October 2022 Newsletter

Welcome to our monthly newsletter for October 2022!

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!

NE OHIO SAFETY EXPO PREVIEWS:

  • 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo Overview. David Costantino, co-founder of the annual NE Ohio Safety Expo, joined us to talk about the event which will take place on Thursday, October 2022, at the Eastwood Event Centre in Niles, OH. (9:04)
  • How to Reduce Complacency & Inspire Safety Excellence. Cari Gray, Industrial Safety Consultant at the Ohio BWC, joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, How to Reduce Complacency & Inspire Safety Excellence. (9:58)
  • Are Transitional Work Programs Really Worth the Effort? Shanna Dunbar, President at Workplace Health Inc., joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, Are Transitional Work Programs Really Worth the Effort? (10:03)
  • Confined Space Identification and Hazards. Jennifer Wasilk, owner of Sandstone EHS Services, LLC  joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, Confined Space Identification and Hazards. (9:56)
  • Lockout Tagout. Brian Zachetti, Industrial Safety Consultant Specialist at the Ohio BWC, joined us to talk about his 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation on Lockout/Tagout. (13:31)
  • NEO Safety Expo – October 20th: This training qualifies as an external training credit. A certificate of completion must be submitted to the PCSC manager before the end of FY23 in order to receive credit.

SAFETY RESOURCES:

  1. OSHA Electric Power Standards – Simplified: Article by Incident Prevention.
  2. How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Using the P-A-S-S Method: A short video by Ally Safety. (2:37)
  3. How to Stay Safe from Welding Fumes and Gases: Article by Safeopedia.
  4. Survey finds lack of training on preventing struck-by incidents in construction: Article by Safety + Health Magazine.
  5. Fire Considerations Since COVID: October 2022 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  6. Ohio BWC Virtual Training: Through December 2022.
  7. 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. Next In-Person Meeting: November 10, 2022 – Effective Communication: How to Leverage Stories to Improve Your Safety Messaging, presented by Kevin Mowers, Owner, Extended Management, Inc, a franchise of Crestcom International.,11:30am-1:00pm, at The Ravenna Elks, located at 776 N. Freedom St in Ravenna, OH. Lunch is $20 for members, $25 for non-member
  2. OSHA 10 Training: We’ll be hosting another OSHA 10 General Industry Training on October 26-27, 2022, 8am-4pm, at Viking Forge in Streetsboro. For more information or to register, please see the attached flyer.
  3. Only 4 FY23 Sponsorships Still Available! Sponsorship of a Portage County Safety Council meeting is a cost-effective way to get your business noticed! Only 4 are still available through June 2023. Follow the link for more info.

[NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] How to Reduce Complacency & Inspire Safety Excellence

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-db48b-12cf1ca

Episode 264: Cari Gray, Industrial Safety Consultant at the Ohio BWC, joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, How to Reduce Complacency & Inspire Safety Excellence.

Click here for more info on the NE Ohio Safety Expo.

For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today!

September 2022 Newsletter

Welcome to our monthly newsletter for September 2022!

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. [NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] Workers’ Compensation 101 – Basics from a MCO prospective. [Audio] Cheryl Altizer, Account Executive at Promedica Medical Management, joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, Workers’ Compensation 101 – Basics from a MCO prospective. (11:13)
  2. The Biological Basis of Complacency: Article by Incident Prevention.
  3. Confined Space Hazards Toolbox Talk: A short video by Ally Safety. (4:02)
  4. What It Really Means to Empower Workers: Article by Safeopedia.
  5. 5 tips to reduce repetitive stress injuries: Article by Safety + Health Magazine.
  6. Hand Tool Ergonomics: September 2022 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  7. Ohio BWC Virtual Training: Through December 2022.
  8. 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. October 6, 2022 – Are You Ready to Lead Safety Differently? We’re excited to be hosting a live online training session that was previously featured during the 2022 Ohio Safety Congress at the Greater Columbus Convention Center earlier this year! This free webinar will be on Thursday, October 6, 2022, 11am-12pm, on Zoom Webinar. Follow the link to register today!
  2. NEO Safety Expo – October 20th: This training qualifies as an external training credit. A certificate of completion must be submitted to the PCSC manager before the end of FY23 in order to receive credit.
  3. Only 4 FY23 Sponsorships Still Available! Sponsorship of a Portage County Safety Council meeting is a cost-effective way to get your business noticed! Only 4 are still available through June 2023. Follow the link for more info.
  4. Next In-Person Meeting: October 13, 2022 – Common Fire Code Violations, presented by Lt. Vince Yost of the Kent Fire Dept,11:30am-1:00pm, at The Ravenna Elks, located at 776 N. Freedom St in Ravenna, OH. Lunch is $20 for members, $25 for non-members & walk-ins.

Hand Tool Ergonomics: September 2022 Safety & Hygiene Corner

Question: What are the major ergonomic design considerations for hand tools?

Weight of the tool – Ideally, a worker should be able to comfortably operate a tool without experiencing fatigue or discomfort. The tool’s center of gravity should be aligned with the center of the gripping hand. In other words, tools should feel “easy” to hold in the position it will be used. Use a counterbalance to support a tool that is above recommended weight limits or awkward to use.

Handles – With the exception of tools for precision work, the handles and grips of hand tools should be designed for a power grip.

Handle shape – Select tools that allow you to keep the wrist straight or in a neutral position when using it.

Handle diameter – Handle diameter recommendations vary. In general, cylindrical handles at 1.5 inches offer a better power grip, with a range from 1.25 to 2 inches. For precision grips, a diameter of 0.45 inches is recommended, with a range of 0.3 to 0.6 inches.

Handle length – A handle that is too short can cause unnecessary compression in the middle of the palm. It should extend across the entire breadth of the palm. Handles around 5 inches are generally recommended. Keep in mind that the use of gloves requires longer tool handles.

Separation between handles – Tools such as pliers or tongs are equipped with two handles. The recommended distance separating the handles is between 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Tools with larger or smaller spans will reduce one’s maximum grip strength.

Materials and texture of handles – To ensure a good grip on a handle, sufficient friction must exist between the hand and the handle. Hand tools should be made of non-slip, non-conductive and compressible materials.

Always conduct a risk assessment before making any change. If you would like additional resources or to request ergonomic assistance, please contact your local BWC Ergonomist or request their services on-line at Request a consultation | Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (ohio.gov).

Brought to you by the Ohio BWC safety consultants.