Autumn 2018 Leader Magazine

VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4, AUTUMN 2018 SUBSTANCE ABUSE & THE WORKPLACE

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LTHEEADER CONTENTS VOL 5. ISSUE 4 AUTUMN 2018 features 1 0 The Opioid Crisis: Alternatives to Chronic Pain The opioid epidemic has cost the U.S. more than a trillion dollars since 2001. The greatest financial cost of the opioid crisis is in lost earnings and productivity losses to employers. Seventy five percent of adults ages 18 to 64 with substance misuse disorders are in the workforce, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Side effects of opioids include drowsiness, mental confusion, depression, nausea, etc. and can increase the risk of workplace incidents, errors and injury. The issue that many companies are facing is the inability to recognize, as well as handle, an employee with an opioid misuse situation. 1 4 State Medical 1 8 How Employers 2 2 Me, Jack and Jim Marijuana Laws Can Help End the Alcohol in the workplace is and Workplace Drug Opioid Crisis more common than one might think. Testing. . . Does Your A survey by the National Council on Drug Testing Policy Have Substance misuse and addiction is a Alcoholism and Drug Dependence to Go Up in Smoke? complex issue that requires everyone to (NCADD) showed that 24 percent of play a role, including employers. Safety workers surveyed reported drinking When it comes to safety in the should be the cornerstone of every during the workday. In a similar study, workplace, employers have a lot to worry workplace. If employers understand how hospital emergency departments about: preventing workplace violence, to protect employees from the most reported that 35 percent of patients with the impact of an aging workforce, pressing threats to their safety, that goal an occupational injury were considered complying with ever-changing can be a reality. at-risk drinkers. regulations and safety standards, implementing health and wellness initiatives—just to name a few. Added to that list is now maintaining a safe and drug free workplace while complying with state medical marijuana laws. 4 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

features continued www.vpppa.org 3 0 Fentanyl Epidemic 3 4 Preventing VPPPA National Board of Directors Increasing Risks Substance Abuse for Workers Issues in the Workplace Chairperson J.A. Rodriguez, Jr., CSP, SGE, Raytheon Fentanyl is anywhere from 50 to 100 times Keeping drugs and impaired Company, LLC as powerful as heroin, and just a few employees out of the workplace is the granules can cause a fatal overdose. least we can do to protect the workers Vice Chairperson There were just shy of 10,000 overdose who are there to do a job and help Rob Henson, LyondellBasell deaths from fentanyl or fentanyl analogs the company be successful. So, to help in the U.S. in 2015. In 2016, the most prevent these injuries and accidents Treasurer recent year for which we have complete from a substance abuse stand point, Chris Adolfson, Idaho National Laboratory data, the number ballooned to more one thing that employers can do is than 20,000. The potency, low cost and to make sure their substance abuse Secretary widespread availability are amplifying policies are more robust to deal with Terry Schulte, NuStar Energy, LP the national drug epidemic in new and the new legislation. devastating ways. Director from a Site With a Collective Bargaining Unit sections Jack Griffith, CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Company A MESSAGE FROM THE 6 Look for these topics highlighted in the VPPPA CHAIRPERSON top right corner of each section. Director from a Site Without a Collective Bargaining Agent GLOBAL SAFETY AND 8 G overnment Richard McConnell, Austin Industrial HEALTH WATCH M embership at LyondellBasell H ealth MEMBERSHIP CORNER 38 Business Director from a DOE-VPP Site Outreach Stacy Thursby, AECOM STATE-PLAN MONITOR 40 Director from a VPP Contractor/ VPPPA REGIONAL ROUND-UPS 43 Construction Site Jamie Robey, CSP, SGE, The Brock Group INFOGRAPHIC CORNER 44 Director-at-Large CALENDAR OF EVENTS 46 Johnathan “JD” Dyer, Shermco Industries Director-at-Large Kristyn Grow, CSP, CHMM, SGE Cintas Corporation Director-at-Large Sean D. Horne, Valero Energy Director-at-Large Kimberly Watson, Oldcastle Precast Director-at-Large Dan Lazorcak, CSP, Honeywell International Director-at-Large Alice Tatro, Acushnet Company—Ball Plant II 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 / AUTUMN 2018 5

J.A. Rodriguez, Jr. A Message Top down, bottom up and everything in-between, From The VPPPA activated employees, engaged managers, better A word on Chairperson communications make for more profitable and more partnerships: efficient business thanks to VPP.” Secretary Acosta’s There are several W e are at an exciting point of inflection address was exciting, empowering and insightful. We outstanding in our Association’s history. Thank you look forward to working with OSHA in promoting organizations that for voting for change and for the honor and supporting the VPP program through the are dedicated bestowed upon me to serve as your Chairman. My involvement of our amazing membership, sponsors, to the various deepest appreciation goes out to Mike Guillory for exhibitors, and supporters. aspects of his dedicated decades of service to VPPPA and the protecting the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program. A word on partnerships: There are several safety and health outstanding organizations that are dedicated to of our workforce... We just came off our largest ever Safety+ the various aspects of protecting the safety and In the end, we all Symposium in Nashville, TN, with a record number health of our workforce. Some focus on the safety share the same of attendees. Our partnership with sponsors, or industrial hygiene professional, others focus on commonality, the exhibitors, and the Tennessee Safety and Health the construction industry, while others focus on safety and health Congress truly defined what can be accomplished certification, policy, statistics, home and teen safety, of people. when we work together to deliver a high quality, transportation safety, and distracted driving. In the extremely informative, cost effective, and best- end, we all share the same commonality, the safety 6 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 practice sharing learning experience. We are working and health of people. VPPPA is poised to partner diligently to bring you an even bigger and better with these organizations so we can help and learn experience for Safety+ in New Orleans next year. from each other in this regard; so, we can leverage Our National VPPPA Team and Board of Directors resources for the common good; so, we can drive are listening, and we are making the changes and excellence in performance through the power of improvements you have recommended. purpose and community. Stay tuned for more updates on our progress. For the first time in over a decade, we had a sitting U.S. Secretary of Labor offer his insights on A word on VPP codification: We will be OSHA’s path going forward and his unwavering reevaluating what has worked, and leveraging those support for VPP. Secretary Alexander Acosta experiences. We will be reevaluating what did not received several resounding applauses from our work and learning from those experiences. We will be members when he stated: “In regulating and developing a formal strategic plan that forges a path enforcing, prevention should be the first goal. The forward in complete partnership with all stakeholders. VP Program (VPP) exists to prevent tragedies and harmful mistakes and injuries and it has proven its One of my passions is inspiring our young value again and again.” VPPPA professionals to reach greater heights in their careers. The future of our Association rests Secretary Acosta provided an example of his in their hands. Our young professionals help keep experience while visiting a VPPPA Full Member site our Association current and relatable. Their voice is in Dallas, TX: “My tour of the Raytheon Facility was important and critical for continuous advancement. an opportunity to see the breath of the effort it takes It is with this in mind that I will initiate a Young to achieve Star program distinction. As we follow Professional’s Advisory Council, whose mission will the clearly marked hallways, careful not to cross into be to advise us on how our Association is doing, active work areas, I also got the opportunity to see what we can do to help them grow professionally, the value of the VP Program in the individuals. The and how we can better engage and communicate. dedication to safety of the individuals that were part This Advisory Council will also offer our young of this program, and it was all about the people, VPPPA professionals an opportunity to contribute people like you, allowed Raytheon as a company to to the national agenda on a national stage, thereby focus instead on their business and on developing building their leadership skills in support of our their personnel talents. Participation in the VPP member organizations. Program keeps employees safer but importantly, it also gives businesses an edge.” We are living in exciting times. Your support for change, for growth and for continued advancement Secretary Acosta continued, “In addition, surveys is the fuel leading us in that direction. We are truly by states reveal that several critical businesses function much better with VPP certification. transforming tomorrow together. Employees take more of an active interest in the business. I saw that at Raytheon. Managers are vpppa.org more engaged, and communications improved.

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global safety and health watch BY JAMIE MITCHELL, D rugs and alcohol have been widely used for centuries all over the COMMUNICATIONS globe. Different cultures have a variety of societal views, as well as COORDINATOR, VPPPA, INC. legal regulations, regarding these substances. More recently, as some types of drugs evolve or become more prevalent, policies are being created or changed. (We used resources from the Schaffer Library of Drug Policy, and other sources, to create the below timeline.) c. 1000 c. 1650 1717 1800 1856–1860 Opium is widely The use of tobacco Liquor licenses Napoleon’s army, The Second Opium is prohibited in in Middlesex War. The treaty from used in China and (England) are returning from the First Opium War did Bavaria, Saxony, granted only to not satisfy British goals the far East. and in Zurich, but those who “would Egypt, introduces of improved trade and the prohibitions are take oaths of diplomatic relations. ineffective. Sultan allegiance and of cannabis into Murad IV of the belief in the King’s Using the Chinese Ottoman Empire supremacy over France. boarding of a British the Church.” ship as a justification decrees the death penalty for for war, the British smoking tobacco. attacked Chinese port cities, starting the Second Opium War. 3500 B.C. 1493 1691 1792 1839–1842 Earliest historical The use of In Luneburg, The first prohibitory The First Opium War. record of the tobacco is laws against This was started production of introduced Germany, the alcohol—The into Europe by opium in China as a trade dispute Christopher penalty for are promulgated. between the British description of a Columbus and The punishment brewery in an his crew returning smoking (tobacco) decreed for keepers and the Chinese Egyptian papyrus. from America. Qing Dynasty. The is death. of opium shops trade of Chinese is strangulation. goods was extremely profitable for British The Whisky Rebellion, merchants. However, a protest by the Chinese would farmers in western not buy British Pennsylvania against products in return, a federal tax on but would only liquor, breaks out sell their goods and is put down by in exchange for overwhelming force silver. To stop this, sent to the area by British merchants George Washington. began to smuggle Indian opium into China illegally, and demanded payment in silver. 8 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

1909 1921 1930 2018 The United States The U.S. Treasury The Federal Bureau 30 states and the Department issues of Narcotics is District of Columbia prohibits the regulations outlining the treatment of formed. Many of its have legalized importation of addiction permitted agents, including its medical marijuana. under the Harrison first commissioner, Nine states and the smoking opium. Act. In Syracuse, New District of Columbia York, the narcotics Harry J. Anslinger, clinic doctors report are former have legalized curing 90 percent of marijuana for prohibition agents. recreational use. their addicts. 1903 1920–1933 1924 1996 October 17, 2018 The composition The use of alcohol The manufacture California of Coca-Cola is becomes the Canada legalizes changed, caffeine is prohibited in the of heroin is replacing the cocaine first state in recreational it contained until this United States. prohibited in the the country to time. (Coca-Cola legalize medical marijuana in full. previously contained United States. extracts of coca marijuana. leaves and kola nuts. It is hard to determine how much cocaine was in the original formula, but in the early days it did contain some.) Drugs and alcohol are not a new topic. Throughout history, laws have Resources: been written, amended and reversed regarding these substances—wars have, and continue to be, fought over them—and the situation is still 1. www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/history/ constantly changing. As the opioid crisis continues to engulf the United histsum.htm States, and states continue to legalize marijuana, this discussion is far from complete; especially when it comes to safety in the workplace, this 2. www.snopes.com/fact-check/cocaine- subject is exceptionally tricky. coca-cola/ 3. www.britannica.com/topic/Opium-Wars 4. www.nam.ac.uk/explore/opium- war-1839-1842 5. history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/ china-2 vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 9

