Raising Heat Hazard Awareness

OSHA sponsors a ‘Beat the Heat’ Contest to raise awareness about the hazards of heat exposure in indoor and outdoor workplaces. Moreover, they held an informational webinar for the contest on May 16th. If you would like to watch the recording, you can click here. In addition, the contest welcomes stakeholders nationwide, including businesses, unions, educational institutions, government entities, and individuals. Participants must create an awareness tool, such as an infographic, training curriculum, poster, logo, etc., to improve heat hazard recognition among employers and workers in workplaces.

The contest is open NOW and the deadline for entries is June 9.

For more information, visit OSHA’s Beat the Heat Contest webpage.

Hot Tips to Stay Safe and “Beat the Heat”

Workers should be trained to recognize the symptoms of heat illness in themselves and the signs in others. Workers should not try to diagnose the illness itself (e.g., heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion) but instead be able to recognize that it’s happening and take immediate action.

Use this infographic from OSHA to train your workers to identify the signs and symptoms of heat illness and the actions to take in response to them. Don’t wait until it’s too late; train your workers today!

Encourage Hydration to “Beat the Heat!”

The redesigned infographic, Water Keeps You Going, is now available for download from OSHA’s Heat Illness Campaign website. You have a choice of 17 different images that encompass both indoor and outdoor worksites. Moreover, we encourage you to post one in your workplace today to promote hydration among workers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NACOSH Meeting

The National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) has scheduled a full committee meeting on May 31 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. ET. Additionally, we are inviting the public to participate virtually in a listen-only mode. Furthermore, we will provide simultaneous Spanish audio interpretation via WebEx. To register, please visit the Highlights section of the NACOSH webpage.

More Safety Tools & Resources 

Performance-Related Pay (PRP) Linked to Chronic Stress, Heart Disease & Poor Mental Health

The University of Aberdeen led a study, published in the journal Industrial Relations, that discovered performance-related pay (PRP) is linked to heart disease, higher risks of chronic stress, and poor mental health among workers who depend on it.

In addition, the study, which analyzed data from the nationwide UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), provides new evidence indicating that PRP employees, especially men, exhibit higher levels of fibrinogen, a marker of chronic stress. Unlike previous inconclusive studies relying on self-reported data prone to bias, this study employed a meticulous statistical analysis, including physiological measures such as blood pressure and stress biomarkers from blood samples.

These findings underscore the necessity for companies utilizing PRP contracts to implement policies aimed at mitigating worker stress. Professor Keith Bender, the SIRE Chair in Economics at the University of Aberdeen Business School and co-author of the interdisciplinary study, emphasizes that the research supports the notion of physical wear and tear among PRP workers, aligning with earlier studies that have associated PRP with poor health, encompassing self-reported mental health issues and cardiovascular health problems.

How Should Companies Respond?

Better Sleep with an Opened Window (research study concludes)

Better sleep with an opened window? A team of Danish researchers concludes that the air quality in your bedroom while you sleep could be linked to better work performance. The researchers conducted a field intervention of 40 bedrooms in Denmark over a two-week period and monitored participants’ sleep quality using a wearable device. Additionally, participants logged their daily activities and sleep electronically. Every morning, they took a three-minute cognitive-abilities test.

The results revealed that participants who had their windows open reported experiencing deep sleep. 87% of them expressing this compared to 70% of those who slept with closed windows. Furthermore, participants who slept with an open window performed better on the cognitive test the following morning.

This suggests that individuals should ventilate their bedrooms with clean outdoor air or supply them with air that is equivalent to clean outdoor air during the night.

Highlights of the Research Study:

• Researchers conducted a field intervention study in 40 bedrooms.
• Perceived air quality improved and the concentration of CO2, VOCs, and PM10 decreased when a window was open.
• Objectively measured and subjectively rated sleep quality improved after sleeping with an open window.
• Opening a bedroom door reduced CO2 concentration but did not provide any of the above benefits.

Learn more about our Early Intervention Protocol at Peak Ergonomics.

