OSHA Issues Memorandum on Employer Incentive Programs (TRN Safety Alert)

From Cliff Gerbick, ASP (The Reserves Network Director of Safety)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a public memorandum outlining potential violations based on employer safety incentive and disincentive policies and practices.

Meant for internal staff, the memo outlines example safety incentive and disincentive programs and how they can potentially violated Section 11(c) of the OSH Act. Section 11(c) prohibits employers from discriminating against an employee because the employee reports an injury or illness.

The memo is intended to give compliance officers (AKA OSHA Inspectors) and whistleblower investigative staff guidance regarding the different types of incentive programs used in the workplace, and how they can potentially discourage employees from reporting injuries.

The full memo, including four different scenarios can be found by (Clicking Here!)

Cliff Gerbick is the Director of Safety for The Reserves Network, a provider of “Total Staffing Solutions” in the office, industrial, professional and technical markets. To contact Cliff, email cgerbick@trnstaffing.com.

“OSHA Target List” Released (TRN Safety Alert)

From Cliff Gerbick, ASP (The Reserves Network Director of Safety)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released its annual list of employers with the highest occupational injury and illness rates, commonly know as the “OSHA Target List”. This year, OSHA has identified approximately 14,900 workplaces with higher than average incident rates. The employers are those whose establishments are covered by Federal OSHA and reported the highest “Days Away from work, Restricted work or job Transfer injury and illness” (DART) rate to OSHA in a survey of 2010 injury and illness data. For every 100 full-time workers, the 14,900 employers had 2.0 or more injuries or illnesses which resulted in days away from work, restricted work or job transfer. The national average is 1.8.

All employers identified were sent a letter that encourages employers to consider hiring an outside safety and health consultant, talking with their insurance carrier, or contacting the workers’ compensation agency in their state for advice.

A template of the letter sent to notify employers and the entire list of 14,900 employers can be found at the following link: (Click Here for OSHA Letter)

Cliff Gerbick is the Director of Safety for The Reserves Network, a provider of “Total Staffing Solutions” in the office, industrial, professional and technical markets. To contact Cliff, email cgerbick@trnstaffing.com.

OSHA Revises Hazard Communication Standard (TRN Safety Alert)

From Cliff Gerbick, ASP (The Reserves Network Director of Safety)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has revised its Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) to align it with the United Nations global chemical labeling system. In a process that began decades ago, OSHA has at last published the final rule that will update the current standard to mirror the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

The updates to the standard will provide chemical manufacturers a proscribed format for identifying the hazards associated with chemicals. Currently, OSHA requires all employers to maintain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

While this requirement will not change, the format in which MSDS are organized will be standardized and must contain the information in the following order:

Section 1. Identification
Section 2. Hazard(s) identification
Section 3. Composition/information on ingredients
Section 4. First-Aid measures
Section 5. Fire-fighting measures
Section 6. Accidental release measures
Section 7. Handling and storage
Section 8. Exposure controls/personal protection
Section 9. Physical and chemical properties
Section 10. Stability and reactivity
Section 11. Toxicological information
Section 12. Ecological information
Section 13. Disposal considerations
Section 14. Transport information
Section 15. Regulatory information
Section 16. Other information, including date of preparation or last revision

In addition, OSHA is phasing out the use of MSDS and will now use the term Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

The other big change to the current standard is the standardized use of pictograms to identify the hazards associated with chemicals. There are nine pictograms used in the GHS and OSHA will adopt eight of them.  The ninth pictogram is in regards to environmental effects and since OSHA does not have jurisdiction overall environmental issues, it will not be used. The pictograms are:

HCS Pictograms and Hazards

Health Hazard	Flame	Exclamation Mark
• Carcinogen • Mutagenicity • Reproductive Toxicity • Respiratory Sensitizer • Target Organ Toxicity • Aspiration Toxicity	• Flammables • Pyrophorics • Self-Heating • Emits Flammable Gas • Self-Reactives • Organic Peroxides	• Irritant (skin and eye) • Skin Sensitizer • Acute Toxicity (harmful) • Narcotic Effects • Respiratory Tract Irritant • Hazardous to Ozone Layer (Non Mandatory)
Gas Cylinder	Corrosion	Exploding Bomb
• Gases under Pressure	• Skin Corrosion/ burns • Eye Damage • Corrosive to Metals	• Explosives • Self-Reactives • Organic Peroxides
Flame over Circle	Environment (Non Mandatory)	Skull and Crossbones
• Oxidizers	• Aquatic Toxicity	• Acute Toxicity (fatal or toxic)

OSHA has developed a timeline for all employers to be in compliance with the standard, culminating in 2016. The first deadline in the timeline, December 1, 2013, requires employers to train all employees on the new label elements (pictograms) and SDS format.

