November 2012

BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES: What Great Leaders Do
NOVEMBER 2012
VOL. 81 NO. 11 | www.ohsonline.com
HEAD & FACE PROTECTION:
Picking PPE for Any
Application 12
FLU/HEALTH CARE:
40
Cold and Flu Prevention 40
HAND PROTECTION:
Outfitting Next-Generation
44
4
Workers 4
FALL PROTECTION:
Spotlight on Residential
Construction 51
1112ohs_c1_v2.indd 2
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FROM THE EDITOR
Coming Out
of the Cold
www.ohsonline.com
VOLUME 81 NUMBER 11
EDITORIAL STAFF
A
EDITOR Jerry Laws
Rock Fall (UK) Ltd will send a pair of
ctually, I want to hear from you
if you’re still in the cold – work- them in any size from UK6 to UK12 (equiving offshore, possibly, or at a alent to 6 ½ to 12 ½ in U.S. sizes) to the
cold storage facility or outdoors winner of this modest contest. To enter, just
send me a description of work
during the winter months.
you’re doing now or have
Royal Dutch Shell’s drilling
recently done in a cold envithis year in the deepwater
ronment. Supporting photos
offshore Alaska Arctic got me
are welcome, and I’ll need to
thinking about these tough
know the shoe size you want.
jobs, and then an offer arrived
The deadline for entries is Frifrom a representative of Rock
day, Nov. 30.
Fall (UK) Ltd, a British safety
Then I’ll consult with three
footwear maker. Rock Fall To enter, just send
other editors here, and togethrecently introduced its Alas- me a description
er we’ll choose the most chalka RF001 thermal insulated
of work you’re
lenging (or the most unusual,
boot and offered to let me
doing
now
or
have
perhaps) entry as the winner.
give away one pair of them as
recently done in a I’ll send that person’s informaa prize to a lucky reader.
The boot’s rubber outsoles cold environment – tion along to Clive Astin, my
can withstand temperatures and your shoe size. contact for Rock Fall (UK)
Ltd, who has promised to ship
down to -40° F, and the company states that it surpasses the EN ISO the boots to that individual.
To the winner, they’ll be a warm and pro20345:2004 S3 CI European Safety Standards
and has an SRC Slip Resistant Rating, a com- tective gift to enjoy into the new year, I hope.
posite toe cap, and an anti-penetration composite internal midsole.
JERRY LAWS
[email protected]
PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Ronnie Rittenberry
WEB MANAGING EDITOR Brent Dirks
E-NEWS EDITOR Tyler Thurston
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT TEAM Cindy Horbrook
Jessica Acklen
ART STAFF
ART DIRECTOR Dale Chinn
PRODUCTION STAFF
DIRECTOR, PRINT AND
ONLINE PRODUCTION Jenny Hernandez-Asandas
PRODUCTION MANAGER Teresa Antonio
SALES STAFF
WEST COAST, SOUTH, & CENTRAL Barbara Blake
DISTRICT SALES MANAGER 972-687-6718
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DISTRICT SALES MANAGER 610-436-4372
MID-ATLANTIC DISTRICT Rick Neigher
SALES MANAGER/ 818-597-9029
ONLINE SALES DIRECTOR
SECURITY, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GROUP
PRESIDENT & GROUP PUBLISHER Kevin O’Grady
GROUP CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Margaret Perry
GROUP MARKETING MANAGER Susan May
PRESIDENT & Neal Vitale
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & Richard Vitale
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Michael J. Valenti
VICE PRESIDENT, Christopher M. Coates
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
VICE PRESIDENT, Erik A. Lindgren
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY &
APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
VICE PRESIDENT, David F. Myers
EVENT OPERATIONS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOVEMBER 2012 | Volume 81, Number 11 | www.ohsonline.com
DISTRIBUTOR UPDATE
35
Distributors Help Customers
Streamline Procurement
Organizations need to know exactly when, where, why, and
how items are being purchased — and this is where distributors can play a defining role. by Robert Kravitz
38
The Economy, E-Learning,
and the Bottom Line
While cutting costs in training programs may provide temporary financial relief, there is considerable evidence it can be
a very serious mistake. by Mike Sawchuk
FLU/HEALTH CARE
40
Cold and Flu: A Pound of Prevention
Our best bet is to layer multiple prevention strategies.
If one is less than effective, others can fill the breach.
by Isaac Eliaz
HAND PROTECTION
18
features
44
Meeting the Needs of
Next-Generation Workers
Their needs vary by age and also by personal preferences.
by Laura Proctor
48
Take Charge of Your Chemical-Resistant
Glove Program
A challenging factor is potential risk from several different
chemicals, each of which requires a different glove material
for maximum protection. by David Shutt
ROCO RESCUE
HEAD & FACE PROTECTION/PPE
12
FALL PROTECTION
51
CONFINED SPACES
18
24
Confined Space Rescue:
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
It is still a very dangerous business, and even with our
best efforts, confined space accidents are still occurring.
by Pat Furr
54
Confined Space Entry Past, Present, and
Future: Where Do We Go From Here?
Remember: The safest entry is no entry at all!
by Robert E. Brown, Jr.
ILC DOVER
6
PAPRs: Primary or
Secondary
Protection Options
Several advances are
in operational use. They
improve the safety of
operations and improve
user comfort for increasing
productivity.
by Alan E. George
30
51
DEFIBRILLATORS & CPR
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
30
OSHA Residential
Construction
Regulations
Compliance
Before Dec. 15, conduct
an on-site compliance
check. Confirm that workers elevated 6 feet or more
above the lower level of
a structure have OSHAacceptable forms of fall protection. by Craig Firl
CAPITAL SAFETY
Protecting Workers from the
Neck Up in High-Hazard Areas
Head and face PPE should be rated to meet the rigors of
the specific job application, including hazard type, amount
of coverage required, electrical conductivity, heat rating, and
ease of use when working in combination with other PPE.
by Kate Twist-Rowlinson
Why Trained Responders
Need Regular Practice
Many EMS professionals complete skill refreshers every 90
days to keep their skills current. A hands-on skill session
every 90 days is ideal for workplace lay responders.
by John Jerin
departments
4
10
58
62
64
65
66
From the Editor
Newsline
New Products
Product Spotlights
Classifieds and Literature Library
Advertiser Index
Breakthrough Strategies
by Robert Pater
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_006_008_TOC_v3.indd 6
10/15/12 10:54 AM
OUTERWEAR
Variety One of the broadest selections in the
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liners, beanies, insulated coveralls and bibs.
Not All FR Is Created Equal
SM
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outerwear that lasts for years.
Safety isn’t seasonal—it’s year round. At Workrite,
we make flame-resistant (FR) outerwear that
looks good, feels comfortable and protects
workers in the harshest outdoor environments.
Be protected all year long with our wide selection,
including jackets and fleece in a variety of
fabric weights—each one constructed to be
easily layered for better fit and protection. With
100% inspection at every step of our garment
manufacturing process, we deliver long-lasting,
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© 2012 Workrite Uniform Company
With styles for all seasons, Workrite has built
better FR outerwear for the last 40 years.
Untitled-9 1
Insulated Hoods Fits over hard hats and can
snap onto insulated coveralls, parkas and other
jacket styles.
Combination Pockets Bellowed front and
side-slit pockets on bomber jackets and parkas
provide increased storage and warmth.
No Exposed Metal No exposed metal on the
interior of any garment for worker protection.
800/521-1888 | www
www.workrite.com
workrite com
CIRCLE 28 ON CARD
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOVEMBER 2012 | Volume 81, Number 11 | www.ohsonline.com
www.ohsonline.com
What You May Have Missed in Orlando
Wind Power Showdown
SONGQUAN DENG / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
The looming expiration of the Production
Tax Credit that supports renewable energy has wind energy users and industry
suppliers begging Congress to preserve
it, but that wasn’t the only thing on
agenda of the Washington, D.C.-based
American Wind Energy Association this
fall. AWEA hosted OSHA personnel for
a wind turbine rescue training course
Sept. 11-13 as part of a national alliance between the two
organizations, giving 44 trainees a first-of-its-kind inside look at
the industry, AWEA CEO Denise Bode said.
Highlights of APHA’s 140th Annual Meeting
OH&S editors recap the 2012 National Safety Congress &
Expo and look ahead to the second century of the National
Safety Council.
“Prevention and Wellness Across the Life Span” was the theme
for the American Public Health Association’s 2012 annual
meeting, which closed Oct. 31 after the Public Health Awards
presentation and the Public Health Exposition inside San Francisco’s Moscone Convention Center.
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` Full-time communication comes standard
Visit RiteHite.com/KnowYourRisks to protect your loading dock.
Circle 25 on card.
8
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_006_008_TOC_v3.indd 8
www.ohsonline.com
10/15/12 10:54 AM
Hard to Wear.
Easy to Wear.
Let’s face it...some respirators are as comfortable as
medieval armour. But now, with the new 7000 half mask and
9000 full face series, respiratory protection has never felt
so easy. Unlike others, the 7000/9000 feature lighter weight,
fewer parts, less maintenance, wider field of vision, easier
cartridge attachment, and are completely PVC-Free and free
of metal parts. All this at an economical price. Compliance
just got a whole lot easier.
Sleek, simple, comfortable protection that’s just plain
EASY TO WEAR. To see what the buzz is
all about, visit www.moldex.com
or call (800) 421-0668.
CIRCLE 22 ON CARD.
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NEWSLINE
Awards & Milestones
Employees of Rich Products Corporation’s
Waycross, Ga., manufacturing plant recently celebrated 10 consecutive years without a
lost-time incident. The plant opened Aug.
19, 2002, and the company hosted a luncheon for the associates, about 70 of whom
work at the facility.
CHRIS MONCUS
To mark 10 years without a lost-time incident,
Rich’s hosted its Waycross plant associates at
a lunchtime celebration at the historic Railway
Express At The Depot.
Rich’s is a global food solutions leader
with 33 manufacturing locations on six
continents, including 17 plants in the United States. “Our philosophy is that every day
begins with safety. Safety is a huge priority, and we’re very passionate about it. It’s
ingrained up and down the organization,”
said Rick Maddox, plant manager at Waycross and a nine-year company veteran.
10
1112ohs_010_Newsline_v4.indd 10
ErgoExpo Expanding
The 2012 National Ergonomics Conference and Expo (ErgoExpo), the 18th annual conference in the series, in Las Vegas
(Dec. 4-7) will be larger than the 2011 version, show organizers have announced.
The keynote speakers are Michael Melnik, president of Prevention Plus, speaking
on “Creating Positive Change in the Workplace” Dec. 5; Samantha Greenfield of the
Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston
College addressing how companies act on
research and trends to maximize their multigenerational workforces, Dec. 6; and Peter
Budnick, Ph.D., CPE, president of ErgoWeb®
and past president of the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics, will present “The Next Phase of Growth & Influence
for the Ergonomics Industry” as the Annual
State of the Ergonomics Industry Address.
The expo floor plan and other information are posted at www.ErgoExpo.com. The
organizers announced webinar sponsorships for 2012 were sold out by April and all
major sponsors renewed or expanded their
2012 campaigns.
www.ohsonline.com
ADVISORY BOARD
Joe E. Beck
Professor, Environmental Health Science
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, Ky.
Leo J. DeBobes, MA (OH&S), CSP, CHCM,
CPEA, CSC, EMT
Stony Brook University Medical Center
Stony Brook, NY
Scott Lawson
The Scott Lawson Companies
Concord, N.H.
Angelo Pinheiro, CSP, CRSP, CPEA
Senior HES Professional
Marathon Oil Company
Houston, Texas
William H. Weems, DrPH, CIH
Director, Environmental & Industrial Programs
University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Barry R. Weissman, MBA, REM, CSP,
CHMM, CHS-V, CIPS
Corporate Manager — Health & Safety
Benjamin Moore Paint Co.
Flanders, N.J.
Henry Wright
Vice President & Manager - Risk Control
BB&T Insurance Services Inc.
Charlotte, N.C.
Circle 32 on card.
10/12/12 12:33 PM
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CIRCLE 24 ON CARD
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Untitled-4 1
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HEAD & FACE PROTECTION
Protecting Workers from the
Neck Up in High-Hazard Areas
Head and face PPE should be rated to meet the
rigors of the specific job application, including hazard type, amount of protective coverage
required, electrical conductivity, heat rating,
and ease of use when worn in combination with
other PPE.
BY KATIE TWIST-ROWLINSON
HONEYWELL SAFETY PRODUCTS
the 1.1 million occupational injuries requiring at least
one day away from work in 2008, more than 70,000
were head injuries. More than 60 percent of those occurred to the face and the eyes were by far the most
common part of the face affected, accounting for
27,450 of all face injuries. Workers in manufacturing,
construction, and trade experience the highest number of head and face injuries overall.
OSHA standards require employers to provide
workers with suitable head and face protection wherever potential hazards exist. To effectively prevent
injury, the personal protective equipment must be
suitable for the hazards that are present and be properly fitted. Oftentimes, workers are exposed to myriad
head and face hazards on any given day, necessitating
the use of various forms of PPE within a shift, an hour,
or even at the same time. Eye protection, faceshields,
hard hats, and welding helmets are all available in a
multitude of styles, sizes, and materials to protect
workers in high-hazard environments. This article
looks at the different levels of protective equipment
available and offers guidelines to help keep workers
safe from the neck up.
