Tag: Risk Management

ISN Speaks

Distracted Driving: A Risk Not Worth Taking

February 16th, 2012 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , ,

Current research reveals the legitimate danger of distracted driving. Distracted driving can include: dialing a cell phone, texting, reading, applying make-up, eating, reaching for a moving object or looking outside of the vehicle. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 6,000 people in the United States were killed last year, and more than 500,000 were injured due to distracted driving. Factor in bad weather, road construction, work stress and traffic into the equation, and distracted driving becomes a recipe for disaster.

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

Industry News

Coal Mines Safety Levels Improving

November 18th, 2011 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , , ,

According to governmental data, U.S. coal mines have grown safer since the underground explosion in West Virginia that killed 29 miners about 18 months ago. Enforcement of regulations and better training by mining companies are helping to improve the safety of coal mines.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) oversees the nation’s 14,500 mines, including 2,000 coal mines. Joe Main, Assistant Secretary of Labor and head of MSHA said that the “efforts we’re making are having a positive impact on improving mine safety in this country.”

After the mine accident in April of 2010, MSHA was criticized for not closing the mine, and started targeting mines that have a high level of violations or risks. Numerous mines were being shut down until sufficient improvements were made, causing violations to drop 51% since September of 2010 at those targeted mines, according to MSHA.

In comparison to 2010, where 48 coal miners were killed, so far this year, 14 have been killed on the job.

However, there are still opposing views. Spokesman for the United Mine Workers of America, Phil Smith, said that while the union believed increased enforcement had caused operators to pay more attention to safety, fewer violations did not necessarily mean mines were getting safer. He says, “There are still many mines out there which are not following the law and appear not to care to do so. The mines weren’t any safer for the 14 coal miners killed thus far this year.”

Several mining companies have advised that they are putting a greater emphasis on safety and that significant management changes have been made.  Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, Larry Grayson, said that “if companies can’t police themselves, the government is going to make them comply with this high level of performance.”

Luke Popovich, a spokesman for the National Mining Association, said that he thinks mines are safer due to enforcement and companies reviewing and improving safety systems independently. This effort on improved safety systems and enforcement will continue to decrease violations and fatalities alike.

Resources:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904491704576572831496880862.html?KEYWORDS=safer+coal+mines

ISN News

2011 ISN Annual Users Conference: Industry Presentations and Owner Client Panelists

November 4th, 2011 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome to ISN’s 2011 Annual Users Conference.  The ISN Annual Users Conference is an opportunity for Owner Clients, contractors, and other industry entities to come together and discuss best practices in contactor health, safety, and procurement. Owner Clients are sharing information on how their company uses ISNetworld to track and manage contractor compliance in industry breakout sessions. As every Owner Clients grades and use the system differently, each discusses the criteria to grade their contractors and the most important items in prequalification.

During each industry breakout session, multiple Owner Clients provide insight to why they have made the decision to use ISNetworld, what requirements are considered in their contractor approval and a brief background of their company. Many Owner Client presentations discuss the importance for contractors to populate their company information on the dashboard, as this information is used to search for new contractors. Several examples include populating your company’s dashboard contact, Federal ID number, work types, and geography served.  The forum will conclude with both Owner Clients and contractors providing feedback and answers on how their companies use ISNetworld.

Industry Presentations and Owner Client Presenters:

Refining/Chemical
HollyFrontier, Stepan Company, SunCoke Energy, Hess, Valero, ExxonMobil Refining and Supply

Midstream/Utilities/Power Generation
TransCanada, KinderMorgan, Enbridge, El Paso, Buckeye, Koch Pipeline

Upstream
Marathon, CONSOL Energy, Denbury Resources, Stone Energy, El Paso E&P

Manufacturing/Pharma/ Wood & Paper
Bristol-Myers Squib, U.S. Steel, PotashCorp, Mosaic, Longview Fibre

ISN News

2011 ISN Annual Users Conference: Speaker Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.

November 3rd, 2011 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome to ISN’s 2011 Annual Users Conference.  One of our speakers, Ed Foulke, highlights many important safety topics in his presentation, entitled“13 Ways to Improve Your Safety Program While Increasing Your Productivity and Profitability”. 

Mr. Foulke discusses the importance of prioritizing safety and health in your company.  He says that it is not only the right thing to do, but allows employees to go home each night safely, is legally required, and essential for a company to be profitable and competitive in today’s marketplace.  He goes on to share the penalties paid by companies who violate acceptable health and safety protocols. 

Mr. Foulke shares 13 ways that companies can improve their safety programs while still increasing productivity and profitability:

  1.  Determine Your Vulnerability Under OSHA’s New Priorities
  2. Audit Your Company’s OSHA Recordkeeping
  3. Audit Your Workplace for Routine Violations
  4. Review Abatement of All Past OSHA Citations
  5. Prepare for OSHA’s Revised Approach to Ergonomics Enforcement
  6. Use Job Safety Analysis to Focus Workplace Safety and Health Strategy
  7. Make Safety the #1 Goal from the Floor to the “C” Suite
  8. Utilize Safety as a Profit Center
  9. Develop Emergency Action Plans to Deal with the Inevitable
  10. Protect Company’s Wellness Plan from Potential Liability
  11. Understand Implications of OSHA’s Multi-Employer Citation Policy
  12. Avoid Membership in OSHA’s Severe Violators Enforcement Program
  13. Solve Other Problems by Solving Safety Problems

By keeping employee safety and health as your company’s priority, you ensure your safety programs are continuously improving, resulting in more time to focus on productivity and the growth of your company.

Industry News

Carbon Tax Passes in Australia

October 20th, 2011 · ISN Team - Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

There were many opposing views last week in Hobart, Australia as the lower house of Parliament, led by Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, voted to adopt the second-largest emissions trading proposal in the world, the first being the European Union.  

The bill would enforce a carbon tax on 500 of the country’s biggest polluters, starting in July of 2012, before transitioning into a market-based trading scheme in 2015. It narrowly passed through a divided House of Representatives with a vote of 74 to 72.   About 80 anti-carbon tax protesters flooded the parliament-viewing gallery, criticizing and taunting Ms. Gillard, bringing government business to a virtual standstill.

Before the vote, Ms. Gillard stated, “Today is a significant day for Australians and the Australians of the future who want to see a better environment.”

Although it is expected to pass the Senate next month, the opposition of the Liberal Party was very quick to dispute the passage of the proposal.  The bill sets an initial price of $23.15 per ton of carbon, while guaranteeing billions of dollars in compensation for consumers and businesses alike.  Tony Abbott, the opposition leader says that the plan would prove disastrous for Australia’s economy, which relies heavily on resource extraction.  He is fighting to repeal the bill, stating, “We can repeal the tax, we will repeal the tax, we must repeal the tax. This is a pledge in blood. This tax will go.”

Tim Jordan, a supporter of the bill and Senior Analyst at Deutsche Bank in Sydney, says that this type of fierce opposition to the bill is being driven by political, not financial, orthodoxy.  He states, “The impact on most businesses is modest.  Businesses that are ready for a world where carbon is priced, such as electricity utilities with renewable generators in their portfolio, will do well.  Many high-emitting industries will receive free carbon allowances, giving them time to adjust to a carbon price.”

Regardless of the position many Australians find themselves in, Ms. Gillard continues to argue that Australia is one of the world’s largest polluters per capita and can no longer ignore its global responsibilities.   

Resources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/13/world/asia/australias-lower-house-narrowly-passes-carbon-tax.html?_r=2&ref=energy-environment