Electronic tools helping small businesses evaluate workplace safety and health management programs was among the topics presented at a recent Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) forum "Challenges Small Businesses Face in Complying with Regulations."

Nicholas Owens (right), Small Business Administration national ombudsman, said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration "provides helpful, easy to use resources that help small businesses be in compliance with OSHA's standards." Owens was joined by Vincent Santoro (center), vice president of Ideal Jacobs Corp., and Elyce Biddle, a senior economist at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health during presentations at OSHA's Office of Small Business Assistance 'Business of Small Business' forum. It was the ninth event in the series that has included topics on teen summer job safety and maritime safety and health issues.

The ninth in the "Business of Small Business Series," these forums provide another venue for small businesses to obtain safety and health management information. Topics ranging from teen summer job safety to lean manufacturing are presented to an average of 40-50 attendees. Speakers from government agencies and private industry share guidance, resources and best practices to help small businesses implement and improve on their safety and health management systems.

Speaker Nicholas Owens (see photo), national ombudsman for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), discussed the role of the SBA as a liaison between small businesses and regulatory agencies. Fairness in enforcement, Owens said, was a major concern as it relates to small business compliance with regulations. He acknowledged OSHA's commitment to regulatory fairness and noted the tools and resources the agency provides to make compliance easier and more business-friendly.

The message that OSHA offers small businesses a helping hand with regulatory compliance was emphasized by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) senior economist Elyce Biddle. She discussed a series of electronic tools that businesses can use to determine costs associated with implementing safety and health systems. Included was OSHA's "$afety Pays" program that helps employers estimate the costs of occupational injuries and illnesses. Biddle said this tool is one of the resources OSHA offers to minimize challenges small employers face with regulatory compliance.

Compliance with federal regulations was less complicated for the Ideal Jacobs Corporation, a screen printing manufacturer. Vincent Santoro, vice president of global manufacturing, acknowledged his company benefitted from OSHA's On-site Consultation Program addressing worksite hazards that were identified and subsequently corrected.

As a member of OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), Santoro said, "Customers look at a company differently when they see it takes safety seriously. SHARP made us think about everything from a different perspective. Is what you're paying for safety worth it? Of course, it's always worth it," he said.

SHARP recognizes small employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management program. Businesses accepted into the program are considered models for worksite safety and health.

The above is a press release from OSHA.

Paper mill chemical recovery boilers are dangerous. They burn black liquor to recover the chemicals used in pulp digesters. The black liquor burns in a pile in the bottom of a water cooled furnace, with smelt running off through openings near the bottom of the furnace. Water and smelt is an explosive mixture. It only takes a small amount of water getting into the furnace to produce a huge explosion. Since the furance walls are made from tubes filled with water, there is always water close at hand. As a result following proper start-up procedures is critical.

Here is the OSHA press release:

OSHA investigation followed May explosion that killed an employee, injured 22 others

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited International Paper Co.'s Vicksburg Mill in Vicksburg for workplace safety violations following an investigation into the May explosion of a recovery boiler during a start-up where 23 employees were injured, one fatally.

"The fines reflect the company's failure to establish procedures for a re-start of the recovery boiler without the power boiler being on-line," said Clyde Payne, OSHA's area director in Jackson, Miss. "Employees were exposed to a fire and explosion because the employer failed to develop written boiler set-up and operating procedures."

International Paper received one alleged willful and one serious violation. The willful violation is for failing to start the recovery boiler without adequate steam and not developing safe procedures to start up the recovery boiler when the primary power boiler is off-line. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

The serious violation is for failing to have written procedures to determine that an adequate amount of odorant was being added to the natural gas supply line coming into the power plant. A serious violation is one that could cause death or serious physical harm to employees and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

For these citations, OSHA is proposing $77,000 in penalties against the company.

International Paper, headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., is a paper and packaging manufacturer operating throughout the world. About 300 employees work at the Vicksburg site.

The Alberta Employment and Immigration department has released a series of web-based safety videos targeted at teen workers. They are graphic (bloody) but they get their point across. At the end of each video a set of buttons provides additional information. The six buttons are:

Prevent This - how the incident in the video could have been prevented.

Real Stories - a real-life story about someone who experienced what was shown in the video.

