Adam Hernandez, Author at R2M Engineering

Stop The Bleed, Save a Life

Adam Hernandez — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 21:43:35 +0000

The American Society of Safety Professionals South Plains chapter met for their monthly meeting. They support occupational safety and health professionals in their efforts to prevent workplace injuries, illness, and fatalities. On August 20, 2019 hosted special guest Melissa Kemp, DHSc, PA-C, focused on the Stop-the-Bleed program that is meant to help during a bleeding emergency. While it was a brief overview, the information was invaluable.

The Stop-the-Bleed program is a national awareness campaign and call-to-action by the American College of Surgeons. It’s intended to encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before help arrives. It was developed to create a protocol to decrease the mortality rate of intentional mass casualty events or active shooter events. The idea is to train bystanders in techniques to control bleeding in emergency situations. The training course is 90 minutes and includes a formal presentation and a hands-on practice of direct pressure application, wound packing, and use of a tourniquet.

Dr. Kemp discussed how Stop-the-Bleed helps save a life by taking simple actions immediately after the trauma and following the ABCs: Alert, Bleeding, Compression. When it is safe to do so, alert 911. If you’re not safe, then you can’t help, so make sure the scene is secure. Then identify the bleed on the victim. Is it life-threatening? Is there pooling, bleeding through, or limb deformities? Remove any bulky clothing that may absorb the blood, and in case the victim is bleeding from areas that could be hidden. Add compression to the wound. There are three areas of the body and how to apply compression: limbs, junctional, and body. A tourniquet can be applied to the limbs 2-3 inches above the wound and not on the joint. It should only be taken off by a medical professional. In the junctional areas (neck, torso, groin, armpit), pack the wound with clean gauze and apply pressure. Don’t apply too much pressure that you can’t tell that the bleeding has stopped. Part of the program is to train bystanders, who are first on the scene, to stop the bleeding and aid victims with life threatening injuries until medical professionals can arrive. For more information, you can visit https://www.dhs.gov/stopthebleed.

The ASSP South Plains Chapter also discussed their fundraiser that they will be posting on their website and their efforts to help the community of Lubbock. The South Plains Chapter meets every third Tuesday of the month. For more information, visit https://southplains.assp.org/.

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Pools & Chemical safety: a case study on how HAZWOPER Training can help

Adam Hernandez — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 02:17:37 +0000

This week as we step into summer and get ready to relax by the pool let’s talk chemical safety. Many industries work around or near chemicals and/or hazardous materials all day. These chemicals might not be dangerous by themselves or when contained, but what will you do if there is a leak? Is there someone trained on your staff to start the HAZWOPER procedures before 911 gets there? Today I will tell you about an event that happened on May 26th 2017, then I will tell you how HAZWOPER training could have changed the chain of events from this day.

• On May 26th, 2017, a spill of pool chemicals, which give off vapors when exposed to air, forced the evacuation of a fitness center. The employee who spilled the chemicals breathed the vapors, then became ill. The manager of the facility called 911, who had them evacuate the facility. Then they waited for emergency response to arrive, assess the situation and ultimately call their hazmat team in. Luckily no one was seriously hurt.

• This is how one person with HAZWOPER training could have changed the events of that day. Let’s say one of the effected employee(s) had taken an OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER 29 CFR 1910.120 training course. The effected employee(s) would have known they needed proper respiratory protection while working with the chemicals to prevent a chemical exposure. If a spill still occurred they would have known how to properly contain the spill, evacuate the building, start cleaning the spill, start decontaminating the area, notify the proper authorities, and help prevent employee(s) from getting sick.

This case was a very small glimpse into how HAZWOPER training can prevent and help in the event of an accidental spill and/or leakage. Fortunately, no one at the fitness club was seriously injured, but that is not always the case. Especially when dealing with highly reactive chemicals like chlorine. If you would like to find out more about HAZWOPER training or join us for our next open enrollment class please visit our HAZWOPER Training Registration page or call us at 806-783-9944.

40-HR HAZWOPER Training: https://r2meng.com/events/40-hour-hazwoper-training-lubbock
8-HR HAZWOPER Refresher: https://r2meng.com/events/8-hour-hazwoper-refresher-lubbock

Resources:
http://newschannel9.com/news/local/pool-chemical-leak-forces-evacuation-of-fitness-center

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Don’t Wait for the Fines!

Adam Hernandez — Fri, 19 May 2017 00:24:40 +0000

Although uncomfortable, the question, “What is the price of an employee’s life?” comes up regularly on the job site and even-though you might not be looking at it in those words… OSHA, insurance, and the lawyers, will.

