The Leader - Summer 2019 - Slips, Trips & Falls

VOL6/NO3/SUMMER 2 019

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CONTENTS

VOL 6 | NO 3 | SUMMER 2 019

FEATURES

10

Slips, Trips and Falls: The Dangers of a Commonplace Hazard

By Joshua Franklin, Board of

Certified Safety Professionals

14

Walking-Working Surfaces and Pedestrian Safety: Gaining Traction in your Walking-Working Surfaces Program

By Scott Gaddis,

Intelex Technologies

26

Worker Fatigue As A Factor in Slip, Trip and Fall Injuries

By Kris Smith, GSC On-Site Services

30

Cringe Worthy Excuses That Lead to Slips, Trips and Falls

By Anita Hawkins, Safety Pros

34

Emergency Response Pertaining to Slips, Trips and Falls

By Lee Vernon, Code 3 Medical Services LLC

36

What Slips, Trips and Falls Signage Can Teach Us About Workplace Communication

By Carolyn Voelkening, The Marlin Company

41

Product Fall Protection: The Danger of Falling Objects in Industrial Settings

SECTIONS

By Lee McCord,

Adrian’s Safety Solutions

COLUMNS 4 6

A Message from the VPPPA Chairperson Global Safety and Health Watch

8 44 46 48 50

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

A Message From the VPPPA Chairperson

W

elcome to the Summer issue of the Leader magazine, addressing several of the most frequent

hazards in the workplace: slips, trips and falls. I’d like to give a special shoutout to our authors for sharing their expertise with us.

It is time to be very excited about the

with disabilities to Mount Everest Basecamp, and then continued up the mountain, to become the first person with one arm to ever summit Mount Everest. Since that time, he has traveled around the globe sharing the Team Everest story with corporations,

LA, this August 26–30. There is a new

nonprofits and other organizations, as well

look and feel for the Safety+ Symposium

as founding Make Others Greater, which

workshops and three inspiring and informative general sessions that are sure to start your days with purpose in the Big Easy.

Here are some highlights from this year’s Safety+ Symposium.

Monday, August 26, Pre-Symposium Workshops

• VPP Application Workshop • American Heart Association Heartsaver •

CPR Certifications Basic & Advanced Employee Response to an Active Shooter

• What’s New in DOE-VPP? • SGE Training from August 24-26 Tuesday, August 27, Keynote Power Hour

• Frank King, Suicide Prevention

Speaker and Trainer, The Mental Health Comedian, will be speaking about mental health.

• Abby Ferri, Vice President, Hays Companies, will be speaking about women empowerment/women in safety.

• Glenn Trout, President & CEO,

Leader—Summer 2019

Gary Guller led the largest group of people

annual Safety+ Symposium in New Orleans,

this year, beginning with pre-symposium

4

Wednesday, August 28, Keynote

raises funds for communities in Nepal. Gary will talk to us about his journey that took “thirty-five years of passion, focus and dedication for thirty-one minutes on the top of the world.” His inspiring journey is featured in the documentary, “Team Everest: A Himalayan Journey.” Gary is an actor in the movie: “Sherpa Stew: The Climb Beyond the Summit” and is co-author of the book: “Make Others Greater—From Mt. Everest to the Boardroom: Vital Lessons from Dynamic Innovators, Explorers and Everyday Heroes That Will Inspire the Way You Lead.”

Thursday, August 29, Keynote and Birthday Bash

• Terry D. Gray inspires organizations to

cultivate conscious commitment to safety culture creation and compliance. Terry works as a pipefitter for Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding, a VPPPA member company, the sole provider of aircraft carriers for the U.S. Navy and the largest industrial employer in Virginia.

Terry will deliver a powerful message to inspire the next level of safety performance at your site.

• Get ready to ring in our 35th birthday with a huge Birthday Bash! Unwind,

VelocityEHS, will be speaking

network and enjoy a VPPPA-style

about working with Millennials.

celebration like none other. We are

vpppa.org

www.vpppa.org

VPPPA National Board of Directors Chairperson J.A. Rodriguez, Jr., CSP, SGE, Raytheon Company, LLC Vice Chairperson Terry Schulte, NuStar Energy, LP Treasurer Chris Adolfson, Idaho National Laboratory Secretary Dan Lazorcak, CSP, Honeywell International

celebrating 35 years of distinction in

SafetyPro Podcast broadcast live daily. When

helping our membership protect every

you need a break, make your way to our

worker, everywhere. There are more

new Relaxation Room on Wednesday and

prizes and giveaways than ever before.

Thursday to unwind and decompress.

Friday, August 30, Closing Day

• Additional workshop sessions from top industry speakers.

• We are excited to announce a special musical performance by Demarcus Swopes from our VPPPA member company, Sherwin-Williams in Morrow, GA.

• The family is in the house… a Family Feud

Interested in attaining industry CEUs? Register for one of our pre-symposium workshops on Monday, August 26, or choose from more than 100 sessions throughout the week. Along with our usual educational tracks, we are thrilled to announce a new leader track. Leaders can now enjoy world-class professional development at Safety+. Other tracks include behavior-based safety, worksite

that is! Enjoy an engaging, hilarious and

analysis, employee engagement,

intriguing competition to see who is the

management commitment, hazard

truly the best of the best in the industry.

prevention and control, health/medical,

Get ready to ring in our 35th birthday with a huge Birthday Bash! We are celebrating 35 years of distinction in helping our membership protect every worker, everywhere.

A Few More Safety+ Updates

safety management systems and safety

Booth in the Expo Hall, featuring 1980s

sessions on health-related issues including

Enjoy our 1980s-themed VPPPA Membership movies, pinball, smoothies and frappes during morning and afternoon breaks. We

and health training. In addition, there are mental health, drugs and weight control.

As always, if you have any thoughts,

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

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

will have a “Mongo Map” where you can

comments, questions or ideas, please reach

place a pin on the board to indicate where

out to me, our amazing National Office Staff or

you are from; and games in the registration

the National or Regional Boards of Directors.

area, such as battleship, cornhole,

Everything we do is for you, our members. You

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

shuffleboard, giant pong and more.

asked, we listened and we are forging a new

Postmaster >> Please send address changes to:

and exciting future in this regard.

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

We also have powerful opportunities for you to network with the best of the best in safety management system excellence, as well as informative and topical workshops with top-notch speakers. Stop by our Media Center to watch and listen to The

vpppa.org

We are truly transforming tomorrow together.

—J.A. Rodriguez, Jr.

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

Leader—Summer 2019

5

By Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator, VPPPA, Inc.

Global Safety and Health Watch

Global Outbreaks: Investigating Diseases

I

t often feels as if the

partners with the United States

news reports an outbreak

government, and other nations,

outbreaks in the U.S. are

of disease daily. On the

to prevent avoidable epidemics,

reported by consumers to

local level, we might see

detect threats early and create

their local health departments.

empty shelves at the grocery

effective responses. They have a

According to Food Safety

store where the romaine lettuce

long history of successful public

Magazine, “The Foodborne

should be. Or perhaps you have

health programs, such as the

Diseases Active Surveillance

received an automated call

President’s Emergency Plan

Network (FoodNet) is the

warning you that a product you

for AIDS Relief, the President’s

principal foodborne disease

Malaria Initiative, Global

component of the Centers

Disease Detection Centers, Field

for Disease Control and

purchased, and ate, months ago

While it is rare, the Ebola Virus Disease is one that often sparks fear and panic.

was potentially contaminated.

The Food Recall Widget on the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) website provides a scrolling list of companies and grocery stores with recall notices—a salami company, meat and poultry products, bacon breakfast wraps, frozen pizzas, quiches—the list goes on and on (and those were just a few from June 2019). Salmonella, E. coli and other pathogens are quite commonly the culprit regarding recalled foods.

However, the CDC’s website also alerts international travelers of additional outbreaks: a global measles outbreak in June of this year, Polio in Indonesia, Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rubella in Japan and more.

Headquartered in Atlanta,

the gold standard in the public health realm and have been

Infections Program (EIP).

FoodNet is a collaborative project of the CDC, nine state

adopted by various countries.

sites (California, Colorado,

How Outbreaks are Investigated

York, Maryland, Minnesota,

In the last two years, the CDC has sent scientists and doctors to respond to more than 750 health threats. When a foodborne disease outbreak is detected, public heath and regulatory officials must act fast. Officials aim to collect as much information as possible to find the root cause of the illness and prevent more people from getting sick. Investigators collect three types of data:

Connecticut, Georgia, New Oregon and Tennessee), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the FDA. The project consists of active surveillance for foodborne diseases and related epidemiological studies designed to help public health officials better understand the epidemiology of foodborne diseases in the United States.” In addition to FoodNet, “PulseNet” is a collaborative project between the CDC, FDA, USDA and state health departments, and uses

Epidemiologic—Geographic

a national computer network

the Communicable Disease

distribution patterns of illnesses.

to confirm outbreaks of

July 1, 1946. Their website notes that, “Although medical epidemiologists were scarce

Leader—Summer 2019

and more. These programs are

Prevention (CDC) Emerging

GA, the CDC (then known as Center) opened its doors on

6

Epidemiology Training Programs

Most foodborne disease

Traceback—A common point of contamination in the distribution chain.

foodborne illness and to link cases/clusters occurring in multiple states. Public health laboratories across the country

in those early years, disease

Food and Environmental

perform DNA “fingerprinting”

surveillance became the

Testing—The germ that caused

on bacteria that may be

cornerstone of CDC’s mission

illness found in a food item

foodborne and use the system

of service to the states and

collected from a sick person’s

to exchange findings when

over time changed the practice

home, a retail location or in the

outbreaks of foodborne disease

of public health.” The CDC

food production environment.

occur. The network permits vpppa.org

rapid comparison of these

explained Dr. Henry Mwebesa,

“fingerprint” patterns through

Director-General of Health

an electronic database at the

Services for the Ugandan Health

CDC. The DNA “fingerprinting”

Ministry, shortly before the first

method is called pulsed-field

case in Uganda was confirmed.

gel electrophoresis (PFGE).”

He continued to say, “Any

Not every outbreak is solved.

case of high fever with some

Sometimes they end before

bleeding is considered an alert,

enough information is gathered

and we’ve made sure we have

to identify the likely source.

enough infection prevention

However, each outbreak is

and control materials in place…

investigated, and officials are

We can also test blood samples

continuously developing new

here in Uganda now, giving us

ways to investigate and solve

the results in just 24 hours.” As

these issues faster.

of June 24, there had been a total of three confirmed cases of Ebola

This summer,

Uganda is facing

their first confirmed Ebola cases.

in Uganda. All three had recently traveled to the DRC, and all succumbed to the disease.

What Else is Being Done with Ebola Research?

The National Institute of

critical information on which

disease are, of course, wildly

treatments are most effective at

different situations. News

treating Ebola.”

stories flood our televisions and

Although the risk for

social media feeds urging us to

Allergy and Infectious Diseases

contracting Ebola is low for

(NIAID) notes, “In August

most travelers to the DRC,

While it is rare, the Ebola Virus

2018, the Democratic Republic

other infectious diseases are

Disease is one that often sparks

of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of

at a higher risk–like malaria.

fear and panic. There is no cure,

Health declared the country’s

The CDC recommends receiving

and since it is spread by contact

tenth outbreak of Ebola virus

vaccines before travel, taking

with bodily fluids, the disease

disease. In November 2018,

medicine to prevent malaria and

takes a harsh toll on doctors

NIAID and the National Institute

and nurses aiming to help sick

for Biomedical Research

making an effort to avoid bug

patients. The disease acts quickly

(INRB), part of the Democratic

and results in fever, weakness,

Republic of the Congo Ministry

vomiting, diarrhea and internal

of Health, began a Phase 2/3

bleeding. The disease was first

clinical trial testing multiple

discovered in 1976 near the

investigational Ebola therapies.

Ebola River in the Democratic

The trial is enrolling patients

Republic of the Congo (DRC), and

with confirmed Ebola virus

scientists do not know the origin.

disease at Ebola treatment units

www.cdc.gov/outbreaks/index.html

run by medical humanitarian

www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/security/cdcrole.htm

From E. Coli to Ebola

A travel notice for the Ebola

bites when abroad.

Getting sick from

stay away from certain foods or alerting us to new developments regarding widespread diseases.

However, while the news cycle dies down and stories change, there are constantly countless doctors, scientists and other officials investigating these events domestically and

contaminated foods in your

globally–all with the shared

local grocery store and

goal of keeping the public

contracting a devastating

healthy and safe.

SOURCES

virus was released in April of

organizations. The trial aims

this year for the DRC. For the

to compare mortality among

last 40 years, the disease has

patients who receive one of

emerged periodically, usually

three investigational Ebola

in African countries. While

drugs with a control group

the disease is devastating for

of patients who receive the

those infected, it luckily cannot

investigational monoclonal

be transmitted as easily as a

antibody cocktail treatment

common cold or flu virus.

