Summit Training Source

Reproductive Wellness at Risk for U.S. Workers..

2011-08-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a SAFE-AHOLIC, By: Stephanie Zizzo, ASHM

The other day I was reading an article in the Safety & Health magazine called “Harmful Exposure”, by Deidre Bello. This article in particular caught my attention instantly because of 4 words... reproductive health and safety professional. According to the CDC, there is a decrease in fertility among U.S. Couples. Many studies report that an explanation for this is linked to workplace hazardous chemicals.

The Facts for Over-Exposure According to NIOSH are:

In men, lead can lower your sperm count, give your sperm abnormal shape, alter your sperm transfer, and change your hormones and sexual performance.
In women, lead can cause infertility, miscarriages, low birth weight, and developmental disorders. (Potential exposure in welders, home re-modelers)
For men, welding can lower your sperm count and cause abnormal sperm shape.
For women, ionizing radiation can cause infertility, miscarriages, low birth weight, developmental disorders, and childhood cancer. (Potential exposure in health care staff, dental personnel, and atomic workers)

These are just a few of the ways that hazardous conditions can harm your reproductive health. Scary, huh?

Important Components

Currently, OSHA does not have specific standards for governing reproductive hazards (Bello).
There is a lack of research to show exact direct effects from hazardous agents, but both employers and employees can do their part to guard themselves against the “what if” (Bello).
The safety professional should take part in making sure that there is proper training in place to rise awareness about reproductive hazards (Bello).

Summit Training Source offers many programs covering welding safety, lead safety, and many other topics that can help keep your hazard awareness up-to-date. Check it out here!

Source: Bello, Deidre. “Harmful Exposure”. Safety & Health. Vol. 184 NO.2. August 2011.

Make an Impression In Your Next Classroom Session with Training Techniques that Work!

2011-08-03T06:25:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a SAFE-AHOLIC, By: Stephanie Zizzo, ASHM

In the world of Safety, there are countless opportunities to sit in training sessions, whether you are at a conference looking for your CEU's or at work learning about the basics of Fire Safety. About how many of those classroom sessions have put you to sleep? Or how many have you walked out of feeling, “Wow... I want the last 40 minutes of my life back...” Engaging adults as learners, especially in the classroom setting, must go beyond the lectures and the PowerPoints; capturing an adult mind requires more than that. Group discussions, role-playing, storytelling, and simulations are just a few great techniques that should be incorporated into any training classroom.

I read an article in the Professional Safety Journal, titled “Engaging Learners”. In the article the author Fred Fanning discusses how people only remember about 20% of what they hear. This means when you take your Machine Guarding course, you walk out only remembering 20% of the extremely important procedures because it was read to you from a PowerPoint. You have not only lost valuable information but, are now at risk of endangering your life and the lives around you...

How do we avoid losing so much info? One of my favorite techniques to use while training is simulation. While I was teaching a First Aid course to a group of student employees at Grand Valley State University I used a “golf cart accident” simulation to get the students involved in a semi-real situation. I had a volunteer pretend he had been in a accident in a golf cart and toward the end of my presentation I told the students there had been an emergency that we needed to attend to right away! We all rushed outside to find our fellow co-worker covered in red corn syrup blood (it looked VERY real!!). The students used what they had learned during the training session to provide proper first aid until the “EMS” could arrive.

Though creating a simulation requires more time and energy and sometimes an extra buck, it is well worth it. According to the article by Fanning, while adults only remember 20% of what they read and hear, they remember 60% of what they do.

The best part about being a trainer is that you can use your creativity to help others learn skills for a certain job or project. In class while I was a student at GVSU, my favorite professors were the ones who had so many great stories! Storytelling is one of the most effective training tools that I have have ever used or taken part in. “Storytelling can impart complex information in an understandable manner” (Fanning, 2011).

I will never forget one of my classes in college when my OSH professor explained to us about Lockout/Tagout. He told us the story of a man who worked at a dog food plant. He informed us that he went into the mixer and forgot to lockout the machine...someone came and turned it on and the exact words from my professor were “they were picking him up with a spoon...” I remember going back to my dorm and telling everyone that story. I also remember how important is it to practice the procedures of Lockout/Tagout.

The bottom line is it is important to use multiple methods to “break-up” a classroom training session and engage users. Don’t use just one method. Combining PowerPoint™, simulation, interaction, and Q & A keeps students actively thinking. Segmenting with a video training program on the topic is a great way to engage students, especially a video program that shows real working situations and on the job activities while explain best safety practices. For many topics, hands on training is extremely beneficial and sometimes required. The old “lecture and lab” concept still works today.

Remember that the responsibility of training students can be very rewarding if you put in the time and effort. Use your personal experiences and your creativity to make the learning environment worth while and interesting. Challenge yourself and your students to create a fun and effective classroom!

To check out some video topics that Summit Training Source has to offer click here!

Lights, Camera, Action! A Sneek Peek Into Summit's Production Team

2011-07-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

Filming on location.

From research and script development to when the final animations are added and the gloriously finished product is at your finger tips; we couldn’t do any of it without our ridiculously talented production team (whom we swear can move mountains….safely of course). Here is a sneak peek into how Summit creates the best training programs in the industry, sort of like the tour at Universal Studios, except on a bit smaller scale. We promise, Jaws will not jump out of your computer screen; and if he does, we didn’t do it.

Content is King!

At the core of Summit’s training programs, no matter the format, is content. Whether developing an interactive, online training course, a DVD training presentation, or both, our experts begin with content research. In order to develop award winning, technically accurate training each producer must have a deep understanding of the issue or hazard, how it affects various industries, what the consequences are, and the best safety practices and procedures employees must know to do the job right. Our producers take this knowledge and determine an engaging way to present materials to students utilizing adult learning methodologies to ensure comprehension and retention.

The team makes sure all of our programs are in compliance with all training requirements, including OSHA, DOT, and EPA standards, and whenever possible, have regulatory experts review our programs and research to guarantee the highest possible standards. Research is conducted by our EH&S Specialist and the main producer for that program by referencing all relevant regulations and by speaking with subject matter experts and customers who are regularly exposed to the subject.

Donna Pisacreta, developing content for a multi-media online course.

Summit producers are not limited to handling only segments of the production as other production companies often handle development; they take responsibility for the program from its inception to the product being ready for market. This not only provides consistency throughout the entire production, but also creates courses that meet the established objectives and follow adult learning methodologies. And not to mention that each specialist brings their talents to the project to develop a truly powerful training program that effectively communicates its information and delivers measurable results!

Scripting the Safety Story

Once the research is conducted, the next step is scripting the program. The producer takes all of the knowledge they’ve gathered and organizes it into a training presentation. They first create a detailed outline for the topic and then begin to add in the guts of the program. Our script is serious, folks; this is not a sitcom!

Scott Wallace, Production Manager, edits video footage.

Once the script is written and we the producer knows what the program is going to say, they begin to plan the additional features that make the program truly engaging. The producer creates a list of shots that will best visually convey the spoken material. Ides for graphics, animations, and for online programs, interactions, are layered into the script in appropriate spots to ensure the best learning experience for user.

Our video content and photos come from film shoots at actual work environments using real workers. Our programs are realistic and not staged, so employees can relate to the material they are watching on screen. Sometimes, even members of the Summit staff make cameos in productions, bet you didn’t know we could act too. Our producers are hands-on and ready to tackle any work environment, from steel mills to construction sites. They are trained in safety….after all, they pretty much write the book (video, and online course) on it.

Jennifer Zehner, Graphic Artist, creating media for online course.

The Magic Touches

The final parts of the production process include adding the narration, 3D animation, Flash animation, and music. The producer spends hours editing the video footage to match the script and narration. Graphics and animations are created in-house with state-of-the-art equipment and our very gifted graphic animators. The detail that goes into each interaction, graphic and animation is astounding. Video segments, creative interactions, and animations are added to the online training programs. This final step is essential in topping off the Summit training experience; here we can give the viewers a taste of the passion we have for safety as put it into each and every program!

Aaron Spence, 3D Animator, creating a visual for a video production.

Of course, the production process is not linear, and many of these procedures are happening at the same time, which makes the production side of our office a very, busy area.

Ready for You!

And now, after all the hard work and finishing touches, Summit is now ready for the new program to go the most important people in the industry: YOU.

Summit's Video Production, Interactive Media and Information Technology Team.

Last Week for Summit's Summer Safari Sale

2011-07-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.safetyontheweb.com/marketingemails/safari/

Is it OK to Cry at Work?: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Stress in the Workplace

2011-07-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a SAFE-AHOLIC By: Stephanie Zizzo, ASHM

This week, I attended the Lakeshore Safety and Environmental Network Lunch Meeting, which featured Dr. James (Jim) Motiff to speak on “Understanding Stress in the Workplace”. Dr. Motiff's presentation was one of the best presentations I have ever been to. His information on dealing with stress was informative on a workplace level and a personal level.

It really got me thinking about stress and how it can be bad and good. “Stress has a bad name because we associate it with negative experiences”, Dr. Motiff said, he continued to explain how more people than ever report leading stressful lives. He asked us why this may be? Possibly, because of technology, because of the economy, and because of the modern world. The key to managing stress is: Balance.

He continued to explain to us the meaning of Good Stress. Good Stress gives us the feeling of being challenged. Without stress we become bored. Stress helps us to be more productive, have more energy, and keep us interested. There is a catch though... it is possible to have too much of a good thing, hence the Bad Stress.

Bad stress accompanies the feeling of being overwhelmed. It makes us feel out of balance; as if there are too many demands, and that we are working beyond our capabilities. To help solve the issues of bad stress, there should be teaching and training in place to avoid lettings all the small things add up.

Dr. Motiff continued to discuss how we are genetically programmed to react to stress. Genetics takes over our reactions to stress in 1 of 3 ways: Fight, Flee, or Freeze. Sometimes when we become overwhelmed and stressed at work, we go home and react to our stress by fighting; Fighting with our spouses or even fighting with ourselves. We could decide there needs to be some sort of payback to our employer, whether that is stealing company property or destroying equipment. When we choose to Flee, we run away. In a work setting this can be missing work, doctors excuses, daydreaming with no focus, and forgetting things. This type of behavior can lead to accidents in the work place, such as accidentally forgetting to lock and tag out a machine. When someone with unbalanced stress levels Freezes, more often than not you will see their productivity decline, which can significantly hurt the company's bottom line.

Dr. Motiff told us about a study he had read where 700 men and women were questioned about what they would do if someone yelled at them at work... 20% of those people said they would cry. Others said yell or curse (this was more common in women) and 15% said hit someone. Another poll was taken where men and women were asked, if it was OK to cry at work. From the poll, 48% of men said yes it was ok, and only 41% of women said it was OK. Why is this?

Gender differences may be the cause...James talked to us about what happens when a women cries in the work place. First, crying resets both men and woman’s stress balances. When women and men cry, they instantly feel better and relieved. But for women, after they cry and feel good, they are immediately moved with an immense amount of guilt. This is because as women we feel the responsibility to our gender to be strong and not cry in a place of work or power because we perceive it makes us look weak. These feelings can often cancel each other out leaving us feeling upset.

