2022 Summer Leader - Heat Safety

VOL9/NO3/SUMMER 2022 HEAT The Tim Barber Story p. 12 SAFETY

Reliable Solutions For All Your Gas Detection Needs Single Gas • Multi Gas • Pumps • Accessories gascliptech.com +1.972.775.7577 1.877.525.0808 Come see us at these upcoming trade shows: NSC Safety Congress & Expo (September 19-21) WEFTEC (October 10-12)

CONTENTS VOL 9 | NO 3 | SUMMER 2022 FEATURES 8 8 24 OSHA Takes Action to 8 Things to Address Combat Heat Illness in Your Heat Injury and Illness By Inanje Mintz, Public Health Prevention Program Educator, Occupational Safety and Health By Beth Angus, Industrial Hygienist at Safex 12 28 DID YOU KNOW? A Life Cut Short by Heat: The Tim Barber Story Turning Up the Heat: UV rays are most Urgency is Building intense between By Kerri Usher, Editor of to Act on Heat Stress the Leader Magazine and 10 a.m. Communications & Outreach By Nicole Randall, International and 4 p.m. Manager of VPPPA Safety Equipment Association 16 32 If You Can’t Stand the Are You Prepared Heat… Prevent, Protect, for Heat Stress Season? and Acclimatize By Melissa Smith, CIH, CHMM, By Matt Stinchfield, MPH, STS Safety Ambassador, Brewers Association 34 COLUMNS 4 Message from the Chairperson 22 Heat Stress Identification 6 Women in Safety and Control Options How Wearable SECTIONS Technology Addresses By Brian H. Petersen, CIH, CSP OSHA’s Emphasis on Heat Illness 38 By Tom West, SPHR, The Importance of SHRMSCP, COSS Quality Cooling Products By John Heniff, Safety Writer for Magid Disclaimer: The opinions, viewpoints, and beliefs expressed by 29 Infographic Corner the authors in this issue do not necessarily reflect the opinions, 40 Membership Corner viewpoints, and beliefs of the Voluntary Protection Programs 42 Ad Index Participants’ Association or the Leader magazine. Leader—Summer 2022 3 vpppa.org

A Message From the VPPPA Chairperson The VPP Community is, as Hello VPP Community, always, ready to support those striving to improve A s we enjoy summer and all it has to offer, we should not forget about the their safety systems. silent killer of heat stress. There were 1,577 heat-related deaths last year, causing a 56% increase since 20181. We know VPP Star sites, SHARP Alliance sites, and all safety professionals have plans in place to address this serious issue. We hope you find this special Heat Stress edition of the Leader helpful to your existing heat stress program. If the VPPPA can be of any assistance in supporting your heat stress program or any other program, please don’t hesitate to contact us. The VPP Community is, as always, ready to support those striving to improve their safety systems. They are a great community of talented and respectful professionals always looking at ways to improve. In line with this philosophy, the VPPPA has hired an Executive Director to better serve you. Chris Williams started July 1 and hit the ground running. Chris is an accomplished Certified Association Executive (CAE) with over 20 years of association experience. He is a former Executive Director of the National Child Support Enforcement Association. Additionally, he worked with the (NCSEA) Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. and the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry. We are excited at what Chris will bring to our association to help serve the VPP community even more. When you see Chris at this year’s Safety+ Symposium in our Nation’s capital, please say hello and take some time to talk with him. The National office has been working hard to put on a great event August 23–25 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. We hope to see you there. We recommend you register and reserve your hotel room as soon as you can. We are very excited to see everyone very soon! —T erry Schulte, Chairman—National VPPPA Board of Directors We are better together! 1 Maggie Davis, (Jun 6, 2022), Heat-Related Deaths Up 56% Between 2018 and 2021, Provisional Data Shows—ValuePenguin 4 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

At the end of the day, you’ll be... Only $25/year The Leader : VPPPA’s award-winning magazine SUBSCRIBE TODAY! STAY SAFE! Discounts available on bulk orders. Email [email protected] to learn more. [email protected] | 703-761-1146 vpppa.org

Women in Safety By Kara Apperson Raising A-WEAR-ness: Impacts of Women Wearing PPE Designed for Men VPPPA Presents… A s the number of to deal with is constricted In a day and age where Women in Safety women in the movement in the hips and endless kinesthetic data, construction labor stomach area, making it engineering tools, and While the safety industry force rises, jumping uncomfortable and awkward manufacturing avenues are is still a male-dominated from 9% in 2019 to 10.9% in to squat down or bend over, available, and with a social industry, the number of 2022, according to the Bureau and excessive gapping in the climate demanding equality, women is increasing each of Labor Statistics, the number shoulders and chest that poses it seems counterintuitive that year. It’s important to of women in Environmental, a hazard of getting caught employers and suppliers alike identify and communicate Safety, and Health careers is on things as I move through are not cornering the market the issues that women face. also trending up, comprising a worksite. for this need. 25% of the sector’s workforce. In each issue of the Historically, the stark Manufacturers employ a marketing Leader, we will be including minority across the industry, scheme referred to as “shrink it and pink it,” an article from a prominent women have had to combat taking garments that were designed woman working in the discrimination and hardship for the “average sized man,” shrinking safety and health industry. in order to make space for it down, making it pink, and calling it If you, or someone you themselves at the proverbial “women’s clothing.” know, would like to write for table, and not only in the form this column, please contact of enduring blatant harassment The Need is Real work, productivity, and safety. VPPPA at communications@ or male chauvinism.5 Diminished performance can vpppa.org. Impacts of ill-fitting PPE are lead to self-doubt and even From the design of tools to multifaceted. Studies show that skepticism from others about 6 Leader—Summer 2022 facilities and hygiene access, poorly-fitted garments can the woman’s competence and women have an uphill battle have a negative psychological abilities on the job. when it comes to performing impact on the wearer, leading in the field, right down to to decreased confidence and Building on these negative properly designed clothing and overall performance.6,7 Wearing psychosocial impacts, the far PPE.1,2,3,4 It is an exceptional bulky, loose, or ill-proportioned more immediate issue is the challenge for women to find PPE can make women feel physical danger that arises appropriately sturdy and unsafe in their safety gear. The when women wear PPE that is well-fitting options across the more a woman thinks about not not designed for them. They whole spectrum of PPE and being able to grip something may grapple with gaps, bulges workwear; including pants, with their bulky gloves or and a poor overall fit that make boots, gloves, vests, eyewear, trying not to trip because their PPE uncomfortable, reduce its and respiratory protection. boots are too large or wide, effectiveness, and increase the the less they can focus on their risks that women will modify I have encountered this challenge on multiple occasions; one example being having to size up sometimes two sizes in my safety vest in the field just so I can zip it over my hips. What I’m left vpppa.org

their equipment or sustain anthropometric proportions. DID YOU KNOW? a workplace injury. It's not Merely shrinking men’s PPE just the injured person who down to smaller sizes without Adult men are suffers in a workplace incident; adjusting the proportions is employers also face potential for not the answer. 3x high financial costs related to compensation claims as well as Unfortunately, with complex more likely to get lost time and productivity that problems come complex a heat disorder may impact their bottom line. solutions. Though the issue of poorly-fitting PPE for women than women. Studies show has been well documented for that poorly fitted decades, research on optimum The more a woman thinks about not garments can performance design of PPE being able to grip something with have a negative specifically for women is their bulky gloves or trying not to trip psychological glaringly limited.8 The cost because their boots are too large or wide, impact on the of manufacturing PPE with the less they can focus on their work, wearer, leading scientifically backed women- productivity, and safety. to decreased centered customizations confidence and standardized sizing ENDNOTES and overall specifications, as well as 1 \"Personal Protective Clothing/Equipment Sizing and Fit Practices.\" performance. offering a larger range of sizing and fit options, are all Unpublished Report Submitted to NIOSH by International Personnel Obstacles to common barriers that must Protection, June 15, 1996. Representation be addressed by suppliers and 2 Gordon, C.C., Accommodation of Females in Protective Clothing and purchasing entities. Equipment Systems Used Primarily by Men. Presented at the Annual Many of the size, style, and Scientific Meeting of the Aerospace Medical Association, Atlanta, cut options for PPE on the Hope on the Horizon May 1996. market available to women 3 Lynch v. Freeman, 817 F. 2d 380,382 (6th Cir. 1987). are not rooted in science. Though there is a long road 4 Morse, L.H. and Hinds, L.T. \"Women and Ergonomics,\" Occupational Manufacturers employ a ahead to make well-fitting Medicine: State of the Art Reviews, Philadelphia, Hanley & Belfus, 8(4), marketing scheme referred PPE designed for women more Oct.-Dec., 1993. to as “shrink it and pink it,” prevalent and accessible, 5 Navarro-Astor, E., Román-Onsalo, M., & Infante-Perea, M. (2017). taking garments that were there are companies doing the Women’s career development in the construction industry across 15 designed for the “average work to make this an everyday years: Main barriers. Journal of Engineering Design and Technology, sized man,” shrinking it down, reality. Entrepreneurs like 15(2), 199–221. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-07-2016-0046. making it pink, and calling Sarah Calhoun, founder of 6 Wagner, Heidi, et al. “Relationship between Personal Protective it “women’s clothing.”9 This Red Ants Pants and Ana Kraft, Equipment, Self-Efficacy, and Job Satisfaction of Women in the approach misses the mark. founder and CEO of Xena Building Trades.” ASCE Library, Journal of Construction Engineering Regardless of weight or height, Workwear, are two examples and Management, 16 May 2013, https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943- women are fundamentally of women who own companies 7862.0000739. different from men on an that specialize in workwear 7 Shuster, Melissa P. “The Physical and Psychological Stresses of Women anatomical level, generally designed for women. in Firefighting.” IOS Pres Content Library, 2000, https://content.iospress. having narrower facial features Additionally, some big-name com/articles/work/wor00106. and shoulders, less dense brands and suppliers, like 8 Metea, Rachel. “In the Most Dangerous Jobs, Women Left Unprotected and smaller bone structure, Honeywell and Fastenal, are by a PPE Industry Tailored to Men.” Wordpress.com, 22 Mar. 2022, wider hips, more slender also putting more capital into https://rachelmetea.wordpress.com/2017/12/04/occupational-safety- hands and feet, and a lower designed-for-women PPE that professionals-fail-to-protect-women/. center of gravity with different will make it easier for women 9 \"shrink it and pink it.\" Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. 2015. Farlex, Inc kinesiological functionality and in the field to focus on their 9 Jun. 2022 https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/shrink+it+and+pink+it work rather than ill-fitting PPE and the hazards it can Kara Apperson has a background in public health with pose and help to ensure they over 10 years of combined experience in healthcare and remain productive and safe occupational health and safety data analytics. She has a colleagues on the worksite. passion for education and training as well as creating unique ways to build the safety culture across the projects she is a part of. When she isn't crunching numbers or analyzing trends, you can find her outside doing just about anything with her dog, Koda, from hiking and camping to paddleboarding on the lake. vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 7

