Can you hear me now?

At the 2009 ASSE conference in San Antonio, Louise Vallee, vice president, Chubb & Son Insurance , told an audience of safety professionals that “We could very well see hearing loss problems continue to increase into future generations.” Vallee noted that, “Baby Boomers have attended rock concerts and engaged in noisy recreational activities for nearly 50 years.” Why is this important? Good question. To answer that one need look no further than the Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers, there are more than 78 million boomers, and that translates into one person turning 60 every day in the United States. According to a 2004 study from the University of South Alabama hearing loss is more widespread among Baby Boomers than previously estimated, potentially affecting 38 million people between the ages of 40 – 59. Earlier estimates from the National Health Interview Survey by the National Center for Health Statistics indicated 16 million people (20%) in a comparable age group (i.e., between ages 46 – 64) were suffering from hearing loss.

According to Vallee, hearing loss is causing communication difficulties between coworkers; hearing loss also affects personal relationships and creates feelings of isolation. Particularly in industrial settings like manufacturing and construction, Valle says employers need to be aware of regulations concerning noise hazards and monitor workplace conditions accordingly.

Audiograms and hearing protection devices are required for all employees whose exposures equal or exceed the OSHA action level, which is an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or a dose of fifty percent. According to OSHA’s regulatory requirement (29 CFR 1910.95), employees must be afforded the above, within 6 months of the first exposure at or above the action level, and the employer must establish a valid baseline audiogram against which subsequent audiograms can be compared. These tests and protection shouldn’t be taken lightly by either the employer or the employee.

It is critical that employees understand that these regulations exist to protect them from living out their golden years without the ability to hear. When you consider the life experiences you are risking by not fully protecting your hearing it seems unfathomable that anyone would ignore the warnings, but we do. According to the House Ear Institute, (HEI) of Los Angeles, California; exposure to excessive noise causes approximately 30 percent of all hearing loss (not just workplace) yet this type of hearing loss is preventable.

Here are HEI’s top five ways you to help prevent hearing loss:

1. Monitor your exposure time to sounds over 85 dB and take periodic 15-minute “quiet” breaks. (Your employer should be able to provide you with any noise related studies performed in your workplace).
2. Avoid hazardous sound environments. If you have to raise your voice to be heard, you are in a potentially hazardous environment for your hearing. This includes loud music performances, operating power tools and driving with the windows down at high speeds.
3. Whenever you can’t get away from an extreme sound environment, wear hearing protection, such as foam, silicone or pre-molded earplugs, earmuffs or custom earplugs. Look for products with noise-reduction ratings (NRR) of at least 22dB. To hear music and conversation clearly, look for high fidelity hearing protection. They will reduce all sound frequencies equally, and can often make listening to music more enjoyable than without any protection. Shooter’s plugs combined with earmuffs should be used for hunting and target practice. All can be found over the counter at your local drugstore or sporting goods shop.
4. Move away from on-stage monitors or amplifiers. Position yourself so you are not directly in front of the speaker while performing or listening. Musicians should avoid practicing at performance levels when possible.
5. If you suspect hearing loss or notice sudden changes in your hearing or have ear pain, see an otolaryngologist (ENT) or otologist. Also, have your hearing tested by a licensed audiologist.

Happy Veterans Day

OSHA fines for BP Texas City are just fine!

Texas City’s mayor, Matt Doyle, recently lashed out at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for its $87 million fine against BP’s Texas City refinery, as quoted in the Gaveston County Daily News on November 1, 2009, he called the federal government’s actions “one of the biggest affronts to the working men and women of this country.” It is important to remember to keep the big picture is mind when talking about this situation. In 2005, an explosion at the plant resulted in the deaths of 15 workers.

According to the investigation by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Board, actions taken or not taken led to overfilling the raffinate splitter with liquid, overheating of the liquid and the subsequent overpressurisation and pressure relief. Hydrocarbon flow to the blow down drum and stack overwhelmed it, resulting in liquids carrying over out of the top of the stack, flowing down the stack, accumulating on the ground, causing a vapor cloud, which was ignited by an unattended white pickup truck (owned by a contractor) with the ignition on. The report identified numerous failings in equipment, risk management, staff management, working culture at the site, maintenance and inspection and general health and safety assessments. The board went on to say that BP had failed to implement appropriate safety recommendations that had been made as early in 1991. Including eliminating the blow-down systems that vented to the atmosphere, as they represented a dangerous condition. But alas, BP didn’t include funding for this in the budget then, or at any point in the subsequent 14 years.

