In January’s OSHA press release, it was revealed that Stalwart Films LLC, onset with the television show, “The Walking Dead”, failed to protect employees from fall hazards. Following a stuntman’s fatal injury, OSHA’s investigation of the filming location in Senoia, Georgia issued a citation with penalties totaling $12,675. This citation was due to the fact that Stalwart Films LLC failed to provide adequate protection to their employees from fall hazards. It is important to note that OSHA regulations apply to a vast array of different industries and no industry is immune to audits, inspections and OSHA citations.

This press release has been eye-opening to industries outside of construction that may still need to be OSHA compliant. Unfortunately, in this case, the lack of proper equipment and training has led to a fatal injury. Injuries, accidents, and illnesses can occur without a moment’s notice. Although certain accidents cannot be prevented in totality, however, maintaining a safety program can mean injuries and lives could be avoided and perhaps even prevented. Safety should be exercised in the workplace and even in our day-to-day activities. Being as preemptive as possible by providing your employees the right tools, protective equipment and safety training can reduce the risk of audits, citations, penalties and most importantly, injuries. Proper training and equipment may have saved this person’s life.

With the new year in full affect, it may be time to re-evaluate your firm’s safety needs. At Global Environmental Network, your firm’s safety is our first priority. Our team of qualified industry professionals have a minimum of 15 years of practical experience to ensure the highest level of training, curriculum and hands-on practice. We pride our levels of student engagement and educational retention; all backed with almost 3 decades of service to California. Our team of subject matter experts include but are not limited to: Fire Captains, Safety Officers, Safety Trainers, HAZWOPER trainers, Certified OSHA Outreach Trainers, Certified Industrial Hygienists, Professional Geologists, Professional Engineers, Certified Asbestos Consultants, Certified Site Surveillance Technicians, Lead Inspectors/Assessors, and much more.

Alongside our excellence in training, our safety consulting division can help your firm devise, prepare, implement and execute safety protocols. We have on-site management for your jobsites which include assigning full-time Site Health and Safety Officers for your temporary construction jobsite. Our team can help develop Site Safety Plans, Injury and Illness Prevention Plans, Health and Safety Plans and conduct preemptive audits and inspections to ensure full compliance of a facility or jobsite.

The new year should not only be a wake-up call, but the opportunity to maintain compliance for the safety and well-being of your organization. Global Environmental Network offers a full range of safety and training solutions to put your firm’s needs at ease. 2018 is the time to get your firm compliant. With our wide range of publicly held courses, the training courses Global Environmental Network offers but are not limited to are: Fall Protection, Confined Space, Trenching and Shoring, OSHA 10-Hour and OSHA 30-Hour Outreach Training and many other programs. We can also provide onsite training at your firm’s convenience.

With this blog’s focus on fall protection training, Global Environmental Network’s team of instructors are ready to help your firm with an extensive fall protection plan and training solutions. Our fall protection training features hands-on, practical exercises and includes discussion on the usage of harnesses, working at specific heights, and measures to keep ensuring safe working conditions. Our state-of-the-art training complies with federal and state mandated regulations and also utilizes the best technology to ensure maximum student engagement and retention. Some of the practical examples that are used in the fall protection include but are not limited to: don/doffing of harnesses, types of harnesses, and rope-tying.

Although training is an important facet of Global Environmental Network, we offer many services so that we may be your all-in-one resource for Environmental, Health and Safety Training and Consulting. Our consulting services may include: providing a safety officer onsite, drafting and implementing health and safety plans, injury and illness plans, and much more. We strive to bring safety and compliance to your firm and address all your needs.

This new year can be the fresh start your firm deserves. We can help you bring your firm up to compliance or maintain and streamline your current processes. Our qualified staff is here to accommodate your firm’s circumstances while being in accordance with CAL/OSHA’s regulations and mandates. Take the opportunity this year and give our team a call at (800) 230-6944 or visit our website at www.safetygeni.com.

To view our publicly-held class schedule, please visit: www.safetygeni.com/schedule.html.

