In the workplace, asbestos can be found in: home insulation, pipe and boiler insulation, heater register tape and insulation, joint compounds, patching and spackling compounds, fire protection panels, artificial fireplace logs or ashes, fuse box liners, gypsum wallboard, textured paints, sheet vinyl or floor tiles, underlayment for flooring and carpets, textured acoustical ceiling and roofing shingles.

Asbestos is composed of tiny fibers that can float into the air like dust and are easily inhaled or ingested. The microscopic fibers have no odor or taste and cause several deadly diseases such as asbestos cancer and mesothelioma, a fact which makes asbestos awareness crucial for the workplace.

Asbestos in the United States:

Despite the growing knowledge of the dangers of asbestos, public protest against the mineral did not start until the late 1960’s. The most toxic asbestos site in the U.S. is located in Libby, Montana. This vermiculite mine ran from 1920 to 1990, exposing workers and residents to the toxic asbestos dust.

Asbestos in Canada:

The 20^th century saw a boom of asbestos mines in Canada. At the time, more than 4,000 household products were being produced with asbestos. By the 1970s, doctors deemed the asbestos mining towns in Canada to be among the most dangerous cities in the world. While most countries in the European Union have banned all types of asbestos products, Canada continues to fight the universal ban, attempting to hold onto the profits of the asbestos mining industry.

Asbestos in Australia:

Asbestos was discovered in Western Australia in 1937. Australia began to regulate the use of asbestos products in the late 1970s. The use of crocidolite, or “blue asbestos,” now known to be the deadliest form, was banned in 1967, while the use of amosite, or “brown asbestos,” continued until the mid 1980s. The ban on chrysotile, “white asbestos,” traditionally considered less lethal than the other forms of the mineral, did not come until the end of 2003. Today, the incident rate of mesothelioma in Australia is one of the highest reported rates in the world; the majority of these cases are linked to the exposure of asbestos.

Asbestos in the United Kingdom:

With the growing awareness of the danger of exposure to asbestos, prohibition laws were first introduced in the UK during the mid 1980s. In 1985, the UK banned the import and use of both blue and brown asbestos. This rule was replaced in 1992 with a law that also banned various uses of white asbestos. In 1999, the government decided, with no exceptions, to ban the use and import of white asbestos as well.

How to protect yourself:

• Asbestos Inspections: By law, before construction or demolition work is done on a building older than the late 1970s, trained asbestos workers must be hired to perform an asbestos inspection
• Train employees in Asbestos Awareness
• Know the health effects of being exposed to asbestos
• Acknowledge warning signs stating asbestos could be present
• Seal cracks and holes in insulation
• Use hand tools instead of power tools in potentially contaminated areas
• Wear a mask at all times
• Don’t sweep up debris; use a vacuum cleaner or wet rags

Resources:
http://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/canada/asbestos.php
http://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/australia/asbestos.php
http://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/uk/asbestos.php
http://www.mesotheliomacenter.org/about/asbestos-products.php
http://www.mesotheliomanews.com/asbestos/asbestos-exposure-2/
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_FloodFacts/Bulletin4.pdf
http://www.asbestos.net/exposure/risks/asbestos-exposure-and-building-materials
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/environ/asbestos-amiante-eng.php
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/asbestos/whatis.html 

This week marks the start of National Rail Safety Week throughout Canada. National Rail Safety Week is designed to bring awareness to the recent rise in rail-related accidents and kick-start rail accident prevention. The goal of the program is to reduce the number of incidents that result in fatalities, injuries and monetary losses. Throughout the week, the police force will conduct safety initiatives at commuter stations and railway crossings to promote awareness.  

Here are three tips to keep in mind when approaching railways:

• Always expect a train
• Obey all warning signs and signals
• Respect private property

Railway incidents can ultimately be avoided by educating drivers and pedestrians as well as working closely with the government to reduce the amount of accidents each year.

