JSuanfeetiys MNaotniothna(pl . 72)
Avoiding
arc flashes
THE INJURIES CAN BE CATASTROPHIC.
EXPERTS SAY THEY’RE PREVENTABLE
Inside
• S AFER task force
gets underway
• S AFETY LEADERSHIP:
Your brain on Zoom
• SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT:
Is your culture
out of balance?
• P RODUCT FOCUS:
Foot protection
Circle 1 on Reader Service Card
NEW
LIVE VIRTUAL
ONLINE TRAINING
Experience the same quality and
engagement as our in-person training while
saving big on enrollment and travel costs.
Our virtual training courses allow students
to log-in remotely and participate in a live,
instructor-led, online classroom setting.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
• NFPA 70E® 2018 (2-DAY)
• NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE CHANGES 2020 (2-DAY)
• NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 2020 (4-DAY)
• ELECTRICAL SAFETY FOR UTILITIES (4-DAY)
• ELECTRICAL SAFETY FOR INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES (4-DAY)
ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE
• SUBSTATION MAINTENANCE (5-DAY)
• PROTECTIVE RELAY (3.5-DAY)
• CIRCUIT BREAKER, LOW-VOLTAGE (3-DAY)
avotraining.com/virtual | 877-594-3156
Circle 2 on Reader Service Card
THSAAFTETDYOSNU’PTPLQIEUSIT
Manufactured by some of our most trusted global
and domestic suppliers, Fastenal Brands are built to FACILITY IDENTIFICATION
international standards and feature industry-leading TRAFFIC CONTROL
technology, yet they’re generally available at a significant SAFETY CABINETS
cost-savings versus comparable industrial products. ANTI-FATIGUE MATTING
Same quality. Same innovations. Better value.
833-FNL-SAFE | [email protected]
Circle 3 on Reader Service Card
June 2020 • Vol. 201, No. 6
Editorial Advisory Board 48
The editors thank the following Features
individuals who provide Safety+Health
with valuable ideas, insight and 44 Avoiding arc flashes
information.
The injuries can be catastrophic. Experts say they’re preventable.
Suzanne Broussard
Director of EHS Integration BY ALAN FERGUSON
Fluor Federal Petroleum Co.
48 Remote support
Salvatore Caccavale, CPEA
Global Safety, Security and Emergency Keep employees safe while they’re working from home
Response Manager
Air Liquide Advanced Materials BY ALAN FERGUSON
Richard F. King 52 SAFER: NSC creates task force
Vice President, Construction & to provide guidance on returning
Procurement to work safely
Black & Veatch Construction Inc.
BY BARRY BOTTINO
Michael Taubitz
Senior Advisor Follow and interact with Safety+Health
FDR Safety LLC magazine on Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn and Instagram.
Treasa M. Turnbeaugh
Ph.D., MBA, CSP, ASP, CET, CAE, IOM
CEO
Board of Certified Safety Professionals
Ather Williams Jr.
On Point Consulting and Coaching
ONLINE
Go to safetyandhealthmagazine.com
for online articles and resources.
Go digital
Access Safety+Health
on your iPad, iPhone
or Android device.
Save lives, from the Safety+Health | June 2020 5
workplace to anyplace.TM
safetyandhealthmagazine.com
Contents
Board of Directors Executive Staff
Andrew O. Johnson Lorraine M. Martin
Chairman President and CEO
Elaine Beitler Nick Smith
Vice Chairman Chief Operating Officer
Delegates and Chief Strategy Officer
Elaine Beitler Tom Bell
Chair of Delegates Chief Marketing
Officer
4446 OFFICES Government Affairs
Headquarters 317 Massachusetts Ave.
72 Safety Tips National Safety Council NE, Suite 300
1121 Spring Lake Drive Washington, DC 20002
• National Safety Month edition Itasca, IL 60143-3201 (202) 293-2270
(630) 285-1121
Departments 74 Workplace Solutions nsc.org
9 Editor’s Note • Key charting to manage International
lockout Safety Council
Spend some time 1121 Spring Lake Drive
‘On the Safe Side’ 76 New Products Itasca, IL 60143-3201
82 Safety Innovators (630) 285-1121
10 In the News 88 Product and Service
26 Industry Beat Publisher Associate Editors
Directory Deborah Meyer Barry Bottino
56 Safety Leadership 89 Advertising (630) 775-2048 (630) 775-2035
[email protected] [email protected]
Your brain on Zoom Information Editor
90 My Story Melissa J. Ruminski Kevin Druley
60 All About You (630) 775-2277 (630) 775-2083
[email protected] [email protected]
Staying resilient during Managing Editor
tough times Jennifer Yario Alan Ferguson
(630) 775-2416 (630) 775-2016
62 Speaker Spotlight [email protected] [email protected]
Copy Editor Production Coordinator
Is your culture out of balance? Paul Wleklinski Joy Tan-Pipilas
3 clues (630) 775-1563 (630) 775-2291
[email protected] [email protected]
64 Product Focus Assistant Editor Subscriptions/
Tracy Haas-Depa Circulation
• Foot protection (630) 775-2102 [email protected]
• Heat protection [email protected] Online Content Manager
Senior Graphic Designer Amy Bellinger
Michael Sharkey [email protected]
(630) 775-2014
[email protected]
You could be earning recertification points from the Safety+Health (ISSN: 0891-1797) is published monthly
Board of Certified Safety Professionals. by the National Safety Council, 1121 Spring Lake
Drive, Itasca, IL 60143-3201. Printed in the U.S.A.
BCSP uses Safety+Health editorial content as part of its Online Recertification Copyright © 2020 by the National Safety Council. No
Quiz Program. For more information, visit quiz.bcsp.org. material may be reprinted without permission from
the editor. While the information and recommenda-
6 Safety+Health | June 2020 tions contained in this publication have been com-
piled from sources believed to be reliable, the
National Safety Council makes no guarantee as to,
and assumes no responsibility for, the correctness,
sufficiency or completeness of such information or
recommendations. Additional safety measures may
be required under particular circum-
stances. Safety+Health is entered as
periodicals postage paid at Itasca,
IL, and at additional mailing offices.
Postmaster, please send address corrections to:
Safety+Health
P.O. Box 16650
St. Louis, MO 63105
safetyandhealthmagazine.com
comfort durability performance
Compliance starts at the core of every AR/FR garment. That’s why GlenGuard® engineers
maximum comfort and protection into every thread of fabric – because workers who are
cool and comfortable are less likely to cheat compliance.
What’s your AR/FR made of?
glenguard.com
Circle 4 on Reader Service Card
Back of Hand Impact Protection
Cool | Breathable | Light Weight | Extremely Flexible
Excellent Dexterity | Comfortable with an Exact Fit
3800 3802 3806
Anti-vibration Palm Anti-vibration Palm Micro Dot Palm for
Dexterity and Tactile feel
Fingertip Pinch Point Protection Micro Dot Fingertip
Maintenance
Oil & Gas Mechanics Field Service
Construction & Assembly
Assembly
Using Power Tools
ANSI/ISEA 105-2016
Cut Level A2
$10.95 per pair
[email protected] | 800-227-7694
Malvern, PA USA | Mississauga, Canada Banom®, RigMaster®, Dynamax®, Taperfit® and the tread ® are registered trademarks of Banom. ©Banom 2020.
Monterrey, Mexico | Brussels, Belgium Circle 5 on Reader Service Card
São Paulo, Brazil
banom.com
Editor’s Note
Spend some time ‘On the Safe Side’
AS I WRITE THIS (seated at a kitchen table), many states’ I know Barry, Kevin and Alan enjoyed the time they
stay-at-home orders are still in place. And despite all the spent together recording the initial podcast in the studio at
technology available to keep people connected, it’s easy at National Safety Council headquarters. But no sooner did the
times to feel isolated from our co-workers or our profession. podcast launch than COVID-19 hit, and for the time being
they, too, are at home, calling in for the recording of each
That’s why I hope you’ll take 30 or so min- new segment. But my hope is that this may heighten the
utes every month to join Safety+Health “On sense of community for our listeners: We’re in this together,
the Safe Side.” In our new podcast, the edito- and we’re learning as we go.
rial team discusses occupational safety and
health topics and talks with well-known You can find episodes of “On the Safe Side” in Apple Podcasts
people in the OSH field. or on SoundCloud, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
If you attend S+H webinars, you’ll recog- June’s episode features NSC President and CEO Lorraine
Melissa J. Ruminski nize the voices of our podcast hosts: Associ- M. Martin, who talks about something else that’s new: the
rollout of a new logo and mission statement. Check out both
ate Editors Barry Bottino, Kevin Druley and Alan Ferguson. in the special National Safety Month edition of “Safety Tips”
They were enthusiastic about this project from day one, and (p. 72), and look for changes in upcoming issues of S+H.
I want to thank them here for accepting the challenge and Thanks for reading.
running with it.
The opinions expressed in “Editor’s Note” do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.
Circle 6 on Reader Service Card
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Safety+Health | June 2020 9
In the News
= COVID-19 coverage
OSHA taking ‘good faith’ into account when
issuing citations during COVID-19 pandemic
Washington — “Good-faith efforts” by employers to • Rescheduled required annual activity as quickly as
comply with worker safety regulations during the possible
COVID-19 pandemic should be taken into “strong consider- “Employers unable to comply with OSHA requirements
ation,” OSHA states in an April 16 memo to area offices and
inspectors. because local authorities required the workplace to close
“The agency may issue a citation if it finds an employer should demonstrate a good-faith attempt to meet applica-
cannot demonstrate any efforts to comply,” OSHA states in ble requirements as soon as possible following the reopen-
a corresponding press release, adding that, “once normal ing of the workplace,” OSHA states.
activities resume,” it will develop a program that looks at
random samples of cases “where the agency noted, but did The memo lists examples of situations in which area
not cite, violations” to ensure corrective actions were taken. offices should consider enforcement discretion, including
OSHA notes that infection control measures, such as annual audiograms, hazardous waste operations training
physical distancing, are limiting many employers’ ability to and construction crane operator certification.
provide training, inspections, testing, auditing, and “other
essential safety and industrial hygiene services.” Employ- “Where enforcement discretion is warranted, area offices
ees also have limited or no chance to participate in training will ensure that sufficient documentation (e.g., notes on the
or medical testing because of business closures and other efforts the employer made to comply, letters or other docu-
restrictions. mentation showing that providers had closed) is provided
The agency directs inspectors to evaluate whether an in the case file to support the decision,” the memo states.
employer:
• Explored all options to comply with applicable Read the memo at sh-m.ag/2KYGVMv.
standards (e.g., use of virtual training or remote commu-
nication strategies)
• Implemented interim alternative protections, such as
engineering or administrative controls
OSHA details enforcement risk levels of exposure, such as health activities, a sample hazard alert letter
priorities for area offices
care organizations and first responders, and a sample alleged violation descrip-
Washington — OSHA is instruct- will be given “particular attention.” tion for General Duty Clause citations,
ing area directors to prioritize Meanwhile, establishments with along with guidance for OSHA compli-
COVID-19-related inspections accord- medium or lower exposure risk levels ance safety and health officers during
ing to a workplace’s risk of exposure and may not have an onsite inspection – inspections.
in coordination with regional offices. even if workers file complaints. “Workers requesting inspections,
An April 13 memo from OSHA states “In such cases, area offices will use complaining of coronavirus exposure,
that the agency’s interim enforcement the nonformal procedures for inves- or reporting illnesses may be protected
response plan gives “flexibility and tigating alleged hazards,” the memo under one or more whistleblower stat-
discretion for our field offices to maxi- states. “Inadequate responses to a utes and will be informed of their pro-
mize OSHA’s impact in securing safe phone/fax investigation should be tections from retaliation,” an April 13
workplaces for workers in this evolving considered for an onsite inspection in agency press release states.
environment.” accordance with the [Field Operations Acting administrator Loren Sweatt
Fatalities and imminent-danger expo- Manual].” The memo provides exam- added: “OSHA is committed to protect-
sures related to the pandemic will take ples of organizations at each risk level, ing the health and safety of America’s
priority for onsite inspections. Covered as well as a sample letter to employ- workers during this challenging time in
establishments with “high” to “very high” ers for COVID-19-related enforcement our nation’s history. Today’s guidance
10 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
In the News
outlines commonsense procedures for OSHA allowing all employers to suspend annual
investigating complaints related to respirator fit testing
the coronavirus while also ensuring
the safety of workers, employers and Washington — At press time,
inspectors.” OSHA was extending its tempo-
rary leniency on annual respirator fit
Read the April 13 memo at sh-m. testing to all covered employers, not
ag/3b2mqJz. only those in the health care industry.
