2022 Spring Leader - 100 Years of Safety by VPPPA

VOL9/NO2/SPRING 2 022

100 YEARS OF SAFETY

PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

CONTENTS FEATURES

Fifty Years of OSHA By Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health

VOL 9 | NO 2 | SPRING 2 0 22

The Evolution of Safety Certifications—100 Years in the Making Co-Authors: Leah Beckworth, CSP, STSC, MS,

UCOR Industrial Safety Manager

By Julian Moffatt,

The Past, Present & Future of ESG VelocityEHS, Principal Solutions Strategist, ESG

Stephanie Miller, CSP, CIH, STS, MS, UCOR Safety Systems Integration Manager

The Future of OHS

By Brenda Kay Wiederkehr, CSC

By Nicole Randall, ISEA, Director,

The Psychological Frontier

Head-to-Toe PPE: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going Marketing & External Affairs

Owner of Access Compliance

By Rachel Bell, Brewers Association Safety

Temporary Worker Safety: New Initiatives to Address an Old Problem

Subcommittee Co-Chair

COLUMNS

By Adele L. Abrams, Esq., ASP,

The Future of Safety Is Looking Grim

CMSP, Law Office of Adele L.

By Phil La Duke, Speaker,

Abrams PC

Writer, & COVID Compliance and Production Safety Consultant

The Future is Hotter: How to Protect Workers from Heat Stress By Beth Angus, MPH, CIH, Safex,

4 6 8 46

Message from the Chairperson Women in Safety Safe + Sound Week 2022 The History of Ericson

SECTIONS

Industrial Hygiene Consultant

44 48 50 vpppa.org

Infographic Corner Membership Corner Ad Index Leader—Spring 2022

A Message From the VPPPA Chairperson Hello VPP Community,

his edition of the Leader honors 100 years of safety, and I could not be prouder of how the VPPPA and VPP community have helped safety evolve over the years. Most everyone has seen the infamous 1920s photo above, showing workers having lunch

sitting on a single I-Beam 840 feet above New York City, or you’ve heard stories of miners using birds as an early warning to get out of the mine. It’s safe to say, safety has drastically evolved since then, and it is thanks in no small part to the hard work and dedication from leaders in labor, business, and our government. I cannot help but to think back on some of the pioneers in safety. True leaders like the labor organization that had the simple idea to build San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant outside of San Diego in the late 70s without having any fatalities. Their leadership in reaching out to the construction contractor to see how it could be done and both contacting Cal-OSHA for their assistance was extraordinary. Those leaders created a safety management system which is now called the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). This simple, yet genius, idea to create a system that empowers the worker to take charge of their own safety through the support of the employer, as well as OSHA, has truly helped safety evolve over the past 40+ years. I read an article not too long ago that stated today’s workers expect a safe workplace as part of their employment. While I will not give up my age, when I entered the workforce that

I am glad to see we continue to raise the bar in workplace safety, so our children have a safer work environment.

was not the case. I am glad to see we continue to raise the bar in workplace safety, so our children have a safer work environment. I truly believe the VPP community had a hand in this, and I look forward to seeing how we continue to improve our systems, our workplaces, and our mindset to achieve safety excellence for many more years. As part of these continual improvement efforts, we hope to see you at one our 10 Regional Conferences this year, as well as our national Safety+ Symposium being held in the nation’s capital in August. We were also very excited to have a track at the BCSP virtual Global Learning Summit (GLS) this May. These events inspire collaboration and innovation, which contributes greatly to the continued evolution and improvement of safety. The VPPPA looks forward to supporting our members, partners, and the entire safety community for the next 100 years!

— Terry Schulte, Chairman—National VPPPA Board of Directors We are better together!

Leader—Spring 2022

vpppa.org

Reliable Solutions For All Your Gas Detection Needs Single Gas • Multi Gas • Pumps • Accessories

gascliptech.com

+1.972.775.7577

1.877.525.0808

Come see us at the VPPPA Safety+ Symposium (Aug. 23 - 25) Booth# 733

By Stacy A. Thursby, CSP, STS, SGE President and Owner of Safety PACE, LLC

Women in Safety

Teleworking—Changing the Impacts of Women in Safety VPPPA Presents… Women in Safety

While the safety industry is still a male-dominated industry, the number of women is increasing each year. It’s important to identify and communicate the issues that women face. In each issue of the a eL red , we will be including an article from a prominent woman working in the safety and health industry. If you, or someone you know, would like to write for this column, please contact VPPPA at comn um ications@ a pv o . rg .

omen in Safety have seen a dramatic change from

the past roles of women, where women are now, and what the future has in store for females in the Occupational Safety and Health industry. My personal experience includes working in the mining and tunneling industries along with heavy construction, nuclear remediation, and environmental permitting. For the first five years of my career (early 90s) I was the only woman on the jobsite—other than administrative assistants. I was often misplaced as a secretary. Finding a woman doing safety

worked tirelessly to improve

aware that President Richard

Americans. Dr. Alice Hamilton

Nixon signed into law the

(now considered the founder of

Williams-Steiger Occupational

industrial medicine in America)

Safety and Health Act in

met U.S. Commissioner of

1970, which gave the Federal

Labor Charles Neill at the

Government the authority

1910 European conference on

to set and enforce safety and

occupational accidents and

health standards for most of

diseases. At only the beginning

the country’s workers. This act

of her career, Hamilton

workforce. During the last few

was the result of a hard fought

was already pioneering

years with the trend of working

legislative battle which began

investigations as director

remotely, the impact of women

in 1968 when President Lyndon

of the Illinois Occupational

in safety has improved. Women

Johnson unsuccessfully sought

Disease Commission. Neill

are more appreciated to greater

a similar measure. However,

invited her to work as a special

extent for what they provide on

the roots of government

investigator for the Bureau

a technical and programmatic

regulation of workplace

of Labor. She accepted, and

basis. The playing field has

hazards dates back to the late

until 1921, traveled around the

equalized very quickly through

19th century.

country visiting lead smelters,

pivotal role in formulating the laws and regulations that are still in place today. My career experience is quite varied and has shaped the way I mentor and teach new safety and health professionals entering the

telework where “people” are the asset, regardless of gender. Leader—Spring 2022

and tenacious women who the working conditions for

of. However, women played a

Past Experiences— Women’s Role in Safety Many safety professionals are

50 years ago was almost unheard

Women were seen as a risk, as opposed to providing ways to protect the workers.

President Richard Nixon signing the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Department of Labor

Laying the groundwork for this act were strong

storage battery plants, and other hazardous workplaces. In vpppa.org

1911, she published a study of

college. I provided the lessons

upon technical expertise,

the white lead industry that was

very large construction and

that I learned and methods I

minimizing the gender role.

the first of a series of Bureau

tunneling project in Texas. Of

used to be the advocate for the

Telework has contributed to

of Labor reports known as the

the hundreds of employees,

workers while maintaining a

leveling the playing field for

“Federal Survey.” She found

I was one of three women on

professional posture. Women

all professionals allowing the

many examples of deplorable

this project that held technical

were gaining acceptance but

talents of the individuals to

conditions and gross neglect.

positions. I was young,

still were not afforded those

be recognized.

inexperienced, and female—a

high-level management roles.

Many companies are

I recognized that I could

recognizing that a hybrid

In 1933, President Franklin

My first job was on a

D. Roosevelt selected Frances

difficult combination. I had

Perkins as Secretary of Labor

to remain professional and

change the dynamic by starting

path forward (telework/field

and the first female Cabinet

technically competent in

my own Environmental, Safety,

work) to support a work/

member. She brought to the

face of discrimination by the

and Health company, which

life balance is needed to keep

Labor Department extensive

very seasoned workers and

I did in 2019. I took the lead

their professionals engaged.

experience in occupational

management personnel who

from others who encouraged

Women have been doing this

safety and health with the

were all men. I was often seen as

me to use my specific talents

for years. This opens the door

State of New York. To help

“bad luck” when underground

and experience to take charge

for additional women to put

assure that workplaces would

with the miners. Women were

and ownership of my career.

their talents to use and enter

be safe by applying science and

seen as a risk, as opposed to

I reached out to my trusted

the workforce. This could also

technology, Perkins created a

providing ways to protect the

mentors (both men and women)

allow women to be in roles that

Bureau of Labor Standards in

workers. This theme lasted

to navigate the next steps for me

were traditionally held by men,

1934 initiating the platform

for 20 years into my career,

and my company. The results

and for the equal alignment of

for those interested in job

where at each new job, I had

were both positive and career

the compensation for men and

safety and health. This was

something to prove.

affirming. I noticed that I was

women working the same job.

being viewed as a professional

the first permanent Federal agency established primarily to promote safety and health for the entire workforce. The Bureau helped state governments improve their

Where Women Are Now—Opportunities and Options As more women entered the workforce, so did the number

administration of job safety and

of women safety and health

health laws and raise the level of

professionals. Women were

their protective legislation.

hired because of their skill

My personal history started

set and technical expertise.

in the early nineties graduating

However, the bias between

from Indiana State University

men and women continues

with a degree in Safety

to exist. Females still had to

Management and Industrial

demonstrate their abilities as

Hygiene. My education journey

opposed to the men who were

started with medicine as my

seen as professionals upon

chosen field of study. By chance,

stepping onto the jobsite. This

pre-med students were a part of

applied to me as well.

the School of Health and Human

I became a Safety and Health

and not a female. Women currently have more

and the future shows optimism

opportunities and options in

for that trend to continue.

the workplace. Women-owned

The best outcome is to talk

businesses are on the rise in

about how safety and health

the Safety and Health field and

professionals are protecting

provide a necessary perspective

our workers each day where the

in the protection of our workers.

gender of the professionals is

Women are applying the talents

not considered. The objective is

and skills that are unique to

to protect the nation’s workers

women offering an empathetic

to the best of our ability using

perspective to worker

technology, science, and

protection. That nurturing

innovations. Ours is a noble

perspective is being accepted

profession, inclusive and

and welcomed by the workers;

passionate, where women and

translating to workers looking

men are making the workplace

out for themselves and each

safer while inspiring those we

other. This is the basis for the

protect to join in our pursuits.

Voluntary Protection Program.

