From Maryann Medeiros:

You may be interested in a recent NIOSH blog post on wearable technologies to improve safety and health in construction:

https://blogs-origin.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/

Thanks to Danielle White, Safety Coordinator for Cardi Corporation

The last few SAFER meetings we have been discussing the upcoming DigSafe training information to be put up on the SAFER web page.  Below is the registration link for the DigSafe Training Seminar being hosted by National Grid and CIRI on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln.

Through this link, companies will be able to register the number of attendees they will be sending.  Please keep in mind, most companies send a maximum of about twenty.  Keeping the number per company lower, allows for other companies to have availability to send their people.

Please let me or Dianna Bernard know if you have any questions.

http://www.must-ne.com/safety_training.php

The next meeting will be held Wednesday, December 4, 2019 from 8:00 AM-10:00 AM at the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) 2480 Post Road, Warwick, RI 2nd Floor Hall of Fame Room.

From Bob Kunz:

Team SAFER, we hope that you enjoyed a healthy and rejuvenating holiday with your family and friends. As we head into the beginning of a new week, we find our driveways, roadways, company parking lots and projects with snow on the ground. Please use caution shoveling and driving.

This months meeting will include discussions pertaining to the following topics:
• Winter weather
• OSHA video resources https://www.osha.gov/video/
• OSHA leading indicators resource page https://www.osha.gov/leadingindicators/
• Use of technology to support safety programs and decision making

The meeting is sponsored by Northeast Tree Services, Inc.

Please accept the meeting in your emailed notice to RSVP. If you did not receive an email notice of this meeting and wish to attend please notify Bob Kunz to RSVP.

Regards,

From OSHA: The Crane Institute Certification (CIC) had been previously accredited by an organization that appeared to meet the requirement of 29 CFR 1926.1427(d).

However, CIC has informed OSHA it is not currently accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency. CIC also stated that it expects to receive that accreditation within the next few months. Therefore, operator certifications currently being issued by CIC do not meet the requirements of OSHA’s standard.

Review OSHA’s “Temporary Enforcement Policy- Certification Issued by Crane Institute Certification” memorandum here.

THE CROSBY GROUP has determined the above listed shackles may have a condition that can reduce the ultimate load capacity from the published catalog values. The shackle bow may have a previously undetected defect, and continued use may result in loss of load, property damage, severe injury, or death.

By use of the Production Identification Code (PIC) symbols appearing on the product, we have determined the 7/8” 6.5t shackles with PIC 5VJ shown on the bow may have this condition. See below image showing the position of the PIC on the bow. No other sizes or PICs are part of this Important Safety Notice.

See full recall notice here.

The next meeting will be held September 4, 2019, from 8-10 AM, at the New England Institute of Technology 2480 Post Road, Warwick, RI Hall of Fame Room (2nd Floor).

From Bob Kunz:

Team SAFER, ready or not the summer is coming to a close.  Where did it go?  We hope that you are able to join us for to kickoff the 2019-2020 learning series. 

Because we have so much to catch on, we elected to follow last years opening meeting with an open session.  Here is a look backward and forward:

Sept 2018 – Bullet points from my notes

• Leading indicators
  • Do they support request for budget $s
• Technology driving new ways to interface with medical community
  • Triage
  • Follow-up care
• Ladder safety improved
  • Canvas bags for lunches provided by employer.
• Mgt-Labor connection and Mobile training (van, tablet)
  • Near hit reporting increase
  • At risk observations decrease
  • Safer outcome
• Hotline to HR
• Incentivized use of observation APP
• Complaint box or improvement box?

Sept 2019 – OpportunitiesRI sick time law – has it impacted schedule?

The way we imagine work vs. how it is performed -closing the gap

Workforce challenges

New technology

New equipment

Silica Table 1 – see OSHA RFI https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/trade/08142019

Product recalls – what is going on out there

Conney Safety Recall Resource Page

The coffee and calories for the September meeting are sponsored by AGI Construction Inc. – see link to website: https://www.agiconstruction.com/

We hope to see everyone next Wednesday!  Bring a friend…bring a story….

The American Industrial Hygiene Association has developed a guidance document covering what they have identified as the focus four for health hazards in construction.  This may be good to share with SAFER. It is available at the link below:

https://www.aiha.org/government-affairs/PositionStatements/FocusFour-forHealth_GuidanceDocument.pdf

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is requesting information and comment on Table 1 of the agency’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction. OSHA seeks information on additional engineering and work practice control methods to effectively limit exposure to silica for the equipment and tasks currently listed on Table 1. The agency is also requesting information about other construction equipment and tasks that generate silica that it should consider adding to Table 1, along with information about their associated engineering and work practice control methods.

In addition, OSHA is seeking comments about whether to revise paragraph (a)(3) of the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for General Industry to broaden the circumstances under which general industry and maritime employers would be permitted to comply with Table 1 of the silica standard for construction.

Information submitted will allow OSHA to consider new developments and enhanced control methods for equipment that generates exposures to silica, and provide additional data on exposures to silica from equipment and tasks using a variety of control methods under different workplace conditions. Expanding Table 1 to include additional engineering and work practice control methods, equipment, and tasks could provide employers with more flexibility and reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining protections for employees.

If information submitted in response to this request indicates that revisions to the silica standards are needed, the agency will then publish the proposed revisions in the Federal Register for public comment.

Comments must be submitted by October 14, 2019. Comments and materials may be submitted electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, or by facsimile or mail. See the Federal Register notice for submission details.  

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for American working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.