council

April 2019 Newsletter

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Welcome to the 17th edition of our monthly newsletter!

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. Using Virtual Reality to Improve Safety. Can virtual reality help improve workplace safety? Eric Irwin, Founder of Speculr thinks so! We caught up with him at the 2019 Ohio Safety Congress in Columbus to discuss how he’s using virtual reality technology to help companies improve their safety performance! (11:52)
  2. Exoskeletons & Ergonomic Risk Reduction.Is Sci-Fi coming to life to help improve workplace safety? We caught up with Jason Gillette, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Iowa State University, at the 2019 Ohio Safety Congress in Columbus to discuss how exoskeletons can help reduce ergonomic risks at work! (9:10)
  3. Confined Spaces. We caught up with Glenn McGinley before his presentation at the Northeast Ohio Safety Expo to chat about confined spaces! Glenn is the Director of the Public Employment Risk Reduction Program (PERRP) at The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. (14:32)
  4. Crisis Communications (Live Training). This episode is a live recording of our monthly workplace safety luncheon on Feb. 14, 2019. The topic was Crisis Communications & Crisis Management and it was presented by Thom Fladung, Managing Partner at Hennes Communications. (47:20)
  5. April’s Safety Update from the Ohio BWC Library. Each edition provides up-to-date news & safety information.
  6. Tornado Safety from Ready.gov.
  7. Tornado Safety Checklist from the Red Cross.
  8. Emergency Action Plan Checklist from OSHA.
  9. Protecting Yourself While Removing Post-Disaster Debris From Your Home or Business. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
  10. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are now available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Podbean, & Stitcher! Access local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone! Subscribe today!

PCSC NEWS:

  • NEXT MEETING: Thursday, May 9, 2019, 11:30am-1:00pm. This meeting will be our Annual Safety Awards & CEO Day! Our keynote speaker will be Coach Frank Hall, Chardon Schools & The Coach Hall Foundation. . RSVP deadline is 12pm on Monday, May 6th.
  • The PCSC is a 2018 Safety Council of the Year Finalist! Out of 82 Ohio Safety Councils, the PCSC is ranked in the top 14! We’ll find out more next month! Keep your fingers crossed we place in the top 3!
  • The Portage County Safety Council Podcast has published over 1,000 minutes (or 17 hours) of workplace safety & health content!
  • New Podcast Archives! We’re excited to announce that new free PCSC Podcast archives are now available on our website under the “Podcasts” tab! You can now easily search for podcasts by topic, format or episode number. 

EXTERNAL TRAINING CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
Please Note: these are not PCSC sponsored events but do qualify for 1 external training credit for PCSC members.

PROGRAM UPDATES:

  • BWC Updates: These are the power points presented by BWC Representative Nic Coia at our monthly meetings.
  • Monthly Meeting Power Points. We post them on our website after the presenters send them to us and give us permission to publish. If the speaker provides additional info, we’ll post it there as well.
  • External Training Credit Opportunities: We post them on our blog as outside organizations send them to us. A maximum of 2 external training credits are allowed per program year to help members earn the 10 minimum attendance credits required by the rebate. Please Note: ETC certificates of completion must be submitted by June 30 every year in order to qualify. Click here for ETC guidelines.
  • Rebate Participation Spreadsheet. Rebate eligible members can review how close they are to fulfilling the minimum rebate eligibility requirements by reviewing the Participation Spreadsheet which is typically updated on a monthly basis. Please Note: new monthly updates for FY19 are currently available!

April 11, 2019 – Tornado’s Don’t Care: Emergency Preparedness & Business Continuity Strategies

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Greetings Safety Council Members!

Our next meeting is Thursday, April 11, 2019, 11:30am-1:00pm, at the Ravenna Elks Club which is located at 776 N Freedom St in Ravenna.  The official meeting notice is attached.

Our topic for this month is…

Tornado’s Don’t Care: Emergency Preparedness & Business Continuity Strategies, presented by Cody Brookover, Deputy Director, Portage County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management.