Vision Protection
P
otential eye and face hazards are found in
nearly every industry. However, some work
environments pose inherently greater risk
to workers’ heads, faces and eyes. Protection
above the neck is especially important in high-hazard work areas such as those involving a significant
amount of flying fragments, metal shavings, sand,
sawdust, chemical splash, or harmful light radiation.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, of
12
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_012_016_twist_v3.indd 12
First and foremost, safety eyewear is a basic necessity in any high-hazard workplace. Because it is a
primary protector, its use is required in conjunction
with all secondary forms of face protection, including
faceshields and welding helmets. In order to comply
with OSHA requirements, employers must provide
eyewear that meets the American National Standards
Institute’s ANSI Z87.1 standard for impact protection,
which was revised in 2010, in part to make selecting
the proper eyewear easier. Formerly organized by protector type, safety eyewear is now organized by typically encountered hazard. Expanded product markings under the revised standard also make it easier to
select the appropriate level of protection.
Prior to selecting safety eyewear, assess the hazards faced by your employees so you can provide
them with the proper PPE they need to do their work
safely. Consider the products best suited for different
applications. Plano eyewear looks like regular glasses
and provides basic impact protection, while wraparound styles afford the user increased coverage and
peripheral protection. Goggles that seal tightly to the
face are ideal for individuals in high-dust environments and for those exposed to hazardous chemicals.
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HEAD & FACE PROTECTION
Keep in mind that high-quality lenses, adjustability features, and modern styling are
factors that can help improve workforce
compliance with safety eyewear.
BLS data show that welders, cutters,
solderers, and braziers experience the second-highest eye injury rate by occupation.
Faceshields are required in occupations such
as these which involve high impact, high
heat (infrared radiation), and/or chemical splash. Look for headgear that is easy to
wear and adjust; workers are most likely to
wear faceshields incorrectly due to poorly
designed headgear or hard hat attachment
systems. Flexible and shaped headbands offer individuals a more customized fit, and
headbands with a ratcheting adjustment
are typically easier to fit than those with
pinlocks. When worn properly, headgear
should sit between half an inch and one inch
above an individual’s eyebrows.
Faceshield visors come in a variety of
shapes, sizes, and materials, and national
safety regulations do not mandate the
amount of coverage required for specific
hazards. Therefore, it is up to the safety
manager to select the appropriate amount
of coverage for the specific application. In
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applications with cutting, grinding, chemical, or similar hazards, look for a faceshield
with an extended, wraparound design to
protect from airborne filings or splashes.
Keep in mind that faceshields alone do
not protect from all impact and chemical
splash hazards; they must be used in combination with safety eyewear or goggles.
Head Protection
In environments where electromagnetic
energy given off by an arc or flame can injure workers’ eyes, a welding helmet may
be required. Such helmets contain a filter
lens with a shade number that indicates the
intensity of light radiation allowed to pass
through a filter lens to one’s eyes. Employers
can choose from two primary types of welding helmets: passive and auto-darkening.
Passive helmets utilize a shaded piece of
glass or polycarbonate that the welder looks
through. Because the filter is so dark, the
welder must remove the helmet to prepare
the weld and then replace the helmet before
welding begins. An auto-darkening filter
automatically darkens when the welding arc
is struck; when it is not activated, the lens is
light enough to see through easily. Because
the welder does not have to continually
raise and lower his welding helmet between
welds, this type of lens allows for greater
productivity and higher-quality welds.
When selecting a welding helmet, reference a shade-selection chart to choose the
specialized lens tint appropriate for the job.
And remember, when welding is underway,
those working within 10 feet of the welding
arc also must be protected.
In addition to selecting the proper
lens shade, it is important also to be sure
the welding helmet is constructed of highquality, durable materials that amply deflect
sparks and reduce the risk of burn-through
for the specific application. High-heat environments and many overhead welding
jobs require a helmet that is made of heavyduty material appropriate to withstand the
high heat, sparks, and spatter that result.
Lesser-quality materials will result in burnthrough and potential serious injury to the
welder’s face, neck, and ears.
In work zones where overhead hazards
exist, OSHA requires the use of hard hats
in compliance with the ANSI Z89.1-2009
standard for head protection. Hard hats labeled ANSI Type I are intended to protect
the user against impact to and penetration
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Untitled-5 1
8/13/12 10:41 AM
HEAD & FACE PROTECTION
of the crown (top of the head) only, while
those labeled ANSI Type II are intended to
protect against both crown and lateral (side
of the head) impact.
In environments where workers may
be exposed to electrical hazards, hard hats
must protect against electrical shocks,
burns, and electrocution. For this reason,
hard hats are also categorized into three
classes to denote their electrical rating.
Class C helmets (conductive) provide no
electrical protection, Class G (general)
helmets are tested at 2,200 volts, and Class
E (electrical) hard hats are tested to with-
stand 20,000 volts. When electrical hazards
exist, also consider the mounting systems
used to attach supplemental face or hearing protection to hard hats, because the attachment system may change the dielectric
rating of the cap. Additionally, never drill
holes into a hard hat because this severely
affects the cap’s dielectric properties.
Combined Protection
Any welding helmet or faceshield used in
conjunction with a hard hat relies on some
form of mounting system that attaches the
face protection to the hard hat. Consid-
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erations for selecting a mounting system
include frequency of use, ease of use, durability, flexibility, and compatibility with
different products. For high-frequency situations, look for attachment systems that are
fully adjustable to fit any style of hard hat
and have a brim tab design that allows the
faceshield or welding helmet to fit securely
onto the hard hat. For long-term secure
situations, look for attachment components
that are pre-installed and permanently fixed
onto the hard hat for ease of use. Because
of the added weight both a faceshield and
welding helmet will add to the hard hat, it
is especially important to make sure you
choose a properly fitting hard hat with a
well-balanced suspension system.
Suspensions typically come in 4-point,
6-point, and 8-point varieties. The greater
number of suspension points, the more
balanced the hat will feel and the more
likely the energy of an impact will be dispersed, potentially resulting in less trauma
to the wearer.
When selecting combined head and
face protection for your workers, look for
a supplier that can help your company
develop and implement a comprehensive
head and face protection program. Free
consultation, hazard analysis, selection criteria development, and OSHA compliance
review are some of the ways a supplier can
help your organization make the best possible PPE buying decision.
By protecting your workers’ heads, faces, and eyes, you protect their most valuable assets – and yours. Head and face PPE
should be rated to meet the rigors of the
specific job application, including hazard
type, amount of protective coverage required, electrical conductivity, heat rating,
and ease of use when worn in combination
with other PPE. By providing workers with
the optimal PPE and encouraging proper
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employers can reduce head and face injuries in the workplace, which also can provide a healthy boost to productivity and the
bottom line.
Katie Twist-Rowlinson is the product
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Welding, Honeywell Safety Products. She
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10/12/12 12:33 PM
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Untitled-2 1
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CONFINED SPACES
Confined Space Rescue:
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
It is still a very dangerous business, and even with our
best efforts, confined space accidents are still occurring.
BY PAT FURR
ROCO RESCUE
P
ermit-required confined spaces are prevalent in a variety of workplaces, be they general industry, the construction industry,
or shipyard work activities. Currently, the
most comprehensive guidance for conducting safe
permit-required confined space entry work activities
is the OSHA General Industry Standard, 1910.146.
This standard does a very good job of spelling out
the employer’s responsibilities for providing a rescue
capability suitable for the conditions of the permitted
confined space.
Although other standards do not provide comprehensive guidance equivalent to that in 1910.146, the
fact remains that the nature of all permit-required
confined spaces presents similar hazards, no matter
what type of work activity is being performed. And
the human body will react to, and suffer the conse-
18
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_018_020_Furr_v4.indd 18
quences of, exposure to those hazards in the same way.
In a nutshell, OSHA 1910.146 requires that the
employer evaluate a prospective rescue service’s ability to respond to a rescue summons in a timely manner considering the hazards identified. One of the
most important aspects of that requirement is “considering the hazards identified.” This is assuming that
the employer has done a thorough and accurate job
of assessing the conditions of the confined spaces at
the workplace.
The requirement that the employer make every
attempt to isolate the confined space from any and
all hazards cannot always be met. If the option of
employing sections (c)(5) Alternate Entry or (d)(7)
Reclassifying Confined Spaces is not feasible, then
all of the requirements for providing timely rescue
must be satisfied. Therefore, if hazards remain in the
confined space or there is a potential for hazards to
develop during entry operations, the employer must
have a viable rescue capability at the ready.
In my years of providing training to employees for
confined space rescue and in the course of consultation visits to various work sites, it is very apparent to
me that the understanding of the OSHA requirements
for permit-required confined space rescue spans the
range from near-total ignorance to a top-notch confined space program that may be seeking information
on the latest and greatest in rescue equipment and/
or procedures. I have seen some very good confined
space rescue programs, some pretty bad programs,
and some downright ugly programs that unfortunately have resulted in catastrophic results.
Non-Entry Rescue
Probably the most common rescue capability that
may effectively provide non-entry rescue is a retrieval
system consisting of a retrieval line, chest or full body
harness, wristlets if appropriate, and a lifting device
or anchor. Keeping in mind that more than half of the
fatalities in multi-fatality confined space incidents are
the would-be rescuers, you always should consider
the non-entry rescue retrieval system before an entry
rescue effort.
The non-entry rescue retrieval system must be
evaluated to ensure that if the need arises, it will function as necessary. There has to be a good understandwww.ohsonline.com
10/12/12 12:34 PM
ROCO RESCUE
ing of the limitations of these types of systems. If there is a potential
for the retrieval line to become fouled in an entanglement hazard
that may create a greater hazard to the entrant(s) than any existing
hazards, then the retrieval system should be ruled out as an option
and an entry rescue capability needs to be employed. Likewise, if
the entrant(s) must move around any corners, elevation changes,
or any other structures that would interfere with the ability to haul
the entrant(s) from the space, then the retrieval system would not
be adequate.
One often-overlooked requirement for retrieval systems is the
need to provide a lifting capability for any vertical entry greater
than five (5) feet in depth. This requires some type of mechanical
device, such as a winch or mechanical advantage rope system, that
provides both a lifting and progress capture that will reliably and
safely handle the anticipated loads.
One of the benefits of considering and evaluating a permitrequired confined space to see whether non-entry rescue retrieval
is a reliable option is that the Confined Space Attendant can very
easily be trained to operate the retrieval system, especially if a preengineered system such as a tripod and winch system is used. By
getting double duty out of the attendant, the employer is able to
save on manpower requirements while still providing the necessary
protections to the entrant(s).
Vetting a Professional Rescue Service
What about the permit-required confined spaces that are not suitable for non-entry rescue retrieval systems? These are the spaces
that may have twists and turns to gain entry or that may have entanglement hazards created by the retrieval line. Or it may be a
space that has multiple entrants, and managing the retrieval lines
www.ohsonline.com
1112ohs_018_020_Furr_v4.indd 19
could in and of itself become a hazard. In these cases, it is of utmost importance that the employer thoroughly understands what a
permit-required confined space entry rescue team must be capable
of as it relates to the types of spaces and hazards at the work site.
There are several ways that an employer can satisfy the need for
entry rescue. It seems the most common approach is for the employer to rely on municipal emergency responders to meet this critical need. For certain industries, an in-house rescue team may make
the best sense. And finally, a third-party professional rescue service
may make the most sense. Whichever of the three options described
is used, it is the employer’s responsibility to thoroughly vet the prospective rescue service in terms of their equipment, manning, training, response time, availability, and willingness to respond.
Non-Mandatory Appendix F to 1910.146, “Rescue Team or
Rescue Service Evaluation Criteria,” provides an excellent guide
for employers who wish to conduct an initial evaluation of a prospective rescue service to see whether it can “talk the talk,” with a
follow-on performance evaluation of the selected rescue service to
ensure it can “walk the walk.”
At some point in the selection and evaluation phase, it is required and highly advisable that the employer provide the selected
rescue service access to all permit spaces from which rescue may
be necessary so the rescue service can develop appropriate rescue
plans and practice rescue operations. Having the rescue service
personnel come to the work site for the purposes of understanding
the types of hazards they may be confronted with, understanding
the configuration of the spaces in terms of types of access, internal configurations, available anchor points, and the possible need
to provide high-angle rope operations subsequent to the confined
space rescue is the best opportunity to complete preparations for a
NOVEMBER 2012 |
Occupational Health & Safety
19
10/12/12 12:35 PM
CONFINED SPACES
potential future confined space entry rescue.
The Confined Space Types Chart accompanying this article
should be used to help ensure that the rescue service can perform in
all of the typical confined space configurations, including particular
limitations to portal size, internal congestion, and elevated portals.
A thorough communication to the rescue service personnel regarding the types of hazards they may be exposed to is critical in
ensuring that the team is properly equipped and trained to use appropriate PPE for their team members and the victim’s protection,
up to and including any Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health
(IDLH) hazards. A common misunderstanding is that permitrequired confined space IDLH hazards are limited to respiratory
hazards only. In fact, the definition of IDLH is expanded from the
1910.134 respiratory IDLH hazard definitions to include any condition that poses an immediate or delayed threat to life, or that would
cause irreversible adverse health effects, or that would interfere with
an individual’s ability to escape unaided from a permit space.
