Occupational Safety & Sleep

High-rise window cleaner Alan Chavez with his 11-month-old daughter Luanna.

Exhausted new fathers face greater safety risk at work: Alan Chavez usually thinks nothing of abseiling down a 30-storey building to clean the windows. But after his daughter Luanna was born 11 months ago, the ''rope access technician'' became a bit concerned.

The trouble was fatigue caused by too little sleep. After a broken night, he had to get up at 5am to go to work. ''It's potentially dangerous work but if you do things in a good way and concentrate you'll be fine,'' he said. ''That's pretty hard to do when you're really tired.'' A lot of fathers of infants are suffering fatigue, a new study shows, and it can have ramifications for workplace safety, especially for men who are doing physically demanding work or handling machinery.

The study's lead author, Gary Mellor, a senior lecturer in the school of health and human sciences at Southern Cross University, has called for employers to be more aware of and sympathetic to the fatigue experienced by men during early fatherhood and do what they can to help. ''This is secret men's business,'' he said. ''They usually keep it to themselves.'' Dr Mellor has also asked fathers to consider negotiating different ways of taking leave - a week or two taken straight after the birth is not necessarily the best option because fatigue worsens over time.

The study of 241 fathers was taken at two points during their babies' first three months and found the more fatigued they were, the less they complied with safety practices. Fathers who reported fatigue were 36 per cent more likely to have ''near misses'' at work. The vast majority experienced broken sleep when their babies were six weeks old. On average, they were woken two to three times a night and slept 5½ hours. 

At 12 weeks, the fathers managed a bit more sleep yet, paradoxically, were likely to feel worse. By then, three-quarters suffered from fatigue at least ''some of the time'' compared with 65 per cent at the six-week period. This is a dramatically higher rate than for the general population, where fatigue is a problem for 20 to 30 per cent of people, the study says. Dr Mellor said fatigue accumulated because the men were never able to recover. ''Fathers might benefit from using leave by working fewer days a week, having later start or earlier finish times, or long weekends,'' he said.

If mothers are rolling their eyes in mock sympathy at this tale, Dr Mellor reminds them the men in the study - not a randomised sample - were working, on average, 49 hours a week. This is more than the national average of 43 hours but indicative of the long work hours of fathers facing greater financial needs. A high proportion worked at physically demanding jobs, especially in trade construction and manufacturing. As for notorious short sleepers, such as Kevin Rudd or Margaret Thatcher, who ran a country on much less than six hours, Dr Mellor says they are helped by an entourage and can delegate.

The findings, part of a larger study, are published in the American Journal of Men's Health. Mr Chavez said the most difficult time was a few months after his daughter's birth, but he had not made any mistakes at work. ''I felt like going back home to bed but the bills come first,'' he said. ''I'm not the only one in the world to go through this.''

Three Window Cleaning Reports

Program Helps Carlsbad Small Businesses Grow: While many small businesses are facing tough times, a set of programs at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is offering help. The Small Business Success Program is helping businesses like Fish Window Cleaning. Kolan Hairston and his wife Lupe own the franchise and said the economy began to take its toll in late 2008. "We saw ourselves go backwards probably 30 percent over the course of the year," said Kolan Hairston. Now, the Hairstons say things are better. They've hired two more people, bringing the number of their employees to seven. So, more people are getting their windows cleaned.

They said the programs at the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce as well as meeting with other business owners have helped. "We're held to what we do or what we won't do," said Lupe Hairston. "If we didn't do something somebody else will say, "Hey, why didn't you do that? Follow up with your marketing or follow up with your people." The programs offer advice on marketing, business plans, financing and more.

There is advice on marketing, business plans, financing, and more. "[The programs help] find different ways to grow your business, different ways to promote your business, that kind of thing," said Kolan Hairston. Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce CEO Ted Owen said about 80 percent of the chamber's 1,700 member businesses take part in the programs. "The number one step is owning up to the fact that you don't know what you're doing, and it's difficult for people to say that," said Owen. Owen said it's important for business owners to get together and share experiences. "Like-minded people who have the same goals... can get together and teach each other everything they know," he said.

