Professional Safety - December 2019

JUANMONINO/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS Environmental Hazards playground risk management program tems under and around playground equipment
Protecting the playground area from to help control exposures associated with (F1951-14). West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM
public playgrounds. The program should International.
sunlight provides a dual benefit. Shading address the following elements:
the playground from the sun provides a ASTM. (2017). Standard consumer safety
cooler play area, reducing the potential for •playground safety policy; performance specification for playground
heat-related illness. It also prevents play- •designation of a playground safety equipment for public use (ASTM F1487-17).
ground equipment from reaching high coordinator; West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International.
temperatures, which could result in burns •documentation;
to the skin. Shading can be provided ei- •safety audit; ASTM. (2018). Standard specification for
ther by the natural landscape or by shades •inspections and maintenance. impact attenuation of surfacing materials
designed by manufacturers to assist in within the use zone of playground equipment
mitigating these sun-related hazards. Playground Safety Resources (ASTM F1292-18). West Conshohocken, PA:
National Recreation and Park Associ- ASTM International.
Older playgrounds may be painted with
lead-based paints. These should be iden- ation sponsors a program through NPSI ASTM. (2019). Standard guide for ASTM
tified and a strategy should be developed that offers the Certified Playground Safety standards on playground surfacing (ASTM
to control lead exposure. Additional in- Inspector (CPSI) course. This is a 3-year F2223-19). West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM
formation can be obtained from the CPSC certification that focuses on the CPSC International.
publication, “CPSC Staff Recommenda- and ASTM guidelines and standards.
tions for Identifying and Controlling Lead CPSC, ADA and ASTM are the primary CDC. (2012). Playground safety: Fact sheet.
Paint on Public Playground Equipment.” reference resources for those seeking in- Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecre
formation or guidance on playgrounds or ationalSafety/Playground-Injuries/playground
A significant amount of older play- playground systems. injuries-factsheet.htm
ground equipment was constructed with
pressure-treated wood that contains chem- Conclusion Consumer Product Safety Commission
icals to reduce damage from insects and Safety professionals can directly or indi- (CPSC). (2009). Injuries and investigated
fungi. A chemical predominantly used in deaths associated with playground equipment,
such applications was chromated copper rectly improve playground safety by having 2001-2008. Retrieved from www.cpsc.gov/
arsenate (CCA), which contains arsenic. a better understanding of playground haz- s3fs-public/pdfs/playground.pdf
Also, CCA wood should not be used as ards and utilize the means and methods to
playground mulch. CPSC (2019) provides protect children from injury while at play. CPSC. (1996). CPSC staff recommendations
additional information on CCA-treated This means taking an active role in report- for identifying and controlling lead paint on
wood in playground equipment. ing unsafe conditions at playgrounds as public playground equipment. Retrieved from
well as working within your organization www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/
Accessibility Requirements to make the necessary program, policy and playgrounds
The Americans with Disabilities Act procedural changes to prevent playground
incidents and injuries. Remember that our CPSC. (2015). Public playground safety
(ADA) specifically states that “each service, children are the future. Safe playgrounds handbook. Retrieved from www.cpsc.gov/
program or activity conducted by a public are where imagination and spontaneity s3fs-public/325.pdf
entity, when viewed in its entirety, be read- rule the moment and where play takes a
ily accessible to and usable by individuals major role in childhood development. PSJ CPSC. (2019). CCA-pressure-treated wood,
with disabilities.” Architectural and Trans- chromated copper arsenate: Guidance for
portation Barriers Compliance Board (also References outdoor wooden structures (CPSC Publication
known as the Access Board) developed No. 270 062011). Retrieved from www.cpsc
play area guidelines that are supplementary ASTM. (2014). Standard specification for .gov/s3fs-public/270_0.pdf
to the ADA Accessibility Guidelines. Based determination of accessibility of surface sys-
on these guidelines, operators/owners National Recreation and Park Association
are obligated to provide individuals with (NRPA). (2019). The dirty dozen: Are they
disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy hiding in your child’s playground? Ashburn,
their respective play areas (U.S. Access VA: Author.
Board, 2019). More specifically, ground
surfaces along accessible routes, clear floor U.S. Access Board. (2019). Guides on recre-
or ground and maneuvering spaces must ation facilities. Retrieved from www.access
comply with the American Society of Test- -board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/recre
ing and Materials (ASTM) F1951, Standard
Specification for Determination of Accessi- ation-facilities/guides
bility to Surface Systems under and around
playground equipment (ASTM, 2014). Christopher H. Kittleson, ARM, CPSI, is director of loss control technical services for Public Risk Un-
derwriters of Florida, where he provides loss control services for public entities in the southeastern Florida
Public Playground region. With more than 21 years of safety and health consulting experience in the public and private sectors,
Risk Management Program he has developed expertise in safety program development, return-to-work programs, regulatory compli-
ance, incident investigation and safety training. Kittleson holds a B.S. in Engineering Technology from St.
Municipalities should consider for- Cloud State University. He is a professional member of ASSP’s South Florida Chapter, which he also served as
malizing playground safety through president, and a member of the Society’s Risk Management/Insurance and Public Sector practice specialties.
the development, implementation and In 2013, he received the ASSP South Florida Chapter Safety Professional of the Year award.
enforcement of a comprehensive public

