#osha safety training

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Big Train managers earn bonuses for greenlighting unsafe cars

Tomorrow (November 16) I'll be in Stratford, Ontario, appearing onstage with Vass Bednar as part of the CBC IDEAS Festival. I'm also doing an afternoon session for middle-schoolers at the Stratford Public Library.

Almost no one knows this, but last June, a 90-car train got away from its crew in Hernando, MS, rolling three miles through two public crossings, a ghost train that included 47 potentially explosive propane cars. The "bomb train" neither crashed nor derailed, which meant that Grenada Railroad/Gulf & Atantic didn't have to report it.

This is just one of many terrifying near-misses that are increasingly common in America's hyper-concentrated, private equity-dominated rail sector, where unsafe practices dominate and whistleblowers face brutal retaliation for coming forward to regulators.

These unsafe practices – and the corporate policies that deliberately gave rise to them – are documented in terrifying, eye-watering detail in a deeply reported Propublica story by Topher Sanders, Jessica Lussenhop,Dan Schwartz, Danelle Morton and Gabriel L Sandoval:

https://www.propublica.org/article/railroad-safety-union-pacific-csx-bnsf-trains-freight

It's a tale of depraved indifference to public safety, backstopped by worker intimidation. The reporting is centered on railyard maintenance inspectors, who are charged with writing up "bad orders" to prevent unsafe railcars from shipping out. As private equity firms consolidated rail into an ever-dwindling number of companies, these workers face supervisors who are increasingly hostile to these bad orders.

It got so alarming that some staffers started carrying hidden digital recorders, so they could capture audio of their bosses illegally ordering them to greenlight railcars that were too unsafe for use. The article features direct – and alarming – quotes, like supervisor Andrew Letcher, boss of the maintenance crews at Union Pacific's Kansas City yard saying, "If I was an inspector on a train I would probably let some of that nitpicky shit go."

Letcher – and fellow managers for other Tier 1 railroads quoted in the piece – aren't innately hostile to public safety. They are quite frank about why they want inspectors to "let that nitpicky shit go." As Letcher explains, "The first thing that I’m getting questioned about right now, every day, is why we’re over 200 bad orders and what we’re doing to get them down."

In other words, corporate rail owners have ordered their supervisors to reduce the amount of maintenance outages on the rail lines, but have not given them additional preventative maintenance budgets or crew. These supervisors warn their employees that high numbers of bad orders could cost them their jobs, even lead to the shutdown of the car shops where inspectors are prone to pulling dangerous cars out of service.

It's a ruthless form of winnowing. Gresham's Law holds that "bad money drives out good" – in an economy where counterfeit money circulates, people preferentially spend their fake money to get it out of their hands, until all the money in circulation is funny money. This is the rail safety equivalent: simply fire everyone who reports unsafe conditions and all your railcars will be deemed safe, with the worst railcars shipped out first. A market for lemons – except these aren't balky used sedans, they're unsafe railcars full of toxic chemicals or explosive propane.

When cataclysmic rail disasters occur – like this year's East Palestine derailment – the rail industry reassures us that this is an isolated incident, pointing to the system's excellent overall safety record. But that record is a mirage, because the near-misses don't have to be reported. Those near-misses are coming more frequently, as the culture of profit over safety incurs a mounting maintenance debt, filling America's rails with potential "bomb cars."

Rail mergers and other forms of deregulated, anything-goes capitalism are justified by conservative economists who insist that "incentives matter," and that the profit motive provides the incentive to improve efficiency, leading to lower costs and better service. But the incentive to externalize risk, kick the can down the road, and capture regulators rarely concerns the "incentives matter" crowd.

Here's an incentive that matters. Rail managers' bonuses – as much as a fifth of their take home pay – are only paid if the trains they oversee run on time. Inspectors have recorded their managers admitting that they have quotas – a maximum number of bad orders their facility may produce, irrespective of how much unsafe rolling stock passes through the facility.

Inspectors have caught their managers removing repair order tags from cars they've flagged as unsafe. Inspectors will log orders in a database, only to have the record mysteriously deleted, or marked as serviced when no service has occurred. Some inspectors have seen the same cars in their yard with the same problems, and repeatedly flagged them without any maintenance being performed before they're shipped out again.

