Top Safety News This Month: • New FAQ answers questions on NFPA 704 • New safety resources aim to reduce truck driver deaths • Five elements every Lockout / Tagout program needs • OSHA fines top 3.7 million in February • Seven steps to better safety communication

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March 2015 Visit: ComplianceSigns.com | Connection blog
Top Safety News This Month
 New FAQ answers questions on NFPA 704
 New safety resources aim to reduce truck driver deaths
 Five elements every Lockout / Tagout program needs
 OSHA fines top 3.7 million in February
 Seven steps to better safety communication
Hello again, friends
It's March Madness time, and if your bracket isn't already busted, you're ahead of
the game. This month's Connection won't help you pick the winning team, but it will
help you keep your workers safe. Whether you have questions about NFPA 704
requirements, lockout / tagout programs, electrical safety or keeping workers safe
on remote sites, you'll find good coaching material in this issue.
Have a safe month.
- Paul Sandefer, President
Answers to 13 Common Questions About NFPA 704
NFPA hazmat diamonds can be confusing, but in an emergency the
information these signs provide to first responders could save lives. Many
people responsible for posting NFPA hazmat diamonds in the workplace
have questions about colors, numbers, abbreviations and more. The
National Fire Protection Association has made it easier to learn NFPA
704 fundamentals with a new FAQ that answers key questions,
including:
 How 704 labels differ from other hazardous material labels
 When you're required to use the NFPA 704 rating system
 How the rating is displayed
 Where to get NFPA 704 related materials and answers to additional questions
Learn more about the FAQ. Browse NFPA 704 hazmat diamonds.

2. New Safety Resources for Truck Drivers & Employers
A new Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control shows the
number of truck drivers or passengers who died in crashes has increased
between 2009 and 2012. Some 700 crash fatalities occurred in 2012, and
more than a third of the drivers who died were not wearing a seat belt. In
response, the CDC has created a variety of new website resources
intended to help reduce truck driver deaths, including:
 New Long-Haul Truck Drivers website
 Employer fact sheet: Preventing Work-related Motor Vehicle Crashes
 NETS road safety guide for employers available in 21 languages
Learn more about the new resources. Browse Truck Safety signs.
What's New at ComplianceSigns.com
You'll find many new items and features at ComplianceSigns.com this month, including new signs,
new colors and new resources to help you select the right sign for your needs.
OSHA and ANSI signs for GHS
We added more than 300 new signs with GHS chemical hazard symbols on
Danger, Caution, Warning and Notice headers. Topics include acid, flammable
liquids, hazardous waste and a variety of chemicals. Visit the GHS Chemical
Hazard page to see them all and learn more about GHS.
Custom Engraved Office Signs
When you need custom office signs, we've got you
covered. Our new Custom Office Signs page has a variety of new styles and
shapes in 3 key colors, plus standard styles in 9 more. Create your own engraved
acrylic signs for: cubicles, departments, doors, room numbers, occupancy limits
or any other need. Just select a style and add your text. There's no extra charge
for custom signs at ComplianceSigns.com. See them here.
New Premium Colors for Engraved Retail / Hospitality Signs
You're sure to find signs to match your décor among our 19 colors of restaurant
/ retail signs. Our engraved plastic signs for payment policies, table
identification and other restaurant use (seating, hostess, thank you and more)
now include 7 new colors: White text on charcoal marble, cinnamon, kona and
walnut backgrounds; or black text on cashew, copper and platinum marble.
They're available in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes.
Reference Information Links
Now there's a handy link to relevant information on each of our main pages.
Just look to the right from the blue page name and you'll see the new
Reference Info Links icon. Click the icon for a menu of resource and
information links related to the page you're on: NFPA, GHS and Hazchem info
on the Chemical Signs page, and links to OSHA and California exit sign
requirements and more on the EXIT / Enter page. Or link to a Product Data
Bulletin to learn how we make your signs.
Technical Resources Hub
When you have questions about sign design rules, state sign requirements or
sign construction, check the Technical Resources Hub link near the bottom of
every page. It will take you to our new resource hub, where you'll find a library
of compliance information, safety tips and news, our monthly newsletter and
posts from our facebook and twitter pages. You'll also find links to the resource
hub on our Help Center and FAQ pages.
You can always see what's new at ComplianceSigns.com on our New Signs and Labels page.

