2014 Summer Leader - Travel and Transportation Industry Safety

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, SUMMER 2014RAILROADTRACK SAFETYSAFEST IN DECADES,MORE IMPROVEMENTSON THE HORIZON



chairman’s messageI look forward to seeing Dear Members,everyone at the nationalconference Aug. 24–28, IT was great visiting with the attendees at the five regional conferences I attended2014 at the beautiful this year and I look forward to seeing everyone at the national conferenceGaylord National Hotel, Aug. 24–28, 2014, at the beautiful Gaylord National Hotel, located on thelocated on the Potomac Potomac River in the Washington, DC, area. Early registrations and hotel reservations pointRiver in the Washington, to a significant increase in attendance over last year’s conference in Nashville.DC, area. The regional conferences were well attended and provided excellent workshops. All of the regional boards and their volunteers did a great job again this year in providing all attendees with well-organized conferences. Participation in our latest letter writing campaign at the regional conferences was excellent, as usual. Nearly 6,000 letters generated at the conferences were hand delivered to members of Congress during our June congressional outreach, following the quarterly board of directors meeting. The June congressional outreach, designed to educate members of Congress on the benefits of VPP, resulted in 125 successful meetings, giving us a total of 229 this year. As I mentioned earlier, this year’s national conference provides everyone with the opportunity to attend an outstanding educational event, network with other attendees and see the numerous interesting sights of Washington, DC. It is also a great time to bring your families, so they can also experience the numerous historical treasures. Thank you, and remember with everyone working together, the best is yet to come. MIKE MADDOX Chairman VPPPA Board of Directors THE LEADER vpppa.org 3

LTHEEADER CONTENTSVOL 1. ISSUE 2 SUMMER 2014cover 18 Railroad Track features 28The Evolution of Safety—Safest Biking Culture in Decades, More 24 Only the Best Need Improvements on the Apply—The American Many cities seeking to attract Millennials Horizon Airlines VPP Journey and Boomers in search of a less car-centric lifestyle turn to the Urban Bikeway Design In the 1960’s and 1970’s, a troubling When American Airlines and US Airways Guide and the Urban Street Design Guide, number of track-caused accidents merged in December 2013, the result was published by the National Association of occurred in the United States on a the world’s largest airline. Excluding regional City Transportation Officials (NACTO), for deteriorated railroad infrastructure. Since affiliates, the combined airline currently guidance. As active transportation grows in those discouraging years, the railroad operates a fleet of 970 aircraft. Keeping the popularity among all age groups, new tools industry has seen substantial improvements flying public safe and the fleet in optimum like the NACTO guides will be developed to in track safety. In fact, the number of track- mechanical condition requires a small army speed the creation of a culture of health, caused accidents in 2013 is the lowest of maintenance and engineering workers community connectedness and actual and since the Federal Railroad Administration at several maintenance bases in the United perceived safety. An exciting outcome is (FRA) established the Federal Track Safety States. The largest of these, spread over increased collaboration between cities, Standards (FTSS) in 1971. Fatalities and 300 acres at Tulsa International Airport, is professional associations, citizens, businesses injuries to maintenance-of-way workers the American Airlines Maintenance and and advocacy groups. who occupy the track continue to be Engineering Center (M&E Center) that a challenge to the railroad industry. The employs over 6,000 people. The Tulsa M&E number of fatalities to roadway workers Center provides major overhaul services for who work on the track has been reduced the airline’s multiple fleet types along with from eight fatalities in 1987 to two fatalities overhaul and servicing of engines, landing in 2013. Although there were several years gear and other aircraft components. with fewer fatalities after the Roadway The work is intricate, exacting and labor Worker Protection Rule (RWP) became intensive. In 2010, the average OSHA effective in 1997, there were also a few recordable injury rate for the Tulsa M&E years during this period where fatalities Center was 9.5. At that time, Vice President approached the 1987 level. Railroads, rail Base Maintenance Bill Collins set the labor and FRA are working together to expectation that the OSHA rate would be achieve zero fatalities in the industry and lowered to 2.0 within two years. continue the positive trend experienced in the last four years.4 THE LEADER vpppa.org

features continued incidents were the leading cause of www.vpppa.org workplace fatalities, comprising 41 percent32 The Distracted of all incidences. Motor vehicle crashes are VPPPA National Board of Directors Driving Epidemic a heavy burden for Americans, causing $871 billion in economic loss and societal harm. ChairpersonPoor driving behaviors, such as driver Crash costs include lost productivity, property Mike Maddox, NuStar Energy, LPinattention and aggression, have been damage, medical and rehabilitationidentified as the primary cause of 90 percent costs, legal and court costs, emergency Vice Chairpersonof all traffic fatalities. For example, in 2012 services and insurance administration costs. Mike Guillory, SGE, The Brock Groupthere were 33,561 people killed on the Employers should take steps to develop,roadways of the United States. If 90 percent implement, enforce and monitor a strong Treasurerof these fatalities were caused by driver distracted driving program in the workplace. Chris Adolfson, Idaho National Laboratorybehavior, just over 30,000 lives could havebeen saved in one year with the adoption Look for these topics highlighted in the Secretaryof good driving behaviors by the motoring top right corner of each section. Anthony Stoner, Integrity Windows and Doorspublic. The United States Department ofLabor reported that in 2012, transportation G overnment Director from a Site With a Collective Bargaining Agentsections M embership Kent Lang, Clearwater Paper CorporationGLOBAL SAFETY AND 6 H ealth Director from a Site Without a Collective HEALTH WATCH Bargaining Agent 7 Business Robert Henson, LyondellBasellWASHINGTON UPDATE 8STATE-PLAN MONITOR 11 Outreach Director from a DOE-VPP SiteCHAPTER ROUND-UPS 16 Stacy Thursby, Washington Closure Hanford30TH ANNUAL NATIONAL VPPPA CONFERENCE 36 Director from a VPP Contractor/INFOGRAPHIC CORNER 37 Construction SiteGOVERNMENT RELATIONS Richard McConnell, Austin IndustrialCOUNSEL MESSAGE 38 at LyondellBasellMEMBER SPOTLIGHT 40MEMBER INFO CORNER 42 Director-at-LargeCALENDAR OF EVENTS 43 Frank Avila, Motorola SolutionsCROSSWORD PUZZLE Director-at-Large Shelley Baber, FirstEnergy Corporation Director-at-Large Bill Harkins, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company Director-at-Large J.A. Rodriguez, Jr., CSP, SGE , Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC Director-at-Large Terry Schulte, NuStar Energy, LP Editor Sarah Neely, VPPPA, Inc. Editorial Mission The Leader (ISSN 1081-261X) is published quarterly for VPPPA members. The Leader delivers articles from members for members, safety and health best practices, developments in the field of occupational safety and health, association activities, educational and networking opportunities and the latest VPP approvals. Subscriptions are available for members as part of their membership benefits and at a 50 percent discount beyond the complimentary allotment. The nonmember subscription rate is $25 a year. Ideas and opinions expressed within The Leader represent the independent views of the authors. Postmaster >> Please send address changes to: VPPPA, Inc. • 7600-E Leesburg Pike • Ste. 100 Falls Church, VA 22043-2004 VPPPA, Inc., the premier global safety and health organization, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes advances in worker safety and health excellence through best practices and cooperative efforts among workers, employers, the government and communities. THE LEADER vpppa.org 5

global safety and health watchThinking of Taking that Trip to a Caribbean Island Paradise?Protect Yourself from ChikungunyaBY SARAH NEELY, debilitating joint pain and joint swelling. protected from the outdoor elements,COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, VPPPA Symptoms typically subside after a week; mosquito nets should be used if possible. As an although joint pain can last months or years added layer of protection, the mosquito netsA pproximately nine million Americans in some people. Deaths are extremely rare for should be chemically treated. At home, ensure travel to the Caribbean every year chikungunya sufferers, but the groups that are that you have screens on all of your windows. to take advantage of the picturesque at the highest risk of developing a debilitatingisland getaways, extravagant resorts, charming or severe form of the disease are newborns, If you are returning from a trip to thebeaches and a multitude of activities such as people over 65 years old and individuals with Caribbean and exhibit a high fever, jointsnorkeling, scuba diving, island exploration, high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease. pain or a rash within two weeks, you shouldsunbathing and boating. And why wouldn’t contact your doctor immediately. Make surethey? There is no shortage of cruise packages There is no cure or vaccine for the illness; you let your doctor know that you wereoffered for a relatively low price. Low budget however contracting the disease is thought to recently in the Caribbean. While antiviralsairlines offer several deals throughout the spring, prevent future infections. This provides little do not exist for chikungunya, pain medicinesummer and fall. Groupon and LivingSocial, comfort for those suffering from long-term is used to make the symptoms more bearableamong others, regularly provide all-inclusive joint pain. A study in Italy found that 50 during the week-long recovery.Caribbean getaway packages for a steal! On top percent of people infected with chikungunyaof that, the ease of traveling to these destinations suffered joint pain, muscle pain and weakness As this magazine went to print, it wasin lieu of Hawaii, the South Pacific, Asia or up to a year after the onset of the first reported that a couple in Florida contractedSouth America, provides a luxury experience symptoms. Sixty percent of these sufferers still Chikungunya without traveling. This is thewithout having to take a lot of time off work or reported musculoskeletal pain up to three years first known instance of the infection occurringspend a lot of money to get there. after the initial infection. The study was done in mainland U.S. More information about the on infected people who were over 45 years old. virus can be found on the CDC’s website, In December of 2013, the Centers for www.cdc.gov/chikungunya or the WHO’sDisease Control and Prevention (CDC) As more cases appear in the U.S., along website http://www.who.int/en/.announced the first non-imported, locally with the added complication of a 2–12 daycontracted cases of chikungunya in the incubation period, locally contracted infectionsAmericas. The first infections in the Western are inevitably going to occur. Given that theHemisphere occurred in the Caribbean, first cases were reported in the Caribbean inindicating that the local mosquito population Dec. 2013 and the WHO estimates statedwas infecting local inhabitants. Prior to this, above, the rate of infection is spreading quickly.infections of chikungunya were restricted to The disease cannot be transmitted from personthose who had recently traveled to South-east to person—a mosquito that bites an infectedAsia, Southern Europe and parts of Africa. person will pass the virus on when it then goesAs of June 20, 2014, The Pan American on to bite a non-infected person.Health Organization (PAHO) had calculatedover 170,000 suspected cases of the illness To minimize your risk of contractingin the Caribbean alone. The World Health chikungunya, extra precautions to preventOrganization (WHO) estimates this number mosquito bites should be taken both at hometo be closer to 180,000. and on vacation. Many preventative action plans are well-known and widely practiced such This year, the prevalence of U.S. travelers as using mosquito repellant containing DEET,contracting the mosquito-borne illness has picardin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, wearingincreased as vacation season set in. In June long sleeves and disposing of standing water2014, there were 57 confirmed infections in water bottles, potted plans, swim floats andof the disease reported within the U.S., all standing pools in yards or in wooded areas.originating on Caribbean islands. The majority Since the majority of infectious mosquitoesof those cases have been reported in Florida, bite during daylight hours, efforts should bebut other infections have been noted in North taken to avoid being outside when unnecessary.Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, If you are going to be in a hotel with facilitiesAlabama and Georgia. Chikungunya that are not screened in or sufficientlycauses flu-like symptoms, a rash, a feverof approximately 104 F, headache, severe6 THE LEADER vpppa.org

washington updateBY CHARLIE DOSS,GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER, VPPPA, INC.Trucking Regulation Debate NHTSA Stresses Tire Safety Motor Vehicle Safety has released a strategic plan to reduce fatalities from motor vehicleThe car accident that killed comic James In conjunction with National Tire Safety crashes, the leading cause of work-relatedMcNair and injured actor and comedian Week at the beginning of June, the NHTSA deaths in the U.S. The plan, which coversTracy Morgan has provoked new debates over provided resources and guidance to help the years through 2018, identifies five mainregulation of commercial trucks in the U.S. consumers prevent tire failure and related goals: developing a better understandingThe sleep-deprived driver of a truck, according crashes while increasing the life of tires. of risk factors; implementing engineeringto a criminal complaint, had not slept for 24 Proper maintenance of tires includes making and technology-based safety interventions;hours when he struck the bus carrying McNair sure they are properly inflated, rotated as implementing evidence-based road safetyand Morgan in New Jersey. needed and that wheels are balanced and management policies; national and aligned. Additionally, NHTSA cautions that international collaboration on research and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has called even unused tires suffer from aging. For guidance; and improving guidance andon the Department of Transportation to speed further information, including advice on informational products. More informationup the implementation of a requirement that purchasing tires and looking up tire recalls, can be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh/drivers and companies electronically log the visit the agency’s TireWise site at docs/2014-122/.number of hours driven. Senator Cory Booker www.safercar.gov/tires/.(D-NJ) asked the department to review truck OSHA Expanding Lubbock Officeweight and driver fatigue regulations. Truck Slow Changes in Rules ascrash fatalities have increased each year since Drones’ Role Expands The Lubbock, TX, OSHA office is being2009, reaching 3,912 in 2012, the last year upgraded from a district to an area office.data is available. In a June 23, 2014 memo, the Federal The agency cites an increasing population Aviation Administration (FAA) reiterated its and an associated increase in workloads forAnnual Cost of U.S. Vehicle ban on the use of aerial drones for business the change. Lubbock’s population is predictedCrashes Near $1 Trillion deliveries, stymieing the stated goal of to double by the end of the decade as a result Amazon to begin drone delivery of consumer of increased activity in oil and gas industries.The National Highway Traffic Safety purchases. The memo follows a case in Other cities covered by the office includeAdministration (NHTSA) published a report March that the FFA lost in an administrative Abilene, Amarillo and Midland-Odessa.examining the economic and social costs of court and is appealing that allowed an aerialmotor vehicle crashes utilizing data from photography business to not pay a fine Safe Patient Handling Resource2010. The topline figure is $871 billion in for using a drone. The agency has statedtotal annual costs in the U.S. from 32,999 that it will consider revisiting the ban on OSHA has put out a new brochure forfatalities, 3.9 million non-fatal injuries and 24 commercial drones in the future, which has nursing home and residential workers.million damaged vehicles. Direct economic been in place since 2007. “Safe Patient Handling: Musculoskeletalcosts reached $277 billion, $900 per American Disorders in Nursing Homes” offers techniquesor nearly two percent of the nation’s gross First entering the public consciousness and strategies to help reduce the injury anddomestic product (GDP), NHTSA highlights. because of their military and intelligence illness rate for healthcare workers, whichThe $594 billion in social costs account for the applications, aerial drones are poised to take was twice that of construction workers inloss of life and quality of life. on an expanded role in society. The FAA 2012. Common problems include muscle estimates that the number of small commercial strains, tendinitis and lower back and rotator The use of seatbelts prevented $69 drones could reach 7,500 by 2018 if proper cuff injuries. A PDF of the brochure canbillion in costs, but the failure to wear them regulations are established. On June 10, 2014, be accessed at www.osha.gov/Publications/incurred $14 billion in economic losses the FAA authorized the use of unmanned OSHA3708.pdf.and $72 billion overall. Distracted driving aircraft systems (UAS) for commercial useresulted in $129 billion in total costs. The over land for the first time. The small craft,two greatest culprits were drunk driving with a nine-foot wingspan, will examineand speeding. Driving under the influence infrastructure including roads and pipelinesof alcohol accounted for nearly a quarter on Alaska’s North Slope for BP. Both agencyof costs, $199 billion; 90 percent of these and company hope the use of drones will helpincidents involved a driver with a blood protect the environment and improve safety foralcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. individuals. Additionally, the FAA has askedNHTSA estimated that speeding over the for public comment on allowing the film andposted limit contributed to $210 billion television industry to use UASs.in total costs. The final major source ofcosts were accidents involving bicyclists or NIOSH Vehicle Safety Planpedestrians at $90 billion. The report fromNHTSA can be read in its entirety at www- The National Institute for Occupationalnrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812013.pdf. Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Center for THE LEADER vpppa.org 7