Response Times
As far as response times go, OSHA intentionally did not place a
hard-and-fast response time requirement for a permit-required
confined space rescue service and instead requires that the rescue
service be able to respond to any confined space emergency in a
time appropriate for the types of hazards known or anticipated
during entry. For IDLH hazards it is generally understood that the
rescue service should be standing by the space and have the rescue
systems pre-rigged in order to provide a near immediate rescue re-
sponse. This is also consistent with some of the requirements of
OSHA’s respiratory standard for IDLH hazards.
If the rescue service were required to meet arbitrary response
times, the potential for the rescue service to initiate entry rescue
efforts before ensuring proper safety and performing a “risk vs.
benefit” analysis would be too great. The 1910.146 standard is a
performance-based standard and, therefore, avoids placing specific
requirements on the types of equipment, techniques, and response
times of the rescue service. Instead, the standard expects the employer to use an evaluation system similar to Appendix F to ensure
the rescue service personnel can provide rescue for the various
types of spaces and hazards that they may be summoned to.
To help drive home the point that any employer with permit-required confined space entry operations going on at its facility needs
to ensure a viable rescue capability, just visit any NIOSH FACE report detailing the circumstances of recent confined space incidents.
It is still a very dangerous business, and even with our best efforts,
confined space accidents are still occurring.
The unfortunate reality is that a proficient confined space rescue capability is an ongoing need, and the last thing we want to
hear is that another FACE report was generated when it could have
easily been avoided.
Pat Furr is Roco Rescue’s chief instructor and technical consultant.
The company (www.rocorescue.com) has an international reputation for confined space training, equipment, and stand-by rescue services. It is based in Baton Rouge, La.
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CONFINED SPACES
Confined Space Entry Past, Present, and Future:
Where Do We Go From Here?
Remember: The safest entry is no entry at all!
greater risk because of the work conditions. With that
as a basis for our discussion, let’s proceed.
BY ROBERT E. BROWN, JR.
BW TECHNOLOGIES BY HONEYWELL
Reasons for Entry
The reasons why confined space entry may be required really have not changed much in the past decade. Some of these might include:
■ Product removal: A site’s workers may have
to remove a product from a tank, silo, vault, or similar space for reprocessing, or there may be a need to
change out production to a different product.
■ Spills: Spills or releases may flow to vaults, sewers, catch basins, pits, or similar locations.
■ Maintenance: Confined spaces of all types may
require entry in order to perform repairs, complete inspections (regulatory, post-incident, and/or good engineering practices), provide for new installations, etc.
■ Cleaning: Cleaning may be required for decommissioning of equipment, as a follow-up to product removal or spills, or in preparation for maintenance activities.
Why to Not Enter (In other words,
Why Should We Consider Alternative
Technologies and Approaches)
A confined space has limited or restricted means of entry or exit and is not designed for
continuous employee occupancy.
I
t has been quite a while since I last wrote on this
topic for Occupational Health & Safety. Things
continue to change, so it makes good sense to take
a fresh look.
The purpose of this article is to review the various
reasons that one may have for entering confined spaces, and then to offer a variety of alternative technologies and approaches for avoiding entry in the future.
While it is unlikely all organizations can eliminate the
need for confined space entry, it is very likely many
organizations can at least reduce the frequency of entry. As things continue to change, however, more opportunities are arising.
Definitions
Because I must, let’s begin by reviewing the definition
of a confined space. A confined space is “A space that
is large enough and configured in such a way that an
employee can enter and perform assigned work. It
also has limited or restricted means of entry or exit
(e.g., tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults,
and pits are spaces), and is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.”
The implication of the definition is that entering
into a confined space where hazards are present has
24
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_024_028_Brown_v3.indd 24
Despite the many reasons why confined space entry
may be required, there are overriding reasons why to
not enter. Consider, for example:
■ Chemical exposure: Many entries are into
spaces containing, or formerly containing, hazardous
chemicals. Obviously, work in an area with reduced
natural ventilation increases the potential for exposure through inhalation, and because of the nature of
the space, physical contact may be more likely, as well.
■ Physical hazards: Entry into confined spaces can
subject the entrants to entrapment, engulfment, mechanical hazards, heat, cold, and a host of other hazards.
■ Equipment requirements: Entries require the use
of specialized equipment, including extraction devices
and other rescue equipment. Much of this specialized
equipment is of no use for other workplace activities,
which necessarily adds cost burden to the operations.
■ Personnel requirements: A safely performed
entry will require at least three people, and possibly
more. Other personnel, including those assigned to
rescue services, will necessarily be on standby. The
overall commitment of employee resources for these
activities can be quite significant.
What Are My Alternatives?
So, you ask, if I have tasks to perform and yet have all
of these risks and reasons not to enter, what are my
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10/12/12 12:39 PM
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Untitled-2 1
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CIRCLE 8 ON CARD
9/6/12 12:43 PM
CONFINED SPACES
alternatives? Let’s consider several specialized pieces of equipment
(many of which have been improved), as well as common and notso-common techniques.
Product/material handling equipment: high-power vacuum systems
In order to remove material from a confined space without
entry, one option might be a high-power vacuum system. These
systems can be truck- or trailer-mounted, can achieve air flows of
500 to 7,000 cfm (or more), and are capable of establishing 15 to
30 inches of Hg vacuum. The units can be equipped with suction
lines of up to 8 inches in diameter, allowing for removal of even
large debris, and will move material up to 1,000 feet laterally (less
vertically). They can be operated in wet or dry mode and may be
further equipped with HEPA filtration. Other special options include explosion vents, special interior coatings, internal wash down
systems, swing out cyclone collection, and specially designed dropout collection containers. With a high-power vacuum system, you
can move abrasives, brick, catalysts, cement, chemicals, oil, sludge/
slurries, clay, coke, and virtually any other debris from virtually any
confined space without the need to enter the space.
Specialized cleaning equipment
There are several options available for cleaning without entry,
including:
■ Water jet cleaning. The typical water jet system (also known as
hydro-blasting equipment), depending upon the pump and configuration, can produce a water jet of 1,000 to 100,000 psi (or more) at
volumes of 1 to 100 gpm (or less). This pressure can literally cut steel
26
1112ohs_024_028_Brown_v3.indd 26
or concrete and certainly, with the minimal volumes of water used,
can be a creative cleaning solution. Water jet systems are in extensive
use within a variety of industries, including pharmaceutical, chemical, petroleum, food processing, and transportation. In addition to
“shotgun” cleaning wands, the units can be equipped with lances (for
cleaning long portions of piping) and with cleaning heads that can
operate at variable speeds and can further clean three dimensionally
over 360 degrees of coverage.
Specialized applications include telescoping booms, retractable
units for cleaning railcars or horizontal tanks, and skid-mounted
units for cleaning large-diameter pipes. Water jet systems even can be
included in a new engineering design to automate or semi-automate
the cleaning process.
■ Abrasive blasting. When someone mentions abrasive blasting,
most people think of sandblasting. There are, however, several other
options, the most intriguing being CO2 pellet blasting. The obvious
advantage of CO2 as a cleaning medium is that during the blasting
process the “abrasive material” sublimes, leaving only the residue of
the material previously in the space, now ready for easy removal.
■ Chemical cleaning. A number of companies specialize in
chemical cleaning, using caustic or solvent cleaning materials to
clean vessels, tanks, and other containers. Some of the cleaning materials are “off the shelf,” but experienced companies can develop
customized cleaning solutions, as well. Another chemical cleaning
method is simple neutralization, which can be used quite effectively
with acids and bases.
Circle 23 on card.
10/12/12 12:39 PM
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CIRCLE 20 ON CARD.
Untitled-2 1
©2012 Honeywell International Inc. All rights reserved.
9/11/12 1:05 PM
CONFINED SPACES
Repair Equipment
The increase in the use and availability of specialized robotics has
created a wide variety of opportunities for avoiding entry into confined spaces. Mechanical cutting heads, remote welding capabilities, and guidelines combined with cameras allow for safer methods for repair and maintenance within confined spaces.
Inspection of Equipment
While IR and X-ray inspection or testing methods have been in
use for many years, increased sensitivity and improved methods
are creating rapid advancements in the use of these techniques as
opposed to direct visual inspection. An added bonus, of course, is
that these types of inspection actually yield more accurate results,
allowing for better decision-making.
Another inspection technique that continues to advance is
the use of opto-electronic equipment to inspect ducts, pipelines,
drains, and sewers from 6 inches to 80 inches in diameter. This
equipment allows for inspection of live water and live gas lines,
which eliminates the need for downtime; it is joystick controlled
and resembles a technical version of a modern video game.
Non-Entry by Design
Regardless of whether some of the specialized equipment described above is used or an alternative approach is taken, the best
time to consider the prevention of the need to enter confined spaces is at the design stage. Approaches such as removable agitators,
fixed cleaning systems, oversized inspection plates/windows, and/
28
1112ohs_024_028_Brown_v3.indd 28
or clean-outs (such as bottom take offs) can simplify cleaning, repair, and inspection and eliminate or at least minimize the need for
confined space entry. More options are developed every year.
Safety Considerations
Every modified approach, of course, has the potential to create new
hazards that did not previously exist. High-pressure water blasting introduces the possibility of liquid injection injuries; highpower vacuum systems introduce new sources of physical injury
and noise; solvent cleaning processes may create flammable atmospheres, while other cleaning agents present new chemical hazards;
and CO2 blasting probably will result in oxygen-deficient atmospheres. A process safety review should be performed whenever
changes in approach occur.
Summary
Specialized equipment, changes to procedures, non-entry by design, and customized/creative approaches can eliminate or reduce
the frequency of the need to enter confined spaces. Plan now for
later, and be creative. Just because it has always been done this way
does not mean it must be done this way in the future. Consider the
new safety hazards that may be created, but always remember: The
safest entry is no entry at all!
Robert E. Brown, Jr., CIH, CSP, is the director of EH&S for G&G
Risk Management Consultants, Inc., located in Antioch, Calif. If you
desire further information, he can be reached at 510-860-5491.
Circle 27 on card.
10/12/12 12:39 PM
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Untitled-2 1
9/10/12 1:16 PM
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
PAPRs: Primary or Secondary
Protection Options
Several advances are in operational use. They
improve the safety of operations and improve
user comfort for increased productivity.
BY ALAN E. GEORGE
ILC DOVER
conjunction with containment controls at the point of
emission.
Use of PAPRs as the primary source for protection
of personnel in areas where containment is not a feasible option exists today and will continue to be needed
in the future. Applications of this include processing
equipment that is difficult to contain (a fluid bed processor where the bowl needs to be removed but containment cannot be implemented, for example), during cleaning of the processing equipment, cleaning of
the containment control device after processing, or
when cleaning the entire processing suite itself.
Combining a PAPR with a process that can be contained using alternative particulate containment solutions (i.e., an engineered control) brings significant
safety benefits.
In this combined approach, protection to nanogram levels can be realized with the primary containment controlling the powder emission at the source
and the PAPR providing added protection levels due
to the already lower concentration of potent product
in the processing suite.
Use of Applied Protection Factor Testing
T
Figure 1. This photo shows an example of simulated work exercises.
he use of Powered Air Purifying Respirators
(PAPRs) is a valuable tool for the environmental health & safety aspects of a pharmaceutical manufacturing operation when
working to protect personnel around highly hazardous or potent compounds. There is significant evidence pointing to the benefits of PAPRs as a primary
source of protection, as well as when they are used in
30
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_030_034_George_v2.indd 30
Data from an Applied Protection Factor (APF)
test supports the claims of any specific PAPR design
as a means of protecting personnel in hazardous
environments.
OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.134 (d)(3)(i)(A)
states the following relative to Assigned Protection
Factors for Powered Air Purifying Helmets or Hoods:
“The employer must have evidence provided by the
respirator manufacturer that testing of these respirators
demonstrates performance at a level of protection of
1,000 or greater to receive an APF of 1,000. This level of
performance can best be demonstrated by performing a
WPF or SWPF study or equivalent testing. Absent such
testing, all other PAPRs and SARs with helmets/hoods
are to be treated as loose-fitting facepiece respirators,
and receive an APF of 25.”
Simulated Workplace Protection Factor studies
(SWPF) are required for the PAPR manufacturer to
state an APF of 1,000, the highest protection factor
that may be claimed per the OSHA requirements.
Testing conducted using an SWPF protocol provides
verification of the published safety levels by using a
series of exercises, performed within a chamber containing a challenge such as a corn oil aerosol, which
simulates the various operations one may encounter
in the workplace.
The study also quantifies fit factor performance
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Untitled-7 1
9/13/12 2:25 PM
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Voice of the Customer input is a critical
factor in supporting the improving
design of these systems.
using a panel of subjects with facial sizes derived using the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) evaluation criteria currently in
use by NIOSH for respirator certification. This test is performed
to ensure a respirator will protect as expected while maintaining
proper fit across the broad range of 5th percentile female to 95th
percentile male.
Ergonomic and Design Details
Are Key Factors in PAPR Selection
The design of PAPRs continues to evolve. Voice of the Customer
(VOC) input is a critical factor in supporting the improving design
of these systems. Historically, such comments have been expressed
as user discomfort from prolonged wear of a hood with a headband, loss of visibility when a hood is not secured adequately, having to touch a filter element to change out the filter after it has been
contaminated, separate batteries and battery cables being snagged,
issues with the decon-ability of belts, and NiCad batteries losing
memory over time.
