In this issue we will be covering:
- IVES' Opens New Training Site.
- ANSI A92 MEWP Standards Update.
- Online MEWP Programs Available Soon.
- North Dakota's Safety & Health Conference.
- To record or not to record: that is the question.
- Forklift truck sets on fire at Tetrosyl plant in Heap Bridge.
- Ask Bob: Our tech guru answers a question on removing guardrails if tied off.
- Top 7 forklift operation mistakes.
- Contractor fined $210,037 for exposing workers to trenching hazards.
- Last chance to register!
- What's Wrong With This? Photo and answer.
- A selection of interesting articles.
- New Product Highlights: Counterweight Forklift.
- New testimonials from our wonderful clients.
IVES' Opens New Training Site
We are thrilled to announce the opening of the first training location that is one hundred percent owned and operated by IVES. Abbotsford, British Columbia is the location of the approximately 8,900 ft² facility situated on a ¾ acre lot that will serve as IVES’ Western Training Center for the delivery of all its available open-enrollment training programs. Operation of the new facility officially began January 20, 2020.
“It’s fantastic” says IVES’ Director of Training, Rob Vetter. “With six thousand square feet of hands-on training area that is enclosed and heated, it’s a luxurious space we’ve never had before. With more than thirty feet of ceiling height and an automatic carbon monoxide-sensing ventilation system inside, plus the yard space we have outside, we can do everything we need to do with any of the equipment we train on, and it will always be ours, that’s the best thing of all."
Typically, IVES forms partnerships with businesses that have suitable locations that they offer as host sites for IVES training programs. “That model will continue; we have some great partners that have been instrumental in our growth over the years” Vetter went on to say. “However, we’d really like to take some steps that ensure we will be there regardless of what others we are involved with may decide to do, especially in areas where we have a strong presence. Ultimately, I’d like to see us with another site in Canada and at least three in the US all owned and operated by IVES, but that’s a ways out.”
ANSI A92 MEWP Standards Update
It looks as if the March 1, 2020 effective date for the new ANSI A92 suite of standards for MEWPs may be delayed again. The protocols and procedures involved in the unresolved appeals underway must be observed to ensure fair and consistent process but unfortunately, it tends to slow things down. In fact, even if the pending appeals were resolved today, it is unlikely that the March 1st date would be met. We do not have an alternative effective date to report as of the release date of this article so stay tuned.
However, IVES is moving ahead with the transition toward the new standards regardless of what happens with their effective date. We released English-language MEWP operator training and retraining materials in June of 2019 followed by Spanish and French-language versions more recently. We are also pleased to announce the development of some online programs and support materials aimed at MEWP trainer, occupants and supervisors that will be available soon.
Online MEWP Programs Available Soon
With the effective date of the new ANSI A92. suite of MEWP standards looming, IVES has developed some Internet-based training programs to help MEWP users meet and comply with the many new safe use and training requirements listed within them. March 31, 2020 is the target date for the release of the following electronically accessible programs and support materials for IVES clients.
MEWP Certified Trainer Update Program
This program is designed to update the knowledge of existing IVES Certified Trainers with MEWP operator training credentials with respect to the new ANSI and CSA MEWP industry standards. Program attendees will learn the new information concerning the requirements around MEWP design, inspection, safe use, operator training and more. The program duration is about one hour and is followed by a quiz. Upon successful completion of the quiz, attendees may print a certificate to retain as documentation of successful completion of the program. This program does not extend the expiry date of trainer credentials and is available free of charge to existing IVES Certified Trainers with valid/current MEWP trainer credentials.
MEWP Operations Supervisor Training Program
One of the most significant developments within the new standards is the requirement for supervisors of MEWP operators to receive formal training as per ANSI A92.24:
- The proper selection of the correct MEWP for the work to be performed.
- The rules, regulations and standards that apply to MEWPs, including the provisions for safe use, training and familiarization and for the work being performed.
- Potential hazards associated with the use of MEWPs and the means to protect against identified hazards.
- The proper location and storage of the MEWP manufacturer’s operations manuals.
At first glance, complying with the requirements above may seem simple but considering how deep one could drill down on any of them, particularly the first three, there’s a lot to know.
Attendees of this online program will learn all kinds of useful information that will boost the knowledge and greatly enhance the ability of those charged with supervising MEWP operations to effectively plan, implement and monitor them.
