Proforma Safety Blog

Hearing Loss Among Teens Has Risen in Past 15 Years

Posted by proforma on August 30, 2010  |  No Comments

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that the number of U.S. teenagers that have a slight hearing loss has increased by 30 percent in the past 15 years. Those with hearing loss described as “mild or worse” increased by 77 percent during the same period of time. Males were more likely than females to suffer hearing loss; lower income more likely than higher income.

Researchers included Doctor Joseph Shargorodsky at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, who investigated two editions of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 1994 and 2005-06. They were able to eliminate causes such as multiple ear infections or exposure to massive noise in the environment. The main culprit in causing hearing loss was attributed to use of headphones and personal music systems.

New OSHA Rule for Cranes and Derricks Issued

Posted by proforma on August 4, 2010  |  No Comments

The final rule for cranes and derricks in construction that’s taken years to develop will go into effect November 8, 2010. The new rule will cover the leading causes of death attributed to electrocution, struck-by hazards, boom collapse and overturning.

One of the most significant changes is that operators will now be required to be qualified and certified (1926.1427). Other personnel, including riggers and signal persons, will also have to be qualified.

Employers will be required to certify their crane operators within the next four years.

Pipeline Owners Should Have Policies for Personal Electronic Devices

Posted by proforma on August 4, 2010  |  No Comments

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has issued an advisory to owners and operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities to develop policies governing the use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) by employees performing maintenance work. The agency advises there should be written procedures and controls governing the use of PEDs by workers performing pipeline tasks that may affect pipeline operation or integrity.

Are Your HSE Policies Written to the Literacy Level of Your Workers?

Posted by proforma on August 4, 2010  |  No Comments

The Conference Board of Canada recently published a study that found employers and their workers differ in perception of understanding HSE policies. Sixty-four percent of employers felt their workers understood their policies, while only 40 percent of workers agreed.

Literacy was seen as a primary factor: some companies are not aware their workers have literacy deficiencies. Health and safety manuals and documents that don’t match the workers’ literacy skills will not be absorbed.

The Conference Board outlined seven steps to take as an organizational action plan:

• Review past incidents through “a literacy lens”
• Review organizational health and safety policies and practices
• Examine policies and practices from the perspective of an individual with lower literacy levels
• Brainstorm solutions to help users understand health and safety documents
• Measure and track health and safety incidents and improvements
• Recognize outcomes
• Reward efforts to improve literacy skills.

How to Improve Chances Your Workers Will Use PPE

Posted by proforma on August 2, 2010  |  No Comments

Providing personal protection equipment (PPE) is mandatory, but too often companies find their workers avoiding its use. In this article, the president of Hub Industrial, Gabriel Curry, attributes blame (in part) to misguided and inflexible safety programs and offers common sense advice for how to ensure your workers use PPE.
Regardless of your safety policy, says Curry, it’s essential to go the extra step and make sure your PPE choices reflect the latest advances in comfort and utility. If workers are happy with their PPE, they’re more likely to use it; similarly, if it’s “one size fits all,” you’re guaranteeing that most workers will resist wearing it. Properly fitted gloves avoid hand fatigue and susceptibility to snagging. Ear protection and glasses should suit the individual’s size and style preference. Personal choice can result in improved employee attitudes.
“Let’s face it,” says Curry. “None of us like to look like dorks. Even in the down and dirty work environment, people take a certain pride in their appearance and will balk at wearing equipment that makes them look like Jerry Lewis in The Nutty Professor. Performance always should be the rfirst consideration, but any PPE that has a stylish appearance will assist in its acceptance.”