SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

Support our Troops -- No matter what your political views or opinions!
These young men and women are doing what they have been asked to do and they need our support. I am proud of these voluteers and you should be too! America has drifted off course over the years but our brave young men and women of our nation's military have always Stood Up and Served when Called. Like you I pray they are all home soon from war torn areas like Iraq and Afganistan. BUT, even when they all come home, they will continue to need our prayers and support. Please do your part and thank them for their service when you see them. God Bless America and the fine folks of the U.S. Military (including all our veterans).

$10,000 in Scholarships

Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association awarded $10,000 in scholarships this year.
2009 Applications will be available this Fall (we are modifying the requirements) and the deadline for entry will be January 31, 2009. Spread the word…to any interested parties.

This years scholarship recipeints were from: West Virginia , Oklahoma, Arizona and Texas
Total awards = $10,000

Thanks to all our generous donors and all those who applied. Learn more about the Joseph A. Holmes Safety Association and the scholarship requirements at http://www.holmessafety.org/

It's Your Life...

by Safety Wayne
In your life do a little good everyday... for all too soon it slips away
You can't go back to fix mistakes so learn from them and it'll be OK.

Be a friend to ever person you meet; an enemy to none
Many people have no friends and some have only one.

We must all do our part to improve the world as we go along our way
Actions speak louder than words -- isn't that what they say?

So be a doer, but always do things right
That way you’ll be able to sleep well each night.

Count your blessings (not your problems) no matter how few
There'll always be people with more troubles than you

And for the folks who seem to have it all
For them it is harder to hear His Call!

So be kind to strangers and share your love with family and friends
Avoid anger and hate – they just lead to dead ends.

Enjoy the day (Rain or Shine) especially if you can see it!!
If you want to see change in the world, You may have to be it.

Make a difference, go ahead - take a chance now and then
When you get to the pearly gates, He'll ask, ‘what have you done; where've you've been?’

I recommend you have a good answer that day, oh and a nice big grin
And then, God-willing you might just get in!

I’ll keep walking through life with Him by my side
Knowing failure doesn’t matter as long as we’ve tried.

And one day again soon we all will Rejoice
When we’re in His presence and hearing His sweet voice

It's your life so make it worthwhile in the end
And as always, May God bless you my friend.

Beware of the Garbage Truck

Thanks Wally
One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car
jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi
driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other
car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head
around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and
waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined
your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver
taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run
around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full
of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to
dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.
Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage
and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks
take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with
regrets, so..... 'Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.'

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Tell me something... GOOD!

Well, the primaries are over, I guess that is a good start. The real good news is... Each one of us can make a difference by Standing up and Speaking out for Safety. Like a pebble dropped in a body of water… one person can make a difference! Remember to the world you may only be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
Safety, come on in – we've been expecting you
Safety is not the Safety Manager’s job or simply a function of management. And we can’t expect MSHA to develop or maintain our safety program. Every employee needs to be actively involved in safety to make a program work. That means we all need to Speak Up if we see a co-worker performing an unsafe act. We need to Step Up and correct unsafe conditions when we find them. Mine Fatalities are up significantly over last year… We need to do a better job of looking out for each other.
We can get to Zero, but we need your help. SLAM RISKS! Do not take unnecessary changes, plan your work, wear your PPE and follow the rules. Work Safely… your family is counting on it!
Working with MSHA – Getting things done
MSHA Education and Field Service (EFS) Personnel continue to make progress in the mining industry. These folks are there to help and are great to work with even in these troubled times. MSHA’s Training Makes a Difference Program is a great way to improve safety and health awareness at your organization. EFS folks can also help develop training programs with their 3-day Job Task Analysis (JTA) Workshop. Contact your local field office for more information.
Better Hearing Protection Available
Hearing Loss is all too common in the mining industry. The good news is many new types of Hearing Protection are available. The new plugs and muffs are more comfortable and come with higher NRRs. Wear your earplugs or muffs and encourage co-workers to do the same. Make sure you insert them properly and hold them in place while they expand. Dual protection (plugs and muffs) may be required in certain areas of the mine or plant (these areas are usually posted).
Hearing loss occurs painlessly and by the time you are aware of it…it is often too late.
Off-the-job exposures can also be devastating if hearing protection is not used. Routine use of lawn mowers, weed trimmers, chain saws, power tools, etc. can all lead to hearing loss. Take care of your hearing…once lost it is almost impossible to get back.
Life is what you make it
We all make choices everyday. These choices shape our lives and each one comes with a series consequences. You have control of your life and you can do whatever you want if you set you mind to it. Life is what you make it… So why not make it Great!? Choose to Make a Difference Today… get involved...

