This Instruction initiates and establishes a hearing conservation program that complies
with 29 CFR 1910.95 to protect OSHA personnel covered by PER 04-00-003 from the
effects of occupational noise exposure. The Hearing Conservation Amendment to the
OSHA Occupational noise exposure standard, 29 CFR 1910.95, requires that employers
establish a hearing conservation program for employees whose noise exposures equal or
exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 85 dBA.

Employers are now mandated to have a hearing conservation program that includes:

• Monitoring of work area
• Audiometric testing program
• Employee notification
• Proper PPE
• Training on hearing protectors
• Annual employee training
• Proper Recordkeeping

The Compliance Resource Center reported earlier that NIOSH had developed online tool to allow users to check their hearing protection in a minute or less.  With this new directive employers might want to take a quick look at this online tool.

Last April, The Compliance Resource Center reported that NIOSH, OSHA and NHCA (National Hearing Conservation Assoication), recently signed and agreement  to help prevent work-related hearing loss.
Now researchers at NIOSH’s Pittsburgh Research Laboratory have developed QuickFitWeb, an online tool to allow users to check their hearing protection in a minute or less. The site notes that ear muffs, ear plugs, and other hearing protection devices can reduce the risk of hearing loss, but only if the wearer gets a good fit and wears them properly. The NIOSH sound player tool allows users to perform a quick test of whether they are getting at least a minimal 15 decibel (dB) level of protection.

The test sounds are bands of random noise with a center frequency of 1000 Hz. This is the same type of sound used in standard hearing protector ratings including the “American National Standard Methods for Measuring the Real-Ear Attenuation of Hearing Protectors” (ANSI S12.6). Both tracks are the same, but the second track is 15 decibels (dB) louder than the first. Most hearing protectors will block or “attenuate” sound by more than 15 dB if they are the right size and shape to fit the ears and are worn correctly. A sound that is barely audible at a worker’s threshold of hearing without hearing protection should be inaudible though hearing protection even if it’s boosted by 15 dB.

To use the tool, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/topics/hearingloss/quickfitweb.htm.

Safety Online recently reported that NIOSH, OSHA and NHCA (National Hearing Conservation Assoication), recently signed and agreement  to help prevent work-related hearing loss.  The partners agreement is to provide resources, speakers, recommend best practices and more.

Currently NISOH has a Hearing Conservation Program Evaluation Checklist available.  Over a year ago I reported  on this site, that International Safety Equipment Association petitioned OSHA about reducing the level of noise exposure in the work place.  Now there will be a greater effort to protect workers hearing and make more resources available to employers.

ON Oct. 5, NOISH announced the online availability of a publication that offers recommendations to prevent injuries and deaths while working with metal ladders around overhead power lines.

A NIOSH review of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries data from 1992 to 2005 identified at least 154 electrocution deaths that resulted from contacting overhead power lines with portable metal ladders (excluding truck-mounted and aerial ladders). Of these 154 deaths, 36 involved a person of Hispanic origin. Although Hispanic workers accounted for 23 percent of these electrocution deaths due to ladders contacting power lines, it is estimated that they made up only 11 percent of the workforce during this period.

Employers, workers, general contractors and ladder manufacturers should take the steps outlined in the NIOSH publication to protect workers while working around overhead power lines. Many of these steps are required or suggested by OSHA regulations.

Steps employers can take include:

• Identify the location of overhead power lines as a routine part of all initial worksite surveys for jobs involving the use of ladders.
• Always note power line heights and distances from work areas on site diagrams to provide key information for site supervisors and workers.
• Avoid or limit proximity to power lines whenever possible. Consider ladder length and room for ladder staging (safely raising and lowering ladders).
• Notify the local electric utility company for assistance if work needs to be done near energized, overhead power lines.

The publication can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2007-155.

An arc flash can happen without warning and occurs much too fast for you to react.

The heat released during an arc flash can reach as high as 35,000 degrees Fahrenheit — hotter than the surface of the sun. Large arc flashes can cause an explosion noise loud enough to cause hearing loss and injuries from being thrown back from the electrical explosion.

To better address this issue, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has teamed with NIOSH and the Centers for Disease Control to distribute Arc Flash Awareness, a DVD training course, available in both English and Spanish. The DVD includes basic information about arc flash awareness and contains the first hand accounts of three electrical workers who were severely injured in arc flash accidents.

