnesses like sepsis,

contained the disease).

air. In Mark Wilson’s article

and other organizations.

Respiratory distress is a severe

respiratory distress syndrome

pneumonia or coronavirus,

According to the U.S. National

for Fast Company, he explains,

Industrial Uses

major injuries directly damaging

Library of Medicine—National

“Expanding upon the surgery

the lungs or brain, and the

Institutes of Health, “The

masks he’d seen in the West, Wu

inhalation of harmful substances

use of surgical face masks for

developed a heartier mask from

Health Organization declared

like smoke or chemicals.

prevention of contamination

gauze and cotton, which wrapped

the COVID-19 pandemic.

during surgical procedures

securely around one’s face and

Resulting in an increased

top of everyone’s mind, and

was first advocated in 1897 by

added several layers of cloth to

demand for the N95 respirator:

the tools we use to prevent the

Mikulicz, a German physician.”

filter inhalations. His invention

a piece of personal protective

spread have a long history in

This was to block droplets from

was a breakthrough, but some

equipment (PPE) designed to

both the industrial and medical

a doctor’s potential cough or

doctors still doubted its efficacy.”

give the wearer a very close

fields. As the year 2020 ticks

sneeze from getting into wounds

The theory that the plague was

fit over the mouth and nose.

by, and we reflect on the last

during surgery.

an airborne contagion was not

It blocks at least 95 percent of

widely accepted at the time. For

airborne particles—making it

COVID-19 is currently at the

century of safety and health, it

In 1910, a devastating plague

On March 11, 2020, the World

is interesting to learn how our

swept across Northeastern

example, Gerald Mesny, a French

very effective in preventing the

modern tools got their start.

China. This illness typically killed

doctor, did not agree with Wu. To

spread of COVID-19. Healthcare

How much further will we

the infected within 24 to 48

prove Wu wrong, Mesny tended

workers especially need these

advance in the next 100 years?

hours of initial symptoms. The

to patients in a plague hospital

single-use, disposable devices

without wearing Wu’s mask. He

right now; however, N95

died two days later.

respirators are more commonly

“Former workers with occupational lung diseases are at an increased risk of contracting the disease, potentially due to the compromised immune systems and state of their health. ” 8

Leader—Spring 2020

The 1918 influenza pandemic

used in industrial jobs that

(also known as the Spanish Flu)

expose workers to dust and

was a respiratory virus that killed

other small particles, like

millions of people. By this time,

construction. In fact, many

scientists knew containing the

construction companies are

spread was the best prevention

donating their N95 respirators

method—and highly advised

to their local hospitals.

wearing masks. Wu’s design was rather well-known by this time

OSHA even released a memorandum on April 6, about

vpppa.org

enforcing respiratory protection

are at an increased risk of

“We’re always improving

standards. It stated, “Due

scientists realized the harm

contracting the disease,

the technology. We have

to the impact on workplace

of inhaling asbestos. Lung

potentially due to the

thousands of scientists at

conditions caused by limited

cancer and mesothelioma

compromised immune systems

3M working on it.”

supplies of N95 FFRs (filtering

can develop from asbestos

and state of their health. Thus,

facepiece respirators), all

exposure. According to the

they need to be well-informed

technologies, VPPPA members

employers should reassess their

CDC, “The events of World

about the precautions and

(like 3M, Honeywell, and more)

engineering controls, work

War II and the boom of

resources to protect their

are repeatedly stepping up

practices, and administrative

industry on the home front

health.” Respiratory distress,

during these difficult months.

controls to identify any changes

exhibited a need for improved

whether stemming from a

From mass-producing life-

respiratory protection in

virus or exposures at work, is a

saving tools to donating gloves

industry. Americans on the

serious concern. Proper PPE is

and masks, companies are

home front went to work on

crucial for both healthcare and

working extremely hard to do

the production lines to aid

industrial workers alike. The

their part during the

the war effort, ushering in a

N95 is constantly changing to

COVID-19 pandemic.

booming era of industry and

better serve workers around

manufacturing. However, those

the globe. Nikki McCullough, an

VPPPA members making a

workers inhaled high amounts

occupational health and

difference during the COVID-19

of asbestos due to poorly

safety leader at 3M, stated,

pandemic on page 10.

they can make to decrease the need for N95 respirators.

Employers should, for example, consider whether it is possible to increase the use of wet methods or portable local exhaust systems or to move operations outdoors. In some instances, an employer may also consider taking steps to temporarily suspend certain non-essential operations.”

Some flexibility has been given to workers who must continue to work in risky respiratory situations. Since the N95 respirators are not as readily available, some sites are permitted to use other respirators that are certified under standards from other countries or jurisdictions.

Respirators and masks have been used for many years in these industrial settings. For example, both humans and horses utilized gas masks during World Wars I and II— and similar masks, featuring fiberglass filters, started emerging for use in the mining industry to protect workers from black lung. The American Lung Association tells us that around 16 percent of coal miners are affected by black lung disease, and that number is on the rise. The illness develops when coal dust, which is made up of dangerous carboncontaining particles, is inhaled over a long period of time.

In addition, by the 1950s,

In addition to advancing

*You can read more about

regulated working conditions.”

An even more heavy-duty respirator must be worn when dealing with asbestos, lead or other chemicals on the job.

The aforementioned respirator masks with fiberglass filters were bulky and hot, so many workers preferred not to wear them. Luckily by the

SOURCES: www.osha.gov/memos/2020-04-03/enforcement-guidance-userespiratory-protection-equipment-certified-under?fbclid= IwAR0LezwgtIiUXAV-O-aKpS3Vk1exwlZGNDLbTYvjd4OajVR7lfXSaZVjaNI ohsonline.com/Articles/2020/03/24/COVID19-Outbreak-Arethe-Former-Industrial-Workers-with-Respiratory-Illness. aspx?admgarea=news&Page=4 www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-03-25/3m-doubledproduction-of-n95-face-masks-to-fight-coronavirus

1970s, the Bureau of Mines

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2862338/

and the National Institute

www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipmentinfection-control/n95-respirators-and-surgical-masks-face-masks

for Occupational Safety and Health joined forces to create recommendations for what they called “single-use respirators.”

The company 3M developed the first N95 dust respirator in 1972. These respirators were descendants of Wu’s design, and

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ards/symptoms-causes/syc20355576 prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2018/10/22/wear-a-mask-and-save-yourlife-the-1918-flu-pandemic/ www.fastcompany.com/90479846/the-untold-origin-story-of-then95-mask blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2020/03/16/n95-preparedness/

have continued to evolve into

blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2020/02/14/vday2020/

the model we use today. In the

blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2020/01/30/wra/

1990s, medical professionals started wearing N95 respirators to stop the airborne spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Another well-known use of these

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/respirators/ www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/default.html www.cdc.gov/niosh/respiratory/default.html www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X20300206

respirators is protecting people

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3725301/

in Beijing from air pollution.

clb.org.hk/content/work-safety

Conclusions

Gregory A. Cade pointed

www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/lungs_dust.html www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/ pneumoconiosis/learn-about-pneumoconiosis.html

Miners can also be exposed to

out in his article for OH&S

extremely hazardous, silica-

that, “Former workers with

www.optimumsafetymanagement.com/blog/workplace-injuryprevention-respiratory-hazards/

containing dust.

occupational lung diseases

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1771269/

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2020

9

VPPPA Members Making A Difference

COVID-19

C

OVID-19, also

strategic stockpile of masks in

providing a $100,000 donation

known as the

safe storage for the day they

to help acquire, transport

coronavirus, has

would be needed.

and set-up equipment (beds,

been at the forefront

of everyone’s mind over the last few months. We weren’t surprised when we learned that VPPPA member sites were doing amazing things to help their communities, and the world at large.

Cardinal Insulating Glass Industries

On March 20, VPPPA members, Cardinal IG in Greenfield, Iowa, donated 38 boxes of Nitrile Gloves to their local hospital, Adair County Memorial Hospital. Way to make a difference, Cardinal IG!

Honeywell

We are so proud to note that VPPPA member, Honeywell, prioritized the supply of N95 masks to the most affected areas of the world to support the protection needs of frontline workers. Honeywell has been monitoring and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning of February.

To address the growing demand of masks during the outbreak of the coronavirus, Honeywell quickly ramped up production to make millions of the N95 masks in the United States. They are expanding manufacturing operations in a factory in Smithfield, Rhode Island, which also produces UVEX safety glasses. Those N95

Veolia North America Veolia North America is

donating 40,000 masks to hospitals! Having the right personal protective equipment (PPE) can mean the difference between being infected with the virus or not. Veolia North America's Vice President of Corporate Health and Safety

Unfortunately, that day is

collection centers. Valero is also

of coordinating the delivery

providing $25,000 in $10 gas

of 40,000 surgical masks

cards to help incentivize healthy

to hospitals in New York

people to give blood.

City, Houston, Philadelphia,

“The health and the safety

Albuquerque, Colton, CA and

of our employees, our families

Montreal. Veolia became keenly

and our communities are

aware of the need for masks

critically important,” said

from several hospitals and

Joe Gorder, Valero Chairman

nonprofit organizations caring

and Chief Executive Officer.

for the sick and elderly.

“We are blessed to be able

“The need for surgical masks is so great at the present time that we’re seeing press reports of seamstresses, dry cleaners

work together to overcome this extraordinary situation.”

can do our part to provide this crucial PPE to support patients and medical professionals who need it most,” said Richter.

VelocityEHS

VelocityEHS recently launched a free COVID-19 Resource Site to provide employers with the information necessary

degree in public health,

to keep their workforce safe

understands that and is making

donated to hospitals that need

community partners as we all

fabric remnants. We’re glad we

employee with a master’s

stockpile of surgical masks is

to continue supporting our

and quilters sewing masks using

Mike Richter, a 32-year

sure that the company's

machinery, etc.) for the central

here. Richter is in the process

and healthy from the global

Valero Energy

The Valero Energy Foundation

virus pandemic. The extensive repository contains articles, webinars and other helpful

them to keep patients and

has committed $1.8 million

guides from VelocityEHS’ team

healthcare workers safe.

to support organizations on

of industrial hygiene, chemical

the front lines helping people

management and ergonomics

About 12 years ago, when a

face masks will be delivered to

bird flu virus spread across Asia,

most in need, primarily in cities

experts. Visit www.ehs.com/

the U.S. Department of Health

North Africa and the Middle

where the company operates.

resources/covid-info/ to access

and Human Services for use

East, Veolia Water decided it

to support health, safety and

would be a good idea to stock

a potential blood supply

emergency response workers.

up on masks. After all, Veolia

shortage at the San Antonio

confusion surrounding

Valero also recognized

the site.

