Pac Rim 2008 is Pau, thanks to all who attended for coming, the chapter officers, executive committee,
HIOSH, DLIR, and all the volunteers to put it all together and made it happen. A special thanks
to all our vendors and speakers. See all of you again in 2010 for our biennial event.

Click here for the results and best practices of our Excellence in Safety Awards 2008

Click here for photo's of the Awards Ceremonies and Awardees'

The ASSE Hawaii Chapter was founded in June of 1951 and has grown into a group of 186 safety professionals and safety practitioners who reside in Hawaii, and are dedicated to making Hawaii a better place to work, live and play. 

. Our officers this year are
President: Neil Yamamoto, CSP, CPCU
President-Elect: Danielle Plimpton
Secretary: Craig Shoji, CHST
Treasurer: Barbara Goto, CSP
Assembly Delegate: Mary Silva, CSP
Past President: Joanna Clark, CHST
------others serving important appointed roles------
Membership Chair: John Ramos, CSP
Newsletter Editor: Fred Nakamura, CSP
Government Affairs: Les Onaka

The American Society of Safety Engineer's Foundation is pleased to announce it 2008 Scholarship and Professional Development Grant Recipients. Because of the generous support from ASSE members, Chapters and Regions and corporations, we were able to grant nearly $115,000 to 59 recipients including 39 SH&E students and 20 safety professionals. Congratulations to our winners!

View the 2008 Scholarship recipients

View the 2008 Professional Development Grant recipients

To support this program, click here to consider a donation.

REMINDER - nearly $120,000 will be available to SH&E students in 2009. Visit www.asse.org/foundation on September 1, 2008 for a complete list of awards and an application.

ASSE - About us The occupational safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professional 'devotes most or all of their work time to the application of scientific principles and methods for the control and modification of the workplace and other environments to achieve optimum protection of people, property and the environment.... more

http://www.asse.org/practicespecialties/bok/index.php

Relevant Training Material from our profession
 Elements of an Effective Safety & Health Program
What is a Safety Professional

Two recent recognition/honors within our chapter:

1) Dennis Sung Wo Chew, CSP recognized for holding the Certified Safety Professional Credential for 30 Years >click here to read more about it< and;

2) Mary Silva, CSP - Past President many times over & in charge of many other things as well - just received the distinguished "Home Builder Safety Professional of the Year" >click here to read more about it< go girl go...

ASSE Hawaii Student Section attends conference in Nashville, TN.

OSHA’s Top 10
Like Letterman, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a top 10 list. Unlike Letterman’s lists, this one could cost you and your company money, and a lot of it, if you get caught violating the safety regulations covering one of the items mentioned here. The Top 10 list is based on frequency of OSHA violations. Which OSHA standards generated the highest penalties in FY 2007? Here's the countdown:

10. Guarding Floor & Wall Openings & Hole
9. Aerial Lifts
8. Excavations, General
7. Powered Industrial Trucks
6. General Duty Clause
5. Machines, General
4. Excavations, Requirements for Protective Systems
3. Lockout/Tagout
2. Fall Protection

And the OSHA standard for which the highest total penalties were assessed is (drum roll, please):

1. Scaffolding, General

HIOSH Advisory Committee
Meeting Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Location:
Princess Ruth Keelikolani Building
HIOSH Training Room 427
830 Punchbowl Street

2008 Meeting Dates:

  • May 15, 2008 (Thursday)
  • August 21, 2008 (Thursday)
  • November 20, 2008 (Thursday)


VOS Hawaii Chapter 
Safety Resource and Guidance Program

　

OSHA Issues Confined Spaces in Construction Proposed Rule
The agency is accepting public comments on the proposed standard until January 28, 2008.

Bird Flue Model
courtesy of MSNBC

It's hard to describe so just click on the link below and then on the start button for the video to start
http://thescooterscoop.blogspot.com/2006/10/video-no-traffic-lights-no-traffic-cops.html 
It's really amazing to watch...

Dealing with anger at work — yours and others'
Reining It In
At one time, claims this article, anger in the workplace was a sign of competitiveness, a willingness to demand the best. That was yesterday. Nowadays workers need to focus on holding their tempers in check in the face of frustration. Why? Ask the 441 workers who were killed in the US last year by their co-workers. Do you have an angry or violent co-worker in your midst?

FLEET SAFETY - This was a little hard to believe the first time I read about it, but since MSN has a report on it  (click link below) it must be true - right?  I was particularly taken aback with the advice to migrants and itinerant people!
 Vatican issues road 'Commandments'
Guidelines urge motorists to drive with moral purpose and recite the Rosary
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19308664/ 

Ergonomic Standard Submitted to ANSI - truncated article By Katherine Torres

The voluntary consensus standard Reduction of Musculoskeletal Problems in Construction (ANSI/ASSE A10.40-200x) – aimed at reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among construction workers – has been submitted to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for final review.

