2004 Safety Health & Environmental Conference

It's Not Too Late to "Energize" your safety, health & environmental program! Attend the 2004 Safety, Health & Environmental Conference on April 20th & 21st at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Choose from over 30 education sessions being presented by knowledgeable speakers.

The Awards Luncheon will be held on April 21st at 12:15. This once-a-year event honors companies who have turned their safety, health and environmental programs into award winners:

Register for the 2004 Safety, Health & Environmental Conference online from either the "Public" or "Members Only" sites and SAVE an additional 5% on your Conference ticket! Click here for a Conference brochure.

We are waiting to hear from you!

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New Conference Corporate Sponsors

Last issue, we thanked our generous corporate sponsors for supporting the 2004 Nebraska Safety, Health & Environmental Conference.

The Nebraska Safety Council wishes to show its sincere appreciation to three additional Conference corporate sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor	Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad
Silver Sponsor	BryanLGH Medical Center
Bronze Sponsor	Lincoln Electric Systems

If your company would like to join our list of sponsors, please contact Laurie Klosterboer at (402) 483-2581, Ext. 105 or e-mail her at kloster@nesafetycouncil.org.

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Traffic Fatalities Since March 30

Date	Age	No. of Fatalities	County	Seatbelts Used?	Location	Collision Type
3/31/04	17	1	Dawson	Unknown	2 mi. S. of Cozad	MV-MV
4/1/04	30	1	Adams	Unknown	NE of Hastings	MV-RR
4/2/04	Unknown	1	Cheyenne	Unknown	2 mi. N. of Gurley	MV-FO
4/3/04	Unknown	1	Knox	Unknown	2.5 mi. W. of Verdel	MV-FO

TFV=Thrown from vehicle MV=Motor Vehicle FO=Fixed Object NC=Single Vehicle MC=Motorcycle RR=Railroad PED=Pedestrian

The total fatalities for 2004 as of April 9 were 54 compared to 60 for the same period in 2003. Source: NE Dept. of Roads

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Workplace Training Programs - Remainder of April 2004

Advanced Safety Certificate Program (ASC)

April 14	Scottsbluff	Ergonomics-Managing for Results
April 27	Lincoln	Job Safety Analysis

Occupational Safety & Health Programs

April 15	Scottsbluff	Forklift Operator Training
April 28	Lincoln	New!! Making $ense of $afety
April 28	Lincoln	First Aid/CPR/AED
April 30	Lincoln	D.O.T. Hazardous Materials - Refresher

Click on city name below for map to class location:
Nebraska Safety Council, Inc., 4600 Valley Road, Lincoln, Neb.
Western Nebraska Community College, Scottsbluff Campus, 250587 Airport Drive, Scottsbluff, Neb.

To register: Call (402) 483-2511, Ext. 108, e-mail or register online from the Members web site.

NEED MORE INFORMATION! Go online at www.nesafetycouncil.org

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Spring Showers Bring Driving Safety Hazards

Worn out tires and windshield wiper blades are symptoms of neglected vehicle maintenance that put drivers and passengers at serious risk during the
typically rainy months of spring.

Thin tire treads create hazardous driving conditions when water builds up on the roadway, according to the Car Care Council Deep tread accommodates accumulated water; thin tread does not. Thin tread causes the tire to hydroplane – ride up on a film of water, losing contact with the pavement, similar to driving on ice. The simplest way to check tire tread depth is with a penny. Insert the penny into the grooves of the tread. If you are able to see all of Lincoln’s head, the tire needs replacement.

