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SUMMER 2009
Dear valued friends:
It is with pride we offer you our early summer publication...enjoy! As the
heat index rises, remember the brain is 90% water, be smart, stay
smart...please THINK TO DRINK.
In this Issue
=============
Top stories
* Congratulations to Jordan Barab
* US Government Accountability Office issues VPP report
* Our favorite video
* Executive Director Mike Hayslip will be at ASSE next week-Let's talk
* Mark your calendars for VPPAC's second annual conference
* Kudos to DOL
In the Safety Zone
* New guidance on Silica in construction
* OSHA Publications on Silica, ethylene oxide and nail guns
* Changes to reporting accidents
* How Material Layout Impacts Safety & Efficiency
* Another OSHA Viewpoint
* Safety alert on locking snap hooks
* 25th Annual National VPPPA Conference - August 24-27
What's happening in Washington
* President's Budget Request for NIOSH for FY2010
* DOL seeking more safety enforcement funding
* Agencies Release Recovery Project Progress Reports
* Ever look up a bill in congress?
Technology & Business
* Getting Social with ASCE
* Stay connected with OHS News
* Confused by Twitter, Xing, and Digg?
* A Trio of articles by Judy Erickson
Hot Topics
* Seeing is believing - Fighting Fire
* Small-business owners working harder than ever
VPPAC.org Final Thoughts
* The four sins of bad listeners
* InTEXTicated: A safety reminder for all of us
Top Stories
===========
* Jordan Barab appointed to leadership position at OSHA
On April 8, 2009 U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis named House Education
and Labor Committee senior policy advisor Jordan Barab as acting
assistant secretary for our Occupational Safety and Health
Administration. Prior to joining the committee, Barab worked for four
years at the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. He
served as special assistant to the assistant director of Labor for OSHA
from 1998 to 2001, and directed the safety and health program for the
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees from 1982
to 1998. A native of Palos Verdes Estates, California, Barab is a 1975
graduate of Claremont McKenna College in California and received a
Master's degree in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins
University in 1978.
* US Government Accountability Office issues VPP report
Last week the GAO issued a report to congress on OSHA's VPP program
titled, "Improved Oversight and Controls Would Better Insure Program
Quality." (http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09395.pdf) As the title suggests,
the report recommends improved oversight and additional controls by
OSHA to ensure participating companies maintain effective workplace
safety and health management systems.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab said "We will
thoroughly review the VPP and Alliance Program to determine their
effectiveness as well as review the programs roles in helping the agency
promote the safety and health of America's workers," Further, Barab
said. "Our evaluation of these programs in the context of OSHA's limited
resources will help ensure that OSHA will be able to reprioritize these
resources in the most effective manner.
VPPAC.org respectfully encourages and supports transparent, open and
frank discussion as to how OSHA might maximize the effectiveness from
all its available resources. We stand ready, willing and able to roll up
our collective sleeves through our members, partners and supporters to
join-in on this very important and timely discussion with the mutual
goal of promoting the safety and health of our coworkers.
* Executive Director Mike Hayslip will be at ASSE next week-Let's talk
Mike will be participating in ASSE (American Society of Safety Engineers)
Safety 2009 conference in San Antonio next week - June 28 - July 1. If
you are interested in meeting with Mike, call him at 937-321-7233 or email
hayslip@vppac.org. Possible topics: How VPPAC.org can better serve your
organization's needs. How you can be a more active participant in VPPAC.org.
Getting involved in VPPAC.org's second annual conference next year in
Vegas... or whatever is on your mind! If you will be at Safety 2009, Mike
would welcome the opportunity to visit face-to-face: phone 937-321-7233 or
email hayslip@vppac.org
* Our favorite video
This has nothing to do with safety in construction per se, but
everything to do with inspiring us to appreciate each day. Well worth
the watch. And if you like golf, it's a "must-see." >>Watch the
video: http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1197420/4273255
* VPPAC.org Annual Conference scheduled for 2010
You're going to Vegas! Mark your calendars for next year's VPPAC
Conference: SYNERGY II, February 4 and 5, 2010. We'll be back in Vegas
in coordination with [31]The World of Concrete. The great news is that
air fare and hotel rooms are lower than ever. Details will be posted
soon at www.vppac.org/conference.