“In response to the growing

Honeywell expects the

provides essential services to

Blood and Tissue Center in

the virus and rampant

new mask production line in

customers, such as producing

their hometown. Sixty percent

misinformation available,

Smithfield will create at least

drinking water and safely

of blood supply comes from

we’ve created a central location

500 jobs. Recruiting, hiring and

disposing of hazardous and

bloodmobiles, which have been

for EHS professionals to access

training manufacturing workers

infectious wastes. So, for the

closed due to social distancing.

resources they need to keep

began earlier this year.

past decade, Veolia has kept a

Valero Energy Foundation is

their workforces safe and

10

Leader—Spring 2020

vpppa.org

"We’re glad we can do our part to provide this crucial PPE to support patients and medical professionals who need it most."

healthy,” said Glenn Trout, CEO

do what we need to do to get

of VelocityEHS. “Our experts

through this.”

are working around the clock and in conjunction with other agencies to provide the public with ongoing information necessary to prepare, prevent and protect workers during this challenging time. It’s just our way to lend a helping hand to those at the frontline of this rapidly evolving situation.”

Magoon plans to send 100 homemade masks to nurses and aides at the care center in Minnesota where her mother, who recently died, lived. The masks take only 10 minutes to make and the fabrics feature designs like dinosaurs, candy pieces, puzzles and sporting themes. Her recent Facebook posting of a mask fielded requests from friends in the medical industry in Pueblo as well. “I think it lightens

Cintas

Cintas has been working to provide their customers with requested sanitation products to help minimize contamination,

the mood to see an aide with M&Ms across their face,” Magoon said.

Nationally, Providence Hospitals, a healthcare network serving seven states,

including dispensers, hand

as stated on their website,

soap, toilet paper and EPA-

launched the “100 Million

approved cleaning chemicals.

Mask Challenge,” asking for

With left-over fabric from an earlier project and a pattern taken from the internet, Pueblo Chemical AgentDestruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP) Administrative Assistant, Beverly Magoon, began sewing medical masks after learning of shortages due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We are all in this together,” Magoon said. “We have to vpppa.org

Southwest Generation Southwest Generation

Raytheon

donated 25 boxes of food to

sew medical-grade masks to

a call for help from the New

Assistance Program in

address severe shortages. The

York City Police Department.

request was later updated,

Their police officers needed

asking for donations when

protective equipment in their

area manufacturing companies

battle against COVID-19, and

stepped in to build a supply

they needed it quickly. First

of personal protective

responders needed full-body

equipment.”

protective suits.

donations or volunteers to

Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant

PCAPP Administrative Assisant, Beverly Magoon, is sewing medical masks using scraps of leftover material.

While not medical-grade,

On March 31, Raytheon received

Raytheon maintains personal

Magoon’s masks help. “I got

protective equipment (PPE)

the idea when the Centers for

for normal operations and

Disease Control and Prevention

for contingencies, so the

said if worse came to worse,

Operations and Logistics teams

to use a bandanna,” she said.

swung into action.

Magoon said she plans to

In less than 24 hours,

continue using scrap fabric

Raytheon teams in New Mexico

to construct masks for family

and Texas gathered 2,000 Tyvek

and acquaintances. “It’s fun

suits, loaded them on a plane

and it helps to pass the time. I

bound for New York, and safely

can only clean my house for so

delivered them where they were

long,” she said.

needed most.

the Kingsburg Community Kingsburg, CA. They will continue to donate 25 boxes per week for following weeks.

In addition, Valencia Power LLC in Belen, NM, (who have been recommended for Zia Star under the New Mexico VPP) donated 106 laptop computers to Belen Highschool. A significant number of students were unable to participate fully in distance learning, since they had outdated equipment or none at all.

Leader—Spring 2020

11

How Early Intervention Leads to Improved Worker Safety:

B

y now, we all understand: Worker safety is a big deal.

According to recent

By Rebecca Lee, Director of Injury Prevention and Treatment at HealthFitness

data, the total cost of worker injuries is now $161.5 billion.

From a business perspective, that equates to $1,100 per worker, or $39,000 per medically consulted injury.

Those numbers can add up fast.

Business leaders are certainly aware of this issue, and the impact on business.

And, they are definitely taking steps to address worker safety. But, they’re constantly seeking creative solutions, too.

Solutions that help prevent the injury before it occurs.

I’m seeing more companies take this approach every day— because it works. Company leaders are starting to believe in early intervention and working to prevent worker injuries before they occur, instead of just helping treat injuries after they happen. Here are three recent instances of early intervention based on my interactions with clients and colleagues that bring this important issue to life:

1.

Manufacturing Firm Leaders Use “POET” to Address New Hire Fit

Repetitive motion injuries are common in many different work environments, especially those that require long periods of standing and heavy lifting. One appliance manufacturing firm was seeing a disturbing trend: an increasing number of injuries among employees in their first year with the organization. That’s scary, from a leadership perspective, because one of your primary goals is to protect your employees and to make them feel safe on the job.

The root cause of this particular issue? Newly-hired employees were being placed at tasks on the manufacturing line with limited time to learn and acclimate to the work techniques necessary to complete their jobs. New hires were “deconditioned” and using less-than-optimal work techniques.

To address this issue, leaders at this company took a new approach by offering post-offer employment testing (POET). This tool assesses a new hire’s abilities to do the essential physical demands of the job. This afforded the company the ability to minimize the risk of injury and maximize employee success. Win, win, right?

By employing POET, in conjunction with other early intervention strategies like work conditioning and line-side coaching, the company has already seen big returns—$2.3 million in cost avoidance, a decrease in the number of OSHA recordables by more than 50% in the first year, and a decreased need for continued care and associated costs.

12

Leader—Spring 2020

vpppa.org

2.

Energy Company Employs Ergonomic Interventions to Help with RSIs

3.

Proactive Approach Helps Auto Manufacturer Reduce Musculoskeletal Incidents An alarming increase in the number of

musculoskeletal injuries was cause for concern recently at one auto manufacturer. Faced with spikes in OSHA recordable incidence

Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) are a common and costly concern for

rates, absenteeism and short- and long-

many employers. Musculoskeletal disorders make up roughly 30 percent

term disability, the company, and its leaders,

of all workplace injuries that result in lost workdays. And, according to the

sought to take a more proactive approach

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), RSIs affect 1.8 million

by implementing an early injury prevention

workers each year. Even more significant than the number of people affected is

program that focused on three key areas:

the cost of these injuries—ranging from $17 to $20 billion per year.

1. support,

It’s no wonder then, that one energy company was so keen on addressing RSIs in its workplace. What did they do? Leadership used a creative combination of onsite and virtual ergonomic assessments that focused on education and prevention.

A dedicated injury prevention team of 12 full-time and four part-time associates conducted in-person or virtual workstation assessments for employees and recommended behavior changes and potential equipment modifications.

The team helped employees with discomfort coaching through education on correct body posture and biomechanics, self-management techniques, and practical stretching and/or exercise routines. Meanwhile, on-site occupational therapists also screened employees and conducted individualized job-specific work conditioning for employees to participate in while at work. Implementation

Success Stories resulted in the resolution of 90 percent of discomfort cases.

2. education and 3. training.

The company partnered with HealthFitness to design and deliver employee-centered injury prevention and early detection programs right on the factory floor. This included expanding the safety team from one to 14 full-time employees to launch a work conditioning program, line-side coaching, early intervention services, and integrating the program into its on-site medical services, fitness center and wellness programs. The holistic solution included educating on specific safe work techniques, new hire follow-ups, area-specific stretches and pre-shift warm-ups, enhanced work conditioning, early intervention, injury investigations and department placement.

So far, the results speak for themselves.

Ninety-seven percent of new hires have not reported a musculoskeletal disorder incident within the first 90 days of employment. And, line-side coaching has saved the company more than 1,300 work hours and more than $30,000 by keeping employees on the job (vs. employees taking time during the workday to go to the onsite medical clinic).

These three stories demonstrate that leaders and companies are taking new and different approaches to addressing worker safety. As you can see, early intervention is the key. Programs that address injury prevention from pre-employment and throughout, are key to creating habits that are both safe, effective and worth repeating. And, from a leadership perspective, it demonstrates these companies are putting a big focus on the wellbeing of their employees by addressing the injuries before they occur—instead of after.

Rebecca Lee is the Director of Injury Prevention and Treatment at HealthFitness, where she serves as a clinical subject matter expert to Business Development and Client Strategy and Engagement teams and a resource for onsite Injury Prevention and Treatment teams.

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2020

13

AND

LIVE S LIMB S

THR OUG H SA FET Y LE ADE RSH IP

By L ee S helb y

14

Leader—Spring 2020

vpppa.org

n August 12, 1991, at 28 years old, my life changed forever. I spent 23 days in the hospital, seven months in physical therapy, and I was out of work for over 10 months. I weighed 225 pounds on the day of my accident and walked out of the hospital at 180 pounds.

I was physically, mentally and emotionally a different person.

In 1991, I was a power lineman for a utility company in Tennessee. Part of my job was to install, repair and remove overhead distribution power lines. I loved standing on two inches of steel fifty feet off the ground. It was a dream job for me. And what a rush to hold 13,000 volts of electricity in my hands. It was exhilarating.

It was a dangerous job, but that never concerned me. I grew up watching my friend's dad do linework and knew that's what I wanted to do for a living. I was a little cocky and never thought it would be me who was injured. I went to work confident that I would be safe.

