Trust Announcements

Impact of Lead Renovation Rule on Trust Members

 

Lead was a common paint additive prior to its ban in 1978. Children are especially vulnerable to the toxic neurological effects of lead. To safeguard this sensitive population, US EPA promulgated the "Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule" (40 CFR Part 745). As of April 22, 2010, firms performing renovations of target housing or child-occupied facilities for compensation must comply with the rule's lead hazard control mandates or face federal penalties.

Due to budget constraints, municipalities often rely on internal expertise and labor to renovate properties under their "care custody or control". Although non-commercial entities are not specifically regulated under 40 CFR 745, its existence creates legal precedent for how renovations should be conducted by responsible property owners. As a result, municipalities performing their own renovations should comply with the rule whenever feasible. If a municipality decides to outsource its renovation activities, then its obligations are limited to ensuring the contracted renovation firm is in compliance with the rule.

Recommendations

From a risk management perspective, municipalities who perform their own renovations on target housing or child-occupied facilities should:

1. Determine if the work is considered a "minor repair and maintenance activity" and thus exempt from the rule. Activities disturbing 6 ft square or less surfacing per interior room or 20 feet or less exterior surfacing are exempt unless the surfaces will be subject to aggressive dust or fume producing operations.

2. Determine if surface coatings contain lead in excess of 1.0 milligram/per square centimeter or 0.5% by weight using an EPA recognized test kit. Lead levels below these concentrations present a minimal exposure risk and are not regulated. 40 CFR Part 745 requires those administering the lead test to be a certified renovator or lead inspector.

3. If lead is found on the surfaces involved in the renovation, provide a copy of the EPA Pamphlet - Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools to the tenant at least 60 days in advance of the renovation work. Get the tenant to sign an acknowledgement that they received the pamphlet. For a copy of the pamphlet, clink: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf

4. If lead is present above the prior thresholds, perform the work under the direct supervision of a certified renovator. Ideally, all employees performing the work should also be certified renovators. All work and clean-up practices must conform to the work practices outlined in 40 CFR 745.

To assist Trust members in complying with this recommendation, the Trust has identified a vendor who will offer a Certified Renovator training session on June 22, 2010. Completion of the course will enable the graduate to test for lead using an EPA approved test kit and oversee renovation work on structures coated with lead-containing coatings. The Trust will cover the cost of this Certified Renovator course for DVIT and DVWCT members. To register for this program, see the "New Seminar" section below.

Direct any questions regarding this program to Peter Erndwein at 267-781-0612 or perndwein@dvit.com.

 

Heat Related Illness and Skin Cancer Prevention

Daytime temperatures are inching towards the 90s. Now is a great time to educate outdoor employees and volunteers about heat-related illness and skin cancer prevention.

The healthy human body can tolerate relatively high temperatures provided it remains hydrated and the sweat reflex is functioning properly. Dehydration and/or interference with sweat evaporation impairs the body's ability to dissipate heat. A core body temperature increase of only a few degrees can quickly progress to life-threatening heat stroke.

In addition to protecting the body from excessive heat, workers should protect their skin from prolonged exposure to sunlight. Although in limited quantities sunlight offers health benefits, prolonged exposure of unprotected skin to the ultraviolet radiation contained in sunlight can cause skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of preventable adult cancers.

The Trust has two "roll call" talks which can be used to educate employees on preventing heat-related illness and skin cancer.

To access the roll call talk on preventing heat related illness, click here

To access the roll call talk on skin cancer prevention, click here

 

New Training Resources

The Trust recently acquired several new training DVDs for its lending library:

Chain Saw Safety
Whether you're using a chainsaw to fell trees, trim limbs, or clean up from storm damage, proper technique is key to preventing accidents. Tim Ard, President of Forest Applications Training, presents some basic tips and techniques that can make your cutting operation safer and more productive.

Bloodborne Pathogens for Fire and Rescue
This DVD covers the unique hazards that emergency response personnel face and ways to avoid accidental exposure to potentially infectious materials.

MRSA Awareness
Community-associated staph infections are causing widespread concern. This DVD reviews how employees can protect themselves and their families from MRSA.

Recognizing Drug and Alcohol Abuse for Employees
This DVD helps employees recognize alcoholism and drug abuse in the workplace and reviews how they should respond.

Bloodborne Pathogens for Law Enforcement
This DVD reviews how law enforcement employees can avoid accidental exposure to potentially infectious materials.

Lockout/Tagout - Controlling the Beast
Fatal injuries occur when hazardous energy is released and safety precautions are not implemented. This DVD reviews vital lockout/tagout procedures and the elements of a hazardous energy control program.

Respiratory Protection - Another World
This DVD reviews how employees can avoid overexposure to hazardous substances through the proper use of respiratory protection equipment.

To reserve these training resources, contact Dawn Mancini at dmancini@dvit.com or call 267-781-0607.
A comprehensive list of titles in the Trust's Video Lending Library is available here.

 

MUNICIPAL RM NEWS AND ANALYSIS

 

Fleet Safety - Wireless Backing System

 

Collisions with fixed objects are a leading cause of automobile physical damage claims. Often, collisions occur because the driver fails to check blind spots or fails to deploy a spotter. Back-up cameras help to reduce blind spot collisions by expanding the driver's visual field and increasing situational awareness.