ZMapp, developed by Mapp

www.cdc.gov/about/history/index.html

Biopharmaceutical, Inc.

www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/history/chronology.html

This summer, Uganda is facing their first confirmed

Investigators hope that the

Ebola cases. “In over 10 months

trial, which could extend across

since Ebola appeared in Congo,

multiple Ebola outbreaks in

we dealt with over 600 alerts,”

various countries, will provide

vpppa.org

www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/outbreaks/investigating-outbreaks/index.html www.foodsafetymagazine.com/magazine-archive1/december2000january-2001/fdas-role-in-traceback-investigations-for-produce/ ncsm.gov.in/whats-scary-about-ebola-and-why-we-should-not-fear-it/ www.niaid.nih.gov/diseases-conditions/ebola-treatment wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/ebola-democratic-republic-ofthe-congo

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/ symptoms-causes/syc-20351173 afro.who.int/news/ugandas-groundwork-preparedness-bodes-wellstopping-ebolas-spread-within-its-borders Leader—Summer 2019

7

Infographic Corner

Slips, trips and falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury-

Injuries from slips, trips and falls in the workplace cost U.S. businesses

Being struck by an object or equipment is the

fourth most disabling injury

In 2017, OSHA published changes to the standards related to walking-working surfaces and personal fall protection systems.

Nearly 33,381 people died

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that on average, slips, trips and falls cause nearly

related deaths.

in U.S. workplaces, according to the 2018 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index.

from falls in 2015,

according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

Falls are 100% preventable.

The most at-risk age group for injuries involving slips, trips and falls are those 55 years old and over.

8

Leader—Summer 2019

$17.54 billion annually.

700 fatalities per year.

According to the NSC, slips, trips and falls accounted for

25.8 percent

of all lost workday injuries. vpppa.org

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Leader—Summer 2019

re. er. e h t th ool. o o t n ere l to a that t h e or m v o e r l g f one cord n i lly lk rom this a a e W gf r sr ? e n v n o cti place Goi ping o a ne ork p i e t t u S o he w r h c in t u als s ion s s e s fe Ar rdou Pro ty e f a a dS ifie haz t r e fC By

o ard Bo , n li nk Fra a hu Jos

vpppa.org

The Cost

According to the 2019 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index,

What are Slips, Trips and Falls?

Before determining and

injuries from slips, trips and

implementing effective

falls (STF) in the workplace cost

mitigation techniques to

U.S. businesses $17.54 billion

prevent and reduce STF

annually. These seemingly

incidents and injuries in your

benign actions resulted in

workplace, let us define STF.

887 deaths and 227,760 lost workday incidents in 2017 alone. According to the most recent National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts” (2017), STFs accounted for 25.8 percent of all lost workday injuries. Workers typically lost 12 days on the job, and if the worker was in an industrial setting such as mining, the average days lost went up to 60 days, according

Slip: Too little friction between feet/footwear and the walking/ working surface, resulting in a loss of balance (with or without a fall).

Trip: The foot or leg hits an object and the upper body continues moving, resulting in loss of balance (with or without a fall). Also occurs from stepping down to a lower

to the National Institute for

surface and losing balance.

Occupational Safety and Health

Fall: Both falls to another

(NIOSH). The most frequent injuries included in workers’ compensation claims were sprains, strains, dislocations and muscle/ligament tears.

Although the most at-risk age group for injuries involving STFs are those 55 years old and over, every worker demographic is exposed to the hazard for an average of 23 lost workday incidents per 10,000 workers.

How much does an injury as commonplace as a sprain cost?

According to the OSHA “Safety Pays” calculator and numbers provided by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc., an average sprain costs over $30,000 in direct costs and $33,000 in indirect costs. With a three percent profit margin, depending on the industry and company, that equates to $2 million in sales to cover a single sprain injury.

level, and falls to the same level, usually from a loss of balance, are included in this single definition.

What are the Most Serious STF Hazards?

Each industry has its own unique challenges and environments and therefore specific hazards vary by workplace. But many hazards are common across various industries. One well-studied industry example, with STF hazards similar to retail, transportation and warehousing, is the healthcare industry. According to a NIOSH report on STF prevention for healthcare workers, the 10 most frequent STF hazards, and several associated prevention methods, are:

Contaminants on the Floor

• Provide and maintain a written housekeeping program • Keep floors clean and dry • Use proper cleaning procedures for floors • Wear slip-resistant shoes

Poor Drainage: Pipes and Drains

• Correctly aligned drain pipes • Unclog drains regularly (e.g., kitchens) • Redirect downspouts away from pedestrian areas

Indoor Walking Surface Irregularities

• Replace loose carpeting and remove damaged vinyl tile • Patch cracks greater than ¼ inch wide • Reduce trip hazards over ¼ inch high, bevel ¼ inch to ½ inch to a slope, and ramp changes over ½ inch

• Consider replacing smooth surfaces exposed to liquids with rougher-surfaced flooring

Outdoor Walking Surface Irregularities

• Patch cracks greater than ½ inch wide • Highlight elevation changes with Safety Yellow warning paint

Weather Conditions: Ice and Snow

• Promptly remove ice and snow from parking lots and sidewalks

• Place freezing weather warning monitors at entrances to parking lots

• Provide mats in winter months and slip-resistant footwear to employees

Inadequate Lighting

• Install more light fixtures in parking structures, walkways and storage rooms

• Verify light bulbs have the necessary brightness Stairs and Handrails

• Paint or tape each step (top and bottom) • Check stair treads and nosing for slip resistance • Confirm all handrails are 34–38 inches from the stepping surface

Stepstools and Ladders

• Train employees on the proper use of ladders • Provide the proper ladders for the job • Maintain three points of contact with the ladder while ascending and descending

Tripping Hazards: Clutter, Loose Cords, Hoses, Wires and Medical Tubing

• Organize storage areas (housekeeping) • Clear walkways and work areas • Cover cords with a beveled protective cover • Route all cords underneath desks

Improper Use of Floor Mats and Runners

• Use non-slip mats in wet areas • Replace worn mats and/or those with ripped edges • Secure mats from moving and paint small markers on the floor to lay mats in correct position

vpppa.org

Leader—Summer 2019

11

Slips, trips and falls aren’t just something that happens. They cost billions in workers’ compensation and lost productivity.

How Do I Prevent STFs in my Organization?

History

What is your company’s history of STFs? Where and when do injuries and close calls occur in your facilities, and on what type of jobsites? Survey your workers. Where do they feel is the most likely area for STFs and what would they recommend to prevent future incidents?

Does your organization have a fall prevention program (in applicable workplaces) and does it function as designed (e.g., do employees follow prescribed safe work practices to include the installation of guarding where applicable and personal

areas are all examples. Use these data points to train employees on spill cleanup and who/when to call for larger spills.

Additionally, provide training on how to report damaged and worn surfaces such as cracks and gaps in walking and working surfaces and damaged tiles, carpet or other flooring materials. You might also provide contact information for repairs and spill response. If you’ve identified slip-resistant footwear to reduce an identified STF hazard, provide workers with a choice in footwear and have a policy of when and how it should be worn.

Recognize employees who

protective equipment)?

do report unsafe walking and

Training

accredited certifications, such

working conditions. Consider

Surveillance

Create a STF reduction plan that includes a checklist of workplace-unique hazards. For example, you might consider a daily walkthrough of areas where housekeeping needs attention and a weekly visit to places affected by weather, but with less frequent worker presence, like a remote parking lot or seasonal storage area.

Finally, use a list, such as the checklist example provided

by NIOSH on page 35 of Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention for Healthcare Workers.

Conclusion

Slips, trips and falls aren’t just something that happens.

They cost billions in workers’ compensation and lost

With information gathered

as those from the Board of

from the historical review, next

Certified Safety Professionals,

productivity. By deliberate

create a list of common hazards

for employees with

analysis of your workplace’s STF

and associated areas. Locations

responsibilities in safety and

history and site conditions, as

subject to weather changes like

health to recognize education,

well as training and surveillance,

rain, snow and ice; transitional

training and experience,

to include the implementation

hazards like spills and vehicle

and show an organizational

of NIOSH-identified best

movement areas; and temporary

commitment to excellence and

practices, STF losses can be

worksites like construction

continuous improvement.

reduced and eliminated.

Joshua Franklin, MBA, CSP, SMS, CET, CPCU, ARM is a safety and professional development expert and serves as the Business Growth and Partnership Director at the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Josh is a military veteran who culminated a 21-year career as the Air Force’s Safety career field manager, where he oversaw the training and development of 781 military safety professionals across the globe. Josh had the honor of deploying to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Rwanda, and many other less-than-safe locations to further advance the safety and health of both military and civilian workers.

Josh is a Certified Safety Professional, Safety Management Specialist, Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter, and someone who fervently believes in the power of safety and health professionals to change the world. Josh previously served as an adjunct faculty member at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University where he taught courses on business strategy and safety and health. Josh holds a Bachelor of Science from Embry-Riddle and a Master of Business Administration from Walden University.

Josh is originally from Ithaca, NY, and currently resides in Indianapolis, IN, with his wife Karen and their children Sydney and Hunter. He is actively involved in mentoring programs across various organizations and is at home when hiking on muddy trails in far-off mountain ranges.

SOURCES injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/work-overview/top-work-related-injury-causes/ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/topics/ErgonomicsandMSDPrevention.html www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2011-123/pdfs/2011-123.pdf www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/safetypays/estimator.html business.libertymutualgroup.com/business-insurance/Documents/Services/RC2026.pdf

12

Leader—Summer 2019

vpppa.org

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Gaining Traction in Your WalkingWorking Surfaces Program

WalkingWorking Surfaces and Pedestrian Safety

By Scott Gaddis, Intelex Technologies

14

Leader—Summer 2019

vpppa.org

On average, slips, trips and falls cause nearly 700 fatalities per year. Furthermore, twenty percent of the 30,000 forklift accidents that occur each year involve a pedestrian being struck by the vehicle.

P

edestrian safety is

Preventing pedestrian

same level and to the working

not an issue to be

accidents in the workplace has

surface itself, are part of the

overlooked. The

long been challenging. Working

control expectations. The

Bureau of Labor

alongside a wide range of

regulatory language used in

Statistics says that on average,

material handling equipment,

the final rule is “performance-

slips, trips and falls cause

traveling across ill-prepared

based,” meaning there’s more

nearly 700 fatalities per year.

work surfaces and dealing

room for employers to select

OSHA reports that as many as

with elements like weather,

the equipment and controls

30,000 forklift accidents occur

congestion and poor illumination

that will be most effective in

in the United States annually

is, in many cases, part of work

the workplace. Simply put, it

and close to 20 percent of

for many. Add a distraction such

requires the knowledge of the

those accidents involve a

as a cell phone, and we have a

employer to perform to the

pedestrian being struck by

perfect storm of substandard

intent of the rule.

the forklift. Of these forklift

conditions met by an increase of

events, 35 percent resulted in

undesired behaviors.

death to the pedestrian.

Pedestrian safety and how the worker navigates his or her walking-working environment

Protecting Workers from Slips and Falls

requires a complete

causes of serious work-related

changes to the standards

the controls warranted that

injuries and deaths. OSHA

related to walking-working

estimates that, on average,

surfaces and personal fall

approximately 202,066 serious

protection systems to better

(lost-workday) injuries and

protect workers in general

345 fatalities occur annually

industry from these types of

an unintended or unexpected

among workers directly

hazards and the dangers posed

change in the contact between

affected by OSHA’s final rule

to the pedestrian worker. The

the feet and the ground.

to update, align and provide

final rule has updated and

Slipping occurs when the

greater flexibility in its general

clarified standards and added

friction between the foot or

industry Walking-Working

worker training and equipment

shoe sole and the floor surface

Surfaces and Fall Protection

inspections as required steps in

provides insufficient resistance

standards. Over 60 percent of

risk mitigation. While I believe

to counteract the forward or

all falls occur on the same level,

the updated changes focus on

rearward forces that occur

the result of slips and trips.

falls from heights, falls to the

during the stepping process.

Falls from both heights, as well as same-level working surfaces, are among the leading

vpppa.org

In 2017, OSHA published

understanding of risks, the level of risk posed to the worker and provide better safety.

How Falls Occur

Both slips and trips result from

Leader—Summer 2019

15

Lighting requirements should be considered with ample research since there is not one solution for everyone considering the wide array of tasks. Every facility is different.

impacted by production

performed by T. Leamon, there

materials like wet and dry

are two types of slips: a “micro

sifted ingredients, dust,

and motorized or non-

slip” that is shorter than 1.18

oils and greases; equipment

motorized equipment is

inches (3 cm) and a “slip” that

required to run with water

dangerous. Where these areas

is as long as 3.14–3.9 inches

or other fluids; food service;

are present in your operation,

(8–10 cm). Sliding also should

and around sinks and outdoor

risk assessment should be

be considered, and it is regarded

areas affected by the weather

performed to understand

as the uncontrolled movement

like ice and snow. Drains

where work tasks are

of the heel when the slip length

where liquids may accumulate

performed in or near areas

exceeds approximately 3.9

and where downspouts

where motorized and non-

inches (10 cm).

disperse rainwater also

motorized equipment may

should be assessed.

enter the walking-working

Microslips generally pass unnoticed. A slip will result in instinctive efforts to regain postural control. A slide is likely to lead to a loss of balance resulting in a fall. A trip occurs when the swing phase of the foot is interrupted unexpectedly due to inadequately clearing the ground. Irregularities of as little as 3/16 inch (5 mm) in the walking surface may be sufficient to cause a trip. These all are critical considerations when planning fall prevention at your worksite.

