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| By Gregg Warren, Chairman |
Southeastern Safety Council
Do you ever wonder why we get involved in safety. I think back many years while I was in college. I saw a trash can fire in the dorm. Two guys I knew grabbed the fire extinguisher and controlled the fire. I was impressed. They did a great job. I now had my role models. Whenever I trace back my interest, I am back at UNC-W. From volunteer firefighter to emergency medical technician leading to instructing fire and rescue. Cpr classes for the community led to classes at work. Suddenly I was a SAFETY PROFESSIONAL! Then I realized I was expected to know something. People were asking questions, Managers wanted answers. Where do I find the answers they need? I intensified my studying and researching and continue to do so to this day. That brings us the Southeastern Safety Council. The council was organized in 1940 by the North Carolina Industrial Commission and concerned leaders of Industry. While the profile of industry has changed, exchanging of information and ideas have not. At quarterly meetings we have the benefit of discussing problems and solutions. We have the chance to meet new people, make friends and make contacts. As a wise safety professional once said "Safety is not new. We rearrange, reorganize and rehash, but people make the same mistakes and take the same shortcuts no matter what generation. Council meeting do not require large amounts of time. The upside is a multitude of contacts and sources of information. We all have a point in our lives that turned us in a safety direction. Job realignment, downsizing, or a opportunity for advancement leads us to this colorful occupation. Many times we are discouraged. With the interaction of other council members and the IC Safety Staff you find you are not alone and there are people willing to help.
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| By Lisa Davis |
Air Power, Inc.
What happens when employees or worse, employers are not aware
that the environment in which they are working is plagued with
contaminants? Most employees think that if they cannot see the
"hazard" they are safe. Bad assumption!! With increasing reports
of employees falling ill due to exposure of unsafe breathing
air, it is crucial that employers take action to equip their
employees with the best products available to eliminate these
illnesses.
Many factors determine who should wear respirators, how they should wear them and when they should wear them, which is why experts say one person often the safety professional or industrial hygienist should make the recommendations for respiratory protection. This is where Air Power can help. Tim Davis, our Respiratory Equipment Specialist, is ready to assist employers with their respiratory protection program and assuring that the equipment chosen is the right ones for the application. Please contact Tim today at 800-334-1001 ext. 1239 or Email Lisa. |
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| By Markus Elliott |
It is that time again, the annual Safety Talk Contest. This is a chance for line-level employees to gain experience in developing and presenting a safety topic. The topic must be related to on-the-job accident prevention. Pictured are the Statewide winners from our 2007 Safety Talk Contest with former Chairman Buck Lattimore. Each Safety Council can select a regional representative to compete at the NC Statewide Safety Conference competition in May 2008. Prizes are awarded at the Council level and state level. For more information contact your Regional Safety Representative or go to the link below.
