september

September 2022 Newsletter

/ pcscmgr

Welcome to our monthly newsletter for September 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. [NE Ohio Safety Expo Preview] Workers’ Compensation 101 – Basics from a MCO prospective. [Audio] Cheryl Altizer, Account Executive at Promedica Medical Management, joined us to talk about her 2022 NE Ohio Safety Expo presentation titled, Workers’ Compensation 101 – Basics from a MCO prospective. (11:13)
  2. The Biological Basis of Complacency: Article by Incident Prevention.
  3. Confined Space Hazards Toolbox Talk: A short video by Ally Safety. (4:02)
  4. What It Really Means to Empower Workers: Article by Safeopedia.
  5. 5 tips to reduce repetitive stress injuries: Article by Safety + Health Magazine.
  6. Hand Tool Ergonomics: September 2022 Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  7. Ohio BWC Virtual Training: Through December 2022.
  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. October 6, 2022 – Are You Ready to Lead Safety Differently? We’re excited to be hosting a live online training session that was previously featured during the 2022 Ohio Safety Congress at the Greater Columbus Convention Center earlier this year! This free webinar will be on Thursday, October 6, 2022, 11am-12pm, on Zoom Webinar. Follow the link to register today!
  2. 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.
  3. Only 4 FY23 Sponsorships Still Available! Sponsorship of a Portage County Safety Council meeting is a cost-effective way to get your business noticed! Only 4 are still available through June 2023. Follow the link for more info.
  4. Next In-Person Meeting: October 13, 2022 – Common Fire Code Violations, presented by Lt. Vince Yost of the Kent Fire Dept,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.

Hand Tool Ergonomics: September 2022 Safety & Hygiene Corner

/ pcscmgr

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.

September 2020 Newsletter

/ portagecsc

Welcome to our monthly newsletter for September 2020!

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!

UH Portage rectangle banner

SAFETY RESOURCES:

  1. [Inspiring Safety] Consistency is Key. Matt Mohler, Facilities Director & Safety Manager at Delta Systems, Inc. in Streetsboro, OH, joined us to chat about how he inspires safety while reminding us that consistency is key for every safety initiative! (12:42)
  2. [Inspiring Safety] Making Safety Fun. Justin Deflumeri is the Health & Safety Manager at Monogram Foods in the greater Boston area overseeing the safety of over 600 employees. He also serves as a member of ASSP’s Executive Board. He joined us to chat about inspiring safety and how to make it fun for employees! (9:48)
  3. [Inspiring Safety] Partnering to Solve Problems. Linda F. Martin, PhD, joined us to chat about inspiring safety and partnering to solve problems! Dr. Martin is the founder of The Soteria Society and currently serves as the Department Chair for Safety Programs (BS, MS, and PhD) at Capitol Technology University. (12:53)
  4. Episode 182 – Stay Cool! How to Reduce Stress During COVID-19 (Live). This is a live recording of our Virtual Safety Council meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2020. The topic was Stay Cool! How to Reduce Heat Stress During COVID-19 and it was presented by Shelly McCullough, Certified First Aid, CPR, AED Trainer, Swift First Aid. (35:42)
  5. Lockout/Tag Out: September’s Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  6. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Podbean, Stitcher, & TuneIn/Alexa! Access local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone! Subscribe today!

PCSC NEWS:

  1. Safety Mastermind Starts Oct 6! We’re excited to announce that our first Safety Mastermind group starting on Tuesday, October 6, 2020!  This group is free for members ($100 for non-members) and will focus on accident investigation & analysis. See below for more information. Click here to view the flyer.
  2. September 24, 2020 –The Power of Words: How to Build a Culture of Success & Legacy, presented by Coach James Lovejoy, Streetsboro High School Assistant Football Coach & 2019 Streetsboro Citizen of the Year. Sponsored by Ving. Follow link to register today!
  3. FY21 Membership Renewal: It’s not too late to #LevelUp in safety! Join today!
  4. Podcast Apps: Our podcasts are now available on Amazon Music & iHeartRadio!


September 2019 Newsletter

/ portagecsc

Welcome to our monthly newsletter for September 2019!

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. Breaking Out of the Safety Box. What is “the safety box” and how can you break out of it to improve your company’s safety performance? Join Nic & Mike as they answer these questions and chat about how to overcome common industry blinders that may be hindering your company’s safety score! (20:55)
  2. Drones: Commercial uses, Regulations and Best Practices (Live). This is a live recording of our monthly workplace safety luncheon on June 13, 2019. The topic was Drones: Commercial Uses, Regulations and Best Practices and it was presented by Josh Grappy, UAS Program Coordinator, Ohio BWC. (36:08)
  3. Transferring Safety Knowledge Through the Generational Gaps.Tony DeAscentis (the CEO) & Gabe King (the Millennial) of Ving!, stayed over with us after their presentation to chat about how to transfer safety knowledge through the generational gap! (15:30)
  4. September’s Safety Update from the Ohio BWC Library. Each edition provides up-to-date news & safety information.
  5. Push & Pull Motions: September’s Safety & Hygiene Corner
  6. OSHA’s Top Workplace Safety Tips for Employers. Article by Ving!
  7. 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:

  • 2020 Sponsorships Available! 2020 monthly luncheon sponsorships are now available! Each month is still only $125 and you get 20% off when sponsor more than one month. Contact us before they’re gone!
  • OCTOBER MEETING: Thursday, October 10, 2019, 11:30am-1:00pm. The topic will be Effective Safety & Motivational Leadership and it will be presented by a panel of local safety managers. RSVP deadline is 12pm on Monday, October 7th.
  • DID YOU KNOW? We record the audio from most of our monthly meeting presentations and make them available for free on our website and through our podcast! That means you can access and share the presentation audio through any computer or smart device! If you enjoyed one of our guest speakers, consider sharing the audio of their presentation with your colleagues today!
  • NE Ohio Safety Expo Podcasts: We’ll be interviewing speakers and recording a few presentations at the NE Ohio Safety Expo in October! They’ll be made available for free on all of our podcast channels and website. Stay tuned for more info.

EXTERNAL TRAINING CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:

Please note that these events are not hosted by the PCSC but do qualify for one FY20 ETC. PCSC member can use up to 2 ETC in order to meet the minimum 10 Attendance Credits required to rebate eligible.

 

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.

Push & Pull Motions: September 2019 Safety & Hygiene Corner

/ portagecsc

Question: Our company frequently moves materials on carts and manual pallet jacks.  Should we be concerned with the amount of force that an employee must exert to push or pull these items?

Answer:  Yes, pushing and pulling tasks do present a risk of a workplace injury to the low back and shoulders.  OSU published an objective set of guidelines for pushing and pulling that was funded by BWC.  These guidelines set limits of push and pull forces and are expected to be protective of both the low back and shoulders.  BWC published this information on our website and contains a web interface to estimate biomechanical risk of a push/pull task.

All you need is a force gauge and a tape measure to get started.  If you need help, contact your BWC Ergonomist.  They will come to your worksite to measure the push/pull forces and determine if the biomechanical risk is within the guidelines to protect your workforce from a low back or shoulder injury.

To learn more and to use the web interface, go to https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/employer/programs/safety/PushPullGuide/PushPullGuide.aspx.

 

Brought to you by the Ohio BWC safety consultants.

September 2018 Newsletter

/ portagecsc

Welcome to the 10th 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!

PCSC NEWS:

  1. Exciting News!An audio recording of last week’s monthly luncheon presentation on Accident Investigations will be available on Monday, September 24th, through all of our PCSC channels (iTunes, Spotify, etc.)!
  2. Mental Health First Aid training on Oct 25: We’re removing the “per company limit” on this discounted training. PCSC members can now register more than 3 employees for this event. Follow link for more details about the training or to register today!
  3. Celebrating 50 Episodes!!! Nic & Mike celebrate 50 episodes of the PCSC Podast! Join them as they discuss the top 10 downloaded episodes and share clips from 4 of their favorites!
  4. Until Help Arrives training on 9/20 is SOLD OUT!!! Sorry, no walk-ins will be accepted.

SAFETY RESOURCES:

  1. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are now available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Podbean, & Stitcher! Access local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone!
  2. September’s Safety Update from the Ohio BWC Library. Each edition provides up-to-date news & safety information.
  3. 11 Common Causes of Workplace Accidents. Article provided by Ving!
  4. Power Point from our August September 13th luncheon on Accident Investigation, presented by Debbie O’Connell, Regional Manager, 1-888-OhioComp. An audio recording of this meeting will be available on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018.
  5. Episode 33 – Safety Blast: Hydroplaning. Lori Cook, Traffic Safety Advisor for AAA East Central NEO gives us a few tips on how to prevent hydroplaning! (2:05)

 

PROGRAM/REBATE 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.

September 13, 2018 – Accident Investigation

/ portagecsc

Greetings Safety Council Members!

Our next meeting is Thursday, September 13, 2018, 11:30am-1:00pm, at the Ravenna Elks Club which is located at 776 N Freedom St in Ravenna.

Our topic for this month is…

Accident Investigation, presented by Debbie O’Connell, Regional Manager, 1-888-OhioComp.

Debbie O’Connell has over 20 years of experience in workers’ compensation.  She has been educating, advising, and a resource for employers’ workers’ compensation programs for both public and private sector.  Debbie is currently a Regional Manager for 1-888-Ohio Comp an MCO (managed care organization) and serves at the PCSC Steering Committee Chair.

This training is ideal for safety managers & human resource staff!

Please RSVP no later than 12pm on Monday, September 10, 2018.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP NOW

Please make your check payable to: “Portage County Safety Council.” If you would like to pay by credit card prior to the event, please email us for an invoice. Cost for lunch is still just $15/person for members (who RSVP by deadline) and $20 for non-members or walk-ins (including members who do not RSVP by deadline).

This Meeting is Sponsored By Ving!
VingApp Ad