The Leader Summer 2017 - International Safety

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3, SUMMER 2017FeaturedProducts pg. 26INTERSANFAETTIOY NAL One Size Does Not Fit All





LTHEEADER CONTENTSVOL 4. ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2017cover8 One Size Does Not Fit AllThere are plenty of things that areunderstandably different depending onwhere you are in the world. Languagebarriers force some obvious variances.Mass transit is dramatically differentif you’re in London, Lagos or LosAngeles. Even power generation andmanufacturing practices differ fromcountry to country and region to region.Worker safety, however, should beuniversal because workplace practices,risks and hazards are fundamentallyuniversal. And yet, standards andregulations designed to protect workersare wildly inconsistent around the globe.features 12 Zero Falls at Worksites 16 How to Make and How to Get There the Most of Your Time at International The Singapore government, together Safety Conferences with the Workplace Safety & Health (WSH) Council, takes a serious view of International safety conferences workplace safety and health and has have seen significant growth over put in place various regulations and the last decade, with the biggest voluntary measures. However, employers sessions showcasing a dizzying array of and employees must also take ownership occupational safety and health solutions of workplace safety and health. This must and products from around the world. For come from the top down with constant would-be attendees, the size of these training, follow-up and reminding for conferences, and the complications of both new and existing employees. international travel, can be intimidating and make it difficult to maximize the value from the experience.4 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 vpppa.org

features continued 20 Navigating www.vpppa.org through Training18 One Common Challenges with Global VPPPA National Board of Directors Language: Safety Implementation ChairpersonOn August 5, 2010, 33 miners were Visiting a foreign country can be Mike Guillory, SGE, The Brock Grouptrapped a half mile underground at intimidating—navigating yourthe San Jose copper-gold mine in way to different destinations, not Vice ChairpersonChile’s Atacama Desert. Miraculously, knowing the local language and also Rob Henson, LyondellBasellall 33 workers were safely rescued on unfamiliarity with culture and traditions.October 13, 2010, as billions of people Implementing a new digital tool for Treasurerwatched worldwide. But, after all was compliance program management Chris Adolfson, Idaho National Laboratorysaid and done, as the camera crews can be a lot like charting unfamiliardissipated and the offers of book and territory. As with travel, global Secretarymovie deals began to dwindle, the environmental, health and safety (EHS) Terry Schulte, NuStar Energy, LPreal story surfaced. That narrative software implementation is made easierspeaks highly of the importance of and more comfortable with a tour Director from a Site With a Collectiveinternational cooperation, while, guide to lead you in the right direction. Bargaining Agentsadly, it shows how the rights and Don Johnson, Phillips 66regulations of a healthy and safe work Look for these topics highlighted in theenvironment can be ignored. top right corner of each section. Director from a Site Without a Collective Bargaining Agentsections Government Richard McConnell, Austin Industrial at LyondellBasellGLOBAL SAFETY AND 6 Membership HEALTH WATCH Director from a DOE-VPP Site Health Stacy Thursby, AECOMINFOGRAPHIC CORNER 7 Business Director from a VPP Contractor/VPP JOURNEY 22 Construction Site Outreach Jamie Robey, CSP, SGE, The Brock GroupFEATURED PRODUCTS 26 Director-at-LargeMEMBER INFO CORNER 28 J.A. Rodriguez, Jr., CSP, SGE , Raytheon Technical Services Company LLCSTATE-PLAN MONITOR 30 Director-at-LargeVPPPA REGIONAL ROUND-UPS 32 Kristyn Grow, CSP, CHMM, SGE Cintas CorporationCALENDAR OF EVENTS 38 Director-at-Large Kimberly Watson, Southwire Director-at-Large Carey West, The Mundy Companies Director-at-Large Jack Griffith, CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company Director-at-Large Dan Lazorcak, CSP, Honeywell International Editor Kerri Carpenter, VPPPA, Inc. Associate Editor Jamie Mitchell, VPPPA, Inc. Editorial Mission The Leader (ISSN 1081-261X) is published quarterly for VPPPA members. The Leader delivers articles from members for members, safety and health best practices, developments in the field of occupational safety and health, association activities, educational and networking opportunities and the latest VPP approvals. Subscriptions are available for members as part of their membership benefits and at a 50 percent discount beyond the complimentary allotment. The nonmember subscription rate is $25 a year. Ideas and opinions expressed within The Leader represent the independent views of the authors. Postmaster >> Please send address changes to: VPPPA, Inc. • 7600-E Leesburg Pike • Ste. 100 Falls Church, VA 22043-2004 VPPPA, Inc., the premier global safety and health organization, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes advances in worker safety and health excellence through best practices and cooperative efforts among workers, employers, the government and communities.vpppa.org THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 5

global safety and health watchDon’t Snooze? You Will Lose.BY JAMIE MITCHELL, communication, performance deterioration, consider how staying up late at night watching increased risk of becoming distracted, driving our favorite show or surfing the web can affectCOMMUNICATIONS impairments, increased number of errors, our safety, the safety of our co-workers, as poor cognitive assimilation and memory, poor well as the productivity and economies of ourCOORDINATOR, VPPPA, INC. mood-appropriate behavior, greater risk- company or country. taking behavior, inability to make necessaryW hile growing up, we repeatedly adjustments and the effects of sleep deprivation Per the RAND Corporation, a few simple heard from our doctors, teachers compounded across nights (repeated nights of tips for improving your sleep include: and parents that everyone needs partial sleep can equate to a full night of no • For individuals—Set consistent wake-upat least eight hours of sleep each night. But sleep, which can affect your body function foras we get older and have busier schedules, a up to two weeks). times limit the use of electronic items beforefull night’s sleep tends to fall lower on our bedtime and physical exercise during the day.list of priorities. It does hold true that adults When we are awake, the chemical adenosine • For employers—Recognize the importancetypically need seven to nine hours of sleep to builds up in our blood, and when we sleep, our of sleep and the employer’s role in itsfunction at their best during the day, however, bodies break it down and replace it with glycogen promotion; design and build brighterthere is no one-size-fits-all formula. As people (a form of energy storage in humans, animals and workspaces with facilities for daytime naps;age, their sleep needs change. For example, fungi). Therefore, less sleep leads to an adenosine combat workplace risks and discouragenewborns need 14 to 17 hours of sleep a day buildup in the bloodstream, urging the human the extended use of electronic devices afterand teenagers need about eight to 10 hours a body to want to sleep. When we are tired like working hours.night. A variety of factors establish your “magic this, reaction time slows and we are much more • For public authorities—Support healthnumber” when it comes to hours of sleep; for prone to making dangerous mistakes—whether professionals in providing sleep-related help;example, age, sleep quality, pregnancy and your while driving a car, or working a machine, these encourage employers to pay attention to sleepamount of existing sleep debt. preventable mishaps can be deadly. An article issues and introduce later school starting times. on Sleep.org notes, “A shortage of sleep is to Many employees and employers are unaware Sleep debt occurs when you get two to blame for some 100,000 traffic accidents, 76,000 of the impact fatigue can have, and the issue ofthree hours too few each night. Typically, we injuries and 1,500 deaths a year.” sleep deprivation often remains ignored untilcatch up on our sleep debt by sleeping in on a tragic accident occurs. A small adjustment tothe weekends, but sleeping in too long can As stated in a November, 2016 article by the your daily sleep schedule can make a positiveonce again throw off our sleep schedules come RAND Corporation, “Sleep deprivation leads change in your life or even save the life ofSunday night. Paying down sleep debt is best to a higher mortality risk and lower productivity someone around you.done in a slow and steady manner, and there levels among the workforce, putting a significantare numerous ways to try and achieve a better damper on a nation’s economy. A person who Resources:night’s sleep, such as going to bed about 15 sleeps on average less than six hours a nightminutes earlier each night, trying to stick to a has a 13 percent higher mortality risk than 1. www.rand.org/news/press/2016/11/30.htmlregular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and someone sleeping between seven and nine hours,alcohol, relaxing before bed without electronics researchers found, while those sleeping between 2. www.sciencedaily.com/or even taking a daytime nap, if possible. six and seven hours a day have a seven percent releases/2016/11/161130130826.htm higher mortality risk. Sleeping between seven But why does sleep matter when it comes and nine hours per night is described as the 3. sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/how-to workplace safety and health? Sleep-deprived ‘healthy daily sleep range.’ In total, the U.S. loses much-sleep-do-we-really-needworkers are costing the world’s economies just over 1.2 million working days a year due tobillions of dollars, especially in the United sleep deprivation among its working population. 4. sleep.org/articles/how-many-hours-of-sleep-States. It is estimated that the U.S. loses Productivity losses at work occur through a do-we-need/$411 billion annually through tired or absent combination of absenteeism, employees not beingemployees; additionally, around 1.2 million at work, and presenteeism, where employees are 5. sleep.org/articles/get-rid-of-sleep-debt/working days are lost every year. Other countries at work but working at a sub-optimal level.”like Japan and the U.K. also feel the effects of 6. sleep.org/articles/why-driving-makes-insufficient sleep on their economies—costing Sleep is vital to our overall health and you-tired/Japan $138 billion and the U.K. $50 billion. well-being, and we spend about one-third ofAside from the financial issues associated with our lives asleep. Most of us realize that sleep is 7. www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/sleep deprivation, according to EHS Today, important for us, yet we continue to neglect mm6608a2.htm?s_cid=mm6608a2_wthere are a variety of other dangers associated this crucial aspect of life. However, we rarelywith a lack of sleep including: decreased 8. www.howsleepworks.com/how_ homeostasis.html 9. www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/ 2016/12/01/report-sleep-deprivation-costs- the-u-s-economy-400-billion-every-year- infographic/#584498df1998 10. ehstoday.com/safety/ten-dangers-sleep- deprivation-workers6 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 vpppa.org

infographic corner Globally, there areSafety and health some 96,000 fatal falls andconferences take 68 million fall-relatedplace in the U.S., non-fatal accidents every year.Asia, Europe and allover the world. 2.3 million peopleInternational safetyconferences have seen die from workplace accidentssignificant growth and diseases globally.over the last decade.The World Congress on According to the AmericanSafety & Health takes place Society of Safety Engineersevery three years—this year a comprehensive workplaceit will take place in safety program canSingapore. decrease the likelihood of a workplace injury by up to 50 percent.About 25 percent According to the Internationalof all fatal and non-fatal Labour Organization,occupational injuriesworldwide are caused every 15 secondsby falls. a worker dies from avpppa.org work-related accident or disease. THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 7