Resources:
http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120430/wpg_rail-safety_120430/20120430/?hub=WinnipegHome
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/964299/transport-canada-marks-rail-safety-week-2012
http://www.northumberlandview.ca/index.php?module=news&func=display&sid=14805
http://www.operationlifesaver.ca/

In an important update, the NFPA published final changes to the 2012 edition of NFPA 70E, which addresses electrical safety-related work practices for employees who may come into contact with “hazards associated with electrical energy during activities such as the installation, inspection, operation, maintenance, and demolition of electric conductors, electric equipment, signaling and communications conductors and equipment, and raceways.”

 The following are just a few of the updates added to the newest edition of the regulation:

• Basis for retraining
• Frequency of retraining
• Selection of qualified persons

These updates are meant to ensure the most qualified employees are performing electrical work. The recent additions to NFPA 70E address that retraining should be conducted when an employee is not complying with safety-related work practices, working in a new environment where the safety-related work practices have changed or if retraining has not been conducted in more than three years. The new edition also encourages employers to use only qualified individuals to complete tasks like testing, troubleshooting and voltage measuring within the Limited Approach Boundary, an approach limit set at a certain distance from an exposed live part where a shock hazard exists.

To ensure current regulations are being implemented and practiced, ISN has updated several requirements within the NFPA 70E safety program protocol. Impacted subscribers will have a 90-day grace period to update and resubmit written safety programs.

For questions regarding NFPA 70E safety program updates or to learn more about ISNetworld, please contact the ISN Customer Service Team at 1 (800) 976-1303. 

Resources:
http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=70E&cookie%5Ftest=1
http://www.iaei.org/magazine/2009/05/occupational-electrical-injury-and-fatality-trends-and-statistics-1992%E2%80%932007/
http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=143&URL=About%20NFPA

Changes in technology, as well as regulatory and business environments, have positively influenced the oil sands sector, increasing job demand within three facility/operation types: in situ, mining and upgrading. Stable oil prices and strong international investment foreshadow continued expansion of the oil sands industry.

New projects are constantly being added by the Government of Alberta, in conjunction with the oil sands industry, to expand Alberta’s role as a world leading energy supplier. In 2009, the energy sector accounted for 23.4 percent of Alberta’s GDP.

In 2011, the Alberta Oil Sands allowed for the employment of more than 20,000 workers. According to a report released by the Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada, the workforce will increase by 73 percent by 2021. 

Alberta Oil Sands Quick Facts:

• Alberta’s Oil Sands underlie 140,200 square kilometers (54,132 square miles) of land in the Athabasca, Cold Lake and Peace River areas in northern Alberta.
• In 2010, Alberta’s total proven oil reserves were 170.8 billion barrels, or about 12 percent of total global oil reserves (1,469.6 billion barrels).
• Oil sands within 75 meters of the surface can be mined; whereas, oil sands below this threshold must be extracted using in-situ methods.
• Of the total 169.3 billion barrels of proven reserves, approximately 80 percent is considered recoverable by in-situ methods and 20 percent by surface mining methods.
• On average, it takes approximately two tons of mined oil sands to produce a barrel of synthetic crude oil.
• Alberta Oil Sands production is expected to increase to 3 million barrels per day by 2018.

Resources:
http://www.energy.alberta.ca/oilsands/oilsands.asp 
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/oil-sands-jobs-help-drive-151600842.html 
http://oilsands.alberta.ca 

Due to ongoing efforts from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, the decrease in accidents and incidents can be attributed to an increase in awareness from the Canadian Transportation Accident Investigation and Safety Board Act and the Transportation Safety Board Regulations. The following statistics show evidence of the downward trend resulting from these acts and regulations.

Updated regulations lead to fewer accidents and incidents over time. The evidence above shows that continued efforts to create safer working environments are leading to more workers returning safely to their families every day.

Resources:
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/medias-media/communiques/autres-other/2012/comm-20120404.asp
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/stats/marine/prelim-2011/index.asp
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/stats/aviation/prelim-2011/index.asp
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/stats/rail/prelim-2011/index.asp
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/stats/pipeline/prelim-2011/index.asp

Severe thunderstorms are thunderstorms that reach a predetermined level of severity, depending on the storm’s inclination to inflict lightning, wind or hail damage. A storm is considered severe if winds reach more than 58 mph, hail is one inch or larger in diameter or if funnel clouds and/or tornadoes are reported.

