PCSC News & Events

News, announcements, and articles from the PCSC.

January is Workplace Wellness Month

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January will be our official Workplace Wellness Month!  As a part of our on-going Healthy Workers are Safer Workers Campaign, our aim is to help you promote health & wellness to your employees by providing relevant information and campaign resources.

Here’s what we’ll be offering:

  • Workplace Wellness Podcasts: We’ll be emailing out a new workplace wellness related podcast every Wednesday in January! These episodes will include interviews from local trainers such as Leslee Keagan of I’m Power Fitness Center and Chase Leonelli of Sequoia Wellness at NEOMED.
  • Live Training: The Ohio Dept of Health will be presenting at our January 13 virtual meeting on “The Impact of Prediabetes on Your Workforce.”
  • Free Campaign Resources: This page contains links to free campaign tools (such as a poster & graphics) and relevant workplace wellness resources to help your company promote & improve worker health. 
  • Engaging Your Workforce in Wellness: Engaging Your Workforce in Wellness is a 24-page toolkit promoting the benefits of employee health & wellness programs and providing employers with evidence-based strategies. 

We hope that you’ll find these free resources valuable and that you’ll help promote health & wellness with us throughout the month of January!

Celebrating 2021!!!

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PCSC Members & Community Partners:


Every year I like to reflect on what we have accomplished together as a safety council and every year I’m sincerely blown away and filled with gratitude. Whether you are a member, steering committee member,  sponsor or community partner, I would like to personally say THANK YOU for not only making the PCSC a great safety council but also making Portage County a safer & healthier place to live and work!

Look at what we accomplished together in 2021!!!


LIVE TRAININGS:

  • 23 total live training events online
  • 18 semi-monthly virtual meetings
  • 5-Week Machine Safety Workshop

VIDEO CONTENT:

  • 30 videos recorded & published by the PCSC
  • That’s over 25 hours (1543 minutes) of original workplace safety, health or community related video content
  • 6,626 watch time minutes on YouTube

PODCASTS:

  • 33 podcast episodes published on the Portage County Safety Council Podcast
  • That’s over 14 hours (856 minutes) of original workplace safety, health or community related audio content
  • Our podcast has been downloaded in every state except for Alaska & Wyoming (Ohio 43%, 9.13%, 7.95%) and in over 56 nations (US 84.15%)
  • In November, we hit 10,000 downloads
  • In June, we were recognized by Welp Magazine as one of the 20 Best Workplace Safety Podcasts of 2021.

As you can see, we accomplished a lot together in 2021 so let’s celebrate and anticipate an even better 2022! Thanks again and I hope each one of you has a safe and joyful new year!

December 2021 Newsletter

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Welcome to our monthly newsletter for December 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 Blast] Christmas Driving Safety Tips. [Audio] Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO gives us some tips on how to stay safe driving for Christmas! (4:15)
  2. Finding Facts, Not Faults: How to Improve Safety After an Injury (Live). Nicholas Coia, Industrial Safety Consultant for the Ohio BWC, presents on Finding Facts, Not Faults: How to Improve Safety After an Injury. Click here to watch the video. Click here to view the slides or here for the handout mentioned. (43:16)
  3. Ladder Safety for Work & the Holidays (Live). [Video] Dave Dennison of Werner Ladders (Flaherty Sales) instructs on how properly inspect, use and dispose a ladder.
  4. Ergonomics: Challenges and Opportunities: Article by Ohio BWC.
  5. Holiday Workplace Safety: Article by Safety + Health Magazine.
  6. The 12 Days of Safety: Holiday safety poster by NSC.
  7. [Safety Blast] Driving Safe on New Years! [Audio] Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO, reminds us to drive safe when celebrating New Years! (3:58)
  8. Anchored Machinery: December 2021 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  9. Ohio BWC Distance Learning: December 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. 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:

November 2021 Newsletter

/ portagecsc

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.

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

October 2021 Newsletter

/ portagecsc

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.

Machine Safety Video Recordings & Slides

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PCSC Members:
We just finished up our first ever 5-week training series on Machine Safety by Mark Eitzman of Integrated Mill Systems! Nic & I thought the training was so informative and valuable that we decided to make it public and available to everyone.

If you haven’t already, I encourage all of our members in manufacturing to engage with this training. The links to the video recordings on YouTube and to the slides are listed below.

  1. September 1, 2021 – Machine Safety Part 1: Societal Demands for Safety & Productivity. In this first of a 5-part series, Mark Eitzman of Integrated Mill Systems, presents on societal and economic forces driving safety, the 3 elements of safety maturity and justifying & proving the return on investment of safety and productivity. (1:05:53) Power Point
  2. September 8, 2021 – Machine Safety Part 2: Regulatory Compliance & Risk Assessments. In this second session of a 5-part series, Mark Eitzman of Integrated Mill Systems, presents on regulatory compliance (laws and standards) and risk assessments. (1:05:06) Power Point.
  3. September 15, 2021 – Machine Safety Part 3: Risk Reduction Methods, Technologies and Techniques. In this third session of a 5-part series, Mark Eitzman of Integrated Mill Systems, presents on risk reduction methods, technologies and techniques. (57:02) Power Point.
  4. September 22, 2021 – Machine Safety Part 4: Engineered Controls and Safety Circuits. In this fourth session of a 5-part series, Mark Eitzman of Integrated Mill Systems, presents on engineered controls and safety circuits. (1:00:46) Power Point.
  5. September 29, 2021 – Machine Safety Part 5: Installation, Validation and Post Commissioning Management of Change. In this last of a 5-part series, Mark Eitzman of Integrated Mill Systems, presents on installation, validation and post commissioning management of change. (58:39) Power Point.