Inspecting for Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards Fall prevention strategies should be comprehensive and multifaceted but should also begin with a complete understanding of the variable risk factors that create an opportunity for loss potential.

surface. Assessment areas

Elevation—As previously

should consider barriers,

mentioned, it takes very little

designated walk paths,

elevation change to impact

exclusion zones, clothing

safety for the pedestrian

and required equipment

worker. Assessments should be conducted to understand damaged or uneven flooring,

interaction areas.

• Blind Corners—Creating a safe work environment

the heaving of the floor surface

between groups of workers,

or wide cracks commonly

especially those who are

found in concrete flooring,

interacting with material

uneven door thresholds,

handling or motorized

ramps, floor mats and thick

equipment is a real and

carpets, to name a few.

present danger. Assessments

• Surface Illumination—The

should be conducted where

appropriate level of light

people could inadvertently

in the work environment is

run into each other and where

challenging. Assessments

workers could be struck by an

should be done with a full

object like a forklift or falling

understanding of what

object. Particular attention

tasks are being done and the

should be focused on corners,

detail of those tasks. Poor

where there is poor visibility

illumination offers dimly lit walk-work surfaces, promoting injury risk, but too

of the walking environment.

• Obstruction and Obstacles— Carrying materials that

obstruct the view of the

which also promotes risk to

walking-working surface

the worker. The Illuminating

increases the chance of

Engineering Society (IES) has

falling. Assessments should

published appropriate light

be performed by watching

levels and has recommended

workers and how they are

lux levels for different

carrying out these types of

industrial applications.

duties. Also, obstacles like

In general, lux levels for

electric cords, parts left

warehouses and walkways

outside of storage locations,

workplace may lead to slips and

should be 100, general work

tools and equipment and air

trips. Here are a few areas that

areas 150, general assembly

should be evaluated:

300, detailed assembly 500

changes to OSHA’s walkingworking surfaces standard, it’s prudent to consider risk assessment as a starting point to understand the robustness of your program and if you should be doing more.

Consider what risks in your

• Slippery Surfaces—It’s a

Leader—Summer 2019

• Changes in Surface

Mixing of pedestrian workers

much light increases glare,

Given that there have been

16

• Shared Surface Inclusion—

According to an ergonomic study

and fine inspection 1000.

hoses also should be assessed.

• Worker Urgency—It’s just a fact; workers usually have a

safe assumption that most

Lighting requirements

purpose for pedestrian travel,

injuries occur on a slippery

should be considered with

and things like fast-paced

floor. Assessments should be

ample research since there

work, missing co-workers or

conducted to understand if

is not one solution for

attending to an operational

the floor surface is impacted

everyone considering the

upset, increase the potential

by liquid or dry spillage. Some

wide array of tasks. Every

for slips and falls. Assess

areas to consider are surfaces

facility is different.

the pace of the work and the vpppa.org

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behaviors of workers to gauge if they are working above their

• Provide details of identified risks or hazards and

level of competence in their

provide context to build

ability to maintain safety.

understanding.

After your inspection process has concluded, it’s time to gain traction in your walkingworking surfaces program.

Risk Assessment

• Utilize a measurement system

to evaluate risk understanding and decide precautions.

• Build controls that protect people and the work environment.

For the safety and health

The objective of risk assessment

practitioner to manage walking

and analysis is to understand

and working surface risks

the level of risk associated with

with a degree of control that

the hazards found in the work

is equitable to the threat,

environment as well as the concerns related to how people are navigating walking and working surfaces. All associated activities need to be judged with criteria that assist in building a credible understanding of what is acceptable or not acceptable.

Most regulatory bodies require some form of risk assessment and all follow a similar template:

• Identify risks to the worker

associated with work activity.

• Identity hazards found in the

a method of assessment process should be considered.

The U.K.’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has developed a risk assessment process that supports this well. The tool, largely adopted throughout Great Britain and the European Union, addresses risks through hazard understanding and evaluation, and who may be affected. The assessment process focuses on prioritizing the risk. In this case, a hazard is identified as anything with the potential to harm workers.

work environment that pose a

Risk is the likelihood of harm

threat of loss.

resulting from a hazard.

Risk Matrix

The risk matrix is a commonly used assessment tool for evaluating and estimating risk Level. The method assesses whether the hazard and possible risk are acceptable, scores it and then plots findings on a risk matrix to help decide the level of control.

If the activity rating rises above acceptable levels, then controls are warranted at the level of control mandated or desired to lower scores to an acceptable level. For every hazard identified during the walking-working surfaces inspection and for each associated activity, ask the question “What if?” What is the worst-case outcome regarding the hazard or concerning activity? Is it a fatality? A significant injury/permanent disability or permanent health effect? Is it a minor injury or even an environmental concern or something that could cause plant damage? Using the risk matrix, a judgment of the likelihood and severity of harm occurring can be made.

The severity (the degree or amount of expected loss) and the likelihood (how likely is it that the loss will occur) help determine the risk rating (the probability and severity of the risk before and after control actions are taken).

Using this approach of a five-point (5x5) matrix, you can estimate the likelihood (probability) and severity (consequence) within the five descriptive levels for likelihood and the five for the severity of consequence.

In the example shown in the photo below, a worker is expected to walk into the work area to feed raw material and must, at times, cross the machine frame to reach the other side where other tasks are performed. In this scenario, the worker steps up to the platform

18

Leader—Summer 2019

vpppa.org

and onto a metal surface where area is covered with a loose rubber mat. Worker interviews indicate that the mat is used because the surface becomes slippery. The mat appears to be in poor condition.

The severity and the likelihood

help determine the risk rating.

There also are two product roll stands 15 inches (38cm) above the work surface and they are empty with exposed

Almost Certain

5

10

15

20

25

Very Likely

4

8

12

16

20

Likely

3

6

9

12

15

Unlikely

2

4

6

8

10

Improbable

1

2

3

4

5

Minor

Low

Medium

High

Major

Likelihood

most of the metal surface

Red = High Yellow = Medium Green = Low

Likelihood Scale Rating Score

Qualitative Element Definition

0

Impossible

No injury or illness, damage or other loss is possible.

1

Improbable

Loss, injury or illness could only occur under freak conditions.

The situation is very well managed, and all reasonable precautions have been taken.

2

Unlikely

This situation is generally well managed; however occasional lapses could occur. This also applies to cases where people are required to behave safely to protect themselves, but are well-trained.

3

Likely

Insufficient or substandard controls in place. The loss is unlikely during normal operation; however, it may occur in emergencies or non-routine conditions.

Very Likely

Serious failures in management controls. The effects of human behavior or other factors could cause an accident but are usually supported this additional factor (e.g., ladder not appropriately secured, process upset, oil spilled on the floor, poorly trained personnel).

Almost Certain

The absence of any management controls. If conditions remain unchanged there is nearly 100 percent certainty that an accident will happen (e.g., broken rung on a ladder, live exposed electrical conductor).

sharp edges. Worker interviews indicate that these stands are empty because of the current machine setup requirements.

The stands are struck often by workers performing tasks and have caused significant knee and shin injuries. Based on this scenario, the likelihood of falling is a 4, which means very likely. This decision is based on

4

the elevation change, poorly marked leading edge of the elevation change, the roll stands and the condition of the mat.

The severity of falling in this

5

situation also is a 4, since—in a worst-case scenario—the consequence could result in permanent disability.

Given this information: Likelihood (4) x Severity (4) = Risk Rating (16). Referring now to the risk matrix (5x5 Matrix),

Severity Scale Rating Score

Qualitative Element Definition

0

None

No injury or illness, damage, sickness or other loss is possible.

1

Minor

Minor injury, illness or loss (e.g., light cuts, scratches, insignificant damage to property).

2

Low

Significant injuries or illnesses (e.g., sprains, bruises, lacerations and events needing medical care). Damage to property or process.

3

Medium

Temporary disability (e.g., Fractures, finger amputation). Lost work days due to injury or illness; substantial damage or loss of property or process.

4

High

Permanent disability (e.g., significant loss of movement, loss of limb, sight or hearing).

5

Major

Causing death to one or more people. Loss or damage is such that it could cause serious business disruption (e.g., major fire, explosion or structural damage).

a rating of 16 tells us that the hazards and work activity is a high risk, and the condition requires control to ensure the work environment is safe.

In the previous scenario, we started with a qualitative risk rating of 16, and mitigation action was required. While the worker is still expected to walk into the work area to feed raw material rolls and at times must cross the machine frame to perform other tasks, vpppa.org

Severnity

Likelihood (Probability) X Severity (Consequence) = Risk Rating Leader—Summer 2019

19

Required Actions Rating Score

The purpose of risk assessment and evaluation is to assist the decision-making

Action Required

0-3

No action required. Broadly acceptable level of risk. Verify controls are in place and upgrade risk control measures to reduce risk as low as reasonably practical if appropriate.

4-8

The risk is tolerable, but risk control measures should be considered if risk rating is not as low as reasonably practical. Special attention should be considered to lower risk when approaching the upper-risk scoring scale.

9-15

Remediation action is warranted and should be given the appropriate priority.

Steps should be taken to lower the risk as low as reasonably practical (ALARP).

16-20

Urgent mitigation action is required. The process/equipment should go through continued risk assessment and mitigation until the risk is reduced as low as reasonably practical (ALARP).

25

Immediate action is required. Operations will stop until risk can be reduced as low as reasonability practical (ALARP) and go through continued risk assessment until control is achieved.

process based on the analysis regarding which hazards and associated risks require action and how to prioritize them. As referenced in the above scenario, the risk of operating within the described work environment is now tolerable, but with additional risk reduction opportunities available if desired.

Employing the Hierarchy of Controls

Understanding control and how best to manage your walking

the leading edge is marked

color scheme and operating

and working surfaces program

with a patterned contrasting

procedures updated.

are more significant than the

color noting elevation change.

Based on this scenario, the

outputs of the risk assessment

The frayed rubber mat was

likelihood of falling now is a

process. The process defines

removed and replaced with

2,which means it is unlikely

good control actions specific

slip-resistant flooring material

based on the cumulative control

to hazards and risks, but it

adhered firmly to the metal

actions. Severity from tripping

is not the only process that

surface. The roll stands were

or falling is estimated now as 3,

can be used. While I’m a firm

covered in a protective soft

since in a worst-case outcome,

believer in the risk matrix

sleeve to minimize injury

the consequence still could

and scoring approach, I also

potential in the event of a trip

result in temporary disability.

would recommend the widely

or fall. Additional signage

Given this information:

was applied to warn workers

Likelihood (2) x Severity (3) =

of other hazards. Workers

Risk Rating (6). This means that

were trained on the new

the risk is considered “tolerable.”

accepted approach within the safety and health practice called the hierarchy of controls.

This process is simple to understand and is quite useful in gauging the control appetite of the organization and should serve as the overarching methodology for how we best deliver the right level of program control within the scope of the walking-working surfaces program.

The control hierarchy shows the most effective controls at the top, which are engineering solutions, followed by administrative controls and finally the reliance on personal protective equipment.

Though not intended to be an exhaustive list, it points out there are control considerations when dealing with improving the walkingworking surface program.

20

Leader—Summer 2019

vpppa.org

Hierarchy of Controls Most Control

Hierarchy of Controls

Control Feature

Examples of Control

Elimination

Completely eliminate the hazard.

• Eliminate motorized and material handling equipment from the facility.

• Remove elevation changes from the walking-working surface.

• Hose reels or electrical receptacles located at the equipment and arranged not to cross the walking-working surface.

Substitution

Engineering Controls

Administrative

PPE

Least Control 22

Leader—Summer 2019

Reduce a hazardous situation, component, material and/or piece of equipment that does not have the same level of hazard or posed a risk. Substitution often requires significant changes, and it can be difficult to implement in-process.

• Install slip-resistant flooring.

• Resurface flooring with etching to improve slipresistance.

• Improve material handling practices to reduce personnel movement outside of the localized workspace.

Isolate people from an identified hazard or risk. While this control is viewed not as protective as elimination or substitution, this focus still controls exposure at the source of the hazard, before it contacts the workers.

• Install guarded barriers to separate pedestrians and material handling equipment.

• Stop contamination from getting to the walking-working surface.