Real Stats - statistics about the frequency of workplace injuries

Play Again - view the video again

Play Another - view another of the six videos

Send To A Friend - send an email

Here is their press release:

A new public awareness campaign has been launched to remind young working Albertans that injuries and fatalities can be only moments away.

“Anybody who loses focus for a moment is at risk of making a mistake on the job, and our young workers heading into the work force are the most vulnerable,” said Hector Goudreau, Minister of Employment and Immigration.

The campaign focuses on specific questions young workers should ask their employers to avoid a workplace injury or death. Based on extensive research and testing, the campaign focuses on 15 to 19-year-olds and emphasises that workplace incidents can be very real with lasting consequences. It includes transit ads, video productions for movie theatres, posters, Internet banner ads - all of which encourage young workers to visit www.bloodylucky.ca.

“We find that every workplace incident uncovers several unfortunate choices that were made that led to the tragedy; there are no accidents,” says Dr. Michael Alpern of the Job Safety Skills Society, a member of the Young Worker Provincial Advisory Committee. “Research shows that young workers have a higher injury rate than their workplace peers. We see it first hand and we endorse any program that might save a life or limb.”

The campaign is part of Work Safe Alberta, a unique partnership between industry, labour and government. An integral part of the initiative is promoting workplace safety by increasing public awareness.

A total of 252,784 nonfatal injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry workplaces in Texas during 2007. The resulting rate of 3.4 cases per 100 equivalent full-time employees marks a five-year low. The rate of injuries and illnesses reflects a 15% decrease from 4.0 in 2003, when data collection began under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The Texas rate is below the national rate of 4.2 for 2007; the national rate for 2006 was 4.4.

The 2007 injury and illness data are the latest available from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses conducted by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The occupational injury and illness rates are based on a statistical sample of approximately 10,000 private employers in Texas.

Workplace injury and illness rates vary widely among private sector industries (Table 1).

• The goods producing industries reported an overall 7% decrease from 2006. Within this group, mining showed the largest decrease (29%) of all sectors, matching the rate in 2003 and 2004. Manufacturing slightly decreased from 2006 and is down by 17% from 2003. Meanwhile, construction remained the same and the industry maintained a 14% decrease from 2003.
  
  
• The service providing industries also showed a decrease of almost 6% from 2006. Health care and social assistance reported the largest decrease (20%).
  
  
• In 2007, the manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, utilities, financial activities, educational services and health care and social assistance (7 of 16) sectors experienced their lowest nonfatal injury and illness rate in the last five years (since collecting the data under NAICS).

Workplace injury and illness rates varied among the major industries with the 10 highest rates in 2007 (Table 2).

• Wood product manufacturing (7.1) recorded a notable 17% increase from 2006 (5.9) and beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (6.6) experienced a slight increase (6.4). These two industries replaced transportation equipment manufacturing (5.0), which had a significant 26% decrease from 2006; and furniture and related product manufacturing (5.6), which experienced a substantial 22% decrease.
  
  
• The remaining industries also experienced decreases from 2006. The largest decreases were in air transportation (13%) followed by nursing and residential care facilities (10%).
  
  
• Within the goods producing group, industries that experienced the highest rates were primary metal manufacturing (7.2), wood product manufacturing (7.1) beverage and tobacco product manufacturing (6.6), food production (6.5) and animal production (6.5).
  
  
• Air transportation (10.5) and couriers and messengers (10.2) continued to report the highest rates in all industries, followed by warehousing and storage (7.4).

The TDI-DWC collects survey data in order to assist employers, safety professionals, and policymakers in identifying safety and health issues in the state. Visit the TDI website at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/safety/index.html .

A new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet reveals that professionals may overlook important information when they search for research findings about injury prevention and safety promotion. The typical search uses no more than one or two online databases, and often only familiar search terms are used thereby limiting the search even further.

"Our findings are compelling because we were able to identify problems both with how professionals look for published research about safety and with the way that the online literature databases is organized," says Dr David Lawrence, Postgraduate Student at Karolinska Institutet. "This knowledge should be helpful in teaching people to be better searchers and for making improvements to the design of databases."

