OSH MAGAZINE

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APRIL 2014 VOL. 83 NO. 4 | www.ohsonline.comBREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIES: THE LEADER-HERO

5 Welding Hazards to Avoid

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FROM THE EDITOR

www.ohsonline.comVOLUME 83 NUMBER 4

EDITORIAL STAFF

EDITOR Jerry Laws

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SECURITY, SAFETY, AND HEALTH GROUP

PRESIDENT & GROUP PUBLISHER Kevin O’Grady

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PRESIDENT & Neal Vitale CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & Richard Vitale CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Michael J. Valenti

VICE PRESIDENT, Christopher M. Coates FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

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VICE PRESIDENT, David F. Myers EVENT OPERATIONS

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Jeffrey S. Klein

REACHING THE STAFFEditors can be reached via e-mail, fax, telephone, or mail. A list of editors and contact information is at www.ohsonline.com.

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4 Occupational Health & Safety | APRIL 2014 www.ohsonline.com

Occupational Health & Safety (ISSN 0362-4064) is published monthly by 1105 Media, Inc., 9201 Oakdale Avenue, Ste. 101, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Periodicals postage paid at Chatsworth, CA 91311-9998, and at additional mailing offi ces. Complimentary subscriptions are sent to qualifying subscribers. Annual subscription rates payable in U.S. funds for non-qualifi ed subscribers are: U.S. $79.00, International $149.00. Subscription inqui-ries, back issue requests, and address changes: Mail to: Occupational Health & Safety, P.O. Box 2166, Skok-ie, IL 60076-7866, email [email protected] or call 847-763-9688. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Occupational Health & Safety, P.O. Box 2166, Skokie, IL 60076-7866. Canada Publications Mail Agreement No: 40612608. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to Circulation Dept. or XPO Returns: P.O. Box 201, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4R5, Canada.

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It’s easy to regard the disastrous January 2014 leak of two industrial chemicals into the water supply for West Virginia’s capi-tal city as 300,000 other people’s problem.

But that’s not correct, according to Rafael Moure-Eraso, who chairs the U.S. Chemical Safety Board. Testifying Feb. 10 at a U.S. House Transporta-tion & Infrastructure Commit-tee fi eld hearing in Charleston, Moure-Eraso explained why the leak of 4-Methylcyclohex-anemethanol (MCHM) and PPH from a Freedom Indus-tries above ground storage tank is a much broader concern.

He said a certifi ed inspector reviewed the tank terminals lo-cated in Charleston and Nitro, W.Va., in October 2013, and the inspector noted that chemi-cals in the tank that later leaked are considered “non hazard-ous” by EPA. Th is means they are not regulated by the federal Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Program, known as the SPCC rule. Th e inspector’s review also said the tanks had “been maintained to some structural adequacy but not necessarily in full compliance” with API 653, a standard published by the American Petroleum Insti-tute that covers inspection, repair, alteration, and reconstruction of steel above ground storage tanks used in the petroleum and chemical industries.

“While EPA’s SPCC rule outlines require-ments for prevention and preparedness of oil

discharges, such regulations do not apply to tanks containing ‘non hazardous substanc-es’ like those found at Freedom Industries. Under existing state and federal laws these tanks, including tank 396, were not regulated by the state or federal government,” Moure-

Eraso told the committee. “While there are laws prohibit-ing polluting to waterways with a spill, there are not really any clear, mandatory standards for how you site, design, maintain, and inspect non- petroleum tanks at a storage facility.”

He said CSB investigators have determined that a cinder block containment wall meant to contain a spill from tank 396 provided very little protection. Th e investigators will examine the tank closely and will evalu-ate the response to the leak aft er it was discovered, he promised. “We are particularly interested in the adequacy of information on MCHM and PPH hazards

since the manufacturers’ MSDSs repeatedly say ‘no data available’ for numerous toxico-logical properties, especially chronic toxic-ity,” he explained. He said the tanks Freedom Industries was using at the site are more than 50 years old, adding, “Considering the best way to improve the safety of tanks at facilities that have similar tanks in use is an important question.”

JERRY [email protected]

Alarmed by West Virginia’s Ordeal

Neither federal nor state regulations currently apply to the above ground storage tank that leaked into the Kanawha Valley’s water supply.

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TABLE OF CONTENTSAPRIL 2014 | Volume 83, Number 4 | www.ohsonline.com


features HAND PROTECTION

10 High Risk on the RigThe primary objective is to eliminate hand exposure to pinch points, crush zones, and impact hazards. by Cory Houston

15 Make No Haste in PPE Selection for Waste WorkersNot considering the whole picture (which includes comfort and adoption) results in a lack of compliance and, therefore, an increase in injuries. by Julie McFater

FOOT PROTECTION

18 Walking the Walk on Occupational Foot ProtectionMake decisions that work. If you have an area with a slick fl oor, look at a range of solutions and whether additional problems will be created by solving one. by Linda J. Sherrard

TRAINING

24 Essential Training for Childcare WorkersPart of the challenge is that risks of injury change as kids develop their skills and become more independent. by Jeff Woodin

INFECTION CONTROL

28 Keeping Pathogens Out of the WorkplaceAirborne pathogens are not only highly contagious, but also they can put a workforce completely out for weeks at a time. by Jamie Friedlander

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE: GAS MONITORING

30 Is Data the ‘King’ of Your Gas Detection Program?Regularly looking at data that tells how gas monitors are being used can show where there may be gaps in training and where there may need to be policy changes that lead to safer work prac-tices. by Dave Wagner

WELDING

34 Be Prepared: Five Potential Welding Safety Hazards to AvoidThe welding arc creates extreme temperatures and may pose a signifi cant fi re and explosion hazard if safe practices are not followed. by John Petkovsek

FALL PROTECTION

40 Incorporating Rescue Into a Fall Protection PlanStandards should be the basis for any employer’s fall protection and rescue program. by Jeff Wild

departments4 From the Editor

44 New Products

45 Literature Library

46 Practical Excellence

by Shawn Galloway47 Product Spotlights

48 Classifi eds

49 Advertiser Index

50 Breakthrough Strategies

by Robert Pater

Find OHS on:Twitter http://twitter.com/OccHealthSafetyFacebook http://facebook.com/ohsmagLinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/ occupational-health-and-safety-magazine

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TABLE OF CONTENTSAPRIL 2014 | Volume 83, Number 4 | www.ohsonline.com


www.ohsonline.com

Previewing AIHce, Safety 2014Two of the industry’s leading summer events are the AIHA/ACGIH annual conference and ASSE’s Safety 2014. We’ll pre-view the educational programs, keynoters, host cities, and top issues for both, including the activities planned to celebrate the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s 75th birthday in San Antonio, Texas, in early June.

A Boatload of April WebinarsOH&S will present six webinars this month, including three on April 3 that focus on topics that made OSHA’s FY2013 most-cited list. Here’s the lineup:■ April 3: Preventing construction falls (Christine Branche, NIOSH principal associate director; Jim Maddux, OSHA Director-ate of Construction director; Pete Stafford, executive director, CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training)■ April 3: Respiratory protection (Jonathan Klane, assistant director for safety programs, Arizona State University Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering)■ April 3: Electrical safety (Joseph Weigel, owner/principal, Electrical Safety Works)■ April 9: Keeping the workplace marijuana-free (Bill Current, WFC & Associates, LLC president)■ April 10: Improving safety by effi ciently tracking leading and lagging indicators (Clare Epstein, TRA, Inc. vice president; Joseph P. Henderson, Brinderson L.P. safety and security general manager; Corey Tiedeman, Chugach Government Solutions, LLC safety supervisor)■ April 23: How workplace medical surveillance programs pro-mote a culture of safety (Dr. Richard Lewis, Battelle Memorial Institute medical director)

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HAND PROTECTION


“Nobody Gets Hurt” is a slogan many oil and gas safety managers are striv-ing to make a reality. Truth is, oil and gas drilling operations expose rig

workers’ hands to numerous on-site hazards that range from blunt force impact, crush, and pinching injuries to severe abrasions and lacerations to the hand.

Historically, hand injuries make up nearly 50 per-cent of incidents in the oil and gas industry. Further-more, a great number of those injuries are “struck by” incidents, which contribute the most to claims, costs, and work days lost. Today, personal protective equip-ment is the worker’s last line of defense—or, in other words, the last chance to prevent injury on site. Major oil and gas drilling companies are adopting hand pro-tection guidelines in an eff ort to reduce employee and contractor hand injuries. Th e old cotton glove days are over, and high-performance, task-specifi c hand pro-tection is required in this growing industry.

Advantages of Today’s PPEPPE isn’t just a safe insurance policy; it improves workers’ overall performance and effi ciency. Such progress can be attributed to the amelioration of high-visibility, high-wear “super materials” and improved manufacturing processes.

Of course, there are numerous types of PPE gear off ering better visibility and cut, impact, heat, fi re, chemical, and weather protection. No matter the in-dustry, utilizing the proper hand protection can im-prove the safety and productivity of your workforce. In the oil and gas industry, it is understood that the use of any glove will not prevent all hand injuries. Th e primary objective is to eliminate hand exposure to pinch points, crush zones, and impact hazards. Derrick hands, Floor hands, Drillers, Tool Pushers, and Production Operators are susceptible to many of these injuries on a daily basis.

Time is money. According to the latest data from the National Safety Council, the average cost of a single hand injury is $21,918 (indemnity + medical). Major oil producers already have outlawed dotted and non-dotted cotton gloves and are quickly adopting what many safety operation managers refer to as the “Global Glove Guideline” for drilling and service con-tracts to ensure PPE meets industry standards.

Such standards include:■ For medium to heavy-duty work on site (hand

tool use, pipe handling, valve operation), gloves must be worn and dotted and non-dotted cotton gloves are not acceptable.

■ Th ermoplastic resin impact protection to the

High Risk on the RigThe primary objective is to eliminate hand exposure to pinch points, crush zones, and impact hazards.BY CORY HOUSTON

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HAND PROTECTION

hand and full length of the fi ngers (pinch point) is required, espe-cially on the rig fl oor.

■ High-visibility palm and dorsal areas of the hands provide enhanced visibility in low light and varied weather conditions. (ANSI/ISEA 107-2010, High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Head-wear, compliant PPE may be required.)

■ Adequate grip, good dexterity, and anti-fatigue properties are required for safe and profi cient hand tool operation in slick conditions, that is, drilling fl uids (water-based mud), hydraulic oil, diesel, grease, gear oil, dirt.

■ In some cases, penetration/cut protection is desired for han-dling abrasive materials with sharp edges, throwing chain, pipe han-dling, structural assembly, etc.

■ Hot/cold weather environmental protection, predominately insulation and waterproof/water-resistant gloves, where applicable.

