PSE&G GAS DELIVERY HEALTH & SAFETY PROGRAM

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Jessie Sharp
5 years ago
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1 PSE&G GAS DELIVERY HEALTH & SAFETY PROGRAM

2 Our safety program is based on a grassroots process. The bargaining unit employees run the program from the local health and safety councils all the way up to the corporate health and safety council. The local safety councils form the basis of the program. Each location has a local health and safety council made up of bargaining unit employees and management employees. The chairperson is a bargaining unit employee. One of the primary roles of the manager on the council is to eliminate roadblocks and assist in getting things done at the local level.

3 The chairpersons from the local health and safety councils are members of the Line of Business (LOB) H&S Council. The LOB H&S Council consists of the local health and safety council members, the LOB lead safety coordinator, and the LOB vice president. Subject matter experts and employees from each of the reporting districts are encouraged to attend these meetings.

4 The safety system at PSEG is made up of 12 components. These components consist of: Administration and Measurement Commitment, Participation & Assurance Communication Contractor Health & Safety Data Analysis Hazard Assessment and Control Incident Analysis Issue Resolution Job Safety Observations Knowledge Motor Vehicle Safety Personal Health & Wellness

5 The Administration and Measurement component provides guidance in the H&S System in the means used by the Company to engage all employees in proactively managing their H&S. The Commitment, Participation & Assurance component is to provide methods for gaining the commitment, and participation of all PSEG associates in H&S improvement efforts. The Communication component provides guidance on four key areas of communication: Communication of technical information such as new OSHA regulations Communication of non technical information such as Incident Alerts Communication of hazards and precautions for specific tasks through Job Briefings Communication of actions supporting employee H&S through Recognition The Contractor Health & Safety component is to provide clear guidelines for a consistent approach to Contractor H&S management. The purpose of Data Analysis is to provide meaningful information with respect health and safety, where and why incidents are occurring, as well as the corrective action necessary to prevent a recurrence.

6 The Purpose of Hazard Assessment and Control is to provide a proactive, comprehensive process and approach to identification, evaluation, and control of industrial health and safety hazards. Incident Analysis / Root Cause provides methods to identify the circumstances, conditions, and causes that contributed to the incident and then develop measures to prevent future occurrences of similar incidents. The purpose of Issue Resolution is to provide employees with a process for the timely resolution of health and safety issues. The purpose of the Job Safety Observation is to proactively identify and eliminate at-risk behaviors and conditions on the job by observing employees while working and giving immediate feedback in order to alter the behavior or condition before an accident or injury occurs. The Knowledge component provides methods for imparting knowledge to: All employees on the skills to perform their work safely Employees on H&S Improvement New employees regarding basic safety orientation H&S Council members Increase the skills of safety & health professionals

7 The purpose of the Motor Vehicle Safety component is To ensure the building blocks of a safe driving environment are in place and used at work and at home. These include: The purpose of the Personal Health & Wellness Component is to help provide employees with the means and opportunity to achieve their personal health, safety and well-being goals, along with ways to assist employees in achieving a lifestyle of optimal health and well-being

8 Our use of the Data Analysis component resulted in a substantial reduction in muscular skeletal injuries. We commonly call these types of injuries, strains and sprains. In our Appliance Service group which is part of Gas Delivery, strains and sprains result in the highest incidence levels of lost time, restricted duty, and OSHA reportable injuries. The following slides is an over view of how a cross section of employees used Data Analysis to reduce these types of injuries.

9 GAS APPLIANCE SERVICE STRAINS / SPRAINS DATA ANALYSIS Chris Warner Mike Mullane Tom Curry Bob Egner Paul Metaxas Tom Robinson Mike Schmid (Sponsor)

10 Mission Initiative Description Review OSHA injury/first aid injury trend across Appliance Service to determine underlying and/or repetitive factors so that improvement plans can be identified and implemented Specific emphasis on sprains/strains which seems to be leading injury type Anticipated Results Specific action plan with accountabilities to address major opportunities identified Reduction in the numbers of sprains and strains resulting in OSHA recordable injuries

11 Findings Gas Appliance Service Strains & Sprains 50 Strain / Sprain (S/S) injuries 12 OSHA Recordables (OR), 11 First Aid (FA), 27 Record Purposes (RP) 12 OR include 8 Restricted and 3 Lost Time Cases (77 LT days) While reporting of RP cases may vary from location to location, Harrison, Orange and Plainfield experienced no OSHA or FA strain/sprain injuries Nearly half the OSHA Cases Half the Lost Time Cases Nearly two thirds the Restricted Duty Cases More than a quarter of the Lost Time days

12 Findings Strains and Sprains are among the most prevalent and serious injuries in Appliance Service and account for: 46-50% of OSHA Cases in last 3 years 50 + % of Lost Time Cases in last 4 years 60 + % of Restricted Duty cases in last 3 years 27-74% of Lost Time Days in last 6 years 33 of 50 reviewed Sprains /Strains incidents (two thirds) took place during 4 general tasks / circumstances: Ascending / Descending Stairs - 9 During appliance repair - 8 During meter set work - 8 While working around vehicles - 8