BY LEV FURMAN DC, MS, ACU What does a public emergency look like? People may think it is when a weather-related disaster is on its way, and we must evacuate to find safety. What does a national public health emergency look like? That is what our country is currently experiencing, the opioid crisis. We cannot evacuate, we cannot hide, and we cannot run for shelter. The opioid crisis has entered our homes and our lives, and is something many people are forced to face head on. We are experiencing the biggest attack this country has ever seen, taking an average of 46 lives a day with a price tag of over a trillion dollars. TheOpCiorisidis: Alternatives to Chronic Pain 10 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

D rug overdose deaths and opioid- limited the amount of opioid prescriptions The opioid crisis has clearly involved deaths continue to grow in the a doctor is allowed to prescribe. The made a massive impact United States. According to the Center federal government has put some opioids on our country and has left for Disease Control (CDC), overdose deaths on a stricter regulatory schedule, and law many individuals struggling from opioids, including prescription opioids enforcement has threatened doctors with to stop taking these drugs, and heroin, have increased by more than five incarceration and the loss of their medical and in some cases get their times since 1999. Overdoses involving opioids licenses if they provide opioids unethically. lives back on track. killed more than 42,000 people in 2016, and 40 The CDC has released guidelines that, percent of those deaths were from prescription among other proposals, ask doctors to avoid opioids, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), prescribing opioids for chronic pain except hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine under certain circumstances. and many others. The opioid crisis has clearly made a You might ask how did prescription massive impact on our country and has left drugs get so out of hand? Aren’t these drugs many individuals struggling to stop taking supposed to be regulated by the government, these drugs, and in some cases get their lives hospitals and doctors? The opioid epidemic back on track. The need for more approaches actually began in 1991, when doctors became to treatment are vital to finding the solution increasingly aware of the burdens of pain their to the crisis we are facing. Prescription drug patients were experiencing. Pharmaceutical addiction is leading users to heroin abuse companies saw an opportunity and persuaded and fatal overdoses. Fortunately, those in doctors to prescribe opioids to treat a myriad recovery and current users are looking into of pain. These pharmaceutical companies alternative pain-relieving methods. The need failed to disclose the safety and efficacy of for a safer, less addictive method for pain these very addictive drugs. The number of relief is undeniably necessary. Alternative prescriptions increased rapidly, landing in treatment methods have been found the hands of not just patients, but family beneficial for pain compared to long term members of the patients, friends of patients opioid therapy, according to the CDC. and the black market. Eventually, some painkiller users moved on to other opioids, Alternative methods to effectively treat like the illegal drug heroin. chronic pain include: • Chiropractic Care—Chiropractors are The opioid epidemic has cost the U.S. more than a trillion dollars since 2001. The greatest equipped to perform a first-line assessment financial cost of the opioid crisis is in lost and care for neck, back and neuro- earnings and productivity losses to employers. musculoskeletal pain to avoid opiate Seventy five percent of adults, ages 18 to 64, prescribing from the first onset of pain. with substance misuse disorders are in the • Physical Therapy—Physical therapists workforce, according to the Substance Abuse treat pain through movement, hands-on and Mental Health Services Administration. care, and patient education. By increasing Side effects of opioids include drowsiness, physical activity, you can also reduce your mental confusion, depression, nausea, etc., risk of other chronic diseases. and can increase the risk of workplace • Acupuncture—This ancient technique incidents, errors and injury. The issue that has been shown to reduce chronic low many companies are facing is the inability to back pain, chronic headaches, knee recognize, as well as handle, an employee with osteoarthritis, post-operative pain, nausea, an opioid misuse situation. as well as to help treat addiction. • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)— What are we currently doing to combat CBT teaches coping mechanisms for this national health crisis? Our country pain management by helping individuals has taken an initiative to prevent future recognize symptoms, control their generations of opioid users. Some states have perceptions of pain, put their focuses vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 11

The need for more Dr. Lev Furman is a Chiropractic Physician Cocaine, and Psychostimulants with approaches to treatment Abuse Potential—United States, 2015–2016. are vital to finding the and holds a Masters degree in Sports Science MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 29 solution to the crisis we March 2018. are facing. and Physical Rehabilitation from Logan 8. Kolodny et al. 2015. The prescription opioid elsewhere, and develop strategies to adapt University. Dr. Furman is currently the CEO and heroin crisis: A public health approach and conquer any negative feelings. to an epidemic of addiction. Annual of Furman Institute of Health in St. Louis, Review of Public Health, 36, 559–74 There are many challenges to solving the opioid crisis, and the approach we must MO, which provides On-Site Chiropractic, 9. Rudd RA, Aleshire N, Zibbell JE, Gladden take is multi-dimensional. This begins with RM. Increases in Drug and Opioid educating the public on the risks of taking Ergonomics, and Wellness Programs for Overdose Deaths—United States, 2000– opioids of any kind. Next, the workforce 2014. MMWR 2016, 64(50); 1378–82. must implement strategies to identify and corporations such as Cintas Corp., Build a manage employees who are struggling with 10. Seth P, Rudd R, Noonan, R, Haegerich, T. addiction and pain to prevent further danger Bear World HQ, Pepsi Corp., Frito-Lay, St. Quantifying the Epidemic of Prescription or injury. Finally, along with the government Opioid Overdose Deaths. American and state level enforcement, public health Louis County Government Center, and many Journal of Public Health, March programs can make a difference by becoming 2018;108(4):e1–e3. involved in their communities and educating more. Dr. Furman strives to bring the latest others on the tragic crisis that has already 11. Centers for Disease Control and hurt so many lives. The unfortunate truth is in alternative evidence-based medicine and Prevention. CDC Health Advisory: many of us may have already experienced a Increases in Fentanyl Drug Confiscations family member or friend hurt by this crisis. public health programs to the forefront of and Fentanyl-related Overdose Fatalities. The future of the opioid crisis is in our HAN Health Advisory. October 26, 2015. control and we have the ability to manage it. corporate health and wellness programs. This is our wake-up call to take action. 12. 2017 National Drug Threat Assessment. U.S. Lev Furman DC, MS, ACU Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration. October 2017. [email protected] 13. Seth P, Scholl L, Rudd RA, Bacon S. www.furmanhealth.com Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids, Cocaine, and Psychostimulants—United References States, 2015–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. March 2018;67(12):349–358. 1. Hedegaard H, Warner M, Miniño AM. Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 1999– 14. Gladden RM, Martinez P, Seth P. Fentanyl 2016. NCHS Data Brief, no 294. Hyattsville, Law Enforcement Submissions and MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Increases in Synthetic Opioid-Involved 2017/ CDC. Wide-ranging online data Overdose Deaths—27 States, 2013–2014. for epidemiologic research (WONDER). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. Aug Atlanta, GA: CDC, National Center for 2016;65(33):837–843. Health Statistics; 2016. Available at wonder.cdc.gov 15. Hedegaard H, Warner M, Miniño AM. Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 2. Seth P, Scholl L, Rudd RA, Bacon S. 1999–2016. NCHS Data Brief, no 294. Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids, Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Cocaine, and Psychostimulants—United Statistics. 2017. States, 2015–2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. March 2018. 67(12);349–358. 16. Wide-ranging online data for epidemiologic research (WONDER). 3. Algren D, Monteilh C, Rubin C, et al. Atlanta, GA: CDC, National Center for Fentanyl-associated fatalities among illicit Health Statistics; 2016. Available at drug users in Wayne County, Michigan wonder.cdc.gov. (July 2005–May 2006). Journal Of Medical Toxicology: Official Journal of the 17. Gladden RM, Martinez P, Seth, P. Fentanyl American College Of Medical Toxicology Law Enforcement Submissions and [serial online]. March 2013; 9(1):106–115. Increases in Synthetic Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths—27 States, 2013–2014. 4. Centers for Disease Control and MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. Aug Prevention. Vital Signs: Today’s Heroin 2016;65(33):837–843. Epidemic—United States, 2012. MMWR 2015; 64(26);719–725. 18. Rudd RA, Paulozzi LJ, Bauer MJ. Increases in Heroin Overdose Deaths—28 States, 2010 5. Seth P, Scholl L, Rudd RA, Bacon S. to 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. Oct Increases and Geographic Variations 2014;63(39): 849–854. in Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids, Cocaine, and Psychostimulants with 19. www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/ Abuse Potential—United States, 2015–2016. report_1959/ShortReport-1959.html MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 29 March 2018. 20. altarum.org/about/news-and-events/ economic-toll-of-opioid-crisis-in-u-s- 6. Wide-ranging online data for exceeded-1-trillion-since-2001 epidemiologic research (WONDER). Atlanta, GA: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics; 2017. Available at wonder.cdc.gov. 7. Seth P, Scholl L, Rudd RA, Bacon S. Increases and Geographic Variations in Overdose Deaths Involving Opioids, 12 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

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State Medical Marijuana Laws ANDWorkplace Drug Testing. . . Does Your Drug Testing Policy Have to Go Up in Smoke? 14 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