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BY MARK NICHOLLSONE ANSELLSIZE T here are plenty of things that are understandably different depending on where you are in the world. Language barriers force some obvious variances. Mass transit is dramatically different if you’re in London, Lagos or Los Angeles. Even power generation and manufacturing practices differ from country to country and region to region. Worker safety, however, should be universal because workplace practices, risks and hazards are fundamentally universal. And yet, standards and regulations designed to protect workers are wildly inconsistent around the globe. This is no trivial concern. In the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70 percent of workers suffering hand injuries were not wearing gloves when the injury occurred. The other 30 percent were wearing gloves that were damaged, inadequate or not designed for the nature of the injury. These are failures, at least in part, of workplace safety regulations in the U.S. And make no mistake: the U.S. is among the most progressive countries when it comes to worker safety. Workers are at far greater risk in many other parts of the world.vpppa.org THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 9

The U.S. is not the gold standard, however. The U.S. is not the gold inconsistent across the continent as manyIn most instances, Europe is considered the standard, however. of the markets in that region are seeking toworld leader in developing, implementing and In most instances, Europe encourage business investment and a moreenforcing standards and regulations to keep is considered the world liberal regulatory environment. It should comeworkers safe. The EU is a complex market, leader in developing, as no surprise that more developed nations,with a vast number of companies engaged implementing and enforcing such as Egypt and South Africa, are morein multiple verticals across the industrial standards and regulations safety-conscious.marketplace, with manufacturing facilities and to keep workers safe.customers in dozens of countries in the region. These types of inconsistencies breedTo bring some clarity to such a complicated of the employer. In such an environment, confusion in the industry—and forenvironment, governments across the EU enforcement mechanisms in the U.S. are less manufacturers, confusion leads to non-have agreed upon the world’s most progressive binding and less effective, although the threat compliance and non-compliance causespersonal protective equipment (PPE) standards of fines, reputation damage and litigation can injuries. Clearly, this is not acceptable for anyand enforceable regulations. be powerful incentives for compliance. industry stakeholder. To solve the problem, we first need to understand it. That illustrates a fundamental difference As the rest of the world shuffles to keepbetween the safety cultures of Europe and the pace, they typically use the European system Understanding the EuropeanU.S. While government and regulatory bodies and regulations as a road map due to the Safety Cultureare significantly involved in Europe—up established history of the EU Directive andto and including potential prosecution for the compliance standards that are in place. Make no mistake: The vast majority ofviolators—U.S. safety regulations are largely Australia is similar to the EU in its approach businesses around the world operate withemployer- and industry-driven. In the EU, the to PPE. Brazil has had an established the safety of their workers foremost in theircontrolling regulatory instrument (the PPE PPE certification program but is moving minds. This is a fundamental factor to longerDirective 89/656) requires employers to assess increasingly to harmonize with the EU, and term success on so many levels, whatever theand provide PPE appropriate to the level of Mexico has been proactive in adopting similar industry, whatever the region. Companiesrisk associated with the work activity. In the standards, albeit enforcement mechanisms are that do not prioritize worker safety are notU.S., OSHA requires that employers provide quite discretionary. China and South Korea successful for long.a level of appropriate hand protection when are also taking steps to bring their respectiveemployees are exposed to a work hazard. The workplace safety efforts in line with Europe. At There are, however, some interesting nuancesformer requires more of an employer to provide the other end of the spectrum, safety programs from region to region. Even before thesea level of protection commensurate with the in Africa remain largely company-driven and activities became regulated, there was a strongrisk and demonstrate evidence of compliance. safety culture across most of Europe. The EU’sThe latter requires employers to provide PPE standards and regulations grew around existingprotection but no definition of required practices and built on a shared commitmentevidence of compliance; it is at the discretion to prioritizing worker safety. A key factor in this evolution was the strength of Labor/Union10 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 vpppa.org

parties in the EU. Employers in the U.S. also states, the latter requires adoption without to country, it is usually driven by companiesvalue worker safety, of course, but there has discretion across the EU. New EU regulations with multinational manufacturing facilitiesbeen a historical trend of prioritizing business are expected to increase the responsibility of and customers. Those interests often crossgrowth and self-compliance. As industrial distributors in the safety chain, pushing them international borders, and the industry policessafety became increasingly regulated in the U.S. to ensure the gloves and other PPE they stock itself accordingly.though, companies understandably structured and sell are compliant with safety standards.their safety programs to prioritize compliance. This is a significant ask for smaller, private Ultimately, the most significant hole inSo, despite these different safety paths, we are label PPE vendors, and it may lead to a shift safety regulations is the absence of complianceseeing an increasing and more harmonized in the market toward larger manufacturers mandates—and this is true in the U.S. andfocus on improved workplace safety standards, more equipped to manage these types of developing markets. Europe and the previouslyalbeit it accidental. requirements. Ultimately, any regulations that noted adopters of its regulation, has a more encourage additional attention to safety should mature regulatory approach to the requirement There is a subtle difference in the U.S. be welcomed, and other world regions will be but still has work to do on addressing non-approach, so let’s look at an example where watching this shift and contemplating similar compliance incidents. Governments, regulatorycompliance may not lead to improved worker adjustments in how they regulate distributors. and industry bodies continue to work withsafety. Workers at risk of cut injury should As discussed, Brazil, China and South Korea employers to make the appropriate gloves andalways wear cut-resistant gloves and sleeves, are increasingly looking to harmonize with sleeves available to workers to keep them safeand regulations in the U.S. typically require the EU so an eventual adoption of a similar and productive, but they are not taking thatemployers to provide gloves and sleeves that regulatory framework and the accompanying next step to mandate compliance and penalizemeet a certain minimum standard of cut standards is quite likely. Eventually, while the non-compliance. Certain companies are doingprotection. Those standards can be loosely U.S. will assess the use of EU standards, the this now with great results, but no meaningfuldefined, with language that provides plenty regulatory framework is not likely to evolve industry-wide or government regulatoryof room for interpretation for which type of into any governmental initiative but rather mandates are in place. Until we institutePPE is appropriate for a given job. That is an improved industry practice. stronger mandates, we will continue to seeinvitation for safety officers to err on the side hand injuries at a rate that is unacceptable inof caution—to provide gloves that far exceed Standardization and Next Steps industrialized societies when countless optionsthe level of cut protection actually needed for hand protection are available.for a given job. They are mandating thicker, While some standards are becomingpotentially less comfortable gloves to workers, increasingly similar, ANSI cut standards are Mark Nicholls is the Senior Vice President &and if we know anything about worker habits, inching closer to their European counterpartsit’s this: if a glove is uncomfortable, the worker (EN). For example, it is unlikely we will see Chief Commercial Officer—Americas for Ansell,will take it off. That is how we get to the point any sort of universal PPE regulations anytimewhere 70 percent of injured workers were not soon. This remains a regional focus, and when a global leader in personal protective equipmentwearing gloves. In this example, the employer there is any sort of consensus from countryhad the worker’s best interests in mind, was for both industrial and medical settings. Markin compliance with available regulation, andyet the glove choice is encouraging workers to leads the NA Region commercial organizationremove their gloves. for the global company. European regulations aren’t dramaticallydifferent, but they do require more effectivematching of glove to job and risk, andemployers in Europe tend to work closelywith glove manufacturers to ensure they aremaking the right glove choices as well asproviding relevant evidence and educationto such a choice. We are seeing improvedcommunication along those lines in the U.S.as well, which is an important step towardmoving beyond a compliance-driven safetyculture. There is increased participation by USindustry in standards organizations (ASTMand NFPA) to establish standards for productperformance, albeit voluntary. And the European system continues toevolve. There is a proposed initiative to movethe EU directive to a regulation; the formerprovides implementing discretion to membervpppa.org THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 11

FALLS AT WORKSITES AND HOW TO GET THERE All Workplace Injuries are Preventable12 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 vpppa.org

BY PROFESSOR JUKKA TAKALA SENIOR CONSULTANT AT THE WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH INSTITUTE, MINISTRY OF MANPOWER, SINGAPORE PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH (ICOH) This article first appeared in The Straits Times, April 2017. Imagine putting together 46,000 workers to work on a massive construction job over a span of five years. There are bound to be injuries, and perhaps, unfortunately, a number of fatalities, right? A ctually, there were none. This As surely as gravity will always act on a remarkable feat was achieved leading up falling apple, the number of fatalities caused by to the 2012 London Olympics, when falls in Singapore can be brought down. Unlike in building all the stadia, tracks, aquatics centre gravity, a natural force, fatal falls are manmade and the games village, not a single workplace and therefore preventable. fatality occurred. The statistics generated by that Olympic feat were worthy of a medal. My native country of Finland has a similar sized population to Singapore’s of around 5.5 In the 80 million man-hours worked, the million. However, the difference in the number construction force accomplished 30 periods of of construction workers is triple, with 130,000 one million hours worked without a reportable in Finland, and 400,000 in Singapore. injury, plus five periods of two million hours and two periods of three million hours. This The workplace fatal injury produced an accident frequency rate (AFR) rate due to falls in 2013, when of 0.16 injuries per million man hours—well it was last analyzed, was below the average for the United Kingdom 0.2 per 100,000 employed (U.K.) construction industry. persons in all sectors. In 2016, Singapore’s workplace fatal injury The workplace fatal injury rate due to falls rate was 1.9 per 100,000 employed persons, in 2013, when it was last analyzed, was 0.2 per translating to 66 fatalities, with 29 percent 100,000 employed persons in all sectors. There (or 19 of them) due to falls. In 2008, Prime were two fatalities due to falls then, and of Minister Lee Hsien Loong set the goal of those, one was in construction. reducing the workplace fatality rate from 2.9 in 2007 to 1.8, or better, by 2018. Last year, Singapore’s workplace fatality rate for the construction sector was 4.9 per Trying to achieve a fatal injury rate of zero 100,000 employed persons. There were 19 right away may sound like wishful thinking, fatal falls, of which the bulk (seven cases) but working toward it is laudable. was from construction. Singapore can aspire to figures such as in Finland with a About 25 percent of all fatal and non-fatal combination of: occupational injuries worldwide are caused • Commitment from management by falls (The Lancet). Globally there are some • Regulatory measures 96,000 fatal falls and 68 million fall-related non- • Enforcement and inspection fatal accidents every year (ILO). In Singapore, • Total workplace safety and health, a holistic other than fatalities, 41 percent of major injuries and 32 percent of minor injuries were caused program to look at all risks at work by falls (falls from heights and slips, trips and • Knowledge, evidence, experience and best falls) in 2016. The majority of the falls from height cases were in higher risk sectors such as practices effectively passed on construction and marine while slips, trips and falls cases occurred in various sectors.vpppa.org THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 13

