2015 Winter Leader - Best Practices Issue

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3, SUMMER 2015 BEST PRACTICES ISSUEOBHJEEICGTHSTAST:STATE OF THE RISK



For more information on how to register, workshops, speakers, sponsorship opportunities, the venue and exhibitors, visit the conference website at vpppa.org/conferenceNATIONAL VPPPAEDUCATE. COLLABORATE. ADVOCATE.ATTEND THE 31ST ANNUAL NATIONAL VPPPA SAFETY & HEALTH CONFERENCE. August 24–27, 2015 / Gaylord Texan, Grapevine, TX. The conference lasts four days. . .but the knowledge and experiences last forever.• Join thousands of EHS professionals at the premier • Hear from nationally-known keynote speakers safety and health event of the year in Grapevine, TX! • Meet with hundreds of exhibitors who are featuring• Experience four days of activities, including over the safest and newest products available to the 100 workshops, over 300 exhibitors and numerous EHS community networking opportunities • Network with dedicated safety and health professionals who share your vision for a safer workplace JOIN VPPPA TODAY AND RECEIVE THE DISCOUNTED MEMBER RATE ON CONFERENCE REGISTRATION!Contact our Membership Department at (703) 761-1146 or [email protected].

LTHEEADER CONTENTSVOL 2. ISSUE 3 SUMMER 2015cover10Objects at Heights: State of The RiskIn its simplest form, an object at anyheight isn’t the issue, making surethat every object stays put is the realconcern and has proven to be a prettylarge issue on jobsites throughoutthe world. Aside from inconvenienceand productivity losses of droppingan object-at-height and having toretrieve it, ‘struck by falling object’ wasresponsible for the loss of 245 lives in theworkplace in 2013, according to theBureau of Labor Statistics. Surprisingly,this often overlooked hazard claimedover 40 percent as many occupationaldeaths as actually falling from anelevated surface (595), not includingnon-fatal injuries.features14VPP Act Passes 16Five Ways to Beat 20Earning VPP Unanimously in Virginia Back Pain Star Status in a Dangerous ProfessionMarking the culmination of a diverse According to the Bureau of Laborcoalition of labor, business interests and Statistics, the back is the most Roofing is the sixth most dangeroussafety professionals, on June 3, 2015, frequently cited body part for lost days profession in the country. Rooftop safetyGovernor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe (D) away from work and it’s a problem changes each minute of each day,signed the state’s Voluntary Protection that can threaten anyone. Liberty so every determination must be madeProgram Act. The legislation codifies, Mutual estimates the price tag for low to prepare for these challenges. In anestablishing through law, the Voluntary back pain in America to be $50 billion effort to improve safety, Evans RoofingProtection Programs (VPP) administered annually. It’s an expensive problem Company, Inc. committed to a formalby the commonwealth’s state-plan. without an easy solution, but there are total quality management (TQM)Virginia’s VPP Act was introduced at several steps safety professionals can program in 1991, focusing on three corethe start of the state’s 2015 legislative take to minimize the risk of employees values: safety, quality and customersession. Its chief sponsors were Senator straining their backs. satisfaction. Obtaining Star status in thisKenneth Alexander (D) and Delegate profession requires continual dedicationManoli Loupassi (R). and commitment from all associates.4 THE LEADER vpppa.org

features continued illustrated journey www.vpppa.org24Safety Tips WINNER VPPPA National Board of Directors from the World’s page 28Highest Mountains Chairperson 30 OSHA’s 2010 Proposed Mike Maddox, NuStar Energy, LPWhen climbing icy mountains at 20,000 Rule for Walking andfeet, if things go wrong, they go wrong Working Surfaces Vice Chairpersonfast. Your brain and body move in slow Mike Guillory, SGE, The Brock Groupmotion due to oxygen levels being 60 In August 2015, the U.S. Department ofpercent lower than at sea level, but Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Treasurergravity and Murphy’s Law still operate Administration (OSHA) is scheduled to Chris Adolfson, Idaho National Laboratoryaround you at full speed. Whether release new rules for Sub-part D—Walkingyour operations include climbing, and Working Surfaces (29 CFR Part Secretaryconstruction or other challenging 1910), which now focuses on one of the Terry Schulte, NuStar Energy, LPactivities, your team’s safety relies upon leading causes of accidental injury in thetheir attitudes, actions and awareness. workplace—same level slips, trips and Director from a Site With a Collective falls. The most recent (2010) proposed Bargaining Agentsections rule, including the preamble, totals Kent Lang, Clearwater Paper Corporation 280 pages in length and details a wideGLOBAL SAFETY AND 6 range of information as it applies to both Director from a Site Without a Collective HEALTH WATCH subpart D and I. For most, navigating the Bargaining Agent proposed rule may be challenging. Rob Henson, LyondellBasellWASHINGTON UPDATE 8 34Pregnant Workers— Director from a DOE-VPP SiteINFOGRAPHIC CORNER 37 The New Safety Stacy Thursby, Washington Closure Hanford Managers?MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 38 Director from a VPP Contractor/ Are you ready for a new safety manager Construction SiteMEMBER INFO CORNER 40 to call the shots on risks to pregnant Richard McConnell, Austin Industrial workers? Issues simmering over the past at LyondellBasellVPPPA CHAPTER ROUND-UPS 42 decade have now come to a boil and you need to be ready to act since many Director-at-LargeSTATE-PLAN MONITOR 43 jurisdictions are already implementing Bill Harkins, Chevron Phillips new standards protecting pregnant Chemical Company women in the workplace. Director-at-Large Look for these topics highlighted in the J.A. Rodriguez, Jr., CSP, SGE , Raytheon top right corner of each section. Technical Services Company LLC G overnment Director-at-Large Kristyn Grow, CSP, CHMM, SGE M embership Cintas Corporation Health Director-at-Large Don Johnson, Phillips 66 Business Editor Outreach Sarah Neely, VPPPA, Inc.CALENDAR OF EVENTS 46 Editorial Mission The Leader (ISSN 1081-261X) is published quarterly for VPPPA members. The Leader delivers articles from members for members, safety and health best practices, developments in the field of occupational safety and health, association activities, educational and networking opportunities and the latest VPP approvals. Subscriptions are available for members as part of their membership benefits and at a 50 percent discount beyond the complimentary allotment. The nonmember subscription rate is $25 a year. Ideas and opinions expressed within The Leader represent the independent views of the authors. Postmaster >> Please send address changes to: VPPPA, Inc. • 7600-E Leesburg Pike • Ste. 100 Falls Church, VA 22043-2004 VPPPA, Inc., the premier global safety and health organization, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that promotes advances in worker safety and health excellence through best practices and cooperative efforts among workers, employers, the government and communities. THE LEADER vpppa.org 5

global safety and health watchThink Inside the Box BY BENJAMIN MASSOUD, N o matter the profession, there are across all industries. Clearly something had COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, certain tasks that nobody enjoys to be done. VPPPA, INC. doing. The duties may be tedious, challenging or may take an extended amount On May 4, 2015, the Occupational Safety and6 THE LEADER vpppa.org of time to complete. But other times, it’s Health Administration (OSHA) issued a new because the work can cost someone their life. standard, Subpart AA of 29 CFR 1926, “designed to eliminate or isolate hazards in confined spaces Electrocutions, explosions, exposure at construction sites, similar to the way workers to toxic substances and asphyxiation— in other industries are protected.” Before the construction workers operating in confined new standard was set to go into effect on August spaces (manholes, tanks and crawl spaces) 3, 2015, the only requirement for construction are all too familiar with the myriad of workers operating in confined spaces was to have health and safety hazards in their line of basic training. (As this issue went to print, OSHA work. Unfortunately, there haven’t been extended the enforcement date 60 days for employers any thorough safety guidelines in place for making “good faith” compliance efforts.) The new workers to adequately prepare for those risks. standard outlines six main requirements: As if those dangers weren’t harmful enough, • Before work begins, each employer must according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction workers die at a rate ensure that a competent person identifies of 9.7 per 100,000 full-time equivalent and evaluates all confined spaces within workers, compared with a rate of 3.3 workers the work sites. • Employees must train workers on the According to the location and hazards of permit-required Bureau of Labor Statistics, confined spaces. construction workers • If any employer decides that employees die at a rate of 9.7 it directs will enter a permit space, that per 100,000 full-time employer must have a written permit space equivalent workers, program that complies with §1926.1204, compared with a rate implemented at the construction site of 3.3 workers across • If the workplace contains one or more all industries. permit spaces, the employer who identifies, or who receives notice of, a permit space must: “Inform exposed employees by posting danger signs or by any other equally effective means, of the existence and location of, and the danger posed by, each permit space; and inform, in a timely manner and in a manner other than posting, its employees’ authorized representatives and the controlling contractor of the existence and location of, and the danger posed by each permit space.” • Employers must ensure that unauthorized workers do not enter permit-required confined spaces. • Companies should continually monitor confined spaces for hazards, including atmospheric and engulfment hazards, and eliminate or control hazards in confined spaces. “This new rule will significantly improve the safety of construction workers who

enter confined spaces,” Secretary of LaborThomas E. Perez said in a statement. “Infact, we estimate that it will prevent about780 serious injuries every year.” Accordingto OSHA, the new rule is expected to affectover 20,000 establishments. While avoiding work in confined spacesisn’t often possible, the American NationalStandards Institute (ANSI) suggests that bymodifying equipment and its installation,it’s possible to limit the number of timesworkers must enter them. One of the majorsuggestions ANSI offers is to implementretrieval systems for items that are locatedat the bottom of a confined space. Thatway, they can be removed and servicedwithout the need for entry. However, whenentry into a confined space is absolutelynecessary, the use of remote monitoringsystems (cameras and gas and leak detection)inside of confined spaces can reduce thenumber of times workers must enterthe space. Furthermore, choosing high-quality equipment that involves minimalmaintenance will pay off in the long run.The high cost of the equipment outweighsthe possible risks associated with the entry ofa confined space. Although this new standardmay not make working in confined spacesmore enjoyable, at least construction workerscan take solace in the notion that they’llnow be safer. For compliance assistance regardingapplication of the final rule, contact:Directorate of Construction, Room N3468,OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC20210; telephone (202) 693-2020 or fax(202) 693-1689.References:• www.osha.gov/confinedspaces/• www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp. show_document?p_table=FEDERAL_ REGISTER&p_id=25127• www.aiha.org/government-affairs/ PositionStatements/PtD%20Conf%20 Space%20AIHA%20-%20BOD%20 Approved.pdf THE LEADER vpppa.org 7