* VPPAC.org offers kudos to the DOL
DOL earns number one ranking in performance report scorecard. George
Mason University's Mercatus Center ranks agencies' reports on 12
criteria worth five points each, in three categories: transparency,
public benefits, and leadership. Read the report scorecard:
http://www.1105newsletters.com/t.do?id=2612238:15327147
In the Safety Zone
==================
* New Guidance from OSHA - Silica in Construction
http://www.vppac.org/newsletter/summer-09/pdf/OSHA%20Silica%20Guidance%20Construction%206-09.pdf
OSHA recently released a new booklet concerning practices to limit
exposure to crystalline silica in construction. Knowledge of this is
imputed to US businesses by virtue of its appearance on the OSHA
website. The 72-page booklet addresses the control of employee
exposures to dust containing crystalline silica. It is divided into
nine substantive sections covering different construction operations:
+ Stationary Masonry Saws
+ Handheld Masonry Saws
+ Hand-Operated Grinders
+ Tuckpointing/Mortar Removal
+ Jackhammers
+ Rotary Hammers and Similar Tools
+ Vehicle-Mounted Rock Drilling Rigs
+ Drywall Finishing
+ General Housekeeping and Use of Dust Suppressants
The sections include case studies, reference lists and technical notes.
They offer information, advice and recommendations on using wet methods,
vacuum dust collection systems, and work practices to control dust
emissions from construction operations. Crystalline silica, typically
as quartz, is present in many materials in the construction industry,
such as brick and mortar, concrete, slate, dimensional stone, stone
aggregate, tile and sand. Other construction materials that contain
crystalline silica are asphalt filler, roofing granules, plastic
composites, soils, and to a lesser extent, some wallboard joint
compounds, paint, plaster, caulking and putty. Cristobalite, a less
common form of crystalline silica, is formed at high temperatures in
nature and by industrial processes. The ceramic and brick lining of
boilers and vessels, some ceramic tiles, and volcanic ash contain
cristobalite.
In this guidance, OSHA uses a benchmark 8-hour time-weighted average of
0.1 mg/m3 of respirable silica dust as a point of reference in
describing control measures utilized by the construction trades. OSHA
notes that some organizations have recommended lower exposure levels
than the agency requires. For example, the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that respirable
crystalline silica exposures be limited to 0.05 mg/m3 as a time-weighted
average for up to 10 hours. The American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends that respirable crystalline
silica exposures be limited to 0.025 mg/m3 as an 8-hour time-weighted
average. OSHA is reviewing the construction and general industry
permissible exposure limits (PELs) for silica in its ongoing crystalline
silica rulemaking. While speculative, it would not be unreasonable for
elements contained in this recent guidance document to find their way
into OSHA's comprehensive, substance-specific standard on crystalline
silica.
Source: Adele L. Abrams, Esq., CMSP, Law Office of Adele L. Abrams P.C.,
301-595-3520,
www.safety-law.com
* Silica, ethylene oxide and nail guns are subjects of new OSHA
publications
Controlling Silica Exposures in Construction,"
(http://www.osha.gov/Publications/3362silica-exposures.pdf) and "Pneumatic
Nail Gun Safety Tips" QuickCard (http://www.osha.gov/Publications/nail-gun.pdf)
are two new information resources available on OSHA's Web site.
