Using EHS Data Apr 26, 2022 Companies that leverage their safety data and analytics to maintain a safe workplace are setting themselves up for success. Safety leaders armed with data visuals and interpretations can make educated decisions that drive productivity, foster a strong culture of safety in the workplace, and encourage continuous improvement. Drive Productivity Injuries and illnesses can slow down your workforce and grind productivity to a halt. Depending on the severity, a workplace injury can result in direct and indirect productivity impacts, including: Time lost to work stoppage Damage to tools and equipment Administrative time spent by supervisors and safety managers Replacement worker training costs Using data-driven safety strategies can help you avoid workplace accidents that hinder your team’s productivity. Build Safety Culture By presenting data to your employees and opening a discussion on interpretations, you can instill a stronger safety culture through team member engagement and transparent leadership. Together, you and your team can make data-driven decisions on improving workplace safety measures. Continuous Improvement Effective safety leaders constantly evaluate their safety procedures and make adjustments accordingly. You can harness the power of data and analytics to identify opportunities for continuous improvement to your safety procedures. Types of Safety Data, and How to Use Them Most safety data can be put into one of two categories: leading indicators and lagging indicators. Leading indicators use predictive measurements, like Near Miss Reports and Job Safety Analysis, to prevent future accidents and injuries. Lagging indicators use data points like Incidents Management and Root Cause Analysis to take a look at past performance and identify what needs improvement. Armed with a holistic view of past performance and future incidents, safety leaders can make informed decisions on how to best improve their workplace safety procedures. Adblock test (Why?)

How Training Needs to Catch Up with Learners' Brains Apr 26, 2022 In terms of compliance, ignorance is anything but bliss. High turnover, lawsuits, regulatory violations, toxic office cultures, tarnished reputations—all of these problems (and more) typically don’t stem from bad actors, but lackluster workforce training efforts. Training is the first step to any effective compliance program. Employees who aren’t trained make expensive mistakes, not necessarily because they want to do the wrong thing, but because they just don’t have the information or the knowledge necessary to perform their duties consistent with their employers’ values and legal obligations. Sounds like a simple enough problem to solve, right? Invest more in training and you’ll reduce the probability of an uninformed mistake. Not so fast. The truth is that over the last few decades, technology has changed how we store and process information. Humans don’t learn like we used to. To truly reach your employees—to ensure they retain critical compliance training materials—you need to understand how and why that change has taken place. Today’s learners are a cross-generational workforce. In some cases, you could be in an organization right now that has up to 5 generations working side by side. But, that doesn’t mean that every generation learns differently. Let’s explore some cool brain science and a few surprising truths behind the kind of compliance training that truly sticks and resonates with employees. 3 Ways in Which Workforce Training Needs to Catch Up with Learners’ Brains 1. Shortened Attention Spans According to a revealing Bersin by Deloitte study of organizations across the globe, the advancements of the digital age—sometimes referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution—have fundamentally transformed the way that people of all ages learn. In other words, this isn’t only a millennial phenomenon or a case of stubborn baby boomers; we’ve all been altered by the interconnected world of digital devices. Adblock test (Why?)

Chemical Safety Understanding all the risks associated with chemicals in a workplace can be overwhelming. By Sydny ShepardApr 01, 2022 With over 900,000 chemicals that could show up in a workplace, chemical safety and management is one of the most complex challenges employers and employees face at work. To better protect workers from the hazards associated with chemicals, OSHA published its Hazard Communication Standard. According to this standard, employees have a right to understand what chemicals are present in their work areas and how hazardous chemicals can impact their health and safety—let’s take a look into some of the most important elements of the Hazard Communication Standard that employees should be aware of.  Safety Data Sheets  The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard is designed to protect employees from hazardous chemicals used or stored in the work setting. This standard, also referred to as the “Right to Know” or “Right to Understand” standard, dictates that employers must provide information to any employee who may have the potential of being exposed to a hazardous chemical “under normal condition of use or in a foreseeable emergency.”   Employers need to ensure that employees understand how they can learn about the chemicals they work with or may become exposed to. The best way to do this, as the standard regulates, is through a safety data sheet, or SDS. SDSs contain everything an employee may need to know for a specific chemical.  It is up to the employer to identify and provide SDSs for each chemical located in a facility as well as place these SDSs in an easily located area. Generally, manufacturers and importers of chemicals provide the information for the 16-section SDS. These sections of information include:  Identification  Hazard(s) Identification  Composition/Information on Ingredients  First-Aid Measures  Fire-Fighting Measures  Accidental Release Measures  Handling and Storage  Exposure Controls/Personal Protection  Physical and Chemical Properties  Stability and Reactivity   Toxicological Information  Ecological Information   Disposal Considerations   Transport Information   Regulatory Information   Other Information  This article originally appeared in the April 2022 issue of Occupational Health & Safety. Adblock test (Why?)

