Workplace Safety Technology: T-Mobile for Business Adds 4G LTE HardHat and Contactless Temperature Device

Jul 30, 2020

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T-Mobile for Business has added two new workplace safety technology products geared to make workplaces safer. Each one also has features to help provide solutions related to recent concerns with workplace health. The first product is a “smart” hard hat by Guardhat. The other is a contactless temperature device for people entering crowded or confined spaces. Both devices will take advantage of T-Mobile’s 4G LTE connectivity.

Guardhat

Guardhat utilizes sensors that let you know where the worker is at all times and what conditions they are working in order to analyze that data. It also allows for audio and video communications so that you can see what they see and communicate back and forth with a central control center.

Some of the features include:

Location: Geofencing sensors track where Guardhat wearers are at, at all times. Persons at a central control center can see where they are on a map. Wearers can be alerted when they’re getting too close to hazards such as moving equipment, lockout/tagout areas, working areas like trenches or equipment drop zones and other dangers. Sensors can be placed on all types of equipment and other assets so it can be tracked as well.
Communications: Guardhat wearers can communicate with the control center through voice and video capabilities.
Environment Monitoring: The hat will sense gases, noise, temperature and pressure issues and sound an alert until the worker gets to a safe location. Persons at the control center will be able to use the camera on the hat and the locating sensors to help guide the worker to safety, if needed.
Physical Monitoring: The hat monitors vital stats and if it senses something is medically wrong with a worker wearing one, it will send an alert to other Guardhat users in the area and then will contact emergency medical services.
Fall Detection: The hat will sense when a worker has fallen and will alert other wearers in the area as well as emergency services.
Social Distancing: Location sensors can also be setup to ensure workers are working 6 feet from each other for social distancing purposes.

Guardhat is good for workers in areas with a number of hazards around them as well as workers who work alone in isolated areas.

PIMMAP Contactless Temperature Solution

The PIMMAP Contactless Temperature Solution is an 8-inch HD tablet that is an infrared camera and contactless temperature sensor. It can be mounted to stands, kiosks or stations in places like schools, offices, arenas, factories, stores, hospitals, etc.

A person will stand in front of the device and it will use its infrared camera and facial recognition features to take temperatures at accuracy readings +/- 0.36 degrees F. Facial recognition technology will also scan for signs of fatigue, watery eyes, and other flu-like symptoms.

Readings can be taken from 3-5 feet from the device and can scan 40 persons per minute. An alert will come up on the screen if the temperature is too high.

The data for the device can be transferred to cloud servers and they can send push notifications. They can also be worked on and troubleshot remotely. If there’s no internet access where the device is located, it has its own 4G LTE router.

To learn more about these workplace safety technology devices, check out T-Mobile’s news release about them here.

Contributing:

Tami Hadley

Marketing Director | Project Manager, E-Training Solutions

Tami has been with iSi for over 24 years. During this time, she has enjoyed helping promote regulations compliance awareness and education through her involvement with iSi Training and through leadership roles with industry conferences and professional organizations.

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Industrial Hygiene in Construction: Focus Four Health Hazards

Jul 9, 2020

Recently the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) published results of its study of construction occupations and workers across 32 states regarding construction worker health.

For several years, there has been an OSHA Focus Four emphasis on physical safety (Falls, Electrocutions, Struck-By and Caught-In-Between). However, at construction worksites, the focus on industrial hygiene in construction and worker health has consistently lagged behind. Besides Focus Four and equipment and tool safety, companies focus on zero injuries. Health hazard exposures are just as common and can be harder to see because some may not arise until they become chronic.

As a result, AIHA has published a guidance document on a new Focus Four for Construction HEALTH Hazards including:

Manual Material Handling
Noise
Air Contaminants
High Temperatures

Manual Material Handling

Manual material handling is strenuous work that can cause overexertion. Repeated work day after day, vibration from tools and equipment or awkward positioning can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as back strains and sprains; arm and hand injuries; elbow and shoulder issues; and knee disorders. There are not many medical remedies for MSDs other than pain killers which can lead to opioid addictions. Disabilities and early retirement can also arise. MSDs are not cheap from a worker’s compensation perspective, taking 50% of all worker’s comp costs in construction.

AIHA says reducing these hazards will not only lower your costs, but help you retain your most experienced workers, help attract new employees, keep employees productive as they age and increase roles for women in the trades.

Noise

Exposures to noise can create either temporary or permanent hearing loss and other problems like tinnitus (ringing in the ears), sleep disturbance, impairment of balance, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. AIHA says a rule of thumb to use is that if you need to raise your voice to talk with someone an arm’s length away, the noise level will be over your 85 decibel limit. There are also many apps for your phone that can give an approximate noise level reading. Just remember these are not calibrated and can be off by several decibels. Those exposures at 85 decibels will cause damage over time, but construction tools and activities at 130-140 decibels will cause instant damage.

AIHA says hearing loss is the most common workplace illness in the U.S., and there is no cure for hearing loss or tinnitus.

Make sure you know what your noise exposures measurements are , know how to properly select and use hearing protection, communicate noise hazards, conduct hearing tests annually, train employees and include information about noise off the job. Better yet, find ways wherever possible to reduce noise exposures.

Air Contaminants

Air contaminants can include dusts, metal fumes, gases, vapors, solvents, and exhaust. Odors are not always present, and those who “get used to the smell” may not know their overexposures to it. For some contaminants, the fact that you can smell them means you’re already overexposed.

