Amphenol Sine Systems Receives SHARP Renewal
Amphenol Sine Systems, an electronic connector manufacturer located in Lake Wales, recently earned its third SHARP renewal. The company is focused on connecting its 60 employees to a positive safety environment. "Safety is my No. 1 issue and priority," says Jeff Herman, HR/environmental, health and safety manager. "A good safety-management program benefits the employees and the company."

In 1993, Amphenol Sine Systems was referred to the consultation program by an OSHA inspector. The company was experiencing a higher incident rate and wanted to identify root causes of the incidents as well as processes that could prevent future occurrences. "Eliminating accidents at the source, specifically through ergonomic assessments and improvements," was a priority says Herman.

Today, the company is SHARP-certified, and the award has provided positive benefits. "SHARP has added value to our marketing and sales efforts as well as enhanced the morale and attitude toward safety that we have been working to promote."

Safety is an essential part of the company's business culture. "The facility is very proactive about workplace safety and health. Each employee takes pride in a safe work environment with the goal of zero injuries and illnesses. Our company motto is Think Safety, Act Safely, and Stay SHARP!" Last year, the company met its goal and reported zero incidents.

This safety success is appreciated by others. In 2005, the company was recognized by Occupational Hazards magazine as one of "America's Safest Companies." The company also increased its focus on environmental issues by eliminating certain chemicals, switching to environmentally-friendly products, and recycling. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reduced the company's generator status from "Large Quantity Generator" in 1993 to "Non-Handler" in 2001.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Photographs are a learning tool of how accidents can be prevented. Thank you to Trish Ready, our "What's Wrong With This Picture" USF SafetyFlorida contributor for March.

Violations

1. 29 CFR 1910.134(k)(5)(ii) By improperly donning the respirator, the mason has demonstrated a deficiency in his knowledge of the proper use of respirators.

2. 29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)[B] A personal clothing item draped over the face, is blocking the mason’s airway, and interfering with the face-to-facepiece seal function of the respirator.

Consequences

Potential exposure to silica, leading to silicosis (lung disease) over time.

Actions

1. Perform routine jobsite inspections. Self inspections are critical in identifying unsafe acts.

2. Train employees on an ongoing basis. Ensure the training was effective by asking the worker to demonstrate the skill. Initiate retraining when knowledge deficiencies are identified. For training material, refer to the Department of Labor’s new video (December 16, 2009) entitled Respirator Safety, for donning, doffing and user seal checks. It can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzpz5fko-fg and is available in Spanish and English.

Consultant's Corner: Commit, Implement, Prevent, Train

Four Steps to an Effective Safety and Health Management System



Gabriel "Gabe" Garcia
Safety and Health Consultant

In February's Consultant's Corner, Jessica Bohan wrote how safety committees are much like a driver's pit crew. This month, Gabe Garcia describes four simple steps managers can take to build a stronger, more effective workplace safety system.

One question I am often asked is, "How can I make my safety program better?" The necessary steps, although not easy, are not insurmountable. It requires management to incorporate four critical elements to develop and implement a sound and effective safety and health management system. (Read more …)

If your professional organization or association would like to include safety and health as part of its program agenda, visit www.usfsafetyflorida.com to request a guest speaker. Our consultants are glad to talk with groups about the importance of safety and health management systems and will work with you to tailor a discussion that best fits your audience.

Fly the Flag

Is your SHARP flag proudly on display at your worksite? If you'd like to share a photo of your SHARP flag and what it represents to your company, submit an image and description to eLetter@usfsafetyflorida.com. Selected companies will be featured monthly in our e-newsletter.

Q: What does a USF SafetyFlorida consultant do when they find a hazard during consultation?

A:: One of the many things we hear from business owners and safety managers is how on-site consultation opens their eyes.  For example, they walked by a hazard every day, yet never saw the area or item as potentially harmful or dangerous. 

Though hazard identification is not the only aspect of our consultation visit, hazards identified during the on-site inspection can be an indicator for improvement in the safety and health management process.  If a consultant finds a hazard during an on-site visit, we will talk with you so that you understand the hazard's potential to cause injury. We will also indicate, during the visit and in the culminating written report, the OSHA standard that applies to the hazard. Serious hazards also will be addressed at the time of the visit and cited in the written report.  Additionally, we will provide written hazard remediation guidance and often times a follow-up visit to ensure the hazard is addressed. Serious hazards must be corrected during the visit or within an agreed upon time frame. If the consultant does not perform a follow-up visit, a written response from the employer is required during the established time period stating the hazard was corrected. 

Hazard awareness and prevention are key outcomes from a strong workplace safety management system. By assessing your safety management system and recommending enhancements during the visit and in the written report, our on-site consultation can assist employers with protecting workers and improving the company's overall financial and workplace safety and health.  Our goal is for your safety management system to be active and effective.   The mitigation of hazards can be the mitigation of injuries.  As a company works daily on integrating safety into all aspects of production, this can equate to greater profitability.  Ask our consultants to help you achieve this. 



Charlene D. Vespi, MS. Ed., CWCP
Program Director
USF SafetyFlorida

Safety in the News: Liberty Mutual released its 2009 Workplace Safety Index and found that the most disabling workplace injuries and illnesses in 2007 amounted to more than $52 billion in direct U.S. workers' compensation costs. Causes of the most disabling injuries included overexertion, falls on same level, falls to lower level, bodily reaction and struck by object. To read more, click here.