Newsletter 35th Edition

Good morning! We hope that you were able to spend some quality time with family yesterday as we celebrated Father’s Day. Here’s to doing what we can to making sure people go home safe and can celebrate the next one.

THIS WEEK’S TIPS

This week’s safety upgrades:

• America’s Strongest Heat Protection Plan

• Bird Flu- What to know

• Quality vs. Bottom Line vs. Retention

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This Weeks Professional Development Tip

• How to Engage Employees In Safety Training Programs

SAFETY KNIGHTS COMMUNITY
For Those About to Rock a New Gig.

HEALTH SAFETY
Angry Bird Flu?

The outbreak of H5N1 bird flu has been confirmed in dairy cattle in Texas, spreading across 11 states within four months and causing significant concern among veterinarians and health officials. The rapid spread of the virus has resulted in three documented human cases, including one person who tested positive for HPAI A(H5N1) after exposure to infected dairy cattle in Texas. This individual experienced eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis) as their only symptom and is currently recovering under isolation with antiviral treatment. Despite the CDC considering the overall human health risk to the U.S. general public as low, those with close or prolonged, unprotected exposure to infected animals or contaminated environments remain at higher risk.

Veterinarians stress the urgent need for comprehensive testing and reporting of H5N1 among dairy workers and cattle to prevent a potential human epidemic. Current practices in the dairy industry, such as co-raising young animals and transporting them across states, have facilitated the virus's spread. Inadequate initial responses from state and federal agencies have exacerbated the situation, threatening other agricultural sectors, including poultry farms, which have already lost over 13 million laying hens.

To mitigate the risk, the dairy industry has been encouraged to adopt proactive measures similar to those in the poultry and swine industries, ensuring worker safety with appropriate personal protective equipment and encouraging symptom reporting and testing. The federal Voluntary H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program and additional emergency funds aim to support these efforts by compensating for production losses and incentivizing case reporting.

Timely access to testing results is critical for tracking the virus and implementing effective control measures. A coordinated "One Health" approach, integrating animal and human health strategies, is essential to managing this outbreak. Worksites should implement protective measures and early testing protocols while awaiting emergency services to reduce the spread of H5N1. Immediate, transparent, and science-driven actions are vital to preventing a catastrophic pandemic.

Related: Bird flu detected in Houston-area wastewater

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HEAT SAFETY
Hot, hot, hot.

In light of the Northern Hemisphere’s hottest summer on record, the issue of heat stress among farmworkers has come to the forefront. Cruz Salucio, a former farmworker and current educator with the Fair Food Program, shared his harrowing experiences with heat stress, recounting extreme exhaustion, dehydration, and severe cramps while working long hours in various states.

Heat is the deadliest extreme weather condition in the US, killing 600 people annually. Farmworkers are particularly vulnerable, being 35 times more likely to die from heat than other workers. Since 1992, over 1,000 farmworkers have died, and at least 100,000 have been injured due to heat. Between 40% and 84% of agricultural workers experience heat-related illnesses at work.

The vulnerability of farmworkers to heat stress is exacerbated by social and political factors, such as long working hours, piece-rate payment systems, inconsistent access to clean drinking water and shade, poor work safety climates, and excessive clothing. Immediate actions are needed to protect these workers from unnecessary suffering and death.

The federal government, has begun addressing this crisis, with OSHA working on developing a heat standard. However, the rule-making process is slow, and in the meantime, OSHA relies on the general duty clause and a spot inspection program to address heat hazards. These measures are limited, as OSHA cannot enforce standards on farms with ten or fewer employees due to a 1976 appropriations rider.

The Fair Food Program (FFP) offers a proactive solution, providing comprehensive standards and protocols for heat stress prevention and response. The FFP’s measures include mandatory cool-down rest breaks, unrestricted access to clean water and shade, frequent monitoring for heat stress, and the ability for workers to stop working if they feel unwell without fear of repercussions. These protections have been recognized as the strongest workplace heat rules in the US.

The FFP operates in 10 states and is expanding to South Africa and Chile. It works with the Fair Food Standards Council, an independent third party that audits farms for compliance with labor justice standards and runs a 24/7 worker complaint hotline. The program has successfully addressed significant labor issues, such as gender-based violence and forced labor, which have been virtually eradicated from FFP farms.

Despite participation from major food companies like Walmart, McDonald’s, and Whole Foods, more companies need to join to expand the program’s benefits. The workers behind the program are determined to continue their progress in improving farmworker conditions. As one worker noted, the collective strength and unity among workers are driving positive changes, ensuring they never revert to previous unsafe conditions.

OSHA’s Heat Program

OSHA's proposed standard for protecting workers from excessive heat is currently undergoing final review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). The proposal, sent on June 11, has already received unanimous approval from OSHA’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health and has been evaluated by a Small Business Advocacy Review panel. While awaiting the finalization of this rule, OSHA can still cite employers under the General Duty Clause, though this requires meeting a stringent four-part test. Additionally, OSHA continues its National Emphasis Program on heat-related hazards, which began in 2022, prioritizing inspections of agricultural employers with H-2A workers due to their increased vulnerability to heat. The proposed rule and OSHA's ongoing efforts emphasize the need for employers to implement heat safety plans, including acclimatization periods, access to water, rest, and shade, and training for workers and managers to prevent heat illness.

