Arbill's Safer Every Day

’s

issue 3, volume 1, winter ’16

GET A GRIP ON HAND PROTECTION pg 16

EH&S Insight

Keys to Preventing Hand Injuries

pg 32

Workers’ Comp

REDUCE WORKPLACE INJURIES WITH PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

pg 50

Build An Effective Safety & Health Program

pg 24

5

pg 8

STEPS TO DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE GLOVE SAFETY PROGRAM

PLUS

Product reviews, calendar of safety events, & much more!

PROVIDES THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR EMPLOYEES SAFE

Learn more about Showa's full-line of winter hand protection @ Showagroup.com

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DUPONT™ TYVEK® 800 J YOU'RE COMFORTABLY PROTECTED. Providing a suitable protective barrier against many low-concentration, water-based, inorganic chemicals and particles, down to one micron in size, our new Tyvek® 800 J coverall offers an optimum fit with full freedom of movement. Developed to our highest standards, it is soft, comfortable and lightweight without compromising durability. In a Tyvek® 800 J, you’re comfortably protected. To order the Tyvek® 800 J coverall, or any of DuPont’s safety-related products, contact your Arbill representative or call 800-523-5367.

CONTENT

Arbill’s Safer Every Day issue 3 , volume 1 winter 2016

PUBLISHER

A R B I L L’ S S A F E R E V E RY D AY M A G A Z I N E | W I N T E R 2 0 1 6

Julie Copeland

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Robyn Zlotkin

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF David Gerhardt

MANAGING EDITOR John Sitarski

ART DIRECTOR Julie Lazarus

ADVERTISING SALES Bill Gabriele

ADVERTISING DESIGN Amanda Rouda

12 08 PPE Hazard Assessments Impact of OSHA’s new guidelines

44 OSHA By The Numbers Think you know OSHA? Put your knowledge to the test

16 Get a Grip on Hand Protection Steps to develop an effective hand safety program

46 Cost of New Labor Market

24 Reduce Workplace Injuries With Predictive Analytics Make the shift to proactive injury prevention 32 EH&S Insight: Keys to Prevent

Regulations

Review a study done by NAM on the impact of regulations 50 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Is it really work related?

Hand Injuries

54 Combat the Cold Strategies to Prevent Cold Weather Injuries

36 Arbill Around and About Spreading the word about workplace safety

56 Safety Calendar Every safety event, conference or tradeshow worth attending

38 Product Reviews New and innovative products to keep your workers safe

06 Letter from Arbill’s CEO

Take a comprehensive approach to hand protection

COVER PHOTO

Thomas Converse Safer Every Day is published four times a year by Arbill Industries, Inc. At Arbill, we envision a future in which every worker makes it home safely, every day. Working together, we WILL reduce injuries in the workplace.

Arbill knows that maintaining a diverse and talented network of suppliers makes good business sense as they bring innovation, flexibility and enhanced opportunities for our business and theirs.

Moreover, as a women owned company, Arbill understands the challenges of, and staunchly supports, diverse companies. For more information on becoming a member of Arbill’s diverse supplier network, contact Robert J. Murphy, CPSM, at rmurphy@arbill.com.

GET IN TOUCH

We welcome your content suggestions, feedback and Letters To The Publisher. To submit your comments and suggestions, click here.

ADVERTISE

If you would like to reach more than 50,000 professionals who are interested in safety, safety products, safety training and safety programs, contact Bill Gabriele at 215-501-8208.

Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 5

Letter from Arbill’s CEO

WELCOME!

O

ON BEHALF OF ARBILL, I well you think you know safety topics. want to welcome you to Also be sure to check out our calendar our third issue of Safer of upcoming safety-related events.

While we have a vision as to what Every Day. Just as our mission promises, Safer this magazine should look like and Every Day is back to procontain, your needs, as the reader vide practical information to help you are most important. That said, your keep your employees safe. suggestions for future content, Letters to the Editor, and constructive This issue will focus on the hand JULIE COPEL AND and provide you with tips and feedback are greatly appreciated.

Twitter: @arbill insights to get a better grip on hand To share your thoughts, click here to protection. In addition to informaaccess our suggestions page. tive full-length articles, this release Safer Every Day is designed to be includes product reviews, insight on workers’ an essential component of your company’s safety compensation best practices, and the reveal of program. I look forward to your input and hope Vantage Predictive Analytics, Arbill’s revolution- you utilize all of the benefits of this quarter’s issue. ary new software that will help you predict and prevent workplace injuries.

Have a safe day!

Nicole Sheets will offer her expert perspectives Regards, on EH&S-related issues and we will provide you with content specifically for those in the military and government who are concerned about safety.

Julie Copeland While you’re reading, try testing yourself with our “OSHA by the Numbers” statistics quiz, to see how CEO, Arbill

3 THINGS YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS ISSUE

1

Get a Grip on Hand Protection Keys to develop an effective hand safety program to protect your employees

6 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

2

Reduce Workplace Injuries with Predictive Analytics See how new technology can help you predict and prevent injuries

3

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Ways to determine the true cause of repetitive stress injuries

Building an Effective Safety & Health Management Program Exploring Hazard Identification, Assessment, Prevention and Control with OSHA’s new guidlines. // BY JOHN E. GARBER, JR., CSP, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

BACKGROUND Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, Dr. David Michaels, recently announced the release of the updated Guidelines for Safety and Health Management Programs. This is the first time the guidelines have been updated since 1989, and the purpose of the updated guidelines is to provide a flexible framework for employers to utilize in developing and implementing an effective safety and health management program. While the guidelines are advisory in nature and do not establish new regulatory requirements for employers, the framework places emphasis on the importance of a proactive rather than reactive approach to safety

8 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Building an effective and strong safety and health management program is key to success!

Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 9

EFFECTIVE SAFETY MANAGMENT HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS: DO WE USE PPE FIRST? As safety professionals, we should continually measure, manage and mitigate risks within the workplace. The objective is to establish a workplace safety culture which believes safety is an important investment toward preventing injuries, illnesses, fatalities and recognizes the resultant financial impact these investments have on an organization. Top organizations address safety proactively, rather than waiting for an injury or illness to occur.

To be proactive, you must have SOURCE: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION: THE NATIONAL a process in place which reINSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH) quires const ant worksite evaluation. m a n a g e m e n t t h r o u g h w h i ch , i m p r o v e d There is a tendency for organizations to first compliance can be achieved. Reactionary focus on the implementation of personal protecsafety measures (a.k.a blood cycle safety tive equipment (PPE) to protect workers. management) expose an organization to However, when we complete an evaluation of increased costs, litigation and non-compliance. workplace hazards, there is a hierarchy of conThere are seven (7) core elements to the trols we must consider. This hierarchy repreupdated guidelines. The central theme of the sents a fundamental method all safety profesnew guidelines is one of continuous sionals should follow when exploring solutions improvement (see chart to the right). to correct identified hazards. If we quickly resort

7 CORE ELEMENTS

[1]

[2]

MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP

WORKER PARTICIPATION

[3]

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT

Proactive safety processes involve effective hazard analysis. Accordingly, assessment, prevention and control with an emphasis on personal

10 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

t pr

to requiring the use of PPE, we miss an opportunity to address other elements within the hierarchy. During an OSHA compliance inspection or a risk control survey by your workers’ compensation safety representative, you could be questioned on whether you followed the hierarchy of controls and if alternative means to controlling the hazard were considered before assigning personal protective equipment.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed a helpful model to visualize the most effective approaches to the least effective approaches to hazard control. As noted in the illustration, we should first attempt to eliminate or substitute the hazard. The initial step in the process is considered prevention through design. This could be a simple design change or modification to materials or equipment. If this is not feasible, we move to the next step in the process, engineering controls.

An engineering control is viewed more favorably than an administrative control or PPE. The reason is engineering controls (e.g. machine safeguarding, source point ventilation, enclosures, process controls) are designed to remove the hazard at the source. An effective engineering control may eliminate the need for administrative and PPE approaches to controlling hazards.

If engineering controls are not feasible and administrative controls have been developed

and implemented with a workers’ continued exposure to injury or illness, we then require the use of PPE. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) HAZARD ANALYSIS OSHA’s standards for the selection and use of personal protective equipment are located in Subpart I of the General Industry Standards, 29 CFR 1910.