Prevent Workplace Falls News Update

Fall Prevention Update from OSHA

US Department of Labor announces national emphasis program to reduce, prevent workplace falls, a leading cause of workplace fatalities. OSHA initiative aligns enforcement, outreach efforts to protect workers.

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun a National Emphasis Program to prevent falls, the leading cause of fatal workplace injuries and the violation the agency cites most frequently in construction industry inspections.

The emphasis program will focus on reducing fall-related injuries and fatalities for people working at heights in all industries. The targeted enforcement program is based on historical Bureau of Labor Statistics data and OSHA enforcement history. BLS data shows that of the 5,190 fatal workplace injuries in 2021, 680 were associated with falls from elevations, about 13 percent of all deaths.

“This national emphasis program aligns all of OSHA’s fall protection resources to combat one of the most preventable and significant causes of workplace fatalities,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “We’re launching this program in concert with the 10th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction and the industry’s Safety Week. Working together, OSHA and employers in all industries can make lasting changes to improve worker safety and save lives.”

The program includes guidelines for identifying and examining fall hazards. Additionally, OSHA compliance safety and health officers can initiate inspections when they spot someone working at heights. Furthermore, an outreach component of the program aims to educate employers about best practices to ensure their workers’ safety. If no inspection is necessary after an onsite observation, compliance officers will provide fall protection outreach and leave.

More Tools & Resources

Learn more about federally required fall protection.

Learn more about OSHA.

More Tools & Resources from Peak Ergonomics

Learn more about Early Intervention Ergonomics.

Pain from Sitting Too Long? The Anatomy behind Prolonged Sitting 

(Video Credit: Muscle and Motion, June 7, 2020, 2:08)

Healthy Work Solutions to Prolonged Sitting

Prolonged sitting can cause a variety of physical problems, including pain. Here are some of the common types of pain that can be caused by prolonged sitting:

1. Lower back pain: Sitting for long periods can put a lot of pressure on your lower back, which can cause pain and discomfort. This is especially true if you have poor posture or a chair that doesn’t provide proper lumbar support.
2. Neck and shoulder pain: When you sit for long periods, you may slouch forward, which can cause strain on your neck and shoulders. This can result in pain, stiffness, and even headaches.
3. Hip pain: Sitting for extended periods can also lead to hip pain. As your hip flexor muscles can become tight and strained from being in a seated position for too long.
4. Leg pain: Sitting for long periods can also affect blood flow and circulation in your legs, which can lead to pain, numbness, and tingling.

To alleviate the pain caused by prolonged sitting, you can try the following:

1. Take frequent breaks: Get up and move around every 30 minutes to an hour. This can help to relieve pressure on your back and improve circulation.
2. Use an ergonomic chair: Invest in a chair that is designed to support good posture and provide proper lumbar support.
3. Stretch regularly: Take breaks to stretch your neck, shoulders, back, and legs to help relieve tension and improve circulation.
4. Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help to improve posture, strengthen muscles, and improve circulation, all of which can help to reduce the pain caused by prolonged sitting.
5. Use a standing desk: If possible, switch to a standing desk. Also, you can alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting.

More Tools & Resources from Peak Ergonomics

 

 

 

 

 

 

Workplace Stress Resources

We wanted to make sure you were aware of OSHA’s Workplace Stress Safety and Health Topics Page, which provides resources to help employers support the mental health and well-being of their workforce. The webpage includes resources for both senior managers and front-line supervisors—including “Getting Started” guides and checklists. Here are three workplace posters offering tips on how employers and workers can work together to address stress and mental health in the workplace.

The Workplace Stress page complements OSHA’s existing pages on Worker Fatigue and Preventing Suicides. As a reminder, OSHA’s poster, Suicide Prevention: 5 Things You Should Know, is also available in English and Spanish.

Mental Health Challenges

Stress can be harmful to our health and increase mental health challenges. Mental health challenges can include clinical mental illness and substance use disorders as well as other emotions like stress, grief, feeling sad and anxious, where these feelings are temporary and not part of a diagnosable condition. While there are many things in life that induce stress, work can be one of those factors. However, workplaces can also be a key place for resources, solutions, and activities designed to improve our mental health and well-being.