• Improve illumination to the walking-working surface.

Take steps to follow and support safe work practices by altering the way workers perform their work so that you can reduce risks they have on the job. In general, these controls are changes that can include safety policies, rules, supervision, schedules, and training.

• Highlight ramps and designate aisles and work zones with contrasting color markings.

• Improve housekeeping inspections, snow and ice removal and increase conditions monitoring.

• Train workers on the slip/trip and all hazards and other risk associated with safe pedestrian travel.

Protection worn by a worker to protect them or reduce loss threshold from a hazard.

• Require slip-resistant footwear.

• Require high-visibility clothing.

Summary and Monitoring Controls

Like much of our past thinking, once a project is planned and executed, we tend to lean on the idea that the work is done.

W. Edwards Deming recognized this as an issue and in the 1950s, authored a simplistic process approach that is still widely used to analyze and measure process deviation.

Deming was a proponent that the work system needed to reside in a continuous feedback loop so that managers could identify and change the parts of the process that needed improvement. He called this the PDCA cycle for Plan, Do, Check and Act. Continuously monitoring your walking-working surfaces program ensures that you have gained control of the issues raised during the inspection process, that the control strategy eliminated the problem or reduced it to a tolerable risk level. The fundamental questions often asked is did you achieve your goals and can such goals be sustained? Factually, and for the safety and health practitioner, what it means is that unless you can genuinely say that you’ve eliminated the deviation (issue) and it can’t come back, you are never done looking for, evaluating and controlling risks in the work system.

Scott Gaddis is Vice President, Global Practice Leader, Safety and Health, at Intelex Technologies.

He has over 25 years in EHS leadership experience in heavy manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and packaging industries. Before joining Intelex, Scott served as Vice President of EHS for Coveris High Performance Packaging, was Executive Director of EHS at Bristol-Myers Squibb, and was Global Leader for Occupational Safety and Health at KimberlyClark Corp.

vpppa.org

Walking-Working Surface Inspection

YES

Checklist

NO

YES

Surface Composition

NO

Surface Condition (Outdoor)

Is the walking-working surface smooth and highly polished, limiting slip resistance?

Is there debris (pebbles, rocks, leaves, grass clippings) on outdoor walkways?

Do contaminants like liquids and fine particle dust affect the slip resistance of the walking-working surface?

Are there any slippery conditions (water, ice, snow) present in outside areas and at building entrances?

Are walking-working surfaces that have been treated with slip-resistant floor coatings or grip-tape worn smooth or damaged?

Are concrete wheel stops and curbs in the parking areas highlighted with paint to highlight tripping hazards?

Does metal grate or mesh flooring have a non-slip pattern, and is the surface secured with clips to prevent movement?

Surface Condition (Indoor) Does the walking-working surface have holes or cracks or are there elevated protrusions that are trip hazards?

Is carpeting buckled, loose, frayed or curled?

Does the walking-working surface feel greasy, damp or slippery? Does condensation collect?

Are entrance doors fitted out with waterabsorbent mats and umbrella covers to prevent water transfer into the building?

Are snow and ice removed promptly to prevent slipping?

Surface Level Changes Are there sudden changes in the walkingworking surface elevation greater than 1/4� that pose a tripping hazard?

Is the walking-working surface uneven, with abrupt changes in level greater than 1/2� that pose a tripping hazard?

Are liquid contaminants present (water, grease, oil, cleaning solutions, in-process materials) that create a slip hazard?

Are there walking-working surfaces where subtle elevation changes are present (slopes, ramps) that pose a trip hazard? Are handrails used where appropriate?

Are dry contaminants present (powder, sawdust, dirt, flour, food, wax chips) that create a slip hazard?

Are changes in the walking-working surface elevation highlighted with a common color scheme adopted by the facility?

Do mats have abrupt, squared-off edges lacking a bevel that pose a trip hazard?

Are curbs highlighted in a common color scheme adopted by the facility?

Are water-absorbent mats used in work areas where water or fluids collect?

Are there parts of the work process where contamination (fluids, solids, dust or debris) falls to the walking-working surface from overhead?

This walking-working surface inspection checklist was created

by Scott Gaddis. You can use this resource as a quick reference guide at your worksite perhaps while training employees, or as refresher material for yourself. continued on next page

YES

NO

YES

Surface Obstructions Are cords or hoses prevented from crossing the walking-working surface?

If cords or hoses intrude into the walkingworking surface, are they covered with a beveled protective cover or taped securely and highlighted in a color to signify the trip hazard?

Are hallways, stairs, and walkways clear of clutter (boxes, cords, equipment)?

Do bins and/or containers intrude into the walking-working surface, creating a trip hazard?

Surface Separation Are there measures, such as the use of safety barriers, taken to prevent pedestrians from crossing into the path of danger?

Are there designated walkways for workers and are permanent aisles and passageways appropriately marked?

Are walking-working surfaces marked along aisles and in a common color scheme used to designate paths that separate pedestrians from forklifts, heavy machinery and other hazards?

NO

PPE Are workers wearing slip-resistant shoes (safety shoe marked as slip resistant) when required?

Are workers found wearing shoes with soles that have worn-down treads?

Are workers’ shoe treads found to be clogged with dirt, in-process materials, debris or snow that could affect slip resistance?

Are workers required to wear highvisibility clothing (vests) in areas where pedestrians and equipment share the walking-working surface?

Management Factors Are observation reports such as near miss and accident reports reviewed frequently to understand walking-working concerns, trends and patterns of loss?

Are workers seen discarding debris, in-process materials and waste onto the walking-working surface instead of using appropriate containers?

Are workers observed doing tasks like carrying items that restrict their view, increasing the chance of a slip, trip and fall?

Are hard pedestrian barriers and guardrails used to keep pedestrians and vehicles separated along busy aisleways and work surfaces; at crossings and transport interchanges; and entrances and exits where equipment (forklifts, vehicles) and pedestrians could come in contact?

Are workers observed rushing or working with urgency above their capability to maintain good balance?

Are safety mirrors used to provide extended visibility to workers by helping them see around corners and down aisles with forklifts, heavy machinery and other hazards associated with material movement?

Are all workers trained to understand slip and trip hazards and how to recognize and mitigate such hazards? Do workers understand the pedestrian worker requirements for maintaining their safety on all walking-working surfaces?

Are workers observed slipping on the dry walking-working surface, indicating a cleaning or floor health issue?

Surface Illumination Are light bulbs burned out above the walking-working surface?

Are any areas dim, poorly lit or shadowy because of building infrastructure or equipment?

Are lighting levels compliant with local codes, ANSI and/or Illuminating Engineering Society (IESNA) recommendations?

Is light reflecting on smooth walkingworking surfaces creating glare?

Walking-Working Surface Inspection

Checklist

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WORKER FATIGUE AS A FACTOR IN SLIP, TRIP AND FALL INJURIES

By Kris Smith, GSC On-Site Services

26

Leader—Summer 2019

vpppa.org

Fatigue can result from strenuous activity or immense concentration, or as a symptom of illness or simply from staying up too late. If you ask a group of people what they mean by fatigue, you’ll likely get a wide range of answers.

Fatigue is complex. As a result of this complexity, and despite studies that focus on fatigue from sleep deprivation or muscle fatigue, surprisingly little is known about how fatigue affects workers across various industries.

S

o, what is worker fatigue?

their personal, firm and societal

Age of your workforce has

According to the National

costs are a substantial problem

also been statistically shown to

Institute for Occupational

in the automotive sector.

impact the frequency of work

Safety and Health

(Center for Health and Safety

injuries, as seen in a recent

(NIOSH), fatigue is

physical or mental exhaustion that can be triggered by stress; medication; overwork (heavy workload without conditioning); excessive heat; or underlying medical conditions such as mental and physical illness or disease.

Neuro-muscular fatigue (known as muscle fatigue)

Innovation, December 2012.)

study completed by the National

62 percent of night

Insurance (NCCI) in April of

shift workers

complain about sleep loss.

According to the National

Council on Compensation 2019. Aging muscles are more susceptible to fatigue and reduced flexibility that can lead to overexertion and result in MSD injuries, slips, trips and falls. These are still the highest frequency of injuries according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

involves the muscles and the

Safety Council, work often

central nervous system. Muscle

requires us to override those

suffer relatively more contact

fatigue in the trunk, shoulders

natural sleep patterns. More than

injuries, middle age workers

and hand/arms can have

43 percent of workers are sleep-

more overexertion injuries and

multiple negative effects on a

deprived, and those most at risk

older workers more falls, slips

person, including reduced work

work the night shift, long shifts

and trips.” Workers between

capacity, increased discomfort,

or irregular shifts. Following are

the ages of 55–65 years old

poorer motor control (with negative effects on product quality) and risk of acute injury.

For these reasons alone, muscle fatigue should be minimized by the application of ergonomics.

Additionally, if the fatigue is constant and of long duration, it is believed to be a precursor to work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), such as

a few facts for employers:

• Safety performance decreases as employees become tired.

• 62 percent of night shift workers complain about sleep loss.

• Fatigued worker productivity costs employers $1,200 to $3,100 per employee annually.

• Employees on rotating shifts

and NCCI. “Young workers

have increased by 50 percent during the last five years (Baby Boomers are adding 10,000 individuals per day) and slip, trip and falls account for 44 percent of all injuries in those workers over age 65.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent one of the leading causes of lost workdays in industry and are associated

shoulder injury or low-

are particularly vulnerable

back pain. Existing research

because they cannot adapt

(American Academy of

has already confirmed that

their “body clocks” to an

Orthopaedic Surgeons [AAOS],

musculoskeletal disorders and

alternative sleep pattern.

2008). In 2004, 16.3 million

vpppa.org

with major economic costs

More than

43%

of workers are sleep-deprived

Leader—Summer 2019

27

strains and/or sprains were

shown to be more severe than

Equal Employment Opportunity

treated in the U.S. health care

the average nonfatal workplace

Commission (EEOC) and

system, and the estimated cost

injury or illness, to require

Americans with Disabilities

of treating all musculoskeletal

longer recovery times, and

Act (ADA) guidelines. NIOSH

injuries was $127.4 billion

to be responsible for millions

says that 10 percent of all

(AAOS, 2008). MSDs have been

of lost workdays every year

incumbents cannot perform the

(AAOS, 2008).

physical demands of the job that

All this data and the research

they are applying for. Post offer

that has been completed to date

testing should always monitor

shows us that fatigue is a major

the pass/fail rates to be within

factor in work-related MSD,

this range.

slip, trip and fall injuries. Safety

Once an employee starts

professionals need to be aware of

work, programs that focus on

the factors that influence fatigue

flexibility and conditioning

such as: shift work, job rotation,

such as pre-shift warm up,

overtime, age of workforce, body

including both static and

mechanics and work postures

dynamic flexibility for stability

and ergonomic impact.

Solutions for safety

Safety Calendars

professionals to consider

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process. Job analysis can

reducing the risks related to fatigue start with the hiring provide the true picture of what the physical and mental requirements for a job are. In addition, ergonomic solutions that can reduce muscle fatigue and reduce the risk for slip, trips and falls are integrated into a comprehensive job analysis.

Once completed, companies that

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choose to conduct post offer agility testing can identify those prospective employees that are at risk of injury within the

28

Leader—Summer 2019

In 2004,

16.3 million

strains and/ or sprains were treated in the U.S. health care system. vpppa.org

and flexibility can produce

Worker positioning is the root

documented reductions in

cause in over 85 percent of MSD

workplace injuries. According

cases based on outcome metrics

to the article published in

from job coaching and ergonomic

2015, companies that have

evaluation data collected by an

implemented a flexibility

injury prevention company.

program that includes dynamic

Job rotation to utilize

and balance exercises have

alternative muscle groups, shift

experienced an 86 percent

work rest breaks and information

increase in overall flexibility

regarding nutrition can assist

that has translated to an 89

with fatigue prevention.

percent reduction in MSD, slip,

Additional injury prevention

trip and fall workplace injuries.

such as maintenance of flooring

(AAOHN, 2015)

to prevent uneven surfaces,

Worker positioning is the root cause in over 85 percent of MSD cases based on outcome metrics from job coaching and ergonomic evaluation data collected by an injury prevention company.

In addition, body mechanics

appropriate safety identification

training and coaching are

for steps, ladders, etc. will help to

valuable tools for preventing

prevent slip, trips and falls.

fatigue that comes from

Worker fatigue is an area

overexertion or increased

that needs additional study and

workload activities. Root cause

solutions, but for now, safety

for MDS injuries is typically

professionals and companies

due to

can employ many proactive

1. equipment,

strategies to increase awareness

2. process or

and reduce the effects of fatigue

3. worker positioning.

in the workplace.