SUBPART I CONSIST OF: n General requirements §1910.132 n Eye

and face Protection §1910.133

n Respiratory n Head n Foot

protection §1910.134

protection §1910.135

protection §1910.136

n Electrical

protective equipment §1910.137

n Hand

protection §1910.138

n Appendix

A and B Non-mandatory compliance guidelines

Concerning hazard assessments, §§1910.132(d)(1) – (d)(1)(iii) states “The em-

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

PROGRAM EVALUATION AND IMPROVEMENT

COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION FOR

HOST EMPLOYERS, CONTACTORS AND STAFFING AGENCIES

this article will focus on a combination of two core elements involving hazard identification, rotective equipment hazard assessments.

Reactionary safety measures expose an organization to increased costs, litigation and non-compliance.

ployer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitates the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall: select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identi12 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

fied in the hazard assessment; communicate selection decisions to each affected employee; and select PPE that properly fits each affected employee.” Further, in §1910.132(d)(2), “The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that

EFFECTIVE SAFETY MANAGMENT

the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.” Thus, even after we determine engineering controls are not feasible and administrative controls have been implemented we still need to document a hazard analysis as part of our hazard identification, assessment and control process to determine the most appropriate type(s) of PPE to be considered.

OSHAs Enforcement Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment in General Industry, CPL 02-01-050, directs Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) to issue a violation of §1910.132(d)(2) when a written hazard assessment was not completed. Another way to think about this is if you have PPE in the workplace and do not have a supporting hazard assessment per §1910.132(d)(2), you face a potential citation and penalty.

Being proactive means reasonable anticipation of risk, assessing risks and implementing effective means to control those risks. In the context of PPE, a regularly scheduled assessment process should be included in your safety management program. We can observe a recurring theme that hazards must be identified through a formal process, assessed for their potential to result in injury, and implement effective controls. When we get to the phase of assessing for PPE use, a written assessment must be completed. It is not only best practice, it also follows OSHA’s new guidelines, satisfies a compliance obligation, and provides documentation to support investing in PPE. Let’s take a look at a simple application to a common workplace risk – hand injuries.

HAND PROTECTION : MOST EXPENSIVE Annually, there are thousands of workers across

various industries who suffer serious and debilitating hand injuries. Injuries to the hand can be complex and include punctures, chemical burns, severe cuts and lacerations that are not easily healed. Many states’ workers’ compensation statutes list hand injuries as being covered as a permanent partial disability benefit, which is one of the most expensive category of cases. Many of these injuries can be prevented through effective hazard analysis, selection and use of appropriate hand PPE. HAZARD ANALYSIS: WHAT TO INCLUDE The written hazard analysis should be completed pursuant to §§1910.132(d)(1) – (d)(2).

According to CPL 02-01-050, CSHOs shall determine compliance by employers with hand protection requirements using §1910.138(a).

The employer must select and require affected employees to use appropriate hand protection when their hands are exposed to hazards such as, skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts or lacerations, severe abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, harmful temperature extremes and sharp objects.

The interesting thing to note is that CPL 0201-050 states each affected employee who faces possible injury of any kind that cannot be completely eliminated through engineering, work practice or administrative controls (refer to the hierarchy of controls) must wear appropriate hand protection while performing their jobs.

WHEN CONDUCTING THE HAZARD ANALYSIS, IT SHOULD INCLUDE: n Description of the task(s) and job categories affected n Hazard

type (e.g. thermal burns; chemical burns, lacerations, penetration)

EFFECTIVE SAFETY MANAGMENT n Estimated

injury risk (low, medium, high)

n Body

part exposed to hazards (e.g. hands)

n Prior

injury or complaints

n PPE

required

n PPE

description, and

n Other

controls needed

In this example, once you assess the hazard to hand injuries and the hazard type, you can determine the best type of hand protection for the identified hazard. For example, you may need to require the use of a certain type of glove including, natural rubber, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Nitrile, Neoprene, Cotton, Wire mesh, Kevlar, Welding Leather, or other type.

Once the analysis is completed, it should include a statement of certification with the name, date and signature of the person(s) completing the inspection. Following the assessment, affected individuals should be assigned the PPE corresponding to the hazard type and be properly trained on, when the PPE is necessary and what PPE is necessary.

Additionally, employees should be trained on how to properly wear and adjust the identified PPE, understand the limitations and review the proper care and maintenance.

It is important to remember that not all gloves

are created equal. You should review Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and consult with your PPE equipment supplier to verify the most appropriate hand protection for the hazard. Improper selection is as bad as no protection.

FINAL THOUGHTS A workplace safety and health management program is not only good for compliance purposes; it is essential to effective risk management which in turn, safeguards the financial stability of the business. We have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy work environment. Having a formal, documented hazard identification, assessment, prevention and control process is one of several core elements in a proactive, continuous improvement process. This process must be supported through management leadership, worker involvement and collaboration, communication, education, and training with regular program evaluation and monitoring.

Personal protective equipment needs to be considered following a systematic evaluation of exposures using the hierarchy of controls. While we may not begin with PPE as a primary source of hazard control, we will typically determine that PPE must be provided as part of a holistic approach to meeting our obligations to provide a safe and healthy work environment.

This article is for informational purposes only and is based on sources believed to be reliable. It is not to be considered legal advice.

JOHN E. GARBER, JR. John Garber is Managing Director and Practice Leader at KMRD Partner, Inc., an award winning risk management and human capital solutions firm. He has over 26 years overseeing risk management and human capital programs for organizations with varying ranges of sophistication. This includes growth oriented middle market and publicly traded organizations as well as global enterprises. A graduate of Saint Joseph’s and Villanova University, he is a Board Certified Safety Professional, certified Senior Professional in Human Resources and Senor Certified Profession by the Society for Human Resources Management. He can be reached at jgarber@kmrdpartners.com.

14 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

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Hand injuries can be serious and costly for both employees and employers.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 250,000 serious injuries to fingers, hands and wrists each year. Hand injuries are the second most injured body part that leads to days away from work (back injuries are number one) with an average of 6 lost work days per year.

Get a Grip on Hand

Protection // B Y J O H N S I T A R S K I

Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 17

HAND INJURY

Work-related hand and wrist injuries amount to $740 million per year in emergency room costs and the average hand injury claim has exceeded $6,000, with individual workers’ compensation claims reaching nearly $7,500, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and National Safety Council.

Hands are two of the most valuable and widely used tools in the workplace and proper protection is essential to ensure they remain safe from on-the-job hazards. When developing your glove safety program there are five important steps you must take: 1

Perform a Proper PPE Hazard Analysis

Know the different types of gloves for each specific job 2

Ensure gloves fit properly and that employees are wearing them correctly 3

CHEMICAL EXPOSURE: Use chemical resistant gloves as recommended by SDS. Consider the type of chemical, duration of contact and the area requiring protection.

DULL EDGES, SPLINTERS, ETC Leather KNIVES Kevla, steel mesh, Dyneema gloves TEMPERATURE EXTREMES - HEAT: Leather glvoes, Kevlar glvoes, welder’s glvoes TEMPERATURE EXTREMES - COLD: Leather glvoes, insulated gloves BLOOD: Disposable chemical gloves PRODUCT CONTAMINATION: Low lint, nylon or disposable gloves ANIMAL BITES: Leather

Inspect gloves and perform proper maintenance

EXPOSURE TO ELECTRICAL CURRENT: Electrical protective gloves / insulated rubber gloves

Stay up to date on changing standards and regulations

SHARP TOOLS, MACHINE PARTS ETC.: Cut resistant gloves

PPE HAZARD ANALYSIS n important step in proper glove selection is to perform a proper PPE hazard analysis. This analysis determines which hazards exist in your facility and helps determine which gloves are necessary for the specific risks your employees face. When selecting the proper glove be sure to consider grip requirements, size and comfort and abrasion/resistance requirements.

Below is a list of some basic hazards to use when conducting your hazard analysis.

MATERIAL HANDLING: Leather gloves, mechanics gloves

4

5

A

18 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

ROUGH OBJECTS: General purpose work gloves, leather gloves Reassessment of the workplace should be conducted when new equipment or processes are introduced that could create new or additional hazards. Once the analysis is completed it should include a statement of certification with the name, date and signature of the person(s) completing the inspection. If necessary, new

training must be completed and accident records should be reviewed to determine the suitability of previously selected PPE. DIFFERENT TYPES OF GLOVES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS hen it comes to choosing a safety glove, there is much to consider and it is important to remember that no single glove can protect against all hazards or substances.

Gloves are designed to protect hands from specific hazards and it is essential that employers and employees know which gloves are suitable for their tasks. Proper glove selection is important to remain compliant with OSHA and to protect workers from injury.

