Lovell Safety Group Earns Dividends

Lovell Safety Management Co., LLC, announced the 2010 - 2011 dividend earnings of another of its Safety Groups:

Roofers and Sheet Metal Employers of Greater New York, Safety Group #411 paid a 30 percent dividend. Qualifying members received an advance discount of 20 percent.

Be Careful Out There! Safety in the Cold

How to keep safe during the cold weather season.

Via EHS Today:

This time of year, I know better than to leave the house unprepared for cold weather and icy road conditions, but are we ever truly prepared for that first blast of winter weather? Last year, our first major snowstorm fell long before the official start of winter.

Read Cold Weather Safety Here.

Lovell Safety Group Earns Dividends

Lovell Safety Management Co., LLC, announced the 2010 - 2011 dividend earnings of another of its Safety Groups:

Master Painters and Decorators, Safety Group #135 paid a 32.5 percent dividend. Qualifying members received an advance discount of 20 percent.

Save Energy Over the Holidays!

Via the CDC:

Make "green" holiday choices when you are shopping, traveling, decorating, sending cards, and choosing gifts.. When you save energy and resources, you protect the environment and safeguard health both now and for the future.

Read the full article from the CDC.

Keep Fit at the Office

How to Stay Active When You Work Behind a Desk All Day

From our good friends at EHS Today:

A lack of physical activity, particularly if it’s combined with work-related stress, can threaten your overall health. According to physician members of the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED), building fitness and healthy food choices into your daily office routine can make a big difference in your physical and mental well-being.

Read more about Staying active at work.

Be Safe During the Holidays

Important Holiday safety news via EHS Today:

Electrical accidents typically increase during the holiday season. The U.S. Consumer and Product Safety Commission reports that during the 2 months surrounding the holiday season, more than 14,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms due to injuries related to holiday decorating. In 2010, the National Fire Protection Association stated that holiday lights were involved in an average of 150 reported home structure fires per year during 2004-2008. Those fires caused an average of eight civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $8.9 million in direct property damage per year.

Read the full EHS article.

Exposure for Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure

Via the CDC:

A dedicated and hard-working nurse is going through a normal shift. Checking vital signs, updating medical records, administering medications, comforting patients, drawing blood samples, inserting IVs, and then OUCH! What just happened? Is that a red dot underneath the glove? This can't be right...

From the NIOSH Science Blog.

Another Cintas Worker Dies In Incident Related to Industrial Dryer

Tragic. Via EHS Today:

A second Cintas employee in less than 5 years has been killed in an incident involving an industrial dryer. Kevin Burgess of Louisville, Ky., was killed Oct. 28 while servicing an industrial dryer at the company’s facility in the Louisville area. The local coroner has ruled that Burgess died of blunt force trauma.

Read the EHS Today Article here.

Welcome, New Staff Members!

Please join us in welcoming our wonderful new Lovell Safety Management staff people:

Charles Brodus, Underwriter

Charles has worked on behalf of his clients’ success as an underwriter, handling all procedures and compliance issues, staying current on all underwriting criteria. He is an authority on workers’ compensation, and is skilled and knowledgeable in workers’ comp endorsements such as sole proprietorships, LLCs, and PSLCs, and is an expert in loss history and experience ratings.  A former crisis worker for Covenant House, Charles is a graduate of the State University at Stony Brook.

James Dunscomb, Safety & Health Consultant

A former Navy electrician, NYC police officer and firefighter, James brings immeasurable experience to his role as Safety and Health Consultant. James has formulated and authored Fire Safety Manuals and Plans, and led inspections pertaining to fire, life, environmental safety, and building code compliance. He insures compliance with federal, state, and local safety regulations, conducts statistical analysis on incident data, and prepares reports and projections on accident statistics, loss-control operations and corrective actions.

New Chairman at OSHA

From OSHA: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced that Erich J. (Pete) Stafford has been appointed as the new chair of the agency's Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH).

"Pete's wealth of knowledge and experience on a wide range of construction health and safety matters makes him an ideal choice to chair this important committee," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "We appreciate his commitment to protect the welfare of our nation's construction workers and look forward to his leadership."

Read the full article here.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

In honor of Breast Cancer awareness month, President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation calling for solidarity in the fight to eradicate this dreadful disease:

"This month, pink ribbons will be displayed around our country, adorning jackets and public spaces alike. A sign of solidarity, these ribbons remind us of our commitment to preventing and treating breast cancer, and to supporting those courageously battling this disease. Countless Americans will participate in events to raise awareness alongside survivors and their families, working together to support research that will save lives. ..."

Read the entire Proclamation here.