Don't be a fall guy - Hire a window washer by Angie Hicks: Washing your home's windows can seem like a simple enough task — until you precariously perch yourself on a ladder, stretch to reach high areas, and fight through the bugs, bees and trees. Clean windows can enhance your home's appearance, but actually getting them streak-free can be challenging, and for homeowners with hard-to-reach windows, it can be downright dangerous.

"I always ask, 'How long would it take you and how much is your safety worth?' " said Tiffany Maron, owner of Squeegee Squad in Riverview. "It's a hard job. It's time consuming. It's dirty, and even when they're done, it still may not look as good, even if they spent twice the amount of time as we would have." Maron and Tom Cruickshank of The Window Cleaning Experts Inc. in Tarpon Springs recommend a home's windows be cleaned by a professional at least once a year. "Once a year, you've got to get the pollen off," Maron said. "We've got saltwater, especially waterfront homes, and the debris on the glass can etch into it. It takes the top layer off it and makes it look foggy after a while. If you don't get it off consistently, it'll wreck the glass."

Professionals should do more than just clean the glass. The frame, seals and tracks should be cleaned as well. "We do a thorough cleaning of the glass and frames around the glass, which involves opening windows, cleaning out the track area as well as the seals," Cruikshank said. "We go up on ladders to get hard-to-reach windows. Most people that aren't used to that wouldn't be able to do it. Once we do it, it's done right and you don't have to worry about it."

Cruikshank and Maron both prefer a squeegee and dish soap and water to paper towels and window cleaner. "We don't use any harsh chemicals," Cruikshank said. "We use squeegees to (clean) the glass and a dry cloth to buff out the glass so it shines."

Window cleaners typically charge by the number of windows, the time estimated to do the job and the complexity of the job. You can save money by cleaning the lower-level windows yourself and leaving the hard-to-reach windows to a professional. If you clean your windows yourself, do it during a cool, cloudier time of day. The hot sun dries windows faster, which can lead to streaking.

"We're pretty creative with getting up to those hard-to-reach places," Maron said. "We can get to a place that in certain homes you could never get to. Florida has a lot of tricky windows between pool cages, tall houses, and waterfronts."

If you hire a professional, first research the company's history. Ask for references, proof of liability insurance and worker's compensation. "There are a lot of uninsured people doing work out there that maybe can do it for less money, but if they get hurt or break something, the homeowner is ultimately responsible for it," Maron said.

Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie's List.

Four elements of an effective fall protection program: Earlier this year, the Ontario Ministry of Labour completed a 90-day provincial compliance and enforcement campaign to ensure employers and workers were complying with the regulations laid out in the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). The goal of the campaign, part of the Safe at Work Ontario strategy to strengthen workplace safety, was to promote long-term compliance and decrease injury and fatality rates. The focus of the campaign was fall-related hazards at provincially-regulated construction sites, diving operations and window cleaning activities. Ministry inspectors visited sites to assess whether workplace parties were complying with regulations, adequate measures and procedures for the safe use of equipment were in place, and workers using fall protection systems were adequately trained.

The results of the blitz underscore the need for more awareness and training surrounding fall protection in the construction industry. Of the 7,313 total field visits conducted, 3,912 were at construction sites where fall hazards were identified. Inspectors visited 2,821 different construction projects during the campaign. A total of 784 stop-work orders, 3,421 orders and 121 summonses were issued for fall-related hazards. More than half of the orders issued were for violations related to missing or improper use or maintenance of guardrails, non-suspended scaffolds and fall protection systems. All sectors of the construction industry were issued orders during the campaign, including industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI); building construction; single-family housing; and apartment and multi-family housing.

In the preliminary report issued in May, the ministry concluded that the results of the campaign indicate several issues. First, the fact that 80 percent of the summonses were issued to supervisors indicates that there is a lack of adequate supervision on construction projects. Second, the type of violations observed indicates that work measures and procedures needed to keep workers safe were not in place. Third, a comprehensive look at the data suggests that workers and supervisors are not aware or adequately trained in fall-related hazards and general safe work measures and procedures.

Each of these issues can be remedied with a comprehensive fall protection program. The program is a combination of a written plan that defines the company’s policy, assigns responsibilities and lays out how fall hazards will be addressed, and the company’s implementation of the plan, including ongoing employee education and training.