Systems on the market today are moving to integrated batteries to replace tethered designs, filter elements where the media is
encased in a cartridge, non-slip belts and back harnesses that move
the weight off of the user’s waist, decon-able materials for these
Figure 2. Panoramic hood design supports a wide field of view, including
upward visibility.
belts and back harnesses, and panoramic hoods that secure at the
operator’s coveralls. These advances are in operational use. They
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Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_030_034_George_v2.indd 32
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Untitled-7 1
5/10/12 2:46 PM
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
There are applications today where even lower protection
levels are being achieved by combining containment
with the use of PAPRs.
improve the safety of operations, as when
operating a forklift as shown in figure 2,
and improve user comfort for increased
productivity.
Combined Technologies Drive
Protection Levels Even Lower
One analogy that has been used in industry
presentations references the use of part of a
grain of sugar in a fixed volume. To demonstrate what a containment level of 1 μg/
m3 would be like, the subject matter expert
giving the presentation asked the audience
to visualize taking a grain of sugar that is
3 milligrams in size, cutting that one grain
into three pieces, dividing one of those three
pieces of sugar into 1,000 parts, and then
placing one of those 1,000 particles in a box
that is 1 meter by 1 meter by 1 meter in size.
He then offered that this would be the equivalent of containing a process to 1 μg/m3.
There are applications today where even
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1112ohs_030_034_George_v2.indd 34
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lower protection levels are being achieved
by combining containment with the use
of PAPRs. As an example, one Contract
Manufacturing Organization (CMO) that
is handling highly potent compounds has
established a combination of highly specialized facilities and controls as a part of its
processing operating procedures. As part of
the overall corporate safety program, this
organization has chosen to integrate flexible containment solutions and PAPRs in
its day-to-day operations. Wet granulation,
dry granulation, oven drying, fluid bed
drying, milling, blending, encapsulation,
tableting, and de-dusting are all examples
of manufacturing processes in which this
CMO has integrated containment and respiratory protection technologies.
Whether as a stand-alone respiratory
protection system or as secondary protection when combined with a proven
engineering control, PAPRs continue to
support highly hazardous manufacturing
operations in dedicated and multi-purpose
facilities.
Alan E. George (alan.george@ilcdover.
com) is PPE specialist with ILC Dover of
Frederica, Del.
www.ohsonline.com
10/12/12 12:41 PM
DISTRIBUTOR UPDATE
Distributors Help Customers
Streamline Procurement
Organizations need to know exactly when,
where, why, and how items are being purchased — and this is where distributors can
play a defining role.
BY ROBERT KRAVITZ
W
hile the economic downturn has certainly caused considerable pain for millions of people and scores of businesses
throughout the United States, it has also
had its benefits. For one, many businesses and other
organizations have learned how to streamline their
operations, which invariably leads to reduced operating costs and enhanced productivity.
This can apply to many aspects of business operations. For instance, many employers recently reported
they have not been hiring new workers because, quite
simply, they have found they do not need them. Making some personnel and structural changes in their
operations has allowed them to operate their businesses more efficiently and productively without the
need for additional staff.
Another way organizations have been able to improve efficiencies involves streamlining purchasing
and procurement. However, in many situations, organizations simply may not know exactly how to go
about this or about technologies now available to help
them accomplish these ends. Because of this, streamlining procurement and enjoying the cost savings that
can result has not always occurred. In fact, procurement managers are not always sure exactly what they
are purchasing, in what quantities, from whom, or
even when. Frequently this results in unnecessary or
redundant purchases. Further, because total product
purchasing information has not always been available,
some organizations fail to take advantage of special
manufacturer or distributor discounts.
For example, a multi-office, Chicago-based
health care organization found its various locations
were purchasing identical products from different
vendors. Those items very often were named, listed,
or categorized differently on master purchasing orders. Over time, it became difficult to keep track of
how many items were being ordered or purchased.
Worse, there was no effort made to see whether comparable products at a lower price could be substituted for the items purchased.
Once the organization became aware of the problem, the accounts payable department was tasked
www.ohsonline.com
1112ohs_035_036_Kravitz_v2.indd 35
with clearing up the confusion and correctly identifying and categorizing each item. This was a time-consuming, costly process that caused many invoices to
be paid by hand instead of electronically, resulting in
frequent delayed payments. Not only were opportunities for early pay discounts missed, but in some cases,
interest charges were added to old invoices due to late
payments, further adding to costs.
“We have found that, in essence, these
systems can provide answers where
many managers are still struggling with
the questions.”
— Michael Wilson, marketing director for AFFLINK
EDI: Automating the Purchasing Process
The Internet has helped many organizations better
manage their procurement and purchasing processes.
Numerous organizations have been able to take advantage of what are often referred to as electrical data
interchange, or EDI, systems.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology in 1996 defined
EDI as a “computer-to-computer interchange of formatted messages” designed to work automatically
without human intervention, thereby reducing costs.
When using them to make purchases, organizations
can set up EDI networks with various vendors, making it possible to send purchase orders either at the
request of a purchasing agent or automatically (usually after a specific time period).
However, while this was an improvement over old
manual purchasing processes, many businesses and
organizations found these systems still lacking. In
some cases, corresponding purchase order acknowledgments were sporadic, requiring purchasing agents
to follow up and confirm orders by telephone. Followup was also sometimes necessary to confirm when the
product would be shipped. Because of this, one of the
potential benefits of EDI — eliminating human intervention — was not fully implemented, resulting in
little, if any, cost savings.
As we will discuss later, EDI systems are simply
designed to facilitate orders. They do not help procurement managers shop, looking to see whether
a comparable product by another vendor (or even
the same vendor) will meet the facility’s needs but
have other benefits such as a lower cost or being
NOVEMBER 2012 |
Occupational Health & Safety
35
10/15/12 11:14 AM
DISTRIBUTOR UPDATE
AFFLINK
green or more sustainable.
Turning to Analytical Tools and
Processes
Some of the logistical problems surrounding EDI systems have been or are being resolved. Still, organizations need better ways
to harness purchasing and procurement
information so they know exactly when,
where, why, and how items are being purchased — and this is where distributors can
play a defining role.
One way this can be done is for distributors to use analytical or diagnostic
tools, said Michael Wilson, marketing
director for AFFLINK, a leader in supply
chain management for more than 35 years.
“These systems are essentially a process,” he
said. “They allow managers and distributors to combine consultative selling with
leading-edge technology. [They are] specifically developed to address the operations,
management, and procurement needs of
organizations in such diverse industries as
food service, health care, manufacturing,
real estate/building management, government, and education.”
Putting these analytical tools to work,
he explained, managers working with their
distributors can:
■ Uncover new opportunities to improve the overall health of their facilities by
selecting more environmentally preferable
and sustainable products
■ Lower business operating costs
36
■ Increase worker productivity and
morale
■ Meet sustainability and green objectives
“We have found that, in essence, these
systems can provide answers where many
managers are still struggling with the questions,” he said. “The process is able to analyze vast quantities of information and then
turn it into useful insight.”
Using one of these analytical tools typically involves the following steps:
■ Discovery. This is the “consultative
selling” step referenced earlier that includes gathering all purchasing information and entering it into a hand-held system. Each purchased item is identified as to
type (chemical, paper product, hand soap,
etc.); given an identification number; and
labeled with its cost per unit, amount purchased, and other details.
■ Needs Analysis and Solution Selection. With all purchasing data entered, the
system allows the user to select alternative
products where preferable or necessary. For
instance, the system might suggest swapping a conventional cleaning product for
one that is environmentally preferable. This
corrects the big drawback of conventional
EDI systems.
■ Procurement Analysis. The system
then recommends ways to make the purchasing and ordering process more efficient,
identifying potential inefficiencies and areas
of waste in the supply chain process.
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_035_036_Kravitz_v2.indd 36
Labor represents 70 percent
or more of an organization’s
facility maintenance budget.
■ Workloading. Labor represents 70
percent or more of an organization’s facility
maintenance budget. These systems can be
used to take a “snapshot” of current labor
deployment and identify opportunities for
efficiency in these areas, as well.
“The goal with these systems is to interpret vast amounts of data quickly and
to turn that information into insight,”
Wilson said. “Then managers and distributors can make logical, rational, and
fact-based purchasing and business operating decisions.”
The system also is designed to offer
clarity and perspective to purchasing and
procurement at a level that has not been
possible in the past for many organizations, which leads to streamlining purchasing and procurement and reducing related
costs, he said.
Cleansing Data
Many consultants refer to what the economic downturn forced upon many organizations — rooting out the inefficiencies in their operations, streamlining
operations and, at the same time, reducing
operating costs — as a “cleansing” of the
organizations. A similar cleansing can occur when it comes to using processes and
tools that make purchasing and procurement practices more efficient. Duplicate
entries, redundant purchases, and inaccurate product data can be eliminated. The
company can take advantage of lucrative
supplier discounts and avoid costly latepayment charges.
This process can help to minimize the
amount of time and labor needed for accounts payable departments to process
vendor invoices. Of significant importance,
it helps managers compare products, looking for those that can have additional benefits beyond those of products purchased in
the past.
Robert Kravitz is a former building service
contractor and now a writer for the professional cleaning, building, distribution, and
related industries.
www.ohsonline.com
10/15/12 11:14 AM
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Untitled-1 1
10/2/12 10:51 AM
DISTRIBUTOR UPDATE
E-Learning and the Bottom Line
BY MIKE SAWCHUK
W
hile the economic downturn has certainly caused considerable pain for
millions of people and scores of businesses throughout the United States, it
also has had surprising benefits. In an effort to trim
costs, many businesses and other organizations have
learned how to streamline their business operations,
learning how to function profitably while also reducing operating costs.
However, streamlining must be done carefully
and selectively. Some distributorships and other organizations have made serious cutbacks in areas such
as training and education, only to find this can have
negative impacts for the company, both in the short
term and for the future.
According to Stephen Burnett, associate dean of
Executive Education with the Kellogg School of Management, it is often learning and business education
that suffers the most when companies experience
tough times. “Worse, when companies are most unsure [about economic directions] and stop investing
in management training, it simply makes the situation
worse,” Burnett added.
His comments are supported by Kim TaylorThompson, a New York University professor of law
and chief executive with Duke Corporate Education,
a leading developer of corporate, sales, and executive
training programs. She believes that, instead of being eliminated, training programs should be in even
greater demand when businesses encounter tough
economic times.
“If the learning is enabling [your staff ] to develop
new capabilities, then it has value,” she said. “If the
learning can help your people develop the capabilities
they need to change their mind-set and create opportunities that might not otherwise have happened, than
it has value for them and their company.”
Seeing Education in a Different Light
Unfortunately, for many businesses (including distributorships), training and education programs
are invariably the first things to get “the ax” during
prolonged economic downturns and/or times of financial uncertainty.
This was even borne out in a study conducted
by a British nonprofit organization called Common
Purpose just as the world economy began to falter in
2008. The study questioned 937 training and development professionals at scores of global companies
about whether their organizations were planning to
cut, increase, or simply maintain their current training budgets. They found that nearly half of the respondents were anticipating training and education budget
cuts beginning in 2008 and extending into 2009.
38
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_038_039_Sawchuk_v5.indd 38
While cutting costs in training programs may provide temporary financial relief, as mentioned above,
there is considerable evidence that over the long term,
it can be a very serious mistake. The Common Purpose
study found that more than half of their respondents
stated that “the short-term benefits of training cuts will
have long-term negative consequences.” Giving this
even greater impact, fully 97 percent of those surveyed
said this conclusion was based on their own previous
experiences during past economic downturns.
However, in those organizations where education
and training programs were maintained or even increased, studies indicate that once economic conditions improve, the better-educated and better-trained
workers were invariably more able to take advantage
of the improving sales environment. The studies indicated the educated workers typically had much higher
morale, greater productivity, and felt they had the
support of their companies — all as a result of training programs.
So why do companies cut back on training programs when times are tough? There is no one answer
to this question for all organizations. But for many
companies, including distributorships, the decision almost always has to do with the attitude these organizations have regarding education and training programs,
especially for their sales people. Many companies view
such programs as little more than an expense. And
when a distributor or operations manager views something as an expense, he or she usually looks for ways to
eliminate or reduce that expense. This is true in both
financially difficult and profitable times.
When decision-makers view education and training as an investment, however, they see it in an entirely
different light. Why? Because like money in a savings
account, an investment has what can be called a “positive income result.” In other words, putting money into
something now makes more income or growth possible in the future. This is what can occur as a result of
investing in education and training programs.
An Inexpensive Way to Learn
While education and training programs should not be
defined as an expense, it cannot be denied that such
programs can be costly. However, one way distributors
can keep these costs down and still provide an investment in quality education and training programs for
their staff is through e-learning programs specifically
designed for their industries.
E-learning is a very broad term addressing just
about any type of learning program that is computer-based. This type of education is not new and was
actually founded on mail-based education called “correspondence courses” or “distance learning” that date
www.ohsonline.com
10/15/12 10:56 AM
all the way back to the late 1800s. These
education systems became popular as mail
delivery grew more dependable in North
America and parts of Europe. They made
it possible for people to receive training
and education even though they could not
afford schooling, did not have the time to
attend, or did not live near conventional
brick-and-mortar schools.
E-learning programs also have evolved
significantly over the years. At one time,
such programs were costly and were typically delivered on disks or similar media
mailed to the participant. Today, some of
the more effective e-learning programs are
surprisingly cost-effective and can be delivered over the Internet. Very often, they also
offer a degree of interactivity and include
not only text, but also animation, graphics,
and online tests. They also may include interaction and collaboration with other participants taking the same course.
