The Leader Spring 2019 - Profiles In Safety

VOL6/NO2/SPRING 2019 “It’ll never happen to me.” PERSONAL ACCOUNTS

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CONTENTS VOL 6 | NO 2 | SPRING 2019 FEATURES 12 26 Big Trouble Tyler and I Were Great Friends… By Chad Hymas By T.J. Lyons, OHST, CSP, CRIS, 16 Eastern Region SHE Manager Triumph Over Tragedy 30 By Curtis Weber Pursuing the Passion for Safety 20 By Regina McMichael, CSP, CET Safety Lives in the Heart 32 By Spencer Beach Lessons 22 By Mark D. Norton MAOM, CSSM, Just A Second Ago Norton Safety Services, LLC By Brad Livingston and Kayla Rath COLUMNS You can read about Chad Hymas (pictured above) on page 12. 6 A Message from the VPPPA Chairperson SECTIONS 8 34 Global Safety and Health Watch 10 Infographic Corner 38 OSHA Corner Company Profile 40 Membership Corner 50 State-Plan Monitor By Jamie Mitchell, Communications Coordinator, VPPPA, Inc. 52 Regional Round-Ups 54 Calendar of Events Beginning this month, you can find our feature articles translated into Spanish at vpppa.org.

A Message From the www.vpppa.org VPPPA Chairperson W elcome to our updated Spring National Office Staff in Washington, D.C. VPPPA National Board of Directors Issue of The Leader Magazine. We are also steadfast in the implementation We zeroed in on personal stories of our 2022 Strategic Plan. Our focus on Chairperson where people, not numbers, are the focus delivering value is driving everything we do J.A. Rodriguez, Jr., CSP, SGE, Raytheon of attention. These accounts remind us of and every decision we make. We are taking Company, LLC why we do what we do every second, every a hard look at all of our processes including minute, every hour and every day of every national committees and making changes Vice Chairperson year. Injuries are indiscriminant and lay to improve effectiveness. Registration for Terry Schulte, NuStar Energy, LP in waiting for a precise moment in time to the Safety+ Symposium is now open! We manifest themselves. A moment of tiredness, are growing our strategic partnerships and Treasurer of inattention, of miscalculating the risk, in collaborative discussions with industry- Chris Adolfson, Idaho National Laboratory of complacency, or a combination of all can leading organizations like the OSHA Safe + completely change how we live our lives. Sound Campaign. We are making progress Secretary with increasing global presence and Dan Lazorcak, CSP, Honeywell International Our ultimate focus at VPPPA is to help you encouraging safety excellence on the world help others lower the risk of injury in the stage. Our emphasis on becoming your Director from a Site With a Collective performance of your organizational mission resource for safety management system Bargaining Unit so that every worker can enjoy quality of life. excellence is guiding us in the development Jack Griffith, CH2M Hill Plateau Performance excellence in the protection and deployment of our VPPPA Body of Remediation Company of people transcends the workplace. It Knowledge—a platform to transform the improves lives and safeguards livelihoods. way you access best practices, educational Director from a Site Without a Collective How we all approach our work is a cogwheel information and business resources. Yes, Bargaining Agent within a complex and integrated system. there will be an app for that. Vacant One seemingly small and insignificant action can cause a major effect in everything We continue to celebrate our 35th year of Director from a DOE-VPP Site that matters most. As these stories come service together with our OSHA and industry Stacy Thursby, AECOM to life page by page, consider the lessons, partners, our exhibitors and our entire VPPPA the takeaways, and the journey that can community. Take full advantage of the year- Director from a VPP Contractor/ be embarked on today to help make your long contests, enjoy our throwbacks and our Construction Site workplace and your home a safer place. big New Orleans-style bash at the Safety+ Brad Gibson, S&B Engineers & Constructors Symposium, and more. We are uniquely positioned to help Director-at-Large every business and every employee lower There is no better time to join our National Johnathan “JD” Dyer, Shermco Industries operational risk and reach higher levels of Board and to set the pace for the next 35 success with our vast network including years. Submit your nomination by May 24, Director-at-Large 10 regional boards, thousands of member 2019. Consider running and enhancing your Kristyn Grow, CSP, CHMM, SGE sites and organizations and a remarkable career while helping us forge our future. Cintas Corporation Other ways to make a difference include volunteering for a committee, writing for the Director-at-Large Leader and our blog, delivering powerful and Sean D. Horne, Valero Energy industry-leading webinars, and contributing to our new body of knowledge platform. Director-at-Large Alice Tatro, Acushnet Company—Ball Plant II We are striving to be your Association of choice for business success and market share Director-at-Large enhancement. In this regard, let us know how Kimberly Watson, Oldcastle Infrastructure we can help, how we can improve, how we can deliver what you need to better protect Director-at-Large our nation’s workforce, and how we can help Vacant your organization enhance its competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Editor Kerri Carpenter, VPPPA, Inc. We are your Association. You are VPPPA. Commit… Perform… Deliver… Protect... Associate Editor We are truly transforming tomorrow together. Jamie Mitchell, VPPPA, Inc. —J.A. Rodriguez, Jr. 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 Leesburg Pike, East Building, Suite 100 • Falls Church, VA 22043-2004 VPPPA, Inc., the premier global safety and health organization, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes advances in worker safety and health excellence through best practices and cooperative efforts among workers, employers, the government and communities. 6 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org



Global Safety and Health Watch By Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator, VPPPA, Inc. Safety Standards Around the World VPPPA urges Every year on April 28 Safety and Health Act of 1970, 40 percent. In 1982, OSHA all workers to Workers Memorial signed by President Richard announced the start of the know their rights Day is recognized. Nixon. This administration sets Voluntary Protection Programs and speak up This is a day to the rules for, and also enforces, and approved the first VPP when you feel remember workers who have safety and health in the U.S. site. OSHA’s website notes, uncomfortable suffered injuries or died from “Emphasis on partnerships or unsafe at hazards at work. The annual According to OSHA’s website: increased dramatically in the work. It could Profiles in Safety issue of the Under federal law, you are 1990s, and participation in the save your life. Leader magazine shares the entitled to a safe workplace. agency’s premier effort, the stories of those who were Your employer must provide a Voluntary Protection Programs, 8 Leader—Spring 2019 injured, or even killed, on workplace free of known health increased eight-fold.” Years the job. Each worker has a and safety hazards. If you have later, there are now thousands different story to share. A concerns, you have the right to of workers striving to achieve few of the following articles speak up about them without safety and health excellence describe workers who did not fear of retaliation. You also have and a VPP Star. know their workplace safety the right to: rights, as well as those who • Be trained in a language Canada did not receive proper training to perform their daily tasks you understand According to the Canadian safely. Many countries operate • Work on machines that government, “There are under strict safety and health fourteen jurisdictions guidelines, but unfortunately are safe in Canada—one federal, this doesn’t keep traumatic • Be provided required safety ten provincial and three incidents from occurring on territorial–each having its the job. In addition, these gear, such as gloves or a own occupational health safety guidelines haven’t harness and lifeline for falls and safety legislation, always been the norm. VPPPA • Be protected from outlining the general rights urges all workers to know their toxic chemicals and responsibilities of the rights and speak up when you • Request an OSHA inspection, employer, the supervisor and feel uncomfortable or unsafe at and speak to the inspector the worker.” work. It could save your life. • Report an injury or illness, and get copies of your However, like in the U.S., United States medical records safety was not always the • See copies of the workplace top priority. For example, Late 1960s America saw an injury and illness log in the late 1960s, workers increase in occupational • Review records of work- in Ontario, Canada began to injuries and illnesses. The related injuries and illnesses openly criticize the lack of injuries were becoming more • Get copies of test results safety regulations. This forced severe and 14,000 workers done to find hazards in the Government of Ontario were dying on the job each the workplace to start taking a look at their year. As a response to this, the health and safety laws and Occupational Safety and Health The agency opened its make necessary updates. In Administration (OSHA) was doors on April 28, 1971. Since 1974, uranium miners in Elliot created with the Occupational then, in the U.S., workplace Lake, ON, became alarmed fatalities have been reduced by the prevalence of lung by 60 percent and the injury and illness rate is down by vpppa.org

cancer and silicosis among China created their original A wide variety of safety the history behind why these their fellow workers and went Workplace Safety Law. This law standards exist across the policies are needed, we can on strike to fight for better focused on industries in which globe. Every country operates only continue to aim for the conditions. The government employees were thought to be a little differently with what improvement of safety policies appointed a Royal Commission most at risk. steps they take to ensure the everywhere. Part of that to investigate safety in safety and health of their improvement involves alerting mines, led by Dr. James Later, in 2014, this workers. The above examples employers of safety issues, Ham–which became known Workplace Safety Law was only scratch the surface of watching out for yourself and as the Ham Commission. The revamped and significantly this topic. As we reflect on your co-workers. Ham Commission Report increased government recommended workers, regulations and control over SOURCES employers and the government workplace safety and accident www.osha.gov/workers/index.html all work together to create prevention. Peter Pang, the www.canoshweb.org/ joint labor-management founder and Chairman of the www.ccohs.ca/ health and safety committees. newly combined IPO Pang www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/global-hr/pages/china- By 1978, the Occupational Xingpu Law Firm, wrote that, workplace-safety-law.aspx Health and Safety Act was “The most important feature www.ipopang.com/blog/protecting-worker-safety-in-china/ established in Canada and of the 2014 amendments to www.osha.gov/as/opa/osha-at-30.html the Canadian Centre for the law was to clarify the wohis.org/history/ Occupational Health and Safety obligations and responsibilities www.osha.gov/workersmemorialday/index.html (CCOHS) was created. of employers in China to www.ituc-csi.org/april-28-international-workers provide a safe and healthy www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/workmemorial/default.html The CCOHS provides a working environment for wealth of resources for employees by establishing Testing for workers of all ages regarding a comprehensive workplace Safety types of hazards, health and health and safety program wellness, your rights and and developing a clear Accredited responsibilities with workplace “responsibility system.” The Proof Testing safety and more. The CCOHS purpose of the ‘responsibility Laboratory Services notes, “Employers, managers, system’ is to organize and supervisors, workers, and delegate responsibilities as Rubber Gloves, Sleeves, Blankets, Line Hose, the government all have they relate to workplace health Footwear, Jumpers, and Hotsticks responsibilities when it comes and safety.” to workplace health and safety. Los Angeles 800-296-2803 • San Francisco 888-817-1412 Additionally, workers have the Pang continues with other Metro NY/NJ/PA 800-220-2120 • [email protected] rights to refuse unsafe work, information that, “Chinese participate in health and safety officials have also become Burlington Now you can activities, and know about increasingly aggressive in dangers in the workplace.” implementing the Law. For Safety Laboratory Inc. Buy Online! example, in January 2017, the www.BurlingtonSafety.com Your One-Stop Shop China official Xinhua news agency announced that it would be It is common to pick up an launching a nationwide safety object and see the “Made in inspection in workplaces in China” label on the tag— China. The announcement also countless Western companies noted that ‘China’s workplace now produce their goods in safety record improved in China. While China may have the first five months of 2017, different standards for safety with the number of accidents and health than countries like dropping 25 percent year the U.S., they are taking steps on year to around 19,000, to put employees ahead of according to the State profits. In China, employee and Administration of Work Safety. workplace safety is regulated These accidents left some by the People’s Republic of 13,000 people dead, down 16.9 China’s State Administration percent year on year.’” of Workplace Safety. In 2002, vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 9