OSHA chart classifies worker risk According to an April 8 press
of COVID-19 release, the agency is directing its
field offices to exercise “enforcement
Washington — To help deter- discretion” on fit-testing regulations
mine workers’ risk level for expo- amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This
sure to COVID-19, OSHA has published guidance will remain in effect until
a chart. further notice.
The agency developed a four-tiered OSHA issued a memo March 14 stat-
hierarchy based on occupational risk, ing the agency is allowing health care
which includes assessing workers’ need employers to suspend annual fit test-
to come within 6 feet of individuals who ing, in large part, to contend with a
are confirmed or suspected to have the nationwide shortage of N95 filtering
potentially deadly respiratory disease. facepiece respirators. In response to concerns about a
Exposure risk categories and work- Employers must still make “good- shortage of fit-testing kits and test
ers who may fall within them are: faith efforts” to comply with OSHA’s solutions, OSHA advises employers to
Very high: Health care and morgue respiratory protection regulations, reserve fit-testing equipment for work-
workers performing aerosol-generating among other steps, including commu- ers using respirators for “high-hazard
procedures on or collecting/handling nicating to workers whether annual fit procedures.” Field offices are asked
specimens from potentially infec- testing is suspended temporarily. to perform additional enforcement
tious patients or bodies of individuals The agency also is asking organi- discretion if an employer switches a
known to have, or suspected of having, zations to look at their engineering worker’s respirator to an equivalent-
COVID-19 at the time of death. controls, work practices and admin- fitting make/model/style/size N95 or
High: Health care delivery and sup- istrative controls for any changes other filtering facepiece respirator
port, medical transport, and mortu- that could decrease the need for without performing an initial fit test.
ary workers exposed to confirmed or N95s or other filtering facepiece “In the absence of fit-testing capa-
suspected COVID-19 patients or bodies respirators. bilities, if a user’s respirator model is
of individuals known to have, or sus- Among the suggestions are increas- out of stock, employers should consult
pected of having, COVID-19 at the time ing the use of wet methods, use of the manufacturer to see if it recom-
of death. portable local exhaust systems, mov- mends a different model that fits simi-
Medium: Individuals who may have ing work outdoors or suspending non- larly to the model used previously by
contact with the general public, includ- essential operations. employees,” the release states.
ing anyone employed in schools, high-
population/density work environments OSHA allowing reuse agents that could be inhaled into the
and some high-volume retail settings. of decontaminated N95 respiratory system, including dur-
This category also includes workers respirators ing care of patients with suspected
returning from locations with wide- Washington — In an effort to or confirmed coronavirus and other
spread COVID-19 transmission. preserve the supply of N95 filter- activities that could result in respira-
Lower (caution): Individuals who have ing facepiece respirators during the tory exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus
Photo: Memorystockphoto/iStockphoto minimal occupational contact with the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA is permit- that causes the coronavirus,” an agency
public and other co-workers. ting the reuse of respirators that press release states.
undergo certain decontamination pro- OSHA cites research evaluated by
Most workers in the United States cesses, according to an April 24 tempo- NIOSH suggesting a handful of meth-
likely will be classified in the two low- rary enforcement memo. ods that offer the “most promise” for
est risk levels, OSHA claims. “The guidance applies to workplaces effectively decontaminating filtering
Check out the chart at osha.gov/ where workers need respirators to facepiece respirators:
Publications/OSHA3993.pdf. protect against exposure to infectious • Vaporous hydrogen peroxide
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Safety+Health | June 2020 11
In the News
Kristen Kulinowski resigns from Chemical Safety Board
Washington — Kristen Kulinowski continued success; and all the safety rejoined IDA – where she had served Photo: Chemical Safety Board
has resigned from the Chemical Safety professionals who dedicate their as a researcher from 2011 to 2015 – as
Board, effective May 1, CSB announced efforts to creating safer workplaces.” director of its Science and Technology
April 27. Her resignation leaves the Policy Institute.
agency with only one board member On May 4, Kulinowski tweeted a press
once again. release from the nonprofit Institute “I will do what I can to support
for Defense Analyses saying she had [CSB’s] important mission from my
Kulinowski served as the interim new perch outside of government,”
executive authority until the Senate con- Kulinowski said in an April 27 tweet.
firmed Katherine Lemos as CSB chair “Meanwhile, Chair Lemos is here and
and CEO on March 23. Kulinowski’s ready to go. The agency is fortunate to
five-year term as a board member was have such an accomplished and com-
scheduled to expire in August. mitted safety professional and experi-
enced executive at the helm.”
“Being part of the CSB has been the
honor of a lifetime,” Kulinowski said Even before Kulinowski’s resignation,
in an agency press release. “I thank CSB lacked a quorum. In a March inter-
the talented staff, who work tirelessly view with the Federal News Network,
to advance the mission of the agency; Kulinowski said CSB can still deploy
my fellow members, from whom I investigators and others to incident
learned so much; our stakeholders, sites, but “what may take a little bit lon-
whose support was critical to our ger is for us to release our final reports.”
Stock orders received
by 6 p.m. EST ship
the same day!
ABUS is the worldwide
market-leading padlock
manufacturer
3,500+ Employees RELIABLE
25 Branch Offices EXPERIENCED
QUALITY
ENGINEERED TO HIGHEST
The advantages of working
GLOBAL STANDARDS with ABUS can’t be beat.
An impressive lineup of the
ABUS products are German engineered and undergo a series of highest quality products, fast
extensive tests to meet international standards. ABUS product and convenient services and
competitive prices make ABUS
quality is second to none. the easy answer.
Circle 7 on Reader Service Card 800.352.ABUS | abus.com
12 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
I CAN’T SEE STRAIGHT...AND IT SAYS THESE
SAFETY GLASSES ARE ‘ANTI-FOG’!
Removing your safety glasses to wipe foggy lenses is just fX3 Premium Anti-Fog available in:
plain dangerous. Gateway Safety has your back, introducing StarLite®
fX3™ Premium Anti-Fog, which delivers:
Conqueror®
• SUPERIOR ANTI-FOG PERFORMANCE. Engineered to
fight fog better than current alternatives. Swap®
• LONGER-LASTING EFFECTIVENESS. Adheres longer Ellipse™
than water-based or spray-on coatings.
NEW
• GREATER SCRATCH RESISTANCE. Stands up to
scratching eight times better.
fX3 has been tested in accordance with the EN 166
standard for anti-fog performance and lasts 30 times longer
than other manufacturers’ ‘anti-fog’ products. Plus it’s
brought to you in four unique styles: StarLite®, Conqueror®,
Swap®, and Ellipse™.
Try fX3™ Premium Anti-Fog today. For a FREE
sample: www.gatewaysafety.com/sh1
800-822-5347 • www.GatewaySafety.com
Circle 8 on Reader Service Card
THE FUTURE OF AIHA
HAS ARRIVED.
COME TAKE A LOOK.
Changes in our industry are inspiring changes at AIHA. We are
dedicated to being a forward-looking organization, working to advance
the Occupational Health and Safety profession—enhancing our
member services and recruiting the next generation of professionals
into our ranks.
All with a bold new look. Come see the future.
aiha.org
Circle 9 on Reader Service Card
In the News
• Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation • Disinfectant wipes, regardless of Employers need to make “good-faith
• Moist heat (i.e., using an oven) chemical saturation efforts” to provide and ensure workers
use “the most appropriate respiratory
If these methods are not available, “Employers should investigate the protection available for the hazards
microwave-generated steam or liquid effectiveness of any particular decon- against which workers need to be
hydrogen peroxide could be suitable. tamination method used for the spe- protected.”
cific filtering facepiece respirator model
The following methods are not to be decontaminated,” OSHA states. Workers and employers also need
acceptable: “Employers should be able to demon- to ensure the structural and func-
• Autoclaving strate the effectiveness of any decon- tional integrity of a respirator is not
• Dry heat tamination method used against the compromised.
• Isopropyl alcohol likely contaminant(s) (i.e., pathogens) of
• Soap concern, and that the decontamination As in other recent OSHA memos, the
• Dry microwave irradiation method used does not produce addi- agency is asking employers to “reas-
• Chlorine bleach tional safety hazards.” sess” engineering controls, work prac-
• Ethylene oxide tices and administrative controls to
decrease their need for respirators.
Editor’s Note: News related to COVID-19 was current at press time. Among the suggestions are increasing
For the most up-to-date coverage of this rapidly changing situation, visit the use of wet methods, using portable
safetyandhealthmagazine.com and follow S+H on Facebook (@Safety local exhaust systems, moving work
HealthMagazine) and Twitter (@SafetyHealthMag). outdoors or suspending nonessential
operations.
Read the memo at sh-m.ag/3c54C1I.
• CLASS I, DIV. 1 SAFETY RATED PORTABLE SCENE LIGHT/
LANTERN WITH FAR-REACHING BEAM
• DEVELOPED FOR WORK IN HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS
• WATERPROOF, COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT AND RECHARGEABLE
• BACKED BY OVER 45 YEARS OF COMMITMENT TO THE FIRE AND
INDUSTRIAL MARKETS
Circle 10 on Reader Service Card
STR10135_Vulcan180-Div1-SH-HALF.indd 1 4/23/20 1:10 PM
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Safety+Health | June 2020 15
In the News
Study identifies 3 effective “All four methods eliminated detect- applied for at least 60 minutes, and the
methods to sanitize N95 able viable virus from the N95 fabric respirator began showing fit and seal
respirators for reuse test samples,” an April 15 NIH press issues after three decontaminations,
release states. leading to the conclusion that it could
Bethesda, MD — Three methods be reused only twice.
to decontaminate N95 filtering The researchers then treated “fully
facepiece respirators for reuse are being intact, clean respirators” with the same Ethanol spray, on the other hand,
recommended by the National Institutes decontamination methods to test their damaged the integrity of the respira-
of Health after researchers at the agency reuse durability. Volunteers wore the tor’s fit after two decontaminations, so
successfully tested their effectiveness masks for two hours to determine if is not recommended by NIH.
and the repeat functional integrity of the they maintained a proper fit and seal
respirator after each sanitization. over the face; decontamination was Any workers using decontamination
To help preserve the supply of N95s repeated three times. methods to reuse N95 respirators is
in the health care industry during the advised to check the fit and seal before
COVID-19 pandemic, the research- Vaporized hydrogen peroxide proved each reuse.
ers tested small sections of N95 filter to be the most effective decontamination
fabric that had been exposed to the method, as no virus could be detected The study, which has not under-
coronavirus that causes COVID-19 after only a 10-minute treatment. Fur- gone a peer review but was released to
using four decontamination meth- ther, the respirator showed no failures assist in the public health response to
ods: vaporized hydrogen peroxide, during the integrity testing process, sug- COVID-19, was published online April
70° C dry heat, ultraviolet light and gesting it could be reused three times. 15 by medRxiv, an online archive and
70% ethanol spray. distribution server for complete but
UV light and dry heat were accept- unpublished manuscripts in the medi-
able methods as long as they were cal, clinical and related health sciences.