Breakthrough Strategies Controlling Your Leadership Power Overusing power indeed makes a statement, but often one that just reflects insecurity, not deep confidence. By Robert PaterMar 01, 2022 It’s tempting in a high-paced, power-through-it world to operate as “if some is good, then more must be better.” However, this mindset can rebound negatively.  In the safety realm, for example, it is telling and no coincidence that “Overexertion” is the number one injury “all-time-winner-and-still-champion,” according to the most recent - and all previous - Liberty Mutual’s Workplace Safety Index of disabling injuries. Overexertion is overusing strength and power. These typically result in strains (to muscles and tendons) and sprains (ligaments.) In other words, those body parts that hold your joints together and help you move. Overexertion can occur from trying too hard, putting too much muscle into a task then carrying workers over the edge into soft-tissue injuries.  However, overexerting is not limited to physical safety. It is also a hallmark of less-than-effective leadership. Oftentimes trying too hard, using too much force to the degree it backfires. I’d bet you’ve seen this happen: leaders talking too much and listening too little. Often trying to drum ideas or procedures into what they think as others’ “thick skulls.” Attempting to wear down workers’ resistance through disdainful repetition. This often stems from busy leaders not understanding the exertion tasks require, or that staff are shorthanded. But doggedly pushing the same-old approaches to change or safety doesn’t seem to move the needle. Ditto for repeating the same training and messaging in the same lulling ways. Overloading workers with yet more policies and procedures they’re expected to memorize. Incomplete or off-target organizational communications can distract workers and fuel rumor mills. Calling people out, worst case, in front of their peers with the assumption that embarrassing people will get them to change. Much of this “strong man” approach comes from the assumption that power is demonstrated by how outwardly tough, challenging, unyielding, loud or rigid a leader is. It is behind the old-school belief that leaders are born, not developed, that the physically larger the leader, the “stronger” he is. But numerous organizational studies consistently dispute this. In fact, empathy and connected communication, both traditionally seen as “soft,” are actually hallmark attributes of effective leadership.   This article originally appeared in the March 1, 2022 issue of Occupational Health & Safety. Adblock test (Why?)

Editor's Note No Stress: Safety is Heating Up In our issue this month, we are highlighting the hazards workers are faced with when they work in extreme temperatures. By Sydny ShepardMar 01, 2022 Despite the fact that just a few weeks ago, most of the country saw sweeping cold fronts, snow and ice, a lot of eyes are on the summer, specifically the summer heat and the risks it brings to workers. In our issue this month, we are highlighting the hazards workers are faced with when they work in extreme temperatures. You’ll find several articles under the topic, “Summer Hazards” in this issue, but I also wanted to take some space here to talk about the heat standard we may soon see from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. On October 27, 2021, OSHA published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, or an ANPRM stating that it had officially begun the rulemaking process to create a federal standard to protect workers against injury and illness related to extreme heat in both indoor and outdoor workplaces. In the ANPRM, OSHA said, "A standard specific to heat-related injury and illness prevention would more clearly set forth employer obligations and the measures necessary to more effectively protect employees from hazardous heat. The agency stated that the ultimate goal is to prevent and reduce the number of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities caused by exposure to hazardous heat.” The ANPRM discusses recognized strategies to reduce occupational heat-related injury and illnesses, these include engineering controls such as air conditioning and increase ventilation and administrative controls such as reduced workloads or flexible work schedules. OSHA also emphasized the importance of acclimatization, or gradual, rather than sudden, exposure to promote a more robust physiological response. Other items recognized include employee monitoring, emergency planning and worker training and engagement. Following OSHA’s announcement for the new heat standard, the agency asked for comments from members of the public about the extent and nature of hazardous heat in the workplace as well as the nature and effectiveness of interventions and controls used to prevent heat illnesses currently. The agency said it will review and analyze all material in the public rulemaking period to determine if and how it should proceed with rulemaking. This comment period will end on January 26, 2022. This article originally appeared in the March 1, 2022 issue of Occupational Health & Safety. Adblock test (Why?)

