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.

Violence in the Workplace Prevention Guide...Designed and written as a practical workplace training and reference tool, this 182-page pocket guide is filled with clear-language text including safety tips, charts, diagrams, checklists and illustrations. The cost is $10 Canadian to order from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Find details by clicking here.

EU Ergonomic Initiative Has Useful Material...The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work lists musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) as the most common work-related health problem in Europe. Millions of workers across European are affected, with 25 percent of workers complaining of backache and 23 percent reporting muscle pains. To tackle MSDs and improve ergonomic conditions in workplaces, the Agency launched a summer-long campaign called "Lighten the Load." The campaign kicked off in June with a variety of events across Europe and will wrap up in the European Week of Safety and Health at Work that runs October 22 to 26. For details on "Lighten the Load", and access to materials, click here.

Q&A...Where can I find the letter code for PPE that is found on HMIS chemical labels? The HMIS system, probably the most common one in use in industry, was developed some time ago by the National Paint and Coatings Association. While the 0 through 4 hazard index ratings are part of the original system, the latest version of HMIS III includes new PPE codes with both letters and pictograms. For a complete rundown of ratings and their meanings, click here.

September is National Preparedness Month...The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is sponsoring the fourth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM) this September to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and communities. The month will focus on several different areas of emergency preparedness:

September 1-8: Back-to-School
September 9-15: Business Preparedness
September 16-22: Multicultural Preparedness
September 23-30: Home and Family Preparedness: including pets, older Americans, and individuals with disabilities and special needs

For details, click here.

Lobes of Steel...This is the title of a fascinating article in a recent Sunday New York Times Play Magazine that describes research linking the positive impact of aerobic exercise on brain growth and development, even in mature adults. Just another good reason to get in a daily workout. To read the article on-line, click here.

NIOSH Study Supports Supplementary Breaks...A new NIOSH study supports earlier research findings that supplementary rest breaks minimize discomfort and eyestrain among data-entry employees without impairing productivity. Participants' ratings of discomfort and eyestrain were significantly lower when four supplementary 5-minute breaks were added to the two conventional 15-minute breaks. Data-entry speed was significantly faster with supplementary breaks so that work output was maintained despite the additional 20 minutes of breaks. The study was published in the July 2007 issue of the American Journal of Industrial Medicine. The article is available online - click here to read it.

Skil® Circular Saws Recalled Due to Laceration Hazard...The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary recall of Skil® brand Circular Saws. About 811,000 units, manufactured by Robert Bosch Tool Corp., have been found to have a trigger switch that can be locked on or the switch can be turned on without the use of the safety lockout, causing unexpected operation of the saw. The recall involves Skil® brand circular saws with model numbers 5650, 5700, 5750 and 5755. The saws were sold January 2002 through December 2006 for between $70 and $80. To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, click here.

Safety Manager Position...Wegmans is looking for a corporate safety manager, as well as a distribution safety coordinator. A CSP is required for the safety manager position and preferred for the safety coordinator. For details, click here.

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