OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY SERVICES

1. Initial Health & Safety Consultation
2. Air Sampling Survey
3. Noise Monitoring Survey
4. Ergonomic Evaluation Study
5. Health & Safety Training (on-site)
6. Custom Written Safety Programs
7. OSHA Approved 10-Hour & 30-Hour General Industry Training Courses
8. Safety Committee Assistance
9. Return to Work Program Development
10. Best Practice Review
11. Faxed Back Request Health & Safety Hotline
12. Custom Health and Safety Products Services

1 . Initial Health & Safety Consultation

Ever want an OSHA inspection without the citations? WVMEP can provide a facility walkthrough inspection for the purpose of identifying opportunities for improving the health and safety conditions for employees. The initial health and safety consultation includes a review of current written safety programs, training records, and report of all hazards identified during the facility tour. Information gathered from employee interviews and general observations will be included in the final report.

2. Air Sampling Survey

Chemical sampling and analysis is used by occupational health and safety professionals to assess workplace contaminants and associated worker exposures. The validity of an assessment is based, in part, on the procedures used for sample collection and analysis, and data interpretation. In many instances these procedures use approaches that have been refined over many years and are accepted by the professionals as good practice. However, the multitude of variables within a specific workplace require the professional to exercise judgment in the design of a particular assessment. WVMEP can assist manufacturers by developing a sampling strategy to assess workplace contaminants and associated worker exposures in production areas. By conducting on-site monitoring utilizing air sampling pumps, short term indicator tubes, and direct reading instruments, WVMEP can recommend engineering, administrative, and personal protective device controls to reduce air contaminants.

3. Noise Monitoring Survey

Noise, or unwanted sound, is one of the most pervasive occupational health problems. Approximately 30 million people in the U.S. are occupationally exposed to hazardous noise. About 10 million people have noise-induced hearing loss, nearly all of which were caused by occupational exposures. Fortunately, the incidence of noise-induced hearing loss can be reduced, or often eliminated, through the successful application of engineering controls and hearing conservation programs. WVMEP can assist manufacturers by developing a sampling strategy to analyze current noise levels in production areas. By conducting on-site monitoring utilizing noise dosimeters, sound level meters, and octave band analyzers, WVMEP can recommend engineering, administrative, and personal protective device controls to reduce noise levels. Additionally, WVMEP can develop a comprehensive hearing conservation program for manufacturers who experience noise levels above the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations action limit.

4. Ergonomic Evaluation Study

WVMEP has implemented a hands-on approach to ergonomics designed to quickly and effectively address musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the workplace. Both work-related and non-work related conditions can either individually, or by interacting with each other, give rise to MSDs. There are several approaches that may be used to determine whether conditions in the workplace might be contributing to employees developing MSDs. WVMEP can provide an analysis of jobs or work tasks that may be associated with MSDs. Conditions that are considered include, but are not limited to: awkward postures, forceful lifting, pushing or pulling, prolonged repetitive motion, contact stress, and vibration.

5. Health & Safety Training (on-site)

Hazard Communication
Lockout/Tagout
Industrial Powered Trucks (forklifts)
Confined Spaces
Personal Protective Equipment
Machine Guarding
An Overview of Industrial Hygiene
Bloodborne Pathogens
Incident Investigation
Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Response
Return-to-Work Program
Ergonomics
Means of Egress
Fire Protection
Recordkeeping (log 300)
and many more...

6. Custom Written Safety Programs

WVMEP can provide expertise on over 70 general industry and construction safety plan topics, including forklifts, confined spaces, and respiratory protection. Our expert consultants can even assist your company with written programs covering EPA's hazardous waste and risk management regulations, and DOT's oil spill response mandates.

7. OSHA Approved 10-Hour & 30-Hour General Industry Training Courses

Upon completion of the OSHA General Industry 10-Hour or 30-Hour Course, attendees will have a working knowledge of fundamental OSHA standards for general industry and OSHA policies and procedures. Participants that attend the required time and pass a final examination will receive a certificate of completion from the US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and a certificate suitable for framing from WVMEP, Inc. Attendees will also receive a three-ring binder of class material and a current copy of the OSHA Standards for General Industry 29 CFR 1910. This course is intended for Industrial Hygienist, Safety Managers, Safety Training Instructors, Supervisor, or anyone with a responsibility for OSHA compliance in an industrial setting.

8. Safety Committee Assistance

Need to conduct monthly safety meetings? WVMEP can assist West Virginia manufacturers with providing custom monthly safety talks covering specific topics pertaining to your company. Need more assistance? Let WVMEP conduct your monthly safety committee meetings.

9. Return to Work Program Development

Let WVMEP provide guidance designed to help you establish an effective Occupational Injury Management Program in your organization. An Occupational Injury Management Program is a system of procedures used by employers and medical professionals to help injured employees return to work quickly and healthy. The program is designed to ensure quality medical care, contain workers compensation costs and return injured employees to productive, gainful employment. Earn credits for your company by establishing a return-to-work program that meets Workers' Compensation standards. Credits are based on the classifications shown on the employer's policy. Depending on that classification, the employer can receive a premium tax credit, ranging from 1.6 % to 5.4 %.

10. Best Practice Review

What is a Best Practice?A Best Practice (BP) is a process, technique, or procedure that has been tested, perfected, and found to provide a competitive edge to the organization using it. Every part of an organization from Human Resources to manufacturing to maintenance can use Best Practices to improve their performance. In manufacturing and plant operations there are many recognized Best Practices that have been documented. It can be as simple as changing the flow of work on your lines or as complex as instituting a new system for production and inventory control.
What is a Best Practice Assessment?A Best Practice assessment is intended to provide a list of recommendations for improvement of your facility. MEP consultants will conduct a study of your facility in order to identify areas that could benefit from some type of improvement activity. The goal of the report is not to point out that what is being done is incorrect, but rather to point out a different, perhaps better way to accomplish the same end result. Many times this new technique can lead to improved productivity, less confusion, and ultimately a more productive and profitable operation. The study is a combination of interviews with key management personnel and walkthroughs of the operating areas. A report will be given to you with the results of the study.
Types of Assessments Available?The WVMEP can provide assessments tailored to the specific needs of your company. We will utilize every consultant on our staff if necessary to provide the needed information to you. Listed below are the standard areas that can be examined during an assessment. In many cases one consultant will study multiple areas. For example, if a Manufacturing or Process assessment is being conducted, we will review the production areas, material movement, maintenance techniques, inventory management, production control systems, etc. All of these topics have an impact on the results of the manufacturing process.

11. Faxed Back Request Health & Safety Hotline

The West Virginia MEP Questline Service provides NO-COST information and research services to West Virginia manufacturers. All West Virginia manufacturers can submit questions regarding safety and health. Whether your questions regard OSHA regulations, sample written programs or material safety data sheet requests, answers will be faxed back within 48 hours of asking.

12. Custom Health and Safety Products & Services

Don't see a specific section above dealing with your company's problem? Please contact WVMEP at 304-822-7883 for help. We are confident about handling almost all problems dealing with industry.