Visible Hands Are Safe HandsTh e need to be seen is critical for rig safety. High-visibility garments are designed to draw attention to the worker to prevent injuries and fatalities from struck-by hazards and heavy machinery in complex environments.

ANSI 107-2010 approved high-visibility garments include three components: background material, retrorefl ective material, and combined-performance material. Combined-performance mate-rials can either be fl uorescent yellow or fl uorescent orange with retrorefl ective material designed to refl ect light back to the source.

Simply put, high-visibility clothing is intended to clearly distin-

guish its wearer from his or her environment. Testing supports that contrasting, high-visibility base material combined with a refl ec-tive panel or strip is critical for user safety in low-light work envi-ronments. What better place to bring attention than your always-working and always-moving hands? Although there isn’t an offi cial testing standard for gloves, some hand protection manufacturers are beginning to use high-visibility ANSI 107-compliant materials for complete integration with other PPE garments.

Crush Zones“Roughnecks” oft en will tell you that rig work separates the men from the boys, and they are certainly right. Historically, struck-by incidents have carried heavy costs in claims for major oil and gas producers. Th e referred “Global Glove Guideline” mandates criti-cal impact and pinch-point protection to help absorb and disperse blunt-force impact and heavy abrasion-type injuries. Varied den-sities of injection molded Th ermal Plastic Rubber (TPR) are ana-tomically shaped and either sewn or sonic welded to the shell of the glove. In many cases, the TPR buys the users critical seconds during an incident to free them from the situation.

TPR is light in weight, fl exible in low temperatures, weather resistant, and impact resistant, with good tear strength. Improved manufacturing processes have provided designers with the means to design a TPR exoskeleton that safeguards the user’s metacarpals and knuckles all the way to the tip of each fi nger without hindering mobility. In an industry with high “struck by” risk, TPR is one of the most important features in reducing serious injury on the rig

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HAND PROTECTION

Cut ResistanceDrill bit, collar, and drill pipe placed. Kelly and turntable attached. Begin drilling.

Severe abrasions and lacerations to the hand from prolonged hand tool operation on and off the rig fl oor has lead to the develop-ment of cut-resistant hand protection specially designed to safe-guard rig hands. Dyneema®, Kevlar®, steelfi bre, and fi berglass yarns are commonly used to build cut-resistant gloves that can withstand abuse and perform in high-stress environments. Composite yarn made with multiple components (for example, Kevlar® and steel) delivers the most eff ective forms of cut-resistant materials without sacrifi cing fi t, feel, and overall dexterity, whether it’s cut and sew or seamless knitted work gloves. Such materials also yield high abra-sion and tear resistance, improving durability and extending the life of the gloves.

The ElementsHot, cold, dry, wet, on land or off shore: Th e elements present chal-lenges for workers and increase the risk of incident and injury on site.

Cold conditions have a major impact on the hands. Th e body will fi ght to preserve heat, thus reducing blood fl ow to the hands, which makes it critical for workers in cold environments to have the proper insulation. Eff ective insulating technology traps air molecules between the wearer and the outside to insulate the wear-er from cold outside air.

Where there’s cold weather, there’s also the challenge of water. Drilling personal generally aren’t afraid to get a little dirty; drilling fl uids, hydraulic oil, diesel, and grease are all part of the job. Im-provements to waterproofi ng processes enable workers to protect their hands and remain free from the elements. Th ere are processes such as OutDry®’s lamination process, in which a breathable wa-terproof membrane is directly bonded to the external layer of the glove, sealing water entry points more effi ciently than a traditional waterproof bag and improving the overall fi t and feel of a water-proof glove.

Shared Vision of an Injury-Free EnvironmentFor many years, the oil and gas industry has used low-cost hand protection. Work gloves were considered a commodity—used, abused, and thrown away. In any event, there isn’t a single PPE pro-ducer building indestructible work gloves, but competition breeds innovation and high-performance hand protection is changing the way safety managers approach hand safety.

Safety professionals and fi eld drilling managers share a com-mon vision, and that is to provide safe processes and eff ective PPE in pursuit of an injury-free work environment. Task-specifi c PPE is leading the fi ght.

Cory Houston ([email protected]) manages marketing and new media for Mechanix Wear, Inc., which is based in Valencia, Calif.

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HAND PROTECTION

www.ohsonline.com APRIL 2014 | Occupational Health & Safety 15

N. Jerryow, can you imagine having to stick your hands into that pile of junk?” Th at’s what my tour guide said, chuckling while walking me through one of the biggest

electronic recycling plants in Canada. Th is state-of-the-art recycling facility processes electronic e-waste, meaning all types of consumer equipment, such as radios, televisions, hi-fi equipment, camcorders, and musical instruments. It also includes telecommunica-tions equipment—computers, laptops, copying equip-ment, telephones, and whatever else happens to be dumped into their receiving depot.

Th e fi rst step in the process of this mega opera-tion is to literally dig your hands in and start sorting. Th e purchasing manager (responsible for equipping the workers with their hand protection) shows me the fi rst sorting area of the plant, where large metal disposable containers are brought in with all kinds of discarded metal, glass, plastic, garbage, and even the odd animal who perished in his scavenging.

Th e biggest risks these workers face are punctures

and lacerations. Cut and abrasion risks come from us-ing tools and knives to remove anti-break coatings on fl orescent lamps and sharp edges on items as they are being dismantled, or if they’re broken.

Many occupational health risks and hazards are associated with work in the waste and recycling in-dustry. Hand protection here is critical—or, rather, proper hand protection is. And that doesn’t just mean complying with the approved rating and fabric re-quired for the job; it means considering fi t, design, and function. I’m told on this visit that nine out of ten injuries incurred at this facility happened when a worker wasn’t wearing his PPE.

Come again? How could someone working in this environment possibly function without the proper gloves? Well, the “dig-in-hands-fi rst” guys are ob-viously not the only type of worker in the plant. In other areas, workers handle the movement of materi-als from one place to another, and others reposition and handle materials moving along on conveyer belts. Many of these workers wear cut-resistant sleeves.

If you know anything about protective sleeves, you know they can be many things—and that includes un-comfortable, itchy, hot, and downright annoying. Th is is where proper PPE selection comes into play: Gloves and sleeves can’t just meet the safety ratings, they have to meet the wearers’ expectations, too. Because in the past, the sleeves this plant was using felt hot and un-comfortable and workers occasionally removed them. Clearly, this was a problem.

Not considering the whole picture (which includes comfort and adoption) results in a lack of compliance and, therefore, an increase in injuries. I may be wear-ing newly purchased work boots with the price tag still fl apping in the back, but I can put two and two together pretty quickly.

Th e purchasing manager tells me that since evalu-ating PPE selection beyond the mere paper value, they’ve had a 99 percent increase in safety. Incredible, I think.

Key Selection CriteriaSo how do you make sure your selected PPE will ensure safety and compliance then? First, start with the stats.

Do you know what kind of puncture-resistant glove you need? Are you choosing the right kind ac-cording to safety and industry standards? One thing to remember is this: Th ere is no such thing as punc-ture PROOF when it comes to gloves, which is why

Make No Haste in PPE Selection for Waste WorkersNot considering the whole picture (which includes comfort and adoption) results in a lack of compliance and, therefore, an increase in injuries.BY JULIE MCFATER

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HAND PROTECTION

16 www.ohsonline.com

the term “resistant” is used instead.Here are a few things to consider when

selecting puncture-resistant work gloves:1. Choose according to the right punc-

ture standardLarge object puncture threat: EN

388:1994Fine object puncture threat: ASTM 1342

modifi ed standardIf you are dealing with larger objects

that pose a puncture threat (lumber indus-try, metal fabrication, waste collection), you should choose a glove that has been tested according to EN 388:1994 puncture standard, which uses a relatively large nee-dle probe.

If you are dealing with fi ne sharp objects, such as medical needles, you need to ignore the EN 388:1994 puncture standard and in-stead select a glove that has been tested ac-cording to ASTM 1342 modifi ed standard (.25-gauge medical needle). Th e images be-low should make it pretty clear why the EN

388 and ASTM 1342 (modifi ed) puncture standards should be applied diff erently.

Most qualifi ed glove manufacturers will be able to provide you with this kind of data and help walk you through the details.

2. Palm or full coverage?

Most puncture gloves only protect the palm area of the hand, which is okay for many applications—just be sure you are

aware of this and that workers don’t have a false sense of invincibility with these gloves. Full-coverage puncture gloves are also available from some manufacturers, but the tradeoff is they tend to be higher in price, and comfort and dexterity become slightly diminished.

3. Consider industry-specifi c factorsWhat other features do you need in your

gloves that are specifi c to your industry?

Industry Other Glove Features Required

Waste collection Liquid resistance, good grip

Lumber High abrasion resistance

Steel Cut resistance

Oil and gas Cut resistance

4. Don’t forget comfortOnce you’ve fi gured out the right punc-

ture standard, ensure you have the most comfortable glove possible (and remember that comfort is a relative term when talk-ing about puncture gloves). No amount of cajoling or incentives will get your team to wear uncomfortable gloves.

Remember…Th e performance of glove materials can vary slightly from manufacturer to manu-facturer, so base your selection on the cor-rect manufacturer’s data.

Th e waste and recycling industry cur-rently employs more than 350,000 work-ers in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s a high-risk industry that continues to grow as our so-ciety moves to a greener way of life and a higher propensity toward all kinds of recy-cling. Th at’s why we must continue to make worker health and safety a priority, consid-ering all aspects of PPE and employee com-fort, so that when someone is asked, “Stick your hands into that pile of junk,” we know it is done as safely as possible!

Julie McFater ([email protected]) is the Marketing and Commu-nications Manager at Ontario-based Su-perior Glove Works Ltd., a Canadian Best Managed Company and global leader in hand protection. She holds a B.A. in English and Sociology from McGill University and is a former government speechwriter. For more information about Superior Glove, visit www.superiorglove.com.

One thing to remember is this: There is no such thing as puncture PROOF when it comes to gloves, which is why the term “resistant” is used instead.

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CIRCLE 4 ON CARD


FOOT PROTECTION


Bloody footprints aft er an injury, worn fi nish-es, damaged shoes, inappropriate footwear for the job environment—these and other conditions can cause employees to trip, slip,

and fall. If you have a job site, chances are you have a footwear protection issue. It is time to think about how we support our companies’ occupational foot protection initiatives and, remember, it’s more than shoes. Occupational foot protection covers anything that helps your employee succeed in the workplace and go home without injury. How does your work site rate? Do you have all of the support items in place, such as BBP and cleaning resources and policies, er-gonomics, a sound inspection program, and hazard abatement methods to resolve and make changes? Are your managers truly on board?