• Enhanced techniques, processes, equipment continues day after day—until Thanksgiving. “almost accidents” at the base of the pyramid and tools The turkey will run happily to the caretaker before they become serious. and that will be the end of it. The learning• Workplace cultures, attitudes and behaviour point is that past experience and perceived lack Is Zero Fatal Falls Achievable? continually improved of risk does not mean there is no risk. The Singapore government, together with Yes, it is, in the following possible time frames: Vision Zero • Any company and workplace in one year’sthe Workplace Safety and Health (WSH)Council, takes a serious view of workplace The concept of Vision Zero is a mindset time, and for many years in a row. The non-safety and health and has put in place various where we recognize that all injuries and health fatal period frequency should be graduallyregulations and voluntary measures. However, issues at work are preventable. It is easy to extended from one year to 20 years.employers and employees must also take think that having 99.9 percent level risk-free • All industries—other than the traditionallyownership of workplace safety and health. This operations is acceptable. But with a global higher risk ones, such as construction andmust come from the top down with constant workforce of 3.4 billion, this would mean marine industries—in one year’s time, buttraining, follow up and reminding for both 3,400,000 workplace deaths annually—which better risk management is needed. The risknew and existing employees. is obviously unacceptable. level is lower so we can expect quicker results. • Construction and marine industries which Companies can also learn from one another. Each day, approximately 100,000 employ a large workforce, in five to 10 years’Woh Hup’s The Interlace condominium was commercial flights land safely. A 99.9 percent time, but this will require intensive efforts.completed with no fatalities or other reportable success rate would mean 100 airline accidents, One major factor in reducing workplaceaccidents in 14.4 million man-hours, depicting every day, but only 300 to 500 people die accidents is using modern and cleverexemplary practices. annually from commercial airline accidents techniques in building to lessen the risk of while 2.3 million die from workplace accidents falling from heights. The fewer workers you Building a safety and health culture is a slow and diseases globally. have in risky operations, the better.process. There are many things we can do, For example, I saw the building of astarting from schools, vocational institutions Each day, approximately condominium in Helsinki. The whole toiletand universities. The Ministry of Manpower 100,000 commercial flights was like a container box–pre-fabricated inand the WSH Council have done well in this land safely. A 99.9 percent a factory, transported by truck, and liftedarea. It is important to go further and not allow success rate would mean 100 by crane into place. All in, it took twothe fatal fall rates to stagnate. airline accidents every day, construction professionals about two hours but only 300 to 500 people to put it together. Then they moved to theRisk, Certainty and Uncertainty die annually from next flat, with another modular toilet being commercial airline accidents, delivered meantime, ready to be put in place.Human beings tend to assess low risk as while 2.3 million die from Given the tight labor market here, the long-certainty. If you have driven your car at 80km/h workplace accidents and term solution is to do more processes outsidein a 50 km/h zone, it could falsely reinforce diseases globally. of the construction site using a pre-fabricatedbad behaviour. But if such bad behaviour is system with automated processes in place.multiplied by all drivers doing this regularly, the Aiming for Vision Zero is not about a Also, it is not necessarily prudent to gofatal accident rates would multiply. single action but instilling a “safety and for the lowest price tendered, but for a better health first” mindset in all stakeholders. It is price with the stipulation that there will not In an airplane, you are likely to be afraid like a pyramid. Having one fatality on site is be a single fatality, as evidenced in the Londonthat it may crash; yet you are not afraid of symptomatic of many smaller accidents and Olympic build.driving in your car, which is much more injuries below. To eliminate that fatality at Singapore can improve its fatal injury ratedangerous. The airline industry consistently the top, you must eliminate the thousands of vastly. Using benchmarks elsewhere today,reminds passengers about seat belts and exit Singapore should have no more than sixroutes. That kind of behaviour is needed in the fatalities a year. Similarly, using the Londonconstruction industry and wherever there are Olympic build as a benchmark, it shouldrisks of falls. translate to four fatalities. In short, there are several approaches that can be taken to reach The other illusion is the “turkey illusion.” Vision Zero.The bird would first be careful with thecaretaker but then learns that he comesregularly and always provides food. This Professor Takala will be speaking on Prevention of Occupational Cancer at the upcoming XXI World Congress on Safety and Health at Work to be held in Singapore September 3–6, 2017. This is the first time this event will be held in Southeast Asia.14 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 vpppa.org



BY GLENN TROUT International safety conferences have seen significant growth PRESIDENT AND CEO, VELOCITYEHS over the last decade, with the biggest sessions showcasing a HOW TO dizzying array of occupational MAKE THE MOST safety and health solutions and products from around the world. OF YOUR TIME For would-be attendees, the size of these conferences, and the AT INTERNATIONAL complications of international SAFETY CONFERENCES travel, can be intimidating and make it difficult to maximize the16 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 value from the experience. I f you plan on attending an international conference in the near future, here are some tips—based on my own experience and others at VelocityEHS who are regulars at top global shows and who have spent time as both attendees and exhibitors—to help ensure you achieve the greatest return on your time and investment. T1IP Be Selective Just because a show is large and offers a vast number of exhibitors and information doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right one for you to attend. In many cases, companies spend money to attend a large international show thinking it will provide them with the widest variety of vendors and breakout topics. In the end, however, they don’t find what they need because the show doesn’t attract the kind of vendors they are looking for or workshop topics that reflect their interests. A more effective approach is to source targeted events that fit your company’s needs and safety objectives, with vendors aligned by industry and/or solution. For example, if you are in the market for EHS software, then a smaller event where every vendor is a software solution provider may be a better fit, over the larger shows where only a handful of exhibitors might align with your needs. Event organizers recognize that delegates and exhibitors these days often have specific agendas for the shows they attend, and in turn have tailored events to meet everyone’s needs. If you don’t have an agenda or are looking for broad exposure to industry trends, then a larger, more diverse show may be the better bet. However, if you know what you’re hunting for, be open to scouting smaller more solution-targeted shows. vpppa.org

T2IP Book Accommodations experts about best practices, industry challenges T7IP Pack Comfortable Shoes Early and regulatory changes. However, the sheer and Hydrate number of speakers and concurrent sessions If you are attending a popular usually requires some pre-show work on your Shoes: This might be a no- part to review the speakers and sessions that bestevent or an event in a small city, it is critical address your needs. Again, the event website can brainer for many, but the biggest difference provide useful insight. As you investigate, don’tthat you book your hotel, and even meal just look at the topic, but pay close attention between international and domestic safety to the speaker. A well-seasoned and dynamicreservations, early. This is especially true when presenter can make all the difference in terms conferences is the size of the spaces each of useful takeaways. At the same time, manyit comes to the larger international shows events use the same speakers, so if you are takes up. Anticipate doing a lot of walking looking for a new perspective, you may need towhere last minute arrangements can push you pick your events accordingly. and standing on a concrete surface, withto the outskirts of the city, or sometimes to a only a thin layer of carpeting. Pack shoesneighbouring city. Transportation to and from that will not only get you from point A toa large event space can be tricky for even the point B, but provide a little extra comfort asmost seasoned traveller, but is considerably the days add up.more difficult and expensive the farther from Hydration: It is easy to get caught up inthe conference location you stay. Your best, the fast pace of a large show and forget toand often most cost effective bet, is to stay Don’t Just Linger at the eat or drink. Make sure you drink plenty of U.S. Pavilionat a hotel recommended by the conference T5IP water, especially in the morning, and takeorganizers, taking advantage of early bird deals, full advantage of the complimentary beverageor at a hotel that is as close to the conference as While country-specific pavilions services you’ll usually find in the breakoutpossible. A nice benefit of being nearby is the may seem like a good idea, condensing a rooms and snack breaks.ability to quickly get back to the hotel for a rest group of highly targeted vendors into one Get Out and Enjoy the Cultureor to freshen up between events. area, these pavilions often don’t receive the T8IP Make a Plan Ahead kind of foot traffic vendors need to pay off of Time…And Try YourT3IP Best to Stick to It the investment in a large conference. As such, With all the professional activities the pavilions often don’t include many of surrounding international shows, it’s easy the best vendors, especially those operating to forget to take some time to explore theA+A in Düsseldorf, Germany is the world’s with a global footprint. Instead, many U.S. local sights and activities. If you can, fitleading international trade forum for health exhibitors at international shows secure prime in an extra day or schedule a later flightand safety professionals and a great event to see booth space outside of the U.S. pavilion. So home to allow for some extra time to goniche product vendors who may not attend a while it may be tempting to focus primarily sightseeing. Many international conferencelot of other shows. However, with an event of on the U.S. pavilion, thinking you’ll see the websites also provide local travel informationthat magnitude, it’s also just as easy to become vendors that fit your specific business and to help visitors get the most from their timeoverwhelmed by the number of exhibitors and safety needs, you may need to get out into the in the area. At the very least, your hotelmiss out on the information you’re seeking. main hall or other country pavilions to find concierge can assist you with arrangingFor these larger events, it is wise to have the industry leaders. sightseeing activities or make a restauranta plan of attack. Spend some time with the recommendation so you can enjoy some ofprogram before you get onsite. Make a list of T6IP Take Advantage of the local culture while there. Networking Eventsall the booths you want to hit, and map out a A Little Bit of Planning Goes a Long Wayroute ahead of the show. Show websites provide When attending a conference, the At their best, international conferences are aa wealth of information, providing extra insight events listed in the program are just the tip of fun and exciting way to connect with thought leaders and gain valuable insights and exposureinto vendors and new products. Additionally, the iceberg. Each day there are likely to be a to emerging best practices. At their worst, they are nearly untenable. The good news is, theif there’s a particular product you absolutely variety of extracurricular events—happy hours, difference between a good experience and a bad one is in your hands. With a little bit of workneed to see, reach out to that vendor directly dinners, off-site trips—where you can connect on the front end, you can ensure that your experience provides the value you expect.and try to set up a time when you can meet with your peers and gain access to industrywith the attending representatives. Also, plan leaders in a less structured environment. Oftento visit exhibitor booths earlier in the schedule held at the end of the event-day or into therather than later. Towards the end of an event, evening, it’s an opportunity to generate newhigh demand vendors can become booked professional contacts and deepen supplierwith meetings and you may not have the access relationships. After a full day of walking theyou hoped or planned for. Connecting with tradeshow floor and attending sessions, thevendors early in the event gives you the option idea of adding a post-show event may seem Glenn Trout is president and CEO of VelocityEHS, a cloud software provider with easy-to-implementto schedule follow-up sessions and dedicated daunting, however, the return on investment and easy-to-use environment, health and safety solutions, including products for conductingone-on-one meetings later on. can make all the difference between a successful audits and inspections, managing incidents, corrective actions, SDS/chemical inventories, Find the Experts conference and unsuccessful one. Don’t worry ergonomics and compliance with air, water and Right for You waste regulations. For more information, visitT4IP if you don’t know a lot of folks. A larger than www.EHS.com or call 1-888-362-2007. usual percentage of the people attending One of the benefits of attending a conferences are outgoing types, and if you’lllarge international conference is the opportunity just show up, you can usually count on thosefor you to hear from a diverse group of EHS folks to do a lot of the heavy icebreaking.vpppa.org THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 17