Other deadlines are as follows:

Effective Completion Date	Requirement(s)	Who
December 1, 2013	Train employees on the new label elements and safety data sheet (SDS) format.	Employers
June 1, 2015 December 1, 2015	Compliance with all modified provisions of this final rule, except: The Distributor shall not ship containers labeled by the chemical manufacturer or importer unless it is a GHS label.	Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers
June 1, 2016	Update alternative workplace labeling and hazard communication program as necessary, and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards.	Employers
Transition period to the Effective Completion Dates noted above.	May comply with either 29 CFR 1910.1200 (the final standard), or the current standard, or both.	Chemical manufacturers, importers, distributors and employers

OSHA estimates the revised standard will prevent an estimated 585 injuries and illnesses annually. It will reduce trade barriers and result in estimated annualized benefits in productivity improvements for American businesses that regularly handle, store and use hazardous chemicals, as well as cost savings of $32.2 million for American businesses that periodically update safety data sheets and labels for chemicals covered under the standard.

Cliff Gerbick is the Director of Safety for The Reserves Network, a provider of “Total Staffing Solutions” in the office, industrial, professional and technical markets. To contact Cliff, email cgerbick@trnstaffing.com.

“Temporary Positions May Lead to Full Time Work” (From abclocal.go.com)

This article and video from abclocal.go.com‘s Juanita Stevenson in Fresno, CA, reveals an example of how Temporary opportunities can lead to permanent positions, as well as an individual’s career growth and success.

To watch the video and read the full article simply click here!

“Top Ten Reasons Why Large Companies Fail To Keep Their Best Talent” (From Forbes.com)

Forbes.com blogger Eric Jackson presents an interesting article which discusses the many possible reasons why top talent leaves large companies. He also offers some insight for employers in order to understand and maintain their best people! Definitely worth a read.

To read the full article simply click here!

“Unemployment Insurance for Tomorrow’s Economy” (From the Urban Institute)

In this video, “Unemployment Insurance for Tomorrow’s Economy” from the Urban Institute, you’ll find an insightful discussion and information regarding Unemployment Insurance that can assist in preparing your business for the years ahead.

To view the 90 minute video, simply click here!

OSHA Respiratory Protection Awareness (TRN Safety Alert)

From Cliff Gerbick, ASP (The Reserves Network Director of Safety)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a series of videos which will help employers understand the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). The videos, available in both English and Spanish, provide information that employers can use to determine their individual needs as required by the standard.

As always, employers are required to, when possible, eliminate hazards through Engineering Controls and Administrative/ Work Practice Controls. In the event the hazard cannot be eliminated or controlled through those methods, the videos walk employers through the steps they need to take to protect their employees from respiratory hazards.

The videos cover the following topics:

• Respirator Protection in General Industry
• Respirator Protection in Construction
• Respirator Types
• Respirator Fit Testing
• Maintenance and Care of Respirators
• Medical Evaluations for Workers Who Use Respirators
• Respiratory Training Requirements
• Voluntary Use of Respirators

Videos can be accessed by clicking here!

For more information from OSHA on this video catalog click here!

Cliff Gerbick is the Director of Safety for The Reserves Network, a provider of “Total Staffing Solutions” in the office, industrial, professional and technical markets. To contact Cliff, email cgerbick@trnstaffing.com.

The Reserves Network Makes Inavero’s 2012 Best of Staffing™ Client List

Fairview Park, OH — The Reserves Network, a regional staffing service for the office, industrial, professional and technical markets, has been named to Inavero’s 2012 Best of Staffing™ Client list. Best of Staffing, presented in partnership with CareerBuilder, is the nation’s only award that recognizes staffing firms that receive remarkable reviews from their clients. Fewer than 1% of North American staffing firms have been named to the 2012 Best of Staffing Client List.

“Less than 1% of staffing firms in the US and Canada have been named to the Best of Staffing List for Client Satisfaction,” says Don Stallard, CEO and founder of The Reserves Network. “We are proud and honored to be recognized for our efforts in this way.”

Staffing firms competing to make the Best of Staffing list underwent a rigorous client survey process followed by careful analysis of responses to determine satisfaction levels. The Reserves Network received satisfaction ratings of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 72.3 percent of their clients, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 50 percent. Best of Staffing participants secured a place on the list by earning an average Net Promoter Score that was nearly double the national staffing industry benchmark for client satisfaction.

