Florida Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Companies Reduce Risk with Better Safety Training

Florida Transportation Companies - OSHA regulations govern the safety and health of the workers and the responsibilities of employers to ensure their safety at the warehouse, dock, construction site, and in other places truckers go to deliver and pick up loads throughout the country. While OSHA does not regulate self-employed truckers, it does regulate workplaces to which the truckers deliver goods and the workers which receive those goods.

The CPR School offers classes that cover the many potential medical emergencies that may occur in the transportation and warehousing industries. Some of the emergency medical first aid safety topics discussed include heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, electrocution, asphyxiation, drowning, choking, burns, bleeding, crush injuries, broken bones, falls, and heat related medical emergencies. In addition to medical emergencies we also talked about bloodborne pathogens and the proper use of gloves and eye protection to protect against Hepatitis and HIV while helping an injured person.

Keith Murray, owner of The CPR School, LLC is also the lead instructor. Keith indicates that they try to customize their classes to fit the industry. For example, if they are teaching a class for warehouse distribution workers they will spend more time talking about injuries from cuts, burns, falls, sprains and strains as well as heat related emergencies versus when we offer training classes for an elementary school we would spend more time on pediatric emergencies such as choking, poisoning and allergic reactions.

1. What are the typical accidents you see at Florida warehouses and trucking terminals?

Heart Attack, Stroke and Sudden Cardiac Arrest are several of the medical emergencies that people often forget about when talking about medical emergencies in the transportation logistics and shipping industry. According to OSHA 13% of all workplace fatalities result from sudden cardiac arrest. According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest claims about 340,000 lives each year – or around 930 every day in the United States. Sudden cardiac arrest, which is the leading cause of death in the United States kills more people than breast cancer, lung cancer, and AIDS combined. Currently 95 percent of all cardiac arrest victims die.

Other accidents that are common at trucking terminals and warehouses include falls, sprains, strains, broken bones, bites and stings, electrocution, drowning, choking, burns, punctures, lacerations, bleeding, asphyxiation and heat related medical emergencies.

2. What is sudden cardiac arrest and can it happen in the transportation industry?

Sudden cardiac arrest is caused by a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm that can result from heart attack, respiratory arrest, drowning, electrocution, choking, trauma or it can have no known cause and it can happen to anyone regardless of age or gender.

When we talk about electrocution this could be caused by lightning striking you or the equipment you are operating or it could be electrocution from a power line or motor. Any type of electricity entering your body could cause you to go into cardiac arrest.

In most instances to restart the heart you will need an AED or Automated External Defibrillator. Unlike the defibrillators with the paddles you see on TV, the AEDs that are in many public places such as shopping malls, churches, health clubs, golf and tennis clubs and schools are safe to use. Airplanes and airports have AEDs also. I know because I had to use an AED in the Atlanta Georgia airport. Does your company have an AED and trained responders at your location?

3. What is an Automated External Defibrillator or AED?

An Automated External Defibrillator or AED is a portable, battery operated electronic device about the size of a laptop computer. The AED automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a victim and is able to treat the patient by an electrical shock which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm. AEDs are designed to be simple so that anyone can use one. Currently there are 7 major manufacturers of AEDs including Cardiac Science, Defibtech, Heartsine, Medtronic Physio Control, Philips, Welch Allyn and Zoll.

4. Should my company have an AED at our distribution facility?

My answer is always "Yes". According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest claims about 340,000 lives each year – or around 1,000 every day in the United States.

Simply put, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) save lives. Would you spend $2,000 if it saved an employees life? The answer is obviously yes. You have smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, security cameras and other systems to save property why not put something in place that saves lives.

Think about this, how many fire extinguishers does the transportation company own? A fire extinguisher is designed to save property whereas an AED saves lives. All agree that life safety is much more important than saving property.

Another item to consider. How much money does your company spend on loss prevention? How much does your company spend on loss of life prevention? CPR AED and First Aid training and AEDs are relatively inexpensive when compared to most transportation companies loss prevention budgets.

5. What does OSHA indicate about AEDs?

"Because the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can save the lives of workers who experience cardiac arrest while on the job, OSHA today encouraged employers to consider making this equipment available in their workplace."

US Department of Labor, Office of Public Affairs, Dec. 17, 2001

6. Why invest in CPR AED and First Aid training?

Employee accidents and injuries can cost a business millions of dollars. Lack of training or improper training may cost your employees their lives. With proper CPR AED and First Aid Safety training our goal is to avoid accidents but if or when an accident occurs the employee will be properly trained to assist the injured person until emergency medical services arrive.

The preliminary count of fatal work injuries in the U.S. was 5,071 in 2008, down from a revised total of 5,657 in 2007, according to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program.

The trucking industry is addressed in specific standards for recordkeeping and the general industry. This page highlights OSHA standards, directives (instructions for compliance officers), standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards), and whistleblower protection may be applicable to a trucker depending on the location, activity, type of material handled and industry.

OSHA

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act".

While traveling on public highways, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has jurisdiction. However, while loading and unloading trucks, OSHA regulations govern the safety and health of the workers and the responsibilities of employers to ensure their safety at the warehouse, at the dock, at the rig, at the construction site, at the airport terminal and in all places truckers go to deliver and pick up loads.

While operating at an airport, if there is an operational plan negotiated between the carrier and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that covers a working condition, then the FAA has jurisdiction.

OSHA 1910.151(a)

The employer shall ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of plant health.

OSHA 1910.151(b)

In the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in near proximity to the workplace which is used for the treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid. Adequate first aid supplies shall be readily available.

October 30, 2009 - US Department of Labors OSHA issues record-breaking fines to BP.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today announced it is issuing $87,430,000 in proposed penalties to BP Products North America Inc. for the company's failure to correct potential hazards faced by employees. The fine is the largest in OSHA's history. The prior largest total penalty, $21 million, was issued in 2005, also against BP. http://www.osha.gov

Keith Murray is the owner of The CPR School, a mobile safety training company that provides CPR, AED First Aid Safety Training Certification Classes for transportation, warehouse, freight distribution, logistics and shipping businesses throughout Florida. The CPR School also sells automated external defibrillators - AEDs, Services AEDs and provides AED Consulting and AED Program Management. Contact The CPR School by calling 561-762-0500, e-mailing Keith@TheCPRschool.com or visit their website at http://www.TheCPRSchool.com.