It is also important to note that the Texas City refinery has two other major incidents in 2005 after the March 23 explosion. On July 28, 2005, a hydrogen gas heat exchanger pipe on the Resid Hydrotreater Unit ruptured, causing a release of hydrogen that erupted into a large fireball. One person received minor injuries. On August 10, 2005, a Gas-Oil Hydrotreater incident resulted in a community order to shelter. This incident occurred when a hole developed in the bottom of a valve that handles high pressure gas and oil. In 2008 BP officials indicated that a chemical explosion may have been involved in the over- pressure event leading to the death of the employee.

Mr. Doyle went on to say “I think the (Obama) administration would have a lot more thought process of how important these refineries are to our country,” Doyle said. “These kinds of fines say we don’t want you here anymore.” Unfortunately the ignorance of Doyle’s statements are not only inflammatory but they are disingenuous, BP reported a $19 Billion profit in 2005. The fines don’t say to business, get out, rather they say operate in a safe and responsible manner and treat employees and surrounding communities with respect. Throwing safety concerns to the curb is not only reckless but illustrates Mr. Doyle’s lack of regard for human life.

In the Galveston Daily News article, Doyle said the federal government is not considering how important BP’s Texas City refinery is for the regional and national economy (BP reported a third quarter 2009 profit of $4.67 billion). I would disagree.  Contrary to Doyle’s point of view, I would argue that OSHA is taking in account exactly how important the lives of the people of Texas City are, in direct opposition to viewing them as commodities that are consumable in nature, quickly able to be replaced with new workers if and when deaths and injuries occur. BP isn’t a struggling company in need of special considerations or financial support from the taxpayers or OSHA!

The citations were issued from OSHA for a lack of compliance with safety regulations and lack of compliance with previously agreed-upon improvements at its Texas City refinery after the March 23, 2005, explosions that killed 15 people. In other words 4 1/2 years after the accident and over 14 years after recommendations had been made to enhance safety at the plant, BP still hadn’t done what they agreed to do in terms of correcting the safety hazards that led to the deaths of 15 people. Additionally, OSHA said it found hundreds of NEW safety violations at the nation’s third-largest refinery.

The new violations weren’t simple oops we didn’t know, or oops we forgot to take care of that…these were willfull violations. A willful violation exists when an employer has knowledge of a violation and demonstrates an intentional disregard for the requirements. It is mind-boggling to hear the mayor characterize OSHA’s actions as ““one of the biggest affronts to the working men and women of this country.” Mr. Doyle’s balant disregard for the safety of these working men and women is where the true affront lies! The notion that you can’t operate a facility safely and profitability is an insult to working men and women everywhere. Many large and small companies alike are proving that this can be done quite successfully everyday.

A commitment to a safety is a commitment to success. According to the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, for every $1 invested in safety, there is between a $3 and $6 savings. In a National Safety Council sponsored article in Business Week in 2005 Senior VP Ed Galante of Texas-based ExxonMobil said “Safety performance is a critical leading indicator of the overall quality and competence of an organization,” ExxonMobil’s safety focus has made it the global oil & gas industry leader in most measures of worker safety. Galante was further quoted “It has been our experience that a disciplined approach to improving safety performance benefits all aspects of our operations. Our focus on safety has also helped us achieve lower costs, better reliability and higher plant utilization, all contributing to the bottom line.”

According to ExxonMobil’s website, their Baytown,Texas Refinery, Baytown Chemical Plant, Baytown Olefins Plant received the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA) Merit Award received by BTRF and BTCP for achieving a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) of less than 1.0 with no employee or contractor fatalities. NPRA also awarded the Baytown Refinery the Award for Safety Achievement for Hours for recording 1,926,607 employee hours without a lost workday. Additionally the National Safety Council recognized Baytown Refinery for achieving a lost workday incident rate less than 50 percent of the Bureau of Labor Statistics rating for North American Industry Classification System.

Also ExxonMobil’s Beaumont refinery and chemical plant received the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Super Star among Stars and the Star among Stars awards respectively. Both facilities were also awarded NPRA’s Meritorious Safety Performance and Safety Achievement awards.

