BWC

2017 First Half Semi-Annual Reports Due July 15th

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Hello PCSC Members:

The time has come to submit your First Half Semi-Annual Report for the period of January 1, 2017 – June 30, 2017, by the deadline of July 15th.

ALL Safety Council members, including newly enrolled members, are required to complete the semi-annual reports to maintain a current Safety Council membership and to ensure your eligibility for the Safety Council rebate and Safety Awards programs.

Employers eligible to pursue the current FY18 safety council rebate must complete both reports for calendar year 2017.

Please take a few moments and complete the short Semi-Annual Safety Council report. It is absolutely critical that you return your report to the Safety Council by no later than July 15th.

Click here to complete the report online.

Click here to download the 2017 First Half Semi-Annual Report Form.

Click here to download the Instruction Sheet to help you complete the report.

Securing a Machine Guard: July 2017 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Question:

What options do I have to secure a guard to a machine?

Answer:

You are required to attach guards to machines with bolts, screws, allen screws or other similar means requiring a tool to remove them.  Your other option is to install electrical interlocks which will cause the machine not to run if the guards are removed.  The availability of this option is dependent on the type of equipment and controls that are in place.  Keep in mind that your guard must not allow employees to reach around, under, over, or through the guard to access the hazard.  For more information, please see OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212 and ANSI B11.19 – Performance Requirements for Safeguarding.

Please contact your local BWC safety consultant if you are unsure if your machine is guarded properly.  They can perform a machine guarding assessment and offer recommendations to protect your employees from equipment hazards.

Brought to you by Ohio BWC safety consultants.

 

 

 

FY17 ETC Deadline: June 22, 2017

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Hello PCSC Members!

The deadline to send me certificates of completion in order to receive up to two FY17 External Training Credits is Thursday, June 22, 2017.

You DO NOT need to send them to me if:

  1. You have already emailed them to me.
  2. You have already reached your 10 minimum Attendance Credits.
  3. You have already submitted certificates for ETC.

For more info regarding External Training Credits, click here. If you have any questions, please contact me at your convenience.

OUT OF OFFICE NOTICE: I will be out of the office June 26-30 and will be returning on July 3. Any ETC submitted after June 22 are not guaranteed to be processed in time for rebate eligibility.

Anti-Fatigue Matting: June 2017 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Question:

I know there are not “standards”…but are there any recommendations concerning anti-fatigue matting for an employee who stands in one area a given length of time?

Answer:

There are no standards, but there here are some good recommendations:

  • First, check shoe wear – always recommend tuft gum sole, and heel – both provide support and are slip and chemical resistance
  • If you have an employee standing in an area more than one hour straight, a mat or other measures should be employed.
  • Or if an employee stands 50 % of the time on a job, a sit stand should be provided (if appropriate) or a foot rails to rest lower extremities, are a good option.
  • Anti-fatigue matting should be at least 1 inch thick – with tapered edges
  • Also mating needs to be placed on a preventative maintenance program for wear and tear issues.
  • Be sure the mat is easy to clean
  • Anti-fatigue mats are engineered to make the body naturally and imperceptibly sway, which encourages subtle movement of the leg muscles. This promotes blood flow and prevents stagnation in the veins – and, incidentally, burns more calories! So, what you’re looking for in a mat is one that’s not so hard it discourages muscle movement, but not so springy it requires too much energy to maintain balance, creating a different kind of stress.

There are 2 key words for prolonged standing risk factors – is the type of posture and repetition being completed by the employee.

The monthly Safety and Hygiene Corner is written by Ohio BWC experts for local Ohio Safety Council programs.