Surprisingly, it has just been in recent years that the term “arc flash” has garnered much attention. Many companies have started to raise awareness about the problem. Some companies, however, do not think that arc flash is a serious concern because they have not yet had an arc flash incident.

An arc flash can result from the spontaneous failure of equipment during normal operation or from accidentally bridging two live electrical contacts with a conducting object, like a metal screwdriver or wrench. Other causes may include the improper use of electrical multimeters, poor housekeeping that allows the buildup of conductive dust, or severe corrosion that allows connections to break.

How large is the problem?
– According to CapSchell, Inc., a Chicago-based research and consulting firm that specializes in workplace injury prevention, there are five to 10 arc flash explosions every day in the United States.
– The final cost to employers and their insurers for a single, serious injury can approach $10 million. (CapSchell)
– 2,000 workers are admitted annually to burn centers for extended injury treatments caused by arc flash, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
– A recent study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) determined 17,101 injuries were caused by electric arc flash burns between 1992 though 2001.

With statistics like this, companies cannot afford to ignore electrical safety issues surrounding accidental electrocution from arc flash explosions.

For more information on Arc Flash or to order a copy of the Arc Flash Awareness DVD visit the ESFI Library on the ESFI’s website, http://www.electrical-safety.org/ or call ESFI at 703-841-3229.
 

A picture is worth a thousand or 200 words. 

A Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) study states that 72% of workers injured in scaffold accidents attributed the accident either to the planking or support giving way, or to the employee slipping or being struck by a falling object. All of these can be controlled by compliance with OSHA standards.

Scaffolding 1926.451  Failure to provide fall protection 1926.451 (g)(1) is the number 1 fined violation by OSHA

Scaffolding accidents are almost always the result of negligence on the part of the improper construction or maintenance. It is estimated that 100,000 of 500,000 injuries that occur on construction sites are scaffold related accidents. OSHA does have strict regulations when it comes to construction sites using scaffolding and building a safe scaffold. But unfortunately sometimes the contractor or even the laborer thinks some of the steps are unnecessary and overlooks them, sometimes paying with their lives for this mistake.

Accidents involving scaffolding mainly involve people falling, incorrect operating procedures, environmental conditions and falling materials caused by equipment failure. The causes of scaffolding accidents include failures at attachment points, parts failure, inadequate fall protection, improper construction or work rules, and changing environmental conditions (high winds, temperature extremes or the presence of toxic gases). Additionally, overloading of scaffolding is a frequent cause of major scaffold failure.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have jointly published a Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) designed to help protect surgical personnel from needle stick injuries while using suture needles.

“Surgical personnel are at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens from injuries caused by sharp surgical instruments,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. “We strongly encourage the use of blunt-tip suture needles when feasible and appropriate to reduce this risk.” “The effectiveness of blunt-tip suture needles for preventing needle stick injuries has been widely reported,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “We are pleased to partner with OSHA in offering guidance to protect the safety and health of medical professionals.”

The SHIB, available on the OSHA Web site at http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib032307.html and on the NIOSH Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-132, describes the hazards of sharp-tip suture needles and presents evidence of the effectiveness of blunt-tip needles in decreasing injuries. It also emphasizes OSHA’s requirement to use appropriate, available and effective safer medical devices.

Sharp-tip suture needles are the leading source of penetrating injuries to surgical personnel, causing 51-to-71 percent of these incidents. These injuries potentially expose staff and patients to bloodborne pathogens.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) issued a statement in 2005 supporting the use of blunt-tip suture needles where clinically appropriate. This statement has been endorsed by the six organizations that, along with the ACS, make up the Council on Surgical and Perioperative Safety.
  
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure the safety and health of America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/. NIOSH is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of workplace injuries and diseases. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/niosh.
   
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov/. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755.
The U.S.Department of Labor is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit
http://www.dol.gov/compliance.

How often have you considered you power-operated hand tools [OSHA 1926.302 (b)] a lethal weapon?  The is an increasing number of incidents with the use of pneumatic power tools, especially nail guns.

Nail guns are tools used in place of hand-held hammers to drive nails into various types of construction materials (such as wood or masonry). There are generally two types of nail guns that are frequently used on construction sites. High velocity nail guns typically utilize an explosive cartridge to “fire” nails whereas low velocity guns utilize a piston-style mechanism activated by either an explosive cartridge or compressed air. Nail guns have been used for many years on wood-frame residential construction sites and have increased worker productivity dramatically. Now, it is rare to hear a hammer pounding a nail at a residential construction site, as it has been replaced by the rapid-fire sound of the pneumatic nail gun.

