When you think Safety...Think ABC
ABC sets the industry standard for workplace safety. ABC members will be receiving regular updates on upcoming modification to safety standards as well as improvement tools for proactive safety culture improvement. Keeping our greatest asset; the employee, engaged in safety creates the winning combination in which we all strive for. The effect of this is a reduction in accidents, improved company morale and sustainable growth. This means your business is more productive, as well as more profitable.
Quarterly Safety Message
By Scott McKinnon
What a whirlwind few weeks it has been! I want to extend sincere gratitude to those members that have not only made me feel welcome, but also appreciated into this amazing organization. With that being said, lets get down to business!
The ABC Safety Academy will be October 31, 2018. Location is:
Weber State University, Farmington Station Campus
240 N. East Promentory #300
Farmington, UT 84025
ABC Safety Committee – ABC Safety Committee meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am. We had a great turn out in July and want to thank everyone who took the time and effort to attend the meeting. There was some great discussion on safety culture programs, slips/trips and falls, as well as the planning for ABC’s annual Safety Conference that will be held February 20th, 2019. You are invited to come participate in these meetings, YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
We have now reached the time when the
updated OSHA rule on Silica has taken affect. June 23rd, was the date that
enforcement was scheduled to start, Like with construction, OSHA is giving a
little more time for those that are trying. But even that will be ending soon.
General industry and Maritime companies not only need to have their plan in
place, but they need to be practicing it as well. The standard 29 CFR 1910.1053
requires employers to:
§ Assess
employee exposures to silica if it may be at or above an action level of 25
µg/m3 (micrograms of silica per cubic meter of air), averaged over an
8-hour day;
§ Protect
workers from respirable crystalline silica exposures above the permissible
exposure limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3, averaged over an 8-hour day;
§ Limit
workers' access to areas where they could be exposed above the PEL;
§ Use
dust controls to protect workers from silica exposures above the PEL;
§ Provide
respirators to workers when dust controls cannot limit exposures to the PEL;
§ Use
housekeeping methods that do not create airborne dust, if feasible;
§ Establish
and implement a written exposure control plan that identifies tasks that
involve exposure and methods used to protect workers;
§ Offer
medical exams - including chest X-rays and lung function tests - every three
years for workers exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days per
year;
§ Train
workers on work operations that result in silica exposure and ways to limit
exposure; and
§ Keep
records of exposure measurements, objective data, and medical exams.
Medical
surveillance must be offered to employees who will be exposed at or above the
action level for 30 or more days a year starting on June 23, 2020. (Medical
surveillance must be offered to employees who will be exposed above the PEL for
30 or more days a year starting on June 23, 2018.)
While
silica exposure is generally down due to better practices, employers must
evaluate processes and procedures to ensure they are preventing exposure.
Prevention is the key, using water or vacuum is the best prevention, PPE such
as respirators can fall short from improper use or type. Removing the employee
decision will have the highest chance of success. Employers are responsible for
the actions and inaction of the employees.
Silica
can cause cancers, silicosis, bronchial disease, and kidney diseases. These are
debilitating illnesses that result in early deaths. They cost employers
millions, but the cost to the employee is much higher. There is no cure, only
prevention. If you work with silica that may become silica dust through a high
energy process like cutting, drilling, grinding, or crushing talk to your
employer or safety professional to discuss what can be done to prevent your
exposure.
To address the education needs regarding the above regulation, you can sign up for training on the ABC's event calendar. We have a number of course scheduled at our location. If you have any questions and/or concerns, please reach out directly to me for information or on site training opportunities.
Scott.McKinnon@abcutah.org
Safety Services – Are you in need of safety services for your company? Did you know that as a member of ABC there are safety services available to your company? ABC’s safety services range from a company evaluation and job site inspection to economically priced safety consulting services. Please feel free to reach out to Scott McKinnon the ABC Workforce and Safety Education director and get started with your assessment. Have an incredibly, safe, hydrated, summer!
Scott McKinnon - 801-699-2318 – Scott.McKinnon@abcutah.org
STEP Established in 1989, the Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) serves as a valuable tool for ABC members to consistently build upon their safety training programs and gain recognition for their outstanding efforts.Learn More
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Safety CommitteeThe ABC Safety Team is a group of members working together to improve their own company safety programs and ensure that each involved member meets and exceeds their own safety goals.Learn More
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Drug Free Workplace Act Now and Take The Pledge To Become a Partner in the Construction Coalitionfor a Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace.Learn More
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National Safety Awards Through participation in the ABC National Safety Excellence Awards (NSEA) and the Construction Users Round Table (CURT), ABC is proud to recognize companies who continually strive to maintain outstanding safety training programs.Learn more
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CPR/AED/FIRST AID TRAININGUtah Chapter of ABC offers members, Full and Recertification CPR, AED, and First Aid Training. The courses are tailored toward the construction industry. Learn More
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