Kris Smith is the Managing Member for GSC On-Site Services, an Arizona based, national injury prevention company. Kris is an Occupational Therapist by background but has spent more than 35 years working in industry with companies across all business sectors. She and her husband and business partner, Gil Smith, started GSC On-Site Services to provide companies with options to prevent injuries such as Job Analysis, ergonomic risk assessments, body mechanics risk assessment and coaching, first aid only early symptom intervention and an innovative pre-shift warm up flexibility program. Kris is an expert at developing meaningful outcome metrics for the programs and services that GSC On-Site offers.

Kris has published many of her outcomes, presented at national, regional and local safety, risk management, occupational health and xwoccupational therapy conferences. She teaches industrial rehabilitation at three Arizona Universities. Her years of experience lend themselves to creating innovative solutions for customers.

SOURCES National Safety Council. (2019). Fatigue- you’re more than just tired. www.nsc.org/work-safety/safety-topics/fatigue.

U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Preventing worker fatigue among ebola healthcare workers and responders. www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ebola/pdfs/ preventingworkerfatigueamongebolahcw122914.pdf U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2018, August 29). Work schedules: shift work and long hours. www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/workschedules/default.html Tucker P, Folkard S. Working time, health and safety: a research synthesis paper. Conditions of Work and Employment Series. 2012;31:3-60.

Gallagher S, Heberger JR. Examining the interaction of force and repetition on musculoskeletal disorder risk: a systematic literature review. Hum Factors. 2013 February;55(1):108-124.

University of Waterloo Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD). (2012, December 4). Reducing fatigue and preventing MSDs in the workplace. uwaterloo.ca/centre-of-research-expertise-for-the-prevention-ofmusculoskeletal-disorders/events/past-events/reducing-fatigueand-preventing-msds-workplace University of Waterloo Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD). Updates from research: reducing fatigue and preventing MSDs in the workplace. uwaterloo.ca/centre-of-research-expertise-for-the-preventionof-musculoskeletal-disorders/about/brochure/updates-researchreducing-fatigue-and-preventing-msds Smith K, Singarajah E. Evaluation of a stretching program to increase worker flexibility. Workplace Health Saf. 2013;61(8).

Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Developed by the researchers and clinicians at the University of North Carolina’s Sports Medicine Research Laboratory, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8700.

Gschwind YJ, Kressig RW, Lacroix A, Muehlbauer T, Pfenninger B, Granacher U. A best practice fall prevention exercise program to improve balance, strength/power, and psychosocial health in older adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Geriatrics. 2013;13:103.

vpppa.org

Leader—Summer 2019

29

IT WASN’T ME

NO HARM, NO FOUL

CRINGE-WORTHY

EXCUSES THAT LEAD TO SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS

By Anita Hawkins, Safety Pros

IT’S NOT WORTH THE TIME

Slips, trips and falls are among the most common cause of workplace injuries and deaths. They are a hazard in almost all occupations and can happen anywhere, at any time. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics ranks slips, trips and falls as the second highest cause of workplace fatalities in 2017. To be exact, there were 887 fatalities caused by slips, trips and falls; with the majority of these resulting from falls to a lower level.

30

Leader—Summer 2019

vpppa.org

W

Encouraging employees

hile workers in

seeks to identify and control

construction

hazards, which reduces risks

to make safety a personal

and fishing are

and the potential for harm.

responsibility is a challenge

most at risk, falls

Organizations that take time

most employers face. Slip,

can happen in agriculture,

to react to near miss reports

trip and fall hazards often go

manufacturing, transportation,

find the most success. They

unreported and unaddressed

and virtually any other

collect the near miss report

simply because employees do

industry. Common causes of

data, analyze what caused the

not feel personally responsible

these incidents can be wet,

near miss and determine what

for safety.

or oily floors, unanchored

they need to do to avoid this

The only way to rid the

floormats, spills, poor lighting,

type of incident in the future.

workplace of the, “It wasn’t

uncovered wires or cables,

Organizations should use

me!” mindset is to promote

wrinkled rugs, drawers and

the information gathered to

open dialog about potential

cabinets being left open and

educate and train employees on

hazards without fear of

clutter impeding the walkway.

accident prevention. Not only

retribution. Communication

should workers be trained on

between employers and

occurrences be addressed, they

how to identify and recognize

employees is crucial in

can be prevented. So why are

potential hazards properly, but

managing the risk associated

workers still getting involved in

they should also have training

with safely executing their

slip, trip and fall incidents? The

on how to reduce those hazards.

work. Engaging the entire

excuses are cringe-worthy.

When organizations react and

workforce and managing risk is

offer continuous improvement

everyone’s responsibility.

Not only can all of these

No Harm, No Foul

training based on near miss reports, it shows employees

journal or list of hazards or

National Safety Council (NSC),

that their safety is valued. It

unsafe situations where “It

enforces the importance of near

wasn’t me!” could have been

miss reporting and improves the

responsible for an accident or

safety culture.

injury. By noting the number

According to OSHA and the the definition of a near miss incident is, “an unplanned event that did not result in injury, illness, or damage–but had the

It can be helpful to keep a

of times a safety hazard goes

It Wasn’t Me

ignored, and sharing these

employee finds themselves

and see things out of place?

will begin to understand why

dodging injury or preventing

Power cords stretched across

property damage, it is

walking paths, safety guard

considered a near miss.

rails not installed properly or

Reporting these incidents is

boxes and equipment piled

pertinent to maintaining a

too high in the storage closet.

healthy work environment.

The list of potential hazards

However, many employees

is long. Have you ever asked

hesitate to report near misses

your employees, “Who is

due to fear, embarrassment or

responsible?” and get an

the perception that reporting

answer that is less than ideal?

potential to do so.”

This means, any time an

is pointless. For many, these

Ever walk around the worksite

“It wasn’t me!” is an

incidents are easily written off as

answer safety managers and

“no harm, no foul” situations.

supervisors hear all too often.

Nearly 50 near miss incidents

In a recent survey by the NSC,

moments with employees, they they are responsible for their own and everyone else’s safety.

Using these potential slip, trip and fall hazards as teaching tools will help employees to identify areas where they have become complacent in their safety protocol and encourage them to take corrective actions.

It’s Not Worth the Time Probably one of the most

cringe-worthy excuses for not reporting a slip, trip and fall

occur for every one injury that

30 percent of workers said they’re

hazard is the, “It’s not worth

gets reported. That means, for

afraid to report safety issues.

my time” excuse. Employees

every one person who reports an

They cited fear of retribution

who are rushing to complete

injury, 50 people have already

as the primary reason for not

tasks are less likely to report

passed over the potential cause

coming forward about potential

potential risks. But the real

without reporting it.

slip, trip and fall hazards they

question is to determine if time

did not create. In some cases,

is the issue, or is something

near misses is a crucial element

employees responded saying they

else at play.

to finding and controlling risks

failed to report a risk because

There are several reasons

before workers are injured.

they were not following safety

employees may use time as an

Collecting near miss reports

procedures and knew they could

excuse for not following through

helps create a safety culture that

get in trouble.

on slip, trip and fall hazard

Identifying and investigating

vpppa.org

In a recent survey by the National Safety Council, 30 percent of workers said they’re afraid to report safety issues. They cited fear of retribution as the primary reason for not coming forward about potential slip, trip and fall hazards they did not create.

Leader—Summer 2019

31

FALLS ARE 100% PREVENTABLE.

reporting systems such as

needed to do so.

mobile near miss reporting

Employees may be ashamed

makes it easy for employees to report hazards and near miss

of the procedure, or they don’t

incidents from their phone or

understand the reporting form.

work tablet. These programs

It’s much easier to say, “I don’t

automatically feed information

have the time,” then it is to

into a database and allow

admit that they don’t know how.

administrators, supervisors

Other employees may think it’s

and company safety officers to

easier to verbally warn their

analyze what happened, why

coworkers to look out if they

and what should be done to

notice an outstretched cord or

correct the issue. Reporting is

fall hazards?

a puddle of water on the floor

done in real time, making it fast

• Is there a standard procedure

rather than go through the

and easy for employers to know

for reporting hazards?

entire process of documenting

what went wrong and why in a

• Do all employees have access

the hazard and still having to

matter of minutes as opposed

to reporting platforms? Is the

take time to correct the issue.

to days or weeks with paper

seem like the apparent reason, but there could also be issues in how employees are trained to report potential hazards.

• Do employees know how to identify slip, trip and

reporting platform available

•

Another reason employees

form reports. In cases where

don’t take time to report slip, trip

offline reporting is necessary,

and fall hazards is because they

make paper reports easy to

through an electronic form

are viewed as too trivial to report.

understand and complete.

or tracking program, do

They feel if they have avoided

employees have access to,

the issue and verbally notified

and have the training to

others to prevent the problem,

utilize, company computers

then there is no need to tell the

accidents. Not only are they

to submit their report?

company. Why take time away

expensive, but they can also be

from the task at hand to spend

fatal. They are the leading cause

inundated with questions that

several minutes filling out forms

of unintentional injury-related

do not pertain to the incident,

to report a hazard that they can

deaths, and nearly 33,381 people

or to the employee that is

resolve in a matter of seconds?

died from falls, at home and at

at any time and place?

If the reporting process is

• Is the reporting process

filing the report?

• Do employees know how

Leader—Summer 2019

Having quick access

don’t have the training or tools

to admit that they are unaware

reporting. Tight work deadlines

32

hazards could be that they

While it is frustrating to hear that employees are not

to follow up on a report to

reporting slip, trip and fall

provide additional details?

hazards because “It’s not

While it might be easy to

Why It Matters

Slips, trips and falls can be costly

work, in 2015 (National Safety Council, 2019).

Why does this matter? Because falls are 100 percent preventable.

worth the time,” think about

Prevention starts with

assume employees are lazy,

the process for reporting and

training employees on how

uncaring or irresponsible, their

if there is anything that can be

to recognize slip, trip and

reason for not being proactive

done to shorten that process or

fall hazards and to follow

in reporting slip, trip and fall

make it more effective.

through with reporting when vpppa.org

they see something that could

Nothing kills a near miss

hazards and report them

potentially become an accident.

reporting process faster than

immediately. Reiterate that

Employees who are confident

employees coming forward

reporting potential hazards is

and comfortable with reporting

with an incident, only to have

part of a positive process, not a

potential hazards contribute

it dismissed or treated like

punitive one. Creating a positive

to a much healthier work

it’s inconsequential.

culture without the threat of

environment. When companies encourage employees to be a proactive part of the solution, they are cultivating a stronger safety culture.

Not only do employees need to be held accountable to the health and well-being of not only themselves, but their coworkers, they also need to see that their employers are doing something with the slip, trip and fall hazard reports. The best way to eliminate excuses when it comes to reporting is to show employees that it matters.

All levels of management need to comply with the same rules and report all near misses.

More importantly, when an employee reports a slip, trip or fall hazard, something needs to be done with that information.

Being proactive in slip,

The best way to eliminate excuses when it comes to reporting is to show employees that it matters.

reprimand helps employees

trip and fall hazard reporting

to feel more comfortable with

creates a culture that

coming forward when they see

assesses risks and uses data

something rather than hiding

to reduce the likelihood of an

behind the excuses, “No harm,

accident. Employees should

no foul. It wasn’t me. It’s not

be encouraged to identify

worth my time.”

Anita Hawkins is the Digital Marketing Specialist and Blogger for Safety

Pros located in Tampa, FL. Under the direction of company owner, Michele Adams, Safety Pros develops comprehensive online safety incentive programs for companies of all sizes. As part of the Safety Pros team,

Anita educates clients on the importance of safety while also helping

them discover effective safety recognition solutions for their workplace.

As members of VPPPA for 30 years, Safety Pros has established a strong reputation as experts in the safety incentive industry.

SOURCES Bureau of Labor and Statistics. (2018). National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2017. US Department of Labor.

National Safety Council. (2019, June 05). Make Fall Safety a Top Priority.

Retrieved from National Safety Council: www.nsc.org/work-safety/ safety-topics/slips-trips-and-falls

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33

By Lee Vernon, Code 3 Medical Services, LLC

O

ne of the most

an accident resulting in a fall.

common injuries

Some of these scenarios could

that a responder will

be a diabetic episode, dizziness,

face on a routine

syncopal episode, stroke, heart

basis involves slips, trips and

attack, etc. If it was indeed a

falls. Granted we can teach and

medical incident that resulted

preach prevention, but the fact

in such an accident happening,

of the matter is that accidents,

then we may have two issues

especially slips, trips and falls,

that need stabilizing instead of

will still happen. I want to bring

just one. Never rule out medical

to light some common points

as a cause. Keep in mind, too,

that we need to be cognizant of

that if the patient has a history

when dealing with patients who

of medical problems, then a

have sustained an injury due to

traumatic event such as a fall

such an accident. Remember,

could also induce a medical

there are multiple factors that

emergency that one would have

can dictate the outcome of a

to deal with as well.

patient, but we are going to look at the most common issues faced when giving patient care.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERTAINING TO

Medical Emergency Vs. Accident

Assessing the Damage Once we determine the extent, scope and cause of the injury there are some key aspects during our patient evaluation

First, when we arrive on scene

that we need to make sure get

and find someone laying on the

addressed. When it comes to a

ground, or complaining of an

traumatic injury, we also need

injury due to a fall, we need to

to keep in the forefront of our

ask ourselves a question. Was

mind that the four main medical

the injury a result of having

priorities (hemorrhage, airway,

a medical emergency which

breathing, & circulation) and

caused the person to slip,

address them first.

trip or fall, or was it indeed

Next on our list of big

a true accident? We need to

concerns pertaining to falls

think about all of the medical

would be any trauma to the

scenarios which could cause

head, neck and/or back. This is where a thorough head-totoe assessment is important.