Manbaskets

For years, companies have been using man-baskets attached to the front of forklifts in order to access areas they cannot reach with typical manlifts. Now such use is being scrutinized and it seems that using a man-basket attachment on a forklift may not be safe or legal in all applications. Remember: Just because we have always done something does not make it right.
A Few Recommendations:
-Check the forklift – if you see a sticker that reads, ‘This equipment is not designed to carry passengers in any attachments’ (or something similar)… Do Not use it to transport personnel. Most all-terrain forklifts prohibit transporting personnel other than the operator.
-Check the Operators Manual for each lift – Comply with manufacturer requirements/recommendations, but be advised you still may be in violation of OSHA or MSHA regulations.
-Check with the manufacturer of the man basket – Review the specification sheets and restrictions for use and comply with them.
-Keep the paperwork handy – You may need it to prove your position. So keep Operator’s Manuals, spec sheets, etc. handy and use them in training.
-Train your employees – They need to be aware of the use requirements and restrictions.
-Most importantly, consult applicable MSHA/OSHA regulations, the Program Policy Manual and other applicable regulations.
From MSHA's Program Policy Manual
Standards 56/57.14211 prohibit persons from working on, under, or from raised portions of mobile equipment or a component of mobile equipment until the equipment has been blocked or mechanically secured. The standards specifically require blocking of raised components to prevent a "free and uncontrolled descent" in the event of a sudden failure of the system holding up the raised component.
Two more applicable industry standards relevant to forklifts: ANSI B56.1-2005 Safety Standard for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks and ANSI B56.6-2005 Safety Standard for Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks and a Best Practices Bulletin by AEM- Preventing Rough-Terrain Forklift Accidents. Both documents contain industry requirements for elevating personnel. MSHA suggests that operators follow the requirements in ANSI B56.6, paragraph 5.15.1, "A rough terrain forklift truck shall not be used to lift people unless there is no other practical option." Neither standard forklifts nor rough terrain forklifts provide the control and safety features provided by purposely built man lifts, reference ANSI A92.6 Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platforms.

Warnings for Drivers

People are getting desperate and things could get worse before they get better. Here are a couple things I heard recently that you should be aware of...
First thing I heard: If you drop off a child at daycare every morning you could be a potential target.

What thieves are doing:
They watch for a woman dropping off her child or children at daycare. Often times mothers will leave the car running with the a/c or heat on (especially if it is a cold or hot day). The crook waits for you to run the kids in (which you think only takes a second). While you are inside they steal the purse you left on the seat...or (if you are having a really bad day) they may take the car too.

How you can reduce your risk
1.) Be aware of your surroundings...observe any persons, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, etc. (it is easy to make a quick get away on foot, cycle or bike)
2.) Don't get paranoid but ask yourself, 'is anybody watching me?' Be observant!
2.) DO NOT leave your vehicle running when you drop of the children.
3.) DO NOT leave your purse in the vehicle because it makes for easy pickins!

Second thing I heard: Be careful when you go shopping...there is yet another new way of ripping people off.

What thieves are doing:
Purse natchers are putting posters or cardboard on the back window of vehicles (SUVs are an easy target because of the rear wiper) to cause shoppers to get out and remove the blockage.
The average person gets in their car and starts it up...then looks in the rear view mirror. When we see something obstructing our view we get out (with the vehicle running). Once you are out of the vehicle they steal your purse (ladies are the main target) or your purchases. And if the vehicle is positioned so that they do not have to back out they may use it as a getaway car and that means they may be taking your toddler(s) with them, IF you left them buckled up in their car seat(s).

What you can do:
Be aware of your surroundings!
Walk around behind your vehicle and check to make sure the rear window is clear before you get in.
If you are in the vehicle and notice the rear window is partially blocked, be careful. Look to see if anyone is watching you.
Never leave your car running if you have to get out. (If you don't have to back out of a parking spot, leave the obstruction where it is until you reach the end of the parking lot).
Do not leave your wallet, purse or valuables in the vehicle if you have to get out to move a poster or pamphlet obstructing your view.

Water Safety Tips

Summer is rapidly approaching and many people will be spending time near or on the water in the days and weeks ahead. Each year approximately 3000 lives are lost due to water-related deaths (many of them toddlers). Here are some tips from NSC.org for a safe experience.
-Remember kids don’t drown only in pools. Bathtubs, buckets, toilets and hot tubs present drowning dangers too. Keep an eye on them!
-Never leave a child alone near water: on the beach, at a pool, or in the bathtub. If you must leave, take your child with you. It doesn't take long to lose a precious life!
-Enroll children over age three in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. Lessons won’t make your child "drown-proof" but will teach them some helpful skills.
-Always follow posted safety precautions when visiting water parks. They are designed to protect you and your family!
-If you’re visiting a public pool, keep an eye on your kids. Lifeguards aren’t babysitters.
Teach your children these key swimming rules:
-Don't swim alone. Always swim with a buddy.
-Jump feet first to avoid hitting your head on a shallow bottom. Don't dive into unknown bodies of water.
-Don't push or jump on others.
And remember
-Avoid alcohol when operating a boat.
-Use approved personal flotation devices (life jackets). They can be a LIFESAVER!
-Be prepared for emergencies. Keep a first-aid kit and emergency phone contacts handy.
-Don’t underestimate the power of water. Even rivers and lakes can have undertows.
Parents should learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). You could save a life!

