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Worker’s Compensation Symposium – Oct.1 Safety Forum – Oct. 2
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2019 Worker’s Compensation Law Symposium & Best Practices • OSHA Regulation Updates • Labor Law Changes
October 1 Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley Appleton, WI
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REGISTER ONLINE: www.wisafetycouncil.org COURSE HIGHLIGHTS • • • • • •
OSHA’s new requirements A complete review of coverage under the Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Act and Federal FMLA Analysis of employee benefit eligibility and claim administration Changes to labor laws Fraud detection and prevention The relationship of worker’s compensation to other employment laws such as the ADA, state and federal family and medical leave laws, and other state and federal laws
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Red Lion Hotel – Paper Valley, Appleton The annual Safety Forum will provide attendees with a full day of safety courses featuring a variety of topics from three specialized tracks:
Manufacturing
Human Resources
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Construction
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Featuring Keynote Speaker Regina McMichael
“Inspiring Safety: Insights From The Wife Left Behind” Imagine the perfect safety world, where the workers thank you for your help, training is easy, valuable and effective, and everyone thinks you are awesome for all that you do. Why you are a safety superhero! But that is not how it is. In fact, some days, it’s hard to remember why you do this job in the first place. In this program, Regina will revitalize your passion for safety and remind you that it’s about the little wins in safety that keep us engaged. Regina started in safety when she suddenly found herself planning a funeral after her husband fell to his death while employed as a roofer. That began her journey to save just one life to make up for the one she lost. You will go from struggling with the day-to-day challenges of the compliance driven work mentality to remembering that working in safety is full of amazing opportunities to help people see the little wins that happen along the way.
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N AT I O N A L SA F E T Y C O U N C I L Safety Month Focuses on Preventing Injuries
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C O R P O RAT E SA F E T Y AWA R D S 2018 Winners
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S U M M E R SA F E T Y The Impact of Heat Stress on Workers
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D R I V I N G SA F E T Y Don’t be a Driving Death Statistic W S C S E E N & H E A R D
Table of Contents | wisconsinsafetyvoice.org
Summer 2019
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Staying Safe This Summer
President/Publisher Kurt Bauer
Managing Editor Nick Novak
By Katie Yeutter Wisconsin Safety Council President
Art Direction/Production Kyle Pankow
Contributing Writers
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his spring has been one to remember! We wrapped up another successful Annual Safety Conference, and I want to thank the more than 2,000 safety professionals and exhibitors who attended. As we approach summer and start spending more time outdoors, there are new safety concerns to be mindful of. Here are some tips for staying safe this summer:
Katie Yeutter, Kim Shambrook, Kady Olson, Chevon Cook, Stephanie Blumer, Shannon Seefeldt, Ashley Allen
Advertising Sales Nick Novak, nnovak@wmc.org Ana Hamil, ahamil@wisafetycouncil.org
Safety in Hot Weather Heat-related illnesses can escalate quickly, leading to potentially life-threatening situations. Heat exhaustion sets in when losing an excessive amount of water and salt. For those of you who work outside, it is important to be aware of the heat and how your body reacts to it. Remember to take breaks, stay hydrated and find a cool place to relax if you feel ill.
Safety on the Water Whether you love swimming, boating or other water sports, we need to keep water safety in mind. Many preventable deaths in summer are due to drowning and are the direct result of distraction. In a matter of seconds, disaster can strike and change our lives forever. Please remember when in the pool or on a lake to be observant and cognizant of your surroundings.
Keeping Kids Safe One of the biggest dangers to kids during the summer can be your local park. More than 200,000 children under the age of 15 go to emergency rooms each year for injuries associated with playground
equipment, and 80 percent of these are caused by falls. Ensure the areas are not too crowded and watch out for elevated areas where children can fall from. The playground should be fun, but it is also important for it to be safe.
4th of July The 4th of July brings a lot of excitement, as well as heightened safety risks. As we celebrate our nation’s freedom, it is important to recognize the dangers that are associated with using fireworks. We all love to watch and enjoy them, but it is best to leave them to the experts to avoid preventable injuries. If you do plan to use your own, ensure they are legal, never point them at another person or structure and have a hose or bucket of water ready just in case. I encourage you to have a great, funfilled summer with many unforgettable memories. However, take precautions to make sure they are good memories. Be safe, be aware and look out for others! n
Looking to advertise in Wisconsin Safety Voice? Contact Ana Hamil at ahamil@wisafetycouncil.org.
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wisconsinsafetyvoice.org | From the President
Wisconsin Safety Voice is published quarterly by Wisconsin Safety Council. WSC is Wisconsin’s leading provider of safety training and products in the state, serving members of all sizes and every sector of the economy. WSC is a program of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
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Table of Contents | wisconsinsafetyvoice.org
Summer 2019
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Safety Month Focuses on Preventing Injuries By Kim Shambrook Vice President, Safety Education, Training and Services, National Safety Council
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ach June, the National Safety Council recognizes National Safety Month, a full 30 days focused on preventing injuries and saving lives in the workplace, on the roads and in our communities. With preventable injuries now at an all-time high, this month-long observation is more important than ever, but we can all take action to help keep ourselves, our co-workers and our loved ones safe. National Safety Month is focused on four weekly topics, based on the most pressing issues and trending risks where we can make the most impact. This year, we focused on the following issues, providing resources and opportunities to take safety seriously not just during this one month, but all year long.
