November 2021 Newsletter

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Welcome to our monthly newsletter for November 2021!

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. [Safety Talk] How to Prevent Cold Stress. [Audio] What is cold stress & how can we prevent it? This episode is a great snapshot from OSHA’s Cold Stress Guide! (6:12)
  2. Cold Stress can be Prevented: OSHA’s cold stress guide for employers.
  3. Reducing Overexertion Injuries: Article by Ohio BWC.
  4. Fall Protection remains atop OSHA’s ‘Top 10’ list of most frequently cited violations. Article by Safety + Health Magazine.
  5. [Safety Blast] Driving Safe for Thanksgiving. [Audio] Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO, called in to share a few tips on how to drive safe this Thanksgiving! (2:58)
  6. [Workplace Wellness] Prediabetes Prevention. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “more than 84% of those with prediabetes don’t even know they have it since prediabetes often has no symptoms.” In this episode, we’re joined by Nicole Smith, Diabetes Program Consultant, & Liz Curry, Diabetes Coordinator at the Ohio Department of Health, to talk about prediabetes and why employers should be concerned about it. (23:56)
  7. Mower Rollover Danger: November 2021 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  8. Ohio BWC Distance Learning: November 2021.
  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. Workplace Wellness Month: January 2022 will be our official workplace wellness month! We’ll be releasing a related podcast every week in January to help you promote health & wellness to your employees.
  2. Join today to level up in safety! 16 live virtual meetings with on-demand access, free access to 2 semi-annual statewide safety summits and more will be included in this year’s membership! IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN!!!

COMMUNITY NEWS & RESOURCES:

  • [Community Spotlight] Main Street Mile in Ravenna. Chelsea Gregor of Main Street Ravenna joined us to talk about the new Main Street Mile project in Ravenna, OH. We discuss how she came up with the idea, future use and how other communities can do something similar.
  • Center of Hope: The weather is changing and Thanksgiving is so close! We are in need of help filling our over 500 boxes for our Thanksgiving Distribution. If you are out and about on Saturday the Center of Hope will be open for drop offs 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. We are in desperate need of the following: boxed mashed potatoes, caned sweet potatoes, corn, Jiffy corn bread mix and macaroni and cheese.
  • Kent Social Services: Hard to believe it’s already that time of year folks! If you personally, or if your organization is looking to donate food items for the holiday; these are the items that we will be collecting for both Thanksgiving & Christmas. With both centers combined, we are expecting to fill over 800 food boxes for our friends in need.

[Workplace Wellness] Prediabetes Prevention

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https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-8fpu8-112101e

Episode 223: According to the Cleveland Clinic, “more than 84% of those with prediabetes don’t even know they have it since prediabetes often has no symptoms.” In this episode, we’re joined by Nicole Smith, Diabetes Program Consultant, & Liz Curry, Diabetes Coordinator at the Ohio Department of Health, to talk about prediabetes and why employers should be concerned about it.. For more information about the PCSC, visit PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com today

10K Podcast Downloads!!!

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The Portage County Safety Council Podcast has been recognized by Podbean for achieving 10,000 downloads! Thank you to our members, listeners, steering committee and all of you who partnered with us to make it happen.

Did you know the Portage County Safety Council Podcast has also:

  • Published 222 episodes
  • Been downloaded in nearly every state and over 56 nations (84% USA)
  • Featured 88 guest experts, speakers, safety & health pros, representing over 62 organizations
  • Recognized by Welp Magazine in June 2021 as #3 on the 20 Best Workplace Safety Podcasts of 2021
badges

Mower Rollover Danger: November 2021 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Question: It’s just mowing the grass, Right? What is that bar that’s folded up behind me for? Can you detail the Dangers of Roll-Overs of Riding Mowers?

Answer: Some riding mowers with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS). The ROPS can either be standard or optional equipment. If the mower does not have a ROPS, look for unused bolt holes or brackets near the seat or frame to see if the mower should be equipped with a ROPS. Do not operate any mower that was intended to be equipped with a ROPS without its ROPS in place. In many cases, retrofit kits are available.  A few important points to note:

  • Mowers with a ROPS should be equipped with a seat belt.
  • Where vertical clearance does not allow for a ROPS to be in the raised (active) position, the ROPS may be temporarily placed in the lowered (inactive) position. Also, workers should not wear a seat belt while operating a riding mower with the ROPS in the lowered position. Return the ROPS to the raised position as soon as the riding mower is in an area where the clearance allows its use and reconnect the seat belt.
  • It’s best to equip riding mowers with operator presence control system that shuts off the blades when the operator dismounts the machine or rises out of the seat. 
  • Equip riding mowers with interlocks that ensure that the engine cannot start while the mower is in gear or if the blade is engaged.
  • Keep riding mowers in good working order and inspect them periodically.
  • Operators should use a standard checklist to do a general inspection of the equipment before use.
  • Experienced service personnel should inspect riding mowers for the necessary safety features and overall maintenance at least annually. Only qualified personnel should service and repair riding mowers.