So what do we do when we recognize this behavior amongst employees and co-workers? If you see a worker who is moody, be helpful and acknowledge the fact that they have feelings. Here are the wrong actions to take, with the corrections following:

Don't say things like “poor thing, you must be stressed”, this automatically puts the person into a category of being helpless.
Instead try to help the person by listening to them and try to understand
Don't pretend like you're the Guru of stress and you have the answers
They talk... You listen!
Don't try and shut the emotion down by telling them “Stop crying it will be ok”
Instead make sure they know that you truly care and you are there to hear them out. The person doesn't want to feel alone
Don't ask “why” questions, “why are you crying” or “why do you feel bad”
Rather, ask open ended questions of, “what” and “how”. “how are you feeling” or “what are you feeling”

Remember, stress is natural and ordinary in daily life, including work. Recognize the signs of stress for yourself and the people around you. Whether you are at work or home stress can not be eliminated and it shouldn't be because Motiff says, “Managing stress is the key to success at work and happiness in life”.

Stay smiling :)

-Stephanie

Beat the Heat this Week!

2011-07-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Confession's of a SAFE-AHOLIC By: Stephanie Zizzo, ASHM

With the heat index soaring into 100s, scorching, humid, burning, and blistering are all perfect words to describe the days to come. Dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke... These words play a personal role within us every day that we spend outdoors in the heat. Heat stress is a important topic that should be addressed carefully for those of us who work outside or just enjoy being outside on a hot summer day. According to Center for Disease Control an estimated six million workers in the United States may be exposed to occupational heat stress. Below are some tips to beat the heat this week while spending time outdoors!

Wear light weight breathable materials, this will help keep moisture in so dehydration doesn’t come too early
Drink plenty of water to help you stay hydrated throughout the day
Schedule all the heavy labor for the early morning or later evenings to avoid the hottest hours between 10am and 3pm.
Choose PPE with heat stress in mind
Check the weather frequently for the heat index to make sure you make the correct choices when dressing and packing up your water
Have an emergency action plan in place if someone does have a heat stroke or gets heat exhaustion to make sure the appropriate measures are taken.
Take breaks often to find shade and drink lots of water
Avoid drinks that have caffeine or sugar
NO ALCOHOL, it will dehydrate you even more!
Provide heat stress training to all employees that could be exposed to high temperatures. Summit Training Source, Inc. has 2 Heat Stress programs including:

“Heat Stress”
How the Body handles Heat
Types of Heat-related Disorders
Preventative Measures
Recognizing Symptoms
Helping Co-workers Suffering from Heat Stress
“Heat Stress: Preventative Measures”

What is Heat Stress?
Preparing for Heat
Heat Stress Disorders and their Health Affects
Safe Work Practices

For more information check it out here "Heat Stress" and here "Heat Stress: Preventative Measures". They are available in a variety of different formats, DVD, Online and Video.

Stay cool!

-Steph

Reinstatement of Fall Protection Requirements!

2011-07-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a SAFE-AHOLIC By: Stephanie Zizzo, ASHM

While reading the Professional Safety Journal I came across an article titled “OSHA Rescinds Residential Fall Protection Exemption”...try and say that 10 times fast... Within this article was information concerning the commercial and residential construction industry and their fall protection rules. After hearing bits and pieces about the reinstatement and finally getting a grasp on what exactly is happening, this is my take on the issue:

As of June16, 2011 OSHA will start to actively enforce of the new rule

What is the new rule? The new rule will cancel out the old STD 3.1/ STD 3-000-001. These were used as an exemption for residential and light commercial contractors from the CFR 1926 Fall Protection standard.

Again... so what is the new rule...!? Well it seems there really isn't a new rule. Whats happening is OSHA has reinstated the CFR 1926 Subpart M Fall Protection requirements that was created 16 years ago. So now everyone has to play by the same rules.

There is a 3 month phase happening from June 16, 2011 to September 15, 2011. During this time as long as you are following the STD 3-000-001, you will only be given a hazard that states what you need to do to become compliant.

Is it possible to be exempt? Well...Yes it is if you can meet these two requirements than you can put the safety nets and guardrails away:

the end-use of the structure being built must be as a home (dwelling)(OSHA, 2010)
the structure being built must be constructed using traditional wood-frame construction materials and methods. The limited use of structural steel in a predominately wood-framed home, such as a steal I-beam to help support wood framing, does not disqualify a structure from being considered residential construction (OSHA, 2010)

If I was a residential and commercial construction worker I would be quite grateful that this took effect. According to the Census of Fatal Occupational statistics about 45% of fatalities in residential construction are from falls, it is the leading cause of death in construction (Bethancourt 69). For more info check out OSHA's site, Click here!

-Steph

Sources:

Bethancourt, Jeremy. “OSHA Rescinds Residential Fall Protection Exemption”. Professional Safety. June 2011. 66-71.

New DVD Training program Crane operations: Hand Signals from Summit Training Source

2011-07-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

Grand Rapids, MI: Between 80,000 and 100,000 cranes are being used in general industries; leaving approximately 250,000 crane operators and industry workers who are at risk of suffering serious injury or death in crane accidents each year. Crane operation is a serious responsibility, and OSHA requires proper training for a signal person to be qualified. Summit’s comprehensive new DVD training program, Crane Operations: Hand Signals teaches employees the role of the signal person, and comprehensively leads viewers through each of the hand signals used for all types of cranes. This easy to understand presentation.

Summit’s program is filmed in multiple settings including construction sites, building maintenance, and other areas that may present a hazard where crane operators rely on effective communication with a signal person to operate their equipment safely. Train your crane operators as well as workers around the jobsite to operate around the machinery properly to help reduce the number of injuries and accidents. This program covers:

o The Signal Person’s Roles
o Best Work Practices
o Standard Hand Signals

Free previews of this training program are available by contacting Summit Training Source at 800.842.0466 or visiting www.safetyontheweb.com

Sustainability & Safety as ONE

2011-07-07T06:40:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a SAFE-AHOLIC By: Stephanie Zizzo, ASHM
Sustainability is a hot topic right now in the US and the world. We are always trying to find new ways to conserve our planets natural resources and make sure that we exist here meeting all our needs but still be able to provide a functioning home for our future generations.

With 60% of the Earth's ecosystem services being degraded in the past 50 years it is important that as safety professionals we make sure we can incorporate ourselves into various issues such as sustainability... but how?

To understand this we must look at it from a business stand point. Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is the idea that companies can conduct business with ethics, keeping their communities, their employees, and their customers well being in mind. This idea is growing like wild fire among various companies such as General Electric, Kraft, NIKE, and Ford. It is easy to say you're a company maintaining its CSR... but what policies does that include? Here are a couple topics that are important to a company practicing CSR:

Ethics
Responsible Purchasing
Environmental Impact
Green Technologies
Employee Training and Opportunity
Resource Productivity
Efficient Energy Use

Within these topics there is a strong focus to maintain environmental and economic sustainability.

So how does the safety professional help? In business there is always a bottom line and even with corporate social responsibility there is one as well. As I have learned while reading an article by Darryl Hill, it is a triple profit bottom line including people, profit, and planet. And one third of that bottom line is people. As a safety professional providing safety audits, training, loss control, HazCom and many other programs can help protect the people and the environment.

An example of this would be spending extra attention on all the new “green” projects that companies are working on. A lot of the time they spend so much time focusing on how to be sustainable and Eco-friendly that they loose sight of implementing extra safety audits to make sure that injury rates don't rise, because a “green” project isn't green if people are getting hurt. After all people are 33% of the CSR plan.

Sustainability creates a new workforce of green collar workers which is anyone employed in environmental sections of the economy. This is including environmental specialists which is a large population of safety professionals. With that said, Sustainability is a great opportunity for safety professionals to get their foot in another door and show just how important we all are!

Stay green and safe!

Let's Try NOT to Lose Our Fingers or Eyebrows this 4th Of July!

2011-06-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a SAFE-AHOLIC! By: Stephanie Zizzo, ASHM

Oh the 4^th of July... how we love you (sigh and smile)... We love the cookouts and BBQ's, the fun in the neighborhood pool, the fruity drinks being served to cool us down, the hot sun that gives us a nice summer glow, and of course the town firework display! The 4^th of July is cherished among many families as quality time spent together and of course is our Nation's celebration of Independence!

Amid the activities and festivities that we spend our time doing on this lovely holiday though exciting and fun can pose significant risk to the health and safety of our friends and family. According to the National Safety Council, within the year of 2006 there were 629 motor vehicle deaths on the weekend of the 4^th of July, of those 629, 37% of them were attributed to alcohol impairment. This is about 6% higher than the national average of drunk driving fatal accidents. Take some time this holiday weekend to educate yourself and your family on safe practices for the 4^th of July! I have listed a couple below!

Lets not Singe our Eyebrows: The HASS/LASS states that there are about 1,400 BBQ accidents each year, a majority of them happening at home. TIP: Never pour petrol or meths on to a barbecue. This is exactly how-to end your day without any eyebrows and not even be able to look surprised after it happens.
Another Strawberry Daiquiri Please!: A great way to cool down but watch the intake. If you are going to drink give your keys to the designated driver. Too many drinks and you could become 1 of the 629 motor vehicle deaths this 4^th of July. Alcohol can also lesson your inhibitions when working the BBQ (see point #1), lighting fireworks (see point #6), or a number of other holiday activities that deserve your full attention.
Getting Ready for Traffic: It is inevitable if you are in transit this holiday weekend, you will hit crowded roads. Remember to keep your cool and drive defensively there are a lot more “uneducated” (to say it nicely) drivers out there than you think.
Skip out on the Tan: Spending the day outside celebrating the 4^th is definitely time well spent but, be smart. Put on some sunscreen of at least SPF 30. You are not an exception to the 3.5 million skin cancer diagnosis' that happen every year.
Make a SPLASH Safely!: Cool down in the pool this holiday with family and friends but, don't hire the pool as your babysitter. Between May 31^st and September 6^th 2010, 172 children drowned according to the CPSC...and don't let that number fool you...5,000 children are hospitalized from non-fatal drowning incidents each year with 20% suffering a permanent neurological disability (NSC). Watch your kids and make sure they wear proper lifesaving devises when swimming and boating.
10 Fingers are Better than 9 or 8 or 7...: Fireworks are awesome! I will admit this. But as awesome as they are, they are EXTREMELY dangerous. Some Fast Facts:
According to the CPSC, there were 8,600 hospital emergencies in 2010 due to fireworks.
They can heat up to 2,000 degrees! This is enough to melt some metals.
Don't let your kids light them, EVER
Keep a bucket of water close by to put them in after they are done.
And lastly, make sure you are using them LEGALLY. Nobody wants a fine.

Play it safe and keep your awareness up, after all, a trip to the emergency room is much more of a buzz kill than being proactive. There is no reason why we all can't have an amazing holiday weekend without Uncle Jim singeing his eyebrows off and Aunt Susie having a little too much “liquid courage”...

Have a safe and happy July 4^th holiday!

Educate Yourself This Summer Before You Sit Behind the Wheel

2011-06-27T13:13:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a SAFE-AHOLIC! By: Stephanie Zizzo, ASHM

The greatest risk each of us take everyday is getting behind the wheel of our motor vehicles. They are one of the biggest dangers to people everywhere killing thousands!

I was doing a project the other day and I came across some information in the National Safety Council Injury Facts 2010 Edition that really surprised me! If you asked yourself what month might the highest fatality rate for motor vehicles be in right now, what would your answer be? My first thought is... SNOW... the thing that makes all drivers act like they have never been behind a wheel! With that said we can assume I am talking about the months of December, January, and February, sometimes even March if you are a lucky resident of Michigan and the other Midwest states.