Hazard Recognition Hazards are everywhere. Depending on your job, you may not think your workplace is particularly ‘hazardous’, but dangers are often there if we know where to look. Our world is becoming increasingly visual, but that doesn’t mean we’re always seeing what may be right in front of us. Just like learning to read, it is beneficial to train our minds to better ‘see’ the world so we are able to overcome our visual biases. The more hazards we can proactively identify, the safer we’ll be. New research from the Campbell Institute at the National Safety Council, Visual Literacy: How “Learning to See” Benefits Occupational Safety and A Second
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Look: Update on Visual Literacy, gives an overview of how we can improve the way we ‘see’ and respond to hazards. Employers are encouraged to have workers take the SafeAtWork pledge to showcase their commitment to keeping each other safe at work, including identifying hazards early. To better understand the numbers behind the most common risks to our safety, NSC also hosted a free webinar, “Injury Facts: Data You Can Count On.” Hazard Recognition is behind many of the risks we all face each day, so the more prepared we are to ‘see’ these dangers, the more injuries we can prevent.
Slips, Trips and Falls Following overexertion injuries, falls on the same level is the second leading preventable workplace injury event resulting in cases with days away from work, according to injuryfacts.nsc. org. Falls from heights often cause more serious injuries and deaths. The NSC Safety from Heights resource
wisconsinsafetyvoice.org | National Safety Council
highlights best practices, planning tools and more to keep workers safe. The Harness Hero game engages players in the key decisions of using a fall arrest system, providing a fun way to test your skills and knowledge. While workplace injuries have seen a downward trend over the past two decades, we are not seeing a similar reduction in life-altering injuries and fatal incidents from falls. The Campbell Institute at NSC offers some research on this in its paper, Serious Injury and Fatality Prevention: Perspectives and Practices. It showcases a fresh perspective on Heinrich’s Safety Triangle that isolates areas with the most potential for serious injury and fatalities.
Fatigue In our “do more with less” world, fatigue is a growing concern to workplace safety. Getting seven to nine hours of sleep every day is key, but employer practices and policies can make a big difference. The Council highlight-
ed many of its fatigue resources during National Safety Month, including infographics, videos, research and reports. Fatigue also has many economic costs for organizations. The NSC Fatigue Cost Calculator can assess how fatigue financially impacts your workplace. Do you know the major causes of fatigue in your organization? The Campbell Institute has piloted two tools among Institute members to help companies understand fatigue risks in both its operations and workforce. This includes an operational needs assessment to investigate workplace sources of fatigue and an employee survey to identify employee habits that may introduce fatigue. You can review the white paper, Understanding Fatigue Risk: Assessment and Countermeasures, to learn more.
Impairment Impairment can take many forms in the workplace. Whether it is being drunk, drugged, drowsy or distracted, if you feel different you are likely impaired – which can lead to injury or worse. Impairment begins with the first drink. Even legal prescriptions can impair you, which is why you must know the side effects of your medications and any interactions they might have with other drugs. Missing a few hours of sleep can hamper your driving abilities, even if you are just going to and from work. Multitasking is a myth: there is no way to use a cell phone and perform safety sensitive tasks at the same time. The free NSC Safe Driving Kit helps employers address all of these issues. Organizations might also consider joining the Road to Zero Coalition, comprised of more than 900 organizations committed to ending all roadway fatalities by 2050. Every day, more than 100 people die from opioid drugs. Many of these are working-age adults and too many people aren’t even aware they are taking an opioid, which include commonplace prescriptions such as Vicodin and Percocet. It is important for doctors and
Visit nsc.org/nsm
patients to have a conversation about the medications being prescribed, the potential risks and whether an alternative non-opioid treatment may be more appropriate. Proactive prevention starts with free Warn Me labels for insurance and prescription cards to help prompt that critical discussion. You can order labels for yourself or sheets of labels for your workplace. NSC also offers a Prescription Drug Employer Toolkit as well as a Substance Use Employer Calculator to better understand the costs to your organization. National Safety Month may be in June, but you can take action and help
#NSM
keep those around you safe yearround. Now that you have some ideas, what will you do to prevent an injury or save a life? Learn more at nsc.org/ nsm. n
National Safety Council | wisconsinsafetyvoice.org
Summer 2019
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You CAN’T Prepare AFTER an Emergency
By Kady Olson Wisconsin Safety Council Senior Safety Manager
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n August 27 and 28, 2018 the state of Wisconsin was hit with record rainfall resulting in flash flooding that claimed the life of one individual and destroyed many homes and businesses. Even now, almost a year later, many businesses are still recovering from the disaster while some were not able to reopen at all. The total damage caused by the flooding is estimated to be $209 million. This incident emphasizes the importance of having a plan in place to respond to an emergency, as well as a way to quickly recover from them as well. Last year’s flooding is just one example of the type of emergency that can impact the workplace. Other incidents of workplace violence and fire have also recently impacted the state and caused damage to businesses. When these events occur, in addition to
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the invaluable loss of human life, there are many other losses that businesses must contend with. Whether it is a natural disaster, like a flood, or a data breach, businesses face interruptions that can cost millions of dollars in lost profits and additional expenses. While you can’t always prevent these disasters from occurring, you can minimize the impact that they have on your business through Emergency Preparedness and a solid Business Continuity Plan. The phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” always comes to mind when I think about Emergency Preparedness. Doing your due diligence prior to an emergency can help minimize the damage and reduce the amount of time it will take to recover your business.