13 Findings Ascending / Descending Stairs - 9 Slips / Trips and Falls the leading type of incident while on stairs Keeping Eyes on Path and Defective Stairs (especially pull -down stairs) most prevalent causes leading to Slips/Trips/Falls YOS - see a trend but significance doubtful Season trend significance is doubtful Leg / Foot injuries most prevalent During appliance repair - 8 Overexertion & Felt Pain the leading type of incident during Appliance Repair Ergonomics and Physical Layout most prevalent causes leading to injury during appliance repair YOS - all injured employees doing the job for 5+ years Season trend significance is doubtful Neck / Back injuries most prevalent

14 Findings During meter set work - 8 Felt Pain & Overexertion the leading type of incident Ergonomics and Physical Layout most prevalent causes leading to injury during meter set work YOS - all injured employees doing the job for 5+ years Season trend significance is doubtful While working around vehicles - 8 Felt Pain & Overexertion the leading type of incidents 2 basic circumstances - exiting vehicle and taking equipment / materials out of vehicle YOS - all injured employees doing the job for 4+ years Season trend significance is doubtful

15 Findings Topics related to Strain / Sprain prevention H&S Plans Gas Delivery H&S Council Plan: page 2 The following Culture Initiatives will be supported;...ergonomics Team / Quarterly updates...annual root cause training will be provided for employees as needed. ROOT CAUSE INVESTIGATION Each accident will be evaluated to determine if a Root Cause Investigation will be performed. Wellness Initiatives...Partnering with Pro-Activity Promoting Exercise Programs

16 Findings Use of Pro-Activity Pro-Activity contractually available to visit Districts 4 times per year Site visits & presentations on back safety, heart safety, CVD screenings, STFs, etc.

17 Conclusions Appliance Service needs to place a priority on addressing Sprains and Strain injuries In any of the 4 main categories of work, many Strain / Sprain injuries most probably developed over time due to the repetition of non-optimal or improper body mechanics (e.g., carrying toolboxes, material bags, crouching, kneeling, overextending arms, pulling and pushing outside power zone such as when lying on floor) Underlying Issues leading to S/S incidents when Ascending / Descending Stairs Use of 3 points of contact Hands tied up with toolbox, flashlight, materials, other equipment Distractions from customer talking Dim lighting Physical layout / design of stairs Maintenance of stairs Cluttered stairs / housekeeping

18 Conclusions Underlying Issues leading to S/S incidents during appliance repair Location and design of appliances: parts usually are in low / hard to access locations, appliances in cramped areas Customer doesn't maintain appliance, making it physically harder for us to repair Techs may not be using the best ergonomic or body mechanics approach to work due to a lack of procedures, access to internet / intranet, and lack of ongoing training on new appliances Lack of Job Hazard Analyses / analyses of body mechanics for appliance work means techs may not being using best ergo or physical approach to work Repetition of non-optimal body mechanics over time leads to injury- e.g., carrying toolboxes, material bags, crouching, kneeling, overextending arms, pulling and pushing outside power zone such as when lying on floor, and so on

19 Conclusions Underlying Issues leading to S/S incidents during meter set work Repetition of non-optimal body mechanics over time leading to injury (e.g., body positioning out of power zone, sudden increases and decreases of force used / impact on hands, arms, shoulders) Waiting until force exerted gets very high before using a more effective tool or method Difficulty in determining normal aches & pains from more serious injury that requires immediate attention.

20 Conclusions Underlying Issues leading to S/S incidents while working around vehicles placement of tool bags /housekeeping in vehicles hard to judge normal aches & pains from more serious injury; inability to recognize an injury that required immediate attention design of storage in vans may lead to improper body mechanics MDT positioning leads to added stress on body repetition of non-optimal body mechanics that add up to injury (e.g., entering/exiting vehicle, overreaching to remove tools & materials from van) Topics related to Strain / Sprain prevention in H&S Plans No specific action in relation to strain / sprains prevention Reference to activities that can support prevention efforts > ergonomics > exercise programs > Root Cause Analyses Use of Pro-Activity Pro-Activity underutilized Could pro-actively provide expertise to support reduction in strains and sprains

21 Recommended Actions Evaluate Equipment / Work Practices > Evaluate, Pilot & Deploy Tools & Equipment Evaluate, pilot & deploy as appropriate wrench extenders for use in piping work - Evaluate, pilot & deploy as appropriate backpacks and specialized materials bags Evaluate, pilot & deploy as appropriate portable platforms for various work > Re-evaluate ergonomic MDT positioning mounts > Evaluate purchase of taller vans such as Dodge Sprinter > Housekeeping / 3 Points of Contact Improve housekeeping / organization of tools & materials in vans Technicians to ask customer to descend stairs first, use 3 points of contact while ascending / descending stairs > Provide information on new appliances Develop & Implement advanced training on new appliances Provide MDT access to internet / intranet sites on appliance service by Technicians

