Author: portagecsc

August 2023 Newsletter

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Welcome to our monthly newsletter for August 2023!

Our goal for the newsletter is to connect our members to relevant safety resources, all linked together in one convenient location every month. We hope you find this resource useful and valuable!

Please share with your colleagues!

SAFETY RESOURCES:

  1. Analyzing the ROI of Safety: Article by Safety Services Company.
  2. Recognizing and Combating the Half-Attention Mindset: Article by Incident Prevention.
  3. Working Safely When the Air Quality Index Is High: Article by Safeopedia.
  4. Wildfire Smoke Safety: A short video by Ally Safety. (4:36)
  5. Chemical fire and explosion offers lessons for industry: Article by Safety + Health Magazine.
  6. Stay Safe During Thunderstorms & Lightning: By Ready.gov.
  7. Tick Safety: August 2023 Safety & Hygiene Corner
  8. Ohio BWC Monthly Learning: August 2023.
  9. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Podbean, Stitcher, & TuneIn/Alexa! Access local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone! Subscribe today!

PCSC NEWS:

  1. Welcome New Members! Churchill Steel Plate, Copen Machine, Field Local School District, Founders Service & Mfg, HEPA Environmental Services, LG Chem Ohio Petrochemical, Inc, Linnea’s Candy Supplies, Novo Health Services, P.M. Graphics, Inc.
  2. Welcome New Steering Committee Members! We’re excited to announce that Che O’Connell, Regional Manager at MinuteMen OhioComp, and Ryan Shackelford, Director, Portage County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, have recently joined our Steering Committee! We look forward to working with them to make the Portage County Safety Council even better!
  3. 2024 Sponsorships are Now Available! Sponsoring one of our luncheons is a cost-effective way to get your business in front 80-100 safety managers, HR- related professionals and CEO’s representing various industries.

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS:

WORKPLACE WELLNESS:

Celebrating FY23!

/ portagecsc

PCSC Members & Community Stakeholders:

As our FY23 comes to an end today, I wanted to celebrate with you all everything that we’ve accomplished together over the last program year. Every year when we take a moment like this to reflect, I’m blown away every single time!

It seems in both work and life, often we’re too busy and pressured to move onto the next thing without pausing a moment and simply being thankful for what we already have or what has already happened. I hope you’ll take a moment with me today to simply celebrate everything we’ve accomplished together.

FY23 Accomplishments:

  • 16 in-person training sessions hosted July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023.
  • 34 received their OSHA 10 cards.
  • 33 earned their First Aid, CPR, AED, and Stop the Bleed certifications.
  • 27 became QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeepers.
  • 24 complete SKYWARN Spotter training.
  • Published 21 podcast episodes totaling 319 minutes or 5+ hours of safety related content.
  • Created 11 videos totaling 251 minutes or 4+ hours of safety content.

I look forward to another great year with each one of you, working to make the Portage County area a safer place to work and live!

Sincerely,

Mike Thompson

BWC Grants: June 2023 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Question: I heard about a Grant program offered by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. How do I
apply and what is covered by the Grant?


Answer: The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation offers several Grant programs. You may find a list of all
grant programs at our BWC website grant link.
I want to focus on the Safety Intervention Grant (SIG). This is a grant offering funds to purchase
equipment that helps reduce or eliminate injuries. We offer up to $40k with 3 to 1 match. For every $1
spent by an employer, the BWC matches $3. Eligible Employers must have a BWC policy for one
complete year. You may apply for Fast Track items shown below or other equipment. Before applying
for other equipment please ask one of our consultants to review your workplace or discuss eligible
equipment. A list of unapproved equipment is on the SIG webpage under Resources. We advise
working with a consultant before completing the application. When you are ready watch the YouTube
Videos on How to use the Grant Management Portal and First Time Users in the Portal. The Grant
Management Portal is where you enter the actual application.


FAST TRACK ITEMS: Bathing systems | Cable pulling equipment | Chest compression systems | Conduit
bending equipment | Cot loading equipment | Electric beds | Extrication equipment | Floor cleaning
equipment |Flooring or floor treatments | Hose reel equipment | Lift gates | Lift tables | Mulch
dispensing equipment | Patient lifting devices | Patient stair chairs | Portable traffic signals |Powered
pallet jacks | Saws with presence sensing technology | Scissor lifts, vertical mast lifts | Shrink wrap
equipment | Snow removal equipment | Truck tarping systems | Vacuum lifts

*Brought to you by the Ohio BWC safety consultants.

Electrical Panels: May 2023 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Question: We have several electrical panels in our facility. What are the OSHA basic requirements for safety
when working near the panel?

Answer: OSHA requires sufficient access and working spaces around all electrical equipment, or panels, serving
600 volts or less according to 1910.303(g). For equipment operating at 600 volts, nominal or less to
ground, the width of working space in front of the electric equipment shall be the width of the
equipment or 2.5 feet, whichever is greater. In all cases, the working space shall permit at least a 90-
degree opening of equipment doors or hinged panels. This assures that in case of an electrical
emergency, there is a clear working space in front of the panel for quick access to the circuit breakers.
Electrical panels should also have secure covers and no openings to ensure no wires are exposed that
could cause electrical shock. This also prevents the internal mechanisms from being exposed to dust,
dirt, and moisture. Electrical panel boxes in commercial buildings should be secured and accessible by
trained personnel only.

*Brought to you by the Ohio BWC safety consultants.