“These consensus guidelines could help reduce these workplace injuries,” said ASSE Council on Practices and Standards Vice President James Smith. “Our members work with employers and employees daily to increase workplace safety by developing and implementing effective ergonomic solutions – solutions that can remove barriers to quality, productivity and human performance by fitting products, tasks and environments to people, which in turn can save millions of dollars.”

The A10.40 standard has been sent to the ANSI Board of Standards Review. The review can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days, and appeals still can be filed during this time.

Standard to Provide Strategies for MSD Reduction

Some of the potential solutions in the standard aimed at reducing the incidence of MSDs include risk elimination, substitution, use of engineering controls, administrative changes, training, use of protective equipment and assessment of individuals’ physical capabilities.

The standard also notes that construction workers and supervisors should be trained to recognize risk factors and ways to reduce the risk of MSDs through proper work techniques. Employee participation and an injury management program are discussed in the standard.

In addition, the standard includes a risk assessment guide, a construction MSD problem reduction checklist, a return-to-work checklist, a list of resources, key terms and definitions and a list of non-occupational risk factors associated with work-related MSDs such as age, strength and gender.

ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Protection Code

Since its release, the new ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Protection Code continues to help employers nationwide better protect workers at height from falls, one of the leading causes of occupational injuries and fatalities. The Code includes the following standards:

ANSI/ASSE Z359.0-2007: Definitions and Nomenclature Used for Fall Protection and Fall Arrest
Establishes the definitions and nomenclature used for the Z359 Fall Protection Code.

ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-2007: Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components
Establishes requirements for the performance, design, marking, qualification, instruction, training, inspection, use, maintenance and removal from service of personal fall arrest systems.

ANSI/ASSE Z359.2-2007: Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program
Establishes guidelines and requirements for an employer’s managed fall protection program, including policies, duties and training, fall protection procedures, hazard survey, eliminating and controlling fall hazards including requirements for fall protection systems, design considerations for new buildings and facilities, rescue procedures, incident investigations and evaluating program effectiveness.

ANSI/ASSE Z359.3-2007: Safety Requirements for Positioning and Travel Restraint Systems
Establishes requirements for the performance, design, marking, qualification, test methods and instructions of lanyards and harnesses comprising personal positioning and travel restraint systems.

ANSI/ASSE Z359.4-2007: Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components
Establishes requirements for the performance, design, marking, qualification, instruction, training, use, maintenance and removal from service of connectors, harnesses, lanyards, anchorage connectors, winches/hoists, descent control devices, rope tackle blocks and self-retracting lanyards with integral rescue capability comprising rescue systems used in preplanned self-rescue and assisted-rescue applications.

ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-1992 (R1999): Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components - Included as a historical document.

For more information on the ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Protection Code, visit: http://www.asse.org/cartpage.php?link=z359-pkg

During the last two weeks [posted 5-18-07] many SH&E professionals have inquired about the recent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) decision addressing multi-employer work (Secretary of Labor v. Summit Contractors Inc., OSHRC, No. 03-1622, 4/27/07). While the decision addresses construction and demolition operations, many members have asked how this could/would potentially impact general industry and how they can be “in compliance” from a legal perspective.

Below you will find a link to an article on this issue by Stephen Yohay, a well-regarded attorney in Washington, DC, who has an extensive SH&E practice.
OSHRC’s decision has led to a high level of interest in the ANSI Accredited A10 Committee (ASC) for Construction and Demolition Operations standard, American National Standard for Safety and Health Program Requirements for Multi-Employer Projects (ANSI/ASSE A10.33-2004). As part of a special ten-day offer, this standard is now available at 20% off its original price. This sale will end on (5/28/07).
To order the standard, visit http://www.asse.org/cartpage.php?link=a10.33-1998.
Important Information and Additional Links:
Article by Stephen Yohay and Elizabeth Walsh of the firm Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner, LLP addresses OSHRC’s decision, what it means for SH&E professionals and its potential impact on your operations: http://www.asse.org/practicespecialties/articles/yohaywalsh.php
OSHA Petition Review for Summit Contractors: http://www.asse.org/docs/SummitPetitionforReview.pdf
OSHRC’s decision regarding multi-employer work (Secretary of Labor v. Summit Contractors Inc., OSHRC, No. 03-1622, 4/27/07): http://oshrc.gov/decisions/pdf_2007/03-1622.pdf
OSHA’s current Multi-Employer Citation Policy, which is described in OSHA's Field Inspection Reference Manual (CPL 2.103): http://www.osha.gov/Firm_osha_data/100004.html
A 1990 letter of interpretation from OSHA to ASSE on construction multi-employer worksites: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=20068
Background on ANSI/ASSE A10.33-2004:  http://www.asse.org/publications/standards/a10/a10_3833links.php

OSHA Alliance Program - "Design for Construction Safety"
John Mroszczyk has been leading ASSE's involvement with OSHA's Design for Safety Workgroup,
a signficant part of ASSE's Alliance with OSHA.