Infographic Corner According to OSHA, Workers younger than worker injuries and age 25 experienced illnesses are down, from the highest rate of fatal electrocutions, at 10.9 incidents per 100 1.2 per 100,000 workers in 1972 to 2.8 per 100 in 2017. full-time workers. There were Over half of the approximately approximately 2.8 million 2.9 million nonfatal workplace private industry injuries and illnesses injury and illness reported by private cases reported in industry employers in 2017. 2015 involved days away from work, job transfer In 2017, there or restriction. were 366 fatal Burns occur mainly falls to a lower in the home and workplace. level out of 971 construction fatalities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 10 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

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BIGByChadHymas TROUBLE 12 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

“It’ll never happen to me.” T hat’s what I thought. Things were solidifying in over me, as I thought to myself had I experienced so much pain. That’s what everyone my life more than ever before. that I’d made it work, again. I began counting. “One. Two. thinks. Feeding the elk on the ranch Three. Four. Please, God…” And Today I look down was the last chore I needed to do Just a split-second later that then again. “One. Two. Three. at my hands, and I distinctly before I could see my little boy same bale of hay rolled off the Four. Please…” remember how they used to be. Kyler walk for the first time. I tractor arm and dropped 15 My legs used to carry me across had told Shondell that I’d hurry. feet, crushing my body beneath I don’t remember anything the basketball court. My arms It was with that “hurry-up” it’s 2,000 pounds. I never saw after the Life Flight (a medical used to pick up my young sons attitude that I raced onto the it coming. helicopter transport service) and throw them high into the farm and hopped onto the tractor. until I awoke from surgery air. My hands used to lay pipe I was in big trouble. With that surrounded by my wife, my and handle machinery. That I drove the tractor over to one-ton bale of hay resting on parents and my siblings. The was then. the one-ton bale of hay and top of my head and neck, my doctors began to paint a mental began lifting it from 15 feet breathing became labored, and picture of what my life would That was before I learned…it off the ground. In raising it, I I wondered how long I could look like: big trouble. My choice can happen to anybody. had to engage the hydraulics. stay conscious. Twice, a painful to ignore the hydraulics in the The bale of hay lifted, but then tingle crossed over my face, tractor had now changed the Never take safety for granted. quickly slipped back onto the and I feared suffocation. I was way I would eat, move, dress, In just a split second everything stack of bales, indicating that rapidly losing the ability to sleep and work. can change if you choose to take the tractor was running low on take in oxygen. Twice I begged, a shortcut or disregard a pre-op. hydraulic fluid. “Please, God, let me stay.” As I thought, and re-thought, One split-second decision can about how the accident change your entire life, just like I remember the thoughts that I wanted to live. I had two happened that night, I realized it did mine. went through my mind, “I don’t kids and a wife that needed me. that my own ego had been my have time for this! I want to get And I needed them. Never before On April 3, 2001, I chose to home.” I remember making a take a shortcut. I skipped a conscious choice to strategically pre-op and my life changed. ignore the hydraulic issue. That Earlier that day my wife, decision meant one thing for Shondell, had called and asked me...BIG TROUBLE. if I would hurry home. Our youngest son, Kyler, had just Have you been there before? taken his first steps, and she Have you been in similar wanted me to see him walk circumstances? The whistle before he went to bed. Thrilled blows, and you’ve got plans with the news, and eager to be for the weekend, or you’ve with my family, I sped through got people waiting on you. my responsibilities. Maybe you want to be done for the day. Perhaps you just At that time in my life, I want to be home. Or, you just was the head contractor of the want to go to lunch, so you landscaping company that I hurry. You overlook things that had built with my brothers. are essential, or skip steps to When it had become legal to complete your tasks in less time. raise elk in Utah, Shondell and I pursued our dream of owning As the tractor arm lapsed, I a ranch and had purchased 40 threw the hydraulics back into head of elk from Colorado. gear, and the bale raised again. A certain kind of smugness came vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 13

demise. Have you said to yourself, again. My previous experience slow you down? Trust me, luck that I’ll always remember. “It’s no big deal. I’ve done it a became my worst enemy. always runs out. Safety is worth “Chad, I don’t care how you million times.” Have you skipped the time and effort every single end up or what happens. Just steps, not placed a chock block, My thinking was that I could time. Err on the side of safety, promise me that you’ll fight not worn safety glasses or a hit the hydraulics in gear, and rather than gambling on speed. for your life, and we’ll get hardhat? Have you gotten off a the bale would raise up, like it It could save your life. Or at through this.” I made her that machine the wrong way, or not did the night before. Then I’d least save your life, as you know promise. I knew she loved me. secured a brace, thinking the throw the tractor in reverse and it today. I knew I could trust her to be whole time, “It’s no big deal. I’ve the bale of hay would naturally there for me, even though my done it this way before.” fall forward to the ground. I Counting helped me to life would be different. could simply drag it over to the stay conscious until some Even though I knew the risks, bull pen. I’d be home quickly, 45 minutes had gone by. The My split-second decision also and had even heard horror just as I promised Shondell I sun had set by that time, and changed her life. It changed the stories, I chose to maneuver would be. with my head crushed into the lives of my children, my parents the tractor without addressing steering column, I suddenly and siblings. My choice that the hydraulics because the Some of you may be thinking, became aware of headlights on night to skip a step that would very night before I had done “That’s a pretty stupid the dirt below. It was Shondell. have taken only minutes out the same thing! Almost 24 mentality.” I agree. Yet, how of my evening, affected all of hours earlier, the tractor arm many of you, at your workplace, She screamed in such a way the lives around me, forever. had malfunctioned as well. I during your day, with all of your that I will never forget, but I could not roll back time and knew the hydraulics were low, responsibilities, have followed a I never wish to hear again in take that decision back. I could but rather than take the time similar thought process? my lifetime. As she frantically only roll forward into my to fix the problem, I chose to reached for me under the bale of new circumstances. strategize around it. The second time I chose hay, I was only able to blink my to do this, the outcome was eyes, a signal she was unable to I was now a quadriplegic. I Do you know how long it different. The hydraulics see. In her attempt to touch my had broken three of the seven would have taken me to add kicked in and the bale of hay face, she had opened a pathway vertebrae in my neck; C-4, 5 and hydraulic fluid? Only minutes. fell backwards, over the tractor for more air, and I waited, 6. They told me I would need an Yet, because I was in a hurry, I arm, and landed on top of me. counting, hoping I could last electric wheelchair. Someone chose to ignore it. In fact, because The success I’d had the night until more help arrived. would need to dress me and drive I had rigged a solution the night before was only luck, and my me wherever I needed to go. before, and my prior experience luck had run out. How long will Not long after she left my told me that it would work you gamble by skipping pre- side, I saw more lights. A They told me that statistically ops or safety steps that seem flashlight shone into my eyes, my marriage would not survive unnecessary or that seem to and the officer yelled, “He’s the emotional challenges of alive! Help me get this bale of my new life. They told me that hay off him!” It took eight men I should put away any hopes of to get the bale of hay off of my sports, mobility and a career. I body. Life Flight landed, and didn’t like what they said. as I waited in the ambulance to be flown to the hospital, “When do I see my boys?” I the door opened and there asked. It didn’t seem to merit stood Shondell, with that first the doctor’s attention. “When do officer. She stepped inside, my boys get to see me?” I asked closer to me, and spoke words again, more emphatic, more pointed than before. 14 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

My doctor cautiously going into your lungs, and eat focus, I would compel my body As he had promised, the doctor responded, “Chad, you’ve got a 1,200 calories without choking, to take it in. After I was sure that released me from the ICU and I tube for oxygen, a tube for liquids in a 24-hour period then, and the liquid and food had settled, was able to see my boys. and a feeding tube. You can’t only then, will I move you out of Shondell would make a note of it breathe, drink or eat on your own. the intensive care unit, and you on a log. At the end of every day, My split-second decision had Not to mention the hospital can see your two boys.” we would calculate the progress. affected them. I missed seeing has a policy that children under Kyler’s first steps. While he eight cannot enter the ICU; I don’t think I’ve ever worked Twelve days later at 9:30 was taking his first steps, little besides, I don’t think you are in harder, and with more focus PM, Shondell called the doctor did I know then that I had been any shape to be seen.” that I did at that time. It was like and the tubes were removed. taking my last. an Iron Man competition, as I I didn’t realize it at the time, forced myself past what I felt was At the age of 27, Chad Hymas’ life changed instantaneously when a but my face had been severely humanly possible in every area. If safety-related accident left him a quadriplegic. Since that time, Chad traumatized during the accident. I could just see my boys, and hear has been recognized by the state of Utah as the Superior Civilian of the It was a Hollywood makeover them call me Dad, somehow, I Year. He has been voted “Most Influential Safety Speaker In the World.” He gone terribly wrong. In addition knew that things would be ok. is the president of his own communications company and an internet to that, I was a virtual network There would be some semblance marketing company. of tubes, monitors and IVs. The of my old life, some comfort doctor was right. My two little that all was not lost that night At 37 years of age, Chad is the one of the youngest ever to receive boys would have been frightened under that bale of hay. the CPAE award and be inducted into the National Speaker Hall of Fame. at what they saw. As a member of the National Speakers Association, Chad spoke at over Just as I did while I was under 220 events last year. Chad Hymas leads an energetic life as a safety Seeing my frustration (and that bale of hay, I counted. speaker and author. He is one of the leading safety speakers in North hearing it in my comments about “One CC of water. Two. Three. America, delivering his safety message in a unique, humorous style. hospital policy), the doctor made Four. Please God…” And then Clients include: De Beers, Barrick Goldstrike, BorgWarner, Smoky Canyon, me a deal. “Chad,” he said, “If again. “One CC. Two. Three. Cortez Gold Mine, Holcim, Kennecott Mine, Newmont Mine, and others. you can teach yourself to breathe Four. Please.” Not only did I on your own again, even for have to swallow the food and Chad is married, and he and his wife are the proud parents of four a short period of time, drink the liquids, but I had to keep children. They currently reside in Rush Valley, Utah on a 200-acre wildlife 2,000 CC’s of liquid without it them down. With every bit of preserve. Chad is a world-class wheelchair athlete enjoying basketball, wheelchair rugby, hang-gliding, and snow skiing. In July 2003, Chad set a World Record by wheeling a personal marathon of over 500 miles from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas. Chad is also the author of the regionally best- selling book Doing What Must Be Done. vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 15