Contaminants can be inhaled or absorbed. Inhalation causes damage to the nose, throat and lungs causing damage and potential for asthma, breathing difficulties, lung scarring, COPD and lung cancer. Absorption can cause blood, nervous system and organ damage.

This is another health hazard that may not be seen right away, but can arise later in an employee’s life, affecting quality of life.

This hazard can be reduced by pre-planning, determining:

Hazards of material to be used – what does the SDS say?
Amount used?
Duration used?
How will it be dispersed?
Confinement/enclosures used?
Controls used?
Ventilation and exhaust planned?
What PPE is needed?
Are respirators needed and do you have a proper respiratory protection program in place?
What are the occupational exposure limits allowed?

AIHA cautions that just because a task will be done for a short amount of time doesn’t lessen the hazard.

High Temperatures

Construction workers are susceptible to heat exposures due to the nature and location of their work. Often things like PPE will add to the potential for problems.

Heat exposures play with the body’s ability to think clearly and act normally, so the worker may not speak up. That’s why it’s important for all workers, supervisors and foremen to be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

Proper training and planning ahead will help prevent major issues. Make sure you look at things like:

Heat index
Experience and acclimation of worker (new or temp workers?)
How much work will be in direct sun?
Confined spaces
Additional heat sources (radiant heat/welding)
Physical workload
PPE to be used
Insulation and heat shields
Ventilation
Work schedules
Hydration, shade and break areas

In Closing

Although this article focuses on the construction worker, there is a lot that general industry workplaces can learn from this information too.

For more information about the Focus Four Health Hazards, check out the AIHA guidance document.

iSi’s team of industrial hygienists can help you with these issues and take care of the workplace and employee sampling that’s needed in several of these hazards. Contact us today with your questions or to get a price quote.

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Worker & Area Sampling

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Contributing:

Tami Hadley

Marketing Director | Project Manager, E-Training Solutions

Tami has been with iSi for over 24 years. During this time, she has enjoyed helping promote regulations compliance awareness and education through her involvement with iSi Training and through leadership roles with industry conferences and professional organizations.

Email | LinkedIn

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iSi Summer Safety Toolbox: Staying Hydrated

Jun 10, 2020

Dehydration can be a common cause of heat illness. Maintaining hydration is important, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Drinking water or electrolyte drinks are highly preferred to sugary and heavily caffeinated drinks. OSHA recommends drinking small amounts of cool water often before getting thirsty; 4 cups every hour during heat index values between 103°F – 115°F. Another recommendation is not to exceed 12 quarts of water per day.

An important reminder is that every person and situation is different. Some people require more water than others. These intake amounts depend on several things including the type of work being done, how much you’re sweating, and your personal risk factors. Don’t chug a large amount of water in the morning and call it good for the day; the important thing is maintaining hydration. You don’t flood your vegetable garden once at the beginning of the month and neglect it the rest of the month. If you do, you probably don’t have much of a harvest. Drinking throughout the day helps to better regulate core temperature and reduces strain on your cardiovascular system, keeping consistent body temperature.

It’s the supervisor’s duty to have a plan in place during days of extreme heat. If possible, rescheduling a job to a cooler day or even a cooler part of the day could make a difference. Getting a job done on time is important, as is maintaining client satisfaction. However, no part of a job is worth risking the health and safety of your team and clients should understand that.

It’s every person’s duty to watch out for themselves and their teammates. Providing cold water for your team is beneficial during hot days, as is having a first aid kit. If you have a first aid kit, kudos! If you don’t have a first aid kit, now is the time to get one. A few beneficial items to add to your first aid kit would be cold packs, cooling towels, electrolyte/salt tablets, or electrolyte powder drink mix. There are also specific first aid kits that can be purchased that include heat-stress care items.

Some symptoms of dehydration include:

Extreme thirst
Less frequent urination or dark colored urine
Decreased sweating
Muscle cramps
Nausea, dizziness or confusion
Fatigue

If you’re a supervisor who would like some ideas on a heat safety plan or have questions on where to find quality first aid kits, contact us!

Contributing:

Drew Lyon

Project Manager | Meteorologist

Drew Lyon’s experience and training encompasses environmental reporting, day-to-day EHS compliance assistance at manufacturing facilities, wastewater compliance, hazardous waste management, environmental field sampling and safety. She is also a meteorologist, providing weather-related guidance to clients and our team.

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How UV Lighting Can be Used as a Disinfectant for Your Facility

May 28, 2020

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UV Light for Your HVAC

iSi can now provide disinfecting UV lighting for your HVAC system. UV light installations kill protein encased viruses, bacteria and mold.

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UV lighting can be used as another tool in your safety and environmental arsenal to make your workplace safer and healthier. But how does it work?

What is UVGI?

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation, or UVGI, is a technology that goes back to the 1930’s with studies showing that ultraviolet light has the ability to kill or inactivate airborne microorganisms. These studies showed that an optimal wavelength of 265 nanometers (nm) was able to provide the largest reduction in airborne microorganisms. This was found to be very close to the wavelength produced by low-pressure mercury vapor lamps (254 nm).

Ultraviolet light can be broken down into 4 different bands:

UV-V: 10-200 nm
UV-C: 200-280 nm
UV-B: 280-315 nm
UV-A: 315-400 nm

The sun emits the full spectrum of ultraviolet light but only UV-A & UV-B make it to the surface. The others are filtered out by the Earth’s atmosphere. The UV-C band is the most effective at attacking the harmful microorganisms, so it needs to be generated artificially.

