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In this Issue
Ten Reasons to Develop an Effective Safety Program

Traffic Control & Flagging

 Member Updates

Safety Toolbox

 Test Your Knowledge

 Forums

 Resources

Contact Us

Coupon

 Test Your KnowledgeQuiz 

Think you know all about safe driving in traffic control zones? Take this month's quiz to see just how much you know about traffic control and safe driving.
 

The Recordkeeping Quiz was tricky. To answer correctly, each word needed to be scrutinized. To increase your skills in judging reportable vs. non-reportable injuries and illness, please visit the CalOSHA Recordkeeping webpage. You can take the entire quiz and see direct references to the standard. Great job everyone!  

This month's winner is ... 

Christine Hartman  

Watts Water Technologies

ResourcesResources

Safety Center Website 

 

Workplace Safety & Health  Website 

 

Class Calendar 

 

CalOSHA Website 

 

FedOSHA Website 

 

National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) Website 

 

National Safety Council (NSC) Website 

 

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Website 

 

Toxic Chemical Info 

Safety ForumsForums

Contact InfoContact
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Vol 12, Issue 3         

March 2012

Greetings!

This month we've listed 10 Reasons to Develop an Effective Safety Program. Whether you need to sell safety to employees or to management, use this list to help get your point across. 

 

This month's safety meeting topic is Temporary Traffic Control and Flagging. Even if your organization is not directly involved in flagging and traffic control operations, everyone can learn how to drive safely in traffic control zones. Check out the Test Your Knowledge work zone driving safety quiz for even more tips.

 

Don't miss an issue, subscribe! You may also sign up to receive our other mailings including class updates and information on the Sacramento Regional Safety Forum and the Safety Forum of the Inland Empire. Save on your next training at Safety Center with the discount coupon below.

10 Reasons to Develop an Effective Safety Programpsi
1. Saves Money

Incidents/Accidents and near misses have direct and indirect costs that affect a company's bottom line. Increased insurance deductibles, employee lost time, workflow disruptions, fines and customer dissatisfaction all eat away at a company's profit margin.

 

2. Reduces Injuries and Saves Lives 

Effective safety programs create a culture of awareness. When all employees can identify hazards and have clear policies and procedures for mitigating these hazards, fatality and injury rates fall dramatically.

 

3. Improves Morale 

When employees feel their working environment is safe, it gives them the confidence they need to perform at the highest level. 

 

4. Increases Productivity 

An injury or equipment failure can bring production to a standstill. Investing time and energy into establishing a clear and effective safety program helps you to meet critical deadlines. 

 

5. Increases Quality 

The workforce is changing; consistent training is creating a smarter and more qualified employee base. Raise the bar for your company and employees by implementing a strong safety program. 

 

6. Models Core Values 

An effective safety program demonstrates the organization's commitment to the safety and well-being of employees. When employees feel that corporate policy conveys interest in their well-being, they are more likely to comply with company safety policies. 

 

7. Reduces Turnover 

Employees are not going to stay in a workplace that is hazardous to their health and safety. Increase retention rates by creating a dialog between safety, management and workers to identify hazards and develop appropriate safety strategies. 

 

8. Increases Compliance 

An effective safety program is a dynamic, fluid process. Clear policies for accident investigations, equipment pre-shift inspections and other safe practices will help to identify any areas of noncompliance quickly. 

 

9. Improves Marketability 

A strong safety record can help you bid on lucrative contracts. Organizations can check CalOSHA violations because they are public records. Effective safety programs prevent costly criminal and civil liability, CalOSHA citations and adverse publicity, that can undermine the image of your organization.

 

10. It's Just Good Business Sense

A business that takes care of its employees' safety and health produces better products. Better products and increased consumer confidence in your company creates a ripe environment for long-term success.

Temporary Traffic Control & Flagging  secondaryarticle 
Temporary Traffic Control and Flagging

 

Certification or Training?

In California, there is no specific traffic control or flagging "certification." California Code of Regulations Title 8 Construction Safety Orders 1599 does require all flaggers to be trained by qualified and experienced trainers who can "effectively instruct the employee in the proper fundamentals of flagging moving traffic."  

 

Who Needs Training?

Section 1599 requires that all "flaggers shall be trained in the proper fundamentals of flagging moving traffic before being assigned as flaggers." There are nine elements that must be covered during this training including traffic signaling methods, handling emergencies and dealing with hostile drivers. This training must be documented as required in the Illness and Injury Prevention Program (§3203).

 

What is Temporary Traffic Control?

Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) is required when a hazard exists to employees because of traffic or haulage conditions at work sites that encroach upon public streets or highways. The traffic control system needs to conform with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways. (MUTCD or "Manual")

 

TTC provides uninterrupted and safe movement for motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians, including accessible passage. Its primary function is to provide safe and efficient movement for all roadway users while protecting workers, equipment and emergency responders.


Where to Go for Help

Safety Center's Workplace Safety & Health Program offers flagger, temporary traffic control, and temporary traffic control and flagging trainings.   

To contact the Sacramento office, call (916) 366-7233 x 219 or email workplacesafety@safetycenter.org.

 

To contact the Claremont/Inland Empire office, please call (909) 625-9650 or email workplacesafetysc@safetycenter.org.

The Safety Toolbox at the bottom of this email contains links to more Traffic Control and Flagging resources. 

SAFETY TOOLBOXsafetytoolbox
Toolbox
Video of the Month

T8 Traffic Control Through Work Zones
This video emphasizes worker safety and demonstrates how to safely set up traffic control for short-term jobs. Includes: basic flagging techniques, safe taper lengths, positioning of channeling devices and safe work practices.

VHS. 21 minutes

 

If you would like more information about renting safety training videos or would like the most current catalog, view the catalog online or contact our librarian at (800) 825-7262 x 240 or by email.

 

Resources
Member Updatesmemberupdates
Members OnlyWelcome New Members!

Renan Castro - City of Vernon

Javier Mendez Safety Consulting

Madison Avenue, Inc.

Suzanne Sturgeon - SCS Engineers

Howard Nix - Triad Family Services

Wood Group Field Services


Member of the Month

City of Ontario Parks and Maintenance 

 

For more about membership with Safety Center and its benefits, visit our membership pages online or contact our Membership Coordinator at (800) 825-7262 x 214 or by email.

Thank you for your commitment to workplace safety and health!

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Enroll between now and April 15, 2012 to receive savings on your classes. Just mention offer #CCIS0312 to receive your discount. Don't miss out. Register now!

*Discount does not apply to IVES Mobile Equipment Training.
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