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2009 TIPSHEET ARCHIVES
Go to the Head of the Class with Right Online Training |
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DID YOU KNOW?
OSHA has recently revised its standard for acetylene. It requires that in-plant transfer, handling, storage and use of acetylene cylinders comply with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet G-1-2003.
It also updates references addressing piping systems, acetylene generators and filing acetylene cylinders.
Acetylene is most commonly used in plastics and as a fuel for welding.
Find out more about this change in OSHA regulation along with the latest safety information by calling 1-800-953-1953.
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It seems that only a century ago safety professionals would have to travel, sometimes hundreds of miles, to learn the information they needed to know to keep their company OSHA compliant.
In fact it was just a century ago, the 20th Century. But in the 21st Century rapidly changing technology has made it possible for those responsible for their company's safety to simply turn on their computer and get all of the refreshers and other training they need.
In 2001 EHS Today spotlighted how the Internet had changed learning. Today, training online is not only accepted, but embraced. However, not all online training is equal. There are still some things that safety professionals must consider when thinking about training online.
Achieve Objectives - Will your training provide you the benefits you're looking for?
Invisibility - Can a worker just sit down and begin running the program? No additional programs or materials should be downloaded.
Affordability - Naturally the lack of transportation costs should make online training much more affordable, but course fees should also be less expensive than classroom fees.
Once you decide that online training is right for you where do you go to find it? Online training has proliferated to the point that it is available almost anywhere you look.
Some may start by going to OSHA, which contains over 400,000 pages of information.
Others may look at resources available through safety organizations like the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) or the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). Each, along with other associations, have libraries of safety information for members and non-members, as well as current news. |
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Of course many companies offer online safety training but none have the unique online learning services that OCCU-TEC provides.
OCCU-TEC offers the ONLY approved Online Asbestos Inspector Refresher class in the country.
This is a 4-hour course that meets the EPA AHERA MAP requirements and has been approved by the State of Missouri. This course provides the refresher instruction required to keep your Asbestos Inspector accreditation current.
Safety professionals working in the state of Missouri or working in a state that has reciprocity with Missouri can take advantage of this great opportunity.
OCCU-TEC also has the ONLY Authorized Instructor-Led Online OSHA courses, thanks to a unique relationship with Eastern Michigan University.
OCCU-TEC also offers more comprehensive e-training plans like SafeTrain and TotalTrain, allowing you to have thousands of courses available for your workers at their fingertips, while providing tracking and reporting to safety managers.
Call 1-800-950-1953 or go to www.occutec.com for more information on how you can take your training to the 21st Century and beyond. |
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+ OSHA NEP on Recordkeeping Brings Data Back in Focus
OSHA NEP on Recordkeeping Brings Data Back into Focus |
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Look for OCCU-TEC on GSA Advantage
Since 2006 OCCU-TEC has been available to provide services under its Federal Supply Schedule Contract for two Special Item Numbers (SINs) under contract number GS-10F-0091T:
SIN 899-1, Environmental Consulting Services
This includes, but isn't limited to, energy management, fuel tank testing and analysis; environmental evaluations, assessments and compliance assessments.
SIN 899-3, Environmental Occupational Training Services including off-the-shelf, customized and/or computer based courses on issues including HAZWOPER, HAZCOM, LOTO, CSE and other related training.
Find out more about all the services OCCU-TEC offers under its GSA contract by calling 1-800-953-1953. |
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Keeping accurate records is vitally important to any business, but for any business dealing with worker health and safety it is vitally important. Unfortunately, the degree that recordkeeping is being accurately maintained has become a cause for concern for OSHA.
That's one reason why OSHA has announced a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) on recordkeeping. The NEP involves the inspection of records prepared by businesses and enforcing regulatory requirements with employers who have been found to be under-reporting injuries and/or illnesses.
Various studies have claimed that the under-recording of workplace injuries and illnesses to OSHA have proliferated. Those studies drove the Senate Commitee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the House Committee on Education and Labor to ask the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the accuracy of employer injury and illness records by cooperating with OSHA in this NEP.
The NEP is a complement to a similar investigation by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to account for differences in the number of injuries and illnessses they estimate, along with other data sources.
The NEP is not the only strategy OSHA will use to address under-reporting. The agency will also work to comprehensively train compliance staff to identify and correct violations. It will also develop new programs to address the underlying recordkeeping issue in other industries not under the NEP including construction, VPP and SHARP establishments.