We need to palpate (feel) the patient to check for bruising, rigidness, swollenness/ deformations and pain. If any

34 Leader—Summer 2019

vpppa.org

Don’t neglect to rule out a possible medical condition that could have been the cause of the slip, trip or fall.

Life threatening injuries should always take priority over other issues such as broken bones, sprains or dislocations.

of that is in the region of the

Proper Training

the employer a key advantage in

overlooked, is how imperative

payouts, especially when the

If a patient cannot answer

head, neck or spine, then we

three simple questions, then

need to further evaluate the

that should be a red flag to

patient for complaints such as

dive a little deeper and suspect

tingling or loss of sensation

it is to have properly trained

possible head trauma. Also, if

and competent emergency

in extremities. If tenderness

a patient is complaining of a

responders to attend to these

or pain is in the spinal region,

headache, that could be a red

types of injuries. The reason

proper spinal immobilization

flag. If any patient has any

for that comes down to one

signs of bleeding or increased

important word: LIABILITY!

needs to be implemented.

Outside of the spinal/back region, we also need to do a thorough cognitive exam to rule out any head trauma such as a concussion or bleeding in the brain. If a patient is complaining of any head pain, then we need to look and feel for signs of brain trauma. Of course, we do not have x-rays or CAT scans in the field, but we can indeed look and feel for swelling, loss of any fluid such as spinal or blood leaking from eyes, ears or nose.

We can check for bruising or bleeding around the base of the eyes or the back of the ears.

We can ask some simple questions that will give us a foundation to start from as far as a mental cognitive state.

Some questions I like to ask are ones that are generic, yet specific enough, that the patient should be able to answer.

Examples include:

pressure in the brain, then they need to get to a surgery room at a hospital immediately, as interior cranial pressure due to bleeding can be fatal if not addressed.

Those are some worstcase scenarios that we need to keep in mind. Most of the time injuries resulting in a slip, trip or fall will result in a sprain, strain, dislocation or possibly broken bone. Those are

properly dealt with, can result in longer recuperation times and additional time away from the job. Not to mention, many of these injuries result in law suits, whether legitimate or not.

To reduce liability and potential losses, it is to the employers’ advantage to have skilled and competent responders who can perform thoroughly. Not only is this important when it comes to patient care, but also for proper

basic bandaging and splinting

documentation procedures.

skills. Support and immobilize

intentions may not be above board. Simply being prepared goes a long way when it comes to being responsible for the care of your employees when they need it most.

Those two factors could give

Lee Vernon, owner of Code 3 Medical Services LLC, has over 26 years as a Retired/Active First Responder/Firefighter/EMT. Having spent the majority of his career in a large metropolitan city where his immediate response area to industrial, manufacturing, warehouse, corporate and violence prone environments were routine, he has a perspective and knowledge base experienced by few in the industry. Code 3 Medical & Safety Services team of active first responders focus on medical and safety training in the petrochemical, industrial and manufacturing arena.

the injured area in a position of comfort, assess for distal pulses if it is an arm or leg, and do a thorough patient primary and secondary exam. Nothing major or complicated with patient care in most instances. Again, simple injuries are easy to deal with, it is the more complex issues that one needs to be mindful

a dollar?

• • What city are you in?

• What is the exact location

of. Remember, distracting

What year is it?

injuries can possibly mask or hide other major issues that a patient or responder may not be

that the patient is

aware of, so being thorough is

currently at?

imperative even on the small or

vpppa.org

reducing liability and potential

Most of these injuries, if not

relatively easy to address with

• How many dimes make

• Who is the President?

One last piece that is often

insignificant injuries.

Having properly trained emergency response personnel can reduce liabilities and demonstrates that management cares about their employees.

Leader—Summer 2019

35

WHAT

SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS

SIGNAGE

CAN TEACH US ABOUT WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION

By Carolyn Voelkening, The Marlin Company

36

Leader—Summer 2019

vpppa.org

It doesn’t matter what your job is or where you work, you know the slips, trips and falls warning sign: a black figure on a yellow background, arms out, one leg about to lose contact with a surface, the other leg bent-knee in mid-air. Stuck in perpetual, impending disaster, this instantly recognizable stick figure can teach us a lot about effective safety communication in the workplace.

Lesson #1: Make it visual

The slips, trips and falls image is the perfect example of the old adage, A picture is worth a thousand words. It conveys a clear message without any text, and it’s easily understood by all audiences, regardless of education level or native language.

While the reliance on visual imagery in safety is nothing new, it’s taken on increasing importance in the last few years with OSHA’s current Hazard Communication Standard (HCS, 29 CFR 1910.1200). As part of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), the nine standard pictograms required by HCS cement the importance of visual imagery as a way to communicate across languages and cultural barriers.

But visual communication doesn’t just belong on signs and hazcom labels. It’s an approach that can, and should, be used in safety training, according to a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Safety Science. The study looked at the effectiveness of using visual communication in safety training and found that using images and symbols increased workers’ comprehension and job satisfaction.

The study also concluded that while images themselves are useful, a vpppa.org

Leader—Summer 2019

37

summed up the challenge and importance of redundant safety messaging this way: “We train

Using videos in your safety communications is a great and familiar way to grab and keep employees’ attention.

them on Monday, but if we don’t reinforce the message, they forget it on Tuesday, and they’ve developed a bad habit

by Wednesday.”

Lesson #4: Keep it moving

With the proliferation of

video on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and streaming media channels, consumers have grown accustomed to getting their information through video.

If a slips, trips and falls picture is worth a thousand words, a short-form video—with its natural beginning, middle and end—is those thousand words arranged into a compelling story. Using videos in your safety communications is a more effective method is to use

actionable takeaway. Before

great and familiar way to grab

cartoon or icon-like symbols

delivering any safety message,

and keep employees’ attention.

on photographs to highlight

force yourself to articulate the

hazards and best practices.

single takeaway you want your audience to remember and then

Lesson #2: Know your takeaway

An easy way to test the

effectiveness of any safety communication is to ask yourself, What is the one

L esson #3: Say it again, and again, and again

How effective would a slips, trips and falls caution sign be if it was placed far away from the hazard? One of the challenges with on-the-job

The slips, trips and falls figure

communication is ensuring

remember when they walk

is ubiquitous, appearing

all employees see and/or hear

away? The slips, trips and

everywhere we go. We see it in

it, especially in a shift-based

falls image is so impactful

schools, in grocery aisles, in

environment.

because it communicates a

hospitals and at work. And each

single, actionable message:

time we see it, the message

company that tries to address

Be cautious! A slip, trip or fall

is equally important, because

employee morale by recognizing

hazard is present.

safety messaging—or any kind

employees in an email

of messaging, for that matter—

newsletter, without stopping to

isn’t a onetime thing.

consider that most shift workers

falling figure, you saw an explanation of the existing

Leader—Summer 2019

on that takeaway.

thing I want employees to

Imagine if, instead of the

38

tailor your information to focus

L esson #5: Be in the right place at the right time

It’s a simple rule of

Consider, for example, the

don’t actually have company

hazard, a reference to the

marketing that people need

email. Or, the manager who

relevant standard and all the

to be exposed to a message

announces a company event at

possible behavioral responses.

seven times before they take

a morning huddle, forgetting to

Clearly, it would be a much

action. Especially in a climate

convey the same information to

less effective approach,

of workforce instability—

the night crew. Even the most

yet it’s the approach many

employee shortages, high-

well-crafted, well-intentioned

companies fall back on when

turnover and seemingly

message won’t resonate with

communicating about safety.

endless onboarding—it’s

employees if they don’t see

They lump multiple topics into

critical to reinforce messages.

it. Communication needs to

one message or training session,

The Director of Safety for a

reach employees where they

rather than focusing on a single,

national supermarket chain

congregate and work: in break

vpppa.org

rooms, cafeterias and on factory

an employee makes the right

floors—and it needs to reach

or wrong choice at a pivotal

them at the right time, whether

safety moment, which is

that’s 3AM, 7AM or 4PM.

why emotional engagement is so important for all

Lesson #6: Make it personal

The slips, trips and falls

image works, ultimately, because we connect to it on an emotional level. As the figure slips backwards, trips forward or falls into space, we respond personally to the idea of slipping, tripping or falling, which is what causes us to take precautionary action. We have

workplace communications.

By recognizing the whole person, and balancing direct safety messages with employee recognition, health and wellness and holiday messages, employers can recognize the whole person and connect with workers on an emotional level.

Putting it Into Action

While the slips, trips and falls

a vested interest and we’re

sign warns us to be cautious,

emotionally connected to

every step in the communication

the outcome.

journey is a step in the right

Every employee is more

Carolyn Voelkening is the Chief Content Officer at Marlin, a global leader in workplace digital signage. She has over 20-years of experience in building audiences and reshaping traditional communication strategies to leverage digital disruption.

Carolyn leads a team of OSHAcertified content strategists, designers and writers who create Marlin’s award-winning, industrycritical content.

direction. By thinking visually

than their job. They’re a

and communicating with

whole person with interests,

your employees in a clear,

concerns and priorities that

focused way, you can build the

may have nothing to do with

foundation of an employee-

the workplace. These personal

driven safety culture. You just

motivations can be the reason

have to take the first step.

SOURCE Occupational safety and visual communication: User-centered design of safety training material for migrant farmworkers in Italy.

Lucia Vigoroso, FedericaCaffaro, EugenioCavallo, www. sciencedirect.com/science/ article/pii/S0925753518306106, Safety Science, November 2018)

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Leader—Summer 2019

39

Prod ct F ll P ote tion The Danger of Falling Objects in Industrial Settings

By Lee McCord, Adrian’s Safety Solutions

40 Leader—Summer 2019

vpppa.org

Typically, when considering fall protection, we

object or equipment, caught in

consider the dangers that could cause employees

or objects, or struck, caught

or compressed by equipment

to fall—exposed wires, uneven platforms, unsafe

or crushed in [a] collapsing

scaffolding or untidy work areas. However, fall

material” results in 26 percent

structure, equipment or

protection also refers to the dangers caused by

of injuries. This is the second-

falling or dropped objects, including equipment.

injury, right behind overexertion.

highest cause of workplace According to EHS Today, many

ost often,

objects in the workplace. Let’s

we hear

examine how you can prevent

about falling

falling object hazards from

objects on

affecting your stock and the

construction

safety of your employees.

sites, where tools that are not secured fall from a higher level.

But overall, there are more than 50,000 struck-by falling object recordable incidents each year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Furthermore, the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index ranks struckby incidents as the fourth most disabling injury in U.S. workplaces. In a warehouse, manufacturing plant or distribution center, objects that fall from storage racking can damage your products, equipment and even fatally injure your employees.

The current OSHA standards for keeping loose items secured state that, “all materials, equipment, and tools, which are not in use while aloft, shall be secured

Preventing objects from falling is an incredibly important aspect of warehouse and workplace safety. It’s even more vital in large, big box and warehouse stores where both employees and customers are in areas with warehouse racking and pallets of product are stored. You will often notice additional protection equipment like steel cables and safety netting in these settings.

Were these precautions not in place, the risk of injury could be detrimental to the business. According to the National Safety Council, one workplace injury occurs every

after a tragic event occurs.”

But it is imperative for them to realize that fall protection for both people and equipment should be addressed before something happens. Protecting employees and customers from falling objects must continue to be a priority for retailers and warehouse operators.

Protecting employees and customers from falling objects must continue to be a priority for retailers and warehouse operators.

How Dangerous are Falling Objects?

While a loose product or small piece of equipment falling from a shelf might not seem especially dangerous, when distance is factored in, a small object can become more harmful and cause injury. An example from Industrial Safety and Hygiene News (ISHN) cites

seven seconds. While these

the damage even a small object

numbers are staggering,

can do when falling from a

provide a great deal of direction

injuries are completely

higher level. ISHN reports an

when it comes to preventing

preventable and can be avoided

“…incident at a construction

damage or injury caused by

with the proper precautions.

site in Jersey City, New Jersey,

against accidental displacement.”

These guidelines do not

falling products. Too often,

vpppa.org

Falling Object Prevention

companies “only invest in safety

The National Safety Council

[where] a truck driver was

employers wait until an injury,

also reports that contact with

delivering sheet rock and was

fatality or near miss occurs to

objects and equipment, such as

killed when a worker 50 stories

address the hazards of falling

being “struck by or against [an]

above dropped a tape measure.”