I don’t list ExxonMobil’s successes to be a shill for ExxonMobil, but rather to contrast their committment and track record of success with safety to that of BP’s. Both of these giants report huge profits, BP profits had jumped by 39 percent to $25.6 billion in 2008 according to a CNN report. Exxon Mobil Corp. reported a profit of $45.2 billion for 2008, breaking its own record for a U.S. company. Perhaps if BP invested more in safety they would be able to surpass ExxonMobil as being the most profitable company!

NSC 2009 Congress and Expo Update

Wow, that was not as fun as I thought it would be. I set up a twitter account (@greglemke) and trying to get the background photo just right wasn’t easy.

Enough of that though…I have returned from the National Safety Council (NSC) 2009 Congress and Expo in Orlando, Florida.  It was an enjoyable experience overall, however I don’t think anything new and exciting was announced.  OSHA released it’s Top 10 citations for 2009…and surprise, surprise Scaffolding and Fall Protection led the pack again this year.

OSHA’s top 10 most cited violations for 2009 are:

1. Scaffolding, General – 9,093 violations
2. Fall Protection – 6,771 violations
3. Hazard Communication – 6,378 violations
4. Respiratory Protection – 3,803 violations
5. Lockout/Tagout – 3,321 violations
6. Electrical, Wiring – 3,079 violations
7. Ladders – 3,072 violations
8. Powered Industrial Trucks – 2,993 violations
9. Electrical, General – 2,556 violations
10. Machine Guarding – 2,364 violations

NSC also announced a million acts of safety  campaign; which is designed to save 10,000 lives and prevent 1 million injuries in the next 5 years…not sure of the details at this point.  This seems like a PR stunt at this point and not a real safety iniative which is very disappointing!

Again Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor Jordan Barab attended and participated in a panel discussion with Dr. John Howard of NIOSH and Former Assistant Sectretary of Labor John Henshaw.  And again Barab preached the virtues of enforcement and updating to existing standards.  I applaud him for his apparent passion to making worker’s safe at work.  However, I hope the new administration takes John Henshaw’s call for a balanced approach to OSHA.  Henshaw indicated he wanted to see a balanced approach of the carrot and the stick.  Continuing support for Alliances and the VPP as the carrot for encouraging companies to the do the right thing with incentives, and increasing enforcement as the stick!  Until OSHA restructures it’s citation policy and maximizes it’s position to leverage changes in behavior, enforcement by itself won’t work.  Not to mention that you have over 7 million workplaces in America and only a very limited number of inspectors.  Enforcement alone will not change behaviors and make America’s workers safer.

One issue that wasn’t talked about much was the expansion of OSHA into the public sector.  HR 2067/S,. 1580 would close a loop hole in worker safety regulations by bringing state and local public employees in Federal run OSHA states into OSHA oversight.  Currently hundreds of thousands of workers have NO work safety rules to protect them on the jobsite.  Scary stuff and something that should be corrected! 

Well that’s all for now.  Please be sure to follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/greglemke

AHMP Presentation on Environmental Managment Systems

I have finally posted my presentation I gave at the AHMP conference this year. See it here. http://bit.ly/2ccBOZ

Making the case for EH&S: Sustainability, Strength, Stability

I recently traveled to San Diego California and was able to present a talk on demonstrating a return on investment for environmental, health & safety programs. This talk was delivered as part of the Alliance of Hazardous Material Professionals (AHMP) annual conference. The AHMP (formerly ACHMM) is a collection of EH&S professionals from around the world, that represent private industry, government, colleges and universities as well as the health care fields. My talk about demonstrating a return on investment for their activities to executives within their specific industry wasn’t ground breaking stuff. Nor was it intended to be, rather I have spent years in the safety field seeing first hand the benefit of implementing safety policies and procedures, investing in employee training, and educating supervisors and front line foremen on the important role they play in keeping employees safe and thereby reducing costs. My intent was to try to bring the financial view of the benefits of expanding the ROI concept into the environmental field.