Step 1: Identify the Risks The first step in any emergency action plan is to determine what risks your business may face. Start by acknowledging your geographic location to identify potential geological or meteorological risks. Is your business located in a flood plain or near an active volcano? Does your facility sit on a fault-line or on the coast where it could be impacted by a tsunami? If so, these emergencies and the subsequent response should be added to your plan. Mother Nature may not be the only source of risk. Humans also play a role in creating emergencies through accidents or intentional acts carried out in the workplace. Incidents like fires, hazardous material spills or transportation incidents may all be caused by human error, while acts of terrorism or workplace violence are more deliberate. Either way, understanding the role humans play in a developing crisis can help you plan for how to prevent and respond to these types of incidents.
Step 2: Determine Impact Once you have identified all of the potential risks posed to your
business, you must determine the degree of impact they will have on your operations. This is done through a common risk assessment tool called a Business Impact Assessment. During this exercise you will look at the threat each risk poses to the health and safety of your employees, the continuance of your operations and your profitability. You can also assess how each risk impacts the environment, your brand, image or reputation or infrastructure.
While you can’t always prevent these disasters from occurring, you can minimize the impact that they have on your business through Emergency Preparedness and a solid Business Continuity Plan. The final product of this exercise will be a list of potential risks that can be ranked by the level of anticipated impact. This will help you prioritize your efforts if you are starting your Emergency Preparedness program from scratch. For example, you may put greater effort into developing a fire evacuation plan if you store a large volume of flammable material in your facility than developing a “shelter in place” policy if you are in an area where tornados are not common.
Step 3: Put Together Your Plan After you have prioritized your potential risks you will need to formulate a plan for each scenario. The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) website, ready.gov, has a myriad of resources for businesses depending on the type of emergency. Their tools can help you create detailed action plans for every situation you may encounter. From hurricanes to power outages, DHS provides a “Business Toolkit” loaded with helpful information to include in your company’s Emergency
Preparedness plan. When you are compiling your plans, be sure to make them clear and concise. A difficult to read and understand policy is just asking for noncompliance!
OSHA and Emergency Action Plans Having an Emergency Preparedness Plan or Emergency Action Plan (EAP) isn’t just a way to minimize damage in the event of a disaster, it is also a legal requirement. OSHA requires that all employers develop a written EAP in 29 CFR 1910.28 and 29 CFR 1926.35. At a minimum, this EAP must include: procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency, procedures for emergency evacuation (including the type of evacuation and exit routes), procedures to account for all employees after evacuation, procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties and the name or job title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information about the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan. n Interested in learning more about Emergency Action Plans and Business Impact Assessments? Join Wisconsin Safety Council’s Kady Olson and Stephanie Blumer in Madison on September 16, 2019 for a full-day course on how to improve your Emergency Action Plan and develop a Business Continuity Plan. Want to expand your knowledge even more? Stay tuned for more information regarding Wisconsin Safety Council’s new Emergency Preparedness Certificate program with classes designed to give you a solid foundation of knowledge to help your business respond to and recover from any type of emergency. For more information, contact Kady Olson at 608.258.3400 or kolson@wisafetycouncil.org.
Cover Story | wisconsinsafetyvoice.org
Summer 2019
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR'S CORPORATE SAFETY AWARD WINNERS! USG Interiors, LLC ®
Category A1 | Walworth usg.com
For more than 100 years, USG has been a leader in producing innovative products and systems to build the environments in which people live, work and play. At USG, safety is one of seven core values. Safety is the most important part of any job. In recent surveys of USG plants, employees consistently list safety as one of the top reasons they liked working there. In 2018, the Walworth facility celebrated 17 years without a lost time injury. During 2018, Walworth employees completed over 3,500 pro-active safety activities. Examples of these activities include holding safety huddles, completing Safety Observation Checklists, submitting a safety related work order, and presenting at a department or all employee safety meeting.
Oshkosh Defense, LLC – Oakwood Facility Category A2 | Oshkosh oshkoshcorporation.com
Oshkosh Defense delivers leading‐edge tactical wheeled vehicles and life cycle sustainment services to military and security forces around the globe. Oakwood is a unique facility and the last in line before handing the trucks over to customers. At Oakwood, the employees review and inspect all military trucks, looking for any defects or operating concerns. The employees note the defects and repair when possible. Hourly employees lead safety committees, ergonomic events, are part of the planning teams and change management process, and continually seek to pass on that culture. The Oakwood management team continues to drive the facility towards a safer culture by reviewing opportunities and working with operators on all concerns brought forward. Oakwood has recently been awarded OSHAs VPP Star Status.
Agropur, Inc.
Category A3 | Weyauwega agropur.com Located in Central Wisconsin, Agropur - Weyauwega is a leading supplier of whey products and award-winning cheeses. 174 employees at the Weyauwega plant proudly continue the rich tradition in Wisconsin cheese-making and whey-processing. Total cheese output for the Weyauwega plant topped 130 million pounds last year. The plant has created a culture of caring for its employees. The culture of caring depends both on employee involvement and determined management commitment to constant improvement and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees are involved at multiple levels, from plant audits and inspections to in-person training to effective safety committee participation. Management practices safety in all aspects of the organization, including production planning, daily shift start-ups, and a detailed project planning process.
Sponsors:
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wisconsinsafetyvoice.org | Corporate Safety Awards
Standard Process Inc. Category A4 | Palmyra standardprocess.com
Standard Process Inc. is a third-generation, family-owned whole food supplement manufacturer located in Palmyra. Approximately 380 employees work at the corporate headquarters. Since 1929, company leadership has heavily invested in the safety, health and wellness of employees, which poses unique challenges due to its active farm and manufacturing processes. Historically, the company’s safety record has been above manufacturing industry standards. Being able to do this requires the foundational support and integrity of the company’s ownership, as well as employees who bring innovative solutions to meet federal and state safety compliance standards. Standard Process has achieved this success because of the long-standing safety culture created by ownership, supported by the management team and carried out by employees.