But, what is shocking to me is that August has the highest level for fatalities with motor vehicles. In 2008 there were 2,940 deaths in January on the road. In August there were 3,740 deaths. This quite significant, and not something I would have ever considered but, the question is WHY? Why is August the most dangerous time to be driving?

Here are my suggestions!

Warm Weather = Road Trips!: Families and friends across the U.S love to spend the weekends away enjoying the weather which increases the amount of vehicles on the road.
Road Trips = Fatigue: Watch the hours your spend driving. No one should be pulling all nighters while behind the wheel. Utilize rest stops. The best way to to recover is with a 20 to 30 minute nap!
Crowded Traffic = Road Rage: Can't stand the feeling of being in stuck in traffic? We are all familiar with it. Try and stay calm and “make time good” rather than “make good time”!
Holidays = Busy Roads: The summer is a great holiday season Grad parties and family reunions, and of course the 4^th of July! Make sure while traveling from point A to B you drive defensively just because you drive safely doesn't mean others are!
Celebrations = Booze: Alcohol impairment on the road accounts for 31% of deaths by motor vehicles. Watch your neighbors, family, and friends and make sure they don't exceed their limit. In 2006, 4^th of July weekend alone killed 629 people, 37% of those deaths involved alcohol impairment.

Remember these tips this Summer on those trips to the lake or the weekend at Grandma and Grandpas! These tips can help keep your awareness up and your risk down!

Prepare all of your employees before they hit the road – whether for work or play – with these effective training programs from Summit!

Check it out here!

-Stephanie

Summit Training Source President & CEO Receives 2011 ASSE Foundation Distinguished Service Award

2011-06-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

The American Society of Safety Engineers’ Foundation (ASSEF) recently announced Valerie Overheul, President, CEO and Founder of Summit Training Source Inc. of Grand Rapids, MI, as the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Service Award. Overheul’s leadership, dedication and commitment to the safety profession have been a winning combination for the profession and the Foundation.

Summit CEO & President Valerie Overheul with her ASSE Foundation award.

Overheul is the President, CEO and Founder of Summit Training Source, Inc. Founded in 1981, Summit Training Source Inc. is the premier resource for safety, health and environmental (SH&E) training programs for more than 35,000 organizations worldwide. With more than 30 years of experience, Overheul is skilled in safety and program production, as well as regulatory compliance training. For the past 30 years, she has produced more than 300 comprehensive training programs on safety, health and environmental (SH&E) compliance topics, available to clients in the form of video and online training mediums.

Overheul served on the ASSE Foundation Board from 2003 to 2008 and was instrumental in building its corporate donor program. Since 2003, Summit Training Source, Inc. has donated more than $50,000 through direct donations and support of the ASSE Foundation’s annual golf outing. Overheul and Summit Training Source, Inc. continue to support the Foundation with donations and promote the value of the Foundation’s mission. During her six-year tenure as a Foundation trustee, she actively participated in, and contributed to, the formulation of the Foundation’s strategy, the evolution of its mission and the development of a sound investment policy. Overheul has gone above and beyond in her service and support of the ASSE Foundation and continues to be a key participant in Foundation activities.

“Thank you for this gracious and unexpected recognition. Serving on the ASSE Foundation Trustee Board has been incredibly rewarding for me. I am privileged and proud to be part of this elite group of ASSE members, safety professionals, and ASSE staff members,” comments Overheul.

The ASSE Foundation Distinguished Service Award presented to Valerie Overheul of Summit Training Source.

For more information about the ASSE Foundation please go to www.asse.org/foundation.

www.safetyontheweb.com

Summit Training Source Tees it Up with ASSE

2011-06-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

The ASSE has gotten Summit out on the links a couple of times in June. First up was the ASSE Foundation golf outing in conjunction with the ASSE Safety 2011 conference in Chicago IL June 12 -14. The outing took place at the Willow Crest Golf Club at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort, Oak Brook, IL on June 12th. Almost 70 golfers teamed up to swing their clubs and raise money for the Foundation. Bryan Hornik, Summit General Manager, and Sara Wesche, Summit Markeitng Director represented Summit on the course. We were honored to play with Dave Silva of the Hawaii ASSE Chapter, Mr. Silva is an enlisted member of the Navy and will be deployed in the coming weeks to server our country for 10 months in Afganistan. We wish him well and thank him for his service and dedication to our safety.

Summit proudly supports the Foundation golf outing and sponsored the beverage cart at this year's event.

Summit sponsors the beverage cart.

Sunny day, great golf course.

Team Summit (From Left to Right) Bryan Hornik - Summit General Manager, Sara Wesche - Summit Marketing Director, Dean - Friend of ASSE, Dave Silva - US Navy

Crazy outfits are acceptable.

Eddie Greer, ASSE Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman, gives the opening remarks.

Sara wins at the raffle!

Bryan wins at the raffle!

Lunch time.

Lots of great prizes were donated for the raffle.

On June 15th, Summit tee'd it up with the West Michigan ASSE chapter at their golf outing. Summit was a title sponsor of the event, held at LE Kaufman golf course in Grand Rapids, MI. Over 50 safety pros came out to raise money for the chapter and the ASSE Foundation.

Summit was a hole sponsor and title sponsor of the ASSE West Michigan golf outing.

Team Summit! (From Left to Right) Ken Nelson, Kevin Quigley - Accident Fund, Sara Wesche - Summit Markeitng Director, Bryan Hornik - Summit General Manager.

Thanks ASSE!

10 Reasons to “Rock the Pale” and Stay SPF Safe this Summer

2011-06-23T06:45:00.000-07:00

Confessions of a SAFE-AHOLIC! By: Stephanie Zizzo, ASHM

I was reading a news release by the EPA this past week called “Don't Fry Day is Friday/ EPA Sun Safety Tips”. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has created a SunWise program to help protect those from harmful UV rays. While I was reading it, I started to get a little worried. I thought to myself... I know I have had bad burns as a kid, I used the tanner a lot as a teen, and if I could get away with it, I would use as much oil as a could. SPF on a lotion bottle always meant to me, “Put this on and you'll be ghostly white”. Learning that skin cancer is the most common of all cancers was quite alarming. As a safety professional, I believe that this information shouldn't just be used for a day at the beach, but as a guide for workers who spend their days on the job outdoors.

Over the past couple years I have become more aware of UV dangers. When I was younger being pale skinned was never attractive. I always envied the people that could get their skin golden brown, but today there are a number of reasons why staying pasty white is a healthier and safer life choice. I wanted to take the time to share some of this valuable information.

10 Things to Keep in Mind While Outdoors
1. Use Sunscreen with SPF level 30+. Sun Protection Factor number refers to the UV radiation needed to cause sunburn with sunscreen on. Reapply every 2 hours especially after swimming or sweating.
2. Check Your UV Index. When preparing for outdoor activities or an outdoor workday check the UV Index. This will help you determine the best/worst times to be outside and the proper SPF to use that day.
3. Find Shade. During the hours of 10:00AM to 4:00PM try to stay out of direct sunlight, this is when the sun is the strongest.
4. Slip on a Shirt. Use light breathable materials to guard you from the sun this summer, clothing allows your body to sweat and cool you down, whereas direct exposure causing your sweat to evaporate too quickly leaving you more dehydrated.
5. Wear your Sun Spectacles. Use sunglasses or safety glasses with 99%-100% UV absorption to protect your eyes and surrounding area.
6. Don't be Fooled by Clouds. UV rays are still strong even on cloudy days, be sure to protect yourself as if it's a bright and sunny day.
7. Check Your Self. Give yourself monthly skin checks. Search for any abnormal moles or freckles. Contact your dermatologist if you see anything new or suspicious. The survival rate of Melanoma is 98% if detected early.
8. Pale is Pretty. Sun ages your skin, its as simple as that. Avoid wrinkles and dark sunspots. Protect it to keep your skin looking younger longer.
9. Ban the Bed. Stay out of the tanner! Indoor ultraviolet tanner are 74% more likely to develop melanoma that those who have never tanned indoors.
10. Stay Educated! Keep up your awareness. Read about Skin Cancer and inform yourself and your loved ones. Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined cases of breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer.
Remember, ROCK THE PALE, it's natural, it's safe, and it's healthy
-Steph

ASSE Thrives in Windy City

2011-06-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

Read even more about the ASSE conference, From OH&S Magazine >>

www.safetyontheweb.com

Confessions of a Safe-aholic: 100 Years of ASSE And Still Going Strong! 2011 Safety Expo Experience!

2011-06-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

CONFESSIONS of a SAFE-AHOLIC.
By Stehphanie Zizzo, ASHM

The familiar glow of bright blue carpet, the sound of Starbucks orders being shouted from the mountain tops, the hundreds of free give-a-ways, and the thousands of geeky name tags being worn all in the name of safety! The ASSE Safety Conference 2011 marked the 100^th anniversary for ASSE, and boy was it a celebration! Located at the bigger and better McCormick Place Conference Center in the wonderful windy city of Chicago, Illinois.

Summit Training Source, Inc. attended the conference again this year earning their 25 PLUS years as an exhibitor and who did they bring along this time... ME!

Located in a very social spot, right by the silent auction and ASSE Foundation, our booth recieved a lot of attention! One of the great aspects that sets this trade show apart from other safety trade shows is how safety professionals don't come this is conference because they have to... people here have the want and the drive to earn their CEU's and really connect to other safety professionals. Attendees didn't just stumble into Summit's booth, they had it in their itinerary to come and learn more about safety training and updating their programs. It is an important show for creating the ambiance of the safety culture!

The Women In Safety Engineering (WISE) practice specialty celebrated 100 Women in Safety in honor of the ASSE 100 Years. Summit is a proud supporter of WISE. For more info, visit www.asse.org/wise.

Business and sales aside, this is THEE place to network. People from all over the United States and the world come to ASSE. You have the laid-back people from Texas, the interesting individuals from Ireland, the scholarly from England, the fun from Hawaii, the cool from Florida, and the intriguing from Nigeria plus many more! All of these individuals have one thing in common... keeping people safe. Although I did experience some questionable conversation from the girls in the short jean shorts selling fall protection, almost every connection I made at this years ASSE conference is well worth a follow up!

As a safety professional the ASSE Safety Conference is the trade show of all trade shows when it comes to taking your career seriously. Besides attending for the free highlighter shaped like a syringe or the hundreds of different letter openers, I would highly recommend being present at next years ASSE Safety Expo in the irresistible, mile high city of, Denver, Colorado!

Grand Valley State University OSH degree students visit the Summit booth. From R to L, Stephanie Zizzo - Summit, Dominick Rizzo - GVSU, Sara Wesche - Summit, David Cox - GVSU, Emma Daniels (seated) - Summit, Greg Adams - Summit, Courtney Draveling (seated) - GVSU, Bryan Hornik - Summit.

And don't forget a round of applause to the ASSE Foundation for doing such an amazing job this year! They raised thousands of dollars for scholorships and research grants that help further our industry. For more information, visit www.asse.org/foundation/

See you in Denver!

Steph

www.safetyontheweb.com

Get Ready! DOT Road Inspection BLITZ Start June 7th!

2011-06-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

Department of Transportation Road Inspections will be taking place this June 7^th to 9^th of 2011. While reading the article “Nationwide DOT Roadside Inspection Sweep June 7-9” on AGWeb.com I found that the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), is a group of federal, state, and local transportation enforcement agencies.

Truck drivers better get ready! Put down the cell phones, stop the texting, and make sure your work hours are logged and compliant because these are the top things they will be looking at.