The researchers conducted six studies of the information-seeking behaviors of professionals who work in the fields of injury prevention and safety promotion. They used subscribers to the weekly SafetyLit Literature Update Bulletin as a pool for a survey. Subscribers included attorneys, engineers, staff members of legislative and other government offices, community planners, physicians, psychologists, workplace safety specialists, consumer product safety specialists, building codes and standards professionals, academic researchers and others. Among the respondents there where professionals from 173 countries represented. All terms used to search the SafetyLit database during the years 2000-2005 were registered. During the six years that the web logs were examined the site averaged 2500 searches each week.

The researchers found that when injury prevention professionals search for information, they typically search no more than one or two online databases. They only use familiar search terms and often exclude professional terms commonly used by professionals in other fields. Because at least thirty distinct professional disciplines contribute to what is known about injury prevention and safety promotion topics, this means that the searchers are self-limiting their ability to find new information. Further, professional journals exist to serve researchers in each of these disciplines but online literature databases tend to focus on the perceived needs of researchers in a single specialty and exclude journals from other disciplines.

"A large proportion of injury prevention and safety promotion professionals may hold a biased view of the full nature of injury problems and the options for prevention", says Dr Lawrence. "When they search a database they find a satisfyingly large list of articles and conclude that they must have received comprehensive information, unintentionally missing information from other perspectives."

David Lawrence is also affiliated to Center for Injury Prevention Policy & Practice, San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health. For further information, please contact: Dr David Lawrence Mobile: +1-619-322-4917 (US) or +46 76-2817009 (Sweden) Work: + 1-619-594-1991 (US) E-mail: david.lawrence@sdsu.edu

Doctoral thesis:

David Lawrence. The information-seeking behaviors of professionals and information sources in the field of injury prevention and safety promotion.

Read thesis

www.EconomicRecovery.gov is gateway for information and assistance

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced its participation in a one-stop Web tool offering a number of resources to assist those negatively impacted by the recent turmoil in the worldwide economy.

"We want to make information easily accessible and quickly available to American workers affected by the economic downturn," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "The new www.EconomicRecovery.gov one-stop Web page gives workers easy access to Department of Labor resources including unemployment insurance, local job openings and retirement security information as well as help available at other government agencies."

Affected workers and employers are encouraged to visit the federal government's Economic Recovery Web site at http://www.EconomicRecovery.gov. Useful information and links will assist Americans with questions about benefits, eligibility, locations of operating One-Stop Career Centers and career service centers, unemployment insurance information by state, and available assistance from other government departments and agencies.

Workers can call the department's toll-free number at 866-4-USA-DOL (487-2365) to obtain the latest information on where to file a claim and access temporary job information. Impacted workers can place their calls from anywhere and will be directed to sites near them that can take their claims.

Nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers in 2007 occurred at a rate of 4.2 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers—a decline from 4.4 cases in 2006.

Similarly, the number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses reported in 2007 declined to 4 million cases, compared to 4.1 million cases in 2006. The total recordable case injury and illness incidence rate among private industry employers has declined significantly—by 0.2 cases per 100 workers—each year since 2003, when estimates from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) were first published using the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

Key findings of the 2007 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses

• The total recordable case injury and illness incidence rate in 2007 (4.2 cases per 100 workers) was the lowest among private industry employers since 2002, when recordkeeping requirements were revised. The decline is similar to that seen from 1972 to 2001, prior to the recordkeeping revisions.


• Incidence rates and numbers of cases for injuries and illnesses combined declined
  significantly in 2007 for several case types: total recordable cases; cases with days away from work, job transfer or restriction; cases with days away from work; and cases with job transfer or restriction. The incidence rate and number of cases for other recordable cases remained relatively unchanged.


• Both the incidence rate and the number of injuries alone declined significantly in 2007 compared to 2006—5 percent and 2 percent, respectively.


• The incidence rate and the number of illnesses alone each declined significantly in 2007 compared to 2006—mainly the result of declines among skin diseases and disorders and all other illness categories, which accounted for 89 percent of the decline in illness cases.


• The total recordable case injury and illness incidence rates declined among 5 of the 19 private industry sectors: agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting; mining; construction; manufacturing; and health care and social assistance—in 2007 and remained statistically unchanged in the remaining 14 industry sectors.


• Manufacturing was the only industry sector over the decade spanning 1998 to 2007 in which the rate of job transfer or restriction cases exceeded the rate of cases with days away from work.