Alliance Laundry Systems, LLC Category A5 | Ripon alliancelaundry.com
Alliance Laundry Systems builds the world’s highest quality clothes washers and dryers in commercial, industrial and residential applications, including the “Speed Queen” brand. Alliance Laundry Systems follows the Plan, Do, Check, Act methodology. The company identifies and assess risks, partners with team members to find solutions and works together in an effort to achieve a better, safer and more productive working environment. From 2016 to 2018, Alliance Laundry Systems invested $5.4 million in safety-related improvements, increased EHS staff size, implemented a 10-day long orientation process for new employees that provides them with the necessary skills to safely do their jobs and reduced its total recordable incident rate by 40 percent.
Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative Category B1 | Rosholt cwecoop.com
Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative is an electric utility serving approximately 8,000 members on 1,500 miles of electric lines. The company currently has 24 dedicated employees serving its membership. Safety is first and foremost on the minds of employees of this cooperative each and every day. Safety will never take a back seat at this cooperative due to the nature of the family atmosphere. A key philosophy for the company was learned at a safety training program where an instructor said – “Treat your employees’ safety as if it were your own children or family members you are dealing with”. The quote was shared with all employees and really opened their minds to safety.
NextEra Energy Point Beach Nuclear Plant Category B2 | Two Rivers nexteraenergy.com
Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant is a dual unit 1,200 megawatt nuclear power generating station owned and operated by Nextera Energy Resources, LLC. Point Beach has been recognized by OSHA as a Voluntary Protection Program Star worksite since 2011. Additionally, the plant is rated as a number 1 top-performing facility by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operators and is in top decile in safety performance. The team’s safety motto is: GO-PACKERS! Get Onboard- Peer Actions Can Keep Everyone Really Safe! All employees are empowered to identify and correct unsafe acts, at risk behaviors and maintain a “See Something - Say Something” mentality.
Lakehead Painting Company Category C1 | Superior lakeheadpainting.com
Lakehead is an industrial and commercial painting contractor. The majority of Lakehead’s work is performed in the oil and gas industry with a focus on painting, abrasive blasting and fiber glassing of crude oil storage tanks. The company believes in and promotes a 24/7 safety philosophy, which focuses on employees being safe at work, at home and on the road. Lakehead takes great pride in its safety history; averaging one recordable injury every five years and reaching a goal of zero recordable injuries six out of the last seven years. In 2018, two accomplishments that stand out are the decrease in Lakehead’s Experience Modification Rating (EMR) (1.05 in 2010 to .64 currently) and zero recordable injuries in 2018.
Bassett Mechanical
Category C2 | Kaukauna bassettmechanical.com Bassett Mechanical provides custom-built mechanical contracting, metal fabricating and preventative maintenance solutions. The company invites all employees to continuously search for, report and follow up on any safety improvement opportunities. In 2018, Bassett received 523 reported safety opportunities. Every one of these opportunities was reviewed by its committee, tracked in a trending matrix and followed up with until an acceptable solution was enacted. This, in combination with 1,107 safety observations, has greatly impacted its industry-leading safety record. Bassett finished the year with a 1.9 TRIR, zero lost time injuries, and zero restricted work days. In addition, the company surpassed 3.7 million employee hours without a lost time injury.
The Boldt Company
Category C3 | Appleton theboldtcompany.com Founded in 1889, The Boldt Company has grown into one of the largest professional construction services firms in the United States, serving customers in a variety of businesses and industries. Boldt continuously strives to find improved ways to perform activities safely and expresses this commitment to employees, customers and communities through
Boldt’s “Zero Today: Danger is Everywhere” program. Boldt carries out its pledge to safety through essential planning prior to job site mobilization, thoughtful execution during the construction phases and encourages all employees to be actively involved with the safety process. Over the last 10 years, Boldt’s lost time incidence rates have been consistently below the national average in the construction industry.
GSM Transportation
Category D1 |Janesville gsmtransport.com GSM Transportation is a Third Party Logistics company that has partnered with Cummins Emissions Solutions (CES) to provide the management and manpower to repack, ship and receive CES parts and products. It has a culture where employees are actually vying to find the next safety improvement or recognize a near miss before it occurs. Whether it be upper management, entry level or temporary employees, all of them are empowered to improve safety. Because of the safety plan, recordable injuries dropped down from six to two and the company’s incident rate dropped from 3.86 to .98. On a rolling calendar, GSM has achieved 491 days and nearly 500,000 hours worked without a lost time injury.
Foth
Category D2 | De Pere foth.com Foth’s more than 600 employee members deliver technical excellence to clients in three main areas: Infrastructure, Environment and Production Solutions. Its safety program is different from other organizations in that it is not “owned” by a safety department or safety manager. Members have the ability to impact their personal safety, as well as the safety of those on their team. Foth has created a Master Safety Training Chart to govern safety training. This tool identifies all safety training topics in the “library” as well as all roles our members currently serve in the organization. Resource Center Managers utilize the Master Safety Training Chart to identify all required training for their members to be completed during orientation.
Colony Brands, Inc.
Category D3 |Monroe colonybrands.com Colony Brands, Inc. is comprised of several multi-channel retail brands, numerous operational support companies, as well as a portfolio of business organizations. The company employs more than 6,000 people. Its safety and health success is due to an increased focus on safety awareness on and off the job, wellness activities, accountability programs and a true commitment at all levels within the organization. Management and employees share in the responsibility of identifying and understanding risks, preventing injuries and are jointly accountable in the overall safety management process. With this approach to safety, employees have gained confidence in their management team that safety is a core value of the organization.