washington updateBY CHARLIE DOSS, cooperation between private businesses and a NHTSA Efforts Focus onGOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER, government regulator.” New TechnologyVPPPA, INC. Echoing the emphasis on partnerships, The National Highway Transportation SafetyVPP Act Reintroduced In House Rep. Roby said, “We all want to ensure Administration (NHTSA) is making use of worker safety, and VPP seeks to achieve that new and proven technologies to improve safetyThe Voluntary Protection Program Act through partnerships, not penalties. VPP across America’s roadways. Transportation(H.R.2500) was reintroduced into the U.S. helps companies become compliant with Secretary Anthony Foxx announced a final ruleHouse of Representatives with bipartisan workplace safety rules on the front end to requiring electronic stability control (ESC)support on May 21, 2015. The legislation seeks avoid costly fines and harmful penalties on systems on large buses and heavy trucks. Afterto codify the Occupational Safety and Health the back end. VPP is a smart way to ensure a the enactment of a similar rule for light-dutyAdministration’s (OSHA) Voluntary Protection safe and productive workplace, and I’m proud vehicles in 2012, this final rule, first proposedPrograms (VPP), granting them official to be a part of this bipartisan legislation to in 2011, will enter into effect in August 2015.congressional authorization. finally codify it.” NHTSA estimates that this rule will prevent more than half of rollover crashes that are not Longtime VPP champion, Congressman VPPPA Chairman Mike Maddox caused by striking an obstacle or leaving theGene Green (D-TX), was joined by underscored why VPP has drawn bipartisan road. In total, it could prevent 1,759 crashes,Congressman Todd Rokita (R-IN) and support, “VPP sites are innovators and industry 649 injuries and 49 deaths each year. MostCongresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL) in leaders in workplace safety. They create safer, heavy trucks will have two years to complyintroducing the legislation. Reps. Rokita and more productive working environments that with the rule. Buses, depending on theirRoby take over the role of lead Republican give American companies a competitive edge weight, will have three to four years.supporters after Rep. Tom Petri’s (R-WI) in the global marketplace. It is fantastic to haveretirement at the end of the previous Congress. bipartisan recognition of VPP’s success as the At another event, Secretary Foxx announcedThe legislation was referred to the House’s Department of Labor’s premier cooperative an acceleration of rulemaking for vehicle-Committee on Education and the Workforce program. This legislation will ensure that to-vehicle (V2V) technology as requiredand its Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, OSHA can continue to support VPP, equipment on new vehicles. V2V allowswhich has jurisdiction over OSHA. matching the commitment of VPP companies, communication between vehicles over the workers and unions who already volunteer same frequencies as some wi-fi signals, Testifying before that committee in March time, expertise and resources toward making sharing information such as speed, location,to discuss the Department of Labor’s Fiscal workplaces safer across the country.” direction and braking. These will at first beYear 2016 budget request, Secretary of Labor used to alert drivers about blind spots andThomas Perez emphasized the program’s The introduction of the VPP Act in similar common problems and eventuallysuccess and stated that, “Our aim for 2016 is Congress comes at a time when the programs may serve as a bridge to self-driving vehicles.to expand VPP because we think it’s a great have enjoyed unprecedented success at the Numerous automakers are already researchingprogram.” Recent budgetary pressures created state level with similar legislation. Virginia and investing in the technology. The Federala backlog of sites waiting for their VPP re- recently codified its state-plan VPP with a Communications Commission and Congressapproval or to have their initial application unanimous vote in both houses of the state’s are considering proposals to allow other usersconsidered by OSHA. The agency has worked General Assembly. on the same band as V2V communications,to draw down the re-approval backlog, but 5.9 Ghz. The Department of Transportationthe VPP Act would create the stability and plans, in response, to test for interferencecertainty to meet Secretary Perez’s goal of issues as soon as the industry has production-growing the programs. ready devices available. This testing will also increase understanding of how signals may Rep. Green stressed the cooperative nature interfere with future vehicle-to-infrastructureof VPP, “The Voluntary Protection Program communications systems as well.is one of the few programs that has achievedunified support from both union and non- Finally, the secretary joined Senator Tomunionized labor, small and large businesses and Udall (D-NM), Congressman Peter DeFaziogovernment,” adding, “I am proud to work (D-OR) and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to NY) to showcase industry improvements ascodify this important safety program that saves part of the Driver Alcohol Detection Systemmoney while protecting workers.” for Safety (DADSS) program. In cooperation with NHTSA, an industry consortium “This collaboration is good for employees, has developed prototypes to detect alcoholemployers, and the American economy,” stated levels by a driver’s touch and another byRep. Rokita. “VPP has been a great success breath, to ensure they do not use a vehiclein Indiana, including worksites like Cintas in while intoxicated. With a target window forFrankfort and Nucor in Crawfordsville. It is implementation in five years, the programone federal program that works well, fostering8 THE LEADER vpppa.org

is projected to save 7,000 lives each year by to improve existing articles with more accurate The Maine Departmentpreventing drivers from operating vehicles and detailed information and also authors of Labor has requestedwith a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) new entries to further public understanding of the creation of aabove 0.08 percent. occupational safety and health. state-plan for [the Occupational SafetyNTSB Backs Collision OSHA Partners with Health and Health (OSH)Avoidance Systems Canada for Chemical Labelling Act of 1970] to cover approximately 81,000The National Transportation Safety Board As part of the Regulatory Cooperation public sector workers(NTSB) has emphasized its support of making Council, OSHA and Health Canada across the state.collision avoidance systems standard in all have announced their intent to reducenew commercial and passenger vehicles in a inconsistencies among hazard communicationnew report. It estimates that 1,700 die each regulations through the use of one label andyear in rear-end collisions, but that 80 percent safety data sheet in both countries. This buildsof these might have been avoided with such on a previous memorandum of understandingsystems. Currently, only four out of 684 between the two on implementation of thepassenger vehicle models include a complete Globally Harmonized System of Classificationforward collision avoidance system as standard. and Labelling in 2013.NTSB Chairman Christopher A. Hart decriedthe slow adoption of the feature, “You don’t Maine Public Sectorpay extra for your seatbelt, and you shouldn’t State-Plan Proposedhave to pay extra for technology that can helpprevent a collision altogether.” The report Under the Occupational Safety and Healthalso recommends the subsequent adoption of (OSH) Act of 1970, state and local governmentautonomous emergency braking systems after employees are excluded from federal OSHAthe establishment of applicable standards. coverage. The Maine Department of Labor has requested the creation of a state-plan forEPA Forms Chemical it to cover approximately 81,000 public sectorSafety Committee workers across the state. The proposal from OSHA must first go through a normal federalIn order to better advise the activities of its rulemaking process before being finalized. IfOffice of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, the plan is approved, private sector and federalthe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees would remain under federal OSHAhas created the Chemical Safety Advisory jurisdiction in the state.Committee (CSAC). CSAC will adviseand provide recommendations concerningpollution prevention measures using scientificmethodologies and risk assessments.NIOSH Collaborateswith WikipediaThe National Institute for OccupationalSafety and Health (NIOSH) has become thesecond federal agency with a Wikipedian-in-Residence in a collaborative effort withthe online encyclopedia Wikipedia. Both thewebsite and the agency hope to leverage eachother’s advantages in this partnership. As thefifth largest website in the world, Wikipediaoffers a much larger audience than NIOSH cannormally reach through its traditional platforms.As a scientific agency dedicated to improvingand spreading understanding of workplacehealth and safety, NIOSH has unparalleledexpertise and conducts research on complicatedsubject matter. The dedicated employee works THE LEADER vpppa.org 9

OBJ AT STATE OF THE RISK10 THE LEADER vpppa.org

BY NATE BOHMBACHE CTSSENIORPRODUCTMANAGER,ERGODYNEHEIGHTS:In its simplest form, an object at any height isn’t the issue; making sure that every object stays put is thereal concern and has proven to be a pretty large issue on jobsites throughout the world. Aside frominconvenience and productivity losses of dropping an object-at-height and having to retrieve it, ‘struckby falling object’ was responsible for the loss of 245 lives in the workplace in 2013, according to the Bureauof Labor Statistics (BLS). Surprisingly, this often overlooked hazard claimed over 40 percent as manyoccupational deaths as actually falling from an elevated surface (595), not including non-fatal injuries.Quit Shaming Slippery Fingers locations, such as ladders, lifts, scaffolding same controls are needed for parts, tools and or platforms. equipment, as well.With the ever-present force of gravity,unsecured things like hand tools, nuts and Most employers understand fall protection Laying the Groundworkbolts and even personal protective items like for workers. These programs include: jobhardhats, become missiles when dropped safety or hazard analyses (JSA or JHA), Recognition of this hazard has led companiesfrom 50 stories. Slippery fingers aren’t the training and awareness, restriction of elevated in certain industries, like utilities andonly problem; any of these items can be work to qualified workers and the use of telecommunications, to form working groupsaccidently kicked, dropped, blown or even harnesses, lifelines, tethers and more. Fewer to address the issue of dropped objects,fall out of a bucket from elevated work employers understand that many of these develop prevention strategies and share best THE LEADER vpppa.org 11

practices. Almost 20 years later, the Dropped The Dropped Objects Objects Prevention Scheme (DROPS) is Prevention Scheme an example of a global organization started (DROPS) is an example of a by members in the oil and gas industry to global organization started address this jobsite problem. by members in the oil & gas industry to address this Safety and equipment vendors have also jobsite problem. responded with new solutions for tethering tools and equipment and for containing potential dropped objects under normal loose parts that need to be transported to circumstances elevated workplaces. These types of products • Yellow Zone—Where the layout and help employers control these hazards and activities of the area do present some risk comply with regulatory requirements for of personnel being exposed to potential controlling loose or falling objects. dropped objects under normal circumstances • Red Zone—Where the layout and Know Your Zone activities of the area present significant risk of personnel being exposed to potential Many employers have opted for a third-party dropped objects under normal circumstances organization or trusted manufacturer to A site survey should also include an evaluate their specific jobsite for objects- inventory of all tools, parts and equipment at-heights risks. A comprehensive program used above workzones, whether done on a like this will start with a survey of all regular basis at a fixed location, such as at elevated work areas. Similar in some ways a refinery or processing plant, or done on to surveys associated with confined spaces, a temporary basis, such as when erecting a fall protection or certain process hazards, communications tower or wind generator, the DROPS Best Practice Guidance classifies work zones based on potential risk to workers below: • Green Zone—Where the layout and activities of the area present little likelihood of personnel being exposed to Caption TK12 THE LEADER vpppa.org

or when performing repairs on a bridge, impact wrenches, special retention pins or Keeping tools and gearscaffolding or a crane. safety wires may be required to keep all of where they should be when the pieces at elevation. taken to heights requires This inventory should be consistent with an intentional effort, athose items identified in JSAs and JHAs for These tethers should be thought of as a clear understanding ofeach task performed over the classified work system, including anchor points to the worker, tasks and operations,zones. Tools and objects not included in harness and railing. Each component of the and occasionally, somethe inventory or task analysis, or which do system must be able to withstand anticipated creative solutions.not meet program requirements, should be shock loads and should be regularly inspected.considered “out of compliance” and prohibited Temporary attachments should be secure to Bottom Lineunless addressed in a special work permit. prevent unintended release, and tether lengths should be long enough to perform required Keeping tools and gear where they should This intentional approach of specifying or tasks without creating entanglement, snagging be when taken to heights requires ancontrolling what is allowed at elevated work or trip hazards. In some situations, coiled, intentional effort, a clear understanding oflocations can have other benefits. For example, stretchable or self-retracting lanyards might be tasks and operations and occasionally somethe pre-assembling of parts or components on preferred options. creative solutions. Training that encompassesthe ground can reduce the number of items awareness and hands-on demonstrations ofthat need to be tracked at elevation, reduce A Well-Rounded Program the various products for tethering is key forthe number of tools that need to be carried protecting workers from even something asto heights, eliminate carrying of waste or As with a fall protection program for seemingly small and benign as a dropped bolt.unnecessary packaging and reduce the amount workers, a fall protection program for objectsof time spent at heights. includes layered and overlapping controls. Fall prevention discussions have become Guardrails and toe boards are basic elements commonplace in the workplace, but, typically, The best practice guidelines also recommend for elevated work platforms but must be kept employers are focused solely on preventinga review of all past incidents, including near clear of debris and clutter which could get actual worker falls. While that is extremelymiss events where objects have been dropped, kicked or blown over. In some situations, important, the often neglected tools andto identify causal and contributing factors as netting or other passive engineering controls gear brought to heights can have equallywell as needed controls. may also be used. Typically designed to devastating results. restrain or catch workers, each of theseDon’t be a Tool—Connect It should be evaluated for their ability to Referencesthe Right Way prevent tools, parts or debris from falling onto areas below. Active engineering controls • OSHAAn increasing variety of tool and object should also be used in the form of chin Scaffolds: 1926.451(h)—“falling objecttethering solutions for working at heights are straps and lanyards. Other retention devices protection”available from vendors, including lanyards, should always be used to keep tools and Fall Protection: 1926.501(c)—tethers, tool connectors, closed pouches and equipment from falling. “Protection from falling objects” Steelre-closeable containers that prevent loose Erection:1926.759(a)—“Securing looseparts from flying if kicked over on a work Training for workers above and below, items aloft”platform or bumped when hoisting. These along with signage and access control, General Duty Clause 29 U.S.C. § 654,types of devices must be durable enough to are important administrative controls, 5(a)1—“ . . .employment and a place ofwithstand the challenges of the particular especially with higher hazard ‘yellow’ and employment which are free from recognizedwork environment (oils, chemicals, UV ‘red’ classified zones. Work practices that hazards that are causing or are likely to causeexposure, saltwater, heat, etc.) and, as always, eliminate placing an unsecured tool or death or serious physical harm . . .”allow convenient access for workers wearing component on a rail, ledge, step or platform,appropriate gloves for the tasks involved. even temporarily, need to be enforced. • DROPS The use of work permits or checklists for www.dropsonline.org/ One of the more challenging aspects of elevated work is another way to reinforce theobjects at heights planning is trying to safely importance of these measures and to help Nate Bohmbach is senior product manager ofconnect a tool to a lanyard when the tool mitigate the hazard.has no obvious connection point, such as a the productivity pillar of products at Ergodynehammer. Employers must find and utilize tool Personal protective equipment (PPE) forconnectors that create an attachment point but workers below may be obvious, but it’s important. and is dedicated to keeping worksite tools andalso make sure it does not interfere with the Hard hats, eye protection and steel-toed bootstool’s function or integrity. (to name a few) may help reduce the severity of equipment organized, efficient and safe. He injury if a worker is hit by a falling item. If PPE In some cases, a wrench may incorporate is removed or exchanged, some type of storage has a passion for at-heights safety solutionssome type of hanging hook or hole that is pouch or clips should be considered to keep themeasy to tie or clip into. In other cases, such with the worker. including the emerging category of objects-at-as specialty or power tools, a variety of cinchstraps, swaged cables, hot or cold shrink heights. Bohmbach has developed innovativetubing, clips or carabiners may be needed.For multi-part tools, such as socket sets or safety products for nearly 10 years and has taught best practices to multiple industries. THE LEADER vpppa.org 13

