June 2017 | ISHN

In this issue of ISHN, learn more about current compliance standards, and what employees and employers should do to ensure the safest work conditions.

Getting serious about preventing fatalities & serious injuries

“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”—Albert Einstein

Rosemarie Lally, JD Stephen Newell, JD Dee Woodhull, CIH, CSP

June 7, 2017

A renaissance in safety and health thinking is taking place as rates for fatal and serious injuries and illnesses continue unabated. This movement is re-examining of some of the concepts that underpin the safety and health profession.

Become savvy to the need for sustainability

Don’t be a ‘one trick pony’

Mike Williamsen Ph.D., CSP

June 8, 2017

My first job out of college was as engineer # 3884 in a large oil refinery. Yield, cost, and throughput were all more important to the organization than the front-line people who were nameless numbers to the higher-ups.

Critical environments make demands on disposable gloves

Dave Shutt

June 1, 2017

Industrial process environments where workers must wear PPE gloves are becoming increasingly controlled. While protecting the wearer from chemical exposure, gloves for cleanrooms must not introduce any contaminants into the space.

Improve your safety culture with FR fabrics

Want to improve your safety culture? Try high-performance FR fabrics

Brad Sipe

June 1, 2017

The world’s top athletes wear high-performance fabrics to optimize their competitiveness and have better concentration on the task in front of them. Can high performance FR fabrics help your employees be safer, more focused and achieve a better safety culture?

Five steps to safer machines

A primer on safety technology in standard automation

John Krasnokutsky

June 19, 2017

Any potential risks posed by a machine should be largely eliminated from the start for economic reasons. And a safety system should minimize unnecessary trips to maximize uptime. Here are five steps to consider when planning a machine build

Do you feel empowered for safety? Here’s how you can know

E. Scott Geller

June 9, 2017

In management literature, empowerment refers to delegating authority or responsibility. In other words, when a supervisor says, "I empower you," s/he means, "Get 'er done ASAP."

Solving a noisy, painful problem

Replace dated equipment to protect your workers

Troy Bergum

June 20, 2017

Unfortunately, while the new building allowed Citrus Systems to increase production of its fruit and vegetable blends, concentrated juices, teas and other custom products, it carried over the same antiquated dock equipment used in the old one. And that caused a noisy, painful problem.

You can’t fix stupid; fix the environment

Labeling people is too easy

Timothy Ludwig Ph.D.

June 12, 2017

We are taught to describe ourselves: “I’m an ‘Introvert’ which explains my discomfort working in big teams,” or “My co-worker is a ‘Judger’ which explains why she is so critical.” We have the impression that if we just “know” ourselves and others better our work together will be more collaborative and productive.

Slip sliding away: Cultural perception gaps often are ignored

David Sarkus MS, CSP

June 14, 2017

One safety culture dimension does not get the scrutiny and attention it deserves – perception gaps in organizations. It can easily get overlooked, and create problems that relate directly to safety, productivity, and morale.

About those walking-working surfaces…

OSHA’s new standard requires training and retraining

Jennifer Stroschein

June 21, 2017

Training is one of the most critical elements in safety. Providing workers with the required skills and knowledge to safely do their work is extremely important to OSHA. So important, in fact, that more than 100 of OSHA’s current standards contain specific training requirements.

Wearables won’t replace professionals

But pros will gain insights into mental and physical fatigue

Mark Schall PhD, AEP

June 15, 2017

ISHN interviewed Mark by email to learn more about this study and the future of wearable devices for safety applications.

Cell phones are not cure-alls

Man-down technology offers automatic SOS signals

Chris Holbert

June 1, 2017

Creating a safe working environment for employees goes beyond training these days, relying on technology to fill in the gaps where human instinct might fail.