Innovations in glove materials and technology have resulted in the creation of a wide variety of gloves that can be used in many different ways.

There are gloves designed to resist chemicals, protect from cuts, guard against electric shock and other hazards. Gloves made to protect from the cold

W

and heat and reinforced coated gloves for added protection and other applications.

Below is a breakdown of the different types of gloves and their capabilities.

CHEMICAL /LIQUID RESISTANT GLOVES: Several types of gloves help protect against specific chemicals. In order for gloves to be completely chemical or liquid proof versus just chemical and liquid resistant the gloves must be fully coated.

NATURAL LATEX/RUBBER GLOVES: Glove that protects against water solutions or acids, alkalis, salts and ketones. Although these gloves offer permeation resistance they will blister when in contact with petroleum based products. Latex gloves can be manufactured to increase the gripping surface and because they are inexpensive they can be disposable if necessary.

Wearing any glove reduces the risk of hand injury by 27 percent, according to OSHA. NITRILE RUBBER GLOVES: Resists grease, oil and other petroleum-based products BUTYL RUBBER GLOVES – Protects against nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and peroxide.

NEOPRENE GLOVES – Offer excellent chemical resistant properties including protection from hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols and organic aids. These gloves are often thicker and heavier.

CUT-RESISTANT GLOVES – Used when workers are at risk to be sliced or cut by equipment or products being handled. Some of the types of cut-resistant materials include Kevlar, Dyneema, Dyneema Diamond, metal or mesh. Kevlar and Dyneema can be blended with Lycra to provide a form fitting glove and are coated to ensure a safer grip.

ELECTRICAL HAZARD GLOVES – These gloves should be used at all times when working on general electric equipment and provide added protection against electrical shocks. Electrical hazard gloves are rated by section 70E of the NFPA and are classified based on the amount of voltage that a worker might be exposed to.

COTTON AND FABRIC GLOVES – These can keep hands clean and protect against abrasions, but may not be strong enough to handle work with rough or sharp materials.

LEATHER PALM GLOVES – Provide protection against abrasion and puncture hazards and are made of durable cotton or canvas with leather palms and fingers.

COLD RESISTANT GLOVES - These gloves keep hands warm when dealing with wet and cold conditions and often have different types of lining inside the glove: 20 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

ACRYLIC – Provides warmth and insulation FLEECE – A brushed cotton lining that provides warmth and comfort FOAM – A synthetic foam padding liner for flexibility and fit in the cold PILE – A synthetic wool liner for durability and a little extra warmth THINSULATE – A micro fiber insulation for exceptional warmth even when damp HEAT RESISTANT GLOVES – These gloves are flame resistant, high heat resistant, convection heat resistant or all three. Lower heat resistant gloves are made with terry cloth similar to kitchen towels or pot holders. More advanced heat resistant gloves contain Kevlar blends, aluminized properties and newer technology such as carbon x fibers.

WELDING GLOVES – Made of leather, commonly available in MIG and stick models. A special feature of these gloves is welted seams sewn with Kevlar fibers, which are five times stronger than steel and flame heat resistant.

HIGH-VISIBILITY GLOVES – These gloves provide increased visibility and are available in safety orange or lime colors and come in day or nighttime versions. The nighttime versions have retro-reflective patches or elements to reflect light.

MECHANICS GLOVES – (used by workers other than mechanics as well) Made of hybrid and composite materials, including leather, synthetic leather, and other materials. These gloves are thin which allows for high dexterity and are very durable with a variety of versions and looks available.

IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THE PROPER GLOVE FIT AND USE fter the gloves have been selected and hazards have been identified it is important to get employees involved in the process and let them test out the gloves for themselves. If workers believe that the gloves slow them down or are uncomfortable they will be less likely to wear them. In fact, 70 percent of workers who experienced hand injuries were not wearing gloves and those injured who did wear gloves were either not wearing the proper glove or wearing it incorrectly.

Wearing the proper glove is one of the most effective hand protection safety programs a company can have. In fact, wearing any glove reduces the risk of hand injury by 27 percent, according to OSHA. This stat illustrates the importance of ensuring the proper fit. To do this you should take the time to measure new employee’s hands for gloves and measure again whenever safety gloves are replaced. To find the correct size use a tape measure (in inches) and measure the width of your dominant hand from the base of your fist finger and across your knuckles. Use a sizing table if needed to translate between letter (S, M, L, XL) and numbers as manufacturers use both to indicate size. (see charts below) In addition to identifying the proper size, it is

A

important for employees to try on the gloves and see how they feel. If the glove feels cumbersome or decreases dexterity or is too constrictive and causes perspiration it is not the correct fit.

Properly fitted work gloves should feel comfortable while allowing for maximum dexterity without compromising protection. When gloves fit properly employees become comfortable wearing them and are less likely to find excuses not to wear them.

REGULARLY INSPECT AND PERFORM PROPER GLOVE MAINTENANCE nce the proper fit has been determined and the correct glove has been selected it is important to perform regular inspections to avoid glove failure. In some cases, gloves will only last for a few days (varies depending on the type of glove and material) and cleaning certain types of gloves is not always practical or cost effective.

If gloves can be cleaned it is important that the laundering process removes all contaminants while maintaining the integrity of the gloves.

Another way to prevent glove failure is to use a change out schedule which minimizes overuse of a single pair of gloves. Inspections should take place prior to gloves being used and they should be immediately replaced if any damage or degradation is found.

O

MEN’S SIZES

WOMEN’S SIZES

SIZE

INCH

CM

SIZE

INCH

CM

XS

7

18

XS

6

15

S

7½ - 8

20

S

6½

16½

M

8½ - 9

23

M

7

18

L

9½ - 10

25

L

7½

19

XL

10½ - 11

28

XL

8

20

XXL

11½ - 12

30

XXL

8½

23 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 21

HAND INJURY STAY UP TO DATE ON CHANGING STANDARDS nother area employers and employees must stay up to date on are changing standards and regulations from OSHA and other regulatory bodies. It is important to understand what is required in order to remain compliant while also protecting employees.

One recent example is the updated changes to the ANSI Cut Level scale. The new method for establishing cut levels in the United States is called ASTM F2992-15. This method provides expanded classification levels and has established a 9-level scale. This new scale is expressed as A1-A9 and covers 0-6,000 grams and higher of cut resistance.

These new levels are more specific than the former guide and provide additional details. The updates are designed to help PPE buyers identify

A

the correct level of cut resistance for their needs.

PUTTING TOGETHER A PROPER GLOVE SAFETY PROGRAM s you can see there are many factors to consider when putting together an effective glove safety program. First perform a PPE hazard analysis to identify hazards in your workplace. Secondly, understand the types of gloves available and their proper use. Third ensure the gloves selected are the proper fit and are worn correctly. Once gloves are in use, regularly inspect them to protect against glove failure. Lastly, stay up to date on changing standards and regulations to ensure compliance.

For a full selection of quality hand protection click here and for more information on PPE training and assessments click here.

A

BREAKDOWN OF OLD ANSI CUT LEVEL VS. NEW ANSI CUT LEVEL ANSI/ISEA 105 (2005/2011)

ANSI/ISEA 105 (2005/2011)

WEIGHT (GRAMS) NEED TO CUT THRU MATERIAL:

WEIGHT (GRAMS) NEED TO CUT THRU MATERIAL: ASTM F2992/F2992M-15 (20 MM OF BLADE TRAVEL)

NEW CUT LEVEL RATING

0

<200

N/A

N/A N/A

1

>200

>200

1 A1

2

<500

>500

2 A2

3

>1000

>1000

3 A3

4

>1500

>1500

3 A4

5

>3500

>2200

3 A5

N/A

N/A

>3000

N/A A6

N/A

N/A

>4000

N/A A7

N/A

N/A

>5000

N/A A8

N/A

N/A

>6000

N/A A9

OLD CUT LEVEL RATING

22 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

ASTM F1790-97 OR ASTM F1790-05

A20712 (1-6) Flame Resistant Jacket

Heat Miser

This 100% cotton flame retardant jacket is ideal for light welding applications. Designed to self-extinguish when exposed to flame this jacket will not melt and will maintain flame resistance for up to 50 home or 25 commercial washings. 30” length with a hemmed collar, inside pocket and button snap closure. Sizes range from S–3XL.

Consistent with our mission to reduce incidents by developing the most innovative, appealing

and best performing workplace safety products, Truline is ready to help you have your safest winter ever. For information on ordering any of Truline’s more than 800 quality safety products, including our winter glove series, contact A20755x (2-8) Protective Clothing / Vest

Blaze 110

The Blaze 110 tested to ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 is designed to keep your workers safe from a distance. A 5 point breakaway style ensures workers are not snagged or caught in machinery for ultimate protection.