Analysis. A key step in the development of the plan is a fall hazard analysis. This survey analyzes each fall hazard that will be encountered on a job site, how the hazard will be controlled, and the type of fall protection and rescue equipment to be used when an employee is exposed to the hazard.

Fall hazards can be controlled in a number of ways, with preference given to engineering out the hazard or changing work procedures so that employees are not exposed to the hazard. In the construction industry, these methods are usually not possible, so the next step is to implement passive fall protection systems such as guardrails and covers. Where this is not possible, a fall restraint system should be considered. A fall restraint system prevents a worker’s center of gravity from reaching the fall hazard. A fall arrest system should be implemented if none of the above methods are suitable. A fall arrest system is designed to stop a fall in progress.

Rescue Plan. For every fall hazard that is controlled, a rescue plan must be in place. This will address the procedure and equipment to be used to rescue a fallen worker, and must be specific to each hazard identified in the fall hazard analysis.

The fall protection plan should account for and delegate responsibilities for equipment inspection, record keeping, maintenance, equipment replacement, incident reporting, enforcement, accident investigation and training.

Training. The OHSA requires workers to be adequately trained in the proper use of fall protection equipment. To maximize comprehension, training should be conducted through a combination of classroom and hands-on work.

Employees should be taught how to recognize and control fall hazards and how to use written fall protection procedures. They should have an understanding of federal and provincial fall protection regulations, employee roles and responsibilities under these regulations and the company’s program, and post-fall rescue procedures. Practical instruction should include how to select, inspect, use, store and maintain fall protection and rescue equipment.

Worker training must be documented, and these records must be kept and made available to Ministry of Labour inspectors upon request.

Training should not be the last time employees are reminded of the importance of fall protection equipment. Constant reminders during toolbox talks as well as regular refresher training are keys to maintaining a high degree of safety consciousness among employees. Refresher training should be conducted at least every two years, but should be done more frequently if work procedures change or new fall protection or rescue equipment is implemented.

Non-compliance policy. If compliance continues to be a problem, consider implementing a policy that punishes non-compliance. This policy could range from no-tolerance to a tiered policy with varying consequences after each offense. Consequences from non-compliance could include dismissal from the job, sending the employee home without pay, asking the employee to pay a fine, or something a bit more creative. Make sure any policy is well-defined, consistently enforced and in line with provincial labour laws.

Developing a fall protection program and ensuring that workers are appropriately trained are the first steps in combating compliance problems in the construction industry. Ontario is also implementing several measures to improve safety on construction sites. These measures include strict enforcement targeting repeat offenders and shutting down construction projects when workers’ lives are in danger, increased focus on training and supervision during inspections, a public campaign to increase awareness of safety in different languages, and a telephone line for workers and the general public to report suspected unsafe work practices.

Minister of Labour Peter Fonseca states: “We cannot and will not stand by as worker safety is compromised. This is a shared responsibility, so I challenge employers, labour groups and workers to make sure that everyone returns home safe and sound after work.” Fonseca is right. There’s no better incentive to stay safe than the privilege of returning home to your family at the end of the day.

Important Window Cleaning News

Europe:

Northwest business leaders urge Darling to ease taxes: In the run up to Wednesday's pre-Budget report, northwest business leaders have called on Alistair Darling to help ease the tax burden on small businesses. The Cheshire-based Forum of Private Business (FPB) said the government should focus on creating "a tax and regulatory environment" that can better help small businesses to create jobs.

FPB's policy representative Matt Goodman said reducing the VAT for labour-intensive services, delaying the planned 2011 National Insurance contribution rise for small companies, and temporarily cutting contributions for micro businesses would help ease the cost of employing new people. "It would be a real boost to employment and business growth at a time it will be needed most," said Mr Goodman. The FPB said reducing the VAT rate to five per cent for certain services would improve trade by making products and services more affordable.

In spring, the European Commission approved a plan to offer reduced VAT rates to certain industries including home renovation, hairdressing, and window cleaning, a move it is hoped will help stimulate employment.

USA:

OSHA Proposes Sweeping Fall Protection/PPE Rule Revisions: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced in a notice of proposed rulemaking published in the May 24 Federal Register its plans to require improved worker protection from tripping, slipping, and falling hazards on walking and working surfaces. "This proposal addresses workplace hazards that are a leading cause of work related injuries and deaths," said OSHA chief Dr. David Michaels.