Did you know? Approximately TWO MILLION construction workers are affected and exposed to respirable crystalline silica. This includes 600,000 workplaces that may not be compliant. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that at least 840,000 of these construction workers are exposed to silica dust levels greater than the new permissible exposure limit standard. This whooping figure lead to the enactment of OSHA’s final rule on respirable crystalline silica on September 23rd, 2017. California was one of the first states to enact and enforce the regulation set in forth by Fed OSHA.

Silica is comprised of quartz, found naturally in rocks, sand, soil brick and other concrete products. Silica is predominantly found in building materials including concrete, masonry, mortar, rock, sand and some varieties of paints. If your firm performs:

• Abrasion or Sand Blasting
• Cutting or Sawing
• Crushing or Demolishing
• Drilling
• Grinding
• Jackhammering

on any building materials, it is highly likely that respirable silica dust can be in the air.

The OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.1153 on respirable crystalline silica now outlines a new permissible exposure limit, also known as PEL, for silica dust exposure. This standard makes employers and workplaces now liable for safety of their employees when silica dust exposure risk is high. The OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1926.1153 applies to all occupational silica dust exposures in construction work that have are greater than 25 micrograms per cubic meter as an 8-hour time-weighted average. This standard is regulated under any foreseeable conditions.

Not only does the standard require for employers and workplaces to be under the permissible exposure limit for silica dust hazards, but they must also have a written exposure control plan, overseen by a competent person. The written exposure control plan identifies tasks that involve exposure and methods used to protect workers. The competent person shall be trained and understand the many duties of implementing the written exposure control plan. Furthermore, the competent person must be accountable for the record-keeping of medical exams, objective data and exposure measurements. The employer must also offer medical exams – including chest x-rays and lung function tests – every three years for workers exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year.

Some standard key elements of the new OSHA regulation includes: using housekeeping methods that minimize or eliminate airborne dust when feasible,  limiting worker access to areas above the permissible exposure limit, using dust controls, and providing respirators when necessary. Included with this regulation, employers must provide and properly fit test their employees, who will be exposed to silica dust greater than the permissible exposure limit, with respirators annually. Medical records and exams should be wholly provided by the employer as well.

Silica dust can lead to serious chronic illnesses including but not limited to silicosis, lung cancer, COPD and tuberculosis. Many of these illnesses have no cure and could have been prevented with the correct measures when dealing with respirable crystalline silica. Silicosis, also known as grinder’s asthma, is a form of lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica. Early stages include inflammation of the lungs and silicosis ultimately leads to lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. There are two forms of silicosis: acute and chronic. Acute silicosis occurs within a few weeks or years from exposure to inhaled silica. Acute silicosis attributes to coughing, fatigue and drastic weight loss. Chronic silicosis is more dormant, and does not affect the body until 10 to 30 years after exposure. Chronic silicosis affects the upper lobes of the lungs and causes lesions and extensive scarring. Silicosis is typically diagnosed by a computed tomography (CT) scan or a chest x-ray. A physician may also obtain a lung sample if imaging results are not verifiable to clearly diagnose silicosis. There is currently no cure for silicosis.

Using water during drilling, sanding, grinding, or etc. can drastically keep silica dust out of the air. Some tools may come with water attachments to control dust directly at the source. Water is strongly recommended and can also keep dust out during sweeps and demolitions. When water isn’t available, use a HEPA-certified vacuum. Tools with vacuum attachments also capture dust right at the source. Silica dust can be drawn into hoods or covers right into the tool and is typically cleared by a HEPA-filter. HEPA-specified vacuums come included with a HEPA-filter to ensure silica dust is out of the air.

When the area of exposure could be too great for a tool or water to be used, ensuring that your firm uses HEPA Ventilation and Filtration Air Systems can drastically keep dust out of your airways. When these controls cannot maintain or keep permissible exposure limits below the OSHA standard, a respirator must be used. Employers are required to have full and written respiratory programs. Respirators are necessary when all other devices including vacuums and water do not sufficiently protect from silica exposure. Employers must also train their employees on how to properly use respirators, the types of respirators for different workplace scenarios, as well as fit testing to ensure respirators are fitted and functioning properly.

With California leading the way to enforcing these new regulations set in place, regular audits and surprise audits could lead to many firms having compliance issues to this standard. Furthermore, it could lead to citations and perhaps heavy fines imposed. These fines can levy a huge financial burden and could potentially put firms out of business. Ensuring your employee and firm’s safety could also mean the financial survival of your business.