Marking the culmination of a diverse coalition of labor, business interests and safety professionals, on June3, 2015, Governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe (D) signed the state’s Voluntary Protection Program Act. Thelegislation codifies, establishing through law, the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) administered by thecommonwealth’s state-plan.Under the Occupational Safety and Health Virginia’s VPP Act was introduced at the start Organizations (AFL-CIO): “This legislation (OSH) Act of 1970, states can elect to of the state’s 2015 legislative session. Its chief is important for the continued protection administer their own state-plans. These sponsors were Senator Kenneth Alexander (D) of working people everywhere. VPP ensures states operate their own version of OSHA and Delegate Manoli Loupassi (R). Beyond that workers’ rights to be safe on the job are at the state level as long as said agencies have bipartisan support, these VPP champions guaranteed and takes great steps towards saving requirements that are at least as stringent as federal represent a coalition between two of Virginia’s lives,” said Virginia AFL-CIO President Doris OSHA. Furthermore, four other states and the major regions. Senator Alexander represents Crouse-Mays. Virgin Islands have state-plans that only cover portions of Norfolk and Chesapeake in the state and local government public sector workers. state’s tidewater region and Delegate Loupassi Drawing similar praise from industry Currently, all 22 full state-plans have created hails from a district that includes portions of the organizations, Virginia Manufacturers VPP initiatives. Virginia began their programs in city of Richmond and its suburbs. Association President Brett Vassey added, 1996, which currently cover 44 sites. These cross “Labor and management have a strong record all sectors of the economy, ranging from high- The Virginia VPP Act quickly drew of implementing VPP together, which creates tech defense contractors to a brewery to the first support from labor across the state, eliciting a safer work environment for everyone and correctional facility in the country in VPP. an endorsement from the state American is a program labor and management can get Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial behind.” Additionally, the Virginia Chamber14 THE LEADER vpppa.org

BY CHARLIE DOSS GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER, VPPPA VPP ACTIUNNVAINRIGMIONUIASLYof Commerce, the American Society of Safety signed the legislation into law in March 2015. Mike Guillory, VPPPA Vice Chairman (Left),Engineers (ASSE) and the American Industrial Ahead of the legislation’s effective date of July and Richard McConnell, VPPPA Director-at-Hygiene Association (AIHA) added their support. 1, 2015, the governor held a signing ceremony Large from a VPP Contractor/Construction to bring together VPP’s many supporters Site (Right) join Virginia Governor TerryBuilding Momentum throughout the state and honor participating McAuliffe (Center) at the bill signing. sites. He was joined by representatives fromWith injury and illness rates 50 percent below labor, industry and VPPPA’s board of directors. THE LEADER vpppa.org 15industry averages, VPP sites are safety andhealth innovators that address every hazard However, not every VPP site in Virginiafaced by employees, regardless of whether it is is covered by its newly codified state-plan.covered by existing regulations. Acting as a force Certain worksites remain under federalmultiplier, VPP sites are dedicated to outreach jurisdiction, including important employersand sharing best practices with their peers and such as Norfolk Naval Shipyard and NASA’scompetitors. Through lower compensation Langley Research Center. The federal VPPcosts, reduced lost time and increased Act, as discussed in the “Washington Update”productivity, VPP sites realize dramatic savings section on page 8, would give these sitesfor the private sector. Public sector sites pass on the same certainty of support as their peersthese same savings to taxpayers. in Virginia by codifying OSHA’s federal administration of VPP. For more information With such widespread backing, the legislation on how to share your site’s VPP story with yoursailed through the committee process and was elected officials, contact governmentaffairs@passed by both houses of the Virginia General vpppa.org or (703) 761-1146.Assembly unanimously. Governor McAuliffe

BY ANDREW FAULKNERCOMMUNICATIONS AND CONTENT MANAGER, SAFESTART WBAACYKS TPOAIBNEAT Kyla Cullain received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008 and quickly found a job with a municipal public health unit. As part of her schooling she received instruction on proper body mechanics but there were no practice situations that simulated working conditions. Once she joined the workforce, the expectation was that the safety skills she learned while training to be a nurse were more than sufficient. You’re reading this in a safety magazine so you probably already know that it wasn’t enough. T here was a long stretch of days when Kyla’s story is a common one. According Kyla’s team was tasked with urgently to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), providing vaccines to group homes. the back is the most frequently cited body The schedule was demanding and part for lost days away from work and it’s at each home they were forced to set up a problem that can threaten anyone. While makeshift clinics in whatever office space staying fit can provide some protection, Kyla they could find. As she was packing up at one was in great physical shape at the time of her location so that she could rush off to the next, injury and that was not enough to prevent she bent over to retrieve her cooler of vaccines serious damage from occurring. from a cramped corner. Liberty Mutual estimates the price tag for She doesn’t know if it was because she low back pain in America to be $50 billion overreached or if the vaccine container was annually. It’s an expensive problem without too heavy, but the result of her attempt to an easy solution, but there are several steps lift the cooler was three herniated discs and safety professionals can take to minimize the a compressed S1 nerve root that eventually risk of employees straining their backs. led to an L5 discectomy and set her up for a lifetime of back pain and spinal issues.16 THE LEADER vpppa.org

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A paper published in the 1Follow the Hierarchy It’s important to remember Journal for Occupational of Controls that back safety training Rehabilitation in almost always happens in 2012 discovered that The hierarchy of controls should be your first a controlled environment cumulative load on step in minimizing back strain among workers. without the stress and hustle the lower back is more This includes obvious steps like minimizing of the workplace. If you want consistently associated lifting where possible, eliminating any twisting employees to remember with lower back pain required when lifting and reducing the safe lifting procedures when than previously identified frequency and distance that employees have to they’re rushing, frustrated or risk factors. Improper bend or lift. tired, they need to practice body position can lifting demos and receive also be a contributor, In most cases, it’s impossible to completely regular positive correction and overreaching or eliminate the hazard, and engineering solutions and feedback. excessive torque can are limited—lifting is an unavoidable element cause lifting even small of many jobs and weight is a function of lifting demos and receive regular positive weights to have a big gravity. When it comes to PPE, there’s a single correction and feedback. Ideally, they should impact on your back. fact that is ignored in far too many workplaces: also be trained in identifying and contending back belts don’t work. with the human factors that are most likely to18 THE LEADER vpppa.org compromise their lifting technique. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined Frequent reminders are also important. In a over 13,000 material-handling employees at 2014 survey of safety professionals conducted 160 retail stores across the United States to by the BLS, 85 percent of respondents said determine the effectiveness of back belts and that reminding workers about safety issues policies requiring their use. After observing is effective, but only provides a temporary these employees for two years and adjusting benefit. The survey focused on slips, trips and for multiple risk factors, the study concluded falls in the workplace, but many of its findings, that frequent back belt use wasn’t effective including this one, are broadly applicable at reducing back injury claim rates or self- to safety practices. This means that not only reported back pain. should you provide reminders, but you also need to offer training that will keep workers safe in Not only have back belts been demonstrated between their reminders—including building to be ineffective, but in some cases, they may better habits. actually have a negative effect. They could give employees the mistaken belief that they 3 Build Better Habits can attempt to lift more than is safe or lend The Society for Personality and Social employers a false sense that their workers’ backs Psychology notes that 40 percent of our daily are adequately taken care of. It’s better to provide behavior is habitual, echoing a long-standing proven devices that directly help with lifting. belief that a great deal of our behavior is a result of routines. Many people have 2 Teach—and Practice— established lifting habits long before they enter Safe Lifting Techniques the workforce, and these habits play a huge role in determining the long-term status of an Too many back training programs consist of individual’s back health. gathering employees in a room once a year, showing a 10-minute DVD with outdated Back injuries can result from a single footage and then sending them back to work incident, but they can also be caused by once it’s over. The lifting techniques in these a history of poor lifting techniques that videos may be perfectly applicable because compound over time. A paper published in there hasn’t been any major breakthroughs in the Journal for Occupational Rehabilitation in lifting procedures for years, but information 2012 discovered that cumulative load on the transfer is only one part of safety training. It’s lower back is more consistently associated with also essential to provide frequent, hands-on lower back pain than previously identified risk training to increase the likelihood that workers factors. Improper body position can also be will retain the knowledge. It’s important to remember that back safety training almost always happens in a controlled environment without the stress and hustle of the workplace. If you want employees to remember safe lifting procedures when they’re rushing, frustrated or tired, they need to practice

a contributor, and overreaching or excessive expenses. Unsurprisingly, employees have a approach may be compromised by humantorque can cause lifting even small weights to more personal take on the issue—they want to factors. Once a back injury occurs, there’s littlehave a big impact on your back. Whether it’s stay healthy so they can provide for their family, you can do but accommodate the employee asone lift or a thousand lifts, once the total load coach their kid’s softball game after work and best you can.you’ve carried exceeds your limit, you’re at risk continue enjoying all that life has to offer.of an injury. Kyla is now the CEO of Next Step Transitions The goal is the same, but the motivations Inc., a company that provides barrier-free living In Kyla’s case, the strain of lifting the are much different. You’ll get much better and safety aids to seniors, and she understandscontainer of vaccines led to an injury, but it employee engagement when you appeal to the importance of prevention and risk awareness.didn’t occur in isolation. Rather, it was the the employee’s personal agenda rather than a When asked if knowing her safe lifting limitculmination of years of bad body mechanics corporate mandate. and the dangers of rushing would have changedcatching up with her. “Hauling out the vaccine things, she answers quickly, “There’s no doubt incooler was a trigger but it definitely wasn’t the This can take a number of different forms, my mind that more training and recognizing theonly factor in my injury,” she notes. “Looking from creating training collateral that provides real risks of rushing could have helped me avoidback, I definitely had something coming and it off-the-job examples, to frequent reminders getting hurt. If I’d taken the time to betterwas just a question of what would set it off.” that a back injury will affect their entire lives, assess the situation, things would have been no matter where it occurs. Addressing off-the- completely different.” Your training program should identify job safety is a surprising but effective solutionimportant back-health habits, like reaching your to workplace back injuries. Employees who are Andrew Faulkner is the communicationsarm out to build a bridge when bending over, aware of the off-the-job cost of straining their and content manager at SafeStart. Heand should provide employees with the support back and who practice safe techniques at home produces safety and training resources forthey require to properly form habits that will are more likely to stay safe at work too. safety professionals, including guides on PPEprotect their back throughout their careers. compliance and preventing slips, trips and Back injury prevention revolves around falls in the workplace, and writes about the4 Identify the employee behavior and buy-in. You can’t force intersection of traditional safety compliance Workplace Risks anyone to follow safe lifting practices, so you measures and human factors. Learn more and need to educate them on its importance, give download resources at safestart.com.Knowledge is power and there’s no better them the skill set to reliably perform safeway to avoid unsafe lifting techniques than to behavior on the job and recognize when their THE LEADER vpppa.org 19make sure employees know their safe liftingthresholds and which oddly shaped objectsare most likely to cause them to alter theirapproach to lifting. Teach employees to recognize awkward ordangerously large loads and help them learn toquickly spot instances when they should askfor help. “The thought never crossed my mindthat the cooler was too big for me to carry orthat having to reach out and bend for it wouldmake it trickier to move,” Kyla says. “It alsonever occurred to me that I should ask forhelp.” Among the measures she thinks couldhave helped her prevent her back injury, hazardidentification and awareness is at the top ofthe list. It’s also important not to rush througha task without taking the time to ensure thatworkers are employing the proper techniques. Not all hazards come in big packages. Insome cases, the danger may be repetitive strainrather than large loads. In these cases, provideample breaks for rest and recovery, and considerperiodically rotating employees to otherpositions that demand less from their backs.5 Appeal to Their Agenda Everyone has a safety agenda. Employerstypically aim to minimize workplace injuries tokeep their workforce healthy, productive and toavoid potentially costly workers’ compensation