UV light spectrum

How does UVGI work?

UV-C wavelengths are readily absorbed by the DNA and RNA of microorganisms such as germs and mold. When absorbed, UV damages their DNA or RNA structure, preventing the microorganism from replicating. The magnitude of their reduction is affected by their resistance to UVGI, the quantity of UV energy delivered, and the type specific microorganism being irradiated.

Wall-mounted UV light system.

Disinfecting light is delivered in two common methods. The first is by placing light units, either with or without fans, near the top of a room close to the air vents in order to clean the air as it circulates the room.

The second method is to place the unit directly into the heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This second method places the light in a location where the room occupants are not directly exposed to the light, and if placed correctly, can have an added advantage of cleaning the HVAC coils and drip pan to improve the efficiency of the HVAC system.

UV light for HVAC system.

The design and placement of these different systems are governed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) which has published many documents on the subject.

UV Safety Considerations

UV-C band light is a safer band than the UV-A and UV-B that we deal with in nature. We have always been taught to apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses to protect ourselves from the burns we receive when outside. Due to the shorter wavelengths UV-C will only penetrate the outer skin layers and along the surface of the eye. It will not give you the severe sun burn the longer wavelengths will. It will cause a reddening and slight irritation of the skin and an painful itching sensation that will last a few days in the eye so slight protection is required if you are directly exposed to the light from these units.

UV Lighting for Your HVAC Units

iSi is now providing the second method UV germicidal lighting, the one for your HVAC system. Our units are customized to your specific HVAC system and area to be disinfected. Learn more about this service and get a quote here.

Contributing:

Ryan Livengood

International Hazardous Materials Logistics Manager | EHS Regulatory Trainer

As a former corporate environmental, health and safety manager, Ryan has a vast experience in working with both environmental and safety compliance issues in multiple states. His specialties include national and international dangerous goods transportation, hazardous waste, environmental compliance, industrial hygiene and safety compliance. He is also an ISO 14001 Lead Auditor.

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COVID-19: A Potential OSHA Recordable Illness

May 20, 2020

UPDATED 5/22/20

Recently published guidance from OSHA clarifies that workplace-contracted COVID-19 can be a recordable illness. That is, a recordable if it was contracted as a result of work duties.

Illnesses such as the flu and colds have always been, and continue to be, exempt from recordable illnesses recordkeeping. However, COVID-19 is NOT exempt from being a recordable, even though it contains some of the same symptoms as the flu and cold.

When COVID is Recordable

Use the following guidelines when determining if a case of COVID 19 is a recordable illness:

Is confirmed as a coronavirus illness,
Falls under one or more of the typical recording criteria such as medical treatment beyond first aid, hospitalization, or days away from work, and
Is work related as defined by 29 CFR 1904.5.

Determining if it’s work related will take some investigation on your part as there’s a possibility that exposures can occur outside of work as well. OSHA expects employers to make reasonable efforts, based on the evidence available to make that determination. A best practice is to ensure you have documentation of your investigation, including all the steps you took to come to your findings, and what led you to choose why to count or not count that illness.

Like with other recording requirements, companies with 10 or fewer do not need to make a recording unless it is work related and results in a hospitalization, amputation, loss of an eye or a fatality.

Have a Plan

Some workplaces and worker tasks are considered to have a higher risk for employee exposure. Most workplaces will have a low exposure risk. Those in healthcare, death care, airline, border protection, solid waste management and wastewater treatment are considered to be in the high risk category. Workers who are required to work within 6 feet of each other would fall in the medium risk exposure level because the virus is spread through person-to-person droplet contact within that 6-foot range.

As a result, OSHA says it is important for workplaces to take measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and have a plan for dealing with it. OSHA’s guidance specifically says there is currently no standard that covers COVID-19, but it would fall under the General Duty Clause that requires employers to provide workers with “…a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” They also mention the PPE standards (1910 Subpart I) which covers usage of gloves, eye protection, face protection and respirators and the Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) which covers exposures to body fluids and blood.

Respirator Usage

Depending on work tasks and potential exposures, workers may need to wear masks, goggles, face shields, and/or respirators. In the guidance document, OSHA says that workers, including those who work within 6 feet of patients known to be, or suspected of being, infected and those performing aerosol-generating procedures, need to use filtering facepiece or better respirators. Remember that if your workers are wearing respirators, you must have a comprehensive respiratory protection program that has its own complete set of requirements. You can find the respirator standards at 1910.134.

Hierarchy of Controls

OSHA’s guide contains ideas for identifying and isolating sick people, where appropriate. OSHA also draws on the Hierarchy of Controls, just as it does for all other safety concerns. For example:

Engineering Controls

High-efficiency air filters
Increased ventilation rates
Negative pressure ventilation in areas where aerosols are generated

Administrative Controls

Encouraging sick workers to stay home
Virtual or teleconferenced meetings rather than face-to-face
Alternating days or extra shifts to reduce the number of employees in the building, increasing work distances
Discontinuing non-essential travel
Emergency communication plans
Worker training

Safe Work Practices

Promote personal hygiene with tissues, no-touch trash cans, hand soap, alcohol rubs and wipes, disinfectants and disposable towels
Required regular hand washing or alcohol hand rubs, especially after removing PPE
Post handwashing signs in restrooms

PPE

Select based on hazard to the worker
Ensure proper fit and refit
Consistent and proper wear
Regular inspections
Regular cleaning, maintenance and repair
Proper storage and disposal

OSHA says PPE recommendations are likely to change depending on location, current PPE effectiveness and the nature of the job, so check in with OSHA and the CDC website for updates on recommended PPE.