A good example of this is the e-learning
courses we developed for janitorial distributors. It consists of more than 175 training
modules broken into 75 courses in five key
areas, covering such topics as:
■ Facility cleaning challenges and solutions
■ Advantages, features, and benefits of
various cleaning products
■ Territory management
■ Green cleaning
■ Sanitizing, disinfecting, and decontamination training
Because such courses can be so costeffective, e-learning can help take the
expense out of education so that distributors and other organizations can view it
as it should be: as an investment. This is
especially true during difficult economic
times. Developing sales skills and other
knowledge can help workers maximize
their performance and reach their full potential once the economy rebounds. There
is another benefit to employee education,
as well. Employee loyalty often improves
when companies invest in their staff. This
can turn out to be one of the most significant dividends of a corporate training and
education program.
Mike Sawchuk has been involved with the
green and professional cleaning industries for
more than 20 years. He is vice president and
general manager of Enviro-Solutions, a leading manufacturer of proven-Green cleaning
chemicals based in Ontario, Canada.
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1112ohs_038_039_Sawchuk_v5.indd 39
10/15/12 10:56 AM
FLU/HEALTH CARE
Cold and Flu: A Pound of Prevention
Our best bet is to layer multiple
preventive strategies.
BY ISAAC ELIAZ
E
very year, cold and flu viruses strike with a
vengeance. Children stay home from school,
colleagues drop like dominoes, pain and misery ensues. While flu shots are available, they
don’t always target the precise strain of the virus that’s
being transmitted. And with colds, we’re pretty much
on our own.
To make matters worse, we aren’t very good at
gauging our own health, often thinking we’re on the
mend when we actually need more rest. This is complicated by the constant need to feel productive. The
viral misery is compounded by mental images of work
piling up in our absence, requiring urgent attention.
We endure the fatigue and discomfort and drag ourselves to work. As a result, we don’t heal properly and
risk spreading the virus to friends and co-workers.
Does it have to be this way? While no prevention
strategy is perfect, there are many measures we can
take to boost our immunity and stop, or at least minimize, cold and flu. It just takes a little planning.
Flu Shot?
One common preventive strategy is the flu vaccine,
which can be helpful in some cases but also has a
number of shortcomings. Remember, vaccines work
by priming our acquired immunity to immediately
recognize a specific virus and kill it. But, as noted,
sometimes researchers guess wrong and create a vaccine for a less prevalent strain, limiting its effectiveness. Also, vaccines are predicated on a healthy immune system. For those who are elderly, very young,
or may have a condition that compromises their immunity, the shot’s effectiveness may be dramatically
reduced. Furthermore, some studies on children have
suggested that, while flu shots can boost immunity
against a specific strain of flu virus, they can weaken
immune responses to other viruses, making children
more susceptible to other illnesses.
Other flu shot considerations include side effects,
such as fatigue and sore muscles, and the presence of
mercury, sometimes used as preservative. If you do
choose to get a flu shot, be sure to confirm with your
doctor that it’s a mercury-free vaccine.
Ultimately, each individual has to make his or her
own decision. But the most important thing to remember is that the flu shot is not fail-safe. Our best
bet is to layer multiple preventive strategies. If one is
less than effective, others can fill the breach.
Risk Awareness
Often we don’t think about getting a cold or flu until
40
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_040_042_Eliaz_v3.indd 40
we’re actually sick. One of the primary steps in preventing disease is being mindful of the risks. The first
rule is to follow common-sense precautions. Frequent
hand washing is a must, denying viruses a foothold. If
someone in your office has shown poor judgment —
and we’ve all done it at some point — and come back
to work before total recovery, do your best to keep
your distance. You may even gently encourage him
to spend a little more time in bed, and you might be
thanked for the free pass.
With or without a flu shot, it’s always important to
be aware of our immune system. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to enhance immunity. For example, drinking plenty of fresh water helps in a number of ways —
flushing out viruses and bacteria, boosting immune
circulation, and increasing communication between
immune cells. Regular exercise also has been shown
to enhance immunity. We also can build immunity by
simply doing something we love, like enjoying time
with our families and friends or doing a cherished activity. Happiness and laughter are specifically shown
to offer a significant boost. Conversely, stress can
dramatically weaken the immune system and is a risk
factor for long-term illness, as shown in numerous
published studies. Find healthy ways to reduce stress,
such as exercise, deep breathing, meditation, and doing things that bring you happiness and satisfaction.
As always, eating healthy foods is a must, but especially for a strong immune system. Again, our busy
lifestyles can make it difficult to prepare nutritious
meals, but a little planning can go a long way. An unprocessed food diet rich in lean protein, whole grains,
fruits, and vegetables will provide an abundance of
phytonutrients and antioxidants, and it can do much
to support the immune system. In particular, cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale,
are metabolized by the body into a compound called
DIM, which provides powerful immune and overall
health support.
Supplementing Immunity
There are many natural supplements that boost immunity while providing other health benefits, as well.
A popular example is vitamin C, an immunity booster
as well as an antioxidant. Another good supplement
is vitamin D, which also supports the immune system and has been shown to have antiviral properties,
among other benefits.
There is probably no more important mineral to
the immune system than zinc. Whether it’s the innate
immunity (the first line of defense against pathogens)
or the acquired immunity (the antibodies that recognize invaders and destroy them), zinc is an essential
component. Zinc deficiency has been shown to dewww.ohsonline.com
10/12/12 12:42 PM
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press the immune system, making us more
susceptible to infection. On the other hand,
supplementing with zinc has been proven to
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Vitamins, such as C and D, and minerals, like zinc, are commonplace and easy
to find at the local grocery. However, there
are other, more sophisticated approaches to
immune health that can really pay off when
cold and flu season rolls around. Medicinal
mushrooms in particular are a remarkable
resource. These helpful fungi are actually
immune system coaches, “teaching” it how
to better respond to harmful invaders.
One natural ingredient that is often
overlooked is Modified Citrus Pectin
(MCP). For centuries, citrus peels have
been known to provide health benefits. The
problem has been that the molecules in the
active ingredient are too big for the body
to absorb them effectively. As a result, they
provided only limited benefits. However,
newer approaches have allowed us to break
down these molecules into smaller components, allowing them to be easily absorbed
into circulation. The result is the powerful
therapeutic agent MCP.
MCP provides numerous health benefits. Recent studies have shown that it limits
cancer invasiveness and reduces inflammation. In addition, it’s a potent detoxifying
agent. But for our purposes, MCP also has
been shown to dramatically boost immune
function by activating and enhancing a
variety of components, such as B, T, and
Natural Killer cells.
If You Get Sick
Perhaps the best recommendation is the
one you least want to take: stay home and
rest. While it’s difficult to just sit back and
fall out of your busy routine, getting enough
quality rest really is the fast track to recovery. If you return to work while you are still
sick, not only will you be less productive
and delay your recovery, but also you will
also put others at risk, setting the dominoes
in motion. The good news is that, by taking
the right preventative measures and boosting your immunity with diet, supplements,
and healthy lifestyle habits, you can largely
avoid getting sick in the first place.
Isaac Eliaz, M.D., MS, L.Ac., is the medical
director of the Amitabha Medical Clinic &
Healing Center (www.amitabhaclinic.com)
in Sebastopol, Calif. Visit www.DrEliaz.org
for information about his work.
The Three Rib helmet design is a trademark of E.D. Bullard Company used under license
Circle 11 on card.
1112ohs_040_042_Eliaz_v3.indd 42
10/12/12 12:42 PM
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CIRCLE 16 ON CARD
For further information, call 1-800-248-7190
To experience GrittyFOAM, visit us at www.grittyfoam.com
*Survey, Deb Group, August 2012
Untitled-2 1
9/6/12 1:34 PM
HAND PROTECTION
Meeting the Needs of
Next-Generation Workers
Their needs vary by age and also
by personal preferences.
Protection
BY LAURA PROCTOR
ANSELL PROTECTIVE PRODUCTS INC.
Plant workers are producing more than ever. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reported American
manufacturing output was 16 percent higher in 2010
than a decade earlier, despite the Great Recession and
the fact that some manufacturing industries virtually
disappeared. When this statistic is combined with the
sharp drop in employment, BEA’s numbers imply that
manufacturing productivity rose an astonishing 74
percent between 2000 and 2010, according to a recent
article in Washington Monthly.
With productivity expectations likely to continue to
grow, workers of all ages must be able to perform their
jobs as safely, quickly, and accurately as possible. Their
performance hinges, in part, on having the right gloves
and the appropriate level of protection for their jobs.
Employee protection and confidence are closely
linked to productivity, with companies incurring major costs — and significant productivity losses — when
workers suffer injuries. Even minor wounds will require workers to leave the line and visit the company
nurse for treatment. Companies that adequately protect
workers from cuts, burns, punctures, and other types
of injuries decrease their medical and indemnity costs.
They also boost worker confidence and productivity.
Comfort
Workers of all ages must be able to perform their jobs as safely, quickly, and accurately as
possible to meet increasing productivity expectations.
W
hen we consider the next generation
of plant workers, we typically think of
younger workers who may be relatively
new to the job market. But according
to The Center for Aging and Work at Boston College,
the next generation of workers will likely combine
younger and older employees because four of every
five baby boomers plan to work past the “normal retirement” age — either because they want to or will
need the extra income.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor,
about 40 million people will enter the workforce, 25
million will leave, and 109 million will remain over
the next decade. The workforce will be comprised of
a rising number of workers under 25 and over 45,
with a declining number of middle-age employees.
This combination of younger and older workers will
make it imperative for companies to provide individuals with hand protection that meets their specific
job and age-related needs.
44
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_044_046_Proctor_v3.indd 44
Research confirms that workers believe comfort is as
important in their work gloves as the products’ protective qualities. Glove manufacturers may design
products that provide the highest level of cut or chemical protection possible. If the gloves fail to ensure a
sufficient level of comfort, however, workers will refuse to wear them for extended periods.
Workers often remove gloves or make adjustments
(such as cutting off the glove fingers or clipping the
wrist) when products feel uncomfortable or restrict
their movements. They also may try to substitute other products for gloves that lack comfort.
A major chemical company discovered employees
were bringing their own gloves to work because they
felt the gloves the company provided did not provide
sufficient comfort. Workers chose a popular glove
brand that was available at retail outlets and through
distribution. The product was recognized for its comfort and attractive styling, which made it especially appealing. The problem was the gloves did not offer the
chemical resistance required, which resulted in injury.
Many factors affect worker comfort and performance, including dexterity, tactility, and grip. Features
www.ohsonline.com
10/12/12 12:43 PM
With over $1 Billion lost yearly,
occupational skin care matters.
Stay productive. Insist on STOKO® Products.
Don‘t let dry, cracked, stressed skin become a
health and safety issue. Use STOKO’s 3-Point
Skin Care Program: Before work, for skin
protection; During work, for effective cleaning;
After work for conditioning and recovery.
Evonik Stockhausen, LLC.
2401 Doyle Street
Greensboro, NC 27406, USA
phone +1 800 334-0242
www.stokoskincare.com
Stay productive. Insist on STOKO® Products.
To learn more, visit www.stokoskincare.com.
CIRCLE 26 ON CARD
An Evonik brand.
Untitled-8 1
10/11/12 5:48 PM
HAND PROTECTION
that enhance dexterity and tactility allow the hands and fingers to
move freely and increase touch sensation in the fingertips. Gloves
that promote dexterity and tactile sensitivity are especially beneficial to workers who must handle small pieces in assembly and
packaging operations.
Grip is a comfort factor because workers must apply more force if
their gloves do not allow them to grasp objects securely. This added
force results in cramping and fatigue and can cause repetitive motion
injuries (RMIs), such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.
Gloves should be contoured to the shape of the hand and provide the support needed for specific tasks. They also should fit well,
because gloves that are too small can restrict movement and blood
flow and lead to cramping, fatigue, and perspiration. Conversely,
gloves that are large and bulky can interfere with hand movement,
may become caught in machinery, or could even fall off. Proper fit
particularly benefits workers who suffer from arthritis.
Appearance
Workers may compare their work gloves to sports apparel in
which appearance and design are paramount. They may demand
more form-fitting gloves with bright colors and accents, patterns,
and textures.
Glove Manufacturers’ Response
Glove manufacturers constantly strive to identify worker needs and
desires within the changing workplace. For some manufacturers,
this means traveling to plant sites to observe individuals at work in
46
1112ohs_044_046_Proctor_v3.indd 46
various environments and to gain their feedback about the hazards
they face, their preferences, and on-the-job challenges.
This focus on worker needs has resulted in the use of engineered yarns to increase work gloves’ functionality and comfort.
Some of these allow gloves to be ultra lightweight and offer tremendous strength and protection against cuts. They are also breathable
and provide workers’ dexterity and tactility, similar to what they
would experience if they worked barehanded.
Advancements in knitting technology allow manufacturers to
vary the density and stitching tension in areas where workers need
more room, such as the knuckles and the back of the hand. Varied stitching releases tension in high-stress zones and provides an
ergonomic fit, which reduces hand fatigue and the likelihood of
RMIs. Design techniques that shape gloves to the contours of the
fingers and hand promote a natural fit for greater comfort.
Engineered coatings and roughened surfaces in the palm and
fingertips boost grip and increase sensitivity in the fingertips. Fabrics that wick moisture away keep the hands dry and comfortable
and ensure greater dexterity and tactile sensitivity, which helps to
reduce the likelihood of dropped parts.
