USGBC Upgrades LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently unveiled a series of major process improvements to its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, including a significantly streamlined documentation and certification process that is now online. It’s anticipated that the changes to the process will reduce the time and cost of LEED certification.

The new technology will enhance users’ability to capture, store, analyze and use LEED project data. These innovations will make the documentation and certification process more user-friendly without diminishing the technical rigor and quality of the LEED qualifying criteria.

OSHA Provides Free Industry Resource
The Research and Education Unit of Cal/OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Consultation Services, State of California Department of Industrial Relations, offers a free educational resource for the jan/san industry. “Working Safer and Easier: for Janitors, Custodians, and Housekeepers” is designed to increase awareness of the most common workplace hazards and offers tips for reducing injuries and illnesses.

The series of fact sheets will provide helpful information for managers to increase productivity in a safe and healthy way, train employees on the appropriate use of equipment and best-work practices.

A set of posters is also available to increase employee awareness by providing safety suggestions regarding routine tasks.

To view this publication, go to www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/puborder.asp.
Overexertion tops workplace injury report
According to a Liberty Mutual 2005 Workplace Safety Index, employers were faced with $44.9 billion in expenses from the top 10 leading causes of workplace injuries. Overexertion is cited as the leading cause of workplace injuries and includes tasks such as excessive lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, carrying or throwing of an object.

Also toping the list were slip-and-falls and movements such as bending, climbing, slipping or tripping without falling. Repetitive motion rounded off the list at number six.

Visit www.nfsi.org to review the full report.




POSTED ON: 2/1/2006