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FMCSA advisory committee to meet in June

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

Photo: FMCSA

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee has scheduled virtual meetings for June 6-7.

According to a notice published in the May 18 Federal Register, the meetings will start at 9:30 a.m. The agenda includes briefings:

McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, USDOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.

Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.

MHSA – Mine Fatality #18

Posted on by McCraren Compliance
Original article published by MSHA
Accident scene where a miner died when he was struck by a mobile radial stacker conveyor.
Photo property of MSHA
Best Practices
  • Provide safe access to all working places by identifying hazards around belt conveyor systems.
  • Deenergize, lock out, tag out, and block equipment from hazardous motion before performing maintenance or repairs.
  • Provide remote e-stops to allow for safe access around moving equipment.
  • Train miners to work around moving equipment, including the hazards associated with the work to be performed.
Additional Information

This is the 18th fatality reported in 2023, and the fourth classified as “Powered Haulage.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Public Citizen calls for an OSHA heat standard

Posted on by McCraren Compliance
Original article published by Safety+Health
dyk-heat-psa_original
Photo: OSHA

Washington — An OSHA standard aimed at protecting workers from extreme heat exposure could prevent at least 50,000 injuries and illnesses annually, a watchdog group contends.

A recent report from Public Citizen also claims that workplace heat exposure or stress is linked to as many as 2,000 worker deaths and 170,000 injuries each year.

Other findings in the report:

  • Heat stress-related tragedies “disproportionately strike” low-income workers and workers of color.
  • Latino workers are three times more likely to suffer a heat-related death than non-Latino workers.
  • Agricultural workers experience heat stress-related deaths at a rate 35 times higher than the rest of the workforce.
  • Workplace injuries rise by 1% for every 1° C increase in temperature.

Public Citizen is calling on OSHA to develop a standard to protect indoor and outdoor workers from heat. The agency published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in the Oct. 27, 2021, Federal Register. The public comment period expired in early 2022.

In April of that year, OSHA introduced a National Emphasis Program on heat-related inspections. The NEP, set to remain in effect until April 2025, includes plans to conduct inspections in more than 70 “high-risk” industries when the heat index reaches 80° F or higher.

“Each year without an OSHA heat stress standard puts the health and lives of more workers on the line,” the report states. “The risk of workplace heat stress illness, injury and death is increasing with climate change, and predictions for extreme temperatures and increased heat waves in 2023 and 2024 make the need for a heat standard more urgent than ever.”

In a press release, Public Citizen worker health and safety advocate Juley Fulcher adds: “Employers can take simple actions to protect their employees, but unfortunately many see it as a burden. By implementing a binding and comprehensive heat stress standard from OSHA, we can prevent countless illnesses, injuries, and fatalities and create safer, more productive workplaces.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

CDC updates recommendations on building ventilation

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

Washington — Occupied buildings should undergo at least five clean air changes an hour, according to updated ventilation guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The agency says air changes can be accomplished via “any combination of central ventilation system, natural ventilation or additional devices that provide equivalent [air changes per hour] to your existing ventilation.” CDC explains on its website how to calculate air changes per hour.

Another updated recommendation: installing air filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value of 13 or higher. The revised guidance also addresses post-occupancy flushing of building air and details cost considerations for ventilation strategies.

CDC also added to its list of answers to FAQs, as well as revamped all of the FAQs “to include a concise answer, followed by more detail.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

House committee advances truck parking act and other bills

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

Photo: Missouri Department of Transportation

Washington — The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, along with 16 other bills, during a May 23 markup.

Introduced by Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL), the act (H.R. 2367) would empower the transportation secretary to issue grants for projects that create truck parking. It also would allow for expanded parking at current truck parking areas and prohibit charging drivers for any parking spaces created under the act.

“I grew up in a family trucking business,” Bost said in a committee press release. “I understand how difficult, and oftentimes dangerous, it can be when America’s truckers are forced to park in an unsafe location. By expanding access to parking options for truckers, we are making our roads safer for all commuters and ensuring goods and supplies are shipped to market in the most efficient way possible. This is a matter of public safety, and I’m proud to have led on this important legislation.”