Workplace stress and poor mental health can negatively affect workers through:

• Job performance
• Productivity
• Work engagement and communication
• Physical capability and daily functioning

Loneliness. Isolation. Uncertainty. Grief. Fear. Stress can increase these and other mental health challenges and can be harmful to our health. The amount and type of stress experienced varies from person to person due to many factors, including those experienced at work.

While there are many things in life that induce stress, work can be one of those factors. Workplace stress and poor mental health can negatively affect workers through their job performance and productivity, as well as with their engagement with others at work. It can also impact worker physical health, given that stress can be a risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases. However, workplaces can also be a key place for resources, solutions, and activities designed to improve our mental health and well-being.

Finally, check out our podcast on Musculoskeletal Disorders: How Muscle Injuries Take a Mental Toll

OSHA Heat Source Newsletter & Heat Illness Prevention Campaign

We wanted to make you aware that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published the first issue of The Heat Source, the newsletter of the Heat Illness Prevention Campaign. Please see below. To subscribe to the OSHA heat source newsletter, please visit OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Campaign webpage, or click here.

Employers should be concerned about heat illness because it can have serious consequences for their workers and their business. Heat illness can lead to a range of health problems such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dehydration, and even death. These conditions can cause significant harm to workers, and can result in lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and potential legal liabilities for employers.

In addition to the direct health impacts on workers, heat illness can also have indirect impacts on a business. When workers are suffering from heat illness, they make more mistakes, and are at greater risk of injuries. This can lead to decreased efficiency, increased costs, and lost revenue for the business. Furthermore, employers who fail to protect their workers from heat illness may face penalties, lawsuits, and damage to their reputation.

OSHA’s Civil Penalty Amounts

The U.S. Department of Labor announced changes to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) civil penalty amounts based on cost-of-living adjustments for 2023.

In 2015, Congress passed the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act to advance the effectiveness of civil monetary penalties and to maintain their deterrent effect. Under the Act, agencies are required to publish “catch-up” rules that adjust the level of civil monetary penalties and make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation no later than January 15 of each year. This year, January 15 falls on a Sunday and January 16 is a federal holiday. Therefore, new OSHA penalty amounts will become effective Jan. 17, 2023.

OSHA’s maximum penalties for serious and other-than-serious violations will increase from $14,502 per violation to $15,625 per violation. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations will increase from $145,027 per violation to $156,259 per violation.

Visit the OSHA Penalties page and read the final rule and press release for more information.

Please visit our Resources page for addition useful safety tools and information for employers.

Buckle Up Phone Down Business Showdown

What is the Buckle Up Phone Down Business Showdown?

The Buckle Up Phone Down Business Showdown is a competition that runs from January 9 to March 31, 2023, and is open to all Missouri employers with five or more employees. In order to be eligible for the Business Showdown, businesses must meet certain requirements. To participate in the Business Showdown, businesses must meet several requirements. First and foremost, they must have five or more employees. Then, they must register for the Showdown through the provided link. In addition, businesses must adopt a safe driving policy that provides a sample policy along with other communication and educational materials. Moreover, employers must request that their employees complete an online distracted driving training video and submit an online Buckle Up Phone Down pledge.

Businesses that have the highest percentage of employees completing the training and taking the Buckle Up Phone Down Pledge by March 31, 2023, can win cash prizes to use towards employee safety initiatives. Additionally, the judges will award cash prizes to the top three businesses, with first place receiving $7,500, second place receiving $6,000, and third place receiving $5,000. Moreover, the judges will invite the winning businesses to a recognition event at the Missouri State Capitol on April 26, 2023.

Upon completing the training video and taking the pledge, employees will become eligible for a chance to win a $25 gift card through a drawing. This provides an extra incentive for employees to participate and follow safe driving practices.

Accept the challenge!

So, businesses are encouraged to accept the challenge today and encourage their employees to drive like it’s their job, by buckling their seat belts and putting their phones down while driving! The creators of the BUPD Business Showdown aimed to spread the Buckle Up Phone Down message among employees and employers who drive for work. The Showdown is a competition, too, which means that businesses can compete and win $$$ for participating. Businesses can register on the Buckle Up Phone Down Business Showdown website and encourage employees to take the BUPD pledge.