The program duration is about two hours and followed by a quiz. Upon successful completion, attendees will have access to other MEWP related videos as well as resource documents that will help in the development of safe use and rescue plans as well as the ongoing monitoring of safe MEWP operations. Program Fee: $70.00
Keep an eye out for descriptions of new and downloadable support resources such as a MEWP Safe Use Plan Guide, Occupant Knowledge Checklist, MEWP Selection Chart and more in the March IVES Update!
North Dakota's PREMIER SAFETY EVENT
An Immersive Training Experience!
IVES' Director of Training, Rob Vetter will be delivering three
educational sessions addressing new MEWP requirements, powered
industrial truck safety and instuctional techniques for industrial safety trainers.
We will also be present with our display booth so be sure to stop by Booth #908 to say Hi!
To record or not to record: that is the question
There are often gray areas with injury and illness recordkeeping where it is not clear whether an injury meets the recording criteria, or in some cases, how and where the injury should be recorded.
In the US, each employer is required to keep an OSHA Injury and Illness Log. They must record each fatality, injury and illness that is work-related; a new case; and/or meets one or more of the general recording criteria. Conversely, covered employers must record all work-related fatalities and any injuries and illnesses that result in days away from work, restricted work, job transfer, or medical treatment beyond first aid or loss of consciousness.
In addition, employers must record certain significant work-related injuries or illnesses diagnosed by a physician or another licensed healthcare professional, even if those injuries do not otherwise trigger one of the general recording criteria (e.g., a punctured eardrum or broken toe).
RECORDKEEPING EXCEPTIONS
Under the OSHA recordkeeping system, work-relatedness is presumed for injuries and illnesses resulting from events or exposures occurring in the workplace — except under the following circumstances, which are not recordable.
1) The employee is present in the work environment as a member of the general public rather than an employee.
2) The injury or illness involves signs or symptoms that surface at work but result solely from a non-work-related event or exposure that occurs outside the work environment. For this exception to apply, the work environment cannot have caused, contributed to, or significantly aggravated the injury or illness.
3) The injury or illness results solely from voluntary participation in a wellness program or in a medical, fitness, or recreational activity such as blood donation, physical examination, flu shot, exercise class, racquetball or baseball.
4) The injury or illness is solely the result of an employee eating, drinking, or preparing food or drink for personal consumption, whether purchased on company premises or brought in.
5) The injury or illness is solely the result of an employee doing personal tasks (unrelated to their employment) at the establishment and outside of the employee’s assigned working hours (off-shift time).
“Personal tasks” are tasks that are unrelated to the employee’s job. For instance, if an employee uses a company break area to work on his child’s science project, he is engaged in a personal task. Conversely, “assigned working hours” means those hours the employee is actually expected to work, including overtime; but for this exception to apply, both conditions must be present.
7) The injury or illness is caused by a motor vehicle accident and occurs on a company parking lot or company access road while the employee is commuting to or from work or on a personal errand. It’s important to note that, if an employee is injured in a car accident while leaving the property to purchase supplies for work, the case is considered work-related. Likewise, if an employee is injured by slipping on ice permitted to accumulate in the parking lot, the case is work-related.
8) The illness is the common cold or flu.
9) The illness is a mental illness. Mental illness is not considered work-related unless the employee voluntarily provides the employer with an opinion from a physician or other licensed health care professional with appropriate training and experience, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner, stating that the employee has a mental illness that is work-related.
NO APPARENT WORK CONNECTION
Some injuries occur with no apparent work-related cause. An example is an employee who is walking on an even surface whose knee suddenly buckles for no apparent reason. When an employee injures himself at work in the course of an event that does not seem to be related to, or caused by, the work environment, OSHA’s “geographic presumption” of work-relatedness assumes the injury is work-related because it occurred at work, unless one of the previously noted exceptions apply.
The “geographic presumption” also covers cases in which an injury or illness results from activities that occur at work but that are not directly productive, such as horseplay.
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
The recordkeeping rule has no general exception for purposes of determining work-relationship or for cases involving acts of violence in the work environment. You’would use the same criteria for determining recordability for acts of workplace violence as for any other event occurring in the workplace.
By Lisa Neuberger, EHS Editor at J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.
Source: ohsonline.com
Forklift truck sets on fire at Tetrosyl plant in Heap Bridge
A workman had a lucky escape after the forklift truck he was driving burst into flames.