Circle 11 on Reader Service Card
16 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
In the News
Lawmakers urge EPA to extend comment periods
Washington — Claiming the
Environmental Protection Agency
is “rushing forward” with various reg-
ulations while much of the nation is
focused on the COVID-19 pandemic,
Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Jerry
McNerney (D-CA) and Mike Quigley
(D-IL) recently sent a letter to EPA
Administrator Andrew Wheeler, call-
ing on the agency to extend all com-
ment periods for matters related to regulations on the best available infor-
public and environmental health at mation, including input from impacted
least 45 days past the end of the communities, scientists and other sub-
declared national emergency. ject area experts, in accordance with
In the April 8 letter, Scott, requirements of the Administrative
McNerney, Quigley and 75 fellow law- Procedures Act. Rushing forward with
makers urge EPA to extend comment these regulations as planned, in spite
periods that closed from March 13 to of this public health crisis, would be
the present, as well as those that remain contrary to the spirit of the EPA’s mis-
open. The letter specifically mentions sion to protect human health and the
multiple agency items, including sepa- environment.”
rate draft risk evaluations for trichlo- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), chair
roethylene and asbestos. of the House Energy and Commerce
At press time, comments on the Committee, expressed similar con-
documents were due April 27 and June cern about EPA’s timing in an April 1
2, respectively. press release responding to the agen-
“As the world continues to turn its cy’s request for public comment on its
collective attention to responding to draft risk evaluation for asbestos.
the global coronavirus pandemic,” “Publishing this long-awaited pro-
the letter states, “we write to express posal for public comment now – in
our deep concern that the EPA is pro- the midst of a declared national emer-
ceeding with rulemaking procedures gency – shows just how out of touch
that do not ensure that ‘interested the Trump administration is,” said
persons’ are afforded an ‘opportunity Pallone, who is not among the group
to participate,’ as is the expectation that sent the letter. “Americans and
of the law. our public health community do not
“The American people have a right have the time right now to review and
to expect that their government will offer comment on this proposal.”
protect the general welfare by basing Read the letter at sh-m.ag/2Yw635c.
OSHA issues 2 enforcement in regard to the Respiratory Protection
memos to help combat
N95 shortage Standard (1910.134) and certain other
health standards. According to one of
Washington — In response to a the memos, OSHA is allowing for the
nationwide shortage of N95 filter- reuse of N95 respirators and the use of
ing facepiece respirators during the expired N95s in certain cases.
Photo: Gromit702/iStockphoto COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA has The agency states in the other memo
announced further temporary easing that it is allowing for the use of filtering
of regulations related to respiratory facepiece respirators and air-purifying
protection. elastomeric respirators certified by
The agency on April 3 issued two other countries or jurisdictions, under
interim enforcement guidance memos the following performance standards:
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Circle 12 on Reader Service Card
In the News
• Australia: AS/NZS 1716:2012 impacted by the shortage and health N95 alternatives should be approved by
• Brazil: ABNT/NBR 13694:1996, care personnel are exposed to suspected NIOSH.
or confirmed COVID-19 patients.
ABNT/NBR 13697:1996 If these alternatives are unavailable
and ABNT/NBR 13698:2011 OSHA is asking employers to reas- or their use would create other hazards,
• People’s Republic of China: sess engineering controls, work prac- employers may consider the extended
GB 2626-2006 and GB 2626-2019 tices and administrative controls to use or reuse of N95 respirators “as long
• European Union: EN 140-1999, decrease their need for N95 respirators. as the respirator maintains its struc-
EN 143-2000 and EN 149-2001 tural and functional integrity and the
• Japan: JMHLW-2000 “Employers should, for example, filter material is not physically dam-
• Republic of Korea: KMOEL-2014-46 consider whether it is possible to aged, soiled or contaminated (e.g., with
and KMOEL-2017-64 increase the use of wet methods or blood, oil, paint).”
• Mexico: NOM-116-2009 portable local exhaust systems or
Also allowed is the use of expired to move operations outdoors,” both Extended use is preferable to reuse
filtering facepiece respirators or air- memos state. “In some instances, an because of the risk of transmission while
purifying elastomeric respirators that employer may also consider taking
were previously certified under the stan- steps to temporarily suspend certain Access S+H content from your
dards of other countries or jurisdictions. nonessential operations.” computer or smartphone. Visit
The enforcement guidance applies safetyandhealthmagazine.com
to all industries, especially work- If respirators are needed, OSHA is for news, features and more.
places where respiratory protection is recommending the use of other filtering
facepieces, such as N99 or N100 mod-
els, reusable elastomeric respirators, or
powered air-purifying respirators. Any
[COVID-19]
PROTECT YOUR WORKFORCE
WITH HELP FROM THE EXPERTS
The J. J. Keller® SAFETY MANAGEMENT SUITE
has the tools you need to safely manage
pandemics like the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
News Articles Checklists
Safety Plan Templates FAQs
Webcasts And more!
TRY IT FREE TODAY!
JJKellerSafety.com/COVID19
PC-207616
18 Safety+Health | June 2020 Circle 13 on Reader Service Card safetyandhealthmagazine.com
Circle 14 on Reader Service Card
In the News
STATE NEWS
TEXAS in 2007. The percentage held steady at 79 while the arts/accommodation industry
from 2008 to 2015 before rising to 80 in also showed no improvement.
More injured employees returning 2016. A similar percentage-point increase • T he mining/utilities/construction indus-
to work in state: report in return to work was found after one year try (79%) had the lowest current return-
post-injury, climbing to 91% from 87% over to-work percentage after six months.
Austin, TX — The percentage of the course of the study. Other findings:
injured workers who returned to • The agriculture industry experienced The percentage of workers who
work within six months of an returned to work and remained for at
injury steadily rose about 5 points in the largest percentage-point increase least nine months – classified as sustained
Texas during a recent 11-year period, for workers returning after six months return to work – rose to 65% in 2016 from
according to a recent report from the post-injury – to 80% in 2017 from 69% 60% in 2007. Agriculture workers (56%)
Texas Department of Insurance Division in 2007. had the lowest current sustained return-
of Workers’ Compensation. • T he largest gain among employers by to-work percentage, while public admin-
Published in March, the report exam- size was found among those with 500 istration employees (75%) ranked highest.
ines return-to-work outcomes in the state or more employees – increasing to 85%
from 2007 to 2017, and includes percent- from 80% over the 11-year period. The median number of days away from
ages of workers who returned to work • Public administration workers (88%) work for injured workers dropped to 24 in
initially after an injury and who remained had the highest current return-to-work 2017 from 27 in 2007, falling as low as 20
at work, as well as the average number of percentage after six months. in 2009 and 2013.
days away from work. • Companies with 50-99 employees
In 2017, 83% of injured workers returned made no gain over the study period, Read the full report at tdi.texas.gov/
to work within six months – up from 78% reports/wcreg/documents/rtw2020.pdf.
THANK YOU
TO ALL OUR
HEROES
Circle 15 on Reader Service Card
20 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
In the News
donning/doffing respirators. Employers According to CDC, the guidance cov- • Hazardous material responders from
should pay close attention to proper ers the following workers: government and the private sector
storage of respirators if workers are • Federal, state and local law enforcement
reusing them. • 911 call center employees • Those in food and agriculture, criti-
• Fusion center employees cal manufacturing, informational
Workers should perform seal checks • Janitorial and other custodial staff technology, transportation, energy,
each time they wear a respirator and and government facilities
should not use that particular respira-
tor if a seal check cannot be performed
successfully. Employers should train
workers on when to discard a respira-
tor should the structural or functional
integrity become comprised, as well as
how to put on/take off a respirator.
Expired N95s should be used only
if no new ones are available and an
employer has shown “a good-faith effort
to acquire the respirators or to use
alternative options.” Employers may use
only NIOSH-certified expired N95s, and
employees must be informed they’re
using expired respirators. Employers
and employees also should not mix
expired and non-expired respirators,
and should visually inspect respirators
to ensure their integrity. Employers are
advised to consult with manufacturers
or independent labs on the testing of
any expired respirator in their organi-
zational stockpile prior to use.
For health care providers, expired
N95s must not be used during surgery
on patients suspected or confirmed to
have COVID-19, or during procedures
“expected” to generate aerosols or where
respiratory secretions will likely be
poorly controlled, such as intubations.
On March 14, OSHA issued a tem-
porary enforcement memo that sus-
pended the required annual respirator
fit testing for N95 respirators in the
health care industry.
CDC adjusts return-to- Circle 16 on Reader Service Card
work guidance for essential
employees
Washington — The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
has released guidelines intended to
allow workers employed in “critical
infrastructure” to return to their jobs
more quickly after exposure to people
with known or suspected cases of
COVID-19.
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Safety+Health | June 2020 21
In the News
Managers’ attitudes toward worker well-being According to an April 13 press
can lead to safe and healthy behaviors: study release, the proposal would cover work-
ers in health care, home care, drug
Aurora, CO — Employees who sense a five-point scale) boosted the safety stores, food service, grocery stores and
their managers are invested in their climate by 0.67 points and increased child care, as well as federal, state and
well-being at work may be more likely safety behaviors among workers by municipal employees; domestic work-
to practice safe and healthy behaviors 0.45 points. Additionally, a one-point ers; janitorial staff; delivery drivers;
on the job, results of a recent study increase in perceived leadership com- warehouse workers; and transporta-
from the Colorado School of Public mitment to wellness was associated tion workers.
Health suggest. with a 0.66-point increase in health
climate and a 0.42-point jump in Warren and Khanna are calling on:
healthy behaviors. • Employers to provide workers with
Workers who held more positive
perceptions of managers also were “necessary amounts” of personal
more likely to participate in safety- protective equipment at no cost and
related activities such as joining a inform individuals who may have
safety committee or attending work- been exposed to COVID-19 or an
site wellness meetings. infected co-worker.
“Leadership matters,” Erin Shore, • OSHA to issue an emergency tempo-
lead study author and senior profes- rary standard to keep workers safe
Researchers at the University of sional research assistant at the Center during the pandemic.
Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus for Health, Work and Environment, • Employers to provide workers with
examined data from a study of small told Safety+Health. “If employees per- free health care and whistleblower
businesses in the state conducted by ceive that their supervisors care about protections.
the school’s Center for Health, Work their safety and well-being, they are • Congress to “commit robust funding”
and Environment. The analysis com- more likely to behave in a safe and to assist struggling child care centers
prised 1,271 workers representing 53 healthy manner at work. In our study, and ensure essential workers have
organizations with fewer than 500 this association was true regardless of access to safe and reliable child care.
employees. the size of the organization.”
