T H E M A G I D G L O V E & S A F E T Y M A N U F A C T U R I N G S A F E T Y R E P O R T

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M A T T E R SGeneral Dynamics Electric Boat Takes a Deep Dive into Safety TrainingThe average person doesn’t think about submarines very often, but

when they do, it is not usually about what it takes to get them built or how many hazards are involved when working in such tight spaces or with such volatile compounds. At General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut (“The Submarine Capital of the World”), safety is just about all they think about—from the safety of the skilled workers who build these gigantic vessels to the safety of the men and women of the armed forces who travel in them—safety is the top priority.

Electric Boat, which started in 1899, has established standards of excellence in the design, construction and lifestyle support of submarines for the US Navy throughout its storied history. This dedication to excellence is apparent in the safety training of its staff through its 16-J Safety Training—a program that is unique to this location and is hosted, created and taught by Electric Boat’s Metal Trades Council (MTC) union members. The 16-J name is simply the number (shipyard address) of the building dedicated to safety instruction on the Electric Boat property.

Having been in this business for more than 115 years, the Groton facility is fortunate to have many experienced workers involved in production and available to lead training and education programs. Safety professionals will attest that longevity in the workplace often helps consistency as well as safety, since experienced workers have enough on-the-job experience to avoid most major loss-time incidents. However, many of those experienced workers are heading for retirement. The younger, newer workforce does not have the extensive experience and background yet—so it is doubly important that they are given the tools and the know-how to keep them and those around them safe. This is where the 16-J Safety Training comes in.

Manager of safety and industrial hygiene Don Peterson says that the personal connection the employees feel to the Metal Trades Council (MTC) instructors is key to employee buy-in, information retention and increased safety throughout the facility. “I feel we have a higher rate of success with our 16-J program because we have the employees running the program and the instruction,” says Peterson. “The relationship between the MTC instructors and

their peers is key to the success of this program. People are much more likely to listen to and take advice from a man or woman who has worked alongside them than someone who has never lived it.”

Strains and sprains instructor Leon Gay agrees, “These instructors have done the jobs. They have seen or experienced the hazards and understand the value of following safe work practices and wearing safety equipment. I think it really helps get the information embedded and is a big value to the trainees.”

A Day in Groton: 16-J Safety TrainingThe three-hour-long safety program starts with introductions and overviews by Cathy Greenfield, administrative clerk, who prepares the employees for their training and explains the overall theme of 16-J and the Groton facility: Practice Good Housekeeping. “If you are alert and keep your area clean and in good order, you can avoid most injuries,” she says. The Good Housekeeping theme is repeated several times throughout the training so that it is instilled in the mind of every trainee or experienced staff member in for a refresher.

Greenfield also emphasizes the importance of ergonomics: “Ergonomics is the first part of safety: how to bend, lift and avoid muscle strain. Anytime you do a job and have pain there is something that can be improved through ergonomics,” she explains. “Ergonomics is

simply adjusting the workspace to you instead of adjusting you to the workspace.”

Like any other facility with such a long history, Electric Boat’s Groton facility still experiences injuries. Part of the training process at 16-J is to ensure that employees remember that they are working in a dangerous environment and that safety must always be top of mind.

Once the program goes into full swing, Electric Boat keeps participants absorbing and learning throughout the extensive training program by changing instructors every one or two modules. The program excels at keeping participants moving and engaging them every few minutes. Some of the activities used to engage the trainees while making sure that the information hits

HazMat instructor Joe DePasquale shows the importance of battery disposal safety in the shipyard.

Volume 19, Issue 1

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Photos courtesy of G

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home include Safety Family Feud, Hot Work Safety, Hazmat Safety, Traffic Safety, Slips & Falls, Stretching and more. The key component was that by keeping trainees moving, switching between instructors, shouting out answers and interacting with equipment, every participant was mentally present and had a variety of visual aids to assist retention every step of the way. The instructors peppered each presentation with a balance of no nonsense parameters, useful statistics and hands-on engagement with a little levity.

Instructor Mike McGuire in the Hot Work/Welding area showed damaged facemasks which had saved lives and emphasized the importance of complete and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) every day for every application. Explains McGuire: “If you do not use the appropriate PPE you could get a hot spark down your shirt and you are jumping around like you have won the lottery-but it isn’t good news!”