EARNING VPP STAR STATUS IN A DANGEROUS PROFESSION— HOW EVANS ROOFING COMPANY, INC. BECAME THE ONLY ROOFING COMPANY TO ACHIEVE VPP BY DAN NOWAK CORPORATE RISK SPECIALIST, EVANS ROOFING COMPANY, INC. Evans Roofing Company, Inc., (ERC) is a commercial roofing and wall panel contractor located in upstate New York. Our two subsidiary companies, Charles F. Evans Company, Inc. (union) and CFE Inc. (non- union) both proudly achieved VPP Merit recognition in 2008 and more recently, Star status in 2012. These two companies are the only roofing companies in the United States to achieve this honor and both were re-approved at the VPP Star level in August 2014. This achievement requires continual dedication and commitment from all associates.20 THE LEADER vpppa.org

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R oofing is the sixth most dangerous The fall/rescue plan is then communicated to all and all mentoring sessions are complete, the profession in the country. Rooftop associates and we check to make sure everyone new associate is recognized with an orange hard safety changes each minute of each understands and agrees upon it. Every associate hat sticker, signifying his or her completion of day, so every determination must be made to involved then signs off on the documents. the mentoring program. prepare for these challenges. In an effort to improve safety, ERC committed to a formal New Employee Going Electronic total quality management (TQM) program Mentoring Program in 1991, focusing on three core values: safety, In an effort to maintain pace in a fast and quality and customer satisfaction. This led to Once our safety system is set up and the roof competitive industry, we decided to “go a paradigm of how safety was to be integrated is loaded with materials and supplies, our electronic” for our comprehensive safety into projects. associates then have a safety huddle to discuss and health program. In 2013, we made a the operations. During this time, any associates financial commitment to reduce project The TQM program allows associates to that are in our new employee mentoring paperwork by purchasing electronic tablets get actively involved in sharing ideas directly program are assigned an experienced mentor if for all field supervision. These tablets allow from the field. Every associate is encouraged one has not already been assigned. information to be shared in real-time with to complete a written TQM ideas form and field and office associates. submit their suggestions for review. Once an Over the next two months, the new associate idea is submitted, it is then handed to a quality works closely with their mentor to learn everyday During the course of a project, our teams improvement team (QIT) to be discussed operations, such as proper setup and placement of are not only responsible for maintaining for merit and practicality. If the TQM idea job boxes, making sure all appropriate materials and adjusting the safety practices as needed, is determined to have merit, it is approved are in First Aid Kits and learning our fire but also for holding weekly team meetings, and put into action. The process of getting extinguisher cone best practice. For example, part called “tool box talks,” (TBT) along with associates to submit their ideas to management of the training focuses on the proper placement conducting a site safety audit. Not only do has led to success within our organization. of fire extinguishers to avoid them tipping over. our EH&S specialists conduct a weekly safety Many submissions are now everyday best We take a regular orange safety cone and cut the audit for each site, it is also the responsibility practices. This has raised us to a new level top off, allowing us to place the fire extinguisher of the team leader, foreman, project manager of commitment to safety and quality. With down inside to keep it upright and stable. We and corporate office to complete and submit this said, we are recognized as a leader in the then label the cone with a “fire extinguisher a safety audit, as well. This process helps hold roofing industry with the simple message of sticker.” All of this helps our new associate gain us accountable on all levels while keeping continuous improvement. the skills and knowledge for their new journey in up with our high standards for safety. The the commercial roofing industry. safety audit processes are very user-friendly, We would like to take you on a journey quick and allow real-time reporting for our through our everyday best practices from start New associates are required to carry their managers conducting them. As you scroll to finish. After ERC is awarded a job and the pocket-sized safety manuals along with their down through the checklist, there is an easy contract is in place, we focus on how to keep mentoring packets. They are also issued a lime “Yes,” “No” or “N/A” questionnaire for our associates safe, from beginning to end. green hard hat sticker to signify that they are evaluators to fill out. If there is an item that Basic things, such as a site-specific fall/rescue in the mentoring program. Once a week, they is not in compliance, damaged or needs to be plan along with our job hazard analysis (JHA), review that week’s mentoring session with their “red tagged,” “No” is selected. We then have are developed. The JHA describes the safety mentor or team leader. This process encourages the ability to take a picture of the issue and, system that is to be installed and any other our new hires to ask questions and it helps our if possible, abate or correct the problem and precautionary measures that are to be taken. mentors and team leaders check for complete upload the before-and-after photos to show understanding. After the two months are over how a problem was solved. Once the audit is22 THE LEADER vpppa.org complete, it is sent out via email directly from the job site in real time. To further promote accountability, we can also use our system to assign an issue ticket to a team leader or project manager. When they have resolved the issue, they can now email it back out to their supervisors to show how and when the problem was solved. Both the TBT and the safety audits can then be emailed out onsite and uploaded to a shared drive for the company’s personnel to access. QR Code Tag System To stress accountability, we have implemented a tagging system for safety equipment. Fall protection equipment, such as harnesses and

lanyards, are tagged with a QR code. At any We have both English and Spanish versions along on by peers, recognizes companies that havetime, these tags can be scanned with our tablets with our OSHA 3165 and 3167 posters. The made an extraordinary effort to improve workerby using an app. Once scanned, our system posters are displayed in every job box as well. health and safety by continuously creatingwill tell us the associate’s name and product and applying new and better approaches todetails such as the date of issue (DOI), date Equipment & Safety Equipment Manuals—All solving problems. This award would not haveof manufacture (DOM), serial number and equipment manuals are now easy to access. If there been possible without all of our incrediblythe last time it had a documented inspection is a troubleshooting question or if a new associate intelligent and hard-working employees and weas opposed to the daily visual inspection we is being trained, the manual is there for review. look forward to continuing to make strides inrequire all associates to perform before using our safety program and continuing to developtheir assigned equipment. Safety Checklists—The safety checklist folder and implement innovative solutions at Evans holds all of the criteria items for inspection of any Roofing Company.Punch Cards equipment and also our site audits. Dan Nowak began working in the safety fieldAlthough each individual associate is trained Policies-Procedures—This one is crucial for in 2003 as a team leader, safety representativeto conduct a visual walk-around inspection, human resources. Sometimes on job sites, and chainsaw safety instructor for thewe document these inspections before the questions arise on what the exact policy or Pennsylvania Department of Labor. In 2011, heequipment is used. Our associates use in- certain procedure for handling issues or items transitioned into the oil and gas sector wherehouse punch cards for different equipment. is. Associates can now quickly reference these he represented EH&S and field coordinationWe believe that different equipment requires documents and forms. in both the seismic and fracking industries.different criteria. Our punch cards are specific Dan found what he considers to be his trueto the equipment and are UV resistant, weather All of this touch-and-go technology that we’ve home, Evans Roofing Company, Inc., in 2013resistant, flexible and durable. They range from implemented into our safety culture has brought and is happy to be in the most safety-orientedscaffolding, fork lifts, various aerial lifts and operations together, full circle, and maintains our company he has ever known.mobile fall protection carts, to name just a few. accountability theme.We inspect these items whether they are ours ora rental company’s. This ensures that we take the In March of this year, we presented our besttime to do our due diligence when it comes to practices at the Western New York State Safetysafety. The punch card has the inspection criteria Conference and won the 1st Annual Safetywritten right on it. The proper associate will use Innovation Award. This prestigious award, votedthe punch card and select the year, month andday. If all of the items on the inspection list arecompliant, they will punch the “Y” on the Y/Nthat is next to the day of that month. Using thetablets, we can show proof that the inspectionsare being completed. We simply take a picture ofthe punch card that is attached to the equipmentand upload it right into our safety audit reports.Readily Accessible andSearchable DocumentsAnyone at any time can access our tabletsonsite. On the home screen, the main foldersare accessible along with various other filesor apps that we have found useful. The mainfolders include the safety data sheet (SDS)collections, safety manuals, equipmentmanuals, safety equipment manuals, safetychecklists and policies and procedures. SDS Collection—We now have all of ourSDS right at our fingertips. All we have todo is select the manufacturer-product-type.This automatically shows specific SDS andall 16 parts. We update our records as themanufacturer updates them. Safety Manuals—Our company safety manualis just a touch away. Associates can refer to thesafety manual quickly when questions may arise. THE LEADER vpppa.org 23

BY JIM DAVIDSON 31ST ANNUAL NATIONAL VPPPA SAFETY & HEALTH CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKER24 THE LEADER vpppa.org

MHOIUGNHTEASITNSSafetyTips fromthe World’sWhen climbing icy mountains After scaling dozens of high-at 20,000 feet, if things go altitude mountains from Alaskawrong, they go wrong fast. to Tibet, my teammates andYour brain and body move in I have adopted some crucialslow motion due to oxygen methods for avoiding mishaps.levels being 60 percent lower More than just checklists, wethan at sea level, but gravity integrate safety into all of ourand Murphy’s Law still operate plans, actions and decisions.around you at full speed. Whether your operations include climbing, construction or other challenging activities, your team’s safety relies upon their attitudes, actions and awareness. THE LEADER vpppa.org 25

Attitudes and our goals without doubt or delay. This the top, but I was not sure we could get back allowed us to help faster, help better and down safely before dark.On Mount McKinley (Denali) in Alaska, enabled us to keep ourselves safe while wewe spent twelve cold days getting our team participated in the risky rescue. At 20,500 feet, we stopped on a flat ice shelfsafely to the highest camp at 17,200 feet. and had a quick team meeting. We all agreedNighttime temperatures of minus 20 degrees The evacuation dragged on for seven cold that we were starting to rely more on luck,Fahrenheit froze our exhaled breath to hours. Eventually, the patient was airlifted rather than our own intentional protectivethe tent’s inside surface like a million ice on a short haul line dangling beneath a actions, and that was not good enough.feathers. It took all the enthusiasm we could straining helicopter. The patient did survive Like it or not, we had to turn around beforemuster to stiffly exit our sleeping bags and and recover, though not without damage. We something bad happened. After a short break,begin two frigid hours of preparation for our trudged down Denali in a snow storm having we checked each other’s knots and harnesses,summit push. not summited, yet satisfied in the knowledge and then began the descent. that a safety-first attitude allowed us all to We expected hours of brutal work get home. Working in a dangerous situation requiresbefore we might reach the 20,320 foot every team member to take actions thatsummit. But, just shy of the summit, Actions promote their own safety and the safety ofwe were surprised to encounter three the team. Those actions begin before weEuropean climbers struggling to rescue In 1998, two climbing partners and I were enter the work space, continue during thean altitude-stricken American. The trio most of the way up a 21,122 foot peak in work day, and end only when everyoneof first responders had heroically dragged Bolivia. Though it was daylight, the massive makes it home at night. Here are somethe patient down to 19,200 feet but were ice ridge to our right blocked the sun’s rays, actions that high-altitude climbers take,now exhausted. Seeing the patient wave so we had to climb continuously to stay which apply to every work team:his frostbitten hand in the air, and hearing warm. We had already overcome the steepest • Ignore distractions while preparing yourhim moan, “I want to go home!” made my ice section and we stood a good chance ofheart ache. This young man was someone’s summiting around noon. But the thin air safety gearbrother, someone’s son. Our priorities on forced us to move even slower and we got • Check over your own safety systemDenali, and on all climbs, were: 1—Come colder. Our stiffening hands made it difficulthome. 2—Come home friends. 3—Climb, to clip carabiners to the ice screws anchoring when doneif we can. Our “safety first, summits second” us to the glacier. • Do a mutual buddy-check of each other’sattitude made it instantly clear that both therescuers and patient needed our help. The Like the slow accumulation of bad debt, safety gear; say the checkpoints out loudsummit push was over. these small difficulties began piling up on us. • Re-check later if anyone adds, changes or It was getting harder to execute the actions Establishing a “safety first” attitude before we needed to maintain progress safely. While removes safety gearwe stepped foot on Denali made this critical nothing major was wrong yet, our safety was • Double-check just before doing somethingmind shift fast and clear when the emergency becoming less and less assured. I began toarose. We could change our perspective get an ominous feeling that we could make especially risky (ex: rappelling down a rope) • Increase alertness when tough environmentalJim Davidson at the highest base camp on Mount McKinley conditions (ex: heat, cold, wind, darkness, etc.) make human errors more likely • Take good care of your safety equipment and it will take care of you We did not reach the summit that day in Bolivia. But 17 years later, we are all still alive and climbing, so I’m certain that we made the right call. Awareness At last, we were climbing Mount Everest. Neither the thin Himalayan air, nor the low hanging clouds could dampen the enthusiasm as my teammates and I moved up the Khumbu Glacier. We had been in Nepal for a month and had spent the previous year training hard for the world’s highest peak. Now, we were finally moving out of base camp and on up to Camp 1 at 19,900 feet. To reach camp, we had to thread our way through the maze of the infamous Khumbu icefall, a frozen burial ground for many climbers. The entire tilted ice sheet slides downhill three to four feet per day, so deep cracks spilt the glacier about every ten yards for the entire 2,500-foot ascent to Camp 1.26 THE LEADER vpppa.org