Moreover, employees that take the BUPD pledge are committing to driving the speed limit, avoiding distracted driving, wearing seat belts, and avoiding impaired driving. It’s a great way to promote safe driving practices at the workplace and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. Furthermore, there’s also a “BUPD Policy” in the Employer Toolkit section of the Showdown website. Missouri companies with fleets / work-related driving are encouraged to participate!

If businesses have any questions, they can direct them to Mark Woodward at [email protected] or (573) 289-5990. For more ways to reduce injuries at the workplace, check out our Tools & Resources page.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued new enforcement guidance to make its penalties more effective in stopping employers from repeatedly exposing workers to life-threatening hazards or failing to comply with certain workplace safety and health requirements.

OSHA Regional Administrators and Area Office Directors now have the authority to cite certain types of violations as “instance-by-instance citations” for cases where the agency identifies “high-gravity” serious violations of OSHA standards specific to certain conditions where the language of the rule supports a citation for each instance of non-compliance. These conditions include lockout/tagout, machine guarding, permit-required confined space, respiratory protection, falls, trenching and for cases with other-than-serious violations specific to recordkeeping.

The change is intended to ensure OSHA personnel are applying the full authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA Act) where increased citations are needed to discourage non-compliance. The new guidance covers enforcement activity in general industry, agriculture, maritime and construction industries, and becomes effective 60 days from Jan. 26, 2023.

In a second action, OSHA reminded its Regional Administrators and Area Directors of their authority not to group violations, and instead cite them separately to more effectively encourage employers to comply with the intent of the OSH Act.

Existing guidance on instance-by-instance citations are outlined in the OSHA Field Operations Manual, and CPL 02-00-080, “Handling of Cases to be Proposed for Violation-by-Violation Penalties.”

For more information, please visit OSHA’s Enforcement website and Press Release.

OSHA’s Cold Weather Resources

As we gear up for winter weather, you can find info using OSHA’s cold weather resources on safely using powered equipment like snow blowers, clearing snow from heights, winter driving, working around downed power lines, and more at https://www.osha.gov/winter-weather

• OSHA Winter Weather: Plan. Equip. Train.
• OSHA Cold Stress Guide
• Refrigerated Warehousing (listed under warehouse hazards)
• OSHA Safe Winter Driving

 

Remember the various hazards of shoveling snow, operating powered equipment like snow blowers and preventing slips on Snow and Ice. OSHA has resources available to help workers stay safe, including a new pamphlet on snow removal, a cold stress Quick Card in English and Spanish, and a Winter Weather web page.

Alliance participants resources include:

CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training Alliance products:

• Cold Weather Toolbox Talk. Also available in Spanish.
• Cold Weather Hazard Alert. Also available in Spanish.
• Cold Weather Infographics — Protect Yourself from the Cold (English attached)

Employers should assess their worksites and develop a plan prior to a winter weather emergency.  Please share this information, as appropriate.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

1. Dress in layers: Wear warm layers of clothing, such as thermal underwear, wool or fleece sweaters, and a waterproof outer layer.
2. Cover your head, hands, and feet: The majority of your body’s heat is lost through your head, so wear a hat or head covering. Keep your hands and feet warm with gloves, mittens, and warm socks.
3. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Dehydration can lead to hypothermia.
4. Avoid alcohol and caffeine: Both alcohol and caffeine can lead to dehydration, which can increase your risk of hypothermia.
5. Check your heating system: Make sure your heating system is functioning properly and that your carbon monoxide detector is working.
6. Keep your home warm: Keep your home heated to a safe temperature and use space heaters with caution.
7. Be careful when shoveling snow: Cold weather can put extra stress on your heart, so be careful when shoveling snow. Take frequent breaks and don’t overexert yourself.
8. Be prepared for emergencies: Keep extra blankets, food, water, and a first aid kit in case of power outages or other emergencies.

By following these tips, you can stay safe and healthy during cold weather.