Many environmental professionals (safety too for that matter) didn’t spend a lot of time taking accounting and financial classes in college. They focused their studies on the technical applications of environmental issues, as that was their interest. Many colleges are now seeing the benefit of expanding core classes to include financial and business considerations, however that comes as little comfort to those professionals 10-15 years (or more) removed from college. Their world has rapidly changed over the past few years, and as the globalization of business continues, the old command and control model of regulatory compliance isn’t enough to compete for resources within the corporate world. Sustainability has taken root as the 21st century’s mantra. Making the case for why the EH&S aspect of your business could be a key role in future success is more important than ever.

There are of course many driving factors including the pace of the global economy, instantaneous need for knowledge (thank you Google and Yahoo), and increase competitiveness to name a few. In addition the sharp increase on the cost of energy and the increase focus by governments around the world on climate change have redefined the EH&S world. Those professionals, who don’t keep up, will be left out and may indeed find themselves out of work as they are replaced with younger, more current minded professionals. This was the reason I wanted to help, by increasing awareness of the value that EH&S can have within an organization. I outlined some simple starter steps EH&S professionals can take to help both themselves as well their organizations:
• Invest in relationships with top executives: find a champion that will help evangelize your cause
• Sell EH&S programs as a way to build strength, stability, and sustainability to your organization through a value added approach
• Implement an awareness campaign on the value of EH&S beyond compliance
• Integrate EH&S management systems philosophy throughout your organization

Each organization is different and each will define value in terms of their own market. It is important to remember to tailor your approach to your business or organization. Do your homework and educate yourself on various aspects of environmental management systems (EMS). It is already generally accepted and understood that there is a significant and growing correlation between companies’ investment in their environmental programs and their overall competitiveness and financial performance, however that can be lost or confused with other initiatives being implemented by other departments. It’s up to you to toot your own horn a little. Don’t be afraid to celebrate successes!

You should be buying Value…not just spendng Money

Sometimes bad times brings out the best in us…but it can also bring the worst out of some people too. During traumatic times, whether they be physical trauma, emotional or psychological trauma, or financially traumatic times it seems there is a element within society willing to seize that moment to prey upon the weakened and/or vulnerable. We’ve seen this happen many times throughout the course of human history. Terms like “ambulance chaser” and the derogatory implication o f being termed “a used car salesmen,” (note: I personally have no troubles with sales people, whether or not they sale used cars…please hold your angry emails) convey the predatory nature of some within our society.

This dubious element is no stranger to the safety consulting industry, it thrives when good people have their judgments’ clouded by external forces (usually outside of their control). As with the current state of the economy, there is an attractive lure to cutting safety efforts and costs, or lowering standards to achieve short term financial gain. Bunker mentality can sweep over, even the best and more experienced managers like a tidal wave, seemingly irresistible in its allure to shore up sinking profits or stem already mounting losses. This mentality is exactly what these predators seek! When they spot their prey consumed with fear over year-to-date profits and budgets cuts, they pounce!! Offering up (what would be in normal times) too good to be true offers…They offer fee structures that can’t be supported, dropping fees to mere fraction of the market price, or promising training and/or project completion unrealistically. Buyers beware!! The old adage “you get what you pay for” can be especially true now.

Remember, as a purchaser or decision maker for a company you are charged with gaining value for the company, not just spending their money.

Are you exchanging the company’s money for value?
Or
Are you simply spending their money?

At the end of the day every for-profit company’s goal is to minimize losses, thereby maximizing profits.

Your company or organization is probably no different. Gaining value for each dollar spent is a worthwhile pursuit…going for the lowest cost provider that usually offers little or no real return or value, isn’t sustainable even in the short run. Don’t be lured by the big promises and low cost of no value predators, whose slick talking but under qualified staff and lack of experience will ultimately reflect upon the decision makers (you) who hired them in the first place.

Look for Credential Professionals with references, and verifiable experience. Of course that alone isn’t a guarantee, its still buyers beware…you should also look for a history of stability in company.

How long have they been in business?
Are they active the community?
Do they have established relationships beyond a small circle of crony’s?
Are they active members of professional organizations with articulated ethical behavior standards?

There are plenty of safety folks hanging shingles out on the front door now, after suffering downsizing from their past employers. The question is…will they still be here when companies start hiring again, or will they return to industry and leave you looking for answers. Or worse yet, have they been let go by numerous employers for cause, to the point no one will hire them. They simply go into business for themselves?

Buyers beware!

Outreach Trainer Scrutiny: OSHA is cracking down on fraudulent trainers, so should you!