Among the other bills approved:

  • The Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently (LICENSE) Act of 2023 (H.R. 3013), which would direct the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to revise federal regulations on state or third-party administration of commercial driver’s license knowledge tests. In addition, states or third parties would be allowed to administer driving tests regardless of which state an applicant lives in or where they received driver training.
  • The Motor Carrier Safety Selection Standard Act (H.R. 915), which would direct FMCSA “to develop a new safety fitness determination process to change the way a motor carrier is rated.”
  • H.R. 3372, which would establish voluntary 10-year pilot programs for states to increase truck weights on federal interstates to 91,000 pounds on six axles.

The committee postponed its consideration of the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) Safe Integrity Act (H.R. 3408) – a bill concerning a pilot program for 18- to 20-year-old interstate truck and bus drivers. The status of the bill is undetermined for future markups.

All 17 of the bills passed by the committee now go before the full House.

McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, USDOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.

Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.

New NSC white paper: ‘Improving Workplace Safety with Robotics’

Posted on by McCraren Compliance
Original article published by Safety+Health
machine_silhouette.jpg

Itasca, IL — The benefits that robotic technologies can bring to workplace safety programs “cannot be overlooked,” National Safety Council experts say.

A new NSC white paper, Improving Workplace Safety with Robotics, guides employers in assessing risks, identifying technology solutions and preparing jobsites for their implementation.

Using analyses of academic journals, vendor interviews and case studies, the white paper evaluates the benefits of robotics and autonomous mobile robots on reducing worker injuries and fatalities. It also outlines best practices employers can follow to implement robotic technology across a range of workplaces.

“Recent advancements in data science and artificial intelligence mean that robotic vehicles and arms aren’t just capable of augmenting complex, precise tasks alongside human workers, but in many instances can eliminate employees’ exposure to dangerous machinery and workplace hazards altogether,” said Katherine Mendoza, senior director of workplace programs at NSC.

The white paper:

  • Assesses the benefits and applications of five most common robot configurations available to employers.
  • Provides examples of ways employers can use robots to make their workplaces safer.
  • Addresses barriers to widespread robot adoption, along with concerns that robotics or other technology could eventually replace human workers.

“This report helps employers understand the various types of robots, their unique benefits and also some drawbacks so they can more effectively integrate lifesaving technology into their workplaces,” Mendoza said.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Inspectors Remove More Than 750 Commercial Motor Vehicles with Brake Violations from Roadways During CVSA’s Unannounced Brake Safety Day

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by CVSA

Photo: CVSA
On April 19, 6,829 commercial motor vehicles were inspected throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S. as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Day. Inspectors found brake-related critical vehicle inspection items on 11.3% of the vehicles inspected, indicating those vehicles were unfit and unsafe for roadways. As a result, inspectors restricted those 773 commercial motor vehicles from travel until the violations were corrected.During this one-day unannounced inspection and enforcement campaign, certified commercial motor vehicle inspectors conducted their usual vehicle and driver inspections. They reported brake-related data to CVSA for a one-day snapshot of the state of brake systems on the commercial motor vehicles traversing our roadways every day.The top three brake-related out-of-service conditions were:
  1. 20% Brakes Violations – 479
    A vehicle or combination of vehicles is declared out of service when 20% or more of its service brakes have an out-of-service condition resulting in a defective brake, such as a brake out of adjustment, an audible air leak at the chamber, defective linings/pads, a missing brake where brakes are required, etc.
  2. Other Brake Violations – 368
    Examples of other out-of-service brake violations are worn brake lines, broken brake drums, inoperative tractor protection system, inoperative low air warning device, air leaks, hydraulic fluid leaks, etc.
  3. Steering Brake Violations – 81
    Examples of automatic standalone out-of-service steering axle brake violations are inoperative brakes, mismatched brake chambers, mismatched slack adjuster length, defective linings, etc.