They found that, among employ- The study was published in the Feb- Further, the lawmakers call on Con-
ees, a one-point increase in perceived ruary issue of the Journal of Occupa- gress to “crack down” on worker mis-
leadership commitment to safety (on tional and Environmental Medicine. classification in an attempt to reverse
the “long-standing problem” of employ-
Previously, essential workers were food or utensils. Employers are encour- ers misclassifying workers as indepen- Photo: Olivier Le Moal/iStockphoto
instructed to remain home for a 14-day aged to increase the frequency of clean- dent contractors in an effort to deny
period after exposure or potential ing commonly touched surfaces and them benefits and protections.
exposure. As outlined by CDC Direc- work with maintenance staff to increase
tor Robert Redfield during an April 8 air exchanges in work buildings. “Essential workers are the backbone
White House coronavirus task force of our nation’s response to coronavi-
press briefing, the interim guidance Learn more about the guidelines at rus,” Warren said in the release. “We
enables these workers to return to work sh-m.ag/2W3DBpM. have a responsibility to make sure
if they do not have symptoms and fol- essential workers have the protections
low various other precautions such as Lawmakers seek ‘Bill of Rights’ they need, the rights they are entitled
taking their temperature before going for essential workers to and the compensation they deserve.”
to work, wearing a facemask at all
times, and practicing physical distanc- Washington — Sen. Elizabeth Khanna added that the pandemic
ing on the job. Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Ro “needs to open our eyes to the value of
Khanna (D-CA) have introduced a pro- workers who are often invisible.”
CDC also recommends all workers posal to establish extra protections for
refrain from sharing headsets or other workers considered essential in the According to Brookings Institution
objects that are placed near their mouth response to the COVID-19 pandemic, estimates, between 49 million and 62
or nose, and maintain a physical dis- part of what the lawmakers call an million workers are employed in essen-
tance during mutual breaks. Workers “Essential Workers Bill of Rights” they tial industries, as classified by the fed-
are advised to stagger breaks, stay clear say should be included in any potential eral government.
of break rooms, and refrain from sharing upcoming coronavirus relief measures
from Congress. “In the News” is written by Associate Edi-
tors Barry Bottino, Kevin Druley and Alan
Ferguson.
22 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
THE NO BS SPF™
No stink. No drip. No bull.
Just full-throttle protection
with every application.
Available now at ergodyne.com or
your preferred Ergodyne distributor.
*Source: Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA)
©2020 ERGODYNE
Circle 17 on Reader Service Card
It’s much
better
to be safe
than sorry.
Our signage can help
create a culture of safety.
Marlin digital signage is an engaging,
state-of-the-art approach to encouraging
safety. You can use our industry-specific
content, your own in-house messaging,
or any combination. Any industry’s needs
can be met, including yours.
The bottom line: An effective safety
program with our digital signage can
cost less than you think, and may even
pay for itself.
1
4
2
5
3
Not just a screen— 1 Your Brand: Your 3 Scrolling Message: 5 Secondary Message:
a powerful visual company’s logo, Often includes Often includes
communication tool colors, and name for company news quotes, employee
this display. and announcements. news or counters.
Marlin’s innovative screen is Called the Quick
designed to engage, inform 2 Main Message: This Ticker.
and motivate employees, space can be used
change behavior, and improve for any purpose 4 Local & Regional:
your bottom line. It’s a safe and can include our Includes local
bet to encourage safety. content or yours. weather, plus
news and sports.
FREE DEMO AND VALUABLE GUIDE
Get your no-obligation demo and/or free workplace safety guide Making Safety
Visual: 10 Proven Strategies. Call 800-344-5901 or visit themarlincompany.com/nsc.
Circle xx on Reader Service Card Circle 18 on Reader Service Card
Industry Beat
= COVID-19 coverage
Spotlight on TRANSPORTATION
Final rule to amend trucker hours-of-service
regulations sent to OMB for review
Washington — At press time, a final rule the Federal Land Line magazine. “As FMCSA continues to move for- Photo: vitpho/iStockphoto
Motor Carrier Safety Administration claims would add ward with hours-of-service reform, we are optimistic the
flexibility to hours-of-service regulations for commercial final product will create meaningful reform that provides
truck drivers had been sent to the White House Office of drivers with more flexibility and control over their sched-
Management and Budget for review. ules. If FMCSA gets it right, we’re confident most drivers
will be happy with the changes.”
FMCSA submitted the rule March 2. Addressing attend-
ees of the Truckload Carriers Association Conference the In a March 3 video posted on Facebook, TruckerNation.org
next day in Kissimmee, FL, acting agency administrator spokesperson Andrea Marks says, “It cannot be overstated
Jim Mullen said that although he could not go into the enough how proud we are of the trucking industry that we
rule’s specifics, “please know that the goal of this pro- are here.”
cess from the beginning has been to improve safety for
all motorists and to increase flexibility for commercial Moments later, Marks reminds viewers that, their opti-
drivers.” mism notwithstanding, the federal rulemaking process is
neither “intuitive” nor “one that happens fast.”
On the heels of multiple delays, FMCSA published a pro-
posed rule in the Aug. 22 Federal Register and set an ini- Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Executive Director
tial comment deadline of Oct. 7. The comment period later Collin Mooney told Safety+Health March 5 that his organi-
was extended to Oct. 21. zation expects the final rule to be published in May or June.
FMCSA received nearly 8,200 comments on the proposed “If it’s done right, it could be a win-win,” Mooney said.
rule. Among the highlights of the proposal: “If there’s too much flexibility, well then, safety can be
• Expanding the current 100-air mile short haul exemp- compromised.”
tion to 14 hours on duty from 12 hours on duty, to be One concern Mooney cited was the possible effects on
consistent for rules with long-haul truck drivers. driving time in the event the adverse driving conditions
• Extending the current 14-hour on-duty limitation by up and mandatory rest break provisions were compounded.
to two hours when a truck driver encounters adverse
driving conditions. “Seventeen, 18, 19 hours is just going to be way too long
• Revising the current mandatory 30-minute break for for anybody, so we wanted to see that tightened up a little
truck drivers after eight hours of continuous driving. bit,” Mooney said.
• Reinstating the option for splitting up the required
10-hour off-duty rest break for drivers operating trucks OMB listed the status of the rule as pending review at
equipped with sleeper berth compartments. press time.
• Allowing covered commercial motor vehicle operators
one rest break – for up to three consecutive hours – dur-
ing every 14-hour on-duty period.
• Allowing covered CMV operators to use multiple off-
duty periods of at least three hours in place of taking 10
consecutive hours off duty.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
and TruckerNation.org, both longtime proponents of HOS
reform, support the changes.
“We applaud the agency for submitting the final rule to
OMB so quickly,” OOIDA President and CEO Todd Spencer
said in an article published March 3 in the association’s
26 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
Industry Beat
INDUSTRY INDEX present and no toxic or flammable CONSTRUCTION
gases are detected
AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY • Having a rescue-trained observer ‘No two roofs are basically
AND FISHING............................. p. 27 outside the bin who is in constant alike’: CPWR hosts webinar
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT..... p. 27 contact with the worker inside on fall protection
CONSTRUCTION........................ p. 27
MANUFACTURING...................... p. 31 OSHA encourages small to medium- Silver Spring, MD — Roofers
MINING, OIL AND GAS............... p. 33 sized businesses to use the agency’s face an increased risk of fatal falls
SERVICES................................... p. 34 free, confidential On-Site Consulta- to a lower level compared with other
TRANSPORTATION..................... p. 36 tion Program for guidance on grain construction subgroups, making fall
UTILITIES.................................... p. 38 bin safety. protection strategies a vital component
of roof work planning and training.
AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING Read the full safety alert at osha.gov/ That was the message of an April 16
Publications/OSHA3987.pdf. webinar hosted by CPWR – The Center
Wet weather makes grain-bin for Construction Research and Train-
work even more risky, OSHA ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT ing in conjunction with the National
says in alert Roofing Contractors Association.
Washington — Workers inside grain Music composers association Multiple NRCA officials spotlighted
bins are at increased risk of engulf- creates wellness program basics of fall prevention and protection.
ment when weather conditions are New York — The American Society of “Of course, the challenge with roofing
wet, OSHA warns in a recently released Composers, Authors and Publishers is that no two roofs are basically alike,”
safety alert. has launched a wellness program for said Thomas Shanahan, the associa-
its members after a survey found that tion’s vice president of enterprise risk
When stored, grains with high music creators are two to three times management and executive education.
moisture content can bridge or clump more likely than the general public to “It’s a very dynamic versus static work-
together. When a worker steps onto a experience feelings of loneliness, disap- place, so it’s always changing, and so
bridge to loosen the grain, it can col- pointment and being ignored. we have to be ever mindful of what are
lapse under the weight and lead to an our options – what are the things we
avalanche of grain and the engulfment The survey, conducted by Whitman can be doing to protect workers so we
of the worker. Insight Strategies, also revealed that plan for that.”
performing artists are 31% more likely According to research released by
In its “2018 Summary of U.S. Agricul- to say health and wellness have a major CPWR in 2019, although roofers expe-
tural Confined Space-Related Injuries impact on their careers, and 42% more rienced fewer fatal falls in 2017, the
and Fatalities” report, the Purdue Uni- likely to say connecting with others is rate of fatal falls within the subgroup
versity Agricultural Safety and Health very important to them. stood at 35.9 per 100,000 full-time
Program documented 30 grain entrap- equivalent workers – more than 10
ments, which included 15 deaths – the Features of ASCAP’s new wellness times greater than the rate of all con-
fifth highest total recorded since 2010. program include: struction occupations combined.
The program identified 23 total cases in • Recovery-focused support groups The speakers highlighted the
the previous year’s report. National Campaign to Prevent Falls in
in multiple cities, as well as a digital Construction – a joint effort of NIOSH,
To prevent engulfments, the agency support group OSHA and CPWR – which offers three
recommends: • Digital access to therapists, mental core steps to preventing falls:
• Never walking on grain to make it flow health resources and workout videos • Plan ahead to get the job done safely.
• Using a rod or vibration system to • A fitness and sleep tracker • Provide the right equipment.
• A self-care app • Train everyone to use the equipment
break up clumped grain from a safe • “Content initiatives” such as safely.
location outside the bin resources and podcasts
• Training workers and providing In the event of a fall, Rich Trewyn,
them with body harnesses with an “Creating music is an all-consuming director of enterprise risk manage-
attached lifeline and other rescue passion and a labor of love,” ASCAP ment at NRCA, said the two basic
equipment Chair and President Paul Williams elements of rescue are delaying
• Disconnecting, locking out and said in a press release, “but you’ve got orthostatic shock while suspended,
tagging out machinery, as well as to take care of your instrument – in the also known as suspension trauma,
blocking off all powered equipment, case of music creators, your body, mind and bringing the fallen worker to a
especially grain-moving equipment and spirit.”
such as augers
• Testing the air inside the bin before Find out more at ascap.com/music-
entering to ensure enough oxygen is creators/wellness.
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Safety+Health | June 2020 27
Industry Beat
Editor’s Note: News related to COVID-19 was current at press time. For support surface such as the ground
the most up-to-date coverage of this rapidly changing situation, visit or roof. Carefully handle the fallen
safetyandhealthmagazine.com and follow S+H on Facebook (@SafetyHealth worker to ensure he or she is in a com-
Magazine) and Twitter (@SafetyHealthMag). fortable position, and call 911.