Design for Construction Safety < click here for access to the website

What DfCS is:

  • Explicitly considering the safety of construction workers in the design of a project.
  • Being conscious of and valuing the safety of construction workers when performing design tasks.
  • Making design decisions based in part on how the project’s inherent risk to construction workers may be affected.
  • Including worker safety considerations in the constructability review process.

What DfCS is NOT:

  • Having designers take a role in construction safety DURING construction.
  • An endorsement of future legislation mandating that designers design for construction safety.
  • An endorsement of the principle that designers can or should be held partially responsible for construction accidents.
  • Implying that the vast majority of U.S. design professionals are currently equipped to design for construction safety.

Chemical Safety Board www.csb.gov  < Have you seen their video's

           http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=uscsb+videos&search=Search
               http://www.csb.gov/index.cfm?folder=video_archive&page=index#launch

CSB also supports ASSE's efforts to urge state and local governments to establish minimum safety standards in areas where OSHA has no authority.

MAY 24TH -- ASSE urged OSH coverage for all public sector workers in testimony before the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections in Washington, DC.  Testifying for ASSE was Jon Turnipseed, ASSE Gov't Affairs Committee member and a municipal employee from San Bernardino, California. Click here for a copy of the testimony. For additional details, visit the House Subcommittee website for the hearing. For additional information, please see the ASSE Press Release.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE0R2oXIjpg << this is very cool, Chairwoman Woolsey, Subcommittee Chair on Workforce Protections, Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives - speaks to the need for better enforcement and safety standards for those without.

Some odd news - click here if you are curious         Man gets occupational disability benefits for heavy metal (music) addiction

Structure from the National organization 

        to Region 1  

                to our Hawaii Chapter

                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     ASSE National Strategic Plan, Vision, Mission, Values & Goals
Founded in 1911, ASSE is the oldest and largest professional safety organization. Its more than 30,000 members manage, supervise and consult on safety, health, and environmental issues in industry, insurance, government and education. ASSE is guided by a 16-member Board of Directors, which consists of 8 regional vice presidents; three council vice presidents; Society president, president-elect, senior vice president, vice president of finance and executive director. ASSE has 13 practice specialties, 150 chapters, 56 sections and 64 student sections.  Michael Thompson, CSP, is the President of the ASSE National organization.

There are four branches of governance to the society and regional members are assigned to each of the four branches to improve communications within the society.  The four branches are as follows: 
   COPS    – Council on Practices and Standards
   COMRA – Council on Member and Regional Affairs
   COPA   – Council on Public Affairs
   COPD   – Council on Professional Development 


                  

            Regional Operating Committee - 1 (ROC - 1) is one of  8 regions in the country. 
            From Alaska to Hawaii, Our Chapter belongs to ROC - 1. 
            Our R.V.P. (Regional Vice President, Terrie S. Norris) is on the National Board of Directors.
            Hawaii is one of 23 chapters in the ROC - 1. The ROC - 1 spans from the Artic to the Tropics
            Neil Yamamoto is our representative on the ROC - 1
            Want to learn more about the organization of our ROC - 1   > click here <


                       

                        ASSE HAWAII CHAPTER
                        PO BOX 1354
                        HONOLULU, HAWAII 96807-1354
                        President - Neil Yamamoto, Kamehameha Schools
                        (808) 540-4368 
                        Email: Nyamamoto@member.asse.org

                                    Stuff & Things

 Hawaii Smoke-Free Law FAQ

The Cross Walk Law

Are you watching the weather  <<  NOAA > NWS > WFO Honolulu

The Hurricane Katrina disaster area STILL needs your help Click Here 
The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned  Click Here

Pac Rim 2006 - SAFETY AWARDS 
If you didn't get one of the brochures extolling the virtues of our award winners
follow the link above to view and or download the best practices of our award winners.

 Dan Perterson Passes Away - Say Good by to the Sage

CoPS Learn about Practice Specialties at ASSE
Infectious Disease and Bio-Terrorism Information & Preparedness
On This Day:
Saturday February 17, 2007
from Reference.com		 Word of the Day:
doyen
from Dictionary.com

e.g.   vs.   i.e.
Although commonly confused and misused in colloquial English
e.g. (exempli gratia) and i.e. (id est), both from Latin, are not equivalents.

Exempli gratia, means "for example", and is used before giving examples of something ("I have lots of favorite colors, e.g., blue, green, and hot pink"). The latter, id est, means "that is" or "in other words", and is used before clarifying the meaning of something, when elaborating, specifying, or explaining rather than when giving examples ("I can't decide on just one favorite color, i.e., I have lots of favorite colors").

Go to www.freerice.com and do two things: improve your vocabulary and feed those in need [read more]

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Working in partnership with industry and government for a safer tomorrow!

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