They plan on putting out 10,000 inspectors at about 1,500 sites all over the country. The object is to conduct approximately 75,000 roadside inspections to get unsafe drivers and vehicles off the road.

The RoadCheck Program includes:

ñ 75,000 inspections nationwide

ñ Removing unsafe truck drivers

ñ Removing unsafe motor vehicles

ñ Educate drivers on vehicle maintenance

ñ Make drivers aware of the inspection process

ñ Help gather general motor carrier compliance data

With the advanced notice everyone has had this week shouldn't be very much different from any other right? I guess we will find out as the week progresses.

If you do end up getting stopped be ready to complete a Level 1 inspection!

For more information on a Level 1 Inspections check out this article.

Check out Summit's website for DOT specfic training programs such as CSA, Hazardous Material Transportation, Pre & Post Trip Inspections, Driver Wellness and more!

Be safe.

-Stephanie

Be Fit While You Sit? Using an Exercise Ball as Your Chair.

2011-05-31T10:57:00.000-07:00

You may have heard the idea of replacing your office chair with an exercise ball to reap a number of health benefits, as well as potentially being the talk of the water cooler. You can find information that both supports the benefits or calls the idea an outright crock of @#$% .

Inspired by an article, Summit’s EH&S Specialist, Stephanie Zizzo, decided to try using an exercise ball, which was soon referred to as the ‘office orb’, for a week to see what all of the fuss is about.

Day #1

As a safety professional, ergonomics is something that I pay extra attention to while working in an office setting. It is important that while sitting in any chair to get the correct lumbar support and have to right posture to avoid long term back pain. After sitting for long periods, even in a comfortable chair, I begin to shift, toss and turn. Sometimes I will stand-up or take a walk around the building to loosen my muscles, but this isn’t always feasible to do with the tight schedule of a work day.

I recently read an article from my Alma Madders newspaper, “Movement Science Professor Starts Fitness Orb Wave,” which discussed the idea of sitting on a fitness ball to stay fit, production and ergonomically correct while working at a desk. So, why not give it a try, right? I call my solution... the “Office Orb”.

First I did some research on what fitness or exercise balls were available on the market. There are many to choose from and you can find them at almost any retail outlet that sells exercise equipment and multiple online retailers as well. Next, I looked at what size I needed. This is very important. There are different sizes depending on your height and weight.

I found my fitness ball at Target for $20.99. It is a blue, 75cm, stability ball made by Reebok, with a fitness DVD and pump included! I made sure I inflated it enough so that I would sit high enough at my desk. It is necessary to make sure that you don't fix one ergonomic problem and in turn cause others.

My orb is inflated, sits high enough, and is in full working order. I can already feel some of the tension in my lower back fading away.

Day #2

Today is my first full day using the orb. I can tell that I felt more awake (maybe it’s the extra coffee I had this morning) and more productive. I didn't have that sluggish feeling that you get at work in the first couple hours. I noticed that there were so many different ways to sit on my ball, each targeting different muscles in my core. Bonus points if I end up with 6-pack abs after this. Toward the end of my day I did a good stretch and a slight back bend to relieve any sore muscles... (note: this is only recommended if you think you are capable).

Day #3

I am excited to come to work and keep testing out my new office seat! I really believe that the orb is helping my posture. I found myself to be very slouchy when sitting at any desk, not just an office desk. Because I was uncomfortable it wasn't easy to keep the correct posture. The orb has allowed me to sit correctly and it is not difficult. I also am noticing that I am not craving snacks as much. I tend to get hungry when I am still. I could probably eat at my desk all day if I was sitting stagnant. When I typing on the computer, while making slight movements to making sure that I stay on the orb, I found it less likely for the thought of “where are my pretzels” to come to mind. Yes!

Day #4

Is it possible that this office orb is making me happier? Maybe its placebo effect, but its 50 degrees and rainy out and I’m super positive. I feel less slow and more productive. It has helped motivate me to have a healthier lifestyle. Because I took the initiative to get the ball and become more active, I decided why stop there? I am now eating a healthier lunch, trying not to go out to eat, and making sure I get in 30 minutes of exercise when I get home from work.

I love my office orb, and I need a more endearing name for it. I’m sort of feeling like Tom Hanks in Castaway with Wilson.

Day #5

Still going great, however, keep the office orb away from co-workers who try stupid human tricks on the orb. If this catches on here, I will have to implement best practices and usage practices to make sure this stays safe and healthy.

Day #6

I found myself switching back and forth between my office chair and my ball. I noticed that the ball is also a great remedy if you are restless in your chair. Some people may not want to replace their chair with the ball because the chair provides a stable seat. Whenever I am restless I can switch to the ball and it wakes me up and gets me moving.

Day #7

Since I have been using the orb I keep seeing more improvements in my posture, it is easier to sit up straight and stay sitting upright. The day has been going a little quicker too because I have less focus on my body and seating arrangement and more focus on my tasks at hand.

Conclusion

As a safety professional office safety should be important to a company. Ergonomics is a part of office safety and can help the productiveness and wellness of the employees. The orb has helped me to remember what good ergonomics means and how something as simple as a fitness ball can change the atmosphere of a work station.

For any employees working in an office setting I would highly recommend this idea as something to try. I would recommend mixing it up between a regular chair and the office orb. Also, gradually increase use of the office orb over time so you can get used to it. The office orb can provide employees a fresh way to get work done and also give them a grip on good ergonomics. It may not be a solution for everyone, but I will continue to implement the office orb on days when I’m spending a lot of time at my desk.

Zentmeyer, Anya. "Movement science professor starts fitness orb wave". Grand Valley Lanthorn. 18 November 2010.

A Roundup of Articles that Point to Economic Improvement....

2011-05-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

According to recent news, the economy may be on an upswing. Here is a round-up of recent articles that lead us to believe that the economy is improving, or businesses are learning how to adapt to the changes in the new ecomoy, such as running on less to improve profit margins. We are seeing an increase in hiring in the greater Grand Rapids, MI area. This is always a good sign that things are getting better. Demand is increasing and more people are buying.

What do you think the economy is going to do in the next 3 - 6 months and into 2010? How badly does the Japan catastrophe affect us? A General Motors Co. news conference at a transmission plant in Toledo, Ohio, on Tuesday wasn’t just about announcing a $204 million investment that will save 250 jobs. GM Chairman Dan Akerson said in addition to the investment in the Toledo plant, the automaker in the coming months will invest $2 billion for upgrades at 17 factories that will create or preserve 4,000 U.S. jobs. (source)

Or...

Optimism is growing among the CFOs who believe the U.S. will see growth over the next six months. A survey of Midwestern U.S. CFOs and senior comptrollers conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, shows that 43% have a rosy outlook compared to 33% from a survey taken six months ago. (source)

Although this article does point out the rice in prices and infation may be the reason for profits soaring.

And....

When things were going well, it was said that the United States enjoyed a Goldilocks Economy. Growth was fast enough to produce jobs and higher incomes but not so fast as to generate inflation. In the same vein, it might be said that today we have an Oscar-the-Grouch Economy. Good news is discounted. Pessimism is trendy. Growth is considered too feeble to help real people. But there is some genuine good news -- and it deserves attention. (source)

Let us know what you think....are things improving? Are you hiring? Are you treading lightly with spending or going bananas while you have the cash?

Summer Specific Training to Prevent Seasonal Accidents

2011-04-29T06:46:00.000-07:00

As June ends and summer is around the corner so is the heat. Understanding how a change in season can affect your safety is key. Heat stress is a common hazard during the summer months. It is important to know your limit and the limit of those around you. Heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion and even worse, the very serious and lethal, heat stroke. It is always nice to be able to work outside during the summer and enjoy the weather but, it is essential to know how to manage in hot temperatures.

You should become adjusted to the heat. As much as one might like to jump into our new projects with two feet forward, working outside rigorously without letting your body temperature become familiar with the heat can cause heat stress. Keep cool drinking water available for yourself, your families, or for your employees; this will help keep everyone hydrated. It is important to understand that sweating is ok. When your body sweats it is cooling itself off. To allow this process to happen stay fully clothed in light breathable materials. This will help keep the sweat from evaporating too quickly without allowing it the chance to cool the body down.

Off the job injuries can come during a variety of inopportune times such as, celebrating the 4^th of July. Fireworks and barbeques are good family pastimes, that if done correctly can turn into great family memories. It is critical to recognize the dangers of these activities. Before you fire up the grill make sure you have read the manual and learned the proper technique to light it. This will prevent against an unwanted fire or gas leak. The 4^th of July is not complete with the beautiful and extremely dangerous fireworks. Fireworks can reach up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit which is a high enough temperature to melt a piece of gold. Firework users should always have a bucket of water near to put the used fireworks into after they are finished to ensure they are completely put out. They also should never be carried in your pocket because the friction could mistakenly set them off. When the fun is over clean up should be done only by adults.

When the sun is shining enjoying the outdoors is common amongst everyone. Whether you’re biking, hiking, boating, or climbing first aid should be kept close by. A proper first aid kit can help prevent infection and further injury if someone is hurt.

As the sun shines, sunscreen should become a daily routine. Sunscreen can help prevent against bad burns, blistering, and different types of skin cancer. A sunscreen with at least SPF 15 to 30 should be used daily while enjoying the outdoors.

As July ends and August approaches you decide it’s finally time to repair the roof and get the ladder from the garage. Ladder safety is a growing concern in residential areas and is a hotspot for injury. There are over 90,000 Americans injured every year because of improper ladder use. A couple things to keep in mind while using a ladder are; always use three points of contact, two feet and one hand. Also, it doesn’t matter if you left the nail gun slightly too far to the right, don’t reach. Move the ladder to the exact location and then gather your tools.

Safety is a 24/7 job. It’s not an 8 to 5 shift or something you can just leave at work. It requires commitment and time. It means going the extra step to help avoid incidents and help keep those around you safe. Enjoy summer and enjoy the heat and remember to use safe work practices!

Spring Brings the Sprout of Construction!

2011-04-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

It’s finally the beginning of Spring, which means warmer weather, budding foliage, and… Yup you guessed it, the start of construction season! Make sure to stay on top of safety as spring gets underway!

It is always important to know some current Construction trends, so check these out!

‘Healthy’ buildings- The building industry is focusing on the concept of a healthier home and workplace. People are interested in materials and systems that use less energy, emit less pollution, and are more efficient, such as HVAC systems that improve indoor air quality as well as low-VAC paints and finishes.
Technology- Builders and consumers continuously plan for the future by setting up homes and workplaces for tech advancements. Mobile touch screen devices, such as the iPad, could be used as remote controllers for things like audio and lighting affects, etc.
Green- People are demanding sustainable and more resource efficient products in not just their homes, but in the workplace as well. Building practices that were once an option are becoming more mandatory.
Downsizing and Minimalism- Resulting from the economic downturn and the realization that large square footage may not be needed, there is a building trend towards more practical, usable floor space that create less costs while still meeting needs.
Brand Power- To set themselves apart from competition, some retail brands may undertake construction renovations of their stores to offer a more engaging and unique venue to keep customers in their space longer.
Domestic and International- The growth of available retail space and attractive leasing options is appealing to foreign retailers looking to grow their brand, as well as for popular domestic brands looking to leave large retailers to build their own stores.

Spring is an exciting season full of new construction opportunities, which is why it is more important that ever to focus on safety! Be weary of these most common accidents in Construction!

Falls from height
Falling objects
Accidents involving fork lift trucks, cranes, dumpers and other mobile plant
Scaffolding accidents
Lifting accidents
Fires and explosions

To help avoid these accidents, let Summit be your guide! We offer several programs on a wide range of construction topics to ensure that you and your workers are practicing safe operations on the job.

