Safety Meetings and Safety Training are conducted to keep you safe while you earn your pay.  But what if these meetings were presented in a language that you didn’t know?  America has always been known as a Melting Pot, with immigrant workers coming from all over the world.  Many of them are from disadvantaged countries, and work in seasonal jobs such as agriculture.  Others work in construction, mining, and industries with high mortality rates.  Some are machine operators, assemblers, cleaners, and helpers.  Limited English proficiency may be a direct contributor to workplace injuries or fatalities. 

OSHA has a history of requiring employers to train their employees in a manner that they understand.  If they don’t speak English, then preparation for their job tasks, as well as safety and health training, is to be conveyed in the language that they understand.  If the employee’s vocabulary is limited, training must account for that limitation.  Simply telling them to read training materials will not satisfy the employer’s obligation.  OSHA also requires employers to verify that employees have acquired the knowledge and skills for which they have been trained; i.e., lockout/tagout, respiratory protection, bloodborne pathogens, etc.

Having worked for an oilfield construction company in West Texas several years ago, I know there were many of our employees that didn’t understand or speak English, and were dependent on their Spanish-speaking supervisors to instruct them.  They worked hard for minimum wage, and did a good job.  But there were injuries, as well.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health shares these examples of how they are working to improve problems that immigrant workers face:

§ The NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program identifies and studies work-related injury deaths, with the goal of identifying effective prevention measures.
§  Through on-site investigations, NIOSH and cooperating states collect detailed circumstances for select incident types, including deaths of Hispanic workers since 2002.
§ Targeted research programs focused on the construction and agricultural sectors, both of which employ a disproportionate share of immigrant workers. 
§ An occupational health disparities program, which is conducting research on the causes and prevention of occupational health disparities including those experienced by immigrant workers. 
§ A Spanish language website and translation of several NIOSH publications into Spanish.
§ An innovative information and communication effort with the Spanish-language television network Telemundo and other partners, in which construction safety messages were incorporated dramatically into a widely watched prime-time series, and supplemented with a public service announcement and a special website.

 
Companies and their supervisors are responsible for the safety of all workers, must understand the hazards of their job, as well as the importance of wearing Personal Protective Equipment, and how to take care of it.  If employees see a co-worker that is at risk, regardless of a language barrier, or any other reason, they need to reach out and help.  That way, everyone stays safe!

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Your eyes are two very important parts of your body that must always be protected.  We may take our senses of vision, smell, taste, hearing and feeling for granted, but if you lose your eyesight, your whole world can be changed in an instant.  Since January is National Eye Care Month, we think it’s a good idea to focus on this subject.

Workplace eye-related injuries account for approximately 94,500 people being treated in U.S. hospitals, according to Prevent Blindness America.  Employers and employees must be educated about hazards that workers face on a daily basis.  Prevent Blindness America has categorized the top causes of eye injuries at work, and we want to pass that on to you:

Product Categories Est’d Injuries Per Year
Tools (power,portable,manual, other)                               19,458
Welding Equipment                                                                     15,338
Adhesives                                                                                          5,733
Bleaches (non-cosmetic)                                                            5,580
House Repair/Construction                                                      4,476
Lawn Mowers                                                                                   4,388
Paints, Varnishes,Shellacs,Removers                                   3,434
Chemicals                                                                                          3,350

In an article we presented last year, “Focusing on Occupational Eye Injuries”, welding equipment led the number of work-related eye injuries last year, and tools came in second.  We can see by the statistics there is still much work to do regarding training and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment.  After assessing the particular hazards by management/safety personnel at your workplace, the determination should be made regarding what type of eye/face protection is needed.  There are all types of safety glasses: wraparound, side-shields that fit on temples of glasses, goggles, and faceshields.  Our wonderful gift of vision could be lost in a split second by not taking that few seconds to put on eye safety gear.

OSHA states that thousands of workers are blinded annually in work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented with selection and use of proper eye protection.  Costs to employers are more than $300 million annually in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation.

So, it benefits both the employer and employee to be aware of the hazards their workplace may contain.  And, as you can see in the list, there are many items listed above that we use at our homes, as well.  The next time you mow your lawn, why not put on a pair of safety glasses?  What could it hurt?

