It’s that time of year again to summarize your OSHA 300 Log, complete the 300A Summary and post the Summary in a prominent location for employee accessibility. The Summary must be posted from February 1st through May 1st 2010. Both the Log and Summary must be maintained for five more years. Information is available at: http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/new-osha300form1-1-04.pdf. We are happy to answer questions about completing this process or discuss whether or not a case is recordable on the OSHA Log. Dimensions offers recordkeeping consulting services and performs OSHA Log maintenance.

Completing this activity provides an opportunity to assess your safety record compared to similar companies within your same business classification. The information is useful for planning future safety initiatives.

Recordkeeping ‘Quiz’: An employee hurts his/her arm and is told by the Dr. not to use the arm for 1 week. The employee is able to perform all of his/her routine job tasks using one arm, but at a slower pace. Is this recordable as restricted work? What do you think? See answer at the end of this newsletter!

It’s hard not to focus on the number of injuries or recordable incidents that occur during the year. While these metrics are important to track, analyze and use to prevent future incidents, they should not be the only measure of success or failure of your safety program. Shifting your focus to leading indicators ensures a stellar program that is proactive instead of reactive and ultimately is the only way to improve the safety culture as well as prevent injuries. Consider leading measures such as:

• The number of safety activities during the year and participation levels
• Safety training sessions planned, held and attendance summary
• Management safety projects and accomplishments
• Employee involvement
• Management and employee perceptions of the effectiveness of the safety program
• Near Miss incident reporting and/or hazard identification and control

We enjoy establishing a proactive approach toward health, safety, and the environment and gladly welcome the opportunity to be involved in your efforts! Please contact us if we can be of assistance!

In an attempt to reduce confusing information on Material Safety Data Sheets and to provide a more consistent format, in the Fall 2009 OSHA published a proposed rule to align OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (Haz Com) with provisions of the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

As you know, the current Haz Com standard requires chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import and provide information to subsequent users. The employer requirements include a written hazard communication program for workers exposed to hazardous chemicals, a chemical list, container labels, safety data sheets, and employee training.

The GHS was developed by a number of countries, including the United States, international organizations, and stakeholders to address inconsistencies in hazard classification and communications. The primary benefit is increasing the quality and consistency of information provided to workers, employers, and chemical users. The GHS includes labels with signal words, pictograms, and hazard and precautionary statements, plus a uniform requirement for information on safety data sheets.

The comment period ended and so hopefully soon we will all have access to more practical, reliable, and consistent information related to chemical safety. We’ll keep you posted.

Recently, companies are requiring that all employees enrolling in health benefit plans obtain physical prevention exams based on age and gender guidelines, health risk assessments, blood-pressure checks and/or cholesterol and blood-sugar tests in order to be eligible for company provided health care benefits.

One company found significant risk factors such as 46% smokers, 74% overweight and diabetes and heart disease skyrocketing, plus the company realized that most of the employees had never had preventive screening tests. An employee wellness program was implemented and the physical exams and preventive screening were completely covered. Employees who had never had or had not regularly had physicals learned life altering lessons after receiving their results.

Several articles note that mandated screening programs are being considered as employers continue to struggle with escalating healthcare costs. Screening programs that detect disease may cost more initially; however, early detection and the resulting healthy lifestyle changes ultimately save the company money in addition to improving employee health and quality of life. Be sure that any initiative planned meets the regulatory requirements.

Involving employees and addressing the determining factors of health are essential components of any wellness initiative, including assessing the work environment and culture. A comprehensive approach to wellness strategies ensures a supportive environment and sustainability of efforts. Please contact us for additional wellness program strategies or assistance in assessing your specific needs in order to establish a program to address factors important to your company and employees.

Monthly Wellness Topic Ideas

January: Preventive Screening Awareness or provide screenings onsite -- cholesterol, blood pressure, & blood sugar may be the biggest bargains in health care.

February: Heart Health Month. Provide posters, brochures, education, or a physical activity initiative to support heart healthy activities. Offer CPR onsite to interested employees.

March: Celebrate Nutrition Month by offering fresh fruit in the break room and holding a healthful recipe contest. Offer weekly healthy eating information sessions.

April: Substance Abuse Prevention Month. Promote your EAP and invite your vendor to educate employees about services.

May: Honor families by reviewing your maternity and other family-friendly policies. Provide blood pressure screenings and information.

June: Focus on Men’s health by offering specific topics or information. Celebrate Safety month and integrate safety within all aspects of your business!

July: Consider what your company can do to reduce stress, foster social activities, and help employees feel they are able to take relaxing vacations.

August: (or any sunny month, for that matter): Educate employees about skin cancer screening and outdoor safety.

September: Focus on cholesterol and provide cholesterol screening for all interested employees.

October: Offer and/or encourage flu vaccinations for employees and their family members.

November: Support smokers' and other tobacco users' efforts to quit. Mark Thursday the 18th, on your 2010 calendar, the Great American Smokeout.

December: Encourage employees to participate in a community activity and pay them for volunteering. Plan healthy holiday activities. Assess your employees’ needs and interests for the upcoming year!

No is correct! If the employee is able to perform all of his/her routine job functions (activities the employee is required to perform at least once per week) then the case does not involve restricted loss. Loss of productivity is not considered restricted work.

• OSHA Recordkeeping Reminders
• Use Leading Indicators to Measure Your Safety Program
• GHS Update
• Mandating Health Screenings
• Monthly Wellness Topic Ideas
• Recordkeeping Answer