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Worker protection laws heavily funded in OSHA’s 2001–2002 budget

On April 9, President Bush announced budgetary highlights for the Department of Labor. The new budget establishes the highest level of funding for enforcement of worker protection laws in decades.

Consistent with its strategic plan, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will focus on the most serious hazards and most dangerous workplaces, expand compliance assistance opportunities, and measure results instead of activities. Elaine Chao, secretary of labor, stated, “OSHA will continue its mission to save lives, prevent injuries and illnesses, and protect the health of America’s workers.”

OSHA will continue to base all standards on clear, sensible priorities and review existing rules to revise or eliminate obsolete and confusing standards. It will continue to focus re-sources on those activities that will have the greatest impact on worker safety and health. OSHA will also continue to target inspections on the worst hazards and the most dangerous workplaces and assist employers and employees in creating a safe and healthy workplace.

The 2002 budget of $425.8 million represents a slight increase over the 2001 budget. However, 94 full time positions will be eliminated in 2002.

OSHA budget highlights (in millions)

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New plain language workplace poster introduced

On Aug. 9, 2000, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) introduced a new plain language workplace poster—OSHA 3165. The poster replaces OSHA’s currently required workplace poster (OSHA 2203). OSHA 3165 will be phased in as supplies of OSHA 2203 diminish.

The workplace poster informs workers of their rights to a safe workplace. Prepared by the Department of Labor, the poster informs employees of the protections of the Occupational Safety and Health Act Public Law 91-596 and its amendments. The poster includes a variety of topics—including how to make sure a workplace is safe, how workers can file a complaint, report an emergency or seek OSHA advice—and informs workers that they have the right to confidentiality. The workplace poster must be displayed in a prominent location where employees and applicants for employment can see it.

Copies of OSHA 3165 may be obtained from your local OSHA office or downloaded at www.osha.gov/oshpubs/poster.html. Per Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations, 1903.2(a)(3) employers may use reproductions or facsimiles as long as the size is at least 8 inches by 14 inches with 10-point type.

A Spanish version, “Lo Establece La Ley” of the plain language workplace poster is also available (OSHA 3167). It may be obtained from your local OSHA office or downloaded at www.osha.gov/oshpubs/poster2.html.

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How to use DEET safely and effectively

Summer is upon us. As outdoor recreation, sports and work activities take center stage, the need for protection from pesky insects has become uppermost in our minds.

N, N diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) is the active ingredient in many insect repellent products. Its most significant benefit is its ability to repel potentially disease-carrying insects.

DEET was developed and patented by the U.S. Army in 1946 for use by military personnel in insect-infested areas. Because it was recognized as one of the few products effective against mosquitoes and biting flies, DEET was registered for use by the general public in 1957.

Products containing DEET are available in a variety of liquids, lotions, sprays and impregnated materials (e.g. wrist bands). Formulations registered for direct application to human skin contain from 4 to 100 percent DEET.

Health effects

After completing a comprehensive reassessment of DEET, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that as long as users follow label directions and take proper precautions, insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health concern.

Rashes, blisters, skin and mucous membrane irritation, and numb or burning lips have occurred among people who applied products containing a high concentration (50 or 75 percent) of DEET and among those excessively exposed. Toxic encephalopathy and seizures have been associated with use in children. Subtle insomnia, mood disturbances and impaired cognitive function in adults has been associated with excessive application.

First aid measures

Eye Contact: Flush immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. If irritation persists, get medical attention. 

Ingestion: Immediately drink one to two glasses of water or milk. Contact the nearest poison control center.

Storage and handling

Store DEET in a cool, dry place with adequate ventilation.

Personal protective equipment

No special requirements exist for respiratory protection, ventilation, protective gloves or eye protection under normal conditions of use.