New York State Safe Patient Handling Conference - October 18 and 19, 2011

The New York State Safe Patient Handling Conference is October 18 and 19, 2011 in Albany, NY. According to the New York State Department of Labor, this conference:

. ...will give you knowledge and skills that will benefit you at work. We will introduce you to the latest technology and best practices to improve how you interact with patients. By sharing knowledge and resources, we can keep both patients and caregivers safe and healthy....

Click here for registration and the Conference agenda.

Hope to see you there!

It's Flu Season!

From the CDC, three important steps to take in protecting yourself and others from the influenza virus:

Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. CDC urges you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu):

Take time to get a flu vaccine.

• CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
• While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common.
• The 2011-2012 vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009 to cause a pandemic....

Read the whole article here.

Bed Bugs!

From the CDC's NIOSH Science blog (this is a seriously great information resource in general, by the way), an interesting article on bed bugs:

...Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, but they are a troublesome health nuisance. Their bites can cause mild to severe allergic reactions, and people living in infested homes have reported anxiety, insomnia, and systemic reactions.4 These bites don't just occur at home. Using workers' compensation (WC) claims data from California between 2000 and 2011, the California Department of Public Health identified 96 workers who were bitten by bed bugs while traveling for work. The majority of bed bug-related WC claims in California consisted of complaints of bed bug bites or rashes caused from bites; however there were several reports of physical injuries (such as strains) sustained by workers while moving furniture to look for or treat bed bugs....

Read the whole article here.

Safety Groups #140 and #251 press release -- dividends!

Lovell Safety Groups Earn Dividends

Lovell Safety Management Co., LLC, announced the 2009 - 2010 dividend earnings of two of its Safety Groups:

         New York Electrical Manufacturers, Safety Group #140

          

         New York State Movers and Warehousemen's Association, Safety Group #251

Safety Group #140 returned to members a 30 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 20 percent.

Safety Group #251 paid a 20 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 20 percent.

Lovell Safety Groups are fully insured, non-profit entities that return any underwriting profit to group members. Any extra premium dollars collected-not used to pay losses or expenses-can be returned to members in the form of a dividend. Lovell Safety Groups provide businesses with the benefits of a guaranteed cost premium with additional savings earned through dividends.

Drive Safely Work Week

Happy Thursday! 


In our ongoing effort to prevent employee injuries, we call to your attention to an excellent new program developed by the US Department of Transportation in partnership with The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS.) 2011 “Drive Safely Work Week” - October 3-7. For a free downloadable toolkit, go to the NETS website www.trafficsafety.org/. 


If you need any assistance, please feel free to contact the Lovell Safety Department at 212-709-8899 or visit us at www.lovellsafety.com!www.lovellsafety.com. Be safe!

Nail Gun Safety: A Guide for Construction Contractors

From the CDC, a terrific article on nail gun safety: 

Nail guns are widely used on many construction jobs, especially in residential construction. While they boost productivity they may also cause tens of thousands of painful injuries each year. This publication is intended to provide a resource for residential home builders and construction contractors, subcontractors, and supervisors to prevent these kinds of injuries.
The guidance was developed in response to a unanimous motion by industry, state, and labor stakeholders on OSHA’s Advisory Committee for Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) on the need to develop awareness and materials about nail gun risks. OSHA and NIOSH worked together to make sure the guidance reflects the most current information available...
View a message from the Directors of NIOSH and OSHA supporting the nail gun safety guidance. NIOSH-OSHA-Nail-Guns-Cover-Letter.pdf [PDF - 289 KB]

Nail Gun Safety: A Guide for Construction Contractors [PDF - 1,618 KB]

Thank you as always to the good folks at NIOSH publications and CDC for useful and timely info!

Summary of the Making Green Jobs Safe Workshop

The good folks at CDC NIOSH have a pdf summary of their Making Green Jobs Safe Workshop here.

...The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), through the Prevention through Design Program, launched the Going Green: Safe and Healthy Jobs initiative to make sure that green jobs are good for workers by integrating worker safety and health sustainability. Green jobs, which have been defined broadly as jobs that help improve the environment and enhance sustainability, offer opportunities as well as challenges for workers. Examples of green jobs include manufacture, installation, and maintenance of solar panels and generators; construction and maintenance of wind energy turbines; jobs related to recycling; jobs related to the manufacture of green products; and jobs where green products are used in traditional fields such as agriculture, healthcare, and the service sector. In some instances, the hazards to workers may be similar to those in established industries. However, some green and sustainable practices may pose new health concerns for workers.

Click here to go directly to the pdf. 