assp.org DECEMBER 2019 PROFESSIONAL SAFETY PSJ 49

PRODUCT PULSE

Hearing Protection Heat Stress Prevention

Honeywell’s VeriShield 100 series Pyramex introduces its line of equipment designed to
passive earmuff is designed to protect keep the wearer’s body cool and prevent heat stroke:
workers against harmful industrial HPSHADE series hat shade features an oversized
noise while allowing them to maintain brim with a neck shade; CNB series provides addi-
awareness of surroundings on construc- tional cooling; and CNS1 series features a padded
tion or manufacturing sites. Device is neck shade. The line also includes cooling and mois-
reportedly easier to fit than earplugs ture wicking towels, cooling towel wraps, breathable
and suitable for users with sensitive ear skull caps, cooling hard hat pads and cooling vests.
canals. Wide cup opening fits larger www.pyramexsafety.com
ears or workers who wear hearing aids.
Product is designed for use with other Hazard
PPE such as hard hats and face shields. Detection
Memory foam ear cushions and cush-
ioned headband reportedly provide Morphix Technologies’ Sa-
comfortable fit, while large dimension feAir badges are designed to
options fit a range of head sizes. reduce the risk of isocyanate
www.honeywell.com exposure, in industries such
as polyurethane foam man-
Hi-Vis Apparel
ufacturing. Badge clipped
Pyramex’s high-visibility to shirt collar monitors
rain jacket is constructed of for aromatic isocyanates
breathable polyester with to warn user of respi-
polyurethane coating and ratory hazards. User
waterproof seams to keep can also monitor for
moisture out. High-vis- toluene diisocyanate
and methylenediphe-
ibility color and 2-in. nyl diisocyanate leaks
reflective piping around by hanging the badge
near a suspected area.
arms and waist ensures Color change on the
that workers can be easily badge in the shape of
seen. Front-closure zipper an exclamation mark
with metal button storm alerts workers to expo-
sure. Color comparer
flap and attached draw- allows user to interpret
string hood help protect dose levels.
www.morphtec.com
wearer against rain.
www.pyramexsafety.com

Safety Glove Descender

SW Safety Solutions Inc.’s GraphEx The I’D EVAC self-braking descender from Petzl
cut-resistant glove is designed for use in is designed for lowering workers from an anchor.
high-risk industrial settings and reportedly Device features ergonomic handle for comfortable
provides comfort, tactility and durability. descent control and safety gate that allows for rope
Glove features improved abrasion resistance, installation while worker remains attached to the
touchscreen-compatible nitrile coating, and is anchor. Product’s autolock system locks the rope
reportedly ANSI level A4 and A6 cut resistant. without having to manipulate the handle or tie off the
www.swsafety.com device, protecting workers from a fall or malfunction.