3 inside pockets and a mic tab make this a versatile yet lightweight vest. Size ranges rom Medium- 4x.

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Safely Leading the World at Work

Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 23

24 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

REDUCE WORKPLACE INJURIES WITH

PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS // B Y D A V I D G E R H A R D T

WHAT IS PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS? While the notion of predictive analytics may seem like a topic for a dissertation of an MIT grad student, the reality is that predictive analytics is already a part of your life – you just don’t notice it.

Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 25

TODAY, Netflix determines what movies/shows you are likely

to enjoy, eHarmony selects your ideal life mate, Healthcare organizations identify patients at risk of developing various diseases and credit card companies determine your propensity to file for bankruptcy. Predictive analytics is here and it is about to get more pervasive.

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO RISK MANAGEMENT?

HINDSIGHT IS A WONDERFUL THING BUT FORESIGHT IS BETTER, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SAVING LIVES, OR SOME PAIN. –

william blake

26 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Well, as your company’s Safety or EH&S Director, what if you had a system to “predict” the future? And what if that system alerted you to those employees who are at an elevated risk of injury. What would you do with this information? Would you intervene or alert others to take steps to prevent these injuries from occurring? Of course you would.

The problem is you can’t predict the future. However, with the right analytic tools, you can greatly increase the likelihood of accurately anticipating what will happen.

At Safer Every Day, we reviewed a number of services that claim to use predictive analytics to reduce workplace injuries. However, upon closer examination, most fall short of their claims. But one system stands out, Vantage Predictive Analytics (a service of Arbill).

Vantage combines sophisticated analytics with an intuitive user interface that provides users with sim-

ple-to-use, immediately actionable, insights, BEFORE an injury occurs.

Before delving into Vantage, let’s take a couple of steps back and describe what predictive analytics is.

Predictive analytics is the branch of advanced analytics used to make predictions about unknown future events. Predictive analytics uses many techniques including data mining, statistical modeling, machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze current and historical data as part of its calculations to provide in-

sights into what might happen.

Predictive Analytic systems model reality and determine patterns found in data that can be used to identify risks or future opportunities. As it relates to workplace safety, when these models are properly constructed, a composite score can be derived that is an indicator of the level of risk for injury for each employee.

The power of predictive analytics is that it allows organizations to gain deeper insights earlier on and this in turn allows them to take a (continued on page 29)

IT IS A MANAGER’S PRINCIPAL TASK TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT KEEPS EMPLOYEES SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE. –

hein onkenhout , senior consultant, vantage predictive analytics

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS WORKPLACE SAFETY SYSTEM? DOES THE SYSTEM LOOK AT OBJECTIVE OR SUBJECTIVE DATA?

There are plenty of systems that provide electronic recordings of inspection data and other observations. The quality of this type of data is hard to ensure because it relies on an inspector’s observation making it inherently subjective. A system that looks at objective data, can provide deeper insights. This type of data includes historical injury statistics, HR and other system data and environmental data from sensors and other inputs.

Vantage Predictive Analytics is an example of a system that uses a combination of objective leading indicators, taken from a variety of disparate sources, to create a unified picture of the risk of injury at the employee level. Moreover, by removing the subjectivity of observations, all employees and departments are measured against the same standard. This in turn makes the results more accurate across the entire organization.

CAN THE SYSTEM TRACK MULTIPLE INDICATORS? Indicators, also known as tracking factors, are those attributes that an analytics system monitors. Some systems can track only one indicator or may focus on just a handful of indicators.

This does not provide the full

picture as there can be multiple leading indicators that provide insight into potential injury risks.

These indicators include historical and current employee data, behavioral factors, along with environmental information such as heat, gas, noise, etc. A system that can track multiple indicators has the advantage. Vantage, for example, can simultaneously track up to 12 indicators.

IS THE SYSTEM EASY TO USE THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION?

Being able to identify potential risks of injury is powerful, but it is useless if the system is difficult to use or navigate. The system should provide an intuitive interface that allows you to drill down to a specific location, office, or employee. It should use an easy-to-understand set of pointers or signals that identify where there is increased risk for injury throughout your organization.

Vantage, for example, uses an organizational chart as the navigational tool, combined with contextual clues provided by colors and risk scores. Vantage makes it easy for users to identify the hot spots within the company and where interventions are needed.

CAN THE SYSTEM BE TAILORED TO YOUR BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY? To truly assess risk in your or-

ganization you need a system that can be customized to your industry, and also to the specific risks that lead to injuries within your company. Different industries may weigh risks or indicators differently depending on the type of work, hazards that are present, or the environment in which work is performed. In short, you do not want something that is “one size fits all.”

Instead, like Vantage, you need a system that can be customized to meet the intricacies of your company.

CAN THE SYSTEM DETECT RISK DOWN TO THE EMPLOYEE LEVEL?

Many systems provide an overall view or may be able to highlight elevated risk at the location level. While this information is helpful it does not contain sufficient detail. Being able to drill down to the employee level, as Vantage does, and identify potential at-risk employees enables you to intervene before an incident happens.

DOES THE SYSTEM COME WITH EXTENSIVE SUPPORT, TRAINING AND GUIDANCE?

Implementing a predictive analytics system is a great first step in preventing injuries within your organization. But to create a holistic strategy you need

proactive approach rather than a reactive one.

to do more. The team you work with should not just have the technology expertise to effectively implement the system. They should also be able to provide industry expertise, human capital know-how and senior management experience.

They should help you develop and customize the solution to your needs while also providing intervention and training insights for when risk arises. It is not enough to just identify risk, you need to know how to intervene and have a plan to help those employees who may be at higher risk for injury.

Combining the technology with proven intervention techniques creates a powerful and effective injury prevention program.

Vantage recognized early on that once an at-risk employee is identified, a new set of issues have to be dealt with – who is going to perform the intervention?

Do they have the bandwidth? What training do they have to assure a positive outcome? To address these issues, Vantage offers a comprehensive approach, which can include consulting support by a team of experts.

CAN PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS HELP REDUCE WORKPLACE INJURIES?

Just as healthcare companies and banks use predictive analytics to identify risk, so can companies looking to identify the risk of injuries within their organizations. Predictive analytics is on the rise and should be a vital part of your safety program.

While some organizations have begun taking a proactive or predictive approach to injury prevention, many organizations still limit themselves by using reactive tactics. They rely on lagging indicators, that report after the fact rather than warn before an injury occurs. For example, lagging indicators could be the month-end reporting of how many injuries and what type of injury occurred.

This type of reporting and analysis can describe what happened after the fact, but it cannot help prevent injuries.

Using predictive models allow organizations to develop leading indicators that aide in identifying the likelihood of where and when the chance for the next injury will happen. These systems take disparate data from many sources and integrate them into a unified model. This unified model, like what is produced by the Vantage system, allows companies to

COMPANIES THAT RELY ON STATIC SURVEYS AND REARVIEW LOOKBACKS TO IMPROVE WORKPLACE SAFETY MISS THE MORE SUBTLE SIGNS OF ELEVATED RISK AND RELY ON MANAGERS TO DETECT PROBLEMS EARLY AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION. THIS HIT AND MISS APPROACH NOT ONLY RELIES ON SUBJECTIVE AND LAGGING DATA, BUT DOES NOT APPRECIATE THAT THE MANAGER MAY BE THE SOURCE OF THE RISK. –

dr . mory framer , senior consultant , vantage predictive analytics Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 29

BY SYSTEMATICALLY MONITORING AND INTELLIGENTLY INTERPRETING OBJECTIVE EMPLOYEE INDICATORS WE CAN HIGHLIGHT “HOT SPOTS” AND INTERVENE BEFORE THE SMOKE BECOMES A FIRE. –

dr . mory framer

30 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

identify trends and problem areas within the organization before incidents happen.

Making the switch from a reactive to a proactive prevention approach is a must for leaders who are serious about keeping their employees safe. This approach not only has a positive effect on employee morale, but also helps reduce costs. As the cost of injuries increases, addressing the financial impact is becoming a priority for forward thinking companies. Why? Because not doing so is expensive. According to OSHA, the average injury cost (direct and indirect costs) is about $100,000 - with the direct cost of a fatality more than $900,000.