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2020

15

We had a large safety manual at the utility. I am sure it took a lot of time, money and effort

employees integrate practices that prevent potentially

what the protocol was for the

It was devastating for them when

dangerous situations.

job I was working on the day

I lost my hands. My father was

of my accident. The safety rule

impacted so greatly that he asked

explicitly said, "you WILL wear

the surgeon if he could donate

your rubber gloves if you are in

one of his hands to me. That type

reaching distance of a primary

of transplant was not possible at

the ranks of a company. And

conductor." I walked right past

that point in the medical field,

it's not about who has the most

the bin with the rubber gloves

but you can see how distraught

seniority. Leadership is more

in it, and I didn't grab them on

he was by the fact he was willing

about the ability to influence

purpose. I didn't call for one of

to sacrifice one of his hands.

the people around you. Anyone

my coworkers to bring them to

When my son was learning to

in the company can play the

me either.

play baseball, I couldn’t teach

role of a safety leader. The main

him how to wrap his fingers

requirement is that the person

electricity in your hands, you

around the laces of a ball to

can inspire their team and co-

were supposed to wear the

execute a pitch. I've never held

workers to be safe in their job.

proper Personal Protective

my daughter's hand. I can never

Equipment (PPE). In this case,

touch my wife's face with my

after my accident, the standards,

I should have been wearing

fingers. These situations are the

policies and procedures changed.

specialized rubber gloves.

reality of being injured on the job

The safety culture shifted. After

Instead, I had put on a pair of

that most people don't consider.

13,000 volts passed through my

Employees can become

Becoming a Safety Leader

Leadership isn't about climbing

When I came back to work

body, it was a miracle I survived.

holding a pair of bolt cutters,

overconfident and cut corners.

My company never wanted to see

and I accidentally touched the

That's how I put myself in the

that happen to anyone again. The

back of my right hand to an

situation to be injured. My ego

day-to-day challenges of the job

energized overhead conductor.

got in the way of following the

were considered more carefully.

proper procedures. My company

New standards and values were

hundred volts of electricity

issued the PPE for my safety,

instilled in the organization.

passed through my unprotected

but I didn't follow the rules.

hands. It's a miracle I'm alive.

I took a shortcut. Most of the

each other. They called attention

Six surgeries over the next five

time, people don't consider

to risky behavior and situations

days were unable to save my

the long-term consequences

more often. As a safety speaker,

hands. Today, I am a bilateral

of a severe injury. They focus

I've had many people talk to me

below the elbow amputee. I

on making a deadline or

about how lucky they've been in

wear prosthetics split hooks to

completing a job faster. For this

a work situation when they were

replace my hands.

reason, regular safety training,

not following safety protocols.

reminders and supervision

Safety is not about luck. It's

should be a priority.

about specific, intentional

Thirteen thousand, two

Thank God I survived the incident and lived to tell about it. It's been almost thirty years

Safety is personal to me. My

People started looking out for

actions that avoid a potentially harmful situation.

since my accident. Today,

mistake didn't only change

my life's work has become

my life; it affected my family,

motivating and promoting safety

friends, my coworkers and

by a company's values, attitudes

leadership in the workplace.

my medical team. I accept

and beliefs about safety. Safety

responsibility for my actions,

management is not one person's

and I am grateful to be able

job. It must be embedded in

to tell my story to help others

management systems and

Safety is about more than

understand why occupational

processes. Each employee

meetings and procedures.

safety is essential.

must do their part to motivate

More Than Meetings and Procedures That's why I share my story.

Leader—Spring 2020

essential that employers and

I never considered the effect an injury would have on my family.

ordinary leather gloves. I was

16

is an ongoing process. It's

for the rest of your life.

to create it. I knew exactly

To handle high voltage

Thirteen thousand, two hundred volts of electricity passed through my unprotected hands. It's a miracle I'm alive.

consequences can follow you

Today, I speak for

Safety culture is represented

each other to act safely. Many

It's about sending people

companies all over the world

times, employees hold back

home safely every night.

teaching safety and personal

from speaking up when they see

Complacency, distractions

responsibility. In my message,

someone engaging in potentially

and taking shortcuts in

I educate, motivate and inspire

dangerous behavior and not

the workplace can change

everyone to develop a culture of

following safety procedures.

your life in an instant. The

safety. Commitment to safety

They don't speak up because

vpppa.org

Leadership is more about the ability to influence the people around you. Anyone in the company can play the role of a safety leader. The main requirement is that the person can inspire their team and co-workers to be safe in their job. they fear looking foolish. Calling

Positive reinforcement

out an authority figure, or

keeps the culture motivated

someone who has seniority, can

to continue its efforts. It's

evoke the fear of retaliation.

essential to value and recognize

Being viewed as a complainer, or not wanting to alienate a coworker, stops people from speaking up too.

While these reasons may be valid, none of them should override the sanctity of life or limb. The priority should be to do what is best for the greater good of the individual. One of the worst feelings you could

a job well done. Safety must be celebrated within a work culture. When employees feel cared about, the positive safety culture will flourish.

Almost 30 years have passed since my occupational injury. I can tell my story by the facts of what happened. I let go of the emotional attachment to the

experience is to know you could

tragedy, and I replaced it with

have prevented an injury or

thoughts of hope and triumph.

life-altering event by calling

I am committed to teaching the

attention to unsafe behavior.

importance of occupational safety

VPP

and changing the safety culture of companies all over the world.

Lee Shelby is an internationally recognized motivational and workplace safety

speaker. He empowers people around the world through his interactive, educational and

heartfelt conviction. Lee relates his own occupational injury,

his recovery to work, and the

challenges he has faced in such

a way that will change the hearts and minds of everyone who

attends. To contact Lee about

speaking at your event, please email Lee@LeeShelby.com.

OSHA VPP Excellence Certificate Program

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Program Details This certificate program is strategically aligned with the VPPPA’s mission to promote the VPP Program and support member organizations who have achieved, or are in the process of preparing for, admission to the VPP Program. The program will also equip students with the leadership skills needed to guide transformational change within the safety culture and enable them to lead from behind or to manage from the middle. Upon completion of this certificate program, students can expect to be fully prepared to manage through the VPP process, using the knowledge gained to achieve OSHA VPP Certification or Re-certification.

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uab.edu/asem | 205.975.3891 | asem@uab.edu

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2020

17

s; Walter nd by: Jeff ra n e e t ffl it u r W n Sh by: Jen Edited m Brabha Martin

18

Leader—Spring 2020

vpppa.org

ince 1986, I have

recognize me at this stage of the

situation. Well, that’s exactly

I went out on the conveyor to

been a blue-

disease. He could not recognize

what I did.

remount the limit switch. This

collar worker

the Giant Cement plant where

December 8, 1988 was the day

should have only taken a couple

in industrial facilities as an

he had worked for 33 years. But

my life changed forever due to a

of minutes, and then we could

Instrumentation and Electrical

when we drove past the fiber

workplace injury. I was 22 years

have gone home.

Technician. Five days a week I

board plant where my incident

old at the time. The plant had

wake up at 5:30 a.m. and go to

happened, he told me about it as

been on a shut down for several

distractions that day:

days for maintenance repairs.

1. My wife had called me

work dressed in fire-retardant clothing, Timberland steel-toe work boots, hard hat, safety glasses, ear plugs, cut-resistant gloves and any other PPE needed to perform my job safely and effectively.

What I am about to share is fact, not theory, obtained through real-life experiences gained in industrial workplaces.

Most of my time at work has been great and productive; however, some incidents have left me with a burning desire to prevent workplace injuries. I truly feel for the thousands who suffer because of a loved one’s injury, or even death, caused by a workplace injury. I work diligently to prevent anyone from going through what my family has been through, and continues to go through every day.

Serious workplace injuries have profound effects on family members. My mom can tell you exactly what happened to me over 30 years ago, as if it happened yesterday, including

if I were a stranger that he was telling it to for the first time.

I grew up in a small town in South Carolina. I’d been working at the fiber board plant for two years. During that time, I had never worn fall protection. I had never worn a safety harness. I probably would not have known how. I thought wearing proper safety equipment signified weakness.

I thought you were a “wimp” if you had to wear fall protection.

That was my attitude back then.

Picture in your mind a 4-year-old little boy. He may be your son, your grandson, maybe even you just a few years ago. When that little boy sees a sofa, is there a chance that he’s going to jump off that sofa? Oh yeah! Probably greater than a 99 percent chance, and he wants somebody to watch him.

If you’re a dad, how many times will he say “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy,” to get you to watch him jump off that

Additionally, I had several

We were starting up from the

because she’d gotten some

shut down and working very

copies back of my resume.

long hours, 12 to 16-hour days.

This was 1988, so I didn’t

It was 5 p.m. as we were getting

have a computer, and I

ready to run mats of fiber into

didn’t know anything about

the press to make boards. On the other end of the press, there was a conveyor. This conveyor had to run in order to send the boards down to the rest of the line. If the conveyor would not run, the plant would shut down again. As fate would have it, a limit switch had fallen off the conveyor. At this point, I should have gone down two flights of stairs, around a large press, about 30 feet to the other side, up two more flights of stairs into an electrical room and locked out the breaker. Then, I should have proceeded back to the conveyor, re-mounted the limit switch, returned to the electrical room to unlock the breaker and let them run the system again.

Unfortunately, I made a series of horrible decisions that led to my accident.

resumes. Someone she worked with was typing my resume and I was getting ready to send them out. One company was already asking me if I would apply for a job there. I was excited, because I had an opportunity that was going to pay me about $8,000 per year more than I was making at that time.

2. I had only been married about 15 months at the time.

I was excited about going home to my newlywed wife.