Tools & Resources from Peak Ergonomics

Musculoskeletal Disorders | How Muscle Injuries Take a Mental Toll

What is a Musculoskeletal Disorder?

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect certain areas of the body. This includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, joints, nerves and spinal discs. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) divides MSDs into two categories: illness and injury. An injury happens when a worker can identify a time or date, they started to have pain. For example, pulling a muscle while lifting a heavy box.
Illnesses are harder to pin down. An illness is more insidious and onset. You can’t really figure out when exactly it happened. For many, it starts as simple soreness or a twinge of pain. Over time, the pain gets worse. This is often triggered by repetitive motion. Today, ergonomics professionals call this a slow progression cumulative trauma disorder, or musculoskeletal disorder illness.

5 Factors that Contribute to Musculoskeletal Disorders

There are five factors that contribute to musculoskeletal disorders. These actions or movements are done often in the workplace. Eventually, they can lead to injury and illness. Pain begins when employees do the following motions:

1. Repetition. This is classified as frequency and speed over time. If you are doing something more than twice a minute, then it can be called repetitive. 
2. Force. This includes gripping, pinching, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. 
3. Posture. Awkward posture, or holding the same position for a long time, are MSD risk factors. 
4. Contact stress. Sudden impact, or sustained pressure, on certain parts of the body can create strain.
5. Vibration. There are two types of vibration: whole body and segmental hand-arm. Whole body is caused by moving floors, or activities like driving a machine. Segmental hand-arm occurs often through, like pneumatics guns or sanders.

A single factor isn’t likely to cause injury. Just one alone isn’t going to cause you to have a disorder. It’s usually a combination and from my experience, it’s usually three – when you get three of these risk factors together. For example, posture, force and repetition are the greatest factors in shoulder injuries. However, posture, force and vibration contribute the most to back injuries. 

Trench Safety Stand Down Week Resources:

Visit the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) website for information and resources: Trench Safety Resources.  During Trench Safety Stand Down Week, United Rentals will be generously hosting a series of webinars covering a range or important trench safety topics.  NUCA highly endorses these events and encourages members to check them out via the link:  United Rentals/NUCA TSSD Week Webinar Series.

Additional TSSD Resources

 Trenching and Excavation – Overview | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov)

• Excavations in Construction: Soil Classification. OSHA Prevention Video (vTools). Also available in Spanish. This OSHA video shows one of the steps, classifying soil, that employers must follow so that trenching work can be done safely. This video is not intended to be a complete educational tool, instead it is meant as an introduction for people who want to know more. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and required protective equipment. You’ll learn how having the right information about a construction site can help save lives.
• Excavations in Construction: Trenching. OSHA Prevention Video (vTools). Also available in Spanish. This OSHA video shows how quickly cave-ins lead to workers’ deaths. The video will also show what employers must do to assure that the work can be done more safely. Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace and required protective equipment. You’ll see that using the right type of protection saves lives.
• Trenching and Excavation Safety. OSHA Publication 2226, (2015). Highlights key elements of the standards and describes safe work practices that can protect workers from cave-ins and other hazards.
• Trenching and Excavation Safety. OSHA Fact Sheet (Publication 3476), (2011). Also available in Spanish.
• Working Safely in Trenches. OSHA QuickCard™ (Publication 3243), (2011). Also available in Spanish.

Best Practices Resources

• Excavation and Trenching Best Practices for Operators. OSHA and the American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, (February 2008). Also available in Spanish. Addresses issues associated with excavation and trenching activities such as worksite preparation, personal protective equipment and collapse prevention.
• Excavation and Trenching Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel. OSHA and the American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, (February 2008). Also available in Spanish. Addresses issues associated with supervision of workers who are engaged in excavation and trenching activities such as worksite preparation, personal protective equipment and collapse prevention.
• Excavator Operation Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel, Operators, and Workers. OSHA and the American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, (February 2008). Addresses which issues associated with the operation of excavation equipment such as pre-and post-operation procedures, safe operation considerations, and supervisory recommendations.
• Horizontal Directional Drilling Best Practices for Operators. OSHA and the American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, (February 2008). Also available in Spanish. Addresses issues associated with the operation of horizontal directional drilling equipment such as pre-and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations.
• Horizontal Directional Drilling Best Practices for Supervisory Personnel. OSHA and the American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) Alliance, (February 2008). Also available in Spanish. Addresses issues associated with supervision of workers who are engaged in the operation of horizontal directional drilling equipment such as pre-and post-operation procedures and safe operation considerations.