For a list of current construction organizations that use our training, call 1.800.842.0466 or visit us on the web at www.safetyontheweb.com.

Constrict your construction danger with Summit!

Disaster Readiness

2011-04-04T11:57:00.000-07:00

Don’t Let Danger Catch You Off Guard

When you think about a disastrous event, what comes to mind? Is it the hurricanes that ravage the coastal states of the US, or the tornadoes that whirl through many other

states? Or how about the much more recent and catastrophic earthquakes that shook

Japan

causing a tsunami? But that would never happen to you, right? Wrong. Being prepared and trained to take action in the event of a disaster, from storms to more catastrophic disasters, is crucial in not only saving your life, but the countless lives of those around you.

The importance of being prepared:

Disasters can happen any time and anywhere and disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Each disaster has lasting effects, both to people and property. If a disaster occurs in your community, local government and disaster-relief organizations will try to help you, but you need to be ready as well. Local responders may not be able to reach you immediately, or they may need to focus their efforts elsewhere. You should know how to respond to severe weather or any disaster that could occur in your area - hurricanes, earthquakes, extreme cold, flooding, or terrorism. You should also be ready to be self-sufficient for at least three days. This may mean providing for your own shelter, first aid, food, water, and sanitation.

Other advantages:

Being prepared for a disaster can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters. Communities, families, and individuals should know what to do in the event of a fire and where to seek shelter during a tornado.

Being ready can also reduce the impact of disasters (flood proofing, elevating a home or moving a home out of harm’s way, and securing items that could shake loose in an earthquake) and sometimes avoid the danger completely.

Here are some tips to stay prepared in the event of an emergency:

Develop a communications plan for your family. Choose someone who does not live with you (preferably an out-of-town relative or friend) whom you and other family members can contact to check on each other in the event that you are separated during a disaster. Carry that person’s contact information in your purse or wallet.
Make sure children know their last name, phone number, address, and number for the out-of-town contact person.
Make sure every member of your family knows an alternate route home.
If family members can’t get home, designate a meeting place.
Know your community’s emergency evacuation route.
Learn how to shut off utilities such as gas, electricity, and water.
Assemble an emergency preparedness kit that will allow your family to camp out for three days. Assume you’ll be without electricity and running water.
Store your emergency supplies in sealed containers such as plastic tubs - taped shut.
Keep cash on hand; automated teller machines won’t be working if the power is out.
Learn CPR and first aid to help with medical emergencies.
Learn about emergency plans for your children’s school or daycare center.
If you’re a teen, find out whether your school has a group of student volunteers to help out in emergency situations. If not, offer to help start such a group. Or start a School Crime Watch.
Learn about your company’s emergency plan. Practice the plan. Learn exit routes.
Work with your Neighborhood Watch or civic association to create a disaster preparedness plan.

Summit can help you prepare your business in the event of a disaster. Check out Summit’s Disaster Readiness and First Aid programs at www.safetyontheweb.com

NSC Texas Safety Conference and Expo!

2011-04-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

Let the tradeshows begin! Summit attended the National Safety Council (NSC) Texas Safety Conference and Expo March 28^th and 29^th, this being the first tradeshow of the year for Summit. For team members Bryan Hornik, General Manager, Sara Wesche, Marketing Director and Emma Daniels, Marketing Administrator, this show was the perfect start to the 2011 tradeshows.

Taking place in The Woodlands, about 30 minutes outside of Houston, The Woodlands Waterway Marriot Hotel and Convention Center was the place to be for this Safety Expo, attracting safety professional from all across Texas and the Gulf Coast area.

The first day begin with a rather interesting start for the summit team members, upon arrival to our booth space we were greeted by our “next door booth neighbor” for the next two days, Craig! A friendly southern from the swamp lands of Louisiana. But that is a whole other story…

The opening session on day one featured Richard Hawk, Director of Richards Hawk, Inc. presenting on “The future of Safety: A Hawkeye view of what’s on the safety horizon.” During this session Hawk shared what’s on the horizon for the safety and health field and how you can benefit from this insight.

After the opening session, attendees were given the opportunity to explore the expo booth and mingle with the exhibitor’s. Products on exhibit ranged from safety & compliance training, PPE equipment, gas detection equipment, and specialty items with a focus on the oil and gas industry. The conference also offered many different CEU courses from the following topics: Construction/Labor/Utilities, Driver & Transportation, Emerging Issues, Management / Leadership, Operational/Technical/Regulatory, Safety Culture/Behavior - Based Safety, and Training.

Day two begin with an exciting line-up of technical sessions which offered CEU’s for attendees, followed by the ending session presented by Tony Crow, Present of INJAM, discussing “INJAM (It’s Not Just About Me): Safety, 24/7”. Crow touched on how safety confidence can blind your better judgment to notice and take proper safety measures to minimize the risk associated with your work or leisure time activities.

The Texas Safety Conference was the start of another great tradeshow season for Summit! Make sure to check us out at one of the other tradeshows we will be attending this year. We hope to see you soon! For more information about where summit will be >> Learn more!

Decline in Workplace Violence

2011-03-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

New Report Shows Workplace Violence Declined from 1993-2009
Mar 29, 2011 12:30 PM, By Laura Walter
On March 29, the Justice Department Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) released a new publication, “Workplace Violence, 1993-2009,” that shows a decline in both workplace homicides and nonfatal, violent crimes in the workplace over the last 16 years.

Approximately 572,000 nonfatal violent crimes, including rape, robbery or assault, occurred against employees age 16 or older while they were at work or on duty in 2009 – a decline from the 2.1 million nonfatal violent crimes that occurred at the workplace in 1993. The number of homicides in the workplace decreased by 51 percent from a high of 1,068 homicides in 1993 to 521 homicides in 2009

Read full article>>>>

100 years later

2011-03-02T07:03:00.000-08:00

THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY FIRE

As OSHA celebrates 40 years of protecting workers, we also remember the labor pioneers, safety advocates, community leaders and ordinary workers whose vision for a stronger America laid the foundations for the laws that keep workers safe and healthy today. The 100th anniversary of the Triangle shirtwaist factory fire, which killed 146 workers in a New York City garment factory, marks a century of reforms that make up the core of OSHA's mission. Use this page to learn more about a tragic event that led to a "general awakening" that continues to drive OSHA's commitment to workers.

Read the whole story >>> The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Summit Contributions to Safety and Health.

2011-03-01T13:50:00.000-08:00

Summit is proud to have had the opportunity to be auther for a few magazines over the year. Check out some of the articles Staff at Summit as written!

Online Versus Classroom Training: Which is best for safety training - online or classroom?
Although we wish it were an easy "yes" or "no" answer, the fact pf the matter is that one training format is not better than others. The type of training you use is going to be specific to your needs and the topics on which you are training.... To read the whole article >>> Online Versus Classroom Training

Set Your Sights on Safety - Occupational eye injuries, causes and prevention
Eye injuries are one of the most common workplace injuries, accounting for 2.5 million eye injuries annually in the United States alone. Out of this group, 50,000 people permanently lose part or all of their vision.... Keep reading >>> Set Your Sights on Safety

Respiratory Protection
"With all the new products being developed, and chemicals being mised to make those products, sometimes just one breath of a toxic fume could do some permanent damage to you, if not death." >>> Respiratory Protection

Fall Protection
Occupational falls continue to be one of the highest recordable incidents in industry. They are the third leading cause of death, following morot cehicle accidents and struck by incidents. >>> Fall Protection

Spotlight on Vanguard Fire & Security Systems - Summit Customer Since 2007

2011-02-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

Up-to-date training, cost effective, user friendly, and locally-based are just a few reasons why Vanguard Fire & Security Systems, Inc. chooses Summit as their expert safety training provider. Since 2007, Vanguard has been using Summit’s Online OSHA 10 & 30 hour training to prepare their employees of over 100 technicians, engineers, consultants, and clerical staff. Prior to using Summit, Vanguard conducted safety training by either bringing onsite educators to teach their employees or by sending employees to classes, costing the company valuable time and money. Utilizing Summit’s online OSHA 10 & 30 hour courses improved the consistency of training results for their employees and allowed Vanguard to dedicate more resources to customer service and greater product offerings.

While working with clients in the petroleum industry, power generation facilities, healthcare facilities, schools, restaurants, and government entities, Vanguard noticed that an increasing number of safety requirements were mandated to carry out business as usual. Vanguard set out to look for the perfect fit to accommodate their needs for training. Vanguard learned more about Summit Training Source while researching web-based safety training providers online. For Vanguard, the ability of Summit’s Online OSHA 10 & 30 Hour and to customize the training curriculum was a great benefit over other providers. The quality and consistency of Summit’s training programs, convenience of having the program accessible online, and the ease of tracking the employees’ safety training using Summit’s LMS helped Vanguard achieve their goal of most importantly, keeping their employees and clients safe while exceeding industry requirements and the high standards of their clients.

Vanguard Fire & Security System, Inc. is a national fire protection and security company with over 50 years experience in the business of protecting people, property and products. Today, with over 100 employees, and a fleet of over 50 Vanguard vehicles, the company operates from five strategic offices and is a full-service provider of fire protection and security systems. The company provides system design services, equipment sales, installation, inspection, and servicing of fire protection and security systems for a wide variety of industrial, commercial, and petroleum customers nationwide. Vanguard services clients all across the US and throughout the world. To learn more about Vanguard Fire & Security System, Inc. visit www.vanguard-fire.com.

We are privileged to have Vanguard Fire & Security System, Inc. as a customer and pleased they are able to utilize Summit’s training programs as part of their safety initiatives. For more information on Summit’s online OSHA 10 & 30 hour training, call 1.800.842.0466 or visit us on the web at www.safetyontheweb.com.

Put a Stop to the Violence: Lower your Risk of Workplace Aggression with Summit

2011-02-16T08:05:00.000-08:00

Workplace violence: it could never happen to you, right? But did you know OSHA reports that about 2 million U.S. workers each year are victims of some kind of workplace assault? Or that the most extreme form, homicide, is the fourth-leading cause of fatal occupational injury in the

United States

? Additionally, a study by NIOSH found the staggering statistic that up to 70 percent of workplaces in the U.S. do not have either a formal program or policy in place to address the problem. Though workplace experts believe that greater awareness in recent years to workplace violence may have contributed to a decline in the mass shootings that captured headlines in the late 1980s and early 1990s, we still see incidents today, such as the Arizona killings that took place in January. What’s more is that according to the International Labor Office, violence at work is increasing worldwide and has reached epidemic levels in some countries creating an enormous global cost of millions of dollars in losses from absenteeism and sick leave.

But what is workplace violence exactly?

Workplace violence can be any act of physical violence, threats of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening, disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. More specifically, violence ranges- but is not limited to- bullying and mobbing, threats by psychologically unstable co-workers, and sexual harassment. It can affect or involve employees, visitors, contractors, and other non-Federal employees.

And how can Workplace Violence be prevented?

Awareness/Training

Training is one of the most critical components of any agency’s prevention program, and is necessary for all employees, supervisors, and staff that may be involved in responding to an incident of workplace violence. All employees should know how to recognize and report incidents of violent, intimidating, threatening, and disruptive behavior, and should have phone numbers for quick reference during a crisis or an emergency

Threat Assessment

The basis of a threat assessment is to determine the seriousness of a potentially violent or stressful situation and how to best intervene. The purpose of the threat assessment team is to provide guidance on managing the situation in a way that protects the employees by evaluating the risks persons under suspicion may pose to particular targets. The approach and the timing for these evaluations will be specific to the circumstances of the potentially violent situation.