3. I wanted to get the job done.

I didn’t want them to think that I was weak or scared, so I climbed out on the conveyor. Like the 4-yearold boy on the sofa, I sat down on the conveyor belt and grabbed the limit switch.

when the doctor told both her

sofa? Because he wants you

and my dad that I would never

to see that he’s brave. It’s a

operations foreman. He’d been

much after that, because in

use my arm again. When my

natural instinct. A vast majority

at the plant for many years and

front of me was a wall. That

dad was in the late stages of

of males have that instinct, as

was very knowledgeable. He

wall had about a 6-inch gap

Alzheimer’s, we would have

do a lot of females. If you take

knew the process much better

above the belt. When the belt

dinner every Friday night at

that attitude into the workforce,

than I did. I told him to press

started running at over 100

Sweatman’s BBQ. He did not

it can create a dangerous

and hold the stop button while

feet per minute, it slammed

vpppa.org

I went to John, the

I really don’t recall too

Leader—Spring 2020

19

me into the wall. I did not

floor and landed in a sitting

also received a similar phone

put a pin in it. He said, “There’s

know what was going on, I was

position. I was lying on the

call. That was traumatic for

nothing to pin it to. It looks like

dazed. My legs went in that

floor and didn’t know if anyone

both of them for a very long

grains of sand.”

gap between the belt and the

realized I was there, especially

time, all because I had made

wall and everything stopped.

since John didn’t know that I

several bad decisions.

I was sitting there regaining

had fallen. He thought I had

my composure. I could not see

not gone out onto the belt yet.

doctor came into my room, he

of the first responders. They

John, as he was behind me.

I was lying on the floor and

did not have a good bedside

put an air splint on my arm

All I could see was the wall.

yelling. I was trying to get up,

manner. With the pain

immediately. That immobilized

Two things went through my

but I couldn’t because my body

medication I was taking, I

it and kept everything in place.

mind. Did John push the stop

would not allow me. I physically

didn’t remember much, but I

Probably all of you have a little

button and that’s why the belt

could not get up and I stayed

remembered this part vividly.

knot on top your wrist. Well,

stopped? Or did I stay on the

there for what I thought was a

The doctor told me both of

mine is now on the bottom.

belt long enough that it stalled?

long time until finally people

my ankles and right wrist

That’s where it ended up. I’m

Conveyor systems like that one

started responding. When they

were sprained. I’d broken my

still able to use it, but with some

have an overload trip, where

arrived, I was still dazed and

coccyx (tailbone). Also, I had

limitations.

if they’re in an overloaded

confused. I heard them talking

fractured three vertebrae in my

condition for too long, they’ll

about me, and what they were

lower back. He said I would not

rebuilt, part of my life story.

stop and shut down. At this

saying sounded a lot worse than

be in traction, but I would be

What can I . . . what can we, do

point, I used my hands to push

what I thought had happened.

wearing a brace for a while on

about it? My goal is to study

against the wall which brought

One phone call that you

the front of my body to keep me

the root causes of workplace

The next day, when the

One thing that really helped me to be able to use my left arm today is the decisive action

That was a shattered, yet

my legs out from that gap. The

do not want your spouse to

from bending over. The doctor

injuries by identifying and

belt started again. This time

receive is, “there’s been an

then said, “What we’re really

correcting unsafe attitudes,

it threw me against the wall. I

accident, and your spouse

concerned about is your left

behaviors and conditions. For

bounced off, flipped a few times

has been injured.” My wife

arm. It’s shattered into a million

over 20 years, I have continued

and fell 19 feet, to a concrete

received that call. My mom

pieces.” I asked if they could

to serve as a member and

20

Leader—Spring 2020

vpppa.org

chair/lead on various safety

we can change. Some people

plant the seeds for you to grow in

committees and processes.

tend to be reactive when it

learning from my mistakes.

Have you ever heard someone

comes to unsafe conditions.

Author Og Mandino says,

say: “We’ve done it this way

When an injury happens, then

“I’ll despise myself if later in

for 30 years,” or “it’s the way

(and only then) do they say/do

life, I realize I had the talent

we’ve always done it,” or “I’ve

something about it. Why can’t

and ability to do great things,

done this 100 times and never

we be proactive? Let’s start

but I could not find the courage

gotten hurt, why do we need to

identifying the hazards and

to try.” Do you believe that a

change now?” In 1992, I was

making changes to improve the

traumatic injury or incident at

putting on a body harness for

conditions before the accident/

work could shatter somebody’s

fall protection because I was

injury occurs.

life into a million pieces? More

working about 20 feet above

In this article, I did not

importantly, do you believe

the ground. A co-worker said to

describe my experience as an

that we can identify root causes

me, “Man, what are you doing?

EMT/first responder who faced

of safety issues before they

You don’t need to put that on.”

the horrific rescue of my close

happen? I do. And together, we

I said, “Marion, have you ever

friend and co-worker, Brian

can shatter the unsafe attitudes,

fallen from there before?” He

Allen. It is yet another driving

behaviors and conditions

said, “No.” I said, “Well I tried

force in me reaching out to

instead of these things

it, and you wouldn’t like it.”

prevent workplace injuries. We

shattering us.

How about unsafe attitudes

I’ll despise myself if later in life, I realize I had the talent and ability to do great things, but I could not find the courage to try.”

could expand on this, as well

and behaviors? Trying to show

as my accident, for a very long

off, like I did. Taking shortcuts,

time, but hopefully you are

like I did. Looking for the

already thinking about things

convenient way to do the job,

around your workplace right

like I did. Those are unsafe

now that you can improve from a

attitudes and behaviors that

safety perspective. My goal is to

To schedule a personal appearance, order a video, or for more info about Jeff, go to: Website: jeffwalterssafety.com Email: jwwalters66@gmail.com

®

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vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2020

21

IT’S ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS 22

Leader—Spring 2020

vpppa.org

By Joe Roberts

AA

dmittedly, I’m the last

period of time. It was a million

person in the world

little things I did wrong. So

you would think of

how do we manage the little

when considering a

things? How do we get people

speaker with a strong safety

connected each and every day to

message. For over 10 years of

be mindful and safe?

my life, I lived in one of the most unsafe environments in the western world. In 1989, I was a homeless heroin addict living on the streets of Downtown East Vancouver.

Every day I made unsafe choices that put my life and the lives of others at risk.

Surrounded by violence, life threatening disease, overdoses and serious health concerns, I made hazardous decisions that should have had far deeper consequences than they did, and yet I managed to live through that experience to share my story. A story that has much to teach us about mental health, addiction and building safety culture.

Safety is, and always will be, about managing the little things. Oftentimes, working with clients we learn that it’s the slips and trips, and the distractions, that cause a large number of reported incidences.

It’s not the big things—but the little things. It’s the same when we investigate a major accident. It wasn’t usually one

First, we need to understand that behavior change isn’t easy for humans. Our brains work against us and are hardwired to reject any and all outputs of energy not directly related to our survival. Managing events that seem to have no real significance for survival, bumps up against our fight or flight mechanism which says, “don’t waste energy on nonessential activities because we may need that energy to fight or run.” We unconsciously see some safety instruction as a waste of time and long-term behavioral change is that much harder to obtain. In essence, this is why change can be difficult for people. It’s normal and natural to reject what looks non-essential to our survival.

Without dropping down a brain science wormhole, we as safety professionals need to understand that one of the biggest reasons building safety compliance is so difficult is that you are asking

big mistake that caused the

your people to perform at an

accident, but rather, it was the

unnatural level. In many ways

erosion over time of little things

asking people to perform at

that led to the major incident.

this level is asking for peak

For me I didn’t make one big

performance, the same kind of

mistake and end up homeless

elite performance you expect

in Canada’s worst postal code.

from an NHL hockey players or

It happened slowly over a long

Olympic athletes.

Safety is, and always will be, about managing the little things. vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2020

23

Roadblocks in a safer way.

filthy clothes, had dirty matted

The good news is we can

That’s the bad news.

What we love about the AIR

hair, broken yellow teeth and

consistently shape and change

Model is that it is behavior

blackened fingernails. I pushed

behaviors by making one

modification made simple. It’s

a shopping cart to collect cans

simple adjustment. Connect

a brilliant takeaway tool, and

and bottles to support my drug

ourselves and our people to

it can be a daily reminder for

dependency. I struggled with

a greater sense of purpose or

leaders to quickly evaluate any

addiction and mental health

a reason why. By connecting

situation and determine what

challenges. Instead of calling

to something that deeply

needs to be the focus. Are we

out what was in front of him,

resonates for us, we can bypass

managing the right actions? Is

Gus spoke to my potential,

the survival parts in our brain

each team member effectively

my possibility. It was the first

and get connected to drivers

connected to their resonating

time in my life someone other

that help us access the energy,

reasons for being safe today?

than my parents spoke to my

consistency and motivation

What are the Roadblocks and

potential. Gus was right. I got a

needed for long-term change.

challenges facing us today?

second chance, entered a drug

When I ask the question, “Why do you come to work?” of

Possibility Mindset

recovery facility, and four years later graduated with honors

most teams I’ve worked with,

What’s also brilliant about

from college. Five years after

I get your typical responses.

looking through this lens is that

that, I was featured on the cover

But the aha moment comes

it allows us as leaders to take

of Canadian Business Magazine

when I ask them, “What’s

a deeper, more empathic look

as a celebrated entrepreneur.

the biggest thing in your life

at mental health and addiction

waiting for you after work?”

issues facing today’s modern

leadership, he did not see a

For some, it’s their families,

workforce. As a leader, I want

worthless drug addict or a

their children, and for others

to do everything in my power

person who was unredeemable.

it’s their friends, their Harley

to try and help people be their

He saw potential. How good

or the hunting/fishing trip

best. Sometimes it’s not just

are you with seeing potential

that they’re looking forward

about what happened. It’s

in those around you who

to. Regardless of what

why it happened. Empathic

really challenge you with their

those reasons are I want

leadership is separating

behaviour? It was a little thing

to facilitate a process that

behavior from the person.

for Gus, but a huge thing

connects my team members to

We support the person and

for me.

something deeper to help them

work in collaboration with a

Building safety culture

consistently stay on purpose

person to change behavior. If

requires so many little things

and be safe on the job.

we are going to build strong

to come together consistently.

AIR Model

our culture it is through this

We created a simple safety model that we teach folks. We call it the AIR Model.

A = Action I = Inspiration, (or our why) R = the invariable Roadblocks that impede safe behavior. There are two kinds of roadblocks:

safety and wellbeing into kind of thinking we must lead. We call this “Possibility Mindset.” It’s seeing possibility in an individual that may be hard to see at times. Great coaches, parents and managers understand this concept well.