Being open to employee requests and safety needs helps keep communication flowing at Electric Boat. For over 18 years, Magid Glove & Safety has worked hand-in-hand with the safety professionals at Electric Boat to ensure that employees have the right PPE and the maximum protection for each application.

Due to the unique nature of shipbuilding, PPE needs change frequently. “At Electric Boat, we are constantly adapting to things happening in the shipyard to keep everyone safe,” says Peterson. “We often need custom items or need to change out one item of PPE for another and Magid is always willing to help us with that.”

Electric Boat and Magid Glove & Safety work hard to find PPE that is comfortable and effective for each and every employee. It is important that the employees are on board with the safety equipment decisions made and understand the importance of all PPE.

“PPE is always approved with employee engagement and buy-in to ensure that the carefully selected products will be used in the manner intended and keep everyone safe,” says Peterson. “Magid has been instrumental in evolving our PPE program to help achieve a Recordable Incidence Rate 42% below the Shipbuilding and Repair Industry average as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as well as a Lost Work Day Incidence Rate 45% below the BLS average. Between our 16-J training and Magid as our preferred safety supplier, we are able to provide exemplary safety training and protection to everyone at Groton and we are very proud of that.”

Make It MemorableOutside of the core 16-J safety program, trainees also take additional safety class such as strains and sprains, respirator training and a harness class, among others. Instructor Leon Gay incorporates some non-traditional methods in his sprains and strains class including a humorous video and Nerf basketball to get his points across. “My class contains some very serious information,” explains Leon Gay. “There are pictures showing injuries, people telling

stories about injuries they sustained over the years and some of the stories are graphic. I want people to see there are consequences and how to avoid them. However, one has to keep people interested. In order to keep this heavy information from turning people off, I show a funny slip, trip and fall video related to the subject. It lightens the mood.”

Leon Gay also feels that any activity that gets people moving, thinking and having fun will make the training more effective. In Gay’s class, trainees must yell out the key phrases they were taught in the class when they shoot a basket. “The basketball has more meaning and is helping me do my job. Not only are the people yelling out one of the key elements as they shoot a basket (the more you hear it, the more you say it, the more you remember it), I challenge them to do better. The class acts like a team, they encourage each other at the same time they hear: ‘bend at the knees,’ ‘don’t twist,’ ‘wear your PPE.’ They can learn and have fun.”

While Electric Boat’s approach to safety training is unique, the majority of the information they give their trainees could apply to shop floors in many industries. However, one area that is of special focus for Electric Boat is tank

safety. Instructor Roger Crider went over the specific safety precautions Electric Boat takes in this key component of shipbuilding. “We are the only shipyard that puts a person outside the tank at all times to watch and make sure everyone is safe. This individual is instructed to make timed checks on all staff in the tank and is never allowed in the tank while on watch.”

The training program wraps with a mini tour of the to-scale wooden submarine model that occupies the majority of the 16-J building. The imposing model is used to acclimate trainees to the tight quarters they will be working in and to give close to real life demonstrations of safety protocols.

“I’ve been here for thirty some odd years,” adds Leon Gay. “Back when I started we didn’t have knee pads, elbow pads, vibratory gloves and the like. Workers were constantly having operations on their hands, elbows, knees and shoulders. As safety equipment became the norm, these injuries started to reduce more and more. It’s my job to encourage the 2,500 to 2,600 people who come through this program each year that it’s in their best interest to use this stuff. When I hear that the injury rate has fallen there is a feeling that I’ve had some small part in helping send someone home in the same shape that they came to work. That’s what we do every day with 16-J.”

The MTC instructors at Electric Boat team up to keep participants engaged during the safety training.

Instructor Mike McGuire demonstrates the importance of appropriate PPE in hot work and welding.

Instructor Dave Crowley explains the importance of stretching throughout the day to help prevent injuries.

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Arvin Sango, Inc., a manufacturer of quality automotive parts including exhaust systems, fuel tanks and door

bars, created a plan to reduce injury rate by 50%, providing a safe workplace. The company had implemented Kiken Yochi Training (KYT), a Japanese inspired plan that focuses on hazard (kiken) and prediction (yochi) training, but wished to increase the effectiveness of KYT activity to promote safety awareness and accident prevention. Arvin Sango’s training manager Dan Grady implemented some additional training to piggyback on the KYT plan and expand upon the already proven ideology.

