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Dan Abbotoy
September 16, 2024
Good morning! "Work safely today. Remember, somebody expects you home tonight.”
— Author unknown
THIS WEEK’S TIPS
This week’s safety upgrades:
Worker Satisfaction?
Safeguarding from Nanomaterials
New report on worker loneliness
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This Weeks Professional Development Tip
SAFETY KNIGHTS COMMUNITY
We asked, you answered. NSC here we come!
It was a questions in our recent survey. What do you dislike the most about Safety Knights? Here was one of the responses:
Well, we asked for your input, and you delivered loud and clear. Looks like we'll be sending Branden to NSC with swag in hand—because clearly, showing up where safety pros gather and handing out cool stuff is exactly what you wanted. See you soon, booth 1127!
NEWS
When the Office Fails: Lessons from a Tragic Case of Being Unnoticed for Four Days.
A 60-year-old Wells Fargo employee, was discovered deceased in her cubicle on August 20, four days after her last scan into the Tempe, Arizona office. She had last scanned into the building at 7 a.m. on August 16, with no subsequent scans recorded. Her death was initially suspected to be due to faulty plumbing odors, but on-site security later found her body in a less-trafficked area on the third floor. The cause of death is under investigation by the Maricopa County medical examiner, with no immediate signs of foul play.
This incident underscores several critical considerations for EHS professionals. The extended period before Denise Prudhomme was discovered points to possible gaps in monitoring and emergency response systems. For EHS professionals, this case highlights the need to:
Enhance Monitoring Systems: Ensure that all areas of the workplace, including less-frequented zones, are regularly monitored. Implementing more frequent wellness checks can help identify and address potential issues sooner.
Improve Building Design: Evaluate office layouts to ensure visibility and accessibility in all areas. Consider redesigning spaces to enhance oversight and reduce the risk of unnoticed incidents.
Strengthen Emergency Procedures: Review and reinforce emergency response protocols to ensure they are robust and practiced regularly. Ensure all employees are familiar with these procedures.
Ongoing Safety Reviews and Training: Continuously review and update safety protocols and training programs. Incorporate lessons learned from such incidents to prevent future occurrences and improve overall workplace safety.
Addressing these areas can help prevent similar situations and enhance the overall safety and well-being of employees.
OSHA GAMES
Gamify Your Trainings.
Let’s be real: your employees are exhausted. Sitting them down for another PowerPoint presentation? Odds are their minds are wandering - either thinking about all the work they have to do, or what they'll be doing this weekend. Sure, a PowerPoint checks the compliance box, but it’s not sticking. The real key to training retention?
Gamification. Imagine turning your training into an engaging game of Family Feud or Jeopardy. Now you can!
Check it out Here: https://oshagames.com/
DATA
Supply Chain Stress vs. Retail Bliss: Worker Satisfaction Trends.
The Shift Pulse Report from Deputy revealed that hourly workers in the supply chain sector, particularly in warehousing and storage, are among the least satisfied, with 19% reporting stress or frustration. Delivery and logistics workers also showed high levels of dissatisfaction. In contrast, the retail industry had the most positive shift experiences, with 52% of workers feeling "amazing" after their shifts. Healthcare workers, especially dentists and hospital employees, reported mostly positive emotions after their shifts, with over 78% of healthcare workers feeling good or amazing.
The study underscores the need for more support in stressful industries like supply chain, even though their importance rivals that of more satisfaction-driven sectors like retail and hospitality.
Key Findings:
Warehousing and storage workers had the highest dissatisfaction (19% stressed).
Retail workers had the highest satisfaction (52% “amazing”), especially in tobacco, e-cigarette, and marijuana stores.
Healthcare workers, especially dentists (96% positive), reported strong satisfaction.
Deputy’s CEO emphasized the critical role of worker happiness across all sectors.
OSHA/NIOSH
Safeguarding Workers from Nanomaterials: Best Practices.
The Center for Construction Research and Training highlights the need to manage worker exposure to nanomaterials as one would handle other hazards. Nanomaterials, which have at least one dimension smaller than 100 nanometers, are increasingly present in commercial construction products, including cement, adhesives, paints, and coatings. More than half of the nearly 1,000 products identified contain engineered nanomaterials, particularly in paints and coatings.
While nanomaterials can enhance product performance, they can also produce dust or mist that workers may inhale or absorb through their skin during tasks like cutting, sanding, or spraying. There’s a concern that these small particles might bypass filters or respirator cartridges, but CPWR reassures that proper use of these protective devices is effective in preventing exposure.
CPWR also recommends additional protective measures like local exhaust ventilation, wet methods, and changes to work practices to minimize bystander exposure – which is a significant concern for painters.
A major issue is that Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) often lack adequate information about the types and hazards of nanomaterials used in construction products. However, OSHA’s updated Hazard Communication Standard (1910.1200), effective from July 19, is expected to improve SDSs by requiring manufacturers to disclose particle characteristics, including size.
Although OSHA does not have specific exposure standards for nanomaterials, NIOSH provides recommended exposure limits for various nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and nanofibers, commonly found in paints and coatings.
3motionAI
Your Ergo Solution.
Overexertion is costing companies $12.49 BILLION each year and feeding into a much larger problem! That’s why we’ve partnered with 3motionAI to enhance workplace safety with their Risk Flashlight solution. Together, we’re empowering EHS professionals to tackle these costly problems at the root, building a safer, more equitable workplace.
Steps to Take:
1. Learn more about 3motionAI: Read, here
2. Show company leadership how you can protect the bottom line.
3. Earn the respect you deserve by making a real impact.
NEWS
Your Virtual Water Cooler
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