Laura Proctor serves as Director, Customer Marketing—Industrial,
for North America at Ansell Protective Products Inc. She has more
than 20 years of product management and marketing experience in
various industries including automotive, plastics, and white/durable
goods. For more information about hand protection for the next generation of workers, visit www.ansellpro.com or call 800.800.0444.
Circle 33 on card.
10/12/12 12:43 PM
CIRCLE 5 ON CARD
Untitled-1 1
7/23/12 11:07 AM
HAND PROTECTION
Take Charge of Your
Chemical-Resistant Glove Program
A challenging factor is potential risk from
several different chemicals, each of which
requires a different glove material for
maximum protection.
Selecting the Right
Chemical-Resistant Glove
BY DAVID SHUTT
SHOWA BEST GLOVE
K
eeping workers safe in an environment
where toxic chemicals are in use can be a
challenge. Not only do you need to know
what personal protective equipment is required, but also you need to be sure that workers use
it correctly and replace it when it degrades.
Chemical-resistant hand protection can be particularly difficult for employers and their safety officers because each job has its own requirements. In the
pool service industry, for example, pool technicians
need general-purpose gloves for activities such as pool
vacuuming but require chemical-resistant gloves when
adding chemicals to balance pools. On the industrial floor, workers need specific guidance as to which
chemical resistant glove is required for each chemical
handled. There is simply no one single glove that covers all the contingencies. The situation is compounded
by the fact that one worker may face risk from several
different chemicals, each of which requires a different
glove material for maximum protection.
48
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_048_050_Shutt_v6.indd 48
General guidelines, such as the following, outline the
suitability of the most common chemical-resistant
glove materials for protection in various situations:
■ Butyl: high permeation resistance to gases and
water vapors, as well as highly corrosive acids, Ketones, and esters
■ Natural Rubber Latex: resistant against animal
fats, caustics, acids, salts, alcohols, and detergents
■ Neoprene: durable resistance against a wide
range of chemicals, as well as solvents, oils, especially
acids, and caustics and greases
■ Nitrile: durable resistance against a wide range
of chemicals, including oils, especially petrochemicals, fuels, and most acids
■ PVC: durable resistance and barrier protection
against some chemicals, especially petrochemicals,
oils, and grease
■ Viton: highest chemical resistance to aromatic
hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene
Using American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard permeation and degradation
tests, glove manufacturers regularly test swatches of
gloves made of these materials in various chemicals.
Gloves are rated for particular chemicals based on
those tests. Glove packaging contains useful information on the recommended uses for the glove and
the results of testing.
However, with literally thousands of different
chemical-resistant gloves in the marketplace, finding
the right glove is challenging. Fortunately, industrial
glove manufacturers have developed online tools and
on-site programs to help safety officers and employers
make sound decisions in choosing chemical-resistant
gloves. In most cases, all the safety officer needs to do
is ask for help.
ChemRest.com and More
One of the most highly respected of the online tools is
Showa Best Glove’s online glove directory, www.chemrest.com. Here, applications, chemicals, and chemicalresistant gloves manufactured by the company are
matched up for the best solution.
This resource provides chemical permeation testing information for several hundred individual chemicals. It enables employers to truly find the right glove
for the job. For example, looking up a common dry
cleaning chemical, perchloroethylene, on ChemRest.
com, you will find several recommended gloves along
with the results of their rating by ASTM 739 Heavy
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10/12/12 12:44 PM
Exposure Permeation standards. There is
flexibility for the employer or safety officer
to specify things such as time of exposure to
find the most choices for the specific need.
In addition, searches can be done either by
chemical name or CAS number.
On-Site Assessments
In addition, leading manufacturers of
chemical-resistant gloves have designated
teams that will come to the manufacturing site and help the employer determine
the right hand protection program for each
worker category. Some of the most effective
programs offered by manufacturers involve
a three-step process:
Step 1: The Hand/Arm Safety Assessment. This assessment covers the gamut
of end user applications with a site survey
of every application for which the manufacturer has a current chemical-resistant
hand protection product. The goal of this
assessment is to help manufacturers protect
workers and make the best use of all available hand protection options for their specific applications. It also involves looking
at each specific area of the plant operation
and assessing needs specific to that area:
■ What gloves are currently being
used?
■ What are the costs associated with
hand protection?
■ What is the injury rate and the cost
of these injuries to the employer and employee in lost workdays, efficiency, etc?
■ What can be done to improve safety,
efficiency, and overall cost (short, mid, and
long term)?
Step 2: On-Site Technical Training.
Manufacturers often develop training
programs for plant managers, site supervisors, shift managers, and, in some cases,
even individual employee teams. Time and
again, it is the comfort level of the user that
dictates the success of a hand protection
program, making certain that each worker
understands the glove he or she is to use,
how it is supposed to fit, and the tasks for
which it is mandatory. Workers also need
to understand the risk they face every time
they fail to wear the proper chemical-resistant glove.
Step 3: Awareness Support. Once a
chemical-resistant glove program is ready
for launch, creating awareness is key. As a
best practice for the implementation of a
successful safety program, manufacturers
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Circle 2 on card.
1112ohs_048_050_Shutt_v6.indd 49
10/12/12 12:44 PM
HAND PROTECTION
will prepare individual glove boards for
posting in breakrooms or other gathering
spots throughout the plant, warehouse, or
company. These “glove boards” are actually
posters showing the glove to be used and
its associated applications (years ago, the
glove board was quite often just that – a
board with tacked gloves and signage with
usage next to it).
Manufacturers will customize these
boards to the needs of the end user or company. The end result is a customized catalog of the gloves being used in the plant. In
some instances the boards are done plantwide; in other cases, with specialized needs
within different plant areas, different glove
boards are posted wherever different applications warrant them.
Educating Workers on Requirements
It used to be the workers who manually submerged component parts into hazardous
chemicals. With machines taking over this
dirty work, it’s not uncommon for workers
to develop a more casual attitude toward
glove wearing. However, any skin contact,
whether from a splash or from residual
chemicals, can result in chemical burns,
and that possibility remains in almost every work environment where chemicals are
used. At the same time, many jobs require
that workers pour chemicals into containers, apply chemicals manually, mix chemicals, or transport chemicals and deal with
accidental leakage on a daily basis.
Employers can take the lead in training employees from glove manufacturers’
programs. Even without having a manufacturer step in with a formal assessment,
safety officers can evaluate the hand injury
risk that each job category poses and then
create a simple set of guidelines for workers. These guidelines must be clear and authoritative. For example, most guidelines
now use the word “must” rather than the
less demanding “should” when spelling out
chemical-resistant glove wearing protocols.
These protocols need to be presented at a
safety meeting, given in writing to each
worker, and posted in breakrooms or other
areas where workers congregate.
Workers need to understand what
gloves to wear, what their responsibility is
in caring for these gloves, and where to go
to get replacement gloves.
Retiring Expended Gloves
Because every glove material has its limi50
tations, it is important for workers to be
aware of signs of permeation, penetration,
degradation, and contamination:
■ Permeation occurs when substances
pass through the intact material of the
glove at the molecular level. Permeation is
also known as the silent killer.
■ Penetration occurs when a substance passes through a seam or damaged
part of the glove, such as a pinhole or tear.
■ Degradation occurs when a substance damages the material of the glove,
making it less resistant. The end result is
the physical breakdown of the polymer.
■ Contamination occurs when the
inside of the glove becomes contaminated
throughout the wrist opening and gauntlet,
most likely due to poor donning/doffing
practices.
Often, the ongoing effectiveness of a
given glove can be determined by simple
sensory tests:
■ Does the material feel like it did
originally, or has it become brittle?
■ Does the material smell like the
chemical it is supposed to be protecting
against, even after thorough rinsing or
washing?
■ Is the exterior of the glove intact?
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_048_050_Shutt_v6.indd 50
If the glove doesn’t measure up, it’s time
to replace it.
Conclusion
There is a lot more to managing a chemical-resistant glove program than simply
providing workers with a few gloves. However, safety managers need no longer rely
solely on their internal resources. More
than ever before, PPE manufacturers are
prepared to step in with online selection
tools and on-site assessments, training,
and support materials. These help to ensure a safety program not only reduces
the risk of hand and arm injuries due to
chemicals but also addresses industrial
concerns about efficiency, cost savings,
and PPE that multitasks in the everyday
work environment.
David Shutt coordinates Showa Best Glove’s
new product development in general purpose, disposable and chemical-resistant glove
lines among research and development, field
sales, and marketing teams, as well as distributor and end-user customers. A 20-plusyear veteran of the glove industry, he holds
a degree in business administration from
Malone College and is a Carnegie graduate.
www.ohsonline.com
10/12/12 12:44 PM
FALL PROTECTION TRAINING
OSHA Residential Construction Regulations
Compliance: Your Go-To Overview
CAPITAL SAFETY
Before Dec. 15, conduct an on-site compliance
check. Confirm that workers elevated 6 feet or
more above the lower level of a structure have
OSHA-acceptable forms of fall protection.
BY CRAIG FIRL
O
n Dec. 15, OSHA’s new fall protection regulations for the U.S. residential construction
industry will take effect. Before then, it’s a
contractor’s responsibility to master the
conditions stipulated by the new laws and, in turn,
equip its workers with the knowledge, training, and
equipment they need to be both safe and compliant.
The question is, are you prepared? Do you know
what OSHA’s new directive (29 CFR 1926.501(b)
(13)) specifically requires for residential construction
workers and, most importantly, what needs to be done
for compliance with the regulations?
Follow OSHA’s three simple steps to preventing
falls—plan, provide, and train—and your workers
will not only be in compliance with the regulations,
but also safe.
Step One: Plan
As your company adapts to meet OSHA’s new regulations, knowledge will be your most impactful tool.
Start by educating yourself. If you have a firm grasp
on the specifics of the new standards, ensuring your
workers are in compliance will be a painless process.
First, is your crew included? OSHA’s new directive
applies to all residential construction employers and
employees to ensure job site safety. Under this directive, construction work is construed as “residential
construction” if the structure being built will function
as a home or dwelling and if it uses traditional woodframe materials and methods.
According to OSHA, cold-formed metal studs and
masonry brick or block are categorized under traditional wood frame materials and methods. It’s also
worth noting the limited use of steel I-beams to help
support wood framing does not exclude a structure
from the residential construction sector.
If your residential construction project involves
roofing or working in attics, for example, the details of
the new requirements apply to you. Still unsure? Visit
osha.gov to verify that your crew must comply.
As for the new requirements, here’s what will be
required of residential construction workers:
■ All employees working 6 feet or more above
lower levels must use fall protection equipment.
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1112ohs_051_052_Firl_v4.indd 51
■ Acceptable forms of fall protection equipment
include: guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest
systems (may consist of full-body harnesses, deceleration devices, lanyards, and anchor points).
■ Specific types of work may implement other
fall protection measures to the extent allowed under
other provisions of 29 CFR 1926.501(b). For example,
warning lines and safety monitor systems are permitted during low-slope roof work.
■ An effective fall restraint system, rigged to prevent a worker from encountering a fall hazard and
falling over the edge, may be used instead of a personal fall arrest system.
■ An acceptable fall restraint system may consist
of a full body harness or body belt that is connected to
an anchor point at the center of the roof by a lanyard;
this lanyard should be of adequate length in order to
restrict a worker from physically reaching the edge of
the roof.
■ If the employer determines the use of conventional fall protection methods to be infeasible or more
hazardous, a qualified person must provide an explanation in the form of a written, site-specific fall protection plan (in compliance with 29 CFR 1926.502(k))
that details reasons why the conventional fall protection systems are infeasible or pose a greater hazard.
Step Two: Provide
Are your equipment and training up to date with new
OSHA regulations? If the answer is no or you are unsure, there is still time to invest in the right equipment
and training.
Before Dec. 15, conduct an on-site compliance
NOVEMBER 2012 |
Occupational Health & Safety
51
10/12/12 1:06 PM
FALL PROTECTION TRAINING
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check. Confirm that workers elevated 6 feet or more above the
lower level of a structure have OSHA-acceptable forms of fall
protection, which may include guardrails, safety nets, and active
fall arrest systems. Make sure workers are using the proper fall
protection equipment for the specific construction site, keeping
in mind that the variance of different job sites and projects might
require different equipment. Then ensure that all workers are using their fall protection equipment correctly and are comfortable
using the products.
If you already have the right equipment that is current with the
new regulations, consider the equipment’s quality. The fall protection products you employ should balance superior comfort with
optimal performance. By supplying your workers with lightweight,
durable equipment that can be easily worn for the duration of the
work day, they will be more likely to want to wear it and will perform at their best. Because today’s fall protection products are more
comfortable and user-friendly than ever, ensuring workers’ compliance and safety is easily achievable.
Step Three: Train
Investing in the right fall protection equipment is a crucial step toward compliance, but your responsibilities do not end there. Even
the right safety equipment is ineffective if used incorrectly, which is
why training programs are a must. All employees will benefit from
some form of instruction, so arrange time for them to undergo fall
protection training before they begin work on the job site. Handson learning seminars, for example, are highly effective because they
mimic actual work conditions.
If you’re concerned that your workers are unaccustomed to the
safety equipment, implementing a hands-on training program will
offer clarification and allow them to see firsthand what needs to be
inspected before use. Most major fall protection manufacturers offer training courses to help teach residential construction workers
how to use equipment correctly and in compliance with the new
regulations, which lessens the stress on you and promotes safety.
The Costs of Non-compliance
MISS SAFETY
WHAT WOMEN WANT.