First on the NEP list: low rate establishments in high rate industries. OSHA believes that the most likely under-reporting are in these cases.
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Also under scrutiny will be programs that offer financial rewards for work units that have the least injuries or illnesses reported. These types of programs lead to under-reporting according to OSHA and will draw their attention during the NEP.
Disincentives to report injuries are also targeted which would include retaliatory measures like firing or other forms of discipline.
If you have a question about your reporting procedures or you are concerned your recordkeeping then maybe its time to call OCCU-TEC.
OCCU-TEC has been recognized as one of Kansas City's fastest growing corporations by Ingram's Top 100. OCCU-TEC's Loss Prevention division can:
Provide training on OSHA & EPA requirements
Perform Environmental & Safety Audits
Source Safety Professionals
Create systems to assist you with organizing and recovering safety information.
Call 1-800-950-1953 or go to www.occutec.com for more information. |
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+ OCCU-TEC's Future Strong with CEO
OCCU-TEC's Future Strong with New CEO |
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"Get the Lead Out" with AutoTrak™
OCCU-TEC's AutoTrak™ online environmental, safety and health compliance management and recordkeeping system allows you to take control of the lead in your facility.
Its Lead-based Paint Database provides a means of tracking all painted surfaces within a facility or multiple facilities which have been testing for lead. At your fingertips will be the lead content of each surface by room, substrate, type of structure, lead content, and a number of other factors. You can also track the condition of each surface, letting you know which surfaces are safe and which pose potential health risks.
Lead isn't the only thing AutoTrak™ can help you manage. Find out more by calling 1-800-953-1953.
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OCCU-TEC welcomes Joe Fiorella as its new President and Chief Executive Officer today. Fiorella started in these new positions as of September 9th. Co-founder and co-owner Skuli Gudmundsson assumes the position of Chief Marketing Officer while continuing as Board Chairman.
Fiorella joins the 26-year-old firm after spending years developing a reputation of creating growth for companies in a variety of leadership positions. Fiorella's former stops include Tradebot Systems and Allied National Companies. He's also a veteran of ERA Franchise Systems, where he generated all-time record profitability and customer service ratings as President of Products and Services.
Fiorella serves as a member of the board of directors for the Community Blood Center of Kansas City along with many other civic positions.
He looks forward to bringing his record of success to bear at OCCU-TEC.
"We have a tremendous opportunity here at OCCU-TEC," said Fiorella. "We have all the pieces here to grow dramatically in the near future and assure ourselves of a long term leadership position in our diverse service fields."
Fiorella's hiring is the latest move by Gudmundsson to grow OCCU-TEC. Using the knowledge acquired from years of leading Trans World Airlines safety compliance, Gudmundsson formed OCCU-TEC in 1983 with Duncan Heydon, a TWA and Hallmark Cards veteran.
His accomplishments have included creating a relationship with the State of Missouri that has saved the state millions of dollars in workers' compensation costs, implemented an online Asbestos training program that is the only one of its type in the nation, and started an energy systems division for the company that continues to experience significant growth. |
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For the last three years, OCCU-TEC has been one of Ingram's Top 100, which recognizes the fastest growing corporations in Kansas City.
With the addition of Fiorella, Gudmundsson will now concentrate on business development and marketing for the company.
"We are embarking on a new and exciting era for OCCU-TEC," said Gudmundsson. "With the skills and experience that Joe brings we will be able to take advantage of the growth opportunities that are open to us and take this company to the next level."
Call 1-800-950-1953 or go to www.occutec.com for more information. |
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+ Tank Maintenance - Critical Infratstuce
Tank Maintenance - Critical Infrastructure |
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OCCU-TEC aims to put sustainability at the core of the way we do business.
To achieve this, we commit to:
Reducing our environmental impact, with a specific focus on water, energy and waste.
Educating our staff, clients, partners, suppliers and community by communicating our strategic business goals and positive contributions to the environment.
Enhancing our social impact through providing a safe and healthy work environment and work experience opportunities.
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OCCU-TEC Learning Solutions are Online
OCCU-TEC offers the only approved Online Asbestos Inspector Refresher class in the Country.
Online training overcomes the greatest challenges in delivering high quality training - time, money and consistency. Our OSHA Authorized training solves all three - no time away from the job, no travel costs and everyone receives the same message. View our 10 and 30 Hour Online Construction and General Industry Safety classes.