Here at Global Environmental Network, Inc., we can help your firm become compliant to OSHA’s Final Rule on Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure. We offer many services in accordance with this new standard including but not limited to: Silica Hazard Awareness Training (for worker and supervisor), Silica Dust Air Sample Monitoring, Silica Exposure Control Plan Writing as well as Respirator Training and Fit Testing. Our main priorities are to keep you and your employees safe as well as being compliant with OSHA’s many regulations. We offer two-hour silica hazard awareness training for workers who are exposed to respirable crystalline silica and a four-hour silica hazard awareness training for supervisors.

Among all of the states, California is notorious for having the highest level of seismic activity.  Just alone in the past 24 hours, California has had 16 earthquakes, all of which are of magnitude 1.5 or higher. Although we may not feel these earthquakes, we should always prepare for the next big one to strike. It’s been 23 years since the last great earthquake struck California, a 6.7 magnitude in Northridge devastated many homes and lives. Everyone knows about the most catastrophic earthquake of 1906 in San Francisco where hundreds of thousands of lives were affected. We’re due for the “Big One” and we need to make sure we’re prepared. Seismologists and geologists estimate that based on the recent seismic activity in California, an earthquake of at least 7.0 magnitude can occur at any moment. With constant tectonic shifts and one of the largest inhabited faults in the world, California is a powder keg, ready to spark with the next earthquake.

Although California’s vast abundance of beautiful beaches, lush forestry and endless sight-seeing opportunities may make it very tantalizing to live, the fear of the next big earthquake lingers in the back of every Californian’s mind. Even if it’s a lingering thought, we should always make it a fact to be prepared. Having the right supplies readily available could mean weathering the storm for rescue, or prolonged survival until the infrastructure is back online. In the event of a catastrophic earthquake, we as Californian’s should already have plans and frequent drills to practice and implement these plans. The greatest fear is the fear of the unknown. We won’t know when the next “Big One” can happen, but we can prepare to ensure the safety and survival of our loved ones. Some key items that you should keep in hand include: flashlights, portable battery-operated radios, water supply and something to start a fire with. Most of the injuries and deaths do not occur during the earthquake or because of the earthquake but rather the repercussions of the earthquake. As California is lush in its forestry, wildfires could be imminent in a post-earthquake scenario. Avoiding structures that have a high potential of toppling over and street fixtures including streetlights or lamps could reduce the potential for danger for you or your loved ones.

It is estimated that an earthquake of 8.0 magnitude can lead to destruction in catastrophic proportions. Researchers estimate that there could be almost $200 billion dollars in damage, 50,000 injuries and the potential for 2,000 deaths. However, it must be understood that the death toll could be attributed by many factors including: fire, famine, dehydration and other natural causes. Having the right preparation and supplies can make this estimate much less drastic. Don’t be another statistic: expect for the best, prepare for the worst.

Global Environmental Network, Inc. prides ourselves in keeping our clients well-informed of the latest changes in environmental changes, federal and state regulations. Our state-of-the-art training and engineering facility is one of the largest in California. We have offices strategically placed in California to offer optimal coverage for all of your environmental, health and safety needs. With almost 3 decades of experience in environmental, health and safety training and engineering, we want to ensure that your firm is safe, up-to-date and certified. We also provide courses that could potentially help in the event of an emergency. We offer on-site First Aid, CPR and AED training in accordance with the American Heart Association’s standards.

A measure (OSHA 29CFR1910.38) passed in 2002 by the United States Department of Labor‘s OSHA requires all firms to write, develop and implement an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). The Emergency Action Plan requires for written and oral plans to be developed in the event of an emergency. Firms with 10 or fewer employees may be able to communicate an oral emergency action plan in lieu of a written one. Some items that must be included within an Emergency Action Plan include: procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency, and procedures for emergency evacuations including types of evacuation and exit route assignments. Other procedures include designation of the employees to remain that operate critical plant operations prior to evacuation, accounting for all employees post-evacuation and medical duties in the event of an emergency. Each name or job title of every employee who are responsible for the Emergency Action Plan must be laid out and their duties within the EAP.