Ensure Connection Safety “All of this rescue portion is all about
preplanning, and planning for an event
with MELTRIC! that really isn’t going to be easy to plan
for,” Trewyn said. “But it’s something
No external arcing - No access to live parts - No hazard! that we can do, it’s something that we
can practice for and make sure that
Advanced Safety Features: we’re training our employees in the
proper way.”
• UL/CSA switch ratings ensure safe load make/break
• Internal arc chambers and dead-front construction eliminate the In the introduction to the webinar,
Scott Ketcham, director of OSHA’s
possibility of pulling an arc Directorate of Construction, dis-
• Safety shutter prevents access to live parts cussed the agency’s efforts to mitigate
• Silver-nickel butt contacts endure thousands of operations, even in “Construction Focus Four” hazards:
caught-in or caught-between inci-
harsh environments dents, electrocution, falls, and struck-
20-200 A, 600 VAC, .75-100 HP, Up to Type 4X/IP69/IP69K by incidents.
Learn more at meltric.com Citing data from the OSHA Informa-
tion System database, Ketcham also
displayed the agency’s “Top 10” list of
most cited standards for construc-
tion for fiscal year 2019, noting that six
involved an element of fall protection.
Fall Protection – General Requirements
(1926.501) topped the list with 6,881 vio-
lations, while Fall Protection – Training
Requirements (1926.503) ranked fourth
with 2,015.
With OSHA recently deciding to post-
pone the National Safety Stand-Down
to Prevent Falls in Construction amid
the COVID-19 pandemic, Ketcham gave
updates on other planned outreach
events in which the agency is involved.
The Heat Illness Prevention campaign
is on for the spring and summer; the
Trench Safety Stand-Down remains
“tentatively” scheduled for June 15-19;
and Safe + Sound Week, slated for Aug.
10-16, is set to proceed as scheduled.
Watch the CPWR webinar at sh-m.
ag/3c67BqB.
BEFO BU Y
RE YOU
©2020 MELTRIC Corporation AD2012 meltric .c om / sample Access S+H content from your
computer or smartphone. Visit
Restrictions apply. safetyandhealthmagazine.com
for news, features and more.
Circle 19 on Reader Service Card
safetyandhealthmagazine.com
28 Safety+Health | June 2020
Industry Beat
Editor’s Note: News related to COVID-19 was current at press time. For support surface such as the ground
the most up-to-date coverage of this rapidly changing situation, visit or roof. Carefully handle the fallen
safetyandhealthmagazine.com and follow S+H on Facebook (@SafetyHealth worker to ensure he or she is in a com-
Magazine) and Twitter (@SafetyHealthMag). fortable position, and call 911.
Ensure Connection Safety “All of this rescue portion is all about
preplanning, and planning for an event
with MELTRIC! that really isn’t going to be easy to plan
for,” Trewyn said. “But it’s something
No external arcing - No access to live parts - No hazard! that we can do, it’s something that we
can practice for and make sure that
Advanced Safety Features: we’re training our employees in the
proper way.”
• UL/CSA switch ratings ensure safe load make/break
• Internal arc chambers and dead-front construction eliminate the In the introduction to the webinar,
Scott Ketcham, director of OSHA’s
possibility of pulling an arc Directorate of Construction, dis-
• Safety shutter prevents access to live parts cussed the agency’s efforts to mitigate
• Silver-nickel butt contacts endure thousands of operations, even in “Construction Focus Four” hazards:
caught-in or caught-between inci-
harsh environments dents, electrocution, falls, and struck-
20-200 A, 600 VAC, .75-100 HP, Up to Type 4X/IP69/IP69K by incidents.
Learn more at meltric.com Citing data from the OSHA Informa-
tion System database, Ketcham also
displayed the agency’s “Top 10” list of
most cited standards for construc-
tion for fiscal year 2019, noting that six
involved an element of fall protection.
Fall Protection – General Requirements
(1926.501) topped the list with 6,881 vio-
lations, while Fall Protection – Training
Requirements (1926.503) ranked fourth
with 2,015.
With OSHA recently deciding to post-
pone the National Safety Stand-Down
to Prevent Falls in Construction amid
the COVID-19 pandemic, Ketcham gave
updates on other planned outreach
events in which the agency is involved.
The Heat Illness Prevention campaign
is on for the spring and summer; the
Trench Safety Stand-Down remains
“tentatively” scheduled for June 15-19;
and Safe + Sound Week, slated for Aug.
10-16, is set to proceed as scheduled.
Watch the CPWR webinar at sh-m.
ag/3c67BqB.
BEFO BU Y
RE YOU
©2020 MELTRIC Corporation AD2012 meltric .c om / sample Access S+H content from your
computer or smartphone. Visit
Restrictions apply. safetyandhealthmagazine.com
for news, features and more.
Circle 19 on Reader Service Card
safetyandhealthmagazine.com
28 Safety+Health | June 2020
Circle 34 on Reader Service Card
Industry Beat
MANUFACTURING guidance. The guidance encourages break times and providing temporary
employers to consider the following break areas, adding more handwashing
Trump orders meatpacking precautions to protect workers from and hand sanitizer stations, and provid-
plants to remain open amid exposure: ing visual cues so workers can maintain
COVID-19 pandemic • Cleaning of shared meatpacking and proper physical distancing.
Washington — Two days after processing tools The National Council for Occupa-
OSHA and the Centers for Disease • Screening employees for COVID-19 tional Safety and Health is among the
Control and Prevention issued voluntary advocacy groups saying voluntary
interim guidance aimed at preventing before they enter work facilities guidance is inadequate, claiming that
the spread of COVID-19 among workers • Managing workers who have symp- at least 11 workers in the industry have
in the meatpacking and poultry- died nationwide.
processing industries, President Donald toms of COVID-19
Trump invoked the Defense Production • Providing appropriate personal pro- “To keep their doors open safely,
Act of 1950 and declared the facilities meatpacking plants – and all essential
“critical infrastructure” in an Executive tective equipment workplaces – must operate under clear
Order intended to keep meatpacking • Practicing physical distancing enforceable OSHA standards, not vol-
facilities open. • Implementing appropriate engi- untary ‘guidance,’” Jessica Martinez,
“We’re working very hard to make co-executive director of National COSH,
sure our food supply chain is sound neering, administrative and work said in an April 28 statement. “Safe oper-
and plentiful,” Trump said in an April practice controls ations must include a comprehensive
28 press release, which adds that Among the controls recommended by assessment and control plan, developed
employers in the industry are respon- OSHA and CDC are installing physical with strong input from workers and
sible for following the joint OSHA-CDC barriers between workers, ensuring ade- their union.”
quate ventilation, setting up additional
clock-in/clock-out stations, staggering
BCSP CREDENTIALS
Setting the global safety standard
to protect what matters most.
Encouraging everyone to
harness a passion for safety.
Inspire Inspire the next generation for a safer world.
Become a Certified Safety Practitioner.
Apply for YOUR Credentials Today!
bcsp.org |
Circle 21 on Reader Service Card
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Safety+Health | June 2020 31
Industry Beat
MANUFACTURING guidance. The guidance encourages break times and providing temporary
employers to consider the following break areas, adding more handwashing
Trump orders meatpacking precautions to protect workers from and hand sanitizer stations, and provid-
plants to remain open amid exposure: ing visual cues so workers can maintain
COVID-19 pandemic • Cleaning of shared meatpacking and proper physical distancing.
Washington — Two days after processing tools The National Council for Occupa-
OSHA and the Centers for Disease • Screening employees for COVID-19 tional Safety and Health is among the
Control and Prevention issued voluntary advocacy groups saying voluntary
interim guidance aimed at preventing before they enter work facilities guidance is inadequate, claiming that
the spread of COVID-19 among workers • Managing workers who have symp- at least 11 workers in the industry have
in the meatpacking and poultry- died nationwide.
processing industries, President Donald toms of COVID-19
Trump invoked the Defense Production • Providing appropriate personal pro- “To keep their doors open safely,
Act of 1950 and declared the facilities meatpacking plants – and all essential
“critical infrastructure” in an Executive tective equipment workplaces – must operate under clear
Order intended to keep meatpacking • Practicing physical distancing enforceable OSHA standards, not vol-
facilities open. • Implementing appropriate engi- untary ‘guidance,’” Jessica Martinez,
“We’re working very hard to make co-executive director of National COSH,
sure our food supply chain is sound neering, administrative and work said in an April 28 statement. “Safe oper-
and plentiful,” Trump said in an April practice controls ations must include a comprehensive
28 press release, which adds that Among the controls recommended by assessment and control plan, developed
employers in the industry are respon- OSHA and CDC are installing physical with strong input from workers and
sible for following the joint OSHA-CDC barriers between workers, ensuring ade- their union.”
quate ventilation, setting up additional
clock-in/clock-out stations, staggering
BCSP CREDENTIALS
Setting the global safety standard
to protect what matters most.
Encouraging everyone to
harness a passion for safety.
Inspire Inspire the next generation for a safer world.
Become a Certified Safety Practitioner.
Apply for YOUR Credentials Today!
bcsp.org |
Circle 21 on Reader Service Card
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Safety+Health | June 2020 31
Industry Beat
The United Food and Commercial “enforcement discretion” when consid- an obligation – from our farmers to
Workers International Union, in an April ering employers’ adherence to the guid- our processors to our supply chain –
28 statement, claims that more than ance or their “good faith effort” to do so. to continue to feed the world. We have
5,300 of its members in essential work- to figure out how we can do that in a
places have been impacted by COVID-19. Employers do not have to implement responsible and safe manner.”
portions of the guidance that they deem
“The human cost to America’s food, “not feasible” in their facilities, but are MINING, OIL AND GAS
retail and commercial workers is real “encouraged to document why that is
and growing,” UFCW International the case.” The statement also indicates MSHA says no Pattern of
President Marc Perrone said. “These the Department of Labor “will consider Violations notices needed
workers never signed up to be first a request to participate” in litigation on in 2019
responders in an emergency, but that behalf of employers it deems are acting Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and
is exactly what they are now and they in good faith who might be sued by an Health Administration did not iden-
need protections immediately before employee, and vice versa. tify any Pattern of Violations offenders
more lives are needlessly lost.” among the nation’s 13,000-plus mines
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), who for the sixth consecutive screening
Acting OSHA administrator Loren noted that her state produces 10% period.
Sweatt and Solicitor of Labor Kate of the nation’s food supply, said dur-
O’Scannlain released a joint statement ing an April 28 press conference that The most recent screening period
shortly after the Executive Order was meatpacking and processing plants began Feb. 1, 2019, and ended Jan.
issued, calling the guidance “vitally are “essential, critical infrastructure. 31, MSHA states in a March 17 press
important” for employers to follow. It is essential to keeping the food sup- release. The agency conducts screen-
They add that the agency will use ply chain moving. We have a role and ings at least once annually.
KEEP YOUR GLOVES CLOSE
And NEVER GET CAUGHT BAREHANDED
Over the years our superior and GLOVE GUARD® UTILITY GUARD® CLIP HANDI KLIP® CLIP
diversi ed glove clip product line has
proven to reduce hand injuries and glove
replacement costs. From “ e Original”
Glove Guard® Clip, Utility Guard® Clip,
to our Handi Klip® Clip, all listed
include a safety breakaway. With our
various sizes, attachment methods, and
color options, we're sure you will nd the
perfect clip that meets your needs.