In Partnership with Eastern Michigan University, OCCU-TEC is proud to a part of the only Authorized Instructor-Led Online OSHA courses! |
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The city of Peabody, Massachusetts, found out how important taking good care of fuel tanks can be.
In October 2008 the city's School Department had copper in one of its vacant buildings stolen. Unfortunately, the copper that was stolen included piping attached to the four 330-gallon oil tanks located in the basement. Of course, under firecode, the fuel lines should have been iron pipe to begin with.
Approximately 450 gallons leaked into the site grounds, resulting in a $100,000 clean up for the city.
The city could have avoided this by simply making sure the tanks were empty when the building was vacated.
Although in hindsight this leak could have been avoided, sometimes potential problems with fuel tanks are not so simple, with the result that surrounding soil and water are affected and reliable operations are compromised.
It's estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that one in four underground storage tanks in the United States are leaking. The odds of leakage dramatically rise if the tank is over 20 years old.
Even a single drop of leaked fuel per second translates into 400 gallons of fuel released into groundwater for the year.
So no matter if above ground or below, care and maintenance of your tank system is important. What are some quick things you can do make sure you are not contaminating soil and water?
- Don't overfill your tanks.
- Check your tank for signs of corrosion
- Be alert for unexplained fuel losses.
- Keep all connections clean and tight.
- Look at the vegetation around the area of the tank to make sure nothing is dead or dying.
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- If you take a tank out of service, empty the tank and fuel lines completely.
What's at stake?
Contamination found in soil can point to contamination of local groundwater, affecting the local water supply and cleanup costs can become enormous.
Tank maintenance is not only critical to avoid contamination of soil and water, but also from a critical infrastructure point of view be sure that your tanks will be able to deliver the fuel you need, when you need it.
The tank leak issues that let fuel out also can let water in. For example, the black and green slime that forms inside a tank is actually Microbial growth that is caused by water that enters your tank.
If you have a tank or fuel delivery question, or you just want a second opinion on what to do about a problem you're experiencing, call the professionals at OCCU-TEC. From tank maintenance to emergency fuel, OCCU-TEC has you covered.
Call 1-800-950-1953 or go to www.occutec.com for more information. |
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+ Take the LEED in Green Solutions
Take the LEED in Green Solutions |
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Required 10-Hour Construction Training in Missouri Starts Soon
All workers involved with "Public Works" Projects in Missouri will soon have a new regulation to deal with. Beginning August 28, 2009, all employees working for contractors or subcontractors on "Public Works" construction projects in the State of Missouri must receive OSHA 10-hour construction safety training within sixty (60) days of beginning work on a project.
HR 1549, which created the regulation, was signed by then Missouri Governor Matt Blunt on July 8, 2008.
OCCU-TEC has both classroom and online options available. Call 1-800-950-1953 or click here for more information. |
OCCU-TEC Learning Solutions
OCCU-TEC offers comprehensive training in both online and classroom settings. Go to the OCCU-TEC Learning Solutions page to see what's right for you.
OCCU-TEC's OSHA 10-hour Construction Training 1 Day Course Schedule
August 14 & August 21
$95.00 per student
(GROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE)
Call for customized scheduling. |
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The U.S. Green Building's Council LEED rating system has rapidly driven a wave of new approaches in construction, both for new building and renovation of existing structures.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, is now on the minds of a variety of businesses from real estate management companies to fast food.
Under the shadow of the Sears Tower in Chicago is a surprising effort by many restaurants for LEED certifications. It is the home of the first LEED Gold certified McDonald's. It's green roof, low-flow water fixtures, heat recovery systems, and recycled content of their seating is a testing ground for what may come in their franchisee network.
Real estate companies have set their sites on LEED certification. CB Richard Ellis in particular is investing heavily in enrolling their buildings in the LEED - Existing Building program. According to Commercial Property News CB Richard Ellis is enrolling 225 office buildings in the program.
This is after the company committed to enrolling a minimum of 100 buildings at the end of 2007. Today, CD Richard Ellis is the largest third-party manager of buildings in the LEED program.
CD Richard Ellis' new enrollment represents 57 million square feet owned by 55 different investors and corporations in 21 states.
One of the six components of LEED certification is indoor environmental quality (IEQ).
IEQ not only makes good environmental sense, but makes a difference to the bottom-line. Companies that work in green buildings experience lower turnover rates, fewer sick days and higher productivity among employees. |
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Improved IEQ in schools result in higher test scores, lower absenteeism and higher academic enthusiasm among students.