• The total recordable case injury and illness incidence rate was highest among mid-size establishments (those employing between 50 and 249 workers) and lowest among small establishments (those employing fewer than 11 workers) compared to establishments of other sizes.


• Similar to 2006, 14 detailed industries, each reporting at least 100,000 injury and illness cases, combined to account for nearly 1.8 million cases (45 percent) of the 4 million total cases reported nationally in 2007. General medical and surgical hospitals (NAICS 6221) reported more injuries and illnesses than any other industry in 2007—more than 253,500 cases.

The overall decline in the total recordable case (TRC) incidence rate among private industry employers in 2007 was driven primarily by declines among all goods-producing industry sectors: agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting; mining; construction; and manufacturing together reporting 111,500 fewer cases compared to 2006.

Comparatively, while not a statistically significant increase, service industry sectors together reported nearly 29,000 more cases in 2007 than a year earlier. Health care and social assistance was the only service industry sector to show a decline in the TRC rate, falling from 5.8 to 5.6 cases per 100 workers between 2006 and 2007.

The Center For Disease Control (CDC) released a study on illness and injuries resulting from Total Releases Foggers, commonly known as bug bombs. This one caught my attention because I was asked about this subject last week and I didn't have the answer.

The study is available at: CDC TRF Study. Here is the introduction to the report:

Total release are pesticide products designed to fill an area with insecticide and often are used in homes and workplaces to kill cockroaches, fleas, and flying insects. Most TRFs contain pyrethroid, pyrethrin, or both as active ingredients. TRFs also contain flammable aerosol propellants that can cause fires or explosions.

The magnitude and range of acute health problems associated with TRF usage has not been described previously. This report summarizes illnesses and injuries that were associated with exposures to TRFs during 2001--2006 in eight states (California, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington) and were investigated by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) and state health departments participating in the SENSOR-Pesticides program.

During 2001--2006, a total of 466 TRF-related illnesses or injuries were identified. These illnesses or injuries often resulted from inability or failure to vacate before the TRF discharged, reentry into the treated space too soon after the TRF was discharged, excessive use of TRFs for the space being treated, and failure to notify others nearby. The findings indicate that TRFs pose a risk for acute, usually temporary health effects among users and bystanders.

To reduce the risk for TRF-related health effects, integrated pest management control strategies that prevent pests' access to food, water, and shelter need to be promoted and adopted. In addition, awareness of the hazards and proper use of TRFs need to be better communicated on TRF labels and in public media campaigns.

A report in Japan's The Daily Yomiuri brings to light a new explosion hazard. Recycling facilities in Japan have been experiencing explosions as copy machine toner cartridges are processed. The article reports that:

"Two explosions that occurred earlier this year at recycling plants in Kanagawa Prefecture were found to have been caused by photocopier toner particles that chemically reacted with oxygen in the air, according to police. In the technological competition to achieve clearer printing, manufacturers are developing finer toner particles, increasing the risk of dust-induced explosions. "

Leftover toner in old cartridges mixes with air, reacting with the oxygen to create an explosive mixture.

Read the complete article: Copy Toner Explosions

Owais Mughal writes a blog about Pakistan. His October 13th post presents pictures of power company electricians, and the general public, working on utility wires. The post features lots of pictures along with Mr. Mughal's commentary.

I don't think I can do this report justice by trying to describe it, so I'll just let you read it yourself. Here is the link:

Daredevil Eletricians of Pakistan

P.S. You'll see lots of people in dangerous situations.

Fall hazards were the most frequently cited violation found at New York City construction sites by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) during a two-week enhanced enforcement effort this past summer.

As part of its New York City construction safety task force, OSHA detailed 12 inspectors to conduct 96 safety inspections at 46 construction sites throughout the city from June 23 to July 3. The sites were randomly selected to encompass a cross-section of high-risk construction activities including tower cranes, high-rise construction, poured-in-place concrete operations, steel erection, gut-rehab and other high-risk construction activities.

Citations were issued to 60 contractors for 129 violations with a total of $247,400 in proposed fines. The major categories of violations cited included fall hazards (39), electrical safety (29), scaffolds (17), cranes and rigging (13), welding/gas (10) and 20 other categories covering personal protective equipment, tools, material handling, concrete, hoists, stairs and ladders.