How to use DEET products safely:

• Read and follow all directions and precautions on the product label. 
• Do not apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin. 
• Do not apply to hands or near eyes and mouth of young children. 
• Do not allow young children to apply the product. 
• Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing.
• Do not use under clothing. 
• Avoid over-application. 
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water. 
• Wash treated clothing before wearing again. 
• Do not spray aerosol or pump spray products in enclosed areas. 
• To apply aerosol or pump spray products to face, spray on hands first and then rub on face. Do not spray directly onto face.

Enjoy your outdoor activities! Safely protect yourself from those pesky insects.

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Navigating www.osha.gov can save you time

Are you having trouble finding specific information about an OSHA regulation? OSHA has a link on its Web site that may help pinpoint the information you are searching for. The link is called “Technical Links.” 

Let’s try it. We have a question on hand tools. First, we go to www.osha.gov and click on “Outreach” (located in the upper left-hand corner of the home page). Clicking on “H” in the OSHA Outreach Page Index takes us to an alphabetical listing of covered topics. Clicking on “Hand and Power Tools” produces a listing of several useful technical links. These links contain information on how to effectively control and manage the hazards of hand and power tools. 

Using OSHA’s Technical Links may answer your question in record time and save you hours of frustration.

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BLS: more than 6000 workplace fatalities in 1999

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the 1999 “Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries” in August of 2000. The report contained the following notable information:

• The total number of workplace fatalities in 1999 was 6,023— virtually no change from 1998. 
• The leading cause of death did not change from 1998. Traffic fatalities still accounted for one-fourth of the total number of fatalities in 1999.
• The second and third leading causes of death did change from 1998. Falls became the second leading cause of death on the job and homicides fell from number two to number three. 
• The construction industry again reported the largest number of fatalities of any industry, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the total number of fatalities in 1999. 
• The number of highway crashes reached the highest number since the BLS started tracking work-related fatalities data in 1992.

To read the report in its entirety, visit www.bls.gov/oshhome.htm or call the BLS at 1-202-606-6175 to request a copy.

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How to monitor heat stress

We often hear about heat stress when the hot summer months roll around. Symptoms of heat stress can be as minor as a heat rash, but can progress to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and finally heatstroke, which requires immediate medical attention.

How do you know if you are suffering from heat stress? Are conditions ripe for heat stress?

There are two approaches for determining the answers to these questions. One, you can monitor your temperature with a personal heat stress monitor. Or two, you can identify through temperature and humidity if dangerous work conditions exist. This is done with a portable heat stress monitor.

With the personal heat stress monitor, a sensor is worn (usually in the ear) and connected to a monitor worn on the belt or placed in a pocket. This sensor transmits current body temperature data to the monitor. When the body temperature reaches 100.4°–102.2°F, the monitor alarm is activated, notifying the wearer of the potential danger of a heat stress situation.

The second approach uses a monitor to gauge the area for potential heat stress situations. These monitors use the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index method for heat stress measurement. The WBGT is a time-weighted average of three temperatures—ambient, natural and globe. The results of the WBGT may then be compared to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLV) for heat stress conditions. The chart details work vs. rest intervals, based on the workload of the worker and the WBGT. The chart is published in the ACGIH “Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices” booklet.

For more information, read EZ Facts ® document #222, “Recognizing and Preventing Heat Related Illnesses” at www.labsafety.com/refinfo/ezfacts/ezf222.htm.

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Safety essentials for hand tools

This is the first in a three-part series on hand and power tool safety. Wrenches are the focus in this issue. Future issues will examine the safe use of pliers, screwdrivers, hammers, striking tools and power tools.

Hand tools make us more efficient and expand what we can accomplish. However, injury can result if they are used improperly. The following article covers key points of hand tool safety. It is divided into two categories: personal protective equipment and proper work practices required for a given type of tool.

Personal protective equipment

The type of personal protective equipment necessary will vary depending on the tool being used. At a minimum, eye protection in the form of safety glasses or goggles must be worn at all times. The simple acts of snipping copper wire with a side-cutting pliers, striking a nail with a hammer or sawing wood can propel small pieces of material into the air.