TRIUMPH OVER TRAGEDY By Curtis Weber At age 17, I had the world in front of me. I had a great childhood, great running tools to the guys, or family, great friends and great opportunities ahead. I had my life heading whatever they told us to do. By in the exact direction I always dreamed it would go. With the world literally the time we were in our early in the palm of my hands, I was weeks away from living out a childhood teens, we could physically build dream. That dream was taking my biggest passion in life, hockey, to the next the bins ourselves. level and play the game that I loved for as long as possible competitively. However, that summer instead of joining my new team at the Junior level, I But this year was different. found myself batting for my life in a Saskatchewan hospital. A few of the guys had to leave our family-run business for A hot summer day this straight before we go any because, I often hear or get the full-time work. I was the last in July of 1999, further—I wasn’t some young, sense that, because someone man standing on the crew started out like so inexperienced 17-year-old kid has worked in a particular and realizing I’ll be moving many others for that, should have been looked field for X number of years, away from home to follow my me. Getting up in the early after better. these things won’t happen passion of hockey, it didn’t hours before the sun rises, to them. My father had taken make sense for us to hire and before most others will hit their You see, I’ve been traveling over a business at the age of train a few more people to fill snooze button for the first time, the world for the past 13 years, 18, building steel grain bins in the void that last summer of the gave me a great sense of pride, sharing my experiences of a the prairies of Western Canada. family business. In an attempt purpose and responsibility. Not near-fatal electrical incident, Naturally, by the time my two to keep busy and stay in shape a bad set of beliefs and values working in an industry that brothers and I were old enough for that last summer at home, I for a 17-year-old kid, working I literally grew up in. “I was to help out (about five years decided to look for a new work his third day of his first ever raised in the industry that old), our jobs went from picking opportunity. My father was “real” job. What can I say, I nearly took my life,” is a up the nuts/bolts off the ground, approached by another smaller was raised right! But let’s get common quote from my cleaning up the garbage onsite, construction group in our town presentations. I say this, and was asked if I’d be available to work for them. A natural fit for me, since these guys had now taken over some of the contracts that my dad had turned over, doing the exact same work. 16 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 17

times, like so many others have before us. Instead of voicing my concern, asking a question or suggesting a better way to do the maneuver (remember I grew up building these things, I knew what we were doing wasn’t the best way), I grabbed hold of the steel structure, steadying it from the heavy winds as we approached the overhead line. That’s when the predictable happened. The preventable happened. I became the ground point as over 40,000 volts of electricity surged through me. On the third day of my After a long and trying day for Prior to the maneuver, we had a His body was engulfed new job, my first “real” our crew, we found ourselves brief discussion around how we in a huge ball of fire, job, I wouldn’t return much further behind in the would complete the task along thrown violently back home. My life would progress we were hoping for with the associated risks. But we and forth, four to five change, and it would and felt the pressure to pick had a job to get done. We were feet off the ground, as never be the same.” up the pace. The next task we already behind. We identified each cycle had passed faced, proved to be the last one the hazard. We assessed the risk. through him.” —CURTIS WEBER we would attempt that day. We What more could we have done? attempted to transport a steel —CURTIS’ CO-WORKER MIKE The day started out very structure under an overhead We made contact with positive. It was the Friday of a power line with a crane. A an overhead power Complete chaos ensued. I long weekend. We were told by decision that I knew wasn’t line that just twelve laid motionless, unresponsive the boss, he’d planned an easy the best one. Remember that minutes earlier, we had and not breathing. After being day for us so that we could all 17-year-old kid, with all that a discussion about, revived onsite temporarily, start our long weekend early. experience, who literally grew and spoke of the doctors at the hospital gave my Unfortunately, this positive day up in the industry that he was potential for loss of life family no hope of survival. I quickly turned negative. Nearly working in that day? Yup, if we weren’t careful.” slid into a coma, which lasted halfway through the morning, that was me. But remember I six weeks. The first four nights we were told that a grain bin we was 17, on my third day of my Without a documented plan, my parents were called into a had already nearly completed first “real” job, working with or discussion around who conference room with a team was not the right size and that people twice my age, complete was going to do what, when of doctors, where they were we’d have to tear it down and strangers. Remember being 17? and where, we attempted the told their son wouldn’t survive. return at a later date when the Have teenage children at home? maneuver, like so many other “We need to start bringing the proper material was delivered Yes, we’re impressionable rest of the family in to say their to site. There goes our easy, be people, we put our heads down, goodbyes, we’re sorry there’s home early day. Sound familiar? keep our mouths shut, appear just nothing more we can do.” As confident/competent. Especially hard as that was for my parents, with how the day’s events they said it was a thousand times unfolded, who was I to make the harder to walk down the hall, day any longer with a discussion to where my 13 and 21-year- about that overhead power line. old brothers were waiting for updates, and tell them the news. But I wasn’t done fighting… 18 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

There was this little I believe that I was destined me to really connect with them between. Sharing my story at burned up person, to be where I am today and not only on a professional safety meetings of 20 people, looking up at me as if to doing what I do now. In level, but more importantly for to industrial operations of say, Mom help me. That the moments I realized my me, on a personal level. 8000 people, and even large was just too much!” injuries, I wasn’t fazed by global conferences, has given —CURTIS’ MOTHER, DONNA them. I’ll never forget the look Following the long road me a new passion and purpose of horror on my mother’s face to recovery, I have compiled for life, one that replaces my Awakening from that six- as she came into my hospital over 13 years of experience in childhood dreams of being a week long coma, it was time to room one day, months after the safety field, working as professional hockey player, understand and comprehend the incident, to tell me what a Safety Consultant, Safety but one that couldn’t be more what had happened while I was had happened. What I’d lost. Officer and Safety Trainer. rewarding or gratifying! unconscious for a month and What I looked like. She told me Above all, for 15 years I’ve a half. All of which, everyone of my amputated limbs first. I been speaking across North To contact Curtis Weber please around me already knew. I had remember looking at my right America and overseas as a email cweberconsulting@ third and fourth degree burns arm first. There was no hand, keynote speaker at conferences gmail.com or call him at 1-306- to over 60 percent of my body. no wrist, no forearm. Just this and events in every kind of 441-3328. You can also find more The remaining 40 percent little stump at my elbow. I industry imaginable, from the information on his website at of my body burnt to a lesser wasn’t scared. I wasn’t angry. corporate level to the worker curtisweber.com. degree or used as “spare parts” I wasn’t feeling depressed level and everywhere in- to repair other areas that were or sorry for myself. The one more significantly damaged. thing I remember thinking EMPOWER RESCUERS The severe burns would was at least it’s my right arm. result in the loss of my right I’m a lefty in hockey and it’ll WITH UNRIVALED SUPPORT arm, left leg and the severe be easier to handle a puck scaring of my face and body. with my hockey stick as long A sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) In a six month span I’d have as my bottom hand is good. victim’s best chance of survival nearly 30 surgeries. However, But then I realized that’s my is immediate CPR and a rescuer that was just the beginning throwing hand, my writing equipped with an AED. of my recovery. I spent the hand and instantly, I asked next six years traveling from for a pen and paper to start The ZOLL AED Plus® with Real Saskatchewan to Toronto for practicing writing, I asked for CPR Help® can help make the reconstructive and plastic a football/baseball to practice difference between life and death. surgeries. On top of those throwing. As for seeing myself initial 30 operations, I had for the first time, my family REAL CPR HELP 14 reconstructive surgeries, was terrified of what my provides integrated, real-time many lasting upwards of reaction would be. Yup, that feedback on CPR compression 10-12 hours, some of which was the same reaction. At least rate and depth. my doctors said they had only it wasn’t my whole face. At heard of being done once or least I still had my vision. No FIVE-YEAR BATTERY twice before. matter how bad I realized my AND PAD LIFE situation was, I always knew, means fewer replacements I felt sorrier for the unfortunately, there was and a low cost of ownership. people who felt sorry somebody worse off and how for me, than I ever felt selfish would that be of me to DESIGNED TO BE DURABLE, sorry for myself!” feel sorry for myself. the AED Plus can be used in various environments. —CURTIS WEBER Today, as an International Safety and Motivational For more information about the ZOLL Speaker, I am so grateful to be AED Plus stop by booth # 409 where I am, and doing what I do now. I’ve dedicated my ©2018 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. AED Plus, Real CPR Help, entire career to using my story and ZOLL are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation and its many messages and in the United States and/or other countries. learnings to inspire change MCN PP 1810 0354 in the way people perceive safety. I have developed many different presentations, all completely customized and tailored for each specific, unique audience which allows vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 19

SAFETY LIVES IN THE HEART By Spencer Beach ne of the reasons he he couldn’t ignore the fact that he contemplated phoning had a wife and a baby on the way. It was a beautiful spring morning on April 24, 2003, in sick that day was Both were depending on him. He when Spencer Beach rolled out of bed at 6:00 AM. a nagging gut feeling couldn’t lose his job! The sun was already up and the open window about a specific service was allowing a slight breeze into the room. he had started two days earlier. Spencer did not work for After getting ready for work, he gently kissed his This service was different than a company, or industry, that pregnant wife, Tina, goodbye and whispered the regular 20-minute services believed in safety. He had never affectionately how he didn’t feel like working that he dealt with. He was being received any training on chemical day. He was thinking of phoning in sick. But being sent into a brand new house to use, first aid, emergency a third-generation flooring installer, and not one remove vinyl flooring throughout procedures, PPE, right to refuse to cop-out of work, this sentiment was fleeting the main level with a chemical unsafe work, etc. Instead, he as he grabbed his wallet and left the house for because another crew had worked for a company that another day of service work as he did every day. installed the wrong color. Spencer believed in solely “getting it didn’t want to have that chemical done.” When you work with taste in his mouth again after this kind of mentality, that gut being exposed to so many fumes. feeling is easy to ignore because Despite the instinct to skip work, not getting your work done is a violation of the employment 20 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

agreement. Although it was a and tried the garage door one last the safety professional unrolling worker’s culture. This happens false perception, it was the only time. Grasping the red-hot door a new process, or a co-worker as the worker comes to work understanding Spencer had. He handle with all his remaining questioning what they are doing year-after-year, doing their couldn’t risk his job. He had to get strength, he gave the door as they try to help mitigate an job in a way they don’t get hurt. it done. So, he ignored his own everything he had left. Finally, the uncontrolled hazard. Then they can continue to make intuition, told Tina he loved her door swung open as he jumped their money, so they can take and went to work. into the garage and to safety. Safety is not a personal that money home to spend on journey that affects only the the people they love and doing Arriving at that worrisome In 20 short seconds the worker if things go wrong. the things they love to do. Why service around 1:00 PM, he damage was done. He had Instead, as Spencer unfortunately wouldn’t you want to work with turned down the thermostat, received third and fourth degree found out, he shattered his safety when it so closely fits the opened the doors for ventilation burns to 90 percent of his body loved ones lives along with his reason you came to work? and began to work. By 4:00 PM, and was given a five percent own during those 20 fateful he was almost done for the day. chance to live. If only he would seconds. For this reason, Spencer In every safety presentation There was just a few square have listened to that nagging includes his family’s journeys Spencer gives, he concludes feet of material left to remove gut feeling. If only he would and emphasizes that “your safety with his definition of safety. behind the front door. After have listened to himself. is definitely not about you.” What a fitting way to end this taking a quick break, where story. This is how his definition he called Tina, he went back Spencer did survive. After People close off the topic of safety speaks to the heart. to work and closed the door 14 months in the hospital and of safety into what Spencer so he could access this final four years of therapy, he slowly defines as “the safety bubble.” “Protect yourself area. Another tradesperson in rebuilt his life. Although the He finds that we should adequately, at home, the house was just finishing local workers’ compensation had consciously pop that safety at work, at play and up for the day. He came down retired him, he persevered and bubble—intentionally making while driving. So that the stairs, stepped over top retrained as a safety professional our safety easy to talk about. By you have a long, rich, of Spencer, said goodbye and and a motivational speaker. doing that, we can change safety joyous, prosperous reclosed the door. Using his lifetime of experience from someone “telling us how to life! Where you get as a trade’s person, his live” and turn it to hearing that to do everything you That tradesperson took a few newfound safety profession and someone’s “helping us live.” ever wanted to do. steps away from the house when his extrovert personality, he took Spencer reseeds in the heart that With all the people all of a sudden there was a loud to the stage at conferences and in safety never stops the activity you love, who you whistle caused by air being pulled work places helping companies (controlling how we live). It only wanted to do those into the house through any and fellow safety professionals improves the way the activity things with!” crevice it could find. Then BANG! grow to new levels with their is performed (helping us live) Fire erupted from nowhere. As corporate safety culture. as the uncontrolled hazard That’s Spencer’s definition the fumes ignited, it filled every becomes a controlled hazard. of safety. He hopes it becomes room with a dense fire. He focuses his message on yours! people’s behaviors and bridging He bridges the worker’s Spencer jumped to his feet the gap between the company culture with the company’s Spencer Beach, a third- and grabbed onto the front door culture and the work culture. He culture by asking one simple generation floor technician, handle and tried to open the achieves this by turning off the question: “Why did you come was involved in all types of door, but it wouldn’t budge. power point, so he can speak to to work today?” Taking a commercial and residential That whistle he heard moments people directly. Spencer found closer look at one of the most construction as a laborer, earlier created a vacuum. A that safety behaviors live in the popular answers can help supervisor, and manager. vacuum he found himself now heart, not the head. It’s in the people understand the worker’s He is a Construction Safety trapped in, and on the wrong heart that Spencer seeds new culture, and how it feeds the Officer and has completed the side of. All he knew though, was and stronger beliefs in safety. company culture. Occupational Health & Safety this door was not opening. He certificate program through blindly ran down the hallway It’s imperative to learn the Many people go to work in the University of Alberta Faculty to the garage entry. That door feeling of “you, speaking to order to make money. That of Extension. Spencer was a didn’t open either. His clothes you,” or the acknowledgement shared universal value is the member of Toastmasters and were melting to his body, while of gut feelings, instincts and essence of the worker’s safety is also a certified WHMIS trainer. the skin on his faced felt like intuition. What do most people culture, as that money is what You can reach Spencer Beach at it was shrinking. He could feel do when they get a gut feeling provides for the family. That www.spencerspeaks.ca. his energy being drained. After about something? They tend same reason to provide for trying the front door and garage to ignore it, to swallow it, to his family is why Spencer felt door one more time each, he push it deep down inside where compelled to go to work on that collapsed into a ball and gave they can’t hear it anymore. In ill-fated day, although his gut up. It was too much to bear essence, people fail to listen told him differently. anymore. He wanted it over. to themselves, creating a dangerous hazard. If people are Showing the worker how out Thinking of Tina and his not willing to listen to their own of all of the various things the unborn baby gave him one last feelings, imagine how much company may offer the workers, burst of energy. He rose to his feet more they don’t want to listen to it is the company’s safety system that most closely aligns with the vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 21