OSHA Takes Action to Combat Heat ByInanjeMintz,PublicHealthEducator, Occupational Safety and Health Illness 8 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

Remembering priority for OSHA. The agency Tim Barber is taking several actions to prevent and reduce the number O n July 7, 2020, Tim of occupational injuries, Barber was working illnesses, and fatalities caused as a laborer at a by exposure to heat so that the construction site in upstate avoidable tragedy the Barber New York when he was family experienced doesn’t have overcome by heat. The 35-year- to happen to another family. old collapsed and died of heat illness later that day. It was his Heat Illness second day of work. Tim was an Prevention Campaign accomplished artist who loved country music, the Buffalo Bills, OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention and most of all—his family. His campaign, launched in 2011, loss leaves a hole in the lives educates employers and of members of his family and workers on the dangers of community, but his legacy lives working in the heat. The on. Tim didn’t have to lose his campaign provides several life to heat illness. This tragedy educational resources and was preventable. outreach materials to protect workers from heat, including (Learn more about Tim’s a poster, work pamphlet, story on pages 12-15.) audio and video public service announcements, infographics, Heat Safety Is a Priority and the video remembering Tim Barber. These resources On average, approximately also include topics on heat- 3,500 workers become sick from related illness prevention, occupational heat exposure every such as acclimatization, first year and dozens of cases are aid, emergency response, and fatal. Heat is the leading cause of workers’ rights. death among all weather-related phenomena. Heat illnesses— Advance Notice of such as heat stroke and heat Proposed Rulemaking for exhaustion—can affect anyone, Heat Injury and Illness regardless of age or physical Prevention in Outdoor condition. Workers in agriculture and Indoor Work Settings and construction are at the highest risk, but the problem On October 27, 2021, OSHA affects all workers exposed to published in the Federal heat, including indoor workers Register an Advance Notice without adequate climate- of Proposed Rulemaking controlled environments. (ANPRM) for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor Workers of color and Indoor Work Settings. disproportionately make up The ANPRM initiated a public the population of employees in comment period allowing OSHA essential jobs who are exposed to gather information, diverse to high levels of heat, which perspectives, and technical exacerbates socioeconomic and expertise on issues that might racial inequalities in the U.S. be considered in developing Protecting workers from heat-related hazards is a top vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 9

Free downloadable graphics courtesy of OSHA's Heat Campaign www.osha.gov/heat Workers of color disproportionately National Emphasis by providing access to water, Program on Outdoor and rest, shade, and training, and make up the population of employees Indoor Heat Hazards implementing acclimatization procedures for new or returning in essential jobs who are exposed to In April 2022, OSHA launched employees. The NEP combines the National Emphasis Program enforcement, outreach, and high levels of heat, which exacerbates (NEP) on Outdoor and Indoor technical compliance assistance Heat Hazards to protect workers components to help keep socioeconomic and racial inequalities from the increasing threat workers safe from heat-related of heat-related illness. The hazards on the job. in the U.S. NEP establishes a nationwide enforcement mechanism for the Heat Injury and Illness a heat-specific workplace agency to proactively inspect Prevention Work standard that will more workplaces for outdoor and Group of the National effectively protect workers indoor heat-related hazards Advisory Committee on from hazardous heat. There in general industry, maritime, Occupational Safety were more than 100 questions construction, and agriculture. and Health to which OSHA sought input, including topics on the scope of As a result, OSHA can As part of OSHA’s rulemaking a potential standard, heat stress now conduct pre-planned and outreach efforts to protect thresholds for workers across inspections in targeted high-risk workers and communities industries, heat acclimatization industries in indoor and outdoor from extreme heat, the agency planning, heat exposure work settings when the National established a Heat Injury monitoring, and engineering Weather Service has issued and Illness Prevention Work controls. The comment period a heat warning or advisory Group of the National Advisory closed in January 2022 and for a local area. The NEP Committee on Occupational OSHA is analyzing more than encourages employers to protect 1,000 comments. workers from heat hazards 10 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

Safety and Health (NACOSH). presentations from OSHA staff obligations to protect workers The Work Group will evaluate on the Heat Illness Prevention from the growing dangers of OSHA's heat illness and Campaign, compliance extreme heat. prevention guidance materials assistance activities, and stakeholder input and enforcement efforts, and the Visit www.osha.gov/heat develop recommendations rulemaking process. for more information. on potential elements of a Email questions to OSHA at proposed heat injury and illness Let’s Work Together [email protected]. prevention standard. The Work to Prevent Heat Illness Group’s recommendations RESOURCES will be submitted to the full No one should lose their life • NEP: www.osha.gov/sites/ NACOSH committee and the from excessive heat conditions Secretary of Labor. while on the job. Every worker default/files/heat-nep- deserves to go home safe factsheet-en.pdf Heat Forum Public and unharmed at the end of • NACOSH: www.osha.gov/heat- Stakeholder Meeting every shift. OSHA is taking exposure/heat-injury-and- several steps to prevent heat illness-prevention-work-group On May 3, 2022, OSHA hosted illness, but we cannot do it • Heat Forum: www.osha.gov/ a public stakeholder meeting alone. Working together with heat/stakeholdermeeting on the agency’s activities to businesses, government and • Rulemaking: www.osha.gov/ protect workers from heat- non-government entities, heat-exposure/rulemaking related hazards. More than unions, and community • Heat Campaign: 2,000 attendees joined the organizations, the agency can www.osha.gov/heat meeting, which featured dozens ensure workers know their • Remembering Tim Barber: of public commenters and rights and employers meet their www.youtube.com/ watch?v=o3ULhPd0KQg&t=1s • OSHA: www.osha.gov/heat/ video-graphics The best teams COMMUNICATE… so do the best GAS DETECTORS With the Ventis® Pro5 from Industrial Scientific, Mike’s teammates will know he’s entered a high H2S environment, so they can respond faster with more information—when every second counts. See it in action at VPPPA Safety + Symposium vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 11

By Kerri Usher, Editor of the Leader Magazine and Communications & Outreach ACbyuLtHifSeehaot:rt THEManagerofVPPPA TIM On July 7, 2020, Jim and Kathy It was Tim’s second day of work at the Genesee River Bridge Project in Geneseo, New S Barber received the call that no York. He was new to working outdoors, and unacclimatized to working in heat. Proper parent ever wants to get. Their son training and resources had not been given. Also, there was a hot and moderately Tim, a resident of LeRoy, New York, humid air mass over Western New York as part of a pattern that resulted in a heat had collapsed at work and was being wave condition during the first week of July 2020. taken to the hospital. Tim didn’t make it to the hospital. He was treated for heat stress and heat exhaustion, but he succumbed to hyperthermia and died that afternoon. He was thirty-five years old. Tim’s father, Jim Barber, sat down with the Leader magazine to tell Tim’s story. His family hopes that by bringing awareness to the perils of heat stress that they can help to save others. 12 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