Hands must also be protected from cuts, abrasions and repeated impacts. Utility knives and blades can easily cut the hand—especially when the tool is being improperly forced through material. Cut-resistant gloves protect against the effects of an errant blade. Wearing standard cotton or leather gloves can easily prevent wood slivers and scuffs to the skin. Impact-resistant gloves with gel or rubber palms can reduce the shock felt by the hand on jobs requiring long periods of hammering.

Safety shoes with a reinforced toe are a good idea to keep dropped tools or materials from causing injury to the feet. They come in a variety of different styles and are readily available. Also, all footwear should provide adequate traction.

Proper work practices

Wrenches 
Wrenches come in a nearly endless variety of configurations—socket, open end, combination, adjustable and torque—just to name a few. These hand tools are designed to hold or turn bolts, nuts or fasteners. They are sized to keep the leverage and load in acceptable balance. Here are some guidelines for using wrenches safely:

• Choose a wrench that fits the fastener you wish to turn. Use metric wrenches for metric bolts and American inch for inch-sized bolts. A wrench will tend to slip and round the fastener corners if the exact size is not used. 
• Do not use an extension to improve the leverage of a wrench.
• Open end and adjustable wrenches do not have the strength of a box end or socket wrench. They are not intended for final tightening or loosening of frozen fasteners. 
• Apply penetrating oil on frozen fasteners before using a box end or socket wrench. 
• Do not place a wrench in contact with high heat. This could change the hardness of the tool. 
• Always try to pull on a wrench instead of pushing.
• Adjustable wrenches must be adjusted tightly to the fasteners and pulled so the force is on the fixed end. 
• When working around electrical components, first turn the power off and then use wrenches specifically marked as electrically insulated. 
• Wrenches must not be altered. 
• Do not over torque a fastener. Use a torque wrench to tighten to the exact torque required. 
• Inspect wrenches periodically for damage such as cracking, severe wear or bending. 
• Always use nonsparking wrenches when in the presence of flammable vapors or dusts.

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Improper grilling can be a recipe for disaster

Barbecuing. It’s a rite of summer virtually as old as the season itself. Every time we slap a processed sausage on the grill we’re reconnecting with our carnivorous forefathers who began roasting animal carcasses over hot embers in response to their frustration with the tapeworms, salmonella and E. coli bacteria typically associated with a predominately raw meat diet. Our ancient ancestors found that cooking over an open flame alleviated their post-meal intestinal turbulence, while the charred, soot-covered flesh tickled their primitive palates. In fact, their fear of fire was the only thing that tempered their enthusiasm for the new-found process.

While many modern humans still possess that same primitive craving for charbroiled flavors, we’ve progressed a long way in terms of safe practices for preparing food over an open flame. Modern barbecue safety can be viewed as a triangle in which protective equipment, safety guidelines and maintenance all play vital roles.

Protective equipment

Just like a hockey goalie would never line up in the crease without donning a variety of safety apparel, no outdoor chef should ever step up to the barbecue grill without certain essential pieces of personal protective equipment. Barbecue mitts or hot pads and preparation utensils with long, heat-resistant handles are the outdoor chef ’s primary defense against painful burns. An apron is also a good idea in order to protect clothing from unsightly splatter and ash stains.

Equally as important as what to wear is what not to wear. Shirts or blouses with loose or flowing, long sleeves are a no-no for the safety-conscious outdoor chef. Baggy sleeves can easily stray down into the flames or onto hot coals and instantly transform a festive backyard cookout into a surrealistic nightmare complete with ambulances, sirens and dour-faced emergency room technicians.

Safety guidelines

Whether charcoal or gas, barbecue grills must only be operated in well-ventilated areas. Using grills in enclosed areas such as breezeways, basements or even garages could lead to a build-up of deadly carbon monoxide gas. The result could be irreversible injury or even death for those exposed to the gas.