“Th e weird always happens here!” Every worker’s comp administrator says that at least once per quar-ter. (Safety managers say it daily!) Each workplace has specifi c issues and weirdness surrounding foot protection, too, and oft en we resolve problems in the midst of the actual crisis. Our foot protection issues may be physical, procedural, or PPE failure. Th ey may come from ignorance or apathy. Some employ-ees intentionally get injured to stay out of work and collect supplemental insurance. Even simple utility or plumbing issues can cause problems, such as the potential for MSRA, raw sewage when an employee tracks contamination through the workplace and into vehicles and home, etc.

We also constantly fi ght non-approved shoes in the workplace. Not just cheaply made, ill-fi tting shoes, but damaged, inappropriate shoes that can cause inju-ry and falls. Look closely at your injury log and treat-ments and you will fi nd several serious issues quickly.

Tomorrow, I suggest you stand behind your em-ployees as they enter the workplace. Look closely at their shoes. What do you see? Worn-down heels? Backs of shoes cut down with a razor? Frayed, dam-aged, wet shoes? Loose strings dragging? Employees wearing the wrong size, so they have to take extra steps like a toddler wearing dad’s shoes? Is it any won-der falls and ankle injuries are so prevalent?

I have seen foot fungus issues from maintenance staff wearing damp boots instead of letting them dry because they are provided only one pair of safety foot-wear a year and do not allow them to fully dry out aft er stormwater or sewage exposure. I’ve recommended two folks be evaluated by a physical therapist, and we learned one had a leg that was naturally 1/4 inch longer than the other, which was causing the falls. So we ex-plained how to use a gel lift and stopped the problems (not worker’s comp, but great prevention). Without ac-tually watching the employees, these potential, costly injuries would not have been discovered.

Evaluating Potential SolutionsMake decisions that work. If you have an area with a slick fl oor, look at a range of solutions and whether additional problems will be created by solving one. For example, in our surgical suites, we looked at two solutions to the slick fl oors. One was better, non-slip shoe coverings. Th e second was a slip-resistant coat-ing for the fl oor. We recommended better-quality shoe coverings because wherever the non-slip coating ended at the doorway, that spot would become an au-tomatic “slip and slide” for unsuspecting workers. So far, the shoe coverings have worked better and are not overly expensive.

I also recommend that safety personnel do some education for employees, explaining how to sanitize shoes, etc. before going home and exposing family members, pets, and others.

Evaluate unusual situations for solutions. For ex-ample, to solve cords for portable equipment in dark areas, try the new lighted cord cover so that employees will not fall. One example is with a portable endoscopy machine; advise employees and evaluate how it fi ts into the work being done. Ask for employee feedback, and they will tell you when it works or if there’s a fail-ure. Th e price for these accommodations? Much less than one fall, broken wrist, or physical therapy session.

Do the math and save the budget. Make injury costs and savings a line item by department to make sure managers are aware and doing their share for injury prevention. Publish the numbers; you will see results, and upper management will notice.

Assessing Your Current ProgramHow can you improve your program? Double-check the program to see where changes are needed, mak-ing sure to include your safety committee and your management team. It matters on all levels.

Walking the Walk on Occupational Foot ProtectionMake decisions that work. If you have an area with a slick fl oor, look at a range of solutions and whether additional problems will be created by solving one.BY LINDA J. SHERRARD

0414ohs_018_022_Sherrard_v3.indd 18 3/12/14 10:23 AM


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FOOT PROTECTION


Here are some items to consider:Admit your program is not perfect, up

to date, or functional. No program is com-prehensive, there is always room for im-provement. Giving up is not an option, and improvements oft en take time. Prioritize, regroup, and go forth.

Written policy: If you have one, dust it off and review it for technical correctness

and that it suits your workplace now. If you do not have a written policy, there are many available online, through consultants, or from safety organizations. Keep it simple and straightforward for your facility or site. Make sure there is a discipline section, up to and including termination for non-compliance. Run the fi nal item through the safety committee and upper manage-

ment for support. Pull in previous worker’s comp costs of foot injuries as a really good backup, as well as the cost of the injured worker’s time out and his/her replacement costs. Know your costs and the gains you can accomplish.

Meet with supervisors as a group with upper management present (or give them a copy of a strongly worded memo from the top) and make sure they understand it is their responsibility to enforce the policy. (Yes, you know their time is valuable . . . so is the lost time during an accident investi-gation.) Realize up front that you will en-counter resistance unless you really do have top management’s support. Tie this to each supervisor’s bonus or performance evalua-tion for extra emphasis. Be consistent and persistent. Safety folk pester really well!

Advise all employees. Use what works— written pieces, coaching, toolbox talks, posters, paycheck stuff ers, raffl es, games. Repeat oft en. Emphasize what happens if they show up for work without correct PPE (if that is your policy and you actually enforce it). For example, fi rst off ense, send home without pay to get PPE. Second time, docked for the day’s wages. Th ird time, they are looking for another job. And so on. (Discuss with HR personnel what actions you can do, and let them guide you.)

Educate, educate, educate on why this is important and who is aff ected, from the temp wearing worn-out loafers to the maintenance vendor wearing sneakers. Make sure your management team knows specifi cally what accident costs and the types of accidents your company has had previously, such as amputations. Be honest and graphic.

Explain the use and limitations of the PPE for their job. Ensure this is in your new employee orientation. Pull in team leaders and supervisors for this duty, as they are the most knowledgeable on specifi cs.

Have it in writing who pays for foot pro-tection items and how much will be paid. Include replacements and how oft en for worn or damaged items. Share this infor-mation with those applying for jobs, too, and explain when they will be expected to wear PPE, how to replace and repair it, etc.

Foot protection is only one of a huge set of programs and guidelines we are account-able for. As safety professionals, whether new on the job or seasoned warhorses, we spend a lot of time in researching, select-ing, and providing information on the right

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•CIRCLE 26 ON CARD



PPE for the job, no matter what it is.In the case of occupational foot protection, the industry has

developed a wide variety and selection of all things related to it, from well-fi tting and comfortable footwear designs to durable materials and product availability, with reasonable pricing and needed protection.

Related industries have thrived, providing fl oor coatings to reduce slick walking surfaces, treads for stairs or deckways, and high-visibility paint for hazards not easily noticed that could cause a slip, trip, or fall. If you need an item that seems unique, do some research and chances are, it is already available or one of the big vendors can adapt a product to fi t your need at a reasonable cost. But you have to ask and you have to follow up, maybe several times. Many corrections are made and then not followed through (such as slip-resistant coatings), and such a situation can create hazards aft er the original prevention.

It is critical that you make occupational foot protection a line item on the budget and keep the interest high for all managers. Unless the costs of injuries and prevention are real and not some abstract numbers for only the bean counters, the high costs of workplace injuries that are preventable will never be real to line managers or employees. Liability is only real when it applies to the person involved—the rest of us are just spectators. So it is with many large and small safety programs; it is the safety pro’s problem to solve, not the department or line manger. Th ey push the liability and accountability away so that each individual does not own the responsibility for safety on the job. And many safety pros get weary and worn down and allow it and hide in a dimly lit offi ce.

It is tedious, aggravating, and constant work to keep a sound occupational foot protection program progressing. As the facility safety pro, it is your choice to “walk the walk” or hide in a corner (or a variation of each). Ask yourself what you have done today to improve, educate, and increase compliance? Th en ask yourself all the things you could have done to prevent that broken ankle or two busted front teeth from a preventable fall.

Be Proactive and Make a DifferenceOur workers are great people and deserve to work as injury free as possible. We also can help by being positive, consistent, and proac-tive in solving problems, not diverting them to others. Listen to your employees, your worker’s comp administrator, and even the budget folks to fi nd out about real problems that you can solve. As safety, we focus on the negative so much when the real safety issue is we want our employees to go home safely. Of course we want to save money, etc., but the real asset is our people. Th ey deserve the best, and today’s safety manager is exactly that . . . the best.

Linda J. Sherrard, MS, CSP, is the Safety Consultant II for Central Prison Healthcare Complex with the Division of Adult Corrections, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, in Raleigh, N.C., and is also the former technical editor of Occupational Health & Safetymagazine. She can be reached at [email protected].

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Circle 16 on card.

Liability is only real when it applies to the person involved — the rest of us are just spectators.





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Untitled-5 1 3/3/14 12:36 PM


FIRST AID TRAINING


Barbara Batista still remembers the fi rst time she intervened as a 13-month-old choked on a goldfi sh cracker—a ubiquitous snack for young children—in her preschool class-

room. Although the incident happened more than 20 years ago, “I could still tell you what she was wearing at the time,” said Batista, director of the Child Devel-opment Lab School at Collin College in Plano, Texas. “It was really traumatic, and it sticks with you.”

She fi rst coached the girl to continue coughing, but as soon as the toddler became unable to cough, Batista leapt to her aid, administering the quick abdominal thrusts that immediately dislodged the cracker and reopened the airway.

“If I wasn’t trained in what to do, I would have froze,” Batista said. “I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

First aid training is an important skill for every-one, but especially for childcare providers, who are required to undergo training every two years in most states. Th at frequent training is important for two rea-sons: It helps to ensure they’re trained in the most cur-rent and eff ective skills and research that helps us learn new ways to respond, and also it helps to shake off the dust of skills they’ve learned earlier. Th e National As-sociation for Education for Young Children holds a higher standard for its accredited programs, such as the one Batista runs. It requires both classroom teach-ers and support staff to undergo such training.

Th e ability to respond eff ectively in an emergency is critical because unintentional injuries, such as those caused by burns, drowning, falls, poisoning, and road traffi c, are the leading cause of death for U.S. children. Each year, more than 12,000 kids age 19 and younger die from accidental injuries and more than 9.2 million are treated in the ER for nonfatal injuries, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the CDC, most nonfatal in-juries stem from fi ve causes: falls, being struck by or against an object, animal bites or insect stings, overex-ertion, and motor vehicle accidents.

Training Focused on Four Key StepsSo what do we mean by fi rst aid? First aid training encompasses many important skills, ranging from the most basic steps, such as how to create a safe environ-ment to discourage injuries from occurring in the fi rst place, to additional life-saving skills, such as how to perform CPR.

Getting formal training from robust programs, such as the American Heart Association’s Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR/AED course, is important be-cause our natural impulse to help may not be eff ective if we don’t have the right skills. Untrained, our reac-tion may rely on something we’ve seen in the media or long-held beliefs about how to treat certain injuries.

For example, treating burns with butter, an ap-proach many of us may have heard from our grand-mothers, could cause more damage. Th at’s because the fat in butter seals the otherwise porous skin, trapping heat inside, where it can further damage the tissue.