STORY vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 13

remember about his He came out to the patio first day of work on after showering but didn't say July 6, 2020? much. We had a nice dinner and JB It was very hot that Tim had three helpings, so we knew he was hungry from not day with the high having his lunch that afternoon. temperature in the vicinity of He went back to his room and 92 degrees. On his first day at laid on top of his bed. When we this new job, he worked a full went to bed, we saw that he 8-hour shift in extreme heat had fallen asleep on top of his with no heat stress training. covers, fully dressed, with the lights on. That was the last time LM How was Tim his mother saw her son alive. acting when he got home that day? JB Tim arrived home LM What happened at Tim’s job on July 7, between 3:30–4:00 p.m. He parked behind my car in 2020? the garage. That was unusual JB July 7 was his second day because he always parked to of work. I was up early the right of the garage in his that morning and saw an empty spot. When he exited the car, he bowl of cereal on the counter. I was sunburned, and I told him went out to the garage, and he he looked like a construction was putting on his work boots. worker. As he started to walk I asked why he was up earlier by me, I asked him where his than his first day. He had to be lunch and water container were. in at 6 a.m. He said he never had the lunch Knowing what I knew from or water he brought with him. the day before, I told him to eat He was frustrated. Apparently, his lunch and drink water. He Leader Magazine: of four children, he loved being nobody gave him instructions was in a hurry. I said good- Tell us a little bit around his family, especially about Tim. during the holidays. His nieces on where to park, so he had to bye, he grabbed his lunch and and nephews called him Uncle Jim Barber: Tim was a graduate “T,” and he loved them very park a considerable distance thermos, and off he went. Kathy of LeRoy High School and much. He was a hard worker Monroe Community College who was dependable and did from the jobsite. He’d left his and I never saw him again until with a degree in fine arts. At excellent work. a young age Tim exhibited a lunch and water inside his car. we identified him in the back of gift for drawing, and he was well known for his role in the He’d been stressed out that he an ambulance at the rear of the art world. To quote Tim from a Facebook post: “When you might be late on his first day Geneseo Firehall. get the opportunity to do something that you truly love, and didn’t go back for the lunch you can’t put into words how much it means to you.” or water. What was the weather that day? Tim was also an avid Buffalo Can you tell us His brother Willie was sitting LM Bills fan who attended one or where he was two games per year with his LM in the garage when Tim arrived friends. His playlist of songs consisted of his favorite country working prior and home, and his observation of JB The heat index values music artists. He liked to come home for his mother’s cooking, Tim as he walked by was that that day were in the mid which was usually Italian food. what he was doing at he looked sluggish and out of to upper 90’s. At 11:53 a.m., an For Tim, going to different state parks in the area and that job? it. I told Tim to go inside and “Urgent—Weather Message” enjoying the scenery was his way to relax on weekends. One JB Tim worked at Knowles change his clothes and we could was issued from the National Precision Devices in sit on the patio before dinner. Weather Service stating: Manlius, New York, near Tim went in the kitchen “HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS Syracuse, as a shipping/ and had a conversation with IN EFFECT UNTIL 8PM warehouse clerk. For the nine his mother. He said he didn't EDT FRIDAY. IMPACTS. Hot years leading up to his death, do flag work, but instead he temperatures may cause heat Tim worked indoor jobs. was instructed to assemble illness to occur. The advisory In June 2020, he moved back guardrails in direct sunlight for warned: PRECAUTIONARY/ to LeRoy to be closer to family. the entire 8+ hour day without PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS. a lunch break. He told Kathy According to a meteorological LM Tim got a job they didn't take lunch breaks expert, the high temperature working on the and ate as they worked. Tim was 94 degrees that day with a Genesee River Bridge said he was tired, so Kathy told heat index of 95 degrees in the Project. What do you him to take a cool shower. vicinity of the Project. 14 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

Tim did go to his car for a glossary of terms Heat illness break from 10:30 until 11:30. can happen Around 3 p.m. that day, Tim According to the NIH, Hyperthermia is an abnormally to anyone. collapsed, and an ambulance high body temperature caused by a failure of the heat- was called. On their way to the regulating mechanisms of the body to deal with the On the pages of this issue hospital, the ambulance pulled heat coming from the environment. Heat fatigue, heat of the Leader, you will find over to work on him and he syncope (sudden dizziness after prolonged exposure to examples of heat illness and passed shortly thereafter. the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke injury, as well as solutions are commonly known forms of hyperthermia. and steps to take to mitigate No Mom and Dad should the danger of heat. ever have to go through this Heat Wave Conditions = 3+ consecutive 90+ degree days pain and suffering that was Heat injury is one hundred completely preventable. percent preventable. LM What was Tim’s at work. We told Tim's story would be proud of this and it To donate to the Tim Barber background and why it is so important to is the first of its kind at LeRoy Memorial Art Scholarship, train workers who work in High School. His name and make checks payable to: in terms of safety excessive heat. The OSHA Area passion for art will live on for Director out of Buffalo was also many more years to come by Tim Barber Memorial or training? part of the video. helping someone else pursue Art Scholarship their passion for art. JB Tim took an OSHA 10-hour We have been in contact Mail to: with our local New York State We would like to thank Jim Barber Occupational Safety and (NYS) Assemblywoman and and the entire Barber family for LeRoy Central School Congressman (at the Federal sharing Tim’s story with us. Attn: District Treasurer Health training course in 2008, Level) to get a law enacted to 2-6 Trigon Park protect construction workers LeRoy, NY 14482 twelve years before his job at the from the dangers of working in excessive heat. There is a Genesee River Bridge Project. six-page draft to amend the NYS Labor Law done, but nothing For his new job as a laborer, has been approved or sent to the floor for a vote. That draft he attended an orientation on has been sitting there for over six months. We are still working flagging only, which lasted less with both agencies at this time. than 40 minutes. Social media has played an important part to get the Tim was unacclimated to message out. Organizations have used this tragic story as training the heat during his first two exercises for their employees. It has been distributed through days of employment and there trade unions throughout the country and other conferences were no safeguards in place to on heat illness. prevent against the impact of heat stress. That was one of the reasons that OSHA issued a “Serious Violation” citation Safety Software, Training, and Reporting against his employer. All in one highly configurable, LM Since Tim’s death, offline-friendly platform what steps have you been taking to help others? And how is that going? JB Kathy and I have been advocates to bring awareness to the Tell us about the scholarship dangers of heat illness. We LM have done interviews with local newspapers and TV fund you started in stations telling Tim's story, Tim’s name. emphasizing the need for JB Tim’s Scholarship fund better training for workers. is made possible by We want businesses to be held donations given in his memory. accountable if they don't follow The Tim Barber Memorial Art OSHA's safety guidelines. Scholarship is being awarded kpa.io (866) 356-1735 OSHA asked us to be part of to a graduating senior, chosen [email protected] their 2022 National Heat Illness by the Art Department, who Campaign by doing a video. is pursuing a continuation of They called it: Remembering their path in art at a two- or Tim: A life lost to heat illness four-year college. We know Tim vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 15

If You Can’t Stand the Prevent, Protect & Acclimatize By Matt Stinchfield, Safety Ambassador, Brewers Association vpppa.org 16 Leader—Summer 2022

DID YOU KNOW? You can still experience heat stress when you’re hydrated. Even when you have been drinking an adequate amount of water, if your body temperature rises too high, you can experience heat illness and even heat stroke. Climate change realities have shown up in so many ways. There are the W orking in a hot environment anticipated environmental aspects of water shortages, wildfires, and isn’t new to many changing growing seasons. Some of the worst changes, like sea level rise and industries. Think about displacement of billions of climate refugees, have yet to be fully realized. commercial kitchens, foundries, laundries, One notable symptom of the planet’s warming is the exposure of people to landscaping and agriculture, and new extremes in temperature. At-risk persons who are very young or old are hazmat response. Workers in these suffering more deaths due to rising temperatures.1 Workplace heath crises industries are more familiar with related to heat are on the upswing. Federal OSHA and state OSHA programs heat disorders and more likely to be are ramping up guidance, inspection frequency, and regulations to reduce acclimated to hot workplaces. heat-related illnesses.2,3 The range of affected workers vpppa.org has rapidly expanded in the last two decades, largely attributed to climate change, to include the construction trades, wildfire and natural disaster responders, hospital personnel, and manufacturing jobs in poorly maintained indoor environments. Links between race and socioeconomic status show that people of color and lower economic status are disproportionately affected by hot environments. The coinciding of Covid-19 didn’t help, as wearing cloth face coverings in hot and humid environments can cause cardiopulmonary stress. Heat stress can result in serious harm to your body. It can magnify existing health problems, such as heart disease, asthma, and kidney disorders. It can increase the chances of a workplace accident. And unfortunately, heat disorders are legacy injuries—they leave lasting effects on the body and once experienced, individuals are more prone to having additional episodes. Leader—Spring 2022 17

urine color chart Source: HealthJade.com Links between race and socioeconomic Stages of Heat Stress 18 Leader—Summer 2022 status show that people of color and lower Early Signs economic status are disproportionately affected by hot environments. The early signs of heat stress are sometimes generic, such What is Heat Stress? Heat stress can be broken as with fatigue and headache. into three stages: early signs, These symptoms could be Heat stress is a general term heat exhaustion, and then caused by many situations, for a set of conditions that heatstroke. Be cautioned, from job stress to late night can range from uncomfortable though. There are cases where partying. But heat stress often cramps or a rash to serious an individual seemingly begins with some peculiar physiological and neurological bypasses early signs, then symptoms that should raise a episodes called heat exhaustion goes directly to heatstroke red flag. When these changes and heatstroke. Heat stress while still sweating and are noted, moving quickly usually progresses from collapses; the so-called “fast to a recovery strategy will bothersome to bad, and then to cooker.” Unacclimatized greatly reduce the chances of worse. If you know what early workers and those who are advancing to heat exhaustion signs to look for, you can seek overweight or dehydrated are and heat stroke. remedies and avoid the most especially susceptible. serious complications. Heat cramps are sharp, painful cramps in muscles being heavily used. These include the arms, legs, abdomen/diaphragm, and often the neck. Cramps are a direct result of dehydration and the buildup of metabolites, like lactic acid, in the muscle tissue. The remedy is to get out of the hot environment and take on ample fluids with electrolytes. Individuals may experience painful raised bumps caused by sweat pore blockage. The pores are blocked by dirt or clothing vpppa.org