BY DENISE ELLIOTT, ESQ. MCNEES WALLACE & NURICK LLC When it comes to safety in the workplace, employers have a lot to worry about: preventing workplace violence, the impact of an aging workforce, complying with ever-changing regulations and safety standards, implementing health and wellness initiatives—just to name a few. Added to that list is now maintaining a safe and drug free workplace while complying with state medical marijuana laws. To date, 30 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes and in doing so, have added to the worries and heartburn of human resources and safety personnel in much of the country. So, what is an employer to do? Maintain a zero-tolerance drug testing policy in reliance on Federal Law? Scrap drug testing all together and throw caution to the wind? Neither extreme is recommended; rather the answer lies somewhere in the middle. I t is important to first understand how the legalization of medical marijuana impacts drug testing results. For employees that are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations govern the drug testing process. Among other things, the DOT Regulations state that a Medical Review Officer (MRO) must verify as positive a confirmed test result for drugs, unless the employee presents a legitimate medical explanation for the presence of the drug in his/her system. The use of medical marijuana, pursuant to state law, does not constitute a legitimate medical explanation for a positive drug test. In October 2017, the DOT issued a Medical Marijuana Notice providing that “Medical Review Officers will not verify a drug test as negative based upon information that a physician recommended that the employee use ‘medical marijuana’ . . . It remains unacceptable for any safety‐sensitive employee subject to drug testing under the DOT’s drug testing regulations to use marijuana.” (DOT Medical Marijuana Memo) Notably, the impact of the DOT’s memo likely reaches beyond DOT regulated employees. To ensure consistency and predictability, most MROs follow DOT testing guidelines for all drug tests. Accordingly, even when a non-DOT regulated employee tells the MRO that he/she is certified to use medicinal marijuana, the MRO may nonetheless certify the test as positive. The MRO may include an external note to the employer that the employee claimed medicinal use, but is unlikely to confirm the employee’s claim. The takeaway? Drug testing facilities will not help employers decide how to handle medical marijuana use. A positive drug test will be a positive drug test, regardless of the employee’s compliance with state medical marijuana laws. Accordingly, outside of the commercial driver’s license (CDL) context, the burden remains on the employer to decide, in accordance with its policies, how, if at all, the employee’s medicinal marijuana use impacts employment status. How an employer undertakes this decision-making process will depend, in large part, on two factors: (1) the language of the medical marijuana act in the state(s) in which the company does vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 15

The key here is for business; and (2) the circumstances under which a condition of employment for a federally employers to know the the employer conducts drug testing. Two recent prohibited substance.” (Cotto v. Ardagh Glass signs of impairment and federal court cases illustrate the paradigm. Packing, Inc.) to clearly document the reasons for a reasonable On September 5, 2018, a federal court in The New Jersey decision mirrors similar suspicion or post-accident Connecticut analyzed the following situation: post-accident testing decisions out of Hawaii drug test. The bottom line is (1) an applicant disclosed to her prospective and Montana. Notably, the Montana medical that your drug testing policy employer that she was certified to use medical marijuana act provided that “nothing in this part need not go up in smoke. marijuana under Connecticut state law, that may be construed to permit a cause of action she suffered from PTSD and that she took a against an employer for wrongful discharge.” 16 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 marijuana pill at bedtime to prevent night terrors; (2) the employer had a zero tolerance post-offer/ What is the moral of these conflicting pre-employment drug testing policy; (3) the testing stories? First, the language of the statute applicant tested positive for marijuana; and (4) is key. Connecticut, along with other states like the employer withdrew her conditional job offer. Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maine, Minnesota Additionally, Connecticut medical marijuana law and New York, has a medical marijuana act contains an express anti-discrimination clause: that contains an anti-discrimination provision. “No employer may refuse to hire a person or may The statutes in New Jersey and Montana, on discharge, penalize or threaten an employee solely the other hand, contain no such protections. on the basis of such person’s or employee’s status Accordingly, step one for any employer is to as a qualifying [medical marijuana] patient.” The know the law that applies to you. applicant sued alleging that rescission of the job offer constituted discrimination in violation of Second, the circumstances of the test are Connecticut law. The court agreed and entered important. In the Connecticut case, the judgment for the applicant. (Noffsinger v. SSC employer knew that the applicant was a Niantic Operating Co.) certified medical marijuana user and knew that she had marijuana metabolites in her In 2017, two other New England based system when she submitted for drug testing. courts ruled for the applicant where a job offer Although the employer knew nothing else, it was rescinded based on the applicant’s failure of refused to hire the applicant. The employer or inability to pass a drug test due to medical failed to interact with the employee in any marijuana use. One did so under a similar anti- meaningful way to determine how, if at all, discrimination provision; the other found that her medical marijuana use impacted her the employer failed to comply with the state’s ability to safely perform the position. disability discrimination laws. Employers would be prudent to engage Conversely, on August 10, 2018, a federal in, and document, a discussion with the court in New Jersey came down on the side of applicant to determine (1) whether the the employer in the context of post-accident applicant is in fact a certified user under state drug testing. The relevant facts were: (1) the law: and (2) whether the applicant can safely employee, a forklift operator, hit his head on perform the desired position in light of their the roof of the forklift and required medical off-duty medical marijuana use. Unless the attention; (2) as part of the employer’s post- position is subject to federal regulation, zero accident drug testing policy, the employee was tolerance treatment is not advised. With post- required to submit to a breath and urine screen; accident testing, the courts have been more (3) plaintiff disclosed that he was certified to use lenient with suspension/termination related medical marijuana for pain management related to a positive drug test. Reasonable suspicion to a 2007 back injury and would not pass a drug testing is likely to receive the same treatment, test; and (4) plaintiff was placed on indefinite as most statutes allow employers to prohibit suspension until he could pass the drug test. an employee from being under the influence Notably, New Jersey medical marijuana law of marijuana in the workplace. does not contain an anti-discrimination clause. Plaintiff filed suit alleging that the New Jersey Accordingly, step two is to consider medical marijuana and disability discrimination the reason for the test. The key here is for laws required that his employer accommodate employers to know the signs of impairment his use of medical marijuana. Here the court and to clearly document the reasons for a disagreed and entered judgment for the reasonable suspicion or post-accident drug employer stating, “nothing in either statute test. The bottom line is that your drug testing requires an employer to waive a drug test as policy need not go up in smoke. However, the way you treat certified users of medical marijuana under your policy may need to vpppa.org

change. As employers undertake the burden of with the law and avoid litigation. Denise also aids To ensure consistency parsing the interaction between workplace safety employers in investigating allegations of sexual and predictability, most and compliance with state medical marijuana harassment, discrimination and other incidents MROs follow DOT testing laws, they should consider the following: of workplace misconduct. Denise’s understanding guidelines for all drug tests. • Whether they are regulated and/or funded of the interplay between workers’ compensation laws, the ADA, the FMLA and unemployment by the federal government in a way that compensation is critical in helping her clients should impact their drug testing policies navigate the complex web these laws often create. and their treatment of medical marijuana (accommodating use by federally regulated Denise is certified as a specialist in the employees is likely not necessary); practice of workers’ compensation law by • The overall temperament of the company for the Pennsylvania Bar Association Workers’ medicinal marijuana use; Compensation Law Section and is a member of the • The company’s existing drug testing policies, Pennsylvania and Lancaster Bar Associations. She the circumstances under which employees is the past chair of the Workers’ Compensation will be tested, definitions under the policies Section and the Labor and Employment Section (i.e. “under the influence”) and whether of the Lancaster Bar Association. Denise is revisions are necessary; a frequent speaker and author on workers’ • The medical marijuana laws in the state(s) compensation and employment law topics in which they operate (does the law including medical marijuana in the workplace. prohibit discrimination; does the law Denise was named a 2014 and 2015 Select allow employers to discipline for use of Lawyer and to the 2017 Top 100 People list by medical marijuana and, if so, in what Pennsylvania Business Central. Denise is admitted contexts; does the law allow employers to to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, regulate medical marijuana use for safety before the Federal District Courts in the Eastern sensitive positions); and and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania and before • The impact of the state law disability the Supreme Court of the United States. laws on a certified medical marijuana user (whose certifying condition likely constitutes a disability) and any resulting obligations thereunder. Employers would be wise to consult with counsel as they navigate these issues. They should not wait until they are handed a positive drug test, noting medical marijuana use, to answer these questions. As a member of the McNees Labor and Employment Practice Group, Denise Elliott focuses her practice on defending self-insured employers in workers compensation matters and providing representation and counsel to clients in employment discrimination litigation, ADA/ FMLA compliance, safety, drug and alcohol testing and health issues. An experienced litigator, Denise represents public and private sector employers in all phases of employment related litigation, including before state and federal courts, arbitrators, administrative law judges (such as workers’ compensation judges and unemployment compensation referees) and administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Recognizing her clients’ ultimate goal is to stay out of court, Denise provides proactive counseling and training to employers to help employers comply vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 17

HOW EMPLOYERS CAN HELP END THE OPIOID CRISIS 18 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

BY DEBBIE HERSMAN PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL AMERICA’S DRUG CRISIS HAS MADE ITS WAY INTO THE WORKPLACE. While the unprecedented rise in fatal drug overdoses has concerned public health professionals and lawmakers for years, little attention has been paid to the epidemic’s impact on employers. Although 75 percent of adults who struggle with substance use disorders are in the workforce, society overwhelmingly sees drug overdose and misuse as a problem limited to our homes and communities. However, addiction does not end at the front stoop or magically subside when on the job. Addiction is an around-the-clock disease, and the majority of employers have been impacted by it in some way. A 2017 National Safety Council What’s more, only 19 percent of employers feel (NSC) survey found 70 percent “extremely prepared” to deal with prescription of employers have felt the direct drug misuse at work, and just 13 percent are impact of prescription drug “very confident” that employees can spot signs misuse among their workforce. of misuse, which range from decreases in work The adverse effects range from positive productivity to increased absenteeism, mistakes drug tests and absenteeism to decreased job and injuries. performance and on-the-job injuries. Sadly, 20 percent of employers say they have had So, what can be done? instances of employees borrowing or selling Many successful public health paradigm drugs at work, or an employee arrested either shifts have required a combination of education, on or off the job. legislation and high-visibility enforcement. Take smoking, for example. The percentage of There is a persistent gap, however, between Americans who smoke has dropped precipitously how employers perceive the impact and the in the last few decades as the public became actual human and business costs. The same NSC educated about the risks, Congress passed strong survey found only 39 percent of employers view laws and we doggedly enforced restrictions. The prescription drug use as a threat to safety, and number of American adults who smoke has only 24 percent feel it is a problem. Prescription dropped by more than half since 1964. Today, drug use ranked seventh of the eight issues only 15.5 percent of adults still smoke, according employers said concern them most. to the Center for Disease Control. vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 19