state-plan monitorCOMPILED BY Arizona Management (PSM) standard, because of theCHARLIE DOSS, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS large quantities of highly hazardous chemicalsMANAGER, VPPPA, INC. The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety used in their processes, have a vested interest and Health (ADOSH) is working diligently in using contractors that are especially Federal OSHA States to get the word out about the Voluntary strong with regards to safety and health. State-Plan States Protection Programs and currently has 34 Star LyondellBasell (formally Equistar), located in Public Sector Only sites participating. They are close to announcing Clinton, Iowa, has been a VPP Star company the 35th site once the final activity is closed since 2002, producing high and low densityEmployees at Performance Pipe proudly out. ADOSH was recently approached by polyethylene. LyondellBasell strongly supportspresent their Volunteer Star flag several new companies who are working on resident contractors for VPP Star approval. their applications, several of which were in Out of eight resident contractors, three have attendance at the VPPPA Region IX Conference achieved the VPP status, with three others in Anaheim, CA, as well as representatives from being currently evaluated. Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) participants who want to One of the best practices supported by move into VPP. Jessie Atencio, assistant director LyondellBasell is the creation of the Contractor and VPP program coordinator for ADOSH, Safety Council that is open to all of their anticipates a very busy fourth quarter and contracting companies. The Clinton site projects more work into the first quarter of the Contractor Safety Council is a self-managed 2015 fiscal year when it comes to VPP activity. group that promotes positive communication between the trades and the host company. Over the past few quarters, ADOSH has The group has their own website and they made good on their promise to integrate a meet monthly to share information and work few Special Government Employees (SGE) toward goals. Information shared includes: best into their VPP onsite inspection teams. Jessie practices, near miss reports, incident reports, Atencio stated, “Having them as part of the BBS observations, permit improvements, safety VPP Team makeup allowed for a greater and walkthrough results and Goal Zero awards. broader evaluation of the safety and health management system at those participating Among the many best practices that the sites.” Atencio noted that all sites visited were Contractor Safety Council promotes is the complimentary of the SGEs’ knowledge and Contractor Swap Program. Contractors recommendations towards best practices. As exchange employees during their weekly safety a result, ADOSH thanks the Star site leaders walkthroughs to “gain a new set of eyes,” for allowing them to participate during re- which improves safety walkthrough quality, approval audits. gains insight into the challenges other contractors must manage and continuously ADOSH VPP numbers include 34 improves communication between trades. The participating Star sites, with five re-approvals Contractor Council is a very effective tool to this year. support the journey of all of the resident contractors in achieving VPP status. Hawaii For more information about the Iowa Hawaii has some movement in the Voluntary VPP Program, contact VPP Coordinator Protection Programs and there are now four Shashi Patel at (515) 281-6369 or visit companies recognized as VPP Star sites. The www.iowaworkforce.org/labor/iosh. most recent addition is Monsanto in Molokai. If your organization is interested in obtaining Michigan additional information on VPP in Hawaii and how it is applied, contact Hawaii OSHA The number of sites in Michigan’s Voluntary at (808) 586-9100 or go to their website and Protection Programs currently stands at 30 review the policies and procedures for VPP: with 27 Star, one Rising Star (Merit) and labor.hawaii.gov/hiosh/files/2013/01/vpp_ two MVPPC (construction) sites. MIOSHA manual_rev_6-12-07-tagged.pdf. has been active in the promotion of the MVPP with MVPP Specialist Doug Kimmel Iowa delivering presentations on the program to the management and employees of several Contractor safety management is a well- companies including: Abbott Nutrition established VPP sub-element. Companies in Sturgis, Marathon Pipeline, LLC in that are covered by OSHA’s Process Safety8 THE LEADER vpppa.org

Woodhaven, The Brock Group and RAM communication from site to site. Our current that the state-plan is currently reviewing VPPConstruction Services. stakeholders continue to promote the program in order to determine the best path for future to their clients which has led to an increase of growth of the Voluntary Protection Programs. Re-evaluation onsite reviews have been inquiries into the program. Our MNSTAR sitesperformed at Dow Corning in Auburn and share best practices from site to site which allows Congratulations are in order for one ofGeorgia-Pacific in Grayling. Each of these onsite all employers to strive to be better. Nevada’s newest additions to the VPP family,reviews went well, and the MVPP review teams Clearwater Paper Corporation in North Lasthat conducted the reviews have recommended At this time, Minnesota VPP (MNSTAR) has Vegas, and to their most recent re-approvalthat these sites be re-approved. Reviews of the three official new site approvals and one Merit recipient, Chevron Performance Pipe, out ofWalbridge MVPPC Munger Resident Hall, Wall recommendation since the last issue of The Leader: Reno. Keep up the good work everyone!Street Parking Deck and East Quad projects in • Nyco, Incorporated in Rosemount wasAnn Arbor have also been conducted. Tennessee recommended and approved as a full The spring MVPP Mentor Meeting was MNSTAR site. On May 28, 2014, Steve Hawkins,again held in conjunction with the Michigan • Delta Air Lines Minneapolis Reservations administrator of Tennessee OSHA, presentedSafety Conference. It was a great success, Customer Engagement Center was the employees of Performance Pipe in Knoxvillewith representatives from many MVPP sites recommended and approved as a full with the site’s Volunteer Star re-approval award.attending. All attendees at the conference MNSTAR site. On April 29, 2014, Commissioner Burnswere invited to attend the meeting. It was an • Firmenich in New Ulm was recommended Phillips recognized General Electric Capitalexcellent opportunity for them to network with and approved as a full MNSTAR site. Aviation Services in Memphis as the state’sindividuals from sites that are in the program. • Sysco Asian Foods in St. Paul has been newest Volunteer Star site. Tennessee OSHA has recommended to participate as a Merit recently conducted a successful onsite evaluation A half-day informational workshop on the MNSTAR Site. at Monsanto in Union City.MVPP will be held on Sept. 17, 2014. The Additionally, we have completed oneworkshop is being hosted by International re-approval as a Merit site since the last VirginiaPaper, Sturgis. Those interested in attending update in The Leader: Danfoss Power Solutioncan find more details on the MIOSHA training in Plymouth. VPP continues to thrive in Virginia. The newcalendar: www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7- The MNSTAR Team continues to receive regional coordinators have taken over leading154-61256-40999--,00.html. The Fall MVPP inquires and has visited multiple employers re-approval evaluation teams and joined in onMentor Meeting will be held Oct. 29, 2014, at having interest in the MNSTAR Program. The other evaluation teams. These new employeesthe Walbridge headquarters in Detroit. “Like” small team approach has allowed MNOSHA to have been vital in keeping the momentumus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter remain consistent from site to site and helped going in Virginia.www.twitter.com/mi_osha. alleviate any scheduling conflicts. All employers are held to the same high standard required Congratulations to our newest VPP site, For further details on the MVPP contact for participation in the program and are Kennametal, Inc. in Chilhowie for theirDoug Kimmel, MVPP specialist, at encouraged to share the best practices among recent successful Star approval evaluation.(231) 546-2366 or visit the MIOSHA website the other MNSTAR participants.at www.michigan.gov/miosha. If you would like further information about Congratulations to the following sites for the MNSTAR Program, please visit www.doli. their recent re-approval as Star sites:Minnesota state.mn.us/WSC/Mnstar.asp or contact Ryan • Frito-Lay Traffic in Lynchburg Nosan, MNSTAR VPP coordinator, at ryan. • Frito-Lay Manufacturing in LynchburgMinnesota currently has 37 Star sites and [email protected]. • Lockheed-Martin MS2 in Manassastwo Merit sites within the Minnesota VPP • Delta Air Lines in Alexandria(MNSTAR) program. Of the 37 Star sites, Nevada35 are classified as general industry and two Frito-Lay and Delta Air Lines hosted aare resident contractors at our MNSTAR The State of Nevada is seeing growth in their number of visitors from sites interested incertified refinery. 2014 has been a very strong VPP ranks with nine participating sites as of VPP during the opening day of their re-year for Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA) and this article. VPP Coordinator Jess Lankford, approval evaluations.the MNSTAR program. Since the beginning who was also in attendance at the Region IXof the year we have continued to process our conference in April in Anaheim, explained they We are busy planning other events wherere-approval audits in a timely manner and have two new applications for the remainder of VPP will be showcased by current sites. Forhave completed three new site approvals into 2014, and the state will be performing three re- example, Huber Engineered Woods in CrystalMNSTAR. In addition, one site has been approval audits in the Reno area. Nevada also Hill sponsored a Best Practices Day on July 23,recommended to participate with Merit status. anticipates doing an initial audit for entry into 2014, at Southside Virginia Community CollegeTwo applications have also been received and VPP for an organization operating at a mobile in South Boston, with presenters from severalare scheduled to be processed. document shredding facility before the end other VPP sites. A big “thank you” to Huber of the year. In addition, Lankford explained Engineered Woods for sponsoring this event and Having a dedicated MNSTAR team has having their employees provide a review of theirallowed us to build strong working relationships employee-driven safety initiatives.with our partners and has helped open lines of The Region III VPPPA Conference will be held at the historic Homestead Resort in 9 THE LEADER vpppa.org

state-plan monitorcontacting each state >>Alaska Michigan South Carolina Plans are coming together Sharon Dumit for the 19th Annual VOSHBill Nickerson Doug Kimmel VPP Coordinator Conference held at the Phone: (803) 896-7788 Hampton Roads ConferenceVPP Coordinator MVPP Specialist www.scosha.llronline.com Center in Hampton, VA, Oct. 8–10, 2014.Phone: (907) 269-4948 Phone: (231) 546-2366 Tennessee David Blessman Hot Springs, VA, March 4–6, 2015. Wewww.labor.state.ak.us/lss/ Sherry Scott VPP Manager will sponsor the free (no tuition) Special Phone: (615) 253-6890 Government Employees class in conjunctionoshhome.htm MVPP Manager www.state.tn.us/labor- with the conference. Visit www.vppparegion3. wfd/vppStar.html org for details.Arizona Phone: (517) 322-5817Jessie Atencio www.michigan.gov/mvpp Utah Plans are coming together for the 19th Holly Lawrence Annual VOSH Conference held at theAssistant Director Minnesota VPP Manager Hampton Roads Conference Center in Phone: (801) 530-6494 Hampton, VA, Oct. 8–10, 2014. ForPhone: (520) 220-4222 Ryan Nosan www.laborcommission. more information, vendor registration utah.gov/divisions/UOSH/ or sponsorships, contact the Director ofwww.ica.state.az.us/ MNSTAR VPP Coordinator VPPprogram.html Cooperative Programs at (804) 786-6613 or visit www.doli.virginia.gov.ADOSH/ADOSH_main. Phone: (651) 284-5120 Vermont Daniel Whipple Finally, there will be an SGE classaspx www.doli.state.mn.us/ VPP Coordinator Sept. 16–18, 2014, at the NASA Langley Phone: (802) 828-5084 Conference Center in Hampton. ApprovedCalifornia mnStar.html www.labor.vermont.gov/ participants will spend two and a half days vosha learning about the responsibilities of beingIraj Pourmehraban Nevada an SGE and how they can support VPP. Virginia Being an SGE is an excellent way to be partCal/VPPFe&dPeSrMalMOaSnHagAerStates Jess Lankford Milford Stern of the continued growth of VPP.Phone: (510) 622-1080 VPP Coordinator VPP Coordinatorwww.diSrt.caat.geo-vP/ldaonshS/tcaatl_es Phone: (702) 486-9046 Phone: (540) 562-3580 Washington www.doli.virginia.gov/vpp/cal_Pvupbpl_icinSdeexc.htotmr Ol nly www.dirweb.state.nv.us vosh_coop/vosh_vpp.html There are currently 30 recognized VPP sites in the Washington state program. The twoHawaii New Mexico Washington sites most recently approved were Veolia John Geppert Environmental in Vancouver and CascadesClayton Chun Melissa Barker VPP Manager Sonoco in Tacoma. An onsite evaluation for Phone: (360) 902-5496 continued participation was conducted atManager VPP Coordinator www.lni.wa.gov/safety/ Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Pullman. topics/atoz/vpp/default.asp Re-approval onsite visits are scheduled in thePhone: (808) 586-9110 Phone: (505) 222-9595 coming months for Intermech in Richland Wyoming and Columbia Vista in Vancouver. Anlabor.hawaii.gov/hiosh www.nmenv.state. Karin Schubert initial onsite approval is scheduled for MA Consultation Supervisor Mortenson Construction in University Place.Indiana nm.us/Ohsb_Website/ Phone: (307) 777-7710 Ceremonies were held for WheelabratorMichael Gaskill ComplianceAssistance/ www.wyomingworkforce. in Spokane.Manager VPP.htm org/employers-and- businesses/osha/Pages/ The Voluntary Protection ProgramsPhone: (260) 373-2860 North Carolina safety-and-health- will hold a networking meeting of VPP compliance.aspx participants and others pursuing VPP on Aug.www.in.gov/dol/ LaMont Smith 13, 2014. Oldcastle Precast in Auburn has volunteered to host the group and provide aIowa Recognition Program tour of their plant.Shashi Patel ManagerVPP Coordinator Phone: (919) 807-2909Phone: (515) 281-6369 www.nclabor.com/osha/www.iowaworkforce.org/ osh.htmlabor/iosh OregonKentucky Mark E. Hurliman, CSHMJoe Giles VPP/SHARP ProgramVPP Program ManagerAdministrator Phone: (541) 776-6016Phone: (502) 564-4089 www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/labor.ky.gov/dows/ subjects/vpp.htmoshp/doet/partnership/ Puerto Ricopages/VPP---Voluntary- Ilza RomanProtection-Partnership. Directoraspx Phone: (787) 754-2171Maryland www.dtrh.gobierno.prCynthia L. WheelerVPP CoordinatorPhone: (410) 527-4473www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/mosh/vpp.shtmlFor additional information and up-to-date contacts, please visitwww.vpppa.org/chapters/contacts.cfm.10 THE LEADER vpppa.org