Or, if a child running with a pencil falls, causing it to impale his or her body, your inclination may be to pull it out. But it actually would be better to leave it in because removal could cause life-threatening hemor-rhaging of key organs.

Th e Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR/AED course, which is designed to meet the regulatory requirements for childcare workers in all 50 states, teaches childcare providers and others to respond to and manage illnesses and injuries in a child or infant in the fi rst few minutes until professional help arrives. Training is available in both classroom settings and online and covers the four steps of fi rst aid and fi rst aid skills, such as fi nding the problem, stopping bleed-ing, bandaging, and using an epinephrine pen, as well as child CPR/AED and infant CPR. Additional train-ing may include adult CPR/AED, child mask, infant mask, and asthma care training.

More simply, the training focuses on four key steps: prevention, being safe, calling 911, and taking action:

■ Prevention is the best way to keep kids from getting hurt in the fi rst place. Studies show more than half of fatal injuries to children are preventable. For childcare providers, that can include everything from making sure electrical outlets are properly protected to ensuring seat belts are fastened and car seats are properly installed.

Prevention also includes simple but important steps such as using sunscreen when kids are outside to prevent damage from sun exposure or keeping them well hydrated to avoid becoming sick from the heat.

■ Being safe when an emergency occurs is anoth-er important step. When responding to an emergency, it’s important to make sure you or others aren’t also at risk of getting hurt. For example, if a child becomes accidentally severely shocked, it’s important to make sure the power is shut down at the main breaker box before touching the injured child.

■ Calling 911 may seem like a simple skill, but it requires training. Unlike a home setting where you can dial directly, some classroom settings can require that you dial 9 fi rst before getting an outside

Essential Training for Childcare WorkersPart of the challenge is that risks of injury change as kids develop their skills and become more independent.BY JEFF WOODIN

0414ohs_024_027_Woodin_v3.indd 24 3/12/14 1:20 PM


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CIRCLE 34 ON CARD

Untitled-3 1 3/12/14 1:36 PM



line or go through a switchboard—steps that can waste precious time in an emergency if you haven’t been trained on what to do at the childcare facility. It’s also important to be able to determine quickly who is best capable of providing fi rst aid and who should be dispatched to call for help.

■ Taking action. Th is is where training becomes more com-plex. We organize training to three core areas: CPR training, ill-nesses and injuries that have the potential to become serious very quickly, and illnesses and injuries that may not be as urgent but still have the potential to become serious.

The Importance of CPR and Choking TrainingCPR is an especially important skill for childcare workers. Kids don’t have the reserves that adults do, and their survival rates are about half of adults, in part because it can take longer to recognize that a child has stopped breathing. For example, if a child passes out, you may think they’ve fainted, when in fact they can be in cardiac arrest. Acting quickly to provide CPR can triple a person’s chance of survival.

CPR training has undergone some important changes in recent

years thanks to scientifi c research that helped demonstrate how the life-saving technique could be more eff ective in an emergency. Th e biggest change is that the old approach of A-B-C—checking the Airway for obstructions, providing Breaths through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and then providing chest Compressions—has been changed to improve eff ectiveness. Training now puts a prior-ity on chest compressions, changing the order to C-A-B for com-pressions, then checking the airway, and then providing breaths. Th e reason for the change is that chest compressions help to restore blood fl ow from the heart, and checking airway and providing breaths fi rst costs precious seconds in a cardiac arrest.

Responding to injuries and illnesses is the most common situ-ation childcare providers face, but it’s important to quickly assess which ones are minor and which carry the urgency of a life-threat-ening emergency. Cleaning and bandaging a scraped knee, for example, requires a diff erent set of skills than a puncture wound. Likewise, identifying a bug bite that comes with annoying itching is one thing, but recognizing when it results in a severe allergic reaction is another.

Training for how to respond in a choking situation is a critical skill that falls into the category of situations that can become life threatening very quickly.

Choking is a common hazard during childhood, with 34 chil-dren a day admitted to an emergency room because they’ve choked on food, according to a recent study in the journal Pediatrics. While that amounts to more than 12,000 cases a year, researchers point

Training for how to respond in a choking situation is a critical skill that falls into the category of situations that can become life threatening very quickly.

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out that the problem is much more serious than that because most kids who choke don’t end up going to the hospital.

Choking risks are highest for children up to age 4, with hard candy being the culprit in about 15 percent of incidents. Other types of candy and gum represented 13 percent of cases. To mini-mize choking risks, the American Academy of Pediatrics recom-mends cutting up food given to babies and young children into pieces no larger than a half inch.

Recognizing when a child is having a severe allergic reaction requiring the intervention of an epinephrine pen—and knowing how to use it—is also crucial because it can cause a child’s airway to close. In those cases, calling 911 for emergency medical assistance is important, but average response time is between 4 minutes and 6 minutes, which could be fatal if someone isn’t breathing.

Risks ChangeFor childcare workers, part of the challenge is that risks of injury change as kids develop their skills and become more independent, not to mention that caregivers must be vigilant about recognizing and reacting to symptoms of illness because kids don’t always have the communication skills to describe what’s wrong.

“Th ere’s a potential for someone to get injured daily,” Batista said. Aft er 25 years in the fi eld, she said she’s seen many changes to fi rst aid and CPR protocols for childcare workers. “I didn’t know what an epinephrine pen was in the 1990s; now we are sure to have one if a kid has severe allergies,” she said.

Today, there’s also more attention to the types of food off ered due to allergies—no longer do they serve the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches many of us grew up with—as well as better aware-ness about choking risks and more awareness about cultural diff er-ences in a diverse nation.

Risks such as sun exposure also get attention now as a child safety issue, ensuring kids get protection from dangerous ultravio-let rays, Batista said. Even if training weren’t required every two years, Batista said it is a clear priority in ensuring childcare work-ers are comfortable providing fi rst aid and CPR when something goes wrong. “Th ere are many hats that we wear as teachers and administrators, but we defi nitely wear the fi rst aid hat every day,” she said.

Jeff Woodin is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Heart As-sociation’s First Aid Subcommittee and is a member of the Interna-tional Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) First Aid Task Force. He also serves as a BLS National Faculty for Oregon. He has assisted with the course development and video production for the Heartsaver First Aid CPR/AED and Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR/AED classroom and online products.

Working in the fi re and emergency medical services fi eld for the past 21 years, Woodin is a Lieutenant Firefi ghter/National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Paramedic in Oregon (NREMT-P). He also teaches ACLS, BLS, and PALS classes and has been an AHA instructor for the past 16 years.

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INFECTION CONTROL


During the 2013-2014 fl u season, more than 200 people have died in the state of Califor-nia alone. In 2012, more than 48,000 cases of pertussis (otherwise known as whoop-

ing cough) were reported, with thousands of cases likely going unreported. And while the disease is less common in the United States, nearly one-third of the world’s population is infected with latent tuberculosis. Nearly 10,000 cases of it were reported in the United States during 2012.

Airborne infections such as infl uenza, pertussis, and tuberculosis spread so quickly and pervasively that many times, employers fi nd themselves with an outbreak and struggling to fi gure out where or when it began. Creating an infection control program, en-suring your employees are adequately reporting their illnesses, and equipping your employees with respira-tors are all steps to take to ensure an outbreak does not aff ect your company. Here are some tips and tools for knowing what to look out for, how to create a plan, and what to do if an outbreak does occur.

What to Protect AgainstEmployers should protect not only against seasonal airborne illnesses, such as infl uenza and streptococcal infections, but also those without seasonality, such as pertussis, tuberculosis, and norovirus. Langdon De-ment, a safety and health specialist with Underwriters Laboratories and an infectious diseases expert, said vaccinations have helped—but not nearly enough.

“Th ere are a lot of benefi ts to vaccines, but they cannot protect against everything,” he said. Dement pointed out that norovirus, which is rampant lately, is spread both through the air and direct contact and is very diffi cult to kill once it appears in the workplace. While most healthy adults will not die from norovi-rus, it is highly contagious. In a workplace of thou-sands, hundreds could become infected.

In addition to norovirus, employers have seen a resurgence in cases of pertussis and even tuberculosis recently. Nicole McCullough, Global Technical Ser-vices manager at 3M’s Personal Safety Division, said employers need to be aware of these conditions. “We do see adults come down with pertussis occasionally, but many adults may not realize they have it just be-cause they have a cough, and they can infect others in the workplace,” she said.

Th ough outbreaks of pertussis, tuberculosis, and norovirus may not be common, fl u outbreaks are. Mc-Cullough suggested that employers have a strong plan in place for reporting and dealing with the fl u. “In-fl uenza is typically a more mild disease that you can recover from, but it certainly can aff ect the produc-tivity of your workplace,” she said. “If you have a sick worker come in and infect a lot of people all at once, you could end up with a signifi cant portion of your workforce out at the same time.”

Creating a PlanTh e most effi cient way to ensure your company does not see an outbreak of an airborne illness is by en-couraging your employees to report when they have an infectious disease. In certain states, the department of health requires reporting of diseases. McCullough warned that because not every state has mandatory reporting and not every disease falls under mandato-ry reporting, it is important for employers to educate their employees and ensure they are being notifi ed in the event that an employee has an infectious disease.

Dement echoed this sentiment and emphasized that having an infection control program in place is key to a company’s success and the prevention of an outbreak. “I think it is important to have an exposure control program or infection control program in place so you can be kept aware, determine what that expo-sure is, and try to fi gure out what the methods are to reduce it,” he said.

Some employers already may have an infection control plan in place if they comply with OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030), which applies to employers who anticipate contact with blood or infectious materials in their workplace. Th e regulation requires employers to create a written exposure control plan.

For companies that have no infection control program in place or do not need to comply with the bloodborne pathogens standard, Dement suggested consulting resources provided by the CDC and the World Health Organization, as well as the OSHA Oc-cupational Exposure Control Plan, which is part of the bloodborne pathogens standard.

Selecting the Correct RespiratorNot every airborne illness can be reported early enough to prevent its spread in a workplace. Th at is where respirators come into play. Respirators can keep a workforce healthy and safe by preventing the spread of the infection from worker to worker and worker to family member.

Th e fi rst step is to ensure you are selecting a

Keeping Pathogens Out of the WorkplaceAirborne pathogens are not only highly contagious, but also they can put a workforce completely out for weeks at a time.BY JAMIE FRIEDLANDER

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www.ohsonline.com 29

NIOSH-approved respirator, which will be apparent on the respirator’s label, Mc-Cullough said, adding that some respira-tors are FDA-approved, though those are mainly used in surgical situations and are not necessary to prevent against airborne infections.