Services, which also included

Program Manager after 20

individuals choosing a career in

years of working in the field. I

Occupational Safety and Health.

had men and women working

I was approached by professors

for me with safety and health

who convinced me to change my

professionals both in the

career to Safety and Health for

Future for Women in Safety—Telework and Talents

office and the field. I had the

The pandemic has changed

the protection of our nation’s

opportunity to mentor and teach

the way we work and support

workers. It was an emerging

the new female professionals

the workers who we are

field with very few women. I was

what I learned and how to

committed to protect. Meetings

usually the only female in my

navigate the opinions and bias

are conducted virtually where

classes, which was both exciting

that still existed. I worked with

individuals are identified as a

and a learning experience that I

six very talented and intelligent

name as opposed to a gender.

carried with me to the workplace.

women just coming out of

Products are evaluated based

vpppa.org

Women are making a mark in the Safety and Health profession

Stacy Thursby has 30 years of experience in Environmental, Safety, and Health with emphasis in Occupational and Construction Safety, Environmental Permitting, Nuclear Clean-up and Remediation, and Mining and Tunneling Operations working with the Department of Energy and private industry. Specialty areas include VPP, Safety Systems, Industrial Hygiene, and Occupational Medical Reporting. Leader—Spring 2022

By OSHA Safe + Sound Campaign

Safe + Sound Week 2022 Show your commitment to safety and health by participating in the fifth annual Safe + Sound Week.

Take a Step in the Right Direction Every year, more than 3.6 million workers suffer a serious job-related injury or illness. Safe + Sound was created in 2017 to raise awareness of the importance of workplace safety and to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses in all organizations, no matter the size or industry. Safe + Sound is supported by seven Organizers, including VPPPA, along with many individual businesses and over 228 partners from various trade, labor, and professional groups. Safe + Sound is rooted in the belief that every workplace

Leader—Spring 2022

August that recognizes the

and a systematic approach to

successes of workplace safety

finding and fixing hazards.

and health programs and offers

Safe + Sound aims to help

information and ideas on how

businesses improve their safety

to keep America’s workers

performance. No matter where

safe. In 2021, 5,306 businesses

businesses are in their safety

from 50 states, 5 territories,

and health journey, they can

and 75 countries participated

always take a step in the right

in Safe + Sound Week, a 54%

direction. Safety and health

increase from the prior year.

programs are invaluable in

Additionally, 3.2 million

increasing productivity and

workers were reached!

enhancing overall business operations and preventing workplace injuries and illnesses so after every shift workers can return home to their families safe and sound.

Be part of the growing trend. Show your commitment to safety and health by participating in the fifth annual Safe + Sound Week. This year’s Safe + Sound Week will take place from August 15– 21, 2022. Registration opens on

safety and health program

Become Part of Something Great

that incorporates the three

Safe + Sound Week is a

Week website (www.osha.gov/

core elements: management

nationwide event held each

safeandsoundweek) for more

in America should have a

leadership, worker participation,

the Safe + Sound Week website in July. Visit the Safe + Sound

vpppa.org

MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP

Communicate Your Commitment to a Safety and Health Program Step 1.

Build your case for a safety and health program

How can you build this understanding throughout your business? Begin by choosing a few people (or one person if you are a small business) to help you. You will work with this team to build your case for a safety and health program and carry the message to everyone else. They should be people who can help you drive change within the business. Consider choosing people, both workers and managers, who represent di˜erent areas of the business, shifts, and facilities. You want to learn about motivations for improving safety at every level. Why should the business, or any person in your business, use their time, energy, and resources to improve safety and health? Meet with your team to assess the reasons your business needs a safety and health program. If your business is very small, consider including everyone in this activity.

regularly. In 2021, over 94,000

to participate. We look forward

participants regularly received

to learning how your

safety and health messages

innovative efforts to be safe

through the newsletter.

and sound at work have

Step 2. Write a safety and health policy

Safety and health programs are a proven way to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. For the program to be e˜ective, everyone in your business should understand why improving safety and health is important.

information on how

improved your workplace.

Safe + Sound has many free resources to help businesses develop their safety and

To Do Form a small team of “safety champions”—people who can help you form your safety and health program and drive change in your business. Assess the reasons your business needs a safety and health program.

Team members

Use the table on the next page to consider motivations you and your business have for improving safety and health. Add any to the list you think should be included under “Other.” Then rank them in order of importance to your business, with 1 being the most important, 2 the next most important, etc. Note whether you have any examples or data to support your ranking. For example, if you give a high rank to “Lower our workers’ compensation and other costs from injuries and illnesses,” note what costs, or increased costs, support that ranking. Di˜erent people will likely rank motivations di˜erently. That’s only natural. In fact, this range of opinion will help you plan for change and better communicate in ways that reach everyone.

Join Safe + Sound

health program. For example,

Safe + Sound’s monthly

one of the most downloaded

newsletter, Safe and Sound

resources in 2021 was the

At Work, provides ongoing

Build Your Case For a Safety and

communications that give

Health Program management

insight on how businesses can

leadership worksheet, which

develop or maintain their safety

helps businesses identify their

and health program. These

motivations for improving

communications offer resources

safety and health in their

you can adapt for your workplace

workplace so they can use

or business mode that are added

them to help drive change.

Don’t miss out on receiving this valuable information. Sign up to receive the newsletter by joining our mailing list at https://www.osha.gov/ safeandsound. Follow Safe + Sound activities and share content on social media using #SafeAndSoundAtWork. Questions? Email us at safeandsoundcampaign@dol.gov.

www.osha.gov/safeandsound

The best teams

COMMUNICATE… so do the best GAS DETECTORS With the Ventis® Pro5 from Industrial Scientific, Mike’s teammates will know he’s entered a high H2S environment, so they can respond faster with more information—when every second counts. See it in action at VPPPA Safety + Symposium

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2022

By Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health

Leader—Spring 2022

vpppa.org

ifty-two years ago,

Shortly after the turn of the

the impacts of the climate crisis

a new paradigm

new century, the response and

and dangers of working in heat.

emerged for America’s

recovery efforts following the

OSHA has taken steps to deal

workplaces. The

9/11 terrorist attacks shaped

with rising heat illnesses and

Occupational Safety and Health

how OSHA and the federal

fatalities by implementing a

Act of 1970 was passed, making

government responded to

heat enforcement initiative

way for the creation of the

subsequent disasters or events.

in 2021. This initiative is in

Occupational Safety and Health

The 2000s saw new standards

addition to OSHA’s ongoing

Administration (OSHA) in

to protect construction

heat illness campaign. OSHA

1971. From that point on, a safe

workers in steel erection

also has plans to issue a national

workplace was the right of every

and prevent exposure to

emphasis program on heat.

worker. Since its creation, OSHA

hexavalent chromium.

has helped transform workplaces

In its fifth decade, OSHA

Meaningful engagement with underserved communities

in ways that have significantly

issued standards for silica

is another key priority of the

reduced occupational fatalities,

dust, beryllium, and confined

administration. All workers—no

injuries, and illnesses.

spaces, and the classification

matter their gender or age, the

and labeling of work-related

color of their skin, the language

issued the first federal workplace

chemicals. The agency also

they speak, or their citizenship

health and safety standards. The

launched several initiatives

status—has the right to be

agency’s first standard provided

to address serious workplace

healthy and safe at their job.

worker protections from

issues, including fall

OSHA is committed to making

asbestos, followed by health

prevention, youth safety, heat

sure that every worker knows

standards for lead, carcinogens,

illness, trench safety, and

about their rights and has the

cotton dust, and construction

suicide prevention.

required training and protections

In its initial decade, OSHA

safety standards. In its second decade, OSHA

Since the beginning of the

they need and deserve. Workers

As OSHA wraps up its first 50 years, at the core of its work is the fundamental right for all workers to be protected on the job and empowered to speak up about unsafe conditions.

management programs with strong worker participation. Compliance is a good starting point, but every workplace can better protect workers by making health and safety a core value.

COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA’s

must also be and feel encouraged

issued standards to give

mission is as important now as

to speak up about issues without

workers the right to know which

it has ever been in the agency’s

fear of retaliation.

chemicals they may be exposed

50-year history. Workers can

Another area of focus is

to and require employers to

and are still getting sick from

ensuring the agency has the

provide workers and their doctors

COVID-19 and OSHA must

resources and staffing necessary

with medical and exposure

continue working to protect

to carry out its mission. OSHA

records. During the 1980s,

them, even when the public

has been aggressively hiring

OSHA also created the first of

conversation about the virus

senior leaders, compliance

its cooperative programs—the

may be shifting. The agency has

safety and health officers, and

Voluntary Protection Program.

worked expeditiously to help

whistleblower investigators.

OSHA’s cooperative programs

protect workers from exposure

Strong enforcement is always

provide businesses, labor groups,

to the coronavirus, from

going to be an integral part

and other organizations the

issuing guidance documents to

of the Occupational Safety

opportunity to work with the

responding to complaints and

and Health Act and OSHA will

agency to improve workplace

performing investigations of

use all available tools to hold

health and safety.

worker exposures to COVID-19

accountable employers who

hazards. The agency is using

disregard their obligation to

OSHA issued new standards

available tools while it finalizes

provide workers a safe workplace.

on testing and certifying the

a permanent Healthcare

safety of workplace equipment,

Standard and continues work on

mechanism for achieving

agency is focused on expanding

and worker protections from

an infectious disease standard

OSHA’s mission. The agency

outreach, building on existing

hazardous energy, combustible

to ensure it is better prepared

also relies on its cooperative

relationships, and developing

grain dust, trenching, and noise

for the next outbreak.

relationships with employers

new partnerships to ensure

and encourages them to go

that every worker has the protections they need.

During subsequent decades,

Enforcement is one

From issuing and enforcing workplace health and safety standards to extensive compliance assistance to help employers keep their employees safe, and whistleblower protections for workers who raise their voice to protect themselves and others, workplace conditions have improved dramatically over the last half century because of the efforts of OSHA and its partners. As OSHA wraps up its first 50 years, at the core of its work is the fundamental right for all workers to be protected on the job and empowered to speak up about unsafe conditions. The

hazards. New and stronger

OSHA is also focused on

standards addressed falls,

addressing work-related heat

beyond compliance with

bloodborne pathogens and toxic

illness. The dangers of heat are

OSHA standards. OSHA

substances. Workers in confined

only getting worse, particularly

supports recognition for

made great progress toward its

spaces, longshoring and marine

for workers of color who

employers who model effective

mission. As the agency looks

terminals, and laboratories also

disproportionately make up the

safety and health programs

ahead to the next 50 years, it

gained stronger protections. The

populations of employees who

and encourages them to

will continue working hard until

agency also introduced safety

are exposed to high levels of

communicate with their peers

every worker is able to go home

and health training at its OSHA

heat. OSHA is taking aggressive

the importance and benefits

to their families healthy and

Education Centers.

action to protect workers from

of robust safety and health

safe at the end of each day.

vpppa.org

In half a century, OSHA has

Leader—Spring 2022

The P 12

Leader—Spring 2022

vpppa.org

By Julian Moffatt

Past, Present & Futur of ES Recent humanitarian crises and geopolitical instabilities may seem like a violent throwback to the mid-20th Century, a time when the prospect of nuclear war and global annihilation haunted humanity. The irony is that today the world has never been more serious about pursuing a sustainable future, with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) topics dominating corporate, investment, and political discourse. At this pivotal time, it is worth considering how ESG thought has evolved over the past 75 years and contemplate where it might be headed in the future.