Resource Links

OSHA has a dedicated webpage covering COVID-19 and they have published a guidance document in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services. Both of these address measures on how to protect workplaces and workers at low, medium and high exposure risks and those who work in the specifically targeted high risk industries above. Below are links to resources for COVID-19 planning and information:

OSHA and DHHS Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

OSHA COVID-19 Website

CDC COVID-19 Website

EPA’s List of Registered Antimicrobial Products for Use Against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the Cause of COVID-19

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12 Tasks for Safety Managers Working From Home

Apr 16, 2020

Many in the U.S. are under stay at home orders, encouraged to work from home where possible. Although many manufacturing facilities are considered essential and still open, safety managers and their support staff do not always need to be onsite. With your routine disrupted, this may actually be a great time to accomplish safety projects that your normally crazy busy days do not allow you to do. Here are 12 ideas for tasks that safety managers working from home can do themselves, or can assign to their safety team members to keeping teams busy and productive during this time:

1. Develop Your Pandemic Plan

What better time than now to develop a plan for dealing with a pandemic? What actions did your company take? What has worked and what didn’t? As a contractor, a number of clients have asked to see our plan. What will you do about your own vendors and contractors next time? What about visitors? Read our article on pandemic preparedness plans to get some ideas on how to get started.

2. Review/Develop Cleaning Procedures

The events of the past month have shown a spotlight on the way we handle the spread of germs from person to person. What are your procedures for cleaning and disinfecting respirators? What about your other personal protective equipment? What are the proper protocols? How often should they be cleaned? What cleaning products are EPA-approved and most effective on the PPEs’ materials?

3. Review Your Emergency Plans

We are entering wild weather months of spring and summer. How would your company deal with the effects of tornadoes, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, hail storms, high wind events, heat waves, etc.? What are your business continuity plans if one of these events would occur at your facility? How would you be affected? Electricity powers the lights, your computers, and your machines. What would you do about electrical service interruptions? Did you know that there are EPA regulations for emergency power generators? What other regulations would come into play?

4. Review Your Written Safety Programs

Written safety programs need to be reviewed on a regular basis, and some of them actually have OSHA rules about how often they are to be reviewed. Take a look at all of your plans. What do they commit you to doing, and is your company doing what it says you are supposed to be doing? Who else in your company is affected by these programs and needs to review and be aware of what they require? Remember that if it’s in writing that your company will do it, you will be held to that in a regulatory inspection. Are your programs compliant with OSHA standards?

Are you missing a plan? Visit SafetyPlans.com to purchase one you can edit and expand upon.

5. Take Advantage of Web Conferencing for Safety Training

Many companies have been using web conferencing software to hold online meetings or to just check in with each other. Take this time to get some of your general safety training out of the way. You could do weekly toolbox meetings or even longer sessions. Just make sure that you document what was held, on what date, who was the trainer, and who attended. You could even take a screenshot of the online attendees list, or a screenshot of the webcams of the persons in attendance to add to your documentation. iSi can help you facilitate/setup this training, request more info here.

6. Spruce Up Your Training Materials

Speaking of training, now’s a good time to look at the training materials you’re using and consider giving it a refresh. Is the training still current and within the regs? Are the people in your videos dressed like characters from the 80s? At the very least, does your Powerpoint need a new look and some new pictures?

7. Write your RFPs

What services and products will you be needing for the rest of the year? Does your procurement/purchasing department require you to help them develop solicitations? Now would be a great time to knock out scope of work development, writing descriptions of what you’re going to need and developing the criteria for what information you want to see back from your vendors’ responses. Instead of waiting later when the RFP will go out, do this part now because you know you’re likely to be swamped later and won’t have the time to put much thought into it.

8. Get Quotes for Services and Products

If you already know the products and services you’re going to need, even if it’s later in the year, go ahead and approach your vendors now. It’s likely they’re working from home too, and with business slowing for everyone, now is a good time for them to work on pricing and proposals. With the uncertainty in the business climate, you may even get better pricing if you ask for it now than you would later when business will be catching up. Make sure you let them know what time frame you’re going to need it, and then ask vendors if they’ll hold that pricing until then. Get a quote from iSi.

9. Develop a Presentation for a Local Organization or Conference

Local safety organizations, safety conferences and civic groups are ALWAYS looking for speakers and presentations. The most popular highlight real-world safety management ideas, tell stories on how you have solved a problem that other EHS managers likely have faced, or just share how handle a particular part of compliance. For civic groups, use your knowledge of general safety principles and find a topic that may apply to all types of businesses and business owners. Speaking to a group or professional event is also a great way to get publicity for your company and yourself as a professional in the community.

Read our article The Importance of EHS Organizations and Conferences to Your EHS Compliance.

10. Research Products and Services That Will Make You More Efficient

Once everyone is back to work, it’s likely your budget will be strained, labor may be stretched, and you’ll have to do more in order to catch up. Now is a good time to find products or services that will help make you more efficient and save money in the long run. Try out new software, get samples of products, and find resources that can give you assistance to help you make up for gaps in staffing. Now is the time to round up the tools for your toolbox that you may need to use later.