3. Key Components of a Lockout / Tagout Program
Lockout / Tagout (LOTO) violations are among the most common OSHA
citations every month. Failure to control hazardous energy accounts for
nearly 10 percent of the serious accidents in many industries. If your
employees maintain or service machines where the unexpected
startup, energization or release of stored energy could cause injury,
OSHA's Lockout/Tagout standard probably applies to your workplace.
There are five basic components of a lockout / tagout program, plus many
critical requirements and procedures to follow. OSHA's Lockout/Tagout
fact sheet describes the necessary practices and procedures.
Get more info on LOTO programs. Browse Lockout/Tagout safety tags.
OSHA Issues 13 Significant Fines for $3.7 Million in February
OSHA released details on 13 significant fines in February. Proposed fines
total $3.7 million, compared to $3.1 million in January. A single case
contributed nearly half of the February total. Common citations included
machine safety, amputation and chemical hazards. The top five fines
were:
 $1.76 million fine and SVEP after 1,000 injuries in past 36 months
at a Wisconsin furniture manufacturer
 $278,440 for lead paint exposure on an Illinois bridge project
 $242,940 and SVEP for repeat amputation hazards at a Michigan shipyard
 $229,228 in damages for whistleblower retaliation by U.S. Postal Service - against a safety
specialist!
 $179,000 for confined space and other violations at an Ohio freight-handling company
See the rest of the list here. Browse US-made safety signs and labels here.
Keeping Workers Safe On Remote Job Sites
Maintaining safety on remote job sites can be a real safety challenge for project
managers. Strategies will vary, but some have been shown to significantly
reduce lost-time and recordable incidents - as much as 80 percent in one case.
Some ideas you may not have considered include: Connectivity via Wi-Fi
hotspots, virtual training and directly contacting OSHA for consulting
services. Workplace morale is also a key factor on remote sites.
Get the full story. Browse hard hat labels.
Safety News and Notes
Here's a collection of recent workplace safety news and resources from around the web:
Plan to Stand-Down for Fall Safety in May
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in a
combined effort with OSHA, the Center for Construction Research and
Training and others, have announced the second-annual construction Fall
Safety Stand-Down during the weeks of May 4-15, 2015. This event follows
last year's successful Stand-Down and asks employers and workers across
the nation to pause their work and dedicate time to activities that promote
the prevention of fatalities from falls, which are the leading cause of death in
the construction industry. Learn more.
OSHA Publishes Proposed Revision to Eye and Face Protection Standards
OSHA published a proposed revision to its Eye and Face Protection Standards that updates PPE
requirements in the general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring, marine terminals and