chapter round-upsCOMPILED BYJENNA SHAY, COMMUNICATIONSCOORDINATOR, VPPPA, INC. All 28 SGE’s in attendance were presented a gift by the Region I Chapter Chairman Steve Gauthier.Region I award winners Region I for their contribution towards health and safety and assistance with other companies to This year’s Region I Conference was a huge achieve a similar level of safety. The sharing of success. Thank you to all those in attendance programs, practices and insight is what makes for making it possible, and thank you for the this all possible. This year’s winner was awarded positive feedback. Particularly from L.L. Bean by Darwin Irish from FLEXcon to Jack Popp employees who said, “Useful information/ from Hasbro, Inc. East Longmeadow, MA. beneficial sessions—thought provoking” and “Accessible information and vendors Jack Popp was also presented with the educational and interesting.” OSHA Regional Administrator’s Award, for going beyond mere compliance and assisting Monday we held the Chapter Business the Region’s OSHA office in its outreach Meeting which was very well-attended. activities. Congratulations Jack! During the meeting, the newest board member, Alice Tatro, was introduced and The region’s scholarship program was happy returning Board of Directors members Debra to award three $1,000 scholarships. This year’s Bowie, Bruce Gove and Paul Ludington were awards were presented by Paul Ludington and congratulated. The chapter’s business meeting Jack Popp to the following recipients: was followed by the reception and opening • Katelyn Girouard, attending Worcester of the Exhibit Hall. The 26 exhibitors were located around the perimeter of the Maine State University, received the Eric Bartsch Ballroom making it convenient for all Memorial Safety & Health Scholarship. attendees to stop by and visit with them. • Laura Kastner, attending Penn State University, received the Joe Gervais Memorial Jeff “Odie” Espenship kicked off the Community Service Scholarship. conference with a memorable speech, discussing • Michael Bellows, attending the University his personal experiences we could all relate to. of Connecticut, received the Caswell Plante The opening was followed by 20 workshops Academic Excellence Scholarship. covering a number of interesting topics. Congratulations to all the winners! At Tuesday afternoon’s luncheon, there were Tuesday afternoon was what we call a number of items presented. Sarah Neely, “Wellness Afternoon,” a time when people VPPPA communications manager, provided were encouraged to get out, enjoy the fresh us with a national VPPPA update including air and take in beautiful downtown Portland. the national conference’s progress and other The Old Port District, where people strolled, outreach initiatives. We also, for the first time, includes bookstores, craft shops and all-you- recognized the Voluntary Protection Programs can-eat restaurants. Many visited the Portland (VPP) regional Special Government Employees Head Light, which dates back to 1791, and (SGE) for their exceptional support, time, is the oldest lighthouse still in continuous use effort and action in VPP. All 28 SGEs in in the U.S. Arriving back from the wellness attendance were presented a gift by the Region I afternoon, participants attended the awards Chapter Chairman Steve Gauthier. dinner in the Maine Ballroom where several Conference closing speaker, Michael Vigezzi, awards were presented. GE Corporate, spoke about the importance of health and safety and what it means to everyone. Mentor Award: Every year Region I recognizes individuals and their companies THE LEADER vpppa.org 11

chapter round-ups Congratulations to all of the raffle winners and Kristyn Grow of Cintas being recognized as the Region III SGE of the year.thank you to all of the Board of Directors for theirdedication and time for making this all possible. our 2015 conference bigger and better, but Meidl. Each of them did a phenomenal job and to do that we need our members’ input. We were well received by symposium participants. Currently, we are preparing for the 2015 appreciate any help you can provide. If any Thanks go to each of them for sharing their story,conference which will be held at the beautiful Sea individuals and/or organizations are interested insight, inspiration and good humor. The FUNCrest Beach Hotel in Falmouth, MA. We want to in helping us develop and improve our Region Department was employed again this year tomake everyone aware that it’s expected to fill up II conference for 2015 please visit our website facilitate events and as usual, they pulled somefast, and exhibitor space is limited so keep an eye at www.region2chapter-vpppa.org. tricks out of their hat! Adding to the mix was anon the Region I website: www.vppregion1.com. enjoyable networking event at the Hard Rock Region II asks for your continued support Café on our final evening. Thanks to everyoneContributed by Region I Chairman of the Norman Deitch Automated External who registered and participated this year!Stephen Gauthier, General Electric Defibrillator (AED) Fund. Its missionTransportation Aircraft Engines, Lynn, MA. is to provide free AEDs to nonprofits and Pittsburgh was great, but now we are extremely organizations that traditionally do not have excited about our conference destination forRegion II the resources to purchase AEDs on their 2015. Our 18th Annual Region III VPPPA own. Over the past nine years, with your Conference will be held at the amazing OMNINational and regional conferences continue to be help, we have donated 18 machines. Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA. Seean outstanding resource to share best practices and Anyone interested in contributing to the the resorts website for further details: www.sharpen skills to promote safety in the workplace. fund should contact the Region II Secretary thehomestead.com/pools-and-hot-springs. at [email protected]. Region II’s 2014 Regional Conference Mark your calendar a little earlier, becausereturned to the luxurious Trump Taj Mahal Contributed by Region II Secretary Brenda we have scheduled March 3–5, 2015, as thein Atlantic City, NJ. This year’s conference Wiederkehr, CSC, Access Health Systems, dates for next year’s conference. This is anwas very rewarding and successful in spite of Latham, NY. event you will not want to miss!the many obstacles that had to be overcome.Our keynote speaker, Warren Silverman, Region III If you have any ideas for a breakout sessionM.D., opened the eyes of those attending, or would like to present a workshop at ourwith regard to the future of healthcare, with The 17th Annual Region III VPPPA Symposium 2015 conference, please reach out to Regionhis presentation: “Is the Doctor In? Managing and Workshop was held May 6–9, 2014, at the III board member, Mike LaPradd at mike.the Medical Aspects of Health & Safety in the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA. Our [email protected] Healthcare Environment.” pre-symposium classes and breakout sessions were educational and received high marks from The Board of Directors is again encouraging Two of Region II’s members received awards: attendees. Congratulations to all of our new SGEs! everyone in Region III to take advantage of theSGE of the Year—Stuart Mirowitz, Pfizer, Pearl Congratulations also to Region III SGE of the Year Region III website as a resource. We continueRiver, NY, and Mentor of the Year—Leon Kristyn Grow of Cintas and to Region III Mentor to make improvements to provide valuableBaukh, Torcon, Red Bank, NJ. of the Year Ron Buck of BASF as announced information. If you have job opportunities or during the symposium. Final congrats go out to safety alerts that you would like to post, please Region II wants to thank all of the sponsors, re-elected board members Mike Cokely from First reach out to any member of the board. Boardvendors and volunteers who participated in the Energy, Mike LaPradd from Huber Inc., Kristyn member contact information is on the website,2014 conference! We will see you in 2015! Grow from Cintas, and to our newest Region III vppparegion3.org/homepage.html. Also on our board member Julie Simon from Noramco, Inc. website, is information and applications regarding In the coming months, you may receive calls the Larry Shaffer Scholarship.from volunteers of Region II to update contact Our 2014 Symposium keynote speakersinformation. We are planning on making were Keni Thomas, Dale Lesinski and Cliff In addition to following Region III VPPPA on our website, you can keep up with activity by becoming aRegion II’s 2014 Regional Conference Facebook “friend” of Region III VPPPA.returned to the luxurious Trump Taj Mahalin Atlantic City, NJ.12 THE LEADER vpppa.org

Contributed by Region III Secretary Bob coordinator for Nucor Steel in Marion, OH, was During the conference many awards wereSchroeder, Noramco, Inc., Wilmington, DE. elected to the director-at-large board position. given out. Seventeen Recognition Awards were given to individuals who participated in twoRegion IV For additional information regarding the activities, whether it be mentoring, SGE on Region V Board and how you can volunteer, an audit or an outreach activity between theMark your calendars for the Region IV 2015 visit our website. 2013 and 2014 conferences. Haney Robertson,Safety & Health Conference, June 16–18, in Lanxess Corporation, Baytown, TX, wasOrlando, FL, at the Caribe Royal. Join many SGEs Needed in Region V named the Region VI SGE of the Year. Forother safety and health professionals at the The 2014 VPP assessment schedule for Region the months of March–May we had 31 SGEspremier Safety & Health Conference in the V is posted on our website. If you’re an SGE participate in VPP audits. Tina Weeks, ZachrySoutheast! Registration opens in November and looking to participate on an assessment in Industrial, Inc., Houston, TX, was named thefor exhibitors and in January for attendees. 2014, be sure to review the VPP schedule and Region VI Mark Hidalgo Mentor of the Year.Workshop submissions are being taken now. contact the OSHA lead as soon as possible. For the VPP assessment schedule and the We had an election this year for the position An SGE class was held in Region IV, April OSHA contacts, please visit the website, of director-at-large #5. Haney Robertson29–May 1, 2014, in Mobile, AL. The class was www.vppregionv.com/region-v-sges. with Lanxess in Baytown, TX, was electedhosted by Arkema, Inc. The SGE instructors to serve in this position. Re-elected to thewere Melva Oni, Alcon, David Averette, 2015 Chapter Region V Region VI Board were Bubba Johnson as chair;Arkema Inc.; and Michael Perry, Daikin Conference—Save the Date Rae Badeaux as secretary/historian; SandraAmerica Inc. Leigh Jackson, Region IV VPP We know it’s early, but it’s a good time to Morrison as representative from a representedofficer, was the OSHA instructor for the class. mark your calendars for the 2015 Region V site; Dan Aleksandrowicz as director-at-largeFifteen new SGEs successfully completed the Conference. The conference will take place #2; and Kirk Crandall as director-at-large #4.class and were sworn in by Joe Roesler, area in Columbus, OH, at the convention center.director of the Mobile OSHA Area Office. Be sure to save the dates—May 19–21, 2015, Regional Statistics: with the application workshop on May 19. • VPP Sites: 544Contributed by Region IV Director-at-Large • VPPPA Full Member Sites: 85Kim Burton, Pike Electric, Mount Airy, NC. Congratulations to the newest • VPPPA Associate Member Sites: 100 Region V VPP SitesRegion V New Star Sites Contributed by Pam Mendiola, Region2014 Conference Presentations • Delta Air Lines Cincinnati Reservations VI Vice Chairperson, Valero Refining Company, Texas City, TX.The presentations from the breakout sessions at Sales Call—Cincinnati, OHthe 2014 Region V conference are available on Re-Approved Star Sites Region VIIour website (www.vppregionv.com). Thank you • Merisant—Manteno, ILto all those presenters who volunteered to share • Rogers Corporation Foams Division— The Region VII VPPPA Board of Directorsyour success stories and best practices. (BOD) would like to thank everyone who Carol Stream, IL attended the 21st Annual Region VII VPPPAChapter Board Update • Northrop Grumman Defensive Systems Conference in La Vista, NE, on May 19–21,The Region V VPPPA Chapter Board would 2014. Attendance was up with 303 participantslike to congratulate Tamara Reiter, Leslie Div.—Rolling Meadows, IL this year as opposed to the 271 attendees inPeterson, Mark Mammosser and Steve • USPS Quad Cities P&D Facility—Milan, IL 2013. We would like to send out a special thankWashburn on their recent elections to the • GE BETZ DBA GE Water and Process you to all our exhibitors, workshop speakersRegion V Board. Tamara Reiter (GE Healthcare) John Bridson, vice president generationwas re-elected as vice-chair and Leslie Peterson Technologies—Addison, IL accepts the Dale Randall Award on behalf(Motorola Solutions) was re-elected as secretary. • Afton Chemical Corporation—Sauget, IL of Westar EnergyBoth Tamara and Leslie have made significant • Exelon Energy Clinton Power Station—contributions to Region V throughout the THE LEADER vpppa.org 13years and they continue to lead many of the Clinton, ILconference steering committee efforts. • ProVia Door Baltic Plant—Baltic, OH We would also like to congratulate two new Contributed by Region V Chairpersonboard members elected at the 2014 conference. Bill Linneweh, Hendrickson, Itasa, IL.Mark Mammosser, SSH&E Action Teamchairperson at the Exxon Mobil, Joliet, IL, facility, Region VIwas elected to the hourly representative non-union board position. Steve Washburn, safety The Region VI VPPPA Conference in Little Rock was a success. We projected an attendance of 1,100 due to it being held outside of Texas, but we exceeded that number with over 1,300 attendees!

chapter round-ups Mike Murphy accepts 2014 Mentor of the meeting to fill BOD positions that were up for Keynote speaker Mark Eaton the Year Award election. Congratulations to the following people on being elected to the Region VII BOD: Our 13th annual conference, VPP—Reach and volunteers for all that you do to support the • Chairperson—Jeff Klinksick, Westar Energy, for the Stars, was once again a success. Jenelle Region VII VPPPA Conference. Without all of Mote of Sundyne received the Bervin Hall your efforts and talents it would be impossible Colwich, KS Memorial Award. With members like her, to have such an informative, successful and well- • Treasurer—Cody Patton, Monsanto, St. our region will continue to set the example. organized conference. Great job everyone! This year we incorporated a grand opening of Louis, MO our Exhibition Hall the evening prior to the Besides giving away a bunch of great prizes, • Contractor/Construction Rep.—Steve Nikkel, opening session to say thanks to our vendors there were plenty of other highlights from the and generate attendee interaction. conference. UCI, Wichita, KS • Director at Large #2—Jamie Backhaus, Nucor Our keynote speakers continued our trend of The Exhibitor Reception provided a great mixing a perennial favorite with a new face in chance to network, with food, drink and Steel, Norfolk, NE the region. Keni Thomas kicked off our opening entertainment provided by Dueling Pianos. Our • Director at Large #4—Alicia Hardacre, Tyler keynote speech by summing it up, “Leadership opening session keynote speaker, former NBA has never been about the rank or the position All-Star Mark Eaton, gave us plenty of inspiration Pipe, Marshfield, MO you hold. It’s about the example you set. There as he presented his personal story on what it takes • Director at Large #5—Steve Donovan, Axcet are people to your left and to your right who are to become successful and his unique take on how counting on you and it’s up to you to deliver. But HR Solutions, Lenexa, KS you will only be as good as you prepared yourself to handle the challenges life throws at us. We still have the position of secretary/ to be.” Keynote speaker Garrison Wynn helped Closing session keynote speaker Gary historian open at this time. us understand successful management requires We are already preparing for next year’s strong, enduring relationships and the ability to Koegeboehn, Vice President Pipeline conference in St. Louis at the Chase Park manage employee expectations, while keeping it Operations, NuStar Energy located in San Plaza Hotel and Conference Center on May entertaining and making us all laugh. Antonio, TX, gave an excellent presentation 18–20, 2015. Plan to join us at next year’s on safety leadership and what it means to be conference where the theme will be “Reflection We struggled again this year with conference committed to employee safety through VPP. of Excellence.” attendance. A big part of our challenge can be attributed to the rules affecting the military We presented our 6th Annual $5,000 Contributed by Region VII VPPPA resulting from sequestration. Many who would Region VII Scholarship Award to Abbey Cotter Chapter Chair Jeff Klinksick, Westar Energy, normally have attended were unable due to the from Wichita, KS. Abbey is the daughter Colwich, KS. travel rules imposed on military installations. of Chris Cotter who is employed at Utility Unfortunately, we also noticed lower attendance Contractors Inc. (UCI) located in Wichita, KS. Region VIII from other members in our region who had previously attended in greater numbers. We are The Region VII Mentor of the Year Award As our chapter transitions to new leadership, I working to determine how we can bring regular was presented to Mike Murphy. Mike is an would like to express my appreciation for the supporters back into the fold and learn what efforts employee at Ply Gem in Kearney, MO, an SGE support and confidence expressed in choosing we need to make to bring in new companies. We and a member of the Region VII VPPPA Board me as interim chairperson. Besides my faith are already brainstorming ways to improve our of Directors (BOD). Congratulations Mike! and family, VPP is truly what I live for. Rest 2015 conference. We are confident our continued assured, I don’t take this appointment lightly commitment to providing a quality event will Congratulations to Westar Energy for being and I promise to do my best to work with the pay dividends in the future as we work to make selected as the 2014 Dale Randall Award winners board of directors, face challenges head on more companies aware of the value. The board for exemplary support of VPP and VPPPA. and provide solutions that are always in the best interest of the association. The Annual Business Meeting of the Membership was held at the conference on I would like to thank our board members for Tuesday, May 20, 2014. Elections were held during their hard work and all of the behind-the-scenes work that never gets noticed, but always gets14 THE LEADER vpppa.org done. I believe their passion and commitment to safety excellence truly makes us second to none; for that I applaud you. Thank you. A huge thank you goes to Tony Stoner for his leadership as the former chairperson. During this transition, he has always been there to guide, direct and answer my questions. Thanks Tony, for not changing your email or phone number! Great leaders are not afraid of sharing or teaching what they know and always take time to nurture and coach their team. I believe Tony possesses those qualities, and for that, I say thank you my friend.