11. Permit Reviews

If you have them stored electronically, take a look at completed lockout/tagout and confined space entry permits. Were the requirements of the permits fully executed and documented

12. Clean Up Your Email

How many times have you gotten the notice that your email boxes are full and it has been at the worst time you could’ve gotten that message? Go through your inbox and delete what you do not need anymore and read what you may have missed. Don’t forget to go through your sent items too. If you find you are not making much headway in creating space, sort your messages by size. This will allow you to uncover those emails with the 50 MB attachments that you don’t need anymore.

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Contributing:

Tami Hadley

Marketing Director | Project Manager, E-Training Solutions

Tami has been with iSi for over 24 years. During this time, she has enjoyed helping promote regulations compliance awareness and education through her involvement with iSi Training and through leadership roles with industry conferences and professional organizations.

Email | LinkedIn

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Creating a Pandemic Preparedness Plan for ISNetworld or for ANY Company

Apr 13, 2020

If you are a contractor to large refineries and manufacturers like we are, you are likely a member of one or more safety oversight companies like ISNetworld. Recently clients have been asking contractors to upload a Pandemic Preparedness Plan for ISNetworld, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Other non-ISNetworld clients may have also been doing the same, or you as a safety professional may have been thinking about what your company should develop. Using ISNetworld’s program questionnaire can help any company determine what should be included in a plan and give a place to start.

The following are the topics covered by the questionnaire for the current Pandemic Preparedness Plan for ISNetworld. Even if ISNetworld doesn’t apply to you, this may give you some ideas for best practices:

1. Assignment of Ownership

Who is going to be in charge of carrying out the plan? Who is on that team and how is it decided?

2. Hand Washing Facilities, Cleansers and Other Hygiene Items

What hand washing facilities will be available to your employees? What other sanitizing products will be available (i.e., hand sanitizers, disposable towels, etc.). In this section you could also cover personal protective materials to be provided as well.

3. Periodic Training

Periodic training should be conducted regarding illness prevention and spread of disease. It should also communicate your policies regarding illness. At what frequency will they be conducted, and who will do (or be responsible for) that training.

4. Work From Home Policy

What is your company policy regarding working from home, or staying at home when an employee is ill or taking care of an ill family member.

5. Continuance of Operations

What is your company’s strategy for continuing operations if a large percentage of your staff becomes ill? What’s your plan for maintaining operations during quarantine or stay at home orders?

6. Immunizations

Does your company encourage employees to get proper immunizations?

7. Communications

How are employee and internal communications conducted?

8. Gatherings

Does your company limit large or crowded gatherings during outbreaks or increased disease levels? What does that look like?

9. Cleaning

What is your strategy for cleaning workplace surfaces and equipment?

10. Reviews and Testing

How will this plan be tested? How often will it be reviewed? Who is responsible for doing so?

11. Lessons Learned

What is your process for implementing lessons learned? How will that be done, and who will do it?

Writing the Plan

Hopefully this gives you a start on creating your own Pandemic Plan. If you do not have the time nor the labor right now to do this, let us help! We have written these Pandemic Preparedness Plans for ISNetworld compliance and for our own company. Contact us today for pricing!

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What OSHA Says About Using Online Safety Training Courses

Nov 21, 2019

OSHA's opinion on online safety training

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OK, OK, before anyone has a chance to say “of course you’re going to write THIS article,” we want to make it clear that although iSi may be known for the face-to-face classes we hold at our offices and onsite at client facilities, we DO write and produce online and computer-based training modules. Thus, we are in favor of training in all forms, including online. Online and computer-based classes can be a great tool for your training program, especially in places where there is high turnover, multiple shifts, or high numbers of employees at the facility.

Now…on to the article.

Recently, an OSHA interpretation letter was published that asked the question:

Are online training programs acceptable for compliance with OSHA’s worker training requirements?

OSHA’s Opinion of Online Safety Training

The response from OSHA said that although online safety training can be a valuable part of your training program, you cannot use it by itself to meet OSHA requirements unless it contains hands-on interactive elements. OSHA says that training requires a mastery of the material that would include safe uses of tools and equipment. The students must be able to interact with the proper equipment and tools. This benefits not only the new student, but is a good refresher for those who are more skilled and also allows a qualified instructor to make sure the student has mastered the skill.

The interpretation letter references a previous letter published in 1994 that mentions HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) as an example. In HAZWOPER, hands-on use of personal protective equipment is very important. Training should include how to don and doff the PPE and include a way to ensure the student is comfortable doing so and is doing it correctly. The information also needs to be able to somewhat be tailored to the student’s situation. OSHA adds that this hands-on training needs to be conducted in a non-hazardous location as well.

This would also be the case for any powered industrial vehicle training. In each of those courses, there is a classroom portion about the hazards that could be done online. However, specific hands-on training with the actual equipment, whether that be a forklift, a scissor lift, a tug that pulls an airplane, etc., needs to be conducted in a hands-on fashion with the student operating the equipment and an instructor evaluating his/her performance and providing guidance.

Ability to Ask Questions

Another requirement to be meet OSHA standards is the student must be able to ask questions of an instructor. Some of the topics may be unfamiliar, and OSHA values the student’s ability to ask questions and receive them in a timely manner. They say that not having this interaction impedes the student’s ability to comprehend the material and retain it.

OSHA suggests that to take care of this requirement, a way to ask questions should be built into the program. They mention a hotline number could be used, but you may also be able to use email or chat.