Corporate Safety Awards | wisconsinsafetyvoice.org
Summer 2019 11
The Impact of Heat Stress on Workers By Chevon Cook Wisconsin Safety Council Safety Manager
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anaging heat stress has been a concern in just about every job I’ve held in my career, but I really started to notice the importance of education around the subject during my time in the temporary staffing industry. Seeing the various incident investigations and worker’s compensation claims come through, it became apparent that educating employers on heat stress and the proper ways to set up a heat stress management program was essential to the health and safety of workers. There are some work environments that are easy to identify as having hot working conditions, such as foundries, laundry facilities, construction projects and bakeries¹. However, any work environment with at least one of the following factors should consider implementing a heat stress management program: high air temperatures; radiant heat sources; high humidity; employees who have physical contact with hot objects; and employees who perform strenuous physical activities².
What Exactly Is Heat Stress? Heat stress occurs when the heat a body generates internally through metabolism exceeds the body’s ability to get rid of the heat. Our metabolism allows us to burn calories even when sitting still; those calories are a measure of heat energy. Therefore, as employers increase the work rate of employees, they also increase internal heat generation, as those workers are
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to determine heat overload. 98.6° F is our normal temperature. A shift of two degrees in either direction can result in heat stress (with increasing temperature) or cold stress (with decreasing temperature). An increased temperature of 100.4° F or higher is an indication that heat overload is taking place.
How Can I Reduce the Heat Load?
now burning more calories. This in turn leads to an increased heat load that somehow needs to be relieved. Hot environments create heat stress mostly because these environments make it difficult for the human body to expel internal heat. The type of heat disorder experienced by a worker depends both on the environmental factors (temperature; humidity; air velocity; radiant-heat load) and the worker’s characteristics (metabolic rate; type of clothing worn; acclimatization; sweat rate; evaporation rate; cardiovascular health)³. Heat disorders include heat rash; heat cramps; heat exhaustion; and heat stroke, which can be deadly. One can tell when heat overload is starting to develop in a person, as the sweat accumulating on their body starts to drip off and continues to drip off for an extended period of time. Taking one’s temperature is another way
wisconsinsafetyvoice.org | Summer Safety
First, we need to understand the factors that make up a heat load: metabolism; convection; radiation; and evaporation. Metabolism – as noted above – refers to how quickly we can burn calories or fat. Convection is the transfer of heat energy from a warmer object/space to a cooler object/space, both through difference in density and the action of gravity. Think of convection this way: if an air current were to come in contact with dry skin, that air could essentially “carry” away the heat from your skin and transfer it to the air. Radiation sounds somewhat similar to convection, as radiation is the movement of heat energy from a warmer object to a cooler object. Over half of our body heat is released through radiation, as long as the ambient air temperature is lower than the body’s skin temperature. Evaporation occurs when our skin cools through the process of a liquid – usually sweat – changing to a vapor and leaving our skin. Each of these factors can be assessed by an employer to determine best practices
to help reduce the heat load upon their employees.
Metabolism The best way to impact this factor is to find ways to reduce the work rate for your employees. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has developed work-rest schedules for acclimated, fully clothed workers with adequate water and salt intake that identifies how much rest is required per working hour based on the temperature employees are working in4. For example, an employee performing heavy work in 95°F temperatures should work for 45 minutes and rest for 15 minutes every hour of work at that temperature. Work schedules can be adjusted to allow employees to work during cooler times of the day. You can also add additional employees to certain jobs or tasks, thereby reducing the metabolic demand of each worker. Acclimatization is a very critical work practice employers can follow as well. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that employees new to working in hot environments should only be exposed to 20 percent of a normal working day on their first day, with 20 percent increases each subsequent day until they reach 100 percent5. Even with this general concept in mind, it may take up to two weeks for an employees to become fully used to working in a hot environment.
Convection Ways to impact this factor include lowering the air temperature or in-
creasing the air movement. Increasing the number of breaks employees take throughout the day and providing shade or an air-conditioned room for those breaks is a great way to assist this factor. The use of fans or opening doors to the facility can help with air movement. Be cautious with using fans or opening doors for air movement
Employers need to ensure they understand the impact of heat stress, heat-related illnesses and how to protect their employees from this exposure.
though. In addition to possible security issues, you could also be letting in additional heat and humidity. A company should monitor weather conditions and humidity levels prior to using fans or opening doors to see if this tactic will be feasible for reducing the heat load for employees.
Radiation The best practice to impact this factor is to somehow shield the worker from the radiant heat source. Isolating the radiant heat source keeps this factor away from employees. An employer can also look into radiant-reflecting or heat-absorbing shielding that can be placed between the heat source and
the worker.