Not only will employees and employers must be accountable during an emergency situation, an alarm system must be in place to comply with 29 CFR 1910.165. Employees must be trained and proficient within the EAP to ensure safe and orderly evacuations in the event of an emergency. This should be reviewed yearly with every employee and should be refreshed yearly.

IF YOUR FIRM DOES NOT HAVE AN EAP, SERIOUS FINES CAN BE IMPOSED. A press release from OSHA on April 8th, 2013 stated that CVS Pharmacy Inc.’s Albany store was non-compliant of the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38. Based on the citation, a proposed $40,000 in fines were imposed on CVS Pharmacy Inc. CVS’s Red Hook retail store was fined for repeated violations for the lack of an EAP. They were previously cited in 2010 and 2011 for similar hazards at other stores. The greatest takeaway from this press release is that each store MUST HAVE a SPECIFIC Emergency Action Plan and CANNOT USE a boilerplate EAP across multiple stores. Every evacuation plan as well as the potential hazards can vary from location to location. These serious fines can lead to great financial distress within a company or even bankruptcy.

GENI CAN HELP YOUR FIRM. Keep your firm up-to-date with OSHA’s regulations. Call us today to see if we can help write, develop or revise your firm’s Emergency Action Plan.

(800) 230-6944

KEEP YOUR EMPLOYEES OSHA CERTIFIED! GENI also offers courses such as the OSHA 10-Hour Training and OSHA 30-Hour Training to keep your employees compliant with the most up-to-date OSHA regulations. Check out www.safetygeni.com for all of our other offerings including SWPPP plans, QSP/QSD training, HAZWOPER Training, Lead and Asbestos Training, Heavy Equipment Training, as well as many safety courses such as: fall protection, trenching and shoring, etc.

Download our FREE Emergency Supplies Kit Checklist Here! Ensure that your firm is safe and has the enough supplies to weather any disaster.

Cal/OSHA Issues High Heat Advisory for California

The National Weather Service has issued high heat advisories for Northern and Southern California Areas. The temperatures have reached over 100 degrees during the past few weeks. Cal/OSHA encourages all employers to take preventative action, and protect their workers from heat illness.

Special “high heat” procedures are required when temperatures reach 95 degrees. These procedures are:

·     Observing employees for signs and symptoms of heat illness.

·     Having accessible and effective communication systems in place to be able to call for emergency support if necessary.

·     Supervising workers in their first 14 days of employment to ensure adaptation to climate changes.

California employers must protect outdoor workers per the state’s heat regulation, by taking these simple steps:

·     Develop and apply written procedures for complying with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard.

·     Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.

·     Supply enough water so each employee can drink at least 1 quart/four 8-ounce glasses, of water every hour, and encourage them to do so.

·     Provide shade for employees, and encourage them to take a break in the shade for at least 5 minutes. Workers should not wait until they feel sick or have heat illness symptoms to cool down.

Cal-OSHA will be conducting inspections on outdoor working environments in multiple industries. Cal-OSHA will also provide consultation about heat illness prevention.

Global Environmental Network, Inc. provides Heat Illness Prevention classes and can write your Heat Illness Prevention Program in compliance with Cal/OSHA. We have fast turn-around and excellent service.

Call our office today to schedule your HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION CLASS or to develop your HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION PLAN!

Global Environmental Network, Inc.
P.O. Box 8068 Fountain Valley, CA 92728 1-800-230-6944

California Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF) is a combination of State and local agencies to fight illegally working companies. LETF pays close attention to high-risk industries that are known to abuse the rights of low wage workers such as car wash, restaurant, manufacturing, roofing, construction, farming and auto repair businesses.

In August this year LETF found four safety violations while conducting inspections. While inspecting a roofing company in San Diego, at least four employees were found working near the edge of a four-story building’s roof without any fall protection gear. They were at a height of at least 50 feet above ground level, and if a fall would have occurred, death would have been imminent. This same company was fined $800 in 2008 after an accident where a roofer cut his hand with a high-pressure spray gun.

For more information about California Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF) and on the underground working class please visit the LETF home page. The LETF website also has links to educational materials to inform workers of their rights and employers of their responsibilities