of directors continues to review ways to improve, are taking the initiative and elevating safety issues on what to do with the cans of paintwhile maintaining its standard of excellence. to the next level. They discovered tools that generated and employee exposures puncture and could be used to improve involvement by drain empty cans for proper disposal. Lastly, we continued the Region VIII tradition all and in many cases attendees discoveredof giving back to causes. Our 5th Annual Bing- their inner super hero, leaving with new Several commercially available units thato-Rama fundraiser––The Legend of Bing-o- motivations to go back and make a difference. apply strips were investigated, but none couldRama––was a tremendous success. Our 2014 do what was required for this application.charity of choice was the Special Operations As Region IX’s Board of Directors said So Plummer Forest Products ParticleboardWarrior Foundation (SOWF). We raised $700, goodbye to those outgoing board members Plant decided to develop and build their ownwhich Region VIII then matched, so we donated who served diligently, they welcomed two new automated and programmable ink stripinga total of $1,500 to the SOWF. I can’t express board members, Winnie Kane, director-at- system and eliminate the safety issues involvedenough gratitude for the generosity of our large, from NuStar Energy and Don Bracken, with can spraying. The new system applies themembers in Region VIII. representative from a site with a CBA, from predetermined number of stripes using a non- Raytheon Missile Systems. These newly toxic ink instead of aerosol paint. The stripes The chapter has had a relatively slow year. elected members are already actively involved are crisp and uniform in appearance. EmployeeWe did add one new site, and another is in the planning of next year’s conference. input was solicited throughout the process.awaiting approval. The focus has been heavily on With this new equipment, the use of paint cans,completing re-approval audits that were canceled The Region IX team is continuously employee exposure to aerosol paint fumes andor delayed due to last year’s sequestration and/or working to support VPP and through their disposal of empty cans has been eliminated.government shutdown. Applications for new VPP state-plan partners and state plan VPPsites continue to be received and approved. At coordinators, carries on outreach efforts. If The approximate cost to build and installleast two of our sites conducted annual safety fairs you want to help and get more involved in the system was $30,000, not including annualand everyone was encouraged to participate in the the region’s outreach or conference planning power costs. For comparison, less than $1,000June OSHA National-Stand Down. efforts, please contact us via the Region IX was spent each year on aerosol cans. While website at www.regionixvpppa.org/board.html. the initial cost for protecting their employees We welcome your input! Check out our was high, the abatement of significant safetyRegion VIII Facebook page and visit our website, Contributed by former Region IX hazards is priceless.region8.webnode.com, for periodic updates and Secretary Mark Norton, formerly withgeneral news about what’s going on in the region. Central Arizona Project, Phoenix, AZ. Mission Support Services (MSS) was awarded the Region X S&H Outreach Award for In closing, when I attended the OSHA Region X 2014. In conjunction with local labor unionsWorkers’ Memorial this year I heard the names of and community leaders, MSS hosted and61 individuals read. I couldn’t help thinking that Region X VPPPA has been very busy the coordinated several events for local Boy Scoutsone is too many. While we may never see the lives last several months, with both the 2014 to learn and earn four safety-related meritor families we touched, what we do matters and Northwest S&H Summit and making plans badges. These badges include: Safety, Traffictogether our region makes a difference. for next year’s summit. This year’s summit Safety, Fire Safety and American Labor. The was a smashing success, as we had 40 vendors, events included opportunities to learn from See you in National Harbor, MD! more than ever before. There were 100 first- experts in these fields. These badges are a few of timers in attendance, who rated our summit the roughly 130 merit badges offered by the BoyContributed by Mark Moya, Region the best experience they have ever had at any Scouts of America (BSA). Some of the sponsorsVIII Interim Chairperson, Honeywell type of conference. of the events included: MSA, HAMTC, HGU,Technology Solutions, Inc. Colorado Kennewick Police Department, Oxarc Inc. andSprings, CO. The Region X 2014 Innovation Award went ASSE Columbia Basin Chapter. to Plummer Forest Products Particle BoardRegion IX Plant. Plummer Forest Products Particle Board Michelle Steeler, URS Energy & Plant manufactures particleboard for a variety of Construction (EC) safety coordinator,Well, it’s official... for those of us in Region customers, some requiring special packaging and received the Region X VPPPA SGE of theIX, the heat is on. That’s right, summer is here marking of the units of particleboard. Specifically, Year Award at the regional conference as well.and we are waiting for two things, RAIN sweet some customers want different thickness sizesRAIN... and the Annual National VPPPA of particleboard to be stenciled with 1–5 blue Tim Taylor received the Chairperson’sConference in National Harbor, MD, Aug. vertical stripes on each end of a finished unit Award for his above and beyond support of25–28, 2014. Wow! How time flies. which designates a specific thickness. For almost the 2014 Northwestern S&H Summit. Tim two years the stripes were applied by using spray spent many hours putting together the Region Speaking of time flying, the Region IX paint cans and a hand held stencil pattern. X Golf Tournament which was the largestConference in April came and went and once This process had many serious safety hazards: so far and he canvased Alaska businesses foragain we found ourselves enjoying yet another employee overexposure to paint fumes from more vendors. He has been a great addition tostellar regional conference in Anaheim, CA. can spraying, working under elevated units of the Region X Board of Directors!With the theme being “Safety Super Hero,” a forklift to spray units below it, housekeepingthose in attendance heard firsthand how Contributed by Region X Chapter Chairordinary people are doing extraordinary Bonnie Anderson, CH2M-WG Idaho, LLCthings within their organizations. Employees THE LEADER vpppa.org 15

D iscover and explore National Harbor, 40+ boutiques and shops: National Harbor is home to a first- MD, during the 30th Annual National class marina where you can take VPPPA Conference. National Harbor • AMERICA! a 20-minute trip via water taxi to offers not only unparalleled views of the • South Moon Under Alexandria, VA, and the West Basin Potomac River, but numerous activities and • Del Sol and Ohio Drives in SW Washington attractions for you to enjoy after spending • Cariloha DC; a short walk to the Lincoln the day learning and networking at our • Tervis Memorial, the Franklin Roosevelt world-class conference. Take a ride on the • VIP Outdoor Memorial, the Martin Luther King, spectacular Capital Wheel for a view of the • Coco Blanca Jr. Memorial, the Tidal Basin and city from 180 feet up, pack a picnic and watch • Potomac Gourmet Market the National Mall. River boat a free movie on the plaza or attend Cirque du • Alex and Ani cruises to Mount Vernon, VA, and Soleil: Amaluna. The Capital Wheel, National • Amelia’s Boutique Georgetown, Washington, DC, Harbor’s newest attraction, having opened • Art Whino are also available with the May of this year, holds up to 336 riders at • ArtCraft Potomac Riverboat Company. a time and is open daily. Tickets for adults • Pepper Palace The boat picks you up right are $15 and $11.25 for children ages 3–11. outside the Gaylord Hotel! Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna takes the audience Restaurants: Round-trip tickets for the water to a mysterious island governed by goddesses taxi are only $28 per person for and guided by the cycles of the moon. The • Rosa Mexicana travel to the National Mall and $16 performance runs from Thursday, July 31– • The Walrus Oyster & Ale House to Alexandria. River boat cruise Sunday, Sep. 21, 2014. Regular ticket prices are • Chocolate Bar tickets are $41 to travel to Mount $25–$275. • Fiorella Trattoria & Pizzeria Vernon and $28 to Georgetown. • Bond 45 Each location has exciting shops, Indulge in some retail therapy at more than • Grace’s Mandarin restaurants and daily events for 40 boutiques and shops in downtown National • Crab Cake Cafe you to enjoy. Harbor or the nearby Tanger Outlets. The • Redstone American Grill outlets feature more than 50 stores for all types • Sauciety of shoppers including Banana Republic, Nike, • The Tasting Room Wine Bar & Shop Gap and Under Armour. Liven up your taste • Bel Vedere Lobby Bar buds at the various dining destinations including Mexican, Mandarin and American cuisine.16 THE LEADER vpppa.org

Alexandria, VA: National Mall: National Harbor is in the middle of it all! It is only 15 minutes from our nation’s capital• Chamber music concert with the • Iconic memorials and monuments and Alexandria, VA, and only minutes away Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic including the Lincoln Memorial, from three area airports, making it extremely Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington easy to go to and from the city. Traveling• Old Town Boutique District featuring Monument, Korean War Memorial, World within the city and downtown area is also very some of the best stores and galleries in the War II Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, accessible. All of the shops and restaurants DC region Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, FDR are in close proximity to each other making Memorial and Constitution Gardens it easy to walk everywhere. If you aren’t up• Historic Torpedo Factory Center for walking, there are several different public constructed in 1918 • National Museums such as the Air & Space transportation options. A courtesy shuttle Museum, National Gallery of Art, Museum service is now available between National• George Washington Masonic Memorial— of American History, Native American Harbor and the King Street Metro station in Stonemasons Museum Museum and the Natural History Museum Alexandria and there are numerous Metrobus stops throughout the city.• A variety of dining experiences including • Walking distance to the White House and weekend brunch, outdoor dining, seafood the Capitol The nightlife in National Harbor is also and bars and pubs unbeatable. Enjoy all types of music at Bobby Mount Vernon, VA: McKey’s, Cadillac Ranch or Harrington’s Pub & Kitchen. Bobby McKey’s is the only dueling • Tours of George Washington’s plantation, piano bar in the Washington, DC, metro Woodlawn, and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope- area and a truly unique and fun experience Leighy House full of entertainment! Each night two to four piano players take the stage to perform any • Huntley Meadows Park and all audience requests, from Beyonce to • National Inventors Hall of Fame Beethoven. Cadillac Ranch offers the best country rock and party hits. It has multiple Georgetown: televisions for you to watch the big game or you can make your own game and take a ride • C & O Canal National Historic Park on the mechanical bull! If you are feeling more • Over 140 restaurants and gourmet stores low-key, visit Harrington’s Pub and Kitchen for lively Irish music and a contemporary Irish representing more than 50 ethnicities menu. All of these locations are perfect and • Explore historic townhouses, Dumbarton accommodating for a large gathering of friends or co-workers. Oaks and its gardens, the shop made famous by the TLC Show DC Cupcakes, Join VPPPA in National Harbor this Georgetown Cupcake August where the atmosphere is perfect for learning about safety and health and having a great time!National Gallery of Art Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial THE LEADER vpppa.org 17

BY DAVE JAMIESONRAILROAD TRACK CONSULTANTThe privately-owned railroad industry, which operates trains on morethan 140,000 miles of track in the U.S., is a vital part of the nation’seconomy. Railroads efficiently move large quantities of freight overlong distances. According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA),railroads move almost 40 percent of freight in the U.S. as shown in Figure1, and tonnage is expected to increase by more than 22 percent in thenext 25 years.1 In addition, passenger ridership on Amtrak and commuterlines is growing. Railroads are dedicated to maintaining a safe andreliable rail system and have invested billions of dollars on track andstructures. It is important to maintain and continue these positive trends.I Nthe 1960’s and 1970’s, a troubling the track has been reduced from eight fatalities number of track-caused accidents in 1987 to two fatalities in 2013. Although occurred in the United States on a there were several years with fewer fatalities after deteriorated railroad infrastructure. Since those the Roadway Worker Protection Rule (RWP) discouraging years, the railroad industry has seen became effective in 1997, there were also a substantial improvements in track safety. In fact, few years during this period where fatalities the number of track-caused accidents in 2013 is approached the 1987 level. Railroads, rail the lowest since the FRA established the Federal labor and FRA are working together to achieve Track Safety Standards (FTSS) in 1971. zero fatalities in the industry and continue the positive trend experienced in the last four years. Fatalities and injuries to maintenance-of-way workers who occupy the track continue to be a This article outlines the principal factors that challenge for the railroad industry. The number have contributed to advances in track safety in of fatalities to roadway workers who work on recent years and offers some views about how the railroad industry and government, federalFIGURE 1 How Freight Moves and state, can promote further improvements.in the USA (percent ton-miles) For consistency with regulations, the article uses common track terminology such as “gage,”19.60% Pipeline 28.60% Truck “alinement” and “crosslevel.” There are, of course, alternate spellings of these terms.12.00% Water 0.30% Air 39.50% Rail Safety Statistics FRA regulations require railroads to report accidents resulting in certain fatalities or injuries, meeting certain monetary thresholds or other reporting criteria. The data is used by government and private entities to identify causal factors and to promote accident prevention. FRA continuously monitors and investigates train accidents and maintains a database that may be accessed online. Figure 2, drawn from FRA’s database, shows the dramatic reduction in track-caused accidents that have occurred in the last few18 THE LEADER vpppa.org

TRACRKAISLARFOEATDY ImproSvaefemset inntsDoencathdeeHs,oMrizooren THE LEADER vpppa.org 19