Leader—Summer 2019

41

Now imagine that the falling

• The first step to preventing

of potential hazards. By

This load, falling from a height

falling objects is providing

regularly checking your work

of 25 feet for 1.25 seconds, has

employees with clear

area for safety concerns, they

an impact of 10,000 pounds.

training. Investing in proper

can be addressed quickly,

training can positively impact

keeping everyone safe.

Not only is that force likely to destroy whatever item fell,

your bottom line by reducing

but it could easily cause severe

product loss and insurance

to secure your products in place

premiums and shows your

can be challenging. The right

employees that you are

safety solution keeps inventory,

invested in their safety.

equipment, and employees safe

injury to any employees or customers that are struck by the object. Inventory can also to, equipment and conveyors, resulting in expensive repairs or replacement in order to keep your facility running.

In addition, if items fall into the longitudinal flue space between racking arrays, sprinkler systems cannot operate effectively in the case of a fire. Because the fallen objects are blocking the sprinkler’s path to the floor, the fire is likely to

Most safety

professionals

agree that safety

operations, causing massive installation downtime, or breaking your budget. Taking the time to find the right solution for you warehouse will

begins at home

save time and money overall

to the work setting.

Building a Safety Culture

and should extend

• In addition, properly stored

and protect your employees.

Building a strong culture around safety in your industrial

spread more quickly and cause

products are less likely

workplace is important for

additional damage.

to fall into a work area

preventing more than just

and potentially injure an

struck-by hazards. Most safety

employee. Safely loading,

professionals agree that safety

securing and moving

begins at home and should

products and pallets helps

extend to the work setting, since

protect racks against

most accidents and injuries

unnecessary damage from

in the U.S. occur off the job.

overloading or collisions.

But considering the cost of

Make sure your racking

unintentional work-related

Load Capacity Plaques are

injuries was at $161.5B in 2017,

properly displayed. The Rack

according to the National Safety

Manufacturers Institute ANSI

Council, your company should

MH16.1-2012: Specification

be incentivized to make safety

for the Design, Testing and

the top priority.

The impact that a small object’s fall can have is significant—and it only increases when you factor in height of the fall with heavier, larger objects such as crates, pallets, or inventory.

•

How Can I Prevent Falling Object Damage?

Objects can fall from pallet

racks or shelving for a variety of reasons—incorrect stacking, a

Utilization of Industrial Steel

bump from a forklift, or damaged racks. Here are a few ways to keep your workspace safer:

• Of course, it’s always

important to use personal protection equipment properly to keep employees safe, but the best solution

According to a study in

Storage Racks, section 1.4.2,

EHS Today compiled by using

states that the rack “owner

millions of data points, top

is responsible for displaying

safety performers have certain

in one or more conspicuous

behaviors that they regularly

locations a permanent

perform that bottom performers

plaque(s).”

simply do not. Though many

• Anywhere that steel pallet

hazards exist in all workplace

racking is in use, rack safety

settings, safety performers in

systems are critical for

the top quartile perform four

keeping your employees safe.

safety activities a week and their

Industrial rack safety systems

employees report 10 times more

done by making the items

such as netting, or straps

hazards than bottom performers.

on your racks as fall-proof

should be an integral part of

In turn, their injury rates were

as possible. As a result, you

protecting your facility from

reduced by 3.5 times or more.

will save money caused by

falling objects.

is to keep accidents from happening in the first place.

Accident prevention can be

lost product or damaged equipment and protect the lives of your employees.

Leader—Summer 2019

Finding the perfect solution

without hindering every day

fall onto, and cause damage

42

injury by keeping you aware

damage and injury from

object is a 200-pound pallet.

•

We asked the safety expert

Finally, performing regular

here at Adrian’s Safety Solutions,

safety checks prevent

Warehouse Manager Phillip

falling object damage and

Cook, how he incorporates vpppa.org

workplace safety into everyday

incidents–even minor first

operations. “Safety is simply

aid needs and near misses—as

another asset that needs to be

potential hazards. Something

maximized like any other. Good

that seems minor at first can

safety practices are co-equal to

cause larger problems later, and

all other best practices in your operation,” said Cook.

Safety activities include observations, job hazard assessments and identifications, corrective actions, and more–in short, any action that helps assess and improve safety measures around the warehouse.

Concentrating on building a culture that prioritizes safety will make a huge difference in the safety of your warehouse and morale of your employees.

Employees must feel safe coming to their supervisors and

you want your employees to feel secure knowing they can report anything that may be dangerous.

Encourage employees by involving them in the entire safety planning process. You will gain a better understanding of what hazards your employees face every day and let them know that you’re taking their safety seriously.

The important thing to note about building a safety culture is that you are constantly building it. There is no final step. Instead,

reporting accidents and damage

this is a constantly-evolving

to racks and equipment so they

process. It’s important to keep

can be replaced promptly.

making improvements and

Educate your employees on the importance of reporting

VPP

Lee McCord is the VP of Sales & Product Development at Adrian’s Safety Solutions. Lee McCord has been with Adrian’s Safety Solutions since 1997 and has overseen the launch of two safety equipment product lines. In his role, he has helped design workplace products that are centered on safety and simplicity of use. Adrian’s offers both cargo control solutions for fleets and pallet rack safety equipment for warehouses. McCord’s dedication to organizational and worker safety has enabled Adrian’s to continually develop new designs that allow for a safer workplace.

SOURCES

stay up to date on what your

www.nsc.org/work-safety/tools-resources/infographics/ workplace-injuries

warehouse needs as it grows.

njuryfacts.nsc.org/work/work-overview/work-safety-introduction/

OSHA VPP Excellence Certificate Program

Program Description OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) is one of the most highly sought after and respected cooperative programs available today. The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s OSHA VPP Excellence Certificate Program provides students with the tools and knowledge necessary to develop and maintain a safety and health program which conforms with or exceeds OSHA’s rigorous requirements to achieve VPP Certification.

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

Totally Online Six Courses Peer-to-Peer Learning For Working Professionals Live Lectures

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

vpppa.org

Leader—Summer 2019

43

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

Membership Corner

Meet the VPPPA Team

As VPPPA members, you talk to National Office Staff members on

summer (May, June, July,

and sometimes see us at regional

August) Members of the

and national events. But we want

Month: Craig Buelo, Mike

our members to be able to more

Troutman, Todd Habets,

easily put names with faces.

and Bret Skellenger. Want

Check back here in future issues

to submit someone to be

to see more VPPPA National

considered as a VPPPA

Office staff member profiles.

Member of the Month? org. You can also check

• A Relaxation Room sponsored

by Monsanto, a member of the Bayer Group of Companies.

• The SafetyPro Podcast will

be recording daily live from the event.

• A Search for Seymour the Star Contest with prizes.

• Games! We will have

shuffleboard, corn hole and other fun games onsite.

• An 80s-themed VPPPA

out all of the previous

membership booth with

Analyst Manager

Members of the Month on

movies, trivia, prizes

Wizard or B Length of Time with VPPPA: 10 years all together (2005– 2009, 2013–present)

our website.

VPPPA Trivia & Prizes

We are celebrating our 35th birthday all year long

and music.

• A finale sendoff brunch

with mimosa and bloody Mary bars.

• And much, much more…

Follow VPPPA On Instagram

Favorite Parts of Working for

with VPPPA trivia contests!

VPPPA: Learning from others

We are posting trivia

both internally and externally.

questions twice a month

Also, being able to enhance

with prizes for the winners.

announce that we now have

systems and services to operate

You can find the trivia

an Instagram page! Follow us

and function successfully.

questions at vpppa.org/

@VPPPA_Inc on Instagram to

membership/vpppabirthday.

check it out.

Hometown: Brookneal, VA. Alma Mater: Liberty University (Class of 2004….Go Flames!!)

Fun Facts About Me: I’ve being playing drums for over 25 years and still learning. Also, I won a dance competition back in

Leader magazine articles in

Email membership@vpppa.

New to Safety+ This Year

Job Title: Information & Data Nickname: I’m known as

We are now offering the

Congratulations to our

the phone, chat with us via email

Name: Bryant Walker

The Leader Magazine in Spanish

Summer Members of the Month

college at one of the largest live talent shows on campus.

Favorite Food: A messy brisket sandwich with honey BBQ

Spanish! Visit www.vpppa.

sauce…Yum!

org/advancement/the-leader-

Favorite Movie: Fifth Element,

magazine/leaderinspanish to

Avatar, Inception, or Avengers:

check it out. Special thanks

Infinity Wars …I can’t decide.

We are super excited to

Congratulations to our winners so far: Sheri F., Cintas; Kim B., Acushnet Golf; Vanessa K., Nucor; Brian B., Shermco; Joshua H., Prairie State Generating Company; Elisa C., Huber; Keenan M., Solvay; Nevena S., Sherwin; Neha S., Honeywell; Leischen N., Alstom Group; Jake V., Occidental Chemical Corporation.

We will be giving out even more prizes at the

to our translators who have

Safety+ Symposium in

worked so hard to translate

New Orleans, LA, from

the articles for us. Want

August 27-30. We can’t

to help translate? Email

wait to see you there!

communications@vpppa.org.

44 Leader—Summer 2019

vpppa.org

#HowISafety Contest

Congratulations to the winner of the 2019 #HowISafety Contest, Sara Smith! Below is her winning photo.

The winner of the #HowISafety Contest receives a free registration for the 2019 Safety+ Symposium, plus airfare and hotel. Thank you so much to everyone who entered this year’s contest.

We loved seeing all of our member’s entries. You can check out some other entries below.

“Here at Robins Air Force Base—Georgia, we promote safety with PPE and recognizing our shining stars of every month for going above and beyond in our hangar for VPP. We ‘hear no,’ ‘see no’ and ‘speak no’ to being unsafe!”

“Knight Industrial Services were recipients of three ISTC Awards this year, including: 1 Million Man Hours Worked without an Incident, Sustained a Zero Recordable Incidence Rate, and Nine Years Worked without an Incident. Thank you to our employees for continuing to support, live and breathe our #SAFETYFIRST culture. Safety is everything.”

“Geared up and stayin’ safe while kayaking on the Wenatchee River near Leavenworth, WA. Sunscreen, sunglasses, lifejacket, and my wife ready to rescue me!”

vpppa.org

“This is one of the many ways of how Batelle Energy Alliance, LLC at INL & Fluor Idaho/INL does safety; by reaching out to our community kids to help them be safe!”

Leader—Summer 2019

45

Compiled By Katlyn Pagliuca Membership Manager, VPPPA, Inc.

State-Plan Monitor

CALIFORNIA

California Natural Colors Cal/ Star Ceremony

California Natural Colors in Fresno celebrated their Cal/Star achievement on May 2. The site produces grape juice concentrates, grape seed extract and natural colors. They were mentored by Derrick Jarvis, CSP, STM, Director of Corporate Safety & Health at the E. & J. Gallo Winery. The Cal/VPP team included Ruben Garza as Team Leader, Manou Sarfehnia VPP Consultant, David Matsumoto VPP Consultant and Tony Christofferson as Special Team Member from Wheelabrator. The team performed the onsite evaluation from August 27–30, 2018. The Cal/VPP team interviewed thirty-seven of seventy employees during the visit.

This site has significantly reduced injury/illness incident rates in 2018 by primarily focusing on ergonomic improvements. To address these concerns the site has implemented the following leading indicators: emphasize powerlift techniques, job specific stretching, reduce use of hoses, employee task assistance and reaching out to other VPP sites for best practices.

The site also received the FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification) award in 2012.

Special Team Members

Special Team Members continue to participate in various aspects of California VPP. At the VPPPA Region IX conference in Tucson, AZ, Mr. Charles Busch, Special Team Member from Raytheon, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to VPP during recent years.

For more information on Cal/OSHA VPP, visit: www.dir.ca.gov/ dosh/cal_vpp/cal_vpp_index.html.

HAWAII

On May 28, Hawaii celebrated the Star status reapproval for Covanta Honolulu Resource Recovery Venture, LLC.

IOWA

There are currently 45 VPP sites in Iowa. The following is a quick update of Iowa OSHA VPP activities.

New VPP Sites

Sites that have recently been approved for participation in the program: Duro-Last (Sigourney)—Mentored by Clow Valve Metal Casting Foundry NuStar Energy (Le Mars) NuStar Energy (Milford) NuStar Energy (Rock Rapids)

• • • •

Reevaluation Onsite Reviews

Onsite VPP recertifications have been performed at: LyondellBasell (Clinton) BrandSafway—VPP Star Resident Contractor at LyondellBasell (Clinton) G4S—VPP Star Resident Contractor at LyondellBasell (Clinton) Monsanto—Ankeny Research Lab (Ankeny) Cargill Corn Milling (Cedar Rapids) Clow Valve Metal Casting Foundry (Oskaloosa)

• • • • • •

46 Leader—Summer 2019

California Natural Colors Cal/Star flag raising ceremony, Fresno May 2, 2019.

