Smoking bans are legislated and enforced by state and local government. Since there is no universal federal law on no smoking, following the right protocol can become very confusing.  Smoking regulations vary state by state. Some states have comprehensive no-smoking laws already on the books, while some states are still catching up.  As of July 2010, 29 states and Washington D.C. have passed laws that prohibit smoking in almost all public places and workplaces which also include restaurants and bars.

Some states have specific no-smoking signs that are required by state law. Size, color, material and wording are not consistent from state to state.  Penalties, violations and tickets are common to enforce smoke-free bans.  Be confident you are complying with your specific state’s laws and don’t have to worry about fines.  Seton offers Smoke – Free Signs available for your state and come in several sizes and styles to meet the needs of your state’s regulations.

Tweet This Post

On July 26, 2010 the Canadian Safety Reporter posted an article on how British Columbia’s workers’ compensation board is getting the message out to young and new workers about the hazards of ladders at a residential construction worksite with a new online game. It is an interactive game called “Ladder Challenge” that shows the correct procedure for using a ladder to safely reach the roof.

Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that in the US “falls from elevation hazards are present at most every jobsite, and many workers are exposed to these hazards daily.” And that “based on data from the NIOSH National Traumatic Occupational Fatalities (NTOF) Surveillance System, falls from elevations were the fourth leading cause of workplace death from 1980 through 1994. The 8,102 deaths due to falls from elevations accounted for 10% of all occupational fatalities during this period and an average of 540 deaths per year.”

To try your hand at the new WorkSafeBC game please visit http://www.ladderchallenge.com

Tweet This Post

These days, there’s not much a cell phone can’t do.  Now, new bar code scanning technology is turning cell phones into bar code scanners.  This opens up a whole new world of possibilities.  Currently this application is only available for Smartphones or Mobile PC phones that run software.  Your Smartphone must also have a camera attached but nowadays almost every cell phone has a camera.

In Japan, McDonalds started placing bar codes on the Hamburger foil, allowing customers to scan the foil and view nutritional information on the burger. These codes became mainstream in Japan when the largest cell phone companies started loading the code readers on all new phones a few years ago. Now, millions of people have the capability built into their phones, and businesses, in turn, are using them everywhere, on billboards, street signs, published materials and even food packaging.

With the endless possibilities associated with this new bar code industry for both consumers and businesses, bar codes may be popping up in more and more locations in the months to come.

Tweet This Post

Image courtesy of REUTERS/Helveta/Handout

We may not think of comparing the tree lifters stealing timber supplies from tropical rainforests to shoplifters in Target or Walmart, but why not?  Local retailers protect themselves from theft by electronically tagging merchandise with bar codes so how about applying that same method to prevent theft in the rainforests?  The British tech company heading the effort feels that forests can benefit from the same theft prevention methods used by retailers across the globe.  So far, a million plastic bar codes have been hammered onto trees in Africa, southeast Asia and South America to help keep track of timber reserves.

The bar codes help firms comply with the stringent laws on importing sustainable timber into the United States and Europe, but they could also fight deforestation, which amounts to approximately one fifth of global emissions of carbon dioxide. The electronic system is less prone to fraud than paper records, and can also help governments collect more timber taxes.

Tweet This Post

When performing confined space work, you should always use the buddy-system.  A worker or workers enter the confined space to perform their duties while their “buddy”, the stand-by/rescue person stays outside.

The Duties of a Standby/Rescue Person

A standby/rescue person’s only duty is to stand outside the confined space while other workers are inside. They should remain in constant contact with the workers (either through sight or sound) and know who to notify in the event of an emergency. If there is an emergency such as  a cave-in or if the workers are overcome by fumes, the standby/rescue person should never enter the confined space until help arrives. To do so runs the risk of the standby/rescue person becoming a victim themselves.

Rescuers Who Become Victims

It’s estimated that as many as 50% of confined space deaths are those of the standby/rescue workers who instinctively rush in to try to help their endangered co-workers. Without thinking, they enter dangerous confined spaces without the proper equipment like lifelines or respirators, putting themselves in danger of injury or death.

Proper Planning and Training Lessens the Risks

A plan for safe rescue procedures should be written and reviewed by all workers before any confined space work begins. Training and frequent practice drills also prepare workers to think wisely and clearly in the event of a confined space emergency.

Seton offers confined space warning signs and confined space training materials to help keep confined space workers informed and safe on the job.

Tweet This Post

Were you aware that violations classified as “willful” and “repeated” carry much higher penalties? It can cost employers up to $70,000 per violation. And did you know that these types of violations also carry greater consequences than occasional violations? Consequences such as civil liability and adverse press attention. Now those could really put a damper on things.

Well EHS Today recently published an article outlining these 5 steps that employers can take to help avoid falling victim to citations:

• DON’T ARGUE WITH THE STANDARDS
• KNOW YOUR OSHA HISTORY
• DON’T IGNORE EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS OR ACCIDENT REPORTS
• DON’T ARGUE WITH THE INSPECTOR
• CONSULT A KNOWLEDGEABLE LAWYER EARLY ON

To read the full story click here.

Tweet This Post

Construction sites are very busy places. Have you ever noticed all the workers, all the equipment and all the commotion? Construction sites have many comers and goers  that bring a variety of noises and commotion inside and out.

Each of the workers, depending on their specialty/trade, comes equipped with different pieces of machinery and tools, creating a variety of noises at different points throughout the construction project.

