A.W.T. World Trade cited for 28 violations – $119,700 in penalties

Posted on May 17, 2013

Violations included unsafe spray finishing operations at Chicago factory

OSHA cited A.W.T. World Trade Inc. for 28 safety and health violations, including multiple violations of OSHA’s flammable liquids and spray finishing standards. The complaint inspection was initiated at the Chicago printing machinery manufacturer on Nov. 14, 2012. Proposed penalties total $119,700.

“A.W.T. World Trade failed to implement effective measures during the handling of flammable liquids and associated spray finishing operations,” said Diane Turek, OSHA’s area director for the Chicago North Office in Des Plaines. “Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthful work environment. They must provide personal protective equipment and train workers to take precautions to protect themselves from known hazards in their industry.”

A total of 27 serious safety and health violations were cited, including lack of a written hazard communication program; not providing employees information and training on hazardous chemicals present in the work environment; lack of machine guarding; failure to ensure use of eye protection during welding operations; failing to properly secure and store welding gas cylinders and hazards associated with the use and storage of flammables used in spray finishing operations. Additionally, the company was cited for the interior surfaces of the spray paint booth being coated with excessive residues of flammable paints.

Several violations involve respirator protection standards, such as the lack of a written respiratory protection program, failing to select the proper respirator for the hazards present, improper storage and fit, lack of medical evaluations for employees required to wear respirators and failing to train workers in the proper use.

Violations of electrical standards were also cited, including the use of flexible cords instead of fixed wiring, lack of strain relief and obstructing the space around electrical panels. Additionally, one other-than-serious health violation was cited for failing to verify that a required personal protective equipment assessment had been performed through a written certification.

The citations may be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/awt_world_tradeinc_738983_0510_13.pdf.

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EH&S Manager Opening Muscle Shoals Alabama

Posted on May 14, 2013

One of our clients has an immediate opening for an Environmental, Health and Safety Manager at their state-of-the-art start up operation in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Education:

Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Safety or Industrial Hygiene, or related field or combination of training, education and experience in a safety professional role.

Experience:

  • In addition to education requirements, 1-2 years’ experience in a safety/environmental professional role in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively deliver training to multiple personnel.
  • Consistent demonstration of the ability to proactively identify potential safety problems or training opportunities, ability to analyze data to determine trends, and ability to develop alternatives and arrive at the optimum approach to mitigate problems or exploit opportunities.

Physical Requirements:

  • Requires ability to read and understand information contained in a variety of documents or displayed on a computer screen.
  • Requires ability to use a variety of office equipment and to operate a computer keyboard to access databases, to send/receive messages, and to prepare documents.
  • Requires ability to attend meetings throughout the site and potentially travel to other facilities, customer and/or vendor locations in the area, as well as some air travel to more distant locations.
  • Requires the ability to communicate with others on the telephone and in one-on-one or group discussions, meetings and presentations.
  • Demonstrated capabilities in computer use including Microsoft full product line.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Position Description:

In support of the facility staff and management, performs technical work in a wide range of environmental, health and safety disciplines to achieve compliance with EH&S standards along with federal and state regulatory requirements.

Essential Functions:

  • Plans and administers EHS programs, and other employee safety procedures.
  • Conducts comprehensive safety audits and inspections and recommends actions for the correction of hazardous situations for compliance with OSHA regulations.
  • Investigates injuries, conditions and incidents that do, or could, involve actual or potential liability.
  • Maintains adequate records of pertinent data and compiles or initiates the compilation of the required reports on individual job occupational injury and illness experience.
  • Plans and coordinates safety and health classes for craft and supervisory employees.
  • Recommends improvements in processes, design, procedures and operating equipment to minimize hazard.
  • Conducts employee training.
  • Provides regulatory interpretation and technical advice.

Submit your cover letter and resume to info@advancedsafetyhealth.com and put “Muscle Shoals” in the email heading.

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***Attention Kentucky Employers***

Posted on May 14, 2013

Do You Have Adequately Trained First Aid Providers Onsite?