If you are looking at LEED certification, and sustainability and business continuity are important then OCCU-TEC can help.
OCCU-TEC offers IEQ assessments that include full spectrum consultation, identification and assessment of problems and solutions.
In addition, OCCU-TEC can help you create sustainability plans that include:
- Waste Management Planning
- Carbon Footprint Assessments
- Energy Audits
Now more than ever companies are looking to develop green strategies that will assist them in controlling costs and increasing their productivity.
Are you taking the LEED in your business or industry. If not, or if you are needing help in discovering your next steps in Green planning, call 1-800-950-1953 or go to www.occutec.com for more information. |
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+ A Good Partner Makes Good Dollars and Sense
A Good Partner Makes Good Dollars and Sense |
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'Near-Normal' Hurricane Season Expected
Are your emergency generator systems ready for a storm? Do you have emergency fuel sources to sustain emergency generator operations?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has made its predictions for 2009 and although they call for a near-normal season, they also forecast a 70 percent chance of having nine to 14 named storms, including one to three major hurricanes.
"35 million Americans live in regions most threatened by Atlantic Hurricanes," said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke.
Call OCCU-TEC's Energy Systems experts to make sure you are ready for a "Storm" - hurricane or other. |
OCCU-TEC Learning Solutions
OCCU-TEC offers comprehensive training in both online and classroom settings. Go to the OCCU-TEC Learning Solutions page to see what's right for you.
OCCU-TEC's OSHA 10-hour Construction Training 1 Day Course Schedule
July 10, August 14 & August 21
$95.00 per student
(GROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE)
Call for customized scheduling. |
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More than 100,000 species of mold exist naturally in the environment depending on locale. Most we co-exist with without any harmful effects, but a few cause harm when touched, inhaled or ingested.
Do you know what to look for on your job site or in your facility? If not, finding a good partner to assist you in dealing with potential hazards of any type is crucial to managing your risk and helping your bottom-line.
What should you look for in a partner? Here are a few ideas to help you:
Do you know what you are looking for? Identifying your problem areas is crucial. Understanding whether you have a need or think you have a need is a great start down the partnership path. Along with that is identifying where you or a current staff member is qualified to deal with the problem. If you discover a problem and are unable to deal with it yourself then you may need a partner to help.
Do they have the right experience? According to Small Business Consultant Sam Homer you should look for someone with 15-20 years of experience. They should have experience in your industry and the problem you are trying to deal with.
Do they listen? One of Dr. Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is to "Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood." It's just as important to have a partner that seeks first to understand. A partner that listens is critical. How else will they begin to solve your problem?
Do your styles work together? Chemistry among all partners is important. It's counterproductive to have good employees leave the company because they disagree or don't get along with your consultant. |
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Do you understand costs? Costs should be easy to understand, whether the price is fixed or based on hourly-rate fees. More importantly, though, is understanding the value that your partner provides as they help you manage risk and your bottom-line.
In 2009, a judge gave a $1.4 million award to a couple who sued their homebuilder. According to the Insurance Industry Institute, losses for mold-related property damage
claims have risen from $700 million in 2000 to $ 2.5-3 billion in 2002. Jury awards remain high despite growing evidence that the average cost of mold-remediation is $34,000 in residential construction and $200,000 in commercial construction.
If you're having trouble finding a partner to assist you with understanding or managing any potential hazard to your facility or operations, it may be time to call OCCU-TEC.
OCCU-TEC provides clients with innovative, cost-effective solutions customized to fit their safety and environmental challenges. The client tailored services and solutions we provide allow us to assist everyone from contractors to real estate managers, making OCCU-TEC a great company to partner with.
Call 1-800-950-1953 or go to www.occutec.com for more information. |
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+ Safety Month Is Here...How Will You Celebrate?
Safety Month is Here. How Will You Celebrate? |
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New Missouri Statute Requires OSHA Training in Construction Safety
The recently passed Missouri House Bill 1549 requires contractors and subcontractors performing "Public Works" projects in the state of Missouri to provide their on-site employees with a ten-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) program on construction safety and health with the OSHA 10 hour Construction Safety Training Course.
All employees are required to complete the course within sixty days of beginning work on a construction project.