OSHA issues 2011 annual inspection plan for protecting workers in high-hazard workplaces

U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA issue 2011 annual inspection plan for protecting workers in high-hazard workplaces:

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued its annual inspection plan under the Site-Specific Targeting* 2011 (SST-11) program to help the agency direct enforcement resources to high-hazard workplaces where the highest rates of injuries and illnesses occur.
The SST program is OSHA's main programmed inspection plan for non-construction workplaces that have 20 or more workers. High-hazard workplaces identified in the SST program reported above-average work-related injury and illness rates, based on data collected from a 2010 OSHA Data Initiative survey of 80,000 larger establishments in selected high-hazard industries. Establishments are randomly selected for inspection from a primary list of 3,700 manufacturing, non-manufacturing, and nursing and personal care facilities.
"By focusing our inspection resources on employers in high hazard industries who endanger their employees, we can prevent injuries and illnesses and save lives," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. "Through the SST program we examine all major aspects of these operations to determine the effectiveness of their safety and health efforts."
Two changes have been made to this year's SST program. In 2010, only those establishments in the selected industries with 40 or more employees were subject to inspections under the SST plan; this year, that number has been reduced to 20 or more. An evaluation study measuring the program's impact on future compliance with OSHA standards has also been introduced for the 2011 program.

Albany, New York October 18-19, 2011: 5th Annual Safe Patient Handling Conference

From the good folks at the New York State Department of Labor, check out the 5th Annual Safe Patient Handling Conference in Albany on October 18th and 19:

Welcome to the 5th Annual Safe Patient Handling Conference, jointly sponsored by the New York State Department of Labor and the New York State Zero-Lift Task Force.

Whether you are an experienced healthcare worker or just beginning your career, this conference will give you knowledge and skills that will benefit you at work. We will introduce you to the latest technology and best practices to improve how you interact with patients. By sharing knowledge and resources, we can keep both patients and caregivers safe and healthy.

For information on Continuing Education credits available, check out the NYS Department of Labor Education Credits page here. 

Horrible Bosses: Workplace violence in the real world

Such a great article here from the CDC and NIOSH's Science blog about workplace violence.

Horrible bosses. If you've had one, hopefully they were not as bad as those portrayed by Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey, and Colin Farrell in the newly released movie of the same name. While the plot and characters are exaggerated and the comic elements may not be to everyone's taste, the movie highlights the very real issues of work stress and violence. Each week in the United States, an average of 33,000 workers are assaulted on the job and 14 are murdered...

Read the NIOSH Stress at Work page here; check out more useful info at the CDC's NIOSH Science blog here.

Incorrectly refurbished circuit breakers: electrical hazard alert from US DOL

Here's a very useful electrical hazard alert from the US Department of Labor:

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently learned of a hazardous condition that may exist in certain molded-case circuit breakers modified by a third-party rebuilder. The breakers may have an actual rating of 600 volts AC (alternating current) (VAC) or less, but are labeled as 1,000 VAC and may contain incorrect parts that can cause the breaker to malfunction.

...

OSHA bases the details of this alert on an alert issued by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) entitled, "Hazardous 3rd Party Modified Circuit Breakers [66 KB PDF, 2 pages]."

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Here is an interesting editorial from John Howard, M.D., Director, National Institute For Occupational Safety And Health (NIOSH): Statement On Labor Day 2011.

A brief excerpt:

...The changing dynamics of the work environment and the changing demographics of the work force pose similar concerns. Knowing that the health and safety needs of the increasingly diverse U.S. workforce differ from those of the predominantly male workforce of the 20th Century, we are challenged to find ways to meet those needs.

Emergency preparedness and response have also emerged as a critical component of occupational safety and health. We are reminded again of that imperative as we approach the 10th Anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks, and as rescue and recovery efforts proceed in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene...

Check out CDC NIOSH's website here -- lots of good info and news.

Fall Protection Policies video from OSHA

Assistant Secretary of Labor Dr. David Michaels explains OSHA's fall protection polices for residential construction here.

Maximim Benefit Rate Increase

According to the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board there's been an increase in the maximum benefit rate for accidents or dates of disablements on or after July 1, 2011. The new maximum rate is $772.96 for individuals with wages of $1,159.44 or greater. The previous maximum benefit rate that applied to accidents on or after July 1, 2010 was $739.83.

Heat Safety Tool

Via U.S. Department of Labor -- when you're working in the heat, safety comes first. With the OSHA Heat Safety Tool, you have vital safety information available whenever and wherever you need it -- right on your mobile phone. 

The App allows workers and supervisors to calculate the heat index for their worksite, and, based on the heat index, displays a risk level to outdoor workers. Then, with a simple "click," you can get reminders about theprotective measures that should be taken at that risk level to protect workers from heat-related illness—reminders about drinking enough fluids, scheduling rest breaks, planning for and knowing what to do in an emergency, adjusting work operations, gradually building up the workload for new workers, training on heat illness signs and symptoms, and monitoring each other for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

Stay informed and safe in the heat, check your risk level.