Heat Stress Prevention and Mitigation fiber. This condition is called (Syncope is pronounced SIN- Prevention heat rash. It typically occurs co-pee.) This is the experience where dirt accumulates, or of almost blacking out, “seeing Beat the Heat with These Tips clothes or body parts rub, such stars,” or a having a headrush. as armpits, inside elbows, in It comes from a drop in blood Hydration. Take frequent water breaks, every 15–20 the cleavage, and in the groin. pressure. One of the ways minutes, 3–4 cups per hour; avoid diuretic liquids It is best to avoid heat rash by the body attempts to reduce containing caffeine, alcohol, refined sugars; overly keeping these areas clean and overheating is by lowering rehydrate after a hot workday to help get ahead on dry. Using a cooling talcum blood pressure and circulation. the next day. powder can help. That is, reduce the movement Electrolytes. Consume sports beverages or mineral of a hot solution (your blood) supplements. Dark urine and infrequent throughout your tissues. Food Energy. Eat complex carbohydrates, vegetables, urination are another early Inadequate blood flow in the and fruits; avoid simple sugars. indicator. Urine should be in a brain causes this effect. A dizzy Clothing. Cover up with light, loose, quick-drying range from nearly colorless to worker is more prone to fall or fabrics; wear a wide hat in direct sunlight. yellow. When it becomes orange make a mistake with machinery. Acclimatization. It may take up to two weeks to get or dark amber in color, the used to a hot environment, but only a few days to lose body is operating at an extreme Heat Exhaustion the acclimatization. deficiency in water. As with Environmental Heat Shield against radiant heat heat cramps, get out of the heat If you have missed all the exposure and direct sunlight; adjust level of work and replenish fluids liberally. early cues, or you were at high activity, pace yourself. Color charts are available and risk and moved rapidly to a Buddy System. Reduce exertion and keep an eye on can be posted in restrooms. (See worse condition, you will likely each other for warning signs. sample chart on page 18.) advance to heat exhaustion. Training. Train everyone in prevention and recognition The body is exhausted due to its of heat disorders. For those working outside, struggle to maintain a steady Know Your Limits. Risk increases with age, weight, sunburn is another early core temperature. body fat, drugs and certain medications, diabetes, warning sign. Preventing it and general sickness; adult men are three times more with skin protection is the best Generally, with heat likely to get a heat disorder than women. approach. A combination of exhaustion, the body is still long-sleeved clothing, a hat, readily perspiring. However, mitigation and a coating of skin protection in climates with low humidity, products is best. sweat evaporates from the When Heat Stress Comes Knocking skin quickly. The worker Finally, there is the peculiar may appear to be perspiring Hydration. Replace depleted fluids with ample water symptom called heat syncope. and sports drinks, but don’t drink too fast. Rest Cycles. Take frequent rests, don’t be ashamed of vpppa.org needing to take a break. Cool Environment. Recover by sitting down in the shade or in a cool space with moving air. Monitor. Make sure you are clearheaded and not dizzy or fatigued before returning to work. Leader—Summer 2022 19

It has often been said, “If you are thirsty, it’s too late.” A better refrain might be, “If you are thirsty, take a break and get extra fluids into your body.” HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES less than they actually are. In heatstroke, sweating slows Observing salty deposits on or stops, and the skin becomes WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHAT TO DO clothes can be a clue. hot and dry. The body’s internal temperature rises above 101°F HEAT STROKE Dehydration will be occurring and shallow breathing may be throughout the advancement of noticed. Feelings of discomfort • High body temperature (103°F or higher) • Call 911 right away-heat stroke is a heat exhaustion. Our bodies are include severe headache and • Hot, red, dry, or damp skin medical emergency batteries, and they need water nausea. A number of behavioral • Fast, strong pulse and electrolytes to make energy. changes occur, including the • Headache • Move the person to a cooler place Notice thirst and dry mouth. It dragging of feet, slurred speech, • Dizziness • Help lower the person’s temperature has often been said, “If you are confusion, and poor judgment. • Nausea thirsty, it’s too late.” A better A worker might be combative, • Confusion with cool cloths or a cool bath refrain might be, “If you are argumentative, or cease to • Losing consciousness (passing out) • Do not give the person anything to thirsty, take a break and get respond to communication extra fluids into your body.” altogether. Those who have drink suffered heat stroke may think With heavy sweating the skin they are speaking sensibly, HEAT EXHAUSTION will feel moist and clammy, when all everyone else hears and the pulse can be fast and is gibberish. • Heavy sweating • Move to a cool place weak. Breathing hard is a • Cold, pale, and clammy skin • Loosen your clothes related symptom. Along with Treatment • Fast, weak pulse • Put cool, wet cloths on your body or being out of breath, the worker • Nausea or vomiting may feel dizzy, weak, and If the victim is conscious, • Muscle cramps take a cool bath fatigued. Headache, nausea, sweating, and fairly coherent, • Tiredness or weakness • Sip water and occasional vomiting will they likely do not have • Dizziness be observed. These symptoms, heatstroke. Heat exhaustion has • Headache Get medical help right away if: taken as a whole, could be three major causative factors: • Fainting (passing out) • You are throwing up attributed to many things, like dehydration, low energy, and • Your symptoms get worse the onset of the flu, pregnancy, excess heat inside and outside • Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour a hangover, or food poisoning. of the body. Treatment should Preventing heat exhaustion by address all of these. HEAT CRAMPS hydrating and acclimatizing removes one disorder from the Try these first aid • Heavy sweating during intense • Stop physical activity and move to a list of possibilities. recommendations for heat exercise cool place exhaustion. Seat the victim Heatstroke in a cool, shaded area. Get • Muscle pain or spasms • Drink water or a sports drink the person water or a sports • Wait for cramps to go away before you When the body’s cooling efforts beverage, and possibly an fail, heatstroke is imminent. energy bar. Avoid excessively do any more physical activity The core temperature will sweet drinks or snacks. Remove rapidly rise to that of a high or pull back excess clothing and Get medical help right away if: fever and perspiration will cool them with air movement, • Cramps last longer than 1 hour cease. When this happens, sprinkling them with cool water, • You’re on a low-sodium diet heatstroke is occurring. or by applying ice packs to the • You have heart problems Heatstroke is a 911 emergency. neck or immersing wrists in ice It can be quickly fatal. Do water. If they begin to noticeably • Painful, red, and warm skin SUNBURN not delay in getting medical recover, continue treatment and • Blisters on the skin services to the scene. The either send them home early or • Stay out of the sun until your treatments for heat stroke keep under observation for the sunburn heals require medical expertise and rest of the shift. If symptoms should not be undertaken persist, get the person medical • Put cool cloths on sunburned areas by those without specialized attention right away. or take a cool bath training and supplies. • Put moisturizing lotion on sunburned areas • Do not break blisters HEAT RASH • Red clusters of small blisters that look • Stay in a cool, dry place like pimples on the skin (usually on the • Keep the rash dry neck, chest, groin, or in elbow creases) • Use powder (like baby powder) to soothe the rash CS280226 Source: www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/pdf/ vpppa.org Heat_Related_Illness.pdf 20 Leader—Summer 2022

Prevention energy and minerals, and exposure to increased heat. Heat stress episodes can be Counteracting one, two, or all treated, especially if detected three of these factors is key early. But even in the best to reversing the progressive cases, the worker feels unwell, nature of heat disorders. productivity declines, and the chance of incidents and Heat stress is best avoided accidents increases. altogether by anticipating hot work conditions and The perfect conditions acclimatizing to heat. You for creating heat stress are should know what to do when three things occur to prevent dehydration, simultaneously: dehydration, exhaustion, and overheating. low bodily supplies of food Matt Stinchfield is the Brewers Association’s Safety Ambassador, a facilitator in several OSHA-industry alliances, and a heat stress survivor from his years working in hazmat response and cycling in the desert Southwest. Reach him at [email protected]. ENDNOTES 1 Calleja-Agius, Jean et al. “The effect of global warming on mortality.” Early human development vol. 155 (2021). 2 Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “National Emphasis Program—Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards.” Directive CPL 03- 00-024 (2021). 3 Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings.” 86 FR 59309 (2021). JOBSITE AND TRAINING RESOURCES Leader—Summer 2022 21 Posters CDC Posters: English (PDF); Spanish (PDF) OSHA Posters English (PDF); Spanish (PDF) Urine Color Chart (PDF) Toolbox Talks Great ready-to-use toolbox talk from Missouri Safe Work (PDF). Concise video toolbox talk with good prevention tips; sign-in sheet not included (YouTube 3:10). OSHA Quickcard (PDF). Videos Find the heat stress education that best speaks to your workforce. These helpful videos will get you started. • Straight talk from a Texas registered nurse (YouTube 3:55). • G reat prevention recommendations from an Aussie team (YouTube 3:49) • Focusing on hydration (YouTube 2:39) • Recommendations for hydration and electrolytes (YouTube 2:14) • OSHA heat illness prevention, emphasizing acclimatization and prevention (YouTube 1:27) vpppa.org

HOW WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY Addresses OSHA’s Emphasis on Heat Illness By Tom West, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, COSS Heat illness and injury prevention is an ever-present challenge in many industries. Each year there are scores of fatalities, and thousands more become ill while working in heat. OSHA recently instituted a National Emphasis Program to shine a spotlight on this preventable workplace hazard. 22 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