https://petzl.com

50 PSJ PROFESSIONAL SAFETY DECEMBER 2019 assp.org

Mobile Sensor Robot

Squishy Robotics has developed a deployable sensor robot to
provide situational awareness and mitigate hazards during
disasters and emergencies. Shaped like a geodesic ball, the

robot can be airdropped from a drone or helicopter to assess
chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive threats
to first responders and the public. Robot is equipped with six
cameras, GPS and various interchangeable chemical, biological

and radiological sensors that deliver data and 360° videos in
situations where human access can be difficult or unsafe.
https://squishy-robotics.com

Heated Stair Cover VOC Detector

The Heat Traction heated step and walkway cover from Safe- The FALCO TAC fixed pho-
guard is an electrically powered pad under an anti-slip cover toionization detector from
that emits heat to provide continuous snow removal and re- ION Science continuously
duce the risk of slips, trips and falls due to snow. Construct-
ed of fiberglass to avoid breakage, cover reportedly reduces detects a range of volatile
the need for shoveling or chemicals such as salt to remove organic compounds (VOCs).
snow and ice. Device is reportedly safe for the environment, According to manufacturer,
and less harmful to animals and landscape than salt. although concentrations of
www.safeguard-technology.com VOCs are often low and ad-
verse symptoms develop slow-
ly, even low concentrations of
VOC vapors are flammable
and considered toxic, and ulti-
mately threaten long-term hu-
man health. To protect workers, device
helps user monitor the presence of and
exposure to VOCs. Multicolored LED
status display reportedly can be seen
from up to 65 ft away in direct sunlight.
Interface features magnetic switches
with LED confirmation, high-contrast
screen with graphical interface and
defined sensor indicators.
www.ionscience-usa.com

Work Boot Leading Edge
Protection
Keen Utility’s Dover work boot provides toe protec-
tion in manufacturing or environments with changing Werner’s R4100 Max Patrol self-retracting
lifeline is designed for leading-edge and
or uneven terrain. A free-floating cord system on boot exte- low-clearance applications. Lightweight,
rior lets wearer lock heel down, grounding the foot to the durable system features modular con-
outsole and providing stability. Carbon fiber asymmet-
rical safety toe is nonmetallic and reportedly weighs struction for easy inspection and service.
15% less than traditional steel. Lightweight boot is According to manufacturer, product min-
waterproof and oil resistant, and rubber out-
sole is slip resistant for safe walking in imizes fall arrest distance to 24 in. when
inclement conditions. used overhead, while allowing freedom
www.keenutility.com of movement. Product features carrying
handle for easy transport, steel carabiner,

galvanized steel cable with polyester
shock pack and polymer housing.
https://wernerco.com

Publication of this material does not imply testing, review or endorsement
by ASSP. To submit a product for this section, send an e-mail to professional
[email protected]. Be sure to include product and contact information, along
with a high-resolution product photo.

assp.org DECEMBER 2019 PROFESSIONAL SAFETY PSJ 51

CONTINUING EDUCATION

DRNADIG/E+/GETTY IMAGES New Orleans, LA

January 24-28
ATSSA’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo
This event features informational sessions, an exposition, micro-sessions, traffic talks,
a gala and networking opportunities. Topics include local road safety, connected and
automated vehicle case studies, successful safety solutions, hazard recognition and pe-
destrian safety. The conference attracts roadway safety professionals, government offi-
cials, business leaders, manufacturers and corporate roadway department personnel.
American Traffic Safety Services Association; (877) 642-4637; www.atssa.com