The NPRM describes revisions to the Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment standards to help prevent an estimated annual 20 workplace fatalities and more than 3,500 injuries serious enough to cause people to miss work. For example, in July 2009, a worker at a chocolate processing plant was killed after falling from an unguarded work platform. "This is a clear and grave example of the human cost incurred when fall protection safeguards are absent, ignored, or inadequate," said Michaels. "The loss of a worker's life might have been prevented if the protective measures in these revised standards had been in place and in use."

The current walking-working surfaces regulations allow employers to provide outdated and dangerous fall protection equipment such as lanyards and body belts that can result in workers suffering greater injury from falls. Construction and maritime workers already receive safer, more effective fall protection devices such as self-retracting lanyards and ladder safety and rope descent systems, which these proposed revisions would also require for general industry workers. Current standards also do not allow OSHA to fine employers who let workers climb certain ladders without fall protection. Under the revised standards, this restriction would be lifted in virtually all industries, allowing OSHA inspectors to fine employers who jeopardize their workers’ safety and lives by climbing these ladders without proper fall protection. OSHA notes that most of its existing standards for walking-working surfaces are more than 30 years old and inconsistent with both national consensus standards and more-recently promulgated OSHA standards addressing fall protection.

Among the areas covered in the sweeping proposal are significant revisions to the existing general industry scaffold standards; requirements for guardrail, safety net, and personal fall protection systems (including fall arrest, and positioning, and travel restraint systems); key-term definition amendments; rules for load limits; requirements for portable and fixed ladders; rules for ladders in elevator shafts; requirements for building anchorages and tie-offs; rules for the design, capacity, and use of step bolts and manhole steps; stairway design and installation criteria; requirements for riser heights and stairway landing platform widths; specific rules to limit the use of spiral stairs, ship stairs, or alternating tread-type stairs to "special limited usage" and "secondary access" situations when the employer demonstrates that it is not practical to provide a standard stairway; requirements for dockboards (bridge plates); rules to prohibit the use of rope-descent systems at heights greater than 300 feet; the establishment of 11 requirements employers must meet when rope-descent systems are used; requirements for employees in hoist areas of walking-working surfaces that are 4 feet or more above lower levels; specific requirements for the outdoor advertising and window cleaning industries; criteria that employees must meet to be considered qualified climbers; criteria for grab handle use; requirements for employee training and retraining; and more.

The wide-ranging proposal addresses not only falls and other hazards associated with walking-working surfaces but also hazards leading to combustible dust explosions and other accidents. Part of OSHA's current rules require that all places of employment, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms be kept clean and orderly, and in a sanitary condition. A paragraph in the new proposal requires that floors of workrooms be maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, dry condition. It also requires that, where wet processes are used, drainage be maintained, and false floors, platforms, mats, or other dry-standing places be provided when practicable. The agency said it does not expect all surfaces to be maintained in a pristine manner; however, surfaces must be maintained in a condition that will prevent slips, trips, falls, and other hazards.

Historically, OSHA interpreted these provisions as applying to combustible-dust accumulations associated with fire and explosion hazards. Regarding this interpretation, one court stated that "the housekeeping standard is not limited to tripping and falling hazards, but may be applied to [a] significant accumulation of combustible dust" [Con Agra Inc. v. Occupational Safety and Health Review Com'n, 672 F.2d 699, 702 (8th Cir. 1982), citing Bunge Corp. v. Secretary of Labor, 638 F.2d 831, 834 (5th Cir. 1981), which reached the same conclusion]. OSHA says the cases show that Sec. 1910.22(a) serves as one of the agency's most important enforcement tools for preventing combustible-dust accumulations and it continues to be an important element of OSHA's enforcement strategy for this hazard. Therefore, the agency seeks comment on whether it should include an explicit reference to combustible dust or other hazardous material in the regulatory language of the final rule. The agency says the language would merely clarify OSHA's long-held interpretation that Sec. 1910.22(a) is not limited to the hazards of slips, trips, and falls, but also addresses any hazard that can be created when floors and work areas are not maintained in an orderly, clean, dry, and sanitary condition.