  • Tis’ the season, tornadoes can cause catastrophic loss. What are you doing to prepare?
  • Is there a best way to prepare? What measures have currently been taken? Are they adequate?
  • How does your business continuity procedures mesh with operational aspects of severe weather impacts?

Cody is the Deputy Director of the Portage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Cody came to Portage County in 2016 after serving 8 years on active duty in the Marine Corps, deploying internationally to combat zones and disaster sites with specialized security and response forces. He is a certified A.L.I.C.E active shooter response instructor, security instructor, and has an advanced degree in management.

This training is ideal for safety managers, human resources & emergency preparedness staff!

Come enjoy a delicious meal catered by “Guido’s”. Cost for lunch is still just $15/person for members and $20 for non-members. ($5 fee will be charge for walk-ins including members who do not RSVP by deadline). Please note: no shows will be invoiced.

Please RSVP no later than 12pm on Monday, April 8, 2019.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP NOW

Please make your check payable to: “Portage County Safety Council.” Cost for lunch is still just $15/person for members and $20 for non-members (there’s a $5 fee for walk-ins including members who do not RSVP by deadline).

This Meeting is Sponsored By Ving!

Ving logo

March 2019 Newsletter

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Welcome to the 16th edition of our new monthly newsletter!

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. Silica Standard Overview: We caught up with Dianne Grote Adams & the Safex team at the 2019 Ohio Safety Congress in Columbus, OH! She sat down with Nic to share steps companies can take to ensure full compliance with OSHA’s silica standard update that went into effect last year. 
  2. Ladder Safety Training (Live Recording). This is a live recording of our monthly workplace safety luncheon on Jan. 10, 2019. The topic was Ladder Safety and it was presented by Dave Dennison, Safety Specialist at Flaherty Sales (Werner Co).
  3. Engaging Millennials in Safety (Live Recording). This is a live recording of the Engaging Millennials in Safety breakout session at the NE Ohio Safety Expo. The topic was presented by Nicholas Coia, Industrial Safety Consultant, for Ohio BWC!
  4. March’s Safety Update from the Ohio BWC Library. Each edition provides up-to-date news & safety information.
  5. 5 Benefits to Having a Safety Culture During an Emergency. Article provided by Ving!
  6. Overcoming Fatigue: In this short Health Talk, Mindy Gusz, Community Outreach Coordinator at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, gives us a snapshot of fatigue and how to overcome it!
  7. March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month: Dr. Amanda Burke, Prevention Specialist at Townhall II, tells us how problem gambling can cause big problems at work, especially around the time of March Madness!
  8. Employee Engagement Best Practices: We caught up with Stephen Francis, ESQ, President & Lead Strategist at Franchise D & I Solutions, before his presentation at the 2019 Ohio Safety Congress on how we can better engage employees through inclusion, involvement & investment!
  9. Crisis Communications Interview: Thom Fladung, Managing Partner at Hennes Communications, stayed over with us to recap his presentation at our monthly safety luncheon!
  10. The Real Costs of Safety: Safety Keynote Speaker, Rich McElhaney, stayed over with us at our monthly safety luncheon to give our listeners a quick recap of his presentation! 
  11. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are now available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Podbean, & Stitcher! Access local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone! Subscribe today!

PCSC NEWS:

  • NEXT MEETING: Thursday, April 11, 2019, 11:30am-1:00pm. Our topic is Tornado’s Don’t Care: Are you Prepared? and it will be presented by Cody Brookover, Deputy Director, Portage County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management. RSVP deadline is 12pm on Monday, Apr. 8th.
  • New Podcast Archives! We’re excited to announce that new free PCSC Podcast archives are now available on our website under the “Podcasts” tab! You can now easily search for podcasts by topic, format or episode number. 

EXTERNAL TRAINING CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
Please Note: these are not PCSC sponsored events but do qualify for 1 external training credit for PCSC members.