In addition to these costs is the possibility of increased fines by OSHA. In August 2016, OSHA raised the maximum penalty for violations by 78%. This increased the maximum penalty for serious violations from $7,000 to $12,471 per violation and from $70,000 to $124,709 for repeated violations.

Beginning in 2017 OSHA will also require employers to electronically submit a summary of injuries and illnesses which will be made accessible to the public.

With the increase in fines, new regulations, and increasing costs of injuries, it is imperative for organizations to invest in creating and maintaining a safer workplace. Taking a

proactive approach to injury prevention will not only reduce your safety spend and insurance premiums, but more importantly, it will increase employee safety. Now is the time to invest in protecting the most important assets you have, your people.

REACTIVE VS. PROACTIVE APPROACH TO INJURY PREVENTION The shift from reactive to proactive

injury prevention is not an easy change, but it is a necessary one.

As fines and the costs of injuries continue to rise it is important for organizations to invest in technology that can help them identify injuries and perform the proper interventions.

This technology should be easy to use, yet compile and aggregate objective data points, track multiple leading indicators and provide a holistic view of risk throughout the entire organization. It should also be customizable to specific job and industry risk factors and identify risk down to the employee level. Lastly, the team behind the technology should provide industry expertise and implement intervention and training strategies.

For more information on Vantage Predictive Analytics, click here to watch a short video and learn more about the service, features and benefits. If you would like to speak with a Vantage expert, click here to schedule a no obligation consultation.

TAP TO WATCH A VIDEO SEE HOW VANTAGE CAN HELP YOU REDUCE INJURIES

Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 31

GETTING

Safety A HANDLE ON HAND

K EYS TO P R EVE NTI N G HAN D I NJ U RI ES

W

HEN YOU JUMPED ONLINE (BLS) reports, “The average hand injury claim has now to read this article, chances are exceeded $6,000, with each lost-time workers’ comyou didn’t have to stop and think pensation claim reaching nearly $7,500.” According about how you were going to navito the National Safety Council, stitches can cost up to gate your keyboard. What about $2,000, lacerations can cost up to $10,000 and repairwhen you buttoned your shirt, ate your breakfast or ing a severed tendon can exceed $70,000. picked up your car keys this morning? Probably not.

The indirect costs to busineesses can add up to A hand injury can make the multitude of tasks that we 4.5 Times the direct costs and can include training take for granted a serious, if not impossible, challenge. replacement workers, increased insurance rates, lost Maybe for the short term, or perhaps, permanently. productivity, paying overtime, administrative costs of According to the Safety and Health Council of North accident investigations, legal fees and OSHA citations.

Carolina, the five most common hand injuries in the OSHA’s “Safety Pays Program” presents cost estiworkplace include lacerations (63%), crushes (13%), mates (and even provides a cost calculator) for many avulsions or detachments (8%), punctures (6%) and of the indirect costs that employers often overlook when determining an injuries effect on the bottom fractures (5%). In the manufacturing environment, hand line. Based on workers’ compensation insurance injuries generally result from physical or chemical hazdata, the following relationards and result in burns, bruises, abrasions, cuts, punctures, fracships between direct and indiDIRECT COSTS INDIRECT COST tures, amputations and chemirect costs were found. (char to OF INJURIES RATIO cal exposures to the hand. And the left) as the weather gets colder, outWhile hand injuries are com4.5 $0 - $2,999 door workers will have to conmon and costly, they are also 1.6 $3,000 - $4,999 tend with cold weather hazards PREVENTABLE. By developsuch as frostbite. ing a proper workplace hand1.2 $5,000 - $9,999 Hand injuries are painful and safety program you can ensure 1.1 $10,000 or more come with high costs, both the safety of your employees personally and financially. The and prevent these life-altering click here for more information U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics injuries.

32 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 33

HAND SAFETY

5 Keys to Preventing Hand Injuries

Most hand injuries can be prevented by wearing proper gloves and using safe, well thought out work practices.

1. Evaluate injury trends 2. Perform a Hazard Assessment 3. Determine proper PPE 4. Implement a Training Program 5. Communicate & build awareness EVALUATE INJURY TRENDS The first step is to review your companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accident and injury records to detect trends and patterns.

Questions to ask include; What types of injuries happen most frequently (e.g. cuts from box cutters) and in what areas of the facility do injuries occur most (e.g. Shipping)? If there is a trend, it is likely that something needs to change. The question is, what? Are the injuries related to improper tool or equipment handling, lack of proper glove use, or chemical exposures? Have we trained employees on the hazards of the tasks and how to avoid such accidents from happening?

Conducting this analysis enables you to gain a fuller understanding of the types and causes 34 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

of hand injuries in your workplace, and what needs to change to prevent them from occurring again.

SOME OF THE DATA TO REVIEW INCLUDES: n First

Aid Records Reports n Near Miss Reports n OSHA 300 Log n Accident

PERFORM A HAZARD ASSESSMENT The second step you should take is to perform a hazard assessment based on the results of the analysis. An EHS professional should conduct an assessment of your facility to identify the potential hazards and sources of hand injuries.

SOME OF THE HAND HAZARDS THAT COULD EXIST INCLUDE: n Chemical

n Heat/Cold n Handling

sharp edged materials n Using knives or box cutters n Working with equipment with

pinch, crush or cut hazards n Amputation n Electrical DETERMINE PROPER PPE AND SAFE WORK PRACTICES Once the hazard assessment is complete the EHS professional should provide suggestions on the proper PPE that should be used for the task at hand. This includes matching the proper glove to the hazards that are present in specific job functions within your company. Additionally, other protective measures such as machine guarding and safe work practices should be put in place.

SOME SAFE WORK PRACTICES INCLUDE: n Use

proper tools to perform tasks instead of hands, where possible n Inspect tools and repair or replace as needed

n Evaluate

how chemicals are handled, transferred, and applied, seeking ways to reduce the risk of splashes and spills n Use the smallest quantity of chemical needed to get the job done n Substitute safer products for more hazardous ones n Opt for ergonomic tools and tools specifically designed for the task to be performed n Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wear rings or bracelets, as they may get caught on equipment and can cause serious injuries, such as avulsions IMPLEMENT A TRAINING PROGRAM The next step is to perform the proper training. An EHS professional should educate employees and make sure they understand the hazards their jobs present and how to protect themselves from those hazards.

TRAINING SHOULD ADDRESS THOUGH NOT NECESSARILY BE LIMITED TO: n Types

of hand hazards in the workplace n Types of injuries that can result

n Safe

work practices to minimize exposure to hazards n Proper types of gloves n Proper fit of gloves n Try this training technique: during training have employees use tape to tape a few fingers down

COMMUNICATE AND BUILD AWARENESS The next step is to effectively communicate and build awareness around your new program. Some ways to build awareness include verbal reminders and written communication such as posters, fliers and banners. As awareness builds, be sure to continue to monitor the effectiveTHE INDIRECT COST ness of your program and OF HAND INJURIES TO use audits and checklists to BUSINESSES ARE keep track of progress.

Reviewing injury trends, 4.5X THE DIRECT COST performing a hazard assessment, determining proper PPE and safe work practices along with training and effective communication are all key components of a hand safety program. Take these steps today to help protect your employees from preventable hand injuries. Your employees and your business will benefit.

4.5x

NICOLE SHEETS is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and Certified Safety Professional with twenty years of experience as a consultant in the fields of industrial hygiene and OSHA compliance and safety. Her experience has been largely divided between performing industrial hygiene air and noise studies, consulting on safety and compliance issues, and providing training on a broad range of OSHA topics, as well as DOT and RCRA. Ms. Sheets serves a diverse client base including manufacturing, construction, insurance and laboratory industries.

Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day 35

AROUND & ABOUT ARBILL’S MANUFACTURING DAY EVENT On Friday, October 7th, Arbill celebrated National Manufacturing Day by hosting an event at our headquarters in Northeast Philadelphia. The event consisted of two parts, a safety symposium and supplier tradeshow. The safety symposium featured insightful presentations on new trends in the safety industry, details on new OSHA regulations, strategies to minimize workers’ comp claims and the debut of Arbill’s innovative new software, Vantage Predictive Analytics. Guest speakers included Amanda Wood from the National Association of Manufacturers, Matthew Wynn a leading workers’ comp attorney and expert, Arbill’s Director of Product Support, Marcelo Rodriguez, and one of the founders of Vantage Mory Farmer. The second half of the day included previews of new safety products from ten of the nation’s leading suppliers, a delicious gourmet lunch and visits from Senator John Sabatina Jr. and Congressman Brendan Boyle. Thank you to all who attended and participated. It was a great event and we look forward to next year!

