|
Join Us for This Month's Safety Council Meeting
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
11:30 AM
Our Lady of the Cedars
| |
Noise Happens - Hearing Loss Doesn't have To
Larry Giovinazzo, Au.D.
Audiologist and Owner
Ohio Hearing Conservation and Consulting
Every day, millions are exposed to harmful noise-at work, at home, and even during leisure activities. Join us for an engaging session that demystifies how noise impacts your hearing and what you can do to protect it for life. We’ll explore the fascinating basics of ear anatomy, uncover where noise does the most damage and explain sound in simple terms. You’ll learn how to choose and use hearing protection effectively, understand what “noise reduction rating” really means and see how OSHA, NIOSH and ACGIH guidelines compare when it comes to action levels and exchange rates. Whether you’re working in an industrial setting or using power tools at home, this talk will give you the knowledge and confidence to safeguard your hearing because once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
Larry D. Giovinazzo is the owner of Ohio Hearing Conservation & Consulting, specializing in occupational noise safety and hearing conservation programs. With years of hands-on experience in industrial environments, Larry has helped countless organizations meet and exceed OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH standards while fostering a culture of hearing health. His expertise includes mobile hearing testing, noise monitoring, and hearing protection fit testing, with a focus on practical, real-world solutions that keep employees safe both on and off the job.
|
| |
Review your FY26 Rebate Program Credits
If you are participating in the BWC’s Safety Council Rebate Program, there are only three regular meetings remaining to earn your FY26 Rebate Program credits. You must obtain 10 safety council credits between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.
Key ways to obtain credits:
• Monthly safety council meeting attendance – One credit per month for attending the enrolled council’s meeting.
• External training credits – Up to two credits for completing BWC safety training courses (in-person or virtual training courses (VTC) only), in-person safety training from external providers (e.g., industry associations, TPAs), or attending the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo® – one credit per day of in-person attendance (maximum of two credits). External training certificates must be submitted to safety council sponsor by June 30, 2026.
• BWC on-site safety consultation – Two credits (available once every three years). Must include a full hazard assessment, a claims review, and submission of the official BWC Assessment Report to the safety council sponsor by June 30, 2026. Contact a BWC Industrial Safety Consultant by May 1 to Schedule your onsite visit. Early scheduling will ensure the assessment and report are completed by June 30.
You may review your current meeting credits here.
View the External Training Guide for Emplyers here.
| | |
Cari's Safety Corner
Q: If I'm doing work in the roadway, do I need to set up a temporary traffic zone?
A: Yes—anytime you're working in a roadway, even in areas with lower-speed limits, you must establish a temporary traffic control (TTC) zone. The Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Part 6 states that TTC zones are essential not only during major roadway projects but also for general maintenance, tree trimming, loading/unloading, or any task that changes normal traffic flow. Lower‑speed and low‑volume environments might allow for a simplified setup, like flashing lights on service vehicles, a few warning signs, traffic cones, or a single flagger. However, the principle remains the same: provide clear advance warning, channel traffic safely around the work area, and protect workers and road users.
For example, if you're patching potholes or servicing equipment, advance warning signs coupled with cones can alert drivers in time. Doing tree work? Even if it’s just trimming branches overhanging the road, you’ll need at least a sign or vehicle-mounted amber lights. And when loading or unloading, setting up cones, signage, or a traffic buffer is crucial to prevent unexpected encounters between vehicles and workers or materials.
In short, no matter how quick or small the task is, in any urban or rural public roadway, even under 45 mph, you must set up a TTC zone. It could be as minimal as one sign and vehicle flashers, but it’s absolutely required both for safety and compliance. For more details, see the FHWA’s official MUTCD Part 6 guidance: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) - FHWA. This is the tip of the iceberg, if you do work in roadways, your folks probably need more training.
Cari Gray is an Industrial Safety Consultant Specialist with the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC).
| | |
Safety Champions Program | OSHA | The Safety Champions Program is a new program for employers to develop and implement an effective safety and health program. The main goal of safety and health programs is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths. The Program incorporates the seven core elements of Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs. The Safety Champion Program has three Steps (Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced). | | | | |
Prepare! Don't let Tornadoes Take You by Surprise | Preparation is key to staying safe and minimizing impacts. Be Weather-Ready: Check the forecast regularly to see if you're at risk for tornadoes. Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about tornado watches and warnings. | | | | |
8 Engaging April Safety Topics And Messages For Your Workplace | While April traditionally means brighter days and holidays such as Easter and Lent, this doesn't mean workplace standards should slip! As with all the other months of the year, April is another great opportunity to educate your colleagues on safety with some relevant topics and safety messages. | | | | |
Electrical safety in construction: OSHA unveils new initiative | Nearly 75% of people killed by electricity on the job aren't electrical workers, the agency says. | | | | |
Workplace Violence May Be Escalating, And Employers Need To Act Now | Workers are reporting more cases of workplace violence, and they expect their employers to take prevention measures far more seriously. | | | | |
NATIONAL WORK ZONE AWARENESS WEEK | National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is an annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through highway work zones. The key message is for drivers to use extra caution in work zones. | | | | |
Ohio's on a Campaign Against Distracted Driving. Data Says It's Working. | It's no secret that distracted driving is dangerous. In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that distracted driving killed 3,275 people across the United States, and reportedly caused 13% of all traffic accidents. Ohio is no exception, but it is more than holding its own in prevention methods. | | | | |
Stress Awareness Month April 2026: What You Need to Know | April is Stress Awareness Month; a good time to talk about stress. The next best months are May to March. How can you go from distress to de-stressed? | | | | | |
Upcoming Health & Wellness events in Summit County, Ohio
-
Run to the Beach 5K (Apr 11, 8:30 AM): 5K at Portage Lakes State Park to support community and environmental projects. - Run to the Beach
| | |
Upcoming CPR Training
June 16, 2026 - 8:30am - 2:00pm
Our Lady of the Cedars
507 S Cleveland Massillon Rd
Fairlawn OH 44333
Cost for active SCSC Members - $50.00 (includes lunch)
Our CPR training and certification program offers comprehensive instruction in CPR, First Aid, AED Use, Bloodborne Pathogens Training and Stop the Bleed Certification. Expert instructors from Shull Medical Educators will guide you through the training and provide certification upon completion. Certified by the Health and Safety Institute (HSI).
| | |
Advertising Sponsorships
As a forum for workplace health and safety, Summit County Safety Council is offering opportunities for your company to showcase your product/services in front of approximately 150 people in the Health, Safety, Environmental and HR Fields during a monthly safety council meeting in the upcoming year (6/1/26 to 12/31/26).
Advertising opportunities include:
- E-newsletter ad for the month of sponsorship (sent the beginning of the month to approx. 700 contacts)
- Logo on meeting reminder (sent two days prior to meeting)
- Name and Link from our events page to sponsor's website for one month prior to meeting
- Commercial speaking time up to 5 minutes during opening of the meeting
- Display table at meeting for promotional materials, brochures, signage
- Up to two paid lunches for sponsored meeting
Criteria:
- The service or products your company provides must have some degree of relevance or be aligned with our objectives.
- Newsletter ad info such as logo, tagline, contact information, call to action statement, etc. must be submitted by the 29th day of the month prior to the month of sponsorship.
- Limit to one event per year.
- We have a no-soliciting policy and cannot provide our membership contact information. However, a membership roster can be found on our website.
Cost: $200.00
Interested in sponsoring a meeting? Have questions or need more information? Call Sally Cox at 330-806-1676 or email summitcountysafetycouncil@gmail.com.
| | | | | |