When igniting a charcoal grill, gasoline and other highly volatile fluids should never be substituted for a commercially prepared lighter fluid. Lighter fluids are specifically formulated to penetrate the briquettes and ignite in a slow, controlled fashion. Gasoline is formulated to power engines and, under the wrong conditions, can ignite the charcoal briquettes, the outdoor chef and the outdoor chef ’s residence all at the drop of a match.

Other safety guidelines include: never operate a barbecue grill on a wooden deck or patio, never move a barbecue grill when it’s operating, never leave a barbecue grill unattended (especially if children or pets are present) and never operate a grill under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances. 

In addition, according to the Weber Charcoal Cookbook, the intensity of the heat on a charcoal grill should be controlled by adjusting the bottom vents. The vents on the lid should always be in the full open position during cooking.

Maintenance

In order to ensure efficient operation, Weber prescribes a thorough, annual cleaning for its grills. The company suggests removing the ashes and using a spray-on type oven cleaner to remove built-up grease, followed by washing the cleaner off with detergent and water. Removing the grease will not only make the grill perform more efficiently, it will also eliminate the possibility of a grease fire.

Owners of gas grills should refer to their owner’s manuals for specific maintenance procedures. The venturi tubes on gas grills must be cleaned periodically. Insects and spiders can build nests inside these tubes. The nests could block gas flow and cause a fire in and around the operating valve. 

While following these basic measures will not guarantee culinary acclaim for your favorite barbecue dish, ignoring them could be a recipe for disaster.

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Legionnaires’ disease—who’s at risk, how it spreads, what can be done

While many have heard of Legionnaires’ Disease, information on the illness can be challenging to obtain. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 18,000 individuals contract Legionnaires’ Disease annually in the U.S. A CDC information bulletin entitled “Legionellosis: Legionnaires’ Disease (LD) and Pontiac Fever,” estimates between 5 and 30 percent of those who contract Legionnaires’ Disease eventually die from the illness.

Who’s at risk?

After an outbreak of pneumonia among attendees at a 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia that eventually killed 34 individuals, medical investigators traced the cause of the illnesses back to a previously unknown, rod-shaped bacterium. The bacterium that caused the outbreak was named Legionella Pneumophilla and the illness it caused became known as Legionnaires’ Disease.

While anyone can contract the illness, Legionnaires’ Disease most often affects middle-aged and older individuals— particularly those who smoke or have chronic lung disease. Outbreaks of the illness receive significant media attention, but the disease usually occurs as a single, isolated case not associated with any recognized outbreak.

According to the CDC bulletin, “When outbreaks do occur, they are usually recognized in the summer and early fall, but cases may occur year-round.”

Legionnaires’ Disease and its milder cousin, Pontiac Fever, are spread by breathing mists or aerosols of water contaminated with Legionella Pneumophilla bacteria. According to the CDC bulletin, the Legionella bacterium is found in many types of water systems and reproduces in high numbers in warm (90–105°F), stagnant water, such as that found in certain plumbing systems and hot water tanks, cooling towers and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems, and whirlpool spas. The bulletin also states that the disease is not passed from person to person and there is no evidence of people becoming infected from automobile air conditioners or household window air-conditioning units.

Respiratory protection

For individuals who work in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) field or other occupations where exposure to stagnant water aerosols are a possibility, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) advises the use of a half-mask respirator. In their position paper on Legionnaires’ Disease released on June 25, 1998, ASHRAE states, “Workers conducting cleaning operations that are expected to produce aerosol are advised to wear a half-mask respirator mask equipped with a cartridge filter that has a HEPA filter or ‘Type H’ high efficiency rating. Filters capable of filtering aerosols, mists, particulates, radionucleotides and asbestos should also be capable of removing Legionella and provide protection.”

Under the revised National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) particulate filter testing protocol, the present equivalent to the HEPA or Type H filter is a P100 particulate filter.