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2022

The world has never been more serious about pursuing a sustainable future, with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) topics dominating corporate, investment, and political discourse.

1950s

programs was successful in

closed with another high-

The dawn of the nuclear age

curbing many of the negative

profile industrial disaster: the

and the ensuing Cold War

consequences stemming

1989 Exon Valdez oil spill. This

forced humanity to consider

from unchecked industrial

event proved pivotal to the

our impact on the planet

growth during the 1950s and

founding of initial ESG reporting

in a manner that had never

1960s. Increased scientific

frameworks in the 1990s.

previously been considered. Our

research into human impacts

newfound power to destroy life

on the environment provided

on earth via nuclear holocaust

early warnings concerning

encouraged introspective

the potential for ozone layer

thought. This period also

depletion and climate change.

ushered in the age of plastics

Over-fishing of the world’s

and the rapid expansion

oceans and deforestation

of organic (carbon-based)

shattered the “endless

chemistry, which by the late

resource” myth, and early

1950s began to exact a heavy toll

images of the Earth from outer

on the environment.

space had an existential impact on human thinking. One in

1960s This is widely regarded as the decade when the need for environmental protection and

particular—the “Blue Marble”

gas levels raised alarm bells concerning global warming, pushing this topic into the forefront of sustainability discussions. An increasing number of organizations began to publish corporate social responsibility (CSR) style reports, although early efforts were heavy on graphics

concept of a fragile world set

and short on facts. The decade

against the void of space.

also saw the founding of early ESG reporting frameworks,

1980s

including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and “ethical”

expansion, and unchecked

pollution, and other

investing that focused attention

use of chemicals to fuel this

negative consequences

on consumer oriented Green

growth, took an increasingly

of industrialization on

Investment options. EH&S

visible toll on workers and the

communities and the

regulations continued to evolve

environment. While Rachel

environment was top of mind

in industrial countries with

Carson’s publication of Silent

as the world grappled with

increasingly significant financial

Spring in 1962 served as an

the need to pursue increased

and reputational penalties for

important wake-up call, the

economic development in

organizations that fail to

decade was still filled with easy-

a more sustainable fashion.

protect workers or willfully

to-disseminate images that

The highly influential 1987

degrade the environment.

conveyed the urgency of change

Brundtland Commission

like those of DDT-weakened

report anchored the term

eggshells breaking within raptor

“Sustainable Development”

nests and the 1969 Cuyahoga

into the public lexicon. As

“river fire” in downtown

(GHG) emissions became an

the non-industrialized world

Cleveland. The socioeconomic

urgent global priority in the

increasingly looked to follow

climate of the 1960s meant that

early 2000s. Cap-and-trade

in the footsteps of affluent

and carbon tax-based GHG

nations, the need to define a less

management schemes were first

harmful path to development

introduced, the link between

took on increasing urgency.

positive financial return and ESG

The devastating Bhopal (Union

performance was correlated,

Carbide) disaster, rainforest

and the United Nations (UN)

depletion, dead lakes attributed

published the Principles for

The 1970s saw the rapid

to “acid rain,” ozone layer holes

Responsible Investment (PRI).

expansion of EH&S compliance

caused by CFC emissions, and

This framework has since proven

programs across the

rapidly depleting fossil fuel

to be a significant market driver,

industrialized world. The

reserves kept the concept of

attracting the attention of more

implementation of government

sustainability at the forefront

than 1,500 signatory investment

regulations and enforcement

of public discourse. The decade

institutions controlling $62

there was a more willing and receptive audience to receive the message that it was time to start doing things differently.

1970s

Leader—Spring 2022

science and rising greenhouse

Resource depletion,

from the continued economic

Scientific research into climate

photograph—advanced the

workplace safety laws first came into sharp focus. The fallout

1990s

2000s Curtailing greenhouse gas

vpppa.org

trillion in managed assets.

institutional investors exerted

The age of market-based ESG

direct pressure to force changes

acceleration had begun.

The Future

regulatory reporting foundation

If the past has taught us

for ESG—, CSR/Sustainability,

within leading public and

anything, it’s that it is virtually

and GRC will converge.

private companies to adopt

impossible to accurately

ESG principles into all facets

predict what will happen next.

come a long way, there is still

of corporate governance and

However, we can say with some

so much more to do. Despite

strategic planning. While it

level of certainty that ESG is

recent humanitarian crises and

continues to remain a voluntary

here to stay, and organizations

geopolitical instabilities, the

reporting initiative, investor

should expect it to increasingly

world has proven that it can

and supply chain pressure

become a routine part of doing

unite around the topic of ESG;

has increasingly made ESG

business. Mandatory minimum

we have never been in a better

disclosure mandatory for

ESG disclosure will become the

position to pursue a sustainable

many organizations. Social

norm—both in Europe and the

future for humanity, assuming

equity, total worker health,

U.S.—and will carry similar

we don’t trip at the finish line.

impact on communities, and

liability to an organization

environmental preservation—

as financial reports currently

with particular emphasis

have. Voluntary reporting

on GHG—are top of mind in

frameworks will continue to

boardrooms across the world.

exist, but consolidation and

The race to chart a different

standardization will help to

path has intensified, with even

shorten the list of competing

the largest Oil & Gas companies

frameworks. ESG will be the

ESG reached critical mass in

staking out Net Zero strategies

macro-umbrella under which

2020, a year during which

for curtailing GHG emissions.

EHS—which today serves as the

2010s This decade is characterized by the emergence of marketfocused ESG reporting frameworks (including the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board), as well as the introduction of the term “ESG” into the public lexicon. Although still voluntary, ESG pressure continues to mount throughout this time, with over 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies disclosing ESG/CSR/ Sustainability reports by 2020.

Today

While we have already

Julian Moffatt is a Principal Solutions Strategist, ESG at VelocityEHS, the global leader in cloud environment, health, safety (EHS) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) software. To learn more about how software can help build a better ESG program, visit www.EHS.com.

SRC ©

PROVEN PROCESS

INSPECT

| S P E C I F Y | B U I L D | I N S TA L L

INDUSTRIAL ROOFTOP SAFETY You’re tasked with keeping your facility OSHA compliant and your personnel safe from falls — but where do you begin? SRC Site Safe has the answer, providing a do-it-all service process that takes care of your entire fall-protection project, from the first inspection through the final installation.

Check out SRC (booth #424) at the VPPPA Safety+ Symposium from August 23-25 in Washington D.C.

SAFETYRAILCOMPANY.COM 888-434-2720

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2022

HEADTOTOE PPE

Where We’ve Been and ndall By Nicole Ra

Leader—Spring 2022

Where We’re Going

vpppa.org

hile the

head protection, eye and face

resistant. The standard defines

Occupational

protection, hearing protection,

two types and three classes of

Safety and Health

hand protection, respiratory

hard hats, each indicating the

Act of 1970, which created the

protection, protective apparel,

type and extent of its protection.

Occupational Safety and Health

high visibility products,

Type I helmets provide top

Administration, ushered in a

as well as fall protection,

protection, while Type II

new age of workplace safety over

dropped object prevention,

helmets provide both top and

50 years ago, the International

and related areas such as first

lateral protection. The three

Safety Equipment Association

aid, emergency eyewash, and

classes pertain to electrical

(ISEA) and its members have

shower instruments.

protection: Class C (conductive)

been continuously creating standards for personal protective

Here’s a look at a handful of those areas.

world leaders in the design, manufacture, testing, and distribution of protective clothing and equipment used in factories, construction sites, hospitals and clinics, farms, schools, laboratories, emergency response, and in the home, to help protect the health and safety of people worldwide. “For nearly a century, ISEA has united the safety equipment industry with the simple yet vital goal of protecting workers,” said Tom

Head Protection: The Hard Hat Bullard produced and manufactured the very first head protection device in 1919, primarily for miners. But wearing head protection was optional, left to the personal preference of workers. One of the companies building the Hoover Dam in 1931 started requiring its workers to wear head protection. Bullard’s production of the first aluminum hard hat for workers on the Golden Gate Bridge in

Votel, ISEA Chair and president

1933—where a common risk

& CEO of Ergodyne. “Together,

was falling rivets—allowed for

PPE manufacturers and safety

wider, and industry-crossing,

stakeholders have advanced

adoption of the headgear.

the performance of safety

Class G (general) protects against 2,200 volts, and Class

equipment (PPE) since 1933. ISEA member companies are

means no electrical protection,

ISEA members are the leading

E (electrical) protects against 20,000 volts. The typical hard hats of tomorrow might not look too different from those of today, but how they’re manufactured (more automation is a possibility) and their specific properties (such as resistance to heat and ultraviolet (UV) rays) are likely to evolve. Plus, workplace head protection could adopt features already used in other settings—such as climbing, biking, or other kinds of helmets—with components like chinstraps that could keep the helmet on the worker’s head and increase lateral protection. Changes could be driven by different head-injury trends as well as new work settings and

equipment and the standards

designers and manufacturers of

to which it conforms. Between

industrial protective helmets,

industry veterans who have

commonly known as hard

been in safety for decades and

hats, as well as helmets for

incoming safety professionals

firefighters and emergency

and new technical experts,

responders and the military. The

ISEA members collaborate

modern hard hat is no longer

to ensure safety equipment

made from canvas and leather,

as it was first called, was

performance standards are

but rather from thermoplastics

considered revolutionary. Two

updated, relevant, and, most

or other materials that are non-

layers of semi-opaque cloth

importantly, effective.”

conductive to electricity. The

were used to protect firemen

hard hat consists of an outer

from bright lights. Around the

the safety equipment industry

shell, suspension to absorb

turn of the century, workers in

has evolved over those decades

energy within the shell, crown

other industries likewise began

is to picture the entire body of a

straps, protective padding, and

to see the benefit of shielding

worker, from head to toe. Safety

a harness to secure the helmet

their eyes from bright lights.

solutions have been developed

to the wearer.

It wasn’t until 1909 that these

The easiest way to see how

to address workers’ most

Standards for hard hats have

vulnerable exposures to risk.

evolved. Under ANSI/ISEA Z89.1,

In fact, ISEA has internal

which was updated in 2014, they

scenarios not yet envisioned.

