Safety Currents Express

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	IN THIS ISSUE: · Senators Blast MSHA on Safety · OSHA to Hold Meeting on PPE · Scott's Corner · New Safety Orientation program from Coastal · Can Popcorn Lung Affect Consumers? · Use Carpenter Brackets Wisely			September 17, 2007 Volume 5, Number 18

	SENATORS BLAST MSHA ON SAFETY Accuse agency of ignoring unsafe conditions At the first congressional hearing on mine safety since the Aug. 6 collapse of a Utah mine that entombed 6 miners, Senators accused the Mine Safety and Health Administration of ignoring signs of unsafe conditions, reports The Baltimore Sun. Senate panel members grilled MSHA chief Richard Stickler about multiple safety violations at the Crandall Canyon mine, a lack of substantial fines for those violations, and roof collapses or “bumps” at the mine beginning in March. Stickler told the panel he was unaware of the March bumps until after the August mine disaster. He said he was unable to answer many of the questions posed by the senators until his agency’s investigation is completed. But three mine experts blasted Stickler for his agency’s approval in June of a plan to allow retreat mining – in which miners extract mineral remaining in pillars of coal and speed out before the roof collapses – in the area where the six men were trapped.

	OSHA TO HOLD MEETING ON PPE Proposed revisions cause concern OSHA will hold an informal public hearing in December on its plan to update its personal protective equipment design standards, the agency has announced. The hearing is in response to concerns the agency received regarding the proposal. In May, OSHA proposed revising the personal protective equipment sections of its general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring and marine terminals standard. The proposed revisions would replace existing references to specific, out-of-date consensus standards with performance language that requires PPE to be constructed in accordance with good design standards. OSHA published a notice of proposed rulemaking in the May 17 Federal Register, asking for comments on the proposal. The 3M Company, the American National Standards Institute, ASTM International, and the International Safety Equipment Association all requested an informal public hearing on the proposal. Read the full announcement in the Aug. 31 Federal Register.

	SCOTT'S CORNER A message from E. Scott Geller, Ph.D. Observation Etiquette Unannounced observations might give a more realistic picture of the at-risk behaviors occurring while someone works, but such audits run the risk of reducing interpersonal trust and giving the impression that behavior-based safety is a negative “gotcha” program. And from a behavior-change perspective, observations without permission cannot raise safety mindfulness. That mindfulness develops and increases from an open and voluntary behavioral observation process is critical for behavior change and injury prevention. Edited from the book, People-Based Safety: The Source.			Click here or call 888-201-1150 to learn more about the next evolution in safety... People-Based Safety™. Click here to visit the People-Based Safety™ blog!

	KEEP SAFETY ON EVERYONE'S MIND! Safety orientation program for new and veteran employees The Newcomers Coastal's new hazard recognition program, follows the actions of five new employees, as they go through their busy days. Keep score as you witness several failures to recognize hazards and see the impact of those failures. This riveting training has a sobering twist at the end! Teach your workers: To ask questions about the job That simple tasks can carry deadly risks That their actions may affect others The importance of looking out for their fellow workers. Help inspire a safety awareness revolution in your organization! Call 888-574-8531 or click here to have a FREE 7-Day preview of The Newcomers shipped directly to your facility!			Click here to preview The Newcomers online

	CAN POPCORN LUNG AFFECT CONSUMERS? First consumer case of the disease revealed The future does not look bright for diacetyl, an ingredient in butter-flavored microwave popcorn, following reports of the first case of a consumer developing lung disease from the fumes of microwave popcorn. Doctors at Denver’s National Jewish Medical and Research Center notified federal agencies in September of their belief that a patient’s exposure to butter-flavored microwave popcorn from daily heavy preparation caused his lung disease. While the doctors noted that one case does not make a trend, nor could they confirm the link, they had no other explanation for the patient’s condition. Known as popcorn lung, the disease first received attention as an occupational illness following several highly publicized cases in which workers at food factories contracted lung disease after being exposed to chemicals used for flavoring. Both NIOSH and OSHA have since issued fact sheets and alerts on the topic, and Congress is considering further action. Read the OSHA Diacetyl fact sheet here

	USE CARPENTER BRACKETS WISELY OSHA issues new hazard alert Improperly installed carpenter brackets on construction sites cause numerous scaffolding collapses and accidents each year. That’s why the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Division has issued a new safety hazard alert on the subject. According to the alert, carpenter bracket scaffolds become a hazard when the intended load on any section is exceeded. They are designed to hold only two employees and 75 pounds of tools and materials for every eight feet of bracket at any one time. Other hazards include: Using nails to attach brackets to the wall, rather than the required bolts. Using homemade brackets that have not been rated by a qualified engineer. Attaching the scaffold only through the wall sheathing and not through or around a wall stud. Having the scaffold installed by someone other than a competent person. View the carpenter bracket hazard alert here.

Volume 5, Number 18 | © 2007 Coastal Training Technologies Corp.
500 Studio Drive | Virginia Beach, VA 23452 | 888-574-8531 | www.coastal.com

For FREE online previews visit www.coastal.com. To have your FREE 7-day previews shipped directly to your facility, simply call 888-574-8531 or email sales@coastal.com. Please be sure to give your name, facility name, address and phone number.

Please note: Safety Currents Express is a complimentary bimonthly newsletter updating you on the latest trends, news and information. All issues may be forwarded in their entirety via e-mail. Materials in this issue may only be reprinted with permission.

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