There has been a lot of talk lately about OSHA cracking down on outreach trainers who are fraudulently teaching the 10-Hour and 30-Hour Outreach courses on safety in both General Industry and Construction. With new requirements for training coming from various states and cities, it is easy to see why. The lure of a quick buck has always pulled the fringe elements out of their shadows and onto center stage. With the state of Nevada recently passing their new safety training law, the total number of states requiring 10-Hour Construction safety training is up to seven (CT, RI, NH, MA, NY, MO, NV). Several of these state requirements have come just within the past year or so. Many more cities and other entities require this training as well in the Construction field. All of this with good reason, the injury and fatality rates in Construction are, and have been, staggeringly high for some time now when compared to other industries…even the mining industry has lower rates!

Recently OSHA announced that they would send compliance officers into Texas like a SWAT team, to fan out and do what’s necessary to bring down that state’s dubious distinction of having the highest fatality rate in the country. So it should be no surprise that with an increased emphasis of safety and the related training that there would also be a concern about fraudulent activities associated with the training.

According to a recent OSHA press release (dated May 20, 2009) “The use of independent trainers has allowed OSHA to significantly extend its training capabilities,” said Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. “But OSHA will not tolerate fraudulent activity or unscrupulous trainers when workers’ health and lives may be at stake.”

What exactly OSHA will do to curb this potential for fraudulent behavior, beyond sitting in on well publicized and marketed classes, who know?? Most of the fraudulent behavior will no doubt come from those trainers who are trying to do whatever possible to avoid detection…and as OSHA outreach centers do not require any advanced notice of classroom times or locations, it is difficult to believe that relying on OSHA to monitor this dubious behavior will be successful in rooting out all of the bad apples.

So what can you do to protect yourself and get good quality training that you are paying for? A lot!! First and foremost you must realize that you are paying for safety training, and you deserve to get what you’re paying for. After all, if you as a business professional were to buy a particular piece of machinery, say a generator…you’d demand a working generator that supplied power! I can’t imagine a situation in which you’d say…”hey I need a generator, but really anything you got on the cheap will work, regardless of whether it delivers power or not…” You deserve a working generator that delivers what the seller promised. The same holds true for training, whether it is safety, professional development, computer training or even cooking lessons. You deserve to get professional safety training from qualified and experienced trainers, if that is what you are paying for! You should demand nothing short of that.

What to look for in a good trainer:
1. Experience with adult learning…What’s the point of having a world of experience and knowledge, if you can’t effectively transfer that knowledge to others. I know plenty of great safety professionals with years of field experience that couldn’t hold your attention for longer than 5 minutes without one wondering “what that heck is this guy talking about.” Effective communications with students and the ability to effectively transfer knowledge is critical in all training environments. Ask for referrals, and contact previous students to find out the facts.

2. Qualifications…what are the trainer’s qualifications in the area they are training? Do they have expertise and knowledge of the materials they are training on, or are they simply reading power point slides to you? Ask the tough questions before you pay for the class!

3. Curriculum…Are they training on the appropriate subjects? Are they actually training, or have you stumbled into a low pressure sales and marketing meeting, where the trainer is actually trying to sell other services to you? Buyers beware!!

I can’t imagine why anyone would want to sit through 10 hours of a training class, giving up an entire day of productivity, paying a fee to do so, and in doing so have to listen to either an inexperienced, or unprepared trainer meander through the materials all day or worse sit through a SALES presentation…and then having gained nothing for the experience, except an even more distasteful view of safety and safety training! I would be outraged, and so should you.

OSHA’s New Sheriff maybe already be in Town

In 2001, Jordan Barab was a out of work political appointee.  With the election of George Bush, the Republicans swept into power and America saw a significant shift in policies from the Clinton era.  Now fast forward eight years, and Jordan is back in business (although to be fair he really wasn’t out of work for this time, he did quite well for himself as a lobbyist and consultant for the AFL-CIO).

During this time, as he refers to it…"
I turned into a pumpkin at noon, January 20, 2001," he used his spare time to share his insights and thoughts with the world via the world wide web.  When Blogs became in vogue (hence this blog) Jordan wrote extensively on various issues he felt passionate about.  Included in these writings are various insights into the current issues that Congress is now considering.  Included in these were workers rights, injury & illnesses, whistleblower protections, and the expansion of OSHA into the public sector. (http://spewingforth.blogspot.com/2007/01/goodbye-final-curtain-comes-down.html).

