Take 5 for Safety

PPE Working Group Update - Opinions  PPE-related injuries are symptoms of bigger problem  Failure to use PPE or improper PPE may indicate: management/supervisory failure to communicate failure to recognize what is proper an organizational belief problem poor distribution or selection of PPE worker failure to observe good practice

Facts: 3 Years of BNL PPE Related Injuries; i.e., Injured Party Should Have Worn Gloves or Other PPE or Correct PPE

132 PPE-Related Injuries at BNL In 3 Years  67% were to the upper and lower extremities  62% were hand related  16% were to the eyes  35% were recordable  33% were workers compensation cases  Several individuals have PPE-related incidents in two of the three years...one made it four years in a row

Average WC Cost/Claim  Hand injuries - $2,700  Eye injuries - $285  Hearing losses - $5,000  Foot injuries - $1,200  Allergic reactions - $500  Full body exposures - $2,000

Initial Reactions  Amazing number of PPE related injuries (30% of total)  PPE is small cost when compared to cost of injury  Issued but not worn indicates organizational weaknesses: Four animal-bites in Animal Research Group Numerous knife cuts at cafeteria  Wrong tools or other indicates organizational weaknesses: Numerous knife cuts when tool should have been used Repeaters  Supervisors should examine each job for PPE