Regardless of what you use, the contact needs to go directly to a qualified trainer and the responses need to come back in a timely fashion.

Where to Find These Interpretations

To review these OSHA interpretation letters regarding online safety training, read the one from 2019 here, and the one from 1994 here.

Are you using online safety training for your company and now need to rethink how you’re administering it based on OSHA’s guidance? Let iSi help you! Contact us today for guidance, hands-on assistance, or customized online training modules that can be imported into your company’s learning management system.

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Robot Safety: NIOSH Develops Program to Study Robot-Related Injuries

Aug 29, 2019

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With the increased use in robotic technology, NIOSH has been looking into the safety impact of working alongside these machines. While robots can help reduce workplace injuries by replacing workers in some types of hazardous work conditions, the use of robots may create their own set of hazards.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a Center for Occupational Robotics Research, and more specifically, a special program called the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. Through the FACE program, NIOSH is conducting robot safety surveillance, targeted investigations, and prevention activities. The program is conducting in-depth investigations of robot-related deaths. The FACE program is currently operated in 7 states through local state health or labor agencies.

Recently the Washington State FACE Program issued recommendations for safety actions for two separate types of robots: laser guided vehicles and remote controlled demolition machines.

Laser Guided Vehicles

In one case, NIOSH investigated a death at a water bottling company where a worker was crushed. At the facility, each vehicle had safety sensors to detect objects or workers in the vehicle’s path. An alarm would sound when an obstruction was present, and the vehicles would stop moving until the obstruction was removed.

The worker heard an alarm sound on one of the vehicles indicating sensors detected an object in its path. He attempted to remove a piece of plastic that likely tore off a pallet. Before removing the plastic and reaching under the forks, the worker had not cut the power to the machine. He also had not heeded label warnings to stay clear of the forks. Investigators believe that when he removed the plastic obstruction, he was positioned outside the path of the sensor. The vehicle resumed operation, the forks came down, and the worker was crushed.

FACE recommends the following safety practices to prevent injury from laser guided vehicles:

Incorporate manufacturer safety requirements into written company safety procedures for automated guided industrial vehicles;
Train workers about the specific hazards and safety requirements associated with automated guided industrial vehicles; and,
Emphasize workers are expected to follow required safety procedures every time, and ensure compliance through periodic refresher training and spot checks.

Demolition Robots

FACE investigated two cases where workers were severely injured by demolition robots. In the first case, a worker was using a machine that had a wire connected to a remote control the worker wore on his waist. When the worker attempted to move the machine’s power cable, he bumped the remote control against the machine, pinning him between the machine and the wall.

In another case, a worker broke his foot when operating a machine to chip concrete. He was in a tight spot between an excavation wall and the machine. When he tried to apply more force on the machine to chip the concrete, the machine shifted and the outrigger came down on his foot.

As a result, FACE has developed recommendations for demolition robot safety:

Prepare a job hazard analysis with operators for each new job to identify and control hazards. Use the manufacturer’s safety instructions to establish the risk zone for the specific machine, attachment, and task;
Always stay outside the risk zone when the machine is in operation, and do not enter until the machine is put into emergency stop mode or de-energized;
Consider using a proximity warning system, such as those based on radio frequency identification (RFID), to maintain a safe worker-to-machine distance;
Train operators to manage power cables and to continually monitor the process for hazards and redefine the risk zone;
Ensure operators always read and follow manufacturer’s provided safety instructions; and,
Consider using a spotter to assist the operator.

NIOSH is Looking for Case Studies

NIOSH’s Center for Occupational Robotics Research, and its FACE programs are looking for other instances where robotics technology has contributed to injuries. Through their research, they hope to develop additional safety programs and guidance to help companies keep workers safe. If you know of a related incident, NIOSH would like to hear from you for an anonymous investigation. You can find more about them at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/robotics/aboutthecenter.html.

We have worked with companies that use laser guided vehicles and other technology. Let us assist you too — Contact us today!

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The 3 Most Important Elements of a Good Safety Program

Aug 14, 2019

OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week this week gives us a chance to take a look at company safety programs, what makes them successful and what elements need to be a part of them. OSHA identifies the following three main elements of an effective safety and health program.

Management Leadership

Successful programs all begin with management commitment. Management commitment is often the strong foundation to the program, and without it, all other efforts don’t have nearly the same chance for success. Management commitment shows workers that safety is an important part of the business’s success. In turn, it shows workers that efforts workers make will be valued in the long run.

There are a number of ways management can show their commitment besides financial and resource support. They can factor safety into plans and decisions of the company from construction/renovations to process changes to company policies. Management can also establish rewards and recognition programs for safety participation and achievements as well as making safety a daily part of conversations. At every company event or meeting, a moment can be made available for safety. Safety goals, expectations, achievements, and even the incidents and near misses need to be highlighted through company communication channels.

Worker Participation

Workers are the ones who are exposed to safety issues on a daily basis. They have the knowledge of the hazards they encounter on the job. Safety programs which involve worker ideas and contributions and then follow through on those assist in giving employees ownership and investment into the safety effort. Genuine worker participation efforts need to ensure workers feel comfortable about speaking up when issues are found or injuries happen.

You can encourage worker participation through involving them in program design elements, job hazard analyses, site inspections and incident investigations. Programs which allow workers to assess the safety of themselves and those around them are helpful, as are tools for reporting near misses and incidences of good safety practices.