DECEMBER 2019 Hillside, IL Louisville, KY
Littleton, CO 1/10: Noise in the Construction Industry. 1/16: Arc-Flash Safety for Utilities. e-Haz-
12/20: Fall Protection Train-the-Trainer. Construction Safety Council; (800) 552- ard; (502) 498-7978; www.e-hazard.com.
Safety One International; (800) 485-7669; 7744; www.buildsafe.org.
www.safetyoneinc.com. Bend, OR
San Jose, CA 1/27-1/28: Mid-Oregon Construction
Longwood, FL 1/11-1/13: 2019 Fleet Forward Confer- Safety Summit. Oregon OSHA; (866)
12/20: Temporary Traffic Control Re- ence. Lytx Inc.; (866) 419-5861; www 453-4480; https://osha.oregon.gov/con
fresher. Safety Links Inc.; (800) 768-7036; .lytx.com. ferences.
www.safetylinks.net.
Park Ridge, IL Wesley Chapel, FL
Houston, TX 1/27-1/30: OSH Standards for General
12/26: Qualified Signal Person. North •1/12-1/18 Math Review, CSP and ASP Industry Trainer. OSHA Training Insti-
American Crane Bureau; (800) 654-5640; tute University of South Florida Educa-
www.cranesafe.com. Exam Preparation. ASSP; (847) 699-2929; tion Center; (813) 994-1195; www.usfoti
www.assp.org. center.org.
Online
12/31: Crane Overhead Inspection. Tuscaloosa, AL Orlando, FL
Konecranes Training Institute; (866) 821- 1/13-1/16: Construction Trainer. OSHA 1/27-1/31: Laser Safety Officer With Haz-
4006; www.cranetrainingu.com. Training Institute University of Alabama ard Analysis. Laser Institute of America;
Education Center; (205) 348-6330; http:// (800) 345-2737; www.lia.org.
JANUARY 2020 continuingstudies.ua.edu.
Cincinnati, OH Huntsville, AL
1/7-1/8: OSHA Industry Safety Basics. San Diego, CA 1/27-1/31: System Safety Engineering.
Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, 1/13-1/17: Medical Radiation Safety Of- A-P-T Research Inc.; (256) 327-3373;
Division of Safety and Hygiene; (800) ficer Refresher. Dade Moeller; (509) 946- www.apt-research.com.
644-6838; www.bwc.ohio.gov/employer/ 0410; www.dademoeller.com.
programs/safety. Online
Knoxville, TN 1/27-4/17: Wind Engineering for Build-
Mesquite, TX 1/13-1/17: Process Safety Management ings. American Society of Civil Engi-
1/9: Introduction to Safety and Health Compliance and Compliance Auditing. neers; (619) 239-2400; www.asce.org.
Management. Texas A&M Engineering ABS Consulting; (800) 769-1199; www
Extension Service; (800) 723-3811; www .absconsulting.com/training. Annapolis, MD
.teex.org/prt. 1/28-1/29: Emergency Planning and
Knoxville, TN Community Right-to-Know Act Planning
Baltimore, MD 1/13-3/6: Legal Aspects of Occupational and Reporting Manager. Aarcher Insti-
1/10: Silica Competent Person Train- Safety. OSHA Training Institute Eastern tute of Environmental Training; (410)
the-Trainer. Chesapeake Region Safety Kentucky University Education Center; 897-0037; www.aarcherinstitute.com.
Council; (800) 875-4770; www.chesa (859) 622-8405; www.ceo.eku.edu/osha.
peakesc.org. Cleveland, OH
Online 1/28-1/30: Overhead Crane Inspector.
Events during December, January & 1/14-3/10: CIH Exam Review. Bowen Industrial Training International Inc.;
February EHS Inc.; (866) 264-5852; www.bowen (800) 727-6355; http://iti.com.
ehs.com.
Send event announcements to professionalsafety Online
@assp.org. St. Louis, MO 1/28-1/30: Cause Mapping Root-Cause
1/15-1/18: OSHA Standards Trainer. Analysis. ThinkReliability; (281) 412-
• Current month advertiser OSHA Training Institute Midwest Ed- 7766; www.thinkreliability.com.
• ASSP community ucation Center; (800) 464-6874; http://
ceet.slu.edu.

