EHS TODAY WEEKLY UPDATE Penton Media March 26, 2009 If you want to view this on the web go to: http://enews.penton.com/enews/ehstoday/v/11 ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT RCRA Hazardous Waste Certification Training Online! New rules on the definition of solid waste are out! Learn these and all the latest RCRA rules through Lion Technology's expert compliance training. Lion offers hazardous waste management certification workshops, on-site training programs, live web seminars, and 24/7 online training. Visit http://infox.hotims.com/24177-29798 ---------------------------------------- THIS WEEK'S NEWS --1. The Effects of the Economy on Workplace Safety Companies spend about $170 billion a year on costs associated with workplace injuries and illnesses, and almost $1 billion every week to injured employees and their medical providers, according to Warren K. Brown, president of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/columns/effects-economy-workplace-0309/ --2. European Workers Face Increasing Health Risks From Hazardous Substances Contact with a wide range of chemicals and other hazardous substances at work is endangering the health of workers across Europe, according to a new report by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). Experts identified nanotechnology as one of the risks causing the most concern. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/international/news/euro-workers-health-risks-1273/ --3. When It Comes to Workplace Safety, Trust the Experts: Your Employees Even the most well-intended workplace safety programs can backfire when the program is designed and led from the top of the organization down. While they may be well-organized and fiscally responsible, safety programs led from the top down miss the key ingredient -- the authentic buy-in from those who the safety program affects daily. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/safety/best-practices/workplace-safety-trust-employees-0309/ --4. ASIS, SHRM Join to Develop Workplace Violence Prevention and Intervention Standard ASIS International and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) are collaborating on the development of a joint Workplace Violence Prevention and Intervention (WVPI) American National Standard to provide information and practical methods that will enable an organization to develop an effective and informed approach to prevention and intervention. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/standards/news/asis-shrm-join-standard-4718/ --5. NIST Conducts Stairwell Evacuation Study Most of the time, people use the stairs in buildings -- especially in high-rise structures -- only as a backup for faster elevators and escalators. During a fire or other emergency, however, stairs become the primary passage to survival. In a new study, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) examined what is known about how stairs work as an emergency evacuation route. Their answer? Not nearly enough. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/fire_emergencyresponse/news/nist-stairwell-evac-study-1544/ --6. "LEED" the Way With Green Design Industry sources estimate that U.S. health care facilities spend approximately $5.3 billion annually for energy costs alone, and hospital administrators planning ahead for a new facility would face considerable escalation of such costs for the foreseeable future. A new whitepaper details how seeking systematic reductions in energy use by following Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, as Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) did, is one way to effectively combat rising energy costs. To view the full article go to: http://ehstoday.com/environment/news/leed-way-green-design-7362/ Bios - Pop Quiz Challenge (http://popquiz.ehstoday.com/Bios_Popquiz_March09/)Bios International Challenge (http://popquiz.ehstoday.com/Bios_Popquiz_March09/) (http://popquiz.ehstoday.com/Bios_Popquiz_March09/)Welcome to the Bios International Challenge! Bios International is a specialty manufacturer of precision flow calibration equipment. Bios is accredited to approximately 0.06% by NVLAP (NIST) to ISO 17025, ANSI Z-540 and NIST 150. You know your business. How well do you know ours? Entries are automatically entered into a drawing to win a Defender or a Definer! The winner may choose a Defender 510, a Defender 520 or a Definer 220. Here is a sneak peek at questions 3&4. 3. Which of the following device calibration may need to use the 'Sensor Factor' option? a. MFC b. Sonic nozzle c. Bubble meter d. Orifice 4. What is the accuracy of Defender 510 and 520? a. +/- 1% of reading b. +/- 1% of full scale c. +/- 0.25% of reading Take the quiz today! (http://popquiz.ehstoday.com/Bios_Popquiz_March09/) WEBINARS ON DEMAND Understanding NFPA 70E and the Arc Flash Hazard (https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=137628&sessionid=1&key=3FB0D5B5D97CF5AC17F0B403754150C1&partnerref=solo1&sourcepage=register) Sponsored by: Westex, Inc. Attendees will learn about the four primary subjects essential to understanding, and protecting against, the arc flash hazard in an industrial workplace. Listen Today! (https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=137628&sessionid=1&key=3FB0D5B5D97CF5AC17F0B403754150C1&partnerref=solo1&sourcepage=register) The Courage to Actively Care (https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=136447&sessionid=1&key=78D53EF3AF895D985FF8CD3A905126E8&sourcepage=register) Sponsored by: Coastal During this webinar, Dr. Geller discussed Interpersonal Intervention and Courage, How Can Courage Be Encouraged, and Culture and The Courage To Actively Care. He examines excuses and barriers given for the lack of large-scale application of effective interpersonal interventions. Listen today! (https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=136447&sessionid=1&key=78D53EF3AF895D985FF8CD3A905126E8&sourcepage=register) ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Impacto_ Anti-Vibration Mechanic's Air Glove_ #BG408 Patented Air technology protects the palm, fingers and thumb. Excellent fit & comfort, anti-slip palm. Meets ANSI S2.73-2002(R 2007)/ISO10819:1996. More Info: http://infox.hotims.com/24177-29797 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Heat stress is a big sweat Don't underestimate the dangers of heat stress for your workers now that the warmer weather is coming. The Casella Microtherm heat stress monitor uses the WBGT method to calculate safe working conditions for your workers who may be in danger. It is provided as a full kit for measurements indoors and outdoors saving results for later download and printing. http://infox.hotims.com/24177-29799 ------------------------------------------------- The next major step in the green movement was the development of biobased products. BioRenewables® are products made from renewable, agricultural materials such as soy, corn and coconut. These products contribute to environmental improvement by reducing dependency on oil and supporting the use of agricultural and forestry materials. Spartan Chemical Company, Inc. Phone: 800-537-8990, Fax: 419-536-8423 http://infox.hotims.com/24177-29801 Spartan@spartanchemical.com ------------------------------------------------- Build a Safer Workplace with a Cost-Effective First Aid Solution The American Red Cross Emergency Response Center combines a SmartCompliance_ First Aid Cabinet with "grab-and-go" response packs designed to help employees quickly respond to a life-threatening emergency. Plus, you'll have complete control over your reordering process, instead of relying on an outside vendor to manage the restocking of your cabinet. Visit http://infox.hotims.com/24177-29800 to order. ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Changing the Safety Culture Sponsored by: ProAct Safety Rudy Hagen of Georgia-Pacific describes why the company decided to implement behavior-based safety in its facilities and how culture assessment and other tools helped decrease injuries, increase employee ownership and improve company safety culture. Download or Listen Now at http://ehstoday.com/podcasts/proact-change-safety-culture/ ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- View the new video from NIOSH, at http://ehstoday.com/video/ArcFlashAwareness/ High-voltage arcs can also produce considerable pressure waves by rapidly heating the air and creating a blast. ---------------------------------------- ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER This eNewsletter was sent to: #email# Click below to start your own subscription to EHS Today's Weekly E-Newsletter: http://ehstoday.com/subscribe/ To unsubscribe: http://email.occupationalhazards.com/webforms/newsletter/unsub/?email=#email#&lid=#list_id#&mid=#message_id# Copyright 2009 Penton Media, Inc. EHS Today 1300 E. 9th Street Cleveland, OH 44114