4. construction standards. The proposal incorporates the latest American National Standards Institute
eye and face protection standard, which was adopted after OSHA issued the final rule on PPE in
2009. The proposal also updates language in the construction eye and face protection standard to
make it more consistent with general industry and maritime standards. Review the proposal.
UK Ladder Group Shares Amazing Ladder Safety Pictures
The UK Ladder Association received a record-breaking number of entries in
their annual search for un-staged photos of unsafe ladder practices. The
winning picture shows two men inside the bucket of an excavator, 20 feet off
the ground, with one of them holding a ladder in the bucket so the other could
climb to the top of a chimney! See the top three photos.
NIOSH Details Health Risks For Countertop Workers
OSHA and NIOSH have published documents that address exposures to silica
during stone countertop manufacturing and related health risks. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report "Notes from the Field: Silicosis in a Countertop Fabricator" presents case findings, and the
OSHA/NIOSH Hazard Alert: Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing
and Installation provides facts and guidance.
Machine Safety Survey Shows Experience Matters
In fall 2013, the National Safety Council's AMPS Committee distributed a
survey to more than 3,000 safety professionals concerning aspects of
machine safety, safety interlocks and used equipment safety. Based on 111
responses, it seems that safety compliance still relies heavily on experience
and workplace tradition. Survey questions addressed testing of safety
interlocks, manufacturer's directions on test frequency, testing used
equipment and more. Read survey details, results and interpretations at
OH&S.
Scissor Lifts: The Safety Debate Continues
There are approximately eight deaths per year across the U.S. involving scissor lifts, according to the
2014 New England Safety Training Alliance's Scissor Lift Training guide. Deaths typically result from
falls, lift collapse or tipovers. OSHA requires fall protection PPE, but the debate over harness use
continues among federal regulators and workers who must use them. Innovative new lift design might
help make a difference. Read more on the debate here.
NIOSH Releases New Ebola Guidance for Employers
NIOSH has released new Ebola guidance documents, including Interim Guidance for U.S.
Businesses, Employers and Business Travelers to Prevent Exposures to Ebola. See it here.
OSHA Online Electronic Recordkeeping Form Still Unavailable
As of Jan. 1, 2015, employers under OSHA jurisdiction must report: All work-related fatalities within 8
hours; All work-related inpatient hospitalizations, amputations and losses of an eye within 24 hours.
The electronic reporting form is still under development. Until the online form is available, employers
can report to OSHA by: Calling OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), or visiting their area office during
normal business hours.
SAFETY TIP:
Electrical Safety Best Practices
Three recent electrocutions in mines prompted the Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA) to issue a “Safety Alert” in early 2015 featuring tips to help prevent electricity-related
accidents. Even if you don't work in a mine, these tips can help prevent electrocution:
 Do not perform any electrical work until the circuit is de-energized,
locked and tagged out.
 Be knowledgeable of the hazards of electricity and NEVER touch
any ungrounded electrical component until you are sure it is de-
energized.
 Identify all hazards then develop and follow a safe plan to perform
the work to ensure the safety of all workers involved in the task.

5.  Conduct electrical measurements to test for unwanted electrical power, especially in wet or
muddy areas.
 Always handle de-energized cable instead of energized cable, or wear proper electrical
gloves when handling energized cables.
 Conduct complete and thorough examinations on all electrical equipment, including hand-
over-hand examinations of de-energized electrical cables.
 Protect electrical cables from damage by mobile equipment. When cable damage is
suspected, immediately notify a qualified electrician.
See more electrical safety tips. Browse electrical safety signs and labels.
Amazon ratings show ComplianceSigns.com takes customer
service seriously
"Building trust keeps ComplianceSigns.com at the top of the list for return
customers," says ComplianceSigns.com customer service supervisor Lori
Queckboerner. "We try to make each customer feel appreciated and
confident in their purchase with us, from placing an order for standard
items to working with them on custom signs to fit specific needs."
Based on recent customer reviews and our 2014 Amazon Customer Experience ratings, our
customers think we're doing a good job. We appreciate your feedback, and we promise to work hard
to maintain those high ratings in the months ahead. Here's what some of our customers are saying
about ComplianceSigns.com this month:
 I received exactly what I ordered, shipping was fairly quick, and the product arrived looking
better than I imagined! Prices seemed fair and my sign was personalized, yet I still received
it within days! - Brittany T.
 GREAT job keeping customer informed. You guys rock! NOBODY is as good as you are.
Including Apple Computer (who I worked for), known for the best CS in the world. Well done.
And product is even better than expected. - Nick C.
 It was very user friendly and I found exactly what I was looking for at a great price.
- Beatta B.
Learn more about our Amazon ratings. Read more customer reviews.
SMG SAFETY ADVISOR:
7 Steps for Better Safety Communication
On a job site, it’s pretty easy to tell where one trade begins and another
ends. Electricians don't run lengths of sewer pipe, and painters don't cut
ducts. But what happens when the safety manager for the mechanical
contractor notices an electrician isn’t grounding a circuit correctly? Or
when the safety approach of one contractor differs from another? The
safety experts at Safety Management Group in Indianapolis have written an
article with seven steps to address this very problem. It can help you share
information, address differences and avoid turf wars so everyone on the job
stays safe.
Read more here, or browse construction safety signs at ComplianceSigns.com.

6. Top Safety Articles Last Month
These were the most popular articles in last month's Connection:
 January OSHA fines top $3.1 million
 OH&S article on GHS labeling requirements
 Crane power line safety cards available
 GHS hazard labels
 Safety Tip: Reduce carbon monoxide exposure
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