April 2006 Newsletter

What is this whole Avian Flu thing?

Do you or your employees have questions or concerns about the Avian (Bird) Flu? Want to separate fact from fiction and take the right precautions? Well, there is a website that is a one stop access to the U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information at www.pandemicflu.gov. This site is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There are all types of information about the Avian Flu on this site, including fact sheets about what it is and isn't and global updates. You will also find a travel page with advice for U.S. travelers abroad. There are even guidance documents for U.S. businesses at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/businesschecklist.html on how to address this concern. It is worth taking the time to look at the information on this site.

OSHA Cites Tooling Company for Exposing Workers to Health and Safety Hazards at Service Center

The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Michigan-based Leitz Tooling Systems for failing to protect workers from chemical and safety hazards at the company's Muscle Shoals Alabama service center. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $48,650. OSHA issued 21 serious citations against the company after a December 2005 inspection of the shop, where employees sharpen and recondition saw blades and wood milling tools.

Inspectors determined that employees had not received appropriate training about safe handling of, or adverse health effects associated with, the chemicals used at the center. Additionally, employees were reportedly not provided personal protective equipment while working with corrosive chemicals. Emergency eyewash or safety shower stations were also not available in the event workers were burned or splashed. It was also determined that employees were exposed to: electrical shocks from conductive metal working fluids which flowed over equipment; slipping hazards where fluid accumulated on the floor; amputation hazards from unguarded cutting machines, and the service center lacked an emergency exit.

Sizzling Hot Offer for Summer Safety Training

The following classes will be offered in Louisville, Kentucky in January, 2006. Please go to www.advancedsafetyhealth.com/training%20Calendar.html to register or call our office at 1-866-339-8040 or (502)240-6910. Register today. If you tell us you saw the announcement in our newsletter and you register at least 14 days prior to the class we will give you a 50% discount for the class.

OSHA Outreach General Industry - 10 Hour: May 23^rd – 24^th This 2-day program is designed for personnel from all types of industries to present detailed information on many topics including: how the provisions of the OSHAct may be implemented in the workplace, rights and responsibilities under the OSHAct, the appeals process, record keeping, and Voluntary Protection Programs. The course also includes an introduction to OSHA's general industry standards and an overview of the requirements of the more frequently referenced standards. Participants who successfully complete this course will receive an official course completion card from Federal OSHA. Regular Price $325 ($162.50 through the newsletter)

Respiratory Protection Program Manager Training: June 13^th If you use respirators in your workplace, OSHA requires you to have a suitably trained program administrator. This training will walk you through the general requirements of the Respiratory Protection Standard 1910.134. It will cover the elements of your written program, selection of respirators, medical evaluations, the proper use of respirators, training requirements and much more. This program will give your company's program administrator the tools they need to properly manage your respiratory protection program. Regular Price $250 ($125 through the newsletter)

Fleet Safety Management Best Practices and the Z-15 standard Training: July 11th If you have a fleet of vehicles, be it one company service truck or a 100 delivery vehicles, then no doubt you are concerned about proper management of these vehicles. This workshop will cover best practices for controlling risks associated with managing and running a fleet. This program is for any type of vehicle fleet, from sales, service, or delivery type vehicles. Topics include: driver selection and qualification, driver training, vehicle maintenance programs, driver supervision programs, accident investigation policies and much more. This program will also discuss the new ANSI Z-15 standard "Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations" which was just approved in March and is a source of great debate and discussion. The course instructor Jonathan Brown served on the ANSI committee that developed the standard and will be able to give an inside look at the standard and its intent. Regular Price $250 ($125 through the newsletter)

What is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Many people spend major parts of both their work day and personal time at computers. Blurry vision, tired or irritated eyes, other vision problems, headaches, and muscular pain in the neck and shoulders may be caused by improper computer usage and environmental factors and have been diagnosed as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). It is defined by the American Optometric Association as the “complex of eye and vision problems related to near work, which are experienced during or related to computer use.” A vision specialist such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist will be able to confidently confirm if this is the correct diagnosis for the symptoms.

Anyone spending two or more hours a day at a computer is at risk of developing CVS. At least 50% of the workforce now uses computers to perform their duties. Employers should be proactive in preventing CVS, which could lead to expensive work comp costs and perhaps higher premiums. Education about the proper use of computers should also help your employees to properly set up their home computer work stations.

Here are some practical and useful tips from the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses in Atlanta. If followed, they will help you establish good practices that should become a part of your workplace safety program and assist in preventing CVS.

Workplace humidity levels should be increased.
Adjust HVAC systems so that neither hot nor cold air blows in or around the face.
Drink sufficient fluids.
After every 30 minutes of continuous computer use take a five-minute break by doing non-computer related tasks to rest eyes.
Drapes or blinds on windows should be installed and an antiglare screen used to avoid glare.
Lower room lighting or use indirect lighting.
Adjust computer monitor brightness and contrast to avoid glare.
Document holders should be placed at the same distance from the eyes as monitors.
Clean the monitor screen frequently.
Wear dark clothing to avoid screen reflections.
Monitor should rotate and tilt for easy adjustment.
Workstations should be ergonomically correct for each person.

Why'd They Do That??

Here is this month's 'Why'd They Do That?" photo, and we are asking for your help again this month. Email us at least one osha violation you see here citing the specific section of the standard by April 30^th, and we will draw one lucky winner to receive an Advanced Safety & Health logo T-Shirt, and the Construction and the Industry Mancomm Field Book. It is simple: 1. Just cite the standard, 2. Send your name and mailing address and T-Shirt size in an email to contest@advancedsafetyhealth.com by Midnight April 30^th. We'll draw a winner from all the correct submissions and announce it in our next newsletter.