NUMBER OF ACCIDENTSFIGURE 2 Railroad Track-Caused Accidents 900,000,000 TRAIN MILES through a switch. Some rail flaws may be 800,000,000 found visually, but are more often found with 4,000 700,000,000 rail detection equipment that performs internal 3,500 600,000,000 inspections. One common rail flaw found 3,000 500,000,000 today is known as a detail fracture, which is an 2,500 400,000,000 internal rail defect that develops beneath small 2,000 300,000,000 rail surface conditions. 1,500 200,000,000 1,000 100,000,000 The RWP rule has requirements addressing 0 the safety of railroad workers who work 500 on or near the track. Under an agreement 0 with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), health and 1980 safety issues specifically relating to railroad 1981 operations are regulated by FRA while OSHA 1982 regulations pertain to other general safety and 1983 health requirements. 1984 1985 The graph in Figure 3 shows a plot of the 1986 fatalities each year that occur to employees 1987 directly linked to the RWP regulation.3 1988 The chart does not show other engineering 1989 department fatalities such as those involving 1990 highway accidents, crane accidents, falls from 1991 equipment, natural causes, bridge workers, etc. 1992 1993 The railroad industry and the government 1994 are working diligently to determine why 1995 fatalities to railroad roadway workers continue 1996 to occur. The elimination of all fatalities is, of 1997 course, the goal of the government, railroad 1998 management and rail labor. 1999 2000 Track Safety Improvements— 2001 Principle Factors 2002 2003 The improvement in track safety is attributable 2004 to several major factors: 2005 • The railroad industry’s emphasis on 2006 2007 investing in infrastructure. 2008 • The creation of the FRA and the promulgation 2009 2010 of the FTSS and the RWP Rule. 2011 • Technological advances in automated track 2012 2013 inspection systems, track maintenance equipment and higher quality rail and other decades.2 As train miles have increased (an Analysis of accident data shows that the track components. indicator of increased traffic), the number of main causes for track accidents are track • Highly trained maintenance-of-way employees. track-caused derailments has decreased for geometry defects (wide gage, cross level, etc.), • A greater understanding of the root causes of most years. In 1980, more than 3,400 track- rail flaws (detail fractures, bolt hole cracks, etc.) track-caused accidents. caused accidents were reported by railroads. and switch defects (gapped switch points and This number has trended downward each year worn components). Railroad Investment and in 2013, railroads reported 559 track- in Infrastructure caused accidents. The most prevalent geometry cause for track-caused accidents is wide gage, which Railroads in the United States have invested When the data is normalized, reported in refers to the distance between the rails and billions of dollars in tracks and structures accidents per million train miles, the data is often associated with defective crossties. A in the last several decades. In a report to the reveals that the ratio of track-caused accidents gapped switch point occurs when a switch U.S. Congress, the Association of American per million train miles has decreased from 4.8 point does not fit properly against its stock Railroads (AAR) reported that investments in in 1980 to 0.74 in 2013. rail and wheels may take an unintended path infrastructure have increased significantly from 2003 to 2012 as shown in Figure 4.4 FIGURE 3 Railroad Roadway Worker Fatalities 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 201320 THE LEADER vpppa.org

In the same report, the AAR reported that FIGURE 4 U.S. Freight Railroad Spendingrailroads installed nearly 77 million new on Track and Structures in Billions of Dollarscrossties, 2.9 million tons of new rails andplaced nearly 61 million cubic yards of ballast 16.0in the years between 2008 and 2012. This 14.0investment has resulted in a higher quality and 12.0safer rail system. 10.0The Federal Railroad Administration 9.0and Federal Regulations 6.0 4.0The FRA was established in 1967 and 2.0regulations were promulgated that addressed all 0.0facets of railroad operation. 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 The FTSS establish minimum safetyrequirements for railroad track for several In response to fatalities and injuries to roadway established working groups such as the Tracktrack classes. The classification of each track workers on tracks adjacent to the tracks where Working Group, which meets several times ais based on the maximum operating speed the work was being performed, a regulation year to review track and structure safety issues.established by the railroad and has specific known as the Adjacent Track Rule has recently The RSAC process allows FRA to receiverequirements for the condition of the roadbed, been promulgated. This regulation is expected contributions from a wide range of track andtrack geometry (gage, alinement, speeds on to take effect this year. safety experts.curves and track surface), track structure(ballast, crossties, rail, rail joints, fastening FRA’s Office of Railroad Safety employs Another important committee established bysystems, switches, etc.), track appliances and safety inspectors who are located throughout FRA is the Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-inspections. The thresholds allowed in the the U.S. The safety inspectors are organized of-Way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES)higher track classes are more restrictive than in five disciplines: track, operating practices, Committee to review roadway worker fatalities.the lower classes. motive power and equipment, hazardous This is an ad-hoc committee of railroad materials and signal and train control. The labor and management representatives which The regulations require that each railroad track safety inspectors enforce the regulations analyzes roadway worker fatalities and providesconducts visual track inspections and pertaining to track safety issues by making recommendations to railroads and the FRA.certain automated inspections (e.g. rail flaw periodic inspections on railroads and evaluatinginspections) at specified frequencies, record railroad safety programs. Each railroad has the In addition to the FRA Office ofthe results of the inspections and record the responsibility to maintain the track above the Railroad Safety, the Office of Research andremedial actions taken for defects found. minimum safety levels required by the FTSS. Development has sponsored research which has led to major technological advances. Railroads The FTSS represent minimum safety Several states also have inspectors in the five have also sponsored research programs, often inlevels. Railroads characteristically maintain disciplines that have been qualified to enforce partnership with the FRA.the track at much higher levels called federal regulations. FRA and state safety inspectors“railroad maintenance standards.” However, report deficiencies found and, in some cases, FRA’s overall track safety strategy has beenit is important to understand that track is recommend civil penalties for non-compliance. instrumental in reducing track-caused accidents.constantly subject to wear and inevitably Railroads understand and have cooperated with thechanges due to train traffic. The railroads oversight role of FRA and state track inspectors. Technological Advancesare expected to intervene and make repairs Government inspectors normally conduct visual Improved Safetybefore the track reaches the minimum safety main track inspections from railroad hi-rail vehiclesrequirements prescribed in the regulations. or by walking the tracks. Several technological improvements in theRailroads must reduce speeds, make repairs quality of track components have occurredor remove the track from service to achieve FRA has also established various safety in recent years. Rail steel is cleaner and safercompliance when FRA defects are found. committees to provide advice on safety matters. than in the past because of new procedures in One of the most important committees is removing inclusions and impurities in the steel The RWP rule is a subpart of the On the Rail Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) through vacuum degassing and continuousTrack Safety regulation that also addresses which advises FRA on rulemaking and safety casting. Techniques for the manufacturing ofbridge worker safety and on-track roadway programs. RSAC has representatives from concrete crossties have led to fewer tie failuresmaintenance machines. The RWP rule requires railroads, rail labor, suppliers, manufacturers under traffic, and elastic fastener designs haverailroads and contractors to railroads to devise and other interested parties. RSAC has been developed. The components of switchesand adopt procedures to prevent their roadway have improved and modern signal systemsworker employees from being struck by trainsand other on-track machinery. The rule alsorequires roadway workers to follow the on-track safety procedures in order to protectthemselves and others dependent upon them. THE LEADER vpppa.org 21

FIGURE 5 the number of broken rails that fail under train developing better track components and advancing traffic. However, broken rails resulting from computer simulations. detect some defective conditions such as internal defects continue to occur and the FRA broken rails or improperly adjusted switches. and railroad industry are actively pursuing new The technologies discussed and other advanced technologies for rail flaw detection. maintenance and inspection tools have contributed Perhaps, the most significant advancement to the decline in track-caused derailments. in the track structure is development of New automated inspection cars such as continuous welded rail (CWR) which the Track Geometry Measurement System Professional Maintenance-of- represents a large portion of main track (TGMS) have resulted in fewer derailments Way Employees—Training construction. The elimination of rail joints caused by track misalignment and settlement. with the inherent failures of rail bolts, joints FRA has several automated inspection cars that Track and structure employees on today’s and holes in the rail has greatly reduced the use TGMS systems and other technologies that railroads must be highly trained and number of rail and joint failures. However, continuously monitor tracks in the U.S. as part knowledgeable. The track environment CWR has also presented the challenge that of FRA’s Automated Track Inspection Program has become increasingly more technical it must be properly installed and maintained (ATIP). Major railroads also have their own and complex. to eliminate the development of large TGMS cars. Many automated cars are towed misalignments of the track (track buckles) by railroad locomotives and can be operated at Several major railroads have formal training caused by thermal forces. track speeds or in revenue trains. programs conducted at railroad-owned facilities or public institutions. The railroads Figure 5 shows an example of a modern Another valuable system is a Gage Restraint train employees on the requirements of the track system with CWR, concrete crossties Measurement System (GRMS) which is FTSS and railroad maintenance standards and and elastic rail fasteners. This modern track equipped with a split axle that loads the track procedures. Among the most important topics system provides a stronger track structure than laterally and evaluates the strength of the covered in the training programs are rail conventional wood tie and spike installation. crossties and fasteners. Both the FRA and installation and maintenance procedures to major railroads operate GRMS vehicles. Figure eliminate track buckle derailments resulting Railroads have developed advanced track 6 shows an FRA vehicle that is equipped with from the thermal forces associated with CWR. maintenance systems such as automated track both GRMS and TGMS systems. Within FRA also provides continuous training of its surfacing machines (tampers) to restore the the last few years, FRA developed a Joint track safety inspectors on current regulations alinement and surface of the track, track laying Bar Inspection System (JBIS) for the optical and rail safety. For example, FRA has recently systems which replace the entire track structure detection of cracks and breaks in joint bars. trained inspectors on new regulations for rail in one pass, equipment that can install panelized integrity that reflect the current knowledge turnouts comprised of improved switch rails Finally, an extensive amount of knowledge about internal rail flaws. and crossties and other advanced maintenance has been gained in recent years concerning equipment. Long specialized trains with the forces and accelerations that occur when The regulations require regular visual track multiple grinding stones located beneath the rail vehicles operate over track. This science inspections by qualified railroad inspectors cars are used to grind the tops and sides of rails. is known as vehicle/track interaction (VTI), who monitor the entire right-of-way for Grinding removes rail surface imperfections, a body of knowledge that normally falls compliance with the FTSS. Typically, most extends the life of the rail, improves ride quality within the responsibility of railroad track inspectors walk or travel in hi-rail vehicles and enables rail flaw detection equipment to engineering departments. at a maximum speed of 15–30 mph on better locate internal rail flaws. high quality CWR main tracks and 10–15 Safety limits have been established for high mph on jointed tracks. The inspectors stop Technological improvements in the speed track for wheel/rail forces and accelerations. and investigate concerns on-foot before detection of internal rail flaws through VTI analyses on freight main tracks are being used resuming the hi-rail inspections. Most ultrasonic and induction methods have reduced by the industry to help identify areas where the main tracks, depending upon track class, interaction of the vehicles and the track may result are visually inspected between two and four22 THE LEADER vpppa.org in derailments. VTI technology goes hand in hand times per week. The U.S. high-speed track with computer simulations to predict the behavior standards currently require three or more of vehicles on different track characteristics and to visual inspections per week, while some understand how derailments occur. European high-speed railroads perform visual inspections much less frequently. The FRA and the railroad industry have cooperated on research that has led to important While automated inspection equipment improvements in track safety. One of the most has improved track safety, it is critical important research facilities in the U.S. is the that an effective track inspection program Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) incorporates comprehensive visual inspections located in Pueblo, CO. The center is owned by highly qualified railroad inspectors, by FRA and operated by TTCI, a subsidiary supplemented by automated inspections. of the AAR. The center has approximately 50 miles of test track, labs and tools to evaluate the Alert and professional FRA safety track structure, as well as freight and passenger inspectors and railroad track maintenance equipment. TTCI has been at the forefront of personnel have made a major difference in reducing track-caused derailments.

Root Causes of Accidents and labor must continue to work together to well documented. Experienced human eliminate these injuries and fatalities. inspectors can evaluate track conditionsThe FRA, together with the National • Continued investment by the FRA and such as vandalized track, sinkholes, signsTransportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the railroad industry on new automated of impending settlement, failing fasteningrailroad investigators, has gained extensive technologies is necessary. One of the most systems, crossties failures, etc., that areamounts of knowledge during accident important goals is the development of new very difficult to identify using currentinvestigations. The primary goal of accident systems for the detection of internal rail technologies. Arriving at the optimal mix ofinvestigation is to understand the causes of an flaws such as detail fractures that inevitably visual and automated inspections will be aaccident and prevent its recurrence. The science result from the contact of steel wheels on challenge for the industry in the future.of VTI has contributed to this knowledge. rail. Optical systems with sophisticated • A greater understanding of VTI principles pattern recognition may supplement must be accomplished to understand how The derailment mechanisms for some visual inspections in the future to identify vehicles and the track interact with each other.accidents, such as those caused by broken potentially hazardous conditions such as The use of improved computer simulationrails or wide gage, are fairly straight forward. gapped switch points and loose or worn programs will enable the industry toHowever, other derailments are more difficult to switch components. Research is underway understand the mechanisms for derailments.understand, because they result when multiple by FRA and the railroads to develop better • Many older and experienced maintenance-equipment and track conditions combine to rail steel, stronger joint bars, improved of-way employees will retire in the nextcreate an unsafe condition. These conditions crossties and other track components. several years. Younger employees must bein isolation are not considered defects, but may • Railroad investments in infrastructure are provided with advanced training to workresult in a derailment when combined at a commendable, but investments must continue in the increasingly technical and complexspecific track location. It has been very beneficial, in order to maintain a high quality and safe track environment.to perform computer simulations to evaluate the railroad system. The industry is challenged byinteraction of the rail equipment on the particular increased train traffic, higher speeds (especially Endnotestrack characteristics present to understand the on curves), increased tonnage and larger andcauses of derailments. heavier rail equipment. 1. fra.dot.gov, Rail Network Development • With the higher number, frequency andThe Future of Track Safety speed of trains, it has become more difficult 2. safetydata.fra.dot.gov/OfficeofSafety/ for dispatchers to give track time to the Default.aspx, Ten Year Accident/The following list contains some safety track inspectors to conduct visual hi-rail or Incident Overviewchallenges facing the railroad industry: walking inspections. Track time is an issue• Roadway worker injuries and fatalities both in freight and passenger environments. 3. fra.dot.gov/, Fatality Analysis of Maintenance- Some track engineers believe that a multiple of-way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES) remain a serious concern. Analysis of injuries camera application from a rail vehicle at Committee, formed by the Federal Railroad and fatalities to employees working on and higher speeds, supplemented with more Administration (FRA) in collaboration near the track are vital. The work of the frequent TGMS, GRMS, VTI or other with railroad labor and management FAMES Committee, mentioned previously, automated inspections, could accomplish representatives, an ad-hoc committee that is an important part of the effort that must the goals of the traditional hi-rail or walking reviews roadway worker fatalities. continue to thoroughly review the operating inspection; however the safety benefit of rules, procedures, practices and actions traditional visual inspections has been 4. Testimony Of Edward R. Hamberger, taken by employees. Employees must be president & chief executive officer, given complete job briefings that describe Association Of American Railroads, Before the work to be accomplished and the type the United States Senate Committee On of protection that will be afforded. Railroads Commerce, Science, And Transportation Hearing On Rail Safety, June 19, 2013FIGURE 6 After returning from the Vietnam War in 1971, where he served as a combat engineer platoon leader, David (Dave) Jamieson worked for more than 13 years as a railroad engineering manager on two western railroads. He joined the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in 1989 and worked for over 20 years as an FRA track inspector, supervisor and engineer. During his career, Dave managed several FRA regulatory programs, including the last major revision of the track geometry standards, electronic recordkeeping of track inspection records and the first U.S. high speed track standards. After retiring from the FRA in 2008, Dave has been actively engaged as a railroad track consultant living in Arizona. THE LEADER vpppa.org 23

