Meeting Related, OSHA Related

March Meeting Update

The March meeting was held 3/4/2015. The focus was on diisocyanate exposure in construction. This chemical hazard is found in many spray foams in use today. Guest speakers were Adam Wisnewski, PhD,  a senior research scientist from the Yale University Occupational & Environmental Medicine Program and Tyler Fiske from Anchor Insulation. SAFER would like to thank both speakers for sharing the expertise on the subject. Thank you also to Dennis Mullen, Gilbane Safety, for sponsoring the breakfast.

The meeting kicked off with safety updates from Bob Kunz, Dimeo Safety Director, and OSHA related updates from Ed Conway, OSHA Compliance Assistance.  Then, Adam Wisnewski, PhD, discussed his research associated with diisocyanate exposure, including spray foam insulation. After that Tyler Fiske discussed best management practices associated with application of spray foam insulation.

It was clear that both guest speakers knew a lot about diisocyanate exposure. Attendees asked a lot of questions and everyone took something away from the meeting.

After meeting remarks and link updates from Bob Kunz:

“Team SAFER,

I hope everyone enjoyed the very informative meeting this morning.  I would like to again thank Adam and Tyler for their participation.  Great job! 

NOTE:  Do not forget to utilize  the hyperlinks provided in the meetings announcement (below the line) for additional information on this subject.  I would also like to provide the following links in support of the topic and the OSHA’s  memorandum dated December 24, 2015: 

– OSHA memorandum: http://www.safteng.net/images/OSHA-Interim-Enforcement-Procedures-for-New-Reporting-Requirements.pdf

– Commonwealth of MA Spray Foam Workshop: http://www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/guidance-technical-assistance/agencies-and-divisions/ota/safe-spray.html

 

Links from the original meeting announcement:

To include discussion surrounding exposure assessment and control in presence of spray foam in construction.  Resources – see following hyperlinks:  The Spray Polyurethane Foam Association (SPFA), the Center to Protect Worker’s Rights (CPWR), OSHA Safety and Health Topic (SLTC) and Compliance Directive (CPL 03-00-017), and Electric Library of Construction Occupational Safety & Health (ELCOSH), for example.

 

The SAFER alliance meets at New England Institute of Technology, which is located at 2500 Post Road in Warwick, RI.  If you park in the rear of building you would enter through double doors and proceed to the Hall of Fame room located on 2nd floor.

 

Recalls

Kiddie Recalls Fire Extinguishers

A faulty valve component can cause the disposable fire extinguishers not to fully discharge when the lever is repeatedly pressed and released during a fire emergency, posing a risk of injury. Full recall notice is in our Recalls section.

Meeting Related

February’s Meeting

The next meeting is February 4, 2015 from 8-10am with a Continental breakfast at 7:30am sponsored by Dimeo Construction Co. The meeting will take place at New England Institute of Technology, 400 Post Road, Warwick, RI.

The recent snow storms have certainly put a damper on all of us. February’s topic was originally scheduled to be on Isocyanates and the hazards involved with its use. Due to backlogs created by the snow storms we need to post-pone the original topic and instead have a discussion on:

Main topic: Safety Leadership Development:  Communication

Whether you are a site safety representative or safety manager, the use of appropriate and effective communication will always be the cornerstone of your success.  During this session, Casey Banks (SAFER member) of Travelers Insurance Co., will engage the group and provide insightful information to illustrate how:

  • Awareness is positively impacted through…
  • Worker engagement is sustained through…Effective communication. We will also examine how an effective communicator can utilize different styles of communication to maximize his/her messaging, for example.

Second topic: Review of RI Workers Compensation “coming and going” case and OSHA Recordkeeping. 

We will discuss RI Workers Compensation “coming and going” case and OSHA Recordkeeping interpretations involving commuting to and from work.  If you have other recordkeeping questions, please bring them up during the discussion.

Sponsor: Dimeo Construction Co.