For more information please visit:
WWW.GLOVEGUARD.COM
GLOVEGUARD.COM |
888.660.6173 | [email protected]
Circle 23 on Reader Service Card
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Safety+Health | June 2020 33
Industry Beat
The United Food and Commercial “enforcement discretion” when consid- an obligation – from our farmers to
Workers International Union, in an April ering employers’ adherence to the guid- our processors to our supply chain –
28 statement, claims that more than ance or their “good faith effort” to do so. to continue to feed the world. We have
5,300 of its members in essential work- to figure out how we can do that in a
places have been impacted by COVID-19. Employers do not have to implement responsible and safe manner.”
portions of the guidance that they deem
“The human cost to America’s food, “not feasible” in their facilities, but are MINING, OIL AND GAS
retail and commercial workers is real “encouraged to document why that is
and growing,” UFCW International the case.” The statement also indicates MSHA says no Pattern of
President Marc Perrone said. “These the Department of Labor “will consider Violations notices needed
workers never signed up to be first a request to participate” in litigation on in 2019
responders in an emergency, but that behalf of employers it deems are acting Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and
is exactly what they are now and they in good faith who might be sued by an Health Administration did not iden-
need protections immediately before employee, and vice versa. tify any Pattern of Violations offenders
more lives are needlessly lost.” among the nation’s 13,000-plus mines
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), who for the sixth consecutive screening
Acting OSHA administrator Loren noted that her state produces 10% period.
Sweatt and Solicitor of Labor Kate of the nation’s food supply, said dur-
O’Scannlain released a joint statement ing an April 28 press conference that The most recent screening period
shortly after the Executive Order was meatpacking and processing plants began Feb. 1, 2019, and ended Jan.
issued, calling the guidance “vitally are “essential, critical infrastructure. 31, MSHA states in a March 17 press
important” for employers to follow. It is essential to keeping the food sup- release. The agency conducts screen-
They add that the agency will use ply chain moving. We have a role and ings at least once annually.
KEEP YOUR GLOVES CLOSE
And NEVER GET CAUGHT BAREHANDED
Over the years our superior and GLOVE GUARD® UTILITY GUARD® CLIP HANDI KLIP® CLIP
diversi ed glove clip product line has
proven to reduce hand injuries and glove
replacement costs. From “ e Original”
Glove Guard® Clip, Utility Guard® Clip,
to our Handi Klip® Clip, all listed
include a safety breakaway. With our
various sizes, attachment methods, and
color options, we're sure you will nd the
perfect clip that meets your needs.
For more information please visit:
WWW.GLOVEGUARD.COM
GLOVEGUARD.COM |
888.660.6173 | [email protected]
Circle 23 on Reader Service Card
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Safety+Health | June 2020 33
ELIMINATE FALL HAZARDS
AT YOUR FACILITY WITH THE SRC360 MOBILE RAIL SYSTEM
SAFETY RAILINGS ARE YOUR BEST DEFENSE
• COMPREHENSIVE FALL PROTECTION
• NO HARNESS REQUIRED
• COMPLIANCE FOR ALL TRADES ON YOUR ROOF
FROM START TO FINISH, FALL PROTECTION AND
PEACE OF MIND HAVE NEVER BEEN EASIER
OSHA COMPLIANT | NON-PENETRATING | EASY INSTALLATION
We offer a full menu of fall protection • EXPERT ADVICE PROTECT LIVES.
products addressing individual • FACILITY SITE SURVEYS & BE OSHA COMPLIANT.
hazards or combined together for a CONTACT US TODAY.
comprehensive, 100% fall protection CAD MODELING MADE IN USA
solution for the entire facility. • FULFILLMENT, DELIVERY,
INSTALL & SIGNOFF
ANALYZE • SPECIFY • MANUFACTURE • INSTALL ASK ABOUT OUR TURNKEY SOLUTION PACKAGE
SAFETYRAILCOMPANY.COM I 888.434.2720
Circle 24 on Reader Service Card
Industry Beat
intends to use the study’s findings to Anyone interested in participat- The Agricultural Improvement Act
design effective solutions, such as engi- ing must submit letters of interest to of 2018 – also known as the Farm
neering controls for power tools. Barbara Alexander at balexander@cdc. Bill – altered the definition of “mari-
gov by Oct. 16. Letters should include juana” under the Controlled Sub-
During the first part of the study, information about work and location. stances Act of 1970. Hemp-derived
researchers will visit worksites products with a THC concentration of
and gather data using “small sam- TRANSPORTATION 0.3% or more are no longer considered
pling devices that workers will wear controlled substances.
while conducting normal working DOT weighs in on CBD products:
activities.” Workers in safety-sensitive jobs In response to inquiries about
should be cautious whether safety-sensitive employees –
For the second part, the researchers Washington — CBD products may including pilots, school bus drivers,
will test for noise, carbon monoxide, have higher levels of tetrahydrocan- truck drivers, transit vehicle opera-
dust and silica while participants use nabinol, or THC – the main psychoac- tors, aircraft maintenance personnel,
equipment designed to reduce expo- tive ingredient in marijuana – than the train engineers and ship captains –
sure to these hazards. Department of Transportation allows are permitted to use CBD products,
in a non-controlled substance, the DOT notes that although it requires
The findings and controls data will agency cautions in a Feb. 18 policy and testing for marijuana and not CBD,
be shared with participating work- compliance notice, adding that CBD many CBD products have misleading
ers and companies, NIOSH states. use is not a “legitimate medical expla- labels.
However, names of organizations or nation” for a safety-sensitive employee
individuals participating in the study who tests positive for marijuana. “The products could contain higher
will not be included in the research levels of THC than what the product
report.
Circle 25 on Reader Service Card
36 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
The 3-in-1 S5 Safety Cutter
(800) 229-2233 • Email: [email protected] • www.phcsafety.com
Circle 26 on Reader Service Card
Industry Beat
Spotlight on UTILITIES
‘Birds of Prey’: New safety video for tower workers
Watertown, SD — A new video from NATE: The Com- Among species commonly encountered on towers, great
munications Infrastructure Contractors Association horned owls are “by far the most dangerous birds to climb-
highlights the importance of hazard and environmental ers,” says Restani, who recommends not working where
awareness among tower technicians who might encounter these birds are nesting. Red-tailed hawks are the next most
birds of prey nesting on communications towers. dangerous, and Restani says he “generally wouldn’t worry
too much about” attacks from ospreys or eagles.
Birds such as eagles, ospreys, ravens and crows roost in
more than 7,500 towers across the United States. Raptor ecol- “Like always, there are differences between individu-
ogy expert Marco Restani, who offers insight throughout the als, and so you should always keep an eye out when you’re
video, calls the “best-case climbing a tower,” Restani says.
scenario” one in which
the tower owner or car- Climbers should remember to remain tied off at all
rier already has informed times, being mindful that birds typically approach
workers that a nest exists, from behind and target a climber’s head or shoulders.
allowing them to plan The strike of some larger birds can knock a victim
accordingly. If that isn’t the unconscious.
case, video host Ryan Van
Duzer, a travel video jour- Additional guidance:
nalist, advises workers to • Work in teams of two, with one worker acting as the
consult an avian biologist
to help identify the species spotter while the other ascends the tower.
and develop a site-specific plan before beginning work. • If attacked, take shelter where available. Put your head
Restani recommends workers be familiar with the basics in a covered place or move behind an antenna mount.
of two pieces of federal legislation likely to influence their • B irds may still attack once you have reached the top of
procedure. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of
1940 prohibits workers from ascending towers with eagles’ the tower. Climb with a long object such as an umbrella
nests without a permit. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty or large stick to protect yourself and deflect birds as
Act of 1918, workers can operate on towers with nests “as they approach.
long as they don’t disrupt on purpose the eggs, the young Watch the video at sh-m.ag/2YBbT5o.
or the adults.” The video is the latest in NATE’s “Climber Connection”
series, which promotes safe work practices for communica-
Further, workers should be mindful that state laws may tion tower workers.
be more stringent than federal laws. The association asks climbers and other industry stake-
holders to use the hashtag #ClimberConnection when post-
ing the video on social media platforms.
label states,” the notice states. “The NTSB: 3 more recommendations train and a backhoe near Chester, PA, Photo: Carol Hamilton/iStockphoto
Food and Drug Administration does on ‘Most Wanted’ list have resulting in two worker deaths.
not currently certify the levels of THC been implemented
in CBD products, so there is no federal Washington – The National Transpor- Additionally, the Federal Aviation
oversight to ensure that the labels are tation Safety Board has announced that Administration announced in January
accurate.” three more recommendations from its that it has enhanced its medical moni-
2019-2020 Most Wanted List of Transpor- toring of pilots diagnosed with drug
Employees who claim to use only tation Safety Improvements have been or alcohol dependency, while Walmart
CBD products can test positive for implemented, boosting the total number developed and implemented a fatigue
marijuana and run afoul of DOT’s drug- of recommendations fulfilled to 38. management program after a June 2014
testing regulations. fatal semitrailer crash near Cranbury, NJ.
According to an April 20 press
“[Because] the use of CBD prod- release, the most recent implementa- NTSB points out, however, that none
ucts could lead to a positive drug test tions include changing Amtrak’s train of the agency’s “Focused 46” recom-
result, [DOT]-regulated safety-sensitive dispatcher rules to prohibit potentially mendations has been implemented.
employees should exercise caution distracting activities, such as cellphone These are the recommendations the
when considering whether to use CBD use, while dispatchers are on duty. The agency “believes can and should be
products,” the notice states. recommendation stemmed from an implemented” during the two-year
April 2016 collision between an Amtrak period. The “Most Wanted” list features
Download the policy and compliance 268 total recommendations.
notice at sh-m.ag/3471T4C.
38 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
WHEN IT COMES TO
FR GARMENTS ARE
YOU COVERED?
At Aramark we have brands
like DRIFIRE®, Dickies® FR and
SteelGuard® with di erent fabric
options and protection levels to
choose from.
See if we have the flame resistant garments
that meet your company’s FR protection
coverage profile. With Aramark’s FR rental
program, your garments will be properly
cared for and processed allowing you to
concentrate on the task at hand.
Note: The customer is responsible for determining and selecting the
flame resistant merchandise that is appropriate for the intended use
of the customer and its employees.
Learn more about our FR options at
aramarkuniform.com/fr or call 800-ARAMARK
© 2019 Aramark. All rights reserved. Circle 27 on Reader Service Card
Master of Engineering
Advanced Safety Engineering
& Management
A Safer World Begins With You.
Learn from distinguished faculty at a world-renowned
research university and join fellow safety professionals
representing over 150 national and international companies.
100% Online | Pay In-State Tuition | Finish in as few as 18 months
www.uab.edu/asem | 205-975-3891
Circle 28 on Reader Service Card
Industry Beat
Rail crossing safety for concrete, truck doesn’t fit, don’t commit.” Also, 2018 – an icrease from 449 in 2017 and
garbage and dump truck drivers should leave at least 15 feet 443 in 2016.
drivers: New video available between the front or rear of their vehi-
Washington — A new video from a cles and the closest rail because trains “Our goal with the video is to
rail safety education group is aimed hang over the rails. educate drivers, waste manage-
at helping drivers of concrete, garbage ment companies, municipalities and
and dump trucks safely navigate rail If a vehicle stalls on a track, driv- cement producers about the dangers
crossings. ers should get out even if a train isn’t railroad crossings pose to drivers and
approaching. the importance of educating these
Operation Lifesaver’s three-and-a- employees to save lives,” Operation
half-minute video features instructions If a train is coming, drivers should Lifesaver Executive Director Rachel
on what to do at highway-rail grade run at a 45-degree angle away from Maleh said in a press release. “The
crossings, important signs to look for the tracks and toward the train to increase in 2018 crossing incidents
and what they mean, and what to do if avoid debris. involving heavy trucks underscores
your vehicle stalls on the tracks. the need to reach these audiences and
If no train is in sight, drivers should reduce these preventable incidents.”
