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 285 names on the list.
 
Fast Charging Improves Fork Lift Safety...New technology now allows 30 minutes of battery charging to power a fork lift for up to eight hours. The development has huge potential to cut several significant EHS concerns presented by traditional electric and propane trucks. The rapid charge eliminates the need for extra batteries that must be hoisted into trucks for multi-shift operations, virtually eliminates the problem of hydrogen off-gassing and the need for special venting, and allows for compact charging stations located close to the point of truck use. Also gone with the new batteries is routine contact with acid and the need for extensive PPE and flushing stations. Another new feature in fork lift technology is a safety bump stop that disables the vehicle if it strikes something with force. To resume operations, the driver must have a supervisor reset the unit. The effect of the device is to significantly reduce unreported damage and reinforce safer driving. For more information on these developments, see the Dan Markiewicz article, Managing Best Practices, in the January 2008 issue of ISHN.
 
Intermatic Recalls Digital Timers...The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled 8,500 Intermatic DT27 Digital Self-Adjusting Timers manufactured in China and sold through Home Depot and Lowe's (and other stores) from February through December 2007. The recalled timers could have been wired incorrectly, which poses an electrical shock hazard to consumers. To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please click here.
 
Nanotechnology Meeting Scheduled...Nanotechnology has become the new hot topic in occupational safety and health with widespread application and little data on long-term risks. Few people know what to expect, but Dr. Andrew Vaugh is prepared to brief you on what is known. Dr. Vaugh, MD, MPH, is corporate medical director at Eastman Kodak and is the scheduled speaker for the February joint meeting of the Greater Rochester New York Association of Occupational Health Nurses (GRNYAOHN) and the Genesee Valley Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers at the Green Lantern Inn, Fairport, on Monday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. The dinner and discussion is open to non-members. To register, call ASSE President Jay Wells at (585) 352-2832.
 
OSHA Cancels/Replaces First Aid Instruction...A few months ago, the agency canceled CPL 02-02-053, Guidelines for First Aid Training Programs that was first issued in 1991. The replacement is a new booklet "Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program", that reflects current thinking and technology and should be a helpful read for organizational first aiders and emergency personnel. You'll find the document here.
 
Is It Possible to Have Safety Overload?...According to psychologist Zara Hart, it is. Speaking at the 2007 ASSE Professional Development conference, Australian Hart says more safety may backfire. It's possible to reach safety saturation where time and resources can negatively impact the workplace culture. Essentially, it comes down to overload. One example she cites is creating a job that is 50-to-70 percent paperwork, or where meeting safety requirements takes six hours and the actual job takes ten minutes. If you take away experience or good decision making, you may reduce awareness and make the job mechanical. Safety procedures and processes are necessary, but her advice is to find the middle ground.
 
Insider's Look at OSHA...Want some interesting reading about OSHA and things with which the agency is dealing? Click here. Word is the writer is an OSHA employee with a good inside track. As with everything on the Internet, make your own judgment about accuracy and value, but the blog will take you to some interesting stuff and ask some interesting questions.
 
Want Good Health? Do Creative Work...A study by the Population Research Center at the University of Texas and reported in the 12/27/07 edition of Occupational Hazards, found that creative activity helped people stay healthy. Creative activity is non-routine, enjoyable and provides an opportunity for problem solving. The positive result is feeling healthier and having fewer physical problems. With respect to the workplace, the message appears to be that building jobs that are creative will likely help cut health care costs. To see the source article, click here.
 
OSHA Issues New Guidance for Security Personnel...In the face of increasing threats to security personnel, who are often the first on the scene of a facility emergency, OSHA has prepared a new publication Preparing and Protecting Security Personnel in Emergencies. This publication addresses emergencies involving hazardous substance releases and provides guidance for employers and their security personnel, who may be involved in the emergency response. Responder training is one recommendation of the document. For a PDF copy, click here.
 
ISHN Issues Best of 2007 Digital Edition...As a writer for the highly respected HSE trade publication, I was pleased to open the newly issued on-line compilation of the best articles of 2007 and find one of mine in the offering. According to the editors, "we compiled the best columns, editorial comments, cover stories and featured articles published this year as chosen by ISHN's editors." You can read all the articles here.
 
Highway Safety Q&A...We occasionally have employees who must visit worksites on or near highways. Are their any OSHA requirements applicable to their safety? Yes; but they don't come directly from OSHA. Federal Highway Administration rule 23 CFR, Part 634.3 says: "All workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to construction equipment within the work area shall wear high-visibility safety apparel." You will find details of the rule here. You can also read much more on this subject in the Uniform Manual of Traffic Control Devices section 6e on flagger control (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