July 2022 Safety Update

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BWC Featured News

New Safety Talks, Safety Bulletins, and Sample Written Program Templates

Basic Ergonomics

Construction Ergonomics

See BWC’s Safety Talks page for a complete list of talks that are available for print and download. See BWC’s Safety Newsletters and Bulletins page to view current and past newsletters and safety bulletins. Download customizable safety program templates from BWC’s Written Safety Program Templates page.

BWC Safety Webinars

Are You Measuring Safety Performance? If Not, Why Not? July 12, 2022 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Ohio EPA’s Regulations-What You Need to Know to Stay Out of Trouble! July 26, 2022 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

BWC Library Question of the Month
A question received by the library over the past month with our response.

Question:

How high off the ground does a portable fire extinguisher need to be mounted?

Answer:

According to the National Fire Protection Agency’s NFPA 10: Portable Fire Extinguishers standard, for extinguishers less than 40 lbs., the top of the extinguisher should not be more than five feet above the floor. If the extinguisher is more than 40 lbs. (except wheeled types), the top of the extinguisher should not be more than 3.5 feet above the floor.

You should read NFPA 10 in its entirety on NFPA’s website for complete information related to portable fire extinguishers. NFPA’s standards can be read for free online. 

If you need help with understanding requirements for portable fire extinguishers, or if you need help with your fire prevention response and planning, contact BWC Safety Consultants. Consultation services are free for those with a BWC policy. Find out more on our website.

If you have question related to occupational safety and health, email the library at library@bwc.state.oh.us.

Avian Influenza

A single rare human case of Avian Influenza, also known as Bird Flu, was reported by the Centers for Disease Control in Colorado. OSHA updated the Avian Influenza site to reflect the latest information on this disease that is normally found in wild birds including ducks, geese, swans, and storks, and domesticated birds like chickens and turkeys.

Lightning Safety

Do you know what to do when severe storms approach? This safety Fact Sheet – Lightning Safety When Working Outdoors contains tips on how to reduce lightning hazards for outdoor work and what to do if you are caught outside in a thunderstorm.

Health Effects of 9/11.

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program developed an online exhibit looking at the ongoing health effects from exposures to workers on the WTC site.

Total Worker Health^® Symposium

NIOSH and the Center for Health, Work & Environment, Colorado School of Public Health will host 3rd the International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health^® Oct. 11-14 at the National Institutes of Health Natcher Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The event has an online component for remote attendees. More information and registration is found here.

Health Worker Burnout

A new advisory from the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General highlights the urgent need to address the health worker burnout crisis. The website has the download for the advisory document, key takeaways, answers to key questions, information on taking action, and shareable tools.

OSHA Training for General Industry Webinar

Join Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) on July 13 at 2 p.m. ET for a free webinar titled “OSHA Training for General Industry: Reviewing the elements for select topics.” Training topics to be covered include hazard communication, forklift, lockout/tagout, walking-working surfaces, bloodborne pathogens, and more.

Hazard Communication Program Webinar

Join Safety+Health on July 28 at 1 p.m. ET for a free webinar titled “6 Steps to a Successful Hazard Communication Program.” During this webinar, the presenter will review OSHA and hazard communication expectations. Then, they'll guide you through the six key steps to developing and maintaining your hazard communication program.

Construction Work and Hot Weather

As the summer heats up, construction works are exposed to the risk of heat-related illnesses and, in severe cases, death. This page from the Center for Construction Research and Training has toolbox talks, infographics, and a link to a recent webinar on Heat related Illness & Death in Construction. Learn about heat-related hazards and how to prevent heat illness.

It’s Backyard Grilling Season!

These tips from the National Fire Protection Association will help keep those cookouts safe. Download grilling safety tips and the grilling statistics infographic and watch videos on grilling safety and how to check a gas grill for leaks.

Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities

The Governors Highway Safety Administration released preliminary data from their report Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2021 Preliminary Data. The report projects that drivers struck and killed 7,485 people walking in 2021 – the most in a single year in four decades. Preliminary numbers from Ohio show 176 pedestrian deaths, an increase of 16.1% over 2020.

ROI of Workplace Injury Prevention

Institute for Work & Health (IWH) reviewed three previous studies from the manufacturing, construction, and safety sectors on return on investment (ROI) for occupational health and safety expenditures. The average financial savings ranged from 24% in manufacturing to 114% in transportation. The ROI from the Ohio BWC Safety Incentive Grant program is mentioned.

The Ohio BWC Library of BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene compiles and distributes this newsletter each month.   

Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

Vision: To transform BWC into an agile organization driven by customer success.
Mission: To deliver consistently excellent experiences for each BWC customer every day. Core Values: One Agency, Personal Connection, Innovative Leadership, Relentless Excellence.

Established in 1912, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is the exclusive provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Ohio, serving 249,000 public and private employers. With nearly 1,600 employees and assets of approximately $25 billion, BWC is one of the largest state-run insurance systems in the United States. For more, visit www.bwc.ohio.gov.