Employers in Kentucky need to be aware that the Kentucky OSHA Standard on Medical and First Aid states that “(1) Employers with eight (8) or more employees within the establishment shall have persons adequately trained to render first aid and adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.  Outside salesmen, truck drivers, seasonal labor, and others who, while performing their duties, are away from the premises more than fifty (50) percent of the time shall not be included in determining the number of employees and that (2) All other employers shall, in the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, have a person or persons adequately trained to render first aid.  Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.”

So, what is the definition of “near proximity”?  OSHA has long interpreted the term to mean that emergency care must be available within no more than 3-4 minutes from the workplace, an interpretation that has been upheld by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and by federal courts.

It is in your and your employees’ best interest to have someone always available on-site to render lifesaving, or at least life-sustaining, techniques until outside emergency personnel arrive on the scene.  Advanced Safety & Health is now making it easier than ever to help you achieve that goal.

On a monthly basis beginning Monday, July 15th, we will be offering an open enrollment Heart Saver CPR, First Aid and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) class.  The cost for this half-day training is $65 per person and certification is valid for two years.  These classes will be held at the Indiana Wesleyan University Louisville Conference Center located at 1500 Alliant Avenue in Jeffersontown, next to Sam’s Club.  For more information, please contact us at Info@AdvancedSafetyHealth.com or call Kathy at (502) 240-6910.  Our calendar has the dates and  allows for on line enrollment.

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OSHA QUIZ: Can you rely on your client’s Bloodborne Pathogens Program for your employees?

Posted on May 13, 2013

Scenario:  You have been hired as the Human Resource Manager for a company that supplies contract employees to healthcare facilities.  In this position, you also have responsibility for employee safety.  You start investigating what your employer has done previously for employees with regard to the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.  To your surprise, you learn that your employer has relied on its clients to maintain the program as well as to train your employees.  You feel this practice is in error and you approach your boss about this issue.  He is less than enthusiastic about the idea that your organization needs to have a Bloodborne Pathogens Program (BBP) and tells you they have always relied on their client for this and that he has no desire to move forward with program implementation.

Question:  Does your organization need to have a BBP complete with training or can you rely on your clients fulfilling the requirements of the Standard?

Answer:  In OSHA’s Most Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, Question #5 states:  “My company supplies contract employees to healthcare facilities. What are my responsibilities under the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard?

Answer #5.  OSHA considers personnel providers, who send their own employees to work at other facilities, to be employers whose employees may be exposed to hazards.  Because your company maintains a continuing relationship with its employees, but another employer (your client) creates and controls the hazard, there is a shared responsibility for assuring that your employees are protected from workplace hazards.  The client employer has the primary responsibility for such protection, but the “lessor employer” likewise has a responsibility under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.  In the context of OSHA’s standard on Bloodborne Pathogens, 29 CFR 1910.1030, your company would be required, for example, to provide the general training outlined in the standard; ensure that employees are provided with the required vaccinations; and provide proper follow-up evaluations following an exposure incident.  Your clients would be responsible, for example, for providing site-specific training and personal protective equipment, and would have the primary responsibility regarding the control of potential exposure conditions.  The client, of course, may specify what qualifications are required for supplied personnel, including vaccination status.  It is certainly in the interest of the lessor employer to ensure that all steps required under the standard have been taken by the client employer to ensure a safe and healthful workplace for the leased employees.  Toward that end, your contracts with your clients should clearly describe the responsibilities of both parties in order to ensure that all requirements of the standard are met.”

As you can see, OSHA puts shared responsibility on both parties to assure employees are properly covered and educated.  It will be necessary for your employer to provide initial training and have an effective program in place.  It is also imperative that both parties work together to assure employees are properly trained and protected under the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

 

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Montana wildlife casting agency cited in employee’s mauling death

Posted on May 13, 2013

Employer cited for unrestricted grizzly bear exposure

OSHA has cited wildlife casting agency Animals of Montana, Inc. for two safety violations following an inspection that began after a 24-year-old trainer was mauled to death in November 2012 while cleaning the enclosure of two 500-pound captive-bred grizzly bears at a Bozeman facility that trains captive-bred animals for films, commercials and public appearances.

