June 2022

A resource for continuous improvement in safety and health from the Southeastern OTI Education Center. Stay up-to-date with health and safety, OSHA, HazMat and HAZWOPER news, courses and events.

Safety Guardian Trivia

June 14 is National Forklift Safety Day and here’s a question for you – which of the following statements is correct?

1. Forklift operators must be at least 16 years of age, have a valid, state-issued driver’s license and complete a forklift operator training course.
2. Forklift operators must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid, state-issued driver’s license and complete their employer’s lift truck safety program.
3. Forklift operators must be at least 18 years of age, receive formal instruction, practical training and complete a skills/performance evaluation specific to the lift equipment they will be using.
4. There is no minimum age requirement for forklift operators, as long as the employer determines that the operator is competent to operate the designated equipment.

Timeout for Safety

Our next Timeout for Safety is Wednesday, June 15, at 2 p.m. This month’s discussion will feature information related to Powered Industrial Trucks. As always, everyone is encouraged to bring questions and ideas to discuss with fellow safety professionals in an informal, but informative session.

Note: Staff assignments are subject to change

Upcoming Sessions: 

June 15 at 2 p.m.
Join Here: https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/98597128923?pwd=SWpiYlN2N1BFQjlaVGU5clJaeUZCdz09

Future Sessions:

• July 20 at 2 p.m.
• August 17 at 2 p.m.
• September 21 at 2 p.m.
• October 19 at 2 p.m.
• November 16 at 2 p.m.
• December 14 at 2 p.m.

Trainer Toolbox

Preventing and Treating Heat Stress 

June, July and August are the hottest months of the year in North Carolina with an average temperature of 87.9 degrees. These hot temperatures may bode well for a day at the beach but working in the heat can cause injury, severe illness and even death. OSHA maintains a heat illness webpage with up-to-date information regarding protecting workers from heat and educational resources and training materials. 

Safe + Sound Week 2022: August 15-21

Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe. Learn more about ways you can participate. 

Suicide Prevention

OSHA recently published a new poster, Suicide Prevention: 5 Things You Should Know, in English and Spanish. A customizable version into which an organizational logo may be added is also available upon request from Chrissy Morgan (Morgan.Christina.E@dol.gov). The poster and other additional resources are available on OSHA’s Preventing Suicides page.

National Forklift Safety Day

June 14 is National Forklift Safety Day. OSHA maintains a Safety Forklift Operation web page to help keep operators and nearby workers safe when controlling a forklift. 

Trench Safety Stand-Down Week

June 20-24 is Trench Safety Stand-Down Week. A Safety Stand-Down presents the opportunity for employers to talk directly to employees and others about safety. These Stand Downs will focus on trench & excavation hazards and reinforce the importance of using trench protective systems and protecting workers from trenching hazards.

Featured Courses

OSHA #510 Standards for Construction
July 12-15 |Surfside Beach, SC

This course covers OSHA policies, procedures, and standards, as well as construction industry safety and health principles. Participants must successfully pass a written exam at the end of the course.

24-Hour Hazardous Material (HazMat) Technician-Level for Emergency Response
August 2-4, 2022 |Raleigh, NC

This event meets the OSHA training requirements of hazardous material technician-level for emergency responders as outlined in the HazWOPER standard, 29 CFR 1910.120(q) and 29 CFR 1926(q). HazMat technicians are individuals who respond to releases or potential releases for their companies to stop the release.

Upcoming Courses

OSHA #2015 Hazardous Materials
July 19-22 | Raleigh, NC

OSHA #503 Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers
July 20-22 |Wilmington, NC

OSHA #500 Trainer Course for Construction
July 26-29 | Surfside Beach, SC

OSHA #501 Trainer Course for General Industry
July 26-29 | Wilmington, NC

OSHA #510 Standards for Construction
August 9-12 | Greensboro, NC 

OSHA #3095 Electrical Standards
August 16-19 | Raleigh, NC

OSHA #503 Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers
August 17-19 | Virtual