Newsletters

The Safety Net is a newsletter published by NETC. The following articles were from the Spring 2000 edition.

By: Robert Ziegler

Change. They say one of the things that’s most interesting about life is change. Here in New England, if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute and it will, change. Webster defines change as: to make or become different , to alter; to replace with another; the act, process or result of changing. And yet, the more things change, the more they remain the same. I don’t think there’s one business that can say they haven’t experienced some sort of change, good or bad, within the last two years. Factors such as growth, re-organization, consolidation, etc., not to mention recent changes and upgrades in regulatory standards, all also cause change. Lately we have found ourselves in a unique position whereby, during many a companies change, we are the one constant factor that doesn’t, offering consultation and advice, as well as training services which many need to get through their change successfully. As such, we are proud of our continued success in providing quality services to our clients, who often can’t say enough about us to others. As a result of our continued growth, we have enhanced our look, updated our marketing materials and training materials and are using state-of-the-art equipment. All this in a an effort to raise ours and your standards for services rendered.

        Over 13,000 facilities nationwide, 600 in CT alone, have been targeted by OSHA for a full Comprehensive Compliance Inspection, which they plan to complete within the next 8 months. OSHA has identified the establishments with the nation’s highest lost workday injury and illness rates based on employer-reported data from the 1998 surveys of 80,000 worksites. Worksites identified had eight or more injuries and illnesses resulting in LWD’s for every 100 full-time workers; the national average was three per 100 workers. Unlike the general industry rates noted, Health Care facilities with a rate at or above 14 have been targeted. OSHA may review and inspect physical areas and programs such as, but not limited to: Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space (many of you have them and don’t even realize it), Work place Violence, HazCom, Respiratory Protection including Fit Testing requirements, and OSHA’s new emphasis—Ergonomics. Many facilities feel this simply remains a threat, and that OSHA really won’t be coming. Let us assure you they will. In fact, they have already begun the process. Simply look at the Top 20 list for reason validation.

Our strong backgrounds and experiences in both the General Industry and Health Care settings has afforded us much depth and flexibility in providing services to our clients. If your facility has received a letter from OSHA, and you’re concerned about the process, or would like areas addressed prior to the inspection, or would like us there for the inspection with you and OSHA, please call us as soon as possible. Our priorities and commitments will be obviously to our current clients, and then to those companies with a significant need for immediate service, and the remainder on a first come, first served basis. Call anyone of our Safety Specialists today for questions or advice.

The following 6,489 inspections resulted in citations of 45,694 violations, in order of frequency for FY 1998-1999:

Return

         In order to discourage the disposal of mercury-containing lamps in land disposal facilities or in trash combustors, the EPA has added hazardous waste lamps to the federal list of universal wastes regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These lamps include the following High Intensity Discharge lamps (HID): Fluorescent Lamps, High Pressure Sodium Lamps, Mercury Vapor Lamps, Metal Halide Lamps and other specialty lamps. These lamps are non-toxic or harmful when they are intact. However, when broken, incinerated or dismantled improperly, the lamps have potential to emit very toxic substances such as mercury and lead. These lamps should be transported to a recycling facility that is approved to properly handle mercury or lead containing lamps.

Return

Everyone knows it’s illegal to discriminate against individuals in the hiring process and in the workplace. But is it really? Not necessarily. In fact, every responsible hiring decision requires discrimination on the part of the decision-maker to determine which of the various candidates is the “best fit”. What may make discrimination unlawful are the criteria used by the decision-maker when making employment-related decisions.

Assume the following questions were posed to applicants during the recruitment process. Which of these questions do you believe would be illegal?

In truth, none of the questions above is “illegal”. However,it would be inadvisable to gather such information about a candidate since it is very possible this kind of personal information could be used to discriminate against someone who possesses a characteristic that may represent a “ protected status”. A protected status is a characteristic a person possesses that may not have anything to do with that person’s ability to do the job.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to all employers with at least 15 employees. Title VII makes it illegal to discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, sex and national origin. Further, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act prohibits an employer from discriminating against any employee or applicant who is 40 years of age or older. Age, therefore, is an example of a protected status under the law.

In the case of a discrimination complaint against an employer, the burden of proof is on the employer to prove that the employment decision in question was made without consideration of the complainant’s age (or race, color, religion, etc.). The employer may have a difficult time proving no illegal discrimination occurred if the employer has access to personal information, such as would be gathered by the questions posed earlier.

Several other federal and state laws applying to most employers protect individuals from discrimination because of disablity, military status, pregnancy, etc. All persons interviewing candidates and managing staff.

Return

September 11th to the 14th will be the last opportunity this year to attend an OSHA Ergonomics Certification course here in CT. Until now, all course have been held in Manchester, NH. This course will be held at the Comfort Inn in Cromwell. With all the recent changes made to the proposed Standard, OSHA has also recently revised the programs curriculum. As well, on the last day of the course, a Federal OSHA Compliance Officer will be presenting the policy and standards section.

With ACGIH’s latest proposed TLV’s for repetitive motions, potentially establishing industry concensus standards; OSHA’s proposed ‘grandfather’ clause for any program that exists prior to the adoption of the final standard; OSHA’s proposed ‘quick fix’ option for cited violations, this is a very good opportunity to be on top of this standard as it develops.

Many of these can be viewed as financial incentives, whereby making “Good Ergonomics, Good Economics”. Remember that even without a standard, ergonomics related hazards are citable under the general duty clause.

Please complete the enclosed seminar flyer and return as soon as possible to assure seating, as this class is limited to the first 30 registrants.

Return

NETC’s training services were part of the Grant Proposal submitted by MxCTC to the Federal EPA. It was recently announced that MxCTC was awarded the $2000,000 federal job-training grant which will allow for the training of up to 40 people for the clean-up of so-called Brownfields. Those are abandoned, idled or under-used industrial properties where development is complicated by real or perceived contamination. Training will include environmental clean-up, occupational safety and health as well as other requirements. Though all schedules are tentative, the college is hopeful to have the program ready for Fall Semester. Those interested should contact Trenton Wright at MxCTC at 343-5708.

In other Training News, NETC is preparing for the 3rd Annual OSHA Compliance certification course to be held on October 19 & 20 in Middletown. Sponsored by the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, those interested in registering for the 2-day program should contact Johanna Bond at 347-6924.

Return

On May 20, 2000, during his weekly radio address, President Clinton said heart-saving defibrillators should be placed in federal office buildings and airliners. The AHA says about 250,000 Americans suffer from sudden cardiac arrest each year. Clinton says the key to survival is the speedy restarting of the heart. The defibrillators, small versions of the electric shock paddles often seen in hospital emergency rooms, are already on hand at some shopping malls, businesses and the White House. They do not require medical expertise to operate.

Should you be considering one for your facility and employees, call Bob Ziegler at NETC. We can walk you through the regulatory applications, training requirements and operating procedures.

Remember too that NETC is a National Safety Council Training Facility, providing CPR and First-Aid training as well. We are also capable of providing EMT and MRT re-certification courses, along with initial MRT courses.