The company was also cited for one other-than-serious violation involving the failure to report an occupational fatality within eight hours. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

“This is a tragedy that could have, and should have, been prevented,” said Jeff Funke, the agency’s area director in Billings. “The use of a secondary holding area while cleaning cages is standard practice when working with animals capable of being dangerous to workers responsible for their care.”

OSHA cited Animals of Montana for one serious violation for allowing employees to have unrestricted, direct contact with grizzly bears. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

However, according to an article in the Associated Press, Animals of Montana has denied the death was preventable, with owner Troy Hyde insisting that putting trainers inside the cages of predatory animals “is absolutely something we must do.  We work inside a business that’s a highly dangerous business, and everybody that works within this business is very aware of the dangers. Those people don’t understand what we do. We’re not a zoo.”

The two citations carry a total of $9,000 in proposed fines. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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Fines in Excess of $213,000 for Florida Roofing Company

Posted on May 13, 2013

Willful and Serious Violations Found

OSHA has cited Longwood-based Collis Roofing, Inc. with three willful and one serious safety violation for exposing workers to fall and other hazards while they were performing roofing work at three residential sites in Jacksonville, Oviedo and Palm Harbor. Two inspections were initiated in November 2012 and a third in December 2012 after OSHA inspectors observed employees without fall protection. These inspections were all part of the agency’s local emphasis program on fall hazards in construction. Proposed penalties total $213,300.

Three willful violations, with $210,000 in penalties, involve the employer allowing employees to work on elevated surfaces without fall protection. One serious violation, with a $3,300 penalty, was also cited for failing to inspect a fall harness that had previously been involved in an impact event.

“When fall protection is absent, workers are only steps away from a serious injury or death,” said Teresa Harrison, OSHA’s acting regional administrator for the Southeast. “Employers must ensure that workers have and wear the proper equipment at all times.”

The citations can be viewed at

http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CollisRoofingInc_769902_0501_13.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CollisRoofingInc_739143_0501_13.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CollisRoofingInc_721522_0501_13.pdf

OSHA has created a fall prevention Web page at http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls with detailed information in English and Spanish on fall protection standards. The page offers fact sheets, posters and videos that vividly illustrate various fall hazards and appropriate preventive measures.

OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are working with trade associations, labor unions, employers, universities, community and faith-based organizations, and consulates to provide employers and workers, especially vulnerable, low-literacy workers, with education and training on common-sense fall prevention equipment and strategies that save lives.

Posted in Fall Protection, Injury Prevention, OSHA, OSHA Inspections, Slips/Trips/Falls | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Opening for Louisville Kentucky Based Safety Consultant

Posted on May 13, 2013

Safety Consultant Position
Advanced Safety & Health, LLC is a growing occupational safety consulting company based in Louisville, Kentucky.  We are dedicated to providing high quality professional safety consulting and training services to our diverse client base. We provide onsite safety support services, training and consulting for large- and small-scale operations, conduct OSHA-related audits, injury prevention programs, safety program management support, develop written programs and procedures, provide incident investigations and trending, provide customized training, job safety analysis, risk assessments, and many other related services for both short term and ongoing contract engagements.

We are currently searching for an individual who is passionate about safety management and training practices and is able to work with a wide array of organizations and people, including manufacturing, utilities, municipalities, distribution, construction, maritime, and service sectors.

What You Will Do
The ideal Safety Consultant for Advanced Safety & Health will be located in the Louisville, Kentucky area and be willing to travel as the job requires.  He or she must be able to conduct onsite safety management support, risk assessments, and training for our growing client base throughout the United States, but primarily focused in the Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Ohio area.

Additionally, you will need to be able to:

  • Conduct full-day training sessions which may involve multiple consecutive days
  • Conduct intense multi-day onsite risk evaluation surveys and complete detailed reports and recommendations
  • Assist clients with development and implementation of safety policies, programs and procedures specific to each account and loss exposure
  • Provide advanced risk management and consultation services to assigned clients
  • Maintain and demonstrate safety management and expertise in areas such as OSHA, injury prevention, workers’ compensation,  and fleet safety
  • Develop, coordinate, and conduct safety/risk management seminars and training programs for accounts to promote awareness and reduce work-related injury frequency and severity
  • Develop and execute service proposals and plans to large accounts