SAFETYONE COMMON LANGUAGE:For 69 days in 2010, the world watched and waited as 33 men were trapped 700 meters, or 2,300 feet, underground. As this August is the seven year anniversary of the Chilean mining accident, it is perhaps a good time to reflect on lessons learned.18 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 vpppa.org

BY KERRI CARPENTER COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, VPPPA, INC.W hat the world knows is that on capture few headlines, movie deals or speaking we did everything we legally could to gather August 5, 2010, 33 miners were invites,” Froetschel speculated. evidence, with the collaboration of specialized trapped a half mile underground police units and technical agencies.”at the San Jose copper-gold mine in Chile’s The Importance of ListeningAtacama Desert. Miraculously, all 33 workers to Your Workers Still, it has become known that the 120-year-were safely rescued on October 13, 2010, as old mine, 500 miles north of Santiago, did notbillions of people watched worldwide. Two separate investigations were launched meet basic safety standards. A New York Times after the 2010 Chilean mining accident, with article in 2013 claimed that “Sernageomin But, after all was said and done, as the different results. A 2011 congressional report officials…knowingly allowed [the mine] tocamera crews dissipated and the offers of book found the owners of the San Esteban Mining continue operating,” despite the known safetyand movie deals began to dwindle, the real Company, Alejandro Bohn and Marcelo hazards. The article went on to elaboratestory surfaced. That narrative speaks highly of Kemeny, were responsible for the rock collapse. on union leaders, who had repeatedly andthe importance of international cooperation, The report concluded that Bohn and Kemeny persistently warned of these hazards. Multiplewhile, sadly, it shows how the rights and were guilty of negligence since they have a accidents and injuries had occurred there overregulations of a healthy and safe work responsibility to deliver a safe workplace for the years leading up to the 2010 collapse.environment can be ignored. their employees. In fact, only one month prior to the accidentThe Importance of “It was the Chileans on July 3, Gino Cortez, a worker at the San JoseInternational Cooperation who brought all the teams mine, experienced a rockfall. His leg was severed together and deserve and eventually amputated. In a 2010 report inThe former deputy chief medical officer at credit for the rescue The Telegraph, Cortez admitted that after hisNASA, Dr. Michael J. Duncan, said that “It because of their willingness accident, his co-workers were ordered back towas the Chileans who brought all the teams to seek outside input.” work mere hours later. No investigation was evertogether and deserve credit for the rescue” launched into that accident.because of their willingness to seek outside —Dr. Michael J. Duncan, formerinput. Without hesitation, the Chileans deputy chief medical officer, NASA Cortez believes that “the mining companyreached out to international allies. ignored safety regulations in the pursuit At the same time, the report also found of profit. ‘What happened to me wasn’t a Indeed, what brought in such high attention the Chilean state shared responsibility for the surprise. The mine has a reputation as theto the Chilean mining accident may have disaster. Sernageomin, the government mining most dangerous in the region but [whatbeen the global response. Teams, companies, agency, did an improper job supervising happened to me] should have been a wake-researchers and specialists from the United mining operations and enforcing decisions. up call.’” Furthermore, he offered a graveStates, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, Had they operated differently, the mine owners statement. “The [accident that trapped the 33Australia and Japan, to name a few, came “could have avoided” the entire collapse. miners] could have been avoided if they hadtogether to offer expertise. While this kind of investigated properly after my accident. Butcooperation can clearly aid, and in some cases That particular mine was known as an the company ignored the warning and it wasexpedite results, it is not always the norm. exceptionally dangerous place to work. But business as usual. Everyone knew that work to workers continued to come onboard because strengthen the walls of the shafts hadn’t been Susan Froetschel, former assistant editor of of higher-than-average salaries, even though finished, fissures were not treated seriously.YaleGlobal Online, wrote for the Yale Center accidents claimed the lives of miners in both To do so would mean concentrating on safetyfor the Study of Globalization that, “Tolerance 2004 and 2006. In addition, a geologist was rather than production and that doesn’tto occupational, financial and environmental killed in January 2007. After the 2007 incident, produce profits.”hazards varies wildly around the globe.” Sernageomin did order the mine closed. But oneUnfortunately, mining accidents are not year later, the mine was reopened, despite new One of the 33 miners rescued from theuncommon the world over. China is known for safety measures not taking effect. Chilean mining accident, Mario Sepulveda,an abysmal safety record. In 2009, Chile saw told the website Soy Chile that the owners35 mining fatalities, the U.S. had 34, while Unlike the congressional report, a three-year of the mine are “free and happy going aboutthe number in China was 2,631. However, it criminal investigation concluded that there was with their lives, even though they left usis unusual for mining accidents in China to insufficient evidence to charge the mine owners buried underground.” He added, “What elsemake headlines nationally, let alone on the and government officials of the mining agency can we expect?”international stage. with any criminal responsibility in the matter. Hector Mella, the Atacama regional public A lot more than that. Every worker, no Why is that? Why is there not more emphasis prosecutor said, “this was a complex case, and matter the country, should expect to workon precautionary safety? “Disaster prevention in a safe environment. The 2010 Chileancan never be as thrilling as triumphing over mining accident had a happy ending for those 19crisis. Steady prevention, solid safety records, 33 workers. But that is not always the case. No matter the language, the continent, thevpppa.org industry, safety should always rule. THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017

BY MA JOELLE LINGATTECHNICAL WRITER, GENSUITETNRAAVIINGIANTGINCGHTAHLLREONUGGEHSIMPGLLEOMBEANLTATWITH20 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 vpppa.org

V isiting a foreign country can be live in eliminates any gaps in communication. intimidating—navigating your way Culture includes all characteristics of people to different destinations, not knowing and their region—going beyond just language the local language and also unfamiliarity to include values, social habits and more. with culture and traditions. Implementing How well a vendor can articulate their EHS a new digital tool for compliance program software to your users depends on their management can be a lot like charting global presence and cultural knowledge. You unfamiliar territory. As with travel, global should choose a provider that aligns with environmental, health and safety (EHS) your business objectives, in any region of the software implementation is made easier and world. With an office in Mexico, the company more comfortable with a tour guide to lead you knew that Gensuite would be able to provide in the right direction. understanding to their Latin American sites. Prior to deployment, their team sat down When a global conglomerate company with representatives from Gensuite’s Mexico needed EHS training at their Latin American office to map out the priority applications sites, they trusted Gensuite to help. The that they wanted to deploy and establish a Gensuite team is comprised of 250+ global process for training. team members across nine different offices, all equipped with the resources needed to train 3 Employee Engagement new EHS software system users on a global scale. It was important for the company to For successful global training, you choose a vendor with international reach to help them navigate through challenges that should engage employees by: come with global implementation. • Providing hands-on instruction with The company’s Latin American team designed a customized training and launch captivating, in-person experience program that would best suit their users. Gensuite led four webinar training calls • Providing tools that are multilingual and in Spanish and completed seven in-person trainings across their locations, including mobile-enabled, making it accessible to a post-training follow-up to answer any questions, across five cities in three different employees anywhere and at any time. countries in 10 days, training 125 users. Offering in-person training for new system “No words could thank [the Gensuite team] for all of [their] commitment with this users sends the message that the program training project. I am a witness of the quality, dedication and attention that the Gensuite is important and that the users are valued; team has given to our employees during all sessions,” said the company’s EHS Analytics & and having capabilities such as mobile and IT Expert. multilingual interfaces allows for a smooth and So what made this training experience so successful? quick transition. Sure, global training can be difficult, butION doing research and choosing an EHS software vpppa.org vendor that can support your global needs is the key to a successful launch. Understanding your company’s international needs, employee engagement and finding a vendor with an exceptional training program will help guide your users through global implementation. Learn more about Gensuite at 1 Providing In-Person, www.gensuite.com. Hands-On Support Ma Joelle Lingat is a technical writer for When it comes to learning how to use a new Gensuite, a cloud-based compliance and management systems software solutions tool, it is much easier to have someone guiding provider. In this role, she has covered topics in environmental, health and safety, you step-by-step to answer any questions. sustainability, security, product stewardship and responsible sourcing for different Choose an EHS vendor with EHS training leads marketing opportunities, including writing for the company blog, social media, website, that can support your team in-person and in collateral and public relations, and interviewing industry thought-leaders and experts. the local language. To make the experience even Ma Joelle received her bachelor’s degree in more impactful, the company’s leadership was English with a professional writing concentration from Wright State University in 2016. in attendance to convey the intended use of the tool and program importance at such trainings. 2 Understanding Different Cultural Needs Having an EHS training team that understands the culture that your employees THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 21