Comfortable, light and colourful safety shoes
specifically designed for women that do not
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The new MISS SAFETY collection.
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After Dec. 15, non-compliant employers without an approved alternative plan will be cited. These citations can vary from substantial fines to work delays at job sites.
As costly as the citations can be, a fall can be even more financially damaging. Worker falls represent an enormous cost to construction businesses. These falls cause millions of dollars in losses
annually in the form of lost work, increased insurance premiums,
and liability claims. And then there are the incidental costs of a
fall: Falls affect the morale of the workers, decrease productivity,
and hurt the reputation of a business. In fact, a poor track record
with fall prevention and rescue response can be a deciding factor
in job bids.
To avoid penalties, construction delays, and injuries, remember
that workers’ well-being is a top priority and that complying with
the new regulations enables your business to succeed.
Craig Firl ([email protected]) is the North American technical
manager at Capital Safety, a leading designer and manufacturer of
height safety and fall protection equipment and provider of training
courses, with 20 operating sites worldwide. For more information, contact Capital Safety at 800-328-6146 or visit www.capitalsafety.com.
52
1112ohs_051_052_Firl_v4.indd 52
Circle 10 on card.
www.ohsonline.com
10/12/12 1:06 PM
Compact and Lightweight
Fall Protection
Attaches directly to harness back D-ring
Impact-resistant nylon housing
Twin Turbo™ 100% tie-off fall protection
Miller TurboLite™ Personal Fall Limiter
• Only 1.9 lbs. (.86 kg)
• Never need a shock-absorbing lanyard again
• 6-ft. working capacity
• Reduces risk/liability
▼
The cost-effective and competitive pricing of the
new Miller TurboLite Personal Fall Limiter will make
shock-absorbing lanyards obsolete on the job site.
Workers will no longer need to “switch-out”
equipment to maintain a safe fall distance.
Ask the Expert ... Ask Miller.
GET CONNECTED:
800/873-5242
www.millerfallprotection.com
CIRCLE 35 ON CARD
Untitled-9 1
10/1/12 3:47 PM
DEFIBRILLATORS & CPR
Why Trained Workplace Responders
Need Regular Practice
Many EMS professionals complete skill refreshers every 90 days to keep
their skills current. A hands-on skill session every 90 days is ideal for
workplace lay responders.
BY JOHN JERIN
Figure 1. CPR and AED - A Complex Procedure
D
o your AED and CPR-trained employees
regularly practice their resuscitation skills?
If not, they may not be prepared for an actual emergency. Federal guidelines recommend workplace AED responders engage in periodic
“scenario” practice sessions to maintain their skills
and rehearse protocols.1 In addition, researchers have
found practicing just once every two years during re-
54
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_054_056_Jerin_v5.indd 54
certification is not enough to keep skills up to date.
CPR Skills Deteriorate Quickly
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) together with
using an automated external defibrillator is a complex
procedure. It involves more than two dozen steps and
at least a dozen different skills (see below), including
recognition of clinical signs. Although using an AED
www.ohsonline.com
10/15/12 10:57 AM
by itself is fairly easy, it becomes much more complicated when
combined with CPR.
A body of scientific research shows AED/CPR skills deteriorate quickly after initial training — in as little as three months
in some cases.2-9 Studies that use a high standard for skill competence show skills degrade within weeks after initial training.
Therefore, CPR/AED skills are a use it or lose it proposition. This
is particularly true for trained lay responders who respond infrequently to workplace emergencies.
AED/CPR Skills
Determine unconsciousness
Recognize breathlessness
■ Recognize agonal respirations
■ Perform chest compressions
■ Open an airway (head tilt-chin lift)
■ Apply and use a protective facemask
■ Deliver a rescue breath
■ Recognize an effective rescue breath
■ Deliver proper breath volume
■ Determine the CPR compression site
■ Apply electrode pads
■ Troubleshoot electrode placement
The American Heart Association (AHA), the organization
that sets national CPR and AED standards, recently reaffirmed
that frequent retraining is “a critical factor in improving the effectiveness of resuscitation.”
■
■
CPR is Important in Survival of Cardiac Arrest
For the past several decades the emphasis for treatment of sudden
cardiac arrest has been on defibrillation and the use of an AED. Attention now is returning to CPR and chest compressions, in particular. It is known that defibrillation and CPR are important therapies
in reviving a victim of cardiac arrest, but new evidence points to the
importance of the quality of CPR.
Researchers in the field of resuscitation recently found “highquality” CPR improves defibrillatory shock success and boosts survival rates.10 In order to perform high-quality CPR, rescuers must:
compress the chest at a rate of at least 100 times per minute, allow
full chest recoil when doing compressions, minimize interruptions
of chest compressions, and avoid excessing force in rescue breaths.
Chest compressions provide temporary blood flow to the brain
and heart. Even minor delays or interruptions to chest compressions are correlated with poor outcomes for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. If you stop chest compressions for only a short time, the
coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) goes down considerably. It then
takes another minute of chest compressions to build up enough
CPP to start circulating blood effectively again. Thanks to this new
understanding we know the combination of high-quality CPR and
defibrillation provides the best chances for survival.
®
See the LiftPod in Action.
The LiftPod® FS60 and FS80 aerial work
platforms let you work hands-free at heights
of up to 12 ft and 14 ft. Be more productive
while meeting OSHA safety standards.
Learn how your facility can benefit from the
LiftPod. Visit www.liftpod.com/28
How Often Should You Practice?
For a long time it has been known that regular practice of a skill will
improve performance, but how often should you practice AED/
CPR skills? Most people wait for two years to practice, when they
renew their CPR cards. The American Heart Association now believes retraining once every two years is not enough and that “skill
www.ohsonline.com
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DEFIBRILLATORS & CPR
REFERENCES
performance should be assessed during the
two-year certification with reinforcement
provided as needed.”
Many EMS professionals complete
skill refreshers every 90 days to keep
their skills current. A hands-on skill session every 90 days is ideal for workplace
lay responders. However, some employers would be hard-pressed to provide
instructor-led, hands-on practice every
90 days. In these situations, you might
consider alternatives like an online AED/
CPR skill refresher or simulator.
The maximum time between practice
sessions should be no more than six months.5
However, you should take into account past
experience and background of the individual
when selecting a refresher interval.
Does Online Practice Work?
Online AED/CPR simulators are inexpensive and can be accessed conveniently
through the Internet. Several studies suggest they are equivalent to hands-on practice after initial training once AED/CPR
skills have been acquired.11-12 Any online
skill refresher should be highly interactive
and require users to rehearse AED/CPR
procedures in a variety of scenarios.
1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Federal Occupational Health. Public Access Defibrillation Guidelines. Federal Register: May 23, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 100). Page 28495-28511. Retrieved
July 1, 2012 from http://www.foh.dhhs.gov/Whatwedo/AED/HHSAED.ASP
2. Morgan CL, Donnelly PD, Lester CA, Assar DH. Effectiveness of the BBC’s 999 training roadshows on cardiopulmonary resuscitation: video performance of cohort of unforewarned participants at home six months
afterwards. BMJ. 1996 Oct 12;313(7062):912-6.
3. Donnelly P, Assar D, Lester C. A comparison of manikin CPR performance by lay persons trained in three
variations of basic life support guidelines. Resuscitation. 2000 Aug 1;45(3):195-9.
4. Dracup K, Doering LV, Moser DK, Evangelista L. Retention and use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills
in parents of infants at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest. Pediatric Nurs. 1998;24:219-25.
5. Weaver FJ, Ramirez AG, Dorfman SB, Raizner AE. Trainees’ retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation: how
quickly they forget. JAMA 1979;241:901-3.
6. Mahony PH, Griffiths RF, Larsen P, Powell D. Retention of knowledge and skills in first aid and resuscitation
by airline cabin crew. Resuscitation. 2008 Mar;76(3):413-8.
7. Woollard M, Whitfield R, Newcombe RG, Colquhoun M, Vetter N, Chamberlain D. Optimal refresher training
intervals for AED and CPR skills: a randomised controlled trial. Resuscitation. 2006 Nov;71(2):237-47.
8. Chamberlain D, Smith A, Woollard M, Colquhoun M, Handley AJ, Leaves S, Kern KB. Trials of teaching
methods in basic life support (3): comparison of simulated CPR performance after first training and at 6
months, with a note on the value of re-training. Resuscitation. 2002 May;53(2):179-87.
9. Berden HJ, Bierens JJ, Willems FF, Hendrick JM, Pijls NH, Knape JT. Resuscitation skills of lay public after
recent training. Ann Emerg Med. 1994 May;23(5):1003-8.
10. Vaillancourt C, Everson-Stewart S, Christenson J, Andrusiek D, Powell J, Nichol G, Cheskes S, Aufderheide
TP, Berg R, Stiell IG. The Impact of Increased Chest Compression Fraction on Return of Spontaneous
Circulation for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients not in Ventricular Fibrillation. Resuscitation. 2011
Dec;82(12):1501-1507.
11. Jerin JM, Ansell BA, Larsen MP, Cummins RO. Automated external defibrillators: skill maintenance using
computer-assisted learning. Academic Emergency Medicine. 1998 Jul;5(7):709-17.
12. Bonnetain E, Boucheix JM, Hamet M, Freysz M. Benefits of computer screen-based simulation in learning cardiac arrest procedures. Med Educ. 2010 Jul;44(7):716-22.
Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
a.
b.
Conclusion
Because AED/CPR skills are complex, they
are a use it or lose it proposition. Retention
studies show skills decline rapidly over a
few months. Make sure your responders are confident and competent by giving them the opportunity to practice their
AED/CPR skills every three months, either
in an instructor-led practice session or with
an online AED/CPR simulator.
John Jerin is principal at Insight Instructional Media, LLC (www.aedchallenge.com) in
Middleton, Wis. The company provides online, interactive training to prepare people to
respond to emergencies.
56
1112ohs_054_056_Jerin_v5.indd 56
c
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
Publication Title: Occupational Health & Safety
Publication Number: 0362-4064
Filing Date: 9/28/12
Frequency of Issue: Monthly
Number of Issues Published Annually: 12
Annual Subscription Price: US $79, International $149
Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 9201 Oakdale Ave., Ste. 101, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Complete Mailing Address of the Headquarters of General Business Offices of the Publisher: Same as above.
Full Name and Complete Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor:
Kevin O’Grady, President & Group Publisher, 14901 Quorum Dr., Ste. 425, Dallas, TX 75254
Jerry Laws, Editor, 14901 Quorum Dr., Ste. 425, Dallas, TX 75254
Ronnie Rittenberry, Managing Editor, 14901 Quorum Dr., Ste. 425, Dallas, TX 75254
Owner(s): Stevens Publishing Acquisition, Corp. (SPAC), 9201 Oakdale Ave., Ste. 101, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Listing of shareholders in SPAC.
Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or more of the Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or
Other Securities:
Nautic Partners V, L.P., 50 Kennedy Plaza, 12th Flr., Providence, RI 02903
Kennedy Plaza Partners III, LLC, 50 Kennedy Plaza, 12th Flr., Providence, RI 02903
Alta Communications 1X, L.P., 1X-B, L.P., Assoc., LLC, 28 State St., Ste. 1801, Boston, MA 02109
The tax status has not changed during the preceding 12 months.
Publication Title: Occupational Health & Safety
Issue date for Circulation Data Below: September 2012
Extent & Nature of Circulation:
Average No. Copies Each Month
No. Copies of Single Issue
During Preceding 12 Months
Published Nearest to Filing Date
Total Number of Copies (Net Press Run)
54,516
49,310
Legitimate Paid/and or Requested Distribution
1. Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions
Stated on PS Form 3541
46,358
41,173
2. In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions
Stated on PS Form 3541
0
0
3. Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors,
Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested
Distribution Outside USPS®
68
58
4. Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail
Classes Through the USPS
0
0
Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation
46,426
41,231
Nonrequested Distribution
1. Outside County Nonrequested Copies Stated
7,410
7,402
on PS Form 3541
2. In-County Nonrequested Copies Distribution
Stated on PS Form 3541
0
0
3. Nonrequested Copies Distribution Through the
USPS by Other Classes of Mail
0
0
4. Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail
415
411
Total Nonrequested Distribution
7,825
7,813
Total Distribution
54,251
49,044
Copies not Distributed
265
266
Total
54,516
49,310
Percent paid and/or Requested Circulation
85.58%
84.07%
16. 7 Total Circulation includes elections copies. Report circulation on PS Form 3526X worksheet.
17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the November 2012 issue of this publication.
18. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete:
Jenny Hernandez-Asandas, Director, Print and Online Production
If you are using PS Form 3526R and claiming electronic copies complete below:
a. Requested and Paid Electronic Copies
28,242
b. Total Requested and Paid Print Copies (Line 15C) + Paid Electronic Copies
74,668
c. Total Requested Copy Distribution (Line 15F) + Paid Electronic Copies
82,493
d. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation (Both Print & Electronic Copies)
90.51%
7 I Certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (Electronic & Print) are legitimate requests.
36,357
77,588
85,401
90.85%
10/15/12 10:57 AM
Put your employees’ safety
on the right track.
With Tether Track™ Rigid Rail Fall Arrest Systems.
Protect your people, your productivity and your bottom line
with a Tether Track™ Fall Protection System from Gorbel.
