Safe Workplace and Safety News

Obesity Rates Take A Toll On Employers

2009-07-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

A worker's habits outside the workplace affect their safety and health in the workplace. An article in the Business Ledger points out that two-thirds of American's are overweight, and employers are impacted by these employee's weight-related injuries and illnesses.

The article points out that researchers have "found the worker’s compensation claim rate for the heaviest employees to be twice that of the recommended-weight workers. The number of lost workdays was almost 13 times higher, medical claims costs were seven times higher, and indemnity claims costs were 11 times higher among the heaviest workers. "

It then recommends ways to control and reduce weight-related safety and healthcare costs.

You can read the Business Ledger article here.

Safeway is becoming highly recognized for its approach to improving employee safety and reducing health care costs, and also improving safety. For example, Safeway found that an "obese employee can require 10 times the number of doctor visits in a year than someone of healthy weight." The created a health program that rewarded employees for improving their health. This is how an article in the Wall Street Journal described Safeway's program:

"The result was Safeway's "Healthy Measures" program, which is voluntary. Employees are tested for smoking, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. Every area they 'pass' results in a reduction in their premium, of as much as $1,560 for a family, a year. Those who fail but prove progress can get refunds. Safeway complements this with an intense culture of health: weight-loss tips, fitness competitions and smoking cessation programs."

Read the Wall Street Journal article.

Lifting Without Injury

2009-07-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

With young people starting summer jobs and import skill many of them need to be taught is how to lift objects. Also, as the workforce grows older, and more easily injured, this is something we need to keep fresh in the minds of our regular workforce. So for this holiday weekend we present two videos about lifting. One historic, the other current. But no matter the age of the video, the message is the same.

This is a short video (40 seconds) from 1966 that shows the proper posture for picking up objects.

This video (2:47) provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for evaluating, picking up and carrying an object.

Into The Pit

2009-06-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

This seems to be the day for unusual incidents involving things falling. This video shows a car falling into the oil change pit at Jiffy Lube.

Shanghai Building Tips Over

2009-06-29T06:33:00.000-07:00

A thirteen story building in Shanhai, China tipped over on Saturday, remaining almost intact. One worker was killed. The initial investigation found the building tipped over after workers dug underneath it to put in an underground garage.

Read about it on Yahoo News' Asia News.

Arc Flash Blast Video

2009-06-25T06:50:00.000-07:00

This is a promotional video for an arc flash shield, but it also provides an excellent view of the power of an arc flash blast.

Related past posts:
Is Your Electrical PPE Adequate?
New (arc flash) Safety Sign and Label Printer
Arc Flash Warning Labels

What To Consider When Deciding Whether To Contest An OSHA Citation

2009-06-23T07:24:00.000-07:00

The following question was asked on Business Management Daily this past Saturday.

"Our company just received a citation from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The proposed penalty is only $120. Is it worth getting a lawyer involved, or should we just go ahead and pay the fine?"

Michael Fox of Ogletree Deakins P.C. in Austin, Texas answered the question by saying, yes it is worth getting a lawyer involved. You can read his answer here.

OSHA Begins Evaluation of VPP

2009-06-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

OSHA has announced that it will address problems identified in its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) in response to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs: Improved Oversight and Controls Would Better Ensure Program Quality. The report recommends improved oversight and additional controls to ensure participating companies maintain effective workplace safety and health management systems.

OSHA also has announced that it will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its VPP and Alliance Program to determine how the agency should best allocate its resources among cooperative programs, enforcement and the agency's other activities.

Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab said he agrees with recommendations made in the GAO report. GAO's analysis recommended that OSHA strengthen the program's oversight activity, documentation and other aspects of program operations and impact to ensure consistency and adherence to existing OSHA policies and procedures. VPP participation encompasses more than 2,200 worksites covering more than 800,000 workers.

"We will thoroughly review the VPP and Alliance Program to determine their effectiveness as well as review the programs' roles in helping the agency promote the safety and health of America's workers," said Barab.