52 PSJ PROFESSIONAL SAFETY DECEMBER 2019 assp.org

Savannah, GA Cleveland, OH Indianapolis, IN
1/28-1/31: OSH Standards for General 2/13-2/14: Intermediate Rigging. Indus-
Industry. Georgia Tech OSHA Training trial Training International Inc.; (800) •2/24-2/26 2020 Indiana Safety and
Institute Education Center; (404) 894- 727-6355; http://iti.com.
2000; https://pe.gatech.edu/subjects/ Health Conference. ASSP Central Indi-
occupational-safety-health. Hillside, IL ana Chapter; (800) 824-6885; www.in
2/14: Introduction to Incident Investiga- safetyconf.com.
FEBRUARY 2020 tion. Construction Safety Council; (800)
Dallas, TX 552-7744; www.buildsafe.org. Raleigh, NC
2/2-2/6: NRCA Convention and Inter- 2/24-2/27: Industrial Ergonomics Pro-
national Roofing Expo 2020. National Charlotte, NC cess. The Ergonomics Center of North
Roofing Contractors Association; (847) 2/14: Scaffold Competent Person. Caroli- Carolina; (919) 515-2052; www.theergo
299-9070; www.nrca.net. nas AGC; (704) 372-1450; www.cagc.org. nomicscenter.com.

Manama, Bahrain Emmitsburg, MD Atlanta, GA
2/3: The Future of Health, Safety and 2/16-2/21: Demonstrating Your Fire Preven- 2/24-2/28: OSH Standards for General
Well-being in the Workplace. RM OCAID; tion Program’s Worth. National Fire Acade- Industry. Georgia Tech OSHA Training
+44 (0) 333 456 7233; www.rmocaid.com. my; (301) 447-1000; www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa. Institute Education Center; (404) 894-
2000; https://pe.gatech.edu/subjects/
Delhi, India Tucson, AZ occupational-safety-health.
2/3-2/5: CIHA 7th International Industri- 2/17-2/21: Confined Space Rescue Team
al Hygiene Conference. Central Industri- Leader. D2000 Safety; (800) 551-8763; Knoxville, TN
al Hygiene Association; http://ciha.in. www.d2000safety.com. 2/24-2/28: Management of Change, Re-
validating Process Hazard Analyses and
Portland, OR Gonzales, LA Advanced PHA Leader. ABS Consulting;
2/4: Introdution to Incident Investiga- 2/18-2/19: Root-Cause Analyist Level 1: (800) 769-1199; http://abs-group.com/
tion. Northwest Center for Occupational Facilitator. Sologic; (800) 375-0414; www training.
Health and Safety; (800) 326-7568; http:// .sologic.com.
nwcenter.washington.edu. Cincinnati, OH
Destin, FL 2/25: Understanding and Identifying
Mesquite, TX 2/20-2/22: NHCA 44th Annual Confer- Ergonomic Risk Factors. Ohio Bureau of
2/4-2/6: Principles of Ergonomics. Texas ence. National Hearing Conservation Workers’ Compensation, Division of Safe-
A&M Engineering Extension Service; Association; (303) 224-9022; www.hear ty and Hygiene; (800) 644-6838; www.bwc
(800) 723-3811; www.teex.org/prt. ingconservation.org. .ohio.gov/employer/programs/safety.

