For your convenience as well as to promote conservation, prevent waste & protect resources, Dimensions is now distributing our quarterly health & safety news update electronically. We know that many of you copy and post articles for others at your company to read and we hope that this format will make it easier for you to do so. You may cancel receipt at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe button at the bottom of this newsletter.

The OSHA 300A Summary of the OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements has already been, signed and posted. You are required to leave it posted through May 1, 2008. We hope that doing the summary and postings helped you assess injury patterns, correct additional hazards, and possibly even correct recordkeeping errors. We frequently find companies who are not recording correctly – either over-reporting by documenting every injury treated by a physician or under-recording when cases should be documented. Doing either is out of compliance with requirements and is not beneficial for your company.

You must keep the OSHA 300 Log and the 300A for 5 years after the date of the records. The purpose of the records are to provide accurate information for the company to help you effectively manage the safety submit their records for national statistic databases. Posting the summaries helps to keep employees aware and involved. The only injuries or illnesses that are recorded as part of the recordkeeping requirement are those that involve days away from work (not counting the day of the injury), restricted work or job transfer, loss of consciousness, medical treatment, or those cases diagnosed as significant. First aid treatment is not considered medical treatment. Please contact us if you would like a summary list of what is considered medical treatment versus first aid treatment.

Just keep in mind that treatment from a physician or healthcare provider does not necessarily mean the injury is recordable and NOT seeing a doctor doesn't mean it isn't a recordable case. For instance, if a supervisor or manager decides to restrict an employee's work activity because of an injury then OSHA considers that restricted work and so the case is recordable. If the injury or illness meets the recordability criteria, it must be recorded on the 300 Log within 7 days. Confused?! We'll be glad to answer questions and are available to provide more in-depth review of recordkeeping requirements.

In 2007 major changes were implemented to restrict cigarette smoking in public places. Many Cities have implemented smoking bans. Some areas ban smoking in certain buildings and businesses. Smoking is prohibited inside and on the grounds of major airports, colleges, and hospitals. And many businesses have implemented effective smoke-free buildings and grounds, including any company vehicles. Is it time to strengthen your policy?

The number of smokers is declining and most smokers want to quit. Establishing a smoke-free worksite and offering support to employees trying to quit have been shown to help success. Even the tobacco industry recognized in an internal document that smoke-free work places lead to reduced levels of smoking among employees. Philip Morris compiled tracking data from over 25,000 workers, and determined that smokers in smoke-free workplaces "consume 11-15% less cigarettes than average, and quit at a rate that is 84% higher than average". They also found that "milder workplace restrictions like smoking only in designated areas have much less impact on quitting rates and very little impact on consumption".

By adopting a smoke-free workplace you're protecting the health of your employees, reducing your organization's health care costs, and protecting the future of your business! Take steps early in 2008 to consider the best smoking policy options for your company. Here are some suggestions for a smooth transition:

• Involve employees in the planning process
• Create a timetable and give adequate notice to all employees
• Review your insurance plan to ensure that smoking cessation products are covered.
• Announce to employees, customers, and stakeholders your commitment to providing a smoke-free workplace well in advance of the date. At least 6 months to 12 months notice may be needed to support employees in transitioning to no smoke breaks at work.
• Communicate the policy change frequently.
• Educate your employees about smoking cessation and encourage them to quit

Effective cessation support is available at no cost to state employees and all North Carolina citizens through N.C. Tobacco Use Quitline. This service is staffed by coaches trained to assist callers through the entire quitting process. Calls are free and confidential, and coaches will call you back, upon request, to monitor progress and answer questions. Call the toll-free service at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) between 8 a.m. and 12 midnight, seven days a week.

Services like the N.C. Tobacco Use Quitline have been shown in the medical literature to improve the chances of quitting. However, some smokers find that using a medication to help control the cravings of nicotine withdrawal significantly increases their chance of breaking their tobacco habit. Work with your insurance providers to ensure coverage of cessation products or at least purchase of products at a reduced rate.

The combination of the cessation medication and support from the N.C. Tobacco Use Quitline provides the most effective assistance for smokers wanting to quit. For additional information, visit the Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch website at http://www.tobaccopreventionandcontrol.ncdhhs.gov.

A recent study by researchers at Harvard University and University British Columbia conformed what His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other religious leaders have known -- altruism and humanitarian actions improve our own well-being. In other words, giving makes us feel better. Many companies are implementing community projects as part of corporate social responsibility. Allowing paid time is well worth the investment; employees are given several hours a month or quarter to volunteer for the project. Truly a win-win situation for everyone.

• First e-news from Dimensions!
• OSHA Recordkeeping Documentation
• Is It Time To Strengthen Your Smoking Policy?
• Giving Increases Happiness