"These violations are consistent with the types of hazards we find on far too many jobsites and cannot be written off as the inevitable by-products of an inherently dangerous profession," said Richard Mendelson, OSHA's area director in Manhattan. "OSHA will use this information to further hone its inspection targeting, so we can direct our resources to those areas where we can have the most impact."

On Aug. 7, OSHA conducted a construction stakeholder safety meeting with industry representatives in which the agency analyzed trends in construction safety violations and recommended that all parties involved in New York City construction work to "raise the bar" on safety.

The meeting and the task force are among several OSHA efforts planned or underway to enhance construction safety in the city. These include an ongoing cross-training alliance with the New York City Department of Buildings and sending copies of citations to project owners, developers, employers' insurers, workers' compensation carriers and union training funds to raise awareness of occupational hazards found on city jobsites. In addition, OSHA will conduct a second round of concentrated construction inspections in the future.

"These findings reinforce the need for all parties - employers, developers, building trades, unions and employees - to work aggressively, effectively and continuously to minimize construction hazards," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York. "An effective approach is implementing and maintaining an effective safety and health management system through which employers and employees work together to identify and eliminate work-related hazards."

To coincide with the proposed rule on Cranes and Derricks in Construction, published in today's Federal Register, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has initiated a National Crane Safety Initiative to address safety hazards during construction crane operation.

The Crane Safety Initiative also builds on a number of steps taken by OSHA earlier this year to raise awareness on crane safety and increase enforcement of the current standards, including launching local emphasis programs in a number of regions to inspect high-rise construction, stakeholder outreach and additional training on crane safety.

"Three important features of this initiative are that it will provide information and outreach to the construction industry and other stakeholders, offer enhanced resources to OSHA inspectors who address crane safety and implement a National Emphasis Program on Crane Safety," said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr. "The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported the 2007 fatality rate was the lowest in recorded history, including a reported five percent reduction in fatalities for the construction industry. This initiative builds upon this successful record."

Through its agency partners in the construction industry, OSHA will increase awareness of and provide information on how to avoid crane hazards. The agency's compliance safety and health officers will receive enhanced resources on crane safety. Additionally, the National Emphasis Program will incorporate increased targeted inspections of construction worksites to identify crane hazards and promote compliance with workplace crane safety requirements.

OSHA's proposed rule on cranes and derricks addresses the key hazards associated with construction cranes and derricks.

I mostly go to the same places over and over, year after year. Some are exciting and far away, such as an annual trip to Russia. But most are close to home. Today, however, I had the opportunity to visit a paper mill I had not been in for 18 years.

I was surprised, not much had changed. The main office building was closed and I had to check in at the front gate. That was different. But the refiners were the same, the paper machines the same, the storage tanks looked the same. The boilers I had inspected 18 years ago were worn out and were just now being replaced, but everything was pretty much the same except...

...there were labels and signs everywhere. 18 years ago labels and signs were not used nearly as much.

But here is what really caught my eye...

Most mills have banners exhorting employees to improve safety or productivity. Here the maintenance shop had a banner I loved: LABELS, Read Them, Heed Them.

It's an important safety message.

This is obvious to us. Pay attention to labels. Although after 18 years the contrast was noticeable to me, for those who work there (in any industrial environment) it is easy for the labels and signs to become a part of the background. We need a constant reminder to pay attention to the labels and signs in our work place. And we also need to have labels and signs that clearly communicate their message. Effective visual communication is critical to safety.

Labels, Read Them, Heed Them... it's a message to pay attention to.

For more information about labels:
Pipe Markers
RTK Labels
Arc Flash Labels
Wire Markers

SoBran Inc. announced their new online safety certification training website yesterday. Here is there press release:

To counteract ever-increasing travel and educational costs, SoBran Inc. has inaugurated an advanced online training Website, www.SoBranTraining.com, initially focused on optimizing HAZWOPER 8-hour recertification training.

"As fuel prices have soared, online education has become an increasingly viable option. The time is right for classroom-based courses delivered online," said Soma Martin, SoBranTraining.com Marketing Executive. "For more than 10 years, SoBran has been in the forefront of offering the HAZWOPER 8-hour training for people who need a yearly recertification. Our new online offering is convenient, easy to use, and affordable for employers and individuals who need a compliant, computer-based training solution."

