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 290 names on the list.

Dawson Article Featured in ISHN...The June 2007 issue of Industrial Safety and Hygiene News carries a Chip Dawson article on "Improving Your Emergency Management Process" on pages 78 and 79. The article covers twelve time-tested ideas along with some new resources for emergency planners. If you'd like to read the article on-line, click here and click on "Featured Articles" in the left-hand column, then scroll down to the title article.

Disaster Planning Resource...In case you missed the recent article in the Democrat and Chronicle, the Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) has a comprehensive disaster planning toolkit for the small to mid-sized business owner. The 47-page Open for Business kit comes with a multitude of tips and tools and can be downloaded for free by clicking here. The IBHS also has interactive web-based training tools and a variety of other resources, but you need to be a member or have a key for access from your insurance carrier. For details, click here.

Employee Location System Developed...Accurate determination of people remaining in a building following an evacuation has long been an issue. Early reports from the warehouse fire in Charleston, SC, indicate that firefighters were in the building because of reports of people trapped. The resulting search under highly dangerous conditions may have been a significant factor in the deaths of the nine firefighters. One possible solution to the problem of "who's in and who's out?" may be Honeywell's Instant Location System (HILS).  Honeywell has combined identification and location technologies within one easy-to-use solution to locate people and track mobile assets in real time. Knowing the position of people can be used to reinforce safety practices, improve security, analyze asset utilization and improve operational and maintenance workflow optimization. For example, within seconds of a major incident, HILS generates real-time mustering reports that allow the emergency team to get an exact head count and accurate location of missing or injured employees. For details, click here.

Worried About an OSHA Inspection?...According to the AFL-CIO annual report "Death On the Job" the current level of federal and state OSHA inspectors provides one inspector for every 63,670 workers. This compares to a benchmark of one labor inspector for every 10,000 workers recommended by the International Labor Organization for industrialized countries. Federal staffing cuts continue to nibble at this ratio. Currently, it would take the agency 133 years to inspect each U.S. workplace. So, don't worry about an inspection. Instead, be concerned that you're doing the right thing for your employees and your business because a safe business is a productive and profitable business.

Pandemic Flu Guidance for Healthcare Workers...On May 21, OSHA unveiled a new workplace safety and health guidance document that will help employers in the healthcare industry and their employees prepare for an influenza pandemic. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers (click here) includes technical information on infection control and industrial hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infection in healthcare settings, workplace preparations and planning issues, and OSHA standards having special importance to pandemic preparedness planners and responders in the industry.

OSHA Proposes PPE Standards Update...OSHA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the May 17 Federal Register to revise the personal protective equipment (PPE) sections of its general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring and marine terminals standards regarding the use of eye, face, head, and foot protection. These proposed revisions are a continuation of OSHA's effort to update references to specific consensus and industry standards located throughout the agency's standards. OSHA is accepting comments until July 16. Click here to see the Federal Register notice for complete instructions on submitting comments.

Globe Recalls Dry Fire Sprinklers...The CPSC and Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation have announced a recall of Model J dry sprinkler heads that can deteriorate over time and fail to operate in a fire. To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, click here.

OSHA to Update Mechanical Power Press Safety Standard...OSHA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in the June 4 Federal Register to revise the general industry mechanical power press standard. OSHA is seeking comments regarding whether and how the standard should be amended. Comments must be submitted by Aug. 3. Click here to see the Federal Register notice for a discussion of proposed changes and complete instructions on submitting comments.

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