HSE Update - March 20, 2007

This health, safety and environment electronic update comes from Chip Dawson and the Rochester Business Alliance as a service to member companies. There are currently 276 names on the list.

Canadian MSD Resource Available... The Ontario government has released a new resource that offers employers and workers in-depth information about musculoskeletal (MSD) hazards in the workplace. The guideline is available through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) web site.

Domestic Violence Resources Available to Business... While 21 percent of full-time employees are impacted by domestic violence, only 4 percent of workplaces provide training on this issue. The Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence (CAEPV) is expanding its Website www.caepv.org to provide information, tools, research and best practices to assist employers in responding to the impact of domestic violence on the workplace.

British Fall Protection Tool... For an excellent interactive video on fall protection that covers all aspects of the subject in the workplace, click here.

Amputation Protection Guide from OSHA... The agency has issued a new version of Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Employees from Amputations. This revised guide ties directly to OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Amputations, released Oct. 27, 2006. The revised OSHA guide identifies eight mechanical motions and eight hazardous actions that present possible amputation hazards. The guide also sets forth steps employers can take to reduce these hazards. For a pdf copy, click here and scroll down to publication 3170.

Give Lifting Workers A Break... Workers who lift for a living need to take longer or more frequent breaks than they now do to avoid back injury, according to a new study at Ohio State University. The study also suggests that people who are new on the job need to take breaks even more often than experienced workers, and that the risk of injury is higher at the end of a work shift. For more information, see the OSU study prerss release by clicking here.

High Rate Workplaces Receive OSHA Letters... The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has sent letters to more than 14,000 workplaces with the highest occupational injury and illness rates and is urging the employers to take action to remove hazards causing the high rates. The employers are those whose establishments reported the highest "Days Away from work, Restricted work or job Transfer injury and illness" (DART) rate to OSHA in a survey of 2005 injury and illness data. For every 100 full-time workers, the 14,000 employers had 5.3 or more injuries or illnesses that resulted in days away from work, restricted work or job transfer. The national average is 2.4. Several dozen Rochester-area employers are included in the mailing.

The letter encourages employers to consider hiring an outside safety and health consultant, talking with their insurance carrier, or contacting the workers' compensation agency in their state for advice. Members of the Rochester Business Alliance who were notified can get assistance and resources from us by contacting Barb Cutrona at 256-4642 or Chip Dawson at 425-1639,  ChipDawson@aol.com.

Transportation Safety Resource... The Transportation Practice Specialty (TPS) of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) has published a special "Call to Action" issue of its TransActions newsletter in support of annual North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH), which will take place from May 6-12, 2007. In this special issue, the TPS provides guidance for preventing roadway injuries and fatalities. To view the special newsletter issue, click here, then click on any of the article headings that interest you for a pdf copy.

List Removal... If you do not wish to receive these HSE updates, please send an e-mail and include "Remove HSE Update" in the subject line.

Lawrence H. "Chip" Dawson
Dawson Associates
Rochester Business Alliance Coordinating Consultant for HSE
6 Saddle Ridge Trail
Fairport, NY  14450-9584
(585) 425-1639