What It Takes

  • Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree preferred
  • Degree must have emphasis in Occupational Safety and Health, Engineering, or Management
  • At least five years of safety consulting or safety management work experience
  • High level of independence, organization, and self-motivation
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to effectively interact with a diverse client base
  • Experience in coordinating and servicing large or multi-location accounts preferred
  • Intimate knowledge and understanding of OSHA, ANSI, NFPA Standards, and DOT Regulations
  • High level of verbal and written communication skills
  • Proficiency in basic Microsoft computer programs such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
  • Valid driver’s license, acceptable motor vehicle record, and dependable transportation for travel, including overnight travel
  • Safety designations such as CSP preferred, or willingness to pursue professional designation(s)
  • A proficiency in Industrial Hygiene would be a plus, but not required.

What You’ll Receive
Advanced Safety & Health offers a benefits package for all full-time employees that includes:

  • Competitive compensation with potential for pay bonuses
  • Group medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • SIMPLE individual retirement plan with employer match
  • Vacation and holidays

What You Need To Do
Submit your resume with cover letter explaining why you should be part of our growing team, your special qualities, and salary expectations to info@advancedsafetyhealth.com.  Please put Louisville Safety Consultant in the email heading.

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The 5 Most Common Ergonomic Mistakes on a Plant Floor

Posted on May 10, 2013

by Laura Dietrich, Certified Professional Ergonomist

As an ergonomic consultant, I often start a site visit by taking a tour of the manufacturing facility that is requesting the ergonomic evaluation.  Over the years, I have noticed several ‘mistakes’ that are present during many of my walk-throughs.  The following are the top 5 items and ideas for low cost resolutions.

#5 – Pallets of Parts Lying on the Floor

Anytime a pallet of parts is on the floor, someone will eventually have to bend forward greater than 90 degrees to pick up the last layer of parts.  Surprisingly, the main concern may not be the weight of the part but the weight of the employee’s torso; 70% of the total body weight is located above the hips.  A 200 lb. male picking up a 5 lb. part is actually lifting around 145 lbs.  This type of lifting can easily lead to a back injury.

The solution may be as simple as putting the pallet on a stationary table that is built in-house.  If the pallet has a starting height above 5 feet, the first 50% of the material can be unloaded while the pallet is on the floor and then be placed on the stationary table with a fork truck.  There are other more costly improvements, but the focus of this article is low-cost resolutions.

#4 – Location of Small Parts Bins

Engineering often spends a great deal of effort to assure that equipment is debugged so the line will run efficiently.  But when it comes to locating the small parts for the employee to assemble,containers are placed in any area that is open after everything else is in place.  The main concern with this is the repetitive, extended reaches required by the employees to pull parts from the bins.  This type of movement often leads to shoulder injuries.

One solution is to locate the small parts bins under the work table, as long as this does not require the employee to bend to get the parts.  An alternative option would be to put the parts in small bins that are to the side of the work table within a 20” reach.

#3 – Placement of Hanging Tools

I often notice that air tools will be hung overhead to get them off of the work table, in an effort to implement lean manufacturing. In general, this is a good idea. However, a concern exists if the tools are hung too high or too far forward, causing an extended reach.

The solution would be to have the hanging tools slightly to the side, at a height of 5 feet.  Many times, the tools are hung at a higher height because there is concern employees will hit their heads on the tools while working.  If the tools are hung around five feet high, within a 20” reach, and slightly to the side, the employee will not be required to repetitively reach overhead to access the tools.

#2 – Excessive Push/Pull Forces on Carts

When purchasing a stock cart, often the only requirements are that it will fit through the aisles and be large enough for the material being transport.  Unfortunately, that is only half of the equation.  The second area to consider is what forces will be required by the employee to get the cart moving and to keep it rolling.  Push/pull forces greater than 30 lbs. should be evaluated for improvement.

The solution is often preventive maintenance on the cart’s wheels.  Having your maintenance department evaluate the carts to determine if the wheels need to be replaced is your first step.  Sometimes the wheels are too small for the weight being loaded and simply changing the wheels will decrease push force.  Alternatively, loading smaller quantities of boxes or parts onto the carts will decrease the weight and thereby decrease the push force.  Finally, looking into a lighter weight cart will also decrease the push force.