Nail guns have the capacity to fire several nails per second at a velocity over 1,000 feet per second.  Although these physics will allow a nail gun to fire a projectile almost 4 inches into fully stressed concrete, when accidentally applied to the human body, the resulting damage can be severe. Although extremity injuries (such as those to the hands and feet) are most common, severe injuries to more critical areas of the body, such as the head, neck, and chest may occur. A recent study of construction workers in three states showed that 97% of all puncture wounds in residential construction were caused by nail guns and that two-thirds of all nail gun injuries occurred as a result of a safety device (i.e. a bumper or trigger safety) being by-passed or disabled.

The following guidelines can help you reduce your risk of nail gun injuries when working on construction sites:
1. Always wear safety glasses when operating pneumatic tools including nail guns. Ensure that others in the area are wearing safety glasses as well.
2. NEVER dismantle or bypass safety devices such as triggers, guards, or bumpers.
3. Be aware of the location of air hoses, especially when working at heights, as they may pose a tripping hazard.
4. Do not press the trigger unless the nose is firmly pressed against the working material.
5. Never point the tool at a person and always assume it is loaded and ready to fire.
6. Always point the gun away from you when nailing materials. NEVER BACK-NAIL MATERIALS with the tip of the gun pointing toward your body.
7. Always disconnect the air hose or power supply before clearing jams or adjusting the tool.
8. Always nail top to bottom for vertical walls, in a forward direction for horizontal areas, and from the eaves to the ridge for roof sheathing.
9. Never use bottled gas in place of compressed air to operate pneumatic tools and never operate them around flammables.
10. Review the operator’s manual with all employees to ensure that the tool will be used appropriately and within manufacturers specifications.

Information extracted in part from Oregon OSHA and reports from the Washington State SHARP program (Baggs,
Cohen, Kalat, and Silverstein, 2001) and the Duke University Medical Center Division of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine (Dement, Lipscomb, Epling, Desai, Li, and DeLarco, 2001)

The summer months are just around the corner, we hope.  Every year one of the most frequent causes of employee injury or illness is Dehydration and Heat Stroke. 

Here is some information from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
The danger of dehydration and heat stroke:
Dehydration and heat stroke are two very common heat-related diseases that can be life-threatening if left untreated.

What is dehydration?
Dehydration can be a serious heat-related disease, as well as being a dangerous side-effect of diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Children and persons over the age of 60 are particularly susceptible to dehydration.

What causes dehydration?
Under normal conditions, we all lose body water daily through sweat, tears, urine and stool. In a healthy person, this water is replaced by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. When a person becomes so sick with fever, diarrhea, or vomiting or if an individual is overexposed to the sun, dehydration occurs. This is caused when the body loses water content and essential body salts such as sodium, potassium, calcium bicarbonate and phosphate.

Occasionally, dehydration can be caused by drugs, such as diuretics, which deplete body fluids and electrolytes. Whatever the cause, dehydration should be treated as soon as possible.

What are the symptoms of dehydration?
The following are the most common symptoms of dehydration, although each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• thirst
• less-frequent urination
• dry skin
• fatigue
• light-headedness
• dizziness
• confusion
• dry mouth and mucous membranes
• increased heart rate and breathing

In children, additional symptoms may include:

• dry mouth and tongue
• no tears when crying
• no wet diapers for more than 3 hours
• sunken abdomen, eyes or cheeks
• high fever
• listlessness
• irritability skin that does not flatten when pinched and released

Treatment for dehydration:
If caught early, dehydration can often be treated at home under a physician’s guidance. In children, directions for giving food and fluids will differ according to the cause of the dehydration, so it is important to consult your pediatrician.

In cases of mild dehydration, simple rehydration is recommended by drinking fluids. Many sports drinks on the market effectively restore body fluids, electrolytes, and salt balance.

For moderate dehydration, intravenous fluids may be required, although if caught early enough, simple rehydration may be effective. Cases of serious dehydration should be treated as a medical emergency, and hospitalization, along with intravenous fluids, is necessary. Immediate action should be taken.