PROGRAM UPDATES:

  • BWC Updates: These are the power points presented by BWC Representative Nic Coia at our monthly meetings.
  • Monthly Meeting Power Points. We post them on our website after the presenters send them to us and give us permission to publish. If the speaker provides additional info, we’ll post it there as well.
  • External Training Credit Opportunities: We post them on our blog as outside organizations send them to us. A maximum of 2 external training credits are allowed per program year to help members earn the 10 minimum attendance credits required by the rebate. Please Note: ETC certificates of completion must be submitted by June 30 every year in order to qualify. Click here for ETC guidelines.
  • Rebate Participation Spreadsheet. Rebate eligible members can review how close they are to fulfilling the minimum rebate eligibility requirements by reviewing the Participation Spreadsheet which is typically updated on a monthly basis. Please Note: new monthly updates for FY19 are currently available!

March 26, 2019 – Fall Protection Seminar

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Please Note: this is not a PCSC sponsored event but does qualify for 1 external training credit for PCSC members.

Click here to register.

Fall protection is a complicated issue and one of the most important faced by an employer or worksite supervisor. With over 100,000 reported incidents per year, falls from heights almost always result in serious injury.

In the construction industry, falls are the number one cause of worker death. In any industry, not having fall protection can have serious consequences. Join us for this breakfast workshop with practical hands-on demonstration.

Who should attend

Anyone with fall protection concerns or anyone who currently uses fall protection.

You will learn:

  • To Recognize fall hazards in Construction and General Industry;
  • To select fall protection systems as referenced in occupational safety health codes;
  • To monitor the effectiveness and appropriate use of fall protection systems.

Presented by:

Eric White, Construction Safety Consultant Specialist, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC)

Eric White is a Construction Safety Consultant for the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Division of Safety & Hygiene.  Mr. White has been with the Division for 19 years and in the safety field for 25 years. Prior to coming to work for the Division of Safety & Hygiene Mr. White held positions with the Mechanical Contractors’ Association, Honda of America, OHM Corporation and worked many years as a carpenter.  He holds a BS in Environmental Hazardous Materials Management/Industrial Hygiene from the University of Findlay.

February 2019 Newsletter

/ portagecsc

Welcome to the 15th edition of our new monthly newsletter!

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. Episode 72 – Engaging Millennials in Safety (Live). This is a live recording of the Engaging Millennials in Safety breakout session at the NE Ohio Safety Expo. The topic was presented by Nicholas Coia, Industrial Safety Consultant, for Ohio BWC! (46:26)
  2. Episode 80 – LEPC Chemical Reporting. The Portage County EMA Director, Ryan Shackelford, stayed over with us after his presentation at our monthly safety luncheon to share about the LEPC and required chemical reporting! (5:51) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  3. Winter Safety Archives! We added a Winter Safety page to our website that contains links to several related podcast (currently 13) that could be used for tool box talks or as a supplemental training tool! Check it out today!
  4. OSHA’s Cold Stress Guide.
  5. Episode 78 – Safety Talk: How to Prevent Cold Stress. What is cold stress & how can we prevent it? This episode is a great snapshot from OSHA’s Cold Stress Guide! (6:12)
  6. Episode 77 – Safety Blast: Know Your Winter Weather Advisory Terms. Every winter we are inundated with winter weather advisories, watches & warnings, but do you know what they mean? In this episode, we cover a list of these advisories courtesy of OSHA & the NOAA so you & your employees can adequately prepare for working in inclement weather conditions! (2:41)
  7. February’s Safety Update from the Ohio BWC Library. Each edition provides up-to-date news & safety information.
  8. How to Handle Substance Abuse in Your Workplace. Article provided by Ving!
  9. The Ohio BWC has launched their Be Safe Ohio website! BeSafeOhio.com provides relevant safety information for both home & work. This campaign focuses on 3 key areas: 1) Slips, trips & falls 2)Overexertion & 3)Safe Driving.
  10. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are now available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Podbean, & Stitcher! Access local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone! Subscribe today!