Bangkok, Thailand Chicago, IL Prior Lake, MN
2/11-2/12: International Association of 2/23-2/28: PowerTest 2020 Electrical
Drilling Contractors Drilling Health, Maintenance and Safety Conference. •2/25 2020 ASSP Northwest Chapter
Safety, Environment and Training Con- International Electrical Testing Associa-
ference. IADC; +31 24 675 2252; www tion; (269) 488-6383; www.powertest.org/ Professional Development Conference.
.iadc.org conference. ASSP Northwest Chapter; (952) 886-
6223; https://northwest.assp.org.
Honolulu, HI Online
2/12-2/14: Update for Construction North Kansas City, MO
Industry Outreach Trainers. OSHA •2/23-2/29 Risk Assessment. ASSP; 2/25-2/27: CSP Exam Preparation. The
Training Center Chabot-Las Positas Builder’s Association; (816) 531-4741;
Community College District; (866) 936- (847) 699-2929; www.assp.org www.buildersassociation.com.
6742; www.osha4you.com.
Online Tuscon, AZ
2/28: HazWOPER Annual Refresher.
•2/23-3/29 Managed Fall Protection. ETC Compliance Solutions; (602) 923-
9673; www.e-t-c.com.
ASSP; (847) 699-2929; www.assp.org.

TOMÁS DEL CORO Las Vegas, NV

February 13-20
SafetyFOCUS 2020
This educational event allows attendees to spend an entire week immersed in a fo-
cused area of safety-related coursework. Attendees can build a personalzed sched-
ule and select from more than 100 courses covering topics such as certification
preparation, safety management systems, risk, fall protection, construction, OSH
hazards, leadership development, human performance, training and communica-
tion, and international safety issues.
ASSP; (847) 699-2929; https://safetyfocus.assp.org

assp.org DECEMBER 2019 PROFESSIONAL SAFETY PSJ 53

VANTAGE POINT

SAFETY IS PLAGUED BY PERCEPTION

By Jason A. Maldonado

If there’s one universal obstacle every safety professional will certainly have to deal with, it’s perception.
To be clear, I’m not stating in the least that this obstacle is the same for everyone. But it’s always there.
Sometimes perception tells workers that we safety professionals care only about the numbers.

Sometimes it tells leadership that we Definition of Culture things working (and don’t get trapped in
are unnecessary overhead. Sometimes it Culture is “the way we do things around the pitfall of thinking that success is get-
declares great achievement when we are ting a better incident rate). I’ll wait.
really just lucky (to be fair, sometimes here.” That’s not my definition. I read it in a
perception says the opposite as well). The book by a colleague and it felt right (Laser, So, What Works?
list could continue forever. 2019). It makes sense when you think about Simplicity is what works. If you want
it. So, let’s theorize a little.
My point is that, like it or not, percep- to change the way people do things, they
tion is the barometer of our success. I Let’s say you take a safety professional have to be willing to talk about why the
believe this to be true regardless of how ac- role at a facility where the way they do current way sucks. Then you have to figure
curate that perception may be. And in my things just sucks. I’m sure that’s familiar out how to get them to fix it. None of us is
experience, it often is not accurate at all. territory for many of us. If your job was the safety savior come again to rescue all
to make a positive change, how would the lost souls. We lose every time we start
Unless . . . you accomplish that? believing we singularly have the power
I hope you didn’t think I was about to bring on change. I don’t claim to have
•New, fancy behavior-based programs? that power either, so I can’t say I have the
to rant about how unfair our work •Awareness campaigns? (Make sure perfect answer to get others to take own-
is. Granted, it’s easy to feel that way you think that over; wallpaper doesn’t ership. But here’s where I would start.
in such a misunderstood profession. usually change anyone’s life.)
However, what I want to drive toward •A zero (fill in the blank) philosophy? •Build trust by doing what you say
in this article is something a bit more •Safety incentives? If working in a you’ll do. That’s an easy concept to
abstract: culture. manner that allows you to keep your understand but consider your commit-
limbs isn’t incentive enough, will a TV ments. Make too many, and you simply
An old friend and colleague (nick- tip that scale? won’t have time to do everything you
named Gunny for his U.S. Marine Corps To be clear I’m not advocating for any promised. Instead, aim for the high-im-
service) sent me a topic suggestion for of that. Criticize if you will, but I wouldn’t pact issues that will eliminate life-al-
my blog and asked me to cover that very expect anyone to follow me blindly. Do tering hazards. Then set your priorities
subject. For the sake of keeping our Air your own research and see if you can based on what you can control.
Force/Marine rivalry alive and well, I’ll find a concrete example of those types of
take the obligatory jab and state for the
record that he should have known better Being bitter doesn’t help my organization. So, I
than to give me such a blank canvas. remind myself, work on the culture and
Back to the point. Since Gunny asked me perception will take care of itself.
to write something about culture, I’ve
been dutifully pondering what makes a
good one. After racking my brain for a
few days, I concluded that I didn’t really
have an answer to that question. That
frustrated me, because I don’t like feel-
ing dumb. So, I pondered some more.
The first thing I had to do was figure out
what culture even means. The term gets
thrown around so much that it has al-
most become laughable.