He noted that OSHA had not adequately addressed the findings of the GAO's 2004 report, OSHA's Voluntary Compliance Strategies Show Promising Results, But Should Be Fully Evaluated Before They Are Expanded. "The report noted that OSHA had not fully evaluated the effectiveness of its cooperative programs and was therefore 'limited in its ability to make a sound decision about how best to allocate its resources,'" said Barab. "Our evaluation of these programs in the context of OSHA's limited resources will help ensure that OSHA will be able to reprioritize these resources in the most effective manner."

To address the most recent GAO report's findings and recommendations about the VPP, OSHA will review and address problems including program management and oversight policies and procedures; documentation policy for actions taken in response to fatalities and serious injuries at VPP sites; and goals and performance measures for the VPP and internal OSHA controls that ensure consistent compliance with VPP policies by the agency's regional offices.

Related past posts:
VPP Tools
OSHA's Problem
Advantages of VPP

OSHA Proposes More Than $1.1 Million In Penalties

2009-06-23T06:40:00.000-07:00

OSHA has cited Milk Specialties Co. in Whitehall, Wisconsin with violations of federal workplace safety and health standards and proposed $1,145,200 in penalties.

OSHA began a December 2008 inspection in response to a complaint alleging a variety of safety hazards at the company's whey processing plant. Willful citations have been issued for the employer's failure to comply with OSHA's confined space entry and control of hazardous energy requirements. Untrained employees entered confined spaces and performed maintenance and cleaning on powered equipment without protection from various hazards. Proposed penalties for the 17 willful violations total $1,071,000. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

"I am committed to ensuring workers return home to their families safe and healthy at the end of every shift," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Employers must fully address hazards, properly train their employees and plan their work in a safe manner."

Seventeen serious citations, with proposed penalties totaling $52,400, include combustible dust and electrical hazards; lack of exit route lighting and signage; lack of confined space evaluations; uninspected fire extinguishers; and untrained and uncertified powered industrial truck operators, among other issues. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm is likely to result if an accident were to occur from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Four repeat violations with penalties totaling $21,800 address the guarding of floor and wall openings, ladders and respiratory protection, and other issues addressed in previous inspections of this company. OSHA issues a repeat citation when it finds an employer's violation is substantially similar to a previously cited condition that was affirmed as a violation through a final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Milk Specialties has been inspected by OSHA 15 times since 1974, including four inspections in Wisconsin between 2006 and 2008, with citations resulting from many of the same safety and health hazards cited in the most recent inspection.

The company engages in the research, development and manufacture of protein and fat products for nutritional applications and feeding regimes that include products such as pasteurized milk extenders, spray-dried protein encapsulated fats, dried whey permeates, and condensed whey and liquid whey products.

Related Posts:
OSHA Inspector Helps Avert Injury
Top Ten OSHA Violations in 2008
You Can't Win

Declining Work-Related Fatalities

2009-06-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

The Bureau Of Labor Statistics reports a continuing decline in the rate of fatal work injuries.

The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries has produced comprehensive counts and rates of fatal work injuries since 1992. The census shows that the rate of fatal work injuries declined between 1992 and 2007, with much of the decline occurring during the first 10 years of the period.

(The latest data available is for 2007. Preliminary fatality data for 2008 will be released in August 2009.) A total of 5,657 workers were fatally injured on the job in 2007.

Differing Rates of Fatal Work Injuries by Age

While the overall rate of fatal work injuries was 3.8 per 100,000 workers in 2007, there were differences in fatality rates by age. Workers age 45 and older had above-average fatality rates while those younger than 45 had below-average rates. Differences were most notable among the youngest and oldest age groups. Fatality rates are expressed in terms of employed workers and not adjusted for hours worked.

Labor laws prohibit the youngest workers from being employed in many hazardous occupations; in addition, the youngest workers typically work part time. In contrast to younger workers, workers age 65 and over may be more likely to be employed in certain occupations with higher-than-average fatality rates. For example, farmers and ranchers have an above-average fatality rate, and in 2007 over 25 percent of farmers and ranchers were 65 and over, whereas 4 percent of all workers were 65 and over (both of these employment figures are from the Current Population Survey). Also, older workers may be less likely to survive a severe workplace injury.

The above information is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on worker safety and health. read the complete report on the BLS web site.

ASSE Revised ANSI/ASSE Z490.1-2009 Standard On Safety Training

2009-06-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently announced the approval and availability of the newly revised American National Standard ANSI/ASSE Z490.1-2009 "Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health, and Environmental Training." The standard calls for qualified training to ensure that workers and safety, health, and environmental professionals have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to protect themselves and others in the workplace.

Approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on April 21, the ANSI/ASSE Z490.1-2009 standard applies a broad range of training and training programs in order to specify how to adequately design, develop, deliver and evaluate training.

"The Z490 was written to provide a guide for the development and presentation of comprehensive HSE training events," said Z490 Committee Vice-Chair Frank Perry, P.E., CSP. "As health, safety and environmental professionals, we have all had the opportunity to conduct compliance training at one time or another. Occasionally we were less than satisfied with either our presentation or with the organization of the training materials. The Z490 is the perfect guide to develop, present and evaluate each training event. If one is using a third-party trainer, the Z490 can be used as a yardstick to ensure that you are truly getting what your organization requires and what you are paying for."

The standard covers all areas of training, including training development, delivery, evaluation and management of training and training programs. Criteria within the standard were developed by combining accepted practices in the training industry along with those in the safety, health and environmental profession.

The standard has many uses including: for use by employers to assess the services of outside training providers or to audit or improve their own training programs; for training providers to assess and improve their training services; and to be used as a basis for development and management of training and training programs. The standard has annexes and references that provide additional information and detail. It is available in print and electronic format by contacting ASSE customer service at 847-699-2929 or customerservice@asse.org.

OSHA Proposes More Than $255,000 in Fines Against New Hampshire Firearms Manufacturer

2009-06-12T07:37:00.000-07:00

OSHA has proposed $255,150 in fines against Sturm Ruger & Co. Inc. for 60 alleged violations of safety and health standards identified during the agency's inspections of the firearms manufacturer's Newport, N.H., plant conducted between November 2008 and May 2009.

"Our inspections identified a large number of mechanical, respirator protection, electrical, lead, fire, explosive and other hazards that must be effectively and continuously addressed to protect the workers at this plant from potentially deadly or disabling injuries and illnesses now and in the future," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's area director in New Hampshire.

OSHA found that the company failed to guard rotating parts on drill presses, sanding and polishing machines despite its knowledge that employees were exposed to severe or fatal injuries if they came in contact with the rotating parts. As a result, OSHA has issued the company one willful citation with $63,000 in proposed fines. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

Additional safety hazards include the lack of spark detectors or suppression systems to minimize fire and explosion hazards in ventilation systems that collect combustible wood and metal dust; allowing combustible dust to accumulate; unguarded floors and platforms; lack of eyewashes and adequate personal protective equipment; inadequate procedures, equipment and training to lock out machines' power sources; improper storage of compressed gas cylinders; damaged, improperly used or ungrounded electrical equipment; additional unguarded machinery; and deficiencies with paint spray booths, confined space rescue, compressed air, forklifts and the transfer of flammable liquids.

The health inspection identified employees exposed to excess levels of lead dust; inadequate lead monitoring, training, hygiene, cleaning and disposal methods; inappropriate selection of respirators for lead; improper respirator fit-testing and use; no medical evaluations for employees using respirators; no refitting and retraining for employees who experienced a hearing threshold shift; and unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals.

These conditions resulted in the issuance of 55 serious citations with $188,550 in fines. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.

The company also has been fined $3,600 and issued four other-than-serious citations for inadequate recordkeeping.

Sturm Ruger has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with the area director or contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Concord Area Office; telephone 603-225-1629.

OSHA Seeking Nominations For the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health.

2009-06-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

OSHA has announced that nominations are being accepted for persons to serve on the 12-member National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health.

Nominations will be accepted for representatives in the following categories: public, management, labor, occupational safety and occupational health. Members will serve a two-year term.

If submitting nominations by mail, hand delivery or messenger service, send three copies to the OSHA Docket Office, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210; telephone 202-693-2350.

Nominations may be sent electronically to http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal, or by facsimile at 202-693-1948. All nominations for NACOSH must include the agency name and docket number, OSHA-2009-0012. Nominations must be submitted no later than July 11, 2009.

Questions concerning the NACOSH nominations process can be addressed to Deborah Crawford at 202-693-1932 or crawford.deborah@dol.gov.

NACOSH was established under section 7(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to advise the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters relating to the administration of the Act.

Arc Flash While Racking A Breaker

2009-06-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

Arc flash is a significant hazard in the workplace. It is estimated that 5-10 arc flash injuries happen every day.

RFID Helps Satisfy OSHA Rules for Industrial Respirators

2009-06-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

Industrial hygiene service provider Colden Corp. is using passive high-frequency tags (RFID tags) to track the inspection and maintenance of the respirators used by factory workers. As reported in the RFID journal, the tags reduce respirator inspection times by helping Colden employees track when respirators are inspected.

3M was the provider of the respirators. The article quotes Larry Ptastenski, the new business development manager of 3M's Occupational Health & Environmental Safety division as saying: "'The key is that RFID allows the customer to know when something is happening.' The information is stored on 3M's cloud-computing internet-based system, he indicates, and can be customized for the needs of a specific client. Some of 3M's respirator customers are maintenance service providers, while others are the manufacturing sites that use the respirators themselves. In each case, Ptastenski says, the needs for data related to inspections differ slightly. The system enables the customers to create user-defined fields—such as alerting them in advance when, for instance, an air filter cartridge needs to be changed."

Read the complete article in the RFID Journal.

Related Past Blog Posts:
Mandatory Respirator Selection Provisions
Respirator Protection An Important Safety Issue
Respirator Training Scripts Available

CAL/OSHA Passes Two Safety Regulations

2009-06-10T12:05:00.000-07:00

The California Farmer magazine reports that CAL/OSHA (California OSHA) has "adopted two standards that are the first in the nation to protect workers from zoonotic aerosol transmissible pathogens (communicable diseases)."

Read the California Farmer article here.

The new regulations apply to people who have contact with live animals, or animal products. The regulation states:

"every employer who has employees with occupational exposure to animals or untreated animal products, byproducts or wastes that may be a source of exposure to zoonotic aerosol transmissible pathogens shall establish, implement, and maintain effective procedures for control of zoonotic diseases."

Thinking Outside the Box

2009-06-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

An article in Athletic Business summarizes the status of fines related to the death of a Buffalo News sports reporter who fell from steep stairs going up to a press box in a high school stadium.

I originally wrote about this on April 8th in a post titled: "An OSHA Recommendation Run Amok".

Initially state safety regulators fined the school district. Then OSHA stepped in and said that the newspaper should be fined $31,500. And the discussion about what is right continues to swirl on the web.

You can read the Athletic Business article here.

OSHA Confirms VPP To Continue

2009-06-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

The following is a press release from the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association, Inc. (VPPPA)

VPPPA has received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Acting Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Jordan Barab, that OSHA is not suspending the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).

Recent media coverage of Acting Assistant Secretary Barab’s statement on April 30, 2009, before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Workforce Protections has caused some confusion for VPP sites and the safety and health community. He stated that, “We need to better utilize the resources that we already have. In order to direct more of OSHA’s existing resources into enforcement and to provide time to address concerns in an upcoming GAO Report on the efficacy of OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program, I have informed the field staff that we will suspend the previous administration’s practice of establishing goals for new Voluntary Protection Program sites and Alliances.”

In response to the resulting confusion, Acting Assistant Secretary Barab called VPPPA’s Executive Director R. Davis Layne and assured him that OSHA is not suspending VPP. Indicated changes represent a shift in focus toward enforcement but do not equate to an elimination of OSHA’s VPP. In the course of the conversation, Barab accepted an invitation to attend the association’s 25th Annual National VPPPA Conference in San Antonio, Texas, August 24-27, 2009, and address the anticipated 2,500 attendees.

VPPPA, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is dedicated to promoting advances in worker safety and health excellence through cooperation among communities, workers, industries and governments. The nearly 2,000 VPPPA member sites primarily consist of worksites that have been approved, or are seeking approval, into VPP as administered by OSHA, state-plan OSHA and the Department of Energy.

Workplace Injuries Rise Following Change to Daylight Savings

2009-05-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

"Beware the ides of March" was the soothsayer’s warning to Julius Caesar in Shakespeare's play about the Roman Emperor. These days, the phrase has taken on the ominous meaning that something bad is about to occur on or around March 15.

Now, two researchers from Michigan State University have conducted a research project that could well contain the warning "Beware of the days after the change to Daylight Savings Time," the second Sunday in March when an hour of sleep is lost as clocks jump ahead.

Using U.S. Department of Labor and Mine Safety and Health Administration data, Christopher Barnes and David Wagner, both doctoral candidates studying industrial and organizational psychology, found that the number of workplace accidents spikes after Daylight Savings Time changes every March.

On the other hand, they found no significant increase in workplace accidents or sleep loss when the clocks were set back an hour in November.

In two separate studies, they found that the March switch to Daylight Savings Time resulted in 40 minutes less sleep for American workers, a 5.7 percent increase in workplace injuries and nearly 68 percent more work days lost to injuries.

The research will be reported in the September issue of the Journal of Applied Psychology.
But can losing one hour of sleep really make a difference? "Yes," said Barnes, "it can. Especially for those engaged in jobs requiring a high level of attention to detail. Studies have shown that lost sleep causes attention levels to drop off."

Recognizing this, that’s why some industries, like trucking and airlines, have regulations setting limits on the consecutive hours that truckers can drive or crews fly without taking a break.
Barnes and Wagner noted that some researchers claim the one-hour clock adjustment does not, and could not, impact accident rates in organizations. "We contend that the springtime change is associated with an increase in the number and severity of workplace accidents," they said.

There is other research available that tends to support Barnes and Wagner. A University of British Columbia study, using data from the Canadian Ministry of Transport, found that when Canada went into daylight savings time, there was an 8 percent increase risk of accidents on the Monday after the changeover. A similar study, using information from the U. S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cited sleep deprivation as the most likely cause of a 17 percent increase in accidents on the Monday following the time change.

Barnes pointed out that is not uncommon for people to complain how tired they are when they lose sleep. Many people adjust to a pace where events recur regularly and they can be adversely affected when that schedule is disrupted. An obvious example is jet lag, which occurs when people travel across several time zones.

"Their internal clocks need some recovery time for these kind of disruptions," Wagner said.
Barnes noted that people assume the change to Daylight Savings is not going to greatly affect them. After all it’s only one hour. And if they do have an accident or make a mistake, they are not likely to attribute it to sleep loss.

While their study focused on physical accidents, Barnes and Wagner said a logical extension could be mistakes in the office or workplace, such as transposing figures on a spread-sheet or filling the wrong prescription in a pharmacy.

The researchers used figures from the American Time Use Survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which included more than 14,000 interviews. They also studied data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration. In analyzing those figures, it was clear that people lost an average of 40 minutes’ sleep following the change to Daylight Savings and there was a jump in workplace accidents following the time change.

They looked at all Mondays in a year and allowed for seasonal effects and other factors. For example, there is more likelihood of snow in Michigan and Minnesota in March than in other parts of the country and the bad weather may have been more of a contributing factor to accidents than the time change.

However, the results clearly show that sleep does have a profound effect upon human behavior and lack of sleep can have significant and serious results, they say.

So, when next March rolls around and clocks are turned forward an hour, organizations should be aware that Daylight Savings Time may save daylight, but not without some cost to organizations.

By the way, Caesar would have done well to heed the soothsayer’s warning. On the 15th of March his friends and colleagues assassinated him.

U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo

2009-05-22T08:20:00.000-07:00

Fifteen years ago the Springfield/Clark County (Ohio) Safety Council (SCCSC), seeking a showcase event that would advance its’ ability to reach out to its’ membership, started a Forklift Rodeo competition. This year's event, which has received international recognition, will be held October 30 & 31st.

Originally this was just a county-wide event, designed to, "promote the safe and efficient operation of forklifts in a fun, competitive environment." It was a modest success conducted out of doors on a parking lot. The second was rained out and postponed. Ever since it has been conducted indoors in a 35,000 sq. ft. Clark County Fairgrounds facility.

Under the direction of The Higgins Group, Inc., (HGI) the Rodeo’s innovator and facilitator, the SCCSC Rodeo has grown in popularity from a single county event, to a multi-county event, to an Ohio and regional event. It has grown from a one day to a two day (Fri – Sat ) event to enable increased participation. In 2006 it was renamed the "U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo," and it became an international competition.

Last month a regional rodeo, "SafeMOV Portugal," was conducted in Lisbon utilizing the HGI "how to" rodeo manual. The result was a huge success and they intend to send their two-person team to the SCCSC 2009 U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo. Meanwhile the Chesapeake Region Safety Council (Baltimore, MD) is preparing for an July 18th Forklift Rodeo with the assistance of HGI . They plan to send their championship team to the "U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo." A third rodeo using the SCCSC / HGI format also appears possible in Great Britain.

What are some of the features of the U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo?

1. Individual competition in conjunction with the two-person team element. Every operator is in the running for individual recognition as the "Top Gun" with the trophy and cash prize.

2. Two division levels, Master Operator & Championship which opens up the competition individual opportunity. Top Championship Division operators earn Master Operator qualification, cash prize, a jacket and they can compete in the Master’s Division in the future.

3. Top Teams (the combination of the two members scores, both divisions) earn a trophy.

4. A 25 question quiz taken from a Master Question File adds a knowledge element to the competition.

To learn more visit the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce website www.greaterspringfield.com.

For additional information about the U.S. Open Forklift Rodeo contact The Higgins Group at +1 937.325.7858 or info.higginsgroup@yahoo.com

Washington State also runs a Forklift Rodeo. This summer they will hold their 12th annual Forklift Rodeo at three locations around the state, with the finals being held in October in the Tacoma Dome.

Will You Be Here Tomorrow?

2009-05-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

A safety video from 1998 is getting a lot of attention on the internet. Called "Will You Be Here Tomorrow?" this video depicts, in a rapid succession, a series of industrial accidents... many of them very bloody. Although the "special effects" are low budget, it does an effective job of making people afraid of workplace accidents.

Mimes Used To Promote Workplace Safety

2009-05-20T14:13:00.000-07:00

This report comes from the Halifax News in Nova Scotia. I've seen a lot of creative ways to promote workplace safety in Canada, and this safety campaign from Canadian Workers’ Compensation Board is... well, it's creative.

The campaign is called "Silence Doesn’t Work Here," and it uses mimes to represent the dangers of not speaking out against workplace safety hazards.

The article quotes Shelley Rowan, Vice President of Strategy and Employee Engagement, "The idea came from the thought that when people don’t talk about workplace safety, people can get hurt. Mimes are the epitome of silence, yet have such a strong message."