PCSC NEWS:

  • NEXT MEETING: Thursday, February 14, 2019, 11:30am-1:00pm. Our topic is Crisis Communication and it will be presented by Thomas Fladung, Vice President, Hennes Communications. This luncheon will be an official CEO Day! RSVP deadline is 12pm on Monday, Feb. 11th.
  • March’s Meeting: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 11:30am-1:00pm. Our topic is Drugs in the Workplace and it will be presented by Dr. Amanda Burke, Prevention Specialist, Townhall II.  RSVP deadline is 12pm on Monday, March 11th.
  • New Podcast Archives! We’re excited to announce that new free PCSC Podcast archives are now available on our website under the “Podcasts” tab! You can now easily search for podcasts by topic, format or episode number. 

EXTERNAL TRAINING CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
Please Note: these are not PCSC sponsored events but do qualify for 1 external training credit for PCSC members.

PROGRAM UPDATES:

  • BWC Updates: These are the power points presented by BWC Representative Nic Coia at our monthly meetings.
  • Monthly Meeting Power Points. We post them on our website after the presenters send them to us and give us permission to publish. If the speaker provides additional info, we’ll post it there as well.
  • External Training Credit Opportunities: We post them on our blog as outside organizations send them to us. A maximum of 2 external training credits are allowed per program year to help members earn the 10 minimum attendance credits required by the rebate. Please Note: ETC certificates of completion must be submitted by June 30 every year in order to qualify. Click here for ETC guidelines.
  • Rebate Participation Spreadsheet. Rebate eligible members can review how close they are to fulfilling the minimum rebate eligibility requirements by reviewing the Participation Spreadsheet which is typically updated on a monthly basis. Please Note: new monthly updates for FY19 are currently available!

WINTER SAFETY:

  1. Episode 78 – Safety Talk: How to Prevent Cold Stress. What is cold stress & how can we prevent it? This episode is a great snapshot from OSHA’s Cold Stress Guide! (6:12)
  2. Episode 77 – Safety Blast: Know Your Winter Weather Advisory Terms. Every winter we are inundated with winter weather advisories, watches & warnings, but do you know what they mean? In this episode, we cover a list of these advisories courtesy of OSHA & the NOAA so you & your employees can adequately prepare for working in inclement weather conditions! (2:41)
  3. Episode 76 – Safety Blast: What is Trench Foot? What is trench foot? What are the symptoms? What can be done if someone gets it? This episode is a great snapshot from OSHA’s Cold Stress Guide! (1:50)
  4. Episode 75 – Safety Blast: What is Hypothermia? What is hypothermia? What are the symptoms? What can be done if someone gets it? This episode is a great snapshot from OSHA’s Cold Stress Guide! (3:15)
  5. Episode 74 – Safety Blast: What is Frostbite? What is frostbite? What are the symptoms? What can be done if someone gets it? This episode is a great snapshot on frostbite from OSHA’s Cold Stress Guide! (2:03)
  6. Episode 73 – Safety Blast: Dressing Properly in Cold Weather. Here are some tips from OSHA’s Cold Stress Guide on how to dress properly in extreme cold weather! (1:59)
  7. Episode 71 – Training Common Sense to Improve Winter Safety. Cari Gray, Safety Consultant for the Ohio BWC, shares why it’s important to train workers in what appears to be common sense during the winter weather season! (7:10)
  8. Episode 60 – Safety Talk: How to Avoid Slips, Trips & Falls in Winter Weather Conditions. Cari Gray, Safety Consultant Specialist for the Ohio BWC, called in to share some tips on how to avoid slips, trips & falls in winter conditions! (7:20)
  9. Episode 11 – How to Stay Safe Driving in the Winter. In this interview, Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO joins us to discuss how to stay safe driving in winter weather. (13:11)
  10. Episode 10 – Safety Talk: Winter Driving Safety. Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO shares how to stay safe on the road in the winter. (7:18) This episode would make a great tool box talk!
  11. Episode 9 – How to Prepare Your Vehicle for the Winter. Vince Stropko and Lori Cook of AAA East Central NEO join us on this Safety Chat to discuss how to prepare your vehicle(s) for the winter. (11:02)
  12. Episode 8 – Safety Talk: Winter Vehicle Prep. Vince Stropko, Approved Auto Repair Rep for AAA East Central NEO, provides tips on how to prep your vehicle for that frigid Northeast Ohio winter! (3:15) This episode would make a great tool box talk!