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Workplace Safety & Health Challenges in the 21 st Century . Don Jones PE, CSP, SGE, MBA Past President American Society of Safety Engineers. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS. Founded in 1911 Oldest and Largest Professional Safety Society
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Workplace Safety & Health Challenges in the 21st Century Don Jones PE, CSP, SGE, MBA Past President American Society of Safety Engineers
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS • Founded in 1911 • Oldest and Largest Professional Safety Society • Committed to Protecting People, Property and the Environment • More than 30,000 Occupational Safety and Health Professionals are Members throughout the World • Members Manage, Supervise, Research and Consult on Safety and Health in All Industries, Government, Labor and Education.
WORKPLACE INJURIES AND ILLNESSES • Workplace injuries and illnesses in private industry declined for third straight year and are at all-time low • Improvement is encouraging • Cannot become complacent • Keep focus on creating safest work environment possible • Work to create mindset that one injury, one illness or one fatality is one too many!
KEY CHALLENGES • Transportation • Aging Workforce • Nanotechnology • Pandemic Flu • Disaster Preparedness and Response
TRANSPORTATION • 2004 Bureau of Transportation Statistics: - 5703 Workplace Fatalities - 2460 Transportation Related Fatalities (43% of workplace fatalities) - Transportation Fatalities (included all modes of travel) *1374 Work-related highway
TRANSPORTATION • Work-related transportation accidents are a major concern • Transportation-related crashes continue to be the number one cause of deaths • Many companies develop and implement rigid commercial vehicle driver safety policies that save lives, increased use of seat belts, etc.
TRANSPORTATION • Challenge - Cannot control other drivers - Cannot control conditions of roads and bridges • Can Help Employees - Safety Programs - Structured Vehicle Maintenance Program - Vehicles that offer the highest level of occupant protection • NEED TO DO MORE!!!!!
AGING WORKFORCE • Employers must Recognize and Meet The Needs of the Changing Workforce!! - Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964 age - the labor pool shrinks - By 2014, the 55 and older age group will make up 21.2% of the workforce
AGING WORKFORCE • Accommodate Changing Workforce by Providing a Safe Workplace for Aging Workers: - Improve Illumination - Adding Color Contrast - Eliminate Heavy Lifts - Design Work Floors and Platforms that allow some cushioning.
AGING WORKFORCE • Accommodate Changing Workforce by Providing a Safe Workplace for Aging Workers: - Reduce Static Standing Time - Remove Clutter From Control Panels and Computer Screens - Use Larger Video Displays - Reduce Noise Levels - Much, Much, More!!
NANOTECHNOLOGY • Engineering Small Things • Nanometer – One Billionth of Meter • Newer Technology • Making or Using Things in the Nanometer Size Range • Opens the Door to a Multitude of New Opportunities
NANOTECHNOLOGY • More Challenges • Research is Needed on the Affects on Workers And Consumers • Once more is Known, Safety Professionals can Engineer the Risk Out or Control it to Protect Workers and Consumers • Products using Nanotechnology will Exceed $1 Trillion by 2015
PANDEMIC FLU • An Epidemic (outbreak of an infectious disease) that Spreads across a Large Area (Global) • Viral Infection of the Lungs • Three Pandemics in 20th Century - Spanish Flu (500K Deaths in US) - Asian Flu (70K Deaths in US) - Hong Kong Flu (34K Deaths in US)
PANDEMIC FLU • Avian Flu • Impossible to Predict it will Occur • Impact Critical Functions, Business Continuity and the Health Care Industry • Employers and Employees - Educate about Risks - Develop Plans to manage and respond to Safety and Health Issues
Disaster Preparedness and Response • Prepare!! - Develop Plan - Review and Test Plan - Evaluate Test - Improve Plan - Do review and test on on a regular basis • Respond and Recover!! - Implement Plan - Evaluate Response and Recovery - Improve Plan
WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS??