U.S. Workers Ask For Workplace Violence Prevention Preparation

Due to this year's past high profile public and workplace shootings throughout the U.S., the FBI Academy Alumni Association, received high interest in a shooting response program held in Boston last week.

The workshop, “Active Shooter Preparation and Response” was held by the group and resulted in a turnout of about 300 attendees.

The local citizens group’s main goal is to raise awareness about workplace violence and shootings and prod employers and landlords to take preventative action in case of an emergency.

"Workplace homicides are still relatively rare, but general workforce violence is not uncommon, and there's evidence of an increase in violent crime in general," said Randy Spivey, chief executive of the Center for Personal Protection and Safety, a firm in Spokane, Wash., that develops workplace violence-prevention programs for companies.

While a workplace incident like a shooting spree is still relatively rare, the unfortunate past events shows that is highly important for all employers to be aware of the best strategy for a company to use in case of an emergency.

To view the original article, visit http://www.masslive.com/business-news/index.ssf/2012/11/companies_focus_on_preventing_workplace.html.

If you would like more information about Workplace Violence Prevention, visit https://safetylinks.net/index.php/training/safety-management-courses/violence-prevention.

Continue Reading

IOA Risk Services

Nominations for OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health Are Seeked

OSHA has recently announced that they are now accepting nominations for eight new members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health.

Groups in which the nominees are interested in representing can be an employee, employer, public, and state and health agency. All members serve for two years except for the representative designated by the Department of Health and Human Services and appointed by the Secretary of Labor.

If you’d like to submit a nomination, visit www.regulations.gov where you can also view the Federal Register notice for additional details.. You can also submit by mail or fax. The deadline is January 7.

To view the press release, visit http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=23241.

 

Continue Reading

What Four More Years of Obama Means To OSHA

According to Aaron Trippler, director of government affairs for the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the president’s re-election is unlikely to result in any drastic changes for OSHA.

Some of the things believed OSHA will keep focusing on are the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2) and possibly finally updating permissible exposure limits (PEL’s). On another note, Trippler also believes that OSHA will likely focus their funds on enforcement and the impact it has shown, and the relationship between federal OSHA and state plans, since 50 percent of their budget is received from them.

To read the article, visit http://ehstoday.com/osha/how-will-obama-s-re-election-impact-occupational-safety-and-health?page=1.

Continue Reading

IOA Risk Services

OSHA’s Advisory Committee On Construction Safety and Health To Meet in Nov.

The Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) has a meeting scheduled by OSHA on November 27-30 in Washington, DC. It will consist of meetings divided in Work Groups and a full committee at different times. ACCSH Work Groups will meet Nov. 27-28 and the full committee on Nov. 29-30.

The ACCSH works as an advisor to the Secretary of Labor and Assistant Secretary of Labor of OSHA. The full committee agenda will include Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor and updates from the Directorate of Construction. The Work Group meetings will include the topics: Health hazards, emerging issues, prevention through design, training and outreach, and injurly and illness prevention programs.

To submit any comments or requests, visit their Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. You can also submit by mail or fax.  All comments and requests must be submitted by Nov. 16, 2012.

 

Continue Reading

IOA Risk Services

CPSC Urges Consumers to Change Batteries in Alarms This Weekend When Changing Clocks for Daylight Saving Time

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is encouraging consumers to change the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms this weekend.

"When changing clocks this weekend for Daylight Saving Time, remember to change the batteries in smoke and CO alarms," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Fresh batteries in alarms are essential to keeping your alarm working and on guard to protect you and your family."

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 4, 2012.

About two-thirds of fire deaths occur in homes with either no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that don't work. CPSC also recommends that consumers test their alarms once each month and place smoke alarms on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas, and inside each bedroom.

Fire departments responded to more than 366,700 residential fires nationwide that resulted in more than 2,300 deaths, more than 12,500 injuries, and $7.09 billion in property losses annually, on average, from 2008 through 2010.