24 THE LEADER vpppa.org

BY BOB MAGRADY TECH OPS COMMUNICATIONS, AMERICAN AIRLINESONNELEYDTHAEPBPELSYTTHE AMERICAN AIRLINES VPP JOURNEYWhen American Airlines (AA) and US Airways merged in December 2013, the result wasthe world’s largest airline. Excluding regional affiliates, the combined airline currentlyoperates a fleet of 970 aircraft. Keeping the flying public safe and the fleet in optimummechanical condition requires a small army of maintenance and engineering workersat several maintenance bases in the United States. The largest of these, spread over300 acres at Tulsa International Airport, is the American Airlines Maintenance andEngineering Center (M&E Center), which employs over 6,000 people. The Tulsa M&ECenter provides major overhaul services for the airline’s multiple fleet types along withoverhaul and servicing of engines, landing gear and other aircraft components. Thework is intricate, exacting and labor intensive.I N2010, the average OSHA recordable injury commitment and employee involvement; hazard rate for the Tulsa M&E Center was 9.5. At prevention and control; worksite analysis; and safety that time, Vice President Base Maintenance and health training. From the outset, the AWC VPP Bill Collins set the expectation that the OSHA rate team realized that, to be successful, they would need would be lowered to 2.0 within two years. To help the cooperation and involvement of all of the workers facilitate the change in safety culture, Collins set the at the AWC. According to TWU Welder and Safety loftier goal of Tulsa becoming a VPP site. Because of the Coordinator for the AWC team Chip Sieland, “The large size of the Tulsa facility, a smaller support shop was safety and health of our workers is the end goal. VPP is chosen as a beta site to implement VPP. Housing about a vehicle we use to get there.” Team members worked 100 employees and located off-site from the main base, through the lengthy OSHA application. Week after the Auxiliary Power Unit/Wiring Center (AWC) was a week of meetings, discussion and research and plugging good candidate for VPP. As a VPP pilot program at the in answers to many questions brought them closer to M&E Center, the AWC obtained both company and completing the application. Per OSHA requirements, Transport Workers Union (TWU) buy-in and formed they created notebooks that held the answers to all work groups for each of the VPP elements: management questions on the VPP application. When opportunities THE LEADER vpppa.org 25

Chemical Coordinator Tyrone Hawkins audit, bringing back valuable knowledge to programs in Tulsa and eventually to all of AA’sinspects a storage cabinet. Regular share with the AWC team. maintenance bases. The Steering Committeeinspections and good record keeping are an recruited champions from each business unitimportant aspect of a VPP approved site. By March 2012, the AWC VPP team had on the Tulsa Base. Each of those groups formed completed the detailed OSHA application and teams focusing on the four elements of VPP. Allarose, AWC team members went on turned it over to American’s Safety Department for of the groups meet regularly and report to thebenchmarking trips to VPP approved facilities. an exhaustive review. With the review complete, steering committee twice monthly. Each group isAccording to Sieland, the trips were “an the application was turned in to OSHA in late working to answer questions on the applicationopportunity to build mentoring relationships 2012. Before OSHA could schedule an audit, the and assimilating the tenets of VPP into theirand observe best practices at current VPP U.S. government had to move beyond a budgetary respective work areas. The AWC team, furthestsites.” During March 2011, AWC members slowdown. OSHA was one of many government along in preparations, briefly described somewent to the Baker Hughes-Centrilift facility entities hit hard by sequestration. Amid furloughs of the changes being made to address the areasin Claremore, OK, an OSHA Star approved and other staffing cuts, OSHA was unable to identified for improvement.VPP manufacturing site. It was here that schedule a VPP audit for the AWC. They are stillthey learned of the Active Release Technique waiting for OSHA to catch up. “It is frustrating,” Sieland has identified three areas of focus to(ART) early injury prevention program that says AWC Supervisor Glen Phillips. “Our group reach the goal of healthy and safe production:would soon be adopted at AA’s Tulsa Base. has worked hard to get to this point of readiness.” hazard prevention and control, initial and recurrentRelationship building continued with a tour The AWC VPP team is not just standing by idly. training and ergonomics for a long, pain-free life.of the NuStar Energy L.P. site in late 2011. AA They continue to improve their processes, alwaysTWU members shadowed NuStar leaders as on the lookout for an opportunity to enhance the Overhaul Support Mechanic (OSM) Brendathey went through the OSHA VPP approval safety and well-being of the work force. On Feb. Washausen manages the AWC’s approach to 28, 2014, three Special Government Employees hazard prevention and control through a 5S from John Zink Hamworthy, a worldwide methodology—Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize emissions-control company based in Tulsa, and Sustain. The list describes how to organize conducted an audit of the facility. Sieland took part a work space for efficiency and effectiveness by in the recent audit. “The audit went well,” he said. identifying and storing the items used, maintaining “They provided us with several areas of focus to the area and items and sustaining the new order. work on, and we swapped best practices between The decision-making process usually comes from our two companies.” a dialogue about standardization, which builds understanding among employees of how they In late 2013, Vice President Collins directed should do the work. the formation of a VPP Steering Committee, consisting of two management and two TWU Parts Washer Denise Malaer covers steps taken personnel, to expand VPP into the safety at the AWC to mitigate risks from airborne hazards created through the daily use of chemicalAn $80,000, 60 pound APU shaft is loaded on a balancer. Using a zero gravity manipulator arm reduces the risk of damage or injury. The armwas installed as a result of a job hazard analysis that identified risks.26 THE LEADER vpppa.org

cleaning processes for aircraft parts and paint injuries, a decrease in lost work day cases as well American Airlines APU/Wiring Teambooths. The process of conducting job hazard as a decrease in the costs associated with those Front row: L to R: Glen Phillips, Deniseanalyses of 147 job tasks in the AWC work types of injuries. Malaer, Penny Bonham. Middle row: Brendaareas to identify risks and the ongoing air and Washausen, Donna Biggs, Bryan Golden.noise monitoring using the latest technology are Another preventive program is conducted Top row: Chip Sieland and Mike Wilkerson.arduous tasks. on the Tulsa Base by Dr. Tyler Bachman. Active release technique (ART) is a soft tissue treatment System. The effort the AWC team puts in at their Other preventive measures, explained that started in the athletic field for repetitive workplace has produced a leaner, cleaner and saferOSM Penny Bonham, include rolling carts motion aches and pains. Bachman says, “ART shop for the employees who call the AWC home.for repositioning heavy wire build boards, rack translates well into the industrial world wheresystems for storing parts and four-blocker charts repetitive motion tasks are common. ART The positive results produced during the shop’sused in post-analysis of accidents and near-misses allows us to treat individuals with aches and transformation to VPP-ready status have providedto identify root causes and develop solutions pains before they become injuries.” This OSHA the impetus to expand VPP across the larger Tulsafor prevention. Some safety changes have been approved form of first aid, helps the employee M&E Base and to other maintenance facilitiesinspired by simple accidents. After an incident avoid injury, and helps the company avoid in American Airlines’ network. The AWC teaminvolving a scalding injury from a mop and associated costs. According to Dr. Bachman, continues to be the leading edge of a much greaterbucket spill, a review resulted in a redesign of he has seen 700 cases where ART was required effort underway at American’s Tulsa facility. Thethe mop bucket station. The new station has a in the previous 18 months, with a 95 percent AWC group strives to facilitate a culture changecutout in the pan to allow water to be dumped improvement rate reported by employees. The towards an employee-driven, management-without having to lift it. Bonham emphasized program has cost AA about $300,000. Using supported system ensuring a safe and healthy workthat no incident is insignificant and that safety OSHA’s safety cost analysis system, Bachman environment. They have a lot of work ahead ofimprovements can be realized from something as estimates the ART program has saved the them but are ready for the challenge.simple as a spilled mop bucket. company $5.2 million since its inception. “Our bodies are like some of the aging equipment we “American Airlines Maintenance can Recently, an injury occurred at the AWC use at work,” said Phillips. “We both benefit successfully integrate VPP in Tulsa and elsewhere,”that highlighted the importance of reporting from preventive maintenance.” says Sieland. “We have a lot of hardworking peoplehazardous conditions. An individual walking here who recognize the benefits of VPP for ouroutside in wet weather slipped on a painted Machinist and TWU Safety Representative workers and for the company.”yellow caution line. Donna Biggs (OSM) Bryan Golden outlined the “reminding”recounted that, “This type of fall is a critical technique used by the AA workforce. The “While VPP is a voluntary program,” saysinjury for an older individual. We took steps to maintenance organization publishes alerts AWC Supervisor Phillips, “it involves a rigorousensure that it would never happen again.” Those and bulletins for maintenance tasks. Across and complex process designed to ensure that onlysteps included redesigning the entry area where the maintenance base, adequate signage keeps the best programs qualify and are approved asthe slip took place and adding non-skid to the employees informed. Training is a big priority. VPP worksites. American Airlines Maintenanceyellow caution paint, a practice adopted across We have classroom, computer-based, recurrent is moving steadily towards achieving the goal ofthe maintenance base. “What really stood out training and even game show type training aides entry into VPP.”from this incident,” said Biggs, “is that another to keep employees current, safe and compliant.individual noticed the slick area and didn’t say Bob Magrady’s life-long interest in aviationanything. Had he spoken up, an injury could OSM Mike Wilkerson described the manyhave been avoided.” This only highlights the ergonomic improvements at the AWC for the has led to a 25-year career with Americanimportance of working together as a site to seminar audience. Work tables that raise, lowereliminate injury risks. and tilt save the back and shoulders. Custom Airlines Maintenance and Engineering fitted foam floor mats are easy on the feet, knees Supervisor Glen Phillips conducted interviews and lower back of technicians standing at work Department. A desire to try new challengeswith practitioners of two health related programs stations. Wire spool rollers removed the need toat the Tulsa M&E Base. The first, Fitmatters heft heavy spools of wire in constant use in the brought him to his current position inWellness Center, is staffed by certified industrial shop. Hand tools for cutting and splicing haveathletic trainers. The staff offers a wide range been replaced with battery-operated-devices. A the Communications Department. As aof services including: pre-shift warm-up zero gravity lift arm now makes it easy to positiontraining and micro-break stretching, workplace heavy or awkward parts. (see left) communications coordinator, he has developedevaluations, injury prevention training, symptomintervention, supervisor consultation, ergonomic The AWC team continues to work hard to communications for many areas within theand PPE consultation, human performance plan/ achieve a new safety culture at their workplace.coaching and the 3M prescription safety eyewear Maintenance and Engineering organization.program. The goal of Fitmatters is to help The Tulsa AWC has completed theemployees reach and maintain their best physical prerequisites for entry into VPP and today is on You can contact Bob at [email protected]. The Fitmatters team works with safety OSHA’s waiting list to conduct the final auditand medical teams to educate employees on of AWC facilities. Once they pass that hurdle,positive lifestyle behaviors to be utilized both at VPP status follows. As VPP dictates, they are nothome and at work. The success of this program resting on their laurels. They continue to buildis measured by a decrease in OSHA recordable and refine a very successful safety and wellness program at the AWC that blends well with American Airlines’ overall Safety Management THE LEADER vpppa.org 27

28 THE LEADER vpppa.org

BY KIT KELLER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ASSOCIATION OF PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLE PROFESSIONALS THEEVOLUTIONOF BIKING CULTURERemember your first bicycle? What other transportation experience canmatch that same joy, freedom (and frugality) of biking from where youlive to where you want to go…on a sunny day along your favorite routewith your best buddy? Such bliss!T he maxim “it’s just like riding a bicycle” Protected Bike Lanes suggests this skill once learned can never be forgotten. However, muscle memory To address safety concerns, cities in the Unitedmay be insufficient to get most people on States are implementing protected bike lanes.bikes in locales where car drivers are permitted This is “an exclusive bike facility that combinesto behave badly and there’s little or no space the user experience of a separated path withfor bicyclists to ride safely. Even worse, many the on-street infrastructure of a conventionalchildren simply aren’t allowed to bicycle bike lane. [It] is physically separated fromanywhere because their parents perceive the motor traffic and distinct from the sidewalk.”1world as a dangerous place. European cities employ similar facilities, called cycle tracks, to achieve high rates of This article will discuss some of the exciting everyday bicycling approaching or exceedingnew tools, programs and resources that 50 percent, complemented by low crash rates.communities, employers, schools, children, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver,adults and universities can use to promote Indianapolis, Memphis, New York City,safer bicycling. Pittsburgh, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC, are participating in the Green Lane Project.2 THE LEADER vpppa.org 29

Many cities seeking to attract Millennials Bikeshare for children at schools. Bicycle Safer Journey and Boomers in search of a less car-centric is a new online tool developed by the Federal lifestyle turn to the Urban Bikeway Design The newest kid on the bicycle block is Highway Administration to help parents, Guide and the Urban Street Design Guide bikeshare—a fun and inviting new way to teachers and others educate children and published by the National Association of combine physical activity and transportation. teens age 5–18 about safe bicycle behaviors.8 City Transportation Officials (NACTO) for Bikeshare systems feature kiosks where an State departments of transportation have guidance.3 As active transportation grows in individual can become a single or multiple Safe Routes to School Coordinators who popularity among all age groups, new tools like day bikeshare user and check out a bike. After can advise schools about bicycle safety. the NACTO guides will be developed to speed paying the basic use rate, the individual can use The League of American Bicyclists trains the creation of a culture of health, community the bike for free for as many short trips as they thousands of Certified Ride Smart instructors connectedness and actual and perceived safety.4 like, usually less than 30 minutes at a time. who are available to teach bicycle safety An exciting outcome is increased collaboration Smart phone apps like Spotcycle help users courses.9 Park and recreation departments between cities, professional associations, find kiosks, see how many bikes are available may offer bicycle programs.10 Particularly citizens, businesses and advocacy groups. and know if they’ll find a space to return their industrious parents teach their children to bike. Some apps help the user track how many bike by taking the pedals off which helps Safe Routes to School more minutes they can bike before incurring children gradually and safely learn and an overage fee. practice balance, turns and stops. Safe Routes to School5 programs address a growing concern about childhood obesity.6 For cities with overcrowded transit systems, For adults: Local bike shops or bicycle Bicycling helps balance calories in with calories strategically placed bikeshare stations help advocacy groups can present a lunch and learn out and many people who start bicycling for reduce crowded conditions on buses and or more extensive program for employers transportation report losing weight while trains during peak travel periods. Cities with that encourage bicycle commuting. Some gaining a healthier body image. When children bikeshare programs report that it is used by communities offer ongoing “bicycle kitchens” walk or bike to school, they arrive at school locals and tourists. To see how bikeshare that teach basic bicycle maintenance.11 The refreshed and ready to learn. Parents benefit works, view: www.streetfilms.org/the- League’s Ride Smart program for adults too because their child’s active transportation phenomenal-success-of-capital-bikeshare/. includes a class on bicycle commuting. trip home helps them burn excess energy, learn Students in the Ride Smart Traffic Skills 101 to be more independent and literally find their Bicycle Safety Programs class learn how to conduct bicycle safety way in the world. It’s never too early—or too late—to learn30 THE LEADER vpppa.org and reinforce good safety habits! Countries like Great Britain offer “traffic clubs” which help children learn and practice safety while walking, bicycling, using public transit and being in a car.7 This type of program adapted for the U.S. could help us more effectively prioritize and reinforce road safety. Until a comprehensive program is in place, we can look to a variety of nationally recognized bicycle safety programs, summarized below. For children: Many police departments or civic groups offer “bicycle rodeos” for young children to learn the rules of the road. Some local and state bicycle advocacy organizations offer bicycle safety education

checks, fix a flat, on-bike skills and crash choices, and fosters economically vibrant Prior to her work with APBP, Kit collaboratedavoidance techniques. League instructors have communities with a high quality of life.” with local businesses and government toeven helped adults learn to ride a bike for the www.partnership4at.org orchestrate a successful new transit start-very first time! 5. www.saferoutesinfo.org up, helped to develop and fund shared use 6. Childhood obesity is on the radar of parents, trails, promoted walkable and bicycle-friendlyAdditional Resources schools, doctors, public health, the military, communities, and facilitated Safe Routes to health insurance companies and the White School programs. She has served in elected and• Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle House. Over a lifetime investment in building appointed local government positions and on Professionals www.apbp.org healthy bodies offers many happy returns various boards, including the local League of for individuals, families, employers and Women Voters.• The League of American Bicyclists communities. bikeleague.org 7. www.childrenstrafficclub.com/about 8. www.pedbikeinfo.org/bicyclesaferjourney• National Center for Safe Routes to School 9. bikeleague.org/content/take-class www.saferoutesinfo.org 10. One example is BikeSafe in Miami-Dade County Florida www.ibikesafe.us/• Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center 11. www.lincolnbikekitchen.org/ www.pedbikeinfo.org Kit Keller, JD, executive director of theEndnotes Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP), views the world from1. nacto.org/cities-for-cycling/design-guide/ a public policy perspective, drawing upon cycle-tracks/ training in political science, psychology, community organizing, law and legal writing.2. www.peopleforbikes.org/3. nacto.org/4. The Partnership for Active Transportation defines active transportation as “human powered mobility such as walking and bicycling that increases physical activity, provides balanced transportation THE LEADER vpppa.org 31

