The November ComplianceSigns Connection shares top workplace safety news: OSHA crane inspections; New injury reporting requirements coming in January; First-responder training' October OSHA fines and more.

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November 2014 Visit: ComplianceSigns.com | Connection blog
Top Safety News This Month
How OSHA inspects cranes and derricks on construction sites
New injury reporting requirements are effective in January
First-responder training addresses commercial electric vehicles
Top OSHA fines in October total $1.77 million
Learn proper care for frostbite
Hello again, friends
It's the season of thanksgiving, and the record cold temperatures this week make me
thankful for a warm home and workplace! But more importantly, all of us at
ComplianceSigns.com are thankful for you, our customer. Whether you're new to our
store or a long-time friend, we appreciate your business and we promise to do our
best to serve you.
This month's Connection has a variety of tips and news you can use, including
advice on how to treat frostbite. (I hope you won't need that!)
Have a safe month - Paul Sandefer, President
Reminder: New OSHA Reporting Requirements Take Effect in January
Effective January 1, 2015, all employers, regardless of size or industry, must follow two major reporting
changes:
1. All fatalities must be reported to OSHA within 8 hours of
occurrence.
2. All in-patient hospitalizations, amputations and loss of an eye
must be reported within 24 hours.
OSHA also updated the list of industries that must keep records of injuries
and illnesses (300 logs). Companies with fewer than 10 employees are still exempt from keeping these
records.
Read more on the rule here. Browse OSHA safety signs here.
BLS Delays 2013 Safety Data Release After Finding Errors
After finding errors in 2011 and 2012 safety data, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) has delayed the release of 2013 data. The 2013 reports on
Occupational Injuries and Illnesses and Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and
Illnesses Requiring Days Away From Work have been delayed from their
planned October 30 and November 14, 2014 release dates. The BLS
attributes the errors to data processing and reports that "...state and local
government estimates at the national level were minimally affected..." but
state estimates were not.

2. See which BLS reports were affected here.
Learn How OSHA Inspects Cranes and Derricks on Construction Worksites
OSHA recently issued a directive for enforcing requirements of the Cranes
and Derricks in Construction standard. The new directive guides OSHA
compliance personnel performing inspections of power-operated
equipment covered by Subpart CC on construction worksites. We've
posted a list of the first 10 areas inspectors have been directed to
review, plus links to additional resources.
See the list and read more here. Browse crane safety signs here.
New NFPA Training Prepares First Responders for
Electric Truck, Bus and Commercial Vehicle Hazards
Whether electric, hybrid or fuel-cell based, new automotive technologies
present new challenges for first responders arriving on the scene of
transportation emergencies. To assist them, the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) recently expanded its online training to include
material on trucks, buses and commercial vehicles with electric
technology. The training will help responders execute effective rescues
while neutralizing potential hazards.
Learn more here. Browse alternative fuel parking / charging signs.
Top OSHA Fines Exceed $1.7 Million in October
OSHA issued 10 significant fines in October with a proposed total of $1.77
million. The top three fines were issued for fall hazards, blocked exits
and whistleblower violations. Other common violations included machine
guarding, chemicals and falls. Most cases are still pending final decisions.
Here are some details:
$355,300 for Willful Fall and Other Hazards at a Florida Roofing
Company
$262,500 for Willful and Repeat Safety Hazards at a Texas Retailer
$225,000 for Injury Reporting Retaliation by a Kansas Railroad
$174,240 for Willful and Repeat Fall Protection Violations at an Illinois Home Builder
See the rest of the list here. Browse US-made safety signs and labels here.
November Safety News and Notes
Here's a collection of recent workplace safety news and resources from around the web:
OSHA Urges Retailers to Protect Workers During Major Sales Events
OSHA recently sent letters to major retailers to remind them of the potential hazards involved with
managing large crowds at retail stores during the holiday season when sales events attract increased
numbers of shoppers.
HAZCOM Compliance Guide for Small Business
OSHA has issued a new guide intended to help small employers comply with
the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). The guide provides
useful information, including steps toward an effective Hazcom plan, a
sample written program and more.
NSC Launches "Journey to Safety Excellence" Campaign
The National Safety Council recently launched the Journey to Safety Excellence campaign - a
workplace advocacy initiative focusing on continuous improvement to help employers make workplaces
safer across the country.

3. New Web Resource for Residential Construction Fall Protection
Information
To assist employers in selecting effective fall protection methods to protect
workers in residential construction, a new website provides details about
equipment highlighted in OSHA's Guidance Document for Residential
Construction.
OSHA Issues a Hazard Alert on 1-Bromopropane (1-BP) Solvent
Although Federal OSHA does not currently have a specific exposure
standard for 1-BP, employers are required by law to keep their workers safe
from this recognized hazard.
OSHA Publishes Ebola Web Page
Updated CDC and NIOSH guidelines to protect
health care workers from the Ebola virus, and
compliance assistance materials are available on
OSHA's new Ebola page.
Employer Arrested for Uncorrected Hazards and Unpaid OSHA Fines
A judge has ordered an Illinois business owner's arrest after he failed to correct serious trenching
hazards and pay OSHA penalties. The action followed the owner's long history of failing to comply with
OSHA standards and orders.
Read details on all these items at the Connection blog.
SAFETY TIP:
Proper Care for Frostbite
Snow and frigid temperatures have spread across the U.S., and many outdoor workers are not yet
accustomed to the cold. Now is a good time to remind employees of the risk, symptoms and
appropriate first aid response for cold stress including frostbite. Here are some frostbite tips from
NIOSH:
Get into a warm room as soon as possible.
Unless necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes.
Immerse the affected area in warm (not hot) water, or warm the
affected area using body heat.
Do not use a heating pad, fireplace, or radiator for warming.
Do not massage the frostbitten area; doing so may cause more
damage.
Read more details here. Browse first aid signs and labels here.
Customer Comments
Here's what some of our customers are saying about ComplianceSigns.com this month:
Excellent customer service and quality products. I have dealt with the company for years and
never have I been so pleased with the customer service and product quality. - Stan H.
Repeat Customer! Every time I need a sign, my first place is to go to ComplianceSigns.
Lots of safety signs to choose from. Love the custom sign preview window! I find skipping the
middleman such as Grainger ends up saving our company Money. - Teresa
Fast, reliable service! ComplianceSigns.com always has what I want in stock. My custom
signs have always been accurate with an extremely fast turnaround time. They are my

4. number one source for signage at my company. - Don E.
Read more ComplianceSigns.com customer reviews.
SMG SAFETY ADVISOR:
Working Safely with Industrial Vacuums
Everyone becomes familiar with vacuum cleaners at an early age. But
workers may not understand that vacuum systems in healthcare and
industrial settings present some very real hazards. In these settings,
when something goes wrong, the results can include shattering and
flying glass, chemical splatters and even combustion. The safety experts
at Safety Management Group in Indianapolis have prepared an article that
discusses industrial vacuum safety including filtration, dealing with liquids,
debris collection, cold traps and more.
Read more here, or browse housekeeping safety signs at ComplianceSigns.com.
Top Safety Articles Last Month
These were the most popular articles in last month's Connection:
Top OSHA Fines in September
CDC Flu Tips and Resources
October Workplace Safety News
Safety Tips to Avoid Common Forklift Accidents
10 Questions: Does Your Safety Program Meet Employee Expectations?
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