Increasing Awareness of Factors that Influence Trench Safety

Moderator: Eileen Betit, CPWR’s Research to Practice (r2p) Director
Presenters:
Scott Ketcham, Director, OSHA Directorate of Construction
Joe Wise, Regional Customer Training Manager at United Rentals Trench Safety
Dr. Alan Echt, Sr. Industrial Hygienist, NIOSH Office of Construction Safety and Health
Thursday, May 28^th, 2020 (Play Recording, Download Presentation, or link to You Tube recording here).

Trench Safety Resource Files:

TSSD Poster Full Page UR 2022

trench_safety_tips_card

OSHA3974 – 5 Things to know to be Safe

OSHA3971

osha2226 – Excavation Safety

CPWR Trenches-Fact-Sheet

3255_trench_poster_spanish

3215_trench_poster_eng

OSHA: National Emphasis Program – Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched a National Emphasis Program to protect millions of workers from heat illness and injuries.  As part of the program, OSHA will proactively initiate inspections in over 70 high-risk industries in indoor and outdoor work settings when the National Weather Service has issued a heat warning or advisory for a local area. On days when the heat index is 80^oF or higher, OSHA inspectors and compliance assistance specialists will engage in proactive outreach and technical assistance to help stakeholders keep workers safe on the job. Inspectors will look for and address heat hazards during inspections, regardless of whether the industry is targeted in the NEP.

OSHA’s area offices will engage in outreach to unions, employers in target industries and other organizations committed to advancing protections for underserved workers. The agency’s On-Site Consultation Program, a free and confidential health and safety consulting program for small- and medium-sized businesses, will assist employers in developing strategic approaches for addressing heat-related illnesses and injuries in workplaces.

In addition, the agency will hold a public stakeholder meeting on May 3, 2022, to discuss OSHA’s ongoing activities to protect workers from heat-related hazards, including the Heat Illness Prevention Campaign, compliance assistance activities and enforcement efforts. You can register for the event here.

For more information, see the Press Release and OSHA’s webpage on working in outdoor and indoor heat environments. Please share this information with your stakeholders, as appropriate.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is initiating an enforcement program that identifies employers who failed to submit Form 300A data through the agency’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA). Annual electronic submissions are required by establishments with 250 or more employees currently required to keep OSHA injury and illness records, and establishments with 20-249 employees classified in specific industries with historically high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses.

The program matches newly opened inspections against a list of potential non-responders to OSHA’s collection of Form 300A data through the ITA and reports all matches to the appropriate OSHA area office. If the area office determines that the establishment on the list is the same establishment where the inspection was opened, OSHA will issue citations for failure to submit OSHA Form 300A Summary data. In addition to identifying non-responders at the establishment level, the agency is also reviewing the 2021 submitted data to identify non-responders at a corporate-wide level. This corporate level review is being conducted for the nation’s largest employers.

For more information, please visit OSHA’s Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements website and Trade Release. Please share this information with your stakeholders, as appropriate.

Attached is the second in a series of Focus Four Toolbox Talks (TBTs). April TBTs pertain to struck-by hazards.  In addition, please find the stakeholder campaign letter, sample toolbox trainer tips, sample toolbox sign-in sheet and various OSHA publications for your use.  OSHA, our state plans, consultation projects, and construction industry partners request that you share all campaign materials with your industry stakeholders, partners, and alliance members.  As noted below the Focus Four Hazards account for the vast majority of fatalities and serious injuries in the construction industry.

Help us spread the word and save a life! 

Please note that the Focus Four campaign is a four-month endeavor and additional toolbox talks will be sent out to stakeholders pertaining to fall and caught-in/between hazards.  The schedule for the campaign is below:

March – Electrical Hazards

April – Struck-by Hazards

May – Fall Hazards

June – Caught-in/Between

If you would like more information pertaining to the campaign, please feel free to contact me or our designated Focus Four email address, [email protected].