Once a threat assessment is completed, management will decide what additional measures are needed to fix the situation or what new steps are being taken to alleviate misunderstandings and confusion.

Long-Term Security

There are a number of basic security measures that many USDA offices already have in place, sometimes in conjunction with neighboring Federal offices or the facility. In addition, there are ways to create physical barriers between the employee and the hazard, and administrative procedures which can reduce the likelihood for violence. Many offices already have emergency plans that describe procedures to follow during a fire or other emergency. The plan should also cover workplace violence emergencies, including bomb threats, and should be specific to the type of facility, building, and the workers it covers.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

ADR processes are designed to help parties resolve conflicts with the assistance of neutral third parties to help prevent the escalation of conflict into violent or potentially violent situations. ADR can be used as an alternative to court litigation or agency adjudications, or to help disputing parties resolve a problem that they cannot resolve on their own. Other processes include facilitation, conciliation, mediation, and ombudsperson programs. The key is using ADR early, before emotions or conduct make discussion a non- option.

Employee Assistance Program

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is composed of trained counselors that address workplace stress and violence issues. An EAP can be used to asses situations that may need to be brought to the attention of management or used to strategize ways to deal with uncomfortable or threatening situations.

Workplace Violence issues do not sit well with us here at Summit, and we would like to do everything in our power to prevent and correct such occurrences. Our Online video “Workplace Violence: Prevent the Threat”, is the perfect way to begin transforming your workplace into a safe environment that will protect your most valuable assets – your employees.

Be the change and begin in the workplace. Call 800.842.0466 or visit www.safetyontheweb.com for more information on how to make your workplace a safer environment for everyone.

Winterize your Workplace!

2011-02-15T05:29:00.000-08:00

Work is hard enough without having to deal with cold weather, right? Not to mention the accidents and associated costs that go along with winter’s working woes. No one wants to deal with workplace issues in any season, especially during the cold winter months. It’s no secret that during winter there are several predictable and unforeseeable factors that contribute to workplace incidents. I’m sure many of you know from first hand experience that freezing temperatures and icy roads, to name a few, can change any workplace environment from safe to dangerous over night, leading to countless dangerous situations. Here at Summit, we have found that the best way to combat these winter risks is to take preventative measures with training. Be prepared with the wisdom to withstand the winter this season with some important safety suggestions that can be found in three our winter-related programs.

o Winter Driving

It is no surprise that vehicle accidents increase dramatically in the wintertime; icy roads, cold temperatures, and snow dramatically change everyone’s driving environment. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 38% of all driving accidents from October to March are winter-related, supporting the need for taking extra precautions during these months.

Some Tips For Driving In Winter Weather:

Reduce speeds. Remember that the posted speed limit is for ideal travel conditions.

Allow for extra travel time or consider delaying trips if the weather is inclement.

Always use headlights during inclement weather.

Make sure windshield wipers, batteries, tires and defrosters are working and in good condition.

Carry blankets, flares and other equipment that would be helpful in an emergency.

Maintain a safe distance between you and other vehicles.

Be courteous to other drivers.

Keep to the right except to pass, using turn signals to alert other drivers of your intentions.

Always buckle seat belts.

o Cold Stress & Hypothermia

Cold Stress hazards, like hypothermia and frostbite, can result from adverse environmental conditions and can set in without warning. What’s worse, is that these hazards are not limited to winter alone; they can occur during any season and in different environments, such as freezers or refrigerators and when working underground or outdoors. According to findings from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in recent years an astonishing total of 4,607 death certificates in the

United States

had hypothermia-related diagnoses listed as the underlying cause of death or nature of injury leading. Knowing how to protect you and your workers from these chilling hazards and prevent costly accidents is essential for a safe workplace.

Recommendations for employers for protection against Cold Stress:

Schedule maintenance and repair jobs in cold areas for warmer months.

Schedule cold jobs for the warmer part of the day.

Reduce the physical demands of workers.

Use relief workers or assign extra workers for long, demanding jobs.

Provide warm liquids to workers.

Provide warm areas for use during break periods.

Monitor workers who are at risk of cold stress.

Provide cold stress training that includes information about:

Worker risk
Prevention
Symptoms
The importance of monitoring yourself and coworkers for symptoms
Treatment
Personal protective equipment

Recommendations for workers to protect themselves from Cold Stress:

Wear appropriate clothing.

Wear several layers of loose clothing for better insulation.
Looser clothing provides circulation to the extremities and will not restrict movement in a hazardous situation.

Make sure to protect the ears, face, hands and feet in extremely cold weather.

Boots should be waterproof and insulated.
Wear a hat to reduce escaping body heat.

Move into warm locations during work breaks; limit the amount of time outside on extremely cold days.

Carry cold weather gear, such as extra socks, gloves, hats, jacket, blankets, a change of clothes and a thermos of hot liquid.

Include a thermometer and chemical hot packs in your first aid kit.

Avoid touching cold metal surfaces with bare skin.

Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.

An up-close look at Hypothermia: it’s a common form of cold stress and is a scary and serious consequence for all employees who work outdoors and are exposed to cold and wet environments for long periods of time. Hypothermia occurs when the body loses more heat than it is producing.

Here are signs and symptoms of hypothermia:

Cool skin

Slower, irregular breathing

Slower heartbeat

Weak pulse

Uncontrollable shivering

Severe shaking

Rigid muscles

Drowsiness

Exhaustion

Slurred speech

Memory lapses

Treatment for Hypothermia:

Move the victim into a warm room or shelter.

Remove their wet clothing.

Warm the center of their body first-chest, neck, head, and groin-using an electric blanket, if available; or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets.

Warm beverages may help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person.

After their body temperature has increased, keep the victim dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck.

If victim has no pulse, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

How to avoid Hypothermia:

Train employees on cold and changing weather

Use a buddy system

Adjust work schedule for cold and changing weather

Wearing layered clothing

Wear full Personal Protective Equipment

Consume good amounts of warm foods and liquids

Wear eye protection

For more information in these issues and how we can help with our programs, call 800.842.0466 or visit www.safetyontheweb.com and defrost your risk today!

What Makes A Safety Super Hero? You Tell Us...

2011-02-14T11:19:00.000-08:00

What do you think makes a safety super hero? How do you balace motivating your workers for safety with ensuring compliance and a productive workplace? Share your thoughts with Summit and other safety professionals by leaving a comment on this post.

"I have been a safety professional for over 17+ years. In order to be called a Safety Hero a safety professional shall have the passion and dedication, not just show up to work and collect a check. He or she needs to be out in the forefront looking at the schedule and helping those to manage the risks they may encounter ahead of time. My beliefs are that everyone returns home to the ones they love in the same physical condition they arrived at work in. If a safety professional doesn't view safety as a value he is missing his calling. I challenge and mentor young safety professionals to be in the forefront to help those manage the risk, the industry is in a shift where allot of the baby boomers are in that retirement age, and we need to help our younger men & women succeed." Kenneth R Majewski, Hoffman Construction

OH&S Virtual Event 2011

2011-02-11T12:38:00.000-08:00

Mark Your Calendars, The Occupational Health and Safety Virtual Event is Coming!

Check out Summit’s Booth!

Who: Safety Professionals

What: Occupational Health and Safety Virtual Event 2011

When: February 16^th 9am-5pm

Where: vts.inxpo.com

Why: At just the click of your mouse you can have all the luxuries of a tradeshow without leaving your desk.

The OH&S Virtual Exhibit is the perfect opportunity to chat in real time with exhibitors and preview the latest products and solutions without leaving the comfort of your desk. Allowing you access to free content, downloads, presentations and more. Check out the 5 reasons OH&S thinks you should attend this event.

5 Reasons You Need to Attend This OH&S Virtual Event!

1. Stay current.

This OH&S Virtual Event is just what you need to keep up with the latest tools, technologies and information to enhance your workplace safety planning. View the latest products, attend cutting-edge educational sessions and share best practices with others in your field.

2. Save valuable time and money.

We realize budgets are tight. That’s why we’re bringing you innovative solutions and in-depth education FREE -- from the convenience of your computer. View product demonstrations, collect whitepapers and have all of your questions answered in real time, from leading suppliers—all in one place.

3. Build your own schedule.

Based on your specific needs, choose to attend various live and on-demand sessions throughout the day covering today’s key topics.

4. Connect with the right people.

Choose from hundreds of workplace safety and health professionals also attending this OH&S Virtual Event. Network and chat with the attendees of your choice.

5. Share valuable information and lessons learned with your office.

Collect product descriptions, whitepapers, webinars, vCards, session PowerPoints and much more in your Virtual Briefcase. Download for your own use and pass along valuable show materials to your colleagues!

For more information about the event check out http://ohsonline.com/events/ohs-virtual-event/home.aspx

2011-02-11T12:27:00.000-08:00

Use of incentives in wellness programs on the rise: study
From National Safety Council Member News
February 11, 2011
Boston – Employers increasingly are relying on financial incentives to encourage employee participation in health improvement programs, indicates a study released Feb. 9 by the National Business Group on Health and Fidelity Investments.

The study, a follow-up to research conducted in 2009, involved 147 mid- to large-sized companies in various industries nationwide. Overall, incentives provided by the companies averaged $430 per employee in 2010 – a 65 percent increase from 2009, when average spending was $260 per employee.

The types of financial incentives offered for participation in wellness programs included cash, gift cards or contributions to health savings accounts. The study tracked four main categories of wellness programs: health risk management (e.g., onsite flu shots), lifestyle management (smoking cessation programs), condition management (nurse phone lines), and communication and education (company wellness websites).

Approximately 12 percent of employers surveyed use negative incentives, such as reducing employer contributions to health plans, for employees who do not participate. Aside from incentives, companies involved in the study spent an average of $154 per employee on health improvement programs. The majority was spent on condition management programs, such as monitoring diabetes treatment.

The study further indicated the number of wellness programs will increase in coming years, as 63 percent of employers said they intend to increase program offerings in 2011. "Wellness programs in the past have typically had modest impact because of low participation rates," said Sunit Patel, senior vice president of Fidelity's benefits consulting business. "But our study indicated that incentives are starting to make a real difference in employee interest and engagement."

The Blizzard of the Century

2011-02-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

It was the storm that brought most of the nation to a crawl and a massive clean up. Some are calling it the Great Blizzard of 2011; some are calling it “Snowpocalypse”. Whatever it may be called it will be one for the record books. The storm that hit the nation last Tuesday (February 4^th) left two thirds of the nation facing down power lines, shuttered highways and thousands of airport cancellations, along with a 2,000 mile trail of snow and ice from the Midwest to the northeast.

Snow falls that were record breaking and cancellations for days, it was the every kids dream snow day. For parents and businesses it was more of a nightmare. Shoveling driveways for hours and waiting for plows to clear a path, leaving roads still un-drivable for most places. With blizzard like winds reaching up to 50mph and over a foot of snow in some places of the country, driving was out of question for most.

Those that braved the heavy snow fall and strong winds were not all lucky. 11 deaths were reported due to the blizzard according to the NBC Chicago News. ABC News tells of three unfortunate deaths… A woman died on her way to work, she got stuck on a railroad track and was thrown from her car when a train hit her vehicle. A man in Detroit died in a car accident caused by icy road condition. In New York a homeless man burned to death when he tried to light cans of cooking fuel to stay warm.