THE DISTRACTEDBY JANET BROOKING DRIVINGEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DRIVE SMART VIRGINIAPoor driving behaviors, such as driver inattentionand aggression, have been identified as the primarycause of 90 percent of all traffic fatalities. Peoplehave control over their driving behavior, and thereforeone could suggest that better driving choices couldsignificantly reduce injuries and fatalities on ourroadways. For example, in 2012 there were 33,561people killed on the roadways of the United States. If90 percent of these fatalities were caused by driverbehavior, just over 30,000 lives could have beensaved in one year with the adoption of gooddriving behaviors by the motoring public.32 THE LEADER vpppa.org

EPIDEMIC THE LEADER vpppa.org 33

AVirginia Tech Transportation What Is Distracted Driving? fewer than 50 percent of Americans had a Institute Naturalistic Driving Study wireless device. This technology has advanced was the first large-scale instrumented According to the National Highway Traffic far more quickly than our ability to adapt to vehicle study conducted for the purpose of Safety Administration, distracted driving it appropriately for safe use. For this reason, capturing pre-crash and near-crash driving is “any activity that could divert a person’s we, as safety professionals, are responsible for information. Data was collected on 109 attention away from the primary task of creating workplace policies and programs and primary drivers over a one year period. driving.” These types of distractions include: for raising awareness about the dangers of Researchers analyzed 42,300 hours of driving • Texting distracted driving. data and concluded that in nearly 80 percent • Using a cell phone of all crashes and 65 percent of all near- • Eating and drinking There are three kinds of distracted driving: crashes observed, there was driver inattention • Talking to passengers manual, visual and cognitive. Texting has within three seconds of the event. This was • Grooming developed as the most serious of all of the the first study that showed the depth of the • Reading, including maps distractions because it involves all three of problem distracted driving causes. • Using a navigation system these distractions. • Watching a video We know that the majority of car crashes • Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player What Can Businesses do to Help are caused by driver behavior, and we know Their Employees? that distracted driving is a causative factor The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute in many of them. It would seem logical, reports that texting while driving increases a The Department of Labor reported that in then, that isolating and tackling the issue of driver’s crash risk by 23 times, making it the 2012, transportation incidents were the leading distracted driving specifically will go far to most severe of all distractions. Recent studies cause of workplace fatalities at 41 percent of all reduce fatalities and injuries on our roadways. have shown that even technology created to incidences. Motor vehicle crashes are a heavy make texting easier has still not made it safe to burden for Americans causing $871 billion in “Texting and driving text and drive. Hands-free technology is not economic loss and societal harm. Crash costs increases a drivers crash risk-free when driving. include lost productivity, property damage, risk by 23 times.” medical and rehabilitation costs, legal and (Virginia Tech The use of wireless technology has exploded. court costs, emergency services and insurance Transportation Institute) According to the The Wireless Association administration costs. (CTIA formerly known as the Cellular34 THE LEADER vpppa.org Telecommunication Industry Association), Employers should take these key steps to wireless devices have reached a population develop, implement, enforce and monitor a strong saturation of 102 percent in the U.S., which distracted driving program in the workplace: means that nearly every home in the country 1. Deliver the message from the top. Build has some form of wireless device. In 2002, the business case and get your executive management on board. 2. Establish policies. Make sure that your policies exceed the existing OSHA requirements, USDOT regulations or state law. Make sure that your policies cover ALL employees, ALL company vehicles, ALL wireless devices and ALL work-related communications, even from a personal wireless device or while driving a personal vehicle. 3. Once your policy is created, make sure that you take time to educate employees on the importance of the policy. Create an employee self-assessment so that employees can identify their own distracted driving habits. Offer solutions to identify habits to help employees transition to safer driving. Allow employees time to absorb and rationalize their own driving habits and the benefit distraction-free driving can have on their lives AND the organization overall. Approach communications with a combination of research, employee testimonials and corporate responsibility.

Demonstrate the benefit to fellow 9. And, for general safety, take a driver “The most dangerous part colleagues, family and friends. refresher class. Even the best of drivers pick of any employee’s day4. Equally important to the existence of a up bad habits over time. is the time they spend in policy is its rollout. Monitor compliance, their vehicle” (Network for enforce the policy and address violations. 10. Finally—Buckle Up—Every Trip, Every Employers for Traffic Safety)5. Establish a rewards and recognition program Time! A safety belt is YOUR best defense for compliance with the policy. Recognize against a distracted driver! Highway Safety Traffic Administration, Network success frequently and consistently. of Employers for Safety and Governors Highway6. Take advantage of the many resources Educate your Family Safety Association available to compliment your distracted driving program and keep visibility high Motor vehicle crashes are the number one Janet Brooking has served as the executive with periodic email communications, cause of death for teenagers in America. director of DRIVE SMART Virginia since May indoor and/or outdoor signage, mentions Teenagers are vulnerable drivers due to 2005. Prior to her involvement with DRIVE at company-wide or department meetings, a number of reasons, including driving SMART Virginia, Brooking spent ten years as pay stub notes, etc. inexperience and the immaturity of their state campaign director for the Commonwealth brains. Parents play a critical role in the of Virginia Campaign, through which sheMake a Personal Commitment development of safe driving practices by teens. raised more than $28,000,000 for charity.to Be a Role Model at Home Here are some key steps to ensuring that yourand at Work family develops good driving behaviors: She’s won several awards including a 1. Know that you are an example. Children Medallion Award from the Public RelationsRecognizing the importance of living and Society of America for a video and an awardpracticing a safety philosophy in both the model parental behavior and establish that from her peers at the Department of Humanworkplace and home is the first step in being as a norm. Commit to exemplifying safety Resource Management for being most “Resultspart of the solution to the distracted driving while driving. Driven” in the agency. Brooking’s non-profitepidemic. Take these steps to ensure that you 2. Establish clear and well-defined rules. work has included being a docent at theare a role model: These rules should address safety belt Maymont Nature Center and serving on the1. Change Your Ways. Analyze your own use, speed, impairment, wireless use, boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Read general distraction, number of passengers, Center. She currently serves as vice president driving behavior for dangerous distracted permitted distance from home base, etc. of the Colonial Chapter of the American driving habits and work to eliminate them. 3. Continue the conversation. Access the Society of Safety Engineers.2. Make a Plan. Before you put the keys in numerous educational sources available for the ignition, know where you’re going. parents to continue the education process THE LEADER vpppa.org Have your GPS or music programmed. If as your teen driver becomes more seasoned. you’re traveling with children, make sure they’ve got what they need nearby. Be the Change3. Manage Your Time. Plan your day so that you’ve got plenty of time to reach your There are multiple examples of the destination so that you’re not tempted to devastation caused by those who make multi-task or drive aggressively. the choice to drive distracted. As safety4. Don’t let your DRIVE time become your professionals, we have the opportunity to DOWN time. As a society, we’ve gotten create a platform, both at home and in our into a habit of finding it acceptable to workplace, to raise awareness in order to perform tasks secondary to driving while change this deadly driving behavior. Use the driving. When you’re behind the wheel tips provided here to start the conversation for driving is the only thing to be focused on. change with the goal of reducing injuries and5. Scan the roadway to make sure that you’re fatalities due to motor vehicle crashes. Your aware of your surroundings and of other efforts could save the lives of your family, driver actions at all times. friends and coworkers.6. Try to avoid driving when you’re tired or upset. It’s important that you are able to Additional resources for you and for your family: focus and concentrate on driving. • distraction.gov7. Pull over if you need to do something that • ghsa.org will take your eyes and/or mind off the task • iihs.org of driving. • nhtsa.gov8. Commit to placing your wireless device in the • nsc.org glove compartment or back seat while driving. • stopdistractions.org • drivesmartva.org • drivesmartuniversity.org Sources: Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, presentations from the Virginia Distracted Driving Summit, National Safety Council, National 35

infographic corner23 millionThe CDC estimates that there are In 2012,land-based Norovirus cases 726 pedal cyclistseach year in the U.S., affectingone in 12 people, or 8% of the 49,000were killed and an additionalpopulation. In contrast, the were injured in motor vehiclenumber of cruise passengers traffic crashes.affected is 0.028% of the 8 millionstrong cruising population, 60% of Americans say they wouldor 1 in 3,600 of those who bike more oftenvacation aboard ships if they had a safe place, like a green lane, to ride. This point was validated by a recent study in Washington D.C. that revealed bicycling increased 200% on Pennsylvania Avenue after green lanes were installed.of fatal transportation incidents in As of June 2014 only 21 states, the2012 involved pedestrians who were District of Columbia, the Northernstruck by vehicles. Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands have a helmet law for bicyclists below a certain age, generally about 16. Only the Virgin Islands requires helmets for all bicyclists.36 THE LEADER vpppa.org

government relations counsel message Dear Members, IT is an honor to join VPPPA as your new government relations counsel. When I served as Virginia’s Labor Commissioner, I learned quickly what a great partner VPPPA is—to business, to labor and to regulators who see its value. When VPP was flourishing, and when it was under fire, VPPPA was always there. VPPPA is in a great position today to get policymakers and stakeholders on board. We have over 2,300 companies and sites that rank among the most well-respected workplaces in every state. In my home state and in the states of my former colleagues, I have seen how effective VPP participants can be when they speak up. I look forward to working with you on both the state and national levels to ensure VPP gets the support it deserves. Of course, VPPPA is not alone. In the past, we have made common cause with other professional organizations to increase our reach, membership and conference participation. We have made valuable partnerships in recent years, and will reach out to more groups with similar interests. I appreciate the opportunity to serve such a great organization. If you have any thoughts at all going forward, please do not hesitate to let me know.COURTNEY MALVEAUX, ESQ.Government Relations Counsel THE LEADER vpppa.org 37

member spotlightPhil WalshChairperson for VPPPA Region IV, SHE manager at Ecolab, Inc.Phil Walsh, chairperson for VPPPA How did your career in VPP start? What do you feel is one of the mostRegion IV, is the SHE manager I actually started in the environmental field. valuable things you have gainedat Ecolab, Inc., Discrete Division. The company I was with at the time eventually through your involvement in theEcolab, an Affiliate member working gave me safety as part of my job. At the time, Association?toward VPP approval, is the global I wasn’t that excited about it and wasn’t sure Passion to be the best. From the things I learnleader in water, hygiene and what I was getting into. Once I got more into and see through conferences and involvementenergy technologies and services. the field and moved onto another company in VPPPA, it drives me to always continue toAround the world, businesses in that wanted more from safety than compliance, push harder in my career and job functions.the food service, food processing, my passion for safety and expertise blossomed.hospitality, healthcare, industrial Do you have any particularand oil and gas markets choose How did you get involved in VPPPA? accomplishment within Ecolab or VPPPAEcolab products and services to I had started at a new company and the plant that you are most proud of?keep their environments clean and manager had a vision of a world-class facility. I have been with Ecolab now for three years.safe, operate efficiently and achieve He wanted every department to benchmark In the division that I am involved, we havesustainability goals. Walsh works and envision what elements or programs would already seen major reductions in injuries andwithin the Discrete Network which help them to be the best-of-the-best. In my are seeing a great safety culture develop withis made up of healthcare sites and research, I came across the VPPPA. After a the changes we have made. This makes meequipment sites. He is the Safety, few phone calls and research on the VPPPA proud, seeing a system that works really payingHealth & Environmental Manager process I thought, “this is the path.’ I did a off. Within the VPPPA, I am proud to serve asfor the Discrete Network, with safety presentation to the plant manager and he the Region IV VPPPA chairperson. It is a lot ofand environmental oversight of six agreed we need to be a VPP Star site. work that is mostly done after my normal job,locations. (Discrete Network is a but it is satisfying being part of growing thedivision of Ecolab that includes the What role are you playing in shaping passion of VPP.healthcare and equipment plants) the organization? I am currently the safety, health and Have you always had the resourcesWalsh has been at a VPPPA member environmental manager for Ecolab’s Discrete and support that you have needed tosite since 2002. He has served on the Network. Three of the six plants I have are in accomplish your safety goals?Region IV VPPPA Board since 2006 and Region IV. My current manager has tasked me For the most part, yes. Early on in my career,became the chairperson in 2010. He with moving our safety program to a strong, I was with a company that really didn’t providewas actively involved as an SGE from world-class level program. We are in the stages the resources or commitment needed to get2005–2011 performing 16 evaluations. of developing and implementing the pieces to to a good safety program. Since then, I haveIn 2011, he moved to Ecolab and was a strong safety management system with the always been with a company that strived tounable to continue his SGE work as VPP framework. have a strong safety culture. That makes mythe site is not yet VPP approved. Walsh job a lot easier and more enjoyable. Withouthas also been very active as a VPPPA Do you feel like being a member of VPPPA that commitment from the management team,mentor and has helped 10 companies has helped you with your career goals? it is almost impossible to build a best-of-the-improve their safety programs and I feel I am where I am today because of best program.work toward VPP. VPPPA. When safety responsibilities were given to me earlier in my career, it was What are some of the positive safety mainly based around compliance. Once I was trends you have seen over the past challenged by a plant manager to create a best- several years? of-the-best program, I got involved in VPP and Technology. I am a big believer in change. saw what that actually meant. Safety is actually You can’t get comfortable where you are an enjoyable job and I have a passion to be the at, no matter where that is. Even with the best-of-the-best. I am not only creating strong strongest safety program, there are always programs, but I am able to see the pay offs in ways to improve and make them better. The reduced injuries, costs, as well as many other technology has and continues to change a lot functions of the company. in the safety field. Mobile technology, like the iPad, can now be used for infield inspections, audits, LOTO, etc.; sensor development has improved safety systems, i.e. pedestrian/PIT38 THE LEADER vpppa.org