Eye Protection: Goggles, Eye Wash, and Portable Showers In 1880, the “eye protector,”

goggles were adapted to include a form of safety glass. Eye safety didn’t stop at

groups that focus on keeping

must resist penetration from

goggles, though. As workplaces

standards updated for the

falling or stationary objects,

and industries evolved, so

products that address those

absorb shock from an impact,

did ANSI/ISEA standards.

various exposures, including

and be water- and burn-

For example, to combat

vpppa.org

“For nearly a century, ISEA has united the safety equipment industry with the simple yet vital goal of protecting workers.”

Leader—Spring 2022

“With evolutions in artificial intelligence, robotics, connectivity, and beyond, safety can be more automated and controlled, leaving less room for error and injury.”

contamination, whether that

ISEA and its members developed

weight exposure (TWA) below

be chemical or otherwise,

the ANSI/ISEA 121-2018 standard

85 dBA. Workers exposed for

emergency eyewash stations and

for tethering and transporting

that duration to 100+ dBA or

showers were adopted in 1981.

tools and equipment.

to single impulses of 140+ dBA

Current standards detail numerous ways to shield the eyes. ISEA manufacturer members, such as Hughes Safety as well as Safety Optical Service, have taken up the mantle of innovation and worked to make needed adjustments to standard workplace eyewear. Goggles now include prescription lenses,

Earplugs were first patented in 1864, while the first ear-canal caps came another 20 years later to protect soldiers and sailors from hearing loss or damage in war. At the time, these plugs

wear both earplugs and earmuffs together for double hearing protection.

Face and Breathing Protection: Face Masks and Respirators Long before the N95 respirator became an icon of the COVID-19

It wasn’t until World War II that

pandemic in early 2020, workers

the V-51R model earplugs came

prior to 1900 had little-to-no

to include leather flaps over the

protection from dust and harmful

ears, essentially functioning as

particles. Jury-rigged solutions

first-generation earmuffs. By

like placing a wet cloth over

the mid-20th century, earmuffs

the mouth were ineffective and

used by workers in various

impractical. World War I saw the

high-noise workplaces (think

development and use of various

airport runways and certain

gas masks to reduce deaths and

manufacturing) appeared with

injuries from poisonous-gas

different designs to enhance

attacks on European battlefields,

the wearer’s comfort, such as

with further development of the

fluid-filled, glass-down, and

technology in World War II. The

For decades companies,

foam cushions. Conformable

U.S. Bureau of Mines created

organizations, and government

foam earplugs came along in

standards for oxygen breathing

agencies have worked to

the 1970s. Nonlinear electronic

apparatus and gas mask

prevent workers from falling

systems were incorporated into

respirators in 1919, followed

while on the job. However,

earmuffs in the 1980s.

by standards for hose-mask

protection from UV rays, and compatibility with helmets and headgear. Standards detail all of as a tighter fit to combat fogging, the addition of foam or padding for comfort, and meeting quality assurance benchmarks such as high-impact tests.

Safety at Heights: Dropped Objects Prevention

there is another component of

ISEA launched its Listen Today

respirators in 1927, which it

Safety at Heights that is more

to Hear Tomorrow campaign in

expanded in 1937, “to include a

recently getting the attention it

2018 because at least 40 million

variety of supplied-air respirators

deserves—dropped objects.

workers in the U.S. are exposed

including Type CE abrasive

to high noise levels on the job,

blasting respirator,” according to

noted, the primary reason for

in work settings that include

the Centers for Disease Control &

the development of the hard

construction, manufacturing,

Prevention (CDC). Then, in 1972,

hat in the early 20th century

service and government. Noise

ISEA Member 3M introduced the

was dropping rivets. And, in

exposure has a number of health

first NIOSH-approved disposable

1980, the most serious nuclear

effects, including stress, chronic

filtering face-piece respirator.

threat in the history of the

fatigue, hearing loss, tinnitus,

U.S. came from a single nine-

even high blood pressure

20th century, research and

pound wrench socket. Dropped

and digestive disorders. Ear

development had evolved to

by an airman performing

protection is recommended for

address various dust/fume/

maintenance on a missile, the

noise levels of 85 decibels (dB)

mist hazards and levels of

socket fell 70 feet, ripping a hole

or above. For every 3 dB above

toxicity in a broader array

in a fuel tank and leading to an

85 dB, the National Institute for

of workplace settings, from

explosion that forced a nine-

Occupational Safety (NIOSH)

industrial to healthcare.

megaton warhead out of the

recommends cutting the

ground. While safety features

permissible exposure time in

terrorist attacks, and first

prevented radioactive spillage,

half. NIOSH recommends that

responders’ rescue and recovery

the explosion killed one worker

the duration of noise exposure

efforts at the attack sites,

and injured 20 more.

be considered, as well, calling

exposed the need for even

for employers to provide

better respiratory protection as

for formal guidelines within the

hearing protection at no cost

well as other types of personal

category of Objects at Heights,

to keep workers’ 8-hour total

protective equipment (PPE).

This is not a recent issue. As

Recognizing the pressing need

Leader—Spring 2022

Hearing Protection: Earplugs and Earmuffs

came with an adjustable strap.

these goggle adjustments as well

noise should be required to

Fast-forwarding to the late

The September 11, 2001,

vpppa.org

Earlier that year, NIOSH had

evolution to ensure the safety

only the efficiency with which

created a new division—the

70.9% of hand and arm injuries

of even more employees around

companies can tackle work

National Personal Protective

could have been prevented with

the globe. New methods of

tasks, but also provides an extra

Technology Laboratory

personal protective equipment,

data collection have allowed

level of security for employees

(NPPTL)—to further research

specifically safety gloves—

for a more connected approach

as they perform their jobs. ISEA

PPE and personal protective

yet 70% of workers were not

to safety culture. Real-

will explore the adoption of

technologies (PPT), as well as to

wearing hand protection, and

time visibility and reports

new, technology-led standards

develop guidance, information,

of those who did, 30% didn’t

of workers’ conditions can

that keep worker privacy and

and responses to requests

wear the right kind of glove

now provide employers and

employee safety top of mind.

for workplace health-hazard

for the task—ISEA partnered

evaluations. Most recently, ISEA

in 2019–2020 with VPPPA

offered insights and suggestions from the safety equipment industry when the Biden Administration announced its desire to provide face protection for adults and children.

Hand Protection: Gloves Hand protection is as old as

After OSHA reported that

and the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) on a #SafeHands awareness and education campaign. A white paper and other information are available on the hand-protection resources page of ISEA’s website: https://safetyequipment.org/ safe-hands-at-work.

the sport of boxing. But as industries have evolved, and workplace responsibilities have changed, hand protection has become about more than protection from impact. From the metal mesh used by medieval knights to the seamless knit gloves of manufacturers in the 1980s, materials have constantly been updated and adapted to best serve the workforce. In 2019, ISEA announced a new standard for industrial gloves aimed at protecting workers from hand-impact injuries: ANSI/ISEA 138-2019, American National Standard for Performance and Classification for Impact Resistant Hand Protection. That standard built upon the widely used ANSI/ISEA 105-2016, American National Standard for Hand Protection Classification, which by then had also evolved, classifying nine levels of protection, defined as A1 through A9:

•

Levels A1, A2, A3 offer

•

Levels A4, A5, A6 offer

protection against scrapes. protection against injuries for which stitches would

•

be required.

High-Visibility Apparel The origins of high-visibility apparel began in the 1930s when

picture of workplace conditions by combining data from hardware, software, and even the cloud. The connectivity between these three data systems in a workplace offers information that wouldn’t otherwise be easily accessible. Employers and workers can access the status of equipment, remotely monitor site safety, access data logs, and more. This added visibility improves not

“The future of PPE is dynamic and exciting,” said Votel. “As technology continues to advance, so does safety. With evolutions in artificial intelligence, robotics, connectivity, and beyond, safety can be more automated and controlled, leaving less room for error and injury.” Nicole Randall is Director, Marketing & External Affairs, at the International Safety Equipment Association in Arlington, Virginia.

brothers Bob and Joe Switzer invented the first fluorescent paint, which they marketed as “Day-Glo.” The US government took notice and began using it to increase soldiers’ visibility and reduce friendly fire casualties in World War II. Today, in hightraffic areas and those with low visibility (i.e., inclement weather), hi-vis clothing could mean the difference between life and death of workers. There are now clearly defined standards with which highvisibility PPE must comply. The ANSI/ISEA 107 standard was first developed and released in 1999. It quickly gained ubiquitous influence and was deemed the most effective protective method with which to ensure worker conspicuity. The fifth edition (ANSI/ISEA 1072020) includes key updates and innovations such as criteria for the use of single-use disposable coveralls and measuring nighttime luminance.

Levels A7, A8, A9 offer

Looking Ahead

protection against the most

The next 50 years of PPE will

serious injuries.

see continued innovation and

vpppa.org

administrators a more detailed

Leader—Spring 2022

Worker Safety New Initiatives to Address an Old Problem By Adele L. Abrams, Esq., ASP, CMSP President, Law Office of Adele L. Abrams PC www.safety-law.com

ost employers do a

American lives (many of

temporary worker utilization.

reasonably good job

whom were essential workers)

But even before the pandemic, a

training and protecting

exacerbated what had already

shift to “just in time” production

their workers from the various

been hiring challenges for

and delivery created incentive to

occupational safety and health

employers. While initially, use

reduce the core number of direct

hazards associated with their

of “temps” fell to a 10-year low

employees and to “fill in” with

assigned tasks specifically, and

of 2 million workers in April

temporary workers as needed

with the work environment in

2020 due to the mass closures

to meet customer or client

general, as any worker may be

of businesses, it rebounded,

demands, and brought scrutiny to

jeopardized by tasks performed

and demand for temporary

the safety and health of workers

by others unsafely. But when it

workers in the United States was

involved in the “gig economy.”

comes to the occupational safety

expected to increase 14.4% on a

and health onboarding and

seasonally adjusted basis for the

can save employers money in

training of temporary workers,

2021 fourth quarter.

terms of not having to offer

too often these short-term

associated staffing challenges—

contributions, or offer health

protections and are injured

especially when filling entry

benefits under the Affordable

more frequently.

level, lower-wage positions that

Care Act. Use of temporary

cannot be performed remotely—

workers also may lower the

resulted in a resurgence of

number of employees covered

with the loss of a million

Leader—Spring 2022

mandatory benefits, make FICA

workers are left with disparate

The COVID-19 pandemic,

The “Great Resignation” and

Use of temporary workers

vpppa.org

by unemployment insurance

OSHA recognizes that

temporary workers and other

and workers’ compensation

temporary workers are at

insurance, as well as for

an elevated risk of injury or

triggering application of civil

death and has made their

treat a host employer and staffing

rights laws. However, injured

protection a priority in

agency as “joint employers”

temporary workers are not

the Biden Administration,

has been complicated of late

typically limited to a workers’

building on initiatives started

by shifting definitions issued

compensation “exclusive

under President Obama to

under rules promulgated by

remedy”—although they may

protect vulnerable workers.

the U.S. Department of Labor.

be covered by the staffing

See https://www.osha.gov/

The Biden Administration’s

agency’s insurance, and the

temporaryworkers.

complete rescission of the

host employer may have an indemnification agreement.

