Newsletter 22nd Edition

Good morning! We hope your finally feeling a little less tired this week. If not, this edition has something special for you as we take a look at how sleep effects safety in the workplace. We will also take a look at a new resource to help prevent the spread for airborne diseases and dive into mental health and manufacturing. We’ve also dusted off a 90’s classic workplace safety video which you can find in our virtual water cooler section. So, if you’re ready let’s jump into this weeks edition!

THIS WEEK’S TIPS

This week’s safety upgrades:

• Airborne Infection Defense

• Sleep Safety

• Mental Health in Manufacturing

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This Weeks Professional Development Tip

• How to Become More Persuasive at Work

SAFETY KNIGHTS COMMUNITY
Looking to hire?

TRANSPORTATION
Planes, Trains and Workplace Safety.

Railroad companies often tout their safety records when questioned by federal officials or faced with accidents, but ProPublica's investigation reveals a troubling culture within these companies. Despite their statistics, there's evidence of a culture that blames workers for injuries and incentivizes supervisors to go to extreme lengths to keep injuries off the books.

The playbook for hiding injuries includes driving injured workers to remote job sites instead of hospitals, paying them to conceal injuries, and pressuring doctors to change records. Employees who speak up about injuries face harassment and retaliation, creating a culture of fear and silence.

This dynamic is reflected in hundreds of interviews and records, including court testimonies, complaints to regulators, and audio recordings. Railroad officials often push back against injury reports, sometimes firing workers unjustly.

Despite congressional hearings and regulations aimed at addressing these issues, problems persist due to performance metrics that penalize managers for reporting injuries and a corporate culture that prioritizes profits over safety. Workers who report injuries are often met with skepticism and scrutiny, with efforts made to discredit their claims.

The investigation highlights cases where injured workers faced retaliation, such as being fired or accused of dishonesty. Railroad managers have been recorded expressing disbelief in the legitimacy of injuries and discussing ways to shift blame onto workers.

Overall, the investigation reveals a disturbing pattern of mistreatment and neglect of injured railroad workers, with systemic issues persisting despite regulatory efforts and legal actions taken by affected employees.

Planes

Oxford Airport Technical Services, based in Rochester, New York, is facing significant penalties and citations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) following the death of one of its employees at Logan International Airport. The employee, a 51-year-old Winthrop resident, tragically lost his life when the forklift he was operating struck an overhang, causing the vehicle to tip over and fatally crush him. OSHA's investigation revealed several serious safety violations on the part of Oxford Airport Technical Services:

1. Failure to ensure that the worker wore a seatbelt while operating the forklift, exposing him to rollover and crushing hazards.

2. Operating the forklift with its forks and mast raised higher than necessary, posing additional risks.

3. Inadequate training and certification for forklift operators.

4. Failure to inspect and properly maintain damaged forklifts, resulting in their continued use despite defects.

These lapses in safety protocol were identified as contributing factors to the tragic accident. OSHA has issued four serious citations against Oxford Airport Technical Services, with proposed penalties totaling $46,096. The agency emphasized that proper safeguards could have prevented the loss of life in this case, labeling the employer's negligence as "inexcusable." Oxford Airport Technical Services has been given 15 days to address the citations and penalties, during which they can comply, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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Red Alert Wax was developed to help reduce the number of slips and falls due to accidental spills. When you see a shiny clean floor, you assume it is clear of any slip hazards, however most spills are water, which are not visible. That is why we developed a safety coating system that will turn the spill a reddish color to warn everyone the floor is wet and to avoid the area.

The color changes within the first 3 to 10 seconds of the water hitting the floor, making it an early wet floor warning system. Red Alert Floor Safety Coating has given you a new reason to wax and protect your floor like never before—their solution warns people where the spills are, and where to avoid them. After spills are cleaned up, and the floor is dry it will go back to its original shiny waxed floor that everyone is accustomed to seeing.

Upgrade your floor safety game today by clicking here or emailing Kip [email protected] and make workplace slips and falls a thing of the past!

WEBINARS
Harnessing AI for EHS!

Wondering how you can harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive operational excellence? Don't miss the interactive discussion hosted by EcoOnline's Principal Product Director, Rob Leech, as he interviews experts in the world of AI solutions.

Why Attend:

• Stay ahead of the curve: In a rapidly evolving digital age, understanding AI's role in EHS is crucial for staying competitive and compliant

• Gain actionable insights: Learn practical strategies for harnessing AI to drive operational excellence and achieve safety and sustainability goals

• Connect with industry experts: Engage with leading minds in AI and EHS, and your industry peers for valuable networking opportunities and knowledge-sharing

Save your seat, here!

SLEEP SAFETY
Still tired?

We all know that we live in a world, where productivity reigns supreme and time is precious, the importance of sleep often goes overlooked. Yet, we still take the time to observe the tradition of adjusting our clocks an hour. Resulting in a disruption in our sleep. It’s time we had the conversation about sleep's impact on workplace safety.

Sleep deprivation adversely affects motor skills, concentration, memory, decision-making, and judgment, according to neuropsychologist Maude Bouchard. She emphasizes that adequate sleep is vital for both safety and productivity in the workplace.

Addressing this issue requires acknowledgment of its prevalence and support for better sleep practices. Bouchard advocates for education and intervention, debunking the myth that more sleep leads to decreased productivity. For shift workers, tailored interventions focusing on light exposure management, bedroom optimization, and personalized strategies are crucial.

Bouchard underscores the positive impact of sleep interventions, citing improvements in insomnia symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Prioritizing sleep in workplace health and safety initiatives is essential for unlocking workforce potential and fostering a culture of well-being and productivity.

Ultimately, optimizing sleep is not only a matter of health and safety but also a strategic necessity for success in today's workplace.

Related: Study explores the effects of irregular work hours on sleep

DISEASE PREVENTION
Your Airborne Infection Defense.

For many, this years cold and flu season has been a rough one. Nationwide people have faced elevated rates of respiratory infections such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV, accompanied by recurring and persistent symptoms. For many, this may have indicated a possible dual infection.

Fortunately, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has released an e-book titled "Healthier Workplaces and Schools" to assist employers in managing and minimizing the risk of airborne infectious diseases such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV infections. This comprehensive resource, developed by experts in industrial hygiene and occupational and environmental health and safety, aims to protect workers across various industries. AIHA CEO Lawrence Sloan emphasizes the importance of preparedness and the implementation of evidence-based strategies to ensure workplace safety. The e-book provides guidance for both employers and employees on their respective responsibilities in creating a safe work environment. Click here, to download you copy of the e-book.

Related: Histoplasmosis Infection Risks for Workers & Vulnerable Populations

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NEWS
Your Virtual Water Cooler

• Ohio Safety Congress & Expo Coming to Columbus This Month

• What we can learn from recent acts of workplace violence affecting US dental practices.

• Texas Hold ‘Em: Lone Star State Enacts New Notice Law Regarding Workplace Violence.

• NIOSH Announces Respirator Fit Evaluation Challenge Phase 2 Winners

• NIOSH Plans Oil and Gas Health and Safety Summit

• Florida Legislature Faces Backlash for Banning Heat Safety Measures

• A Guide To Promoting Mental Health In The Manufacturing Industry

• Biden administration seeking a 3.7% budget increase for OSHA

• Video: It Only Takes a Second

• Research: Correlation analysis between occupational stress and metabolic syndrome in workers of a petrochemical enterprise: based on two assessment models of occupational stress

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