VPP JourneyVPP: Our Commitment to ImprovingEmployee SafetySUBMITTED BY:CAROLYN BRYDEN,SAFETY COORDINATOR,DELTA AIR LINES Delta's National Safety Month celebration: Power Up for National Safety Month with Power Rangers We could not have been Carolyn Bryden, a Dallas-based Safety Coordinator at Delta Air more proud or excited! Lines, describes the journey Delta’s facility at the Dallas/Fort Worth This extraordinary honor International Airport took to achieve VPP certification. was humbly and very gratefully received… I n January 2013, one of our managers thought of every detail and put together a and now the approached me about beginning a new comprehensive plan, we anxiously awaited our journey continues. project that would not only improve the safety first OSHA representative at our doorstep and and health of our employees but also increase hoped it would go well.22 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 productivity and cost savings at Delta: VPP Star Certification. As someone who’s closely engaged When Josh Lewis from OSHA arrived, he with safety programs at Delta, the project seemed quickly toured our location, looked around like the perfect fit and I couldn’t wait to jump in. briefly and asked a couple of questions about the facility. Afterward, we settled back into For our first order of business, our team the business of preparing for our formal visit researched fully the benefits that Voluntary in mid-summer. Protection Programs offer employees and the business, as well as how to implement the During that time, we made sure we crossed all program’s best practices. We leaned heavily the T’s and dotted all the I’s, ensuring the new on both our corporate and divisional safety safety procedures were running properly and coordinators, as well as our colleagues in smoothly. VPP banners and shirts were ordered, Cincinnati and Minneapolis for their invaluable mock interviews were set up and suggestions were guidance and support. They trained us on how sent out to our management team to help prepare to implement various workplace safety and our employees. When Josh and his team arrived health management systems, such as creating a in June, we felt proud of the progress our facility VPP filing system and setting up a hazard log had made and were ready for our full inspection, for employees to report safety concerns. During hopeful we would meet the requirements for this time, we worked tirelessly at getting many acceptance into the VPP Star program. pieces organized all in an effort to make our work environment as safe as possible for employees. In mid-October 2015 (with the help of many hands and hearts), our VPP program Next, our area VPP coordinator contacted blossomed into a full blown Star Certification. us, requesting a pre-certification meeting We could not have been more proud or to look around our facility prior to our excited! This extraordinary honor was humbly official inspection in June. Although we had and very gratefully received…and now the journey continues. vpppa.org



AN INTEGRATED SAFETY &HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS SYMPOSIUM PRESENTED BY VPPPAJOIN US IN NEW ORLEANS!AUGUST 29–SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 | ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER | NEW ORLEANS, LAIt’s not too late to All workplace accidents are preventable.register for and Safety+ will provide you with the tools toattend this year’s improve safety and health at your site.annual event! 93% 87%The Premier GlobalSafety & Health of 2016 attendees would of last year’s attendees ranked theOrganization recommend this symposium educational content of the eventEDUCATE as “outstanding” or “very good” National and regional events Top Industries Transportation equipment, Webinars Represented: services, trucking & warehousing Access to safety and Utilities health articles Aerospace & air transportation And many more Innovative safety solutions ChemicalCOLLABORATE Construction Networking Mentoring Petroleum Industry partnerships Best Practices DirectoryADVOCATE Congressional outreach Union and labor cooperation Update national safety practicesREGISTER TODAYat vpppa.orgwww.vpppa.org | 703.761.1146 | [email protected] | Aug. 29–Sept. 1, 2017

SYMPOSIUM AGENDA Symposium HighlightsMONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2017 10:30 AM–11:30 AM Regional Networking Meetings JOIN thousands of the EHSPre-Symposium Day 11:30 AM–1:00 PM Lunch & Exhibit industry’s most dedicated and Hall Open ambitious professionals for four days7:00 AM–3:00 PM Registration 1:00 PM–2:00 PM Workshops of learning and networking 2:00 PM–3:30 PM Exhibit Hall Open VISIT hundreds of safety and8:00 AM–5:00 PM Pre-Symposium 3:30 PM–4:30 PM health exhibitors demonstrating the Workshops Workshops industry’s newest offerings BE INSPIRED by nationally-TUESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2017 THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2017 recognized keynote speakers CHOOSE from more than 100Symposium’s Official 1st Day workshops on a variety of topics including fall protection, confined7:00 AM–5:00 PM Registration 8:00 AM–4:00 PM Registration space training, lockout/tagout, improving your relationship with7:00 AM–8:30 AM Labor & Management 8:30 AM–9:30 AM Workshops OSHA and more Open Forum MEET others at your regional networking meeting and8:00 AM–8:30 AM First Timers’ Workshop 9:30 AM–11:00 AM Exhibit Hall Open the receptions PARTICIPATE in multiple contests8:30 AM–9:00 AM Mobile App 11:00 AM–12:00 PM Workshops and win dozens of prizes Demonstration 12:00 PM–1:30 PM Lunch & Exhibit NEW THIS YEAR, VPPPA and the9:15 AM–10:00 AM Annual Meeting of the Hall Open Louisiana Governor’s Safety & Health Membership Conference are combining their events 1:30 PM–2:30 PM Workshops to join thousands of safety and health10:15 AM–12:30 PM Opening General professionals from across the country Session Part 1 2:30 PM–3:00 PM Afternoon Break and expose both sides to new best practices, training, safety equipment,12:30 PM–1:30 PM Lunch 3:00 PM–4:00 PM Workshops ideas and safety and health vendors.2:00 PM–3:30 PM Opening General 6:00 PM–9:00 PM Casino Night Reception Get Social! Session Part 2 (will take place at the New Orleans Marriott) Tuesday: Grand Opening of4:00 PM–5:00 PM Workshops Exhibit Hall & Reception5:00 PM–7:00 PM Grand Opening of FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017 You will have the opportunity to Exhibit Hall meet with cutting-edge safety and & Reception 8:00 AM–10:00 AM Registration health manufacturers and network 8:30 AM–9:30 AM Workshops with other attendees at the openingWEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2017 9:45 AM–10:45 AM Workshops kick-off event.7:00 AM–4:00 PM Registration 11:00 AM–12:30 PM Closing General Wednesday: Regional8:00 AM–9:00 AM Workshops Session Networking Meetings9:00 AM–10:15 AM Exhibit Hall Open Meet the other safety and healthPre-Symposium Workshops: professionals in your local area!VPP Application® Workshop Inspection Techniques and Thursday: Casino Hazard Recognition Night ReceptionIndustry leaders from VPP worksites andOSHA will guide you step-by-step through Attendees will learn the different types Taking place at the New Orleansthe process of putting together the major of inspections, inspection techniques Marriott, you won’t want to misscomponents of a successful application. and typical safety and health hazards. this year’s casino night event! Make connections with other professionalsWhat’s New in DOE-VPP? OSHA #7115—Lockout/Tagout in the industry while enjoying drinks, games and prizes.This workshop, intended for employees This course covers the role andat DOE sites, offers an overview of what’s responsibility of the employer to developnew in the DOE-VPP program. and implement an energy control program, or lock-out/tag-out (LOTO)First Aid/CPR/AED Training for the protection of workers while performing servicing and maintenanceThe purpose of the American Red Cross activities on machinery and equipmentFirst Aid/CPR/AED program is to help This course is being presented inparticipants recognize and respond conjunction with MidSouth OTIappropriately to cardiac, breathing and Education Center.first aid emergencies.This course is being presented by the OSHA #7300—UnderstandingAmerican Red Cross. OSHA’s Permit-Required Confined Space StandardBefore Pulling the Plug on VPP This course covers the requirements ofHas your company or represented the OSHA Permit-Required Confinedemployees thought about pulling the Space Standard.plug on VPP and calling it quits? In this This course is being presented insession you will hear from workers and conjunction with MidSouth OTImanagement regarding the trials of VPP. Education Center. www.vpppa.org | 703.761.1146 | [email protected] | Aug. 29–Sept. 1, 2017

FEATURED P R O D U C T S Booth 1106 Booth 809GAS CLIP TECHNOLOGIES MEGACOMFORT INC.Multi Gas Clip Simple MEGASteps™ Footwear & Insole AdvisorJeremy Majors Dr.Kevan Orvitz(972) 775-7577 [email protected] / (877) 634-2266www.gascliptech.com www.megacomfort.comThe non-charging portable 4-gas detector for H2S, CO, The MEGASteps Advisor helps take the guesswork outO2 and combustible gases (LEL) provides continuous of your footwear and insole program. The Advisor scansassurance of protection, 24/7, for two years—requiring no feet in less than one minute recommending the bestbattery or sensor replacement! Visit our booth and learn safety footwear and insole based on foot size, arch type,how low-power photometric infrared technology makes workplace requirements and availability.4-gas detection simple! Booth 749 Booth 811 PUREFLO RITE-HITE PureFlo 4000 Integrated Mining Helmet Safe-T-Signal Ronnie Dunne Andy Olson [email protected] / (980) 322-1030 [email protected] / (800) 456-0600 www.gentexcorp.com/pureflo/us www.ritehite.com The PureFlo 4000 is a fully integrated head mounted Help prevent accidents where people and material powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) incorporating handling equipment share the same space in your head, eye, face and hearing protection with facility. Perfect for blind corners and busy intersections, communications. PureFlo 4000 is typical of Gentex’s the Safe-T-Signal detects traffic from all directions and dedication to advanced technology to optimize personal communicates with high-visibility traffic control symbols protection and user performance. to oncoming traffic.26 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 vpppa.org