In 1989, I was sitting on a

• Internal (psychological) • External (situational)

park bench when a man named

When Action meets

What stood before him in that

Gus said to me, “there’s more to you than you can see Joe.”

Inspiration, an individual is

moment was a dishevelled

empowered to better manage

homeless drug addict. I wore

Gus used empathic

Joe Roberts presenting a photo of himself when he was homeless.

That’s why getting buy-in from team members is critical to achieving organizational goals. I also feel one of the biggest things missing in many safety strategies is catching people doing the right thing.

Safety seems to be this thing that’s about documenting and measuring situations that went wrong. That’s why a lot of incidences go unreported.

Who wants to be the person to ruin a zero-incident report?

But what if there was more transparency, possibly an amnesty process of some kind where people could talk about things they saw or experienced

Little things happen all the time. If gone unchecked they become problems.

24

Leader—Spring 2020

without retribution. Little things happen all the time. If gone unchecked they become problems. In the world of vpppa.org

What I love about my job as a thought leader is I get to meet and have an

emotional impact on people, and then

send them back to their roles invigorated and excited to make change.

long-term addiction, recovery

My recovery began when I was

night I was sitting in a school

vigilance is key. Understanding

first inspired and then was

auditorium watching my

that one slip could ruin your

given tools to make positive

17-year-old daughter perform

life causes you to adapt

changes in my life. I think that

in her first play. Beside me was

and quickly learn how to be

speakers/trainers with lived

my beautiful wife. I reflected

accountable and brutally

experience have so much to

honest with others. But in that

offer an organization because

and found myself feeling really

context each person has the

they can connect emotionally

other persons’ back. We rely

with an audience, share their

on one another and accept the

stories in an impactful way

fact that not every day is going

and then point to the key

to be perfect, so it’s important

learning takeaways.

to be there for each other.

When things become this tight,

safety ambassador or health

safety culture becomes part of

and wellness coordinator feels

an organization’s DNA.

like a thankless job. But it’s

I think most of this can

not. Carrying the safety banner

be done internally in an

and all that it represents saves

organization with safety

countless lives every year. It

ambassadors and leadership.

is in that spirit I honor safety

What I love about my job as a

professionals, for without those

thought leader is I get to meet

ideas they uphold, I’m not sure

and have an emotional impact

where I would be today.

on people, and then send them

vpppa.org

Sometimes, being that

For me, each day is about

back to their roles invigorated

managing those little things

and excited to make change.

to stay safe and sober. Last

grateful for the safe choices I made to stay clean and sober these past few decades, and when I woke up this morning I was firmly connected to “why” I will continue to make those safe and positive choices today.

In the end, safety is great for business but more importantly it protects the most important asset any organization has.

Their people. And that’s not a little thing.

For more information, or to book Joe Roberts as a speaker, contact Marie Roberts at 778-584-5202 or

marie@josephroberts.ca.

Leader—Spring 2020

25

DEC1995

30

T H E D AY S W E W I L L R E M E M B E R

FOR THE REST OUR LIVES

By Ricky Rollins

Stories are the things that I seem to be able to remember the best and get the most out of in my life. In my 36 years in the industry, I have sat in many meetings, listening to information that I am sure was important. But I can’t remember any of that information today.

On the other hand, I saw Charlie Morecraft’s presentation video over 20 years ago, and I can still tell you what happened to Charlie.* Today, I am a motivational safety speaker, which means I am a storyteller. I found out four years ago that people thought my stories could make a difference if I would share them.

* Charlie Morecraft survived a refinery explosion and is now a professional safety speaker.

26

Leader—Spring 2020

20SEP 2005

vpppa.org

1

20

DECEMBER 30, 1995

O

OF

18 FEB

009

n December 30, 1995, I was inspecting

but I didn’t give the accident much thought at

a 40 foot tall combustion chamber

that point. I just knew I needed to get back to

from a manlift (that we had been

work. We were building a new steel mill, and

having issues with the day before).

I had been hired as the Refractory Supervisor.

Running the manlift that day was Dale Baldwin,

No one else at that mill knew how to do my job.

who had just come to work on the construction

They needed me back at work, and I never gave

phase of the building of a new steel mill and had

the potential consequences of my actions that

no prior steel mill experience. We were about 20

day much consideration.

feet off the ground, when suddenly I have my

About a week after the accident, Debbie

left hand grasping the handrail of the manlift,

came home from picking up our son, Grant,

and my right hand on my head—blood pouring

from nursery school and I could tell something

down my face and body.

was wrong. I asked her about it, and she broke

Dazed and unsure of what just happened, I

down crying. A stranger had asked her about

stood in the basket with Dale beside me. Then

the accident out at the new steel mill. Debbie

I heard him make a call on the radio, “Ricky is

broke down crying to this lady, telling her it was

injured in the combustion chamber.” The call

her husband and he was almost killed. Debbie

comes back, “Does he need an ambulance?”

had never shown me those tears over almost

I took my hand away from my head and

losing me. That’s what changed everything. I

turned to Dale, his eyes lit up, “Yes he needs

finally realized it was not about me, but about

an ambulance!” A piece of slag (waste matter

my family. I had three small children and a wife

separated from metal during smelting) had been

that loved and depended on me, and I almost

stuck in the top of the combustion chamber,

cost us everything.

broken loose and hit me in the head. Thankfully

All I wanted to do was get in there and, “get

hat saved my life that day.

er done.” I put no hazard identification into

As I was getting into an ambulance, my wife

what I was doing. That furnace was a complete

Debbie was receiving the call that no one wants

new radical design. Nothing like the ones I had

to ever get, “Ricky was injured at work and they

worked on in the past. I almost cost my family

are bringing him to the hospital.” The EMT

all the things we love while our children were

saved my life that day in the hospital. Generally,

growing up. The Christmases, birthdays, ball

when an EMT saves a life it is at the scene of the

games, dance recitals and the graduations of my

accident or on the way to the hospital. But this

children. When all they want is to make their

instance was different. The emergency room

mother and father proud of them—I almost

doctor had shot my cuts up with Novocaine

missed it all.

and was getting ready to stitch my head up and

But December 30, 1995, was the luckiest day

send me home, when the EMT said, “Hey doc,

of my life, and not because I wasn’t killed. On

his head looks a little misshapen. It just looks

that day, in a game of Russian Roulette of life,

off.” The doctor said, “Well sometimes guys

I pulled out the revolver, opened the cylinder,

with bald heads look a little weird anyway.” But

put a bullet in, spun it, slammed the cylinder

the EMT insisted, “His wife is in the emergency

closed, and put the gun to another man’s head.

waiting room. Let’s bring her in and see what

Dale Baldwin had no reason to question what

she thinks.”

I had told him to do, taking me in the manlift

Debbie agreed that something didn’t look

into that chamber. He was with Ricky Rollins,

right. They took me back for testing and later

a supervisor that had done this type of work

the doctor emerged and said, “Mrs. Rollins, you

his whole life. He put his life in my hands and

were right. Your husband’s skull is crushed on

I in return put the gun with a bullet in it to his

the right side and a piece of his skull is pushing

head, pulled the trigger and it clicked. That was

against his brain.”

the luckiest thing that ever happened to me in

I was transferred to a hospital in Fort

vpppa.org

That accident was my fault—plain and simple.

I was wearing my PPE, and I am sure my hard

my life. If the piece of slag that almost killed me

Wayne, IN, for my surgery, which ended

had hit Dale and he had died, how could I have

up being a success. I was in the hospital for

lived with myself? All the things that I came to

several days and missed several weeks of work,

realize I had almost cost my family, I almost

Leader—Spring 2020

27

cost another man and his family those same things.

Everything we do matters. It matters to us and our circle and to the person bedside us and their circle. The consequences of our actions better be something we can live with, because I know if Dale Baldwin had died that day there was no way I could have lived with that fact.

Please take time to evaluate the jobs we are performing every day, and if we are not sure, don’t do it. Get some help and come up with a plan that everyone feels will be safe.

I ask everyone to influence others and to let others influence you. They are only giving advice because they care.

I ask everyone to influence others and to let others influence you. They are only giving advice because they care. This is the brother’s keeper culture. For example, the doctor in the emergency room during my accident.

We often put doctors up on a pedestal; however, this doctor put his pride, ego and stubbornness aside and listened to the EMT when he told him that my head didn’t look right. If he hadn’t listened to the EMT that day, chances are I would have gone home, fallen asleep and never woken up. Listen to the people in your circle, you never know when listening might change a life.

28

Leader—Spring 2020

HOW A 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL

CHANGED A STEEL MILL’S SAFETY POLICY SEPTEMBER 20, 2005

O

n September 20, 2005, I was enjoying an

A man named Preston Taylor worked with Kelly

evening at home with my family. Back

and told his family about the incident. Right away

then I was the department manager of

Preston’s daughter, Rachel, said “Dad, why don’t

a steel mill melt shop. The phone rang,

you wear orange like the hunters do?” For nine

and it was my co-worker, Arron, telling me that

years Rachel had watched her dad leave for work

our colleague, Kelly Stillberger, had been run over

wearing his green flame-retardant clothes, but she

with a forklift. My stomach flipped and my heart

knew he would be more visible in orange.

stopped. When I heard those words, I pictured a

A few days later, Preston Taylor and I were in

forklift running over Kelly, and I knew something

the furnace pulpit, when he told me what Rachel

like that was not survivable. I was silent for a few

had pointed out to him. I told Preston that Rachel

seconds and finally asked a question knowing I

was right—we should be wearing orange like

did not want the answer: “How bad is it? Is it life

hunters. In 1995 orange flame-retardant clothing

threatening?” Arron said it wasn’t life threating,

had just started surfacing on the market, and I had

but Kelly’s leg was mangled. I jumped into my

seen some worn by a contractor at our mill, so I

car and when I got to the mill, they were putting

knew it would be possible to switch. We changed

Kelly into an ambulance—while Kelly’s wife was

to orange jackets right away (and pants later

receiving the call no one ever wants.

on). However, the point of this story is not that

I arrived at the hospital and walked into the

everyone should be wearing orange. The point of

room with Kelly’s family. Eventually the doctor

this story is that if a 17-year-old girl can change a

asked us if we wanted to see Kelly. His parents,

steel mill’s safety policy, what can we all improve

wife and I went into the examining room. While

in our lives to be safer for ourselves and the people

we were talking to both the doctor and Kelly, the

we love? If Rachel Taylor, who has never seen the

doctor did something unexpected. Pulling back

inside of a steel mill, can change a steel mill’s

the sheet covering Kelly, he showed us his leg. It

safety policy, there has to be at least one thing

was a scene that will never leave my memory and

each of us can do to be a little safer each day.