Photo courtesy of the National Safety Council. The NSC Prescribed to Death exhibit. Increasing public awareness can help solve initiated assistance. For some employees, the opioid crisis, too. The National Safety employer engagement literally could mean the Substance misuse and Council is informing both employers and the difference between life and death. Research addiction is a complex public in several different ways. indicates that those struggling with a substance issue that requires use disorders have better sustained recovery everyone to play a role, First, NSC wanted to put a face on the rates if their employers initiate and monitor including employers. statistics, and the Council is doing so through their treatment than if that treatment is initiated our provocative Prescribed to Death exhibit. A by friends or family. The NSC Prescription 20 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 memorial to the victims of the opioid crisis, Drug Employer Kit is free. The kit contains the exhibit includes a wall of 22,000 small tools to update drug-free workplace policies white pills, each carved with a human face to and employee benefit programs, fact sheets represent the 22,000 people who fatally overdosed and handouts with helpful information for on prescribed opioids in 2015. Since its unveiling employees, research about how opioids impact in Chicago last November, the memorial has safety and posters focused on home safety and traveled to Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Buffalo, NY, and disposal. The kit is available for download at Washington, D.C. It also traveled to Fayetteville, nsc.org/rxemployerkit. AR, and Houston, TX, in October. To demonstrate the financial costs of Although somber in nature, the memorial is substance misuse at work, NSC partnered not without elements of hope, and visitors leave with Shatterproof (a national non-profit with tangible ways to take action. At each stop, organization dedicated to ending the NSC distributes first-of-their-kind “Opioids: devastation addiction causes families) and Warn Me” labels, intended to affix to insurance NORC at the University of Chicago (an and pharmacy loyalty cards. The goal of these objective non-partisan research institution), to small labels is to prompt a discussion between develop the Substance Use Cost Calculator. patients and prescribers about the potential The tool provides employers with a customized risks of taking opioids. Sheets of 90 labels are assessment of the financial benefits of addressing available for free so employers can disseminate substance misuse in their workplaces, and the them to employees. Visit nsc.org/takeaction to literal price of doing nothing. The calculator is order Warn Me labels. available at nsc.org/drugsatwork. In addition to public education, the Council Substance misuse and addiction is a complex helps employers recognize the steps they can issue that requires everyone to play a role, take to understand the benefits of employer- vpppa.org

including employers. Safety should be the Photo courtesy of the National Safety Council. cornerstone of every workplace. If employers understand how to protect employees from the The exhibit includes 22,000 white pills, each carved with a human face. most pressing threats to their safety, that goal can be a reality. Deborah Hersman is president and chief executive officer of the National Safety Council. The National Safety Council saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes, communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy. Prior to joining the National Safety Council, Ms. Hersman served as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board from 2009–2014. Ms. Hersman was first appointed as an NTSB board member by President Bush in 2004 and was reappointed to two additional five-year terms by President Obama in 2009 and 2013. Ms. Hersman was a senior advisor to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation from 1999–2004. Ms. Hersman holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and international studies from Virginia Tech, and a Master of Science degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University. She also earned her Advanced Safety Certificate. vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 21

ME, JACK AND JIM BY ANITA HAWKINS 22 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

It had been almost an hour since I first collapsed in my chair and began to cry. I had not looked up or met eyes with anyone in the room even though my tear-filled sobs had frequently interrupted their stories. I cried and cried, at times so distracting that those who were sharing had to stop talking and allow me to collect myself. At one point, the room fell completely silent and even with my head down and my face in my hands, I could feel that all eyes were on me. I looked up into a room full of strangers, all curious as to what had brought me in ruins to their meeting place that evening. Each person waiting to hear what I had to share. It was my turn to speak. I had never been to this place before, but I swallowed my tears and followed protocol, I began my story with, “Hi. My name is Anita.” In chorus, the group of strangers around me replied, “Hi, Anita.” vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 23

ven those who have never been to a support I was first asked the question, “How long has find they need to consume more than their group are familiar with this greeting. It’s used he been an alcoholic?” peers in order to feel the desired effects. in television shows and movies to symbolize and, at times, mock, the situations of the The Blues Man The NIAAA estimates that roughly 17.6 characters taking part in such a meeting. The million people in the United States suffer from media has also given us the common belief Alcoholism affects people from all walks of alcoholism or other alcohol problems. Jack had that only a certain type of person attends these life. In the United States, one in 13 adults been an alcoholic for years before we began meetings—alcoholics. abuse alcohol, or have an alcoholism problem. dating. I was not around to watch him progress For many, like Jack, the drinking starts in into the Dependency Stage of alcoholism. I’m neither a character in a movie, nor an college and is commonly thought of a way to alcoholic, so my reason for being there was unwind and have a good time. According to Being dependent on alcohol means that the completely different than what you might expect. the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and addict’s body has built up such a tolerance for Alcoholism (NIAAA), roughly 20 percent of the alcohol that it now expects it at a certain Under the Light of a Neon Moon college students meet the criteria for Alcohol time each day. Alcoholics begin to drink earlier Use Disorder (AUD).1 More than half of those in the day to curb their body’s cravings for the It was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving who develop AUD in their college years will drink. For some, consumption of alcohol beings in 2017 when I was reintroduced to a friend continue the habit well into their adult life. as early as lunch time or during breaks at work. of my brother’s I had not seen since I was in high school. Thirteen years had passed, and It may be difficult to In the Dependency Stage of alcoholism, not once had it occurred to me to look in detect the early stages friends and family members might begin to on, or question, how Jack was doing. It was of alcoholism because notice changes in the alcoholic’s behavior. Jack who made the first move that night. in many cases, there is When they question the amount the addict is In a dimly lit dive bar just outside of my no obvious impairment drinking, the sufferer might reply with simple, hometown, Jack approached me and said, or dysfunction. Adaptive seemingly justifiable reasons for drinking. They “Hey, don’t I know you from somewhere?” Stage alcoholics can may say things like, blend seamlessly into Just like that, we were back in each other’s social events and “If you had the stresses I did, you would drink too.” lives. Jack was smart. He was funny. He was parties where others are cute. And he said all the right things to make consuming alcohol. “It helps me to relax after a bad day.” me fall in love the second he sat down at the bar next to me. Jack was the man of my Alcoholism begins with the Adaptive “There’s nothing wrong with it. Everyone at work dreams. There we were—two small town “kids” Stage.2 What begins as a drink in the evening has a few drinks when they get off.” talking about the old days and throwing shots after work to relax becomes a habit and soon, back at the local watering hole. The beginning a coping mechanism for stress, frustration, Dependency Stage alcoholics begin to of our very own backwoods country love song. or every day realities. Tolerance begins to adapt to the consequences of their drinking develop during the Adaptive Stage and and consider them to be part of the every day. Within weeks of dating we were already drinking provides less of the effect the addict Hangovers are common, blackouts begin to talking about the future, getting married, is looking for. happen, and perhaps the morning shakes even owning a home, and having children. He had start. Nausea is often a constant companion. goals. He had a great job. And he had my heart It may be difficult to detect the early stages in his hands. of alcoholism because in many cases, there At 28 years old, Jack had discovered a love is no obvious impairment or dysfunction. for Jim Beam Bourbon. Bourbon became a best In early January, I decided it was time to Adaptive Stage alcoholics can blend seamlessly friend and coping mechanism for the things he introduce Jack to my closest friends during a into social events and parties where others are witnessed in his career and daily life. Jack was a small get-together the day before my birthday. consuming alcohol. Those surrounding the corrections officer for the Federal Prison located During the party, Jack had passed out cold in addict may not notice the amount of alcohol not too far outside the little town where he and I the middle of the bar; forcing mutual friends of the addict is drinking. The addict will soon grew up. To most, a job like that was a great job ours to take him home early saying, “He’s just a because it paid higher than the average salary for little drunk. These things do happen at parties.” the area and had exclusive government benefits. It wasn’t until the next day that I became To family and friends, Jack was one of the lucky concerned about Jack’s alcohol intake. On the ones. But for Jack, the pay and benefits weren’t morning of my birthday, I was awakened by enough to compensate for the harsh work the sound of Jack vomiting and moaning in the conditions, rundown facilities, hostile work bathroom. It went on for hours until finally, it environment created by inmates, depression, was decided he should seek medical attention. I and anxiety he faced every day. took him to the Emergency Room. It was there His body became dependent on the alcohol as Jack consumed more and more each day to 1 Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): AUD is a chronic relapsing brain disease characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD can range from mild to severe, and recovery is possible regardless of severity. 2 Alcoholism includes the following four stages: The Adaptive Stage, The Dependence Stage, The Progression Stage, and the End Stage. See (The Stages of Alcoholism Explained, 2018). 24 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

take the edge off the things he witnessed as the pain, taking up narcotics and alcohol to Additionally, another part of prison life. He began to stash bottles of numb their thoughts and wipe their brains of study found that the risk of bourbon in his vehicle so that during moments the sights and sounds of prison life. suicide is about 39 percent when no one was looking, he could take a shot higher for correctional or two before returning to work. For correctional officers who struggle with officers than it is for substance use, the threat of harm and levels of all other professionals In a recent study by the Huffington Post, stress at work only increase. It can be a vicious combined, and about about 20 percent of workers and managers cycle—drinking or using drugs to manage twice as high as the rate across a wide range of industries and company job-related stress often creates more stress and of suicide among law sizes said a coworker’s on- or off-the-job higher risk on the job. When an employee enforcement officers. drinking threatened their productivity and comes to work intoxicated, everyone in the safety. (Hughes, 2017) workplace is at risk. For corrections officers, THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 the danger increases for fellow officers as well Corrections officers face continual threat as the inmates. of harm on every shift, ongoing stress, and repeated exposure to trauma. For corrections It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why some officers, everything they do is dictated by jobs seem more prone to heavy drinking while safety: their own safety, the safety of their others do not, but no matter what industry an colleagues, and the safety of the inmates they addict works in, safety is always a concern. Once watch. Officers must remain continually alert an addict reaches Progression Stage alcoholism, during eight- to 16-hour shifts to avoid being their entire day becomes centered around when attacked or killed by the offenders that they the addict will have their next drink. supervise. The intensity of these environments often prompts officers to shut down Alcohol in the workplace is more common emotionally, reducing their ability to function than one might think. A survey by the effectively within the institution. National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) showed that 24 Self-mutilation and prisoner suicide percent of workers surveyed reported drinking attempts are common, almost routine. Jack during the workday. In a similar study, hospital handled the sights and smells of bruised, emergency departments reported that 35 beaten, and sometimes dead bodies found in percent of patients with an occupational injury dim lit prison cells. He listened to prisoners were considered at-risk drinkers. speak with profanity and discuss the gruesome details of rape, plots to harm another prisoner, A Good Hearted Woman or even their plans to hurt a guard. Jack had started showing signs that he was Jack used drinking to cope with the things advancing further into the Progression Stage. he witnessed each day at work. Be it security He would often call me in the middle of the guards, bodyguards, corrections officers, or night, drunk, to tell me he missed me, needed protective services, nearly nine percent of me and loved me. His addiction bothered workers in the field admit to excessive drinking. me, but I couldn’t help but feel the same Protective and correctional services rank sixth on about him. I felt sorry for him. My heart the list of industries most likely to be affected by broke when he would cry out for me to end excessive alcohol use among employees. the nightmares he faced at work each day. He begged me to heal the demons that were Jack’s drinking had lost control and soon he inside of him. I wanted to help. I wanted to was in Progression Stage Alcohol Abuse. His love him through the pain. I promised him struggle with the disease of alcoholism was that I would always be there. something he had been able to hide until his health began to fail due to excessive drinking. The prisoners Jack guarded each day began Jack’s excessive drinking advanced through the to notice the liquor on his breath. They would stages quickly. comment about his impairment and make jokes. This became a safety hazard for not only In a recent study, about 31 percent of Jack, but also his co-workers. His drunkenness correctional officers are living with post- made him less effective in his job role. Inmates traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, another lost respect for him, which meant they also study found that the risk of suicide is about 39 lost motivation to listen to him or do things percent higher for correctional officers than it is they were expected to do while he was on duty. for all other professionals combined, and about Impairment, and even withdrawal symptoms, twice as high as the rate of suicide among law affected Jack’s ability to perform even the most enforcement officers. It is due to these factors basic functions of his job. He was putting that many corrections officers seek ways to dull 25 vpppa.org