Reverse Backing Systems of Austin, Texas (RBS) offers a wireless backup camera for under $350. Although hard wired systems are preferred, a wireless system is a low cost, effective alternative. Back-up cameras are eligible for funding under both the DVIT and DVWCT 2010/2011 Risk Control Grant program.

To review the wireless backing systems available from RBS, clink:
http://www.reversebackingsystems.com/category.aspx?categoryID=2

(Note: This article is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute an endorsement of any specific product or vendor.)

 

Fire Service - FY2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grants Available

 

The US Department of Homeland Security announced $390 million is currently available in the FY 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. Applications will be accepted beginning April 26 until May 28, 2010. Assistance is available for the following firefighter and EMS priorities:

Training
Equipment acquisition
Vehicle acquisition
PPE
Wellness and fitness
Modification to fire/EMS stations and facilities consisting of:
Installation of sprinkler systems
Installation of smoke and fire alarm notification systems
Installation of vehicle exhaust evacuation systems
Installation of vehicle mounted exhaust filtration systems
Installation of air improvement systems; and/or
Installation of emergency power generators

A copy of the grant application packet can be obtained from:
http://www.firegrantsupport.com/docs/2010_AFGguidance.pdf

 

Human Resources - New ADA Hiring Guidance

 

Myth - Disabled employees have higher absenteeism compared with non-disabled employees.

Myth - Once you hire a disabled person you are stuck with them.

Myth - The costs of accommodating disabled employees are prohibitively high.

Many employers are reluctant to hire employees with disabilities because they do not understand their rights and obligations under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). In an effort to dispel some common hiring myths, the US Department of Justice has developed a 17-minute web video for hiring managers and human resources personnel.

View the web video at: http://www.ada.gov/videogallery.htm#10_employmentmyths

Additionally, on June 11, 2010 the Trust in partnership with the Bucks and Montgomery County Human Resources Consortium is sponsoring a seminar entitled "Employee Rights Under the ADA". For registration information, see the "New Seminars" section below.

 

Public Works - Hazards of Hot Work

"Hot work" involves activities which product flame, sparks or high temperature. Welding, cutting or brazing are typical hot work operations. Hot work is a high risk activity because it can potentially ignite flammable and combustible substances leading to potentially catastrophic explosions and fires.

The US Chemical Safety Board recently compiled a handout of incidents for use as an instructional tool with employees who perform hot work. The hazard alert is an excellent training tool that serves as the basis for a short, "roll call" talk.

To access the CSB's hot work hazard alert, click here

 

Fire Service - NIOSH Alert Regarding Brake Slack Adjusters

 

The root cause of a fatal January 2009 fire apparatus crash in Massachusetts was the subject of a recent NIOSH Safety Advisory. The Advisory encourages fire departments to prohibit the practice of manually adjusting automatic slack adjusters (ASAs) in order to compensate for a loss of brake performance. Instead, the brakes should be serviced by a qualified mechanic. Manual adjustment of an ASA can cause catastrophic brake failure as occurred in the Massachusetts crash.

To view a copy of the Safety Advisory, clink:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/SafetyAdvisory10202009.html

For a copy of the January 2009 fatality investigation report, clink:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200905.html

 

Six Recalls

 

Howard Berger Recalls Extension Cords and Power Strips - May Arc

 

 

Tabata USA SCBA Regulators Recalled - Component May Fail and Result in Drowning

Mares Dive Computers Recalled - O-Ring May Fail Resulting in Drowning

Ocean Management Systems Scuba Diving Buoyancy Compensators Recalled -
Seal Ring May Leak Resulting in Drowning

Comarco Power Adapters for Laptops Recalled Due to Burn Hazard

Cooper Lighting Chain Sets Recalled - Component MayFail Causing Light Fixture to Fall

SEMINARS - NEW

 

Location: Abington Township

Certified Renovator - June 22
Audience: Public Works
Location: Pennsauken, NJ

 

SEMINARS - Previously Announced

 

Supervising the Troubled Employee & DOT CDL Supervisor Drug and Alcohol Training
May 25 - Upper Dublin Twp.
June 1 - West Whiteland Twp.
June 8 - Doylestown Twp.
Audience: Supervisors and Managers

Location: King of Prussia, PA

Managing Emotions and Thriving Under Pressure - June 11
Audience: General
Location: Allentown, PA

Employee Performance Evaluations - June 14
Audience: Supervisors/Managers
Location: Willow Grove, PA

Location:  Trust Office - Willow Grove, PA 

Location:  Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus - Conshohocken, PA

Location :  Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus - Conshohocken, PA

Location :  Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus - Conshohocken, PA

 

Questions

 

Linda Poole lpoole@dvit.com or 267-781-0619 

This bulletin is published as a value-added benefit for the members of the Delaware Valley Insurance Trusts.  While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained, no warranty is expressed or implied. 

Public entities wishing to get more information on membership in the Delaware Valley Insurance Trusts are encouraged to visit our website at www.DVIT.com or call 866-706-0101 (toll free).