Mountain climbing in Bolivia Around me, below me and above me • Experienced personnel should proactively The key to avoidingteetered unattached ice blocks, ranging from teach new team members the risks and the all these hazards isdishwasher-size, up to house-size behemoths. ways to mitigate them. situational awareness,They leaned unsteadily against one another, With climbing, working and life, there are a process of seeking,waiting for some minute shift that would let noting and reacting tothem suddenly fall over. Tense and wide-eyed, I always risks that must be addressed. By having the potential dangerswas at the most heightened state of awareness I positive attitudes, actions and awareness, smart around you.had ever been during 33 years of climbing. teams can both increase safety and enhance success. Climb well. THE LEADER vpppa.org 27 At every job site there are dangers. Themountains have objective hazards (those that Jim Davidson is a high-altitude climbernaturally exist even without climbers present) and expedition leader. After working aslike rock fall, avalanches or storms. At most an industrial painter and environmentalworkplaces, the dangers are subjective (those geologist, Jim is now a professional speakerthat exist as a result of human presence and and author who shares lessons on resilience,actions). The key to avoiding all these hazards teamwork and safety through keynotesis situational awareness, a process of seeking, and workshops for organizations aroundnoting and reacting to the potential dangers the world. He just returned from Mountaround you. Some tips for enhanced situational Everest where he made it safely through theawareness include: avalanches and the tragic Nepal earthquake.• Move your eyes and your head to www.speakingofadventure.com continually survey your surroundings. Attend the 31st Annual National Safety &• Notice potential hazards and assess their Health Conference to hear Jim’s compelling story and more about the safety philosophy danger now and later, to yourself and others. that has kept him alive throughout his 30+ year• When you’re in an unfamiliar situation, ask climbing career. advice from veterans who may see dangers that you do not yet recognize.

illustrated journey winnerMeet NIBCO, Inc., VPPPA’s IllustratedJourney WinnerBY TAMI HOLBERT, SGE, NIBCO, INC. T ami Holbert of NIBCO, Inc. (NIBCO), auditors would go onto the roof. One of the in Stuarts Draft, VA, laughs as she first things that we needed to address was some“The pride I feel every time recounts the start of her VPP Journey in type of fall protection. We ended up spendingI see the sign hanging over 2006. “When I first got involved in safety, I about $100K to achieve this. Most of ourthe entrance of our facility, expected that we would achieve VPP in a year! employees do not go up there but we do have a‘You are entering an OSHA I naively thought that this would be a simple, few that do. That was one of our 90-day itemsStar site,’ can’t adequately straightforward process. From beginning to end, from the audit,” said Tami.be put into words.” it has not been an easy road. We have had many bumps, obstacles, fears and tears, and over 2.1 Another element featured in the collage of million dollars was invested, trying to achieve NIBCO’s journey is a picture of several ladders what was thought to be an unattainable goal.” stacked against a wall. The problem was, all of those ladders didn’t have capacity levels on them NIBCO realized in 2006 that they needed a and no one caught it. “We discovered that during more comprehensive health and safety training the audit,” Tami recalled. “We thought we were program and a more inclusive industrial hygiene doing well on that, and we thought they were all testing program. The plant safety teams needed to up to code but they weren’t. It took a long time be expanded to include more of the required VPP to find all the ladders and replace them and it also elements. Nearly two years later, in late 2008, the showed us how many of our manufacturers didn’t first major step was restructuring the plant’s safety have limits on their ladders.” teams. The goal of the new team structure was to (1) create a plant-wide, multi-team program Tami remembers being shocked when she incorporating both salaried and hourly associates, learned that injury rates actually went up at the and (2) at the same time, establish the required onset of the process. “We thought our injury rates VPP “beyond compliance” mindset. were pretty good, but once we got into the VPP process, they spiked! It was surprising. The reason “We don’t incentivize employees to participate for it, we believe, is that we were underreporting because we feel like a safe work environment prior to our journey and we didn’t have the should be its own reward. It was hard to get awareness about how and when to report injuries. people to participate at the beginning but it did Once we educated people on what they should be come, and now, it’s ingrained in us,” Tami said. reporting and how to do it, the number started By mid-2013, the foundation of the safety and going up. We learned from those reports but now, health program was in place and was successfully rates are going down,” said Tami. NIBCO is now being managed by the ten safety teams designated making near-miss reporting a top priority. to implement and oversee the process. In 2014, the associates of NIBCO finally One of the first things that NIBCO had the chance to raise the VPP Star flag. invested in was machine guarding and “These pictures represent a small portion of interlock door systems. They had hundreds our journey—before, during and after the of machines that needed guarding, making process—and each time I look at them, I this preliminary initiative one of the largest feel a sense of pride and dedication to truly upfront investments. NIBCO had a lot of never giving up and pursuing the ultimate older equipment as well, so it was especially goal of creating a safer environment for our challenging to find solutions for some of associates,” declared Tami. The pride that the the machines. Another demanding task was VPP flag exudes every morning that I walk creating 44 binders of ISO programs and into this plant can’t be put into words. There information that were VPP compliant. The isn’t one second that I don’t look at it, and team thought at the onset that they would think about how every single person in this only need one binder, but quickly realized plant should be proud when they go through that hundreds of pages of documentation that door. The pride I feel every time I see the were necessary to achieve their goal. sign hanging over the entrance of our facility, ‘You are entering an OSHA Star site,’ can’t NIBCO admits that a couple of things adequately be put into words.” surprised them during the VPP process. “One thing that we didn’t expect was that the28 THE LEADER vpppa.org

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BY RUSSELL J. KENDZIOR PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL FLOOR SAFETY INSTITUTE (NFSI)30 THE LEADER vpppa.org

2O0S1H0A’S PROPOSED RULE FOR WALKING AND WORKING SURFACESWhat’s Changed and How Will It Impact You?IN August 2015, the U.S. Department regulations requires that: (1.) A11 places of of Labor’s Occupational Safety and employment, passageways, storerooms, and Health Administration (OSHA) service rooms shall be kept clean and orderlyis scheduled to release new rules for Sub- and in a sanitary condition. (2.) The floorpart D—Walking and Working Surfaces (29 of every workroom shall be maintained in aCFR Part 1910), which now focuses on one clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition.of the leading causes of accidental injury Where wet processes are used, drainage shall bein the workplace—same level slips, trips maintained, and false floors, platforms, mats,and falls. The most recent (2010) proposed or other dry standing places should be providedrule, including the preamble, totals 280 where practicable. (3) To facilitate cleaning,pages in length and details a wide range of every floor, working place, and passagewayinformation as it applies to both subpart D shall be kept free from protruding nails,and I. For most, navigating the proposed splinters, holes, or loose boards, (b) aisles andrule may be challenging. passageways.” However, under the proposed rule, more emphasis is placed on same level2010 Proposed Rule for slips, trips and falls than under the currentSub-part D—Walking and rule where slips, trips and falls are notWorking Surfaces specifically addressed.Much of the language in the proposed rule So what exactly constitutes a fall hazard?is identical to that of the current rule. For Under the revised rule, a “fall hazard” isexample, currently § 1910.22 “General” defined as: “any condition on a walking-sub-section (a) states that: “Housekeeping working surface that exposes an employee to THE LEADER vpppa.org 31

injury from a fall on the same level or to a The intent of proposed paragraph (d) is Person”, who under the proposed rule is lower level.” The term “Walking-Working to ensure that the employer, or the employer’s defined as: “a person who, by possession of a Surface” is defined to mean: “any surface, designee, monitors walking-working surfaces recognized degree, certificate, or professional horizontal or vertical, on or through which to identify hazards that may lead to injury or standing, or who by extensive knowledge, an employee walks, works, or gains access death and to address those hazards promptly. A training and experience has successfully to a workplace location. Walking-working qualified person must perform or supervise the demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve surfaces include, but are not limited to, repair where hazards are of such a nature that problems relating to the subject matter, floors, stairs, steps, roofs, ladders, ramps, the structural integrity of the walking-working the work, or the project.” “Training” may runways, aisles, and step bolts.” surface may be affected. While the provision does include informal, or on-the-job training. not require the employer to develop an inspection Per the proposed rule, the qualified person Under the proposed rule: “OSHA does not schedule, or keep records of inspections, it does must demonstrate some level of training expect all surfaces to be maintained in a pristine require the employer to ensure that inspections in identifying hazardous walkways and be manner; however, surfaces must be maintained in are conducted frequently enough so that hazards responsible for safeguarding employees from a condition that will prevent slips, trips, falls, and are corrected in a timely manner.” the risks associated with same level slips, other hazards. These two provisions are identical trips and falls. to existing Sec.1910.22(a)(1) and (a)(2). [...] Qualified vs. Competent Person In proposed paragraph (a)(3), OSHA requires Needless to say, there are only a few employers to ensure that all surfaces be designed, OSHA has historically required employers individuals that currently have any specific constructed, and maintained free of recognized to designate a “competent person” to be training in this area. Such training, although hazards that can result in death or serious injury the point of contact or the designee who not mandated by OSHA, can be used as a to employees. [...] Proposed paragraph (d) is new is the most knowledgeable and responsible basis of establishing the credentialing of an and addresses the maintenance and repair of for safety compliance. When an employer employer’s qualified person designee. The walking-working surfaces in general industry. designates an employee a “competent leading organization providing such training Proposed paragraph (d)(1) requires the employer person,” it is not necessarily a compliment, is the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), to ensure through regular and periodic inspection but a legal obligation. In the proposed which is the only organization accredited by and maintenance that walking-working surfaces rule, OSHA defines a competent person “to the American National Standards Institute are in a safe condition for employee use. Proposed mean a person who is capable of identifying (ANSI) to provide slip, trip and fall prevention paragraph (d)(2) requires the employer to ensure hazardous or dangerous conditions.” A training, and issues the Walkway Auditor that all hazardous conditions are corrected, competent person has historically been Certificate Holder (WACH) designation. repaired, or guarded to prevent employee use understood to be that of an employee who until repairs are made. Proposed paragraph (d) is able to recognize hazards associated with OSHA Regulations and (3) requires that where hazardous conditions may a particular task, and has the ability to ANSI Standards affect the structural integrity of the walking- mitigate those hazards.” working surface, a qualified person must perform If you are like most people, you probably are or supervise the maintenance or repair of However, if the 2010 proposed rule not real clear as to the relationship between that surface. is published, OSHA will now require OSHA and ANSI and exactly how OSHA inspections to be performed by a “Qualified relies upon and references ANSI standards.32 THE LEADER vpppa.org In the early 1970s, when OSHA was issuing new workplace safety regulations, they referenced the ANSI consensus standards available at the time and relied upon them as the basis for establishing its new regulations, or incorporating them into an existing standard. In either case, ANSI standards are, at the very least, considered best practices and are often seen as implicit regulations by the American justice system. In 1991, OSHA published a Memorandum of Understanding, outlining their relationship with ANSI which states: “Whereas ANSI is recognized as a coordinating and approval agency for voluntary national consensus standards in the United States and is ready to provide assistance and support in occupational safety and health standards, regulations and related issues; and Whereas, ANSI working through its accredited standards developers has already demonstrated through