M ost all know that well as radiant heat sources3, wearable, you can essentially supervisors maintain a safe rest, shade, and should also be a concern for generate a live heat map of your worksite. Wearables are the hydration are key. indoor facilities. This means worksite or facility. next evolution in safety. Digital Companies have that foundries, kitchens, PPE, if you will. likely built these heat protocols laundries, warehousing, Multiple device readings can into their safety programs. Yet, manufacturing operations, also highlight workstations There are several emerging many may struggle with exactly and many more industries of concern. Consider that industrial wearable offerings. when these practices should should be monitoring heat an outdoor heat index Many have a niche focus, be enacted, and for who. How index and taking appropriate can’t capture the risk of a or strength. In considering much intervention is prudent? action4. Technology now makes worker near an indoor heat a new innovative tool there How do we ensure workers in this possible, and industrial source. They might also be are considerations; cost, unique environments such as workforce wearables offer a experiencing dramatically versatility, acceptance, and indoors are protected? powerful tool across industries. different temperatures than useability, among them. But A more individualized someone further away—a now this technology is so approach that provides NIOSH safety regulations discrepancy a stationary room accessible that organizations predictive leading indicators, also emphasize acclimatization sensor is unlikely to capture. can easily deploy innovation is using wearable technology for workers who are new or A wearable allows granular and reap immediately to monitor heat-related risk returning to work after vacation readings to be captured no actionable data that can for every worker. This can give or leave. People need time matter where an employee is strengthen a safety program, safety leaders the insight and to physiologically adjust to performing a task. positively impact culture, and focus needed to be proactive hot environments5. What this respect worker privacy. and keep their people safe. means is that supervisors need Another benefit is that to be attentive to variations in wearables will assist with Tom West is Vice President at A Scorching Problem heat sensitivity among their compliance by providing a MākuSafe, as well as being a workforce. Wearables are retrievable history of data. Senior Certified Human Resources The impact of hot temperatures helping bridge this gap. Inspectors are tasked with Professional, and a Certified on safety risks has been evaluating if a worksite has an Occupational Safety Specialist. escalating the past two decades. Wearables can aid appropriate injury prevention The trends that prompted OSHA prevention efforts program, such as asking, “how MākuSafe is an award-winning to take action include: did the employer monitor Safety, Data & Analytics solution Wearable technology is a ambient temperature(s), and aimed at improving worker • Heat waves are the top gamechanger for heat injury levels of work exertion at the health, safety, and productivity and illness prevention. Now worksite?”3. Routine readings while reducing incidents and weather event that cause sensors in a lightweight that are time, date, and location mitigating workplace hazards workplace deaths1 armband are capable of stamped over a period can and risk exposures. The patented tracking leading indicators demonstrate awareness and be MākuSafe system combines a • Heat causes over 3,500 of risk, including an array of the basis for further study and robust safety analytics software ever-changing environmental action. Even though a small platform with innovative injuries and illnesses conditions around an individual and inexpensive wearable isn’t wearable technology that each year2 worker. By monitoring using the wet bulb method of provides immediate access to temperature and relative testing, these routine readings real-time EHS data with predictive • An average of 35 heat-related humidity, it is now possible can provide insight into where value. MākuSafe’s wearables not to automatically calculate the and when more sophisticated only capture temperature and fatalities occurs annually2 heat index for each worker. The testing might be deployed. relative humidity, but they also readings are as mobile as the One of the approved ways deliver prompt warnings when • The hottest years on worker is. to document on-site heat proactive measures are needed. conditions is with relative In addition, MākuSafe monitors record have been in the These measurements are humidity, which a wearable can numerous other environmental last 18 years1 programmed to generate easily provide. risks, potentially hazardous notifications that can be human motion such as strain A heat index over 80 degrees pushed to leaders whenever Advanced wearable and exertion concerns, enables is considered a heat priority heat exposure corresponds to technology can be a powerful push to talk near miss reporting, day, although heat-related the NWS thresholds. Constant source of leading indicator and opportunities to integrate the incidents may occur at even monitoring allows at-risk intelligence, and a tool that connected worker with systems lower levels. The National workers to be flagged quickly can help lower the risk of around them for Industry 4.0 Weather Service (NWS) alerts so appropriate interventions heat-induced illness. They can automation and efficiencies. using four ranges: caution, are taken. And with an entire be simple to deploy and use; extreme caution, danger, workforce equipped with a unobtrusive devices that help REFERENCES and extreme danger. Those 1 OSHA heat exposure rulemaking at most risk are likely the 2 OSHA Heat NEP Factsheet construction and agriculture 3 OSHA National Emphasis industries. But, the current emphasis certainly implies that Program—Outdoor and Indoor heat and humidity levels, as Heat-Related Hazards 4 OSHA Heat Exposure website 5 NIOSH Acclimatization vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 23

TO ADDRESS IN YOUR By Beth Angus, Industrial Hygienist PREVENTION PROGRAM at Safex 24 Leader—Summer 2022 In the last edition of The Leader, we told you about the future of OSHA’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on heat injury and illness prevention. This quarter we’re diving into heat injury and illness prevention programs. It doesn’t have to be summer to plan for OSHA’s Heat Stress National Emphasis Program (NEP). With average temperatures rising across the world, employers need to ensure workers are protected from heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related injuries and illnesses while they’re working inside and outside. One of the best ways to prepare for the NEP is to develop a Heat Injury and Illness Prevention program for your workplace. But what goes into that plan? vpppa.org

Employee DID YOU KNOW? Monitoring Excessive heat can Will you use any criteria to exacerbate existing evaluate the effect of heat health problems like stress on your employees? asthma, kidney failure, Will it be based on vital signs and heart disease. (temperature, heart rate, etc.) or specific criteria, such Controls as the ACGIH Heat Stress Risk Assessment TLV guidelines? Consider Outline how you’ll use controls Heat the actions you’ll have to to minimize heat stress, and Acclimatization Most safety practitioners are take based on employee think in terms of the hierarchy Program familiar with conducting job monitoring results, including of controls: hazard analysis and personal whether work will be paused A focus point of the new protective equipment (PPE) or stopped, if employees will • Elimination/Substitution— National Emphasis Program assessments. The same skillset be reassigned, or if there is a is how employers will allow can be applied to identifying threshold for medical removal. Will there be a threshold new and returning workers the potential for heat stress when a specific process to get used to hot working and strain in the workplace. Medical stops, or when alternate environments. Acclimatization Consider things like PPE Surveillance plans for the day are set helps employees adapt to hot requirements, as extra layers in place? working conditions and tolerate may increase the heat burden, Like employee monitoring, if heat more effectively. OSHA or working in proximity to you have an existing medical • Engineering—Will you have recommends taking a staggered heat sources such as ovens or surveillance or fit for duty approach, with 20% per day heavy machinery. program, consider working in cooling systems in place? increases for new employees a heat stress evaluation. The Are there cooler areas where and 50% per day increases for Exposure Guidelines evaluation should account employees can rest? employees returning from a for employees’ existing long absence. Outline what conditions you’ll health conditions (including • Administrative—How will use as the criteria for enacting prescription or over-the- the elements of your plan. counter medications) that you structure a work/rest Some examples of conditions could be impacted by working schedule? Will you change to consider would be the in the heat or make an the work schedule based on National Weather Service’s employee more susceptible the temperature? How will Heat Advisory or Warnings, to a heat-related illness. As water be provided? a specific heat index, or wet with all medical surveillance bulb globe temperature. Be programs, the employee’s • Personal Protective specific about what elements personal health information is of the plan will go into effect protected, and the employer Equipment—Will cooling depending on the criteria. should only receive a letter vests fit into your existing indicating whether the assessments? Can allowances employee will be able to work be made for lighter, looser and under what circumstances. clothes, reflective gear, or sun hats? Think about how your control plan may change based on the short-term and long-term weather forecast. Strategies for a two-to-three-day heat wave may be different than long stretches of high heat days. glossary of terms Wet Bulb Glove Temperature According to the National Weather Service, the WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account: temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover (solar radiation). If you work or exercise in direct sunlight, this is a good element to monitor. Military agencies, OSHA, and many nations use the WBGT as a guide to managing workload in direct sunlight. This differs from the heat index. vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 25

glossary of terms Heat Index First Aid and Training Emergency The heat index takes into consideration temperature and Procedures Train employees about the humidity and is calculated for shady areas. causes of heat stress, how Outline the first aid and to recognize the signs and ACGIH emergency procedures to symptoms of heat illness respond to heat illness and and injury, and first aid and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists injuries. Identify what steps emergency procedures. Include employees are authorized to provisions for initial and TLV take on their own and when it’s refresher trainings, and the time to call emergency services. criteria for when re-training Threshold limit value Include information about first is indicated. aid kits, water and electrolyte Hierarchy of Controls replacement, and include Addressing all eight emergency contact information. components in your Heat According to NIOSH, a hierarchy of controls is a method of Injury and Illness Prevention controlling exposures to occupational hazards. The control Program will help you achieve methods at the top of the hierarchy are potentially more OSHA compliance and keep your effective and protective than those at the bottom. Following employees safe and on the job. this hierarchy normally leads to the implementation of inherently safer systems, where the risk of illness of injury has Beth Angus, MPH, CIH, is an industrial hygiene consultant with Safex, a been substantially reduced. health, safety and environmental consulting firm in Columbus, Ohio. She knows a thing or two about heat as a former resident of Tuscan, Arizona. 26 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