“Due to the weight of your vehicle, call the emergency number typically
you should take extra precautions located on a sign near the rail cross- Watch the new video from OL at sh-m.
when approaching and crossing rail- ing’s lights and arms. ag/3aHrMdU.
road tracks to avoid a devastating
crash,” the video says. Preliminary data from the Federal “Industry Beat” is written by Associate Edi-
Railroad Administration, which pro- tors Barry Bottino, Kevin Druley and Alan
The most significant pieces of advice: vided funding for the video, shows Ferguson.
“Do not try to beat a train” and “If your that 506 incidents involving heavy
trucks at rail crossings occurred in
DID YOU MISS OUR FREE WEBINAR
FREE WEBINAR?
The New Normal:
OSHA Reporting & You Restarting After COVID-19
SPONSORED BY THURSDAY, JUNE 4
12:00 p.m. Central/1:00 p.m. Eastern
SPONSORED BY
Watch it now at safetyandhealthmagazine.com Register at safetyandhealthmagazine.com
Circle 29 on Reader Service Card Circle 30 on Reader Service Card
Safety+Health | June 2020 41
safetyandhealthmagazine.com
Portable gas detectors you can count on
MGC Simple & Simple Plus
multi gas detectors that you
never have to charge
Our Family of Products
2 year Multi Gas Clip
multigas
The portable multi gas detector that can run
MGC Simple continuously for two months on one charge
due to advanced infrared sensor technology.
Detects combustible gases (LEL), H2S, CO and O2.
Multi Gas Clip Pump
Compact, light-weight, handheld/wearable multi gas
detector with internal pump draws from 75 ft. & runs
for an average of 52 hours on a single charge. Detects
combustible gases (LEL), H2S, CO and O2.
3 year Single Gas Clip
multigas
Eliminate downtime with our ultra-reliable
MGC Simple portable gas detector. Detects H2S, CO or O2.
Plus
Single Gas Clip Plus
Detects combustible gases (LEL),
hydrogen sulfidaend(Ho2Sx)y,gceanrb(oOn2)monoxide (CO) Hibernate mode offers extended life option
when detector is not in use. Detects H2S or CO.
uTwo/three year run time with no charging
uCalibration not necessary Compatible Docking Stations
uDetect in oxygen deficient or oxygen All-in-one, portable, durable four-bay dock
stations quickly bump test, calibrate & log
enriched environments data for up to four detectors at once
uLEL sensor is immune to sensor poisoning with the push of a button and one
uFails to safe stream of gas saving time and money.
uSimple, one button operation Charge once every six months. Perform 2000+
uLogs data at one second intervals whenever
bump tests with one 116L gas cylinder.
gas is detected, records bump tests & events
u100% Quality control tested Single Gas Clip Dock, Multi Gas Clip Dock,
uFull two/three year warranty MGC Pump Clip Dock & MGC Simple Clip Dock
Call or visit our website for simple cost-effective solutions to your gas detection needs
Gas Clip Technologies • gascliptech.com • +1.972.775.7577 • 1.877.525.0808
Looking for a Simple Solution to Safety & Compliance?
Gas detection has come a long way since the first portable “KEEPING GAS DETECTION
gas detector with a catalytic diffusion sensor was SIMPLE MEANS KEEPING
introduced decades ago. New technology has led to the
development of sophisticated, yet simple to use, gas PEOPLE SAFE”
detectors that can run for their entire lifespan without ever
needing to be charged or calibrated. Gas Clip Technologies’ available for many years, contained two beads and a
continued development and refinement of advanced low- filament which needs to heat up to detect gas. That
power photometric infrared technology for LEL continual heating process uses an enormous amount of
measurement helps save more lives and make compliance energy which quickly consumes the battery power of the
to safety regulations simple. detector. By the end of a shift, and sometimes even before
Keeping gas detection simple means keeping people safe. a shift is over, gas detectors using that technology need to
Gas Clip Technologies is leading the be recharged. The Multi Gas Clip Simple Plus is always
gas detection industry with new
innovations every year that are charged up and ready to perform.
designed to keep things
simple. Recently added to The pellistor/catalytic bead
their family of portable gas combustible gas sensor also
detectors is a maintenance- requires continual calibrations
free multigas detector that because it gradually degrades
provides 3-years of continuous over time due to exposure to
runtime with no charging or typical sensor poisons such as
calibration necessary—the H2S or silicones. The sensor is
Multi Gas Clip Simple Plus. susceptible to breakage when
Finally eliminate the risk of the detector is accidentally
being exposed to hazardous dropped and to bursting when
gases due to a gas detector it is suddenly exposed to a
running out of battery in the high level of gas concentration.
middle of a shift. Hydrogen The sensor could even become
sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide instantly inoperable without
(CO), oxygen (O2), and the user’s knowledge. The
combustible gases (LEL) can all infrared combustible gas sensor
be detected with this simple-to- in Gas Clip Technologies’
use and simple-to-maintain detectors contains no fragile
detector. Just turn it on and filament or bead to get
have worry-free assurance that poisoned, to break or to burst. It
you will be warned of the most fails to safe, so the detector will
common life-threatening gases notify you immediately if the
24/7 for 3 full years. sensor fails at any time during
What makes this ultra-durable operation.
detector able to perform so
well for so long even under The Multi Gas Clip Simple Plus
the harshest of conditions? is the simplest to use and easiest
The Multi Gas Clip Simple Plus to maintain gas detector
uses a low-energy infrared beam available today. It comes with a
of light inside the sensor that detects 3-year warranty and no hidden
combustible gases. This sensor service fees or monthly fees. All
technology has an extremely low drain on detectors are quality tested
the battery, allowing the battery to last for years at a time. twice before they are shipped
Non-infrared (pellistor/catalytic bead) combustible gas ensuring quality and dependability.
sensors, which were the only combustible gas sensors Any necessary warranty work is
handled quickly and efficiently by Gas Clip
Technologies’ certified service technicians at no cost to
the customer. The service department is second to none in
the gas detection industry. Simplify your operations today.
For more information,
visit www.gascliptech.com.
Circle 31 on Reader Service Card
Avoiding
arc flashes
THE INJURIES CAN BE CATASTROPHIC.
EXPERTS SAY THEY’RE PREVENTABLE
By Alan Ferguson, associate editor
Photo: Hugh Hoagland
44 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
In mere seconds, an arc flash incident can wreak havoc Recommended electrical maintenance practices are
and change lives forever. detailed in the NFPA 70B standard.
If they don’t prove fatal, arc flash injuries can result in
severe burns, loss of hearing and/or sight, and concussions, Installation
as well as other medical problems stemming from flying
shrapnel and getting knocked to the ground. “Poorly designed or cheaped-out equipment that just barely
meets the [National Electrical Code] standard,” is another
“Simply put,” OSHA states, “an arc flash is a phenomenon cause of arc flash, said Hugh Hoagland,
where a flashover of electric current leaves its intended path senior partner and co-founder of e-Hazard,
and travels through the air from one conductor to another, an electrical/arc flash training and consult-
or to ground.” The electrical explosion caused by the event ing services company.
can reach temperatures as high as 10,000° F. It also can reg- Hoagland and Domitrovich advocate
ister sound levels as high as 140 to 160 decibels – roughly Hoagland safety by design. Examples of this concept
the equivalent of standing 100 feet from a jet taking off.
include remote racking systems, which let operators install
In 2018, the most recent year for which Bureau of Labor and remove electrical devices while remaining outside the
Statistics data is available, more than 160 deaths resulting flash protection boundary.
from exposure to electricity, as well as 2,000 lost-time inju- NFPA’s 70E standard on electrical safety in the work-
ries and illnesses, were recorded. place – which is the basis of part of OSHA’s electrical stan-
dards and provides guidelines on how to comply with its
Here are some reasons why, as told by experts, arc flash regulations – has charts (Tables 130.7(C)(15)(a) and (b)) on
incidents happen and their advice on how to avoid them. boundary distances depending on the equipment involved.
“OSHA is the ‘shall’ and 70E is the ‘how,’” Domitrovich said.
Maintenance Other examples of safety by design include voltage pres-
Lack of maintenance is a major reason why arc flash inci- ence indicators, visible blades on safety switches and
dents occur. If not properly removed, for instance, dust or arc-quenching switchgear. Domitrovich also noted the
other materials can build up and create a path for electricity use of computers or mobile devices to turn off electrical
to travel. components.
Another issue is look-alike equipment, which the 70E
Corrosion of electrical equipment is another issue, standard defines as equipment “similar in size, shape and
according to Thomas Domitrovich, vice president of techni- construction.” Under the standard, employers must use one
cal sales at power management company Eaton Corp. and of three alerting techniques: safety signs and tags, barri-
member of multiple National Fire Protection Association cades, or an attendant who is “stationed to warn and pro-
standards committees. tect employees.”
“There are many different maintenance items that, if not De-energize
addressed, could result in equipment failure,” Domitrovich Allowing work on energized equipment is another poten-
said. He pointed to OSHA regulations that call for equipment tial contributor to arc flash, said Christopher Coache,
such as pull boxes, junction boxes and fittings to have covers. senior electrical engineer at NFPA. The 70E standard
These regulations also require each outlet box Feature at a Glance
to have “a cover, faceplate or fixture canopy” in
completed installations. These are especially OSHA describes arc flash as “a phenomenon where a flashover of
important in businesses where work activities electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air
generate airborne powders or other fine mate- from one conductor to another, or to ground.” If they don’t prove
Domitrovich rials, including food processing factories. fatal, arc flash injuries can result in severe burns, loss of hearing and/or
“When you remove a circuit breaker, there’ll be a hole sight, and concussions, as well as other medical problems stemming
there where the breaker was,” Domitrovich said. “You need from flying shrapnel and getting knocked to the ground.
to plug all of those holes. So it’s a lot of, you would think,
commonsense stuff that people just don’t do, unfortunately, Key points
because, for whatever reason, they didn’t have the mecha- • Lack of timely maintenance and cleaning of electrical equipment are
nism to block that hole. So they just said, ‘I will get it later.’
And then later never comes.” significant causes of arc flashes. Allowing workers to operate equip-
Water and intrusions from animals into an electrical sys- ment that is in an energized state is another major reason for arc
tem, including rats, snakes and even armadillos, are among flashes, one expert said, adding that arc flash events are “extremely
the other causes of arc flashes. Lack of maintenance can rare when establishing an electrically safe work condition.”
also cause components to falter when an employee tries to • Proper communication, mitigating the effects of look-alike equip-
work on them. ment and remaining aware of dangers can help prevent arc flash
“Sometimes things don’t break until someone starts inter- incidents.
acting with them,” Domitrovich said.
