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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.
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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
AIM’s Custom Calendars promotes your message to employees 365 days a year whether it is Safety, Health, Environmental or HR issues. Let AIM run a drawing contest with your employees’ children/grandchildren from which your calendars can be created.
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
1-800-220-1818 • AIMFORSAFETY.COM Call us or visit us online for more info.
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)
®
• Keeps extension ladders from slipping on slick surfaces such as composite decking • Unique design of foam creates tiny suction cups that grip the surface, even when wet • Light weight for easy use, weighs less than 6 pounds • Works on smooth surfaces, plastic, wood, concrete, etc., even when wet • Prevents marring and scratches to deck caused by ladder feet • Attaches to the bottom ladder rung, with adjustable strap, for easy movement of ladder along wall • Fits most extension ladders, up to 21” wide • Replaceable self-adhesive foam pad
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Working Concepts, Inc.
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vpppa.org
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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