Infographic Corner May 27 Stats from OSHA: is Heat Safety Awareness Day. • UV rays are most intense between Data from the Bureau of Labor 10 am and 4 pm Statistics: • Every day, in the United States, • N early 3 out of 4 fatalities from heat illness happen during 11 workers on average the first week of work are seriously injured or die from heat stress • B uild a tolerance to heat by increasing intensity by • T he average cost per heat prostration incident is over 20% each day $53,000 • A pproximately • Heat illness is 3,500 workers 100% become sick from occupational preventable heat exposure every year July 2021 was According to the CDC, on average each year in the U.S., heat is the hottest responsible for: month • 67,512 emergency ever recorded on Earth. —NOAA department visits • 9 ,235 hospitalizations • 7 02 deaths “Extreme weather cost America $99 billion in damage [in 2020].” —President Joe Biden vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 27

turning the urgency is building 28 Leader—Summer 2022 to act on heat stress By Nicole Randall, International Safety Equipment Association vpppa.org

overnment awareness government effort,” to protect DID YOU KNOW? of, and action on, heat vulnerable Americans. stress is rising fast. Excessive heat affects As National Oceanic The Occupational Health & all workers exposed to and Atmospheric Safety Administration (OSHA) heat, including indoor Administration has already begun exploring workers without adequate (NOAA) Administrator, regulatory action. In October Dr. Rick Spinrad, 2021, OSHA issued an Advance climate-controlled said in his opening Notice of Proposed Rulemaking environments. remarks at the National for Heat Injury and Illness Integrated Heat Health Prevention in Outdoor and Cal/OSHA updated its temporary amendment to its Information System (NIHHIS) Indoor Work Settings in the comprehensive heat illness Agricultural Labor Housing National Meeting on April 26 Federal Register. And in April prevention special emphasis and Related Facilities this year: “Extreme heat is the 2022, OSHA announced its program document in regulation (437-004-1120), deadliest weather-related event National Emphasis Program April 2022. requiring agricultural in the United States.” to protect millions of workers employers to minimize heat Spinrad said July 2021 from heat illness and injuries. • Minnesota: Minnesota in worker housing units was the hottest month ever and provide heat illness recorded on Earth. Climate Water, rest, and OSHA’s heat exposure educational information. change projections indicate that standard applies to indoor (Fact sheet) summers will continue to get shade sound basic, workspaces, focusing hotter—and thus potentially primarily on workroom • Washington: The become more deadly. but they take ventilation and temperature. According to the Centers for (ISEA notes that this standard’s Washington State Disease Control and Prevention proper planning Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Department of Labor and (CDC), on average each year in (WBGT) reading requirement Industries requires employers the U.S., heat is responsible for: and management. poses a challenge. It is a difficult to take steps to protect measurement to accurately employees working outdoors • 67,512 emergency As part of the program, obtain and requires continuous and in agriculture jobs from OSHA plans to proactively readings in each work zone.) heat illness, from May 1 department visits initiate inspections in both through September each year. indoor and outdoor work • Oregon: In 2021, Oregon The Division of Occupational • 9,235 hospitalizations settings of 70+ high-risk OSHA held listening sessions Safety and Health (DOSH) is • 702 deaths industries when the National and stakeholder meetings to conducting an ambient heat Weather Service has issued a gather information and begin exposure rulemaking process, Those insights are sobering heat warning or advisory for drafting new occupational gathering information and serve to frame the stakes a local area. On days when health standards pertaining that will apply to both an for safety professionals. The the heat index is 80 degrees to both outdoor heat-related emergency rule (planned for International Safety Equipment Fahrenheit or higher, OSHA illness and unhealthy summer 2022) as well as a Association (ISEA) is especially inspectors and compliance levels of wildfire smoke. permanent rule. concerned with heat stress in assistance specialists will Oregon OSHA also adopted a the workplace. Now is the time engage in proactive outreach for employers in the U.S. to and technical assistance to help develop a heat stress program. stakeholders keep workers safe on the job. Time to Act Four states have also acted Noting that, “rising on workplace heat stress so temperatures pose an imminent far, although each has taken a threat to millions of American different approach. workers exposed to the elements, to kids in schools • California: Title 8 §3395 without air conditioning, to seniors in nursing homes of the California Code without cooling resources, and of Regulations applies particularly to disadvantaged to outdoor places of communities,” President employment in the Biden said in a September agriculture, construction, 2021 statement* that he landscaping, oil and was, “mobilizing an all-of- gas extraction, and transportation industries. *R ead the full message from President Biden on extreme heat available on www.whitehouse.gov. vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 29

Climate change projections indicate • Cooling PPE (when worn • Some products are intended that summers will continue to get hotter—and thus potentially become correctly and usage for indoor environments, more deadly. instructions are followed) while others are designed for can reduce the surface outdoor use. Safety Equipment • Administrative controls of the skin temperature Industry Responds and maintain core body ISEA is also exploring the (such as changes to temperature. (Note best possibility of developing a heat In January 2022, ISEA workloads or work schedules, practices for use of cooling stress solutions standard. It submitted comments in work rest cycles, water PPE later in this article.) would be a specification standard response to OSHA’s request breaks, buddy system, offering performance metrics for for information on heat stress. education on heat stress In addition to submitting heat stress PPE. (For example, a We particularly focused on prevention) can help prevent comments to OSHA: particular PPE item would need best practices for protecting heat illness and reduce heat to maintain a target temperature workers from hazardous heat exposure. • ISEA Senior Director for for a specific amount of time.) exposure, including: • Access to water (for example, Policy Daniel Glucksman What Employers • Engineering controls testified at an OSHA hearing Can Do providing workers with on heat stress. His testimony (such as air conditioning hydration packs and water aimed to educate members Much of the focus on workplace or increased ventilation) to stations where workers can of OSHA’s National Advisory heat stress has spotlighted increase evaporative cooling refill their own water bottles) Committee on Safety and outdoor scenarios, such as and keep body temperatures is vital so workers can drink Health about available types construction sites, however, at safe levels in indoor as needed. For environmental of cooling PPE. it’s equally important to look environments. In outdoor reasons, ISEA recommends at indoor work environments. settings, providing shade is against employers placing • ISEA members are helping Here are tips for both scenarios. important to reduce heat and pallets of plastic water sun exposure. bottles at worksites. to educate employers about Outdoor Work OSHA’s National Emphasis Environments International Program on heat stress and Safety Equipment about available solutions. A heat stress prevention Association's program for outdoor workers Heat Stress • The ISEA board of trustees includes three key elements: infographic held a high-level briefing • Heat awareness training. with OSHA Administrator • Making water, rest, and Douglas L. Parker. shade available. Within ISEA, workplace heat stress has become such • Providing heat-mitigation an important and timely issue that we recently determined personal protective member companies serving equipment (PPE). that market niche should have their own product group within Water, rest, and shade sound the Association. (ISEA product basic, but they take proper groups enable companies planning and management. making and marketing the same product or products to • The water needs to be located work together on common interests and concerns.) near the work being done and should be cold (or at least The Heat Stress Product cooler than ambient air). Group will be fully operational this summer with members • Rest should suit the type of that manufacture equipment and products intended for work being done. The more both indoor and outdoor strenuous the work, the more environments. The group is breaks should be taken. currently aiming to educate the workforce about the risks of heat • While work in outdoor settings stress. Resources and product giveaways are available at sometimes means exposure to safetyequipment.org/heatstress. direct sunlight is unavoidable, providing a shade structure • ISEA member companies to block direct sunlight can reduce temperatures that provide cooling PPE by 15 degrees Fahrenheit. include Ergodyne, Magid, and Rest breaks in vehicles are National Safety Apparel. not advised unless there is always adequate space for all employees. 30 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

Indoor Work is worn). Evaporative products and aid in maintaining core affects all workers exposed to Environments are not ideal in such work body temperature. heat, including indoor workers environments. While a phase without adequate climate- An indoor program needs change vest adds weight and • Cooling PPE should be worn controlled environments.” to include temperature and an additional layer, it can also workload monitoring. When help reduce or maintain the core on areas of the body where The extent and duration of the indoor temperature hits body temperature, allowing for there are large blood vessels heat will vary from region to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6 a safer work environment and located near the surface of the region throughout the U.S. and Celsius), it’s time to make increased productivity. skin (neck, arms, and core). around the globe. But the overall sure employees are able to trend is upward. Workplaces, take breaks. Another consideration for • Studies indicate cooling both indoor and outdoor, need indoor workers: uniforms. to prepare now for what is likely Indoor workers should also If they’re required to wear PPE coverage on the body to be a hotter future. have access to appropriate PPE. a uniform, the employer is directly correlated to its The two main types would be needs to be intentional about effectiveness. (For example, RESOURCES cooling towels that wrap around the uniform’s fabric and a vest that covers the core is Federal: The National Institute the neck, and vented apparel. construction. Does it have more effective at cooling the for Occupational Safety and Employers must determine venting? Lighter and looser body than a towel or bandana Health (NIOSH) has assembled a which types of cooling apparel fabrics are better at reducing on the neck.) robust collection of information work best for their environment, body heat. resources on heat-related issues. such as vests with built-in Risks of Inaction pouches into which frozen gel Personal Protective States: Cal/OSHA offers packs can be inserted, or vests Equipment (PPE) As OSHA explained in comprehensive heat illness that can be dunked in cold announcing its proposed prevention information for water. The aim of both types: Regardless of whether the work rulemaking, “Excessive heat workers and employers, as does take heat away from the body. is outdoors or indoors, cooling can cause heat stroke and even Minnesota OSHA, Oregon OSHA, PPE, when worn correctly death if not treated properly. and Washington (Be Heat Smart). A phase-change product and when use instructions It also exacerbates existing should be worn in high-heat are followed, can reduce the health problems like asthma, Nicole Randall is Director, indoor settings with limited air surface of the skin temperature kidney failure, and heart Marketing & External Affairs, at the flow (or if an impermeable suit disease. Workers in agriculture International Safety Equipment and construction are at the Association in Arlington, Virginia. highest risk, but the problem ® • 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 less than 6 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 vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 31

Are You Prepared for Heat Stress Season? By Melissa Smith, CIH, CHMM, MPH, STS, UCOR Temperature Extremes Subject Matter Expert Now is the time to ensure adequate preparations are underway for the heat stress season. 32 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