Working with SRP Environmental, a full-service environmental, health, and safety consulting firm, SoBran has developed a media-rich format that focuses on government regulations that apply to industries and businesses handling hazardous materials. "We have consulted with the best people in the industry," continued Martin. "Our customers loved our classroom system; we kept the essence and updated it to capitalize on the greater potentials of the online format."

SoBran Training draws on the company’s extensive experience in hazardous material
management and corporate safety policies to develop the unique interactive training program.

The company’s employees routinely work in environments that expose them to a wide variety of biological, chemical, nuclear, radioactive and explosive (CBRNE) threats. Safety is a top priority that has translated into comprehensive and effective online training products.

The convenient online HAZWOPER annual recertification course combines text, animation, graphics, voice, and music to create virtual environments and real-life problems. Learning by experiencing helps students retain more content and prepares them to react safely on the job.

Interactive quizzes assess training progress and help reinforce the lessons. The course's eight one-hour modules cover:

- Welcome and introduction
- Health and safety overview
- Health and safety planning
- Personal protective overview
- Confined space entry
- Drum and container handling
- Site characterization and hazard assessment
- Safe working practices and hazard recognition

SoBran's Web-based program delivers effective training that complies with OSHA requirements and is available on demand, anywhere, 24/7. Students work at their own pace and have toll-free telephone technical support in English and Spanish.

For employers, SoBran Training's HAZWOPER 8-Hour Annual Recertification Course offers a cost-effective, easily managed process for ensuring your employees are properly trained and certified. Using SoBran Training minimizes your efforts through:

- Volume discounts
- Automatic reminders of recertification deadlines
- Immediate feedback on student's progress
- Easily managed reporting features
- Immediate employee certification upon passing evaluation test

SoBran has also developed progressive training programs for workers in demanding technical specialties, including biochemical defense, environmental and weapons remediation, mail screening and security, and biomedical research support in Biosafety Level (BSL) 1-3 environments.

About SoBran, Inc.
SoBran is an established technical and professional process outsourcing company, serving government and industry for more than 20 years. We partner with our customers to complete critical missions in national defense, homeland security, biomedical research, logistics support, environmental protection, and national energy policy. ISO 9001:2000-certified and experienced in real-world challenges, SoBran brings a skilled professional staff, process orientation, and rigorous quality standards to all of our projects.

Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, SoBran has major offices in Fairfax, Virginia; Burtonsville, Maryland; and Jacksonville, Florida, with additional field offices providing direct support for federal and commercial clients. We offer services through the GSA IT, PES and LOGWORLD schedules and several GWAC contract vehicles.

Whether the job requires chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) protection, operating a research vivarium, or managing some of the region’s largest warehouses, SoBran has the trained personnel and proven programs to efficiently achieve your goals. For more information, including opportunities to join the SoBran team, please visit www.sobran-inc.com or call (301) 476-9077.

Etcetera Edutainment has released NSC Safetyworks™ Lift Truck, a 3D game-based training simulation designed to improve the effectiveness of forklift safety training by making it an immersive experience.

NSC Safetyworks Lift Truck combines Etcetera Edutainment’s videogame technology and game design techniques with OSHA forklift safety regulations to deliver an engaging forklift safety training experience suitable for new or experienced forklift operators. The product launched at the 2008 National Safety Council Congress and Expo and is now available for pre-order. The product will ship at the end of October.

“Improving safety is now a key objective at the executive level of many companies,” says Jessica Trybus, CEO and President of Etcetera Edutainment. “Our unique approach to reinforcing best safety practices helps companies achieve their safety objectives and rely less on on-the-job-training as the sole means of applying what has been learned in traditional classroom and online settings. Our lift truck safety product is the first in a series of industrial safety products that leverage videogame technology and design to increase retention of safety concepts and decrease risk of accidents and mishaps in the workplace.”

NSC Safetyworks Lift Truck allows trainees to drive in a virtual warehouse environment, guided by a series of task-based practice lessons focused on key forklift safety concepts. With each lesson trainees immediately apply what they have learned as they execute everyday tasks and respond to commonplace obstacles and conditions. Drivers receive feedback on their actions in real-time, thereby increasing their awareness of personal performance compared to best safety practices. This real-time feedback loop is powerful and is a key to the game’s effectiveness in increasing safety awareness. After completing the practice lessons, the driver goes on to complete a cumulative final exam where their safety performance is tracked and recorded; qualified trainees receive an NSC training certificate.