The operative had been unloading pallets from a new low-loader at the Tetrosyl plant in Heap Bridge on Monday afternoon when he noticed flames were erupting from underneath his seat.
Shocked by the unexpected blaze, he quickly jumped off the truck and alerted his colleagues.
Fire rapidly engulfed the forklift and there were fears that a propane tank attached to the back of the vehicle may explode.
The area was swiftly evacuated and fire crews were called to the scene at around 2.15pm.
Fast acting firefighters then beat back the blaze and worked to cool the propane cylinder.
They also battled to prevent the flames from spreading to the car care product firm's new and "very expensive" Scania low-loader lorry (truck) — ensuring the valuable cab remained unscathed.
Steve Wilcock, watch manager at Bury Fire Station, said: "This fire really took the workman by surprise.
He had been going about his normal duties and was unloading pallets when his forklift burst into flame and he saw flames coming from under his seat.
We would like to commend the company's response. Everyone was evacuated, they did a great job, and it was really well handled."
After bringing the fire under control, fire crews made the area safe and remained on the scene for around 40 minutes.
However, it is still unknown what caused the forklift truck to ignite.
Mr Wilcock said: "The damage to the forklift was so severe that it is very difficult to pin down what the exact cause was. Sometimes it happens that these vehicles have a fault on them."
Source: burytimes.co.uk/news
Ask Bob
Q. Can you remove guardrails if you are tied off on an aerial lift?
A. I am assuming you are speaking about scissor lifts specifically since most guardrail systems on boomlifts are not collapsible. I have read a lot of Operator Manuals for MEWPs and I have not seen anything that would allow for removing the guardrails. Lowering them to get through a low doorway yes, but not removing them entirely. I would also add that most, if not all, of the manufacturer approved anchor points are built into the guardrail system. There would be no way to tie off at a manufacturer approved anchor point if the guardrail system was folded down/collapsed.
I would highly recommend taking a look at your Operators Manual for your specific machine to see what they have to say about lowering and/or removing guardrails. Regulations are always going to require workers use fall protection (PPE) whenever doing work where a fall is possible. If the MEWP manufacturer says not to lower/remove the guardrails then do not do it even if you plan on tying off.
I hope this helps,
Ask Bob
Top 7 forklift operation mistakes
Forklifts can be an essential component of company success — helping your workforce get the job done in less time, and for less money. However, if forklift operation mistakes happen, a business can be crippled, and lives could even be in danger.
Forklift drivers need to remain up to date on their forklift training and education, ensuring they know the best ways to protect themselves and their workplaces. No matter how long drivers have been working in the field, they must keep their knowledge fresh and their skills sharp. To prevent common forklift injuries, here are a few of the most common forklift operation mistakes that drivers should keep at the top of their minds.
1. Not knowing load capacity
Check your forklift’s capacity before any operations, a figure that should be listed on the truck’s data plate. If a truck is loaded over-capacity, it is at a high risk of instability, which could cause it to turn over.
2. Unsecured load
Each load needs to be secured differently, depending on the size, shape, and weight. Pay close attention to loads with irregular shapes, as they could topple.
3. Lack of inspection
Forklifts need to be inspected regularly by professionals, in compliance with state and federal laws. Inspections should be documented, and any issues promptly addressed. Operating a forklift that hasn’t been properly inspected could lead to malfunctions that put the safety of the entire workforce at risk.
4. Speeding
This is one of the most common causes of workplace accidents. Pay attention to speed limits and speed bumps and stay alert and aware of your surroundings to avoid incidents.
5. Poor communication
Forklift operators need to pay attention to what’s going on around their vehicle and communicate with their fellow workers. Knowing where each worker will be, and telling all workers where you will be working, is essential to avoiding an accident.
6. Inadequate power
If a vehicle’s battery is low or the lift runs out of hydraulic fluids midway through the job, that could pose a serious danger, as a vehicle could break down in the middle of a location where it’s not supposed to be stationary.
7. Misuse of vehicle
Drivers must observe proper protocol in all aspects of forklift operation. Apart from safe operations, it’s also important to know the forklift’s route and be aware of any obstacles and consider factors like wearing proper footwear, to reduce the risk of a slip and fall.
