safety

Space Heaters: January 2023 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Q: Can our employees use space heaters at work?

A: It depends! Space heaters, AKA portable electric heaters, although not ideal, are often found in the work environments.  Some employers prohibit them, but if you decide to allow, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  1. Your local fire department may prohibit them, so check with your local Fire Marshall first
  2. They must be  approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory  like UL or FM.

OSHA’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program – Current List of NRTLs | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

  • They must be listed and labeled for commercial or industrial use (not listed for household use)
  • They should be located so that they cannot be easily overturned
  • If they tip over, they should automatically shut off
  • Because of the amount of electric current drawn by space heaters, they MUST be used only where they can be plugged directly into outlets – NO EXTENSION CORDS OR POWERSTRIPS
  • Must be 3 feet or more away from all combustibles
  • The room must be occupied, turn them off when they leave
  • They should be inspected frequently.  Check the outlet, check the plug and the heater itself.

That’s a lot of requirements, but if you allow them all must occur.  The NFPA has a lot of resources and fact sheets Safety with heating equipment | NFPA and don’t be afraid to call your local fire department or your State Fire Marshal.

It’s a good idea to share this information with your employees because it pertains to home usage as well.  Check out the https://dfs.dps.mo.gov/safetytips/space-heater-safety.php

Stay Warm and Safe!

*Brought to you by the Ohio BWC safety consultants.

Celebrating 2022

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Hello Everyone!


As many of you know, every year at this time I like to reflect on the year coming to an end and celebrate everything we have accomplished together as a safety council. Once again I was blown away!

Thank you for your continued participation and support of our safety council. I hope as you review the highlights below, you will be just as excited as I was. I am truly thankful for each and every one of you and look forward to another great year in 2023!

2022 HIGHLIGHTS

TRAINING EVENTS

  • We hosted 16 total training events in 2022!
  • 9 virtual training events.
  • 6 monthly in-person luncheons.
  • Hosted a two-day OSHA 10 General Industry in-person training in October where 34 participants completed the training receiving their OSHA 10 card.

PODCASTS

  • 42 episodes were published in 2022, totaling 13.62 hours (817m) of original workplace safety content. 
  • We partnered with the Ohio Safety Congress and the NE Ohio Safety Expo for the first time ever to create & publish Podcast Previews with their speakers. As a result, we were able to interview best selling authors, national level speakers and university professors from all over the nation. 
  • All time stats: 270 episodes published, totaling 75.98 hours (4,559m) of original workplace safety & health content, downloaded in over 55 nations!

VIDEO CONTENT

  • Published 20 workplace safety related videos that are available on our YouTube channel and website.
  • 6,623 watch time minutes on YouTube.

EXTRACURRICULAR

  • Mental Health Awareness Campaign: In the spring, we collaborated with Family & Community Services, Kelly Younkins Clinical Consultant & Trumbull County Mental Health & Recovery Board to create & promote our very first official Mental Health Awareness campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month in May.
  • Holiday Food Drive: We hosted a holiday food drive at our December luncheon to help those in need. All the non-perishable food donations went to the Center of Hope food pantry in Ravenna. 

We hope you all have a great, safe & happy New Year!

December 2022 Newsletter

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Welcome to our monthly newsletter for December 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. Hazard vs. Risk Assessment: What’s the difference? We caught up with Mark Eitzman, Safety and Project Manager at Integrated Mill Systems, for a post-presentation interview after this month’s workplace safety luncheon. Mark did a great job as always, presenting on Staying Safe Around Automation. (8:46)
  2. [Safety Blast] Christmas Driving Safety Tips: Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO gives us some tips on how to stay safe driving for Christmas! (4:15)
  3. [Safety Blast] Driving Safe on New Years! Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO, reminds us to drive safe when celebrating New Years! (3:58)
  4. Working Safely from Elevated Heights: Article by Incident Prevention.
  5. Cold Weather Safety: A short video by Ally Safety. (5:57)
  6. Sign Blindness Is Real – Here’s What You Can Do About It: Article by Safeopedia.
  7. BLS: On-the-job deaths jump 8.9% in 2021, again rising above 5,000: Article by Safety + Health Magazine.
  8. Loading/Uploading Wheels: December 2022 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  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. Next In-Person Meeting: January 12, 2023 – OSHA Recordkeeping: Are you ready to post and submit your logs online? Presented by Cari Gray, Industrial Safety Consultant, Ohio BWC.,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. Only 1 FY23 Sponsorship is Still Available! Sponsorship of a Portage County Safety Council meeting is a cost-effective way to get your business noticed! Only 1 is still available through June 2023. Follow the link for more info.

COMMUNITY NEWS:

  • [Community Spotlight] US Safety Gear Opens in Streetsboro: One of our sponsors, US Safety Gear, hosted a grand opening for their new retail store in Streetsboro, OH. We were honored to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony with two other safety council members! Afterwards, we caught up with Niki Leeworthy, their Territory Sales Rep, to learn more about what they do. (3:19)

GFCI Importance: November 2022 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Question: What is the importance of ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and where should they be located in my workplace?

Answer:

Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) are important because they are used to protect people from electrical shock hazards caused by malfunctioning electrical appliances. For example, if a person is using a defective electrical appliance and also touching a wet surface or very conductive surface, the person could become part of the grounding pathway for the fault current. The GFCI would detect this current imbalance and disconnect electricity within 20-30 milliseconds before the dangerous electrical current could pass through the person’s body which could cause serious electrical shock or death.

Depending on the workplace and work being done, GFCIs could be required/needed in several areas. According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.304(b)(3)(i): All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in bathrooms or on rooftops shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

Other areas where GFCI protection should be located in your workplace include: kitchens, outdoor areas, within 6 feet of water sources (sinks, showers, etc.), laundry areas, locker rooms, garages, service bays and any other areas exposed to moisture. Vending machines require GCFI protection regardless of being hard wired, plug and cord connected, voltage current or frequency rating. Additionally, temporary wiring installations (including extension cords) used by personnel doing construction-like activities require GFCI’s protection.

Per equipment instructions these devices should be tested monthly. You can document with logs or procedures, that GFCIs are tested monthly and promptly replace those found defective.

If you need assistance with determining where GFCI protection is needed in your facility, contact your assigned BWC safety consultant.

*Provided by the Ohio BWC safety consultants.

Hand Tool Ergonomics: September 2022 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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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.

August 2022 Newsletter

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Welcome to our monthly newsletter for August 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. The Need for Leadership: [Video] Kevin Mowers, President of Crestcom- Extended Management, Inc., joined us to talk about the need for leadership, training & development for employees at every level. (35:31)
  2. Lockout Tagout: An introduction to the control of hazardous energy. A short video by Ally Safety. (3:21)
  3. 5 Ways to Empower Frontline Workers and Improve Industrial Safety: Article by Safeopedia.
  4. OSHA emphasis program targets warehousing, storage and distribution yard operations: Article by Safety + Health Magazine.
  5. Hoist Inspection: August 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. 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.
  2. FY23 In-Person Sponsorships are Now Available! Sponsorship of a Portage County Safety Council meeting is a cost-effective way to get your business noticed! Follow the link for more info.
  3. Next In-Person Meeting: September 8, 2022 – Manufacturing and Society Demand Both Safety and Productivity, presented by Mark Eitzman, Safety and Project Manager, Integrated Mill Systems, 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.