Th ere are a variety of diff erent respira-tors on the market, with the most basic one being a fi ltering facepiece respirator. Th ere are also half-piece elastomeric or rubber respirators, which have the same protection level as a fi ltering facepiece respirator but are reusable. “For most applications with infection prevention, people are using the fi ltering facepieces because then they don’t have to worry about cleaning them,” said McCullough.

Fit is key. In order to ensure the respira-tor seals properly, McCullough suggested that employers do fi t testing with Bitrex. Employees put on a respirator and hood, and a foul-smelling and -tasting solution is sprayed in. If their respirator is fi tted cor-rectly, they won’t smell or taste the solution.

Some employers may have trouble getting employees to wear the respira-tors—they will say they feel restricted or uncomfortable. “Obviously, employers need to be fi rm. Th ey really need to pro-vide the education and clearly explain to the employees why they’re being asked to do this,” McCullough said. One way to get employees to comply is to involve them in the decision-making process by selecting four or fi ve respirators and letting employ-ees test them out for a few days to decide which one they like best.

Overall, the most important thing is for employers to be on their feet. Many infec-tious diseases are not seasonal, and new strains of viruses can pop up suddenly. In-fection control plans need to be living doc-uments, Dement said. “Th e plan is some-thing that will be ever-evolving,” he said. “It is meant to be used continually and should be able to be changed at any given time.

Th ough there are several reasons to implement an infection control plan, one reason ranks above the rest. “Obviously, the primary reason is to protect your em-ployees’ health because you certainly want to minimize the transmission of infectious diseases at work,” McCullough said.

Jamie Friedlander is an associate content editor with Occupational Health & Safety magazine.

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IH/GAS MONITORING


There is much talk in the safety industry today about OSHA’s recordkeeping and reporting requirements becoming more stringent. Ex-tra scrutiny on recordkeeping and reporting

means that many safety professionals must step up their data collection processes. Being that we live in the age of data and that there are easier ways than ever before to collect data on almost any subject, comply-ing with tougher safety reporting standards should be second nature. But is this true when it comes to gas detection? Should data be the king of your gas detec-tion program?

Freedictionary.com defi nes data as “factual infor-mation, especially information organized for analysis or used to reason or make decisions.” Let’s put OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements aside for a few moments and look at data in gas detection for what it is. Gas detection programs exist for the purpose of saving lives. Whether the gas detectors are used for personal

protection, exposure assessment, leak detection, con-fi ned space entry, or hot work permitting, can there be any better reason for data to be king in gas detection than to help make good decisions aimed at making the workplace safer?

Th ere are three things all safety professionals must know with regard to gas detection in order to run an eff ective program: 1) Are their gas detectors working properly? 2) Are their g as detectors being used prop-erly? And 3) What gas hazards are their workers being exposed to? Th e answers to these three questions lie in the data that should be collected from the program.

Proactive Use of Key Data PointsInstrument bump test and calibration records hold key data points that help in determining whether or not gas detectors are working properly. Although OSHA has no specifi c requirements for reporting instrument calibration records, when a gas-related incident oc-curs, these records are among the fi rst data points to be requested and examined. If these records are thought to be key data points in post-incident investigations, wouldn’t it make sense that a little more regular as-sessment and scrutiny of the data that helps to show whether or not a fl eet of monitors are working prop-erly might help prevent the incident in the fi rst place?

In much the same way, data can be used to help determine whether or not gas detectors are being used properly. Data can clearly show if gas detectors are used aft er being bump tested or calibrated properly, and data will not only show when a gas detector has gone into alarm, it can show how the users reacted to the alarm. Did they evacuate the area immediately? Did they ignore the alarm and keep on working in a hazardous condition? Did they turn the instrument off in order to avoid the nuisance? Regularly looking at data that tells how gas monitors are being used can show where there may be gaps in training and where there may need to be policy changes that lead to safer work practices.

What about knowing what gas hazards workers are being exposed to? Fear of knowing or reveal-ing what workers are being exposed to is probably the main reason that data isn’t number one in more gas detection programs. OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.1020 outlines the requirements for keeping records of em-

Is Data the ‘King’ of Your Gas Detection Program?Regularly looking at data that tells how gas monitors are being used can show where there may be gaps in training and where there may need to be policy changes that lead to safer work practices.BY DAVE WAGNER

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IH/GAS MONITORING

32

ployee exposures and gives workers the right to request records be revealed to them regarding their personal exposure or the ex-posures of other workers, if they are performing similar duties, without the other worker’s prior consent.

What data actually constitutes an “exposure record” is subject to a number of diff erent interpretations today. Some believe that any value shown on a direct-reading instrument makes up an exposure record. Some believe that only readings captured in a datalogging monitor can be used as exposure records and therefore try to avoid utilizing datalogging monitors in order to avoid having the expo-sure data. 1910.1020 says that an “Employee Exposure Record” is “any piece of information from workplace monitoring or measur-ing of a toxic substance or harmful physical agent, including per-sonal, area, grab, wipe, or other form of sampling.” But what diff er-ence should it make in how you defi ne what makes up an employee exposure record? Isn’t it important that you collect as much data as you can and analyze the hazards in the workplace so that changes can be made to the environment where possible in order to avoid exposing workers and to keep them safer?

At the end of the day, improvements to your gas detection pro-gram and your overall safety program will occur only if you use the data that you have available to you. Too oft en, data that is collected from a fl eet of gas detectors is just stored in a fi le folder or database and never looked at again. Or, worse yet, it is not looked at until some catastrophic event forces a post-mortem investigation of the numbers. Doing something productive with all of the numbers has to be part of your plan to get more value out of your gas detection

program. You must recognize and accept that having data and us-ing it properly can help you far more than it can ever hurt you.

Automating Gas Detection Data ManagementData should not make you do more work. It should work for you. Th ere really isn’t a question about the value of having more data. To realize that value, however, you must have a more effi cient system for accessing the data. You should have a system that organizes and presents it so that the health of your gas detection program can be seen at a glance. Th e system should alert you when there are prob-lems and allow you to quickly drill down into the data to identify the root cause of any issue, or at least show you where to look for it.

Data management systems are evolving rapidly. As more data is collected, more opportunities arise for innovative ways to use it. Today, there are systems using advanced predictive analytics to identify the source of problems. Future systems will be able to pre-dict incidents before they occur so that you make decisions quickly and take action to prevent them. But until then, there are many options for automating gas detection data management.

Unfortunately data isn’t “king” in many gas detection programs today. Let’s start taking advantage of the benefi ts that gas detection data provides to worker safety today and not wait to put a royalty on it until OSHA says we have to.

Dave Wagner is the Global Director of Product Knowledge & iNet Product Manager at Industrial Scientifi c Corporation (www.indsci.com). He can be reached at [email protected].

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WELDING


Safety is a critical consideration for any weld-ing project. Arc welding is a safe occupation when proper precautions are taken, but if safety measures are ignored, welders face

an array of hazards that can be potentially dangerous, including electric shock, fumes and gases, fi re, explo-sions, and more.

To help keep welders safe, organizations such as the American Conference of Governmental Industri-al Hygienists and OSHA off er safety guidelines to help control, minimize, or to help employers and workers avoid welding hazards. Employers should ensure that all workers have an opportunity to comply with the following important guidelines in the workplace:

■ Read and understand manufacturer instruc-tions for equipment.

■ Carefully review safety data sheets.■ Follow the company’s internal safety practices.Awareness of the most common welding hazards

and knowing how to avoid them ensures a safe, pro-ductive work environment for all.

Electric ShockElectric shock is one of the most serious and imme-diate risks facing a welder. Electric shock can lead to severe injury or death, either from the shock itself or from a fall caused by the reaction to a shock.

Electric shock occurs when welders touch two metal objects that have a voltage between them, there-by inserting themselves into the electrical circuit. For instance, if a worker holds a bare wire in one hand and a second bare wire with another, electric current will pass through that wire and through the welding oper-ator, causing an electric shock. Th e higher the voltage, the higher the current, and thus the higher the risk for the electric shock to result in injury or death.

Th e most common type of electric shock is sec-ondary voltage shock from an arc welding circuit, which ranges from 20 to 100 volts. Bear in mind that even a shock of 50 volts or less can be enough to in-jure or kill an operator, depending on the conditions. Due to its constant change in polarity, alternating cur-rent (AC) voltage is more likely to stop the heart than direct current (DC) welders. It is also more likely to make the person holding the wire unable to let go.

It’s important to remember never to touch the electrode or

metal parts of the electrode holder with skin or welding

clothing. Also, insulate yourself from the work and ground.

To avoid secondary voltage shock, welding op-erators should wear dry gloves in good condition, never touch the electrode or metal parts of the elec-trode holder with skin or wet clothing, and be sure to insulate themselves from the work and ground, keeping dry insulation between their body and the metal being welded or ground (such as a metal fl oor or wet surface).

Welding operators also should inspect the elec-trode holder for damage before beginning to weld and keep the welding cable and electrode holder insula-tion in good condition, because the plastic or fi ber insulation on the electrode holder prevents contact with the electrically “hot” metal parts inside. Always be sure to repair or replace damaged insulation before use. And remember, stick electrodes are always elec-trically hot, even when welding is not being done and

Be Prepared: Five Potential Welding Safety Hazards to AvoidThe welding arc creates extreme temperatures and may pose a signifi cant fi re and explosion hazard if safe practices are not followed.BY JOHN PETKOVSEK

THE LIN

CO

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Welding operators face an array of hazards.

0414ohs_034_039_Petkovsek_v3.indd 34 3/10/14 3:45 PM


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CIRCLE 17 ON CARD

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WELDING

the voltage is the highest.An even more serious shock, primary voltage shock, may oc-

cur when a welder touches electrically “hot” parts inside the welder case or the electric distribution system to which the welder is con-nected. Th is action can lead to a shock of 230 or 460 volts.

When not in use, but still turned on, most welding equipment has a voltage that ranges from 20 to 100 volts at the welding cir-cuit, and voltages inside the welding equipment may range from 120 volts to more than 575 volts, all of which pose a risk for electric shock. Only qualifi ed repair technicians should attempt to service or repair welding equipment.

Fumes and GasesIt’s no surprise that overexposure to welding fumes and gases can be hazardous to your health. Welding fume contains potentially harmful complex metal oxide compounds from consumables, base metal, and the base-metal coatings, so it’s important to keep your head out of the fumes and use enough ventilation and/or exhaust to control your exposure to substances in the fume, de-pending on the type of rod and base metal being used. Th e spe-cifi c potential health eff ects related to the welding consumable product being used can be found in the Health Hazard Data sec-tion of the safety data sheet that is available from your employer or the consumable manufacturer.