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A new study just released indicates that shift work may be linked to a higher incidence of cancer. The Working Group, a group of 24 scientists from ten countries, conducted a study indicating that long-term night shift workers have a higher rate of cancer than those who don't work nights. It is believed that the disruption of the body's circadian rhythm (the body's internal time clock) has negative physical effects on the body. Specifically, exposing the body to constant light, dim light at night, or simulated chronic jet lag (similar to what people experience who work at night) can substantially increase the development of tumors. It has also been found that the reduction in night-time melatonin levels (the naturally occurring substance in the body that helps you sleep) can result in the growth of tumors as well. It's well known that sleep patterns are disrupted for those who work at night. This is the first study, however, to link shift work to the occurrence of cancer. |
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| by Mike Bingham |
Last month I wrote about a tool for adjusting the tool rests and tongue guards on pedestal or bench grinders using info shared by a class participant. This month, I have another one for you. During my bloodborne pathogens classes I always caution janitorial workers (and everyone else, for that matter) against pressing paper towels down into trash receptacles in restrooms with their hands due to the possibility of getting stuck by a contaminated sharp or needle lurking somewhere among the used towels. Looking back, I guess it's OK to give that advice, but it would have been better to include a way to safely press the towels down when needed. During some recent training at the Billy Graham Training Center in Asheville, I was shown the gadget I'm holding in the picture. It is a "push tool' made to fit the size and shape of the trash bins in their restrooms. Using this simple tool provides an effective and safe way to push the overflowing towels down into the bins when needed. It's a very simple but effective means of reducing risk to their employees, and is but one of the many proactive things the folks at the Billy Graham Training Center are doing for safety. Thanks to them for having the initiative to implement the tool and for sharing this tip! Can this be used in your facility? What neat niche tool could you recommend for accident prevention? Shoot me an email if you have an unusual tool or tip that protects workers and promotes accident prevention. It's amazing how much knowledge you have out there! Let's spread it around! Editor's Note: Mike Bingham is the Western Area Safety Representative for the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Mike is one of the 10 members of the North Carolina Industrial Commission's Safety Department who are out there Working for You! to make our workplaces safer and better for each and every worker by reducing injuries to employees and saving money for employers through education and training. You can contact Mike at: binghamm@ind.commerce.state.nc.us or call: 919.218.9045 |
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Even if you have a reliable car, the unexpected can happen to drain the battery: the headlights might be left on, or the keys may be left in the ignition with the electrical system turned on. If you jump-start a vehicle incorrectly, the battery could explode, so it's crucial to remember these steps: It could make the difference! 1. Have both vehicles close but not touching, with everything turned off. 2. Attach the positive (red) cable to the DEAD battery post marked with a plus sign. 3. Attach the other end of that same cable to the positive post of the live battery. Don't let the cable ends touch. 4. Attach the negative (black) cable to the battery post of the LIVE battery marked with a minus sign. 5. Last, attach the other end of the cable to metal on the engine block of the dead car. 6. Start the car that runs, wait a minute, then start the dead car. To remove the cables, simply reverse the order. Drive the car for 30 minutes so the alternator can fully recharge the battery. |
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Occupational Health and Safety Research Institute (IRSST)
developed a simple and user-friendly software program to
evaluate measures for restraining trucks on loading docks. This
Doc-Quais computer-based tool allows you to evaluate the initial
safety level of your company's loading docks for the three main
risks (unscheduled departure, slippage, tipping), and then to
evaluate the effectiveness of different measures (physical or
procedural) for restraining trucks on docks. The software
generates a report and a follow-up plan that enables you to save
the information and to follow the modifications proposed for
improving the safety of your docks. Doc- Quais is accompanied by
a user's guide to make it easier to use, as well as a
questionnaire.
CLICK HERE
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| Michelle Morgan |
michelle.morgan@jobreadyservices.net
