BMSA's SAFETY FIRST! 
September 2015
Tips to Avoid Distracted Driving
For many companies in the building material industry, truck drivers are a key part of everyday business. Materials are being delivered from place to place to keep business on track and produce satisfied customers and clients. Driving has become even more dangerous with all of the distractions involved. All forms of distracted driving endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. One of the biggest causes of distracted driving is texting. Texting while driving is illegal in all of BMSA's five states and in many states drivers are ticketed if caught in the action and can pay serious fines. Unsafe drivers could have a severe penalty on your business's reputation. Pass these tips along to employees to stop distracted driving.
  • Turn it off and stow it. Turn your phone off or switch it to silent mode before you get in the car. Then stow it away so that it's out of reach.
  • Spread the word. Record a message on your phone that tells callers you're driving and will get back to them when you're off the road.
  • Pull over. If you need to make a call, pull over to a safe area first.
  • Use your passengers. Ask a passenger to make the call or respond to a text for you.
  • X the Text. Don't ever text and drive, surf the web or read your email while driving. It's dangerous and against the law in most states.
  • Know the law. Familiarize yourself with state and local laws before you get in the car.
  • Prepare. If using a GPS device, enter your destination before you start to drive. If you prefer a map or written directions, review them in advance. If you need help while driving, ask a passenger to assist you or pull over to a safe location to change your GPS or review your map/directions.
  • Focus on driving. Refrain from eating, drinking, reading, grooming, smoking, and any other activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road.
(Source: Governors Highway Safety Association)
Jury Awards $15M to Worker Whose Foot was Crushed by Forklift
A jury says the company that owned a forklift now owes Neuhengen $15.2 million. Thomas Neuhengen, 33, had to have his heel amputated after his left foot was crushed during the tear-down of the 2012 International Manufacturing Technology Show at the McCormick Place convention center in Chicago.

The jury ordered Global Experience Specialists (GES) to pay Neuhengen $12.2 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in punitive damages. Neuhengen had sought a total of $25 million. GES had argued for a $3.2 million payout, claiming Neuhengen was partly to blame for his own injury. Neuhengen was working as a spare parts manager for Hemle Machine Co. LLC when he was struck by the 29-ton machine.

OSHA said GES, the company that set up the show, failed to ensure the forklift driver who hit Neuhengen was trained and certified. GES also failed to hire a spotter who could have prevented the collision, according to OSHA. GES was fined $91,000 by OSHA for one willful and three serious violations. One serious violation was withdrawn, and GES paid a total of $74,000. The company had been cited twice before for employing uncertified forklift drivers.

(Source:SafetyNewsAlert)
Make Sure Your Forklift Drivers are Properly Trained!
LBM dealers are required to train their forklift operators initially and then every three years to comply with OSHA standards. NLBMDA has made the training process much easier for LBM dealers by providing a new interactive online program.

Purchase the Forklift and You Online Training Course today! Members can get individual course licenses to the Forklift and You Online Training Course for ONLY $50.00 per employee! Click here to make your purchase today. A printed Forklift & You Training Program is also available.

Can You Really Hide Hazards from OSHA?
How do you hide an entire production line from OSHA? OSHA claims MP Global Products LLC tried to do just that when the agency's inspectors showed up after an employee suffered injuries.

"MP Global shut down an entire production line, turned the lights off and herded employees into the back room where they were instructed to remain quiet during OSHA's inspection," said Jeff Funke, OSHA's area director in Omaha."

An employee at the plant suffered amputation of one finger and severe damage to another when his left hand was caught as he operated a machine. Workers told investigators the company threatened to fire anyone who told instepctors about their safety concerns. OSHA cited the company for 25 violations, with a total fine of $244,000. MP Global is now in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program which requires follow-up inspections. Companies can be in the SVEP for several years. Among the violations: 
  • numerous machines lacking safety guards that exposed workers to hazards
  • failure to train workers about machine safety procedures and vehicle operation
  • inadequate emergency exit signs
  • defective powered industrial trucks in operation, and
  • numerous electrical hazards
(Source:SafetyNewsAlert)
Register Now!
Yard & Delivery Managers 
Workshop   
Ken Wilbanks, your instructor, applies his Operational Excellence Methodology to teach yard and delivery managers to be effective managers with rock solid core best practices and standards that really work! At the seminar, Ken will help attendees to improve the safety of their yards, warehouses, and delivery operations. His mastery of basics and his dynamic communication style will help your managers to grow a culture of excellence in your business for many years to come.

"From the On-Time/In-Full to the Will-Call Programs and the General Leadership Training - this seminar was very helpful to our business. We brought back new ideas that we put in place and continue to find beneficial. I highly recommend it!" - Thad Shuler, Southern Lumber & Millwork
 
Click here for registration information.
Safety: A #1 Priority
 
We know that following safety practices saves on costs-between worker's compensation, medical fees, time off and insurance premiums. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that "a good safety and health program can save $4 to $6 for every $1 invested."  

A safety-conscious job site produces more efficient workers, less errors on the job and an overall better workplace culture. Alternatively, unsafe work environments will lead your team to think that you don't value their health and well-being. They'll work slower and less efficiently. And naturally, more accidents will occur. Perhaps even deaths.
According to OSHA, 4,679 workers were killed on the job in 2014. Remember, safety is IMPORTANT!

(Source: Building Solutions)


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800-849-1503 

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