CO alarms are equally important and should be installed on each level of the home and outside sleeping areas. CO alarms should not be installed in attics or basements unless they include a sleeping area. Combination smoke and CO alarms are available.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that consumers cannot see or smell. There was an average of 183 unintentional, non-fire CO poisoning deaths each year from 2006 to 2008. To protect against CO poisoning, schedule an annual professional inspection of all fuel-burning appliances, including furnaces and chimneys. Keep portable generators outside, far from the home when they are being used.

 

Continue Reading

Safety Tips for Hurricane Sandy Aftermath

Now that Hurricane Sandy has finally passed, it has unfortunately left large amounts of recovery and planning for months ahead.

Whether you live in the area of the disaster or have been sent to work there, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has recently offered these tips for the aftermath:

  • If you have become separated from your family, use your family communications plan or contact FEMA or the American Red Cross.
  • If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
  • If you cannot return home and have immediate housing needs. Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (example: shelter 12345).
  • For those who have longer-term housing needs, FEMA offers several types of assistance, including services and grants to help people repair their homes and find replacement housing. Apply for assistance or search for information about housing rental resources.
  • Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges. Stay off the streets. If you must go out watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened walls, bridges, roads and sidewalks.
  • Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.
  • Walk carefully around the outside your home and check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage before entering.
  • Stay out of any building if you smell gas, floodwaters remain around the building or your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.
  • Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance purposes. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.
  • Use battery-powered flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles. Note: The flashlight should be turned on outside before entering – the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.
  • Watch your pets closely and keep them under your direct control. Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.
  • Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it’s not contaminated.
  • Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
  • Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.
  • Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
  • NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off (Visit our Carbon Monoxide blog post for more info).
For more information on disaster recovery and federal assistance programs, visit http://www.ready.gov/.

Continue Reading

IOA Risk Services

Safety Industry Salary Survey Results Show Improvement

A salary survey sent by Safety + Health to 13,410 of their subscribers on August 13 received positive results on their small response rate of 9.9%.

About 52% respondents expect or have received a bonus or raise this year.

Out of the 1,322 that responded, 14.8% have a salary of $100,000 to $125,000 and 28.4% are between 53-59 years old.

Almost half of the respondents also stated having a four-year degree. Finance and real estate industries were the most likely to receive a bonus this year, followed by utilities.

To view the survey visit, http://www.nsc.org/safetyhealth/Pages/Salary-Survey-2012_1012.aspx?utm_source=In+this+issue+--+Nov+2012&utm_campaign=inThisIssueNov12&utm_medium=email#.UJE0JMWHKSp.

 

Continue Reading

IOA Risk Services

Stay Warm, But Safe from Carbon Monoxide Danger

Here in Florida, as the temperature quickly drops to levels we don't like or are used to, make use that any space heaters you might be using aren't causing harm. For weather hazards that we ARE more used to here and the upper east coast currently experiencing, like hurricanes, beware of gas-fueled portable generators. Because carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that can't be seen, smelled or tasted, it is extremely important to be aware of any exposure to it with any of these.

For more information on the dangers of CO and how you can prevent any danger, visit OSHA's Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet at http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/carbonmonoxide-factsheet.pdf.

To view a Carbon Monoxide safety video, visit https://safetylinks.net/index.php/blog/entry/carbon-monoxide-deaths-increase.

Continue Reading

In Florida, Halloween Safety Focus Is On Drivers

“Keep the party off the road” is the message that the Florida Highway Patrol is giving to the public for they Halloween festivities this year. From Oct. 25 through Nov. 4, the Patrol joins thousands of other law enforcement and highway safety agencies to launch the crackdown on impaired drivers.

“The Patrol continues to make driving under the influence (DUI) enforcement a priority,” said Col. David Brierton, director of the Florida Highway Patrol. “In an effort to get impaired drivers off the road, troopers will be vigilant throughout the state with an aggressive Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over crack down.”

These are some of the tips recommended to stay safe this Halloween:

Plan a safe way to get home before the festivities begin.

Before drinking, designate a sober driver.

If you are impaired, take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation to get home safely.

Remember, friends don’t let friends drive drunk.

To view the news release, visit http://www.flhsmv.gov/news/pdfs/PR102412.pdf.

 

Continue Reading