Health and safety is not fixed. OSHA is continually reinterpreting (or as they put it, "changing the emphasis") in many areas. A broad spectrum under scrutiny currently is that of the Written Program. As most of you are aware, compliance is comprised typically of three main components: ­Training, Written Programs and Documentation. For example, Forklift compliance would be made up of training on the hazards of forklifts, a Written Program based upon the Standard, with a policy reinforcing training. You also need documentation, such as sign in sheets, practical application or "driving" tests, forklift daily inspections sheets,_ written tests and licenses. (Whew!)

Imagine cutting your workers' compensation claims by up to 50%, decreasing employee absenteeismby nearly 200 % and significantly improving company safety, morale and productivity. Typically those in Environmental Safety & Health concentrate on obvious safety issues, such as lockout and tag or forklift training to achieve these goals. Yet frequently there is an overlooked but vital aspect to employee safety: Workplace Substance Abuse.

Statistically, every century a pandemic occurs roughly three to four times, sweeping the world with fractured transportation, overwhelmed hospitals, shortages on essential.goods and services and business shutdowns. The longest . recorded period of time between pandemic episodes has been 42 years. As of 2007, we are entering our 39th year without a pandemic. In the year 1918, the world experienced the most deadly pandemic, with U.S. deaths alone estimated at more than 500,000. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the other two pandemics in that century, (1957-58 and 1968) killed 70,000 and 34,000 respectively.