Are Job Specific Control and Equipment Available and Ready for Use? DID YOU KNOW? Powered equipment to reduce physical demands Sunhats, sunscreen, head/neck rags You should use Heat shielding Forearm submersion chairs a sunscreen that Tents/Shade Hydration stations has a sun protection Fans/air conditioning Wet Bulb Globe Temperature monitoring Cool vests factor (SPF) of Physiological monitoring at least 15. Entering the warmer During seasonal shifts, each day when working in part of the year requires temperatures fluctuate with heat at ambient temperatures an increased focus on warm and cool days which at or above 80°F during an heat stress hazards and can make heat acclimation a 8-hour shift. controls during work. Heat stress challenge. Heat acclimation is is a very real, very serious acute the process by which you become The body will acclimate to hazard. Consider job specific heat physically adjusted to the hot the level of work demanded stress control implementation environment and plays an of it. Simply being in a hot when the ambient temperatures important role in how well you place is not sufficient. Doing are predicted to reach 80°F tolerate heat. Full acclimation light or brief physical work or greater. requires several consecutive days in the heat will acclimate you You want to ensure heat of work in warm environments, ONLY to light, brief work. stress training is conducted and acclimation can be lost after More strenuous or longer tasks and received prior to work in only a few days of cooler weather require more acclimation and heat stress. Are your workers or time off. During seasonal should be added later in the knowledgeable of heat illness shifts, the heat acclimation acclimation process. symptoms and how to respond? you gain during warmer days, If workers are unsure, who can be lost during cooler days. Most physically fit, hydrated, should they ask? In your personal When warmer days come more rested, and properly nourished life, how are you adequately consistently, allow gradual workers should be able to safely preparing for heat stress season? repeated exposure to heat and handle a full workload after 5 Your acclimation is beneficial make note of how temperature days of gradual increase. Even in reducing your risk for heat fluctuations can impact your though they may not be fully stress. Prepare and be mindful acclimation schedule. acclimated, they will continue about, ‘eating and drinking right,’ to see beneficial improvements and developing/maintaining a The chart below is a sample in heat tolerance for up to two healthy lifestyle. Staying fit is of the acclimation schedule weeks after exposure starts. essential to good health. used at UCOR, which illustrates a 20% increase in duration For more information related to this article, please email [email protected]. vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 33

34 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

HEAT STRESS IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL OPTIONS By Brian H. Petersen, CIH, CSP Heat stress is a common workplace hazard especially in areas that experience high temperatures with high humidity levels. Work scope that requires non-breathable PPE can also represent an ongoing heat stress hazard. To ensure the safety of our workers, it is necessary to be able to properly identify heat stress symptoms. It is equally important to know appropriate mitigations for heat-related illnesses and what steps we need to take in advance. By knowing how to recognize heat stress conditions, worker symptoms, and how to properly mitigate the effects, we can keep workers safe from this avoidable hazard. vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 35

To ensure the safety of our workers, it is necessary to be able to properly identify heat stress symptoms. It is equally important to know appropriate mitigations for heat-related illnesses and what steps we need to take in advance. Heat stress can come from of heat-related illnesses include multiple sources. These include heat rash, heat syncope, heat the environment, physical cramps, heat exhaustion, and exertion, and retention of heat stroke. heat due to PPE. As the core temperature of the body Heat exhaustion is when the increases, it responds by core temperature of the body increasing circulation, which has reached a point at which then dissipates the heat load it can no longer cool itself by transferring the heat to adequately. This means that the skin. This increase in heat the heart cannot pump quickly load causes the skin to start enough to dissipate heat in an sweating which removes the effective manner. Symptoms heat by evaporation. Anything include heavy sweating, that impedes the body’s ability feeling faint or fatigued, to sweat, or the effectiveness headache, a weak, rapid pulse, of sweating, will make it more muscle cramps, and nausea or difficult for a person to handle vomiting. Summon immediate heat load. medical attention if a worker is exhibiting any of these There are many symptoms. environmental and personal factors associated with heat- Heat stroke is the most severe related illness. Environmental form of heat-related illness. This factors include high ambient occurs when the body can no temperature, high humidity, longer regulate incoming heat radiant heat from either a hot and sweating ceases. If a worker process or the sun, and air has been sweating profusely and movement. Personal factors that then stops sweating while still can have important impacts performing the same level of include age, weight, fitness metabolic effort, they may be level, drug or alcohol use, in heat stroke. Other symptoms medical conditions, personal include high body temperature, illness or dehydration, and flushed skin, which is red previous occurrence of heat- and dry, lack of sweating, a related illness. Knowledge of the strong, fast pulse, throbbing job scope, work area, a worker’s headache, and nausea. Summon background and history, are immediate medical attention important in accounting for if a worker is exhibiting any of these risk factors. these symptoms. As heat rises in the body There are a variety of it can produce a myriad of methods that can be used to symptoms. These include lack anticipate and monitor workers of concentration, irritability, for heat-related illnesses. and nausea. Failure to respond OSHA advocates the use of the to a person experiencing Heat Index. This is a tool that these symptoms can lead to uses ambient temperature and permanent disability and even relative humidity to inform a death. The most common types site manager about the potential for heat stress. It is color-coded 36 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

to indicate the relative risk environmental conditions and from yellow to dark red. When is a more accurate measure of working in the yellow area, potential worker exposure to hydration and rest breaks are heat. Devices are manufactured advocated. When environmental and readily available for conditions become more severe purchase and use. and proceed from yellow, through light and dark orange A good analogue for core and into the red level, the temperature reading is anticipated response should measuring a worker’s heart increase. This can include things rate. Multiple technological such as providing cooling areas, solutions for this have already increasing water and shade been produced via the fitness breaks, and rotating work crews. industry. Such options include wrist watches and chest A more comprehensive straps which relay heart rate environmental method for information over Bluetooth anticipating heat stress is the to a smart phone or tablet. wet bulb globe thermometer, With heart rate monitoring often referred to as the WBGT. information, the heart rate This can be calculated using guidance in the ACGIH TLV can inputs such as the dry bulb be used. The main control limits temperature, which is what include a TLV of 180 minus the we are used to reading on a worker’s age. This is the beat thermometer. It also requires per minute limit which should a globe thermometer reading not be exceeded for several which consists of a thermometer minutes of sustained heart rate. located in the center of a black globe. This is effective in picking The other heart rate up radiant heat sources such information that should be as the sun. Finally, it requires a monitored is that when a wet bulb thermometer. This is worker enters a rest phase of a a thermometer that is encased job task, their heart rate should in a cloth filament that wicks be less than 120 bpm. Using real water from a reservoir. As the time monitoring can provide temperature rises it accounts for personalized information on a person sweating as well as the the state of your work force in impact of humidity, as the wick areas with heat stress potential. doesn’t evaporate as readily in A downside of using this kind of high humidity situations. system is that some job-related tasks require greater amounts With those elements, a of physical exertion which can WBGT temperature can be cause a natural increase of ascertained. If using PPE, a the heart rate. Administrative clothing adjustment factor controls must be developed to would be applied to the base account for such activities such WBGT value providing an as exertion windows and rest adjusted WBGT value which can periods where lower heart rate then be compared to a work/rest limits would be monitored and schedule. An example of such potentially enforced. a schedule is provided by the ACGIH, a consensus standard, Brian H. Petersen has been an in their TLV/BEI booklet. An Industrial Hygienist at the Idaho example of a work/rest schedule Cleanup Project since 2005. He would be 75% work/25% rest. is a Certified Industrial Hygienist This would mean that in any as well as a Certified Safety given hour a work crew would Professional. Brian currently work for 45 minutes and then serves as the Industrial Hygiene rest in a cool shaded area for Technical Lead for Idaho 15 minutes. The WBGT more Environmental Coalition, the accurately accounts for local current contract owner of the Idaho Cleanup Project. vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 37

