Preparedness Lessons Following Hurricane Sandy

Omnilert’s recent survey of customers from the company's Amerilert and e2Campus services shows that most respondents were prepared for Hurricane Sandy. Active emergency preparedness programs and implemented emergency notification systems made a great impact on these organizations. The use of interactive communication across a variety of media, such as text messaging, social media and PA systems, helped keep communities safe, informed and aware of the situation. Other preparedness lessons include taking forecasts seriously, updating data before the event occurs, sending clear and frequent communications, and securing materials and supplies in advance. Encouraging personal preparedness and springing into action lessened potential damage as well. 

For more information and to download the free report, click here. 

Safety 2013 Registration Is Open

Safety 2013, ASSE's premier professional development conference and exposition, is open for registration. Scheduled for June 24-27, in Las Vegas, NV, this year's event features 245 sessions covering 25 topic tracks, roundtable discussions, the Executive Summit Panel, an exposition with more than 350 exhibitors and much more. Visit the site for early registration and for more information.

ASSE, AIHA & NSC Urge Congress to Support Funding for Worker Safety

In a joint letter to Senator Tom Harkin, ASSE, AIHA and National Safety Council expressed the urgency for continued support in the funding of OSHA and NIOSH to prevent worker injuries and illnesses. The agencies expressed concern that if funds are reduced, efforts to protect workers will be jeopardized. A recent press release states that the funding will help prevent proposed efforts to eliminate funding for several vital programs including NIOSH's Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector program and Education and Research Centers.

Less Crashes for Fleets With Stricter Policies

The safest fleet vehicles have written policies that restrict the use of mobile devices and check mobile phone records after all collisions regardless of severity, according to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety 2012 fleet safety benchmark study. The study Strength in Numbers, which involved a collective fleet of 521,000 vehicles and 9.8 billion miles traveled, also found that companies with the lowest crash rates include: Tracking completions of ongoing driver training on a fleet safety scorecard; conducting commentary drives with new hires and high-risk drivers; communicating fleet safety messages via senior management presentations at meetings. Respondents were surveyed on more than 25 fleet safety program elements, such as cell phone policies, training and the use of in-vehicle monitoring technology. For more information, click here.

OSHA Fact Sheet Provides PPE Guidance for Hurricane Cleanup Efforts

As cleanup efforts for Hurricane Sandy are still underway, OSHA has issued a fact sheet that provides guidance as to what PPE to use in what hazardous situation. The "Hurricane Sandy Cleanup PPE Matrix" lists potential hazards that workers may encounter and also provides the appropriate PPE workers should wear to best protect themselves. "All PPE has limitations and is the control method of last resort, OSHA says. "Workers using PPE must be trained to recognize these limitations as well as how to put on and remove PPE, properly store it, take care of it and know when it is time to replace it."