Annual Seminar - Thursday, March 13, 2008 The Royal Banquet & Conference Center Raleigh, NC "Money-Saving Practices to Maximize Employee Selection" A Must-Attend Seminar for: Human Resource Personnel CEO's and Business Owners Worker's Comp Administrators Risk Managers Safety Managers Occupational Health Nurses Anyone responsible for employee hiring, worker's compensation, absences, disability, and turnover In this exciting seminar, you will learn: How behavioral assessments can assist employers to hire the right person the first time, saving money and time How to have a more physically fit workforce with reduced injuries, absences, disability and turnover Post-offer employment testing - how it can legally identify pre-existing conditions and reduce your worker's compensation costs by 50%-80% How to legally test temporary, contract and union employees before placing them on the job
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| by Michael Nance |
Power tools always make my projects go more quickly and smoothly, but they can also make a project more dangerous. Especially when I try to use a tool designed for something it's not designed to do. For example, using a drill with a really sharp bit for a router. It is very important that you use the right tool for the job. Using the wrong tool can add to your risk of injury. Make sure that your tools are stored properly and kept in good condition. If they didn't come with their on storage box, buy one and then label the bin with the contents. Provide adequate lighting for yourself, as it is important that you see what you are working on. I've had to adjust the lights in my garage several times as I moved workbench locations. Lights should not be mounted in such a way that a shadow is cast upon your area of work. You should also practice good housekeeping. Keeping the area that you work in clean, not only keeps your tools working properly, but also helps you to find blades, and other small parts that you may drop, quickly. Not to mention preventing the vacuum sucking up that small part you'll look for in a few days. It is also important to dress properly and wear the right personal protective equipment. You should never wear rings, hanging jewelry, or loose clothing when operating a power tool. However, you should always wear safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from flying particles. I must admit, I usually do not take off my wedding ring for fear of loosing it. I think PPE such as gloves are probably second to the eye protection as the worst offender at home. Holding a bench vise because it is wiggling while trying to hacksaw a metal bolt should indicate that gloves could be needed. Folks, it took 6 days for the cut to heal and I had to wear a spongebob-squarepants band-aid the first day. (Reminder: check your first aid kits today) Electrical tools must always protect the user from electrical shock or electrocution. Your electrical tools should be "double-insulated" by three-wired cords with the ground wire connected, and/or by use of a ground fault circuit interrupter. You should always avoid working with electrical power tools in damp or wet areas. Yes, it is common sense to most of us, but just check out the internet sometime for "funny" photos. Many of those same people thought they had common sense too. Never carry your power tool by the cord. Also, never unplug a tool by pulling on the cord. Cracked, frayed, or damaged cords can cause a serious shock or electrocution. In the event that the cord or tool is damaged, put a label on the tool with big letters that say "DO NOT USE", or simply cut the cord off. This does not mean the tool has to be thrown away and please make sure whose tool it is. I'd be pretty upset if my neighbor brought back a loaner with the cord cut off and him saying, "it was damaged". Replacement cords are perfectly acceptable as long as they meet the manufacturer's guideline. Always turn your tool off and unplug it before changing accessories or cleaning and repairing it. I read this statement not to long ago: "It is also a good idea to never carry a plugged in tool with your finger on the trigger or switch button." Not a good idea ?!?!? What is probably the most important safety rule of all? Read the safety manual that is included with the tool. It contains all product-specific safety information as well as general safety tips that every tool user needs to know. I went out to my "shop" and selected four tools and got the manuals out; a variable speed wood lathe, a bench grinder, a router, and a nail gun. (Wish I could have found that nail gun manual about three months ago. Didn't know a plunger could fire across the garage with such force. Right after the table of contents (on all of them) was the page labeled "Safety Rules". For the most part, all of them contained the same information about guarding, PPE, housekeeping, safety glasses, damaged tools, power sources. Usually the second page of safety rules contained more specific information about that tool. As I thumb through the manuals, all of them have "notes" in bold to make the reader particularly aware of a warning, caution, or important fact. In fact, my Delta brand tools came with a "Safety First" poster to post near the machine. Does your company post these? Remember the first line of this segment? Power tools always make my projects go more quickly and smoothly, but they can also make a project more dangerous. After sitting back and thinking about what I've written, I discovered that most of the time it isn't the power tool that's dangerous, it's the operator. Editor's note: Michael Nance is the NCIC Blue Ridge, Southern & Western Piedmont areas Safety Representative. If you are interested in having one of our programs in your area, please give Michael a call at 919-218-9047 or email him at nancem@ind.commerce.state.nc.us. |
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What you need to know about diabetes...