Welding areas require adequate ventilation and local exhaust to

keep fumes and gases from the breathing zone and the general area. In most situations, employers will provide a ventilation system—such as a fan and an exhaust system or fi xed or removable exhaust hoods—to remove fumes and gases from the work area.

Welding areas require adequate ventilation and local exhaust.

All welding operators should be aware that there are AC-GIH threshold limit values (TLV) and OSHA permissible ex-posure limits (PEL) for the substances in welding fume. Th ese limits specify the amount of a substance in your breathing air to which welding operators can be exposed every day they work over the course of their career. Welding operators should wear an

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WELDING


approved respirator unless exposure as-sessments are below applicable exposure limits. An industrial hygienist takes an air sample in the worker’s breathing zone to determine whether a worker’s exposure is below the exposure limits.

If the air in your breathing zone is not clear or if breathing is uncomfortable, check to be sure the ventilation equip-ment is working and report concerns to a supervisor so your exposure to substances in the welding fume can be checked. Th is is especially important when welding with stainless steel or hardfacing products. To prevent exposure from coatings such as paint, galvanizing, or metal platings on base metals, clean the base metal before be-ginning to weld. See a doctor if symptoms from overexposure persist.

Fire and ExplosionsTh e welding arc creates extreme tempera-tures and may pose a signifi cant fi re and explosion hazard if safe practices are not followed. While the welding arc may reach temperatures of 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit,

the real danger is not from the arc itself, but rather the intense heat near the arc and the heat, sparks, and spatter created by the arc. Th is spatter can reach up to 35 feet away from the welding space.

To prevent fi res, before beginning to weld, inspect the work area for any fl am-mable materials and remove them from the area. Flammable materials are comprised of three categories: liquid, such as gasoline, oil, and paint; solid, such as wood, card-board, and paper; gas, including acetylene, propane, and hydrogen.

Fume exhaust systems can be augmented with a

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Know where the fi re alarms and extin-guishers are located and check the extin-guisher’s gauge to make sure it is full. If an extinguisher is not available, be sure to have access to fi re hoses, sand buckets, or other equipment that douses fi re. And know the location of the nearest fi re exit.

If welding within 35 feet of fl ammable materials, have a fi re watcher nearby to keep track of sparks and remain in the work area for at least 30 minutes aft er fi nishing welding to be sure there are no smoldering fi res. Put a fi re-resistant material, such as a piece of sheet metal or fi re-resistant blan-ket, over all fl ammable materials within the work area if you can’t remove them.

In an elevated location, make sure no fl ammable materials are beneath you and watch out for other workers below you in order to prevent dropping sparks or spatter on them. Even high concentrations of fi ne dust particles may cause explosions or fl ash fi res. If a fi re starts, don’t panic and call the fi re department immediately.

Injuries from Insuffi cient PPEPersonal protective equipment helps to keep welding operators free from injury, such as burns—the most common welding injury—and exposure to arc rays. Th e right PPE allows for freedom of movement while still providing adequate protection from welding hazards.

Th anks to their durability and fi re resistance, leather and fl ame-resistant treated cotton clothing is recommended in welding environments. Th is is because synthetic material such as polyester or rayon will melt when exposed to extreme heat. Welding leathers are especially rec-ommended when welding out of position, such as applications that require vertical or overhead welding.

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because sparks or hot metal will deposit in the folds and may burn through the materi-al. Keep pants over the top of work boots—don’t tuck them in. Even when wearing a helmet, always wear safety glasses with side shields or goggles to prevent sparks or other debris from hitting the eyes. Leather boots with 6- to 8-inch ankle coverage are the best foot protection; metatarsal guards over the shoelaces can protect a welder’s feet from falling objects and sparks. It will not be pleasant if a hot piece of spatter fi nds its way inside your clothing or shoes.

Heavy, fl ame-resistant gloves always should be worn to protect from burns, cuts, and scratches. As long as they are dry, they also should provide some protec-tion from electric shock. Leather is a good choice for gloves.

Helmets with side shields are essential for protecting eyes and skin from expo-sure to arc rays. Make sure to choose the right shade lens for your process; use the helmet’s instructions to help you select the right shade level. Begin with a darker

fi lter lens and gradually change to a lighter shade until you have good visibility at the puddle and weld joint, but it is comfortable and does not irritate your eyes. Helmets also protect from sparks, heat, and electric shock. Welder’s fl ash from improper eye protection may cause extreme discomfort, swelling, or temporary blindness, so don’t take any risks—wear a helmet at all times during welding.

To protect your ears from noise, wear hearing protection if working in an area with high noise levels. Doing so will protect your hearing from damage, as well as pre-vent metal and other debris from entering the ear canal. Choose ear plugs or ear muff s to protect the ears.

Other Safety ConsiderationsWelders also should be aware of other safety considerations within the work envi-ronment. For example, those working in a confi ned space or in an elevated area may need to take extra precautions. In any weld-ing situation, welding operators should pay

close attention to safety information on the products being used and the safety data sheets provided by the manufacturer, and they should work with their employer and co-workers to follow appropriate safe prac-tices for their workplace.

Good common sense also is key. If opening cans of electrode, keep your hands away from sharp edges. Remove clutter and debris from the welding area to prevent tripping or falling, and never use broken or damaged equipment or PPE. To keep up with the most recent safety practices, weld-ing operators should utilize resources from the American Welding Society (AWS), OSHA, and welding manufacturers, such as Lincoln Electric’s online Interactive Safety Guide. By following these safe practices and using common sense, operators can stay safe and keep production moving with no lost-time accidents.

John Petkovsek is director, Environment, Health and Safety, for Th e Lincoln Electric Company.

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FALL PROTECTION


A fall protection plan is commonplace for most employers, but does it include a rescue plan? Even with the best fall protection plan and equipment in place, accidents do hap-

pen. How can you protect your workers at height in the event they need a way to save themselves or rescue a co-worker?

Falls continue to be one of the most common ac-cidents in the workplace1, however, fall protection equipment is only half the answer to keeping workers safe at height. Th e other half involves rescuing work-ers to get them safely to the ground in a timely fashion to avoid additional injuries while suspended.

Many situations beyond simply falling might arise where rescue would be required while working at heights. Slipping on a platform or ladder, aerial lift malfunction, heat exhaustion, hypothermia, cramp-ing, nausea, diabetic reactions, electrical shock, or even bee stings that can cause anaphylactic shock are just a few examples that can lead to a rescue scenario.

While many may regard rescue as diffi cult to im-plement into a fall protection program, rescue prac-tices can be easily and seamlessly incorporated, given the advances in the technology behind descenders, ropes, and other related rescue gear. Because rescue situations tend to be infrequent, sometimes they tend not to receive the proper attention. However, because potential hazards and injuries resulting from a fall and being suspended for any length of time are serious, employers need to make rescue implementation a higher priority.

The Importance of Incorporating Rescue into Fall Protection PlanningRescue is not just an element of a fall protection plan; it’s a critical procedure that needs to be prioritized on an equal level. Why? Workers are at risk of serious injury, even death, from falls. Further, the falls don’t have to be from a signifi cant height for a worker to be injured or killed.

In the event a worker falls and is wearing a har-ness, he’s still dangling and at risk of suspension trauma, which can set in quickly if he’s not rescued. Th is further builds the case for making rescue plan-ning a priority.

When workers are injured or killed, there are a number of ramifi cations for employers beyond lost productivity. Insurance costs can rise and there can be legal consequences. Perhaps even more importantly, the injury or death of a fellow worker can aff ect the

morale of others in the workplace, hampering the overall effi ciency of the operation.

The Role Standards Play When Incorporating Rescue SystemsHow can employers best incorporate rescue systems into their fall protection plans? When putting togeth-er a rescue plan addressing training and equipment, it’s important to consider OSHA requirements and various consensus standards, including the current ANSI standards.

OSHA’s general duty clause and the requirement for “prompt rescue” make it clear to employers that this procedure must be recognized and practiced. If an employer recognizes when fall protection equip-ment is needed, then the same must be true for rescue. With this in mind, industry experts implemented new requirements into the latest ANSI/ASSE Z359.2 and ANSI/ASSE Z359.4 standards.

Standards should be the basis for any employer’s fall protection and rescue program. Th e develop-ers of these consensus standards, such as the ANSI/ASSE Z359 standards, are industry experts represent-ing government regulation agencies, users’ groups, unions, manufacturers, and testing laboratories. Th eir knowledge and experience, combined with an overall desire to create safe procedures and equipment testing standards, are what yield safe products for workers.

Th e ANSI/ASSE Z359.2-2007 standard requires that an employer develop a written plan and provide a means for rescue from heights. It defi nes requirements and training for authorized and competent rescuers. It also provides requirements for employers regarding procedures should they wish to rely on professional rescue services, such as fi re departments, by calling 911. If the employer chooses this type of rescue pro-gram, it must follow certain procedures in advance. A written agreement between the employer and profes-sional rescue service is required prior to performing any work at elevation. A job hazard analysis of the site must be completed that includes availability, prepara-tion, and training on required equipment specifi c to rescue at that location. Th e ANSI/ASSE Z359.2 stan-dard also gives guidance and training requirements for employers who decide to provide for their own rescue from heights.

Th e ANSI/ASSE Z359.4 standard created tech-nical requirements and testing procedures for res-cue descenders, ropes, harnesses, and other equip-ment. Check to see that your rescue equipment has the ANSI/ASSE Z359.4 certifi cation marked on it to ensure that your rescue products meet current standards, just as you would with your fall protec-tion equipment.

Incorporating Rescue Into a Fall Protection PlanStandards should be the basis for any employ-er’s fall protection and rescue program.BY JEFF WILD

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FALL PROTECTION


Training Workers to Use Rescue EquipmentTh e ANSI/ASSE Z359.2 standard requires that employees know how to inspect, an-chor, assemble, and use their rescue equip-ment. During rescue system training, em-ployees must become competent to safely and comfortably complete rescues from heights for all locations in which they work. Being well prepared in advance and having equipment ready to be deployed prior to leaving the ground are key. Rescuers need to be ready at all times because there’s nev-er any warning that a worker may fall and need help.

Training must be given annually, at a minimum, and should be practiced more oft en. Th e standards require physical, hands-on demonstrations of rescue sce-narios to ensure that authorized and com-petent rescuers have the proper skills.

Ensure that rescue equipment is cho-sen properly for your particular work en-vironment. Rescue anchors are required to withstand 3,000 pounds or to be certifi ed to fi ve times the applied load. Anchor attach-ments need to be chosen with versatility in mind and must be able to be applied any-where on a structure quickly without being compromised by sharp lattice steel or hot equipment. Th e worker’s harness will likely already be in place, meaning body support may not need to be addressed.