For more information go here. |
OCCU-TEC Learning Solutions
OCCU-TEC's OSHA 10-hour Construction Training 1 Day Course Schedule
June 19, July 10, August 14 & August 21
$95.00 per student
(GROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE)
Call for customized scheduling. |
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June is National Safety Month, according to the National Safety Council. It's an important time to reinforce to your employees the importance of safety in the workplace. Consider:
· Every year, one out of four people sustain injuries serious enough to require medical attention.
· Unintentional injuries, the fifth-leading cause of death in the U.S., claimed 120,000 lives in 2007. They also cost the U.S. $684.4 billion in lost productivity, health care and related expenses.
Employers are encouraged to use this month to evaluate the safely level of their work environment. Are you ready for Safety Month?
Many employers face the double challenge of not only developing an effective safety program but also educating their employees regarding the requirements of their safety program. Surprisingly, some employees are unaware of their company's own environmental and safety challenges. These challenges leave the employer with significant exposure to potential liabilities from employee safety hazards.
The challenge is equally daunting for companies that manage buildings, whether they are industrial or office environments.
Depending on the type of property the manager is operating, the occupants may also be faced with hazards related to air quality and other environmental concerns in addition to other safety hazards. |
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During Safety Month it's a great time to evaluate your safety program. If you're not sure where you stand or what you have on property, it may be time to call OCCU-TEC.
At OCCU-TEC we specialize in providing assistance and training for occupational safety, industrial hygiene, and environmental protection.
We provide clients with innovative, cost-effective solutions customized to fit their safety and environmental challenges. The client tailored services and solutions we provide allow us to assist everyone from contractors to real estate managers, making OCCU-TEC a great company to partner with.
OCCU-TEC can help a safety or facility manager understand their safety, industrial hygiene or indoor air quality issues. The result will be a healthful environment in regulatory compliance, protecting their company against future liabilities.
Call 1-800-950-1953 or go to www.occutec.com for more information. |
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+ Emergency Fuel Critical to Disaster Planning
Emergency Fuel Critical to Disaster Planning |
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Do You Know What to Do With Teen Workers?
Although it's only been Spring for a few days it's not too early to start thinking about summer, especially if you hire teen workers for job positions. Are you prepared?
In 2006, over 50,000 adolescents were sent to the emergency room for work-related injuries. Find out how your workers can avoid a similar trip by checking out OSHA's website.
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Tank Maintenance Needs to be Part of Emergency Fuel Plan
Tank maintenance is one of the most critical factors in successful emergency fuel planning. Two important aspects of any maintenance program include:
Checking Your Fuel: Fuel within tanks needs to be tested and treated on a regular schedule in order to keep the fuel viable and to prevent moisture and mold from accumulating.
Maintaining Your Tank: Routine inspections including piping, valves, vent-lines, overfill prevention devices and leak detection and control mechanisms are needed to insure that the generator starts and runs when required and that the environment is protected from accidents.
Call OCCU-TEC at 1-800-950-1953 to learn more about how you can protect your emergency fuel tanks.
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Although governments are moving to make sure that emergency fuel supplies are at hand, the private sector is taking matters into their own hands.
Telecommunications, banking, hospitals and data centers lead the list of institutions that must be able to survive disasters and they are hard at work anticipating and preparing for their energy needs.
However, disasters aren't the only reason to have fuel on hand. Rolling blackouts or brownouts can also inflict the same losses of power.
Whether it is disaster or rolling blackout the prospects of whether or not you lose power is always lurking. Are you prepared? Contact OCCU-TEC.
Through our nationwide network of fuel vendors strategically positioned across the country, OCCU-TEC provides fuel to organizations that cannot afford power outages. Many standby fuel systems are designed to serve short-term mobility and power generation needs. When normal, limited on-hand fuel supplies are insufficient and local re-supply not possible, OCCU-TEC can provide a reliable, responsive alternative.
Call 1-800-950-1953 or go to www.occutec.com for more information. |
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+ Stretching Your EH&S Dollar in Tough Economic Times
Stretching Your EH&S Dollar in Tough Economic Times |
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OSHA Changes You Need to Know
OSHA has issued a new rule to clarify duties of an employer for providing Personal Protective Equipment and Training for each employee.
The new rule, effective January 12, requires that employers "provide the required PPE and training to each and every one of their employees." Personal Protective Equipment includes eye, face, head, foot and hearing protections, respirators and other forms of PPE. Employees must be trained if he or she falls under stated requirements.