It is estimated that about 40 percent of Americans ages 40 to 74-or more than 41 million people- have "pre-diabetes," a condition in which people have higher than normal blood sugar levels but are not yet diagnosed as having diabetes. Many people with pre-diabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes within a decade. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the chances of developing serious damage to the eyes, nerves, heart, kidneys, and blood vessels. Type 2 diabetes With type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin, the hormone necessary to convert sugar and other food into energy, or the body's cells do not use insulin properly. Risk factors for diabetes include: Age: Risk increases with age. Overweight: Body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher). Blood pressure: 140 over 90 mm/Hg or higher. Cholesterol: Abnormal lipid levels-HDL cholesterol less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women; triglyceride level 250 mg/dL or higher. Family history: Having a parent, brother, or sister with diabetes. Ethnicity: Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian- American, Pacific Islander, or those of Hispanic heritage are at increased risk. Pregnancy history: History of diabetes in pregnancy or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds. Inactive lifestyle: Exercise less than three times a week. (OUCH!) Prevention Overweight and obesity are key risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. If you are at high risk, you can make modest lifestyle changes that can prevent or delay the onset of this type of diabetes. Research has clearly shown that losing 5 percent to 7 percent of body weight through diet and increased physical activity can prevent or delay pre-diabetes from progressing to type 2 diabetes. Get tested A national survey revealed that seven out of ten Americans are not aware of their blood glucose level, which is critical information for determining if a person has diabetes or pre-diabetes. It is recommended that everyone over age 45 should consult with his or her health care provider about testing for pre-diabetes or diabetes. Those who are over 45 and overweight are strongly recommended for testing. Those younger than 45 who are overweight and have one or more of the other risk factors also should consult their health care provider about testing. Now you know. Dennis :) |
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| Regina Ford, Burts Bees |
Safety Engineer DEPARTMENT: Sustainable Engineering REPORTS TO: Supply Chain Sustainability Manager PURPOSE To plan and execute the implementation of the Burt's Bees safety program in accordance with our Greater Good Business Model. This role will ensure safety initiatives are part of the DNA throughout the organization by infusing safe practices into current and future operating procedures. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 1.Develop policies and procedures as a formal system to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local occupational safety regulations, applicable industry standards and company procedures. 2.Develops and implements accident investigation, data analysis and recurrence prevention programs and procedures. 3.Maintain the company's material safety data sheet library and log of occupational injuries and illnesses. 4.Audits company facilities for compliance with legal and other safety requirements to which the company subscribes. 5.Tracks corrective actions resulting from safety committee meetings, employee observations, internal audits and other information sources and ensures actions are appropriate and completed in a timely manner. 6.Explain, enforce and adhere to all GMP requirements and to Burt's Bees safety procedures and regulations. 7.Interface with regulatory agencies, external interested parties and members of the organization regarding safety matters. 8.Ensure OSHA compliance of assigned machinery and equipment concerning use and maintenance. 9.Ensures safety training for all personnel is completed. This includes development and presentation of safety training to employees throughout the organization. 10.Evaluate all new or modified equipment with respect to safety. 11.Respond to emergency situations and provide assistance as necessary. 12.Assist the Supply Chain Sustainability Manager with implementation and operation of the company's EHS management system based in ISO 14001. ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1.Maintain excellent team working relationship among all employees. 2.Work closely all aspects of the organization on safety standard improvements and implementation. 3.Support the Supply Chain Sustainability Manager with sustainability efforts outside of the safety realm as requested. 4.Perform other duties as assigned. MINIMUM RECRUITMENT STANDARDS 1.B.S. degree in Safety Engineering or similar discipline with at least three years of related experience implementing safety programs in a manufacturing environment is required. 2.Strong personal interest in safety and sustainability required. 3.Experience working independently and in a self- directed manner is required. 4.Exceptional project management skills enabling the candidate to multi-task several initiatives simultaneously while adhering to aggressive timelines are imperative. 5.A proven track record utilizing organizational, communication and presentation skills is essential. 6.Ability to work effectively within all levels of the organization - from the shop floor to upper management - is a must. 7.Capacity to persevere and overcome challenges and obstacles to ensure completion of tasks and initiatives is required. 8.Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Associate Safety Professional (ASP) or similar professional credential desired. 9.Ability to speak and write in Spanish desired.