For workers in an environment where harnesses aren’t used, consider how to safely attach a victim to the rescue system in case of an accident. Hardware connec-tor components should have 3,600 pounds gate strength ratings and should be com-patible with rescue equipment. A means of hoisting workers off their fall protection gear or moving them horizontally on a plat-form also must be considered for any work-place. Rarely will an accident occur where there’s a good vertical descent path, so be prepared and have the proper tools with which to move workers to a better location to get them down. Th ere are products on the market to use for these transfers.

Employers also need to choose a de-scent device appropriate for their work environment. Th ere are new descent device technologies on the market that can sim-plify safe rescues. Consider which features are necessary for the work site, including:

■ Portability ■ Ease of training and training retention

■ Hands-free automatic control or manual control

■ Rigging ease■ Stop and speed control■ Usability with diff erent body weights■ Ease of use for self-rescue and assist-

ed rescue and rope construction (consider whether the rope may be exposed to high heat conditions, such as in wind nacelles, electrical environments, blowout condi-tions, or near machinery)

■ Ability to remove and replace ropes easily so that the same device may be used for diff erent applications

■ Simplicity of use, which is impor-tant to consider when emergency situa-tions arise and one’s ability to think clearly is compromised

■ Certifi cation to the ANSI Z359.4 standards

Choose equipment that can be used for all potential scenarios, such as self-rescue, assisted rescue, or multi-person evacua-tion. Be sure to choose equipment that’s compact and can be deployed quickly and easily within all of your work areas and in all environmental conditions without tax-ing the rescuer.

Th e size of the work crews and environ-ment also will help to determine the type of rescue equipment needed. If working in two-person crews, consider rescue proce-dures and equipment that one person can deploy to complete the rescue operation. Choose your equipment so that rescuers can be trained in using it and ensure that training retention is maximized.

When performing rescue training, make sure to have a separate rescue system on standby in case an incident occurs dur-ing the training. Until a person is compe-tent with the equipment and procedures, employees face additional exposure to hazards. Start slowly with simple rescue scenarios and then build on those until workers have practiced under their most challenging accident condition. Train to real conditions of the work environment. Don’t simplify rescue training to save time or to simply “check it off ” the training list.

Ensure that there’s a safely designed sec-ondary backup system during the training. Consider what would happen if the trainee made a mistake. Will the backup system leave the trainee in the air hanging? If so, the clock is ticking, and the need exists to perform a real rescue on site before he sus-

tains any suspension trauma. To simplify this condition, choose an automatically controlled backup system that can descend the trainee to the ground. Choose the back-up system so that it doesn’t interfere with the rescue exercises or require the trainee to manually activate the backup system. Workers need to have a real training expe-rience with their designated rescue equip-ment without backup contributing unless needed. Also, make sure that there’s good communication during the training from the rescue location all the way down to the ground.

Don’t Shy Away From RescueMany employers feel intimidated by rescue procedures and shy away from them, but just like any other safety policy, rescue can be addressed reliably and effi ciently when tackled head on. Rescue from heights is quickly gaining acceptance as employers realize that it’s not only possible, but nec-essary, to be able to perform these types of rescues.

Consider all work locations at height. It may sound challenging at fi rst, but rescue can be completed promptly and safely with the right equipment and training. A quote by Benjamin Franklin says it best: “By fail-ing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Jeff Wild is the technical manager for DEUS Rescue, focusing on fall protection and res-cue procedures from heights in industrial environments, such as wind towers, oil and gas rigs, communication towers, transmis-sion structures, and aerial lift s. He works with customers from all industries to create specifi c rescue equipment systems and proce-dures for their workplace. Wild also worked for Western Area Power Administration, an agency of the Department of Energy, for more than 22 years in construction, design engineering, and safety. He has been a mem-ber of the ANSI/ASSE Z359 Accredited Stan-dards Committee for Fall Protection since 2005 while staying active with the rescue, descender, and rope access subcommittees.

REFERENCES1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser-vices, National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety. (2010). Occupational injuries & fatalities due to falls (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-143).

0414ohs_040_042_Wild_v4.indd 42 3/12/14 1:21 PM


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FIBERGLASS SPILL CONTAINMENTFibergrate Composite Structures has developed a fi berglass reinforced plastic (FRP) solution for the oil/gas industry. Fibergrate’s modular spill containment system consists of large pans created from a matrix of fi berglass reinforce-ment embedded in a corrosion-resistant resin, then covered with traffi c-bearing, slip-resistant Fibergrate molded grating. The system was designed with durability and mobility in mind and reduces con-tainment concerns, plastic expenses, and trip/slip hazards. The durable sys-tem has a uniform, fl at surface that is able to withstand the traffi c and weight of heavy mobile drilling rigs, frac, and other equipment.www.ohsonline.com/productinfoCIRCLE 300 ON CARD

VERSATILE ANCHORSRescue solutions company DEUS Rescuehas added a line of versatile anchors to its product offering. The DEUS anchor offering will now include removable anchors, beam anchors, and swivel an-chors, in addition to the DEUS Rope-Over-Wire (ROW) anchor connectors. This of-fering of anchor solutions is designed to complement DEUS descent devices and kits, or any descent and rescue equip-ment, in a range of applications. The anchors may be used to support safe rescue rigging and other uses in a variety of environments. All DEUS anchors are ANSI Z359.1 certifi ed, with many carrying EN and NFPA certifi cation, as well. www.ohsonline.com/productinfoCIRCLE 301 ON CARD

SAFETY AIR GUNSThe Super Blast Safety Air Guns from EXAIR are now available with 3-foot and 6-foot extension pipes, which provide a strong blowing force to clean large areas quickly. The extensions allow users to reach areas not easily accessible. EXAIR’s Super Blast Safety Air Guns use engineered air nozzles for high perfor-mance and are designed to maximize entrainment of room air while minimizing compressed air consumption. Super Blast Safety Air Guns range in force from 4.5 to 23 pounds. Combining that force with the added benefi t of being able to reach tight machinery spaces makes the Super Blast Safety Air Gun a great tool for wide area blowoff, cooling, and drying. www.ohsonline.com/productinfoCIRCLE 302 ON CARD

MOBILE EMERGENCY ALERT INTERFACEMetis Secure introduces a mobile inter-face designed for safety and security personnel to warn everyone at their sites about an impending emergency. The mobile interface allows designated personnel to launch instant, pre-re-corded alerts to IP phones, computer screens, digital signs, PA speakers, and other facility devices. In addition, us-ers can build and send custom alerts and directives using a text-to-speech function. www.ohsonline.com/productinfoCIRCLE 303 ON CARD

EYEWEAR CLEANING PRODUCTSAllegro has released a line of eyewear cleaning products for the industrial workplace. Included in the line are two metal, wall-mounted, refi llable cleaning stations. The Deluxe Low Profi le Metal Cleaning Station fi ts into tight spaces and offers a handy mirror and lock for security. The Economy Low Profi le Metal Cleaning Station is constructed from a high-gloss, powder-coated fi nish that resists wear. All of the stations come with an anti-fog, anti-static solution and lint-free tissues, and all are available in refi ll sizes.www.ohsonline.com/productinfoCIRCLE 304 ON CARD

WEATHER-RESISTANT BOXESWernerCo’s WEATHER GUARD Un-derBed Boxes are weather-resistant boxes that are designed for fl at beds, heavy-duty trucks, and semis. WEATHER GUARD Underbed Boxes keep valuable tools secure and protected from the ele-ments, yet remain easily accessible for maximum productivity. The rugged storage boxes are available in a range of sizes from compact to jumbo, come in both steel and aluminum options, and are backed by a lifetime warranty.www.ohsonline.com/productinfoCIRCLE 305 ON CARD

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WASHDOWN-RESISTANT LABELSBrady has introduced the pre-printed ToughWash equipment labels and signs. The durable product line was designed to provide safety, lean, and instruc-tional messages as needed in food and beverage processing facilities while withstanding frequent washdown and sanitation processes. The labels and signs adhere to stainless steel surfaces and are engineered to withstand harsh temperatures, pressures, caustic materi-als, and abrasive scrubbing. www.ohsonline.com/productinfoCIRCLE 309 ON CARD

RUBBER INSULATING GLOVESThe Marigold Industrial Rubber Insulat-ing Gloves from Ansell address electri-cal workers’ needs by protecting the wearer’s hands from exposed energized, de-energized, or re-energized electrical circuits. The fl exibility and the dexter-ity of the gloves allow for comfortable, prolonged wear for all electrical applica-tions. They are ergonomically designed with a shape that refl ects the hand at a natural resting position and features non-splayed fi ngers, as well as a gener-ous fl are cuff for ventilation and room for clothing. www.ohsonline.com/productinfoCIRCLE 306 ON CARD

HI-VIS HEARING PROTECTIONSync Radio Sync Hi-Vis Digital AM/FM Radio from Howard Leight by Honey-well provides workers with a solution for hearing protection, worker motiva-tion, and visibility during day or night. Its eye-catching bright green earcups provide a noticeable contrast against dark settings, especially in low lighting situations and inclement weather. The Sync Radio Hi-Vis is also the only AM/FM radio ear muff that incorporates an exclusive refl ective headband that glows when exposed to light, providing in-creased visibility and safety on the job. www.ohsonline.com/productinfoCIRCLE 307 ON CARD

FALL ARREST SERVICE CRANE BASKETThe newest generation of LiftWise’s fall arrest service crane basket was designed for accessing high-reach maintenance areas, especially on large equipment. The yoke-style baskets quickly attach to service cranes, provid-ing personnel with a convenient, safe alternative to renting aerial lifts. The baskets include a bracket for attaching to most available service crane trucks. For easy storage and transport, the baskets are also offered with a new specialized carrier that installs behind the truck in the receiver hitch. www.ohsonline.com/productinfoCIRCLE 308 ON CARD

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TRAIN THE TRAINERThe Scaffold Training Institute provides “Train The Trainer” programs and on-site training anywhere in the world. Training ma-terials include 340-page manuals, DVDs, a Powerpoint presentation, videos, and Interactive Computer Based Training on CD-ROM. Cours-es ranging from 8 hours to 40 hours in length are available. Visit or call 1-800-428-0162 for details. www.scaffoldtraining.com

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PRACTICAL EXCELLENCEB Y S H A W N G A L L O W A Y


To delegate or not to delegate safety? Yes, this is still a valuable question. Utopia, where all unquestionably own safety and hold themselves accountable for the results of their own behavior, would be ideal. We seek for safety

to be a value, woven into the fabric of operational decisions and behaviors, but not everyone is there yet. Some are not even close. Envisioning the desired future is of value, but even more valuable is knowing precisely how to get there and who should play what role in the process.