himself and everyone at risk of not just loss of use. I hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep in for a job. In the meantime, it’s nice having productivity, but injuries and even death. weeks. The sounds of him banging around in him around because he enjoys cooking for the kitchen looking for a glass, or ice, or the me and the kitchen is always so clean.” At By the spring, Jack had lost his job at the bottle would keep me awake. When he wasn’t the office, the excuses for my tardiness or my prison. And with the loss of his job, came the prowling through the apartment looking for a inability to meet project deadlines became, loss of his apartment. His friends, his family, and stashed bottle, his drunk body would lay near “I’m sorry, I lost track of time,” “Traffic was others started to pull away from him. Keeping lifeless, draped over me so that I could smell so bad today,” and “I’m tired because I was up to my promise, I invited him to move into my the bourbon sweating from his pours. His all night because of something I ate.” I never apartment. I had not fully prepared myself to night terrors and hallucinations would wake told anyone the truth that I was caring for live with Jack and his friend, Jim Beam. me suddenly and his screams made my ears Jack and his addiction. I never told anyone ring with pain. I’d spend hours comforting that I was struggling with my own anxiety, Soon after moving in with me, Jack’s him and calming him, often rocking him as if depression, insomnia and heartache. demeanor changed completely. He wasn’t he were a child. He’d fall asleep in my lap and the fun, caring guy I had fallen in love with. I’d be too nervous to move him, afraid that if I Codependency is different for everyone His dreams were dashed, and he no longer woke him, he’d reach for another drink. In the and sufferers often are not able to identify aspired to achieve his goals. Every day was a night, I laid awake feeling alone and scared, its symptoms for themselves. Many rollercoaster of emotions and I never knew while he slept off another bottle of bourbon. psychologists will say that almost everyone what to expect. I blamed depression. I blamed Each morning I was happy that he had lived is codependent of someone or something. the job market. I blamed myself. I blamed through the night. Others will say it is an overused term to everything except alcohol. describe any sort of dependency on the A survey by the National needs of another. Because the definition of Soon, Jack became an End Stage alcoholic. Council on Alcoholism codependency is so loosely used, it is hard In the End Stage, the physical symptoms of and Drug Dependence to determine who true sufferers are. Even alcoholism are excruciating. He was unable to (NCADD) showed that true sufferers experience codependency at hold food down, the tremors in his hands began 24 percent of workers different levels of severity. mere hour after his last sip of bourbon, and he surveyed reported drinking began to hallucinate and have night terrors. during the workday. For me, my codependency was defined by my need to control Jack’s drinking. I was The final stage of alcoholism is called the At work, I worried and counted the hours obsessed with pouring liquor down the drain End Stage because it is the stage where the before I could be home to handle whatever in an attempt to limit his consumption. I was alcoholic is so dependent on the alcohol that new challenge his alcoholism would throw at also delusional to believe that if the bourbon without it, the drinker’s body is at risk of me. I wouldn’t focus on my work. Instead, I were out of sight, it would be out of mind shutting down. At this point, Jack needed the would stare at my phone, hoping for a text or and he wouldn’t want to drink anymore. I alcohol to survive. phone call, anything to help me know that he was not so codependent that I was unable to wasn’t drunk, or doing anything to get into identify where I was hurting, or that I knew In a snap, both our lives spiraled under the trouble. I was obsessed with contacting him I needed to be healthy for myself. However, I control of Jim Beam. I was doing everything throughout the day, for I assumed that if he was codependent enough to believe that fixing to maintain my attendance and focus at work returned a text or phone call within the hour, myself was reliant on Jack fixing himself. while also trying to pick up the pieces of his he was alive. shattered life. I was less of a girlfriend and One day, I had had enough. While pouring more of a caregiver. It didn’t take long before I I was ashamed of myself and embarrassed a bottle of bourbon down the trash compactor, was codependent of Jack’s drinking. to tell anyone that these things were I told him it was either get sober, or get out. To happening. I’d gotten good at lying to the my surprise, he chose sobriety. I did not know Codependency is a term used to describe people I loved. Not a habit I ever wanted to the dangers of his advanced stage of alcoholism. those who live with someone struggling with get into, but I couldn’t risk their judgement. Asking him to quit drinking on the spot proved alcoholism. In most instances, the codependent I didn’t want to hear what I knew they would to be dangerous for him. Just three days after he person assumes the responsibility of caretaker say to me if they found out that I was living had quit drinking, I came home from work and and this often includes putting their own wants with an alcoholic. I told my family, “He only found him passed out on the couch, bleeding and needs aside. comes over on the weekends and days he has from his mouth. He was barely breathing and off work.” I told my friends, “He’s looking could not remain conscious. Every day was a struggle and I never knew what I was going to come home to. Some days I don’t remember how I got him into the car were good; he would be awake and watching or how fast I was driving to get to the hospital. television when I’d get home. At times, the I just remember that as soon as we walked in, apartment would be clean, and dinner would we were rushed to the Trauma Center. The be on the stove. Other days were a nightmare doctor pulled me aside and told me that Jack of dumping bottles of bourbon down the drain was going to die if they were unable to get his and screaming at a semi-conscious version of airway opened. His airway had become entirely the man I wanted to love. I was starting to feel the physical and emotional effects of Jack’s excessive alcohol 3 A hematoma is a collection of blood, usually clotted, outside of a blood vessel that may occur because of an injury to the wall of a blood vessel allowing blood to leak out into tissues where it does not belong. 26 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

blocked by a hematoma3 that had formed on I was able to act quickly and assist in Jack’s The head trauma doctor his tongue. The best way to get oxygen to his treatment without freaking out or panicking came to me and told me lungs was to insert a respirator. However, Jack’s as most girlfriends do. Even Jack’s family how brave I was, how excessive alcohol use had made him tolerant to overwhelmed me with praise and thanks amazing it was that I was the drugs anesthesiologists commonly use to for saving their son. I don’t know where able to act quickly and perform such procedures. They were going to the courage came from. I don’t know why assist in Jack’s treatment have to insert the tube while he was still awake. they hailed me as a hero. I was running on without freaking out I told the doctor, “Save him.” adrenaline and fear and the things I did were or panicking as most simply another sign that I was codependent girlfriends do. I held his wrists to the bed while they shoved on Jack’s drinking. I was important because the tube down his throat. The look in his eyes, he needed me to survive. Sure, Jack loved the pain he must have been feeling, I felt a me, but his love wasn’t as strong as what he sense of guilt pour over me. I asked him to quit felt for Jim Beam. drinking because it was killing him. He made a full recovery and was told Once the trauma was over, the doctor to find a rehabilitation program to end his explained that the sudden stop in alcohol drinking. Instead, his recovery was to find consumption triggered a seizure and he bit his another bottle of bourbon to climb into. We tongue while it was happening. Heavy drinking were in and out of hospitals every month. causes blood platelets to clump together into Medical staff watched him for signs of organ blood clots which can cause hematoma to form. failure and other End Stage health issues. I sat beside him day in and day out. Again, I was I was credited with saving his life that missing time from work, friends and family. night. Nurses thanked me for being so My life had become entirely dedicated to helpful in answering their questions about keeping him alive. his medical history and assisting them during less-than-fun procedures such as catheter One night at three in the morning, a insertion and collecting urine samples. The very kind nurse woke me as I was bent head trauma doctor came to me and told me over his bedside position, and asked me if how brave I was, how amazing it was that vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 27

I had thought about finding help. Not for stage of the disease if they seek the right help gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol- Jack, but for myself. It was the first time and commit to abstinence from alcohol. consumption/alcohol-facts-and-statistics anyone had shown concern for me without passing judgement. She explained that there Practicing what I was learning in Al-Anon, 3. Hughes, B. (2017, December 06). The are families all over who struggle because I started to gain the strength to take care of Negative Impact of Alcohol in the someone they love is an alcoholic. She told myself and continue to love Jack. The drinking Workplace. Retrieved from Huff Post: me that I wasn’t alone and that I wasn’t wrong was not going to kill me. I knew that with www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-hughes/the- to stay with him and continue to love him the right support and positive influence, Jack negative-impact-of-alcohol_b_12039814.html even though he and I were in so much pain. wouldn’t let it kill him either. We were both gaining confidence and getting healthy. Best of 4. Just the Facts: What We Know about If Drinkin’ Don’t Kill Me all, he was staying sober. Substance Abuse among Correctional Officers. (2018, January 22). Retrieved from There are numerous statistics to show the A few months passed, and Jack relapsed. The Medium Corporation: medium.com/ effects of alcohol on people who have alcohol Our relationship met a bittersweet end when first-responders/just-the-facts-what-we- use disorders, but there are few statistics that he opted to move in with his family and know-about-substance-abuse-among- show alcoholism’s effects on those who are try recovery away from me. I was left with correctional-officers-ecc0d730a7f9 the friends, families, children and significant thoughts of depression, shame and guilt. My others to the alcoholic. thoughts were clouded, and I blamed myself 5. Just the Facts: What We Know about for the relapse and the end of our relationship. Substance Abuse among Correctional No amount of internet research can help Officers. (2018, January 22). Retrieved from a codependent get past their own feelings of Friends in Higher Places The Medium Corporation: medium.com/ depression, anxiety and the physical symptoms of first-responders/just-the-facts-what-we- caring for someone with alcoholism. If anything, With support and advice from my Al-Anon know-about-substance-abuse-among- the articles and journals I read made my feelings family, I have found a positive way to cope. correctional-officers-ecc0d730a7f9 of guilt, frustration and anger even stronger. I was I am back to being more myself at work, at losing myself to a disease that wasn’t mine. I was home and with my friends. 6. Lizmarie Maldonado, M. (2018, July 6). Drug suffering because I couldn’t heal Jack’s suffering. and Alcoholism Statistics and Data Sources. That doesn’t mean I don’t love Jack. Al-Anon Retrieved from Project Know Understanding It is for that reason, organizations like teaches individuals to find a solution that works Addiction: www.projectknow.com/research/ Al-Anon exist. Al-Anon is a mutual support for them even if others disagree. For me, I have drug-addiction-statistics-alcoholism-statistics/ program for people whose lives have been learned to continue my love for Jack without affected by someone else’s drinking. By continuing our relationship. He will always 7. The Stages of Alcoholism Explained. (2018, sharing common experiences and applying have a special place in my heart and I will never July 6). Retrieved from Ashwood Recovery the Al-Anon principles, families and friends stop caring for him. I have learned to love the at Northpoint: www.ashwoodrecovery.com/ of alcoholics can bring positive changes to alcoholic in my life without being addicted to blog/stages-alcoholism-explained/ their individual situations, whether or not the him. It still hurts my heart, but I’m gaining alcoholic admits the existence of a drinking confidence every day. I continue to pray for his Anita Hawkins is the Digital Marketing problem or seeks help. recovery but have learned to put myself first when it comes to the story of Me, Jack and Jim Beam. Specialist and Blogger for Safety Pros located I had spent months crying and chasing answers to why my boyfriend had a drinking To anyone who is concerned about someone in Tampa, Florida. Under the direction of problem. I had risked both our lives trying to else’s drinking, I encourage you to learn the save him from the clutches of alcohol. I finally signs and stages of alcoholism. If someone in company owner, Michele Adams, Safety decided that it was time for me. So, after one your home or workplace is an alcoholic, take solid hour of crying in front of strangers, and action to protect your own safety, and the Pros develops comprehensive online safety being greeted with the classic, “Hi, Anita” safety of others above all else. Encourage the greeting, I was welcomed into the Al-Anon alcoholic to seek help and rehabilitation, but incentive programs for companies of all sizes. family. do not force it. Understand that their drinking is not your fault. You didn’t cause it. You can’t As part of the Safety Pros team, Anita educates I learned there that alcoholism is a disease cure it. Alcoholics deserve love, but so do you. that cannot be cured. It is a progressive illness, Don’t forget to love yourself. clients on the importance of safety while which only gets worse as long as the person continues to drink. Total abstinence from Works Cited also helping them discover effective safety drinking is the only way to arrest this disease (Al-Anon Family Groups, 2018). 1. Al-Anon Family Groups. (2018, July 7). recognition solutions for their workplace. As Retrieved from A Disease of Compulsive I also learned that alcoholism is the third and Uncontrolled Drinking: al-anon.org/ members of VPPPA for 30 years, Safety Pros highest cause of preventable death in the United newcomers/what-is-al-anon-and-alateen/ States. Even though there is no real cure to the what-is-alcoholism/ has established a strong reputation as experts addiction, an alcoholic can be saved at every 2. Alcohol Facts and Statistics. (2018, Jule 6). in the safety incentive industry. Retrieved from National Intitute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: www.niaaa.nih. This is the first time Anita has publicly shared the story of how her health, her career, and ultimately her life has been affected by someone else’s alcoholism. The principle of anonymity kept her attendance at Al-Anon meetings and what she shared private, so not even friends and family have heard her story. Through the strength and courage to seek help, Anita has regained control and made the personal decision to abolish toxic relationships involving alcoholism from her life. She hopes that sharing her story will inspire others who are suffering the effects of problem drinking in their own lives to seek help and find ways to cope with the disease of alcoholism. 28 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org