Vantage Point SVETAZI/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Vantage Point articles in Professional Safety
provide a forum for authors with distinct view-
points to share their ideas and opinions with
ASSP members and the OSH community. The
goal is to encourage and stimulate critical think-
ing, discussion and debate on matters of concern
to the OSH profession. The views and opinions
expressed are strictly those of the author(s) and
are not necessarily endorsed by Professional
Safety, nor should they be considered an expres-
sion of official policy by ASSP.

54 PSJ PROFESSIONAL SAFETY DECEMBER 2019 assp.org

•Don’t get wrapped up in things that environment) to make the best decision I struggle with a lot. I started there be-
don’t matter. Buzzwords and fancy ad possible. I’d even be willing to bet that cause I know that when I’m feeling use-
campaigns might feel good and look pret- decision wasn’t a conscious one. less or undervalued as the safety leader
ty, but before you hit the go button, con- in my organization, I often get bitter. For
sider the value they’ll have for workers. •Help workers through their plans. Tell that reason, this article is as much for me
If you were turning the wrenches, which people what they need to do. Then show as it is for anyone. Being bitter doesn’t
would be more valuable, a shiny poster them. Then ask them to show you. You’ll help my organization (or me for that
or a safety leader who took some time to be surprised how often we don’t commu- matter). So, I remind myself, work on the
work alongside you to eliminate the pain nicate our expectations well. culture (the way you do things) and per-
points (figurative or literal) that make ception will take care of itself. PSJ
your job more difficult than it should be? •Build useful tools. How many forms
does your safety program require? Six? References
•Never assume ill intent for the risky 60? For the love of everything good, I
things you see people do (without good hope it’s not 60. Whatever the number, Laser, T.A. (2019). Organization culture
reason). Coach them through it instead. consider the purpose of each. Is it there killers, deadly expectations 1: How leaders build
Judging the behavior of an individual to cover the company’s legal interests? cultures of success (deadly practices). Katy, TX:
after something undesirable happens is Or is it there to facilitate a worker’s abil- TAL Publishing.
easy. It’s also arrogant. Sure, there are ity to complete a task safely? A quality
some who don’t care and willingly spit tool will do both. This article was originally published by Re-
in the face of safe work. But most are lentless Safety (https://relentlesssafety
honest, hardworking people trying to do Let’s Circle Back .com). Copyright 2019. Reprinted with per-
their jobs. Everyone does stupid things, I started this article talking about per- mission.
no argument there. But before you assign
blame to a worker for their unnecessary ception for good reason. It’s something
unsafe behavior, ask yourself when you
last did something stupid because you Jason A. Maldonado, CSP, SMS, COHC, CRL, has spent more than 15 years in safety and
just didn’t care enough. I’d be willing to health in various roles and industries. While serving in the U.S. Air Force, Maldonado developed
bet you used the information available at a passion for teaching the value of working safely and helping others accomplish that mission.
the time (e.g., experience, instructions, Later, he spent time in heavy civil construction, chemical weapon demilitarization, electrical
transmission and distribution, and manufacturing. He is the author of A Practical Guide to the
Safety Profession: The Relentless Pursuit. Maldonado is a professional member of ASSP’s New
Mexico Chapter, and a member of the Society’s Management Practice Specialty.

