Saturday, December 26, 2015

Safety Training & Education - On the job tool box talks

Good construction site safety not only protects your company's assets, it also protects you, your tools, and your job. You are an important player in job site safety. The simplest of tasks such as: placing trash where it belongs, coiling up extension cords when they are not being used, and stacking lumber out of the way, may seem unimportant and unnecessary, until someone gets hurt.
[READ MORE]

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Friday, December 11, 2015

Cold - On the Job Tool Box Talks

Overview
When your body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may occur, and permanent tissue damage and death may result. Cold related illnesses can slowly overcome a person who has been chilled by low temperatures, brisk winds, or wet clothing.
Two of the most common cold related illnesses and injuries are frostbite and hypothermia. While frost bite is dangerous and can cause permanent injury, hypothermia is a medical emergency. If not handled properly, hypothermia can kill you.
Frost bite—What happens to your body?
Freezing in deep layers of skin and tissue; pale, waxy-white skin color; skin becomes hard and numb; usually affects the fingers, hands, toes, feet, ears, and nose.
Hypothermia—a medical emergency—What happens to your body?
Normal body temperature (98.6°F) drops to or below 95°F; fatigue or drowsiness; uncontrolled shivering; cool bluish skin; slurred speech; clumsy movements; irritable, irrational or confused behavior.
Things you can do to prevent difficulties from cold related illnesses and injuries
·          Recognize the weather conditions that could cause cold related illnesses and injuries.
·          Know the signs and symptoms of cold related illnesses/injuries and how to help yourself or a fellow worker.
·          Wear proper clothing for cold, wet, and windy conditions. Layer your clothing so you can adjust to changing temperatures. Wear a hat and gloves in addition to underwear that will keep water away from your skin (polypropylene).
·          Avoid exhaustion or fatigue. Energy is needed to keep your muscles warm.
·          Use the buddy system when working in cold conditions.
·          Drink warm, sweet beverages (sugar water, sports-type drinks). Avoid drinks with caffeine (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate) or alcohol. Eat warm, high-calorie foods like hot pasta dishes.
·          Take frequent short breaks in warm dry shelters to allow your body to warm up; work during the warmest part of the day.
You are at increased risk when you:
·          Have predisposing health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
·          Are in poor physical condition, have a poor diet, or are older.
·          Take certain medication (check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacy and ask if any medicines you are taking affect you while working in cold environments).
This information is provided by: Assurance Agency

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Safety Training & Education - On the job Tool Box Talks

Good construction site safety not only protects your company's assets, it also protects you, your tools, and your job. You are an important player in job site safety. The simplest of tasks such as: placing trash where it belongs, coiling up extension cords when they are not being used, and stacking lumber out of the way, may seem unimportant and unnecessary, until someone gets hurt.
 
 
Your employer is responsible for training you in the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of unsafe conditions and in the regulations applicable to your workplace. This training should allow you to better control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.

OSHA has listed some things you need to be specifically trained on. [READ MORE]

Download the full article.

This information is provided by: Assurance Agency.

Saturday, November 28, 2015

CSC Classes for December 2015



Cancelled - OSHA 10 Hour for Construction
Dec 1 - 2, 2015

#7500 Intro to Safety and Health Management - Call NSEC at 800-656-5317 to register
Wed, Dec 2, 2015

Hazard Communication: Globally Harmonized System of Classification & Labeling of Chemicals
Thu, December 3, 7:30am - 11:30am

2nd Annual Christmas Open House
Fri, December 4, 1pm - 4pm

buildsafe.org to register


Health Hazards in Construction
Sat, December 5, 7:30am - 11:30am

OSHA #510 - Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry- Call NSEC at 800-656-5317 to register
Mon, December 7, 7:30am - Thu, December 10, 4:00pm

ATSSA Flagger Training
Mon, December 7, 7:30am - 11:30am

OSHA 30 Hour in Construction, 4 day class
December 8, 10, 15, 17,  7:30am - 3:30pm

$99 Year-End Deal for American Heart Association First Aid/CPR/AED
Wed, December 9, 7:30am - 1:00pm

ATSSA Flagger Training
Sat, December 12, 7:30am - 11:30am

NFPA 70 E Hazards
Mon, December 14, 7:30am - 11:30am

Work Zone Safety, Temporary Traffic Control and MUTCD Hazard Awareness
Mon, December 14, 7:30am - 11:30am

Scaffold User/Erector Hazards
Tue, December 15, 7:30am - 3:30pm

Confined Space Entry
Wed, December 16, 7:30am - 3:30pm

Job Hazard Analysis
Fri, December 18, 7:30am - 11:30am

Signal Person Hazards for Cranes
Fri, December 18, 7:30am - 11:30am

Rigging Hazard Awareness
Fri, December 18, 12pm - 4pm

Excavation Safety for the Competent Person
Mon, December 21, 7:30am - 3:30pm

Fall Protection Safety for the Competent Person
Tue, December 22, 7:30am - 3:30pm

Register Online
Print the USPS Registration Form
View the Calendar

Friday, November 20, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving from the Construction Safety Council



Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you the best of everything always.