* Revisions to recording and reporting of occupational injuries and
illnesses
Did you know there is a bill in Congress that would revise regulations
concerning the recording and reporting of occupational injuries and
illnesses under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970? Get
more details on Bill H. R. 242:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h242ih.txt.pdf
* How Material Layout Impacts Safety & Efficiency
Wasted movements add to employee fatigue, injury exposure, and task
completion time. Material placement impacts your bottom line in terms of
injury prevention and productivity. [39]In this article from Deborah Read,
MOTR/L you'll learn how material layout can impact safety.
http://vppac.org/newsletter/summer-09/pdf/How%20Material%20Layout%20Impacts%20Safety%20article%20VPPAC.pdf
Good news: Deborah will bring her high-energy presentation back to
the VPPAC.org conference in Las Vegas in Feb. 2010 (www.vppac.org/conference). And if you'll be at
the ASSE Safety 2009 conference in San Antonio next week, we suggest you
attend Deborah's presentation on Monday June 29th from 4:30 - 5:30 PM.
Title: Is your stretch & flex program cutting edge?
* Another OSHA Viewpoint
Congress Turns Up Heat for OSHA: The potential for criminal convictions
and increased financial penalties for OSHA violations -- coupled with an
increased funding for enforcement activities -- mean that companies need
to refocus on their health-and-safety policies and procedures. An
emphasis on recordkeeping is also a necessity. Read the full article
from Human Resources Online.http://www.hreonline.com/HRE/story.jsp?storyId=207268317&query=osha
* Safety Alert: Disengagement Potential of Locking Snap Hooks
This was submitted by our friend and supporter Dale Ave-Lallemant of
E4 Safety. It's a safety alert that speaks to the potential danger
of a locking snap hook that is connected to an energy absorber becoming
disconnected from the wearer’s harness. Read the alert.
http://www.vppac.org/newsletter/summer-09/pdf/Snaphook_Safety_Alert1.pdf
* 25th Annual National VPPPA Conference - August 24-27
We suggest you consider attending the National VPPPA Conference
hosting occupational safety and health professionals, hourly workers,
and managers. VPPPA conference participants represent a wide variety of
organizations striving to improve their safety and health management
systems. http://www.vpppa.org/Conference/index.cfm
What's Happening In Washington
==============================
* President's Budget Request for NIOSH for FY2010
The President's budget for fiscal year 2010 proposes $424 million for
NIOSH an $8 million increase over FY09 funding. The proposed increase
includes $5 million for NIOSH's strategic research program on the
occupational health and safety implications and applications of
nanotechnology. More information can be found in the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services' Fiscal Year 2010 Budget in Brief.
http://www.hhs.gov/asrt/ob/docbudget/2010budgetinbrief.pdf#page=36
Source: NIOSH eNews - June, 2009
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/enewsV7N2.html#a
* Department of labor seeking more funding for workplace safety
enforcement
OSHA is poised to expand under Obama's proposed budget. OSHA would
receive a $51 million increase in funding and hire 160 new officers. The
Wage and Hour Division would get a $35 million budget increase and add
200 investigators. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said that cracking down
on workplace violations is a very important part of my vision.
Overall, 670 people will be added to the enforcement staff, which Solis
said will bring it to a level it has not reached since 2001. Read
the full article. Source: Workforce Management
http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/26/44/54.php
On a related note, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis issued a memorandum
last month to all Obama Administration cabinet secretaries urging them
to consider OSHA’s responsibilities and services as they make plans to
spend funds allocated in the President’s economic stimulus package. In
the May 7, 2009, memo, Solis writes, Under the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), your department may be expanding its
infrastructure or beginning new construction projects, and I encourage
you to take steps to safeguard both federal workers and contractors
involved in these efforts. She goes on to advise her peers that OSHA
has a responsibility to ensure safety and, therefore, may conduct
inspections on these federal worksites. Read the full article.