“My team tested the Beta version of Etcetera’s game-based forklift safety product,” said Jamie Carnevale Mackay, Alcoa, Environmental Health and Safety Manager. “The software allows trainees to learn, practice and test their forklift safety knowledge, proving competence in safety principles before going back out on the loading dock floor. I think the program is very engaging, easy to use, and is divided into manageable lessons. I look forward to playing the final product.”

Etcetera Edutainment developed NSC Safetyworks Lift Truck as a cost-effective complement to traditional forklift safety training. The training videogame is intended for a broad audience and is designed to run on commonly available PC configurations; no special hardware is required.

Trainees control the game using a standard keyboard. Optionally, an off-the-shelf steering wheel may be purchased independently to create an even more realistic experience.

About Etcetera Edutainment
Etcetera Edutainment is a leader in developing 3D games and simulation products for industrial and workplace safety. Etcetera Edutainment’s proprietary game engine, Crucible®, in combination with extensive experience in game and instructional design, is the foundation of powerful simulation products for safety training to increase knowledge retention and decrease the risk of accidents and mishaps in the workplace.

OSHA has cited Pepsi-Cola and National Brand Beverage Ltd. of Pennsauken with $195,000 in proposed penalties for alleged workplace safety and health violations.

OSHA initiated its investigation on April 1 in response to a complaint alleging that employees were exposed to hazards when clearing jams on the machine used to stack and transport pallets. As a result of the investigation, OSHA issued three willful citations.

The willful violations include the company's failure to provide training on lockout/tagout procedures, which prevent the inadvertent start-up of machinery or the release of hazardous energy, failure to apply lockout/tagout procedures when machines were being serviced and failure to properly guard machinery. OSHA issues a willful violation when an employer exhibits plain indifference to or intentional disregard for the law.

"The machine hazards identified at this facility pose a serious safety threat to employees if left unabated," said Gary Roskoski, director of OSHA's Marlton, N.J., area office. "A proven way of ensuring future abatement of all serious hazards, compliance with OSHA regulations and the prevention of employee injury, illness and death is for Pepsi-Cola and National Brand Beverage Ltd. in Pennsauken to establish an effective safety and health management system."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Marlton Area Office; telephone 856-396-2594.

Employers and employees in the healthcare industry stand to benefit from the new sonography and updated surgical modules featured in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hospital eTool, posted to OSHA's Web site last Friday.

OSHA's eTools are stand-alone, Web-based training tools on occupational safety and health topics. OSHA developed these eTool modules with input from the following Alliance Program participants: Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Association of Occupational Health Professionals, American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Laser Institute of America, American Biological Safety Association, Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, and the Joint Commission and Joint Commission Resources.

"These new and updated modules are examples of the many resources developed through our Alliances that address common hazards in the healthcare industry," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "We will continue our mission of providing useful information to ensure employees remain safe and healthy while on the job."

Employees face many occupational safety and health hazards while working in a hospital. OSHA originally developed the Hospital eTool with modules describing common hazards and possible solutions for tasks performed in administration, central supply, clinical services, dietary, emergency, engineering, heliport operations, housekeeping, laboratories, laundry, pharmacy, the intensive care unit and the surgical suite.

The sonography module provides guidance on how sonographers—medial professionals who use high frequency ultrasound to create diagnostic images—can reduce their risk of musculoskeletal disorders. The surgical module now features updated information on bloodborne pathogens, waste anesthetic gases, laser safety, and other topics related to workplace safety and health in surgical suites.

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA), a leading developer of standards and codes, is today launching a two-year pilot project to increase accessibility to CSA Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards by offering users access to online viewing. The View Access initiative has been developed in collaboration with federal, provincial and territorial OSH governmental agencies. It will allow registered users to access OHS standards referenced in various Canadian jurisdictions and view the full content through CSA's website www.ohs.csa.ca

"Appropriate occupational health and safety practices can mean the difference between life and death," says Suzanne Kiraly, President, Standards, Canadian Standards Association. "This initiative will especially help small and medium-sized organizations improve workplace safety. By making these documents available we hope that companies will know and apply occupational health and safety standards."