Rainy weather also affects driver visibility. Because 90 percent of driving decisions depend on good vision, a clean windshield is imperative. Streaking and smearing impair vision and are caused by worn windshield blades. “Replacing worn wiper blades is easy and inexpensive,” said Rich White of the Car Care Council. “Why put it off until there’s a downpour and your blades are chattering and smearing the windshield?” Source: Car Care Council

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New NIOSH Guide on Isocyanates

A Summary of Health Hazard Evaluations: Issues Related to Occupational Exposure to Isocyanates 1989 to 2002
This new report summarizes the 46 isocyanate-related Health Hazard Evaluations that NIOSH conducted over this 14 year period. The report provides background information on isocyanate exposure criteria, possible health effects, and NIOSH recommendations for reducing such exposures. Isocyanites are commonly found in industrial paints, adhesives and industrial cleaners. The document, DHHS NIOSH Pub No (2004-116), is available on the NIOSH web site.

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OSHA Proposes Revisions to Electrical Installation Standard

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is seeking comments on proposed revisions to its electrical installation standard that will lead to a more flexible and efficient standard that strengthens worker protections.

The general industry electrical installation standard has not been updated since 1981. Proposed changes to OSHA's general industry electrical installation standard (1910 Subpart S) focus on safety in the design and installation of electric equipment in the workplace. The changes draw heavily from the 2000 edition of the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces (NFPA 70E), and the 2002 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC).

The agency is also proposing to replace the reference to the 1971 National Electrical Code in the mandatory appendix to the powered platform standard with a reference to OSHA's electrical installation standard.

OSHA is proposing a revised standard to update the standard to reflect current practice and technology in the field and to address stakeholder requests to revise the standard so that it conforms with the most recent editions of NFPA 70E.

The request for comment is scheduled for publication in the April 5 Federal Register. Comments and hearing requests on the proposed rule must be submitted by June 4, to: OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. S-108C, Room N 2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20010. Comments may also be submitted via fax at (202) 693-1648 or electronically to http://ecomments.osha.gov.

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Trinational Occupational Safety and Health Web Site Launched

The Trinational Occupational Safety and Health Working Group of Government Experts of the U.S., Mexico and Canada has agreed to launch a Web site focusing on occupational safety and health issues.

The Web site, which can be navigated in English, Spanish or French, promotes public involvement and education; contains links to each government's occupational safety and health programs and practices; and provides for the exchange of best practice information among the three governments. The Web site also provides information about the projects and activities of the Trinational Working Group.

The occupational safety and health representatives join four subgroups within the Trinational Working Group. The four subgroups address: inspector and technical assistance staff training; occupational safety and health management systems and voluntary protection programs; handling of hazardous substances; and the trinational Web page.

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Helping People In Need Is Never Outdated

Just a quick reminder to see if your First Aid or CPR certifications are up for renewal.

We have also added AED (Automated external Defibrillator) to our training package.

We have classes scheduled throughout each month. Give us a call and we will be happy to sign you up. Please call Beckie at 402-483-2511 ex. 108

We look forward to hearing form you!

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GAO Report Highlights Effectiveness of OSHA's Voluntary and Cooperative Programs

A year-long study by the Government Accounting Office on OSHA's voluntary compliance programs wrapped up last month saying the strategies "have improved employers' safety and health practices" and noted that many participants interviewed said the programs resulted in not only helping to reduce injury and illness rates but also have fostered "better working relationships with OSHA."

Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-GA), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections said the report "shows that OSHA's voluntary compliance programs have so far proven successful in improving safety at workplaces across the country." OSHA Administrator John Henshaw said the report recognizes that these strategies "are highly effective in extending OSHA's reach" and "complement and augment OSHA's aggressive efforts to enforce occupational safety and health standards." Henshaw said OSHA will more closely evaluate the benefits of such programs through its strategic planning process.

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New Electronic Assistance Tools Available on OSHA's Website

OSHA recently posted two new electronic assistance tools (eTool) to aid workers and employers on safety and health issues.

Workers in battery manufacturing plants may potentially be exposed to above normal lead concentrations; the Lead Battery Manufacturing eTool assists the industry in identifying potential engineering and work practice controls to reduce employee lead exposure.