Oct 6, 2021 – Ohio Safety Council MEGA Meeting!

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Join us for the first of two free webinars hosted by BWC in coordination with Ohio Safety Council sponsors!

Click here to view the official flyer that contains the access link.

Wednesday, October 6, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET
Leading from Your Heart!™

You want to achieve zero-incident culture for safety—who doesn’t? But what does it really take to
get to that point? For starters, it takes great leadership, coaching, and engagement. This inspiring
keynote, which parallels servant leadership principles, is infused with humor, and will reveal
seven contemporary and empirically based principles that will move your people from superficial
compliance to deeper and more durable forms of personal commitment to safety. You’ll leave this talk
with actionable ways to:
• Impact attitudes and actions in deeper and broader ways for three especially important types of
changes in attitudes and actions
• Turn your followers into safety leaders and champions
Develop a culture where safety is viewed as vital to the health of your organization by also experiencing
positive changes in productivity, quality, and morale.

Presented by David J. Sarkus, MS, CSP

David J. Sarkus, MS, CSP is Chief Servant Leader and Founder of David
Sarkus International Inc., a leading health and safety management
consulting and training firm based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. David is a
motivational safety speaker who delivers keynotes, training, and consulting
in a broad variety of industries. His experience, education, and leadership
qualities have allowed him and his firm to successfully apply strategies and
tactics within a large variation of mainstream work-processes for over 30
years. His customized safety interventions have produced improvements
in key performance indicators from 35% to more than 85% over the previous year. He’s proven that
results like this are not only possible, but scalable and sustainable.


Sarkus holds Master of Science degrees in both safety management and
organizational psychology. He is a recognized leader in the practice of safety
management and has written cover stories for major industry magazines
including Professional Safety and Industrial Safety & Hygiene News. He
has been recognized by ISHN as one of the “Top 50 Leaders” in the field. He
has written five books and over 100 evidence-based articles.


Sarkus works with some of the biggest and best run organizations in
the world and can help you move toward— and embrace— sustainable
excellence in safety.

At the scheduled date and time, click here to join this live event. You do not need
to pre-register.

September 2021 Newsletter

/ portagecsc

Welcome to our monthly newsletter for September 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. Machine Safety Part 1: Societal Demands for Safety & Productivity. [Video] Mark Eitzman of Integrated Mill Systems, presents on societal and economic forces driving safety, the 3 elements of safety maturity and justifying & proving the return on investment of safety and productivity. A MUST SEE VIDEO FOR CEO’S & SAFETY PROS!!!
  2. New OSHA Noise Hazard Program: OSHA announced a new Regional Emphasis Program (REP) to identify, reduce, and eliminate hazards associated with exposures to high levels of noise. The program was announced on June 14, 2021, and is for OSHA Region V, which includes Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
  3. Robot Safety Q & A: [Audio] Mark Eitzman, Safety and Project Manager at Integrated Mill Systems, answers questions after his presentation on Safety Considerations for Robots in Manufacturing. (8:33)
  4. OSHA’s Suicide Prevention Stand Down Campaign: In accordance with OSHA’s Suicide Prevention Stand Down Week, we made this video and podcast to help employer prevent suicide,
  5. Construction Suicide Prevention: Free resources to prevent suicides in the construction industry.
  6. Seat belts & Claims: September 2021 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  7. Ohio BWC Distance Learning: September 2021.
  8. 2021 All-Hazards Conference: Oct. 1, 2021. Hosted by 3 county LEPC’s.
  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. Statewide Safety Council Mega Meetings Announced: As mentioned earlier today and at the announcement of our FY22 program year, the Ohio BWC is hosting 2 statewide “Mega Meetings” for all Ohio safety councils. There’s no need to register for these events, just click on the link for each date on the attached flyer to access the live broadcast. Please see the flyer for more info.
  2. Free 5-Hour Machine Safety Workshop: This course will be broken up into five, 1-hour live training sessions, 11am-12pm, on Zoom Webinar, every Wednesday in September starting on the 1st, ending on the 29th. Click here for more info! You can still attend the last 3 sessions!!!
  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!!!

August 2021 Newsletter

/ portagecsc

Welcome to our monthly newsletter for August 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. Ohio State Highway Patrol reminding families to take precautions during school bus safety month: [Video] (1:53)
  2. School Bus Safety: [Video] Brought to by the City of Hudson. (9:04)
  3. What are the Biggest Breathing Hazards in Construction: Article by Ving!
  4. [Safety Culture] Better Communication Connects: [Audio] Ami Gignac & Katie Woodhall, Managing Partners at Sparrow Tale, chat with us about how better communication improves the connection between your employees and your safety message! This is an excerpt from e175, click here to listen to the full interview. (13:51)
  5. [Safety Culture] Include Soft Skills in Your Training: [Audio] Ami Gignac & Katie Woodhall, Managing Partners at Sparrow Tale, chat with us about how training your staff in soft skills can improve your safety culture in the long-run! This is an excerpt from e175, click here to listen to the full interview. (4:14)
  6. Flammable Storage Codes: August 2021 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  7. Ohio BWC Distance Learning: August 2021.
  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. Free 5-Hour Machine Safety Workshop: This course will be broken up into five, 1-hour live training sessions, 11am-12pm, on Zoom Webinar, every Wednesday in September starting on the 1st, ending on the 29th. Click here for more info!
  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!