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Annual Report on Safety - 2007 2007 was a decent year with a decline in construction fatalities. In 2007 there were 16 construction fatalities in Ohio. In Region V OSHA there were 48 construction fatalities. The Region only reports numbers for Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin. Toledo had 4, Cincinnati had 6, Cleveland had 3 and Columbus had 3. We still have a lot of work to do to lower the fatality numbers for the construction industry. The on line employee drug training is progressing nicely and it is still hoped to have it available by the end of February 2008. This training will be free to our members and their employees and will be accessible 24 hours a day from any internet connection. The program is specific to the MOST and GLCA drug program for Northwest Ohio. The project was placed on hold in 2007 due to a change in administration at the state. After much deliberation, it was decided to proceed with the development of the online program. The 2007 Safety Professional of the Year award was given to Larry Nearhood with A.A. Boos and Sons. Larry was selected by his peers to receive this award based upon participation, support, industry involvement, networking and positive safety influences in the industry. We would like to congratulate Larry on receiving this prestigious award. The Northwest Ohio Safety Training Database site www.nwosafety.com allows employees, employers and owners to enter the last name of a person and the last four digits of their social security number and get an instant listing of all the safety training that is on file for that person. The site is updated continually so that current and correct information is supplied. Duplicative training from company to company has been a problem for many years but now an employer can enter the employee information and see instantly what training is needed for the new employee. We need your companies’ support by submitting training sign in sheets indicating course topic, times, trainer and attendees to Scott or Bess. The site is a work in progress but is only be as good as the information in it. It is our hope to have everyone using the industry database as a means of tracking our workers’ safety records by the end of 2008! In 2007 there was a wide variety of training classes held for our members. There were 18 first aid and CPR classes, 2 OSHA 10 hour, 4 OSHA 16 hour and 1 OSHA 30 hour. 3 aerial lift classes, 1 forklift class, 1 MSHA refresher class and 3 confined space classes. As always, feel free to contact the AGC for training or assistance with holding your own classes and don’t forget about the online training opportunities available at www.cccouncil.com. In the fall of 2007, the AGC / CCC of Northwest Ohio partnered with the MCA, NECA and the Safety Council of Northwest Ohio to develop a joint construction safety committee. The committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at the Holiday Inn French Quarter in Perrysburg at 7:15 am. The breakfast meeting utilizes guest speakers on numerous safety issues as well as OSHA, Workers’ Compensation and handling emergencies. Those interested in attending must RSVP to the Safety Council of Northwest Ohio at 419-662-7777 or Janice@scnwo.com. The Associated General Contractors of Northwest Ohio (AGC) recently purchased a mobile confined space simulator to conduct employee training. This simulator allows employees to receive hands on training with all of the equipment commonly used in a confined space entry. The enclosed trailer has a guard railed deck on top with a manhole installed in the roof which allows employees to be lowered into the “confined space”. Once inside, they must perform various duties common in confined space work such as lockout and tagout on equipment. The inside of the trailer is broadcast via a closed circuit camera to a television in the side of the trailer for people outside to watch. “This is a very unique opportunity for hands on training in Northwest Ohio. Where else will a company come to your location, with this type of a setup and train your workers,” states Scott Goodwin, Director of Safety and Training for the AGC. The simulator is also available to any general industry company for training and comes complete with all the necessary equipment and an instructor. Factories, manufacturing facilities, industrial sites, union construction contractors, municipalities and fire departments can all benefit from this training unit. The training trailer was purchased with sponsor support from Brooks Insurance, Occupational Care Consultants and Safety Solutions. With 2007 behind us, I would like to wish for each of you a safe and prosperous year in 2008! Be safe…. Scott Goodwin, COSS |