22 Increase knowledge on body mechanics and ergonomics Develop & annually present awareness video(s) (similar to AMEREN) on proper body mechanics (e.g., use of wrenches), stretching, tightening of fittings, etc. Develop & annually present awareness video on working around appliance service vans to ease stress on body Adjuncts & ProActivity to work with Training Committee to include principles of correct body mechanics, body movement /use of power zone, and stretching program into Session I and II training and Operator Qualifications (Include similar concepts in Bundled Training) include use of proper size wrenches Develop and promote a Gas Appliance Service Stretching Program with reference wallet card for use before jobs Communication to Customers Recommended Actions Revise the script in the Davox system to inform homeowners to keep stairs and areas around appliances and meters in good condition, clear of obstacles, provide good lighting. Use Bill Stuffer as another means of communication to customers

23 Recommended Actions Include specific actions to reduce strain / sprain injuries in 2012 H&S Plans Scheduling visits by Pro-Activity to Appliance Service Districts 4 times per year with increased focus on body mechanics & stretching Job Hazard Analysis program (that include councils, safety professionals, ProActivity, and Corporate Ergonomics Team) on work around vehicles, meter set work, and appliance repair work to identify improved work practices / body mechanics / tools / stretching exercise routines (and incorporate info into training and work practices)

24 OTHER RECOMMENDED ACTIONS Communicate better practices of Harrison, Orange and Plainfield that have resulted in no FA/OR strain/sprain (S/S) injuries in 2011 YTD Develop an addendum to the Field Incident Report for use by Appliance Service supervision to obtain more complete information about incidents Increase use of the Root Cause Analyses process to investigate serious or potentially serious Strain / Sprain incidents and increase communication of lessons learned to personnel

25 ACTION PLAN Action Lead Due Date Evaluate Equipment / Work Practices 1. Evaluate, Pilot & Deploy Tools & Equipment 2. Re-evaluate ergonomic MDT positioning mounts 3. Evaluate purchase of taller vans such as Dodge Sprinter 4. Housekeeping / 3 Points of Contact 5. Provide Information on New Appliances Increase knowledge on body mechanics and ergonomics 1. Paul Pirro 2. Neal Davis 3. Joe Martillotti 4. Supervisors & H&S Councils 5. Paul Pirro / Ross Romano / Alice McPhee Tom Curry 1 st quarter st quarter 2012 Communication to Customers Bob Egner December 2011 Include specific actions to reduce strain / sprain injuries in 2012 H&S Plans Neal Davis Chris Edman December 2011

26 ACTION PLAN Other Actions: Action Lead Due Date 1) Revise the Field Incident Report Form for use by supervision to obtain more complete information about incidents 2) Increase use of the Root Cause Analyses process to investigate serious or potentially serious S/S incidents & communicate 3) Communicate better practices that have resulted in no FA/OR strain/sprain (S/S) injuries in 2011 YTD Track recommended Action Plan to ensure implementation and evaluate effectiveness. Start with 1 st checkpoint in December, Bob Egner 2. Mike Schmid & Safety Pro s 3. Jules Kaczor Tom Robinson with Data Analysis Team 1. Nov Jan Dec 2011 Start Dec 2011

27 What the Team Did Validated that strains and sprain (S/S) injuries were most prevalent in 2011 and would be the focus of this analysis Reviewed 50 S/S injuries and classified them in various ways including job task or circumstance, incident type (e.g., slip/trip/fall), OSHA recordkeeping classification, and primary systemic or human factor cause Brainstormed the most prevalent common causes and trends (opportunities for improvement) and developed recommended actions focused at mitigating the prevalent common causes Benchmarked outside organizations (Ameren, National Grid) for actions they took to reduce strain and sprain injuries

28 What the Team Did Researched various tools and equipment that would assist Technicians in reducing overexertion and awkward body movement / positioning Reviewed the Local & LOB Council and District H&S Plans for planned actions that to reduce Strain / Sprain (S/S) injuries Surveyed Districts for actions that may help reduce S/S injuries Met with Pro-Activity to review general Gas Delivery health and wellness trends, Pro-Activity work in Gas Districts, and body mechanics concepts

29 SUMMARY Follow-up on action items Continue to monitor strains and sprain injuries Encourage employees to stretch several times a day Engage supervisors in the programs Continue to tweak the program with new ergonomic tools Keep employees at all levels updated on the progress of the program.

Strains and Sprains. Signs and Symptoms of MSI

Strains and Sprains. Signs and Symptoms of MSI Strains and Sprains Strains and sprains (known as musculoskeletal injuries) are the most common type of workrelated injury. Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) is a term used to describe an injury of the muscles,