the performance of various activities an ability Demonstrating compliance ANSI standards. For example, the industryto render technical assistance and support to with the appropriate ANSI standard for non-prescription sunglassesOSHA in carrying out its statutory authority. B101 standard can serve requires compliance with the ANSI Z80.3 as an important tool in standard which standardizes UV transmittance, ANSI will furnish assistance and support identifying hazardous cosmetic quality and lens durability. Mostand continue to encourage the development of walkways in advance of a employers mandate ANSI compliance fornational consensus standards for occupational citation and be even more the products they provide to their workers,safety or health issues for the use of OSHA important when attempting not because OSHA necessarily requiresand others. ANSI will encourage its accredited to abate a citation. such, but because it’s their guarantee thatstandards developers to provide technical Although not mandated, the product is in compliance with thesupport, as requested, in the development, employers can and should appropriate safety standard and demonstratespromulgation and application. The purpose be testing their walkways “voluntary compliance” to OSHA’s overarchingof the cooperative effort sought under the per the ANSI/NFSI B101.1 or requirement for workplace safety. So why notMemorandum of Understanding is to bring B101.3 wet COF standards. require ANSI compliance for the products youthe technical resources and support of ANSI Oftentimes it’s not what you use to clean and maintain your walkways?together for the purpose of assisting OSHA in did, but rather what youcarrying out its responsibilities” failed to do that will lead to Since 2006, the National Floor Safety a slip and fall! Institute (NFSI) has risen to become the Under the proposed rule’s preamble, a certifying authority for walkway safetyhigher level of awareness and attention may shoulders. How then, can employers defend products. The NFSI serves as the Standardsbe expected of employers by way of the 34 against such a claim? One way is via the Developing Organization (SDO) of thetechnical standards cited in the reference application of the ANSI B101 walkway ANSI B101 committee on slip, trip and fallsection. The proposed rule states “Under safety standards which you can use to prevention and provides independent productSection VI, ‘Applicability of Existing National measure the traction level of your walkways. testing per the ANSI/NFSI B101 walkwayConsensus Standards,’ Section 6(b)(8) of the The ANSI/NFSI B101.1 or B101.3 wet safety standards. Hundreds of flooring,Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 COF test methods describe three traction coating and floor care manufacturers have(“the Act”; 29 U.S.C. 655(b)(8)) requires ranges. Walkways that are defined as “high- voluntarily submitted their products to theOSHA to explain ‘why a rule promulgated traction” offer the lowest level of risk while NFSI for certification, which is displayed onby the Secretary differs substantially from “low-traction” walkways represent the their product packaging.an existing national consensus standard,’ by highest risk level.publishing ‘a statement of the reasons why In the end, nothing in the proposed rulethe rule as adopted will better effectuate the Where there is no OSHA regulation, apply will change the status quo. Employers arepurposes of the Act than the national consensus the appropriate ANSI/NFSI B101 walkway still responsible for inspections and muststandard.’ The Agency is not proposing to adopt safety standard to fill in the compliance gap. ensure that walkways are safe. What may beany of the 34 national consensus standards changing is the means by which compliancelisted in the reference section of the proposal Demonstrating compliance with the will be enforced. In a 2010 OSHA pressbecause the Agency believes that it is too appropriate ANSI B101 standard can serve release, Dr. David Michaels stated; “Underdifficult and costly for employers, especially as an important tool in identifying hazardous the Occupational Safety and Health Actemployers in small businesses, to determine walkways in advance of a citation and be of 1970, employers are responsible forwhich of these national consensus standards even more important when attempting to providing safe and healthful workplaces forapply to their workplaces, and then to collate abate a citation. Although not mandated, their employees. OSHA’s role is to assureand organize the relevant standards for employers can and should be testing their these conditions for America’s workingcompliance purposes. In this regard, no single, walkways per the ANSI/NFSI B101.1 or men and women by setting and enforcingnational consensus standard would fully B101.3 wet COF standards. Oftentimes it’s standards, and providing training, educationaddress all of the fall hazards found in most not what you did, but rather what you failed and assistance.”of these workplaces.” to do, that will lead to a slip and fall! Russell J. Kendzior is internationally Although the 34 technical standards may ANSI Product Testing andnot be mandated, they certainly will play an Certification recognized as a leading expert in slip andimportant role in the way employers inspect,identify and mitigate slips, trips and falls. Most employers today purchase PPE products fall accident prevention. He is the presidentFor example, let’s say that under the General which are tested to be in compliance withDuty clause, an OSHA compliance officer and CEO of Traction Experts, Inc. and is thecites you for having hazardous (slippery)walkways. Given that both the current and founder and president of the National Floorproposed rules do not require that you testthe coefficient of friction (COF) of your Safety Institute (NFSI) and Secretary of thewalkways, the burden of proving that yourwalkways are not hazardous rests on your ANSI B101 committee on slip, trip and fall prevention. Mr. Kendzior is the author of two best-selling books on slip and fall prevention, “Slip and Fall Prevention Made Easy” and “Falls Aren’t Funny.” THE LEADER vpppa.org 33

BY DAN MARKIEWICZ, MS, CIH,CSP, CHMMWPROERGKNEARNST—The New Safety Managers?Are you ready for a new safety manager to call the shots on risksto pregnant workers? Issues simmering over the past decade havenow come to a boil and you need to be ready to act since manyjurisdictions are already implementing new standards protectingpregnant women in the workplace.O n January 1, 2015, Public 25, 2015, in Young v United Parcel Service to and about 75 percent of these women will Act 098-1050 took effect in require lower courts to favorably reinterpret become pregnant at least once during their Illinois.1 According to the Illinois accommodation rights, such as safe lifting for work career. However, recent polls show thatDepartment of Human Rights, an objective pregnant workers, under current federal law such over 90 percent of registered voters favorof the act requires employers to provide as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), more rights for pregnant workers.6 Politicians“…safe working conditions for expectant Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the react and often bend to the will of voters andmothers so that they can continue working Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).3 stakeholders. The issue is likely to pick upwithout fear of endangering their health or more steam as the 2016 presidential electionthe health of the child.”2 The day after the court’s decision in Young, campaign continues to unfold. the U.S. Senate gave unanimous (100-0) Illinois PA 098-1050 is part of a floodgate non-binding support for a new federal law Unfortunately, new U.S. pregnant workertrend in city and state laws (in nearly all cases that would require employers to provide fairness laws are just strong enough to pass,by unanimous legislative approval) to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant yet weak enough not to greatly offend. Thefairness to pregnant workers. In 2014 alone, workers if the accommodation can be done local laws are varied enough that each must belaws became effective in Philadelphia; New without undue hardship upon the employer.4 considered on its own. Therefore, considerationJersey; New York City; Central Falls, RI; To help bind the vote, the federal Pregnant of pregnant workers and subsequent new andMinnesota; West Virginia; Providence, RI; Workers Fairness Act, sponsored by both revised laws will continue to evolve in variedDelaware; and Pittsburgh. At the time of this Republican and Democratic senators, was directions during coming years.writing, the District of Columbia, Nebraska introduced into Congress on June 4, 2015.5and New York State followed Illinois and put Time will soon tell if the bipartisan bill gets Global Best Practicenew laws into effect for pregnant workers in enough votes to become federal law. If the2015. Seven states now have active bills for federal law stalls or is stopped, however, calls The global best practice and law in manynew laws for pregnant workers and campaigns for new local laws will pick up steam. areas of the world for pregnant workers isfor similar legislation appear to be underway in found in the following two-stage flow diagramevery U.S. state. A full explanation of what’s driving on page 36. Modern roots for the flow were sentiments for pregnant workers is beyond established by the European Commission’s While new laws are coming into force, existing the scope of this article. A key driver is 1992 Pregnant Worker’s Directive.7laws for pregnant workers must be reconsidered. demographics. About 50 percent of theThe U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on March U.S. workforce is now composed of women Stage one is skipped to avoid opposition to new U.S. laws. New U.S. law generally begins34 THE LEADER vpppa.org

at stage two—provide reasonableaccommodations. New local laws andreinterpreted existing federal law nowallow pregnant workers to requestaccommodation(s) without fear ofreprisals, such as being fired or demoted.Consistent among all local laws and a key pointin proposed federal law is that if the request isnot reasonable, the employer is not requiredto provide the accommodation and pregnantworkers can refuse an unwanted accommodation.Debate may be expected on these two points.Additionally, paid leave at the end of the flow isanother lengthy argument. Some local laws callfor paid leave, others do not.New Safety ManagerThe trajectory on U.S. pregnant worker rightsis clear. Laws will remove a pregnant worker’sfear about speaking up for her own safety andthe health of her future child. With fear of job loss and demotion gone,the pregnant worker will become her ownsafety manager, looking for informationonline, leaning on her friends to providesafety guidance and later in pregnancy—usually beyond the first trimester, the THE LEADER vpppa.org 35

BEST PRACTICE for Managing Pregnant Workers pregnant worker’s healthcare provider will offer additional advice. There will be no STAGE ONE: ASSESS THE RISKS shortage of information on risks for pregnant workers. OSHA’s June 2015 deadline forLook For  Any Hazards that could NO  Be Alert to full Hazard Communication/GloballyHazards Harm Pregnant Worker Changes Harmonized System compliance includes the precautionary hazard statement “may or Unborn child? damage the unborn child.” This is just one of numerous modern examples of the evolving YES view on the handling of this subject.  Pregnancy cannot be put on hold until decisions are carefully made. Curiosity Assess Risks may quickly turn into concern, concern into controversy and last, controversy into  conflict—with lawyers and courts to settle disputes. Curiosity, concern, controversy Account for Individual and conflict may all be avoided or greatly Factors (As Needed, Consult minimized if employers, through their safety Health Care Provider/Expert) and health pros, voluntarily complete stage one and upper portions of stage two in the  provided flow chart. Inform Worker of Any If you are uncertain on how to assess risks Significant Risk to pregnant workers, begin by reading the European Commission’s 2000 “Guidelines STAGE TWO: AVOID HARM on the assessment of the chemical, physical and biological agents and industrial processesCan All Hazards Be Eliminated YES  Eliminate Hazard considered hazardous for the safety or healthFrom the Workplace? of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding.”9 NO Think global, act local.  Reference linksReduce Hazards to Minimum. NO  Keep Under Review as 1. www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.Does Significant Risk Remain? Pregnancy Progresses asp?Name=098-1050 YES 2. www3.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ ShowPressRelease.  cfm?SubjectID=2&RecNum=12912Can Risk Be Avoided By Providing YES  Provide Reasonable 3. www.supremecourt.gov/Reasonable Accommodations? Accommodations opinions/14pdf/12-1226_k5fl.pdf NO 4. www.pahouse.com/InTheNews/ NewsRelease/?id=65429  5. thinkprogress.org/Can She Be Transferred to YES  Temporary Transfer to economy/2015/06/03/3665919/pwfa-Alternate Work? Other Work republicans/ NO 6. www.democracycorps.com/National- Surveys/the-womens-economic-agenda/  7. osha.europa.eu/en/legislation/directives/ sector-specific-and-worker-related- provisions/osh-directives/10 8. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIhKAQX5izw 9. eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ TXT/?uri=CELEX:52000DC0466Give Her Paid Leave Until it is Safefor Her to Return36 THE LEADER vpppa.org

infographic corner Roofing is theLiberty Mutual estimates 6th mostthe price tag for American dangerouslow back pain to be profession in the country.$50 Falls account forbillion 76 percent of fatalities in theannually. roofing industry, and workers in the roofing industry are three25 percent times more likely to experience fatal work-related injuries thanof all compensation indemnity other construction workers.claims involve back injuries,costing billions of dollars on top The Society for Personalityof the pain and suffering and Social Psychology notes thatborne by employees. 40 percent “Struck by falling object” of our daily behavior is habitual, echoing a long- was responsible for standing belief that a great the loss of 245 lives in deal of our behavior is a the workplace in 2013. result of routines.According to the Bureau of LaborStatistics, more than one millionworkers suffer back injurieseach year and back injuriesaccount for one of every fiveworkplace injuries or illnesses. THE LEADER vpppa.org 37