CSA is a not-for-profit, membership-based association that develops standards and provides education and training to ensure standards are applied. This collaboration with government representatives for Labour is the first of its kind in CSA's history and is driven by the pressing need to improve workplace safety.

"Every year more than 1,000 Canadians die as a result of workplace injuries and disease. We can and should do more to protect the lives of workers. We need information, best practices and safer products to make a difference. CSA believes this new project will serve to raise awareness of OHS products and services and will help reduce workplace injuries and fatalities in Canada," says Kiraly.

For more than 55 years, CSA has worked with the experts to develop occupational health and safety standards to help safeguard Canadian workers. View Access is a source for employers to learn more about their rights and obligations under the law related to OHS and it provides additional resources that can help employers understand and apply OHS standards. CSA believes this type of stakeholder collaboration is fundamental to the safety of working Canadians.

Federal, provincial and territorial OSH governmental agencies are funding the development and maintenance of the initiative as a two-year pilot project and will continue to monitor the overall usage and impact in cooperation with CSA over the project period. Users can now log into the View Access website directly at www.ohs.csa.ca

About CSA

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) is a membership association serving industry, government, consumers and other interested parties in Canada and the global marketplace. As a leading solutions-based standards organization providing standards and codes development, application products, training and advisory services, CSA aims to enhance public safety, improve quality of life, preserve the environment and facilitate trade. The Canadian Standards Association is a division of CSA Group, which also consists of CSA International, which provides testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers. For more information visit www.csa.ca

North Carolina State University offers a six part online course in Safety and Health Management Systems for Small Businesses. This self-instructional training program on can help implement an SHMS that is the following:

• Easy to develop
• Inexpensive
• Can usually be done in-house
• Reflects your way of doing business
• Based on specific needs of your workplace

The course, funded by an OSHA-sponsored Susan Harwood grant, includes the following six sections:

1. Introduction to Safety and Health Management Systems

2. Management Leadership

3. Worksite

4. Hazard Prevention & Control

5. Safety & Health Training

6. Post-Assessment

The online course is available at: http://www.ies.ncsu.edu/safetyhealthmgmt/#

OSHA has published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) addressing tree care operations, including hazards, fatalities and control measures. OSHA is requesting data, information and comments on effective measures to control hazards in tree care operations and prevent injuries and fatalities.

"This rulemaking will assist us in determining effective measures to control hazards and prevent employee injuries and fatalities," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "Input from the public is important as we proceed in our efforts to protect the safety and health of the men and women working in tree care operations."

The ANPR includes several questions for public comment related to current employer practices, along with tasks, tools, equipment, machines, vehicles, processes, controls and procedures involved in tree care operations. Additionally, OSHA requests comment on regulatory alternatives to reduce injuries and fatalities, as well as what requirements a standard addressing hazards in this industry should include and the potential costs and benefits of such a standard.

Comments must be submitted by Dec. 17, 2008. To submit electronically, visit http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal and follow the instructions. If your comments do not exceed 10 pages, you may fax them to 202-693-1648. If submitting by mail, hand delivery, or messenger/courier service, send three copies of your comments and attachments to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2008-0012, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room N-2625, Washington, DC 20210; telephone 202-693-2350. Please include the docket number on all submissions.

Completing their school's sweep of the animation awards, students of Nanyang Polytechnic also won the Bronze Award for animation. This safety video is called "The Cleaner."

This year's Silver Award for animation also went to students from Nanyang Polytechnic, Yeo Hui Xuan & Teo Yan Bing. This video is called "Falling Bricks."

Students of Nanyang Polytechnic in Singapore also took the First Place Prize for animation work with this video called "Take The Lead."

The Safety@Work Creative Awards is a film and poster competition for students in Singapore.

Jointly organized by the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council and Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) in collaboration with Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the Safety@Work Creative Awards showcases students’ creative talents in advocating the importance of safety at the workplace. The theme for this year competition is Safety@Work, with specific focus on Fall Preventions.

Four posts today will provide four of the award winning videos. This first video, from students of Nanyang Polytechnic, received the Judges' Choice Award. It is called "Safety Harness".