Read the entire article here (and see a picture of a mime in action). Or visit the Silence Does Not Work Here web site.

Related Posts:
There Once Was A Nail Without A Job
The Stress Of Fight To Prove Injury Claim Blamed For Man's Death
WSIB Workplace Safety Videos

Washington State Begins New Workplace Safety Advertising Campaign

2009-05-20T12:30:00.000-07:00

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), in partnership with four business and labor organizations, began an advertising campaign on Monday to raise awareness about the importance of workplace safety in Washington state.

Television, radio and Internet ads in Western Washington will spread the message that the most important reason for making your workplace safe is not at work at all. Instead, workplace safety is important as a means of sustaining relationships with family and friends outside the workplace.

The centerpiece ad, called Homecomings, shows people coming home from work to their loved ones, juxtaposed against one boy who is worried that his dad isn't home from work yet. The ad concludes with a reminder that, on average, two people die every week in Washington from on-the-job injuries and illnesses. The ads call attention to WorkSafe.Lni.wa.gov web site and resources for making workplaces safer.

L&I purchased licensing rights to an award-winning workplace-safety campaign developed in Australia, saving creative and development costs. The ads were repurposed for Washington residents, including voice-overs to eliminate the Australian accent.

In Australia, surveys showed that about 85 percent of viewers thought the ads were quite or very effective. Also, 24 percent of employers and 18 percent of employees said they had personally taken action as a result of the campaign. This was considered a very strong result in a low-interest category such as occupational safety and health.

About $450,000 in TV and radio airtime and Internet space has been purchased. The money comes from dedicated workers' compensation funds, which can't be used for purposes other than workers' comp and workplace safety.

Texas House Narrowly Approves Workers’ Compensation Bill

2009-05-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

The bill that passed the Texas House last week allows some workers, who are covered by Worker's Comp., to also sue the work site owner for negligence or to obtain additional compensation for an on-the-job injury.

A Houston Chronical article explains that this change applies to contract workers. It states "The bill by Rep. Helen Giddings, D-Dallas, changes the Labor Code to clarify that plant owners aren’t immune from lawsuits merely because they buy workers’ comp coverage for their contracted workers."

You can read the entire Houston Chronicle article here.

The Southeast Text Record also reported on this providing some background information. They said:

"Last month, the state Supreme Court considered whether a contract employee injured at a work site can sue the site owner for negligence if the owner has workers' compensation insurance."

"On April 3, the court decided that the worker did not have the right to sue because the law does not explicitly prohibit a work site owner like Entergy from being considered a general contractor. General contractors are protected from workplace injury suits."

Labor Dept. To Withdraw Risk Assessment Proposal

2009-05-18T07:06:00.000-07:00

The Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire reports that the U.S. Department of Labor will withdraw the proposal for a risk assessment of new workplace safety standards. The article reports that the "risk assessment proposal will be withdrawn in June. Critics have said the proposed rule would add extra steps to an already slow regulatory process by making it harder to prove the level of risk workers face when exposed to toxins on the job."

The complete article is available here.

Injury That Occurs While Buying Cake May Be Compensable

2009-05-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

If an employee injures themself while doing personal activities while at work, is that covered by Worker's Compensation? The California Court of Appeal says that it is.

A Costco employee purchased a cake at Costco for her sister. When she went to the Costco bakery to picked up the cake, she slipped and fell injuring herself. Costco denied reimbursement for her knee surgery, on the basis that she was engaged in a personal activity not a work related activity.

Risk & Insurance magazine reported on the court decision, saying:

"The court determined that retrieving the cake was more than a personal convenience. The claimant was simultaneously providing a financial benefit to the store in furtherance of the store's business activities. The court stated that according to the state's "dual purpose doctrine" when an employee combines her own business with that of the employer or attends to both at substantially the same time, the court will not make an inquiry into which business the employee was actually engaged in at the time of injury, unless it clearly appears that neither could be serving the employer."

Read the complete article.