“I wanted to take a plan that I knew already worked and give it even more weight,” says Grady. “Through my experience, I found that hands-on safety training is the best method to prepare workers for what might happen on the shop floor. As a result, they are able to act quickly and effectively when an incident occurs, decreasing our injury rate drastically.”

KYT is a training method that aims to bring awareness to workers about unsafe conditions or behaviors in their immediate area of activity. This method ensures the personal safety of workers and the safety of those working around them. Since new staff members are added to the shop floor monthly, including temporary employees, Arvin Sango kicked this safety method into high gear, developing tools to support knowledge of unsafe activities and providing hands-on safety training to new and current employees.

All employees receive 90 minutes of safety training on their first day, including some production related training. Part of that training is to make employees aware of the potential hazards, give them strong strategies to avoid injury and keep everyone on the show floor safe.

• Dress for Success: At Arvin Sango 86% of all injuries are a result of contusion, laceration or strain. One of the most effective methods for addressing this issue and reducing its incidence is using the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). In order to ensure that employees understand the importance and proper use of PPE, employees are asked to dress a “safety man” with the appropriate PPE for their assigned application. This test gives employees a chance to think through the potential on-the-job hazards and address them in a safe environment. In addition, employees are given detailed instruction on “What Not To Wear,” including clothing with holes in it, non cut resistant gloves, sleeveless shirts, tinted eyewear, etc.

• A Cut Above the Rest: Laceration-based injuries are a major concern at Arvin Sango, as a result the training session for employees includes information on preventing

wrist and foot lacerations. This training session includes adjusting Kevlar gloves to prevent hazards and testing first-hand the difference between Kevlar gloves and a cotton glove. By allowing members to cut through cotton and Kevlar gloves with a razor and scissors, they can feel the cut resistance properties of the material and understand how the proper PPE is required to prevent laceration hazards.

• - Hit the Ground Running: To prevent foot lacerations members are required to wear steel-toed shoes. They are given a hammer and asked to test the strength of a steel-toed shoe. This exercise helps members “feel” the difference a steel-toed shoe makes and understand the importance of this safety equipment.

• Don’t Burn Out: Burns are also a safety concern, so to help prevent burns caused by hot weld drips and slag, the shin chap on the boots must be properly adjusted by knotting the straps behind the buckle The hands-on approach ensures that members are able to securely knot the boots before entering the shop floor.

• - Putting the Hammer Down: Members must also understand that the right tool must be used for the right job at all times. To test this, members differentiate between a homemade hammer versus a store bought hammer and learn through hands-on experience that there is no substitute for proper tools.

By providing hands-on training, members have experience in situations before entering the shop floor. As a result of continuing KYT activity, the injury rate decreased by 44% in 2012, a drastic improvement to the safety

program. During that time, the company identified over 5,000 potential safety concerns and came up with countermeasures for 71% of those issues. In November 2012, the team started providing intensive hands on safety training to new members. Between 2012 and 2013, first aid injuries dropped 50%, showing drastic improvements in the safety program due to KYT activity. Arvin Sango hopes to drive down injury rates even further by continuing to practice the KYT method.

Arvin Sango Uses Creativity To Reduce Injury Rates

Photos courtesy of Arvin Sango

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Teaching employees how to be safe on the job is a priority for Advanced Technology Services (ATS), a factory in charge

of machine maintenance. A great indication that safety training is working is that employees are taking their safety training home with them and implementing it outside of work. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) outside of the work environment is one of the first safety standards to go by the wayside once employees leave the shop floor. Fortunately for Cory Clougherty, a maintenance technician at ATS, the PPE habit was a hard one to break--and that commitment to safety on and off the shop floor saved his finger and kept him from a significant injury.

“Clougherty is a great technician and always has been one to put safety first, on the job and at home,” says Jason Hangartner, safety coordinator at ATS. “We are proud to have so many of our employees take safety so seriously in all aspects of their lives. Our techs are exposed to many different challenges each day when working inside and on many different machines. We provide them with the tools, knowledge and proper PPE to stay safe on the job and it really is a testament to them when they take those tools and apply them to everyday life.”

Clougherty owns a large number of rental homes which he maintains outside of his day job at ATS. Through his maintenance of his properties, he handles large amounts of scrap metal on a daily basis and he understands the importance of protection. “I keep the D-Roc gloves on my side at all times and wear them whenever I am doing any kind of work that requires protection,” says Clougherty.