OSHA Publishes Emergency Temporary Standard to Protect Workers from Covid-19 OSHA has published its ETS to protect workers from Covid-19. Heres' what's included: Nov 04, 2021 In a move highly anticipated by business owners, safety professionals and employees around the country, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published an Emergency Temporary Standard to advance worker protection measures against the coronavirus. The agency estimates that the new ETS will help to protect more than 84 million workers from Covid-19. Under the standard, covered employers (those who have a collective amount of employees in all facilities across the country that add up to 100 or more) must develop, implement and enforce a mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy or adopt a policy that requires employees to choose to be vaccinated or undergo regular Covid-19 testing and wear a face covering at work. In addition to the vaccination or testing policies, employers must also ensure that workers receive paid time to get vaccinated or tested. They should also be compensated for their time if they have side effects from the vaccine.  According to a press release, the ETS also requires employers to do the following: Determine the vaccination status of each employee, obtain acceptable proof of vaccination status from vaccinated employees and maintain records and a roster of each employee’s vaccination status. Require employees to provide prompt notice when they test positive for COVID-19 or receive a COVID-19 diagnosis. Employers must then remove the employee from the workplace, regardless of vaccination status; employers must not allow them to return to work until they meet required criteria. Ensure each worker who is not fully vaccinated is tested for COVID-19 at least weekly (if the worker is in the workplace at least once a week) or within 7 days before returning to work (if the worker is away from the workplace for a week or longer). Ensure that, in most circumstances, each employee who has not been fully vaccinated wears a face covering when indoors or when occupying a vehicle with another person for work purposes. Adblock test (Why?)

The U.S. Department of Labor will Meet with the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health The meeting is scheduled for November 16. By Shereen HashemNov 04, 2021 The U.S. DOL has scheduled a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health from 1-5 p.m. EST, November 16, via teleconference and WebEx, according to a press release. The tentative agenda includes updates from OSHA and the CDC, as well as discussions about risk-based safety and OSHA’s work on heat illness. Submit comments and requests here. Read the Federal Register notice for more information. All comments must be submitted by November 9. The meeting is open to the public. The teleconference dial-in number is 1-800-621-7762 and the passcode is 2239082. Join the meeting via WebEx here and use the password, Welcome!24. NACOSH advises, consults with and makes recommendations to the Secretaries of Labor and Health and Human Services on matters relating to the administration of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, including regulatory, research, compliance assistance and enforcement issues. About the Author Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine. Adblock test (Why?)

BCSP Announces New Virtual Event for Safety Professionals The Board of Certified Safety Professionals is looking to advance worker safety and enhance careers. Nov 03, 2021 The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) has announced a new event aimed professionals tasked with safety, health and environmental responsibilities: the Global Learning Summit (GLS). The professional development opportunity will take place virtually from May 10-12, 2022, the GLS will provide a low-cost, high-quality professional development opportunity to everyone with a role in SH&E, removing the barriers associated with high cost and geographic location. The GLS capitalizes on cutting-edge content delivery to provide a global audience with 100+ hours of high-quality professional development and educational opportunities. It offers event attendees an opportunity to actively participate, network, and pursue professional development in a capacity that is convenient, affordable, and readily attainable. “This is an exciting opportunity to provide those with SH&E responsibilities across the world with the professional development they need,” said BCSP CEO Christy Uden, CAE, IOM. “Our mission is that by providing an affordable, virtual opportunity, we can support those who may not have access to traditional conferences due to cost and geographic location.” The GLS is offered at $25 per person to attend, and sessions are categorized into Educational Tracks dedicated to topics relevant to SH&E. Attendees will have access to Summit content for 30 days following the event, and attendees will be eligible for BCSP recertification points. More information is available at the BCSP Global Learning Summit's website, BCSPGLS.COM. Adblock test (Why?)