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The key to a successful safety program is to protect employees from head injuries.  The easiest and most important way is by wearing safety hard hats.

These protect workers from the shock of a blow to the head, and penetration.  The shell should be 1 to 1 ¼” away from the head to cushion impact, and the hardhat should have instructions for proper adjustment and replacement of suspension and headband.  Proper fit is of the utmost importance.

Most hard hats have slots to accommodate safety glasses, face shields, mounted lights, and/or earmuffs.

Three industrial classes of hardhats are:

• Class A – Impact and penetration resistant and limited voltage protection – up to 2,200 volts.

• Class B – Highest level of high-voltage shock and burn protection – up to 20,000 volts.  These protect from impact and penetration hazards such as falling/flying objects.

• Class C – Lightweight comfort and important protection but not electrical hazard protected.

There are some important facts one should know about their hard hats:

• Hard hats won’t last forever.

• Hard hats should be replaced after no more than 5 years of use.

• The suspension of a hard hat should be replaced after no more than 12 months of use.

• Hard hats must meet ANSI Z89.1-2003 requirements.

• Hard hat suspensions should not be interchanged with other manufacturers’ suspensions.

• The service life of a hard hat starts when it is placed in use, not when it is manufactured.  This date should be placed inside the helmet.

Personal protective equipment such as hard hats, should be maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition.  It can only be effective if used properly and the user understands its care, maintenance, and limitations, according to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132.

There was a time when hard hats were pretty “Plain Jane”, but no longer.  Workers can choose from NCAA/TEAM/NASCAR, World War II themes, Patriotic, Glow-In-The-Dark, customized ones with logos, and even Cowboy styles!  Different types of hard hats allow persons to reflect their personalities, as well as be safety compliant.

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In our series about dangerous jobs in America, one particular job keeps popping up on several “top ten” lists: refuse collectors.  Also known as garbage collectors, these folks are waste management professionals.  Their job not only includes collecting refuse for disposal, but also for recycling, which has become a very important plan in keeping our planet green.
This occupation is probably one that we take for granted: we know they are going to make their stop by our house regularly.  One thing for sure – they face many hazards in their job performance.  Statistics from the Bureau of Labor show that for every 100,000 workers, 43 in this occupation die annually.

Some of the dangers they face are:

• Getting hit by passing cars;

• Falling off trucks;

• Getting compressed in equipment;

• Handling chemicals, toxic materials, or contaminated needles that haven’t been disposed of properly;

• Working in all kinds of weather;

• Getting cut by glass.

• Experiencing strains and sprains, and overexertion from jumping off and on trucks.

Recycling is the secondary smelting and refining of nonferrous metals and used scrap.  Workers in recycling also risk being struck by objects, getting caught in equipment, and being exposed to hazardous materials.

When a little boy I knew was about 9 years old, we asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up.  His answer was very sincere: he either wanted to be an airplane pilot or a garbage man.  While being a garbage man or refuse collector may not be as glamorous as a pilot, the person doing the job is a very important part of the waste management community.

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More than 32 million workers are potentially exposed to one or more chemical hazards; there are over 650,000 existing chemical hazards in more than 3 million workplaces, and new ones being developed annually.  OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires chemical manufacturers to evaluate hazards and furnish information through labels and more detailed Material Safety Data Sheets, which are to be included with shipments of their products.  Failure to do so is a serious violation of the standard.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are also available at the workplace, and should be readily accessible to each work shift, as they are designed to instruct workers and emergency personnel on procedures for handling/working with certain substances in a safe way.  This system catalogues information on chemicals, chemical compounds and chemical mixtures that contain potential hazardous materials.    Labels, MSDS, and proper training are to be utilized to identify and prevent occupational injuries or health problems of workers.  Because more comprehensive information is contained in the MSDS, it is important that each employee understands how to use them.  Continuous training is also important, as there will be new employees, different chemicals, or different methods in use.  MSDS binders should be kept up-to-date.

Employers and workers should determine the correct PPE to be furnished, such as gloves, coveralls, goggles, foot protection, medical protective clothing, etc., depending on the type of work environment.  Employees have the right to know what they are going to be exposed to, and the best way to avoid health or safety risks that apply.