FENTANYL EPIDEMIC Increasing Risks for Workers 30 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

BY JOE KUBICEK ANSELL On Aug. 29, an inmate at Ross Correctional Institute in Chillicothe, Ohio, suffered a drug overdose. That isn’t all that unusual in the U.S. prison system, where inmate access to illicit drugs is an ongoing problem. It isn’t all that unusual in Ohio, either. In nearby Franklin County, home to the state capital, the county coroner reported 18 overdose deaths in a single week from late August to early September. The Aug. 29 inmate overdose, however, was anything but ordinary. In the wake of the overdose, 27 prison staff four doses of naloxone (better known by its members were treated for exposure to the brand name, Narcan) to revive him. substance with varying levels of overdose- like symptoms. Some reports say staff The dangers of fentanyl members passed out or became seriously ill. These symptoms were from mere exposure, not Fentanyl is anywhere from 50 to 100 times as using, this powerful drug. The drug suspected powerful as heroin, and just a few granules can of causing the original overdose and triggering cause a fatal overdose. There were just shy of those symptoms among the staff? Fentanyl, the 10,000 overdose deaths from fentanyl or fentanyl same powerful, dangerous synthetic opioid at analogs in the U.S. in 2015. In 2016, the most the center of the investigation into those 18 recent year for which we have complete data, the Franklin County overdose deaths. number ballooned to more than 20,000. The Of course, it’s not just Ohio, and potency, low cost and widespread availability prison exposures are not limited to Ross are amplifying the national drug epidemic in Correctional. In a single week in late August, new and devastating ways. Consider this: The corrections officers at three separate facilities amount of fentanyl that could fit in a salt shaker in Pennsylvania became sick after what were is capable of causing a dozen overdoses. That believed to be fentanyl exposures. presents problems on several fronts. Occupational fentanyl exposure is an • Fentanyl can be manufactured and increasing problem for first responders as well, with personnel in Indianapolis, Haverhill, transported in small quantities, making it Massachusetts, and East Liverpool and difficult to find and police. Fairborn, Ohio, falling ill after suspected • Users need a small amount for the desired fentanyl exposures. Some exposures can be life- effect, which makes it fairly affordable. threatening. The East Liverpool officer needed • Fentanyl causes a quick response, giving the body little time to expel or process it. That leads to the rapid shutdown of critical vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 31

Simply put, fentanyl is incredibly dangerous and a real risk to anyone who comes in contact with it. organs and bodily functions—a process bodily fluids, anyone at risk of contact with better known as an overdose. those fluids is at risk of contact absorption and overdose. The body isn’t defenseless, however. Over time, it builds up a tolerance, just as it would for any Simply put, fentanyl is incredibly dangerous drug. Repeat users tend to increase their dosage and a real risk to anyone who comes in contact to try to achieve the same high, which almost with it. inevitably leads to an overdose and to greater risks for anyone who may be exposed to the user. Preventing Occupational First responders finding an overdose victim often Exposure are at risk of coming in contact with quantities that pose a tremendous risk to anyone without a There are people who accept those risks every tolerance. The drug could be on the victim’s skin day—prison guards, first responders, TSA and or clothes, on furniture, floors or walls, airborne medical personnel, even family and friends of as a result of life-saving efforts around the victim, drug users—and those who put themselves at or even in the victim’s vomit—an ugly but risk unknowingly. Landlords, janitorial staff and common side effect of a fentanyl overdose. even flight attendants face danger if they happen to rent to the wrong tenant or clean up after The severity of accidental contact is a the wrong guest. Anyone who could come in significantly complicated factor for first contact with fentanyl should be educated on the responders, emergency room personnel, risks and on best practices for avoiding exposure, forensic technicians and laboratory workers, as well as have access to appropriate PPE. and even cleaning crews responsible for cleaning overdose sites such as hotel rooms That last point is important, and it starts or public restrooms. Inhalation is the most with hand protection. Gloves tested against common cause of accidental overdose fentanyl should be readily available for symptoms, but absorption through exposed anyone at risk of exposure in the workplace. skin happens as well. Because fentanyl As a best practice, those gloves also should maintains its potency even when found in be tested, and proven to protect against the combination of fentanyl and gastric acid (as Full-body protective suits, such as the found in vomit). Some gloves may protect Microchem® by AlphaTec® 4000, provide against one or the other, but that isn’t enough. comprehensive protection against To truly protect workers from accidental fentanyl and should be considered a best contact, it should be both. practice for first responders and others in environments considered high risk for Of course, some occupations are at greater fentanyl exposure. risk than others. Police and prison personnel, firefighters, paramedics, ER staff, crime scene investigators and some laboratory technicians 32 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

are on the front lines of the fentanyl epidemic. the vicinity of the substance should proceed as Gloves, such as the Microflex® Lifestar™ For those workers, hand protection may not if it presents maximum danger. EC from Ansell, provide protection against be sufficient. CDC recommendations—and fentanyl and gastric acid, and are designed at this point they are just recommendations, If someone is exposed, the person should with dual colors and an extended cuff. not requirements—suggest an abundance of move or be moved to a ventilated area and the caution for anyone entering an area where exposed area should be washed quickly and fentanyl might be present. An “abundance thoroughly. Clothing or PPE that may have of caution” would include full-body PPE, been exposed should be removed and disposed including masks to filter airborne particles. of quickly, but carefully. Alcohol sanitizers are As with gloves, any protective equipment for not recommended, because they can act as a the body should undergo rigorous testing for carrier and inadvertently transfer the drug. The protection against fentanyl in all its forms. CDC also recommends easy access to Narcan, with large available dosages to mitigate against The bottom line is simple but the potency of fentanyl. critical: Manufacturers of gloves and other PPE must The bottom line is simple but critical: continue to expand the Manufacturers of gloves and other PPE must options for fentanyl-resistant continue to expand the options for fentanyl- protective equipment. resistant protective equipment. Beyond that, they must collaborate with employers to better educate employees at all levels of their organizations about the dangers of fentanyl and the availability of effective PPE. There are a variety of features to consider Joe Kubicek is the President of the Healthcare when selecting appropriate PPE: Global Business Unit at Ansell. For more • Comfort and performance: If PPE is information on Ansell and their product offerings, visit ansell.com. uncomfortable or restricts job performance, it increases the likelihood the worker will You know what it takes to be successful in your business. remove it. We know how to keep you READY™ to do it. • Certification and test data: PPE should be Cintas Corporation helps more than a million businesses of all tested for permeation, fabric filtration and types and sizes get ready to open their doors with confidence inward leakage. Choose equipment that every day by providing a wide range of products and services scores highly in all areas. that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities • Durability and quality: Gloves or suits that and employees clean, safe and looking their best. rip or tear are ill-suited for environments Proud member of VPPPA with where fentanyl may be present. over 90 VPP sites across the USA • Barrier properties of the fabric: Fentanyl is found most commonly in solid or liquid UNIFORMS | FACILITY SERVICES | FIRST AID & SAFETY | FIRE PROTECTION form, but it can be heated to create a gas. Materials used in body protection should protect against all forms. • Gastric acid protection: A few gloves on the market today meet or exceed NIOSH recommendations for safety, allowing no permeation of either fentanyl or gastric acid for greater than 240 minutes. • Extended cuff: Gloves with extended cuffs protect the wrist and forearm. Best Practices Beyond PPE Recognizing the increasing dangers of fentanyl to many workers, the CDC has issued several recommendations to increase safety and limit accidental exposures. They advise against any on-site testing of suspicious substances, because the act of performing the tests creates increased opportunities for exposure. Instead, anyone in vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 33

BY MARGARET GILBERT ASAP DRUG SOLUTIONS 34 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