member spotlightWes Hansen, Safety Specialistfor Nucor Steel, Plymouth BY BENJAMIN MASSOUD, “We want to be there finding himself in a role that gave him his COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, for other facilities if first exposure to the Occupational Safety and VPPPA, INC. they need any help Health Administration’s (OSHA) standards, through the VPP and his first real introduction to safety. After “We want to be there process, or if they have acquiring more knowledge and developing for other facilities if they hazards that are similar even more passion for safety, Wes was eager need any help through to ours; we are there to accept an even bigger responsibility. A the VPP process, or if to help anyone. We’re full-time position as a safety specialist became they have hazards that not just looking out available at the Plymouth steel mill—Wes was are similar to ours; we for us, we look out for everybody,” explains the obvious choice. are there to help anyone. Wes Hansen, safety specialist at Nucor Steel, We’re not just looking Plymouth, located in Plymouth, Utah. It’s easy Protected from the Elements out for us, we look out for to offer others help when you’re already a VPP everybody...” Star site. However, Nucor Plymouth isn’t a Star Comprised of approximately 200 operating site yet, and it realizes VPP is not the end goal, facilities throughout the country, Nucor38 THE LEADER vpppa.org it’s just a milestone along the way. Corporation melts down scrap steel, including old cars, beams and rebar, with a production Culture is Key capacity of 29 million tons. Also North America’s largest recycler, Nucor recycles the What makes Nucor Steel, Plymouth, a melted-down steel and prepares it to be sold division of one of the largest manufacturers of to other companies for parts. To ensure the steel in North America, Nucor Corporation, steel is safe to melt down, it must first pass so confident in its safety and health program? through a scrap supplier who certifies it for Wes believes it’s the company’s inclusive melting. What are the possible hazards of the culture, a culture in which everyone’s input work? Heat stress, lead exposure and hazardous is valued equally, and where management material handling are just a few of the most actively facilitates employee growth. “It’s the common health concerns. Heat stress can be great thing about Nucor—they don’t limit an issue due to the high temperatures created you,” Wes says. “As long as you put effort by the melting process. Therefore, to limit the into your work, and are passionate about it, workers’ exposure to heat, management aims to whatever you want to do, if you’re the best reduce the amount of time they are out on the person for the job, you can do it.” It’s this production floor. Under their required personal philosophy that afforded Wes the chance to protective equipment (PPE), employees wear hold the position he does today. Wes worked ice vests to cool down their body temperature. as a welder for Vulcraft, a division of Nucor, After their shift is up, they are rotated out, when one day, the company’s need for more and to help further combat heat stress, the emergency medical technicians (EMT), workers enter “clean rooms,” equipped with air provided Wes with the opportunity he never conditioning, filtered, ventilated air and plenty even realized he wanted. He enrolled in classes of fruit and water to keep them hydrated. In and joined ride-alongs with ambulances to fact, the workers enter the clean room multiple hone his skills, and before long, Wes became times a day to rest and take a break. To avoid a certified EMT. Vulcraft was so impressed contaminating the clean room, there is a locker with Wes’ determination, that when Vulcraft room that workers must enter beforehand, started the VPP process, Wes was asked to be where they change out of their PPE and clean a part of the bloodborne pathogen group. He themselves of any possible contamination gladly accepted and became more involved from hazardous chemicals. However, Wes with the preparations for the site’s VPP audit, is quick to acknowledge that none of the

workers have ever been overexposed to lead. assessments on new equipment and analyzing “We don’t police the team;Clearly these aren’t work conditions you’d want incidents and corrective actions the team comes instead, we serve as achildren exposed to, but Wes says in order to up with to ensure all the root causes have been resource to help them gainstay motivated to work in the safest manner found and that the corrective actions will the knowledge to makepossible, it helps to imagine that his four-year- prevent the incident from happening again. good decisions and holdold nephew works alongside him: “In some of But Wes and the safety department aren’t the each other accountable.”my trainings I use our children as an example. only forces behind the success of the safetyWhen writing job safety analyses (JSA) and program. Refer back to Nucor’s philosophy A Mountain with No Topperforming our daily tasks, I tell the workers to of equality, and you’ll realize that Nucor isimagine their children or other loved ones are run differently than most companies. To find What does the future hold for Wes? Nucorworking with them or are reading that same evidence of this, look no further than the Steel continues to grant Wes opportunitiesJSA to learn the job. How would you want way employees are referred to. A term usually to gain the knowledge and experience to bethem to perform that job? What would you do reserved for athletics “teammates,” are what the a safety director. “The only limitations thatdifferently to keep them safe? If we keep that in employees of Nucor are called, and it signifies exist are the ones that we place on ourselves,”our minds every single day, I’m sure we would how everyone works together to achieve Wes believes. Perhaps Nucor’s motto “Inmake at least a couple better decisions.” success. It’s not a gimmick; both management everything we do, we’re climbing a mountain and teammates work hand-in-hand to foster with no top,” has rubbed off on him: “IA Tall Task a sense of unity. In fact, it’s management that want to be the best I can be at my job. When often relies on the teammates to come up with I master that job, I want to keep movingHow does a safety department of only five ideas to improve the safety of the operations up. As long as I’m challenged, I’m happy.”people protect a staff of 460 workers and 150 and the production process. When there aren’t With that kind of fortitude, Wes reaffirmsonsite contractors? “We’re not safety cops,” clear solutions to safety issues, focus groups, that he won’t be completely satisfiedWes states. “We don’t police the team; instead, made up of teammates off the working floor, with just achieving VPP Star status—anwe serve as a resource to help them gain the are formed to provide feedback. The focus accomplishment that is bound to happenknowledge to make good decisions and hold groups meet several times for each specific issue very soon.each other accountable.” Specifically, he’s and the safety team makes sure the group hasresponsible for coordinating trainings for the resources and help they need to find andNucor’s emergency response teams, creating fix the problem. The plan is then presented toand presenting safety trainings, conducting Nucor’s management for execution.audits on contractors, completing riskThe casting process where molten steel is formed into billets. THE LEADER vpppa.org 39

member info cornerCongratulations to our 2015 awardand scholarship winners! Safety & Health VPP Innovation Award: Scholarships Achievement Program The purpose of the VPP Innovation Award June Brothers Scholarship is to provide recognition for an individual, Whether it is at the worksite or in the company or worksite that has developed and The VPPPA June Brothers Scholarship was community, the VPPPA Safety & Health successfully implemented an innovation, established in 2005 to recognize students who Achievement Program provides special encouraged others to try new approaches are leaders and role models in their schools and acknowledgement to non-managerial and emphasized the value of creativity and communities and who are entering either the employees at VPPPA member sites who have flexibility in the resolution of worker safety environmental, safety and health areas or the taken the initiative to learn and apply safety and health problems. The innovation may be trades (respectively). This annual scholarship and health best practices. Candidates are program-related or of a technical nature. is granted to students who are either employed expected to fulfill the program criteria and at a VPPPA Full member site or to the child/ complete a workbook containing questions on Winners: grandchild of a member. the major elements of workplace safety and • Washington River Protection Solutions, health. The program is geared toward hourly, Winner: non-safety and health workers at VPPPA Richland, Washington • Debra Henze, Ammon, Idaho member sites. • Raytheon-Intelligence, Information Stephen Brown Scholarship Winners: and Services (IIS) Indianapolis Site, The VPPPA Stephen Brown Scholarship • Colleen Schmidt, GE Healthcare-ISS, Indianapolis, Indiana was established in 2005 and is intended for students pursuing a degree in the trades. This Milwaukee, Wisconsin VPPPA Safety & Health scholarship is open to students enrolled in or • Kevin M. Schoonover, Mission Support Outreach Award enrolling in a vocational school, college or The purpose of the Safety and Health Outreach university. This annual scholarship is granted Alliance LLC, Richland, Washington Award is to provide recognition for our “VPP to one student who is either employed at a • Michael Kinder, Newport News Models,” who reach out to share the safety, VPPPA Full member site or to the child/ health, technical and management expertise grandchild of a member. Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia developed at their sites. The award is for an • Robert Hill, Savannah River Nuclear individual, company or worksite that has achieved Winner: an outstanding level of outreach in the safety and • Garret Hamby, Kennewick, Washington Solutions, Aiken, South Carolina health arena, not directly encompassing the VPP. • Sharon Kidd, Savannah River Remediation, William “Sully” Sullivan Scholarship Winners: During the February 2007 VPPPA National LLC, Aiken, South Carolina • CH2MHill Plateau Remediation Company, Board of Directors meeting, the board established the VPPPA William “Sully” Annual Awards Richland, Washington Sullivan Scholarship. This scholarship is VPP Outreach Award • Marathon Petroleum Company LP, The purpose of the VPP Outreach Award Robinson, Illinois is to provide recognition for our “VPP Ambassadors.” This award recognizes those who achieve an outstanding level of outreach activity and encourage others to share their knowledge. Reaching out to communicate and persuade others of the benefits of pursuing OSHA or DOE VPP approval is an important part of the mission of VPPPA. Another part of the mission is to persuade other government regulatory agencies to adopt similar programs. The VPP Outreach Award is for an individual, company or worksite that has done an extraordinary amount of work in these areas. Winner: • Tropicana Products, Inc., Jersey City, New Jersey40 THE LEADER vpppa.org

intended to recognize an employee at a Twitter Contest The VPPPA Safety &VPPPA Full member site who has made Health Achievementsignificant contributions to the VPP program Tweet! Tweet! Calling all tweeters! We’re Program provides specialat his/her site. This scholarship is open holding a Twitter contest during the national acknowledgement to non-to employees enrolled in or enrolling in a conference, Aug. 24–27! The person who managerial employees atvocational school, college or university. tweets the most about the conference using VPPPA member sites who “#VPPPA31” will win a gift card! Your tweets have taken the initiative toWinner: can be about any of part of the conference: learn and apply safety and• Tyler J. Dean, Richland, Washington Which interesting workshops did you attend? health best practices. What did you learn from the keynote speaker?2015 Regional Mentors What connections did you make with otherand SGEs of the Year attendees or exhibitors?Mentor of the Year The winner will be notified via Twitter on• Region I: Jack Popp, Hasbro Inc. Monday, Aug. 31. If you have any questions, East Longmeadow, MA contact the Membership Department at (703) 761-1146 or [email protected].• Region II: Alan Kerstner, Pentair Corporation/Westlock Controls, Roster Contest Winner Saddlebrook, NJ Congratulations to Keith Bergseld, from• Region III: Drew Holland, Voluntary Lion Copolymer Geismar, LLC, in Geismar, Protection Program (VPP) Program Louisiana, for winning the roster contest! Manager, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Thank you to all who submitted updated Portsmouth, Virginia. rosters; your efforts will help us provide you with all the benefits of VPPPA membership.• Region IV: North Alabama VPP Committee Core Team (Tiffany Beddoe, KEYTROLLER Michael Perry, Arthur Gray) Provides REAL solutions to REAL forklift problems!• Region V: DSM Coatings and Resins, Frankfort, Indiana Keypad + RFID Ignition Access - Monitoring Systems Keypad + RFID Ignition Access - Monitoring Systems• Region VI: Rickey Meyers, Zachry, Houston, TX Top Speed Cable + Electronic Controllers + ZONE Speed Control Top Speed Cable + Electronic Controllers + ZONE Speed Control• Region VII: Bill Turner, NuStar Energy Wichita, KS Checklist App + Rugged Tablet ---- Cellular + LAN Hour Meters Checklist App + Rugged Tablet ---- Cellular + LAN Hour MetersSGE of the Year• Region I: Stephen Gauthier, General High Accuracy Weighing + Overload Sensing High Accuracy Weighing + Overload Sensing Electric Aviation, Lynn, MA• Region II: Dominic Bruno, Sabic Wireless Drive + View Cameras ---- Pedestrian Warning Spotlights Wireless Drive + View Cameras ---- Pedestrian Warning Spotlights Innovative Plastics, Inc., Selkirk, NY• Region III: Thomas (Tom) S. Rimel, Jr., Dunmore Corporation, Bristol, PA• Region IV: Jeff Moyer, Florida Power & Light—Fort Myers, Fort Myers, FL• Region VI: Don Dauzat, Monsanto, Luling, LA• Region VII: Mike Murphy, Ply Gem, Kearney, MO• Region VIII: Mark Moya, Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc• Region X: Chris Knight, Owens Corning Linnton Asphalt Facility, Portland, Oregon THE LEADER vpppa.org 41