On Oct. 21, 2016, a construction worker in California entered a drainage shaft to clean out mud and debris. He descended 10 feet into the shaft, but lost consciousness due to the oxygen-deficient atmosphere. Indication are, that he fell from the bucket of the mini crawler crane he was being lowered in, and fell 40 feet; ultimately, drowning in one foot of water. He was not provided with fall protection or an air supplied respirator. On May 15, 2017 OSHA closed its investigation fining the employee’s company $337,700 and the sub-contractor $14,870. Had the company trained and outfitted him appropriately; they would have been able to save the life of a good employee; still have a good name; and have only spent a minimum of $260 in Fall Protection Training and equipment.

Don’t wait for the fines. They can be costly in more ways than just money. On May 24th, we will be having an open enrollment class for Fall Protection. The cost is $130 and the course is taught with interactive elements to ensure everyone leaves with a solid understanding of proper Fall Protection and Prevention. Please join us in our initiative to keep employees safe, reduce accidents, and reduce the occurrence of costly fines on your job site.

Resources:

https://ohsonline.com/articles/2017/05/15/confined-space-fatality.aspx

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OSHA Regulation on Crystalline Silica are changing!

Adam Hernandez — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 00:50:01 +0000

“Approximately 2 million U.S. workers remain potentially exposed to respirable crystalline silica” according to the CDC.

If you haven’t heard OSHA regulations regarding Crystalline Silica are changing. Even though, OSHA has delayed enforcement till Sept 23, 2017, R2M Engineering would like to advise you this regulation is still citable if your company is found non-compliant during an inspection conducted before Sept 23, 2017. For more information on this subject or how to improve the safety of your workers please contact R2M Engineering at www.r2meng.com or 806-783-9944

News Release

U.S. Department of Labor | April 6, 2017

OSHA to delay enforcing crystalline silica standard in the construction industry

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a delay in enforcement of the crystalline silica standard that applies to the construction industry to conduct additional outreach and provide educational materials and guidance for employers.

The agency has determined that additional guidance is necessary due to the unique nature of the requirements in the construction standard. Originally scheduled to begin June 23, 2017, enforcement will now begin Sept. 23, 2017.

OSHA expects employers in the construction industry to continue to take steps either to come into compliance with the new permissible exposure limit, or to implement specific dust controls for certain operations as provided in Table 1 of the standard. Construction employers should also continue to prepare to implement the standard’s other requirements, including exposure assessment, medical surveillance and employee training.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

sources:

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOL/bulletins/192ac7a

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6405a1.htm

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SafeLand Basics and Q&A

Adam Hernandez — Sun, 08 May 2016 13:05:08 +0000

SafeLand training was developed as an oil and gas industry program that provides an awareness of safety requirements as they relate to oil and gas production, and has become a requirement of many companies in order to perform contracted work at their locations. The downturn in the oil industry has slowed down production and reduced available resources for many companies, which, in some cases, has led to some gaps in safety compliance. Since you may be wondering why you should be considering SafeLand training at this time, we have compiled the basics and commonly asked questions about the SafeLand Basic Orientation program.

What is SafeLandUSA?

SafelandUSA is a volunteer organization that consists of independent companies, associations, and educators whose intent is to develop standards and requirements for the US Onshore E&P Industry. It provides a basic awareness level of certain general safety information that an employee should know before entering a company facility and while performing their assigned work duties. The majority of the leading oil and gas operators accept this orientation as it meets their requirements. Upon successful completion of the course, each student is issued a picture ID with a unique barcode.

What is SafeLand Certification

SafeLand training is an 8-hour course that meets the requirements of API RP 75 & API RP T-1 and also provides a general coverage of other safety topics an employee should understand before entering the work area. This orientation has become the standard program for the industry and certifies a student at awareness level for the following:

SafeLandUSA
SafeGulf
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Awareness
Back Safety
Confined Space
Defensive Driving
Electrical Safety
Emergency Response
Fall Protection
Fire Protection
Forklift Safety
Hazardous Communications
Hazmat (HM 126)
Hazwoper (Operations)
Hearing Conservation
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
Lockout/Tagout
Medical Records
Offshore Safety (Swing Ropes/Personnel Baskets, Water Safety, etc.)
Offshore Transportation (Departure, Helicopter, Boat, Arrival, etc.)
Personal Protective Equipment
Process Safety Management
Respiratory Protection
Rigging
Terrorism Response Awareness Program (TRAP)
Welding Safety

Why is SafeLand training important?

By providing your employees SafeLand training, they will be receiving training that will make them aware of the potential hazards and safety requirements of an industry they may be unfamiliar with before they are exposed.

Who needs SafeLand training?

The SafeLand training is intended for individuals in the oil and gas industry; however, the field of requirement is expanding to the support industries that interact with the oil and gas industry. Many companies are expanding their business mix and vendor bases, and companies that have never serviced the oil and gas markets are suddenly finding themselves with new opportunities and client bases.

But I don’t work in the oil or gas industry.