Historically, OSHA has

vulnerable populations. This determination of when to

Trump Administration’s 2020

taken the position that a

“joint employer” rule on July

staffing agency (or “temporary

26, 2021, and a March 2022

illness or injury suffered by a

agency”) and its client (the

decision by the U.S. Court of

temporary worker lands the

“host employer”) are joint

Appeals, 2d Circuit (Feldner v.

host employer in civil court

employers and must work

U.S. Tennis Association, involving

defending a wrongful death or

together to ensure that all

Plaintiff Feldner’s assignment

personal injury action. OSHA

requirements under the

as a temporary security guard

citations against the host

Occupational Safety & Health

at the U.S. Open), point to

employer can be introduced

Act and its implementing

possible future directions. The

as proof of negligence per se in

regulations are satisfied. At

federal appeals court noted

many states. Supervisors may

the March 2022 meeting of

in its ruling, which allowed

also face personal tort liability

the America Bar Association’s

temporary worker Feldman’s

related to temporary workers, if

Occupational Safety & Health

Title VII claim to proceed against

a temporary worker is injured or

section, OSHA representatives

the host employer: “The joint

killed as the result of negligent

announced more initiatives

employer doctrine . . . comes

training or supervision.

targeting protection of

into play where ‘an employee,

More often, a workplace

vpppa.org

As OSHA puts it: “Whether temporary or permanent, all workers always have a right to a safe and healthy workplace.”

Leader—Spring 2022

OSHA has taken the position that a staffing agency (or “temporary agency”) and its client (the “host employer”) are joint employers and must work together to

formally employed by one

In enforcement activities,

onsite engaged in potentially

entity is assigned to work in

OSHA will consider a variety of

hazardous activities, they

circumstances that the employee

factors, including the workplace

will be monitored by OSHA

is at the same time constructively

conditions, any contractual terms

and questioned as to their

employed by another entity.’”

in place, who is supervising the

training and use of personal

While the courts, the U.S.

temporary work crew (someone

protective equipment. Training

Department of Labor, and

sent by the agency, or one of

of temporary workers must

National Labor Relations Board

the host’s supervisors), and

be provided in a language and

work through yet another

who has and hasn’t provided

vocabulary they understand,

iteration of joint employer

appropriate training within their

and this should be considered

policy, OSHA retains broad

ability. This joint coordination

in advance, where the host

enforcement authority, via

requires effective communication

employer’s supervisors or

its multi-employer worksite

between both entities: host and

trainers cannot speak the

doctrine to address both entities

staffing agency.

language of the proposed

ensure that all requirements under the Occupational Safety & Health Act and its implementing regulations are satisfied.

when things go wrong. Under

procedures are followed for the

be cited as the “controlling”

timely reporting of injuries,

temporary worker utilization

employer, the “creating”

illnesses, and fatalities by

against recommended practices

employer, the “exposing”

the proper entity, as well as

for coordination between the

employer, and the “correcting”

accurate and timely entry of

host employer and staffing

employer. Typically, the host

such events on the OSHA logs

agencies, to better ensure safety

employer is deemed to be the

of the appropriate employer.

for all workers:

“controlling” entity because

When OSHA does triage on

they have the ability to police

whether to send an inspector to

with a staffing agency,

the situation, to evict an unsafe

a fatal or serious injury event,

jointly review all worksites

contractor or temporary

one of the triggers is having a

where the temps might be

workers who refuse to follow

temporary worker involved as

sent, the task assignments

safety rules or wear provided

the accident victim. Failure to

and job hazard analysis

PPE. The host employer can also

report a temporary worker’s

(or SOPs) to identify and

be cited, in the alternative, for

fatality within 8 hours, or an in-

eliminate potential safety

failing to correct the violative

patient hospitalization, eye loss,

and health hazards. This also

condition—because they

or amputation within 24 hours,

helps both entities identify

usually control the worksite and

can result in both employers

what training and personal

tools/equipment furnished to

being fined a minimum

protective equipment (PPE)

temporary workers, as well as

of $5,000. Confusion over

the worker will need (and

providing site-specific training.

responsibility is no excuse.

which entity will provide it),

While OSHA’s National

Now is the time to check your

Prior to entering a contract

including whether medical

can be cited as the “creating”

Emphasis Program inspections

evaluation and fit testing for

employer (whose worker

and Site Specific Targeting

a respirator is required, and

created the violative condition)

based programmed inspections

helps ensure that workers

or the “exposing” employer

do not apply to employers who

are not dispatched to the

(because the temporary worker

have been designated as VPP

site who are not physically

was exposed to a hazard created

participants, if a temporary

capable of performing all

by others at the worksite). The

worker is the subject of a

multi-employer citation power

severe injury report, or a temp

has been affirmed by all U.S.

makes a hazard or retaliation

to the appropriate employer

Courts of Appeal at this point,

complaint to OSHA, those

and define the scope of work

and the maximum penalty per

incidents can bring an inspector

in the contract. The extent of

citation increased to $145,027

to the worksite to investigate,

the responsibilities will vary

per exposed employee as of

regardless of the host

depending on workplace

January 15, 2022.

employer’s VPP status.

conditions and what the

OSHA views safety and health responsibilities as overlapping.

Leader—Spring 2022

temporary worker crew.

this doctrine, an employer can

The staffing agency, in turn,

It is also critical that proper

When OSHA shows up and there are temporary workers

essential job functions. 2. Assign OSHA responsibilities

temporary worker will be doing. Someone operating

vpppa.org

91%

of 2021 attendees said they would recommend Safety+ to peers in their field

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN LET’S REUNITE IN OUR NATION’S CAPITAL Join us in-person at Safety+ for a symposium that creates a community unlike any other! + Earn industry CEUs + 90+ workshops + Direct access to key OSHA representatives + More than 200 exhibitors + Expand your safety network

August 23–25, 2022

Walter E. Washington Convention Center Washington, DC

Visit: vpppa.org #SafetyPlus2022

power tools or working

review the division of

on the host employer’s

worksite practices and

with forklifts will require

responsibilities regularly,

OSHA 300/301 logs. If the

task procedures. Training

significantly more training

especially if injuries are

temporary agency sends a

must also cover the use and

and monitoring than a

impacting temporary

crew of workers along with

maintenance of personal

temporary receptionist or

workers, or caused by their

a more highly compensated

protective equipment that

mailroom clerk. Sometimes

unsafe activities.

crew chief, then generally

the temporary worker may

their injuries would go on

require, including hearing

the staffing agency is better

3. Injury and illness

suited to ensure compliance,

recordkeeping and reporting

the staffing agency logs,

protection, eye protection,

but generally OSHA will hold

must be done according to

rather than the host’s logs.

and respiratory protection.

the host employer primarily

federal OSHA requirements

OSHA considers “day-

One of the biggest potential

responsible for compliance

in 29 CFR Part 1904 (or the

as they will be assumed to

relevant State OSHA rules,

have greater knowledge of

if more stringent) and a

the regulations relevant to

temporary worker’s death

their industry.

or severe injury must be

It is also critical to

reported timely. Generally,

properly document the

if the host employer is

assigned responsibilities

providing direct supervision

in the contract or other

to the temporary worker,

worksite documents, and

the temp’s injury goes

to-day supervision” as

gaps involves OSHA’s hazard

the entity that controls

communication standard,

the means and manner of

and host employers must

the temporary employees’

ensure that temporary

work. OSHA specifically says

workers are trained on the

that the employer cannot discharge or contract away responsibilities (including recordkeeping) that pertain to them under the law. The supervising employer must also have a method of reporting injuries/illnesses free from retaliation and must train workers on the reporting method and on their whistleblower protections. 4. Training is critical for temporary workers, and new worker/new project orientation requires both

Stream>Track Learning System Video Streaming Platforms Digital Media Downloads Microlearnings SCORM Courses Custom Production Services

Come visit us at the Safety+ Symposium at Booth #606!

site-specific and taskspecific training in a language and vocabulary that the workers can understand. Keep in mind

Leader—Spring 2022

800-311-1143

requirements for the products they will use on the job, and how to gain access to Safety Data Sheets, especially if they are kept on a computer that is password-protected. 5. OSHA advises staffing agencies to maintain contact with workers, and do spot visits where possible (e.g., when distributing paychecks) to verify that the host employer is fulfilling its responsibilities for a safe and healthful workplace. Finally, temporary workers are also covered under OSHA’s whistleblower protections, and if they are removed from a worksite by the host because

that some temp workers may

they expressed a concern about

also be illiterate and unable

COVID-19 transmission or other

to comprehend written

safety issues, this could be viewed

instructional materials, in

as a violation of their rights and

which case the information

the host can be prosecuted even

will need to be communicated

though the worker is not directly

in another format.

employed by them. If the staffing

OSHA views worker

agency refuses to reassign the

training as a shared

worker based on their protected

responsibility between

safety activity, the agency can be

the host employer and the

prosecuted as well.

staffing agency, where the

APSafetyTraining.com

chemical hazards and PPE

As OSHA puts it: “Whether

agency provides generic

temporary or permanent, all

training, and the host does

workers always have a right to a

a deeper dive into specific

safe and healthy workplace.”

vpppa.org

AD p. 25

The Future is Hotter: How to Protect Workers from

By: Beth Angus, MPH, CIH

Leader—Spring 2022

vpppa.org

•

ast year was the fourth

considered. Health conditions

warmest year on record1.

such as high blood pressure or

Not to mention that the

diabetes, and some medications

of heat stress, in extreme

ten warmest years in

make workers less tolerant of

situations, thermally

history have all been since

heat. Employers and workers

conditioned clothes such as

1998 (according to the National

should readily recognize early

cooling vests can be used.