Evaporation There are many engineering, administrative and PPE controls that can be utilized to assist with this factor. Reducing the temperature and humidity through air cooling is a great engineering control to implement, as well as providing air-conditioned break/rest areas. Employees should be allowed to take extra breaks throughout their shift, especially during times of the day when the heat and humidity is at its highest. Hydration is an important practice that should be encouraged to all employees. Drinking adequate fluids – the most common being water – before, during and after the job gives employees a much better chance of avoiding dehydration. Providing water cooler stations or hydration packs and encouraging employees to drink water regularly will help keep them thoroughly hydrated. Sweat bands, bandanas, hat liners and cooling vests help to absorb perspiration, assist evaporation and keep the body nice and cool. Employers need to ensure they understand the impact of heat stress, heat-related illnesses and how to protect their employees from this exposure. By incorporating these practices and training your employees on the signs, symptoms and control methods in place to keep them safe, you can rest assured your employees will be able to work safely and stay healthy in hot environments. n
References 1. Stewart, K. (2005). Under heat: What you should know about heat stress. Professional Safety, 50(6), 54-56. Retrieved from https://libproxy.uww. edu:9443/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.libproxy.uww.edu:9443/docview/200421284?accountid=14791 2. Dresser, R. (2007). Heat stress prevention. Professional Safety, 52(4), 50-53. Retrieved from https://libproxy.uww.edu:9443/login?url=https:// search-proquest-com.libproxy.uww.edu:9443/docview/200395108?accountid=14791 3. Haight, J. M. (2012). Recognition, evaluation, and control of workplace health hazards (2nd ed.). Des Plaines, IL: American Society of Safety Engineers. 4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2016). NIOSH criteria for a recommended standard: Occupational exposure to heat and hot environments (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2016-106). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2016-106/pdfs/2016-106.pdf 5. United States Department of Labor (n.d.). Water.Rest.Shade: The work can’t get done without them. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ heatillness/heat_index/acclimatizing_workers.html
Summer Safety | wisconsinsafetyvoice.org
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Don’t Be a Driving Death Statistic By Stephanie Blumer Wisconsin Safety Council Customer Service Specialist
T
he news is somber: Columbia County crash leaves one dead; Neenah woman killed in two-vehicle crash; One person dead in crash south of Chippewa Falls. These real headlines occur far too often. In fact, in 2017, 39,000 people were killed due to traffic accidents – 107 people every single day. That rate of death is equivalent to five commercial airline crashes per week.1 The problem has become so prevalent that we often do not realize our ability to stop these tragic incidents from happening. Many people think the problem only affects personal time and resources. However, 40 percent of traffic incidents annually are work-related, making vehicle-related crashes the number one cause of occupational fatalities.2 Not only are these incidents common, they often come with a high price tag. In 2017, the employer cost of traffic accidents was almost $57 billion. This cost includes medical expenses (both for the employee and other parties involved), increased insurance costs, employee replacement costs and property damage.3 Even when not traveling for work, road safety is important. A serious motor vehicle incident can
completely alter an employee’s life; affecting their ability to return to work and participate in various hobbies. Employers face the challenge and cost of replacing the employee (even temporarily) along with an emotional toll for other employees in the company. The good news is motor vehicle-related deaths across the nation were down five percent in January 2019, when compared to January 2018. Wisconsin traffic deaths are down three percent.4 Even with the decrease in deaths, too many families are still grieving over a preventable incident. Employers can play a major role in making our roads safer both on the job and off the job. According to fleetowner.com, proactive, individualized training along with insurance verification can reduce vehicle collision rates up to 35 percent.2 That is why the National Safety Council (NSC) has been offering a Defensive Driving course since 1964, and why Wisconsin Safety Council continues to offer that training to companies today – both through public and private courses.1 NSC released their updated 10th edition of their Defensive Driving program in January 2019. The four-, six- or eighthour course covers hazard recognition
and avoiding and correcting dangerous driving behavior in multiple situations. This training is necessary. No one wants to read your name or your coworkers name in the headlines tomorrow because of a traffic accident. That is why I encourage you to sign up for a Defensive Driving course today. I also challenge you to make one basic change today to start making yourself and those around you safer on the road. Annually, one third of highway-related fatalities are the result of speeding.1 Higher speeds mean the driver has less time to react to hazards, less control over the vehicle and a bigger impact during a collision. Serious injury or death are more likely at a higher rate of speed because higher impact reduces the effectiveness of road safety barriers (such as guard rails, median dividers and crash cushions) and occupant protection systems (such as seatbelts and airbags). Each of us has a huge impact on the safety of our roads. Getting trained and holding ourselves accountable to safer driving behaviors will help ourselves and everyone around us remain safer every day. n
References 1. “’Speeding Kills’; Reducing Speed-related Crashes New to NTSB ‘Most Wanted’ List.” Traffic Safety, March 2019, Vol. 19, No. 3. 2. “Safety Training.” Defensive Driving Safety Training. Accessed May 23, 2019. https://www.nsc.org/safety-training/defensive-driving. 3. Fleet Owner Staff | Apr 20. “Vehicle Accidents Cost Companies $57B in 2017.” Fleet Owner. April 20, 2018. Accessed May 23, 2019. https:// www.fleetowner.com/safety/vehicle-accidents-cost-companies-57b-2017. 4. Fearn, Kevin T. “Statistics: January Traffic Deaths Down in 2019.” Traffic Safety, May 2019, Vol. 19, No. 5.
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wisconsinsafetyvoice.org | Defensive Driving
Safety Beyond Compliance By Shannon Seefeldt Certified Safety Professional (CSP) – Risk Control Consultant, Aon
S
afety and risk management performance is more than meeting regulations and putting OSHA compliance programs in place. We need to ask ourselves, “What else can we do?” Exploring this question leads to an evaluation of the overall innovational health of your company’s safety and risk management culture. When we start to look at safety, risk and prevention as one process, we invite organizational improvements beyond compliance. Here are some tips to help you identify growth and sustainability for your safety and risk management efforts.
