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October 2014 Visit: ComplianceSigns.com | Connection blog

Top Safety News This Month

OSHA extends crane operator certification deadline

CDC offers seasonal flu resources for business

Find out if your safety program meets employee expectations

Top OSHA fines in September

How to prevent common forklift accidents

Hello again, In the quest for workplace safety, prevention is always a top concern. Whether you're trying to reduce forklift accidents, protect railroad workers or survey a worksite for potential problems, a prevention plan helps stop problems before they happen. Flu vaccinations do the same thing. They're good for your workers and your business. You can learn more about all these topics and more in this month's Connection. Have a safe month - Paul Sandefer, President

OSHA Extends Date for Crane Operator Certification Requirements OSHA has issued a final rule extending by three years the deadline for crane operator certification requirements in the Cranes and Derricks in Construction final rule to Nov. 10, 2017. The rule also extends by three years the employer's responsibility to ensure that crane operators are competent to operate a crane safely. During the three-year period, OSHA will address operator qualification requirements, including the role of operator certification. The OSHA final rule becomes effective Nov. 9, 2014. Read more on the new rule. Browse crane safety signs and hand signal training materials here.

CDC Offers Flu Tips and Resources for Businesses Flu season is here, and the CDC has developed a vast collection of free flu resources and information for individuals, families and businesses. Seasonal flu contributes to some 17 million lost workdays and 200,000 hospitalizations every season, but flu-fighting strategies, tips, research, tools and more in the CDCBusiness Toolkit can help you protect your workers - and your business. Read more on the flu resources. Browse Hand Washing Instructions signs at ComplianceSigns.com.

NTSB Recommends Action to Curb Increase in Railroad Deaths The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a special investigation report on the recent increase in deaths of railroad and rail transit roadway workers. In 2013, 15 roadway workers died. The report provides details of 14 fatal accidents and makes recommendations to reduce the number of fatalities, including comprehensive job briefings. It also calls for national inspection protocols to help ensure worker safety. Read more on the report. Browse transportation safety signs.

10 Questions: Does Your Safety Program Meet Employee Expectations? Inspectors aren't the only people on your worksite evaluating your commitment to workplace safety. If you can't answer "yes" to these 10 questions, you're not doing all you can to promote employee safety in your workplace - and you may be losing out on safety-minded job applicants, too. Take a look and see how you stack up: 1. Are employees informed about industry and duty risks? 2. Do you verify applicant certifications or licensing before hiring? 3. Do you train employees for new duties? 4. Do you implement and follow your own safety policies?

Get the rest of the list and additional resources. Browse digital safety scoreboards to help keep safety top-of-mind.

Top OSHA Fines Exceed $3.5 Million in Sept. 2014 OSHA issued 17 significant fines in September (more than twice as many as August!) with a proposed total of $3.57 million. The top three fines were issued for confined space, chemical and fall protection violations. The top three fines:

1. $497,000 and SVEP for willful confined space violations and more at an Illinois metal recycling plant

2. $341,550 for chromium and other violations at an Oklahoma plating plant

3. $300,000 for willful fall protection violations at a Connecticut roofing contractor

See the rest of the list. Browse confined space safety signs.

October Safety News and Notes Here's a collection of recent workplace safety news and resources from around the web:

OSHA launches national dialogue on hazardous chemical exposures to address PELs that haven't been updated since 1971.

New safety climate workbook with 8 worksheets to help identify and strengthen your safety climate.

Which state has the rudest drivers? You'll be surprised by the answer. I promise.

OSHA continues regional emphasis program on struck-by accidents in four states.

ISHN to host safety webinar week November 10-12.

NIOSH asks, "Can predictive analytics help reduce workplace risk?"

Get details and links at the Connection blog. Browse safety signs and labels at ComplianceSigns.com.

SAFETY TIP: Prevent Common Forklift Accidents

With some 1 million forklifts operating in loading docks, warehouses and worksites across the United States, accidents are bound to happen. Here are 9 tips to help prevent lift truck accidents in your workplace:

1. Provide Proper Training 2. Post Warning Signs and Traffic Markings 3. Slow Down 4. Lower the Load

Read the rest and access more resources at the Connection blog. Browse forklift safety signs and labels.

Customer Comments Here's what some of our customers are saying about ComplianceSigns.com this month:

Second time I have ordered. Your products and service are great. Robert H. We were amazed by the ease of service and the quick delivery. We will definitely use

ComplianceSigns.com again. Kelly J.

Website easy to navigate, product was custom design and was just as ordered. Looked great. David S.

Signs are very legible, clear and viewable from a distance. Nothing to say bad about these signs. Mark C.

Read more ComplianceSigns.com customer reviews.

SMG SAFETY ADVISOR: What's Your Site Safety Assessment Strategy? First-hand observations let managers determine if the safety aspects of a project will meet the objectives set out in their safety plan. They also offer an opportunity to identify potential areas of concern - before inspectors arrive or problems arise. A thorough assessment should anticipate upcoming work and identify hazards that may arise as a project changes. The safety experts at Safety Management Group have prepared an article that provides tips to help you conduct effective and efficient site visits and reviews. Read more. Browse workplace safety banners.

Top Safety Articles Last Month These were the most popular articles in last month's Connection:

OSHA/NIOSH Recommended Practices for Temp Workers Top OSHA fines in August 10 key elements for your emergency preparedness plan New OSHA reporting rules for severe injuries Drive Safely Work Week tool kit

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