Featuring an enclosed track design, exclusively engineered
for easy movement, Tether Track™ Systems provide the
highest degree of mobility and safety for single or
multiple workers. Designed to meet OSHA regulations
and ANSI standards, it’s the right choice for keeping
your company’s safety record on the right track.
For more information and a FREE downloadable
FALL PROTECTION TOOLKIT, go to gorbel.com/righttrack
Ask us about our 5-Day Quick Ship. Call 1-800-821-0086.
©2012 Gorbel Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Untitled-8 1
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NEW PRODUCTS
WWW.OHSONLINE.COM/MCV/PRODUCTS
INTRINSICALLY SAFE LIGHTS
Energizer Intrinsically Safe
lights are built to eliminate
the risk of explosion in hazardous environments. Rugged
and durable, these lights have
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The state-of-the-art headlight
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LATHE PROTECTION
Rockford Systems, Inc.’s
new roll-up lead screw
protection device for lathes
protects the operator from
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keeps work clothes from becoming entangled with moving parts. Two units consist
of a tear- and oil-resistant
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CIRCLE 301 ON CARD
CIRCLE 300 ON CARD
AIR SAMPLING PUMPS
With a flow range from 5 ml/
min to 4.5 l/min, Casella’s
TUFF Air Sampling pumps
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LED DISPLAY BOARD
Patlite introduces VE Series
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VE series LED display boards
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CIRCLE 304 ON CARD
CIRCLE 302 ON CARD
SNOW PLOWS
ENABLING DEVICE
For a free Convenience Bag sample
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Banner Engineering’s ED1G
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The product provides functionality when the user either
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CIRCLE 303 ON CARD
58
1112ohs_058_061_NP_v3.indd 58
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Buyers Products’ SnowDogg
line of plows functions range
from V-plows for half-ton
trucks and sport utility
vehicles to sturdy municipal plows for moving large
amounts of snow. The stainless steel plows are made
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CIRCLE 305 ON CARD
E-LEARNING PLATFORM
Axonify’s eLearning platform is designed to change
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www.ohsonline.com
10/15/12 10:58 AM
The New and
Improved Smart Plug
Just Released and
Already Winning Awards
The Smartest Plug Just Got Even Smarter
It’s no wonder the New Smart Plug from Sensear is already winning
awards. This light, convenient ear plug is changing the way workers
protect their hearing and communicate in high noise environments.
Unlike most ear plugs, the innovative Smart Plug enables full 360 degree
situational awareness so workers can be safe and protect their hearing
at the same time.
And when it comes to communicating, there is no smarter ear plug on
the market. The Smart Plug allows face-to-face communication (up to
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There is no need for a boom mic, as the Smart Plug picks up your voice
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Don’t like wearing plugs? Try our Smart Muff Range.
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CIRCLE 39 ON CARD
Untitled-4 1
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NEW PRODUCTS
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to drive engagement and real
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CIRCLE 306 ON CARD
Sync Electo® combine hearing protection, high-fidelity
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CIRCLE 307 ON CARD
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CIRCLE 308 ON CARD
(Fire Alarm Aspiration Sensing
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facilities, even in the most
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www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
CIRCLE 309 ON CARD
RADIO MUFFS
Honeywell Safety Products
recently introduced the next
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muffs to its Howard Leight®
Sync™ family. The new Sync
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60
Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
1112ohs_058_061_NP_v3.indd 60
www.ohsonline.com
10/15/12 10:58 AM
only six ounces. It features a Hydraflex
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SAFETY STATION
Shure Manufacturing Corp.’s Safety
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Circle 313 on card
CIRCLE 310 ON CARD
PERSONNEL DETECTION
Guardian is the latest automatic personnel detection product from Safetech, the
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CIRCLE 311 ON CARD
SPEC IT
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PUMPS AND DETECTOR TUBES
Nextteq’s complete line of Gastec
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CIRCLE 312 ON CARD
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1112ohs_058_061_NP_v3.indd 61
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS
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Introducing our latest addition to
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Circle 56 on card.
ANSELL HYFLEX 11-518
ARCSTER™ A60 – ARC RATED GLOVES
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MCR Safety introduces the Reaper,
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Circle 57 on card.
Circle 58 on card.
REMOVE TOUGH SOIL GENTLY WITH
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Circle 59 on card.
Circle 60 on card.
Constructed of a unique HPPE
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Circle 61 on card.
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NEW JSP EVOLUTIONTM 6100
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VERATTI® 351™ SAFETY EYEWEAR
Sleek meets affordable with the
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Circle 62 on card.
UTILITY CATCHER™ CLIP
The Utility Catcher™ clip from Glove
Guard is a versatile “Catch-All”
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Circle 63 on card.
Circle 64 on card.
MSA V-GARD®
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Circle 66 on card.
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Circle 51 on card.
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Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
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FREE PRODUCT INFO
ADVERTISER INDEX
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CIRCLE #
ADVERTISER
PAGE #
CIRCLE #
ADVERTISER
PAGE #
CIRCLE #
COMPANY
PAGE #
2
Advance Lifts Inc.
www.advancelifts.com
49
11 Protective Industrial Products
www.pipusa.com
42
58 MCR Safety
www.mcrsafety.com
62
31 Banom
www.banom.com
29
10 PUMA Safety Shoes
www.puma-safety.com
52
66 Moldex-Metric, Inc.
www.moldex.com
63
13 BullEx Digital Safety
www.bullexsafety.com
14
32 Revco Industries Inc.
www.blackstallion.com
10
MSA
www.msasafety.com
63
9BW Technologies by Honeywell
www.gasmonitors.com
41
25 Rite Hite
www.RiteHite.com/KnowYourRisks
62 Protective Industrial Products
www.pipusa.com
63
14 Caterpillar Safety Services
www.safety.cat.com
5
38 Roco Rescue
www.rocorescue.com
34
57 Revco Industries Inc.
www.blackstallion.com
62
15 Columbia Southern
www.ColumbiaSouthern.edu/OSHmag
20
36 SawStop, LLC
www.sawstop.com
13
56 3M
www.3m.com/9100MP
62
16 DEB Group
www.debgroup.com/us
43
41 Scott Safety
www.scottsafety.com/5.5
31
17 Encon Safety Products
www.enconsafety.com
67
39 Sensear
www.sensear.com
59
19 Fibre-Metal/Honeywell
www.Fibre-Metal.com
68
STOKO Skin Care
www.stokoskincare.com/
1
3
GKR Industries, Inc.
www.gkrindustries.com/
58
26 STOKO Skin Care
www.stokoskincare.com/
45
306 Axonify
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
58
33 Glove Guard
www.gloveguard.com
46
27 Sure Foot Corporation
www.duenorthproducts.com
28
303 Banner Engineering
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
58
4
Gorbel
www.gorbel.com
57
7
3M
www.3m.com/EARfitDemo
21
305 Buyers Products
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
58
45 Haws Corp.
www.hawsco.com
3
8
3M
www.3m.com/Push-to-Fit
25
302 Casella
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
58
8
Product Literature
55 Scaffold Training Institute
www.scaffoldtraining.com
New Products
64
20 Honeywell Safety Products
www.honeywellsafety.com/culture
27
12 3M
www.3m.com/peltor
37
300 Energizer
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
58
18 Howard Leight/Honeywell
www.howardleight.com
33
24 UL PureSafety
www.puresafety.com
11
308 Fortress Interlocks
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
60
37 JLG-LIFTPOD
www.liftpod.com/13
55
5
Walgreens B2B Gift Cards
[email protected]
47
307 Honeywell Safety Products
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
60
44 Keltech, Inc.
www.keltech-inc.com/
61
30 Westone Laboratories, Inc.
www.westone.com/defendear
32
310 Jackson Safety
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
60
29 Wiley X Eyewear
www.wileyx.com
17
312 Nextteq
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
61
7
304 Patlite
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
58
301 Rockford Systems, Inc.
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
58
21 Kimberly-Clark Professional
www.kcprofessional.com/
6
Magid Glove & Safety
www.magidglove.com
34 MCR Safety
www.mcrsafety.com
35 Miller Fall Protection/Honeywell
www.millerfallprotection.com
22 Moldex-Metric, Inc.
www.moldex.com
22-23
15
28 Workrite Uniform Company
www.workrite.com
2
53
9
Product Spotlights
59 Ansell Limited
www.ansellhyflexus.com/11-518.php
62
311 Safetech
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
61
60 DEB Group
www.grittyfoam.com
62
313 Shure Manufacturing Corp.
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
61
309 Silent Knight by Honeywell
www.ohsonline.com/productinfo
60
MSA
www.msasafety.com
16
63 Encon Safety Products
http://enconsafety.com/351
63
MSA
www.msasafety.com
39
64 Glove Guard
www.gloveguard.com
63
23 National Safety Compliance
www.osha-safety-training.net
26
61 Magid Glove & Safety
www.magidglove.com
62
PRESIDENT & GROUP PUBLISHER | Kevin O’Grady
972-687-6731 [email protected]
■ WEST COAST, SOUTH, & CENTRAL DISTRICT
SALES MANAGER | Barbara Blake
972-687-6718 [email protected]
■ MID-ATLANTIC DISTRICT
SALES MANAGER | Rick Neigher
818-597-9029 [email protected]
■ NORTHEAST & SOUTHEAST DISTRICT
SALES MANAGER | Jenna Conwell
610-436-4372 [email protected]
www.ohsonline.com
1112ohs_065_AdIndex_v1.indd 65
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Occupational Health & Safety
65
10/15/12 11:30 AM
BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES
B Y RO B E R T PAT E R
What Great Leaders Do
Thank you to Taylor Mali for the inspiration for this article. (See
They persuade strongly, appealing to others personal interests,
his TED Conference short presentation, “What Teachers Make,” at not taking a quick “no” too easily.
http://www.ted.com/talks/taylor_mali_what_teachers_make.html.)
They make things happen, even when others are bogged down
reat leaders are special people. Almost magically, they in complaining or blaming.
They can work effectively even with those who are very differchange the world for the better. These results emanate
from their design and actions, not luck or happenstance. ent from them.
They look for and see connections between communications
Here’s how they do this:
They have a personal code they work and live by (more than and actions.
They understand that what they don’t do and don’t say can
just lip service).
They turn small things into big things. They plant seeds and transmit even stronger messages than what they do.
They hold up an honestly reflective mirror to help people look
nurture growth.
They lead from the front while having others’ backs. They ex- at and then throw out their weak, same-old patterns, while mainemplify in their actions what they’re wishing to see in others. They taining their dignity and self-respect.
They make it OK, even desirable, to creatively disagree and
look at their part first, rather than making excuses. They go out of
to challenge ideas and suggestions without personally devaluing
their way to take responsibility for their own actions.
others. They spur people to think critically and for
They invite, rather than try to force change. And
themselves.
continue to invite in even those who previously
They see the handwriting on the wall as well as
opted out.
potential branching routes down the main road.
They involve and engage everyone in some way.
They encourage courage and appropriate riskThey work with and through others, rather than
taking to slough off ineffective always-been-doneabove them or alone.
that-way practices.
They give hope when all seems dim. They remind
They culture culture by creating a surround syspeople they’re better than just allowing themselves to
tem that supports change and high performance.
collapse into a black hole of fear.
They balance protecting strong current practices
They help others find best ways out when they
with calling for going beyond the status quo.
feel utterly trapped between a rock and a viseThey befriend
They identify and root out mixed messages that
squeezing wall.
changes they
paralyze or immobilize people into spending an inThey inspire people to go beyond their own selfimposed ceilings. They help people attain much can’t control, even ordinate amount of time covering their rears (rather
than accomplishing breakthroughs).
more from themselves than they previously thought
unexpected or
ey help others learn to be internally motivated
possible.
unwanted change, andThself-directed,
reducing dependency on external
They ignite the passion that exists, sometimes
turning these into approval or intimidation.
well hidden, in all people. They harness others’ perThey work with others’ strengths, to put their best
sonal interests toward common themes that bring
best possible
foot forward and not expecting them to immediately
them together to accomplish major results.
outcomes.
be different than who they are. At the same time, they help
They communicate high expectations of improveothers work on their own weaknesses, to reduce these as limitations.
ment for everyone, beginning with themselves.
They help people believe in themselves and in their innate powThey scope small indicators at an early level and so are rarely
er to improve, to overcome “insurmountable” obstacles.
taken off guard.
They cultivate leadership skills in everyone and help them think
They befriend changes they can’t control, even unexpected or
unwanted change, turning these into best possible outcomes. They of themselves as leaders, while understanding there are many types
of leaders and different ways to lead.
accept that change is always occurring and welcome this.
They prefer to excite and entice rather than reflexively reproach
They are enthusiastic and excited about helping others learn
and reject. But they also know when to detach from those who have
and improve.
They help people work together, even those who tend by nature consistently resisted self-honesty.
They don’t support dig-in-the-heels procrastination or excuses,
to be lone wolves.
They publicly spread credit to others for actions and ideas – while at the same time they are patient with sincere learning efforts
to improve.
even when the leader originally proposed these.
They make a real difference in the lives of others and in the fate
They thank people for their efforts and help them feel appreciand fortunes of organizations.
ated and significant.
They change the future for the better.
They show sincere concern for the well-being and safety of others.
They are continually working on getting better, not basking in
others’ praise.
Robert Pater ([email protected]) is Managing DirecThey prepare and practice, prepare and practice, putting the tor, Strategic Safety Associates and MoveSMART®, www.Mastering
odds in their favor of attaining desired results.
Safety.com.
G
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Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2012
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