		April 2006 Newsletter



		Featured Article
		Featured Article
		What is this whole Avian Flu thing? Do you or your employees have questions or concerns about the Avian (Bird) Flu? Want to separate fact from fiction and take the right precautions? Well, there is a website that is a one stop access to the U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information at www.pandemicflu.gov. This site is managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There are all types of information about the Avian Flu on this site, including fact sheets about what it is and isn't and global updates. You will also find a travel page with advice for U.S. travelers abroad. There are even guidance documents for U.S. businesses at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/businesschecklist.html on how to address this concern. It is worth taking the time to look at the information on this site. OSHA Cites Tooling Company for Exposing Workers to Health and Safety Hazards at Service Center The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Michigan-based Leitz Tooling Systems for failing to protect workers from chemical and safety hazards at the company's Muscle Shoals Alabama service center. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $48,650. OSHA issued 21 serious citations against the company after a December 2005 inspection of the shop, where employees sharpen and recondition saw blades and wood milling tools. Inspectors determined that employees had not received appropriate training about safe handling of, or adverse health effects associated with, the chemicals used at the center. Additionally, employees were reportedly not provided personal protective equipment while working with corrosive chemicals. Emergency eyewash or safety shower stations were also not available in the event workers were burned or splashed. It was also determined that employees were exposed to: electrical shocks from conductive metal working fluids which flowed over equipment; slipping hazards where fluid accumulated on the floor; amputation hazards from unguarded cutting machines, and the service center lacked an emergency exit. Sizzling Hot Offer for Summer Safety Training The following classes will be offered in Louisville, Kentucky in January, 2006. Please go to www.advancedsafetyhealth.com/training%20Calendar.html to register or call our office at 1-866-339-8040 or (502)240-6910. Register today. If you tell us you saw the announcement in our newsletter and you register at least 14 days prior to the class we will give you a 50% discount for the class. OSHA Outreach General Industry - 10 Hour: May 23^rd – 24^th This 2-day program is designed for personnel from all types of industries to present detailed information on many topics including: how the provisions of the OSHAct may be implemented in the workplace, rights and responsibilities under the OSHAct, the appeals process, record keeping, and Voluntary Protection Programs. The course also includes an introduction to OSHA's general industry standards and an overview of the requirements of the more frequently referenced standards. Participants who successfully complete this course will receive an official course completion card from Federal OSHA. Regular Price $325 ($162.50 through the newsletter) Respiratory Protection Program Manager Training: June 13^th If you use respirators in your workplace, OSHA requires you to have a suitably trained program administrator. This training will walk you through the general requirements of the Respiratory Protection Standard 1910.134. It will cover the elements of your written program, selection of respirators, medical evaluations, the proper use of respirators, training requirements and much more. This program will give your company's program administrator the tools they need to properly manage your respiratory protection program. Regular Price $250 ($125 through the newsletter) Fleet Safety Management Best Practices and the Z-15 standard Training: July 11th If you have a fleet of vehicles, be it one company service truck or a 100 delivery vehicles, then no doubt you are concerned about proper management of these vehicles. This workshop will cover best practices for controlling risks associated with managing and running a fleet. This program is for any type of vehicle fleet, from sales, service, or delivery type vehicles. Topics include: driver selection and qualification, driver training, vehicle maintenance programs, driver supervision programs, accident investigation policies and much more. This program will also discuss the new ANSI Z-15 standard "Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations" which was just approved in March and is a source of great debate and discussion. The course instructor Jonathan Brown served on the ANSI committee that developed the standard and will be able to give an inside look at the standard and its intent. Regular Price $250 ($125 through the newsletter) What is Computer Vision Syndrome? Many people spend major parts of both their work day and personal time at computers. Blurry vision, tired or irritated eyes, other vision problems, headaches, and muscular pain in the neck and shoulders may be caused by improper computer usage and environmental factors and have been diagnosed as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). It is defined by the American Optometric Association as the “complex of eye and vision problems related to near work, which are experienced during or related to computer use.” A vision specialist such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist will be able to confidently confirm if this is the correct diagnosis for the symptoms. Anyone spending two or more hours a day at a computer is at risk of developing CVS. At least 50% of the workforce now uses computers to perform their duties. Employers should be proactive in preventing CVS, which could lead to expensive work comp costs and perhaps higher premiums. Education about the proper use of computers should also help your employees to properly set up their home computer work stations. Here are some practical and useful tips from the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses in Atlanta. If followed, they will help you establish good practices that should become a part of your workplace safety program and assist in preventing CVS. Workplace humidity levels should be increased. Adjust HVAC systems so that neither hot nor cold air blows in or around the face. Drink sufficient fluids. After every 30 minutes of continuous computer use take a five-minute break by doing non-computer related tasks to rest eyes. Drapes or blinds on windows should be installed and an antiglare screen used to avoid glare. Lower room lighting or use indirect lighting. Adjust computer monitor brightness and contrast to avoid glare. Document holders should be placed at the same distance from the eyes as monitors. Clean the monitor screen frequently. Wear dark clothing to avoid screen reflections. Monitor should rotate and tilt for easy adjustment. Workstations should be ergonomically correct for each person. Why'd They Do That?? Here is this month's 'Why'd They Do That?" photo, and we are asking for your help again this month. Email us at least one osha violation you see here citing the specific section of the standard by April 30^th, and we will draw one lucky winner to receive an Advanced Safety & Health logo T-Shirt, and the Construction and the Industry Mancomm Field Book. It is simple: 1. Just cite the standard, 2. Send your name and mailing address and T-Shirt size in an email to contest@advancedsafetyhealth.com by Midnight April 30^th. We'll draw a winner from all the correct submissions and announce it in our next newsletter.








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