Inspect walking-working surfaces to identify hazards

Eliminate slip-ups

Karen Hamel

June 22, 2017

To help reduce same-level slip, trip and fall incidents, OSHA recently a provision to the walking-working surface rules for facilities to conduct regular inspections of all walking-working surfaces. This, coupled with the new requirement to fix any hazards that are found will help prevent slip, trip and fall incidents.

Outfitting Millennials: Eye protection must have comfort & style

Wanda Sanchez-Miller

June 23, 2017

More than one in three U.S. workers are now Millennials, having surpassed Baby Boomers and Gen Xers as the largest generation in the U.S. labor force. Born between 1980 and 2000, they are also the first truly digital generation.

Responding to safety scrutiny: Tesla CEO more direct than most

Dave Johnson

June 26, 2017

It’s something of a tradition in workplace safety to observe how different company cultures react to bad news about accidents, hazardous conditions, OSHA penalties, worker complaints and negative press. In my experience, most of the time defenses go up immediately.

Computer vision: Stress & strain

Proper eyewear can reduce strain from heavy computer use

Brent Motchan

June 27, 2017

In today’s industry, computer use and use of digital devices is not limited to the office worker, but occurs in every shop floor, laboratory and other production facility. Manufacturing and industrial operations have computers or other digital screens in many aspects of their operations.

Five ways to prepare eyewashes & showers for an emergency

All-access evaluation

Ryan Pfund

June 1, 2017

Safety managers know the importance of correctly using eyewashes and safety showers to flush hazardous substances from one's eyes, face or body. They also know the true test of any safety program hinges on the level of a facility's preparedness before an emergency strikes.

Summer is here: Protect your workers and your brand

Corey Berghoefer

June 1, 2017

According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, last summer we saw sweltering weather conditions, with record-breaking heat in more than 40 U.S. cities. New workers, temporary workers or those returning from time off are especially susceptible to heat-induced illnesses.

Beyond water, rest & shade: An athletic approach to heat illness

Alsie Nelson Allie Thunstrom

June 1, 2017

Athletics scholars have studied heat-related illnesses (HRIs) and their impact on athletes of all ages at all levels. Their discoveries can help safety professionals prevent HRIs in the workplace.

The key to preventing heat-related incidents

Mike O'Brien

May 31, 2017

Each June as part of National Safety Month, the National Security Council encourages extra care and precaution in maintaining personal and work safety. As you can imagine, heat is one of the biggest safety concerns in the summer.

Boost hearing protection, safety & productivity

Vince Cavaseno

June 1, 2017

Industrial plants are known for being loud, acoustically-harsh environments. The combination of high ceilings, reflective surfaces and the din from heavy machinery creates an optimal environment for reverberation and noise.

Prevent workers’ comp fraud: 11 tips to keep claims above board

Paul Gilbert

June 1, 2017

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, workers' compensation fraud costs American businesses, workers, consumers and shareholders nearly $7.2 billion per year. There are several types of workers' compensation fraud, and fraud can be committed by just about anyone.

Climate control PPE: It’s important to prevent heat-related illness

Josie Larsen

June 1, 2017

NIOSH's "Prevent Heat-Related Illness" poster states "Wearing PPE increases your risk for heat-related illnesses". Incorporating climate control into your employees' PPE could be the best way of preventing heat-related illness.

Recognize safe performance to strengthen your culture

Rebekka Rea

June 1, 2017

While increasing profits and lowering costs are still primary business goals; history and research have shown it is less expensive to support incentive programs that promote safety education and compliance than it is to dismiss them.

Cooling core temps: Body temps must be stabilized and regulated

Mary Padron

June 1, 2017

We all learned in science class that homeostasis is the self-regulating process by which our bodies maintain stability. One of the most important functions of homeostasis is the regulation of body temperature, which is called thermoregulation.

Preserve your sight: 18 first aid tips to treat injuries

Katrina McKinnon

June 1, 2017

Eighteen tips to treating eye injuries in the workplace.