CVSA’s membership consists of jurisdictions in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. All three countries participated in this year’s unannounced Brake Safety Day, for a total of 56 jurisdictions.

  • Canada – Ten percent (88 vehicles) of the 894 total commercial motor vehicles inspected were placed out of service for brake-related violations.
  • Mexico – Thirty-four commercial motor vehicles were inspected. Six (18%) had brake-related out-of-service violations and were placed out of service.
  • United States – Inspectors placed 679 (11.5%) of the 5,901 total commercial motor vehicles inspected out of service for brake-related violations.
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OSHA and NIOSH update handbook for small businesses

Posted on by McCraren Compliance
Original article published by Safety+Health
small-business handbook.jpg
Photo: OSHA

Washington — Self-inspection checklists for ergonomics, young workers, workplace violence and infection control have been added to the OSHA/NIOSH Small Business Safety and Health Handbook.

The revised handbook features checklists on a wide variety of topics, including electrical safety, emergency planning, fire safety, hazard communication, heat illness prevention, noise exposure and fall protection. It also details how to implement a safety and health program and the value of having a program in place.

Users can find contact information for OSHA’s regional offices and learn how to contact federal OSHA as well.

“Employers that make job safety and health a real part of their everyday operations will benefit in the long run,” the handbook states. “Investing in a safety and health program now will help you avoid possible losses in the future. A safe business is a sound business.”

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

US Department of Labor announces availability of Brookwood-Sago grants to promote mine safety, health education, training

Posted on by McCraren Compliance
Original article published by MSHA
Program will award up to $1M in grants to support mining community

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $1 million in grant funding through its Brookwood-Sago grant program, which supports the delivery of education and training to the nation’s mining community to help them identify, avoid and prevent unsafe and unhealthy working conditions.

Established by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, the program honors 25 miners who perished in disasters in 2001 at the Jim Walter Resources #5 mine in Brookwood, Alabama, and in 2006 in Buckhannon, West Virginia, at the Sago mine.

Administered by the department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration, the grants will fund education and training programs focused on workplace safety and health hazards faced by miners. These hazards include:

  • Exposure to respirable dust and crystalline silica.
  • Safe use of powered haulage and mobile equipment.
  • Mine emergency and mine rescue preparedness.
  • Electrical safety.
  • Insufficient training of new and inexperienced miners.
  • Lack of training for managers and supervisors performing mining tasks.
  • Pillar safety for underground mines.
  • Lack of personal protective equipment to prevent falls from heights and other unsafe conditions.

The program aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to improve the safety and working conditions for nation’s miners.

In awarding the grants, MSHA will give special emphasis to education and training programs that target miners at smaller mines and underserved populations in the industry and make diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility priorities.

Learn more or submit a grant application. The closing date for applications is July 21, 2023. MSHA will award grants on or before Sept. 30, 2023.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.

Be ready for an emergency

Posted on by McCraren Compliance

Original article published by Safety+Health

Photo: American Red Cross

Do your workers know how to respond to emergency situations?

These can include fires or explosions, chemical or oil spills, toxic gas releases, severe weather, workplace violence incidents, and medical emergencies.

Workers should be trained on:

  • How to report an emergency.
  • How to respond when an emergency alarm goes off.
  • When to shelter in place and the location of the nearest safe refuge.
  • When to evacuate, as well as where the nearest emergency exit is and where to gather outside away from danger.
  • Who to call, including the safety leaders, safety responders and first aid responders.

The first week of June is recognized as National CPR and AED Awareness Week. When an emergency arises, workers who know CPR and how to use an AED can help save lives.

A new solution: With drug overdoses, particularly from opioids and fentanyl, on the rise, NSC is recommending that all employers have naloxone nasal spray available in their first aid supplies. Employers should also provide naloxone training to all employees.

McCraren Compliance offers many opportunities in safety training to help circumvent accidents. Please take a moment to visit our calendar of classes to see what we can do to help your safety measures from training to consulting.