The benefits of SafeLand training are not limited to the oil and gas industry that requires it. Even though SafeLand was developed with the oil and gas industry in mind, much of the information presented translates to other industries and provides a strong supplement to your safety program. Many of the topics presented cover some of the topics required by various regulatory agencies. If your company is considering expanding to service the oil and gas industry, the SafeLand Basic Orientation is an excellent starting point to introduce your employees to the unique hazards associated with the industry.

The time of the year for my company is slow.

Conducting SafeLand or any other training during an off-peak time provides a tremendous opportunity to take care of training needs without interfering with production demands. Many companies find that if they wait until ‘things pick up,’ they are unable to free up the employees without interfering with production. This means many times the training doesn’t take place, and the employees are exposed to hazards they may not aware of.

So SafeLand replaces my need for any other training?

Although SafeLand training covers many topics, some, such as H2S and Confined Space, have very specific regulatory training requirements and should not be confused with programs like SafeLand or vice versa. While the topics may be discussed during the SafeLand training, it is not to the level that may be required by the applicable regulations.

Does SafeLand training expire?

The SafeLand Basic Orientation does not expire, but some companies or employers may impose their own refresher requirements.

R2M Engineering is here to help you stay in compliance. Contact us today at (806) 783-9944 or visit our contact page www.R2Meng.com/contact if you have any questions or concerns.

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Compliance Crackdown: OSHA fines set to increase in 2016

Adam Hernandez — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 14:00:25 +0000

Legislation to Increase OSHA Fines Passes

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is finally making a push to catch up with the fluctuating value of the dollar. In November, President Barack Obama signed into law a piece of legislation called the “Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015” which was a part of the “H.R. 1314 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.” This provision amended the “Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990,” and will allow the OSHA fines to be adjusted with the increase in inflation. In addition, OSHA has been given the authority to adjust fines in accordance with changes in the Consumer Price Index for future issues of inflation.

Are you prepared for the increase in OSHA fines? Contact Freddie (pictured above) today if you have an questions.

David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, said in a statement made to the Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, the most serious obstacle to effective OSHA enforcement is the very low level of civil penalties allowed under our law, as well as our weak criminal sanctions.

“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can impose a penalty of $270,000 for violations of the Clean Air Act, and a penalty of $1 million for attempting to tamper with a public water system,” Michaels said. “Yet, the maximum civil penalty OSHA may impose when a hard-working man or woman is killed on the job, even when the death is caused by a willful violation of an OSHA requirement, is $70,000.”

The amount of time for which violators may be incarcerated is also an argument given by him for the maximum increase in fines. Criminal provisions in the OSH Act are weaker than those in virtually every other safety, health, and environmental law.

“The Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act all provide for criminal prosecution for knowing violations of the law with penalties up to 15 years in jail,” Michaels said. “Under the OSH Act, criminal penalties are limited to those cases where a willful violation of an OSHA standard results in the death of a worker and to cases of false statements or misrepresentations.”

Michaels went on to say that the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Resource Conservation Acts can provide criminal prosecution for up to 15 years for knowingly endangering lives while the maximum incarceration penalty for a violation that costs a worker’s life is six months in jail, which is considered only a misdemeanor crime.

The next step in the process is implementation guidance from the Office of Management and Budget on carrying out the proposed fine increases. OSHA will then be required to publish an interim rule by July 1^st. The fines will then begin by the official deadline in August.

What this means

OSHA penalties will increase for the first time in 25 years.
The potential maximum in OSHA fines for “other-than-serious” and “serious” violations will increase to $12,471 from $7,000.
The potential maximum in OSHA fines for “willful” or “repeat” violations will increase to $124,709 from $70,000.
OSHA is granted the option to periodically increase penalties to match the cost of living in the future.
Fine structure will be set no later than August 1, 2016.

What this means to you

Companies can expect to see a nearly 80% monetary increase in OSHA fines this year.
The safety of your employees and compliance with safety standards are more important than ever.

R2M’s Take

“While nobody likes being fined or having a regulatory agency interfere with their business, we have to remember that OSHA’s goal is to ensure that employees are able to return home at night. If you view OSHA fines as representing the importance of human lives, how can you put a dollar amount on the life of someone’s son, daughter, husband, or wife? When you think about it this way, the fines are still relatively cheap. Especially when you consider that many times the cost of compliance is usually cheaper in the long run. How much does that safety meeting or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) really cost you compared to medical expenses, increased insurance premiums, loss of business reputation, or civil lawsuits? I really don’t want to ever see a company get an OSHA fine; I would rather see that money and time spent on efforts to ensure a safe workplace.”

Sean Finkbone SSH, CSHO
Senior Safety Manager

R2M Engineering is here to help you stay in compliance and make sure these fine increases don’t affect your company. Contact us today at (806) 783-9944 or visit our contact page www.R2Meng.com/contact if you have any questions or concerns.

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