How to find the best footwear fit for specific hazards

The sole of construction

Wesley J. Maertz

June 1, 2017

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between safety footwear that costs less than $100 and those that cost more than $300? While elements like quality of leather, name brand and where it was made factor into the final cost, the largest differentiator is the quality and type of construction.

Process safety & personal safety in oil well drilling

Performance indicators catch problems before becoming events

Khaled Shehab

June 1, 2017

The safety challenges of the 21st century require an integrative approach that brings fresh thinking and sound practices from across industries and among areas of safety specialization.

Chemical exposures: if something can go wrong – it will

Del Williams

June 1, 2017

Whether chemicals are toxic, corrosive, reactive, flammable, emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or are even potentially explosive, the danger of accidental contact, even for short periods, can pose a severe hazard to workers.

Hand protection: Comparing ANSI and EN 388 cut test methods

Matt Burtney

June 1, 2017

When it comes to choosing cut-resistant gloves, the first choice you need to make is which standard you’ll be using. For the most part, this comes down to your geographical location.

Low-level lifts & aerial platforms: a safe alternative

June 1, 2017

As safety continues to be a focus on jobsites, companies are turning their attention to low-level access lifts and other aerial work platforms.

Proactive planning: Five essentials of emergency preparedness

Bob Risk

June 30, 2017

Here are five considerations when developing or re-evaluating your organization’s emergency preparedness plan

Dropping the curtain: Guards and barricades help protect welders

David Schneider

June 1, 2017

Welders are generally well-versed in the face shields, ear plugs, respirators and protective clothing required by 29 CFR 1910, but the guards and barricades also required by this standard are often misunderstood and underutilized.

Standard paper labels are not designed for industrial applications

Tina Huff

June 1, 2017

There can be serious consequences to using standard paper labels in an industrial setting. For example, exposure to moisture, abrasion, chemicals, heat, and even sunlight can lead to torn, smeared, discolored, unreadable labels, or labels that fall off.

Riddled with asbestos: Open-air demolition of abandoned sugar factory

Sue Rose

June 1, 2017

The small town of Ovid rests in the far northeast corner of Colorado near the Nebraska border. The town retains a significant historical landmark: the gleaming white storage silos containing beet sugar from what once was the Great Western Sugar Company’s finest factory.

Talking politics leads to distraction & hostility

Dave Johnson

June 1, 2017

Looks like we’re going to have to outfit workers with wearable devices to monitor their blood pressure and heartbeat to be on the alert when stress levels driven by office and assembly line political chatter get dangerously high strung.

Arc flash protection myths & mistakes

‘It won’t happen here’ is dangerous complacency

Dave Johnson

June 1, 2017

The statistics are well known. Each day three or four workers are killed due to electrical related accidents, according to NIOSH. A Michigan burn center found that 34 percent of patients injured on the job received flash injuries.

Boost the profession through social media engagement

Dan Markiewicz, MS, CIH, CSP, CHMM

June 1, 2017

You want to see the OHS profession grow, right? One way is to increase your engagements with current topics. Let’s explore how this works.

Working without support: How to transition from ‘going it alone’

Dr. John Kello

June 1, 2017

Some of us are blessed to step into an EHS role where “the table is set.” Top management daily walks the talk, and supports and publicly acknowledges our efforts. We operate in a Positive Safety Culture.

Another distraction? Digital billboards have defenders and critics

Dave Johnson

June 1, 2017

The dark, misty highway made the digital boards hard to ignore. They are also visible from a greater distance. You notice them sooner. Which of course is the point of outdoor advertising. But I thought, this seems like another form of distracted driving.

Small guys missing out: Safety expertise does not trickle down

Larry Curtis CHSM

June 1, 2017

For several years I have been attending EHS expos. They generally are kicked off by a rotating group of speakers who have an impressive list of companies and organizations to which they consult on EHS matters.

What's black and white and one of the first things an OSHA officer will look for during an inspection? The answer is … your written safety and health plans!

ISHN Magazine

2017 June

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