Clougherty was working at one of his properties separating heavy steel I-beams from a pile of aluminum sheet metal with razor sharp edges. In the midst of this work, he lost his footing, tripped and his hand was driven into the edge of the sheet metal .

“In this incident, had I not been wearing a glove with this level of cut protection, I probably would have severed my right index finger—or at the very least, received a deep laceration that would have involved a lengthy recovery,” explains Clougherty. “Believe it or not, it did not even tear the glove. All I got from the incident was a small bruise. I have always known that proper PPE is the key to staying safe and in one piece--but I am true believer now! I have shared this story with friends, coworkers, bosses, the safety team and a Magid rep—all to help spread the word and encourage everyone to use the proper PPE on the job AND at home. This experience for me helped reinforce the importance of wearing the proper safety equipment. After all, gloves are cheaper than stitches!”

ATS: A Safety Culture that Goes Beyond the Shop FloorLike many others at ATS, Clougherty has embraced safety culture in all areas of life—both at work and at home with hobbies and outside professions.

Hangartner works with Magid to ensure his employees receive the best PPE for each job they are required to do on the shop floor. His Magid rep has matched safety products to the needs of employees including bump-cap, earplugs and safety glasses. Beyond that, safety concerns are cuts and scrapes in which employees like Clougherty wear D-Roc gloves and when necessary, Kevlar sleeves for protection.

“Magid has been very helpful and informative in making sure I am always using the best glove for the task,” says Clougherty. “The safety precautions I have learned at ATS and through the proper use of equipment and information provided by Magid have come in handy outside of work as well.”

To keep on top of any safety issue that might arise, ATS’s safety team meets once a week to give employees a chance to voice concerns, address issues and discuss solutions. Hangartner and the safety team take those concerns into account when purchasing safety equipment or implementing safety protocols.

“This has helped technician engagement and brought issues to the team that might have gone unnoticed otherwise,” adds Hangartner. “By bringing these things to our attention, we are able to talk to our Magid rep, who is always willing to provide alternative equipment options for our technicians to complete their jobs efficiently and safely. In turn, our

employees can also take that information home and effectively use it while doing jobs outside of work. ”

Accidents can happen anywhere, anytime. With the help of Magid, ATS has worked hard to inform employees about the proper PPE and stories like Clougherty’s only reinforce the need for safety equipment at all times.

“My story is just one of many that prove that wearing the proper PPE at all times can prevent a serious injury,” says Clougherty. “Between my training at ATS, the knowledge I’ve acquired through Magid and my personal experience, I have never felt more confident in safety precautions, the proper PPE and Magid Glove as a safety partner in and out of the workplace.”

Safety First: On the Job & At Home with Advanced Technology Services

Cory Clougherty, maintenance technician at ATS, always wears proper PPE on the job and at home

Photo courtesy of A

dvanced Technology Services

Safety First: On the Job & At Home with Advanced Technology Services

Magid® T-REX™ TRX540 Impact Gloves Meet the TRX540, the newest member of the T-REX family. TRX540 is the new cut resistant option in impact gloves, perfect for workers who need it all – cut protection, impact protection, comfort and dexterity.

The TRX540 brings ANSI Cut Level 4 protection to the T-REX family. The machine knit HPPE blended shell combines comfort and protection, while the soft and flexible thermoplastic rubber (TPR) pads create a shield against impacts to the back of the hand and fingers. Designed to withstand more impact with an above-average 29% resiliency rating, the TRX540 also includes a collection of features intended to enhance performance. The NitriX® sandy nitrile palm coating delivers rock-solid grip on oily applications, the reinforced PVC thumb crotch strengthens this critical wear point and a padded palm increases protection against impacts and punctures. Use the TRX540 for oil and gas drilling, extraction, refining, rigging, mining and heavy construction. Available in sizes XS-3XL, the TRX540 will not disappoint those looking for comfort, dexterity and impact protection.

Magid® E2® IHP400RC Reusable Earplugs with Nylon Removable CordWe are excited to announce the new Magid® E2® IHP400RC Reusable Earplugs. Featuring a quadruple-flange design made from thermoplastic rubber (TPR) with a fixed stem and removable nylon cord, these new earplugs deliver the comfort, fit, attenuation, convenience and industry-leading pricing that today’s workers demand.