Every day, far too many Americans are hurt by alcohol and drug use. It it up to the proper temperature—or so they thought. Most of the time when this causes diminished achievement in schools, greater risks on work sites synthetic urine was collected it was still too cold, or the drug testing laboratory and safety issues on our roads. The consequences of substance abuse would catch it because it does not contain uric acid. Other examples include the use are profound. Lives have been tragically cut short from injuries and of hideaway storage items. I always love watching managers’ faces when I show them accidents, yet we know that these could have been preventable. an Aquafina bottle that looks real with water in it. However, when you twist it, the bottle A s we close out the month of was reviewed or updated? Is it collecting dust contains a false bottom for hiding items. Do October, the Office of National on a shelf in a binder? These policies must you think your security guards are checking Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) be updated as drugs of abuse panels (i.e. for these types of products when employees and the Substance Abuse Mental standard urine drug screenings) continuously come through the gates? Maybe. But not if Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) change to follow the trends in the industry. they don’t know these items exist. remind us to reach out to our employees and For example, the addition of the semi- communities about National Substance Abuse synthetic opioids that took effect January Lately, at ASAP Drug Solutions, we Prevention Month (NSAPM). 1, 2018. The Department of Transportation have been receiving calls about the state of (DOT) made a change to address the Oklahoma passing medicinal marijuana laws. Maintaining a drug free workplace has nationwide epidemic of prescription It’s affecting some of our Gulf Coast clients long been the rule for the American industry. painkillers. Most industries followed suit and because their work reaches up in to that state. In fact, it’s mandatory under federal law and added these semi-synthetic opioids to their One of the clients said, “We have dispensaries in some instances state law. Yet, employers non-DOT panel for their company to begin opening on October 1 here. What am I have never faced such widespread acceptance testing for as well. What about the different about to face?” Tommy Eden, Management of behavior that’s so glaringly at odds with matrices of testing that can be done, such as, Labor Attorney with Contangy, Brooks, workplace safety. hair and oral fluid testing, alongside urine Smith & Prophete, LLP, stated at the Drugs testing? Is that something your company has and Alcohol Testing Industry Association It’s clear that the national trend is in favor addressed yet? conference, “Marijuana is still illegal on the of marijuana legalization. Currently, there federal level, so federal law does not require are 30 states and the District of Columbia Also, employees need to be regularly employers to accommodate a person’s medical that have laws broadly legalizing marijuana educated about the company’s policies, marijuana use. However, several states do have in some form. Eight states and the District of standards and expectations. That includes laws that may.” Therefore, as stated previously, Columbia have adopted the most expansive specific information about what types of employers need to go back to the drawing laws legalizing marijuana for recreational use. testing are required and when it can occur. board and review their drug and alcohol Some medical marijuana laws are broader than Employers can also distribute information policies, or consult with their third-party others, with types of medical conditions that about drug screenings, and drugs with the administrators and expertise for assistance. allow for treatment varying from state to state. potential of abuse, to their workers to make Other states have passed laws allowing residents the information easily available and keep them In 2011, President Obama issued a to possess cannabis only if they suffer from updated on the topic. Presidential Proclamation declaring October as select rare medical illnesses. Some states even National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. have decriminalized the possession of small Educating our supervisors should be This subject is important year-round, but the amounts of marijuana. another priority. Some DOT laws require month has been dedicated as a time to highlight, supervisors to be trained once, and others promote and educate against drug and alcohol The effect marijuana has on productivity insist on more regular trainings. To avoid abuse. As the nation’s laws surrounding drugs and safety is difficult to quantify, but studies by potential problems occurring on non-DOT keep evolving, work sites need to stay up-to-date the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) sites, employers should educate supervisors regarding their policies and continue to focus suggest there are links between marijuana use and managers about recognizing the signs of on protecting workers. and negative consequences in the workplace, impairment to better ascertain if an employee such as higher risk of injury or accidents. may be under the influence on the job. It is Margaret Gilbert is the Director of Marketing mind-blowing, when giving a supervisor an Keeping drugs and impaired employees awareness class, how many managers are not for ASAP Drug Solution’s Gulf Coast Command out of the workplace is the least we can do aware of what could potentially be occurring to protect the workers who are there to do a out on their work sites. Center located in Houston, TX. She has been job and help the company be successful. So, to help prevent these injuries and accidents During one of the last classes I conducted, recognized as an industry expert due to her from a substance abuse stand point, one thing we discussed synthetic urine pouches and that employers can do is to make sure their how employees were buying them to wear 30 years of experience in the drug and alcohol substance abuse policies are more robust to behind their knee, or under their pants, deal with the new legislation. daily. When they were called in for a random testing industry. Her extensive knowledge drug test, the employee would activate the Most employers have had drug and pouch with a “hot hands” packet to warm includes Third Party Administration (TPA), alcohol policies in place since the late 1980s. When was the last time your company policy laboratory expertise (SAMHSA, CAP-FUDT, and CLIA), training development and instruction, and other industry and non-industry adeptness. vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 35

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING PRESENTED BY VPPPA & TSHC 36 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 37

MEMBERSHIP CORNER Like us on Facebook & Follow us on Twitter: @VPPPA Meet the VPPPA Staff Member of the Month As VPPPA members, you talk to National Office Staff Have you checked out the Member of the Month section on our website? members on the phone, chat with us via email and Each month we will feature a VPPPA member who has gone above and sometimes see us at regional and national events. But we beyond in the workplace. If you would like to nominate someone please want our members to be able to more easily put names with email [email protected]. faces. Check back here in future issues to see more VPPPA National Office staff member profiles. National Board of Directors Update Congratulations to our new National Board of Directors members! Alice Tatro, Sean Horne and John “JD” Dyer have all joined the National Board of Directors for the first time. They were elected as Directors-at-Large at the 2018 Safety+ Symposium. Name: Kerri & Harry Carpenter #VPPPAnimals Contest Winner Job Title: Communications & Outreach Manager Congratulations to Kurt Erdmann’s dog, Gordy, for winning our #VPPPAnimals contest! Length of Time with VPPPA: Since March 2017 A special Q & A with Gordy, Favorite Part of Working for VPPPA: There are so our contest winner. many things—I love my job! But the best part is definitely my Name: Gordon Bombay co-workers. It’s such a pleasure to come to work each day. Where do you live? Chicago, IL Age: 1.5 years old Hometown: Monessen, PA Favorite Toy: Tire tug Favorite Food: Hot dogs Alma Mater: Georgetown University Favorite Activity: Tug of war Dislikes: Vegetables and loud noises Fun Facts About Me: I was on an episode of Likes: Eating and sleeping The West Wing, I used to be a competitive figure skater, I Why do you love safety? like anything with sparkles or glitter, and I am a die-hard Gentle giants are always safe! Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins & Pirates fan. The Leader Won An EXCEL Award Favorite Movie: Star Wars, specifically The Empire Strikes Back We are excited to announce that The Leader was a winner of the Association Media & Publishing’s Favorite Book Character: Elizabeth Bennett from 38th Annual EXCEL Awards. The Leader won the Pride & Prejudice and Bridget Jones Magazine Feature Article category with the entry: “Tech Tools for the Safety Professional” by Rob Favorite Food: Pizza with extra cheese and anchovies Brauch, which was published in the Winter 2017 issue of the magazine that centered on the theme, Least Favorite Food: Green beans and hot dogs “The Future of Safety.” Harry’s Favorite Food: Harry really enjoys carbs and vpppa.org cheese and pretty much everything Harry’s Favorite Toy: Anything that squeaks and Mommy’s shoes 38 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018

SAFETY R NEVER STOPS. Nucor believes that safety isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. Our teammates meet daily to reinforce good habits and discuss ways to improve on safety. But those conversations aren’t just about the workplace. From the home to the job and everywhere in between, safety never stops with the Nucor team. www.nucor.com

state-plan monitor Arizona Indiana COMPILED BY The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety Indiana presently has 88 sites certified in the KATLYN PAGLIUCA, MEMBERSHIP and Health (ADOSH) VPP Star program Voluntary Protection Program. So far in 2018, MANAGER, VPPPA, INC. continues to look for employers who are one new site has been certified at the STAR willing to implement a complete safety and level. From September to December of this Federal OSHA States health management system. In the past year, year, four new site evaluations are scheduled to State-Plan States we have added many diverse workplaces take place. Indiana’s VPP Leaders are already Public Sector Only with employees who work with members of working with several sites who will be ready for management to increase the overall safety evaluations in 2019. The goal for Indiana VPP awareness. The current list of workplaces that is to have 100 sites by the end of 2019. recently achieved the Star status include: • Mesquite Solar 1, LLC (Tonopah) Three regional Best Practices Meetings will • Quemetco Metals Limited, Inc. be conducted: • November 1 in Santa Claus, at Holiday World (Casa Grande) • November 8 in Lafayette, at Oscar Winski • Verco Decking, Inc. (Phoenix) • Oldcastle Precast (Chandler) Company Inc. • 5 MI Windows and Doors (Prescott Valley) • November 29 in St. Joe, at Nucor Fastener New for FFY 2019, ADOSH plans to At these meetings, sites will present best accept public sector employers into the VPP practices, and there will be small group program, with an application and successful discussions on various topics. There will also onsite inspection. As a state plan state, we be updates about VPP in Indiana and the offer our own partnership programs aimed at latest news from the Indiana Department of reducing injury and illnesses, as well as the Labor. For more information about Regional addition of safety and health management Best Practices Meetings, email Beth Gonzalez system elements into an employer’s existing [email protected]. EHS program. ADOSH maintains 11 active “PEPP” participants who have been working In 2018, two SGE Classes were conducted on towards a higher level of safety. With the May 21–22 at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis and help of current VPP Mentors and Special July 30–31 at Vulcraft in St. Joe. Indiana has Government Employees, we are optimistic a total of 150 SGEs to utilize during VPP that we will have a few city or county evaluations and to mentor sites interested in departments achieve Star status. pursuing VPP. Indiana’s largest safety conference, the Indiana Safety and Health Conference and Expo, will be SGE Class in St. Joe, IN, at Vulcraft on July 31. SGE Class in Indianapolis, IN, at Eli Lilly during the Region V Conference. vpppa.org 40 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018