AN INTEGRATED SAFETY & HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS SYMPOSIUM PRESENTED BY VPPPA Booth 911ROCK MILLS ENTERPRISES ROCO RESCUEThe Lifter and The Lifter PLUS CMC/Roco FreeTech HarnessDon Moos Teresa [email protected] / (712) 451-6550 [email protected] / (800) 647-7626www.rockmillsent.com www.rocorescue.comThe lifter removes manhole covers at the push of a The FreeTech™ Harness allows the user to safely andbutton. Easy to install and operate, this pioneering tool easily transfer their body weight from the dorsalmitigates the risk of injury associated with manual lifting. connector on the upper back to the front waist locationContact us now to learn more about this safe, practical of the harness to reorient the user into a seated position.and cost-effective solution.Booth 907 Booth 707SAFETYCAL HOLDINGS, INC WORKING CONCEPTS, INC.FLAP™ TAG 3-in. by 5-in. Ergokneel Body MatTeresa Powell Lori [email protected] / (800) 446-3525 [email protected] / (503) 663-3374www.safetycal.com www.softknees.comOur most popular and versatile product. Available in Ergokneel® Body Mat is one inch thick close celledseveral sizes, materials and colors. Simply use a felt foam, and is designed for industrial use. It will notmarker, paint pen or printed material to mark your tag. absorb liquids, is petroleum resistant and will holdThen simply seal your information beneath the durable, up in tough environments..chemical resistant laminate. Keep it tagged and safe! THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 27vpppa.org

member info cornerCongratulations to our 2017 awardand scholarship winners! Safety & Health Award is for an individual, company or trades (respectively). This annual scholarship is Achievement Program worksite that has done an extraordinary granted to students who are either employed amount of work in these areas. at a VPPPA Full member site or to the child/ Whether it is at the worksite or in the grandchild of a member. community, the VPPPA Safety & Health Winner: Achievement Program provides special • Hendrickson Mitchell Ergo Team, Winner: acknowledgement to non-managerial employees • Alexandra Crabb, Wappapello, MO at VPPPA member sites who have taken the Mitchell, SD initiative to learn and apply safety and health Sergeant SafetyScholarship best practices. Candidates are expected to fulfill VPP Innovation Award: The VPPPA Sergeant Safety Scholarship the program criteria and complete a workbook The purpose of the VPP Innovation Award (also known as the DoD Scholarship) is containing questions on the major elements is to provide recognition for an individual, intended for students pursuing either an of workplace safety and health. The program company or worksite that has developed and undergraduate or graduate degree in the is geared toward hourly, non-safety and health successfully implemented an innovation, safety, health or environmental field and is workers at VPPPA member sites. encouraged others to try new approaches associated with the Department of Defense and emphasized the value of creativity and or contractor sites. This scholarship is open Winners(s): flexibility in the resolution of worker safety to students enrolled in, or enrolling in, a and health problems. The innovation may be college or university. • Curtis Crenshaw, Savannah River Nuclear program-related or of a technical nature. Solutions, Aiken, SC Winner: Winner(s): • Robin Henle, Richland, WA • Darrell Freeman, Savannah River Nuclear • East Tennessee Technology Park—UCOR, Solutions, Aiken, SC Stephen Brown Scholarship Oak Ridge, TN The VPPPA Stephen Brown Scholarship • Dwayne Carter, HII-NNS, • Washington River Protection Solutions, was established in 2005 and is intended for Newport News, VA students pursuing a degree in the trades. This Richland, WA scholarship is open to students enrolled in, or • Edward Szela, GE Healthcare Electric enrolling in, a vocational school, college or Avenue, Milwaukee, WI VPPPA Safety & Health university. This annual scholarship is granted Outreach Award to one student who is either employed at • Loretta Williams, Savannah River Nuclear The purpose of the Safety and Health a VPPPA full member site or to the child/ Solutions, Aiken, SC Outreach Award is to provide recognition for grandchild of a member. our “VPP Models,” who reach out to share • Maggie Yarborough, HII-NNS, Newport the safety, health, technical and management Winner: News, VA expertise developed at their sites. The award • Maria Ellinger, Pasco, WA is for an individual, company or worksite that • Marcus Hills, HII-NNS, has achieved an outstanding level of outreach William “Sully” Sullivan Scholarship Newport News, VA in the safety and health arena, not directly During the February 2007 VPPPA National encompassing the VPP. Board of Directors meeting, the board • Nicholas Mueller, GE Healthcare Electric established the VPPPA William “Sully” Avenue, Milwaukee, WI Winners(s): Sullivan Scholarship. This scholarship is • East Tennessee Technology Park—UCOR, intended to recognize an employee at a • Paul Lux, HII-NNS, Newport News, VA VPPPA Full member site who has made • Robert Knoll, GE Healthcare Electric Oak Ridge, TN significant contributions to the VPP program • Idaho National Laboratory—Battelle at his/her site. This scholarship is open to Avenue, Milwaukee, WI employees enrolled in, or enrolling in, a Energy Alliance, Idaho Falls, ID vocational school, college or university. Annual Awards Scholarships Winner: VPP Outreach Award June Brothers Scholarship • Jackson Steele Owens, Tucson, AZ The purpose of the VPP Outreach Award The VPPPA June Brothers Scholarship was vpppa.org is to provide recognition for our “VPP established in 2005 to recognize students who Ambassadors.” This award recognizes those are leaders and role models in their schools and who achieve an outstanding level of outreach communities and who are entering either the activity and encourage others to share their environmental, safety and health areas or the knowledge. Reaching out to communicate and persuade others of the benefits of pursuing OSHA or DOE VPP approval is an important part of the mission of VPPPA. Another part of the mission is to persuade other government regulatory agencies to adopt similar programs. The VPP Outreach28 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017

2017 Regional Mentors and Our #HowISafety contest winner, Whether it is at theSGEs of the Year Warren Gipson. worksite or in the community, theMentor of the Year In addition, we extend a big congratulations to VPPPA Safety & Health• Region I: The Cartamundi Team, Warren Gipson, the winner of our #HowISafety Achievement Program contest! Check out Warren’s winning photo above. provides special Cartamundi, LLC acknowledgement• Region III: Frank Ragone, Cintas Corporation Take a Selfie with a Board to non-managerial• Region IV: Mississippi Gulf Coast / Member Contest employees at VPPPA member sites who Southeast Louisiana Voluntary Last year’s selfie contest at the national VPPPA have taken the Protection Program Council event was so much fun, we are bringing it back. initiative to learn and (Sponsored by VPP Participants at We had an overwhelmingly positive response. apply safety and Stennis Space Center, Mississippi) There were even a few people who were able health best practices.• Region VI: Lesli Trahan & Dale Miller, to snag a selfie with all twelve members of the Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. National Board of Directors. THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017• Region VII: Terry Bass, Ply Gem What’s involved in this contest you may ask?SGE of the Year That’s the best part—all you have to do is take a• Region I: Darwin Irish, FLEXcon selfie...with a VPPPA Board Member. The more selfies you take, the better your odds of winning. Company, Inc. However, each selfie you take must be with a• Region II: Robert Brynes, Wheelabrator different board member. Every time you take a selfie and post it to either VPPPA’s Facebook or Technologies Inc. Twitter page with the #VPPPA33, your name• Region III: Al D’Imperio, Naval Surface will be entered for a chance to win a gift card. Warfare Center Some opportune times to take selfies are directly• Region IV: Merrill E. Dickinson Jr., after the Opening General Session or the Annual Meeting of the Membership, during receptions Marine Corps Logistics Base-Albany or when you’re hanging around the registration• Region V: Tina Kennedy, Flint areas, as board members will be readily available. Hills Resources The list and pictures of the board members• Region VI: Hal Lancon, Albemarle can be found either on the website or viewed• Region VII: Michael Yount, W.W. on the mobile app under the “Symposium Information” icon. Wood Products• Region VIII: Cathy West, GE #VPPPA33 Analytical Instruments Make sure to use our hashtag #VPPPA33 on social media when sharing posts and picturesRoster Contest Winner about Safety+. See you in New Orleans!Congratulations to Donald Rudge fromWheelabrator Technologies in Millbury, MA, 29for winning the roster contest! Thank you toall who submitted updated rosters; your effortswill help us provide you with all the benefits ofVPPPA membership. It’s not too late to updateyour roster and ensure that you are still receivingall of your membership benefits. Send updatedrosters to [email protected] Media Contest WinnersCongratulations to Carmen C., Donna R. andLinda R. for winning our June social mediacontest. Each won a $50 Walmart gift card forliking our VPPPA Facebook page, followingVPPPA on Twitter or retweeting us.vpppa.org

state-plan monitor COMPILED BY Oregon classes at the Region X Northwest Safety and KATLYN PAGLIUCA, MEMBERSHIP & Health Summit in Spokane, WA, in May. OUTREACH MANAGER, VPPPA, INC. Oregon OSHA VPP has had a busy 2017 so far. We have completed four VPP evaluations with Oregon OSHA has three more safety and Federal OSHA States seven Special Government Employee (SGE) health conferences coming up this year: State-Plan States partners assisting. Sherwin–Williams’ Purdy • Central Oregon Occupational Public Sector Only Brush facility in Portland was reapproved as a Star site on February 24. Owens Corning Roofing & Safety & Health Conference in Bend—30 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 Asphalt’s Linnton plant was reapproved as a Star September 19–20 site on May 1 and Cintas First Aid & Safety in • Southern Oregon Occupational Tualatin, was reapproved as a Star site on May Safety & Health Conference in Ashland— 8. One additional Oregon VPP site is currently October 17–19 under deferred approval while completing some • Western Pulp, Paper, and Forest Products 90-day items. Safety & Health Conference in Portland— November 28–December 1 We have five more VPP evaluations scheduled Feel free to visit us at www.orosha.org for for 2017, and plan to use nine more SGEs on registration or additional information. those evaluations. We currently have one VPP application under review. The Oregon OSHA Washington VPP Coordinator was invited to present two classes at the Region IX All-Star Safety Summit Washington State VPP currently has 32 Star sites. in San Francisco, CA, in April, and to assist with Cintas, Spokane Valley, and Cintas, Pasco, were their VPP Application Workshop. He also assisted recently approved as Star sites and Columbia Vista with the application workshop and presented Sawmill, Vancouver, was recently reapproved as a Star site. Nucor Steel, Seattle, also held a reapproval ceremony. Trident Seafoods in Everett had an onsite evaluation conducted in April and the report is in process. Trident Seafoods in Anacortes, WA, also had an onsite evaluation in June. The 2017 Voluntary Protection Program Seminar: Melvin E. James Honorary Lectures on Safety was held on March 30 in Tumwater, WA. 167 people were in attendance from a number of state and federal VPP sites, sites interested in VPP and other workplaces around the state. The agenda included opening remarks by Joel Sacks, Director, Department of Labor and Industries. Michigan There are currently 27 sites in the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP), with 24 Star sites, one Rising Star (Merit) and two MVPP/C (construction) sites. Doug Kimmel, MVPP Specialist, gave a presentation on the MVPP to management and safety committee members at Quality Aluminum, Hastings. He has also met with the representatives from Sherwin–Williams, Holland, to discuss their interest in applying for the MVPP. The Spring MVPP Mentors’ meeting was held in April. The meeting was well attended with representatives from many of the MVPP/ MVPPC sites attending in person and others attending remotely via interactive media. Michigan will soon be piloting the use of SGEs. In support of this initiative, a training course was held in April. The course was led by vpppa.org