Former managers from Union Pacific, CSX and Norfolk Southern told Propublica that they operated in an environment where safety reports were discouraged, and that workers who filed these reports were viewed as "complainers." Workers furnished Propublica with recordings of rail managers berating them for reporting persistent unsafe conditions the Federal Railroad Administration. Other workers from BNSF said that they believed that their bosses were told when they called the company's "confidential" work-safety tipline, setting them up for retaliation by bosses who'd falsified safety reports.

Whistleblowers who seek justice at OSHA are stymied by long delays, and while switching their cases to court can win them cash settlements, these do not get recorded on the company's safety record, which allows the company to go on claiming to be a paragon of safety and prudence.

The culture of retaliation is pervasive, which explains how the 47-cars worth of propane on the "bomb train" that rolled unattended over three miles of track never made the news. There is a voluntary Close Call Reporting System (operated by NASA!) where rail companies can report these disasters. Not one of America's Class 1 rail companies participate in it.

After the East Palestine disaster, Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg pushed the rail companies to join, but a year later, none have. It's part of an overall pattern with Secretary Buttigieg, who has prodigious, far-reaching powers under USC40 Section 41712(a), which allow him to punish companies for "unfair and deceptive" practices or "unfair methods of competition":

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/10/the-courage-to-govern/#whos-in-charge

Buttigieg can't simply hand down orders under 41712(a) – to wield this power, he must follow administrative procedures, conducting market studies, seeking comment, and proposing a rule. Other members of the Biden administration with similar powers, like FTC chair Lina Khan, arrived in office with a ranked-priority list of bad corporate conduct and immediately set about teeing up rules to give relief to the American public.

By contrast, Buttigieg's agency has done precious little to establish the evidentiary record to punish the worst American companies under its remit. His most-touted achievement was to fine five airlines for saving money by cancelling their flights and stranding their passengers. But of the five airlines affected by Buttigieg's order, four were not US companies. The sole affected US carrier was Spirit airlines, with 2% of the market. The Big Four US airlines – who have a much worse record than the ones that were fined – were not affected at all:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/transportation/ftc-noncompete-airline-flight-cancellation-buttigieg/

Rather than directly regulating the US transportation sector, Buttigieg prefers exacting nonbinding promises from them (like the Tier 1 rail companies' broken promise to sign up to the Close Call Reporting System). Under his leadership, the Federal Railroad Agency has proposed weakening rail safety standards, rescinding an order to improve the braking systems on undermaintained, mile-long trains carrying potentially deadly freight:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/11/dinah-wont-you-blow/#ecp

The US transportation system is accumulating a terrifying safety debt, behind a veil of corporate secrecy. It badly demands direct regulation and close oversight.

If you are interested in rail safety, I strongly recommend this episode of Well There's Your Problem, "a podcast about engineering disasters, with slides" – you will laugh your head off and then never sleep again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BMQTdYXaH8

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/15/safety-third/#all-the-livelong-day

[breadandblankets]

if i was a gothamite i would simply find batman by looking for the GIANT power sink

nevermind post cancelled did yall know that the batcave has a hydroelectric plant inside and also in the 40s it was a fission reactor?

is the batcave on a separate system than the manor? there's no way that system was designed by a licensed engineer, bruce probably did it himself smh, add yet another crime to his rap sheet

[sweaterkittensahoy]

On the one hand, I like learning about Root Cause Analysis training when I do my OSHA training. Enough that I thought, "That'd be a cool job, probably."

And then I remembered Root Cause Analysis is what you do when there's been a workplace accident, and then I thought of the fact I work in high voltage. And then I thought about the sort of photos or injuries I'd have to view and.

I'm good. I'm good where I'm at. Very happy. Don't need to see a medium rare human arm.

[hylianengineer]

Goddamn it, I have either triggered the Dairy-Allergy-Induced-Anxiety, or I am simply incapable of calming down after this chaotic day. Maybe both.

Also I keep hearing noises I really hope are fireworks... but who sets off fireworks on Halloween? Isn't that illegal? Which isn't to say people don't do it...