The Importance of Hearing Protection

While OSHA’s limit of 90 dBA requires the use of hearing protection devices (HPDs), many construction sites often can exceed this and many  construction employees do not always wear hearing protection.

Some of their most common complaints are that hearing protectors are uncomfortable, hot and create a situation where they cannot hear warning signals or fellow workers. In addition to employees finding it a nuisance to wear the appropriate hearing protection, other common issues that prevent workers from wearing their HPDs are that they are not trained properly, do not have access to the appropriate HPDs or simply are unaware of the need for hearing protection.

While this may be the point of view of the worker, the use of proper hearing protection must be reinforced by the contractor or project manager to protect the worker themselves and to also reduce the risk of OSHA fines against the construction company responsible for the project. There are many types of hearing protection available to meet employee needs in terms of both compliance and comfort.

How to Choose Proper Hearing Protection

• The noise level and even the frequency of the predominant noises may need to be considered. This may require the assistance of a health and safety professional.
• Next, maintenance of the hearing protectors must be considered. Construction sites often can be very dirty, and therefore, employees may want a product that is easy to maintain or requires little or no maintenance, such as earplugs or hearing bands.
• Finally, a very important factor is how the hearing protector interacts with other personal protective equipment such as hard hats, eye protection and welding hoods. The hearing protector should not interfere in any way with other safety devices. If it does interfere with other safety devices, an overall assessment of personal protective equipment might be needed.

Employers are advised to refer to OSHA’s noise in construction standard, 29 CFR1926.52. If feasible, though not required, the construction employer may wish to consider OSHA’s general industry noise standard — 29CFR1910.95 — which is a more in-depth program and provides more guidance in protecting workers.

No matter what type of construction you perform, Seton has the hearing protection and other personal protective equipment supplies to keep you safe and compliant.

Safety tips were provided by Jeff Birkner, a Certified Industrial Hygienist, courtesy of EHS Today Visit their the EHS Today site for more information.

Tweet This Post

According to Todd Woods at Phoenix Power Sweep there are many reasons to keep your parking lots swept clean. Here are his top ten.

1. Your parking lot is the first and last impression your customer gets.  They relate the state of your parking lot with the way you operate your business.
2. A well-maintained lot makes your business look successful. When customers perceive you as successful, they want to spend more money at your establishment.
3. Customers are less likely to leave their trash in a parking lot that is well kept.
4. A well-swept parking lot helps reduce the opportunity of slip and fall accidents.
5. Maintaining your landscape contractor and neglecting your parking lot will negate the efforts and cost spent on a beautiful garden.
6. A dirty parking lot attracts rats and other pesky rodents that carry disease.
7. Abrasive sand and dirt  cause cracking and wear on asphalt. Frequent sweeping reduces how often you need to seal or repair the asphalt.
8. Dirt left inside cracks in your parking lot is a great place for grass to grow. The roots penetrate the asphalt causing more cracking.
9. Regular parking lot sweeping reduces the amount of pollutants that end up in storm water drains and subsequently in our waterways.
10. A clean lot attracts more customers and encourages loyalty with existing customers.

Seton offers a variety of parking lot maintenance and marking products to keep your parking lot clean and attractive.

Tweet This Post

A new rule took effect this week requiring heavy-duty truckers to stop unnecessary idling of their trucks to improve North Carolina air quality.

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission implemented the rule to reduce air pollution levels in North Carolina and to meet more stringent federal air quality standards. The rule applies to gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles that weigh more than 10,000 lbs.

Under the law, truck drivers shouldn’t idle their vehicles for more than five consecutive minutes in any 60-minute period except where health and safety concerned. For example, trucks can idle if it’s necessary to perform essential functions like refrigerating, hoisting, loading or responding to emergencies. The rule also exempts military and farm vehicles.

Many other states already have similar laws in place. Click here to see if your state has a ruling, what exemptions apply and what the fines are for non-compliance.

Seton offers No Idling Signs to post on your grounds. They remind truck operators to turn off their engines,  keeping the air around your facility cleaner and healthier to breathe.

Tweet This Post

Is your air conditioner working overtime right now? Well we all know that answer! Yes…the humidity levels have been at a high for a couple weeks now.  Besides your higher than average electric bill you need to worry about – what about the safety of your home?  Here are some surprising statistics regarding the use of cooling appliances in your home.

• According to the CPSC, 15% of consumer-product related electrocutions are attributed to large appliances. These electrocutions occur most commonly while someone is attempting to service or repair the appliance.
• In 2006, an estimated 33,500 injuries were reported to hospital emergency rooms as involving air conditioners, fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and heat pumps. The leading types of injuries were laceration (14,890), contusion or abrasion (6,110), and strain or sprain (4,430).
• In 2003-2006, the 7,000 reported home structure fires per year involving air conditioning and related equipment included 2,400 per year involving central and room air conditioners specifically and 3,700 per year involving fans.

Source: http://esfi.org/

Safety Tips from Seton!

1) Always keep in mind safety when researching and purchasing new appliances for your home. Read consumer and manufacturer recommendations and reviews.

2) Inspect the equipment when its delivered to your home. Make sure nothing looks broken or out of the ordinary.

3) Consult a qualified professional if you have any doubts when buying a new expensive appliance to determine  the right fit for your home.

4) Do not install anything by yourself or without the proper equipment. The best way is to hire a professional for any appliances that need electrical work.

5) Always check and double check routinely on the safety of your existing appliances!

Tweet This Post