SEPTEMBER 2022

This issue of Training USA’s Safety Newsletter has an intro into the FDOT Target Zero Program which is a statewide initiative to reduce the number of transportation-related serious injuries and deaths across Florida to zero. Also included in this month’s letter is our Commercial Risk Spotlight on drugs and alcohol misuse in the workplace. We will have a Training Course Spotlight to shine light on the most popular course for this month and why it is important to get your employees trained in that area. We appreciate any feedback and want to know what YOU think about our Safety Newsletter. Send us things you’d like to see covered in our next issue! We appreciate your feedback.

FDOT TARGET ZERO

WHAT IS TARGET ZERO?

Target Zero is a statewide initiative to reduce the number of transportation-related serious injuries and deaths across Florida to ZERO. This initiative focuses on connecting, interacting, and designing our transportation system to specifically relate to drivers that are most involved in crashes that resulted in serious injuries and fatalities. Target Zero takes many existing safety programs or campaigns a critical step further by focusing on identifying behaviors that contribute to crashes and understanding why those behaviors are occurring, identifying who the specific target audience is, and creating impactful messages to influence safe driving. Target Zero is a data-driven, multi-faceted behavior change initiative that was created, in part, from direct conversations with those drivers that are most involved in crashes that resulted in serious injuries and fatalities. Target Zero focuses on influencing change in these specific behaviors before they occur.?

Training USA, Inc. has three training programs related to driver safety and/or safe vehicle operations.

• Driver Safety: provides basic driver safety, including unsafe behaviors and driving hazards (intersections, roundabouts, barricades, aggressive driving, distracted driving, rain/weather, driving impairments).
• Municipal & Public Works Vehicle Safety: introduces important driver improvement areas by discussing common bad habits that increase your risk of collision or other mishap and covers how to convert problematic driving tendencies to good habits. Challenges the participants to institute a personal test period where awareness, care for accident avoidance and a relaxed driver attitude is practiced until it becomes a habit.
• Water Utility Vehicle Operations & Safety: general vehicle backing accident prevention strategies, spotter hand signals, spotter protocol, vehicle backing field exercise (optional). Click on the headings to download the brochure associated with each training program.

KEYS TO KEEPING EMPLOYEE ACCIDENTS & INJURIES TO A MINIMUM

READ THESE 5 TIPS TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS & INJURIES ON THE JOB

1. Inspect vehicles before and after use. DRIVE SAFELY.

2. Be aware of surroundings. Look around and identify workplace hazards that could cause harm.

3. The proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can dramatically reduce the risk of injury. Examples of PPE include gear such as earplugs, hard hats, safety goggles, gloves, air-purifying respirators and safety shoes.

4. Keep an orderly workplace. Poor housekeeping can cause serious health and safety hazards. The layout of the workplace should have adequate egress routes and be free of debris.

5. Ensure everyone has the proper safety training relating to the hazards of the job. For a full list of our training brochures click HERE!

COMMERCIAL RISK ADVISOR

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL MISUSE IN THE WORKPLACE

In 2021, employers saw the highest rate of positive drugs test results in 20 years, according to a Quest Diagnostic study. The study also found that of the seventeen industries tracked, all but mining saw an increase in overall positivity rates from 2017 to 2021. In addition, positive results for marijuana among the general U.S. workforce increased 50% over the past five years. The use of drugs and alcohol in the workplace can be costly to a business and may result in: ? Unsafe working conditions due to poor decision making ? Absenteeism or increased turnover ? Loss of production or efficiency ? Workplace violence and harassment ? Theft

Since workplace drug and alcohol abuse can have a negative effect on employees and the health of a business, it’s important for employers to take steps to minimize the impact. Recommendations include:

? Support and train supervisors and managers. Since supervisors and managers are often the first to notice a difference in an employee’s performance, personality and activities, it’s important to provide them with the tools they need to maintain a safe workplace, protect the privacy of employees and help others. ? Provide support programs. Employee Assistance Programs can help all workers and may be particularly valuable for those who might be struggling with substance use issues. ? Implement workplace policies. Companies should establish and implement clear policies in regard to substance abuse. The policy should address the use, possession or sale of drugs on company premises, and control the consumption of alcohol and other substances during work hours.

Companies should review their policies about drug and alcohol use on and off the jobsite each year to ensure hazards are kept to a minimum.

HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE!

ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR COURSES FOR HURRICANE SEASON IS CHAINSAW & TREE WORK SAFETY

Hurricane Season officially started June 1st. In the aftermath of a storm, lots of people may end up with a chainsaw in their hands that don't use one on a daily basis. Make sure your employees know how to use it safely!

After natural disasters, it is not uncommon to call on new operators (from other divisions even) to assist as back-up chain saw debris removal crews as primary workers fatigue or are rotated on shifts. This program would orient these additional workers as standby crews. This course is designed specifically for DOT District employees, municipal public works, streets/roads, parks, water utility and/or other city or county employees who engage in ground limb/vegetation debris removal, are exposed to common chain saw work hazards and the risks associated with limb debris machines and tools.

As an introduction, a number of recent city/county employee accident cases are reviewed. Each represents a likely severe injury or fatality scenario related to chain saw work. Types of chain saw chaps, gloves, hard hats, shoes, eye wear and other protective gear are featured. We conduct an in-depth review of safe work practices related to chain saws including choosing the right saw, maintenance, proper use, avoiding kickbacks, troubleshooting and stowing. Risks related to using chain saws near high voltage wires are covered including close proximity to above ground wires. It illustrates how tree limbs are a perfect conductor of high voltage power. Heat stress, lightning, poisonous plants, insects/bees and other hazards incidental to chain saw work are presented.

This course is also recommended for division supervisors, agency safety officers, department safety coordinators, and equipment trainers.

A field exercise can be conducted where select or all individuals perform various segments of actual “hands-on” chain saw operation. The field exercise includes a hazard assessment, saw inspection, starting, saw handling /position, attack, pre-cuts, stump grinding and woodchippers (upon request).