OSHA Region V VPP MVPP Manager, Nancy contacting each state >>Mugavero, and was hosted by DTE Fermi 2 (anMVPP Star site) at their facility in Monroe. The Alaska Michigan South Carolinacourse also included a Michigan-specific session Christian Hendrickson Sherry Scott Sharon Dumitthat focused on the differences between the VPP VPP Manager MVPP Manager VPP Coordinatorand the MVPP, as well as MIOSHA safety and Christian.hendrickson@ [email protected] [email protected] standards that differ from OSHA’s. SGEs alaska.gov Phone: (517) 322-5817 Phone: (803) 896-7788looking to participate on an MVPP review team Phone: (907) 269-4946in Michigan will need to have attended both the Minnesota TennesseeOSHA and MIOSHA portions of the training. Arizona Tyrone Taylor, MBA David Blessman Jessie Atencio Director of Workplace Safety VPP Manager The MVPP Advisory Group met again in Assistant Director Consultation MN [email protected] for further discussion on how to grow [email protected] Dept. of Labor & Industry Phone: (615) 253-6890and continually improve the program. Phone: (520) 220-4222 Occupational Safety & Health Division Utah Applications currently pending for the California [email protected] Jerry ParkstoneMVPP include: Iraj Pourmehraban Phone: (651) 284-5203 VPP Coordinator• Marathon Pipe Line LLC (Woodhaven) Cal/VPP & PSM Manager [email protected]• Eaton Corporation (Grand Rapids) ipourmehraban@ Nevada Phone: (801) 530-6901• Walbridge—Dearborn Campus hq.dir.ca.gov Jimmy Andrews Phone: (510) 622-1080 VPP Manager Vermont Transformation (Detroit) jimmy.andrews@ Daniel Whipple• Cintas First Aid & Safety (Kentwood) Hawaii business.nv.gov VPP Coordinator• GE Aviation (Grand Rapids) Clayton Chun Phone: (702) 486-9046 [email protected]• Robert Bosch (Farmington Hills) Supervisor/VPP Coordinator Phone: (802) 828-5084• GE Aviation (Grand Rapids) [email protected] New Mexico Phone: (808) 586-9110 Melissa Barker VirginiaOn-Site Reviews VPP Coordinator Milford Stern Indiana [email protected] VPP ManagerOnsite reviews have been performed at: Beth A. Gonzalez Phone: (505) 222-9595 [email protected]• Walbridge—Dearborn Campus VPP Team Leader Phone: (540) 562-3580 x 123 [email protected] North Carolina Transformation (Detroit) Phone: (317) 607-6118 LaMont Smith Washington• Eaton Corporation (Grand Rapids) Recognition Program John Geppert Iowa Manager VPP Manager Reevaluation onsite reviews have been Shashi Patel [email protected] [email protected] at: VPP Coordinator Phone: (919) 807-2909 Phone: (360) 902-5496• Pfizer Global Supply (Kalamazoo) [email protected] Phone: (515) 281-6369 Oregon WyomingNew MVPP Sites Mark E. Hurliman, CSHM Clayton Gaunt Kentucky VPP/SHARP Program VPP ManagerSites that have recently been approved for Brian Black Coordinator [email protected] in the program: VPP Program Administrator mark.e.hurliman@ Phone: (307) 777-7710• Cintas (Westland)—Rising Star [email protected] oregon.gov Phone: (502) 564-3320 Phone: (541) 776-6016Reapprovals Maryland Puerto RicoSites that have been reapproved for participation Allen Stump Ilza Romanin the MVPP include: VPP Manager Director• Holly Construction (Detroit) [email protected] [email protected] Phone: (410) 527-4473 Phone: (787) 754-2171Upcoming Events For additional information and up-to-date contacts, please visitThe Fall 2017 MVPP/MVPPC Mentors’ www.vpppa.org/chapters/contacts.cfmmeeting will be held on October 25. This eventis sponsored by Albemarle (South Haven). THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 31 “Like” us on Facebook at MichiganOSHA,follow us on Twitter @mi_osha and subscribeto our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/MIOSHA_MI. For further details on the MVPP, contactDoug Kimmel, MVPP Specialist, at(231) 546-2366, or visit the MIOSHAwebsite www.michigan.gov/miosha.vpppa.org

regional round-upsCOMPILED BY JAMIE MITCHELL, Region I Steve also received a special recognition fromCOMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, the Region I Board of Directors as he is retiringVPPPA, INC. Region I held its annual conference at the from the board after many years of service. Killington Resort in Vermont May 15–17. There were approximately 250 attendees and about 25 The Region I SGE of the year award was exhibitors that participated in the conference presented to Darwin Irish of FLEXcon and activities. Keynote speakers were Olympian Josh the Region I Mentor of the Year award was Davis and motivational speaker Randy Royall presented to the Cartamundi Team of East who has over 25 years of safety experience. At Longmeadow, MA. the conference, the Region I VPPPA Regional Administrator’s Award was presented to out- Elections were held for the Board of Directors going Region I Chairperson, Steve Gauthier. at the conference. The new chairperson is Karen Girardin of L.L.Bean, Inc., Freeport, ME. The new treasurer is Paul Ludington of Dominion Nuclear, Waterford, CT. The new hourly rep from a site with a collective bargaining unit is Chuck Cashman of GE Aviation, Lynn, MA, and Local 149 International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers. The vice chairperson position is still open. If anyone is interested in the position, please check the Region I website vppregion1.com for more information and for directions on how to submit nomination forms. Contributed by Karen Girardin, Region I ChairpersonThe 2017 Region II SGE class at Covanta Essex, Newark, NJ, with OSHA Area Director Region IIKris Hoffman. TRANSCAER (Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response) Training Tours will be hosting several free hazardous materials transportation emergency response training sessions in Ohio and New Jersey from August 25–October 13. Tour stops include Orrville, Ohio; Martins Ferry, Ohio; Logan Township, NJ; and On Tuesday, June 6, 2017, the Parsons Lakewood Inspection Station, 1145 Route 70, vpppa.org Lakewood, NJ, held their New VPP Star ceremony. OSHA Area Director Paula Dixon- Roderick from the Marlton Area Office made the VPP Star plaque and flag presentation.32 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017

VPP site tour at GE Healthcare—Waukesha, during the Region V conference.Newark, NJ. Contact Sam Simon at (215) conference began with opening speaker, and Plans are already underway for the 2018781-4303 or [email protected] for dates former Assistant Secretary of Labor, Ed Foulke. Safety and Health Excellence Conference whichand locations. Mr. Foulke reminded the group of the impacts, will be held June 19–21, at the Beau Rivage both realized and unrealized, of serious and fatal Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. The 2017 National Safety Stand-Down incidents and how to articulate the importanceas well as the GLOBALFOUNDRIES mass of safety and health to senior organizational Submitted by Christopher Colburn,safety meeting, which aligned with Industry leaders. In addition to the 54 breakout sessions Region IV TreasurerSafety Week 2017, were both very successful offered during the conference, various workshopsevents. On May 1, a safety meeting was were offered including a SGE workshop. The Region Vheld where several speakers addressed conference exposition provided attendees withapproximately 350 trade employees on the opportunity to interact with 45 exhibitors Region V Conference Newstopics such as OSHA’s 2017 fall prevention offering a wide array of products and services.campaign, injury free workplace and The 2017 Region V Conference was heldbringing safety home to all our projects while In addition to the conference, attendees had May 16–18 at the Grand Geneva Resort in“off the clock.” GLOBALFOUNDRIES the opportunity to relax and enjoy the Region IV Lake Geneva, WI, with an estimated 350management also delivered the message that VPPPA “Atlanta Braves Experience” sponsored total attendees participating in the event. 32there is nothing important enough at the by the Cintas Corporation. The conference Exhibitors were on hand to provide the latestjobsite (schedule, budget, etc.) to risk you or concluded with Dale Lesinski’s motivational information on products and programs availableyour partner’s safety. message, “Safe 4 the Right Reason,” sending the to improve the safety and health of workers. 40 attendees back to their respective worksites ready, workshops were available on a wide range of Finally, Honeywell, Towawanda, NY, will be and energized, to share knowledge gained during topics along with a VPP application workshopmentored by Olin Corp, Niagara Falls, NY. the conference. with 35 in attendance. Thank you to all those presenters who volunteered to share your successContributed by Brenda Wiederkehr, The Region IV Board of Directors would also stories and best practices.Region II Chairperson like to recognize The Mississippi Gulf Coast / Southeast Louisiana Voluntary Protection Region V Board UpdateRegion IV Program Council who was selected as the 2017 Mentor of the Year. The council provides Region V had two longstanding boardThe Region IV VPPPA Safety and Health benchmarking and mentoring for the Stennis members step away from the board during theExcellence Conference was held June 20–22, at Space Center and local industries. election cycle.the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, GA. Thevpppa.org THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 33

regional round-upsSpecial Service Recognition Award for a Past Region V VPPPA Board Member: • Jim Harmon served as treasurer for theLeslie Peterson, Shire Pharmaceuticals; Safety Champion Individual Award: Michael Metze past seven years. Jim did an excellent job throughout the years leading our budgetary and finance efforts. Steve Washburn served as director-at-large for three years. Steve was instrumental in running our VPP site tours and most recently making the 2017 Region V golf outing a huge success. Their leadership and hands-on efforts will certainly be missed. • Bill Linneweh was re-elected as chairperson. • Shawn French was elected as treasurer. • Tina Kennedy was re-elected as hourly representative from a union site. • Andy Youpel was re-elected as representative from a mobile workforce. • Erica Arnold was elected as director-at-large. • Following the election, the board appointed Eric Siefker, director-at-large, into the open secretary position vacated by Shawn French. The board also appointed Paul Labriola into the open director-at-large position vacated by Eric Siefker. Congratulations to the Region V Award Winners • Safety Champion Team Award: Flint Hills Safety Team • Safety Champion Individual Award: Michael Metze • Special Service Recognition Award for a Past Region V VPPPA Board Member: Leslie PetersonBoard Members: (L–R) Jimmy Jacquez, Andy Youpel, Randy Schwartzkopf, Tamara Reiter, Conference RecapCraig Sievert, Deborah Krajicek, Shawn French, Erica Arnold, Glenn Trout, Nancy Mugavero,Eric Siefker, Karen O’Hara, Steve Washburn, Tina Kennedy, Paul Labriola, and Bill Linneweh The opening speaker for the conference was Scott Waddle, former Commanding Officer of the USS Greenville Fast Attack Submarine. The closing speaker was safety consultant, Hap Pigsley. Forty attendees took part in the VPP site tour hosted by GE Healthcare—Waukesha South Operations. This division produces PET and CT scan machines along with x-ray equipment.Flint Hills Safety Team: (L–R) Tina Kennedy, Blake Jacobs, Jake Redlich, Nick Raef, Save the Date for theChris Mcknight and VPPPA Region V Chair Bill Linneweh 2018 Conference We know it’s early but it’s a good time to mark your calendars for the 2018 Region V Conference. The conference will take place in Indianapolis at the Indiana Convention Center May 23-24. Watch for more information at vpppa.org or www.vppregionv.org.34 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 vpppa.org

