Newsletter 29th Edition

Author

Dan Abbotoy
May 06, 2024


Good morning! Here’s to another week, working to make our workplace safer for everyone. We hope there is something you take away from this weeks edition. If you do let us know. You know where to find us.

THIS WEEK’S TIPS

This week’s safety upgrades:

  • New Construction Safety Data

  • NIOSH Total Health Overview

  • The Safety Behind the Bridge Collapse Salvage

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This Weeks Professional Development Tip

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

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
Hospitals Safety Failure Across the Board.

The Crisis Prevention Institute's second annual Workplace Violence Prevention Training Annual Report for healthcare highlights significant concerns among healthcare workers regarding workplace safety and violence prevention policies. Key findings indicate that approximately one in five workers feel very or mostly unsafe, and over half believe their workplace violence prevention plans are ineffective.

Tony Jace, CEO of the Crisis Prevention Institute, expresses alarm over these findings, emphasizing the need for hospitals and healthcare organizations to prioritize worker safety and instill confidence in their staff regarding workplace security.

The report reveals a stagnant violence prevention index score, suggesting insufficient progress in enhancing workplace safety measures and training programs. Common challenges cited include inadequate resources, lack of attention to safety protocols, and infrequent training opportunities.

Jace underscores the importance of robust violence prevention strategies, regular training on safety issues, and effective communication among healthcare staff to de-escalate tense situations. He emphasizes the need for a culture of safety where employees feel supported and confident in their workplace environment.

While acknowledging the increased awareness of workplace violence, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jace notes a concerning erosion of trust between healthcare leadership and frontline workers. However, he sees potential for improvement as more organizations recognize the urgency of addressing violence prevention and prioritizing the well-being of their workforce.

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SAFETY DISASTERS
Who’s Keeping the Salvage Safe?

When the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, a swift and coordinated response was initiated to manage the crisis and restore operations at the Port of Baltimore. Among the diverse array of responders were safety specialists like Kodell Harris from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), whose expertise became invaluable in ensuring the safety of personnel engaged in the salvage efforts.

Harris's role as a safety and occupational specialist involves proactively identifying and mitigating risks in the work environment. He oversees the implementation of safety protocols, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the maintenance of situational awareness, particularly crucial in the dynamic and hazardous conditions of the response mission.

In addition to field operations, Harris conducts regular inspections of the Incident Command Post (ICP) and collaborates with agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Daily safety messages, on-site safety checks, and ongoing training sessions contribute to fostering a safety-conscious culture among response teams.

Despite the inherent dangers associated with salvage work, the Unified Command has managed to avoid any significant safety incidents during the initial phase of the response. This success underscores the importance of collaboration, vigilance, and adherence to safety protocols in achieving mission objectives without compromising the well-being of personnel involved.

NIOSH NEWS
Total Worker Health Approach.

James Earl Jones Agree GIF

NIOSH's Total Worker Health (TWH) initiative, introduced in 2011, has seen substantial growth and acceptance in workplace safety and health circles. L. Casey Chosewood, the Director of the Office of Total Worker Health, highlights the initiative's progress, including the establishment of the Society for Total Worker Health in 2022 and the expansion of research and partnerships.

TWH represents a departure from traditional siloed approaches to safety by considering broader factors that impact workers' well-being. This approach involves addressing not only physical hazards but also psychosocial factors like stress and fatigue. Collaborating with workers is emphasized to ensure buy-in and innovative solutions.

NIOSH supports 10 Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health, which serve as hubs for research and practice. These centers aim to develop innovative solutions to complex occupational safety and health issues.

To promote TWH to organizational leadership, it's crucial to demonstrate its benefits in terms of healthcare costs, productivity, and employee retention. Making the business case for TWH involves highlighting its potential impact on the bottom line.

Implementing TWH involves listening to employees, targeting initiatives based on data analysis, and training frontline managers in supportive supervision skills. It's a long-term endeavor focused on changing workplace culture and improving worker well-being.

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
Deadly High Numbers for Some.

Build air

The tragic scaffold collapse in Charlotte, North Carolina, claimed the lives of three men: Jose Canaca, Gilberto Monico Fernández, and Jesus ​“Chuy” Olivares. Despite the efforts of others, including Diego Sanchez, who attempted to rescue them, the men fell from the 10th floor of a building they were working on, resulting in their deaths.