held February 26 through February 28, 2019. MVPP/C (construction), and one MVPP/C New STAR Site The conference is presented by the Central Rising Star site. • Robert Bosch, LLC. (Farmington Hills) Indiana Chapter of ASSP and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Promotion Upcoming Events the Indiana Department of Labor. For more An MVPP Advisory group meeting was held • MVPP/C Advisory group meeting— information, visit www.INSafetyConf.com. in June. The meeting was well attended by members from MVPP sites. date TBD On the morning of February 26, 2019, at • MVPP SGE training—date and the Indiana Safety and Health Conference, MVPP Specialist Doug Kimmel met with an INSHARP & VPP Workshop will be representatives from Oscar W. Larson and location TBD conducted to promote partnership programs MITSUBA to discuss the MVPP. He also • MVPP/C Informational Workshop—date available at the Indiana Department of Labor. promoted the MVPP during a Ford Land Co. Sites will be presenting best practices to help contractor training event and location TBD other sites improve their safety and health programs and learn more about INSHARP and MVPP Star onsite reevaluations have been “Like” us on Facebook, follow us on VPP. There is no cost to attend the workshop. conducted at Dow (Auburn) and Herman Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel: For more information, email Beth Gonzalez Miller Main Site (Zeeland). www.youtube.com/c/MIOSHA_MI. [email protected] Applications currently pending for the For further details on the MVPP, contact Michigan MVPP include: Doug Kimmel, MVPP specialist at • Cintas First Aid & Safety (Kentwood) 231-546-2366, or visit the MIOSHA website There are currently 30 sites in the Michigan • Cintas Fire Protection—D26 (Troy) at www.michigan.gov/miosha. Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP), • Marathon TT&R, Lansing Terminal & with 26 Star, one Rising Star (Merit), two Minnesota Fleet (Lansing) • Honeywell (Muskegon) Minnesota currently has 34 Star sites and one Merit site within the MNSTAR (VPP) program. Of the 34 Star sites, 32 are vpppUSa_M.oS_rAgOW _anthem_ad_19x13.5cm.indd 1 9/17/18 11:08 AM 41 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018

state-plan monitor contacting each state >> Alaska Michigan South Carolina classified as general industry and two are Christian Hendrickson Sherry Scott Sharon Dumit resident contractors at a refinery. VPP Manager MVPP Manager VPP Coordinator Christian.hendrickson@ [email protected] [email protected] Withdrawn Site: alaska.gov Phone: (517) 322-5817 Phone: (803) 896-7788 • Alexandria Extrusion Company (Alexandria, Phone: (907) 269-4946 Minnesota Tennessee MN)—the employer voluntarily withdrew Arizona Tyrone Taylor, MBA David Blessman from the program. Jessie Atencio Director of Workplace Safety VPP Manager Assistant Director Consultation MN [email protected] Pending Sites: [email protected] Dept. of Labor & Industry Phone: (615) 253-6890 Currently, we are working with one employer Phone: (520) 220-4222 Occupational Safety & in the final stages of achieving initial Health Division Utah MNSTAR status and one employer working California [email protected] Jerry Parkstone toward recertification. Upon completion Iraj Pourmehraban Phone: (651) 284-5203 VPP Coordinator of the 90-day items, recommendations for Cal/VPP & PSM Manager [email protected] participation will be made. ipourmehraban@ Nevada Phone: (801) 530-6901 hq.dir.ca.gov Jimmy Andrews We currently have one employer who has Phone: (510) 622-1080 VPP Manager Vermont submitted an application, and we will be jimmy.andrews@ Daniel Whipple scheduling an initial visit of the site in October. Hawaii business.nv.gov VPP Coordinator Kristin Takaba Phone: (702) 486-9046 [email protected] In addition, we will complete pre-visits, at OSH Program Specialist— Phone: (802) 828-5084 two companies working towards MNSTAR Compliance Assistance New Mexico status before the end of 2018. [email protected] Melissa Barker Virginia Phone: (808) 586-9090 VPP Coordinator Milford Stern The program has a great deal of [email protected] VPP Manager consistency using the small team approach. Indiana Phone: (505) 222-9595 [email protected] All employers are held to the same high Beth A. Gonzalez Phone: (540) 562-3580 x 123 standard required for participation in the VPP Team Leader North Carolina program and are encouraged to share the best [email protected] LaMont Smith Washington practices from site to site. The MNSTAR Phone: (317) 607-6118 Recognition Program Manager John Geppert team continues to receive inquiries and meet [email protected] VPP Manager with employers who have interest in the Iowa Phone: (919) 807-2909 [email protected] program and questions about the MNSTAR Shashi Patel Phone: (360) 902-5496 (VPP) process. VPP Coordinator Oregon [email protected] Mark E. Hurliman, CSHM Wyoming If you would like further information Phone: (515) 281-6369 VPP/SHARP Program Clayton Gaunt about the MNSTAR Program, please visit: Coordinator VPP Manager www.dli.mn.gov/business/workplace-safety- Kentucky mark.e.hurliman@ [email protected] and-health/mnosha-wsc-minnesota-Star- Brian Black oregon.gov Phone: (307) 777-7710 mnStar-program. VPP Program Administrator Phone: (541) 776-6016 [email protected] Oregon Phone: (502) 564-3320 Puerto Rico Judith M. Cruz Concepción Oregon has added one new VPP Star site so Maryland Puerto Rico VPP Manager far this year, the Cintas facility in Eugene. Allen Stump ​PR OSHA Voluntary We have recently completed seven audits, VPP Manager Programs Division using eight SGEs and recertified four sites and [email protected] [email protected] added a new site. Two recertifications and an Phone: (410) 527-4473 Phone: (787) 754-2172 ext 3343 additional new site are currently under a 90-day deferral. Sherwin-Williams’ Purdy For additional information and up-to-date contacts, please visit Brush facility hosted a VPP Application www.vpppa.org/chapters/contacts.cfm Workshop in Region X in July, which was attended by seven Oregonians and two Washingtonians representing five companies. We would like to recognize Cliff Butler from Sherwin Williams for the incredible job mentoring and networking he has done 42 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org

over the last couple of years. Cliff serves on the September VPPPA Member of the Month. the Region X Board of Directors, as well as Congratulations, and thank you for all of your the Oregon SHARP Alliance Board. He has hard work! been instrumental in bringing new SHARP Alliance training and networking meetings to Oregon OSHA Upcoming Events: the Portland metro area, and his tireless efforts • Western Pulp, Paper, and Forest Products to work with other interested companies to help them better manage workplace health Safety & Health Conference, November and safety is very much appreciated. Cliff was 27–30, in Portland. awarded the Region X Mentor of the Year at • Oregon SHARP Alliance General Training the Region X Conference in Anchorage, AK, Session on Maintaining Momentum and received the prestigious Blue Star award December 13, in Eugene. from the SHARP Alliance during the Blue Mountain Occupational Safety and Health To find out more about these events, or to Conference in Pendleton, OR. Cliff was also register for one of them, go to www.orosha.org or to sharpalliance.weebly.com/. regional round-ups Region IV The conference planning team is currently identifying keynote and workshop speakers. COMPILED BY JAMIE MITCHELL, www.regionivvpp.org COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, The Region IV Board of Directors are Following the retirement of Liz Norton VPPPA, INC. busily planning the 2019 Safety and Health from the Region X Board of Directors, Excellence Conference. The 2019 conference Eddie Larson of Georgia Pacific, Toledo, Region I will be held June 18–20 in Chattanooga, TN, OR, became the Director from a Site with Region II at the Chattanooga Marriot and Convention a Collective Bargaining Agent. Department Region III Center. The opening keynote speaker will be of Energy Contractor awards were given out Region IV Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health during a DOE Workshop on August 28. Region V Administrator, Steve Hawkins. Steve has been Recipients included: Region VI a longtime supporter of the VPP program. • Saprena Lyons from Idaho Falls, ID Region VII The closing keynote speaker will be “The • Rocky Simmons from Mission Support Region VIII Safety Coach,” David Sarkus. David is an Region IX internationally recognized safety and health Alliance, Richland, WA Region X leader, speaker and author. David will be • Chris Thursby from Washington River presenting on the subject of, Leading from the Heart. In this presentation, David will discuss Protection Solutions, Richland, WA the difficulties leaders face in understanding how to truly help individuals and teams work During the Region X Northwest Safety safer on a regular basis. The Board of Directors and Health Summit held in Anchorage, AK, would also like to welcome John Pfeifer, Valero Cliff Butler of Sherwin Williams, Portland, Energy, to the position of Director-at-Large. OR, was recognized as the Region X VPPPA Mentor of the Year. Rocky Simmons Contributed by Christopher Colburn, was recognized as the Region X Special Region IV Vice Chairperson Government Employee of the Year. On September 5, the Region X VPPPA Board Region X of Directors received a notification from the Alaska Chief of Consultation Safety & www.regionxvpppa.org Health Training that Scott Damerow is The Region X Board of Directors is hard at now the Safety Consultant and VPP work preparing for the 2019 Northwest Health Coordinator for Alaska Occupational Safety & Safety Summit to be held at the Red Lion & Health (AKOSH). on the River, Jantzen Beach, in Portland, OR. Contributed by Jack Griffith, Region X Communications Chairperson vpppa.org THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 43

infographic corner According to the CDC, In 2016, there an average of were more than 115 Americans 20,000 die every day from an overdose deaths from Fentanyl. opioid overdose. The opioid epidemic has 30 states cost the U.S. more than and the District of Columbia a trillion have legalized marijuana for dollars medicinal purposes. since 2001. A survey by the 75 percent National Council on Alcoholism and Drug of adults ages 18 to 64 with Dependence showed that substance misuse disorders are in the workforce. 24 percent of workers Fentanyl is anywhere from surveyed reported drinking 50 to 100 during the work day. times as powerful as heroin. 44 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org



calendar of events VPPPA Contacts 2018 May June To reach the VPPPA National Office, call (703) 761-1146 or visit December May 6–9 June 18–20 www. vpppa.org. To reach a particular staff member, please refer to the Mid-December Region VI Region IV contact information below. Oklahoma City, OK Chattanooga, TN Membership renewals Sara A. Taylor, CMP May 14–15 August [email protected] 2019 Director of Operations Region V August 27–30 April Grand Rapids, MI Brielle Mroczko Safety+ Symposium [email protected] April 15–18 May 14–15 New Orleans, LA Conference Coordinator Region IX Region X More events to come! Kerri Carpenter Tucson, AZ Portland, OR Check VPPPA [email protected] regional websites for Communications April 23–25 May 20–22 up-to-date information. & Outreach Manager Region VIII Region I Jamie Mitchell Salt Lake City, UT Portland, ME [email protected] Communications Coordinator April 30–May 2 Heidi Hill Region III [email protected] Dover, DE Senior Event Sales & Advertising Coordinator AUGUST 27–30, 2019 Katlyn Pagliuca AN INTEGRATED SAFETY & [email protected] HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS SYMPOSIUM Membership Manager PRESENTED BY VPPPA Natasha Cole [email protected] Member Services Coordinator Sierra Johnson [email protected] Special Projects Coordinator Bryant Walker, CIOS, CSIS [email protected] Information & Data Analyst Manager Michael Khosrofian [email protected] Accountant Courtney Malveaux, Esq [email protected] Government Relations Counsel 46 THE LEADER / AUTUMN 2018 vpppa.org



7600-E Leesburg Pike, Suite 100 Falls Church, VA 22043-2004 Tel: (703) 761-1146 Fax: (703) 761-1148 www.vpppa.org VPPPA, a nonprofit 501(c) (3) charitable organization, promotes advances in worker safety and health excellence through best practices and cooperative efforts among workers, employers, the government and communities. SCAN QR CODE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 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