workplace

Loading Dock Fatality

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A message from Steering Committee Member, Pat McCon, on 6/7/18.

Just yesterday in Findlay, OH an employee of a plastic film manufacturing plant died while working outside a loading dock.  He was crushed when a tractor-trailer backed into the dock without the driver seeing him.  It sounds like he was working on the dock leveler, but that hasn’t been confirmed.

http://www.toledoblade.com/Police-Fire/2018/06/06/Valfilm-employee-killed-in-Findlay.html

This tragic incident points out the need to plan every job, no matter how large or small and no matter how routine.  The planning process should include a thorough, objective look at potential safety issues.

The incident has opened my eyes.  At one time I provided service to a company that serviced dock levelers.  I did safety audits on a lot of mechanics who were working on levelers, and never once noticed this potential for catastrophic injury.  (Nor did their very competent and experienced safety director, nor any of their very competent and experienced mechanics.)

Please take a few moments to contemplate where you or your customers may have similar exposures and develop preventive measures so this doesn’t happen again.

Pat

‘Better You, Better Ohio!” Workplace Health Program

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The following is a communication from the Ohio BWC posted here for your convenience. Click here for the full PDF.
A workplace health and wellness program offered by BWC
The backbone of a successful business is its workers, and the backbone of Ohio
is its workforce. At BWC, we take our mission to take care of Ohio’s workforce
seriously.
That’s why we’re offering Better You, Better Ohio!™ – a program designed to provide health and wellness resources and services to workers who work for small
employers (50 or fewer workers) in high-risk industries*. Better You, Better Ohio!
helps workers and their employers at no cost and through a simple, paperless
process.
How it helps employers
Employers can reap great benefits from having a healthy workforce. Healthy
employees are less prone to injury. And, when they are injured, their ability to
recover is enhanced greatly. Overall, employers with a healthy workforce have
lower workers’ compensation and health-care costs. Better You, Better Ohio! can:
  • Help prevent injuries through improved workforce health and safety;
  • Reduce absenteeism and improve presenteeism;
  • Reduce the severity of an injury;
  • Improve the recovery time from an injury;
  • Reduce time away from work due to an injury.
How it helps Ohio’s workforce
Better You, Better Ohio! gives workers a wealth of resources to help them take
ownership of their health and well-being. They can proactively pursue a healthier
lifestyle through free offerings that include:
•Health and wellness awareness, education and training;
•Health assessments and biometric screenings for better
understanding of their health and well-being;
•A member engagement website that allows them to develop health
plans and track their progress to achieve their goals;
•A state-of-the art mobile app for creating weekly action plans and
getting health tips;
•Digital coaching to help them on their journey to better health.
Better health pays off
Employers can use Better You, Better Ohio! to help manage and reduce their
workers’ compensation and health-care costs by having a healthier workforce.
Meanwhile, workers can earn financial rewards for taking steps to improve their
health and wellness such as completing a health assessment and a biometric
screening.
Even more important, with your help, we’ll improve the
health and well-being of our state’s workforce. Learn more!

OSHA Violence Requirements: October 2017 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Question:

What does OSHA require regarding violence in the workplace and active shooter programs and training?

Answer:

OSHA does not have a specific standard on violence in the workplace or active shooter/ active aggressor situations.  However, under the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970, employers are required to provide their employees with a place of employment that “is free from recognizable hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees.” An employer that has experienced acts of workplace violence, or becomes aware of threats, intimidation, or other indicators showing that the potential for violence in the workplace exists, would be on notice of the risk of workplace violence and should implement a workplace violence prevention program combined with engineering controls, administrative controls, and training.

There are many options to start on this journey.  The BWC has a half day violence in the workplace class and your BWC consultant or local law enforcement can help you create a policy.  Training can be done in-house, online or with your local law enforcement.  There are many companies that focus on security and violence in the workplace if you are interested in seeking other outside help.  Two well known training programs dealing with active shooters are:  The Department of Homeland Security’s: Run, Hide, Fight and the ALiCE method offered by the ALiCE training institute.

Brought to you by Ohio BWC safety consultants.

June 16, 2017 – Narcan In The Workplace

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The PCSC is excited to be partnering with the Portage County Health District to offer a free Narcan In The Workplace training on Friday, June 16, 2017, 2pm-3:30pm, at Family & Community Services in Ravenna.

This training will:

  1. Explain the current heroin/opioid epidemic occurring in Portage County.
  2. Describe the key components for Ohio’s Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution Program; Project DAWN.
  3. Explain why this epidemic is a public health problem that affects all of us.

Seating is limited to 30. Registration deadline is Friday, June 9th, 12pm. Click here to register today!

PLEASE NOTE: This training qualifies for 1 PCSC Attendance and/or CEO Credit!

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.