Given the fact that Republicans by and large all turned into pumpkins at noon, January 20, 2009, and soon thereafter Jordan was named acting assistant secretary of Labor in charge of OSHA, it should be no surprise that Jordan and like minded people are now aggressively pushing their long held agenda.  Now I am not here to condemn or praise this agenda, but rather to bring to light what government, business and industry may well expect in the coming months and years. 

While attending the ASSE Safety 2009 conference in San Antonio, Texas earlier this week, I had the opportunity to hear both Jordan and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis speak on their agenda going forward.  I do think it is of extreme importance to note that this was the first time a sitting Secretary of Labor addressed the members of ASSE. This is of note not because of anything ASSE has recently accomplished (sorry ASSE), but rather because, I think, it speaks to the view of the importance of safety, by the new administration.  Both Secretary Solis and Jordan Barab both spoke very candidly about OSHA’s enhanced presence going forward.  Secretary Solis announced that OSHA was launching an statewide campaign in Texas to perform vast compliance inspections of construction sites, with the goal being to reduce Texas’ dubious distinction of having the Nations highest fatality rates in construction.  The construction fatality rate was quickly dismissed, and I might add in my opinion too casually dismissed, by Texas Governor Perry.

It may be that Jordan Barab is the new Sheriff for OSHA.  I find it difficult to imagine why he would be aggressively pushing his views and agendas if he didn’t want the job to be permanent, and based on the comments he and Secretary Solis made in San Antonio about the direction of safety and health issues it seems perfectly plausible that he will be the nominee for permanent head of OSHA with the current administration.  Of course his appointment will need Senate confirmation, and given his views it is expected the Republicans will fight his appointment, if he is nominated.  This may be a moot point, with the new Senator for Minnesota being sworn in.  This gives the Democrats the fabled super majority, at least on paper, they need to stop filibustering.

I think now that the Senate is squarely in the hands of the Democrats, when Congress returns from their summer break, they will push hard and fast for major legislation such as health care reform, continue the fight for the energy bill, and then sometime this fall OSHA and health and safety issues will become front and center.  Of course external events may well dictate the pace, if there is another major loss event (death, or injury to employees) that captures the attention of the media, then expect these health and safety issues to be fast tracked.

All of this will require a permanent head of OSHA to be in place though, and I think Jordan Barab will be that sheriff!

Other notes on OSHA coming out of San Antonio….

1. H.R. 2067 Protecting America’s Workers Act is a front burner item going forward.  You can track it yourself using the link above.

2. OSHA sending more compliance officers to Texas

3. VPP and other alliances may find themselves starving for resources and funding going forward.

4. The famed San Antonio Riverwalk still offers terrific food and ambiance. Sorry, I realize this really isn’t news, but I certainly enjoyed my time there.

 

Comments are welcome.  Remember to share this blog with any and all that you may feel would be interested.

 

 

 

OSHA to Increase Enforcement?

Employers who are regulated by OSHA need to sit and take notice. As Bob Dylan once crooned…times they are a changin’. You don’t have to look much further than a recent letter written by Jordan Barab, OSHA administrator and odds on favorite to become the permanent Director of OSHA going forward. He wrote among other things, that the agency must reinvigorate the regulatory process, put more emphasis on enforcement, and find new ways to ensure employers keep workers safe. His letter was published on the blog “OSHA Underground.”

Additional evidence that times they are a changin’…The 2009 OSHA Enforcement budget is proposed to increase by approxmately 9%, and the overall OSHA budget only increasing around 5% according to The Synergist magazine (May 2009 pg.12-”Washington Insider by Aaron Trippler”). Of course this comes at a time when everyone is reducing budgets, and tigthening their belts as much as possible. By the way, in case your interested EPA’s budget is proposed to increase to $10.5 billion in 2009, that’s a $3 billion increase (EHS Today, April 2009 pg.14-Beltway Buzz article)…I’ll let you do the math.

What does all this change mean for you? It could be mean it’s about time that worker safety and environmental concerns are put in front burner in this country. It could mean that your company may need to look really hard at its current business practices. It could also mean that this is just another sign of Big Government poking around in your buisness. Whatever your view is, it’s important that you not ignore this coming change!