JUST A AGO By Brad Livingston and Kayla Rath 22 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

Friday, 10:40AM, on 1 I do this ALL the time! third-degree burns, the doctors I was unconscious September 20, 1991. Translation: I don’t need gave me a five percent chance for two and a your reminders, input of survival. It was a few more half months. BOOM! or opinions. weeks before the medical staff When I regained The explosion determined I was probably consciousness, of the first 2 T his is how I’ve ALWAYS going to live, but even if I did, it took a number gas tank blew done it! they would most likely have to of days for me to me from Translation: I don’t need amputate both legs and both wrap my brain where I was to change. hands. Why? Because I wasn’t around what standing— wearing my PPE. By the grace of had happened. straight up 3 It’ll NEVER happen God, they were able to save my so that I landed on top of a to me! feet and both hands. Now, when Brad Livingston second tank. I was surrounded Translation: If it happens, an audience sees what I look like, by flames; my clothes were which of course it won’t, that my hands are permanently on fire and the heat and pain but if it does, it’ll happen to shaped like claws and that I can’t were unimaginable. Ten short somebody else. pick my feet up when I walk, seconds later... BOOM! I was they gain a new understanding flying through the air again, These statements all stem and respect for the importance this time landing back on the from a dangerous word and an of proper safety gear. ground. I had to roll to get out even more dangerous mindset: of the fire, but I only had the complacency. Anyone who thinks I was unconscious for two and strength to roll three times. these kinds of thoughts has a half months. When I regained The heat had taken every bit developed tunnel vision. Or consciousness, it took a number of my strength and energy. it’s like they’re working with of days for me to wrap my brain My left leg was in excruciating blinders on. When I make my around what had happened. pain and was apparently presentation, I help the audience Then my wife gave me the news shattered. All it would do was remove those blinders. For about my co-worker, Tracy. flop with each roll. After what many, it’s the first time they’ve “He’s dead.” Dead. He isn’t seemed like a hopelessly long ever thought beyond themselves coming back. He was a good man time, a couple of men appeared enough to consider how other now gone for absolutely no and dragged me away from people would be affected if they reason, other than to save three the flames. “Where’s my co- got hurt. When workers take minutes. Eventually, I went to worker? Is he okay?” My throat what they know in their head and see his widow and explained to felt like it was on fire and I move it 12 inches down to their her why things happened the wasn’t sure I had even made an heart, they create an emotional way they did. I’ll never forget audible sound. understanding of their personal the tears on her face, or the pain safety responsibility. and anger in her voice. Just A Second Ago I was fine: happy and healthy and enjoying We saved three minutes but After two more months in my job. And now, I’m laying lost so much more. We should the Burn Intensive Care Unit, here on the ground, expecting have gauged those two tanks I was transferred to rehab, to die at any moment. My before we started the welding, which is a nice word for “I’m lovely wife... My three beautiful but we didn’t have time. Had we going to cause you a lot of pain daughters... what’s going to gauged them, we would have for five hours each day!” Every happen to them? Who is going seen that the liquid levels were day seemed to have more bad to take care of and provide for nowhere near what we had been news about what I was going them? How did this happen? told they were, and we never to live with for the rest of my Why did it happen? How did it would’ve done the welding. We life. Two months into rehab happen to me? ignored the proven procedures, I still couldn’t walk, and I which when followed would didn’t think I could handle the As a motivational safety ensure that we went home at pain anymore. I told my wife I speaker, I answer these the end of the day. Instead wanted to quit. That afternoon questions with three simple we took a shortcut; all to save instead of therapy, I spent an statements, which describe three minutes. hour with my occupational people who have never therapist, my counselor, and personally accepted their The day after the explosions, my wife, and they convinced safety responsibility. my family was told I wouldn’t me to change my perspective. I make it through the night, decided to not let my physical and my heart did, in fact, stop circumstances determine several times. With 63 percent of my body having second- and vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 23

I said it then, and I whether or not I enjoyed life. a decision was made to take a isn’t about “them” anymore, it’s continue to say it in Life was flying by and I wanted shortcut. It was not my own, yet about their children, their spouse, every presentation to enjoy it. To enjoy life includes every day since, I’ve lived with their parents. since: children enjoying work! the consequences of that choice. don’t understand.... They are who we’re all And we shouldn’t Any time we choose to not Four years ago, I was first working for in the first place. We have to. That’s not follow procedures, for any asked to tell the story of the work to provide food and shelter our job; it’s yours. reason, be it a shortcut, pride, accident from the family’s for our kids, to give them the complacency, a bad attitude, perspective. What is it like football cleats and ballet lessons K­ ayla Rath or any kind of distraction, that when Dad doesn’t come home they want. Why would any of us action must be able to JUSTIFY from work? I said it then, and take a risk that puts the ones we everything that happens from I continue to say it in every love most at risk? Maybe they’re that point on. The truth is, presentation since: children don’t not hurt physically, but take it nothing can justify what I went understand. We don’t understand from someone who knows, the through. Saving three minutes the nature of the work our emotional scars go just as deep. can never justify that a good parents do. We don’t understand man was killed. There is no the safety protocols and Growing up with a justification for what my family, procedures. We don’t know what handicapped father caused my friends and co-workers had to PPE is. And we shouldn’t have to. sisters and I to grow some pretty endure. I want my audience to That’s not our job; it’s yours. thick skin. We saw the looks understand that if they get hurt, people would give him when what they experience is nothing I was nine years old and he entered a basketball gym. I compared to the ripple effect they in the fourth grade when the started holding his hand as often will put their family through. principal came to my classroom as I could any time we went and told me to get my things somewhere new, not because I Kayla Rath’s Story together. I remember every was scared, but because I knew detail of walking down the hall people were going to stare at The night of with him, seeing teachers crying him. I heard the words they the accident, and avoiding eye contact with threw out, and I knew they my dad was me. I remember how it took thought he looked like a freak supposed to my mom’s best friend longer or a monster. But then I wanted take me to a than usual to drive me to the them to see that he was holding football game. middle school where my sisters the hand of a normal teenage Instead, I were students. I remember girl, and it didn’t matter what sat with my sisters in a home the look on their faces as she they thought of him, because he that was not our own, crying told us that our dad had been had someone who loved him, unending tears, and tensing burned in an explosion, and and who wasn’t scared of him. up every time the phone rang, that he most likely wouldn’t wondering if it was Mom calling survive. I remember looking After the accident, I wrestled to tell us that Dad was dead. out the window later that day for a long time with anger. That night, my sisters and I and thinking, “But it was such Anger that it happened in the were riding the waves of the a beautiful day. How does bad first place. Anger that my dad ripple effect. We didn’t know stuff happen on days this nice?” couldn’t even walk. Anger that I how high they were going to had to move from our hometown go, we didn’t know how fast I so clearly remember walking and go be with Dad in a city nine they would fall, and we didn’t into my closet to pack an hours away. Anger that he wasn’t know when they would ever end. overnight bag and feeling as if home with us to keep us safe Twenty-seven years later, I tell I’d been punched in the gut. I and protect us. Even anger with my audience, the ripple lasts began crying uncontrollably and myself for being mad at him, forever. September 20, 1991, couldn’t lift my arms to take when I clearly saw how much my shirts off their hangers. My pain he was in, and how hard he oldest sister came in and asked if was working to get better. It took she could help. I looked at her and many years for me to get the said, “Brandi, I don’t know what nerve up to be able to look at him clothes to wear to dad’s funeral.” and tell him, “I’m mad at you. Why did you let this happen?” During that part of my presentation, I often see a I was a child. My dad’s “lightbulb moment” on the faces decision to take a shortcut felt of the audience. It’s the moment like a personal decision to NOT I look for more than any other; come home to me. I didn’t it’s the moment when I know understand then the pressure the audience gets it. Working safe of working on a timeline, but I 24 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

stress that no child should ever The waves of the Traveling to share my story have to understand that. It’s our ripple effect still is now my full-time job. I job, and their right, to work safely continue today. love sharing the story of my and effectively so that at the end I can’t hear an family—we are the lucky ones. of the day, we go home to them. ambulance without We survived and we came out of worrying that it’s it stronger and more committed Safety is forward thinking. We headed for my own to one another than ever. My can’t assume that just because husband, or one of presentations are successful we’ve always done something our children. because they cause people one way, that it’s the safest way. to think beyond safety for Just because we “get away” with K­ ayla Rath themselves; now safety is about one shortcut, doesn’t mean it their family. My end goal is will work the next time. Every have said that children who simple: do not let your family be day we have the responsibility to experience trauma at an early caught up in the ripple effect. ourselves, our families, and our age go through life with an employers, to get a job done in expectancy that the trauma is Brad Livingston and Kayla Rath the safest way possible, to make going to show up again. It is are motivational safety speakers certain we understand exactly absolutely true. I’m a happy who have one goal in mind, to what needs to take place, and person, and I love life, but that inspire workers to make decisions to watch out for the safety of doesn’t change the fact that a that will bring them home to their our co-workers, so that they go decision made 27 years ago still families each night. No matter home to their own families. impacts me today. the industry, no matter the job. From the CEO, to the new hire, The waves of the ripple effect Brad and Kayla tell a story that all still continue today. I can’t employees need to hear. hear an ambulance without They can be reached at: worrying that it’s headed for (620) 697-2105 or on their website: my own husband, or one of our www.safetydifference.com. children. I have my emergency preparedness list ready because I expect the worst. Psychologists SAFETY IS SMART BUSINESS DEPEND ON US TO DO IT RIGHT vpppa.org ANALYZE • SPECIFY • MANUFACTURE • INSTALL SAFETYRAILCOMPANY.COM I 888-434-2720 Leader—Spring 2019 25