(NOTE: In addition to what the author has noted above, it is also critical to use a forklift only for the purposes it was designed for by the manufacturer. Ed)
By Tom Reddon
Source: nfe-lifts.com
Contractor fined $210,037 for exposing workers to trenching hazards
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined a Missouri contractor $210,037 for failing to protect its workers from trench collapses and electrical hazards.
OSHA said in a statement that inspectors observed the trenching and excavation hazards when workers for Blue Nile Contractors Inc. were installing water lines at a job site in Kansas City in May 2019.
OSHA cited the company for four repeat and five serious safety violations and placed it in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program. The severe violator program concentrates resources on inspecting employers that have demonstrated indifference to their obligations by willful, repeated or failure-to-abate violations, according to the agency's website.
The agency also said it recently updated its national emphasis program aimed at preventing trenching and excavation collapses.
"Trench collapses can be quick and cause serious or fatal injuries, but they are preventable," OSHA Kansas City Area Director Karena Lorek said in a statement. "Employers must ensure there is a safe way to enter and exit a trench, cave-in protection is used, all materials are placed away from the trench's edge, standing water and other hazards are addressed and no one enters a trench before it has been properly inspected."
Blue Nile Contractors has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to a) comply, b) request an informal conference with OSHA's Area Director, c) or contest the finding before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commision.
Source: workcompcentral.com/news
What's Wrong With This? Photo
Can you tell what's going wrong in this photo?
Have a photo you'd like to share? Send it to us!
Answer to Last Month's WWWT? Photo
In last month’s WWWT, our researchers managed to find that most elusive of Darwin-defying daredevils, the quadrimbecile. This rare, and likely about to become even rarer bird, is capable of performing four cringeworthy displays of sheer safety lunacy, simultaneously. Let’s count the ways this particular specimen is tempting fate in his quest to become (even more) disabled:
- The rule is to keep both feet firmly planted on the deck at all times. He seems to have confused the deck with the top rail.
- Not “climbing” on the guardrails includes not standing on them either.
- The good news is he’s using a twin-leg lanyard, presumably to be extra-safe. The bad news is that he missed connecting the snaphook of either leg to an actual anchor point.
- Finally, and in a display of absolute apathy toward safety rarely glimpsed in the wild, he actually appears to be cradling a phone between his ear and his left shoulder. Hopefully it lands nearby after the fall so he can call for help.
Have a photo you'd like to share? Send it to us!
Interesting Articles
Top 5 forklift load hazards...more.
Skid steer safety...more.
Safety vests improve visibility in the workplace...more.
11 different types of forks for your lift truck...more.
Poor company culture compromises lift truck training...more.
Man suffered 'bomb victim' injuries riding in farm vehicle bucket...more.
Whistleblower in New Orleans hotel collapse is deported to Honduras...more.
10 OSHA myths that still impact attitudes toward safety...more.
3 training principles to effectively build your safety culture...more.
Concrete floors and forklifts: from damage impact to friction...more.
5 simple keys to effective excavator undercarriage maintenance...more.
New product highlights
Toyota Material Handling USA Inc. introduced its newest forklift to the THD product line. The adjustable wheelbase forklift has the capacity to lift from 15,000 to 80,000 pounds and is small enough to navigate tight spaces, the company says. It also features a stacked plate counterweight and low profile design, enabling it to go into locations that conventional forklifts cannot access, according to the company. Along with the unique horizontally adjustable wheelbase, the new heavy-duty model features rigger boom attachments for additional load support, a 2-speed hydrostatic transmission and a 7-inch color LCD multi-function touchscreen. Other features include a wheelbase extendable from 36 inches to 48 inches depending on model, a quick-change fork system, multiple display features, an onboard estimated capacity calculator, and engine fault code diagnostics and troubleshooting guides. In addition, the newest models are equipped with an optional wireless remote control for operating the forklift outside of the normal seating position while enabling the operator to precisely guide the forklift under the load, it says.
Source: bevindustry.com
Client Testimonials
"Throughout my mining career of 30+ years, this was absolutely the best and most informative I have had the pleasure of taking. I have never had 2 more knowledgeable presenters than the IVES representatives." Brian, Coeur Silvertip Holdings Ltd.
"Was one of the most in depth & thorough classes I have taken in my 25 years as a trainer!" Landry, Keane Group
"IVES is an excellent program! I am proud to be a certified trainer & share this knowledge throughout my career!" Kristine, West Pharmaceuticals Services
Did you enjoy this newsletter? Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive more like this!