2016 WBE HALL OF FAME On Tuesday, November 29th, Arbill's CEO, Julie Copeland (accompanied by her son Logan), was inducted into the Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) Hall of Fame during their annual awards program at the Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas. The WBE Hall of Fame recognizes the contributions and accomplishments of women entrepreneurs in their communities and industries. The WBE Hall of Fame has inducted incredible leaders, like Indra Nooyi (first female CEO in PepsiCo history), over the past seven years. Congratulations Julie!

PROJECT HOME In November, Arbill employees and family members pitched in to build Thanksgiving care packages for families in need. Arbill, along with other area businesses, donated 600 turkey dinners, guaranteeing several hundred local families a thanksgiving meal. The event took place at the Police Athletic League and was put together by Project Home, a Philadelphia based non-profit that works to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. The organization has been around since 1989 and provides housing, services and career advancement opportunities for those in need. Arbill is proud to support such a great cause and we are thankful to all those who worked hard to help and support this effort.

ARBILL WEBSITE UPDATES The Arbill team is continuously working to provide the best experience for our clients. With this in mind, we recently updated the ecommerce portion of our website to provide a more consistent and user-friendly experience. The changes include a new modern design, improved search functionality and updated product categories. We are working on further enhancements and updates to ensure an even better experience. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

36 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Arbill is improving workplace safety throughout the United States with its patent pending SafetyCare solution. After a comprehensive safety assessment of your facilities – that examines more than 400 potential safety-related issues – Arbill designs two prescription options for workplace safety at your facilities. You chose the prescription plan that best suits your company to improve safety, reduce injuries, and assure OSHA compliance.

OPTION 1: SafetyCare prescription offering for OSHA compliance.

OPTION 2: SafetyCare prescription offering for Arbill’s award winning brand promise of a guaranteed 10% reduction in incidents.

SafetyCare Contact Arbill today to schedule an assessment of your safety needs. From complex EH&S issues to safety and sustainability programs and policy development, the Arbill EH&S Solutions team is your go-to resource for EH&S problem solving, OSHA compliance and injury reduction.

For more informa on contact EH&S Advisor Lisa Miller at lmiller@arbill.com or call 215-290-8802.

PRODUCT REVIEWS

In each issue of Safer Every Day we will feature safety-related products that provide a high level of protection, safety and the peace of mind that safety professionals are looking for when sourcing products to keep their coworkers accidentfree. If you have questions about any of the products shown, or if you would like to make a purchase, contact Arbill at 800-523-5367.

Winter Glove with Thermal Protection

ITEM ID: A183173 BRAND: NORTH BY HONEYWELL PRODUCT NAME: COLD GRIP NF11HD

Heavyweight, insulated glove with a blue nylon outer shell and black insulating inner shell. Black PVC palm and full finger coating. Recommended for temperature down to -15 degrees F (-26 degress C), knit wrist and color coded overedge seam.

38 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

PRODUCT REVIEWS

Anti-Fog Lens Glasses ITEM ID: A303501 BRAND: TRULINE PRODUCT NAME: WRAPTOR 120 The Wraptor 120 offers a dual injected temple for comfort and style with an anti-fog lens for maximum performance. A sealed gasket lining provides added coverage against airborne particles or light liquid splash. ANSI Z87+ Certified.

Winter Glove with Thermal and Cut Protection ITEM ID: A183273 BRAND: NORTH BY HONEYWELL PRODUCT NAME: COLD GRIP PLUS NFD11HD NorthFlex Cold Grip Plus 5™ provides double duty protection with a high-level cut, slash as well as cold weather protection. This flexible, dipped glove is constructed of a highly cut resistant fiber blend outer shell and brushed acrylic thermal inner. Cold Grip Plus 5™ is less bulky and offers excellent dexterity for cold jobs that require tactile sensitivity.

High-Impact Glove ITEM ID: SMP-C91-010 BRAND: MECHANIX WEAR PRODUCT NAME: THE CUT M-PACT The Cut M-Pact protects hands with an internal layer of high-tenacity Armortex in the palm and fingers. CE level 5 and ANSI A3 cut resistance.

Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) protects the top of the hand with the XRD technology in the palm absorbs and dissipates high-impact energy to reduce hand fatigue.

Infrared Fleece Waterproof Glove ITEM ID: OK-IG300-Y-14 BRAND: OCCUNOMIX PRODUCT NAME: IG300 CELIANT WINTER GLOVE The Infrared Fleece Waterproof Winter Glove is revolutionary technology for the hands. Infrared fleece reflects your body heat back to your body; increasing blood circulation, warmth and grip.

Proven to keep hands 5ºF warmer than “traditional fleece” lined gloves.

OccuNomix makes the ONLY infrared winter glove on the market!

If you would like to have a product considered for inclusion in the Product Review section, please click here, provide your contact information and describe the product you would like to include.

40 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

WHY SUPERIOR GLOVE? White

• Free Samples • Onsite glove reviews & risk assessment

7

• Personalized in-house training programs • Webinars / Lunch and learns

Pantone

Mini Personal Fall Limiter

PRODUCT REVIEWS

Dual Injected Frame Glasses ITEM ID: A301330 BRAND: TRULINE PRODUCT NAME: REACT 110 The React 110 sports a dual injected frame for both style and function. The upper frame has an extended rim to prevent particles from easy entry while the integrated nosepad offers added comfort. Up/down ratchet adjustability as an added feature to adjust fit for various tasks as needed. ANSI Z87+ Certified.

ITEM ID: 63111-00F BRAND: MSA PRODUCT NAME: LATCHWAYS MINI PFL The Latchways Mini PFL is the most compact & lightweight self-retracting lanyard ever developed. This design eliminates the need for an external energy-absorber making it the smallest self-retracting lanyard on the market.

It provides a fully rotating attachment point for user mobility and clear casing for visual inspection of critical internal components.

Arc Rated Hi-Visibility Vests ITEM ID: V-10AM0123ZL BRAND: LAKELAND INDUSTRIES PRODUCT NAME: STATIC-DISSIPATIVE FABRIC VESTS Lakeland Industries offers a complete line of Static-Dissipative, FR/ARC Rated Hi-Visibility vests. These Static-Dissipative Fabrics are available in both solid and mesh styles. The patented fabrics are designed with a carbon core fiber. The carbon core fiber works to dissipate potentially harmful static charges, allowing safe work in potentially combustible environments. The vests are well suited for the gas transmission, petrochemical, gas utility and other industries where there is notable concern for static build-up and concern for worker visibility.

Wrap Around Clear Lens Glasses ITEM ID: A302221 BRAND: TRULINE PRODUCT NAME: ASSAULT 110 CLEAR LENS These wrap around glasses provide excellent all around protection. This glass is perfect for workers who wear their eyewear for long hours and need a lightweight glass that wont compromise safety. Complies with ANSI Z87+ Dielectric

42 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Hand and Toe Warmer Packs ITEM ID: A302290 BRAND: OCCUNOMIX PRODUCT NAME: HOT RODS WARMING PACKS Hot Rods® Warming Packs warm up faster and stay warmer longer! NEW FORMULA warms up within 2 minutes and out-performs the competition.

Hot Rods® Warming Packs are available in both hand and toe and are made for Winter Liners, jackets, gloves, shoes, sneakers, boots, and much more!

ORDER YOUR GLOVES LIKE YOU ORDER A STEAK

Now you can order a cut-resistant glove like you order a good steak: Done exactly the way you want it.

Want a higher ANSI level at a competitive price? Just ask.

That’s what Arbill did for a key customer in support of the company’s continuous improvement efforts. Safety Advisor Fernando Nazco and David Glass, Director of Commercial Accounts, called in Worldwide Protective Products. They showed us the ANSI level 2 glove the customer was using, and asked us to custom design an improvement.

Using engineered fiber technology, Worldwide developed a more cut resistant glove that was also more cost efficient.

It passed extensive testing, and proved to be a tangible improvement in the field.

The bottom line: You never have to accept “good enough” when there’s a manufacturer who’s ready to work with you.

877-678-4568 | wwprotective.com

under the auspices of the united states Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) collects and publishes data on a wide array of safety-related issues. With statistics supplied by OSHA, in each issue of Safer Every Day we will give you the opportunity to test your safety knowledge.

To play, simply select which of the multiple choice questions is correct. Get five out of five right and you can consider yourself an expert. Three or four correct and your score is average. Get below 3 correct and you have some work to do to enhance your knowledge of OSHA stats.