Performing Workplace Inspections Focusing strictly on regulatory requirements when performing workplace inspections may cause us to miss opportunities to protect workers from exposures to injury. Workplace inspections are an opportunity to prevent disabling accidents, save lives and empower worker involvement. Regulatory compliance is the bare minimum which should be expected from any safety program. Every company should think beyond compliance and into the realm of, “What can potentially hurt my employees regardless if it’s covered by regulation or not?”
The Human Element The human element poses challenges and is an integral part of the success of a safety program. A Be-
havior-Based Safety approach can help us identify and address workforce risk behaviors. Gaining understanding about why workers perform tasks in a certain manner enables corrective action and accountability that compliance programs do not address.
1. Accountability measures built into your fleet management program 2. Driver selection processes to identify qualified applicants 3. Training to reinforce appropriate behaviors
Ergonomics
The Power of Data
Ergonomic risk assessments help determine the potential for musculoskeletal injuries. These types of injuries are typically the most frequent and severe. Performing these assessments will identify potential hazards and help eliminate or reduce worker exposure. Also, a Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) can help you determine if new hires are suited for the physical demands of specific jobs. An effective PDA program will also be an integral part of your return-to-work process. PDAs should be developed by performing a thorough analysis of your job functions in your work environment rather than copying one completed for another firm.
Data can highlight trouble area trends within any organization including, types of injuries, completed inspections, near misses, injury time of day and age of workforce. For accuracy, it is critical to identify what you want to achieve with quality data collection, and what elements are critical to the output to reach that result. So, when we ask ourselves, “What else can we do?”, the answer lies in a better understanding of your company’s current state. Perform workplace inspections and use quality data to identify trends for safety program continual improvement in areas including Behavioral Leadership, Ergonomics, and Fleet Safety. These three areas can propel your safety program towards best practice status. Remember that we don’t expect perfection, but when we strive for perfection, we capture excellence! n
Fleet Management The fleet you operate on the road every day poses a significant risk exposure, and potentially the greatest safety challenge for your organization. Performing a complete audit of your Fleet Management Program will determine its strengths and weaknesses. Minimize the impact of fleet exposures with a best in class fleet program including the following:
For more information, contact Shannon at shannon.seefeldt@aon.com.
Sponsored Content | wisconsinsafetyvoice.org
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2019 Course Catalog Looking to broaden your safety horizons? Wisconsin Safety Council has a myriad of courses specifically designed to help you expand your knowledge in the safety field. These trainings can be very useful regardless of the field you work in: Manufacturing, Construction, Food Service, Chemical, etc. Defensive Driving This course reinforces the fundamentals of defensive driving strategies and motivates drivers to change risky behind-the-wheel behaviors and attitudes. Participants will learn the basic understanding and techniques to avoid motor vehicle incidents and collision and reduce traffic violations.
Safety Management Techniques Building or upgrading safety programs is a vital job, and supervisors who lead from the front need worldclass training in order to perform effectively. Our SMT course offers supervisors the expertise necessary for creating crucial safety upgrades. Featuring key training areas and focus on leadership skills, this course prepares management for the challenges they face daily while giving them the confidence to bring out their best.
Safety Inspections Safety Inspections are serious business. Focused on finding facts instead of faults, this course teaches methods for streamlining your inspection process, conducting
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successful inspections, and eliminating potential hazards. Get empowered by maximizing your safety inspection protocol.
Incident Investigation Effective fact finding is key when investigating and eliminating workplace threats. This course offers crucial expertise necessary for performing successful incident investigations, determining causes, reporting findings, making corrective recommendations, and performing follow-up procedures so you can neutralize safety hazards once and for all.
Creating a World Class Safety Culture Your safety program should not be driven by compliance, but because it protects your most valuable assets – your employees! Changes in attitudes and behaviors in the workplace have been found to make major improvements in the losses experienced by workplaces due to accidents and illnesses. This program explores the keys to developing a safety culture in your organization.
wisconsinsafetyvoice.org | 2019 Course Catalog
Lift Truck Operator Vehicle accidents are today’s leading cause of workplace injuries and deaths. This program is the most comprehensive lift truck training system available today, promoting safe lift truck operation while meeting crucial OSHA requirements. This 7-module training is our cutting– edge way of placing the power of positive safety changes into your hands.
Supervisor Safety Development Program In successful safety cultures, supervisors are leading the charge! Our SSDP program strengthens supervisor skills, equipping them with the tools and expertise necessary for incorporating today’s best safety practices into their daily management duties. Addressing critical safety and health issues, conducting effecting and compliant inspections, maintaining OSHA standards, and promoting a healthy and efficient safety culture are just part of this comprehensive course.
Confined Spaces Confined spaces incidents aren’t the most common, but they can be the most deadly. That’s because the hazards tend to be misunderstood or
underestimated. And many confined spaces fatalities involve not one, but two, victims: the worker and the rescuer. OSHA’s Permit-Required Confined Spaces Regulation was created to help prevent these incidents, and our Course can help you put the regulation into practice and save lives.
Machine Guarding Machine guarding ranks among the top 10 OSHA citations issued, possibly because the regulation can be confusing. Don’t let confusion get in the way of compliance. Through discussion and activities, our professional facilitator will break down the regulation into terms you can understand. In just four hours, you’ll learn practices and procedures that will keep you in compliance and, best of all, protect your employees.
Lock Out/Tag Out Lockout/Tagout is one of the Top 10 “Most Serious Violations” and “Most Often Cited Violations,” according to the OSHA. Our trainer will guide you through interactive discussions paired with activities relating to the OSHA lockout/tagout regulation (29CFR 1910.147, Subpart J). Network with your peers and apply what you learn from this course at your worksite.