Oceanic and Atmospheric

signs of heat stress like:

Administration). Even cooler states routinely see heat index days over 80°F, which is the threshold for heat stress-

• • •

An increased heart rate Profuse sweating An increase in body temperature

related inspections under a new OSHA initiative announced in September 20212. It’s critical to think about rising temperatures especially as you plan future compliance with OSHA’s Advance Notice of

Prevention and Control Like most other risks, we can address heat using the hierarchy of controls:

•

Proposed Rulemaking on heat This proposed rulemaking

morning, late evening, or

is OSHA’s first step toward

even overnight)? Can the

establishing a formal heat stress

most physically demanding

standard and is in response to heat injuries and illnesses over

•

the last 30 years, including

tasks be rescheduled? Engineering: For indoor workplaces, using local exhaust ventilation and

nearly 1,000 workplace deaths3.

cooling fans in areas with

It’s no question that the future

the most heat production,

is looking hotter, so how can

insulating hot surfaces,

safety professionals prepare?

and allowing breaks in air-conditioned areas are

Recognition and Planning

all examples of potential engineering controls.

While primarily outdoor

For outdoor workplaces,

industries, such as agriculture,

consider using misting fans,

construction, and landscaping,

using reflective shields

have readily recognizable heat-

to redirect sunlight, and

related injury and illness risks,

providing shade cover (such

the risk can also be present at

as portable canopies).

indoor worksites. Sources of heat, such as ovens or kilns, can

•

Work Practices: Modify work schedules for workers

be readily recognized, but other

who are not acclimatized and

risk factors are easily overlooked.

require breaks in a cooler

How strenuous is the labor for

(shaded or air-conditioned)

some employees? Could personal

area. Provide water or

protective equipment create an

electrolyte-containing fluids,

additional risk? Are there specific

and encourage workers to

activities, such as spill response,

drink them frequently. Train

that could change an employee’s

employees to recognize signs

risk factors?

of heat stress in themselves

Employees’ personal risk factors should also be

1 2 3

and others, and to provide appropriate first aid.

For more on heat safety, make sure to check out the next issue of the Leader magazine, available this summer.

As employers identify risk should consider developing a Heat Illness Prevention Plan, which outlines procedures to protect employees from heatrelated illnesses and injuries. Elements to consider while writing the plan are:

•

Can the work be done in a coolest parts of the day (early

PPE can increase the risk

factors in their workplaces, they

How will the employer measure heat stress and determine if conditions

cooler area or during the

injury and illness prevention.

more than 31,000 work-related

Elimination/Substitution:

PPE: While many types of

• • • • •

are hazardous? How will conditions be monitored throughout the workday? How will unacclimatized workers develop heat tolerance? In which situations is it appropriate to use first aid or to call for medical assistance? What controls will be used to

It’s critical to think about rising temperatures, especially as you plan future compliance with OSHA’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on heat injury and illness prevention.

reduce heat stress? What training will be provided? Heat stress and heat-

related illnesses and injuries can be prevented, even as temperatures rise in the future. It’s up to employers to be proactive about training, heat prevention plan development, and OSHA compliance. The future is bright (and hot)—let’s make sure all workers get home at the end of the day. Beth Angus, MPH, CIH, is an industrial hygiene consultant with Safex, a health, safety and environmental consulting firm in Columbus, Ohio. Her specialties include developing industrial sampling plans, exposure monitoring for chemical and physical hazards and ventilation system assessments.

https://www.noaa.gov/news/us-saw-its-4th-warmest-year-on-record-fueled-by-record-warm-december https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/national/09202021 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (2021, September 1). 43 work-related deaths due to environmental heat exposure in 2019. The Economics Daily. https:// www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2021/43-work-related-deaths-due-to-environmental-heat-exposure-in-2019.htm. (BLS, September 1, 2021)

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2022

The Evolution of Safety Certifications— 100 Years in the Making

Co-Authors: Leah Beckworth, CSP, STSC, MS, UCOR Industrial Safety Manager Stephanie Miller, CSP, CIH, STS, MS, UCOR Safety Systems Integration Manager

Leader—Spring 2022

afety. 100 years ago.

vegetables in an attempt to put

Safety. Now. The

food on the table.

legacy of occupational

Fast forward.

safety is definitely

2022.

a tale to be told. Decades ago,

The career field of

the “safety guy” was often the

occupational safety and

person who had gotten hurt

health is complex, diverse,

on the job and was unable to

advanced, and technical. The

“do what he used to do.” It is

most recent American Society

ironic in some ways to have the

of Safety Professional’s survey

safety person missing a limb or

reflected this advancement

an eye. In fact, one well known

of the profession when over

and loved retired safety trainer

56,000 Safety, Health, and

in the industry was involved

Environmental professionals

in a mining accident about 50

reported an average annual

years ago and as a direct result

salary of $97,000. Almost

became “the safety guy.” He

three in four people had at

was just lucky he didn’t lose

least one Board of Certified

his job, though the accident

Safety Professionals (BCSP)

was no fault of his own. While

certification, and approximately

in recovery, his wife grew

one in four had multiple

vpppa.org

AN INTERVIEW WITH JIMMY HUGHES, CSP What made you want to get into safety? I was initially hired to work as a laborer at the DOE environmental cleanup contract in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. When the contract switched prime contractors to UCOR, there was an all-hands meeting where UCOR made it clear they were an employee-first company that supported professional development. I had always admired the way safety professionals bridge the gap between the salaried workforce and the union labor in an environment where every day presents new, complex challenges that must be solved. I worked with an excellent safety professional who took time to explain the importance of the position to me. I became laser-focused on my goal.

How did you get there? I realized early on that safety is a technical field where certifications and degrees matter. The weekend after the allhands meeting, I enrolled as a full-time student to complete my bachelor’s degree. After that, I decided to complete my master’s degree and obtained my CSP. I did all this while certifications, with the most

that is ever-evolving. Each

common one being the Certified

certification that is acquired

Safety Professional (CSP).

represents a person dedicated

Statistics such as these

enough to the profession to

are simply representative

invest their time, money,

numbers; let’s dig into what is

efforts, and heart to better

behind the data. The top tier

protect the greatest global

certifications—such as the

asset-people.

CSP, the Certified Industrial

working full time. UCOR recognized my achievements and hired me as a Safety Specialist. Since then, I have been promoted several times, and am currently a Safety and Health Operations Manager, leading approximately 50 safety and health professionals. I observe the results of the influence I have had and am proud to be able to say, “I helped achieve that, and everyone went home as good as, or better than, when they got here.” It is rewarding.

The good news is that

What do you see in the future of ESH?

Hygienist (CIH), and the

organizationally, companies

Certified Health Physicist

are aligning with this paradigm

(CHP) require college degrees,

shift. More and more, they

support division and becoming even more integrated. Being

experience, and an unwavering

are recognizing the value that

a safety professional means you are part Project Manager,

commitment to upholding the

safety professionals bring to the

Project Controls, Detective, Analyst, and Counselor. As safety

highest level of ethics. Indeed,

table as influencers of change

performance and production demands continue to increase,

we have come a long way from

and organizational leaders.

I see businesses realizing the value of cohesion between

appointing the injured as the

What some companies are

safety and operations. Safety professionals constantly have

“safety guy”—though the

still learning is that they have

to evolve as technology advances, corporate climates change,

fact cannot be negated that

an opportunity to maximize

business priorities are altered, and new hazards are found.

these individuals created the

that value by supporting

Safety professionals are perfectly positioned to become very

foundation for a profession

the development of their

effective organizational leaders and managers.

vpppa.org

In the future, I see ESH becoming less of a standalone

Leader—Spring 2022

30 Leader—Spring 2022

vpppa.org

safety professionals. When

certifications and growth for

Overall, UCOR employs

development partnership can

organizations and managers

themselves after witnessing the

approximately eighty people

lead to exponential returns for

make a choice to invest in the

effects of someone else in the

with professional-level

the individual and the company.

growth of their employees, it

organization doing so first.

safety certifications. All in all,

(See interview on page 29.)

forges a greater level of mutual

During 2021, despite many

when supported by peers and

Safety. 100 years from now.

loyalty between the individual

distractions such as pandemic

management, the benefits of

What will it be? What tales will

and the organization. As a

management, certification

certification gain momentum,

those yet to come tell about

result, safety professionals not

attainment took off like

become more far reaching, and

only develop a stronger desire to

wildfire at United Cleanup

the organization sees a greater

contribute to the success of the

Oak Ridge (UCOR). The

return on the investment they

organization that is supporting

organization instituted an

have made. The outcome is

them, but they also elevate

accountability partner program

improved overall sustainability

their technical and managerial

where certified individuals

for the individual safety

competencies. What do those

were matched up with those

professionals, the workforce,

successes and contributions

seeking certifications to act

and the organization as a whole.

look like after obtaining

as a resource, encourager,

certifications and establishing a

and source of accountability.

our professionals to grow and

pathway of growth? They appear

This resulted in four

pursue certifications, we lay out

when safety professionals apply

individuals obtaining their

career pathways to assist them

their skills to, and get buy in

CSPs, five obtaining their

with planning their development

from, operations, which leads

Associate Safety Professional

and their future. We partner

to teaming and safety culture

certification, two obtaining

with our professionals to chart a

shifts. They show up through

their Occupational Health and

course for their career, a course

increases in technical excellence

Safety Technician certification,

that identifies professional goals

thereby raising the standard

and thirty-six members of

and certifications, experiences to

of what can be achieved by the

the workforce obtaining their

target, and soft skills to develop.

team. They come in the form of

Safety Trained Supervisor

Jimmy Hughes, CSP, is a great

coworkers and peers exploring

Construction certification.

example of how this supportive

At UCOR we not only encourage

us? While the answers to those questions cannot truly be known, we must continue to pave the way by elevating the profession and never settling for status quo. Organizationally, we must invest in safety professionals and view them with the same significance that we do operations and production. Individually, we must partner with our safety professionals in a way that enables them to manage their environment, create their own luck, and support their organization’s excellence and sustainability. For more information related to this article please email leah.beckworth@orcc.doe.gov or stephanie.miller@orcc.doe.gov.

• Keeps extension ladders from slipping on slick surfaces such as composite decking • Unique design of foam creates tiny suction cups that grip the surface, even when wet • Light weight for easy use, weighs less than 6 pounds • Works on smooth surfaces, plastic, wood, concrete, etc., even when wet • Prevents marring and scratches to deck caused by ladder feet • Attaches to the bottom ladder rung, with adjustable strap, for easy movement of ladder along wall • Fits most extension ladders, up to 21” wide • Replaceable self-adhesive foam pad

Ladder falls – 2nd leading cause of work-related injuries!* * https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ nioshtic-2/20034690.html

Working Concepts, Inc.