Leaf collection is upon us, when mulching and collecting leaves new hazards are created. Never reach through the chute to unclog mower decks while mower is running, or blades are spinning. Ensure blades are at a COMPLETE stop and mower is OFF and chocked BEFORE performing any work.Dangers of Roll-Overs of Riding Mowers | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)

*Provided by the Ohio BWC safety consultants.

Free BWC Webinars – NOV 2021

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Distance Learning in November 2021 

FOR DISTRIBUTION TO SAFETY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY

BWC is hosting a number of occupational safety and health webinars and virtual classes in November. For detailed information and to learn how to register, view this flyer.

Webinars –presented live with BWC discount program & continuing education credits

  • Lean Applied to Safety (November 9)

Virtual classes –

  • Electrical Safety in the Workplace through Insight and Implementation of NFPA 70E (November 4-5)
  • Safety Series Module 1: Introduction to OSHA Requirements and Safety Culture Basics (November 8)
  • OSHA Recordkeeping Half-day Workshop (November 22)
  • Confined Space Assessment and Work (November 23-24)
  • Crisis De-Escalation Tactics and Safe Practices Workshop (November 30)

Online E-Courses

  • Bloodborne Pathogens, Developing a Safety Culture, OSHA Recordkeeping 101 and others

For more information or assistance when registering, contact the staff member listed or dshcc@bwc.state.oh.us.

October 2021 Newsletter

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Welcome to our monthly newsletter for October 2021!

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. Overcoming Stress at Work & Beyond! Clinical Consultant Kelly Bako Younkins,  joined us to talk stress at work and beyond! Click here to view the video recording.
  2. [Safety Blast] Halloween Traffic Safety Tips: [Audio] Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO, called in to share a few tips on how to stay safe in Halloween Traffic! (3:34)
  3. [Safety Talk] Tornado Safety Tips: [Audio] Here’s some safety tips from Ready.gov on how to prepare for and survive a tornado! (4:34)
  4. Tornado Fact Sheet: From Ready.gov.
  5. Fleet Safety Q & A: [Audio] Timothy Brewster, Director of the Loss Prevention & Recovery Unit at National Interstate Insurance Company, answers questions after his presentation on Reducing the Risk of Accidents Through Effective Fleet Safety Controls. (6:07)
  6. Getting Prepared for OSHA’s New Heat-Related Initiatives. Compliance update provided by Safex.
  7. Machines Safety Videos & Slides: Resources from our 5-wk training facilitated by Integrated Mill Systems.
  8. Cart Safety: October 2021 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  9. Ohio BWC Distance Learning: October 2021.
  10. 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. Help us hit 10,000!!! Our workplace safety podcast is just shy of 10,000 downloads. Please help us hit it by listening to one of our most recent episodes today! Follow the link above to listen or search for “Portage County Safety Council” on your favorite podcast app such as Apple Podcast, Spotify, Pandora, etc. Don’t forget to subscribe!
  2. PCSC YouTube Channel: Did you know the PCSC has a YouTube channel? We often upload some of our virtual meetings and most of our bonus video content and make it accessible to the public.
  3. Join today to level up in safety! 16 live virtual meetings with on-demand access, free access to 2 semi-annual statewide safety summits and more will be included in this year’s membership! IT’S NOT TOO LATE TOO JOIN!!!

COMMUNITY NEWS & RESOURCES:

  • Center of Hope: The weather is changing and Thanksgiving is so close! We are in need of help filling our over 500 boxes for our Thanksgiving Distribution. If you are out and about on Saturday the Center of Hope will be open for drop offs 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. We are in desperate need of the following: boxed mashed potatoes, caned sweet potatoes, corn, Jiffy corn bread mix and macaroni and cheese.
  • Kent Social Services: Hard to believe it’s already that time of year folks! If you personally, or if your organization is looking to donate food items for the holiday; these are the items that we will be collecting for both Thanksgiving & Christmas. With both centers combined, we are expecting to fill over 800 food boxes for our friends in need.
  • Mental Health Awareness: 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, but less than two thirds get treatment. Mental Health should be a priority for everyone. Take a free and anonymous screening.