At home, one should read labels on cleaning products or sprays, as they contain harmful chemicals, as well.  Carcinogens, volatile organic compounds and phosphates are three types of such chemicals.  They are contained in items such as oven cleaners, floor wax, laundry detergent, and air fresheners.  Each type of chemical is related to different health risks and environmental damage.

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Coal mining is considered one of America’s top ten most dangerous jobs.  There are more than 50 countries that produce coal, China leading the list.  Suffocation, gas poisoning, roof collapses, and gas explosions are just a few of the dangers that coal miners face, in addition to health risks, such as “black lung” disease.  Because China employs thousands more coal miners, their fatality rate is much greater than those in the U.S.

Coal produces more than one-half of the electricity for our nation.  In eastern states such as Kentucky, families of miners have been mining coal for generations.  Coal is the means of creating electricity, methanol, coke for steel manufacture, and fuel in power generators, referred to as steaming or thermal coal.  To make cement, extracts of iron from iron ore are used.

Through technological advancements, coal mining today is more productive than ever.  Computers furnish most of the safety monitoring systems, assisting the industry in keeping their workers safer.  PPE, such as gloves, hi-visibility vests, goggles, hardhats, hardhat lights, are standard equipment for miners.

The Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration has many suggestions to ensure the safety of mines, such as gas monitoring, gas drainage, electrical equipment, better ventilation, reducing the risks of rock falls, and measuring unhealthy air quality.  One cause of fatal injuries is collapsing rock pillars, which support rock between the mine and surface.  When the coal is extracted from these pillars once the coal has been mined, the pillars sometimes fall, trapping miners inside.

Cold weather is another hazard, as methane builds along with the unnaturally low barometric pressure.  The MSHA notes that every mine must have its individual ventilation plan to keep methane at safe levels.  Proper air pressure differential is essential in order to carry the level of gas away from working areas.  There should be regularly scheduled hazard inspections of air shafts, air movements and escape routes.

As coal dust can cause explosions, constant maintenance must be done on equipment that could be a source of sparks.  No smoking or smoking materials are allowed, as common sense would dictate.

When mining accidents are announced on the news, we realize how hard and risky their daily jobs are.  Their families carry on with their lives, but worry that an accident could happen any time.   When something goes wrong, we observe the dedication on the faces of the rescue workers to get to their comrades and bring them out safely.  Coal miners work in very restricted areas; one man compared it to working underneath your kitchen table for several hours.  I think I prefer sitting behind my desk!  But I do appreciate the history behind this industry, and those persons who help keep America moving forward.

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Have you ever thought about how dangerous many of the jobs are that people perform every day?  When a thunderstorm hits and the electricity goes out, there are qualified repair persons out there restoring the power, no matter how bad the weather is.  There are fishermen that furnish the delicacies such as crabs and other seafood that you enjoy.  Pilots who get you to your destination seem to have glamorous jobs, but they are on the dangerous jobs list.  Miners come to mind; it seems we don’t appreciate their hard work until we hear of a disaster, and then we realize how it takes special skills to perform their job.  Oil field workers also have jobs that are very demanding; there are many dangers in the oil fields, and workers are taught to respect those risks.

In looking for the ten most dangerous jobs, one finds many lists that are similar, but not the same.  So I am going to list more than ten jobs, including the ones above.  It is my plan to go into more detail later on these risky endeavors.

• Fishermen

• Military

• Logging, timber workers

• Pilots, flight engineers

• Structural steel and iron workers

• Refuse recyclable material collectors

• Farmers and ranchers

• Electrical power installers and repairers

• Truck drivers

• Construction workers, roofers

• Miners

• Oil field workers

• Law enforcement

• Firefighters

• Bodyguards

• Bomb Squads

• Coast Guard search and rescue teams

• Armored car guards

• Emergency Medical Services

There are many other jobs that I have overlooked; however, your input is needed.  If you know of something I have missed, please let me know.  As time allows, I will write about the risks involved in the occupations mentioned.  It is a very interesting subject, and hopefully, it will be a way of showing the people who perform these jobs how much they are appreciated.