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assp.org DECEMBER 2019 PROFESSIONAL SAFETY PSJ 55

BY THE WAY tBEWTTAEYR

KNOW SNOW? VAD_123/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS NOT THE WAY

How well do you know snow? BBC Earth has accumulated I know this job like the back of my hand
••••aLSSSbnnnalioroozgwwwzeafiilsrassndktaoreowgasfrnffielonsaarltuktmeecirnseeasnshrtutoai.lnuvaIgenttodobfraneacbeltsyensicnlaroagebuolpoeskoeusprtiawttsernihtdsioi,ctuwlueepp.,btsetouocca96hu5%isanes.tepraoaclplhepnfeldaokraedi’rsu. st.
n•Tuhmeesrhoaupsesiodfeas reflect and scatter light. Photos by Marisa “Reese” Fortin, Orange County Chapter.
snowflake is determined in part by the air tem- Safety is serious business. But unsafe practices still occur and we hope
•peSrnaotwuraefafercotusnsdouitn.d. Fresh snow absorbs sound waves, while these “Not the Way” images help you recognize and eliminate more
i•cSeocmane reflect them.
monkeys play with snow, making snowballs and steal- hazards in the workplaces you influence.
i•nDgetshpeitme wfrhoamt tehaecchaorttohoenr.s say, noise won’t trigger an avalanche.
Not a Spectator Sport
“What good is the warm NOBEL FOUNDATION Move over heli-skiing, there’s a new wintertime ulti-
of summer, without the mate sport joining bucket lists. Actually, there are a few.
cold of winter to give it Here are some lesser known cold-weather alternatives
for extreme sports enthusiasts.
sweetness.” Snow kayaking: This pastime combines river kayaking
John Steinbeck with sledding. Instead of water flow propelling the craft
forward, gravity does the job.
Skijoring: This sport is like water
skiing on the snow, but with dogs
instead of a boat.
Snow golf: Snow and ice replace
grass on the course, changing the
physics involved. Don’t worry,
snow golf balls come in many colors
instead of white.
Snow-kiting: This is like kite surfing on
snow. Armed with a snowboard and power kite, surfers
fly across the slopes.

STEPHFOURNET/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Take It With a a deicer because AUERIMAGES/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
Grain of Salt it reduces the
amount of salt If you have a photo, cartoon, joke or
To clear dangerous ice from needed and works interesting safety item you’d like to
roadways, cities and munici- in sub-zero tem- submit for publication on this page,
palities across the U.S. spread peratures. To save
tons of rock salt each winter. money, New Jersey send your contribution to
While it’s an effective way to has sprayed pickle [email protected].
make winter driving safer, juice on streets and Submissions will not be returned.
rock salt can have a detrimen- sidewalks to melt
tal impact on the environment snow. Potato juice, Please include original
as well as infrastructure com- a waste product photographer’s name.
ponents, harming wildlife and from producing
aquatic ecosystems and dam- vodka and rum,
aging bridges, roads and buildings. has been used as a deicer in Tennessee.
There may be no need for such measures in
To reduce these negative effects and lower the future, however. Researchers are working on
costs, some municipalities are turning to de- various ways to make surfaces deice themselves,
icing alternatives. Some regions of Wisconsin such as running electric current through steel
spray roads with cheese brine, a waste product fibers reinforcing concrete. Other engineers are
from making cheese. With a lower freezing testing a method that uses paraffin oil to make
point, it’s said to work better than regular concrete. The oil freezes, releasing heat and pre-
brine. Beet juice, a by-product of beet sugar and venting ice and snow from forming.
molasses processing, is used in many states as

56 PSJ PROFESSIONAL SAFETY DECEMBER 2019 assp.org

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I AM A SAFETY
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ANDRÉS SALDAÑA, MPH, CSP
Regional Safety and Health Manager
U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA
Region 5

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