The Electric Power Generation eTool complements an earlier safety and health topic page on the issue to provide information and assistance for employers and workers in the electric power generation, transmission and distribution industry. Source: OSHA

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Latest Safety and Health Bulletin Focuses on Suspension Trauma

Fall arrest systems save lives, but workers who remain suspended for lengthy periods of time in safety harnesses following a fall can develop a condition known as "orthostatic intolerance"--the pooling of blood in the veins due to a force of gravity and lack of movement.

OSHA has developed a safety and health bulletin that describes the signs and symptoms of the condition, outlines recommendations for preventing such occurrences, and discusses worker training and rescue. Source: OSHA

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Physicians, Nurses and U.S. Government Release New Foodborne Illness Guide For Healthcare Providers

Educational Primer Aimed at Physicians and Nurses; Consumer Guidelines "4 Simple Steps to Food Safety" Included

Americans' vulnerability to foodborne illness has been highlighted by large outbreaks over the last two years. To increase awareness, a new educational guide for health care professionals on how to identify and treat foodborne illnesses, as well as consumer tips for patients, was released April 7th at a news conference in the nation's capital.

The easy to read primer, "Diagnosis and Management of Foodborne Illnesses: A Primer for Physicians and Other Health Care Professionals" contains charts, scenarios and a continuing medical education section and is free to health care professionals. The primer, initially introduced in 2001, contains five new sections on new and re-emerging foodborne illnesses and was written with an emphasis on living in the post 9-11 environment.

Health care professionals can request a free copy of the primer by visiting the AMA Web site. The consumer tips to food safety are also available at this site.

(Click here to read the entire April 7th news release from the CDC.)

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It’s "Great Nebraska Trash-Off" Time

The 14th Annual “Great Nebraska Trash-Off” is being held April 17-24, 2004.

This yearly event, sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Roads, involves over 5,000 volunteers who participate in the Adopt-A-Highway litter pickup program. These
dedicated volunteers faithfully pick up unsightly litter that has been discarded along their adopted section of highway.

The Department of Roads is expecting a record number of volunteers for this year's Trash-Off, and thanks to them, over 2,000 miles of highway roadsides should again be clean and litter-free. While this designated week is a great time for groups to conduct their clean-up activities, the Department of Roads welcomes citizen and group litter pickup efforts anytime during the year.

Also, an important reminder is that it is against the law to deposit materials or rubbish on roads or ditches in Nebraska. Penalties include fines and/or imprisonment.

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NEW!! Forklift Hazard Perception Challenge® Training Program

Designed for new and veteran employees, this performance-based training puts your forklift operators face-to-face with real-life hazard scenarios and challenges them to respond quickly and correctly

The program's 50-minute video features a unique "watch and react" approach that gets employees involved and teaches forklift hazard perception through a series
of fast-paced visual encounters. Each scenario is followed by quiz questions that ask "what did you see" or "what should you do"?

This interactive format will keep your forklift operators' attention and get them to take the training seriously. It will also show them how to avoid common hazards
relating to forklift safety:

• Not using seatbelts
• Moving forward with too large of a load
• Driving with forks raised
• Backing up without checking for pedestrians or obstructions
• Cornering too fast
• Passing other forklifts
• Not checking inside a trailer before entering
• And many more

Beyond Workers' Comp. - New Book from NSC

As a human resources or business manager, you have a choice. You can either manage ever-increasing workers’ compensation costs or you can integrate a culture of safety throughout your organization. To me, this choice is simple. You should focus on building safety into your workplace.

This book will show you how. These pages are packed with useful, hands-on information that will guide you in integrating safety into each aspect of your workplace functions and job activities. Most importantly, this information will help in the day-to-day lives of your employees.

Written specifically for the human resources professional, Beyond Workers’ Comp outlines the basics needed to organize and implement safety initiatives into small- to mid-sized companies. Topics include: cost of safety, safety laws and OSHA, hazard recognition and control, recordkeeping, measurement, and much more! The book also contains a comprehensive glossary of safety terms. Softcover, 6” x 9”, 100 pages, 2004. To order call Jackie Jackson at 402-483-2581, ext. 104, or email.