Wishing you the best from all of us at the Construction Safety Council.
Join us for our 2nd Annual Holiday Open House
Friday, December 4th, 2015 from 1pm - 4pm
Construction Safety Council
4415 West Harrison Street
Suite 404
Hillside, IL 60162
Please RSVP on our website at www.buildsafe.org
We hope to see you all there!

Gayla Hurson

Monday, November 9, 2015

New Budget Deal to Significantly Increase OSHA Fines for the First Time in Twenty-Five Years

Employers beware! The new bipartisan budget, passed by both the House and the Senate and signed by President Obama on November 2, 2015, contains provisions that will raise OSHA penalties for the first time in 25 years. The budget allows for an initial penalty “catch up adjustment,” which must be in place by August 1, 2016. The catch up adjustment is tied to the percentage difference between the October 2015 Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the October 1990 CPI.

Because the October 2015 CPI will not be available until November 17, 2015, the actual percentage increase is unknown at this time. However, based on recent CPI trends, the increase will likely be in the range of 70% - 80% over current penalty amounts. OSHA would be required to pass an interim final rulemaking to finalize the “catch up” increase.

Assuming an 80% catch up adjustment, starting in August 2016, new maximum penalties would be as follows:
• Other than Serious violations: $12,600
• Serious violations: $12,600
• Willful violations: $126,000
• Repeat violations: $126,000

After the initial catch up adjustment, OSHA will be required to implement annual cost of living increases, with the adjustment tied to the year over year percentage increase in the CPI. Adjustments must be made by mid-January each subsequent year.

OSHA has the option to implement a catch up adjustment less than the maximum if the Agency determines increasing penalties by the maximum amount would (1) have a “negative economic impact” or the social costs of the increase outweigh the benefits and (2) the Office of Management and Budget agrees. However, OSHA Chief Dr. David Michaels has long advocated for a substantial increase in penalties so it is difficult to envision the Agency seeking anything other than the maximum increase.

The changes in the budget go into effect on July 1, 2016, with the new penalties coming into effect by August 1, 2016. Such a large increase in penalties along with the yearly cost of living increases will require employers to change how they handle OSHA inspections and the financial ramifications of citations.

This information is provided by: Seyfarth Shaw LLP One Minute Memo® | November 3, 2015 ©2015 Seyfarth Shaw LLP. All rights reserved. “Seyfarth Shaw” refers to Seyfarth Shaw LLP (an Illinois limited liability partnership). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Mark Lies & James L. Curtis & Patrick Joyce, Seyfarth Shaw

Download the full article. http://toolboxtalks.coffeecup.com/CSC/151109OSHAFINES.pdf

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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

New data show rate of most serious work injuries unchanged; overall rate drops slightly



The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses*, released Oct. 29, shows that private industry employers reported nearly 3 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2014. While the incidence rate of total recordable cases fell slightly, the rates for cases involving days away from work and for cases of job transfer or restriction were unchanged. After reviewing the report, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels issued a statement on the need to better protect workers:

"Today's Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows that too many workers are still being injured or sickened on the job. Workplace injuries and illnesses have a devastating effect on workers, their families, and the businesses where they occur. These injuries and illnesses contribute to the pressing issue of income inequality: they force working families out of the middle class and into poverty, and keep the families of lower-wage workers from entering the middle class and achieving the American Dream."

 This information is provided by: OSHA.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Dr. Michaels testifies before Congress on OSHA's efforts to improve workplace safety and health



In testimony to the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections on Oct. 7, Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels described how, with limited resources, OSHA achieves its mission through a balanced approach of standards, compliance assistance, enforcement, outreach and whistleblower protection.

"We recognize that most employers want to keep their employees safe and make great efforts to protect them from workplace hazards," Dr. Michaels told the committee. "Our enforcement program specifically targets the most dangerous workplaces, where workers are most likely to be hurt on the job, and the most recalcitrant employers. For those employers who need technical assistance, we provide free on-site consultations to small employers, as well as other compliance assistance, educational materials and training."

Dr. Michaels also detailed challenges in addressing the changing structure of employment relationships, such as the dramatic increase in temporary workers in virtually every type of workplace. Unless properly managed, these structural employment changes greatly increase risks of injuries and illnesses among all the workers in these workplaces.

For details, see Dr. Michaels' testimony.

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