Safety Tidbits 6/2/08

Is it HOT out here or is it just me
If you spend a lot of time outside in the sun, beware of overexposure. Sun can damage skin and cause skin cancer. Heat cramps, heat rash and heat stress are possible especially when people overexert themselves. Here are a few tips to protect you.
-Get acclimated - adjust to working in the heat over a period of a couple weeks.
-A wide-brimmed hat will keep your head and face cool. Baseball caps only protect the face or neck (depending on how you wear it). A hat should protect the face, neck and ears ears. If you’ve ever burned your neck or you know what I’m saying.
-A long-sleeved shirt will protect your arms. It should be light colored and loose fitting except when working around machinery. My grandfather always wore a long sleeve shirt and a cotton t-shirt underneath -- he claimed it kept him cool.
-Carry a source of water with you (avoid caffeine). Take drinks frequently—every 10 to 15 minutes. Dehydration is a real concern in hot weather.
-Pace yourself - take frequent breaks in the shade or in a cool environment during the hottest times of the day.
-Keep track of each other - anyone suffering from heat stress should be moved to a cool area and given small amounts of water. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke which is life-threatening and requires immediate advanced medical care.
-Wear sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15 (waterproof is best). Use a 30 SPF for children. Reapply often if you are out for long periods or going in the water.

Never, never give up
“While there's life, there's hope.” -Cicero

Thought for your day - It's all in how you say it (Thanks Wally)
A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which read: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat. A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?" The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." What he had written was: "Today is a beautiful day & I cannot see it."

Were the first sign & the second sign were saying the same thing? Of course both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Think differently and positively. Invite people towards good with wisdom. When Life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don't believe your doubts and don't doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Life is wonderful if you know how to live!!! God Bless you

Quote of the week: “You can't help someone get up a hill without getting closer to the top yourself.” -H. Norman Schwarzkopf

Week 23 – Fall Protection

Let’s Review
I recently heard a safety professional say all the lanyards on the market now are rated so that you can tie them back to themselves – I checked and THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!
So I thought this would be a good time to review some other Fall Protection Facts
But first remember you cannot tie a lanyard back to itself UNLESS it is rated for this application and MOST ARE NOT (it could prove deadly in a fall situation as the safety latch would not hold)
-MSHA requires 100% tie-off when working at an elevation …TRUE which means you may need to have a second lanyard (to travel)
-It is OK to secure the lanyard to any D-ring for fall protection…FALSE, the back D-ring is the only one that should be used for fall protection…the other rings have other functions (positioning, vertical assent, rescue, etc.)
-Chest and leg straps must be secured to keep the wearer from slipping out of the harness in the event of a fall …TRUE, leg straps should be snug and the chest strap must be fastened.
-The ideal place for an anchor point is about waist high… FALSE, it is best to tie off overhead whenever you can to avoid banging into the level below you if you fall.
-Since fall protection equipment generally has a five to seven year work life it only needs to be inspected annually…False! The wearer must inspect the equipment prior to each use AND it must be inspected annually by a competent person.
-SRL (Self Retracting Lifelines) should be serviced routinely…TRUE! The brakes and cable should be checked every 1-2 years depending on the manufacturer and conditions of use.
Whether you're on the job or working around the house, be aware of the 4 Mental States that lead to TROUBLE
- Rushing, Fatigue, Frustration, Complacency
FYI, from the BLS: In 2005, U.S. workers died from an injury while at work at a rate of 4.0 per 100,000 workers. Males accounted for 93% of all deaths and had a work-related fatality rate approximately 12 times the rate for females. Workers aged 35-54 accounted for 46% of workplace deaths.
Approximately 43% of fatal work-related injuries resulted from transportation incidents 58% (1,428) of these deaths involved highway incidents (i.e., incidents that occurred on public roads and surrounding areas such as roadway shoulders).
The remaining categories with the highest rates of fatal occupational injuries were
-Contact with objects or equipment (18%) - being struck by a falling object such as a tree, being crushed during a cave-in while digging ditches, or getting caught in running machinery) Stay out of the Line of Fire and Think about what you are doing.
-Assaults/Violent acts (14%) - Be aware of what is going on around you
-Falls (13%) - Eyes and Mind on Task