chapter round-upsCOMPILED BY BENJAMIN MASSOUD, Region II Dulles is the second Raytheon VPP Star siteCOMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, in Virginia and currently one of 33 RaytheonVPPPA, INC. Region II would like to extend our VPP sites throughout the United States. congratulations to the 2015 SGE of the Year, Dominic Bruno from SABIC Innovative Contributed by National Office Staff in Plastics, Inc. Selkirk, NY, and the 2015 attendance at the Star ceremony Mentor of the Year, Alan Kerstner from Pentair Corporation, Westlock Controls, NJ. Region VII We ask for your continued support of The Region VII VPPPA held its 22nd annual the Norman Deitch Automated External conference in St. Louis, MO, from May 18– Defibrillator (AED) Fund. Its mission is 20. The keynote speaker Keni Thomas inspired to provide free AEDs to nonprofits and the crowd with his heartfelt message about the organizations that traditionally do not have importance of following Standard Operating the resources to purchase an AED on their Procedures (SOP), leading by example, training own. Over the past nine years, with your and teamwork. Other conference highlights help, we have donated 19 machines. Anyone included a well-attended VPP Application interested in contributing to the fund should Workshop, Bill Turner’s recognition as the contact the Region II chairperson at Brenda@ Region VII Mentor of the Year and NuStar accesshealthsystems.com. Energy receiving the Dale Randal Award, which recognizes commitment to safety. Contributed by Brenda Wiederkehr, Additionally, the scholarship committee Region II Chairperson worked through 32 excellent applications to choose Alejandra Marin as the recipient of the Region III $5,000 Region VII Scholarship. Raytheon Dulles celebrated their VPP Star Congratulations to our new and returning Worksite approval on May 27, 2015. The board members! Raytheon Dulles Campus has a total three- • Bill Turner (NuStar Energy) retained the year average for the Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) for injuries and illnesses of 0.14 vice chairperson position compared with a 2012 Bureau of Labor • Alicia Hardacre (Tyler Pipe) retained the Statistics national rate of 0.8 for this industry, representing a TCIR rate 83 percent lower than secretary/historian position the national average for the industry. Raytheon • Tom Hauber (Rockwell Collins) retained the labor representative without bargaining agreement position • Chris Wige (Steris) was elected to the open director-at-large #1 position • Terry Bass (Ply Gem Siding) retained the director-at-large #3 position • Eric Befort (GE Aviation) was elected to the open director-at-large #5 position In early May, NuStar Energy, Nebraska Region, conducted their flag raising ceremony in York, Nebraska. Contributed by Bill Turner, Region VII Vice Chairperson Raytheon celebrates its VPP Star approval in Dulles, Virginia.42 THE LEADER vpppa.org

state-plan monitorCOMPILED BY Arizona In addition, several of the VPP participantsCHARLIE DOSS, GOVERNMENT in Arizona were present at the Arizona WorkerAFFAIRS MANAGER, VPPPA, INC. The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety Memorial Day event held on April 28. VPP & Health (ADOSH) is seeing growth in the participants also recognized the National Federal OSHA States VPP ranks with the addition of several sites, Safety Stand-Down for fall protection in May. State-Plan States bringing the total to 37 active VPP sites within If you wish to learn more about how to get Public Sector Only the state. In an effort to continue spreading involved in these activities in the future or the word, ADOSH puts out information on just want more information about VPP, please VPP via their in-house publication entitled contact Jessie Atencio, assistant director, VPP the “ADOSH Advocate.” This is a quarterly coordinator for ADOSH at (602) 542-5795. publication and it can be accessed by going to their website and signing up for the publication Michigan electronically at www.ice.state.az.us/ADOSH/ ADOSH_main. The number of sites in the Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) remains at 28, In addition, ADOSH holds several safety with 26 Star and two MVPP/C (construction) summits throughout the year where they sites. There are currently no Rising Star (Merit) discuss the benefits of VPP. A summit was held sites in the MVPP. April 29–30, 2015, during which Region IX had an informational booth manned by Region MIOSHA has been active in the promotion IX Board Member William Bracken and several of the MVPP with MVPP Specialist site VPP representatives from Raytheon Missile Doug Kimmel giving a presentation on Systems, ready to answer questions from Michigan’s program at the VPPPA Region V attendees regarding VPP. There will be two Conference. In addition, Doug has met with more summits during 2015. Information can sites aspiring to join MVPP and conducted be found at the same link noted above. initial evaluations of their safety and health management systems. ADOSH has done nine site re-evaluations this year and have several more slated to The spring 2015 MVPP/C Mentor complete. Kitchell Contractors Inc., had their Meeting was held in conjunction with the flag raising ceremony on May 15. Michigan Safety Conference. The meeting was attended by representatives from severalFlag raising ceremony at Kitchell Contractors in May 2015. THE LEADER vpppa.org 43

state-plan monitorSGE class at the Region IX conference after being sworn in. has met with representatives from each of these sites to discuss the findings from the review of MVPP/C sites. Best practice presentations their applications. were provided by representatives from DTE Milford Compressor Station and Johnson A Star re-evaluation onsite review was Technology. performed at United Water in Wixom. The report submitted by the onsite team is E&E Manufacturing in Plymouth, currently being reviewed. Marathon Pipe Line LLC in Woodhaven and Marathon TT&R North in Muskegon have Sherwin-Williams in Holland and DTE submitted applications for the MVPP. Doug Milford Compressor Station in Milford have been re-approved for participation in the MVPP. The second meeting of the newly established MVPP Advisory Group was held on June 30, 2015. “Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. For more details on MVPP, please contact Doug Kimmel, MVPP specialist, at (231) 546-2366, or visit the MIOSHA website at www.michigan.gov/miosha. Nevada Nevada now has 10 active VPP sites participating in the program and interest is growing. Region IX recently held their Regional Safety Summit in Reno. As a prelude to the conference, Peter Wilsey, federal OSHA’s VPP program manager for Region IX, hosted a Special Government Employee (SGE) training class in which nine Left: DENSO Manufacturing Athens Tennessee proudly display their flag and plaque following their second re-approval; Right: The employees of Monsanto’s Union City site and Tennessee OSHA Administrator Steve Hawkins celebrate the location’s first re-approval.44 THE LEADER vpppa.org

contacting each state >>new SGEs were trained and ultimately sworn Alaska Michigan South Carolinain by Barbara Goto, who at the time was the Bill Nickerson Doug Kimmel Sharon Dumitacting Region IX federal administrator. VPP Coordinator MVPP Specialist VPP Coordinator Phone: (907) 269-4948 Phone: (231) 546-2366 Phone: (803) 896-7788 The newest VPP site in Nevada is Copper www.labor.state.ak.us/lss/ Sherry Scott www.scosha.llronline.comMountain Solar 1, LLC.; they were approved oshhome.htm MVPP Managerand had their flag raising ceremony on May Phone: (517) 322-5817 Tennessee29, 2015. Congratulations to all who worked Arizona www.michigan.gov/mvpp David Blessmanso hard to achieve this at the beginning of Jessie Atencio VPP Managerthe year. There have been two successful re- Assistant Director Minnesota Phone: (615) 253-6890approvals so far in 2015. Phone: (520) 220-4222 Ryan Nosan www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/ www.ica.state.az.us/ MNSTAR VPP Coordinator vppStar.htmlTennessee ADOSH/ADOSH_main.aspx Phone: (651) 284-5120 www.doli.state.mn.us/ UtahOn January 28, 2015, Commissioner California mnStar.html Holly LawrenceBurns Phillips presented the employees of Iraj Pourmehraban VPP ManagerDENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. Cal/VPP & PSM Manager Nevada Phone: (801) 530-6494in Maryville with the site’s Volunteer Star Phone: (510) 622-1080 Jess Lankford www.laborcommission.re-approval. This was the site’s second re- www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/cal_ VPP Coordinator utah.gov/divisions/UOSH/approval. On February 10, Steve Hawkins, vpp/cal_vpp_index.html Phone: (702) 486-9046 VPPprogram.htmladministrator of Tennessee OSHA, presented www.dirweb.state.nv.usthe employees of Monsanto in Union City Hawaii Vermontwith the site’s Volunteer Star re-approval. Clayton Chun New Mexico Daniel WhippleThis was the site’s first re-approval. On Manager Melissa Barker VPP CoordinatorApril 2, Commissioner Burns Phillips Phone: (808) 586-9110 VPP Coordinator Phone: (802) 828-5084presented the employees of Frito-Lay in labor.hawaii.gov/hiosh Phone: (505) 222-9595 www.labor.vermont.gov/Fayetteville with the site’s Volunteer Star www.nmenv.state. voshare-approval award. This was the site’s third Indiana nm.us/Ohsb_Website/re-approval. A successful onsite evaluation Michael Gaskill ComplianceAssistance/VPP. Virginiawas recently conducted by Tennessee OSHA Manager htm Milford Sternat Manufacturing Sciences Corporation in Phone: (260) 373-2860 VPP CoordinatorOak Ridge. www.in.gov/dol/ North Carolina Phone: (540) 562-3580 LaMont Smith www.doli.virginia.gov/vosh_ Iowa Recognition Program coop/vosh_vpp.html Shashi Patel Manager VPP Coordinator Phone: (919) 807-2909 Washington Phone: (515) 281-6369 www.nclabor.com/osha/osh. John Geppert www.iowaworkforce.org/ htm VPP Manager labor/iosh Phone: (360) 902-5496 Oregon www.lni.wa.gov/safety/ Kentucky Mark E. Hurliman, CSHM topics/atoz/vpp/default.asp Joe Giles VPP/SHARP Program VPP Program Administrator Manager Wyoming Phone: (502) 564-4089 Phone: (541) 776-6016 Karin Schubert labor.ky.gov/dows/ www.cbs.state.or.us/osha/ Consultation Supervisor oshp/doet/partnership/ subjects/vpp.htm Phone: (307) 777-7710 pages/VPP---Voluntary- www.wyomingworkforce. Protection-Partnership.aspx Puerto Rico org/employers-and- Ilza Roman businesses/osha/Pages/ Maryland Director safety-and-health- Cynthia L. Wheeler Phone: (787) 754-2171 compliance.aspx VPP Coordinator www.dtrh.gobierno.pr Phone: (410) 527-4473 www.dllr.state.md.us/labor/ mosh/vpp.shtml For additional information and up-to-date contacts, please visit www.vpppa.org/chapters/contacts.cfm THE LEADER vpppa.org 45

calendar of events VPPPA ContactsAugust September To reach the VPPPA National Office, call (703) 761-1146 or visit www.August 3–August 27, 2015 September 10, 2015 vpppa.org. To reach a particular staff member, please refer to the contactOnsite Registration Period for Conference Survey Deadline31st Annual National VPPPA Safety information below.& Health Conference October R. Davis LayneAugust 24–27, 2015 October 12, 2015 [email protected] Senior Advisor31st Annual National VPPPA Priority Period ends forSafety & Health Conference exhibitors and sponsors Sara A. Taylor, CMPGaylord Texan, Grapevine, TX [email protected] Director of OperationsAugust 24–27, 2015 Ext. 107Conference Twitter Contest Amanda Buckner [email protected] Senior Conference Coordinator Ext. 112 Sarah Neely [email protected] Communications Manager Ext. 121 Benjamin Massoud [email protected] Communications Coordinator Ext. 117 Charlie Doss [email protected] Government Affairs Manager Ext. 113 Tom Webb [email protected] Strategic Development & Member Services Manager Ext. 114 Katlyn Pagliuca [email protected] Member Services Coordinator Ext. 115 Heidi Hill [email protected] Event Sales & Advertising Coordinator Ext. 111 Marianne Trinh [email protected] Senior Accountant Ext. 106 Michael Khosrofian [email protected] Accountant Ext. 104 Bryant Walker [email protected] Information & Data Analyst Manager Ext. 110 Courtney Malveaux, Esq [email protected] Government Relations Counsel Ext. 10546 THE LEADER vpppa.org

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7600-E Leesburg Pike, Suite 100Falls Church, VA 22043-2004Tel: (703) 761-1146Fax: (703) 761-1148www.vpppa.orgVPPPA, a nonprofit 501(c) (3) charitableorganization, promotes advances in worker safetyand health excellence through best practices andcooperative efforts among workers, employers, thegovernment and communities.SCAN QR CODETO LEARN MOREABOUT VPPPA, INC.http://bit.ly/jVQcBo PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Work shouldn’t hurt. Save your knees with our ergonomic products!Soft Knees Knee Pads Disposable Knee Pads Ergokneel Handy Mats Pak•A•Ladder Garden Kneeling StripExtreme Standing Mats Ergokneel Ergomotion Soft Top Aircraft Mats Pocket Kneeler Ground Blankets Surgical Lift Mat with Lanyard 888-456-3372 • www.safeworker.com