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The N.C. Department of Labor is now accepting applications from businesses in North Carolina for safety awards and million-hour awards. Both awards recognize companies for maintaining excellent worker safety and health programs and showing a commitment to employees during 2007. The safety awards program is open to any private company or public entity with a site in North Carolina. Those that qualify for an award are recognized at 30 banquets across the state featuring N.C. Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry. Banquets are co- sponsored by the local chambers of commerce, and local media is invited to attend. Safety awards recognize companies with no work- related fatalities at the site and an incidence rate at least 50 percent below the industry average. Million- hour awards recognize companies for working 1 million man-hours, or multiples thereof, without an injury or illness requiring days away from work. An organization may apply for one safety award for the entire organization, or the applications may be submitted for a division/department within the organization. If an organization chooses to apply by division/department, it must have at least 10 full-time employees in that division. The safety award application is posted on the NCDOL Web site at Click Here. Completed applications are due February 15. Contact Heather Crews, NCDOL safety awards coordinator, at (919) 807-2908 or email HEATHE R CREWS if you have any questions about the program. |
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| By Eric Johnson |
With all the information out today about vitamins and herbs and the latest fad diets, it's hard to be sure what to do. One thing I can remember though, is what foods are good and bad for me. Below are five that everyone should try to work into there eating habits every day. Cranberries They earn super status for their ability to help fight off nasty urinary tract infections. About 10 ounces of juice a day does the trick. Plus, recent research shows that cranberries might also help fend off colds and fight stomach bugs, gum disease, and certain types of cancer. Add a little unsweetened cranberry juice to smoothies, and sprinkle some dried berries into cereal and muffin mix. Walnuts These nuts are rich in omega-3s, which help reduce inflam-mation and increase good cholesterol. They may even help with depression and reduce your risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Top your salad with 1/4 cup or try them in pesto. Beans The humble legume may prevent heart disease and help head ?off colon cancer. Rich in two heart-friendly phytochemicals, beans are packed with magnesium, potassium, folate, and fiber. Get a 1/2 cup five to six times per week by adding canned kidney and garbanzo beans (rinse and drain first) to salads, burritos, and dips. Fish Studies show that eating seafood rich in omega-3s at least twice a week could reduce your risk of heart disease. And the reports say women of childbearing age and nursing mothers can safely eat as much as 12 ounces of seafood a week if they avoid high- mercury swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel; albacore tuna should be limited to 6 ounces a week. Tomatoes Loaded with the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes and cooked tomato products pack a big health punch (at 32 milligrams, 1 cup of spaghetti sauce serves up the day's recommended intake). Studies show that women with lycopene-rich diets can have as much as a 50 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer. The antioxidant can also lower your blood pressure and bad cholesterol, and may even reduce your risk of getting macular degeneration and a host of cancers.
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| Engineering Division Safety Coordinator |
Charlotte Mecklengurg Utilities
This position is responsible for programs/procedures to ensure OSHA compliance in Utilities Engineering and Water Treatment Divisions for employees and construction projects, ensures compliance with EPA/NCDENR Erosion Control requirements for construction. Job tasks would include safety training and monitoring contractor and employee safety and associated recordkeeping. Review plans and specifications for construction projects to ensure OSHA compliance and mitigation of hazards where possible. Participation in EPA Risk Management Program. Coordinate activities with other Utility Department safety coordinators on cross-divisional safety issues and with City of Charlotte Risk Management. Responds to employee and contractor safety incidents and participate in OSHA inspections. Position will serve as a compliance officer for the division's Erosion and Sedimentation Control programs. The division currently operates under an EPA approved Erosion and Sedimentation Operation Plan. This position would monitor construction projects for compliance both in the field implementation and the required record-keeping. Requires three to five years construction safety experience and/or a bachelors degree from an accredited four year college and 1 year of construction safety experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Authorization to conduct OSHA 500 (construction) and 501 (general industry) and other regulatory courses preferred.
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The NC Industrial Commission Safety Education Section stands ready to assist you with your Safety training needs. We offer a variety of courses, designed to suit your needs. Please give one of our Industrial Safety Representatives a call.
NC Industrial Commission |
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