I knew Kelly’s life was forever altered. Kelly was in

My final point: who among us would appreciate

the hospital for two and a half weeks, and then a

a 17-year-old telling us how to do our jobs? But it’s

rehab hospital for another two and a half weeks. He

what happened to me. I had 25 years in the mills,

underwent five surgeries on his leg and six months

and I decided to listen to a 17-year-old. You never

of rehab before he was released to come back to

know where an amazing idea is going to originate.

work. He never complained or asked anyone to feel

All Rachel wanted was for what happened to Kelly

sorry for him. It was a life-changing time for Kelly.

to never happen to her own dad. vpppa.org

FEBRUARY 18, 2009

O

n February 18, 2009, Jim Harris, who was an electrician in the melting department at the steel mill where I worked, was burned on over 40 percent of his body and almost died. I was up on

the furnace deck when it happened and ran into the room shortly after. The image of what I saw and felt that day will never go away.

Walking into the hospital room, and facing Jim’s family, is something I will never forget. The doctor told us that sometimes people much less burned than Jim didn’t make it. I was Jim’s department manager, and everyone wanted to know what had gone wrong that day. I already knew the answer, but I couldn’t tell his family until we officially completed the accident investigation. Facing his family was

Pictured above: Dale Baldwin, Jim Harris and Kelly Stillberger.

one of the worst feelings I have ever had in my life. The only reason Jim was in this situation was because we failed to do our jobs properly—not just once, but twice.

Jim was filling in for another electrician that I had given three days off from work. Little did we know that two days prior, the other worker had not followed protocol. He had failed to lock out a piece of equipment. Jim volunteered to fill in on that man’s job for the next two days and on the day of the accident, Jim was called to make a repair in our PACS room (circuit breaker for the electric arc furnace transformer). Jim made the repair, came out of the room and was going up a flight of stairs to the furnace deck.

Simultaneously, a ladle with 165 tons of 3,000-degree steel was rolled out into the ladle bay, and it erupted. This sent molten steel and slag over a wide area. Jim happened to be in that area, and his exposure time on the stairway to the eruption was five seconds. If the previous electrician had done his job by locking out the equipment two days before, he would have been the one responding to the problem in the PACS room that day. The odds that the other electrician would have been in the five-second window of the eruption were 99.99 percent unlikely. Think of the irony of Jim being burned because of another man’s safety violation.

That was the first time we did not do our jobs correctly.

The reason the ladle erupted was the second time we didn’t do our jobs properly. We took a shortcut to keep production going, which caused the ladle eruption. We didn’t want to shut production down for 30 minutes that day—which almost cost Jim Harris his life, Kelly Harris her husband and Spencer, Dillon and Blake Harris their father. Neither of the two men who didn’t do their jobs

A NEW MOTTO

A

fter Jim’s incident we came up with the motto, “We will never remember how many tons we made today. What we will remember is the day someone gets seriously injured…

That will be the day we’ll remember the rest of our lives.”

Four years ago, our company’s safety summit, which included all the company’s safety personnel, was being held at my mill. This motto had never spread to the other facilities, and I told our plant safety team that I wanted to get this motto out to the rest of the company’s sites. Banners featuring the motto were made and given to each person at the safety summit to take back to their facility.

At my company’s safety summit, I told the above story about Jim, as well as the story of my own workplace accident. It was very emotional for me to tell these stories as I had never spoken about my accident or Jim’s until that day. Several people came up to me and commented that I should be telling the stories to our entire company. I couldn’t leave my job to go to many facilities we had, so we sent out a video that our sites could share during safety meetings.

A couple months after I talked at our safety summit, Chad Hymas* came to our facility to talk to us about safety. I was moved by Chad’s presentation and started thinking maybe I could make a difference in the world like Chad was, by telling mine and Jim’s stories. I was 60 years old and decided to retire from the steel industry and start telling these stories. I now travel around the United States hoping to get people to understand that all the little things they decide to do, or not do, could have unbelievable consequences for themselves or the people around them.

properly had any idea what the result of their actions would be. All the little things we do every day have standard operating procedures (SOPs) that must be followed. The SOPs are there for a reason. This was probably not the first time we took this shortcut, but it was the first time it had consequences. Jim Harris paid the price for the shortcut taken that day, and we learned that you can never put production in front of safety.

* Chad Hymas is a safety speaker who was also featured in the Spring 2019 issue of the Leader magazine. vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2020

29

30

Leader—Spring 2020

vpppa.org

SAFETY PROFESSIONAL

By John Drebinger

Career Beginnings

My career as a safety professional has a magical beginning. As a boy, I was always a fan of magic and every year when we visited Disneyland, my dad would buy me a magic trick from the shop on Main Street. I continued to learn, and years later when I became a District Executive for the Boy Scouts in Pasadena, CA, I took my hobby to a professional level.

I used magic shows as a way of recruiting boys and adults in Cub Scouting. I took several series of lessons and in 1978 I auditioned and became a member of the Hollywood Magic Castle. In 1982 I became a full-time professional magician, from private parties to corporate events, I was very successful. I’ve even performed at the old Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas. vpppa.org

Back in the fall of 1989, I was asked to do a magic show for the Modesto Fleet Operations of Pacific Gas and Electric for their 1990 safety kickoff event.

Apparently, two of their safety team members had seen me perform at a local restaurant. Each year as part of their kickoff they brought in entertainment.

All they wanted from me specifically was to use “Safety” as the magic word. I had no idea this was the beginning of my career as a safety speaker.

I asked them to send me their safety statistics for the previous year and one of their safety manuals. I took those resources and wrote three magic routines which taught the safety concepts they believed in—and a new career began.

As I did more of their safety kickoffs, they started using me for their safety awards banquets.

Leader—Spring 2020

31

It is important to share with people that how they respond when someone watches out for their safety isn’t about them— it’s about the next person.

My show was about 30 percent

they would want to work safely.

perspective of the audience

safety material and 70 percent

For example:

member, or individual you

entertainment for the award

presentation, “Would You

communication success by the

more safety content, so after a

Watch Out for My Safety?,®” I

results you get. The goal is to get

short time my safety content

cover five reasons why people

people to want to work safely.

was about 70 percent, and the

would want to watch out for the

When they have a good enough

magic was about 50 percent.

safety of others.

answer to the question why

(Now I know you just realized

1. Your own personal safety

from their perspective, they will

that added up to 120 percent— the reason being that much of the content was taught though a combination of entertaining

awareness goes up.

2. People are distracted.

Either because of physical distractions or mental

do what’s safe even when no one is watching.

Watching Out for Other’s Safety . . . or Not?

magic tricks and stories.)

distractions, they might

Falling in Love with Safety

have normally been aware

reasons people don’t watch out

of. Your intervention could

for the safety of others are:

get them home safe.

1. They don’t think anything

began learning more about the industry. I loved hearing stories from employees and leaders about how my message helped them work safer. At that time my focus was getting employees to do what the safety team had taught them. I discovered many safety teams were great at teaching the technical side of safety but had left out the motivational aspect. Safety meetings were known for being boring and ineffective. With a bachelor’s degree in speech, I realized I would be able to make a significant impact in the workplace if I could teach safety professionals and teams to

Leader—Spring 2020

want to persuade. I measure

shows. I kept building more and

I fell in love with safety and

32

When I deliver my

not see a hazard they would

3. Cognitive failure. Sometimes you look right at something

The three most common

bad is going to happen.

2. They feel uncomfortable

and because your brain fails

sharing safety with others.

you for a moment you don’t

3. They don’t know how. This

see it. Someone else caring

one is critical and is why

enough to speak up prevents

I teach several methods

an injury.

to effectively share safety

4. You will never regret not

concerns on and off the job.

having said something

When people don’t know

which could have prevented

specifically what to do, they

an injury. Too many times

do nothing. When they have

someone is injured, and

proven techniques, they will

several people saw the

speak up.

hazard or unsafe behavior and didn’t say anything.

After the injury they have a guilt that doesn’t go away.

5. It’s the right thing to do.

One key point I teach is

It is important to share with people that how they respond when someone watches out for their safety isn’t about them— it’s about the next person. If you show you are grateful that they

communicate more effectively.

that you must always answer

cared about you (and say thanks)

I gave employees a reason why

the question, why? From the

they are more likely to help vpppa.org

the next person they see near a

newspaper effect. I bring out

how I want you to work.

hazard. It is the job of each of us

four pages of a newspaper

Safely, with nothing to repair

to show our appreciation.

and show all four pages to the

afterwards.”

One example of this happened during one of my presentations.

audience. Next I explain I am

In the years to come, I

going to teach them how a

joined the American Society of

magician tears a newspaper

Safety Professionals and the

and restores it. I tell them the

National Safety Council. I have

secret is I don’t really tear the

spoken at their conferences

newspaper. I only create the

for over 25 years. In August

illusion it is torn. Here is where

of 2000, I spoke at my first

I tie in safety. I point out if I

VPPPA National Conference.

don’t really tear it, I don’t have

Several years later Paul Villane,

to repair it. In fact, safety is the

the Executive Director of the

same. If someone isn’t hurt,

VPPPA at the time, asked

then you don’t have to have

me to speak at many of the

them recover from an injury.

local regional conferences. I

I fully tear the newspaper,

remember speaking in Nevada

for real, several times and it

at the Region IX meeting, and

is reduced to a small six-inch

we all fit in one room with

wads of paper. Suddenly I

under 100 people. One of my

and emailed it to Laura.

appear to throw it towards the

favorite speaking engagements

Using Magic to Teach Safety

audience, and it unfolds fully

is speaking at company VPP/

restored. I count out the four

VPPPA celebrations and kickoffs.

pages as the audience applauds,

It is a joy working with people so

One of my most popular opening

saying, “As you can see it was

committed to getting everyone

tricks is the torn and restored

never torn and that’s exactly

home safely every day.