26 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

vpppa.org TYLER AND I WERE GREAT …FRIENDSByTJLyons,OHST,CSP,CRIS,EasternRegionSHEManager T yler was one of our best project managers. He lived overseas in Japan for nine years and was one of those guys who would meet you at the airport when you arrived. I saw him a few times each year, and we spoke almost every week. He enjoyed my visits and we saw a lot of the country on the weekends. He loved his kids and would regale anyone within earshot (he was a loud talker) about his young son trying to drive on the “wrong” side of the road. His two kids went to an American school, so they could meet other U.S. citizens, but spoke the local language perfectly. Tyler loved working overseas and embraced the local culture. When we walked into a restaurant he was greeted by his first name and the staff would chat with him endlessly. We often ended our day in a downtown bar. When I think of those evenings I wonder if I missed something. In retrospect, I now find it odd he never introduced me to his family, especially since he talked about his children endlessly and I loved hearing about how he was raising them abroad. Sometimes, I was troubled by his outbursts with others. Leader—Spring 2019 27

As a safety THESE ARE A FEW OF THE REASONS told, “…perhaps we can make professional, WHY WE NEED TO CARE: some suggestions on things you suicide was never should write on.” The title of the in my wheelhouse. T hose toiling in the construction and extraction trades column they would not allow. It The act never rank second in our sons and daughters taking their lives. was called: “Things we would came up in any Engineers and architects rank fifth. Police officers, like my rather not talk about.” Below is conversations son who lives in New York City, rank sixth. a section from that column. over my entire career, except for T he World Health Organization reveals that close to In my opinion, suicide one time when a 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one prevention falls into the safety manager person every 40 seconds. Many more attempt suicides, human resources (HR) and attributed a fall and I cannot imagine that number or the resulting injuries; safety groups. We want to on a Los Angeles however, indications show that for each adult who died help those needing it, but construction site by suicide there may be 20 others who attempted it. a distracted worker also to suicide. threatens others. Site safety S uicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to staff and HR often have One Thursday in July of 2016, 29-year-olds globally. the ear of the workers. We I called Tyler and we spoke look for those doing well, for about half an hour. Plans S uicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 those doing something were made for my next trip to and about four in five (10,688) deaths included in the unsafe, and those who are see him, and a road trip was analysis were among men. The U.K. Office of National a bit off—complaining of planned to break up a long time Statists (ONS) found low-skilled male construction a hangover, a fight with away from home. Unfortunately, workers had the greatest suicide risk, at 3.7 times above a partner, or fielding calls that road trip never happened. the national average. during work from creditors. First intervention could be Tyler hanged himself In male-dominated trades like construction, we will see supported by a trained safety that Saturday. more men taking their lives than women. Men commit manager on your project or suicide about four times more often than women, someone in HR getting a call As a safety professional, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. from a concerned supervisor. suicide was never in my wheelhouse. The act never A study showed that life stressors typically will There is also an operations came up in any conversations accumulate until a worker is triggered to suicide by an side to suicide. Not to take over my entire career, except on-the-job event. anything away from the loss, for one time when a safety but a suicide will affect those manager attributed a fall on a D ata indicates workers are six times more likely to die around the person who is Los Angeles construction site from suicide than from falls, according to the Building gone. Work will stop to allow to suicide. Back then, I thought Engineering Services Association. grieving and counseling. that was a bit of a stretch. Often, counseling is needed Suicide is not something we can A national suicide prevention group says construction but will not be asked for. The see on a project, talk about or workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than in person lost has to be replaced, even know about. workplace accidents. and in an isolated area that will take time. Suicide In the fall of 2016, after Psy. D., who developed a Though I am not an expert, is a project risk we cannot Tyler’s death, I attended the suicide prevention program. I can share an example of overlook. That’s an operations International Risk Management As she accepted the award she our reluctance here in the and risk responsibility. We all Conference. This is a gathering mentioned how glad she was to U.S. to confront suicides. share a key to helping out. of the top risk managers and bring awareness to suicide for Our unwillingness to tackle insurers from across the world. it was a construction risk. I asked this epidemic remains our My goal for 2019 is to Each year they present an award her to lunch that day, cried at largest barrier as a country to bring suicide awareness as for those who stand out in the the table and was stunned by adressing these deaths. Often a topic discussed during the industry. That year’s winner what I learned. called the forgotten health OSHA National Safety Stand- was Sally Spencer-Thomas, and safety issue, I once wrote Down. I have started those Sally has a passion for a column for the International conversations and am getting prevention that I love. I once Risk Management Institute, promises as I write this piece. offered some of her suggestions Inc. (IRMI) on the topic and I aspire to encourage firms as I presented at a safety submitted it to my managers for to take advantage of their meeting. By the time I got home approval. The article was passed employee assistant resources, I had two emails asking for more up to the top and rejected at and offer counseling or experts information and one call from a the highest of levels. I was then who can speak on the topic. I very worried dad thanking me. 28 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

want to see the industry taking Rates of suicide per 100,000 population, by sex, and ranked overall by Standard Occupation the time to speak to the workers, Classification (SOC) group—17 states, 2012* not at them. We can offer tips on where to go or who to call. Sally SOC code Occupational group Overall Male Female had written a guide on “What —* If They Say ‘Yes’ to the Suicide 45 Farming, fishing, and forestry 84.5 90.5 — Question? Four Responses That — Make a Difference,” and I have 47 Construction and extraction 53.3 52.5 10.8 sent that to scores of people. — I have personally used one 49 Installation, maintenance, and repair 47.9 47.5 14.1 of the tips when talking to a 12.4 good friend. This tool itself 51 Production 34.5 39.5 12.5 provides the speaking points 4.8 for any safety meeting. (Sally’s 17 Architecture and engineering 32.2 36.3 article is located in the sources section below.) 33 Protective service 30.5 34.1 Reluctance to 27 Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media 24.3 32.9 confront suicides in construction 15 Computer and mathematical 23.3 32.8 is based on two things. Few are 53 Transportation and material moving 22.3 30.2 aware of the threat on their U.S. CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Weekly / Vol. 65 / No. 25 July 1, 2016 worksites, and there are a lack of have put together a model My wife Tracey often warns recognize someone who wants resources to deal program to combat suicides. me not to tread too far into the to kill themselves, and how to with supporting Based on earlier initiatives in science of suicide. I suspect keep them alive. any response the UK, like the Shattered Lives she has told me a dozen times, to the suicide program (an effort to stop “You are not the expert, TJ.” There is nothing I love challenge. falls), I suspect they will be as This is not only my concern, more than the field of safety. sucessful in reaching out to but my frustration. Keeping others out of trouble Trade organizations are every worker in the UK. is my passion. Now I am now looking closely at suicide As a safety professional, I striving to learn ways to help prevention. My favorite example Reluctance to confront can walk any worksite in the our sons and daughters stay is a partnership formed in the suicides in construction is world. I know how to approach around–even if we don’t United Kingdom. Our friends based on two things. Few are the unsafe worker with care and always know what to look out across the pond often take the aware of the threat on their I can tell if a crane is going to for, or understand what they lead on helping workers. A worksites, and there are a fail. What I don’t know is how to are going through. group called Mates in Mind is lack of resources to deal with run by those in the industry, supporting any response to TJ Lyons oversees projects and staff across the Eastern U.S region. This the Health in Construction the suicide challenge. includes pharmaceutical plant construction and renovation, solar Leadership Group and British field installations, semiconductor production facilities and similar Safety Council. Often, I am asked where high purity gas or materials system installation or renovations. He to start. I offer that we has spent over 30 years designing practical approaches to safety These groups see this as a need to create those caring on environmental and construction projects in the U.S. and overseas. health concern. I agree with conversations with those doing His passion is moving sites from hazard management to hazard that idea. Like our physical our work first. People will ask for elimination to keep our sons and daughters safe. health, mental health is just help if they trust you completely. as important—but we are Secondly, we must bring SOURCES reluctant to tread there. They awareness to this challenge at all levels, and like a safety www.sallyspencerthomas.com/dr-sally-speaks-blog/whatdoyousay concern—provide some tools on recognition and remedies. www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/ In my opinion, VPP sites www.omicsonline.org/open-access/mates-in-construction- are among the best in the suicide-prevention-program-a-five-year-review-2161-0711-1000465. United States. Communication php?aid=79054 is critical at all levels and between those levels. Where a www.thebesa.com/news/workers-six-times-more-likely-to-die-from- VPP project team is engaged, suicide-than-falls/ their CEO will stop and ask a worker how his or her task is www.toolbusiness.co.uk/company-news/Mates-in-Mind-is-the-way- going. Safety professionals and forward-on-mental-health-in-construction all leaders now need to start asking, “How are you doing?” www.irmi.com/articles/expert-commentary/suicide-in- construction-industry If you are in crisis, call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is available to anyone. All calls are confidential. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 29

PURSUING THE PASSION FOR 30 Leader—Spring 2019 safety training ninja By Regina McMichael, CSP, CET vpppa.org

I have a passion for safety. information about the space we ashamed by some others who were inspecting after we exited. seem to believe that yelling at The simple reason behind this passion workers repeatedly, threatening is because at 1:20PM on February 6, Like most safety their jobs and blaming them 1986, my husband, Kevin Bryant, fell professionals, I have many for accidents would somehow 24 feet and 11 inches, and died. stories of compassion and improve safety performance. humanity during my time K evin was a roofer day. Through uncertainty, my working in the field. I am truly We are all just people. in the residential path became clear quickly when blessed to have worked with Trying to do our jobs, pay our construction I stumbled across a safety degree people who were just like my bills and see our loved ones. industry, doing program offered at Virginia late husband Kevin and I—just Blame, yelling and threats are his job how most Commonwealth University. I trying to pay the bills and live not the pathway to safer work roofing was done in 1986. Like enrolled and got my BS in Safety their lives. Five years ago, I performance. Compassion, many other days on the job, he and Risk Administration using was encouraged to share my understanding and connection climbed onto a roof hoping not my workers’ comp benefit, experience publicly. I pushed with our colleagues is how we to fall. At the time he was using scholarships and loans. I was back; it had only been 28 years— will move safety forward. We fall protection practices that are very lucky—it was a small was I ready to talk about Kevin’s need to base our work in decency similar to those still used today program with amazing staff, death? Most of the people I have and humanity. We all need in various industries. They go who knew my story and skillfully worked with in my career didn’t to strive to be better, kinder to work to pay the bills and hope guided me through school and know my back story. It has taken humans. To be servant leaders they don’t get hurt. Kevin and I prepared me for the world of 33 years, but I now feel obliged and inspire best safety practices. were just regular people, living professional safety work. to share my story and hopefully ordinary lives and suddenly inspire others to be the best My challenge to everyone one day he was gone. As a young My first job out of college safety professionals they can be. reading this article: what have window, I was instantly thrust was an excellent learning To grow their technical and soft you done today to show you into a world without any idea how experience and I had great skills to be a compassionate and really care? Did you talk with to navigate. A tragic world that no mentors who taught me driven human. your people with kindness spouse, child, parent or loved one valuable lessons on how to and inspiration? Did you leave should have to enter. A complex talk with people—and just as A lot has changed in the safety your desk and spend time with world of workers’ compensation, importantly, how not to. One day world since 1986, but one of the people you are trying to legal battles, accusations of a worker from my training class the critical elements of a great protect to better understand the unsafe behaviors, all while was waiting for me outside of a safety system and culture still context of their work? Did you mourning Kevin, who was lost. confined space operation where eludes many companies. That lead by example in a challenging As a 20-year-old woman, I was conducting air monitoring, magical element, the special situation for your executives and I was blindsided with the while several other workers sauce, the secret passageway workforce to witness? Safety unanswerable question… why conducted structural integrity into the safest work seems to be is a challenging career. We can did he die? I chose to settle my tests. The worker was covered missed by many professionals. only control our own behavior. workers’ compensation claim in sweat and afraid that we had This secret passageway, I The more we dedicate ourselves for less than the law allowed. A been overcome by a hazard believe, is to pursue a greater to lead with compassion and conscious choice based on my because he had lost contact sense of humanity in the humanity, the closer we are to survival. I could not continue to with us. Yet, appropriately, he workplace, to simply be a good making the job a little easier. dwell in that dark world filled refrained from entering the human. To show care and help Perhaps influencing decisions with pain and ugliness. Kevin space, despite his fear and desire workers get home safely every that sends workers home to was dead, I could not bring him to help me and the others. I was day. Throughout the years, their loved ones safe. How back, and the only option left honored that moment not just I have been inspired by the awesome would that be? Make for me was to survive. For me for his caring for me, but more uplifting compassion of fellow your commitment to humanity this meant that only when the because he was following his safety professionals. Sadly, I and to do great things! legal process was done, could I training, the training where I have been embarrassed and move on to the next chapter of convinced him that no matter my life. To that end, I settled for what, NO MATTER WHAT, he Regina McMichael, CSP, CET is President of The Learning Factory, Inc. less money, but kept my heart was not to ever attempt a rescue. She is the author of, and is known as, “The Safety Training Ninja.” She is and soul with a new passion to He was not trained, authorized a leading motivational safety speaker and a Director on the Board of make a difference in safety one or outfitted to conduct a rescue. Certified Safety Professionals. Regina has helped companies grow their His job was to collect the safety passion for over 30 years. She has been developing, delivering, and implementing training programs for every type of organization. The system of great training works in every industry and discipline. You can reach her at [email protected] or visit ReginaMcMichael.com. vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 31