Currently, an employer may be cited when a violation occurs under any standard. OSHA combines all violations of a single requirement into one penalty. However, under a new per-instance policy, a separated penalty may be issued for each violation. Per-instance can be translated in to per-injury, or per-location.
This rule does not inflict new requirements or require employers to provide any new type of PPE or training.
OHSA has also published changes to its Voluntary Protection Program, which allows participation by companies with mobile workers. New options will be provided to construction contractors and other companies that have employers at other locations. These changes will be made effective May 9.
Call OCCU-TEC at 1-800-950-1953 for more information on these changes and how they affect you.
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Some have called this recession the worst since the Great Depression. As a consequence companies large and small have had to cut and save to meet the challenge. Those cuts are something that every EH&S manager has felt, and yet the challenge of providing a safe work environment continues.
How can your work environments remain safe in these economic times? Here are a few ideas.
Build with Good Blueprints
A good blueprint may make the difference between a building that stands the test of time or falls like a house of cards. For EH&S professionals a good plan makes a noticeable difference during tough economic times.
One way to do this is by creating a list of priorities of what MUST be done and weigh those things against important factors. A sample list of those factors could include:
- Risk
- Financial exposure
- Compliance
- Return on investment
Keep it simple, no more than two pages and refer to it often.
What's Your Sign?
Sometimes the easiest way to avoid safety problems is to make sure hazardous areas are well signed. Despite the best training, sometimes the old cliche, "Out of Sight, Out of Mind", manifests itself in workplace safety issues. Better signage, although not a large cost, can pay big dividends.
Use Technology to Increase Productivity
Technology has made two things easier for EH&S personnel: training and tracking. Online training, like that offered by OCCU-TEC, has made training more accessible and more economical. Gone are the days of the need to travel in order to get needed training, and government agencies recognize that. |
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Likewise, gone are the days of paper filing. With the need to track an increasing amount of information for regulatory and compliance purposes, EH&S professionals need to have easy access to information. Computer driven databases are the answer. Whether it is OCCU-TEC's AutoTrak™ system or any other, the need for greater access to information that can be created and distributed in a streamlined manner is essential.
Some companies are hesitant to embrace new technology because of the perceived cost of developing that competency in its use. That doesn't need to be a barrier.
Occupational Health & Safety recently addressed the role of technology in EH&S departments. Among its suggestions is to look at Software as a Service (SaaS) software. Software in this category doesn't require internal IT support or special software. Salesforce.com pioneered this evolution in 2001 with its Contact Management Software (CMS) but OCCU-TEC continues that trend today with AutoTrak™.
There is no question that 2009 will be a challenging year but if you need help navigating it economically and effectively call 1-800-950-1953 or go to www.occutec.com for more information. |
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+ Ventilation is Key to Avoiding Sick Building Syndrome
Ventilation is Key to Avoiding Sick Building Syndrome |
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Employers are Reminded to Post Injury and Illness Summaries
On February 1, employers were to begin posting a summary of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred last year. Employers are only required to post Summary (OSHA Form 300A) -- from February 1 to April 30, 2009. Copies of OSHA Forms 300, 300A, 301 are available on the OSHA Recordkeeping Web page.
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New Rules for Lead from EPA
The EPA has issued new rules for builders, painters, plumbers and electricians who renovate or repair housing, child-care facilities or schools built before 1978.
The "Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program" rule will take effect in April 2010. Under the new rule workers must follow lead-safe work practice standards that reduce potential exposure to lead caused by renovations or other repair activities.
Specifically, the rule will apply to activities where more than six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior.
More information can be found on the EPA's website.
Call OCCU-TEC at 1-800-950-1953 for more information on these changes and how they affect you.
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Spring is on its way and for those responsible for air quality it means going from heating their work environment to cooling it. It may also mean a battle to keep workers productive by avoiding sick building syndrome.
Sick building syndrome (SBS), according to OSHA, is a condition associated with complaints of discomfort that are attributed to a combination of substances or individual susceptibility to low concentrations of contaminants. Symptoms are associated with periods of occupancy and disappear after leaving the worksite.
The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 30 percent of new or remodeled buildings may have higher SBS rates than normal. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says that poor ventilation plays an important role in sick building cases.
Why is ventilation so important? Because it can effectively provide acceptable indoor air.
Here's how it works in your HVAC system: Typically outdoor air is brought into a building, conditioned and mixed with some portion of indoor air. This mixed air is then distributed throughout your building and some portion is exhausted outside.