#1 – Performing Work in a Non-Neutral Posture

The ability to generate force decreases whenever the employee is performing work in a non-neutral posture.  In addition, the chance of injury increases significantly with non-neutral work postures.  The chance of injury increases even further if the employee is lifting, using a tool, pushing or pulling parts.

This final solution involves looking at the posture of the employee while performing the work and determining if the posture is neutral, i.e., the position in which muscles are neither contracted nor stretched.  If the worker is not in the optimum posture, the next question is why?  If you can answer this question, you are on your way to determining what can be changed to bring the employee into a neutral posture and preventing potential injury.

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AmeriGas Fire Causes Seven Injuries and Over $100 Grand in Fines

Posted on May 7, 2013

OSHA cites AmeriGas Propane L.P. in Conroe, Texas, for exposing workers to safety hazards; proposed fines total $105,000 after 3 workers hospitalized and 4 others treated and released due to a December 2012 fire.

HOUSTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited AmeriGas Propane L.P. with 21 serious violations following a November 2012 fire that required three workers to be hospitalized and four workers to be treated and released. The Conroe plant inspection was expanded to include the national emphasis program on Process Safety Management Covered Chemical Facilities. Proposed penalties total $105,000.

The serious violations cited under the process safety management standard include failing to compile process safety information for safety systems, such as emergency shutdowns; ensure equipment complies with recognized and good engineering practices, such as relief systems; address various elements of a process safety hazards analysis, including the use of a methodology appropriate to the complexity of the process, human factors, facility siting and addressing action items or recommendations in a timely manner; inspect and test equipment, including vessels and piping and identify safeguards; and perform the lockout/tagout of equipment and processes and provide training for employees in the use of lockout/tagout. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

“Process safety management prevents the catastrophic release of toxic, reactive or flammable liquids and gases in processes involving highly hazardous chemicals,” said David Doucet, OSHA’s area director in the Houston North office. “It is the employer’s responsibility to identify the hazard, correct the hazard and train the workers.”

OSHA’s standards contain specific requirements for the management of hazards associated with processes using dangerous chemicals. Additional information is available online at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/processsafetymanagement/index.html.

The citations can be viewed at: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/AmeriGasPropaneInc_735302_0426_13.pdf* and http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/AmeriGasPropaneInc_723281_0426_13.pdf.*

AmeriGas is a supplier of propane throughout the United States and employs more than 8,000. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA Houston North area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Posted in Fire Prevention & Protection, Lockout/Tagout, OSHA Inspections, Process Safety Mgmt | Leave a comment

TVA contractor gets 6 ½ years in fraud case

Posted on April 18, 2013

Lied about nuclear plant injury rates to get safety bonuses

A Louisiana man convicted of lying about worker injuries at Tennessee Valley Authority nuclear facilities, allowing his company to collect $2.5 million in safety bonuses, has been sentenced to serve 6 ½ years in prison followed by two years of supervised release.

Walter Cardin, of Metairie, Louisiana, was sentenced on Thursday, according to a news release from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

Cardin, 55, was the safety manager for the Shaw Group, a construction contractor. He was convicted in November of not reporting injuries at the Sequoyah and Watts Bar plants in Tennessee and Brown’s Ferry in Alabama between 2004 and 2006.

At trial, jurors heard evidence of more than 80 injuries not properly recorded, including broken bones, torn ligaments, hernias, lacerations and injuries to shoulders, backs and knees.  Some employees testified that medical treatment was denied or delayed as a result of Cardin’s fraud.

U.S. District Court Judge Curtis Collier imposed a more severe sentence for Cardin after finding he had obstructed justice when he testified falsely at trial.

During the trial, Cardin denied intentionally misclassifying injuries and disputed evidence in the medical records and from injured employees. Cardin also denied knowing that safety bonuses were tied to his classifications of the injuries, although investigators found emails sent by Cardin with information tying the safety bonuses to injury rates.

The Shaw Group paid back double the amount of the bonuses in a 2008 civil agreement.

 

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