my point of view…

Changing Employee Trends Impact Safety

The environment in which aggregate companies run their businesses has been shifting during recent years. Some of those changes are subtle, such as the gradually increasing use of automation within our plants. Others are fairly obvious, such as new regulations and new workforce demographics. As a result, today’s management and safety professionals should review their safety and health programs to determine if they adequately address issues created by these changes.
One example of changing needs can be found in this month’s article on employee training (¿Lo entienden cuando habla?, p. 24) During the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of Hispanic employees working in the aggregate industry. While these employees are hardworking and dedicated, they are also at a higher risk for accidents and injuries because of communication issues. Read the article to see how companies are working to promote better communication and protect these employees.
Another trend in overall business is to look beyond employee safety and toward larger health concerns. In the aggregate industry, this is particularly pertinent because some health issues, such as silicosis, take years to develop. Producers should review how well they meet the existing crystalline silica permissible exposure limits (PEL) of .1 mg/m3. Stricter enforcement of the existing PEL could prevent silica-producing diseases, but rather than cracking down on existing levels, regulatory agencies seem to favor a move toward lower PELs. For example, OSHA is continuing its plans for a new crystalline silica regulation. It is likely to be out by early 2004, and it could mean a significantly lower PEL. Both NIOSH and the ACGIH have recommended a PEL of 50 µg/m3 for respirable crystalline silica. Be prepared.
Finally, there is a trend toward the unwillingness of young workers to make long-term career commitments. Today’s younger workers spend far less time with any one company or career choice than previous generations. The days of the “company man” are quickly coming to an end. This raises the stakes for safety training. During the last year, we’ve witnessed fatalities involving many senior workers and supervisors who have had the benefit of years’ worth of safety training. It can be difficult to convey the importance of safety to those well versed in the dangers at a plant. With fewer training opportunities and a higher turnover rate every hour of training counts.
Despite real training challenges, aggregate producers recently committed to measurable improvements in safety. At the NSSGA Board of Directors’ meeting in July, the board endorsed a report from its Alliance Task Force. The report calls on producers to voluntarily commit to workplace safety with an initial goal of helping the industry attain a 50-percent reduction in the MSHA injury incident rate by 2007 and to make continual improvement thereafter. With such a commitment coming from the top ranks of aggregate companies, everyone is likely to benefit.

September 2003 my point of view... Changing Employee Trends Impact Safety				my point of view… Changing Employee Trends Impact Safety The environment in which aggregate companies run their businesses has been shifting during recent years. Some of those changes are subtle, such as the gradually increasing use of automation within our plants. Others are fairly obvious, such as new regulations and new workforce demographics. As a result, today’s management and safety professionals should review their safety and health programs to determine if they adequately address issues created by these changes. One example of changing needs can be found in this month’s article on employee training (¿Lo entienden cuando habla?, p. 24) During the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of Hispanic employees working in the aggregate industry. While these employees are hardworking and dedicated, they are also at a higher risk for accidents and injuries because of communication issues. Read the article to see how companies are working to promote better communication and protect these employees. Another trend in overall business is to look beyond employee safety and toward larger health concerns. In the aggregate industry, this is particularly pertinent because some health issues, such as silicosis, take years to develop. Producers should review how well they meet the existing crystalline silica permissible exposure limits (PEL) of .1 mg/m3. Stricter enforcement of the existing PEL could prevent silica-producing diseases, but rather than cracking down on existing levels, regulatory agencies seem to favor a move toward lower PELs. For example, OSHA is continuing its plans for a new crystalline silica regulation. It is likely to be out by early 2004, and it could mean a significantly lower PEL. Both NIOSH and the ACGIH have recommended a PEL of 50 µg/m3 for respirable crystalline silica. Be prepared. Finally, there is a trend toward the unwillingness of young workers to make long-term career commitments. Today’s younger workers spend far less time with any one company or career choice than previous generations. The days of the “company man” are quickly coming to an end. This raises the stakes for safety training. During the last year, we’ve witnessed fatalities involving many senior workers and supervisors who have had the benefit of years’ worth of safety training. It can be difficult to convey the importance of safety to those well versed in the dangers at a plant. With fewer training opportunities and a higher turnover rate every hour of training counts. Despite real training challenges, aggregate producers recently committed to measurable improvements in safety. At the NSSGA Board of Directors’ meeting in July, the board endorsed a report from its Alliance Task Force. The report calls on producers to voluntarily commit to workplace safety with an initial goal of helping the industry attain a 50-percent reduction in the MSHA injury incident rate by 2007 and to make continual improvement thereafter. With such a commitment coming from the top ranks of aggregate companies, everyone is likely to benefit. Therese Dunphy, editorial director therese@aggman.com