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BWC Featured News
Farm Science Review
BWC safety consultants were at the Farm Science review Sept. 20-22. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booths!
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Ohio BWC and OSHA Trenching Safety Days
Cygnet seminar – Oct. 4, 2022
Cygnet competent person training – Oct. 5, 2022
Richfield seminar – Oct. 11, 2022
Richfield competent person training – Oct. 12, 2022
October In Person Safety and Health Training
Twelve classes are available for October. See the full In-person Course Schedule for all safety and health classes. Enroll at the BWC Learning Center
NE Ohio Safety Expo
This year’s Expo offers 17 educational sessions covering topics like lockout/tagout, fire protections systems, fleet safety, and more. Join us Oct. 20.
Save the date – OSC23®
We’re excited to host the 2023 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo® live and in-person at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, March 8-10, 2023. The event will be hybrid, with select sessions being streamed.
New Safety Talks
Ototoxic Chemicals
OSHA Reporting and Recording Requirements
Safety Management Systems
Training Techniques for Adult Learners
BWC Safety Webinars
Fall Protection and Fall Arrest Systems in Construction, Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
BWC Virtual Training Classes
Lockout/Tagout and Safety-related Work Practices, Oct. 5, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Work Zone Traffic Control and Safety, Oct. 6, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Electrical Basics, Oct. 12, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Bloodborne Pathogens, Oct. 13, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Ergonomics Basic Principles, Oct. 31 – Nov. 1, 9:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Substance Use Recovery and Workplace Safety Program (SURWSP)
SURWSP helps employers more effectively manage substance use issues in their workplace. Employers can enroll and get reimbursement for development and legal review of policies and procedures, training, and drug testing.
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BWC Library Question of the Month
A question received by the library over the past month with our response.
Question:
What is the best way to handle Canadian geese that make our worksite their home? So many geese nest and walk on our property and it is beginning to cause a mess. What sort of safety considerations should we take to protect workers who clean-up waste left by geese?
Answer:
First, you must know that geese, their nests, and eggs are protected by Federal and Ohio laws. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) issues Goose Damage Permits to those who have tried non-lethal tactics to remove geese from their property. According to ODNR, “Non-lethal scare and hazing tactics, which do not harm the geese, are allowed. These tactics include: pyrotechnics, dogs, barriers, a grid on the pond, laser pointers (at night), distress calls or grape-flavored repellents such as Flight Control." If that fails, individuals may apply for a permit during certain times of the year. For more information, contact ODNR.
For cleaning debris and waste left by geese on worksites, special considerations must be made. Geese waste can expose humans to cryptosporidium, giardia, salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter, and can cause histoplasmosis and coccidiosis. Those cleaning goose waste should wear respiratory protection, disposable gloves, and disposable coveralls. Those with open cuts should make sure that they are properly covered and protected from contact with debris and waste left by geese.
There are companies that offer professional geese deterrent and waste removal services, and there are vendors that sell tools that make collecting waste safer and easier. We encourage you to research what is available to you locally if that is something you wish to pursue.
If you need help with understanding PPE requirements for cleaning-up goose debris and waste, or if you need help with developing a plan/checklist to safely remove geese waste from your worksite, 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.
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Other Safety News
Suicide Prevention
Suicide prevention video message from OSHA Assistant Secretary of Labor Doug Parker.
Safety Pays
Safety at work means a lot to your employees but did you know it affects your bottom line as an employer? Learn how much safety saves your business at the Safety Pays Program website. There are two calculators for overall safety and for individual injuries.
Small Business Safety Information
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and Occupational Safety and Health Administration joint publication Small Business Safety and Health Handbook was updated in July to include a Heat-related Illness Prevention Checklist. If you are using this informative document, you can get your updated copy now. If you aren’t aware of it, it has a wealth of information for small businesses including self-inspection checklists
Burnout Prevention in Behavioral Health Workers
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently published “Addressing Burnout in the Behavioral Health Workforce Through Organizational Strategies” as part of its evidence-based resource guide series. It's estimated that about half of all behavioral health workers experience symptoms of burnout, and this guide focuses on organizational-level interventions to prevent burnout among staff.
New Safety Publications
The NIOSH website published many new safety documents in August. The documents included electrical safety, fall prevention, equipment safety, and many more safety topics.
Sharps Injury Prevention
Law enforcement officers are at risk for injuries from sharps during pat down searches, executing property searches or arrest warrants. This informational page on the NIOSH website has recommendations to prevent and reduce work-related needlestick and other sharps injuries.
Dust Explosion Webinar
Join OH&S on Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. EST for a free webinar titled “Dust Explosions: Different Standards, Different Properties, and Different Precautions.” This webinar will review NFPA 652 requirements, discuss non-standard materials where there may be powder mixtures, and present solutions to keep your workplace safe.
Know your Equipment
This NIOSH safety advisory provides recommendations for fire departments to ensure firefighters are trained to safely use and interpret data from multi-gas monitors to determine if a hazardous atmosphere is present when responding to natural gas and propane incidents.
The American Industrial Hygiene Association mentioned this report and others in their recent blog post The Hazards of Emergency Response.
US Workplace Injury Data
Healthcare company NiceRX used data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics to create this graphic depiction of US workplace accidents. They report the number of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries by state and several other parameters. US Workplace Accident Report - NiceRx
Ergonomic Solutions
The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries maintains The Ergonomic Ideas Bank. Just enter your industry and the hazard you want to prevent, and the site presents a list of links to helpful information. You can also filter the results by a keyword and the type of material.
Infographics
Two new infographics from the Center for Construction Research and Training: Roofing Safety - Walk this Way about the importance of proper shoes and proper technique for walking on sloped roofs and How Heavy is Deadly, showing the effect objects of various weights have when dropped specific distances.
The Ohio BWC Library of BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene compiles and distributes this newsletter each month.
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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.
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