For more information on Legionnaires’ Disease, you can access the CDC’s bulletin at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/legionellosis_g.htm or the ASHRAE position paper at www.ashrae.org/about/leg_papr.htm. For assistance in selecting a P100 filter and half-mask respirator, contact Lab Safety Supply’s Safety TechLine at 1-800-356-2501.

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	Ask a Tech Rep
	by Tom Ostendorf Technical Representative
Q.	How do you fit test a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)?
A.	Both qualitative and quantitative fit testing is per-formed in the negative pressure mode. Qualitative fit testing is accomplished either by converting the SCBA facepiece into a negative pressure facepiece or by using an identical negative pressure air-purifying respirator as a surrogate. Modifying the SCBA facepiece with a probe or sampling adaptor is necessary to perform a quantitative fit test. For more information on fit testing, call us at 1-800-393-2287 and request EZ Facts ® document #140.
Q.	Do I have to fit test a disposable N95 respirator?
A.	Yes. 29CFR1910.134(f)(1) states, “The employer shall ensure that employees using a tight-fitting face-piece respirator pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT) . . . ”
Q.	When would a Respiratory Protection Program be required?
A.	29CFR1910.134(c)(1) states, “In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer, the employer shall establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures.”
Q.	What is the difference between N, R and P particulate filters/respirators?
A.	N-series filters or respirators may be used for an unspecified time for protection against oil-free aerosols. For oil aerosols, either R- or P-series filters or respirators will work. The R series should be used for a single shift only (or eight hours of continuous or intermittent use) when oil is present. P-series filters and respirators protect against both oil and oil-free particulate aerosol types and can be worn for longer than one shift.  N for not resistant to oil  R for resistant to oil  P for oilproof
Q.	Before each employee wears a respirator, must a medical exam by a physician be performed or can the Medical Evaluation Questionnaire replace the exam?
A.	The questionnaire may replace an exam. 29CFR1910.134(e)(2)(i) states, “The employer shall identify a physician or other licensed healthcare professional (PLHCP) to perform medical evaluations using a medical questionnaire or an initial medical examination that obtains the same information as the medical questionnaire.”
Q.	If an employee has a mustache or beard, can a tight-fitting respirator be worn?
A.	People with facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve functions are not permitted to wear tight-fitting facepieces.

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worth noting . . .

. . . Nearly 1 million users per month visit the OSHA Web site: www.osha.gov. In the future, OSHA plans to have more interactive tools, such as video clips with sound. An upcoming release on hospital safety will feature an emergency room in which users will have a 360-degree view. Present electronic tools can be viewed at http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/osha-advisors.html . . .

 . . . For easy, one-stop access to all federal government online information and services, check out www.firstgov.gov. This Web site provides access to connect with information and resources from all 27 million federal agency Web pages . . .

. . . Proposal S.598, offered by Sen. John Breaux (D-La.), is a stand-alone bill that would force the Labor Department to adopt a wholly new ergonomics standard to succeed regulations overturned by Congress and the White House. The time limit for adopting the wholly new ergonomics standard is two years . . .

. . . The new NIOSH National Personal Protective Technologies Lab (NPPTL) will be located at a Bureau of Mines facility in Bruceton, Pa. Formerly the Respirator Branch, the NPPTL plans to add the following to its portfolio: certification of respiratory protection against chemical and biological agents; identification of new technologies to be used in the next generation of protective equipment; surveillance of respiratory protection use; and other activities aimed at understanding and expanding the use and technologies of personal protective equipment . . .

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TECHlines^® is published bi-monthly by Lab Safety Supply Inc., PO Box 1368, Janesville, Wisconsin 53547-1368.
TECHlines^®'s goal is to provide accurate information on the subject matter covered. However, it is impossible to guarantee absolute accuracy of the materials. The publisher, therefore, cannot assume any responsibility for omissions, errors or misprinting contained within this publication.
For additional information, call Lab Safety Supply's Safety TECHline^® at 1-800-356-2501.