Sadly, on many LESSONSBy Mark D. Norton MAOM, CSSM, Norton Safety Services, LLC occasions throughout my F or me, the choice to get medic, flying out to treat an career in safety, into the safety field was amputation victim, or retrieve I found myself what I call collateral. By survivors (if all went well) of a standing over the that I mean, my choice came capsized fishing vessel off the body of a worker, from two distinct paths. First, as a coast of Cape Cod, MA, or in asking one simple result of my job as a Flight Medic the frigid waters of Kodiak, AK, question…Why? in the U.S. Coast Guard, where I the lessons and the scenarios witnessed the aftermath of risky all had the same overtones as 32 Leader—Spring 2019 behavior, unsafe work operations those I encounter today in a and the failure to train personnel manufacturing facility, or on a properly. This usually presented construction site. Different faces, itself in the form of some type different environments, yet of shipboard emergency, like similar situations, breakdowns serious physical injuries, up and excuses. It is these lessons to, and including, fatal events. that safety professionals dread In many cases this was due to the most but have a duty to the failure to pay attention to impart to others. We do it with one’s surroundings. Whenever I the hope that others within the responded to one of these events organization learn, grow and as a flight medic, I couldn’t help improve. In a word…prevention. but think, “if only we had been able to prevent this.” I wasn’t always the safety guy. I was, like many of you, someone Secondly, I came into who went through the day-to- occupational safety and health as day, never really focusing on a direct result of always wanting the potential for risk or injury. to help people avoid suffering. I looked at things differently Eventually, I was accepted into before I got into the safety field. the Navy’s Preventive Medicine Never really considering the role School. Only one Coast Guard we as individuals play in those enlisted person was chosen per near-misses or close calls, but class year and was I lucky enough that changed one day in 1980. to get the coveted spot. Upon graduating, I was one of only a It was the day before handful of Preventive Medicine Thanksgiving in 1980, when Technicians in the entire Coast an 18-year-old young adult Guard. That one person on base was roused from his sleep in tasked with risk identification, the middle of the night by an mitigation and more importantly, oncoming shift worker, pleading prevention, in all aspects of work with him to take his car, go into and the work environment. That town and retrieve some supplies was my start in Occupational for the next day at work. The Safety and Health, later young 18-year-old just ended transitioning into a 24-year- his shift, retiring immediately long career with state OSHA. It to bed, as he had to get up again was in this role, that I knew my in four hours for another shift. deliberate choice to get involved Reluctantly, the 18-year-old in safety was the right choice. begged the oncoming co-worker, “Find someone else! I have to Sadly, on many occasions get back up in a few hours and throughout my career in safety, I want to sleep.” Eventually I found myself standing over he gave in and agreed. After the body of a worker, asking getting dressed, he took the keys one simple question…Why? The and went out to the employee events I witnessed were clearly parking lot, located the vehicle preventable and did not have and climbed in. Immediately to occur. As I flash back three upon entering the vehicle he and a half decades to my early realized it was not like other years as a 21-year-old flight vehicles he had driven. It looked vpppa.org

unfamiliar. It was a standard. He Fortunately, I was the track. Several co-workers to understand the equipment you had never driven one of these given another heard the collision and ran over are asked to operate and to bring before, but he thought, “How chance, but the to the vehicle to see two people out the importance of speaking hard could this be?” It took a question I now trapped inside after being up when you’re not comfortable couple of tries, but he finally have to answer is… struck by the train. Emergency with a given task. I use it to show got the car started and pulled how many chances responders arrived and worked how we as human beings expect forward across the parking lot, do we get? with others to extricate the warnings to come with every sputtering the whole way. When occupants, who were then event, and when they don’t we the front tires finally crept they would have been smashed transported to the hospital, mistakenly believe all is safe. across some railroad tracks, the between the train and the vehicle where they were both treated At that moment in time I was car stalled. on one side or knocked down for shock and the driver was certain this was my last night, when the train took the car down treated for some fractured ribs. my last memory, and truthfully Not knowing if it was the car, the tracks on the other side. The it very easily could have been. or something he did, the young, driver grabbed the wheel, and Some of you reading may Fortunately, I was given another inexperienced driver sat in the Ron jumped from his position in recognize this story as it is chance, but the question I now blackness of night straddling the the passenger seat to the driver’s something I share when I speak have to answer is… How many tracks, with pouring rain beating lap. The front of the train came to groups. I share it to illustrate chances do we get? down on the vehicle. Oblivious to smashing into the passenger side how important it is to pay everything around him. Unaware door of the little green Datsun attention to your environment, of the position he had placed B-210. Metal bending and glass himself in. His only thought was breaking, the train attempted to With a career spanning more than 35 years in occupational safety “start the car!” Yet, it would not screech to a halt. The train then & health, Mark Norton says he has found the “perfect fit.” He has held start. After what appeared to be took the car down the tracks positions as a U. S. Coast Guard Flight Medic and Preventive Medicine forever in his attempts to start about 75 to 100 yards and started Technician, as well as a 24-year career with the Arizona Division of the vehicle, a second co-worker, to roll the vehicle. They were Occupational Safety and Health. While at ADOSH he held positions from Ron, who went along for the going to go under and there was CSHO, to Assistant Director and has had direct involvement in all aspects ride, suddenly asked “Hey, do nothing they could do about it. of OSHA compliance, consultation, training and cooperative programs you feel what I feel?” the car throughout the state of Arizona. Mark worked to help employers achieve was starting to vibrate… The Suddenly, the back end of VPP Star level programs throughout Arizona, as a VPP Coordinator for young driver looked up and out the vehicle, still hanging out eight years while at ADOSH, leading all VPP activities. In addition, he of the passenger side window, from the side of the train as it has been an EHS manager at a VPP site, and he still works today as just in time to notice a train made its way down the tracks a consultant, assisting organizations striving for a world class safety heading straight for them. The struck a parallel fence line, culture. He has truly seen it from all sides! train’s single light, desperately causing the vehicle to swing searching for its next victim… out and away from the train. Known to his VPPPA friends as “The Professor” Mark is also a member or so it seemed. The driver knew The car and its payload came to of the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, OSHA Training instantly that they were not rest on the berm to the side of Institute. Teaching a wide array of classes relating to construction and going to get out in time, this general industry OSHA regulations, accident investigation and more. Mark was it, they were going to die! travels the country as a speaker, consultant, trainer and coach, working to share the benefits of effective safety and health management. In a split second he assessed the situation and concluded Mark holds a BS in Business Management and MA in Organizational if they had exited the vehicle Management and has published two books on the topic of safety and health management. He is the recipient of the 2008 National VPPPA Chairman’s Award, the 2009 ASSP Safety Professional of the Year, Southern Arizona Chapter, and the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for his work in Occupational Safety & Health. vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 33

Company Profile By Jamie Mitchell Communications Coordinator, VPPPA, Inc. VPP All Stars: The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Cintas Corporation Association (VPPPA) is dedicated to helping those who aspire to safety and health excellence. Companies like Cintas serve as an inspiration to other workplaces striving for a VPP Star, and they P erhaps you have seen one Another area that the company Kristyn Grow, Senior Safety aim to help others achieve safety of their trucks driving leads in is safety. and Health Manager. and health excellence. VPPPA down the highway, are Chairperson, J.A. Rodriguez, Cintas embarked on its Stephen Jenkins, Safety employed at one of their many Voluntary Protection Programs & Health Director at Cintas, Jr. commented, “Cintas’ facilities, or you may even use (VPP) journey in 2010 with continued, “Cintas has a commitment to the VPP safety their wide variety of products its first VPP Star site at the strong commitment to safety management system, protecting and services at your workplace. Chandler, Arizona location. engagement at our facilities. their people and to VPPPA is a Cintas Corporation helps The VPP process doesn’t So, it’s not surprising that more model for all companies to follow more than one million happen overnight and often than 100 of our U.S. locations across the industry. The dramatic businesses of all types and requires years of work to have received OSHA’s VPP Star drop in injury rates over the last sizes get Ready™ to open their become a Star site, making Recognition for Workplace doors with confidence every Our safety vision is integrated into each of our locations, day by providing a wide range of products and services that making it an integral part of our company culture. Pursing VPP enhance their customers’ images and help keep their Star certification keeps our safety vision top of mind for all of facilities and employees clean, our employee-partners. safe and looking their best. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas provides products and the accomplishment that Safety—the ultimate award decade is the byproduct of this services including uniforms, much more exciting when it for the practice of exemplary organizational commitment mats, mops, restroom supplies, is completed. Cintas currently occupational safety and health. and of the common cause that first aid and safety products, fire has over 100 facilities in the This distinction is no small is VPP excellence.” In addition, extinguishers and testing, and program and many more feat, given the fact that it can Grow noted, “Membership to safety and compliance training. pursuing recognition—making take several years to complete the association is a resource Cintas the number one the rigorous onsite evaluations to our Cintas locations. The CSAE LFEEBTRYAAT NI NDG HEALTH participant in the program. In conducted by OSHA and other association provides educational addition, all 16 Cintas locations agencies. Actively pursuing VPP opportunities, mentorship EXCELLENCE in Indiana have achieved VPP across all locations ensures pairing and gives us the Star status, making Cintas the that we are keeping our safety opportunity to present our best P10R0OVUPDP TSOTABREWTHOERKOPNLALYCCESONMAPTAINOYNWWIITDHE number one participant in the journey top of mind.” practices to other companies.” Indiana OSHA VPP program. Mentoring is a key aspect of Having so many sites in VPP VPPPA and is a proven success VPPPA spoke with a few is an amazing accomplishment, factor for sites working toward leaders at Cintas Corporation, but why is safety so important to a VPP Star. We love to see and we asked about the history Cintas? “At Cintas, taking care sites like Cintas utilizing this of the company’s interest in of our employee-partners is of resource to achieve their goals. VPP. “About 10 years ago our vital importance. Our employee- Executive Safety Council was partners are essential to taking Here at VPPPA we are proud formed, and Cintas created care of our customers. All Cintas to have the opportunity to work our Safety Vision. Our safety facilities uphold internationally- with members of the Cintas vision is integrated into each recognized standards, and community and proud to call of our locations, making it an they’re frequently assessed for them members of our association. integral part of our company adherence to safety guidelines. The Cintas “Journey to 100” culture. Pursing VPP Star We also make sure our VPP sites is an exhilarating certification keeps our safety employees are empowered to accomplishment that will benefit vision top of mind for all of help make their workplaces safe workers, and their families, for our employee-partners,” said every day,” noted Grow. countless years. 34 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