MICHIGAN

There are currently 31 sites in the Michigan Voluntary Protection Programs (MVPP), with 27 Star, one Rising Star (Merit), two MVPP/C (construction) and one MVPP/C Rising Star site.

The following is a quick update of MIOSHA MVPP activities.

Promotion

MVPP Specialist Doug Kimmel gave a presentation on the MVPP/C at the 2019 Michigan Safety Conference. He also met with representatives from Meijer, Inc., on May 9, to discuss the MVPP. An MVPP onsite review was conducted from April 9–11, at Honeywell in Muskegon.

Applications currently pending for the MVPP include: Cintas Fire Protection—D26 (Troy) Honeywell (Muskegon) Robert Bosch (Plymouth)

• • •

Upcoming Events

• MVPP/C Mentors meeting—October 29, 2019 • MVPP/C Advisory group meeting—November 7, 2019 • MVPP SGE training—October 17, 2019

“Like” us on Facebook @MichiganOSHA, follow us on Twitter @MI_OSHA and subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ c/MIOSHA_MI For further details on the MVPP, contact Doug Kimmel, MVPP specialist at 517-719-7296, or visit the MIOSHA website at www.michigan.gov/miosha.

MINNESOTA

Since the last publication, a MNSTAR flag raising was held on May 2 for Monsanto—Redwood Falls Pre-Commercial, located in Redwood Falls, MN. The company received an initial certification for three years beginning in December of 2018.

Valmont Industries, Inc, located in Farmington, MN, met all of the requirements of the one-year conditional status when we met with them in April. The certificate remains in place until a recertification visit in June of 2020.

Flint Hills Resources, located in Rosemount, MN, was placed in a two-year rate reduction plan. The company has implemented several impressive initiatives including having two ergonomics companies working onsite with employees, partnering with some key contractors to implement a laceration prevention program, and a heightened focus on slips/trips/falls, specifically during the winters in Minnesota when ice is always a significant hazard for employees.

We look forward to working with companies in Minnesota that are interested in the MNSTAR program. Minnesota currently has 35 MNSTAR sites. Of the 35 MNSTAR sites, 33 are classified as general industry sites and two are resident contractors at a refinery.

If you would like further information about the MNSTAR Program, please visit www.doli.state.mn.us/WSC/Mnstar.asp, or contact Marnie Prochniak, MNSTAR/VPP Coordinator, at marnie.prochniak@state.mn.us. vpppa.org

OREGON

Oregon was proud to host the 25th Annual Northwest Safety & Health

WASHINGTON

Summit by Region X VPPPA, from May 14–16, at the Red Lion on the

site. Jacobs of Walla Walla was reapproved as a Star site and Cintas

River at Jantzen Beach, in Portland, OR. The conference theme was

Corporation #460 in Everett was approved as a Star site.

“Sustaining Safety Excellence While Protecting People.” The keynote speech on Wednesday was “Just a Second Ago” by Brad Livingston, followed by his daughter Kayla Rath, on Thursday morning, covering “The Ripple Effect.”

The Region X conference was supported by 264 attendees, representing 82 companies, 50 exhibitors, 25 sponsors and five supporting government agencies. There was a SGE workshop prior to this conference, held from May 11–13, and hosted by Sherwin-Williams’ Purdy Brush Facility and Owens Corning’s, Linnton Asphalt Plant, and Region X added 10 new SGEs. Cliff Butler, from Sherwin-Williams Purdy,

Washington State VPP currently has 32 Star sites and one Merit

Recent VPP Ceremonies:

• Starbucks Roasting Plant in Kent.

• Jacobs of Walla Walla.

VPP Seminar: Melvin E. James Honorary Lectures on Safety The event was held on March 19, in Tumwater, WA, with 168 people

in attendance. There were many great sessions ranging in topics from the annual VPP self-evaluation to employee involvement.

was named the Region X SGE of the Year and Eileen Tanner from Covanta Marion, Inc. was named the Region X Mentor of the year.

Oregon OSHA has three upcoming conferences, including:

• Central Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference September 16–17.

• Bend Southern Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Conference October 15–17

• Ashland and Western Pulp, Paper, and Forest Products Safety & Health Conference December 3–6, in Portland.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leader—Summer 2019

47

Compiled by Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator, VPPPA, Inc.

Regional Round-Ups

REGION I

• Cartamundi mentoring

vppregion1.com

Region I held its 23rd Annual Safety & Health Excellence Conference & Expo from May 20-22, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland, ME. There were approximately 213 attendees and 32 exhibitors. There were 20 different breakout sessions spanning a day and a half with a break on Tuesday afternoon,

enjoy the city of Portland. The

best practices or areas of

Longmeadow, MA)

excellence were observed by

During the Region I meeting on May 20, at the 20I9 Safety & Health Excellence Conference & Expo, the following individuals were elected or re-elected into their Board of Director positions:

evaluations. The information in

Best Practices or Areas of

Dominion Nuclear in

Excellence and to make changes

Waterford, CT, as Treasurer.

to the VPP worksites and their

Engineered Woods in

found on the Region I website.

Eason, ME, as Director-at-

Award Winners

• Carl Allen from Huber

Large (replaces Jack Popp

Directors. The closing keynote

Longmeadow, MA, who retired).

• Darwin Irish of FLEXcon in

Spencer, MA, as Director-atLarge. However, a few weeks

Certified Speaking Professional.

after the conference, Darwin

Region I held a VPP Application Workshop as a

stepped off the Board of

pre-conference session on

Directors. So, his Director-at-

May 20, where approximately

Large position is now open.

to go about completing the

years ago to the most recent

least annually to note additional

from Cartamundi of East

the content required and how

in the directory begins five

Freeport, ME, as Chairperson.

the VPPPA National Board of

six attendees learned about

evaluation. The information

• Paul Ludington from

J.A. Rodriguez, Jr., Chairman of

an author, consultant and a

a respective worksite’s VPP

the directory will be updated at

opening keynote speaker was

speaker was Scott Lesnick,

VPP evaluation teams during

• Karen Girardin from L.L.Bean in

allowing attendees the opportunity to get outdoors and

or areas of excellence. The

Material Handling (East

•

Melissa Renouf of Cintas in Plainville, CT, was appointed by the Region I Board to the

contacts. The directory can be

• Region I Mentor of the

Year Award Winner: Paul Ludington, Dominion Nuclear (Waterford, CT)

• Region I SGE of the Year Award Winner: Brad

Bittenbender, Jacobs Engineering—based at GE (Lynn, MA)

• Regional Administrators

Award Winner: Hypertherm (Lebanon, NH)

application.

Director-at-Large position

New Mentor/Mentee Matches

multiple years.

Region I Chairperson

A Best Practices Directory

REGION II

• Pratt and Whitney mentoring Sysco Corp. (Westbrook, ME)

• Acushnet mentoring Chatham Village Foods (Wareham, MA)

that’s been vacant for

is on the Region I website that provides the name of Region I VPP worksites that have been noted to have best practices

Contributed by Karen Girardin,

www.vppparegion2.org Region II currently has six

upcoming VPP evaluations with spots open for SGES. Contact Ms. Greta Olsson, Olsson.greta@ dol.gov, if you are interested in volunteering for any of these SGE opportunities. There are also more details on our website.

The Region II 2019 Safety Forum was held June 24–25, in Atlantic City, NJ, with bonus workshops offered on June 26. Gary Norland, our keynote speaker, presented “The Impact of an Injury, What are you Risking?”

On May 10, Veolia North

Veolia North America donates an AED unit to Middle School 358 in Jamaica, NY. 48 Leader—Summer 2019

America donated an AED unit vpppa.org

second and third day of the

of Salt Lake City, played top

conference included 56 breakout

golf in the Rocky Mountains

sessions which offered a number

and toured the Federal OSHA

of educational opportunities for

Technical Center.

the attendees of the conference.

We held a VPP Application

The final closing of the session

workshop on the first day of the

was led by David Sarkus, a.k.a.

Region VIII VPPPA conference

The Safety Coach, who spoke

in Salt Lake City. In addition,

to the group regarding in

we held an SGE training class

servant leadership and leading

at the Phillips 66 Refinery VPP

with heart. Region IV VPPPA was happy to host a Special Government Employee (SGE) Class during this conference which allowed 29 new SGEs to be sworn into the program.

Additionally, the Board of Directors would like to recognize Michael Perry who was, for the second time, selected as Mentor of the Year.

Contributed by Christopher Colburn, Region IV Vice Chairperson

Norman Deitch AED Outreach Fund. William DePuy and Richard Finnegan from the Region II Board helped present the AED to the school.

We recently had two sites approved for new VPP Star participation: (awaiting ceremony scheduling notification)

REGION IV

The Region IV Safety and

our vendor hall exceeded all

Health Excellence Conference

expectations. Thank you to Craig

was held June 18-20 in

Buelo for going the extra mile

beautiful Chattanooga, TN. The

and filling up the hall. This year

conference, by all accounts, was

we offered our first leadership

a great success! The event began

certificate program. Numerous

with an amazing presentation

companies took advantage of the

by Duty Commissioner, Steve

offering and sent their front line

Hawkins, from the Department

leaders for certification.

numbers yet, topping out at over 300 attendees. In addition,

of Labor in Tennessee.

Thanks to the push from

(Tonawanda, NY)

Mr. Hawkins delivered

• Ultra Electronics / Flightline

Utah OSHA, we had over 40

an outstanding message,

participants in our application

Systems (Victor, NY)—Merit

challenging the audience with

workshop. We also held the first

his knowledge gained over his

“You’re An SGE, Now What?”

many years of experience with

preconference workshop. Talk

Tennessee OSHA. The Opening

about a wonderful time! The

Specialty Polymers USA, LLC,

Session was followed by great

class was informative, and

in West Deptford, NJ, held their

reception which allowed the

everyone loved the tour of

ceremonies in early May.

attendees, and vendors, to

Morton Salt.

Independence Power Partners, L.P., in Oswego, NY, and Solvay

engage, interact, and enjoy Contributed by Grace Irby, Media Coordinator, VPPPA Region II vpppa.org

training center in Henderson, CO, from June 5–7. Twelve new SGEs were sworn in at the end of the class.

The University of Utah Safety and Industrial Hygiene conference takes place October 9-11. We will be representing Region VIII at the North Dakota Safety Council Conference in February, as well as the Utah

Fashions hosted an OSHA

• Honeywell UOP

In addition, Sithe/

in Region VIII was held at TIC

The 2019 Region VIII Safety

great success. We had our largest

www.regionivvpp.org

most recent SGE training class

Safety Council Conference

Summit in Salt Lake City was a in Jamaica, NY, in honor of the

from June 18–20. Finally, our

REGION VIII

www.vppparegion8.com

to Middle School 358, located

Star site located in Billings, MO,

Attendees had options to

some amazing Chattanooga

socialize as well as be educated.

Convention Center food. The

We went on a trolley acting tour

in February.

Hunter Douglas Window regional manager’s meeting and tour of their VPP Star facility in Broomfield, CO. The Regional Administrator, her regional executive staff members, and the area directors and managers from the OSHA enforcement offices throughout Region VIII participated.

LPR Construction Company in Loveland, CO, (VPP Mobile Workforce Star participant) is currently the longest-tenured VPP participant in OSHA Region VIII and will celebrate 20 continuous years in VPP in December of this year.

We held board elections and added Craig Buelo from Hill Airforce Base as a Directorat-Large.

Next year, please join us at the Curtis Hotel in Denver, CO, from April 27–May 1, 2020.

Contributed by Christina Ross, Region VIII Chairperson Leader—Summer 2019

49

More events to come!

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

Calendar of Events August

12–18 OSHA Safe + Sound Week 27–30

Safety+ Symposium New Orleans, LA

September

October

13

Conference survey deadline

17-18

VPPPA Congressional Outreach

VPPPA contacts

11

Priority period ends for exhibitors and sponsors for the 2020 Safety+ Symposium

December

Mid-December Membership renewals

22

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

Sara A. Taylor, CMP Director of Operations staylor@vpppa.org Brielle Mroczko Conference Coordinator bmroczko@vpppa.org

Kerri Carpenter Communications & Outreach Manager kcarpenter@vpppa.org Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator jmitchell@vpppa.org Heidi Hill Senior Event Sales & Advertising Coordinator hhill@vpppa.org

50 Leader—Summer 2019

Katlyn Pagliuca Membership Manager kpagliuca@vpppa.org Natasha Cole Member Services Coordinator ncole@vpppa.org Sierra Johnson Special Projects Coordinator sjohnson@vpppa.org

Bryant Walker, CIOS, CSIS Information & Data Analyst Manager bwalker@vpppa.org Courtney Malveaux, Esq Government Relations Counsel cmalveaux@vpppa.org

vpppa.org

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

SCAN QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VPPPA, INC.

http://bit.ly/jVQcBo

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