Although the process seems simple enough many things can go wrong, producing poor indoor air quality.
HVAC systems can produce intermittent air flow, inhibiting the system's ability to remove contaminants. Failure to maintain proper temperature and air movement can lead occupants to block supply registers, disrupting air flow.
Sometimes building engineers reduce or stop the flow of outside air because it is more costly to heat or cool it. Unfortunately, this allows contaminated air on the inside to increase its concentration of contaminants. |
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Other issues include periods of HVAC operation, maintenance, and air cleaners. These issues are examined in further detail by the EPA's publication on Ventilation and Air Quality in Offices.
There are many ways to improve ventilation efficiency to increase indoor air quality. Some of those tactics include:
- Ensure dampers and vents are open;
- Remove obstructions to fresh-air flow;
- Clean ducts and dampers;
- Replace damaged insulation;
- Remove and discard porous organic materials that are contaminated.
A full list of recommendations are available from the OSHA Technical Manual.
Of course in the past, better ventilation simply meant opening a window. In a quest to lower costs on heating and cooling, this is less and less of an option. However, there is another option that can not only improve your indoor air quality, but can lower costs as well. Just contact OCCU-TEC.
For 20 years, OCCU-TEC has worked with businesses to determine and identify potential safety and health hazards, recommend and design corrective measures, explain findings and interpret safety and health standards.
Call 1-800-950-1953 or go to www.occutec.com for more information. |
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+ Is It Time to Make Some New Year's Resolutions?
Is it Time to Make Some New Year's Resolutions? |
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Online Training Available
OCCU-TEC and 360training have released the environmental industry's first online EPA Asbestos Inspector Refresher training course.
The four-hour course, which complies with EPA's Model Accreditation Program (MAP), was jointly created by OCCU-TEC and 360training and is accredited by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Air Pollution Control Program (APCP). The course is geared towards asbestos inspectors who need to fulfill annual refresher training requirements.
The Asbestos Inspector Refresher course reviews the relationship between asbestos exposure and the potential health effects, in addition to certification requirements for building inspectors and the basic elements of a thorough building inspection.
OCCU-TEC and 360trainng collaborated over a period of several months with a team of in-house technical specialists along with regulators to complete the online refresher course.
Find out more about online training by going to www.occutec.com.
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2009 has arrived. It's a time of new resolutions for a new year. Have you made yours yet? If not, here's a review of some best practices that you can use to help make 2009 a safer year while improving the bottom line for your company.
Get a Handle on Your Data.
If you still use a paper filing system to track your safety and health information it may be time for a change. Database systems like OCCU-TEC's AutoTrak™ allow you to collect, maintain and access your information easily and effectively.
Think Green.
With sustainability and "Green Solutions" playing increasingly important roles in Washington and the regulatory environment, it is obvious that your company may need to address this subject within your facility. It's not only a 'bottom line' issue, but may be required soon.
Be Proactive.
In some facilities workplace hazards may exist without being obvious. Certain building materials may contain asbestos that do represent an active hazard until they are damaged or disturbed, such as during a remodel project. Indoor air quality may adversely affect worker comfort and productivity if it declines as a result of humidity levels that are too high or too low, if CO or CO2 levels become too high or if particulate levels are too high. Emergency generator fuel systems require preventive maintenance if they are to respond in an emergency. If you have questions related to Facilities Environmental Management issues, call OCCU-TEC (800-950-1953) before something that is minor becomes a problem.
Would you like to be SHARP?
OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) program recognizes small businesses that operate exemplary safety and health management systems. A variety of benchmarks and requirements must be reached in order to be certified a SHARP business but the benefits could include an exemption from inspections for a period of time, lower workers compensation premiums and improved productivity. |
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Why consider these practices? You can't afford not to! According to OSHA approximately 6,000 employees die from workplace injuries in the United States each year. Another 50,000 die from illnesses caused by exposure to workplace hazards.
In addition, 6 million workers suffer non-fatal workplace injuries at an annual cost to U.S. businesses of more than $125 billion.
During this time of year we naturally look at the future and wonder what we can do differently. These few ideas may be a step in the right direction.
If this list seems too daunting why not call a proven partner for your Facilities Environmental Management or Safety needs. For over 25 years OCCU-TEC has been a leader in environmental management and safety solutions.
If you need a partner in 2009 to help you get through some of these, or other resolutions, remember OCCU-TEC. Call 1-800-950-1953 or go to www.occutec.com for more information. |
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