O S H A

BY THE NUMBERS

1

How many hand injuries occurred in 2014?

A. 10,000 – 20,000 B. 50,000 – 75,000 C. 80,000 – 100,000 D. 110,000 – 140,000 E. 150,000 – 175,000

Hand injuries resulted in __ median days away from work in 2014.

The average hand injury claim has now exceedeed $______?

4

A. $8,000 B. $6,000 C. $10,000 D. $2,500 E. $4,000

2

A. 5 B. 10 C. 8 D. 2 E. 15

5

What is the most expensive type of hand injury?

A. Hand Fracture B. Hand Sprain C. Hand Puncture D. Hand Laceration E. Severed Tendon

What percentage of workers who experience hand injuries were not wearing gloves?

3

A. 40% B. 50% C. 70% D. 30% E. 20%

DID NOT DO AS WELL AS YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD? Send us an e-mail at osha@arbill.com or call us at 1-800-55-1222 44 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

ANSWER: D — There were 137,440 hand injuries across private, state and local government workers in 2014.

1

ANSWER: A —Hand injuries resulted in 5 days away from work in 2014.

2

ANSWER: C —70% of workers who experienced hand injuries were not wearing gloves. The remaining 30% of injured workers did wear gloves, but experienced injuries because the gloves were inadequate, damaged or the wrong type for the type of hazard present.

3

ANSWER: B — The average hand injury claim has now exceeded $6,000, with each lost-time workers’ compensation claim reaching nearly $7,500.

4

ANSWER: E —A severed tendon, which is a very serious injury can cost more than $70,000.

Stitches can run up to $2,000 and a laceration can cost as much as $10,000.

5

Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 45

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS

Cost of New Labor Market Regulations

T

he National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) released a new study earlier this fall that

outlined the costs and impact of labor regulations that have been put in place over the past few years. These regulations and policies include reclassifying millions of workers from salaried to hourly employees, altering well-established union election rules, changing standards and adjusting how injuries and illnesses will be reported.

ACCORDING TO THE STUDY, THESE REGULATIONS AND POLICIES WILL COST THE FOLLOWING OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS:

$81.6 billion in compliance costs

155,700 lost jobs

411 million

hours of papewrwork

46 Arbillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s | Safer Every Day

L A K E L A N D

F R

Pyrolon® Plus 2

C A S E

S T U D Y

vs. FR Alternates

Are You Using Chinese Disposable FR Spunlace or FR SMS? If You Are, You Need Our Latest Pyrolon® Plus 2 vs. FR Disposables Study.

Recently, a number of secondary disposable FR garments made of lower cost Chinese fabric have entered the work place. Lakeland had several of them tested and found that Disposable FR Spunlace and FR SMS offer surprisingly little ability to protect wearers from potentially life-threatening burns. In other words, they don’t work.

However, Pyrolon® Plus 2 Disposable Coveralls do work. In fact, Pyrolon provides the best secondary protection in the marketplace.

If the disposable garment you have selected is not providing true FR protection, you are only wasting money and can actually be decreasing worker safety.

In our study, you’ll learn about: • FR Clothing Repellancy Testing using water, alcohol and oil • Burn Data Statistics on competitive FR

coveralls • Flame Response Testing • And more!

Don’t be mislead by low cost FR fabrics. They don’t work. Pyrolon® Plus 2 does!

Click here to download your Lakeland Pyrolon® Plus 2 Comparison Study Guide Today!

To Order Pyrolon® Plus 2 directly from Arbill’s online catalog, click here

NEW LABOR MARKET

THIS INCREASING STREAM OF BURDENS IS NOT A BALANCED APPROACH THAT WE NEED TO SUCCEED.

N

AM Senior Vice President of Policy and

Government Relations Aric Newhouse voiced his concerns saying “These regulations are making it harder for manufacturers to continue to create jobs and economic opportunity. We understand the need for reasonable regulations and take pride in creating safe workplaces with opportunities for all, but this increasing stream of burdens is not a balanced approach that we need to succeed.

Manufacturers want to spend their time and resources hiring new workers or investing in life-improving products, but the billions being spent com-

48 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

plying with burdensome regulations makes that goal increasingly difficult to achieve.”

The study goes on to say that the litany of new labor laws has made it costly for firms to employ workers, and has lowered productivity growth. The increased regulations have forced companies to economize in other ways such as substituting capital for labor, charging higher prices for goods or reducing wages and benefits. Rather than yielding positive results like improved employment and working conditions these policies could cause more friction between employers and employees. To read the full report click here and for a brief overview click here.

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Assumed to be Work-Related, but Not Always the Case. On cross-examination of cases, choices you make once the claim is started can decide your fate!

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FTER AN EMPLOYEE makes a work-related injury claim, the baton is passed to the employer to either accept the claim as a compensable injury, or to contest it. If the employer does not question the existence of the injury itself, the focus then shifts to the causal relationship between the injury and the employee’s job.

Sometimes the causal connection between an injury and employment is obvious, while other injuries or conditions seem to straddle the line between idiopathic and work-related. Falling in that second category of questionable work-related injuries are conditions allegedly caused by repetitive motions of the employee’s body while performing his or her job duties. These injuries are known as cumulative trauma injuries or repetitive stress disorders.

The most common of these injuries is carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in a person’s wrist becomes entrapped, or pinched, as it travels through a small space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. The pressure on the median nerve can result in weakness, numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers.

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Often, carpal tunnel syndrome can be successfully treated with conservative care, such as rest, temporary modification of duties and/ or anti-inflammatory medications. When that is not successful, surgery is frequently performed. The surgery, called a carpal tunnel release, involves cutting the ligament that covers the carpal tunnel which eases the pressure on the median nerve.

Approximately 500,000 Americans undergo a carpal release surgery every year. As you might have guessed, workers’ compensation claimants have a lower success rate following the surgery than the general population.

Because carpal tunnel syndrome can leave an employee with permanent restrictions, an employer should be wary of accepting a carpal tunnel syndrome claim as work-related.

s it really work-related?

Carpal tunnel syndrome has been linked to repetitive use by several medical studies. There are, however, competing studies that conclude that there is no correlation at all between repetitive use and carpal tunnel syndrome. Experts on both sides, however, agree that there are many other causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, aside from repetitive use. The condition can be caused by a single trauma to the wrist or hand, like in an automobile accident, or other conditions such as hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.

Whether or not a condition like carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a worker’s employment is an issue often decided by a judge—based upon his or her review of the medical evidence and the physical aspects of the employee’s job. If the claim is denied,

Most jurisdictions require injured workers to notify their employers of alleged work-related injuries within a certain number of days of the injury.

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and goes to litigation, the employee and his or her expert will need to present evidence to show the repetitive nature of the job and how the duties resulted in damage to the carpal tunnel. The evidence should stress the number of times per day an employee performs an activity in the same postural movement.

On cross-examination of the employee, the employer’s attorney should explore whether the claimant engages in repetitive hand activities outside of work such as playing the piano, woodworking, knitting or similar hobbies. The employer may present fact witnesses to show that the employee’s job is not repetitive and actually involves many physical movements.

hat if the employee has had carpal tunnel syndrome in the past?

While your employees are not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for preexisting injuries, they can make a successful claim for workers’ compensation benefits if they can prove that their current job aggravated a prior injury. An evaluation of the medical records and work history is needed to ascertain whether current carpal tunnel symptoms are really a new aggravation, or just a continuation of the pre-existing condition. If an employee had been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome prior to coming to work at your facility, a thorough investigation will need to be done by you or your insurer prior to making the decision on whether to accept the claim as a dis-tinct new injury.

otice and date of injury

Most jurisdictions require injured workers to notify their employers of alleged work-related injuries within a certain number of days of the injury. But in repetitive trauma cases, it is difficult

to determine the exact “date of injury”. Generally, where the medical evidence establishes that on going work activities aggravated the condition, the last date of work or the last date on which aggravation occurred is the date of injury. So even though an employee may have been experiencing all the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome for many months, the notice period runs from his last date of cumulative trauma, usually the last day of work and not from the day that he first felt the symptoms.

rompt and Thorough Investigation

Unlike an injury caused by a single obvious event in the workplace, carpal tunnel syndrome is inherently looked upon with suspicion by employers and with good reason. The best advice is to promptly report any such claim to your workers’ compensation insurance carrier and get the investigation started. During that time, the employee should be moved to another, less repetitive, job, if possible.

If the investigation reveals a number of red flags, encourage your carrier to contest the claim. And if the investigation leads to a conclusion that the diagnosis was caused by the job, look for ways to make the job less repetitive, so as to avoid future claims.

