ComplianceSigns.com Customer Reviews - December 2013

Here's what ComplianceSigns.com customers had to say about our signs and labels in December:

Terrific! - For use in private residence. Appears durable. Easy to install. Easy to see at nite. JK - Montreal, Quebec 12/6/2013

Top notch!!! - High quality to help keep things organized.
Organized :) - Palmer, AK 12/8/2013

Just what I wanted - I have a pet supply store in busy shopping center, parking is at a premium. Your sign looks like a official city sign so people don't park in my spots and go to the movies for 2 hours. The next time I need a sign for my business, Compliance Signs will be my first choice. Thanks.
Daniel D. - Laguna Niguel, CA 12/8/2013

Great Value - The web site is extremely well laid out. Sign customization is a snap. I wouldn't change a thing.
Papa G - Tacoma, WA 12/8/2013

Seasonal Flu Widespread in U.S.

Flu activity in the United States continues to increase. Twenty-five states are now reporting widespread levels of activity. Additional increases across the country are expected in the coming weeks.

During week 2 (January 5-11, 2014), influenza activity remained high in the United States:

• Fourteen states experienced high flu-like illness activity: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
• Twelve states experienced moderate activity: Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington
• Eight states and New York City experienced low activity: Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin
• Sixteen states experienced minimal activity: Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Wyoming

Frequent, thorough hand washing is still the best way to prevent the spread of germs, including flu. Vaccination programs are highly recommended this year.

• See the latest flu report here.
• View the FluView interactive map.
• Browse hand washing signs at ComplianceSigns.com.

Top December 2013 OSHA Fines Exceed $2.7 million

OSHA enforcement ended the year with a bang, issuing 17 6-figure citations in December - more than any other month in 2013. Total proposed fines topped $2.7 million in December, ranking 4th for the year. The 119 significant citations (over $100,000) issued in 2013 carried $25.2 million in proposed fines.

Many repeat and willful violations contributed to the high dollar value of December fines. Here are some details of the cases. Most are still pending final decisions.

$460,000 and SVEP for repeat fall and scaffolding hazards at New York painting contractor

• Workers were exposed to falls of more than 26 feet from numerous fall and scaffolding hazards, many of which were similar to those cited during previous OSHA inspections. The recurring hazards include not having the scaffold self-inspected for defects by a competent person during scaffold erection and before workers began to work on the scaffold.
• New hazards included lack of fall protection for workers erecting the scaffolding; scaffold erected on unsound footing; workers climbing the scaffold's cross bracing during erection; and lack of eye protection. Due to the nature and severity of violations, the company was placed in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

Information on fall protection standards is available in English and Spanish at http://www.osha.gov/stopfalls.

$293,700 and SVEP for multiple violations at Ohio casting company

• One repeat violation for failing to de-energize an industrial robot and implement lockout/tagout procedures prior to performing servicing and maintenance work on the equipment.
• Four willful violations for failing to develop lockout procedures for servicing and changing molds on various production cells, prevent exposure to molten aluminum splash hazards from the melting furnace, inspect chains on a daily basis and prevent use of an unapproved work platform to lift workers with the fork truck.
• Eight serious violations for failing to install guardrails near ovens and floor openings to prevent fall hazards, perform protective equipment assessments, require the use of face shields and hard hats, ensure adequate guarding on 21 machines in the foundry areas, provide lockout procedures, ensure use of an electrical cabinet is protected from water, label lifting devices with load capacities and provide safety data sheets to workers.

 

New Hospital Worker and Patient Safety Resources from OSHA

OSHA just launched a new Worker Safety in Hospitals website can help hospitals protect their workers, improve patient safety and reduce costs. The site includes a variety of resources to help prevent worker injuries, assess workplace safety needs, enhance safe patient handling programs and implement safety and health management systems. The materials include fact books, self-assessments and best practice guides.

The time is right for this resource. In 2012, U.S. hospitals recorded 250,000 work-related injuries and illnesses, almost 60,000 of which caused employees to miss work. Nationwide, workers' compensation losses result in a total annual expense of $2 billion for hospitals.

Post Your OSHA 300A Summary by Feb. 1

Safety Scoreboards

Promote Workplace Safety

OSHA reminds employers to post OSHA Form 300A, which lists a summary of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred during the prior year. The form must be posted between Feb. 1 and April 30.

 OSHA requires companies to post this form every year in a conspicuous place where employee notices typically are posted. Companies must also ensure the summary is not altered, defaced or covered by other material during that time period.

Employers with 10 or fewer employees and employers in certain industries are normally exempt from federal OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping and posting requirements.

 The Bureau of Labor Statistics may still select exempted employers to participate in an annual statistical survey. All employers covered by OSHA need to comply with safety and health standards.

• Download OSHA Forms 300 and 300A here. 
• For more information on recordkeeping requirements, visit the OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements Web page.
• Review FAQs on 2015 OSHA Reporting Changes.
• Browse digital safety scoreboards at ComplianceSigns.com.

SAFETY TIP: How To Identify and Treat Workplace Burns

More than 500,000 people receive medical treatment for burn injuries in the United States and Canada each year. The most common cause of burns are scalds (from steam, hot water, etc.), fire, chemicals, electricity and overexposure to the sun. The severity of a burn is based on the depth of the burn: 

  - First-degree burns involve the top layer of skin; 

  - Second-degree burns involve the first two layers of skin; 

  - Third-degree burns penetrate the entire thickness of the skin and permanently destroy tissue.

Here are some general and specific tips from the National Safety Council for treating minor and major burns, including electrical and chemical burns:

What Not to Do: 

• Don't use ice - it can cause further damage to wound.
• Don't apply butter or ointments - they can increase severity of the burn.
• Don't break blisters - broken blisters are more vulnerable to infection.

Treatment for burns depends on the burn type, severity and size. If you are unsure about the depth of a burn, treat it as a severe burn.

Spa Safety Rules for Kids

Leaving a spa uncovered means leaving it vulnerable to environmental concerns, such as chilly winter weather. It also means added risk of accidents, especially if there are kids around. To master spa safety, one needs be very thorough with maintenance for the equipment.

WHY SPA COVERS

Spa covers act like a shield against the environment, as well as unforeseen calamities. Covering your spa is necessary for winterization. It also keeps the dust and other microbes in the atmosphere from entering the spa. But the most important function of spa covers is child safety. As per an online report, some 400 children aged 15 die per year because of pool or spa accidents and 4,000 plus kids suffer serious injuries because of submersion.

Companies Showing Signs of Increased Safety Awareness

Safety Scoreboards and signs really do keep workplace safety top-of-mind with workers. This article from the Decatur, IL Herald-Review includes comments from area businesses, labor unions, a safety trainer and employees.

“Our safety signage is part of a comprehensive safety program that reinforces the high priority we place on safety,” says one business leader.

• Read the full article here: Companies showing signs of increased safety awareness
• Browse safety scoreboards at ComplianceSigns.com.