QualityTheImportanceof Cooling Products By John Heniff, Safety Writer for Magid 38 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 4,000 workers feel refreshing unlike some are seriously injured or die from heat stress every year. Additionally, chemically treated garments. the average cost of a heat safety incident is over $53,000, bringing the annual financial toll into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Activation is easy—simply While these statistics are grim, the good news is heat illness is 100% wet the garment thoroughly preventable with the right planning and care. with any temperature of water, wring the excess water out, Y ou can protect But keep in mind that, while to become warm and feel like a then snap and wave a few workers from the heat lighter PPE will help, you hot, wet rag that fails to lower times to activate the cooling by taking a few simple also need to do something to the wearer’s core temperature properties. The material’s and inexpensive heat actively cool workers in hot and may even increase it. outer layers are absorbent to safety measures, such as: conditions. This has been tough enhance the natural evaporation in the past, but new technology Many garments are designed process while the inner layer • Offering them cool water in cooling PPE helps your to reactivate for extended use. is designed with a unique workers stay cool while working But using an inferior cooling micro-groove construction to and electrolyte-replacing in the heat for hours. material means your workers retain more water. And since beverages before, during, and will need to dip the item in the material can activate with after their shift The goal of cooling cold water throughout their any temperature of water, your gear is to prevent shift to keep it cool. This is not workers can save cool water • Acclimatizing them to the the wearer’s only tiresome and annoying to to drink and use lukewarm temperature an overheated worker, but it or even hot water to activate heat on their jobsite over from rising to disrupts their productivity, too. and reactivate the garments. the course of 7–14 days to dangerous levels Though it’s useful for any improve heat tolerance and to help them Other garments are treated hot jobs, whether outdoors feel comfortable with chemicals to help them or indoors, this makes Magid • Scheduling proper work- enough to be stay cool for long periods of Cool especially useful for productive. time. While they work well, workers in remote settings to-rest ratios based on they can feel slimy after a while away from air-conditioning air temperature and level The Trouble with in the heat. and refrigerators like in the of workload Typical Cooling agriculture, construction, or oil Garments The Latest Cooling and gas industries. But what else can be done Fabric Technology to protect workers in hot The goal of cooling gear Available in navy blue as conditions, especially those who is to prevent the wearer’s To build the best solution for well as eye-catching hi-vis wear heavy PPE that can trap heat temperature from rising to industrial workers, Magid has lime yellow, this proprietary against the body? dangerous levels and to help partnered with Mission® to cooling technology is available them feel comfortable enough make lightweight and portable in durable cooling towels as For hazards like welding to be productive. Traditional cooling PPE that helps keep well as skull caps that fit under that require heavy protection cooling garments don’t stay workers both comfortable and hard hats, bandanas that can that’s primarily needed at the cool for long. Instead, they tend safe on the job. Magid Cool be worn skinny or wide, and front of the worker’s body, Powered by Mission® activates neck gaiters/face covers that manufacturers like Magid® offer in roughly a minute, cools to can be worn 12 different ways if jackets and chaps with mesh or 30° F below the average body your workers can’t wear loose open backs to keep workers safe temperature and stays cool garments on the job. while still allowing airflow. For for up to 2 hours. The material other applications, new Magid is chemical-free, machine Why waste your time or innovations in gloves, sleeves, washable, and can be reactivated money on something that’s and clothing provide the lightest anytime throughout the day for not the latest and greatest material on the market that still renewed cooling. This means cooling technology? The offers protection up to ANSI they can stay cool and still latest technologies are unlike Cut Level A9 to keep workers anything you’ve ever seen protected from hazards while before and do an incredible job keeping them as cool as possible at keeping your crew safe in the in lightweight PPE. heat. Don’t settle for less! vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 39

Membership Corner Follow us on social media! LinkedIn: VPPPA, Inc. Facebook @VPPPA Twitter: @VPPPA Instagram: @VPPPA_Inc VPPPA’s VPP Online is now available for sign up! Safety Star of the Quarter In 2021, VPPPA partnered with auditing technology innovative leader, AuditSoft, to reinvent the annual VPP Self-Evaluation process for The VPPPA Safety VPPPA members. Now available for sign up on the VPPPA website, VPP Star of the Quarter Online aims to simplify the process by which Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) participants submit their annual self-evaluations. is a program to honor and recognize The VPP Online platform, available for use by both federal and state plan VPP sites, allows for easy collaboration among team members by providing a single an employee’s location for all report information and supporting documents to be uploaded. Additionally, achievements in safety the program reduces calculation errors commonly seen in the self-evaluation process by automatically calculating necessary statistics that are required for submitting the report, performance and including injury and illness rates by NAICS code. Most importantly, this platform allows for the professionalism. Thank standardization of the online self-evaluation, by creating a consistent process to upload and deliver the necessary information in the correct format that can be repeated year after year. you to all our VPPPA Safety Stars and VPPPA VPPPA conducted an early user trial in January of 2022 to test the capabilities of the platform. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the participants, who shared that their members for their main take away were the platform’s ease of use, ability to collaborate with teammates, continued contributions automatic injury and illness rate calculation, instant report generation, and the ability to have to the safety and health these reports in a central location for review in future years. community. Safety Stars The majority of the 22 State Plan States and almost half of the Federal OSHA regions have of the Quarter will be approved the platform and confirmed they will accept the report. featured on our website, To learn more about VPP Online and to sign up for access, visit our website at social media, Leader vpppa.org/vpp-online/. magazine, On the Level Don’t Miss Out on VPPPA’s Labor Summit Webinar Series e-newsletter, and receive a certificate. The Labor Summits are monthly 30-minute webinars showcasing a diverse mix of speakers and topics designed to engage workers, both represented and non-represented, to jointly and collectively discuss workplace safety. Labor summits last 30 minutes to minimize impacts to work schedules and are available as recordings the same day. Topics range from women in the workforce to building safety culture within your workplace, new workplace hazards, worker trainer programs, and more. 3rd Quarter Safety Star Learn more at Joe Marez www.vpppa.org/ INVISTA webinars VPP Coordinator/SGE Victoria, Texas vpppa.org (Region VI) To learn more about Joe, or to submit someone to be considered as a Safety Star, please visit our website: https://www.vpppa.org/ membership/safety-star/. You can also email [email protected]. 40 Leader—Summer 2022

A Note from VPPPA’s Membership & Outreach DID YOU KNOW? Manager, Son Nguyen Heat illness is Summer is here! This year, people are returning to normalcy 100% with vacations, having fun outdoors, and preventable. taking it easy. Regional Events Last summer, there was a trend that became known as the Great Resignation. Many VPPPA Regions are hosting events in the coming year. Many people left their jobs due to family care Make sure to visit www.vpppa.org/regional-events for the responsibilities, health issues, or to pursue new opportunities. No most up-to-date information on regional events. matter the reason, with the Great Resignation came job vacancies, and job vacancies mean your VPPPA membership no longer has a primary contact and has outdated membership information. While inaccurate contact information may seem like a minor inconvenience, it can open up a world of problems, because proper communication is the key to a successful association/member relationship. You deserve to be as informed as possible on your account, and without having the correct contact information on file, it makes it difficult for us to reach you with important information such as dates of upcoming events, new membership benefits, or your membership renewal invoice. Proper communication is the key to a successful association/member relationship. Staff changes are a normal part of a busy business. In order for us to make sure we’re relaying the right information to the right person, it’s important to let us know if the primary contact has recently been hired or changed. This way, when we call or reach out with any account information, we can be sure that we’re addressing the right person. The easiest way to update your information would be to login to the Member Portal. To login, follow these steps: • Visit www.vpppa.org • Click on Member Login on the Home Page • Enter your username (email address) • Enter your password (If you ever forget your password, click the “Forgot your password?” link to receive an email with a password reset link.) You can also update your information by contacting membership@ vpppa.org at any time. vpppa.org Leader—Summer 2022 41

www.vpppa.org VPPPA National Board of Directors Ad Index Page 41 Chairperson Advertiser Website Terry Schulte, NuStar Energy, LP Always in Mind (A.I.M) www.aimforsafety.com Vice Chairperson Dan Lazorcak, CSP, Honeywell International Bollé Safety www.bollesafety-usa.com 44 Treasurer Ericson www.ericson.com 26 Sean D. Horne, Valero Energy Gas Clip www.gascliptech.com 2 Secretary Bill Linneweh, CSP, Hendrickson International Industrial Scientific www.indsci.com 11 Director from a Site With a Collective KPA www.kpa.io 15 Bargaining Unit Jack Griffith, Central Plateau Roco Rescue www.rocorescue.com 43 Cleanup Company Working Concepts www.softknees.com 31 Director from a Site Without a Collective Bargaining Agent VPPPA contacts T o reach the VPPPA National Office, call (703) 761-1146 or visit Johnathan “JD” Dyer, Structuretone/LF Driscoll www.vpppa.org. To reach a particular staff member, please refer to the contact information below. Director from a DOE-VPP Site Michelle Keever, UCOR, an Amentum-Led Sara A. Taylor, CMP Kerri Usher Son Nguyen Partnership with Jacobs Director of Operations Communications & Membership & [email protected] Outreach Manager Outreach Manager Director from a VPP Contractor/ [email protected] [email protected] Construction Site Heidi Hill Brad Gibson, S&B Engineers & Constructors Partnership Manager Ariana Hanaity Bryan Knight [email protected] Communications Coordinator UX Web Services Programmer Director-at-Large [email protected] [email protected] Vacant Lisa Silber Sales & Advertising Sierra Johnson Director-at-Large Coordinator Senior Education Coordinator Shelly Ettel, Amentum [email protected] [email protected] Director-at-Large Saprena Lyons, Fluor Idaho Director-at-Large Christina Ross, Morton Salt Director-at-Large Daniel Charles, Brandenburg Industrial Service Company Director-at-Large Andy Foster, Hanford Mission Integrated Solutions Editor Kerri Usher, VPPPA, Inc. Associate Editor Ariana Hanaity, 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. Ideas and opinions expressed within the Leader represent the independent views of the authors. Postmaster >> Please send address changes to: VPPPA, Inc. • 7600 Leesburg Pike, East Building, Suite 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. 42 Leader—Summer 2022 vpppa.org

WE DO SAFETY NEWSa! fety Professionals from Roco Rescue There’s a safe way, and a safer way– ROCO MOTTO Safety Never Stops...Neither Do We! Maximize Safety while maintaining Job Productivity – SAFETY Safety shouldn’t unnecessarily slow down your project; in fact, it should keep your job running more smoothly. Roco Safety Specialists are trained to maximize safety without sacrificing job production. We offer Roco-experienced professionals, motivated to keep your people safe while they get the job done. Let us provide additional safety support personnel for your next project or turnaround. Experienced Safety Professionals Integrated Safety Teamwork Effective Incident Prevention Visit RocoRescue.com/services or call 800-647-7626 to discuss your needs today.

7600 Leesburg Pike, East Building, 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 WHEN OTHERS SEE LIMITATIONS YOU SEE OPPORTUNITIES Don’t just protect your eyes. Improve what you use them for with Comfort Sense Perception (CSP) filtering technology. With multiple tints and technologies to choose from, our innovative lenses are designed to protect and improve your vision no matter what your particular situation entails. 800-222-6553 bolle-safety.com [email protected]