Brenda Wiederkehr, CSC Owner Access Compliance, LLC Working with Employers to Advance a “Culture” of Safety and Compliance in the Workplace Proud to be certified in New York State as a Women’s Business Enterprise and the National Women’s Business Enterprise. NYSWBE #53310 NWBEC #2005121673 Access Compliance is a full service agency devoted to assisting the safety and health programs of all entities involved in commerce to provide a safe and healthy environment for their employees. Veteran Owned Business For information about our services call: 1-800-732-8004 [email protected]

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Booth 646 AN INTEGRATED SAFETY & HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS SYMPOSIUM PRESENTED BY VPPPA & TSHC Booth 415 GAS CLIP INDUSTRIAL SCIENTIFIC MGC Simple Plus Ventis® Pro5 Multi-Gas Monitor Jimmy Blount Nicole Steding [email protected] / 1-877-525-0808 [email protected] / 412-490-1955 www.gascliptech.com www.indsci.com MGC Simple Plus multi-gas detector runs for three years Detect up to five gases with multiple sensor options continuously with no charging or calibration. Reliably test including methane IR and PID for personal protection for hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen and confined space applications. Safety goes beyond gas (O2) and combustible gases (LEL), even in oxygen-deficient detection with team-based alarm sharing and remote live environments. Visit our booth to learn more. monitoring for in-plant or mobile worker environments. Booth 135 Booth 444 VITAL ID CORP WELLS LAMONT INDUSTRIAL Worker Safety IDs Cut and Heat Resistant Welder Sarah Neal Ted Audia [email protected] / 250-586-7060 [email protected] / 847-983-1430 vitalid.com www.wellslamontindustrial.com Vital ID allows workers to securely carry their own private Protects the hand against possible exposure to lacerations medical information and personal contacts for use in or burns from sparks or hot parts—up to 350°F. Goatskin the event of a medical emergency. Our products allow welder with Kevlar® liner offering not only cut, but also the emergency response team to retrieve vital life saving heat, protection. Excellent dexterity to handle parts and information within seconds. perform the job! vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 37

OSHA Corner By Will Zettler OSHA’s Directorate of Standards and Guidance Update to OSHA’s 2016 Walking-Working Surfaces Rule Although the T he Occupational Safety and Health ladder while the worker climbs, provided the length of a section Administration (OSHA) published a new components meet all of the requirements for of the ladder may rule on Walking-Working Surfaces and personal fall protection systems, and the ladder be less than 24 Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection rungs are capable of supporting at least 5,000 feet, if a worker on Systems) on November 18, 2016. The rule became pounds for each worker attached. Fall protection is that ladder could effective January 17, 2017, and revises and updates not required on a multi-section fixed ladder with fall more than 24 OSHA’s general industry standards that address offset platforms if the platforms are large enough feet, the worker slip, trip, and fall hazards, as well as other that it would not be possible for a worker to: (1) fall must be provided walking-working surface hazards that cause past the platform or (2) fall to the platform and roll with fall protection. injuries and fatalities to workers. over an unguarded edge. The rule includes revised and new provisions Another area of interest is testing and for ladders, stairways, rope descent systems and certifying anchorages by a qualified person. fall protection systems; and adds requirements OSHA issued enforcement guidance that for training and personal fall protection systems. explains how the agency will evaluate and Finally, the rule increases consistency between consider a building owner’s attempts to initiate OSHA’s general industry and construction inspect, test, and certify anchorages as an standards, making compliance easier for effort to comply with the Walking-Working employers who conduct operations in both sectors. Surfaces requirements. OSHA will consider what alternative protective measures are used before Since the rule was published, OSHA has anchorages are certified, and the employer’s conducted extensive outreach and issued efforts to obtain documentation from building educational materials to help employers comply owners regarding testing, certification and with the rule. The agency continues to work maintenance performed on anchorages. If with stakeholders to better understand their building owners and employers sufficiently responsibilities. Some of the most common demonstrate and document their efforts, OSHA questions are about fixed ladders. will exercise enforcement discretion on a case- by-case basis. The memorandum can be found The new rule requires employers to equip new on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov/laws-regs/ fixed ladders (that extend more than 24 feet standardinterpretations/2017-11-20. above a lower level) with ladder safety systems or personal fall arrest systems. A fixed ladder OSHA continues to update its Frequently Asked or ladder sections should be equipped with fall Questions webpage to help address questions protection based on the height the ladder extends about the Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal above a lower level, and the distance a worker Fall Protection Equipment rule. The webpage can on the ladder could fall. Although the length of a be found on OSHA’s website at: www.osha.gov/ section of the ladder may be less than 24 feet, if a walking-working-surfaces/faq.html. A PDF copy worker on that ladder could fall more than 24 feet, of the final rule can be found on OSHA’s website the worker must be provided with fall protection. at: www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/laws-regs/ federalregister/2016-11-18.pdf. Employers can equip workers with a harness and a double lanyard system for tying off to the 38 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

Safe + Sound Wants Every Workplace to Have a Safety and Health Program A t the end of the work day, everyone deserves to go home Leader—Spring 2019 39 safe and sound. To support that goal, Safe + Sound is a year-round campaign to encourage every workplace to have a safety and health program. It is organized by leading safety and health organizations, including VPPPA, and supported by a wide variety of membership organizations. Be Safe and Sound at Work Safe + Sound provides free activities and resources that can help build effective safety and health programs. Each August, businesses of all sizes, and in all industries, across the country also celebrate their safety successes during Safe + Sound Week. In 2018, nearly 50,000 participants received regular safety and health messages and more than 2,700 organizations participated in Safe + Sound Week. Last year, VPPPA members supported Safe + Sound and shared information on safety and health programs. Those who participated found Safe + Sound to be a powerful way of showing their commitment to safety in the workplace. It is so important to have safety and health programs implemented to prevent injuries and illnesses. The resources are fantastic and Safe + Sound Week is a great way to motivate members to get involved in preventative safety measures in the workplace. —VPPPA Region II Participate all year long In 2019, join Safe + Sound for quarterly webinars on the three core elements of an effective safety and health program—management leadership, worker participation, and finding and fixing hazards. Afterwards, put best practices into action by taking on our 30-day challenges. You can follow Safe + Sound 2019 activities and share content on social media using #SafeAndSoundAtWork. Celebrate your safety successes Safe + Sound Week will be held from August 12-18, 2019. All workplaces can participate by hosting activities or events that celebrate safety and health successes achieved throughout the year. As a Safe + Sound organizer, VPPPA will be highlighting ways to participate. Save the date! Join Safe + Sound Start making steps toward improving safety in your workplace today! Show your commitment to safety and health by joining Safe + Sound. Sign up for our mailing list at www.osha.gov/safeandsound. By subscribing, you will receive a monthly newsletter on being Safe and Sound at Work. Topics include information on upcoming events, new resources and other announcements. vpppa.org

Membership Corner Like us on Facebook & Follow us on Twitter: @VPPPA Meet the VPPPA Team VPPPA is 35! How I Safety Contest As VPPPA members, you talk to This year is the 35th anniversary of the VPPPA, We are thrilled to announce the return of the National Office Staff members on as well as our partnership with OSHA. We #HowISafety contest! One of the greatest things the phone, chat with us via email are celebrating this milestone with tons of about our members is their passion for safety. This and sometimes see us at regional prizes, giveaways and contests on social media contest is an excellent way for members to share and national events. But we want throughout the year, as well as during the 2019 their personal experiences and spread awareness our members to be able to more Safety+ Symposium in New Orleans, LA. You also of safety practices. easily put names with faces. won’t want to miss our 35th birthday bash at • Submit a photo of yourself on Facebook or Check back here in future issues Safety+ this year! to see more VPPPA National Twitter representing how you are promoting/ Office staff member profiles. We are celebrating our birthday all year long practicing safety in the workplace or at home. with VPPPA trivia contests. We are posting trivia Examples: Wearing your PPE, teaching a safety Name: Jamie Mitchell questions twice a month with prizes for the class, attending training, following safety Job Title: Communications winners. You can find the trivia questions at vpppa. procedures etc. Coordinator org/membership/vpppabirthday. Congratulations • Write a short description or caption explaining Length of Time with VPPPA: to our winners so far: Sheri F., Cintas; Kim B., the photo 3 years Acushnet Golf; Vanessa K., Nucor; Brian B., • Include the #howisafety hashtag in your Favorite Parts of Working for Shermco; Joshua H., Prairie State Generating photo description VPPPA: Meeting our members Company; Elisa C., Huber; Keenan M., Solvay. • If you don’t have a Facebook or Twitter account, at conferences, putting together you may email your photo entry to membership@ the Leader magazine, and my Join A Committee vpppa.org (please include your member ID awesome co-workers. number in the email). Hometown: Asheville, NC Are you looking to get more involved in the VPPPA? • The photo will be posted to VPPPA’s Facebook Alma Mater: University of North Email [email protected] or visit vpppa.org/ page in the “How I Safety” photo album Carolina–Chapel Hill connect/join-a-committee for more information. • The photo with the most likes will win a Fun Facts About Me: I was complimentary registration to the 2019 Safety+ an Irish step dancer for over 2019 National Board of Symposium, free airfare and lodging at New 10 years; I have a dog named Directors Elections Orleans Marriott or New Orleans Sheraton on Monkey; and I love going Monday, August 26–Friday, August 30. to concerts! In conjunction with the 2019 Safety+ Symposium, Favorite Food: Sushi elections are scheduled to be held for VPPPA The rules and requirements to enter this contest Dream Vacation Spot: Prague National Board of Directors’ positions. This year are as follows: (and I am going in May!) there are several open positions: • Must be a member of VPPPA Favorite Podcast: Crime Junkie • Vice Chairperson • VPPPA has all rights to use the pictures submitted • Secretary • No nudity, graphic language or content, firearms • Director from a Site with a Collective or alcohol may be shown in any artwork or Bargaining Agent pictures submitted • Director from a DOE-VPP Site • Director-at-Large (three positions available) Submit your entry by June 14, 2019. Each position has a term of two years, beginning at the end of the 2019 Safety+ Symposium and terminating at the 2021 Safety+ Symposium. Visit vpppa.org for more information. The Leader Won A Bronze Award We are excited to announce that the Leader magazine won Bronze at the Association Trends All Media Awards. This award is for our Autumn 2018 issue of the Leader, “Substance Abuse & the Workplace,” in the Annual or Quarterly Magazine category. Thank you to all of the authors who contributed articles for this edition of the Leader, the awesome designers at Blue House DC, our readers and everyone else who had a hand in making this award possible! 40 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org