888-456-3372 • www.softknees.com • info@softknees.com Patent Pending

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2022

What is the function of a professional in Occupational Health and Safety? Someone in this job is a major contributor to managing risk for that entity. Simply put, they are the specialist at looking at what is going on, trying to anticipate all of the things which could go wrong, and then using a set of skills and tools to figure out ways to prevent bad outcomes. If something has gone wrong already, they are responsible for abating and correcting the problem. The field has always had to adapt to the technologies at hand.

By Brenda Kay Wiederkehr, CSC Owner of Access Compliance

Leader—Spring 2022

vpppa.org

few hundred years

The safety professional field was

ago, safety was a

born and blossomed.

simpler endeavor. The technologies have

Sound scary? In the 1960s, people predicted that all jobs

The tides are shifting once

would disappear. In fact, millions

again. The U.S. has seen the loss

of jobs were subsequently added.

advanced over the years, and

of its manufacturing powerhouse

In the realm of safety, it will take

safety and health initiatives have

status, and jobs have shifted

shifts in expertise. What will

had to advance along with them.

to service organizations. Major

it take to keep a fleet of self-

In the process, old hazards and

employers are healthcare,

risks have fallen away while new

education, government, and

operating air taxis safe? How

ones have emerged.

retail. Information technologies

Job titles have come and gone.

jobs are surely not a high hazard

In the 1960s, armies of typists

occupation. The prior success in

disappeared with the advent of

the health and safety profession

photocopiers, and the number

in scaling back the explosive

of bookkeepers evaporated,

growth of worker injury costs

succumbing to electronic data

with appropriate controls,

processing computers. We have

combined with a decrease in

watched the travel agent give

many of the most hazardous

way to online travel apps and we

positions through automation

are witnessing the slow demise

or alternative processing has

of the local retailer.

decreased the need for the health

The Post World War II industrial powerhouse, the

and safety professional in many So where are things going?

General Motors and U.S. Steel,

The major forces impacting

has watched the manufacturing

these job categories in the future

sector chase after low wage-

are artificial intelligence and

earning workers in the global

further advances in automation

economy. A shirt put together by

and technology. Where will the

$1.50 per hour wage earners in

transportation industry be when

Asia can be sold cheaper in the

motor vehicles, aircraft, and

U.S. than if made here, even with

maritime vessels are controlled

shipping costs and import fees.

autonomously? Where will

Safety jobs were not always

the energy sector be in the

a big thing in the U.S. The more

transition to renewables such

mature safety professional can

as wind power and hydrogen;

easily remember manufacturing

not to mention the phasing out

operations with unguarded

of the petrochemical industries.

presses, toxic chemicals, and

Are service jobs spared? When IBM’s Watson

horrify the modern workplace.

computer was loaned to a large

Sadly, many of these things

cancer center to round with the

are still commonplace in some

doctors, the patient outcomes

overseas worksites. It was the

improved 20%. Even service

rise of workers compensation

jobs like physicians are likely

medical costs in the 1970s and

to be replaced by intelligent

1980s that convinced employers

diagnostic computers.

that it was cheaper to prevent

Dangerous jobs will be managed

an injury than to pay for one.

in the Metaverse with virtual

During the 1980s and 1990s,

The interface between man and intelligent devices will require greater technical skills. Safety professionals will continue to exist, but the tasks may require more training and

reality communicating with

most of our modern safety

physical robots. Buildings being

protocols and practices were

constructed will be printed

I have been in the safety field for what seems like my entire life. Growing up in a small farming town in the Midwest, where injuries or death affected the whole community, I was aware at a young age the dangers faced in the working world. After completing high school, I served in the United States Army for four years, United States Army Reserves for eight years, and in 1992 moved into the Occupational

Industrial safety may be slowing down, but environmental health and safety is gearing up to be the big thing this century. sophistication. If the military can do a pinpoint missile strike with a drone in the Middle East against a wanted terrorist from a small room in Nevada, clearly, we can excavate a ditch in Argentina from the beach in the Caribbean. But can we keep that workplace safe for the community nearby or prevent a damaging mistake from destroying the equipment? Engineering, toxicology, computer programing, robotics. The safety professional of the future will be less involved in guardrails and enclosures and more about maintaining a fleet of overhead drones, remote robotics and regulating temperature. That is, of course, until artificial intelligence teaches our machines to do all this without us. The philosophies of risk management won’t change. What are the hazards and how can we eliminate them will continue to be the mantra. The skill set will evolve, so

developed. OSHA became a

with massive printers rather

get out the books and keep

dynamic force in pushing

than assembled by construction

up with the changes going on

and defining these practices,

crews. Heavy equipment will

around you. Oh, and by the way,

imposing penalties for failure to

be operated by VR headsets and

industrial safety may be slowing

comply. But it was the cost of an

there won’t be any workers

down, but environmental health

unsafe workplace and harming

working in confined spaces to

and safety is gearing up to be

workers that drove the incentives.

worry about.

the big thing this century, so

vpppa.org

can feel inspired about.

employment scenarios.

United States, the home of

work practices that would

will we protect the environment?

look around and see what you

Medicine and Health and Safety field. Throughout my formative years and career, I have witnessed how safety—no matter where you are, at home, school, or work, is one of the most important elements of ensuring a healthy life, not just for yourself, but all who come into contact with you. I believe safety impacts the individual, the family, and the community. By providing access to valuable information and sharing the knowledge and insight acquired through our own experiences and training, Access Compliance and its affiliates can be an effective tool in helping prevent accidents, injuries, and unsafe situations/environments. My life and work experiences offer a customer more than 18 years of hands-on knowledge of occupational safety and health programs, including 16 years of managerial experience in leadership, communication, organization, analyzing and problem-solving skills. As such, Access Compliance and its affiliates are able to identify various occupational health, medicine, and safety needs within a variety of industry settings. I enjoy the challenge of designing and presenting programs tailored to fit individual company needs and look forward to working with new and existing clients to advance a culture of safety in their respective organizations. Leader—Spring 2022

THE PSYCHOL FRONTI ER By Rachel Bell, Brewers Association Safety Subcommittee Co-Chair

his is an interesting time

well-being, is a crucial part of

and using engagement and

for the American job

the human factor in workplace

motivation to attract and retain

market. More people are

incidents. Nearly every story I

top candidates. I believe we need

leaving the conventional

hear involves someone being

to tap into these methods and

workforce or insisting on

distracted, stressed, burnt

use them to improve workplace

flexible hours, remote options,

out, or the victim of social

safety from a leadership and

and better pay to try and keep

inequalities that inhibit their

employee perspective.

up with inflation. This suggests

ability to focus on their work.

a core shift toward prioritizing

If safety professionals plan

happy and healthy workers and

around the curveball of human

championing a good work-life

nature with engineering and

balance. This shift combined

be broadly defined as an

administrative controls, I

individual’s complete buy in to

with various movements

don’t see why we shouldn’t

the company and the importance

dedicated to zero tolerance for

be taking it a step further

of their role in it. It makes them

discrimination and harassment

and addressing some of the

want to do their duties, follow

will hopefully lead to a much

underlying conditions that lead

rules, and adhere to values

less stressful workplace. The

to workplace stressors.

because they know that they

question I find myself asking is: what does this mean for safety? As someone who is constantly

34 Leader—Spring 2022

This is what I see as the

Engagement Employee engagement can

are appreciated and valued

future of safety; the next

for doing so1. A good deal of

frontier is psychological. We are

research has already been done

pushing for mental health

transitioning to an era in which

on the benefits of employee

to fall under the umbrella of

we don’t just sweep mental

engagement, and on how it

workplace safety in my specific

health or Diversity, Equity,

can correlate to safety. You

industry, I feel like the world

and Inclusion (DEI) issues

might have seen these talked

is finally catching up with my

under the rug. Businesses are

about in regards to company

mission. Mental health, or

catering to employee experience

culture, safety culture, or safety

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2022

Mental health, or well-being, is a crucial part of the human factor in workplace incidents.

employees to be more engaged.

similar results: leadership, employees in decision-making processes leads to better compliance and fewer incidents . 2

Any readers who have tried to fix company-wide safety compliance issues know that changing an entire company culture is practically impossible without the help of management leadership. Management’s commitment to safety and the actions they take to support this commitment are a key indicator of a successful safety program. Specifics in this area include: accountability of managers, open dialogue between managers, providing access to training and resources, and allowing engagement of all team members1, 2. If your company is pivoting toward being more aware of employee experience, I suggest trying to work in a more inclusive and thorough safety program as well. Basically, if people are already open to a cultural change, try to change what you need to while this openness lasts.

Motivation Another key factor to look at is the motivation that will drive

approach to safety: we are able

evolving, and therefore not the

This industry is characterized

to link our success directly to

same for every employee3. For

by long hours, strenuous work,

the success of employees and

example, it’s easy to give office

and often a tough, macho

the business. In my industry,

workers flexible hours and

culture of ignoring physical

since COVID-19, I have seen

remote work, but giving your

and mental problems. It has

conference calls begin with

manufacturing employees a

one of the highest suicide rates

friendly check-ins. People from

work-life balance might mean

of any industry.

an older generation are opening

Fortunately, a lot of research

up about stress and anxiety and

more PTO, or hiring additional

and awareness has already

expressing concern over their

employees, none of which are

been generated. A recent

coworkers. Company Culture

easy or cost effective at first.

pulse survey conducted by

is now an entire seminar track

the American Psychiatric

instead of one panel out of 100.

motivators aren’t necessarily

Association Foundation and

It feels like we’re all arriving at

tied to money. Concepts like

the Construction Financial

the conclusion that taking care

recognition, career/educational

Management Association

of our workforce is what’s most

opportunities, and healthy

shows increased awareness

important. If we can maintain

management relationships

and progress toward

this trajectory, I believe the

regularly rank above salary

addressing risk factors.

future of safety is full of hope,

and bonuses when employees

77% of leadership figures

success, and healthy workers.

are asked what they want

(owners, CEOs, etc.) said

out of their job4. This data is

they recognized promoting

SOURCES

likely more skewed given our

awareness and mental health

increased economic pressures,

resources like Employee

but positive reinforcement,

Assistance Programs were a

acknowledgment of career

priority for their company.

goals, and access to internal

51% of workers believed

resources is something all

their company has a “caring

management should be able

culture” in place. Still,

to improve upon simply by

37% of workers surveyed

changing patterns of behavior.

said they would not openly

Interestingly, the primary

communication, and including

Maybe this is the holistic

is the construction industry.

reducing shift hours, offering

climate. These studies all have

A good example of this issue

Motivation is complex and ever-

The best source of data on how your workers are feeling about their work-life balance

discuss mental health with a supervisor5. Defining success in

and state of being is the workers

employee safety engagement

themselves. Ideally, they are

and better mental well-

able to tell you what they need

being will look different

to feel safer and happier at

across different industries,

work, but if your company

companies, and even between

doesn’t have a good history of

different departments within

offering a safe environment

the same company. It will

to speak up in, consider

require figuring out the current

anonymous surveys or a third-

baseline, what employees need

party company. You could also

to feel and do better, and what

use data such as: hours worked,

management is willing and

overtime worked, PTO used,

able to do to get them there.

near miss or incident reports,

I foresee safety professionals

individual or group productivity,

having stronger relationships

and overall employee retention

with Human Resources, and

to look for hard evidence of an

both departments working to

imbalance or problem.

show how physical safety and psychological safety go hand

Bedarkar, Madhura and Pandita, Deepika (2014). A Study on the Drivers of Employee Engagement Impacting Employee Performance. Procedia—Social and Behavioral Sciences 133: 106–115. Mullins, Rebecca; Blair, Earl; Dunlap, E. Scott (2019). Management Leadership Improving Employee Safety Engagement. PSJ Professional Safety. November 2019. assp.org. Naile, Idah and Selesho, Jacob M. (2014). The Role of Leadership in Motivation. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. Vol 5, No 3: 175–182. Gostick, Adrian and Elton, Chester (2007) The Carrot Principle. O.C. Tanner Company. Free Press. New York, NY. Workplace Mental Health. Construction Industry. 2021 Pulse Survey Results and Report. American Psychiatric Association Foundation, Construction Financial Management Association, CSDZ, Homes Murphy. https://workplacementalhealth. org/employer-resources/ mental-health-and-wellbeing-in-the-construction-i

in hand with company quality and performance.