Other toolbox talks can be found at:

https://www.cpwr.com/research/research-to-practice-r2p/r2p-library/toolbox-talks/ (English & Spanish)

https://www.agc.org/learn/education-training/lean-construction/lean-trades-toolbox-talk-series (varied topics)

https://gbca.com/hard-hat-chat/gbca-safety-toolbox-talk-tool-safety-when-working-from-heights-2/

Other attachments include

Struck By (changing bales): Fatal Facts (OSHA 3616 – 2012) (English: PDF)

Work Zone Traffic Safety Fact Sheet (2005) (English: PDF)

Work Zone Traffic Safety QuickCard™

(OSHA 3284 – 2007) (English: PDF) & (Spanish: PDF)

Thank you in advance for your support and participation.

Focus Four Campaign

The Focus Four Hazards have accounted for the vast majority of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. In an effort to prevent future injuries and fatalities, OSHA, our state plans, consultation projects, and construction industry partners have initiated a “Focus Four Hazards” campaign from March through June in Region Three’s jurisdiction.  The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness in the recognition, evaluation, and control of these hazards through the delivery of toolbox talks for employers to provide to their workers. These toolbox talks will be available during the campaign for employers to use at their own discretion.   Construction’s “Fatal Four” Out of 4764* worker fatalities in all industries in calendar year 2020, 1,008 or 21% were in construction―that is, one in five worker deaths last year were in construction. The leading causes of worker deaths on construction sites were falls, followed by struck-by, electrocution, and caught-in/between. These “Fatal Four” hazards were responsible for more than half (57%) of the construction worker deaths in 2020*, according to BLS reports. ·         Falls – 368 out of 1,008 total deaths in construction in CY 2020 (~37%) ·         Struck by Object – 83 (8%) ·         Electrocutions – 53 (5%) ·         Caught-in/between – 70 (~7%) This category includes construction workers killed when caught-in or compressed by equipment or objects, and struck, caught, or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment, or material. Eliminating these four hazards would save 574 lives each year. We ask that you assist us in promoting this campaign with your construction contacts and encourage your leadership to participate in these efforts to prevent future injuries and fatalities. To receive these toolbox talks, you can contact our Area Offices, Consultation Projects, or send us an email request at [email protected]. We appreciate your assistance and support with this campaign.  We encourage you to provide feedback which will assist us in promoting future efforts and evaluating our impact in the construction industry. All voluntary feedback may be sent to OSHA’s designated Focus 4 campaign account at [email protected].  We thank you for your part in bringing awareness to these preventable incidents.

Download links for Focus Four Toolbox Talks:

Focus_Four_Stats_CY-2020-1.png

Focus-Four-Tips-for-Trainer-2022-1.pdf

Toolbox-Talk-sign-sheet-format-2022-1.docx

FHWA_National_Work_Zone_Awareness_Week_Factsheet_2022-1.pdf

OSHA-FF-3616_Struck-By-fatality-2012-1.pdf

OSHA-3284-Quick-Card_Work-Zone-Traffic-Safety-2007-1.pdf

OSHA-3284_Quick-Card_Work-Zone-Quick-Card_ES-2007-Seguridad-del-trafico-en-las-zonas-de-trabajo-1.pdf

OSHA-Work_Zone_Traffic_Safety-Fact-Sheet-2005-1.pdf

Struck-by-Toolbox-Talk-6-head-protection-1.pdf

Struck-by-Toolbox-Talk-1-working-around-equipment-1.pdf

Struck-by-Toolbox-Talk-3-workzone-driving-1.pdf

Struck-by-Toolbox-Talk-2-incident-1.pdf

Struck-by-Toolbox-Talk-4-equip-and-objects-1.pdf

Struck-by-Toolbox-Talk-5-working-around-loads-1.pdf

Reduction of Work Related Injuries by 96%

 

 

Click to VIEW/DOWNLOAD/PRINT the PDF file:
Worker Exposure Risk to COVID-19.PDF