Congratulations to these Region V The Region VII SGE training class took Region VII just completed the place in Chesterfield, MO, July 11–13. 24th Annual Midwest Health &VPP Sites Safety Conference and ExpoNew Star Sites We recently offered an application workshop and it was a huge hit.• OSHA (Indianapolis Area Office) with eight new companies interested in• Cargill Corn Milling North America pursuing VPP and a SSQ workshop with 12 participants in both workshops. (Dayton, OH)• Marathon Petroleum Company LP Ohio We have five new mentor/mentee matchups• Refining Division (Canton, OH) so far this year, with numerous other that• Southwire Company (Flora, IL) mentioned during the conference that they were interested in the mentor program.Reapproved Star Sites In April, Cintas in Springfield, MO,Ohio celebrated their Star status with a flag• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Columbus raising celebration. Resident Office (Columbus) The Region VII $5000 scholarship was• CH2M HILL (Cincinnati) awarded to Shianna Oestreich, daughter• Continental Building Company (Columbus) of Todd Oestreich, who is an employee of• Delta Air Lines, Cincinnati Reservations NuStar Energy, Norfolk, NE, Shianna will be attending Peru State, in Peru, NE. this fall. (Cincinnati)• GE Aviation Customer Technical Education We had 247 attendees at the conference in Kansas City, MO. The Region VII Mentor of Center (Springdale) the Year was awarded to Terry Bass, PlyGem,• Momentive Performance Materials (Hebron) Kansas City, MO.• MV Commercial Construction (Dayton)Illinois• Lyondell Basell Industries Equistar Chemicals (Morris)• Honeywell Sensing and Control (Galena)• Monsanto Monmouth Agronomy Center (Monmouth)• Morton Salt Research Laboratory (Elgin)• Occidental Chemical Corporation (Chicago)• OSHA Area Office (Peoria)• Senco Construction Inc. (Robinson)• Sherwin–Williams, Rockford Powder Plant and DSC (Rockford)Wisconsin• Frito Lay Rhinelander Agricultural Research & Development (Rhinelander)• OSHA Area Office (Eau Claire)Contributed by Steve Washburn,Region V Director-at-LargeRegion VII THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 35Region VII just completed the 24th AnnualMidwest Health & Safety Conference andExpo and it was a huge hit. We offeredfour different varieties of workshops thisyear, trying to reach all different types oflearning potential. We offered the basicone-hour workshop, the 2-for-1 workshop(two 30-minute workshops), the power hour(four 15-minute workshops) and a large “foreveryone” workshop.vpppa.org

regional round-ups The Region VII “Mike Murphy” SGE of conferences we’ve had with the highest the Year award was given to Michael Yount, attendance we’ve seen in the last six years.36 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 W.W. Wood Products, Dudley, MO. In addition, we increased our profit by approximately $9,000 while not skipping a Contributed by Bill Turner, beat on overall conference quality. All board Region VII Chairperson positions were retained. Our 2018 regional conference will be held May 8–10 at The Little Region VIII America Hotel and Resort in Cheyenne, WY. Our 2017 regional conference was held Congratulations to our Inaugural Spirit at the DoubleTree in beautiful Colorado of R8 Scholarship winner, Adriana “Bailey” Springs, CO. It was one of the most successful Garcia, who will be attending UT State, as well our Bervin Hall Memorial Award winner Lou Greer, Navarro Research and Engineering, Inc., Rocky Mountain Arsenal Project. OSHA Region VIII leadership awards were presented to Scott Holm from 3M Healthcare in Brookings, SD, and Christina Ross from Morton Salt. Also, a special award for leadership and commitment to employee safety and health was presented to A. Neal Hall from the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council. SGE of the Year for Region VIII was Cathy West from GE Analytical Instruments. Decades of Excellence Awards were presented to GE Control Solutions in Longmont, CO; Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center in Bismarck, ND; Talen Energy in Colstrip, MT and the U.S. Army at Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Commerce City, CO. In addition, OSHA recognized 33 Zeroes Heroes Sites. A recent SGE training was held June 20–22 at Hellman & Associates in Wheat Ridge, CO. Region VIII VPPPA continues to have articles published in OSHA’s Denver Federal Safety & Health Council quarterly newsletter, The Safety Peak, which has been a tremendous partnership and opportunity to reach DOD Sites. In addition, Region VIII VPPPA board members once again attended and supported the OSHA R8 Workers’ Memorial Day which was held at the IBEW Local #68 Union Hall in Denver, CO, on April 28 as well as Ft Carson Army Post, CO, with VPP(PA) information for their Safety Day. Our upcoming regional VPPPA best practice sharing program, “What’s Gr8 in R8,” structured quarterly program is currently scheduled to be held in Colorado at Sturgeon Electric Company and the Pueblo Chemical Depot Training Facility. New VPP sites include Cardinal Insulated Glass in Fargo, ND, and Southwest Generation vpppa.org

in Fountain, CO. Recent VPP reapprovals Region X Awards Region VIII 2018 regionalinclude Delta Air Lines Technical Operations conference will be heldin Denver, CO; Miller Coors in Huntley, • Chairperson Award: Mark Hurliman, Oregon May 8–10 at The LittleMT; CF Industries in Grand Forks, ND; OSHA and Michelle Steeler, AECOM America Hotel and Resort inIntegrity Windows and Doors in Fargo, ND; Cheyenne, WY.Hendrickson Trailer Commercial Vehicle • SGE of the Year: Julie Stout, ESH Manager,Systems in Mitchell, SD, and Owens Corning Georgia-Pacificin Denver, CO. • Innovation Awards: CH2M HILL Plateau Thank you, Lindsay Kalis, for serving on Remediation Company, Richland, WA, andthe Region VIII board as a representative ConocoPhillips, Kuparuk, AK(non-union) and for always doing what wasasked and never ever complaining. Sometimes • Safety & Outreach Award: Idaho Nationalour careers come in seasons and it’s only for Laboratory–Idaho Falls, IDwhat seems like a moment our paths cross.Rest assured you more than filled the gap • Safety & Health Outreach Award: INLand changed Region VIII for the better. We Laboratory Employee Safety Teamknow you will always be Region VIII’s VPPPAbiggest ally! • The 24th Annual Northwest Safety & Health Summit will be held May 1–3, 2018, at theContributed by Mark Moya, Anchorage Marriott Downtown and theRegion VIII Chairperson Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage, AK. Contributed by Jack Griffith, Region X Treasurer and National Board Director-at-LargeRegion X THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 37The 23rd Annual Region X Safety & HealthSummit took place May 16–18 at TheDavenport Grand Hotel in Spokane, WA.“Blazing the Trail for Safety” was the theme.This conference held classes over three daysand had 262 attendees, 31 vendors and18 sponsors. It was supported by: AlaskaOSHA, Oregon OSHA, WashingtonDepartment of Labor & Industries—DOSH,U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S.Department of Labor—OSHA. MattPomerinke of Kapstone Paper & PackagingCorp in Longview, WA, was the openingkeynote speaker, his topic was “Accidentsare Forever.” Michael Wood, Administrator,Oregon OSHA, served as the closingkeynote speaker. There were six tracks offered to attendeesincluding:• VPP Basics• Strengthening Star• Management/Leadership• Industrial Hygiene• Technical• Health and Wellness Richard McConnell provided the nationalupdate and Terry Schulte discussed H.B.1444. Computers were set up for attendeesto contact their congressional representatives,encouraging them to support H.B. 1444. Over120 attendees participated in the activity.vpppa.org

calendar of events VPPPA ContactsAugust September To reach the VPPPA National Office, call (703) 761-1146 or visitAugust 29–September 1 September 15 www. vpppa.org. To reach a particular staff member, please refer to the33rd Annual National VPPPA Conference survey deadline contact information below.Safety & Health Conference,now called Safety+ October Mike MaddoxErnest N. Morial Convention Center [email protected] Orleans, LA October 13 Executive Director Ext. 103August 29–September 1 Priority period ends for exhibitors and sponsors Sara A. Taylor, CMPTake a Selfie With a [email protected] Member Contest December Director of Operations Ext. 107 Mid–December Amanda McVicker, CMP Membership renewals [email protected] Conference & Education Manager38 THE LEADER / SUMMER 2017 Ext. 112 Kerri Carpenter [email protected] Communications & Outreach Manager Ext. 121 Jamie Mitchell [email protected] Communications Coordinator Ext. 117 Katlyn Pagliuca [email protected] Membership Manager Ext. 115 Natasha Cole [email protected] Member Services Coordinator Ext. 113 Sierra Johnson [email protected] Special Projects Coordinator Ext. 114 Heidi Hill [email protected] Senior Event Sales & Advertising Coordinator Ext. 111 Michael Khosrofian [email protected] Accountant Ext. 104 Bryant Walker [email protected] Information & Data Analyst Manager Ext. 110 Courtney Malveaux, Esq [email protected] Government Relations Counsel Ext. 105 vpppa.org



7600-E Leesburg Pike, Suite 100Falls Church, VA 22043-2004Tel: (703) 761-1146Fax: (703) 761-1148www.vpppa.orgVPPPA, a nonprofit 501(c) (3) charitableorganization, promotes advances in worker safetyand health excellence through best practices andcooperative efforts among workers, employers, thegovernment and communities.SCAN QR CODETO LEARN MOREABOUT VPPPA, INC.http://bit.ly/jVQcBo PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER• Keeps extension ladders from Ladder falls – slipping on slick surfaces such as 2nd leading cause of composite decking work-related• Unique design of foam creates tiny injur ie s! * suction cups that grip the surface, even when wet * https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ nioshtic-2/20034690.html• Light weight for easy use, weighs ~8 pounds Working Concepts, Inc.• Works on smooth surfaces, plastic, 888-456-3372 • www.softknees.com • [email protected] wood, concrete, etc., even when wet Patent Pending• Prevents marring and scratches to deck caused by ladder feet• Attaches to the bottom ladder rung, with adjustable strap, for easy movement of ladder along wall• Fits most extension ladders, up to 21” wide• Replaceable self-adhesive foam pad