I'm really Not Over the sulfuric acid incident at work today. I'm physically completely unharmed but emotionally very shaken up. I've never had a real lab accident before that required reporting or medical advice or anything. This one might not have technically required it either, but the MSDS (material safety data sheet - records we keep on every chemical we use that hold safety and first aid information) said to get medical attention. So I called Poison Control. I'm not even sure why I decided that was the correct people to call - it was very much not an emergency situation since there were no visible injurjes, and who else knows about chemical exposure? Maybe the University EHS department, whose phone number is on the lab door, but really, I don't know who they are or what they do beyond picking up our haz waste. I'm told I made the right call but I feel really self concious about it - why did I call Poison Control, aren't they supposed to deal with small children putting weird things in their mouths, not lab techs with chemical spills? They seemed totally unphased though. And it worked out, they knew what to do, I didn't actually get hurt, I took all the precautions.

After I got off the phone with Poison Control - but before I knew for sure everything was ok, because apparently acid burns don't always develop immediately and they said they'd call me back in an hour - I went upstairs to the grad students' office hoping against hope my favorite PhD student would be there. For emotional support and to have someone around slightly more experienced in Lab Stuff than me. She was not there. However, the PI and a couple other people were having a meeting in the conference room across the hall, and noticed me, and asked if I needed something - I do not generally come to that part of the building. I told her the whole story, and she looked at my not-burn (it seemed completely normal) and told me I did all the right things and it seemed like everything would be fine and asked if I needed anything. Then I went back to the lab, panicked some more, and waited for the Poison Control people to call me back. Which they did 45 minutes late, but I guess they're busy and this was low priority. Fair.

I feel so... ugh. That I was never taught who you call about stuff like this. I know to run acid-affected skin under running water for fifteen minutes. (I even know WHY you're not supposed to neutralize an acid burn with a base: acid+base=water+HEAT.) I know - in theory - how safety showers and chemical spill kits work (I'm so glad I didn't have to test THOSE!). But as for who to call afterwards? It was always assumed someone who knew more than me would be around to handle it. I was the only person in the lab today, and I didn't even know there were other lab members in the building. If I needed help but it wasn't 911 levels of bad, what the hell was I supposed to do? Fucking improvise? If I could've left the lab I could've gone to the office where I know some people - but I was kinda trapped at the sink running my arm under water for a minimum of fifteen minutes. And what the hell do the office folks know about chemical spills anyways?

Is this what being an adult is always like? Constantly figuring things out alone even though you feel like there should be someone older and more experienced and more Trained For This Shit around to handle it?

We used to have a lab manager who I assumed would be around to help if anything like this ever happened. She left six months ago and I've been doing half her job ever since. I'm not trained for this. And on Friday I have to go back to work and keep doing shit I wasn't trained for - this time attempting to repair the ion chromatograph.

Part of me feels like I freaked out over nothing. One drop of acid on one inch of exposed skin. Part of me feels angry that I feel like that. It was fine. It WAS fine. But how was I supposed to know that? I just did what the best information I had at the time - the MSDS - told me to do. Kind of. In the only way I could figure out how to do it. I'm kind of starting to think the MSDS writers need to take a chill pill - I swear every time I end up really needing one, it says something really scary, I act accordingly, and then I feel like an idiot afterwards. (Long story.)

[whilomm]

seeing ppl call ingo and emmet tumblr sexymen is like. okay i see the evidence it is right here in front of me i cannot deny it but i simply do not understand how one might get sexy from the funny train uncles. they are simply potatos to me.

[pandoratheprocrasticreator]

i watched alien (1979) with my partner a few days ago and goddamn this evil space cargo ship company can fit so many sci-fi osha violations in it

[nnctales]

Construction Safety Training Courses: Safer Work Environment

Introduction Construction sites are inherently hazardous environments where workers face numerous risks daily. To mitigate these dangers and promote a culture of safety, construction safety training courses are essential. These courses equip workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify hazards, implement safety protocols, and respond effectively in emergencies. This article…

[safetycourses-345]

Understanding OSHAS and Its Impact on Workplace Safety

What is OSHAS?