Cal/OSHA Indoor Heat Rule

Gov. Gavin Newsom has made significant changes to the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, removing member Laura Stock and demoting Chairperson Dave Thomas. This shakeup follows their vocal criticism of Newsom's administration for delaying a proposed indoor heat protection rule over cost concerns. The rule aims to protect indoor workers from extreme heat, but its approval was postponed in March when the administration withdrew support just before a scheduled vote due to the rule estimated at costing state prisons billions more dollars than the workplace safety agency estimated. The board is expected to vote on an amended version of the rule, exempting state prisons, on June 20.

Stock, a longstanding member and workplace safety expert, was informed of her removal without explanation. Thomas, who had advocated for passing the rule despite the administration's withdrawal, has been replaced as chair by Joseph Alioto but remains a board member. These changes have raised concerns among worker advocates about Newsom's commitment to worker health and safety, especially given the ongoing risks of heat-related illnesses.

The administration justified the delay by citing unexpected costs for state prisons, though it has not disclosed specific cost estimates. The upcoming vote will determine the rule's fate as California enters its summer heat waves.

SAFETY CULTURE
How Quality Effects the Bottom Line.

Boeing's Recent Struggles with Orders and Quality Issues:

In May, Boeing received orders for only four new planes, none of which were for its best-selling 737 Max, marking the second consecutive month without any orders for the Max. This decline follows a significant incident in January when a side panel blew out during a flight. Additionally, Aerolineas Argentinas canceled an order for one Max jet, resulting in a net sales figure of three for the month. In contrast, Airbus secured net orders for 15 planes during the same period.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has restricted Boeing's production of 737s due to ongoing safety and quality concerns, including the door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines Max, whistleblower allegations of production shortcuts, and reports of falsified inspection records on some 787 Dreamliner jets. Despite these challenges, Boeing delivered 24 jetliners in May, including 19 Max jets, with major deliveries to Ryanair and Alaska Airlines. However, Boeing's stock fell by 3% due to these issues and the slow pace of recent sales.

Interrelation of Safety and Quality in Construction:

In the construction industry, safety is a top priority, ensuring that workers and surrounding communities are protected from injury or health risks. However, quality, which ensures adherence to materials, labor, and design procedures, has often been overshadowed. Both safety and quality are crucial, and poor quality can lead to significant safety incidents. For example, Boeing's recent issues highlight how failures in quality control can jeopardize safety.

Rework rates on construction projects are high, exceeding 30%, and add nearly a trillion dollars to global costs. Improving quality in construction requires a cultural shift similar to the successful safety culture. A safety plan focuses on minimizing occupational hazards and promoting a safe working environment through site inspections, hazard assessments, emergency protocols, and personal protective equipment (PPE). In contrast, a quality plan ensures consistency, precision, and compliance with industry standards through quality control, quality assurance, inspections, and testing.

To improve quality, construction leaders need to prioritize it alongside safety. This involves using advanced technology to guide procedures and verify adherence to quality standards. Fostering a culture that prioritizes quality involves rewarding individuals who report quality issues and penalizing poor performance. Effective data collection and analysis are essential for identifying root causes of quality issues and making informed decisions to improve work quality. By adopting practices from the safety culture, the construction industry can enhance its focus on quality, leading to better project outcomes and reduced rework rates.

SURVEY RESULTS
Worker Retention and Safety.

A recent survey by Vector Solutions, titled The State of Industrial Worker Safety and Well-Being, involved over 600 full-time professionals across maintenance, production, operations, engineering, and health and safety. Key findings indicate a strong connection between job retention and workplace safety:

• Employee Concerns: Despite valuing safety, 46% of workers believe their employers could do more to reduce safety incidents. Moreover, 83% feel that their company's safety protocols are merely checkboxes rather than genuine commitments to employee well-being.

• Training Importance: 58% of respondents believe that additional training would enhance workplace safety. Training is also crucial for job satisfaction and retention, with 81% stating that training makes them more inclined to stay at their company, and 62% believing that good training improves job satisfaction.

• Impact on Workforce: Safety issues contribute to the skills gap and labor shortage. 57% report that safety issues cause seasoned workers to leave, and 44% say safety concerns make hiring more difficult.

• Language Barriers: Non-native English speakers face significant disparities. Half report that their company doesn't offer training in their native language. They are 27% more likely to feel pressured to prioritize productivity over safety and 127% more likely to feel uncomfortable reporting workplace hazards compared to native English speakers.

• Training Engagement: 50% of employees find their company's training unengaging, with dissatisfaction particularly high among those in electrical maintenance. Additionally, 29% of those dissatisfied with their training are considering leaving their job due to this reason.

Overall, the survey highlights that while safety training is deemed essential by all respondents, there is significant room for improvement in how companies implement and prioritize safety protocols and training to enhance employee well-being and retention.

NEWS
Your Virtual Water Cooler

• Ask the Expert: Identifying Safety Training Needs

• 'Unacceptable': Business leaders call out 'stalled progress' on improving workplace safety

• Sierra Pacific Industries sawmill receives star safety status from OSHA

• New OSHA Regulations Could Hurt Volunteer Fire Departments

• More time to comment on OSHA’s proposed rule for emergency responders

• OSHA publishes final worker walkaround rule

• What You Need to Know About the Future of Workplace Testing

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