Electrical Safety Electricity is the one tool we all use every day that has the greatest potential to harm us. Due to the ubiquitous nature of electricity it is important to understand how it works and the hazards associated with it. During this course our safety trainer will walk you through the basic principles
of electricity as well as the key requirements of the OSHA regulation for electrical safety.
Safety Training Methods Great training leads to maximum performance. Our STM course offers today’s top industry methods, so management can make educated training decisions and optimize workplace safety efficiency. Participants learn cutting edge techniques in needs analysis, performance objectives, instructional strategy, delivery methods, cost evaluation, and much more.
Hazard Communications The Hazard Communication standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, continues to be one of the most cited OSHA standards when it comes to violations. Despite being made effective in 2012, many companies are still lagging when it comes to compliance with the modified versions on the standard. The new Hazard Communication standard has requirements for manufacturers of hazardous materials as well as employers where hazardous materials are used. There are specific training requirements for employees that enable individuals to identify physical and chemical hazards in the workplace.
Lab Safety Employees working in a laboratory are exposed to a unique subset of workplace hazards. Whether it is a medical lab or a chemistry lab, it is imperative that workers understand the risks that they face in this setting. From ergonomic risks associated
with working inside of laboratory enclosures to health risks faced by those individuals working with hazardous material, the control strategies employed will be as varied as the hazards themselves. Learn how to control various risks in the laboratory setting to help protect employees.
Fire Safety According to OSHA, workplace fires and explosions kill 200 and injure more than 5,000 workers each year. They cost businesses more than $2.3 billion in property damage. Don’t add to these statistics. Get the facts on OSHA’s Fire Protection standards. The seminar will show you how to reduce your risks.
Ergonomics-Managing for Results Workplace safety shouldn’t be a pain in the neck! This course promotes the power of proven ergonomic techniques and demonstrates the many benefits of protecting your personnel. By upgrading your ergonomic expertise, you’ll discover modern methods for keeping your workplace safe, productive, and free from the costly burden of skeletal and muscular injuries. To register for any of these courses, or for more information on our trainings, please go to www.wisafetycouncil.org. WSC also offers private, customized classes at your location. Please contact Ana Hamil at 608-661-6940 or ahamil@ wisafetycouncil.org.
2019 Course Catalog | wisconsinsafetyvoice.org
Summer 2019 17
WSC SEEN & HEARD
Wisconsin Safety Council Associate Director Barb Deans makes opening remarks introducing the 25th annual Wisconsin Corporate
Safety Manager Chevon Cook of the Wisconsin Safety Council presents on how to maintain a safe work environment for temporary workers.
Safety Awards. This year, 13 companies were recognized as a leader for their workplace safety efforts in 2018.
WMC President of Insurance & Safety Services, Katie Yeutter, and Wisconsin Safety Council honors the first responders from an active shooter incident in Middleton Wisconsin at this years conference.
Wisconsin Safety Council Senior Safety Manager Kady Olson at the
Advanced Safety Certificate recipients are recognized at the Wisconsin
Wisconsin Safety Council Annual Conference.
Safety Council Annual Conference.
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wisconsinsafetyvoice.org | Seen & Heard
2019 SAFETY TRAINING Chapter of
The Wisconsin Safety Council, a division of WMC, is Wisconsin’s leading provider of safety training and programming. WSC offers training throughout the year at locations across the state or training at your facility.
WISAFETYCOUNCIL.ORG JULY 16-17 & 24-25 Safety Management Techniques (SMT) Schofield JULY 29 Safety Inspections La Crosse JULY 30 Incident Investigation La Crosse AUGUST 1 Creating a World Class Safety Culture AUGUST 8 Lift Truck Operator, Train-the-Trainer AUGUST 13-15 Supervisor Safety Development Program AUGUST 21 (AM) Confined Spaces AUGUST 21 (PM) Machine Guarding AUGUST 22 (AM) Electrical Safety AUGUST 22 (PM) Lock Out Tag Out AUGUST 26-28 CSP Exam Prep Workshop SEPTEMBER 3-6 Safety Training Methods SEPTEMBER 16 Emergency Response/Business Continuity SEPTEMBER 17 Incident Investigation Waukesha SEPTEMBER 18 (AM) Hazard Communication Waukesha SEPTEMBER 18 (PM) Lab Safety Waukesha
SEPTEMBER 18-19 & 23-24 OSHA 30hr General Industry Voluntary Course OCTOBER 1 Worker’s Compensation Law Symposium Appleton OCTOBER 1 Safety Inspections Appleton OCTOBER 1 Ergonomics: Managing for Results Appleton OCTOBER 2 Safety Forum Appleton OCTOBER 10 Fire Safety OCTOBER 15-16 & 22-23 OSHA 30hr Construction OCTOBER 17 RCRA Compliance for Hazardous Waste Generators Overview OCTOBER 18 DOT Hazmat Transportation Refresher OCTOBER 28-31 Principles of Occupational Safety & Health (POSH) OCTOBER 29 Team Safety La Crosse OCTOBER 30 Job Safety Analysis La Crosse NOVEMBER 1 HAZWOPER 8hr NOVEMBER 4-5 & 13-14 Safety Management Techniques NOVEMBER 7 Incident Investigation Marshfield
All training sessions are located at WSC's Madison location unless noted otherwise. Course dates and locations are subject to change. For the most up-to-date course schedule, visit wisafetycouncil.org. Please contact WSC at 608.258.3400 or wsc@wisafetycouncil.org with any questions regarding training. | wisconsinsafetyvoice.org
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