The Occupational Safety and Health Assessment Series (OSHAS) is a set of standards designed to ensure that organizations maintain safe and healthy working environments. OSHAS 18001, and its successor ISO 45001, provide frameworks for identifying, managing, and mitigating workplace hazards. These standards are crucial for organizations aiming to improve their safety performance and comply with legal requirements.

Key Benefits of Implementing OSHAS

Implementing OSHAS standards offers several significant benefits. Firstly, it helps organizations reduce workplace accidents and injuries by systematically identifying and controlling risks. This leads to a healthier workforce and can decrease the number of lost workdays. Additionally, adherence to OSHAS standards enhances operational efficiency by minimizing disruptions and potential legal issues related to safety compliance. Companies also benefit from improved employee morale and a stronger reputation as a safe and responsible employer.

The Role of an Occupational Safety and Health Audit Specialist

To effectively implement and maintain OSHAS standards, organizations often rely on the expertise of an Occupational Safety and Health Audit Specialist. This professional is trained to conduct comprehensive safety audits, assess compliance with OSHAS standards, and recommend improvements. Their role is critical in identifying potential hazards, ensuring that safety procedures are followed, and providing guidance on best practices for maintaining a safe working environment.

Career Development in OSHAS

For those interested in specializing in workplace safety, pursuing certification as an Occupational Safety and Health Audit Specialist can be highly beneficial. This certification provides in-depth knowledge of OSHAS standards, auditing techniques, and safety management practices. It also enhances career prospects by demonstrating a commitment to professional excellence and expertise in occupational health and safety.

Conclusion

OSHAS standards play a vital role in enhancing workplace safety and health. By adhering to these standards and leveraging the expertise of an Occupational Safety and Health Audit Specialist, organizations can create safer work environments, improve efficiency, and advance their commitment to employee well-being. Investing in OSHAS and specialized training is essential for achieving long-term safety and compliance goals.

[greenwgroup]

  Enroll in OSHA 30-Hour Training Courses and Enhance Your Safety Skills!

Are you looking to advance your career in safety management? Join our OSHA 30-Hour training courses for Construction Safety and General Industry, available now through Green World Group. Our comprehensive e-learning programs are designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure workplace safety and compliance with OSHA standards.

Course Highlights:

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Why Choose Our Training?

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[ehssafetynewsamerica-blog]

Employees Are Concerned About Safety and Lack of Training | EHS Today

Half feel companies could be doing more to reduce incidents, and 83% said protocols are merely checkboxes. The idea that job retention is related to how safe an employee feels at work isn’t new, but it it’s coming up more often in general surveys. Case in point is a recent survey from Vector, The State of Industrial Worker Safety and Well-Being report, which spoke to more than 600 full-time…

[crispypenguinpatrol]

Safety course in chennai

WHY DO WE WANT TO FIRE AND SAFETY COURSES?

The Industries and many manufacturing factories and companies will easily catchable to any spark of fire and cause unexpected disasters to the employees and property. If they are trained to safeguard themselves and belongings from those issues with Fire and safety courses in Chennai, then no loss to you and all.

[constructionsafetynetwork]

Harness Technology: Advances and Best Practices in Fall Protection

In the realm of construction safety, the phrase “Harness Technology: Advances and Best Practices” takes on a literal and crucial meaning, especially regarding fall protection. This article aims to explore the latest advancements and best practices in harness technology, vital for ensuring worker safety at heights. Understanding these innovations and how to effectively implement them is essential…

[farmworkertraining]

Website : https://www.farmworkertraining.com/

Farmworker Training and Compliance, under AJL Productions, LLC, has been dedicated to developing bilingual farm worker health and safety training videos since 2005. Collaborating with various industry professionals and organizations, they focus on pivotal areas such as food safety, pesticide safety, heat-related illnesses, lifting, platform safety, and preventing workplace sexual harassment in agriculture. Their resources, viewed by thousands of farm workers across the USA, assist growers in adhering to both governmental and non-governmental regulations centered on farm worker safety and health. The founder, Alexandra Lewis-Lorentz, combines digital arts with her extensive experience as a Cultural Anthropologist and educator, providing a unique, collaborative approach to media work.

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/farmworkertraining/

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