This incident reflects a broader issue of workplace safety, particularly for Latino workers. Latino workers, including undocumented individuals, face disproportionate risks of injury and death on the job, with the highest workplace fatality rate among all demographics. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 1,248 Latino workers killed on the job in 2022, reflecting a 57% increase over the previous decade.

Many Latino workers are employed in low-wage, hazardous industries such as construction, meat processing, and agriculture, where they encounter various dangers including falls, machinery accidents, and heat-related illnesses. In 2022, deaths among Latino construction workers increased from 222 in 2012 to 408, accounting for more than 32% of all workplace deaths among Latino people in the nation.

Government figures indicate a significant increase in workplace fatalities among Latino workers, especially in the construction industry. However, these figures may not fully capture the extent of the risks faced by Latino workers, as many injuries and incidents go unreported. Only one-fourth of the injuries suffered by Latinos working on small construction jobs are regularly reported, according to a 2011 study based on long-term statistics.

The challenges faced by Latino workers are compounded by factors such as lack of training, language barriers, and exploitation by employers. Undocumented workers are particularly vulnerable, often facing threats of deportation if they report workplace violations. About two-thirds of the Latino workers killed on the job in 2022 were undocumented.

Efforts to address these issues include advocacy for worker rights, legal protections for noncitizen workers reporting labor violations, and support for affected families. However, much work remains to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of Latino workers, who continue to face significant risks in their workplaces.

New Fatigue Research

The construction industry is vital to the global economy but faces significant risks, including high rates of fatalities, injuries, and illnesses among workers. Fatigue is a major concern in construction, leading to errors, accidents, and health problems. Identifying the root causes and implementing effective interventions is crucial to safeguarding workers' health and safety.

New research has identified various risk factors contributing to construction worker fatigue (CWF), including work-related factors (e.g., job nature, duration, and workload), environmental factors (e.g., heat/cold stress, air pollution, noise pollution), and personal factors (e.g., age, physique, sleep time). Understanding these factors helps prioritize interventions.

Effective interventions for CWF span multiple levels: individual, team, site, project, and industry. Technological interventions include wearable sensing devices and smart personal protective equipment (PPE) to monitor and prevent fatigue-related accidents. Ergonomic interventions optimize work tasks, equipment, and workplace layout to reduce physical strain and musculoskeletal disorders. Human-robot collaboration (HRC) and automation can relieve workers of repetitive or dangerous tasks, enhancing safety and productivity. Here is a complete list for the 5 recommended solution.

Challenges remain in implementing these interventions, including overcoming barriers to technology adoption, optimizing the deployment of robots and exoskeletons, and promoting information exchange among devices. Leveraging best practices from other industries and addressing research gaps can enhance the management of CWF and improve occupational health and safety in construction.

Overall, continued research and innovation are essential for mitigating CWF and creating a safer, healthier, and more productive workforce in the construction industry.

EPA
You Have to Find a New Way to Strip.

Flirty Flirting GIF by Romy

The EPA's finalized rule prohibits consumer uses of methylene chloride, such as paint stripping products available to the general public in hardware stores. This ban aims to prevent accidental exposure and health risks to individuals using these products without adequate protective measures or training.

Consumer ban of the chemical will occur within a year and prohibits the majority of industrial and commercial uses within two years. Exceptions will be granted for certain "critical" commercial and industrial uses of methylene chloride under strict conditions and robust worker protections. These critical uses are typically in specialized industrial settings where there are no feasible substitutes available, or where the benefits outweigh the risks when stringent safety measures are in place.

For example, methylene chloride will still be permitted for specific industrial purposes such as manufacturing refrigerants as an alternative to chemicals that contribute to climate change. Additionally, it may be used in electric vehicle batteries and for critical military functions.

The EPA emphasizes that these commercial uses occur in sophisticated industrial settings where safety protocols are rigorously enforced. The agency has set strict guidelines to minimize exposure and mitigate health risks for workers involved in these industries.

Overall, while consumer use of methylene chloride is being phased out rapidly, allowing time for alternative products and practices to be adopted, the regulation acknowledges the necessity of certain commercial and industrial applications where stringent safety measures can adequately mitigate risks.

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