One of Mother Nature’s most violent storms, tornado winds can reach up to 300 mph and leave paths of destruction in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Tornadoes generally appear near the edge of a thunderstorm and may be preceded by clear, sunlit skies.

Tornado Facts:

• The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but can move in any direction
• A  tornado travels at an average speed of 30mph, but can increase to 70mph
• Peak tornado season is in late spring through early summer
• Tornados are most likely to occur between 3:00 pm and 9:00 pm
• At any given moment, there are more than 1,800 thunderstorms occurring worldwide
• The odds of becoming a lightning victim in any one year are one in 700,000. The odds of being struck in your lifetime are one in 3,000.

Severe Weather – Helpful Tips:

1. Build an emergency kit, including:

• water/food
• first aid kit
• flashlight
• extra batteries
• radio
• medication
• cell phone
• blankets

2. Make an emergency plan and establish a meeting place

3. Listen to the local radio or newscast for weather updates

4. Know your communities warning sirens

5. Be alert to changing weather conditions and look for approaching storms

6. Look for danger signs:

• Dark, greenish sky
• Large hail
• A large, dark, low-lying cloud
• Loud roar, similar to a freight train

7. If you see approaching storms or any of these danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately

8. Do not use electrical equipment during a lightning storm

Resources:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/hazstats.shtml
http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=91435d795323b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderstorm
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0623_040623_lightningfacts.html
http://www.severe-weather-fan.com/thunderstorm-facts.html

Past

The pipeline requires approval in two parts: upper and lower. While the upper portion of the pipeline requires U.S. State Department approval since the pipeline crosses an international border, the lower portion will need federal permits for approval. The approval process has been complicated, with environmental, safety and time concerns restricting the project.

Present
In January, President Barack Obama rejected the project, advising the decision was “not based on [the] merits of the pipeline,” but having a short deadline to make a decision on the project. He also cited the need to find a route that would avoid the Nebraska Sandhills region and Ogallala Aquifer, which provides water to eight U. S. states.

TransCanada has been working with the State of Nebraska since November 2011 to find alternate routes that will avoid the environmentally sensitive Ogallala Aquifer and Sandhills, stating it will be reapplying for permission to build the pipeline from Canada to Oklahoma using this alternate route.

Advocates in favor of the Keystone XL Pipeline, argue it will employ thousands of workers, deliver more oil to U.S. refineries in the Gulf of Mexico, reduce U.S. reliance on oil from the Persian Gulf and increase the amount of oil imported from Canada.

Future
While TransCanada pursues a new permit, it will proceed with building the southern portion of the pipeline, from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Gulf of Mexico. This portion is located entirely within the U.S. and therefore does not require U.S. State Department approval.

This 435-mile section of the pipeline is expected to produce several benefits including:

• Moving 700,000+ barrels of oil per day
• Generating approximately 4,000 jobs
• Reducing the large surplus of oil stored in Cushing, OK

With the decision to begin expansion in the south, it is expected pipeline construction will continue on at a steady pace, even during the reapplication process and while alternate route decisions are being made.

If the Keystone XL Pipeline moves forward as expected, U.S. crude imports from Canada could reach 4 million barrels per day by 2020, doubling what we currently import from the Persian Gulf.

http://www.transcanada.com/keystone.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2012-01-18/obama-rejects-keystone-pipeline/52655762/1
http://www.consumerenergyreport.com/2012/03/04/keystone-pipeline-moving-forward/
http://www.isnetworld.com/~isn/blog/2011/12/09/the-current-status-of-the-keystone-xl-pipeline/
http://news.yahoo.com/obama-lobbying-against-keystone-pipeline-201208007.html
http://facefwd.com/tag/oil-surplus
http://www.api.org/policy-and-issues/policy-items/keystone-xl/keystone-xl-pipeline.aspx

According to a recent study, for every new oil and gas job, another four are supported by the energy supply chain. Additionally, over the past five years, more than 158,000 new oil and gas jobs have been added across the United States. Now, with access to new natural gas supplies from shale deposits and increased U.S. competitive advantage in the global marketplace, the oil and gas industry expects the job creation trend to continue.