How can dehydration be prevented?
Take precautionary measures to avoid the harmful effects of dehydration, including:

Drink plenty of fluids, especially when working or playing in the sun.
Make sure you are taking in more fluid than you are losing.
Try to schedule physical outdoor activities for the cooler parts of the day.
Drink appropriate sports drinks to help maintain electrolyte balance.
For infants and young children, solutions like Pedialyte will help maintain electrolyte balance during illness or heat exposure. Do not try to make fluid and salt solutions at home for children.
What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat illness and is a life-threatening emergency. It is the result of long, extreme exposure to the sun, in which a person does not sweat enough to lower body temperature. The elderly, infants, persons who work outdoors and those on certain types of medications are most susceptible to heat stroke. It is a condition that develops rapidly and requires immediate medical treatment.

What causes heat stroke?
Our bodies produce a tremendous amount of internal heat and we normally cool ourselves by sweating and radiating heat through the skin. However, in certain circumstances, such as extreme heat, high humidity or vigorous activity in the hot sun, this cooling system may begin to fail, allowing heat to build up to dangerous levels.

If a person becomes dehydrated and can not sweat enough to cool their body, their internal temperature may rise to dangerously high levels, causing heat stroke.

What are the symptoms of heat stroke?
The following are the most common symptoms of heat stroke, although each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• headache
• dizziness
• disorientation, agitation or confusion
• sluggishness or fatigue
• seizure
• hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty
• a high body temperature
• loss of consciousness
• rapid heart beat
• hallucinations

How is heat stroke treated?
It is important for the person to be treated immediately as heat stroke can cause permanent damage or death. There are some immediate first aid measures you can take while waiting for help to arrive.

• Get the person indoors.
• Remove clothing and gently apply cool water to the skin followed by fanning to stimulate sweating.
• Apply ice packs to the groin and armpits.
  Have the person lie down in a cool area with their feet slightly elevated
• Intravenous fluids are often necessary to compensate for fluid or electrolyte loss. Bed rest is generally advised and body temperature may fluctuate abnormally for weeks after heat stroke.

How can heat stroke be prevented?
There are precautions that can help protect you against the adverse effects of heat stroke. These include:

• Drink plenty of fluids during outdoor activities, especially on hot days. Water and sports drinks are the drinks of choice; avoid tea, coffee, soda and alcohol as these can lead to dehydration.
• Wear lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing in light colors.
  Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the day.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat, sunglasses and using an umbrella.
• Increase time spent outdoors gradually to get your body used to the heat.
• During outdoor activities, take frequent drink breaks and mist yourself with a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated.
• Try to spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot and humid days.

If you live in a hot climate and have a chronic condition, talk to your physician about extra precautions you can take to protect yourself against heat stroke.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety and independent trucker have been at odds over safety issues for the past decade.  The Chicago Tribune recently printed an article, Bone-Weary Haulers Raise Stakes on Road, which reported trucking incidents and deaths are on the rise.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in cooperation with its partners and customers, strives to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.  They have initiated many safety projects.

Some of the more recent changes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49CFR parts 40,380,382,383 and 390-399) include:

• Cargo Securement
• Drug and Alcohol Program
• Inspection Levels
• Driver Training
• Hours of Service
• Brake Regulations

One area that is requiring more study is the affect of sleep apnea on commercial truck drivers. Many drivers fit the typical of a sleep apnea patient:

• Overweight
• Short Neck
• Male
• Short sleep cycle
• Snore
• High blood pressure

A few years ago, I was working with the Teamster’s Union in Chicago to screen truck drivers for sleep apnea.  First performed an initial at home sleep study.  Those patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea were referred to a hospital sleep lab for further study.  About 70% of the driver’s tested exhibited some form of sleep apnea.  Many were put on a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine.  I was not able to do follow-up research.

The Compliance Resource Center has a 12-module training session that includes:

• Introduction to FMCSR
• Transportation safety
• Driver Requirements
• Driver Knowledge
• Driver employment screening and background checks
• Testing; Drug, Alcohol and Medical
• Hours of Service
• Log books
• Truck Inspections
• Introduction to hazmat
• Loading and unloading hazmat
• Load securement

Companies can mix any of these modules for a 1/2-day, 1-day or 2-day ON-SITE training class.  Call 847-298-3063 or info@thecrcetner.com for more information or a quote.