At iSi we have required Peer to Peer evaluations where workers evaluate safe/unsafe actions of their co-workers. Those who are being evaluated are kept anonymous so there’s no fear of someone “getting in trouble” for not following a safety protocol. We’ve found that the ones who are doing the evaluation tend to get more out of it than the person being evaluated because the act of finding and assessing safety brings more attention to determining what’s the correct safety behavior. The discussions between workers during the evaluations are some of the most valuable for alerting to a potential hazard, enforcing good behavior, and opening up a dialogue for finding ways to make daily work safer.

Finding and Fixing Hazards

When both management and workers are participating, good momentum comes when issues are fixed and resolved. OSHA says that most fixes are reactive, that is, they’re a result of something happening whether it be a response to an incident or a new regulation coming out. However, a strong safety program finds issues and resolves them before they become an issue. The workplace is ever changing, so safety issues may arise where you least expect. Considering safety implications in any workplace change is important.

Take a look into your incidents and determine what is the root cause of those? Are you continually having the same issues in your near misses? What are the injuries in your OSHA 300 logs? Is there a correlation? If there are similarities, then you have a place to start. Involve workers and solicit their ideas in how to make those operations safer. Is there a way to do things differently with minimal efforts and investments? Use the hierarchy of controls when determining solutions. Is there a way to remove the hazard completely? Are the controls you currently have in place working or do they need to have some reevaluation?

So How Do You Get It All Accomplished?

A good safety program like this doesn’t happen overnight and it will take the participation of everyone in your company to make it happen. There are a lot of pieces that will need to be accomplished. Consider using iSi as a resource for getting some of these pieces completed. We have assisted hundreds of companies with their safety programs and have been involved in strengthening safety cultures and putting program elements in place. Not only can iSi be an extra set of hands, but sometimes in developing programs, an experienced third-party to lend ideas or even serve as a mediator can be helpful.

For example, iSi can assist with:

Safety Committee and Safety Culture Development
Site Audits and Inspections to Help You Gain a Baseline Checklist to Start From
Occupational Exposure Monitoring to Get an Idea on Where You Stand
Written Safety Program Development Through SafetyPlans.com
Job Hazard Analyses
Emergency Action Plans
Employee Perception Surveys
Worker Training

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The Importance of Professional Organizations and Conferences to Your EHS Compliance

Oct 12, 2018

About the Author: Tami Hadley, iSi’s Marketing Director, has been involved in numerous professional organizations as a member and leader and has served on conference planning committees for over 23 years.

Fall is a busy time for iSi as there are a number of environmental, health and safety (EHS) conferences and professional organizations we’re involved in. At a recent conference, I was reminded how important getting out to these events can be to an EHS professional’s job.

Although EHS professional groups and conferences have one big difference, that being the frequency in which they are held, they are quite similar in their advantages.

Stay Current on Regulations

Although you may subscribe to the Federal Register, blogs and newsletters, how often do you read them? Are you looking at all of them all the time? Do your sources encompass all aspects of EHS compliance that your company is required to follow?

It’s super easy to miss something. Professional groups and conferences allow you direct access to new information and discussion about upcoming regulations. Often the regulators themselves will be the speakers and will give you some extra insight into new regulations, what has changed and why, what’s on the horizon, and what the compliance nuances are. The regulators are also there to answer your questions.

Meet People Who Have the Same Issues You Do

One of the most valuable things about conferences and meetings are the people you’ll meet. At your company you may be the only person responsible for EHS, and perhaps that can be a lonely feeling sometimes. However, you are not alone. There others in your area who are in the same boat as you are. They can help and give you advice.

Besides commiserating with you, they can give you ideas on how to solve issues, can tell you what works for them, and who the good vendors are. I’ve seen people share templates and programs with each other, visit each other’s facilities, discuss what’s working for them, and share training classes with each other.

Connecting and Recruiting

Making connections can be very valuable. One of the number one keys to making a connection is bringing value and sharing value because what you are able to give often comes back to you multiple times over. Goodwill begets goodwill. The people that you meet can introduce you to people they know who may be able to give you information or recommend a solution or a vendor. It’s the old adage, it’s not what you know but who you know.

Are you looking for good employees to help you at your facility? These events are great for determining potential candidates and seeing who the most respected and knowledgeable professionals in the area are. You may not need someone now, but having an idea of who is in the area and having them know you will save you a ton of time later. Conversely, it’s a chance for you to highlight your expertise as well. If you are new to the industry or to your job, a group like this can expose you to a lot of different topics and help you learn a lot of things you may not get otherwise.

Unplugging is a Good Thing

Besides the list of tasks we’re expected to accomplish each day, we are inundated by phone calls, emails, texts, persons coming by, fires to put out, etc. The day-to-day grind can really get in the way of continuing education. How many times have you been in a training class at your site and have gotten pulled out for some reason, or have been watching a webinar at your desk only to get interrupted by someone coming in your office or calling you?

Getting offsite for a day or two, or even for a lunch or a breakfast, sets aside a time for you to get your focus back onto learning something new. Even if the speaker doesn’t teach you something new, the time away to immerse yourself in the topic may jolt some new ideas because you’ve had the time to unplug from the clutter and focus on the topic at hand.

It’s OK to Sit by a Vendor

Don’t discount the value of vendors and suppliers. Sure, it’s most likely they are there to make connections, but these people can be some of your biggest sources of information and intelligence in all things EHS. Vendors and suppliers will often have some of the latest and greatest in compliance technologies, methods, best practices, products, apps, etc. You may not need them now, but having them there gives you an idea of who you can call when you need something.