http://www.lhsfna.org/index.cfm?objectID=683E29C9-D56F-E6FA-9A6CC1B84B08498F&source=newsletter
Source: Lifelines Online, Published: June, 2009; Vol. 6, Num. 1
* Agencies Release Recovery Project Progress Reports
Source: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) - This Week in
Washington, May 29, 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) allocated $787
billion in government spending to induce economic growth. Of that,
nearly $100 billion was dedicated to infrastructure spending. ASCE and
its members were key supporters of the infrastructure portions of the
bill, and policymakers used the 2009 Report Card for America's
Infrastructure as a key justification for the need to invest in the
nation's infrastructure: http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org
As part of legislation, government agencies that received stimulus funds
are required to report to the president on the progress of recovery
projects. Additionally, President Barack Obama put Vice President Joe
Biden in charge of overseeing ARRA's implementation. Biden submitted his
first quarterly status report to the president in mid-May. The report
states that recovery disbursements are either on track, or in some cases
ahead of schedule. Additionally, Biden notes that government agencies
are making efforts to improve their reporting and transparency efforts,
so that reports are being released on the mandated weekly pace easily -
a task that the vice president notes used to take months. The full
report is available on the government's recovery website.
http://www.recovery.gov/sites/default/files/FINALQ1_ARRA_Report.pdf
Additionally,agency by agency reports are also available.
http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/agencies
ASCE is pleased with the efforts undertaken to ensure accountability and
transparency of ARRA projects. While ASCE urged Congress to include the
much-needed infrastructure funds in ARRA, the Society also warned
against the dangers of irresponsible and wasteful spending. To ensure
that the investments were being made in a prudent manner, ASCE developed
its Principles for Infrastructure Stimulus
(http://content.asce.org/files/pdf/ASCEPrinciplesletterPresident-electDecember2008.pdf)
and included a recommendation that there be a provision for accountability or auditing
the success of infrastructure stimulus projects.
ASCE has also been tracking the implementation of the infrastructure
portions of ARRA on the ASCE website:
http://content.asce.org/gr/TheAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentActPAGE.html Based on the first quarter
status reports, ASCE has begun updating its ARRA: Review for Civil
Engineers with new data.
http://content.asce.org/files/pdf/ARRAasummaryforcivilengineers-STATUSREPORT51509.pdf
Keep checking the ASCE's ARRA site for more information.
* Ever look up a bill in congress?
Checkout the latest on H.R. 2067: Protecting America's Workers Act
http://thomas.loc.gov/home
SUMMARY AS OF JUNE 1, 2009:
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Protecting America's Workers Act - Amends the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to expand its coverage to federal, state, and
local government employees. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor, under
specified conditions, to cede OSHA jurisdiction to another federal
agency with respect to certain occupational standards or regulations for
such agency's employees. Declares OSHA inapplicable to working
conditions covered by the Federal Mine Safety and Heath Act of 1977.
Sets forth increased protections for whistleblowers under OSHA.
Increases civil and criminal penalties for certain OSHA violators. Sets
forth provisions relating to: (1) victims' rights; (2) posting of
employee rights; (3) investigations of fatalities and serious injuries;
(4) prohibition of unclassified citations; (5) right to contest
citations and penalties; and (6) objections to modifications of
citations. Directs the Secretary to revise regulations and promulgate
OSHA standards to require employers to provide personal protective
equipment for employees at no cost to employees.
If you need more information on governmental actions we suggest you look
to the ASSE Governmental Affairs website.
Technology & Business
=====================
* Getting Social with ASCE
ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) invites you to get online and
join their communities. Be part of their growing online community in any
number of ways:
+ ASCE Government Relations Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2449101378
+ Save America's Infrastructure Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10325597594
+ Twitter: http://twitter.com/ASCEGovRel It's a great way to get
quick updates, and give us tips on things you think we should be
covering.