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Safety+Health | June 2020 45
states that equipment operating at 50 volts or more must operations when one member of the team entered a cubicle
remain in “an electrically safe work condition,” meaning he thought was de-energized. Two of three buses were turned
that it’s verified as de-energized, locked out on to power equipment and systems.
and tagged out. If necessary, workers may The worker sprayed a cleaning solution that ignited an
need to ground the equipment temporarily arc flash that left him with substantial burns and a head
for “personnel protection.” injury. He survived, in large part, because he was wearing
“For equipment meeting normal operating AR clothing.
Coache conditions, an arc flash is extremely rare when “Visual and physical indications of power were mislead-
establishing an electrically safe work ing, at best,” the report states. It
also was determined that there was
Most people aren’t fatallycondition,” Coache said.
Domitrovich said financial con- injured directly as a result inconsistent zero energy verifica-
cerns or time pressures may compel tion during the job and no “meeting
of the minds” occurred between the
of an arc-flash incident, butemployers or employees to permit
energized work when, “in reality, rather from burns resulting crew and managers. “This resulted
it could have been performed after from flammable clothing or in uncertainty of zero voltage checks
establishing an electrically safe work- required for each cubicle, no consid-
ing condition.” eration of look-alike equipment (and)
He added: “An event can cost a lot electric shock. inadequate consideration of work-
more than the downtime needed to perform the work.” flow during concurrent tasks,” the report states.
Part of good jobsite communication is making sure all
Wearing proper PPE electrical diagrams are current, said Domitrovich, who
Domitrovich compared electrical protections such as safety compared using old diagrams to relying on a map from the
by design to layers of an onion. The final layer is personal 1800s instead of GPS. Up-to-date drawings are necessary
protective equipment, and the key term is “arc-rated” cloth- for electrical workers to determine what needs to be locked
ing. Table H.2 in the 70E standard provides a “simplified” out and tagged.
system for arc-rated clothing. “Documentation is really critical,” he said. “I’ve been in
“The biggest challenge we have is getting our electrical facilities to do a short circuit study, grabbed the one-line
workers to wear it,” Domitrovich said. “All too often they diagram and it’s 30 years old. Equipment has been moved
had the gloves and shirt (on) but not the pants. They didn’t and relocated. So a lot of that stuff isn’t kept up to date. That
have all of their PPE on. When leveraged, it saves lives.” could help prevent an arc flash event.”
Arc-rated clothing is flame resistant, but not all FR
clothing is arc-rated. A list of which AR clothing is needed, Staying vigilant
depending on the potential incident energy exposure, is Having training and procedures in place can go a long way
available in the 70E standard, along with relevant ASTM to preventing arc flash incidents, Domitrovich said. Part of
and ANSI/ISEA standards for types of clothing. the training, Hoagland noted, should focus on the use of
OSHA’s Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and insulated tools.
Distribution Standard (1910.269) states that employers must “A lot of companies either don’t provide the tools or the
ensure all workers who are exposed to electrical-arc or fire workers just skip the step of going and getting the insulated
hazards don’t wear clothing that could melt onto their skin tool and using an uninsulated tool in an energized state,”
or ignite. Domitrovich said.
This is important, Hoagland said, because most people A key piece of proper procedures is ensuring only quali-
aren’t fatally injured directly as a result of an arc-flash inci- fied employees perform electrical work, Coache said. The
dent, but rather from burns resulting from flammable cloth- 70E standard defines a “qualified person” as someone who
ing or electric shock. has “demonstrated skills and knowledge related to the
“That’s one of the things a lot of people don’t understand,” construction and operation of electrical equipment and
Hoagland said. installations and has received safety training to identify
the hazards and reduce the associated risk.”
Communication Another key point? Don’t work distracted.
Miscommunication between a work crew and managers led “The [mistakes] that I’m most familiar with are the ones
to an incident at the Los Alamos (NM) National Laboratory that happened on a Friday afternoon,” Domitrovich said.
in May 2015. According to a Department of Energy Construc- “‘It’s beer-30, I want to get out of here. This is the last step of
tion Safety Advisory Committee report issued in September the job.’ And your brain goes south at that point. You’re
2016, the crew was conducting maintenance and cleaning thinking about other things.”
46 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
Circle 32 on Reader Service Card
Remote KEEP EMPLOYEES SAFE
support WHILE THEY’RE
WORKING FROM HOME
By Alan Ferguson, associate editor
For many people, kitchen and dining room tables have 26,400 households, supports those results. The most recent Photo: SolStock/iStockphoto
transformed into home workstations during the survey, conducted in 2018, showed that 24% of employees
COVID-19 pandemic. For most, working remotely – performed some or all of their work at home – a percentage
also referred to as telecommuting or teleworking – on a that has remained steady since 2009.
regular basis has been a new experience.
Even under normal circumstances, managing the safety
Results of a survey conducted in March by software com- of remote employees has at least one obvious limitation:
pany Wrike, which sampled 1,000 workers from organizations They’re out of sight.
with at least 200 employees, showed that nearly half (49%) of
the respondents had never worked from home. Another 23% OSHA doesn’t require employers to inspect home offices,
said they had done so only under certain circumstances, such according to a February 2000 directive. Most, if not all,
as during severe weather or while caring for a sick loved one. employers may be reluctant to do so anyway because of
privacy concerns. The agency states in the directive that
Findings from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ American respecting the “privacy of the home” is why such inspec-
Time Use Survey, with an average annual sample size of tions have never been conducted. Exceptions, however, can
48 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
Feature at a Glance
The COVID-19 pandemic has given many people a new perspective
on working from home, also called telecommuting or teleworking.
Because of privacy concerns, safety for remote employees is largely
in their own hands, but employers can provide help in various ways.
Key points
• A signed, written agreement that includes safety checklists, com-
munication policies and educational resources is one such way.
• Results of a survey conducted in March show that around half (49%)
of employees had never worked from home before the pandemic.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that around 24% of employ-
ees in 2018 performed some or all of their work from home.
• OSHA doesn’t inspect home offices, but will inspect “home-based
worksites” under certain circumstances, including reports of fatalities.
be made for “home-based worksites,” such as manufactur- Among the items on the checklist is ensuring electrical
ing operations, under certain circumstances. OSHA notes equipment is “free of recognized hazards that could cause
that it will respond to a complaint or referral only if a vio- physical harm,” including loose fixtures or frayed wires.
lation of one of its standards “threatens physical harm” or Remote employees also must make sure items such as elec-
if any imminent danger exists, including a work-related trical cords and surge protectors are secured under a desk
death. or along a baseboard, and they must arrange any file cabi-
nets and storage closets so they don’t open into a walkway.
This means the onus typically is on remote workers to
manage their own safety. The agreement also includes provisions for reporting and
investigating injuries.
Put it in writing
So, what can employers do to help? For one, setting expecta- “[Safety’s] a huge focus for us,” said Emily Elliott, direc-
tions and requirements in a signed document. tor of the commonwealth’s Department of Human Resource
Management. “Productivity is important, but the conversa-
According to Telework.gov, the federal government’s tion is always about workforce safety.”
Office of Personnel Management requires the use of signed,
written telework agreements per the Telework Enhance- The commonwealth was featured in recent Forbes’ lists of
ment Act of 2010. The agreements include a 34-point safety the top 100 employers for remote work, as was the American
checklist covering ergonomics, fire safety and electrical Heart Association.
safety, among other topics.
Around one-quarter of the association’s workforce was
Safety is the first topic addressed in the Commonwealth fully remote before the pandemic began, according to AHA’s
of Virginia’s telework agreement, and commonwealth Chief Administrative Officer Larry Cannon, who estimated
employees must complete and sign a safety checklist. that another quarter spent at least two days a week outside
of a traditional office.
Cannon said AHA’s remote work policy is intended to be
comprehensive, covering topics such as workstation setup,
ergonomics and eye care. The guidelines are reviewed peri-
odically for safety and relevance.
AHA uses its HeartU learning platform – featuring more
than 125 safety-specific resources – as an added measure
to help employees working remotely. The association also
emphasizes exercise, stretching, mindfulness/resiliency
and stress management techniques.
AHA’s approach to remote work “helps us recruit and
retain the best talent, focusing on work outputs rather
than micromanaging their presence in a brick-and-mortar
office,” Cannon said.
Written acknowledgement of a policy also is impor-
tant to avoid liability or workers’ compensation claims,
according to an April 2017 article published on the Society
safetyandhealthmagazine.com Safety+Health | June 2020 49
Remote workers’ recordables
When is a remote employee’s injury or illness considered
work-related and recordable? According to OSHA regu-
lation 1904.5(b)(7), the injury or illness must be “directly
related to the performance of work rather than to the
general home environment or setting.” For example, if a
remote employee drops a box of work documents on his
or her foot and injures it, the injury is work-related. How-
ever, if an employee trips over a family pet while rushing to
answer a work call, the injury isn’t work-related.
for Human Resource Management’s website. The article
advises employers to review their workers’ comp insurance
to ensure it covers remote employees.
Communication is key ‘You can focus on results and getting work done’
Getting employees involved in formulating telework poli- With the surge in the number of remote workers during the
cies and creating an open dialogue about potential changes COVID-19 pandemic, the Commonwealth of Virginia has
can be mutually beneficial, noted Phyllis Hartman, owner added online classes to assist its employees new to tele-
of PGHR Consulting Inc. and a former HR director in manu- work. Topics include those items on its safety checklist and
facturing with safety management responsibilities. hazards to address in the work area.
“When they’re involved in helping make decisions, they’re Elliott said the commonwealth also focuses on employees’
more likely to follow the practices,” she said. mental well-being. Programs include confidential health
coaching and “Take 10 on Tuesdays,” which offers live relax-
One way employees can communicate issues, even pas- ation methods via social media.
sively, is via computer programs that allow for ergonomics
self-assessment, pointed out Karen Loesing, owner of The “I think the leadership here really does value the balance
Ergonomic Expert, a Los Angeles-area consulting firm. Pro- between work and family, and flexibility,” Elliott said. “I
grams can include questions that may help determine symp- think telework is a means of having that flexibility. I think
toms of an issue or a way to report any problems directly. it’s also just the commitment (for the employee) in knowing
that you can focus on results and getting work done.”
Loesing said some employers may have a consultant on
call if a remote worker needs help with an issue or a more Helpful resources
thorough ergonomic assessment.
Examples of telework policies are available from the
Hartman said employers might ask remote workers to take Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation at
pictures of their workstations as part of their policies. This teleworkva.org. Among the department’s resources are
can serve as one way for organizations to reemphasize the advice on safety and liability policies as well as a safety
importance of safety for those working away from the office. checklist.
An SHRM article published in March advises employers
to check in with remote employees periodically, no matter
how much experience employees have working remotely.
“What gets talked about gets done,” Hartman said. “And
so if you just tell them once, ‘You’ve got to be safe,’ and then
you never ask about it again, it’s easy for them to forget too.
Regularly reminding them or asking makes a difference,
and that’s true in terms of any employee communication.
The key is to communicate consistently and often.”
Another key is educating remote employees about why
they’re required to fill out a checklist or answer questions
about ergonomics.
“What’s important to an employee is that you care about
them,” Hartman said, “and that’s often more important than
anything else. So it’s communicating in a way that empha-
sizes the fact that we want you to be safe.”
50 Safety+Health | June 2020 safetyandhealthmagazine.com
The words you are searching are inside this book. To get more targeted content, please make full-text search by clicking here.
Safety & Health Magazine - June 2020
Discover the best professional documents and content resources in AnyFlip Document Base.
Search