“The staffing industry continues to play a key role in helping to revitalize the economy,” said Eric Gregg, Inavero’s Founder and CEO. “Staffing firms give growth-minded organizations a more flexible alternative to recruiting their own employees, letting both the employee and employer determine if the fit is right for a more permanent position. Both sides receive tremendous value in a flexible, yet meaningful working relationship, and as they engage with staffing firms to help achieve those goals, the service experience they have is very important to their success. The Best of Staffing lists are a resource for businesses and talent who are trying to find staffing firms that provide exceptional service.”

Inavero’s complete Best of Staffing list can be viewed at www.bestofstaffing.com. For more information about Inavero, visit www.inavero.com. To learn more about The Reserves Network visit www.TRNstaffing.com.

About The Reserves Network

The Reserves Network is a regional staffing service for the office, industrial, professional and technical markets. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Fairview Park, Ohio, the provider of ‘Total Staffing Solutions’ has won multiple honors for outstanding sales growth and management excellence. Company-wide, the company expects to place nearly 20,000 employees annually at its more than 30 office locations in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Wisconsin. This includes temporary, temporary-to-hire, contract and direct-hire placements. For more information on The Reserves Network visit www.TRNstaffing.com or follow TRNstaffing on twitter!

About Inavero, Inc.

Inavero designs and manages satisfaction surveys for a global list of staffing and recruiting firms in more than 15 countries. Inavero’s proprietary technology platform gathers and reports staffing firm client and talent satisfaction information through online surveys. Inavero’s team analyzes satisfaction feedback from more than 500,000 staffing firm clients and talent each year, and serves at the American Staffing Association’s exclusive research partner.

For more information contact Inavero at (800) 921-2640 or email bestofstaffing@inavero.com. www.inavero.com | www.bestofstaffing.com.

Net Promoter, Net Promoter Score, and NPS are trademarks of Satmetrix Systems, Inc., Bain & Company, Inc., and Fred Reichheld

For additional information on this news release, and all other media inquiries on The Reserves Network or its affiliates, please contact the Communications Department at comm@trnstaffing.com.

TRN Featured on Fox 8 “New Day Cleveland”

 

The Reserves Network was featured on Fox 8′s morning show “New Day Cleveland”. In this video veteran entertainment reporter David Moss interviews TRN’s Director of Communications, Brandon Thimke, in regards to The Reserves Network’s company identity and the current climate for employment in Northeast Ohio.

To visit the Fox 8 “New Day Cleveland” section on their website click here!

Proud to partner with WJW Fox 8 and CareerBoard.com, The Reserves Network has great job opportunities now available throughout Northeast Ohio! Visit us online at www.TRNstaffing.com or contact one of our area offices today!

This video is also available on our TRNstaffing YouTube Channel! Apply for a job online – Click Here! For more information on The Reserves Network visit www.TRNstaffing.com or follow us on Twitter!

The Reserves Network Opens Merrillville Office

Merrillville, IN — The Reserves Network, a provider of “Total Staffing Solutions” for the office, industrial, professional and technical markets, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest office location in Merrillville, IN.

Located at 8105 Georgia Street, the new office will serve as a Recruit Center for TRN’s Matteson, IL office, providing a recruitment and business development base in Northwest Indiana.

With the opening of the new office, TRN now has three office locations in the Hoosier State, including Indianapolis and Tell City.

The Recruit Center will be overseen by Matteson Branch Manager Lora Avecillas.

“We’re very excited about the opening of the Merrillville office,” Avecillas says. “This move became a necessity to help us better serve our growing customer base in this region.” She adds that location was a key factor in opening the new office. “The town is minutes away from the Illinois border. It provides easy access to nearby cities throughout the area, allowing us to expand our service offerings to current and potential employees and customers.”

The Reserves Network charges no fee to job seekers. Candidates and companies can contact the Merrillville office at (219) 680-4269 or email merrillville@trnstaffing.com.

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About The Reserves Network

The Reserves Network is a regional staffing service for the office, industrial, professional and technical markets. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Fairview Park, Ohio, the provider of ‘Total Staffing Solutions’ has won multiple honors for outstanding sales growth and management excellence. System-wide, the company expects to place nearly 20,000 employees annually at its more than 30 office locations in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Wisconsin. This includes temporary, temporary-to-hire and direct-hire placements. For more information on The Reserves Network visit www.TRNstaffing.com or follow TRNstaffing on twitter!

For additional information on this news release, and all other media inquiries on The Reserves Network or its affiliates, please contact the Communications Department at comm@trnstaffing.com.