VPPPA • The World Population was Throwback about 4,726,000,000. Section • Apple Computer, Inc. To celebrate VPPPA’s HISTORY About VPPPA unveiled the Macintosh 35th birthday, as personal computer for well as our years About VPP Our story began in 1984 when $1,995, selling almost of partnership with OSHA first hosted a meeting 250,000 in 1984. OSHA and other • 1979—California began for VPP site participants to industry leaders, experimental program network, gather and share the • The top song was “Like A we are excited to benefits of involvement in the Virgin” by Madonna. Other present a VPPPA • 1982—OSHA formally VPP program. Unfortunately, influential songs included: Throwback Section! announced the VPP and the next year OSHA was unable White Horse by Laid Back, In these pages you approved the first site. to host a meeting for the group. Better Be Good to Me by can find a variety of Realizing the significance Tina Turner, Jam on It by fun facts about our • 1998—Federal worksites of the VPP meeting, two Newcleus and Thriller by association and the became eligible for VPP. companies, Georgia Power Michael Jackson. year we were formed. According to OSHA, the and Mobil Chemical, took it upon themselves to sponsor • The top movies included: average VPP site has a Days the meeting instead. During Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Away Restricted or Transferred this gathering, the attending Cop, Indiana Jones case rate of 52 percent below the participants decided to form and Gremlins. average for its industry. In 1982, an association that would the first VPP site was approved provide support for companies • Notable books included: and by the end of 2018, there participating in VPP. 35 years You Can Heal Your Life by were 2,125 federal and state later VPPPA has continued to Louise Hay, and What to participants in the program. be a leader in safety and health Expect When You’re Expecting excellence with an ever- by Arlene Eisenberg and growing network of member Heidi Murkoff. sites and organizations. • Cost of a Superbowl ad in Top Ten Baby 1984: $368,000. Names of 1984: • DNA fingerprinting Jennifer, Jessica, was introduced. Ashley, Amanda, Sarah, Michael, Chris, • Los Angeles hosted the Topher, Matthew, 1984 Olympics. Joshua, David • “Baby on Board” signs were marketed by their creator, Micheal Lerner. • In July of 1984, President Ronald Reagan called ice cream “a nutritious and wholesome food” and established National Ice Cream Month. • Bill Murray is thought to have coined the modern use of the phrase “you’re toast” by adlibbing a line in Ghost Busters. Attendees having a blast during the 2008 National Conference in vpppa.org Anaheim, CA. 42 Leader—Spring 2019

THE LEADER MAGAZINE VPPPA VPPPA has had OVER THE YEARS NATIONAL five Executive Directors in its OFFICE STAFF The Leader magazine was first published in 1999 and has celebrated a 35-year-long history. few different designs. The most recent design being this 2019 Spring A VPPPA National Office Staff issue. In 2015, the Leader was nominated for a Folio award, and in 2018, was first established in 1991. VPPPA created a Facebook the Leader was a Gold winner of the Association Media & Publishing’s The current staff of 10 includes: page in July 2009. 38th Annual EXCEL Awards. 2019 brought another win for the magazine with a Bronze Association Trends All Media Award. Sara Taylor, CMP VPPPA joined Twitter Director of Operations in February 2010. Brielle Mroczko VPPPA has had eight Conference Coordinator different people hold the title of Chairperson in its Kerri Carpenter Communications & 35-year-long history. Outreach Manager VPPPA offers four Jamie Mitchell scholarships each year. Communications Coordinator The first VPP site was Heidi Hill approved in 1982. Senior Event Sales & Advertising Coordinator There are 22 State-Plan states. Katlyn Pagliuca Membership Manager Natasha Cole Member Services Coordinator Sierra Johnson Special Projects Coordinator Bryant Walker, CIOS, CSIS Information & Data Analyst Manager Michael Khosrofian Accountant TheLeader AUTUMN 2000 VPPPA’s quArterly PublicAtion on cooPerAtiVe initiAtiVes in sAfety, heAlth And enVironmentAl excellence VOLUME 9, NO. 4 The quarterly publication of cooperative initiatives in safety, health, and environmental excellence The Leaderspring2013>>volume22issue1 16th Annual inside >> Conference Highlights elements of an electrical p.4 safety program Embracing the Understanding International nfpa 70e and How it Community: Charles impacts your Business Jeffress Challenges sneak Peek at tHe VPP sites p.6 2013 national conference in nasHville Plus: Delegation & Abdication: The Right Role for Managers in an Employee-Driven Process p.12 Government Affairs Focus p.14-22 VPPPA Annual Report 2000 p.25 Autumn 2000 Spring 2013 Autumn 2018 Spring 2019 Leader—Spring 2019 43 vpppa.org

VPPPA Through the Years 44 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 45

1984 • 1st Meeting of VPP Participants 1992 • 8th Annual National • Meeting Held in Washington, Conference: Orlando, FL DC, Sponsored by OSHA • VPPPA Established 1993 • 9th Annual National • Founding Chairperson: Conference: San Antonio, TX 1985 Ron Amerson • 2nd Executive Directors: Lee • 1st Annual National Anne Jillings Conference: Washington, DC • 2nd Chairperson: Robert Stegall 1986 • 2nd Annual National 1994 • Mentoring Program Created • 10th Annual National Conference: Atlanta, GA Conference: Phoenix, AZ 1987 • 3rd Annual National 1995 • Conference Surpasses 1,000 Participants Conference: Schaumberg, IL • 11th Annual National Conference: Washington, DC 1988 • 4th Annual National Conference: Atlanta, GA 1996 • 12th Annual National Conference: Orlando, FL 1989 • 5th Annual National Conference: San Antonio, TX 1997 • 13th Annual National Conference: New Orleans, LA 1990 • Paid Membership Categories Established 1998 • 3rd Chairperson: Bob Brant • 6th Annual National • 14th Annual National Conference: Denver, CO Conference: Chicago, IL 1991 • VPPPA is Incorporated • 1st Executive Director: 1999 • The Leader Magazine Margaret “Peggy” Inaugural Issue Richardson • First Staff Hired • 15th Annual National • 7th Annual National Conference: Washington, DC Conference: Washington, DC 46 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

2000 • 4th Chairperson: 2005 • 4th Executive Director: June Brothers R. Davis Layne • 16th Annual National • 1st Assistant Executive Conference: Seattle, WA Director: Adam K. Pawlus • 1st Scholarship Introduced • 21st Annual National Conference: Dallas, TX 2001 • VPPPA Website Launched 2006 • Conference Surpasses • 22nd Annual National 2,000 Participants Conference: Orlando, FL • 17th Annual National 2007 • 23rd Annual Conference: New Orleans, LA National Conference: Washington DC 2002 • 10 VPPPA Chapters Established • 3rd Executive Director: Paul Villane • 18th Annual National Conference: Orlando, FL 2008 • VPP Reaches 2,000 Sites • 6th Chairperson: 2003 • 19th Annual National David L. Jackson Conference: Washington, DC • 24th Annual National Conference: Anaheim, CA 2004 • 2009 • 25th Anniversary of VPPPA • 20th Anniversary of VPPPA • 5th Chairperson: • 25th Annual National Conference Mike Maddox • 20th Annual National Conference: Las Vegas, NV 2010 • 7th Chairperson: Mike Maddox • 26th Annual National Conference: Orlando, FL vpppa.org Leader—Spring 2019 47

2011 • Conference Surpasses 3,000 • 8th Chairperson: Participants Mike Guillory 2016 • 27th Annual National • 5th Executive Director: Conference: New Orleans, LA Mike Maddox • 32nd Annual National Conference VPPPA ANAHEIM | CA AUGUST 20 -23 | 2012 2012 • 28th Annual National • National Conference Conference: Anaheim, CA Rebranded as Safety+ Symposium 2017 • Safety+ Symposium: • 29th Annual National New Orleans, LA 2013 Conference: Nashville, TN 2018 • 9th Chairperson: J.A. Rodriguez, Jr. • 30th Anniversary of VPPPA • 30th Annual National • The Leader wins Gold for Feature Article from the Conference: National Excel Awards Harbor, MD • First Strategic Plan Approved • Symposium Surpasses 3,500 Participants • Safety+ Symposium: Nashville, TN 2014 2019 • 35th Anniversary of VPPPA • Safety+ Symposium: New Orleans, LA 2015 • The Leader is nominated for the Folio Award • 31st Annual National Conference: Grapevine, TX 48 Leader—Spring 2019 vpppa.org

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State-Plan Monitor Compiled By Katlyn Pagliuca Membership Manager, VPPPA, Inc. FEDERAL OSHA STATES CALIFORNIA INDIANA Alabama Arkansas GE Cal/Star Ceremony Indiana presently has 89 VPP sites. There are 17 Colorado re-certification evaluations scheduled for 2019. Delaware GE Flight Test Engine in Victorville celebrated Indiana’s three VPP Leaders are working with Florida several sites who will be ready for evaluations in Georgia their eighth Cal/Star recertification on January 16. 2019 and 2020. Hawaii Idaho The facility is the oldest Cal/Star site in California In January 2019, the new Deputy Kansas Commissioner of Indiana OSHA, Michelle Ellison Louisiana and was first awarded Cal/Star status in 1996. and the three VPP leaders, hosted several VPP Maine site representatives at the annual VPP Advisory Maryland The site performs in-flight testing of jet engines Committee Meeting to discuss the results of Massachusetts 2018 and look forward at the 2019 schedule. Mississippi in a variety of atmospheric environments and The VPP sites provided feedback to the Deputy Missouri Commissioner and VPP leaders at the meeting. Montana conditions using B747-400 and B747-100 aircraft. Nebraska On February 26, the INSHARP & VPP Workshop New Hampshire Elisa Villanueva and David Matsumoto was conducted at the Indiana Safety and Health North Dakota Conference. This was a successful meeting where Ohio performed the onsite re-evaluation in June of 2018. best practices were shared and sites were able to Oklahoma network with others during the meeting. Pennsylvania Some the 2018 Key Performance Indicators were: Rhode Island • Safety Committee attendance. There will be a Special Government Employee South Dakota • Training sessions and percent completion. (SGE) class from July 30-31 at Cintas #388 in Texas • Near misses reported/investigated. Indianapolis. From August 1-2, there will be a West Virginia • Risk assessment reviews. free Basis Industrial Hygiene (IH) class at Cintas Wisconsin #388 in Indianapolis. For more information about Dignitaries who attended the ceremony were: SGE class or IH class contact Beth Gonzalez at STATE-PLAN STATES • Mayor Gloria Garcia, City of Victorville [email protected]. We are always looking Alaska • Tony Mejia on behalf of District Supervisor for more SGEs to assist us with evaluations and Arizona mentoring sites. California Robert Lovingood Iowa • Dokota Higgins on behalf of Congressman Indiana Kentucky Paul Cook Minnesota • Rebecca Tennison on behalf of Senator Michigan Nevada Scott Wilk New Mexico • Iraj Pourmehraban, Cal/VPP Manager presented North Carolina Oregon the Cal/Star certificate & flag on behalf of Cal/ Puerto Rico South Carolina OSHA chief Julian Sum Tennessee Utah For more information on Cal/OSHA VPP visit: Virginia Vermont www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/cal_vpp/cal_vpp_index.html Washington Wyoming GE employees proudly displaying the Cal/Star flag and certificate PUBLIC SECTOR ONLY vpppa.org Connecticut Illinois New Jersey New York Virgin Islands 50 Leader—Spring 2019