MATT WYNN has been representing employers, insurers and third party administrators throughout Pennsylvania for nearly 25 years. He has served as co-chair of the Workers' Compensation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, has published several articles in The Philadelphia Legal Intelligencer on workers' compensation topics from the employer's perspective and has addressed various employer and insurer groups on workers’ compensation issues. Matt practices out of the The Law Offices of Matthew S. Wynn LLC, in suburban Philadelphia, and represents clients throughout the state of Pennsylvania.

If you have a suggestion for a workers’ compensation issue that you would like me to address in a future column, or if you have a question you would like to discuss, call me at (484) 581-7527 or email at mwynn@wynnlegalteam.com.

Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 53

injuries and avoidance is important, actual training with opportunities to learn through experience in controlled situations are invaluable.

Gradually increasing exposure and training time in the cold will give service members the confidence and ability to recognize potential risks early enough to properly take corrective measures.

Preventing CWIs requires leaders at all levels to ensure that service members receive adequate food, water, and rest, that they implement training wearing the appropriate cold weather gear, and that they avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco. Using a buddy system to help monitor health and performance is extremely helpful to detect signs or symptoms of CWI. It is important to use cold weather clothing properly. When wearing clothing in cold weather, the Army uses the acronym C-O-L-D to aid solStrategies to Prevent Cold diers in remembering the steps to avoid CWI. Weather Injuries C - Keep it Clean; O - Avoid Overheating; L - Wear clothing Loose and in Layers; D - Keep clothing Dry For the hands, chilblains, frostnip, and frostbite are the main threats in the winter. Chilblains is a is the season” for slips, trips, and falls result of repeated and prolonged skin exposure that inevitably lead to hand and wrist (1-5 hours) to cold and wet temperatures above freezing. The skin becomes red, tender, and hot to injuries. The onset of cold weather the touch with some itching. Frostnip is the freezcreates conditions ideal for these types of events. Meanwhile, exposure ing of the top layer of skin. It normally results from to cold weather for the unprotected short duration exposure to cold air or from touchhands makes tasks more difficult, but ing cold objects like metal. Exposed areas like the it can’t keep units from completing the mission. fingers and wrist are more likely to develop frostnip. The skin becomes waxy, white, and feels hard Success in a cold weather environment can and rubbery. The area may become be attributed to understanding the numb and could become swollen. types of injuries and ways to preC Keep it Clean vent them. Cold weather injuries Lastly, frostbite is where the freezing extends thru all the layers of the skin (CWI) are preventable. According O Avoid to the Army Preventive Health Comdown to the muscle and bone. This Overheating mand, the typical CWI casualty is a can come on quickly when hands male, E4 or below, around 20 years are exposed to super cooled liquids L Wear clothing old, from a warm climate, has less such as fuel, alcohol or cold metal.

Loose and in than 18 months in service and uses This is the most prevalent of the Layers tobacco, alcohol, and or medicaCWIs. Frozen skin will be red, then D Keep tions. Other factors include having grey blue with blisters and in the clothing previous CWI, poor nutrition, dehyworst case, the skin will die and turn Dry dration, poor clothing and equipment. blue black (Arneson-Baker, 2010).

While classroom training on cold To effectively treat frostbite,

Combat the Cold

T

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immerse the affected part in a warm (98-104°F) water. However most minor cases of frostbite can be re-warmed at room temperature or against a buddy’s skin. Once a tissue is thawed, don’t let it freeze again. If there is the possibility of tissue refreezing, it is better not to thaw it in order to avoid damaging tissue further. Avoid exposure to excessive heat (open flame, stove tops, steam, heat packs) or rubbing affected tissue. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. All service members with a peripheral freezing injury may be suspect of being hypothermic and should be treated appropriately.

While you typically hear about layering to protect yourself against the cold weather, this same approach can also be applied to your hands.

Mittens for an outer layer and fingered inserts allow for increased warmth, protection, and versatility. When dexterity is required the mittens can be removed while still wearing the fingered inserts. This prevents cold metal contact with the skin. Avoid cotton gloves, which hold perspiration in cold-weather environments.

Using the right winter boots, and when necessary, crampons in extremely slippery conditions

will prevent the slips and falls that lead to hand and wrist injuries as well as more serious injuries to knees, arms and shoulders. Keep in mind that 20% of all injuries to the hand and wrist occur during attempts to break one’s fall using the hand or wrist, rather than to roll and land on your side.

Some off-duty tips for activities involving sports or doing things that present a higher probability of falling due to slippery conditions. Winter sports activities, such as skiing and snowboarding, provide ample opportunities for injuries to the wrist. Skiers tend to injure their thumbs while trying to hold on to their poles during a fall resulting in the thumb being bent backwards or to the side which may strain or tear the ligament. Loose straps or molded hand holds can prevent those types of injuries. Snow blowers also present a hazard when trying to remove blockages. Service members suffer hand injuries each year trying to clear blockages in the chute without shutting off the engine. The best practice is to shut off the engine and use a wooden stick or pole. fa c t s a nd f ig ur e s p ro v ide d b y a r m y p ubl ic he a lt h comm a nd Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 55

SAFETY CALENDAR In each issue of Safer Every Day, we’ll keep you updated with a list of EH&S events EVENT

DATE

LOCATIONS

FOCUS

2017 IADC Health, Safety, Environment & Training Conference & Exhibition

02/07/2017-02/08/2017

Omni Hotel Houston Westside, Houston, TX, USA

This conference will examine a range of topics impacting accident prevention, environmental protection, competency, and training in the drilling industry.

CGA Excavation Safety 811 Conference and Expo

03/14/2017-03/16/2017

Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando FL

Providing educational content about protecting buried assets

The Int’l Pipeline, Oil and Gas Safety Conference and Exhibition

03/14/2017-03/16/2017

Houston, TX

Oil and Gas Safety practices

Michigan Safety Conference

04/11/2017-04/12/2017

Novi, MI

Pre-Accident Investigations

Statewide Safety Expo Training and Management Conference

04/12/2017-04/13/2017

Cosumnes River College 916-442-8991 8401 Center Parkway Sacramento, California 95823

Safety training and management focused

Workers’ Compensation and Disablity Conference and Expo 2017

12/6/2017 - 12/8/2017

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Demonstrate the latest products and services available in the workers’ comp and disability industries

To have your event included in the Safer Every Day Safety Calendar, 56 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

o

occurring in the next few months.

REGISTRATION LINK

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

COST

CONTACT

CLICK TO REGISTER

Safety Professionals, Employers, And Employees

$550 per attendee

Josh Sanchez at joshua.sanchez@iadc.org or 713-292-1945

CLICK TO REGISTER

Safety professionals

N/A

Liz at liz@EmailIR.com

CLICK TO REGISTER

Safety professionals

Early Registration: $350

Jackie Smith registration@oilandgassafety conference.com 832 486 0095

CLICK CLICK TO TO REGISTER REGISTER

Safety professionals

N/A

517-203-0737 General Questions: denise@michsafetyconference.org Registration Questions: tracy@michsafetyconference.org Exhibit Questions: exhibits@michsafetyconference.org

CLICK TO SEE THEIR BROCHURE

Safety professionals

Early Registration: $95 Group discount: $85 Late and on-sight:$150

916-442-8991

CLICK TO REGISTER

EHS professionals

Standard: $1495 Teams of 4-9: $1095

1-800-727-1227

CLICK TO SEE THEIR BROCHURE

click here, & provide the information needed to complete the calendar grid.

Arbill’s | Safer Every Day 57

THANK YO U

W

E HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS issue of Safer Every Day and found the information useful. Safer Every Day is designed to be an essential component of your company’s safety program, and we want to make sure the magazine meets your needs.

To share your thoughts and suggestions, click here to access our suggestions page.

The next issue of Safer Every Day, will focus on Eyes and Ears. It will feature informative full length articles, eye and ear protection best practices, EH&S insights and additional safety resources.

If you would like to reach more than 50,000 safety professionals, secure your spot today in the upcoming issue by contacting Bill Gabriele at 215-501-8208 or David Gerhardt at 215-501-8287.

3 THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE NEXT ISSUE

1

Focus on Eye and Ear Protection Why what you don’t know about eye and ear protection could be putting your employees at risk

58 Arbill’s | Safer Every Day

Next issue published in March 2017.

2

Eye on Safety Steps to create a proper safety eyewear program at your facility

3

Sound Advice on Noise Exposure Keys to develop a proper hearing conservation program

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