Some thought they would leave town before the storm hit made it not much farther than the airport. This storm caused over 5,000 flights to be canceled. Flights were not the only thing that took a big hit that day. The economy lost millions in profit do to businesses closing. According the NBC Chicago the blizzard cost the Chicago area around $600millions. Other cities such as New York, Detroit and Indianapolis were affected financially from the storm.

Check out these picture from around Grand Rapids, Michigan!

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

2010-11-23T06:33:00.000-08:00

To keep Thanksgiving fire-free, the public should follow these ten tips.
1. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.

2. If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

3. Be alert. You won’t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.

4. Keep anything that can catch fire—potholders, wooden utensils, food wrappers, towels or curtains—away from your stove top.
5. Make sure your sleeves are out of the way when cooking. Wear tighter fitting clothing with shorter sleeves.

6. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
7. Never hold a child while cooking, drinking or carrying hot foods or liquids.

8. Turn the handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents.
9. Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.

10. Test your smoke alarms by pushing the test button. Replace batteries at least once a year.

Source

Safe Quality Food Manufacturing

2010-11-17T07:29:00.000-08:00

Nut allergy is one of the most common food allergies among children and adults and is the leading cause of death from food-induced anaphylaxis. The researchers say more than 3 million people in the United States report being allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, or both. Tree nuts include almonds, cashews, coconuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts, among others.

Patients with nut allergies are often advised to avoid nuts entirely, from not eating nuts to not even touching products manufactured in facilities that may have been exposed to nuts. “Treatment of nut allergies with dietary avoidance should include education for both adults and children on identification of peanuts and tree nuts,” the researchers say in a news release.
(source: Web MD Article)
Its imperative food manufacturing organizations follow the proper safe quality food procedures to do their part to protect people against potentially life threatening food allergies. Summit's Food Allergens: Prevent Cross Contamination is one of many food manufacturing safety programs available from Summit Training Source.
http://www.safetyontheweb.com/

OHS Magazine Article Quotes Summit

2010-11-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

Online Training's Many Benefits

While the time savings vary greatly, a rough estimate is that safety managers spent 40 percent of their time delivering training in the pre-online era and now spend 10 percent of their time on it.
By Jerry Laws Nov 01, 2010

Read full article here >>

Two out of Five Drivers Admit to Falling Asleep at the Wheel, Finds AAA Foundation Study

2010-11-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

Two out of Five Drivers Admit to Falling Asleep at the Wheel, Finds AAA Foundation Study

OSHA encourages major retailers to provide crowd management measures to protect workers during Black Friday, other sales events

2010-11-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

Check out Summit's Retail Safety program at http://www.safetyontheweb.com/products/detail.asp?ProductID=1498

OSHA News Release: [11/03/2010]
Contact Name: Dianna Patterson or Jason Surbey
Phone Number: (202) 693-1898 or x4668
Release Number: 10-1520-NAT

US Labor Department’s OSHA encourages major retailers to provide crowd management measures to protect workers during Black Friday, other sales events

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging CEOs of 14 major retail companies to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during Black Friday and the holiday season's other major sales events. Toward that end, OSHA has sent a letter and fact sheet on "Crowd Management Safety Tips for Retailers" to the CEOs.

In 2008, a worker was trampled to death while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of an after-Thanksgiving Day Black Friday sales event. The store was not using the kind of crowd management measures recommended in OSHA's fact sheet, which is available online at https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/Crowd_Control.html.

"Crowd-related injuries during special retail sales and promotional events have increased during recent years," said Assistant Secretary for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. "Many of these incidents can be prevented by adopting a crowd management plan, and this fact sheet provides retail employers with guidelines for avoiding injuries during the holiday shopping season."

The fact sheet provides employers with recommended elements for crowd management plans. Plans should include having trained security personnel or police officers on-site, setting up barricades or rope lines for pedestrians and crowd control well in advance of customers arriving at the store, making sure that barricades are set up so that the customers' line does not start right at the entrance of the store, having in place emergency procedures that address potential dangers, and having security personnel or customer service representatives explain approach and entrance procedures to the arriving public.

OSHA also recommends not allowing additional customers to enter the store when it reaches its maximum occupancy level and not blocking or locking exit doors.

For a copy of the letter sent to the CEOs and a list of the retailers they represent, visit http://www.osha.gov/ooc/blackfridayletter.pdf.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/.

Exclusive Survey: 36 States Address Greenhouse Gases from Sprawl, Building Construction

2010-11-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

Exclusive Survey: 36 States Address Greenhouse Gases from Sprawl, Building Construction

Summit Wins Top Honors from OH&S Magazine New Product of the Year Awards

2010-11-04T06:48:00.000-07:00

Grand Rapids, MI- Summit Training Source is proud to announce top honors from the Occupational Health & Safety magazine, which held its second annual New Product of the Year contest at the 2010 National Safety Conference in San Diego. Summit surpassed competition to win the award in the product category for Best Online Training with its product line Summit Elements. Summit Elements are short video clips and graphics that you can purchase, download, and use to customize any training presentation.

The New Product of the Year contest recognizes innovation, quality, and excellence in customer service by many leading manufacturers in the safety and health industry during one of the biggest U.S. trade show of the year. Every entry in the 2010 contest was a product introduced to the market between Aug. 2, 2009, and July 2, 2010. This second annual contest attracted a new high of 42 products in 17 award categories, with an independent panel of three highly qualified judges choosing the winners.

Summit Elements joins the long line of Summit’s award winning programs. More than 45,000 industry leaders worldwide trust Summit training programs to protect their most valuable resources from risk, danger, and loss. With more than 600 environmental, health, and safety training titles in multiple formats, Summit provides proven content that delivers the business results expected in today’s competitive global environment.

Learn about Summit Elements at http://elements.safeytontheweb.com/

Find out more information on Summit’s products today by visiting http://www.safetyontheweb.com/ or call 800.842.0466.

Workplace Safety Rules a Part of Notre Dame Death Probe (Manfuacturing.net)

2010-11-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.manufacturing.net/News/2010/11/Safety-Workplace-Safety-Rules-A-Part-Of-ND-Death-Probe/

Pontiac Out of Business After 84 Years (from Manufacturing.net)

2010-11-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.manufacturing.net/News/2010/11/Automotive-Pontiac-Out-Of-Business-After-84-Years/

Big Rapids officials detail how they prevented 18,000 gallon Haworth paint spill from reaching Muskegon River

2010-10-28T06:58:00.000-07:00

Published: Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 10:27 PM Updated: Thursday, October 28, 2010, 12:45 AM

Julia Bauer
The Grand Rapids Press

BIG RAPIDS -- Nearly all the 18,000 gallons of black water-based paint that escaped from Haworth Inc. via a city sewer Saturday was diverted into big holding tanks at the Big Rapids sewer treatment plant, officials say.

The accidental release of paint was discovered Saturday night at the steel components plant, 300 N. Bronson Ave.

Share 3 Comments "The paint has been contained in the Big Rapids sewage treatment plant, and 'very, very little' got out of the plant. In fact, our staff says none got in the river," said Mary Detloff, spokesperson for the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Haworth's plant prepares steel parts for a variety of filing cabinets and storage units, and was closed overnight Saturday. It gradually began to resume operations Sunday, as city, state, and company officials launched investigations.

"We think we retained a fairly significant part of that (paint) within the (sewer) plant," said Don Greiner, director of public works for Big Rapids. "We had basins that were empty, so we diverted it into those until we filled them up.

"We went for a 13-hour period, without anything into the river at all."

The 600,000 gallons of storage capacity could handle the flow of paint-tainted sewage, Greiner said. But city and company officials are scrambling to figure out how to dispose of the polluted water.

After a two-hour meeting Wednesday, Haworth environmental engineer Steve Kooy said a decision is near on the right way to handle the tainted water in the city's sewer tanks.

"It's waiting there for us to take care of this," Kooy said. "We'll either send it to a treatment facility or treat it onsite. We want to ensure all the paint solids are taken out, and the rest of water sent through the treatment plant."

Haworth discovered the problem Saturday evening, when an employee checked the plant's paint tank and saw it was lower than it should be. When workers looked inside the paint department's onsite containment tank, they found it empty. Next, they realized the black paint was making its way down the city sewer that empties into the Muskegon River.

Fortunately, Kooy said, the gravity-fed sewer line had a slow flow rate during the weekend spill. When city officials were alerted, they diverted the paint-laden sewage into empty holding tanks at the city facility.

On Wednesday, Haworth was preparing its report on the paint spill for Big Rapids officials, who will submit their own report to the state DNR.

One suspected cause is a drain valve that was stuck open when it should have been closed. Kooy said some plumbing failure is likely to be the origin of the problem. The paint spill at the Big Rapids plant will drive inspections and safety checks at plants around the globe, he said.

In the short term, another concern is rain, Greiner said. With overflow tanks already filled with paint-laced sewage, a heavy rainfall could stress the sewer plant's capacity to fully treat incoming effluent.
"We typically run at about half the plant's rated capacity. If we got a rainfall, depending on its intensity and duration, we would not be able to fully treat the water because we don't have other basins to fall back on," Greiner said.

Worst case? Some sewage would flow out without being fully treated. But none of the paint-polluted storage tanks would be in play, he said.

E-mail Julia Bauer: jbauer@grpress.com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/jbauer5800

OSHA News - Company Fined more than $2 Million for Lead Hazards

2010-09-01T06:02:00.000-07:00

Shooting range cleanup company fined more than $2 million for overexposing workers to lead

OSHA fined E.N. Range in Miami, Fla., $2,135,000 after the employer failed to protect workers who clean gun ranges from serious overexposure to lead. OSHA inspectors found that E.N. Range had not provided workers proper protective equipment, changing rooms or showering facilities. Air samples taken by OSHA inspectors found that these workers were exposed to lead levels as high as 10 to 19 times the permissible exposure limit. The company also provided workers with non-FDA-approved treatments for lead exposure without required medical supervision, misleading employees--most of whom had limited knowledge of English--into believing they were receiving appropriate medical treatment. OSHA issued E.N. Range more than 50 citations for disregarding workers' health and safety, including 28 citations for multiple egregious violations that include failing to provide workers with properly fitted respirators and control measures to limit workers' exposure to lead, and failing to ensure that workers were given required medical evaluations or blood lead level tests. See the news release for more information.

Lead poisoning can cause many serious health issues including brain damage, paralysis, kidney disease, and even death. Long-term overexposure may result in severe damage to the nervous, urinary, reproductive and blood-forming systems. Visit OSHA's Lead Safety and Health Topics Page for more information.

Check out Summit's training programs on Lead Safety:
Lead Safety
Lead Safety: Uncovering the Dangers

Oil Spill Hits Close to Summit's Home and Michigan Wetlands

2010-08-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

On July 26, 2010 an oil pipeline burst spilling over 1 million gallons of crude oil into the Kalamazoo River. The Kalamazoo River flows directly into Lake Michigan. The pipe, built in 1969, carries about 8 million gallons of oil per day from Griffith, Ind., to Sarnia, Ontario. Obviously, this oil spill isn't to the extreme of what happened with the Deep Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, but this is spill is close to home for Summit.

Residents of the area were evacuated from their homes due to high levels of airborne toxins, including benzene. Michigan has gorgeous and important (more info below) wetlands that surround our rivers and lakes (we are a peninsula after all, this is pretty close to sea level) where the devastation to plant life and wildlife has been tremendous.