crosswalks, loading docks, robotic areas, etc.; Has your family played a role in your Our members would be interestedforklift technology eliminated un-authorized safety agenda at work, interest in to know where you go to get yourpersons operating a lift; wearable technology the implementation and further questions answered. Who or what arelike cooling systems, headsets built into hearing development of safety education, or in your safety resources?protection equipment, IH sensors, etc.; are just other aspects of your personal life? Through my VPPPA involvement, I have gaineda few of the significant changes I am seeing Being chairperson on the Region IV VPPPA many resources. I reach out to other professionalsamong the many growing areas of technology. board, my family has had no choice but to that I have met over the years in VPP, as well learn and be involved in VPP. I have drafted as the many OSHA representatives that I haveAre you starting to see new safety them for many hours of conference prep work, gotten to know through the VPP process.issues that need to be addressed that etc. They have grown to actually enjoy it andperhaps, did not exist in previous years? love what VPP is all about. So having a family Do you have any additional challengesThe one that stands out to me the most is the that sees and understands what having a safe in the summer months that you need toaging workforce. Then, on the flip side of that workplace is about, it gives me passion to make overcome to keep your employees safe?is the younger generation coming in. With sure I am able to expand that passion to other The biggest one in the summer is heat. Beingthese two together, ergonomics is a growing workers so they can share that safety passion in the south, it gets hot in the summer. Weopportunity that affects older and younger with their families. have implemented a heat safety program whereworkers in different ways. The older generation we are tracking heat indexes during the dayis getting older, which creates some obvious What do you do at home to implement that in turn triggers different actions. This isergonomics concerns at work, but the younger the safety measures that are so something we always have to keep everyonegeneration has more ergo issues outside of abundant in your professional life? aware of during the summer months.work and that plays a role such as texting, I carry safety beyond the workplace andgaming, etc. continue that safety passion at home. I have What is the one lesson or piece of stressed the importance of no texting and advice you would like to offer yourWhat are some of the challenges that driving, leave the cell phone alone when peers regarding your experiences?you have encountered with VPP/OSHA? driving, buckle-up before you ever turn the Find passion in what you do. If you haveI would say my biggest challenge has been, car on, etc. the passion for what you are doing, you willand always is, when a company asks me to succeed. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others.come and assist or mentor them in VPP and Who inspires/inspired you? Who have you That is one good thing about being involvedthey are really not committed. I have had a looked to for guidance over the years? in VPPPA, you always have people that arecouple situations when a company has stated For that one person that inspired me the most passionate about what they do and who arethey wanted to be VPP, but they really didn’t in my career, I would have to go back to the willing to help.understand what it was all about. They thought company that I was working for when I firstit would involve completing a few forms and became involved in VPP. The plant manager there What legacy would you like to leaveprograms and then they would get an award at the time was very inspirational. His leadership either at your company or at VPPPA?and see their injuries drop. I once learned the style and the passion he had was very contagious. I would be satisfied just knowing thathard way with a company that I had put a I learned a lot from watching him manage his something I said or did made a difference inlot of time and effort into helping, that the team. He has passed away now, but I still think of someone’s life and kept them from dying ormanagement team has to be aware of the VPP how he would have handled something or how being severely injured.process for the company to be successful. The he would have gone about accomplishing a task.safety person was on board and then once I He actually became a big believer in the VPPgot more involved with the team, I realized process. He would always share his passion of thethis company was far from being VPP and program with other companies and what it hadnot sure they could ever be. Now, before I done for his. He loved it so much his wife actuallymentor any company, I tell them that first I included his passion for the VPP in his obituary.give a VPP 101 and Leadership presentationto top management before any mentoringor assistance. I think it is important for themanagement team to understand what it is allabout and how important leadership is goingto be in the VPP process. THE LEADER vpppa.org 39

member info cornerWrite for The Leader !H ave you ever thought about to the Centers for Disease Control and Congratulations to our 2014 contributing an article to The Prevention, 25 percent of the workforce will award and scholarship winners! Leader? We want to hear from you! be over the age of 55 by next year. People Annual Awards Share your knowledge and experiences with are waiting longer to retire and the global other VPPPA members. You are the leading economic crisis has decreased the availability VPP Outreach Award experts in this industry with unsurpassed of new positions for graduates entering the The purpose of the VPP Outreach Award expertise in promoting a positive safety workforce as older workers are inclined to is to provide recognition for our “VPP and health culture. Themes have already remain in the workforce until at least the age Ambassadors.” This award recognizes those been chosen for our autumn 2014 and of 62, according to a Gallup poll in April who achieve an outstanding level of outreach winter 2015 issues. If you are interested in 2014. The winter issue will address the effects activity and encourage others to share their contributing to one of our upcoming issues, of aging on injury rates, health problems knowledge. Reaching out to communicate and contact the Communications Department at including diabetes and musculoskeletal persuade others of the benefits of pursuing [email protected] or disorders, productivity and work OSHA or DOE VPP approval is an important (703) 761-1146. performance, time lost for long term illnesses part of the mission of the VPPPA. Another part and ways of addressing this, modifying tasks of the mission is to persuade other government The theme for our autumn 2014 issue is for older workers and issues associated with regulatory agencies to adopt similar programs. leadership. What is your company doing to lead the consequences of mental illnesses on aging The VPP Outreach Award is for an individual, the way in the safety and health field? What are employees such as dementia. company or worksite that has done an individuals within your organization doing that extraordinary amount of work in these areas. make a difference? Perhaps your company is already on top of this upcoming problem and has a plan in Winner: Cedar Bayou—Chevron Phillips This is your opportunity to highlight place to address the aging work population. Chemical Company the innovative strategies that are working If you do, we want to hear about it! Many at your company. There are multiple “right companies do not have plans in place nor VPP Innovation Award: ways” to achieve our safety goals. Share your do they know where to start when it comes The purpose of the VPP Innovation Award is to experiences with other association members. to addressing this imminent labor crisis. provide recognition for an individual, company VPPPA is full of diverse companies with Please help fellow VPPPA members create an or worksite that has developed and successfully forward-thinking safety programs. We want effective plan that allows employees to age implemented an innovation, encouraged others to hear about new programs that you are with dignity. to try new approaches and emphasized the value implementing at your company, new ways of creativity and flexibility in the resolution that you are working to educate employees, Note: You may also contact the editor, of worker safety and health problems. The how you are getting employees involved Sarah Neely, with ideas for upcoming themes innovation may be program-related or of a to prevent injuries before they occur, new and announcements for both The Leader and technical nature. procedures that you have put in place, “On the Level.” what types of new training programs are Winner: Illinois Refining Division— being utilized to more effectively educate Call for Member Spotlights Marathon Petroleum Company, LP your workforce and new programs that are significantly impacting safety and health in Our members are spectacular! We want to Winner: Savannah River Remediation, LLC— the workplace. share the wonderful things that you are doing Mobile Slip Simulator and your experiences with VPP and VPPPA This is also an opportunity to highlight with our membership. At the national office, Safety & Health Outreach Award the leaders in your organization who have we don’t have opportunities to meet with The purpose of the Safety and Health made a difference to your safety culture and members face to face as often as we would like. Outreach Award is to provide recognition for well-being. Many members have encountered We need your help identifying individuals our “VPP Models,” who reach out to share similar struggles starting a VPP program who are making a difference. Recommend the safety, health, technical and management and maintaining the necessary standards your friends, colleagues, bosses, mentors and expertise developed at their sites. The award and protocols to keep it going. Let the employees to be featured in our member is for an individual, company or worksite that membership know how you have overcome spotlights. We have two great mediums to has achieved an outstanding level of outreach these obstacles to create a successful safety and feature our members, our quarterly magazine, in the safety and health arena, not directly health culture. The Leader and our monthly e-blast, “On encompassing the VPP. the Level.” Contact the Communications The winter 2015 issue of The Leader will Department with your suggestions. Winner: Washington River Protection focus on the aging workforce. According Solutions, LLC40 THE LEADER vpppa.org

VPPPA Safety & Health Scholarships William “Sully” Sullivan ScholarshipAchievement Award June Brothers Scholarship During the February 2007 VPPPA NationalWhether it is at the worksite or in the The VPPPA June Brothers Scholarship was Board of Directors meeting, the boardcommunity, the VPPPA Safety & Health established in 2005 to recognize students who established the VPPPA William “Sully”Achievement Award provides special are leaders and role models in their schools Sullivan Scholarship. This scholarship isacknowledgement to non-managerial employees and communities and who are entering either intended to recognize an employee at aat VPPPA member sites who have taken the the environmental, safety and health areas VPPPA Full member site who has madeinitiative to learn and apply safety and health or the trades. This annual scholarship is significant contributions to the VPP programbest practices. Candidates are expected to fulfill granted to students who are either employed at his/her site. This scholarship is openthe program criteria and complete a workbook at a VPPPA Full member site or to the child/ to employees enrolled in or enrolling in acontaining questions on the major elements grandchild of a member. vocational school, college or university.of workplace safety and health. The Award isgeared toward hourly, non-safety and health Winner: Alexandra Ross Pryor, Midvale, UT Winner: William Turner, Richland, WAworkers at VPPPA member sites. Winner: Katelyn Girouard, Dedham, MAWinner: Arlene Williams, Savannah RiverRemediation, LLC THE LEADER vpppa.org 41

calendar of events VPPPA Contactsjuly september To reach the VPPPA National Office, call (703) 761-1146 or visitNational Conference Mobile App Call for 2015 Annual National www.vpppa.org. To reach a particularNow Live VPPPA Conference Workshop staff member, please refer to the Submissions Now Open contact information below.July 5–Aug. 19, 2014 Sept. 17, 2014 R. Davis LayneFirst Twitter Contest [email protected] “Noise Dosimetry & Senior Advisoraugust Hearing Conservation” webinar 11:30 a.m. EDT Courtney Malveaux, Esq.Aug. 23–27, 2014 [email protected] Sept. 23, 2014 Government Relations CounselOnsite Registration for Ext. 105National Conference “Best Practices When Implementing Online Mobile Sara A. Taylor, CMPAug. 24–28, 2014 Safety Training” webinar [email protected] 11:30 a.m. EDT Marketing Director30th Annual National Ext. 107VPPPA Conference octoberGaylord National Convention Center Latisha Dutch, CMMNational Harbor, MD Oct. 8–10, 2014 [email protected] Reservations: (877) 382-7299 Conference & Education Manager 19th Annual VOSH Conference Ext. 116Aug. 25–28, 2014 Embassy Suites Hampton Roads— Hotel, Spa & Convention Center Amanda BucknerSecond Twitter Contest Hampton, Virginia [email protected] Conference CoordinatorAug. 29–Sep. 3, 2014 Oct. 9, 2014 Ext. 112Third Twitter Contest “Hazard Communication Alert— Sarah Neely Changes in the OSHA Hazard [email protected] Harbor, MD Communication Standard” webinar Communications Manager 11 a.m. EDT Ext. 121 Oct. 23, 2014 Jenna Shay [email protected] “Process Hazard Analysis Communications Coordinator Revalidations—Scope, Requirements Ext. 115 & Methods” webinar 11 a.m. EDT Charlie Doss [email protected] Government Affairs Manager Ext. 113 Tom Webb [email protected] Strategic Development & Member Services Manager Ext. 114 Laura S. Rotzler, CMP [email protected] Advertising & Sponsorship Coordinator Ext. 111 Marianne Trinh [email protected] Senior Accountant Ext. 106 Bryant Walker [email protected] Information & Data Analyst Manager Ext. 11042 THE LEADER vpppa.org

crossword puzzleFill out this crossword puzzle featuring clues on VPP, the 1 5association and content from this issue! Answers to this puzzlewill appear in the summer issue of The Leader. Do not include 2spaces for multiple-word answers. To submit a crossword 34puzzle clue/answer in the next issue of The Leader, [email protected]. 67 8 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 21 22 20 23Across 25 26 242. River located in National Harbor, MD 277. Location of Region IV’s 2015 conference Down9. Number of fatalities to roadway workers 23. Month of the most recent VPPPA congressional outreach 1. Established various safety committees to who worked on track in 2013 provide advice on railroad safety matters14. Number of SGEs who attended the Region I 25. Number of years Phil Walsh has worked with Ecolab 2. Chemical to prevent insect bites conference 3. These may begin to take on an expanded15. Texting and driving increases a driver’s crash 26. Percent of Americans who say they would bike more often if they had a safe place role in society through the use of business risk by ___ times deliveries17. Three kinds of distracted driving: manual, 27. One of the greatest culprits of annual cost 4. Mosquito borne illness of U.S. vehicle crashes 5. New VPPPA government relations counsel cognitive and ____ 6. Most inspectors walk or travel in hi-rail18. US Airlines merged with ____ vehicles at maximum speed of ____ of20. “Best Practices When Implementing Online CWR track 7. Percentage of freight railroads move in _____ Safety Training” Webinar the U.S.21. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one 8. Percentage of people bicycling every day in European cities cause of death for ______ 10. Most prevalent geometry cause for track- caused accidentsANSWERS FROM THE LAST ISSUE 11. Bicycle _____ teach basic bicycleACROSS 2. Chairperson for VPPPA Region I (Gauthier); 3. ADOSH currently has ____ participating Star maintenancesites (Thirtysix); 5. Number of VPP sites in Nevada (Nine); 8. Identifies levels at which workers who are 12. Soft tissue treatment for repetitive motionexposed to hand-transmitted vibration (DELV); 10. Number of representatives from VPP worksites visited aches and painsWashington, D.C. (Fifteen); 12. Location of Region III VPPPA Symposium (Pittsburgh); 16. Is created when 13. Destination of National Harbor’s water taxiperturbations from the terrain are transmitted from the floor of vehicle, through the seat suspension, 16. Chairperson of VPPPA Region IVand into the driver (WBV); 17. Years Steve Gauthier has worked with VPPPA (Seven); 19. Mid-range 19. Theme of The Leader’s autumn 2014 issuefrequencies of vibration are primarily transmitted only to the ____ (Fingers); 20. Affects WBV exposures 21. Norovirus cases in the U.S. affect one inand worker health (Seats); 21. One body structure heavily affected by whole body vibrations (Spine); 22. ___ peopleVibration transferred though the soft tissue is one factor that can create (Spasms); 23. Vascular disorders 22. Keynote speaker at the Region VIIaffecting digital circulation and sensitivity to the cold are likely caused by ___ (HTV); 26. The frequency conferenceof vibration is usually measured in (Hertz); 27. A form of energy release that may easily be overlooked 24. Winner of VPP Outreach Awardin many work environments (Vibration); 28. Cannot be created or destroyed (Energy); 29. ConfirmedDeputy Secretary of Labor (Lu); DOWN 1. Tool that transmits high levels of vibration directly into theuser’s body (Jackhammer); 4. Host of the 2014 FIFA World Cup (Brazil); 6. Released a final rule addressingbackover hazards for most vehicles (NIOSH); 7. “Inspiring _____ Engagement in ESH” Webinar (Manager);9. Most prevalent and costly non-lethal medical conditions affecting adults (LBP); 11. Vibrationexposures are characterized by ____ components (Three); 13. National Conference opening generalsession (Thomas); 14. Symptoms of this disease include cold-induced constriction of the blood vesselsin the fingers and hands that result in the skin appearing white (HAVS); 15. Device to senses vibration(Accelerometer); 18. Number one of the six level hierarchy of controls (Elimination); 22. Percent of allwork-related illnesses are Musculoskeletal Disorders (Sixty); 24. Percent of workers exposed to power toolson a regular basis (Fifty); 25. Venue for VPPPA National Conference (Gaylord) THE LEADER vpppa.org 43