An audience member raised their hand and said, “John, would you like me to watch out for your safety?” I answered, “Yes.” They pointed out my shoelace had become untied and walked to the edge of the stage and tied it for me. I noted their name and knew they received my email newsletter on communicating safety. When I returned home, I had my granddaughter draw a picture of me and her. I had her write, “Dear Laura, Thanks for keeping my Papa safe!” Then I scanned it

trusted

If you would like to know more about how to effectively get your employees to watch out for each other’s safety you should check out my presentation, “Would You Watch Out For My Safety?®.”

If you would like more information call Diane Weiss at 209-745-9419 or go to my website: drebinger.com/ safety-presentations-safetymotivational-speaker/safety-theteam-approach/.

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vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2020

33

An Interview with Senator

MIKE ENZI 34 Leader—Spring 2020

vpppa.org

O

n February 26–27, VPPPA members gathered on Capitol Hill to educate members of Congress about the importance of workplace safety and health. The VPP Act (S.904) grants VPP its own line item in OSHA’s budget. VPP is a small

program with a big impact. Currently, the programs are funded through “Compliance Assistance—Federal,” alongside other cooperative initiatives. This legislation

VPPPA:

What does S.904 mean to you?

Senator Enzi:

The Voluntary Protection Programs Act

maintains the existing VPP process and ensures its continued success by codifying it

means continuing by law a process that

and letting Congress control its funding directly. Safety knows no political party and it

works to reduce accidents, protecting the

is vital to shine a light on successful government initiatives that promote a constructive

hardworking folks who risk their own well-

and productive dialogue between labor, management and regulators.

being every day to keep this country going.

VPPPA members had the pleasure of interviewing Senator Mike Enzi of Wyoming.

He has been an integral force in the push to codify the VPP Act for many years.

Creating and maintaining a safe workplace for all Americans has long been a priority of mine. I’m even trying to find a way for a similar program for small businesses to band

VPPPA:

VPPPA:

during your tenure. To what do you

safety and why do you think workplace

attribute that success? Out of all that

safety is a cause worth supporting?

You have passed more than 100 bills

legislation, what stands out as your greatest accomplishment?

Senator Enzi:

What is your position on workplace

Senator Enzi:

We all deserve to work in a safe place. It is important that workplaces stay proactive

together with a safety professional.

VPPPA:

How does your past as a small business owner impact your decision to support the VPP Act?

Senator Enzi:

I used to be a safety officer for a small oil

I came to Washington, D.C., because I enjoy

and educate workers and employers about

well servicing company. I taught first aid

helping folks in Wyoming and solving

best up-to-date health and safety practices.

and safety in enclosed spaces. I went out in

problems. I also like to legislate. Over the

Workers need to watch out for hazards and

the field and collected saliva tests and urine

each other. Supporting workplace safety

specimens. As a former small business owner,

reduces unnecessary work-related injuries

I understand the importance of maintaining

and illnesses that impact hardworking

a safe workplace and the work it takes to stay

American families. Laws are not the total

current on new health and safety practices.

solution. There will never be enough

I also understand the realities of state and

inspectors to substitute for worker care, but

federal regulations and that they can be

VPP puts a professional on site regularly.

extremely burdensome and costly. I think

Most accidents occur within six months of

programs like VPP show we can provide a

hiring (not trained enough) or after five

safe workplace and minimize the burdens,

years on the job (complacent because it’s

especially on smaller businesses.

years, I’ve developed my 80 percent tool—I believe that people can talk civilly about 80 percent of the issues. They can select any of the 80 percent and probably agree on 80 percent of that issue. There is usually disagreement on 20 percent, 10 percent on each side. Passing 80 percent by leaving out the contentious parts to solve later gets a lot accomplished. I discovered this back when I worked in the Wyoming State Legislature and have used it ever since.

The bill I am usually very proud of is one I most recently passed. One such bill is the Strengthening Career and Technical Education Act. This bill took years of work and was eventually passed unanimously and enacted

been done safely so many times).

VPPPA:

VPPPA:

What about the VPP Act sparked

How long have you been involved in

your interest in being a long-time

the process of codifying VPP? What has

supporter? Or what sparked your

been your role in this process?

interest in VPP?

Senator Enzi:

Senator Enzi:

has always been of interest to me, I was

voluntary program that employers can choose

first involved when I introduced the Safety

to participate in—and it has been proven to

Advancement for Employees Act in 1997,

work. But I noticed that it is not a program in

when I first got to the Senate. From then

law and can be ended by the stroke of a pen

first bill ever signed into law. It was considered

on I have sponsored legislation that has

by any president and possibly by a secretary

an “impossible task” my freshman year as I

allowed employers to continue to participate

of labor. Businesses are often good reflections

heard of the problem with only 30 legislative

in the program, like in 2015 when Senator

of people’s passions and this program works

days left. People were expected to pay back gas

Bennet from Colorado and I introduced

to be flexible with all types of businesses. The

royalties because the federal government was

legislation that would cement the VPP into

VPP has shown that it protects the health

declaring gas as part of coal and, therefore,

law, which I continue to work on to this day.

and safety of employees while saving the

owned by the federal government. My bill to

I am also pleased that there is a bipartisan

government hundreds of millions of dollars

solve the problem passed unanimously in both

companion bill introduced in the U.S. House

in inspections while helping to avoid injuries

houses in 30 days.

of Representatives.

and illnesses more effectively.

into law in 2018. This is a great bill because it makes improvements to career and technical education programs for people who want specific career skills to create and work with their hands in high-wage, high-demand jobs.

Another bill that stands out would be my

While the Voluntary Protection Programs

The VPP caught my attention because it is a

Pictured on page 34: Senator Mike Enzi (center) with VPPPA National Board Members, Terry Schulte (left) and Sean Horne (right). vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2020

35

VPPPA:

Senator Enzi:

codification a legacy item for you? How

been a mayor, a state legislator, and now

do you see S.904 passing in Congress?

a United States Senator. I very much look

Why is it important to you to make VPP

Safety knows no political party and it is vital to shine a light on successful government initiatives that promote a constructive and productive dialogue between labor, management and regulators.

Senator Enzi:

Every day in the Senate, I work to ensure that our grandkids will be left with a better world.

We are in a terrible financial situation, owing more than $23 trillion. The VPP saves federal money while it ensures that health and safety needs are maintained for our future workforce better than under any other program. It’s past time to cement this program into law to ensure it continues to provide help for more of America’s businesses. I am hopeful that we can find a bipartisan path forward—perhaps using the 80 percent tool—to secure enactment of this important legislation before the end of this Congress.

VPPPA:

36

Leader—Spring 2020

Throughout my career in public service, I’ve

forward to doing my part in being an active member of the community back in my home state of Wyoming. I also look forward to spending more time with my grandkids and checking more things off my to-do list, like fishing in all 50 states.

VPPPA:

Any additional comments about VPP or workplace safety?

Senator Enzi:

The Voluntary Protection Programs is a tremendous opportunity to encourage public and private businesses to be proactive in the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses through hazard prevention and control, training and cooperation between

You’ve said that after retiring from

management and workers. I want to see

the Senate that you will find other

VPP utilized more, particularly by smaller

ways to serve. Any plans you can

businesses, and guaranteed to continue for

share with us?

big businesses.

vpppa.org

Infographic Corner

According to the American Burn Association,

every year over 450,000

serious burn injuries occur in the U.S. that require medical treatment.

Electrical hazards cause more than

300 deaths and 4,000 injuries

each year among the U.S. workforce.

From age 25 to about 65,

being struck by or against an object is the

third most common injury,

The CDC states that

falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries.

OSHA statistics indicate that there are roughly

85 forklift fatalities and 34,900 serious injuries each year.

In 2017,

95% of the 70,067 U.S. drug overdose deaths occurred among the working age population, persons aged 15–64 years.

according to data from the National Safety Council. vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2020

37

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38

Leader—Spring 2020

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Leader—Spring 2020

39

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

Membership Corner

Meet the VPPPA Team

As VPPPA members, you talk to National Office Staff members on the phone, chat with us via email and sometimes see us at regional and national events.

But we want our members to be able to more easily put names with faces. Check back

Spring Members of the Month

Congratulations to our Spring (March, April, May) Members of the Month: Nate Brook, Ricky Lautzenheiser and Aaron Eddlemon. Want to submit someone to be considered as a VPPPA Member of the Month? Email membership@vpppa.org. You can also check out all of the previous Members of the Month on our website.

here in future issues to see more VPPPA National Office staff member profiles.

Name: Philecia Marasco Job Title: Registrar & Administrative Coordinator Length of Time with VPPPA: Just hired in March Favorite Parts of Working for VPPPA: I’m enjoying learning about VPPPA and how much the company cares about safety and health within the workplace. My co-workers are a great team to work with.

Hometown: Eastport, NY Fun Facts About Me: I have five sons, I’ve lived in Virginia for 13 years, I have three sisters and two brothers, my

Behavioral Health Q&A Column

To continue the important conversations that were the

favorite color is blue, I like to

focus of the Winter 2020 issue of the Leader magazine

watch college basketball and

(mental health and the workplace), VPPPA has partnered

enjoy the outdoors.

with experts at MindWise Innovations to present a

Favorite Food: Pizza and Chinese Favorite Movie: Jumanji and Hunger Games Dream/Next Vacation Spot: Hawaii and Puerto Rico Favorite Musician/Band: Kane

monthly Q&A article addressing questions that members might be hesitant to ask. These online columns will address your questions about mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, family issues and more. Keep watching the VPPPA Blog for future articles and to submit your own questions to the experts. We will be posting a new column on the third Thursday of each month.