+ Join the debate on Our Failing Infrastructure blog: http://blogs.asce.org/govrel
* Stay connected with Occupational Health & Safety News
Here are some links you may want to bookmark:
+ Calendar of events: http://ohsonline.com/Calendar/Full-Calendar.aspx
+ Sign up to receive OHS Magazine: https://subscribe.1105pubs.com/cgi-bin/webform?N=OSMAIN&P49=OS
+ Subscribe to Occupational Health & Safety E-News: https://newsletters.1105pubs.com/nl/OHS.do?NL=6149&PC=OHSNLF
* Confused by Twitter, Xing, and Digg?
Here's a convenient little cheat-cheat of all of the most popular
community sites. http://www.connectitnews.com/usa/story.cfm?item=3336
Source: ConnectITNews, June 1, 2009
* A Trio of articles authored by Judy Erickson
Judy Erickson, Ph.D.,(a supporter and friend to VPPAC) is president of
Erickson Associates, a Piano, TX, consulting practice that specializes
in evaluating organizational factors that affect safety performance. She
has more than 25 years' experience to the field of occupational safety
and health. She submits these articles to our readers:
+ Corporate Culture The Key to Safety Performance: http://ehstoday.com/ar/ehs_imp_33155
+ Survey Says Uncovering Employees Views about Safety: http://ehstoday.com/ar/ehs_imp_38023
+ Corporate Culture from AllBusiness.com: http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/management-corporate-culture/11692791-1.html
Hot Topics
==========
* Seeing is believing - Fighting Fire
Keith Snead, president of E4 Safety (VPPAC member and sponsor) shared
this training video that demonstrates the effectiveness of Original
DSPA. The video was shot by an E4Safety Professionals Fire Trainer, and
Full Time Firefighter/Paramedic. Keith states, "I believe in seeing is
believing. Take a look at this YouTube video." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5AlKUaC6J4
Releasing a cloud of potassium compounds, The Original DSPA extinguishes flames and changes a
fire into a glow with no re-ignition for some time. Click here for
more information:http://vppac.org/pdf/10352%20E4%20DSPA-5%20Sales%20Sheet.pdf
* Small-business owners working harder than ever
"Millions have embraced entrepreneurialism to earn a living as well as
fulfill personal ambitions," according to this USA Today article by
Laura Petrecca. "But the dour economy has made that already-rough career
path even bumpier." And cash flow is hurting as well. According to the
article, the percentage reporting cash-flow issues is at the highest
level since August 2006, when Discover launched the Discover Small
Business Watch monthly survey of entrepreneurs who have fewer than five
employees.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/2009-05-25-weary-small-business_N.htm
VPPAC.org Final Thoughts
* The four sins of bad listeners
Are you guilty of these bad-listener sins: interrupting or finishing the
other person's sentences? Hearing without listening happens all the time in
business relationships, and it can seriously impact our relationships.
Learn about the other bad-listener sins and how you can improve.
http://www.connectitnews.com/usa/story.cfm?item=3183
Source:Connectitnews.
* InTEXTicated: A safety reminder for all of us
This from an email that has been circulating with some horrific photos
of the consequences of texting while driving: An 18-year-old girl plowed
directly into the rear of another vehicle. She was going 70 mph. She
apparently never even saw them. You see, she had been texting at the
time. She hit them dead-center with no attempt to slow or evade the
collision. She hit dead-center on her 2008 Yukon SUV as well. She
escaped unscathed. There was no blowout, no wet road, no curve or hill
or fog to limit visibility. This girl clearly should have been able to
see the traffic conditions at least a half mile ahead had she been
looking and not texting. She nearly killed a beautiful 3-year-old child!
Let's all do our part to improve safety on the roads.
In a related story, published in _Workplace HR & Safety_, a new study
reported in the Journal of Safety Research suggests drivers tend to
overestimate their driving skills and underestimate distractions caused
by other activities while they drive. The study suggests that drivers
may engage in other distracting activities while they drive because they
don’t accurately perceive the danger of doing so.
>>Read the full story.
http://www.workplacemagazine.com/EzineStory/Safety/2009/May/05192009Article1.htm
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