Vendors can also tell you a lot about what companies like yours are doing, how problems have been solved by others and what is going on in the industry. It’s also their job to know who the EHS people are in your area and so they can also be great connectors for you. They go to a variety of events, so you may learn about other specialty groups and conferences and opportunities you didn’t already know about.

List of Organizations

I want to be a valuable connection for you, so below is a list of professional organizations which focus on EHS issues and may have chapters in your area. In addition to these organizations, look for other local groups in your area which are not affiliated with national chapters. There are a lot of them out there.

For conferences, I’ve seen that almost every state has a safety conference and an environmental conference. Sometimes they are combined or sometimes they are conducted within other conferences.

I can give you some specific ideas for groups and events in and around the areas in which iSi has offices: Kansas (state of Kansas and Kansas City area), Oklahoma, Georgia and surrounding states. Contact me and let me know which area(s) you’re interested in and I’ll get back with you with some ideas. In the meantime, here are some national organizations with chapters all across the U.S.:

American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)

Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP)

National Safety Council (NSC)

Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA)

Which national EHS organizations am I missing? Let me know and I’ll add them to this article!

Did we miss a national EHS group? Are you looking for groups and conferences in your area? Contact us today!

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Overheul to Discuss Link Between Safety Prequalification and Sales

Sep 28, 2018

Photo of James Overheul from iSi Environmental

James Overheul
iSi Manager of Safety & Industrial Hygiene

iSi’s Manager of Safety and Industrial Hygiene, James Overheul will be presenting “The Safety Prequalification: Where Sales and Safety Meet” at the 69th Annual Kansas Safety and Health Conference.

In recent years, you may have seen an influx of companies requiring safety data to be included within vendor prequalification documentation. Some companies use online programs such as ISNetworld and Avetta, and others have their own programs. These programs can be used to weed out vendors on the basis of safety performance, causing a bad safety record to affect your ability to do business. James will discuss the common safety statistics used in grading, methods for improving performance, and ideas on how to use these programs to boost safety support from upper management.

James will also be participating as a panelist in the open forum question and answer general session “Learning From Each Other, An Interactive Panel Discussion.”

This year’s Kansas Safety and Health Conference will be in Wichita on October 2-3, 2018.

If you’d like to see this presentation, or another safety or environmental-related presentation at your next conference, seminar or event, please email us or give us a call at (888) 264-7050.

Your company’s safety record can affect your business bottom line. Let iSi help you find the gaps in your program!

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iSi Discusses Safety at Petroleum Packaging Council National Meeting

Mar 5, 2018

James Overheul
iSi Project Manager

iSi Project Manager James Overheul presented “Manufacturing Plant Safety and the Downstream Impact on Sales” at this year’s Petroleum Packaging Council national conference and tradeshow.

Company safety and injury statistics are increasingly becoming a tool for companies when choosing the vendors and suppliers they want to work with. Safety is now looked at in pre-qualification reviews, annual contract updates, in publically-available data, and in other locations. Now more than ever, your company’s safety record can affect your bottom line not only from the impact of worker’s compensation, but in being chosen as a supplier in the first place. In this presentation, James explains what manufacturers need to look for, which statistics are most important and what they can do to improve their record.

This year’s Petroleum Packaging Council was in Tampa, Florida from March 4-6.

If you’d like to book one of iSi’s safety or environmental professionals for an upcoming conference, seminar or event, email us or give us a call at (888) 264-7050.

Your company’s safety record can affect your business bottom line. Let iSi help you find the gaps in your program!

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Ensure Safety Incentives Promote the Positive

Mar 25, 2017

OSHA Electronic Reporting Rule Adds Language About Disincentivising Employees From Reporting

Another piece put with OSHA’s recent final rule regarding electronic injury/illness submittals was some additional language and safeguards to protect workers from deterrence in reporting injuries.

Ensure your safety incentive and discipline programs do not deter or discourage employees from reporting injuries and illnesses. OSHA still will allow incentive programs, but want to make sure employers know that they must be structured in a way that does NOT discourage workers from reporting injuries.

Incentive programs which withhold or deny a benefit because an employee reported an injury are illegal. These could include those which disqualify or withhold rewards from the person reporting or a whole group of workers if an injury is reported. Discipline programs which punish workers who report injuries regardless of fault is also not allowed, as is making the reporting process so cumbersome and/or filled with paperwork that it becomes easier for the employee not to do it. OSHA says you can still have incentive programs, but instead, opt for positive incentive programs which promote worker participation in safety-related activities.

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Contributing:

Tami Hadley

Contributing:

Tami Hadley

Contributing:

Drew Lyon

UV Light for Your HVAC

Contributing:

Ryan Livengood

Contributing:

Tami Hadley

Do you need assistance in administering your safety training programs? Let us help – contact us today!

We have worked with companies that use laser guided vehicles and other technology. Let us assist you too — Contact us today!

Management Leadership

Worker Participation

Finding and Fixing Hazards

So How Do You Get It All Accomplished?

iSi can be an extra hand to help you accomplish your safety program goals. Contact us today!

Did we miss a national EHS group? Are you looking for groups and conferences in your area? Contact us today!

Your company’s safety record can affect your business bottom line. Let iSi help you find the gaps in your program!

Your company’s safety record can affect your business bottom line. Let iSi help you find the gaps in your program!

iSi helps companies improve their safety culture. How can we help you?

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