The organization responsible for the pipeline is a Canadian company called Enbridge Inc. According to news articles, they were warned by the EPA in January about the state of the pipeline but did not react. Now they are facing a law suit and possible fines for not reporting the incident in time. According to reports, the burst was reported at least 4 hours after it occurred. Companies that fail to notify immediately or exceed the one-hour requirement would face a penalty of $250,000, up from the previous $100,000, and penalties would increase to $2.5 million for companies having multiple related violations.

The EPA estimates it will take months to restore and clean-up the river. Thousands of animals were harmed it the spill, including Canadian geese, ducks, musk rats, deer, porcupines, and fish. The photos, similar to the Gulf, are devastating. Many residents in Michigan utilize well water for their homes and businesses and are dependent on a safe and healthy watershed system. Our wetlands and marsh areas are critical to the ecology in this State, as they serve as drainage areas for winter snowfall. Because they occur where the dry land meets the water, wetlands play a critical role in the management of our water based resources.

Acre for acre, wetlands produce more wildlife and plants than any other Michigan habitat type. Wetland species also comprise a critically important segment of these species. For example, Michigan boasts about 2300 native plant species; 50 percent of these are wetland species and over 25 percent of the wetland species are threatened or endangered. More than 40 percent of the 575 vertebrate (with a backbone) wildlife species in Michigan live in or utilize wetlands. This includes 10 to 15 of the 66 mammals, 180 of the 370 birds, 22 of the 28 reptiles, and all of the 23 amphibians.

Here are a few other things that wetlands do:

reduce flooding by absorbing runoff from rain and melting snow and slowly releasing excess water into rivers and lakes - a one acre swamp when flooded to a depth of one foot contains 330,000 gallons of water
filter pollutants from surface runoff, trapping fertilizers, pesticides, sediments, and other contaminants and helping to break some of them down into less harmful substances, improving water clarity and quality
help recharge groundwater supplies when connected to underground aquifers
contribute to natural nutrient and water cycles, and produce vital atmospheric gases, including oxygen
provide commercial or recreational value to our human economy, by producing plants, game birds (ducks, geese) and fur bearing mammals - many fish are directly connected to wetlands, requiring shallow water areas for breeding, feeding and escaping from predators
when wetlands occur adjacent to the Great Lakes, inland lakes or streams, they serve as nutrient traps that then enrich the larger body of water of which they are part

(Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources www.michigan.gov/dnr)

The news of the Kalamazoo River hit the national headlines for about a day or two last week. For us in Michigan, it is the top story of the day. For detailed information on the Kalamazoo River oil spill and more photos, visit here.

It is critical that we manage our chemicals and hazardous substances as safely and securely as possible. The people in the Gulf of Mexico can attest to that, and so can the people of Michigan.

Stay safe.

All photos in this article by Bryan Hornik - Summit General Manager, taken on July 30, 2010.

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

2010-07-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

I’m sure you’ve heard this one before. Read the paper, watch the news, look around…you will be constantly reminded what a little bit of prevention can do. From small things, like making sure your car has oil, to large things, like using the proper precautions to prevent oil from gushing out of the center of the earth, prevention saves a lot of cost, confusion, frustration and productivity.

In the totally biased opinion of a marketing person working for a safety training company, I know that safety training makes a difference. Sure, it’s important to ensure you are receiving a return on your investment, and most importantly that the training is EFFECTIVE. But can you calculate how many accidents, injuries, or damage to property or equipment you can prevent? Not really, unless you are a safety wizard with a crystal ball (which is sweet and you can stop reading this now). For the rest of us, we have to be cautious, aware and know what to do to prevent the bad stuff from happening in the first place.

I think every training program in the Summit library is important. However, this time of the year, with hurricane season and fire season, and summertime in general, three very important programs come to mind. Bottom line, these should be in your training library.

- Disaster Readiness

- First –Aid

- Fire Prevention

Give your workplace a plan for prevention and the know-how to react accordingly in the event of an accident. You can always preview our training programs online for free or request a demo by calling 800.842.0466.

Stay safe;

Sara

The customer is the most important person in our business.

2010-06-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

The ASSE Foundation

The ASSE Foundation is an organization that is close to Summit’s heart. Summit, a company involved with the safety industry for almost 30 years, believes strongly in the Foundation’s mission and goals. Less than a decade ago, Summit’s Founder and President Valerie Overheul, was appointed to the ASSE Foundation Board of Trustees. Valerie served on the Board for two terms, and was followed by Bryan Hornik, Summit’s General Manager, who took his position on the Board about a year ago.

Bryan Hornik - Summit General Manager

“I’m pleased to be involved with such a fantastic organization that works to benefit the future of the safety profession. I enjoy working with everyone on the Board of Trustees to reach the goals of the Foundation,” comments Mr. Hornik.

The ASSE Foundation is an extremely important group in our industry. The American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation, established by and in partnership with the American Society of Safety Engineers, generates funding and provides resources for scholarship, applied research, academic accreditation, and related academic initiatives in order to advance the safety, health, and environmental profession (www.asse.org/foundation).

Summit participates in the ASSE Foundation on many levels. Summit is a Champion Corporation Donor, and has committed to this level of sponsorship for the next two years. Summit was also a key sponsor of the ASSE Foundation golf outing, held in conjunction with the ASSE Professional Development Conference, Safety 2010, in Baltimore, MD on June 13, 2010.

I was the lucky person to be in the booth when Foundation Board Vice Chair Fay Feeney stopped by to take a picture to represent being a Foundation donor. However, at Summit we see supporting the Foundation as a team effort and each person here helps to contribute to the future of the safety industry.

Sara Wesche - Summit Marketing Director

At this year's ASSE Conference in Baltimore, MD we were able to meet the student's who received scholarships to pursue their future in safety. They were so enthusiastic and grateful for the contribution from the Foundation. It was also exciting for us to see the next generation of safety professionals ready to take on the task of protecting American workers and the communities in which we live and work.

A donation to the Foundation is great way to express your commitment to safety and its a donation you can feel good about.

Stay safe.
- Sara Wesche

NSC Green Cross Dinner

2010-05-17T12:59:00.000-07:00

Summit team members Valerie Overheul – President & CEO, Bryan Hornik – General Manager, and myself, Sara Wesche- Marketing Director, attended the National Safety Council’s Green Cross for Safety Awards dinner in Chicago May 13th. This year’s recipient of the Green Cross medal was Charles “Chip” Pardee, President and Chief Nuclear Officer for Exelon Nuclear.

The black tie event began with a reception at the Navy Pier Terrace Room, which gave attendees the chance to mingle with other safety professionals. A band of bagpipes led the NSC Board of Directors and the representatives from Exelon, including Mr. Pardee, into the Grand Ballroom for the main event.

Janet Froetscher, President & CEO of the National Safety Council, opened the evening with a talk about the mission of the Council and the importance of work place safety. The focus of the speech was distracted driving, one of the Council’s current initiatives. She details the stories of two young boys who were killed in separate accidents due to drivers who were using their cell phones while behind the wheel. The opening segment concluded with a clip from Charlie Morecraft’s, of Remember Charlie, latest video program. The Council’s new whitepaper on distracted driving can be downloaded from their website at www.nsc.org.

Post dinner, the award was presented to Mr. Pardee, who gave an excellent speech which detailed the safety success of his company. Of the many great statistics Mr. Pardee shared, I found the most impactful statement that Excelon Nuclear has never had an on-the-job fatality.

Exelon Nuclear, a business unit of Exelon Corporation, operates the largest nuclear fleet in the nation and the third largest fleet in the world, employing 8,500 people. Headquartered in Warrenville, IL, Exelon Nuclear operates 10 stations with 17 reactors and represents an estimated 20 percent of the U.S. nuclear industry’s power capacity. Over 17 million homes are powered by Exelon Nuclear’s generating units.

The Green Cross dinner is the largest fundraising event for the National Safety Council. This year’s event set a record for attendance, with over 700 people. The dinner concluded on time (maybe even a bit before schedule) at 9pm. It was a well planned and executed event, honoring a top notch safety record to a company who works in a hazardous and important injury.

Rigging: Specialized in Safety

2010-05-11T13:33:00.000-07:00

New Video/DVD Rigging: Specialized in Safety from Summit Sets the Focus on Safety for Riggers

Summit’s new Video/DVD training program, Rigging: Specialized in Safety effectively trains riggers on best safety practices to prevent property damage and injuries. Rigging is a specialized skill and it is vital for workers to fully comprehend the forces they’re up against and how to use their equipment effectively so that the job can get done safely.

From equipment maintenance and selection, understanding safe load capacity and wearing the correct PPE to properly moving the load, Summit’s program teaches riggers how to incorporate safety into everything they do. Summit’s attention grabbing program features multiple types of slings and equipment and showcases the various settings where rigging work is performed.

This program covers:

• Slings & equipment selection

• Planning the Lift

• Best Work Practices

Because rigging is more complex than untrained workers may realize, it’s a job that should only be performed by workers who have the appropriate training. Minimize the risk and build the safety skills of workers with Summit’s Rigging: Specialized in Safety training program.

Contact Summit to receive a free preview of any new release by calling 800.842.0466 or visit http://www.safetyontheweb.com/

Training the Non English Speaking Workforce

2010-05-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

On April 28, 2010 OSHA issued a memorandum on their training policy in regards to non-English speaking workers. The purpose of this memorandum is to reiterate OSHA's policy that employee training required by OSHA standards must be presented in a manner that employees can understand, and to provide enforcement guidance to the area and regional offices relative to the Agency's training standards. This position applies to all of the agency's agriculture, construction, general industry, and maritime training requirements.

The majority of focus seems to be on the growing Latino and Hispanic speaking workforce here in the United States. Hispanic workers occupy about 14% of the job market and tend to work in dangerous jobs such as construction and mining.

The memorandum stresses that the training must account for any limitations, such as vocabulary, that the non-English speaking worker may have. This is in fact a huge limitation with training a Spanish speaking population. Many Spanish speaking workers have a limited vocabulary and are illiterate. So, how do you ensure your Spanish speaking or non-English workers are trained properly?

First and foremost, the audio in any training DVD or online course should be translated into the dialect of the worker. This is more than likely not the Spanish your kid is learning in high school. Professional language translators should be able to translate courses into a ‘common’ or ‘everyday’ form of the language. If you are getting your online or DVD courses from a vendor, you can ask them if their training is translated at a conversational level and that the vocabulary is at around a fifth grade level to ensure that it is easy to comprehend.

Secondly, look at the content of the video or online course you are showing. Does the video have a lot of ‘talking heads’ or presenters simply standing in front of the camera and speaking? This isn’t a very effective form of training for any student, nor is it very engaging; however, if your student is not as comfortable with language, showing them the proper way to do their job with correct visual representation will be the most effective.
Translated support materials are nice, but since most Spanish speaking workers are unable to read their own language, they may be ineffective. Focus on the visual when training non English speaking workers.

Online training is a good alternative to classroom training for Spanish speaking workers. Pre- and post-test options and remediation offer a complete learning experience and assurance that material is comprehended and retained by the students. Spanish-speaking students can learn with confidence and without feeling out of the loop. There are more and more resources available in the Spanish language, and greater customization options with online training that allow you to include site-specific information in Spanish. Hispanic employees will not feel the pressure of a normal classroom setting and will be more likely to communicate with the safety director on a one-to-one basis.

For information on Summit's foreign language training programs, including many in Spanish, visit http://www.safetyontheweb.com/