For more information about safety while working in the heat, see OSHA’s heat illness webpage, including newonline guidance about using the heat index to protect workers.

the LSM safety department offers OSHA 10 Hour Course, in Flushing Queens

Welcome, new staff members!

Please join us in welcoming our wonderful new Lovell Safety Management staff people:

Dawn Ardolino, Executive Assistant/Underwriting Analyst 

From the FBI to Lovell Safety Management, New Yorker Dawn Ardolino has over 15 years of experience running modern offices. As a top-level executive assistant, human resources coordinator, or office manager, Dawn is a skillful and resourceful organizer and excellent problem solver. She brings streamlined efficiency and improved communications to her workplace, and creates and maintains simplified, yet secure, access to critical information in our fast-paced office. Dawn is the Executive Assistant to Martin Vulpis, Executive VP.

Jennifer Johnson-Love, Certificates Processor

Jennifer Johnson-Love brings years of careful attention to document detail from her experience in the medical field, first helping patients with protocol, prescriptions, medical equipment, and clinical procedures, and then managing medical records databases. She has ensured correct adherence to all FDAC, CDC, and OSHA regulations, and is skilled at assisting management in efficient communications of complicated issues.

Lori Knowles, CPCU, AIM, Underwriter 

New Yorker Lori Knowles has worked on behalf of her clients’ success mainly as TRIA Underwriter, handling all procedures, training, and compliance issues, staying current on all underwriting criteria. She is an authority on Workers’ Compensation, and is skilled and knowledgeable in Property & Casualty, as well as helping educate brokers in coverage and compliance. Lori is an expert in correct analysis and interpretation, auditing, and is an excellent manager, helping to streamline workflow for improved efficiency. Lori’s knowledge enables her to answer client’s questions concerning classifications and experience ratings.

Michael Cordova, Administrative Clerk

Michael Cordova helps our office run smoothly and efficiently with friendly, professional communications and excellent problem-solving ability. An outstanding researcher, Michael also troubleshoots office equipment, helps with scheduling, and organizes databases. A native New Yorker, Michael is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Lovell is offering our clients OSHA 10 hour class in Rensselaer and Long Island

To aid in our clients' compliance with the various Federal, State, and City regulations requiring this training, the LSM safety department is once again offering the OSHA 10 Hour Course. The course is provided by our OSHA certified instructors. Each employee who successfully completes the program will receive a certification card from OSHA.

Residential Roofing Fall Protection Seminar

OSHA has withdrawn a directive that allowed residential builders to bypass fall protection requirements.  Residential construction will now be held to the same fall protection requirements as commercial construction (6’ rule).

The Lovell Safety Department has arranged for Mr. Ron Williams of OSHA to share with our group members the current OSHA requirements for residential fall protection. Please click on the image below for details. 

Diversity insulates asbestos remover

Journalist Cara Trager in Crain's New York Business has a wonderful article about a diversified workload saving a small business -- in the unlikely field of asbestos removal:

Ms. Grando would often hear her spouse-who owned a duct and pipe insulation firm in Woodside, Queens-turn down customers requesting asbestos removal. Those frequent calls persuaded her to go into the asbestos-removal field herself.

"I thought, 'I can do this,' " recalled Ms. Grando, now 53, who had retired from Citibank's credit card division in order to stay home with her children.

She wasn't fazed by her lack of hands-on experience in the construction trades. She believed that her accounting degree from Hofstra University, her employment history and her willingness to learn the ropes would stand her in good stead. 

Ms. Grando enrolled in a training program to earn the requisite city and state licenses, and formed her company in 1987. International Asbestos Removal Inc. was housed in a 1,000-square-foot space at a building she and her husband owned, also home to his insulation business. The couple later purchased two buildings adjoining that property, creating an 8,000-square-foot site that the firms still share.

Read the whole thing here. 

Lovell Safety Groups Earn Dividends

Lovell Safety Management Co., LLC, announced the 2009 - 2010 dividend earnings of five of its Safety Groups:

• Launders and Cleaners, Safety Group #34
• Hospital Compensation, Safety Group #275
• Building Metal Trades, Safety Group #420
• Association of Governments, Safety Group #496
• Northeastern Retail Lumber Association, Safety Group #531

Safety Group #34 returned to members a 30 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 20 percent.

Safety Group #275 returned to members a 5 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 15 percent.

Safety Group #420 paid a 25 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 20 percent.

Safety Group #496 paid a 20 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 25 percent.

Safety Group #531 paid a 17.5 percent dividend.  Qualifying members received an advance discount of 25 percent.

Lovell Safety Groups are fully insured, non-profit entities that return any underwriting profit to group members. Any extra premium dollars collected-not used to pay losses or expenses-can be returned to members in the form of a dividend. Lovell Safety Groups provide businesses with the benefits of a guaranteed cost premium with additional savings earned through dividends.