Brown, Linkin Park, Post Malone

40 Leader—Spring 2020

vpppa.org

Compiled By Katlyn Pagliuca Membership Manager, VPPPA, Inc.

State-Plan Monitor

IOWA

There are currently 43 VPP sites in Iowa. The

MICHIGAN

following is an update of Iowa OSHA VPP activities.

Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP), the Star and

Reapproved VPP Star Sites

The following were reapproved as Iowa OSHA VPP Star sites:

• Bayer (Grinnell) • Collins Aerospace (Bellevue) • Bayer (Muscatine) • Bayer (Williamsburg) Summer 2020 reapproved sites

• Koehler Electric (Davenport) • Collins Aerospace (Decorah) • Zoetis (Charles City) • Cargill Corn Milling (Eddyville) New VPP Sites

Sites that have recently been approved for participation in the program:

• Duro-Last (Sigourney)—Mentored by Clow Valve Metal Casting Foundry

• NuStar Energy (Le Mars) • NuStar Energy (Milford) • NuStar Energy (Rock Rapids)

KENTUCKY

The KY OSH Partnership Branch is also working with several sites pursuing VPP, with the potential of adding several new VPP sites in this calendar year.

There are two levels of recognition in the Michigan Rising Star.

The Star program is designed for workplaces that have an exemplary safety and health management system with injury and illness incidence rates below the industry average for the last three years.

The Rising Star program provides a steppingstone for establishments that have the desire and potential to achieve Star status within one to three years. Rising Star participants have a good safety and health management system and have incidence rates at, or below, the industry average for two out of the last three years.

There are currently 33 sites in the MVPP, with 28 Star, two Rising Star (Merit), two MVPP Construction and one MVPP Construction Rising Star site.

Promotion

• An MVPP reevaluation onsite review was

conducted at Monsanto in Constantine Michigan.

• MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training Director Nella Davis-Ray presented a MVPP

Star award to Cintas Fire Protection #D26 at a ceremony in Troy, MI.

Applications currently pending for the MVPP Construction:

• Glastender (Saginaw)

Initial Approvals

Sites recently approved for participation in the MVPP:

• Robert Bosch, LLC (Plymouth) Reevaluation Approvals

Sites recently reapproved for continued participation in the MVPP:

• Verso (Quinnesec) • Herman Miller Midwest Distribution Center (Holland)

• Herman Miller Hickory (Spring Lake) • Marathon TT&R North Muskegon Terminal The Star program is designed for workplaces that have an exemplary safety and health management system with injury and illness incidence rates below the industry average for the last three years.

42

Leader—Spring 2020

(North Muskegon)

• Walbridge/U of M Projects (Ann Arbor)

“Like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and

subscribe to our YouTube channel.

For further details on the MVPP, contact Doug Kimmel, MVPP specialist at 517-719-7296, or visit the MIOSHA website at www.michigan.gov/miosha.

vpppa.org

MINNESOTA

A total of five reapproval visits have been conducted since the

WASHINGTON

last edition of the Leader magazine. The following companies

(DOSH) VPP currently has 33 participants.

have been reapproved upon successful completion of the 90 day items:

The Washington State Division of Occupational Safety and Health On January 7, Intermech Inc. of Richland was reapproved for continued participation at Star status. A plaque recognizing the sites

• Trident Seafoods (Motley) • Cintas FAS (Brooklyn Park)

continued participation since 2005 will be presented to them at a future date. On January 7, Star status was awarded to Cintas Corporation in

The Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) Workplace Safety Consultation

Puyallup, WA. A certificate recognizing their status will be presented to

(WSC) unit currently has 35 Star sites participating in the MNSTAR

the site at a celebration on March 24. This is Washington state’s fourth

program. Of the 35 Star sites, 33 are general industry locations

Cintas Star site. On January 24, Star status was awarded to MacDonald-

and two are resident contractors. One new participant successfully

Miller Facility Solutions in Seattle. A certificate recognizing their

achieved MNSTAR status in FY 2019. In addition, four employers

participation will be presented later.

had reapproval visits completed.

DOSH VPP has received an application and scheduled an approval

If you would like further information about the MNSTAR Program,

onsite evaluation in April with Cintas Corporation in Yakima. We have

please visit www.dli.mn.gov/business/workplace-safety-and-health/

also received applications from Cintas Fire & Safety in Auburn, and

mnosha-wsc-minnesota-star-mnstar-program or contact Marnie

Harris Rebar in Tacoma. Evaluations for those two will be scheduled

Prochniak, MNSTAR/VPP Coordinator at marnie.prochniak@state.

when time is available. Washington State VPP has nine reapproval

mn.us, or 651-478-8193.

evaluations to complete in 2020.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hawaii Nicole G. Bennett OSH Program Specialist Administrative & Technical Support Manager nicole.g.bennett@hawaii.gov Phone: (808) 586-9081

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

Washington John Geppert VPP Manager gepp.235@lni.wa.gov Phone: (360) 902-5496

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

Wyoming Clayton Gaunt VPP Manager clayrton.gaunt1@wyo.gov Phone: (307) 777-7710

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

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

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2020

43

Compiled by Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator, VPPPA, Inc.

Regional Round-Ups

REGION I vppregion1.com

Regional Updates On February 25, Region

I held a meet and greet/ regional meeting at Cintas in Chelmsford, MA. There were 22 attendees from 11 different companies representing both VPP sites and sites just beginning their VPP journey.

Thank you to all who attended, and to Cintas for hosting the event and taking the time to provide a tour of their facility.

In addition to the regional meeting, Region I is continuing to find ways to reach members and share information. Region I has recently developed a LinkedIn account and updated their website. We’re continuing to look for ways to enhance the website and provide information

Upcoming Events

read the qualifications and

and more. This is a wonderful

The Region I Annual Safety &

supply the needed paperwork

opportunity to learn, network

Health Excellence Conference &

in ordered to be considered for

or be a vendor.

Expo has been canceled for 2020

one of the scholarships.

amid Coronavirus concerns. You can find more information on the Region I website.

The positions up for election this year are: Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Hourly Rep from a Site with a Collective Bargaining Unit, and three Directorat-Large positions. Anyone interested in applying can check the Region I website.

Region I will also be having an SGE Training at GE Healthcare in Westborough, MA, on September 15–17, 2020. Please

Contributed by Karen Girardin, Region I Chairperson

Mentor for New Jersey, and

REGION II

for New York.

Vppparegion2.org

Region II currently has four upcoming VPP evaluations with spots open for SGEs. Contact Ms. Greta Olsson, Olsson. greta@dol.gov, If you are interested in volunteering for any of these SGE opportunities.

More details on our website.

This year we are having a

keep checking the Region I

combined safety conference

website for updates.

with Region III from July 20–24.

In addition, Dighton Power in

The theme this year is: “who

Dighton, MA, is mentoring Kleen

is your why?” and some of

Energy in Middletown, CT.

the topics for workshops and

There are currently three

The mentors for Region II are now Kevin Mihalenko, VPP

breakout sessions include:

that is relevant to the Region

scholarships available to

OSHA 101—The Nuts and

I membership. If anyone has

workers and their families

Bolts of Safety, Hearing

feedback or suggestions on

from VPP sites in Region I. The

Conservation Best Practices,

how to make improvements to

scholarships are awarded to

Safe Handling and Disposal

the website, or to our outgoing

students that meet the criteria

of Hazardous Waste, Best

communications, please don’t

mentioned in the scholarship

Practices at VPP Sites, OSHA

hesitate to reach out to a Region I

guidelines which can be

7500—Intro to Safety and

board member and let them know.

found on the Region I website.

Health Management, DOT

Any feedback is appreciated.

Applicants are encouraged to

Clearinghouse Guidelines,

Richard Finnegan, VPP Mentor

VPP Flag Raising Celebrations

• Lockheed Martin, Owego, NY, celebrated being a 25-year Star site.

• Veolia, Schenectady, NY,

celebrated their VPP Star on December 12.

Contributed by Grace Irby, Region II Media Coordinator

REGION IV regionivvpp.org

The 30th Annual Region IV VPPPA Safety and Health Excellence Conference has been canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Please visit our website for more information.

Contributed by Christopher Colburn, Region IV Vice-Chairperson

REGION V vppregionv.org

On October 1, 2019, Region V welcomed two new sites into VPP. Oshkosh Defense, LLC, West Plant Facility, Oshkosh, WI, and Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Ohio, Northwood, OH. Region V has four applicants currently piloting the online VPP application process. They include Ecolab, Elk Grove Village, IL; VelocityEHS, Chicago, IL; Torrid, LLC, West Jefferson, OH and Cintas Chicago Rental GSC, Chicago, IL. These sites are assisting OSHA to work out glitches to improve the quality and efficiency during the online

Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Ohio, Northwood, OH, VPP celebration. Pictured from left to right: Bryan Csehi, President; Andy Hentges, Safety Specialist; Sarah Wilk, Quality Tech; Dawn Burnett, Packaging Department; Tiesha Johnson, Meat Processing; Jason Lopez, Seafood Operations and Kim Nelson, Area Director, OSHA Toledo Area Office.

44 Leader—Spring 2020

application process for VPP. Contributed by Jimmy Jacquez, Region V Director Ex Officio vpppa.org

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Be sur e to ch eck out the Featur ed Produc t Listin g on pages 38–39 .

Ad Index

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Draeger www.draeger.com/en-us_us/Home 33 Gas Clip www.gascliptech.com/index.php 2 Glove Guard gloveguard.com

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Impacto www.impacto.ca

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Roco Rescue www.rocorescue.com/about-roco 3 SlipNOT www.slipnot.com

47

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Working Concepts www.softknees.com

21

VPPPA contacts

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 Natasha Cole Events Coordinator ncole@vpppa.org Philecia Marasco Registrar & Administrative Coordinator pmarasco@vpppa.org

46 Leader—Spring 2020

Kerri Carpenter Communications & Outreach Manager kcarpenter@vpppa.org Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator jmitchell@vpppa.org

Katlyn Pagliuca Membership Manager kpagliuca@vpppa.org Sierra Johnson Special Projects Coordinator sjohnson@vpppa.org

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

vpppa.org

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