In 2010, the global market for oilfield specialty chemicals reached $16 billion, with the United States and Canada making up 52 percent. As drilling and production have increased, prices have inversely begun to decline in the United States, causing gas to be more competitive for electricity and chemical production.

Shale drilling could have the following economic impacts:

• More than 400,000 new jobs in the chemical sector
• $32 billion of chemical production growth in the U.S.
• New ethylene production facilities
• Increased exports
• Overall increase of investments in the chemical industry
• Increase in total U.S. economic output: approximately $27.3 billion
• Demand for oil field chemicals: an increase of 3.5% in the next five years

With these potential changes on the horizon, and more than $145 billion estimated to be spent drilling and completing U.S. wells within the next year, the oil and gas industry can look forward to new work opportunities along the energy supply chain.

Resources:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204652904577195303471199234.html?mod=dist_smartbrief
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2012/02/07/Shale-boom-has-spillover-effect-IHS-says/UPI-88131328619342/
http://www.ogj.com/articles/2012/02/ihs-shale-plays-driving-demand-for-oil-field-chemicals.html http://www.americanchemistry.com/shalegasimpact http://www.americanchemistry.com/Policy/Energy/Shale-Gas/ACC-Shale-Gas-National-Infographic.pdf  
http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2012/02/06/us-shale-boom-grows-demand-for-oil.html

Hazardous gases, suffocation and engulfment are also serious concerns for agricultural workers. OSHA advises grain workers to minimize their exposure to harmful gas emitted from either spoiling grain or fumigation (pesticides).

Exposure to harmful fumigants can cause:

• Permanent central nervous system damage
• Heart and vascular disease
• Lung edema
• Cancer

 A documented trend, suffocation by engulfment is one of the leading causes of death in grain bin-related accidents. In 2010, 51 workers were engulfed inside grain bins; 26 of these workers died.

OSHA offers several best practices when entering grain storage bins:

• Turn off and lock out all powered equipment to prevent grain flow
• Prohibit walking down grain and similar actions used to increase grain flow
• Provide the proper personal protective equipment
• Appoint an observer to be stationed outside the grain bin
• Test the air inside the bin for hazardous gases and ensure sufficient oxygen levels
• Obtain a permit certifying the proper steps have been taken to ensure a safe work environment

Additional resources and a fact sheet on preventing grain bin incidents can be found below.

Resources:
http://www.osha.gov/asst-sec/Grain-Letter-2-1-2011.html
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/grainstorageFACTSHEET.pdf
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/grainhandling/index.html
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/grainhandling/explosionchart.html
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/grainhandling/hazard_alert.html

According to a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, if a driver sends a text message while driving, he or she is 23 times more likely to get into a collision. At highway speeds, just five seconds spent looking at a texting device equals 100 or more yards traveled without paying attention. CNBC and Car and Driver Magazine indicate texting and driving can be worse than drunk driving, reporting that an unimpaired driver takes .54 seconds to brake while a driver reading an email or sending a text message could take up to an additional 70 feet to brake.  

Here are a few tips on remaining an undistracted driver:

• Make and finish phone calls before you drive away
• If your phone rings while driving, allow your voicemail to pick up the call
• If you must answer your phone, pull over to a safe location to complete the call
• Never text and drive
• Give yourself time to eat, drink and rest prior to driving
• Allow sufficient time to reach your location
• Ensure all passengers are buckled-up properly
• Adjust vehicle controls prior to driving away (navigation systems, climate control, radio/mp3 device, seat)
• Lead by example: teach children how important it is to be focused while driving, and provide them with distractions like books or games
• Properly secure a pet in a moving vehicle, and never allow them to sit in your lap while driving

While driving, it is important to remember the following:

• Stay focused
• Pay attention
• Expect the unexpected

Remember, safe driving protects you and others on the road. Keep your mind on your driving, your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

Resources:
http://www.nationwide.com/employee-driving-while-distracted.jsp
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffdl28.htm
http://hr.cch.com/hhrlib/issues-answers/Should-your-company-prohibit-texting-while-driving.asp?date=December-5-2011 
http://www.cnbc.com/id/31545004/Texting_And_Driving_Worse_Than_Drinking_and_Driving