SWR Institute OSHA Alliance

In Feb. 2003, the Sealant, Waterproofing & Restoration Institute (SWR Institute) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced their alliance to promote safe and healthful working conditions for workers who apply and work with sealant, waterproofing and restoration products.

SWR Institute is committed to promoting safe practices in the workplace and jobsite. In addition, SWR Institute is working with OSHA to educate members by providing timely information about how to protect employees.

OSHA has developed a Web page exclusively for the SWR Institute and the sealant, waterproofing and restoration industry. This page is a great resource that contains many links that are helpful in your day-to-day business, including eTools, a stand-alone interactive training tool that features a specific topic; links to Safety and Health Topic pages; and Expert Advisors, a resource on best practices on the jobsite, which is updated as new information comes available. Sample topics include: silica and lead exposure, fall protection and confined space protocol. Plus you can download OSHA presentations from previous SWR Institute Fall Technical and Annual Meetings.

To access this page click here

OSHA Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers

HEAT ILLNESS CAN BE DEADLY . Every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and some even die. Heat illnesses and deaths are preventable. Employers are responsible for providing workplaces that are safe from excessive heat.

What is heat illness?
The body normally cools itself by sweating. During hot weather, especially with high humidity, sweating isn't enough. Body temperature can rise to dangerous levels if precautions are not taken such as drinking water frequently and resting in the shade or air conditioning. Heat illnesses range from heat rash and heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke requires immediate medical attention and can result in death.

How can heat illness be prevented?
Employers should establish a complete heat illness prevention program to prevent heat illness. This includes: provide workers with water, rest and shade; gradually increase workloads and allow more frequent breaks for new workers or workers who have been away for a week or more to build a tolerance for working in the heat (acclimatization); modify work schedules as necessary; plan for emergencies and train workers about the symptoms of heat-related illnesses and their prevention; and monitor workers for signs of illness. Workers new to the heat or those that have been away from work and are returning can be most vulnerable to heat stress and they must be acclimatized. To learn more, CLICK HERE!

OSHA renews alliance with Sealant Waterproofing and Restoration Institute

OSHA Update: New Reporting Requirements Starts January 1.

Beginning January 1, 2015, there will be a change to what covered employers are required to report to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Employers will now be required to report all work-related fatalities within 8 hours and all in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and losses of an eye within 24 hours of finding about the incident.

Previously, employers were required to report all workplace fatalities and when three or more workers were hospitalized in the same incident.

The updated reporting requirements are not simply paperwork but have a life-saving purpose: they will enable employers and workers to prevent future injuries by identifying and eliminating the most serious workplace hazards.

Employers have three options for reporting these severe incidents to OSHA. They can call their nearest area office during normal business hours, call the 24-hour OSHA hotline at 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742), or they can report online at www.osha.gov/report_online . For more information and resources, including a new YouTube video , visit OSHA’s webpage on the updated reporting requirements.

Fall Hazard Awareness Course for the Construction Industry - Webinar Recording

If you weren't able to participate in the webinar or you did participate and want to share with others, click here for the webinar recording of the Fall Hazard Awareness Course for the Construction Industry.

SWR Institute is supporting OSHA in their efforts to promote a Safety Stand-Down by hosting a webinar course on Fall Hazard Awareness. The purpose of the webinar is to raise awareness of preventing fall hazards in construction. Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction workers, accounting for 269 of the 775 construction fatalities recorded in 2012. Those deaths were preventable. Fall prevention safety standards were among the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards, during fiscal year 2012. Falls consistently account for the greatest number of fatalities in the construction industry each year.

Success Stories

George D. Alan Works with OSHA to Promote Worker Safety and Health . OSHA. June 2007; updated October 2010. Through the OSHA and SWR Institute Alliance, OSHA collaborated with The George D. Alan Company to highlight the company's continued progress with safety and health three years after completing the work with the Texas On-Site Consultation program. After the development of a Safety and Health Manual, the company has reduced Workers Compensation and experienced two years with out a lost time incident.

Safety Articles from Member Briefs

Download Site Specific Safety Plans
Download Slips, Trips and Falls
Download Heat Stress – PROTECT YOURSELF
Download Scaffolding: Structures That Are Built In a Day
Download Beating the Heat
Download SWR Institute and OSHA Alliance Update

Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talks downloads are a ready resource that you and your company can use in training your employees in regards to safety. The topics that are covered are written by experienced individuals who know the proper methods to ensure a safe workplace. The Institute along with its Safety Committee has committed consdierable effort in developing these Toolbox Talks and the promotion of safety. Click here , to download all Toolbox Talks.