Comfortable to wear for long periods of time, this soft, pliable TPR earplug comes with a removable nylon cord to keep earplugs in place and prevent loss. The bright red color of the plug and cord enhance visibility during compliance checks. The fixed stem simplifies insertion and removal and the quadruple-flange design ensures attenuation and best fit and creates a multi-surface seal for high NRR 27dB protection. Simply wash with soap and water after each use. E2 IHP400RC Reusable Earplugs are packed one pair per sealed polybag with 100 pairs per dispenser and arte ideal for use in assembly and manufacturing, construction, automotive and more.

Magid® D-ROC® GPD790HV Work GlovesThe Magid® D-ROC® GPD790HV 10-gauge work glove features cut protection, comfort, dexterity and hi-viz coloration. High-performance polyethylene (HPPE), machine-knit steel fiber blended shell and micro-foam nitrile palm coating deliver ANSI Cut Level 5, ANSI Abrasion Level 5 and ANSI Puncture Level 5 resistance. This glove is an excellent option for metal stamping, metal and glass fabrication and automotive manufacturing. The premium micro-foam palm coating channels away oils and adds flexibility, dexterity and grip in wet, dry or oily conditions. Additionally, the hi-viz yellow and orange colors enhance visibility and encourage worker compliance. Knit wrist cuff with color-coded overcast reduces fraying and acts as a visual aid for sizing. Few gloves offer the combination of protection, comfort, dexterity and coloration, making the GPD790HV a unique choice for workers. Available in sizes 6-12, the dexterity and hi-viz coloration of the GPD790HV

provides employees superiority over other ANSI Cut Level 5 glove options.

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For more information on these or any products, contact your Magid rep today!

The information contained in Safety Matters is based solely on opinion and/or recommendations of Magid Glove & Safety Manufacturing Company LLC and is not intended to represent and/or warrant compliance with official OSHA requirements. For complete OSHA Federal regulations, the Code of Federal Regulations; and specifically Title 29 C. F. R. Section 1910 for “general industry” and Section 1926 for “construction” are available for sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop: SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-4328.

© 2014 Magid Glove & Safety Mfg. Co. LLC. Safety Matters® is a registered trademark of Magid Glove & Safety Mfg. Co. LLC. This newsletter is printed on recycled paper.

Magid® Gemstone® Z100 Safety GlassesIntroducing Magid® Gemstone® Z100 Safety Glasses, the newest addition to the popular Gemstone Series. The Z100 improves upon comfort and protective features with sleek styling and unequalled value. The new level of excellence is seen in the wraparound 8-base lens that combines a modern look with expanded protection and peripheral vision. The adjustable nosepiece and temples work with the up-down ratchet system to accommodate a variety of facial profiles and provide the perfect fit. Soft eyebrow cushions and temple pads increase comfort at critical wear areas. These new glasses meet ANSI Z87.1-2010 and CSA Z94.3-07 High Impact Safety Standards with anti-scratch polycarbonate lenses that block 99.9% of harmful ultraviolet light. Providing maximum visibility in humid conditions, anti-fog lens coating and a full venting system increases airflow and decreases moisture. The Z100 safety glasses are perfect for work indoors or outdoors.

Z100BKAFC Z100BKAFIO Z100BKAFGY

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For more information on these or any products, contact your Magid rep today!

There is no other glove like it.

T-REX™

TRX540

D-ROC®

GPD790HV

We want to thank our valued customers and the safety professionals who voted Magid products their top choices in the 2014 ISHN Readers Choice and ASSE Safety Attendee Choice awards.

It’s great to be recognized by the who’s who of the EHS industry for innovation in cut resistance, high-visibility and protective eyewear.

Let us know how else we can help you create a safer workplace!

Thank You!

Gemstone®

Z100BKAFC

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Hi-viz cutting-edge protection

ANSI level 5 cut resistance • High-visibility protection Unmatched comfort, dexterity, grip & value

There is no other glove like it.

©Magid Glove & Safety Mfg. Co. LLC. * Exclusions may apply.

ANSI Level 5 Cut ResistanceEN 388 Level 5 Cut Resistance5

ANSI ANSI4 5

ANSI

ANSI Level 4 Abrasion Resistance5

ANSI ANSI4 5

ANSI

ANSI Level 5 Puncture Resistance5

ANSI ANSI4 5

ANSI

Request your free pair today! Style # GPD790HV at magidglove.com/GPD790HV or 800.444.8030

2014 Winner of ISHN Readers’ Choice & ISHN/ASSE Attendee Choice Awards

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