BCSP Introduces Salary Reporting Tool for SH&E Professionals

BCSP has launched a new online salary reporting tool for SH&E professionals. The Safety Salary Source allows users to view survey data on SH&E professionals' salaries and search for salaries of professionals with or without BCSP certifications. Users can also view summary reports and apply additional search filters.

5 Critical Safety Measures for Construction Workers

According to OSHA statistics, in 2012, 19.6% of workplace fatalities occurred in the construction industry. To help prevent future incidents, a post on Occupational Health & Safety's blog outlines these 5 safety measures every construction worker must take:

1. Double-check work areas. 

•When working on a scaffold, make sure it has a strong platform or base and that it has been inspected by a qualified professional.

•Check ladders thoroughly before use to ensure that they are not wobbly and that all steps are secure. If possible, the upper and lower ends of a ladder should be fastened to the ground and sturdy structures, and when this is not feasible, another worker should manually secure the ladder's ends.

2. Be vigilant with electricity and equipment.

•Lifting equipment should only be used by individuals who are aware of the equipment's safety precautions, and must not be used if signs of wear and tear have been identified. 

•When using plugged-in portable devices, such as grinders and drills, make sure that cables are protected, metal casing is grounded and the power supply is provided with an earth leakage circuit breaker. Never let electrical tools come into contact with water.

•Do not exceed permissible load levels, and never stand or work directly below a suspended load. 

•Before operating cranes and material hoists, all workers must be properly trained. Never operate material hoists without gates being properly locked, and never exceed the working load limits of a hoist. Communication between workers when operating material hoists must be clear and consistent because any misunderstanding can result in a serious incident.

3. Maintain fencing and prevent fires.

•Work must be completed within adequate fencing to prevent falls and other incidents. Areas with damaged fencing should be avoided until repaired. 

•Open flames must be kept away from construction sites due to the presence of flammable materials.

•All workers must be familiar with escape routes in the event of a fire. Workers should also be trained on how to locate and use fire extinguishers. 

4. Protective apparel and PPE.

•Employers must provide workers with proper PPE, including helmets, protective eyewear, ear plugs, protective gloves and anti-slip footwear. Fall harnesses are also critical components of any construction worker's personal equipment and must be sturdy and remain secured to a strong anchorage point during use.

•Where heavy vehicles are commonly used, workers should wear highly visible clothing, and workers must be provided with gear and clothing that is appropriate for the site's weather conditions. 

5. Keep first aid close.

•Site supervisors and contractors must ensure that first aid is always accessible to workers. Critical supplies include those used to remedy minor burns, cuts and falls so that less serious injuries can be addressed immediately without causing significant interruptions to operations.

Click here for more information.

 

 

OSHA to Issue Final Rule on Electric Power Work

To update a 40-year-old construction standard for electric power line work, OSHA has announced it plans to issue a final rule to improve workplace safety and health for those who work with electric power generation, transmission and distribution. According to OSHA, the update makes the rule "more consistent with the corresponding general industry standard." It would also revise some of the construction and general industry requirements, which would update provisions for host and contract employers to share safety-related information, and improve fall protection for employees working from aerial lifts and overhead line structures.

"This long overdue update will save nearly 20 lives and prevent 118 serious injuries annually," says OSHA Administrator David Michaels. Visit OSHA's website to learn more.

WHO Reports Air Pollution Is Largest Single Environmental Health Risk

A new report from World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2012, 7 million people died prematurely from air pollution exposure, making air pollution the world's largest single environmental health risk. The report also shows a stronger link between indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure and cardiovascular diseases. "The risks from air pollution are now far greater than previously thought or understood, particularly for heart disease and strokes, says Director of WHO's Department of Public Health's Maria Neira. "Few risks have a greater impact on global health today than air pollution; the evidence signals the need for concerted action to clean up the air we all breathe."

The new estimates are reportedly based on the most recent WHO mortality data from 2012 and evidence of health risks from air pollution exposures. To learn more about the report, read WHO's press release on the findings.

Clarion Whitepaper Explains Safety Signs

Clarion Safety Systems has published a new whitepaper, “New OSHA/ANSI Safety Sign Systems,” to help workplaces better understand OSHA’s 2013 workplace safety sign regulation update. “For decades, OSHA’s regulations for workplace safety signs were based on outdated formats that were not aligned with the latest safety communication standards,” the company explains. “But in September 2013, OSHA endorsed the latest best practices related to safety sign and tag technology by incorporating ANSI Z535-2011 into its regulations.” The whitepaper:

• Explains why OSHA recognized the new and better warnings technology.
• Shows how this technology better communicates safety in today’s public areas and workplaces.
• Describes how to develop and install best practice OSHA/ANSI safety sign systems.

To access the free download, register on Clarion’s website.