Leader—Spring 2022

vpppa.org

E F H T URE O T S U I F ETY F G A S OKIN O L Duke il La h P By

38 Leader—Spring 2022

vpppa.org

M I R G

have been working on a series of articles on the future of work for Authority and Thrive

Global magazines and writing

my fourth book for publication on workplace violence (as it pertains to work-from-home employees), and the topic of the future of the field of safety is squarely at the crossroads of these two topics. On one hand, we have executives across all industries extolling the virtues of the “gig economy,” and virtually all executives that I interviewed on the subject agreeing that working from home is here to stay. On the other hand, during my research, I found that while OSHA holds that employers are still bound by the General Duty Clause to ensure a safe workplace irrespective of where the employees work, it doesn’t do much to ensure this happens. Superficially, this doesn’t seem like it’s a problem. But if we dig just a little deeper, we can foresee some real issues in our future.

vpppa.org

Leader—Spring 2022

gig e·con·o·my noun a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs.

For starters, the word

But the problems don’t

the stairs on the way to the

“employee’’ is moving deeper

stop with the poor definition

door or slip and fall on my

and deeper into a miasmic

of the word “employee.” The

porch retrieving the package,

gray area wherein employees

traditional definition of the

would these injuries qualify

are getting more and more

word “workplace” just doesn’t

as work-related? I would have

difficult to define. Clearly, a

fit like it once did. OSHA has

to prove that my injury was

person with an employment

made it clear that it will not

work-related.

contract (including a collective

inspect a home workspace,

bargaining agreement) is an

so it effectively abandons the

getting a cup of coffee wouldn’t

employee, as are employees who

work-from-home employees

qualify as a work-related

work under a W2 (irrespective

from any enforcement of safety

injury, but how is this scenario

if they are full- or part-time,

regulations. OSHA’s stand

different from me falling in

hourly or salaried, or even

on following up on worker

a common break area in an

salaried nonexempt or salaried

complaints in a work-from-

office environment? It isn’t.

exempt). Contractors are the

home environment is even more

In a perverse way, this will

employee of the company that

murky—the short answer seems

make companies that have

is their employer of record (the

to be they won’t be doing any

a significant work-from-

temp agency or contract house

follow-up investigations (at

home percentage of their

that provides them to the host

least in any legally meaningful

workforces look good—if one is

company), but OSHA has long

way) of any worker injuries that

permitted to ignore, or use case

held the position that there

happen in a work environment

management, to avoid reporting

exists a shared responsibility

in a private domicile.

injuries, we are likely to see a

between contract employee

“golden age” of worker safety.

providers and their customers

of defining an “injury.”

Injury Rates (IR) will plummet,

when it comes to safety. But

OSHA has decreed that for an

Days Away or Restricted Time

what about a contractor who

injury that occurs in a home

(DART) will all but disappear.

is self-employed and working

workplace to be recordable,

This completely misleading

under an I-9?

the onus falls on the worker

improvement will further

to prove that he or she was

bolster the argument for the

ensuring this contractor’s

injured while engaged in

need for fewer Safety Personnel,

safety? The I-9 contract holder

work-related activities when

or for loading up the Safety

or the company for which

the injury occurred—even

Function with responsibilities

the contracted employee is

if the injury happened in an

for areas that they are neither

delivering services? The law has

area designated as the home

qualified nor proficient.

long held that there is a shared

workplace. This is beyond

responsibility for worker safety

problematic; it creates such

to throw a monkey wrench

between a contracted employee

an incredible burden of proof

into the life of a worker in

that is assigned to work at the

that most workers cannot

the field of safety is the great

customer’s location. However,

prevail even if their claim is

resignation. Studies have

many contract employees

completely legitimate.

shown that many of these

Who is responsible for

aren’t housed at the customer’s

40 Leader—Spring 2022

Next, we have the problem

Falling in my kitchen while

For example, I am a W-2

Another complication likely

workers aren’t really retiring as

physical location. In that case,

employee contracted to a

much as they are moving from

who is responsible for worker

single company, a major

a full-time position to taking

safety? Effectively, nobody.

movie studio. I don’t have an

advantage of the gig economy.

Vendors, contracted

office in Hollywood and work

Many jobs in safety will move

employees (those provided by

out of my home office in my

from full-time in-house

temp agencies and contract

suburban Detroit home. My

positions to gig workers.

houses), and I-9 contractors

office once was my daughter’s

What does all this mean for

are the backbone of the gig

bedroom and when she moved

safety practitioners? Well, the

economy, and if these workers

out, I converted it to an office.

outlook isn’t good. Look for:

are responsible for their

The only activities I do in my

own safety, then the need

office are work related but my

for employees in the Safety

work-at-home may take me

the definition of the word

Function is greatly reduced—

out of my office—for example,

“injury” begins to mean,

read: fewer jobs available for

answering the door to receive

“an incident that results in

the next generation of

office goods that I ordered

harm to an employee who

Safety Practitioners.

online. If I were to fall down

is working on company

•

A False Decrease in Recordable Injuries. If

vpppa.org

property,” and tens of

would even contain any verbs

working so that the company

thousands fewer workers

or punctuation.

ergonomics team could evaluate

More Lip Service. In my

our workspace setup.) If the

entire career of working with

safety function is to survive

to reason that the removal

C+ level executives I have

in its current state, it needs to

of most legitimate injuries

never heard a single one say,

work on finding solutions and

(particularly ergonomic

“I would LOVE to hurt more

finding them quickly. In the

injuries) will correlate to

workers but I just can’t afford

meantime, the old adage that,

facile drop in the number of

it.” I genuinely believe there

“most injuries happen in the

Recordable Injuries.

are good executives who

home,” takes on a menacing

A Real Drop In Injury Costs.

believe in the importance of

new meaning.

Since the work is done at

keeping workers safe. But

home and it is very difficult

now that the cost of worker

for injured employees to

injuries is likely to be shifted

prove that their injuries

to the injured party with

happened a) in their

the company bearing no

workplaces and b) while

meaningful legal liability,

are no longer housed on company property, it stands

•

engaged in work-related

how easy will it be to simply

activities, the injury costs

forget about worker injuries

(while remaining the same

and the cost which now falls

or, more likely, be higher) will shift from the employers’ accounting

•

ledger to the workers’. A Marked Decrease In the Number Of Fulltime Safety Personnel. With far fewer employees on company-owned premises, the perceived need for the number of safety staff is likely to dramatically decrease. Unfortunately, with less oversight and guidance, the actual number of disabling injuries is likely

•

to increase. More Legal Loopholes. Loopholes are created by imprecise language. Legalese (the language that lawyers use in contracts and policies) is deliberately vague, difficult to comprehend, and subject to widely different interpretations. Legalese allows lawyers latitude in constructing legal arguments—the litigants’ lawyers can make a legal argument that puts their case in the best possible light. Sadly, OSHA isn’t even as clear

•

on the injured party. Exponential Growth In “Blame the Victim” Mentality. If a worker gets hurt on a construction site, or in a factory, or in a mine, or in a distribution center, there is often a temptation to think (or even say), “well, if he would have just followed the rules,” or, “she was just being complacent;” it’s human nature to deflect blame and rationalize an injury as being the product of poor work habits or bad decision making on the part of the injured party. How much easier does this become when the worker has absolute control over the work environment? Despite this control, the workat-home employees have grown accustomed to the hazards in their home and have become “normal blind” (they can’t see the hazards because the hazards are part of the normal landscape of the home). There are no easy solutions

in its directives as legalese. In

to these issues. (Although, I

fact, if it were any vaguer, I

did work from home for an

am not sure the requirements

excellent company that had us

and letters of understanding

photograph or film ourselves

vpppa.org

Phil La Duke is a popular speaker & writer with more than 2,500 works in print. He has contributed to Authority, Buzzfeed, Entrepreneur, Monster, Thrive Global, and many more magazines and is published on all inhabited continents. He is the author of three books and a contributor to one more. His first book is a visceral, no-holds-barred look at worker safety, I Know My Shoes Are Untied! Mind Your Own Business. An Iconoclast’s View of Workers’ Safety. His second book Lone Gunman: Rewriting the Handbook On Workplace Violence Prevention which deals with workplace violence, particularly directed at women, is listed as #16 on Pretty Progressive magazine’s list of 49 books that powerful women study in detail. His third book, Blood In My Pockets Is Blood On Your Hands was recently released and will be followed by Work-Home Life Imbalance: The Location Of The Workplace Has Changed But The Potential For Violence Remains due to be released in December. La Duke also contributed a chapter of 1% Safer, a not-forprofit book written by the “top game-changers and global thought leaders.” Phil is listed in the top 20 experts in the Future of Work by Expert File. Follow Phil on Twitter @philladuke, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PhilLa-Duke-320996002174991/ or read his weekly blog www.philladuke.wordpress.com. In addition to his extensive writing, La Duke is currently employed as a COVID Compliance and Production Safety Consultant for the film and television industry.

Leader—Spring 2022

2022 Spring Leader - 100 Years of Safety

Articles inside

Women in Safety

Membership Corner

Message from the Chairperson

The History of Ericson