Are We Beginning on the Same Page?Even among many of the best-performing clients, initial consult-ing engagements identify the executive team has diff ering opinions about the goals in safety: what excellence would look like if achieved, what should occur to transform results, and whom to hold account-able for doing so. If the path to safety improvement starts with the senior leaders misaligned, imagine how this infl uences edicts and intents as they cascade throughout the organization.

In our 2013 book, “STEPS to Safety Culture Excellence,” on the less complex issue of defi ning what is and isn’t safety, we wrote:

“One issue we fi nd too oft en hampering safety is a lack of clar-ity. We tend to assume that everyone knows what safety is and how to make it happen. What we fi nd in our assessments is exactly the opposite. Everyone has a diff erent idea about safety and most don’t really know how to make it happen. Breaking safety down to some-thing you can explain to a six-year-old is not condescending; it is the way to create deep understanding and profound alignment of eff orts. When everyone is on the same page, thinking the same way and taking the same step for the same reasons, excellence begins to happen.”

If what safety is and isn’t has yet to be aligned, how can the jour-ney to excellence be accomplished with the aligning and focusing of resources?

From Bad to Good to Excellent in SafetyIf safety excellence is defi ned as “achieving zero injuries” or, worse, “zero regulatory citations,” failing-less becomes the rallying cry and “doing enough to get by” becomes the driving motivation. Consider some legacy companies whose leaders experienced continual fatali-ties in years past: Getting to the point of zero recordable injuries is a loft y goal that, when accomplished, should be celebrated! When defi ning excellence in safety, it is important to consider the starting point as well as the destination to be practical in implementation.

It is natural for safety professionals who might have diff erent experiences (e.g., working for organizations longer on the jour-ney to Safety Culture Excellence) to feel frustrated when safety

appears to be a delegated, rather than shared, responsibility. Equally, it is natural for a well-intended leader to feel successful and justifi ed in del-egating safety’s responsibility because of the technical specifi city required to meet the ever-changing and oft en confusing regulations. Th is is precise-ly why we have corporate attorneys, isn’t it? Not everyone can become, nor should act as, a lawyer. Some lead-ers still, unfortunately, feel the same about safety professionals.

The Evolving Role of the Safety Professional is Not to DoFor organizations seeking excellence in safety performance and culture, the safety professional’s role is not to own, to be in charge of, to run, or to lead safety. Like the general counsel or those with fi duciary responsibility, safety professionals are accountable for challenging and providing subject-matter expertise to the business leaders. At best, they should help execute, but not set, the Corpo-rate Safety Excellence Strategy. Th is should be a business decision due to the criticality of its aligning and not confl icting with the overall business strategy.

Ultimately, the business leaders are responsible for the per-formance and culture in all aspects of operations; safety is no diff erent. When the goal is to do the minimal necessary to get by in safety, it is logical for an organization to see the compelling value in delegating safety responsibility to a person or team. In high-functioning organizations, however, there are clear roles, responsibilities, and results (RRRs) for those in a formal safety role and those who also oversee the performance of others in business operations (e.g., fi rst-line supervisors, foremen, manag-ers, and executives).

More than just job duties, the RRR expectations must be clear, situational, measurable, and focused on closing the specifi c gaps between the current state and the desired future. Absent these clear and aligned safety RRRs, it is easy for confusion to set in about what we are trying to achieve and who is responsible for what. If the safety professional and business leader are fi nding themselves with diff erent opinions of what safety success looks like, which is the best path to get there, and what are the delegated or shared responsibilities, then they aren’t on the same page; and this is pre-cisely the best place to start.

Shawn M. Galloway is the co-author of STEPS to Safety Culture Excellence and president of ProAct Safety. He has helped hundreds of organizations within every major industry internationally, achieve and sustain excellence in performance and culture. He is also the host of the acclaimed weekly podcast series Safety Culture Excellence®. He can be reached at 800-395-1347 or [email protected].

To Delegate or Not to Delegate Safety?Roles, responsibilities, and results expecta-tions must be clear, situational, measurable, and focused on closing specifi c gaps.

For organizations seeking excel-lence in safety performance and culture, the safety professional’s role is not to own, to be in charge of, to run, or to lead safety.

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Pacifi c Handy Cutter’s disposable safety cutter is a multi-purpose cutter, perfect for safely cutting shrink wrap, plastic strapping, tape, and boxes. It features a long lasting rotating blade, ergonomic handle, and blade-less tape splitter. Eliminate loose blades from the workplace with this revolutionary product. Easy to use and economical.

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PIP G-TEK® 3GX: MORE PROTECTION WITH A THINNER GLOVE

PIP’s G-Tek® 3GX made with Dyneema® Diamond Technology of-fers more cut protection with a thin-ner glove. The 19-D340 hi-vis series offers additional safety, excellent grip in oily environments and EN cut level 5 protection. The seam-less construction offers increased comfort, dexterity and breathability. G-Tek® with Dyneema® Diamond Technology is lightweight for the ulti-mate experience in cut protection.

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GORBEL TETHER TRACK™ SWING ARM SYSTEM —VERSATILE FALL PROTECTION

Gorbel’s Swing Arm Fall Protection system provides circular or semicir-cular fall protection with a compact footprint. Versatile and adaptable, the system can be positioned over the workspace when needed and moved out of the way when it is not. The system also allows multiple workers to pass each other safely without disconnecting.

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WORK SAFER AROUND YOUR FACILITY

Safety is your top priority, which means you need the right equip-ment and tools at your facility. The LiftPod® is a personal portable lift that can be used as a ladder alter-native, allowing your personnel to work more safely, with both hands, from a secure platform. Available in two models, the FS60 and FS80, the LiftPod provides up to 12 ft and 14 ft of lift height. Learn how your facility can benefi t from the LiftPod.www.liftpod.com/44

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BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGIESB Y R O B E R T P A T E R


T he best leaders are heroes. Th ey are seemingly able to con-jure unexpected, almost magical results, priming and then transforming a company and culture from being subpar or an also-ran into a force for productivity, engagement,

and safety.It’s easy to write off such superleaders as somehow serendipi-

tously bestowed with special powers, as if “charisma” (from the Greek khárisma, “gift of grace”) were a present be-queathed by fate only upon highly selected individu-als. While this may be the case for some, I’ve met a wide range of master leaders who cultivate sterling results without standout charisma. Such leader-he-roes have developed the persistence, patience, and skills critical to performing organizational sublima-tion, moving quickly from a lower state to a more energized one. Th ey’ve mostly accomplished this through the hard work of looking clearly and hon-estly at their own attributes and limitations, then making a series of needed adjustments.

In his “Th e Hero with a Th ousand Faces,” eminent mytholo-gist Joseph Campbell explains that heroes are those who achieve great deeds for their group or community. Th ey exist in every culture and time; though sprung from diff erent beginnings, such individuals seem to follow a similar progression in their personal paths to success.

Master teacher David Sikking has refi ned Campbell’s work into eight evolutionary stages that closely apply to anyone dedicated to becoming a leader-hero in his/her organization.

1. Birth. Th e idea fi rst comes to the budding leader that he/she has the potential to make improvements in an imperfect world/organization. Th ough a leader’s “birthing” may occur at any age, oft en he/she somehow embraces a wakeup call to work toward making changes for the better. He/she comes to realize and deeply embrace what Joseph Campbell wrote: “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”

2. Childhood. Th e would-be leader makes fi rst forays into be-coming a change agent. Oft en these initial steps are stumblingly ineffi cient. Typically, the leader-hero becomes head-scratchingly frustrated when trying to mimic another’s methods or style that don’t exactly fi t.

3. Preparation, meditation, refusal. Experiencing disappointing results leads the leader toward refl ection. Th is is a critical stage; the temptation is to blame others or circumstances for things not working out rather than the leader questioning his/her part or ap-proach. Th ose who aren’t willing and ready to look at themselves don’t progress into the next stage of hero-leadership, rather, they languish, doomed to repeat the same errors, akin to pushing a large rock up a hill only to have it roll back down (remember the Greek myth of Sisyphus?) Th ough it would be easy to give in to the temp-tation of blaming others—and many do—hero-leaders develop the

internal strength to be OK with the discomfort of honestly assess-ing themselves.

4. Quest. Th e leader either carves out or is given a project that pushes his/her limits. Here hero-leaders distinguish themselves by their determination to continue on an arduously long and some-times thankless journey. When traversing through the deserts of disillusionment and the forests of frustration, hero-leaders typi-cally have to overcome fatigue, anger, and lack of suffi cient support.

5. Death. Despite expending serious eff ort, the hero experiences defeat, the “death” of his/her project or ideals. Hopefully, this is a temporary stage. Ultimately, this “death” stage is an ending of old ways, a “passing away” of hitherto-assumed hard and fast rules.

Feelings of inadequacy or embarrassment can domi-nate, and credibility may feel clipped.

Oft en this phase hits hardest those who take a strong-minded command-and-control approach and others who believe all they have to do is try hard or those who attempt to coast on their charisma without getting others personally committed and involved.

6. Underworld. Th e hero-leader dwells in the depths of despair, tending to focus on his/her inabil-ity to fulfi ll the mission. Oft entimes, things have to hit bottom before a hero-leader is able to swing up. Th e Underworld stage can serve as a personal wakeup call,

what leadership guru Warren Bennis terms a “crucible experience.” Th is is the genesis of the hero-leader’s realizing that he/she doesn’t have to be stuck in the quicksands of past actions and culture.

While some aren’t able to emerge from this depression (and ei-ther mark time in place or leave for less burnt-out pastures), hero-leaders use the Underworld stage as a personal springboard to pave the way for a true change in outlook and actions.

7. Resurrection. Th is is the stage of renewal, a second lease on life, where the hero-leader shrugs off fears of inadequacy and past mistakes, then applies new-found commitment and knowledge toward catalyzing signifi cant change. Hope rises, tempered with sharpened perceptions of surrounding forces in play.

8. Apotheosis. Th e hero-leader is victorious and acknowledged as such, oft en hailed as an “instant success” (while ironically re-membering personal travails and hardships in the quest).

In essence, Campbell contends the potential to become a hero is hardwired into every person. But too many get stuck in one of these stages. Th e only leaders who complete their quest are those who are both tenacious and self-honest, who don’t allow either times of discouragement or overinfl ated egotism to derail moving onward in their leadership journey. As Campbell wrote, “When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness. Th e big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.”

So here’s the question I continually ask myself and invite you to consider, as well: “Do I have the courage and tenacity to become the hero-leader of my own life, organization, and community?”

Robert Pater ([email protected]) is Managing Director, Strategic Safety Associates and MoveSMART®, www.movesmart.com.

The Voyage of the Leader-HeroHero-leaders use the Underworld stage as a personal springboard to pave the way for a true change in outlook and actions.

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