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One of the worst things that can happen to any business is for an employee to be injured on the job.  (It goes without saying, that it’s also a very unfortunate event for the employee.) Workers have the right to know exactly what is expected of them in their daily job performance.  They should be informed of any hazards associated with their duties and properly trained before beginning their job, and given the proper personal protective equipment that is required to ensure their safety.

Efficient businesses have policies and procedures, which should include a proper accident investigation and reporting plan.  Prevention, of course, is the key to avoiding accidents, but when they happen, someone must be assigned to be responsible in determining how and why the injury occurred.   Insufficient reporting of work-related accidents will lead to higher costs for employers.  It also must be reported to company management and workers comp providers in an accurate and timely manner.

Lost time accidents are costly to employers.  According to Cal/OSHA, for every dollar a company spends on direct costs of a workers’ injury, more dollars are spent to cover the hidden and indirect costs, such as:

• Productive time lost by the injured employee;

• Productive time lost by employees attending the accident victim;

• Time to hire/retrain employee while victim is off work;

• Clean up and start up of operations that were interrupted;

• Paying employee all or part of wages, in addition to compensation;

• Cost to repair damaged equipment;

• Higher workers compensation rates;

• Cost of paperwork involved in reporting accident.

Employers that do not furnish safe and healthful work practices for their workers are gambling with the future of their very own business.  Hazard assessments, risk management, and safety programs are essential for ensuring successful business practices for everyone involved.

Another angle to consider, as well, is that a thorough accident investigation will prove that the injury did occur on the job, and not elsewhere.  History shows that there are people in this world that will take advantage of their employer and sue them for an on-the-job injury that happened somewhere else.

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Employers must take care by conducting extensive hazard assessments to ensure that potential injury to arm and hands of workers is avoided.  The employer should determine which type of protection is needed for the utmost security, by selecting the proper glove, finger guards, arm coverings, or elbow-length glove that is appropriate for the task at hand.

There are many numerous selections of work gloves and hand protection.  We encourage you to consider what hazards exist in your work surroundings and then make your choice. (There’s even gloves with a light on them for working under the hood of a car!)  Whether you are an employer, employee, or performing jobs at home, it’s important to make the right choices.

Factors that should influence your Personal Protective Equipment decision in choosing gloves:

• Types of chemicals you are exposed to.  Also the nature of contact (splash, total immersion.)

• Duration of contact.  Area of body that requires protection.

• Grip.  (Dry, Wet, or Oily).

• Thermal Protection.

• Size and Comfort.

• Abrasion/Resistance Required.

Gloves generally fall into four groups:

Different styles of gloves available

• Leather, Canvas or Metal Mesh

• Fabric and Coated Fabric

• Chemical and Liquid-resistant

• Insulated Rubber Gloves

We hope by handing you this information, you will be able to choose the most fitting gloves.

Source: OSHA

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According to OSHA, statistics show that more than 145,000 people work in over 7,000 warehouses.  The fatal injury rate for the warehousing industry is higher than the national average for all industries.  Some of the potential hazards for workers in warehousing are: unsafe use of forklifts; improper stacking of products; failure to use proper personal protective equipment; inadequate fire safety provisions; and poor respiratory protection.

• Docks are locations where products fall on employees, forklifts run off the dock, or equipment strikes a fellow worker.

• About 100 employees are killed and 95,000 injured every year while operating forklifts in all industries.  Operators should be properly trained, and anyone under 18 years old should never be allowed to operate a forklift.

• Injuries happen when workers are caught in pinch points when working around conveyors.  Proper lighting and working surfaces assist in providing safety in the conveyor area.

• Improperly stored materials may fall and injure workers.

• If hazardous materials are present, chemical burns are possible.  Provide proper personal protective equipment and enforce its use.  All chemicals should be stored safely and securely.

• Charging Stations need to have fire extinguishers available and ready; prohibit smoking.  PPE, such as nitrile gloves, and eye and face protection should be worn around charging stations, and an eyewashing and safety shower facility should be provided for employees exposed to battery acids.

• Improper lifting, repetitive motion or poor design of operations can cause musculoskeletal disorders in workers in warehouses. Floors should be kept clean and free from trip/slip hazards.  Provide general ergonomics training.

The jobs that are performed in warehouses require skill in lifting and observing safety procedures at all times.  Employees should have proper training and be aware of the many hazards lurking in warehouses.

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