Issue No. 1 | March 2022 | 14th Volume
Cheesy Holiday Safety Slogans!
- Working safely may get old, but so do those who practice it.
- Safety glasses: All in favor say “Eye!”
- Light up your tree, not your home.
- Don’t be a scrooge, get it fixed.
- Only Santa has a magical vehicle, don’t drink and drive.
- Smoke detectors make good stocking stuffers.
- While on a ladder, never step back to admire your work.
- Christmas is best enjoyed at home, not in the hospital.
- Drive with reason this holiday season.
- Ladder safety has its ups and downs.
- Christmas is coming, the turkey is getting fat, watch out for hazards, lest you go splat.
A r t i c l e 1
NIOSH Identifies High-Risk Industries, Occupations for Infectious Diseases
[Work-related cases of infectious disease were associated with a variety of pathogens, but NIOSH found that bacteria were responsible for most reported cases.]
A r t i c l e 2
Legionnaires’ Disease Cases Continue to Rise
[Work-related cases of infectious disease were associated with a variety of pathogens, but NIOSH found that bacteria were responsible for most reported cases.]
A r t i c l e 3
OSHA Reveals Latest Top 10 List of Violations at NSC 2019
OSHA’s preliminary data covering violations cited between October 1, 2018 and August 31, 2019.
A r t i c l e 4
Four Misunderstandings about Gas Detection That Could Cost You
If not set straight, common misunderstandings could lead to serious consequences.
- “OL” or “OR”: These do not mean “OK.”
- The “2 X 2” rule: Take your time.
- Bump testing: You can’t avoid it.
- Calibration: The key to accuracy:
NIOSH IDENTIFIES HIGH-RISK INDUSTRIES, OCCUPATIONS FOR
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
BY: Gerry Luther, CIE, OHST
NIOSH reviewed infectious disease investigations in workplaces across the U.S. and found infectious disease cases seem to be concentrated in healthcare industries and certain occupations, including lab, animal and public service workers. Work-related cases were associated with a variety of pathogens, but NIOSH found bacteria to be responsible in most cases reported. Researchers also identified reports of some pathogens such as; Ebola virus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, norovirus, bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis, (re)emerging. Workplace factors can pose biologic hazards to workers. Additionally, individual worker characteristics may have a factor in increased risk of acquiring and transmitting infectious diseases. Researchers at NIOSH stress the possibility of other occupations possibly also being at risk. Read the full article in The Synergist.
“NIOSH IDENTIFIES HIGH-RISK INDUSTRIES, OCCUPATIONS FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES.” The Synergist, Apr. 2019, p. 16.
Legionnaires ’ Disease Cases Continue to Rise
BY: Gerry Luther
A five-fold increase in the number of Legionnaires’ disease cases have been seen since 2002.
“Most healthcare facilities were mandated to perform risk assessments for Legionella sources and implement water management plans to prevent disease caused by Legionella and other waterborne
pathogens in June 2017. However, these efforts have not yet resulted in abatement of the upward trend in disease.” “New requirements and an emerging standard of care for operators of buildings and cooling towers to prevent conditions that lead to out-breaks of Legionnaires’ disease, the ongoing increase in cases should prompt all stakeholders to reevaluate their programs and operations.”
“Legionnaires’ Disease Cases Continue to Rise.” The Synergist, Apr. 2019, p. 26.
Caliche has been requested to conduct testing for Legionella in a variety of locations to include a confinement unit, college dormitories, water cooling systems, refinery, and onboard maritime vessels. Corrective action included increased vigilance to include routine testing of water systems, recommended treatment, follow-up assessments and awareness training for the maintenance and water treatment staff.
Caliche’s Industrial Hygienists, Occupational Health Physician, and technicians are available to assist our clients should the need arise.
Don't let safety take a Holiday.
OSHA Reveals Latest Top 10 List of Violations at NSC 2019
BY: Michael Luther
Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, presented the
agency’s top 10 violations during the National Safety Council Congress Expo. OSHA’s preliminary data covering violations cited between October 1, 2018 and August 31, 2019.
The top 10 violations are:
1. Fall protection general requirements (construction)— (29 CFR 1926.501): common violations under this standard included failure to provide fall protection near unprotected sides or edges and on both low-slope and steep roofs.
2. Hazard communication (29 CFR 1910.1200): Common deficiencies include lack of a written
program, inadequate training, and failing to properly develop or maintain safety data sheets (SDSs).
3. Scaffolds (construction)—general requirements (29 CFR 1926.451): Common violations included
improper decking, failing to provide guardrails where required, and failure to ensure that supported
scaffolds are adequately supported on a solid foundation.
4. Lockout/tagout (29 CFR 1910.147): Many employers cited under this standard failed to establish an energy control procedure altogether, while others were cited for failing to provide adequate
employee training, failing to conduct periodic evaluations of procedures, and failing to use
lockout/tagout devices or equipment.
5. Respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134): Failing to establish a program, failing to perform required fit testing, and failing to provide medical evaluations were among the most frequently cited issues.
6. Ladders (construction) (29 CFR 1926.1053): Common deficiencies included failure to have side rails extend 3 feet (ft) beyond a landing surface, using ladders for unintended purposes, using the top step of a stepladder, and ladders with structural defects.
7. Powered industrial trucks (29 CFR 1910.178): Violations commonly addressed deficient or damaged forklifts that were not removed from service, failing to safely operate a forklift, failing to retain certification of training, and failing to evaluate forklift drivers every 3 years as required.
8. Fall protection training requirements (construction)— (29 CFR 1926.503): Commonly cited issues include failing to provide training to each person required to receive it, failing to certify training in writing, inadequacies in training leading to the failure of retention by the trainee, and failing to retrain in instances where the trainee failed to retain the training content.
9. Machine guarding (29 CFR 1910.212): Violations included failing to guard points of operation, failing to ensure that guards are securely attached to machinery, improper guarding of fan blades, and
failing to properly anchor fixed machinery.
10. Personal protective and lifesaving equipment (construction)—eye and face protection (29 CFR
1926.102): Commonly cited issues included failing to provide eye and face protection where
employees are exposed to hazards from flying objects; failing to provide eye protection with side
protection; and failing to provide protection from caustic hazards, gases, and vapors.
You can read the full article on EHS Daily Advisor.
https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/2019/09/osha-reveals-latest-top-10-list-of-violations-at-nsc-2019/
Four Misunderstandings about Gas Detection That Could Cost You
BY: Michael Luther
If you depend on a gas monitor, be sure you have the education and training to properly and appropriately operate gas detection instruments and to react to instrument readings.
Here are four (4) common misunderstandings about gas detection which could have serious consequences.
- “OL” or “OR”: These do not mean “OK.”
- “These are indications that the sensor has “pegged out”, reached its over limit (OL) or over
range (OR).” Seeing this reading from a diffusion gas detector indicates exposure to that
hazard. - The “over” reading means you may be in an environment that could support an explosion.
- “These are indications that the sensor has “pegged out”, reached its over limit (OL) or over
- The “2 X 2” rule: Take your time.
- “When using a gas detector with tubing…the rule calls for two minutes of sampling time PLUS two seconds for every one foot of tubing attached to the monitor.”
- Bump testing: You can’t avoid it.
- “Bump tests check sensor and alarm functionality and are the only way to ensure your monitor is working properly. Without daily bump testing, your monitor could fail to alert you to gas hazards.”
- Calibration: The key to accuracy:
- If a gas detector is not regularly calibrated, readings will gradually change over time. Manufacturers recommend calibrating monthly.
To read further about this topic, please consult Industrial Scientific’s website at https://www.indsci.com.
