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News Bits

"GEAUX FISH 2011" is a tagged trout fishing tournament hosted by the Louisiana Charter Boat Association and is sponsored by BP running from July 2nd to September 5th. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries will tag and release 50 Speckled trout is South Louisiana waters from Lake Calcasieu to Breton Sound. $250,000 could be yours if you catch. the prize-winning trout. Other Prizes include: A New Ford Truck - A Blazer Boat and Trailer - Cash Prizes of $5,000 Registration is free at: www.Geauxfish2011.com

SCIA President's Award is presented each year to a candidate as a token of appreciation for the many contributions made to the people of South Louisiana by serving in a leadership role. It is awarded in recognition for being a successful industrialist, entrepreneur, and community leader. The person or persons selected each year represent dedication to making an impact and a difference for the well-being and advancements of business and industry. The 2011-2012 recipient is LA State Representative Gordon Dove. His commitment, dedication and determination to acquire funding for needed coastal restoration and levee protection has been exemplary. He also provides added business initiatives through his ownership of multiple companies in the region. You may view an article about him in our July 2011 newsletter.

Gordon Dove

The Tillman Esteve Outstanding Member of the Year Award is presented in honor of founding board member Tillman Esteve from Bollinger Shipyards. This award is chosen by the SCIA Board of Directors based on service to the organization and community in which he/she lives. The 2011-2012 recipient is Keli Bonvillain with Shamrock Management. She has served as chairperson of two SCIA committees - ICE and Golf. You may view an article about her in our July 2011 newsletter.

Keli Bonvillain

SCIA Presents Scholarships

Each year, in memory of Gordon "Bubba" Dove, his family presents scholarships to worthy students. The Dove family honored us by presenting the awards. This year, three people were chosen to receive $2,500.00 each to assist with their education, they are:

  1. Stacey Theriot, daughter of Daren & Mary Beth Theriot from member company Mc Dermott, a graduating senior from Thibodaux High School who plans to attend Nicholls State University and major in education or culinary arts.
  2. Emily Bourque, daughter of Philip and Robin Bourque from member company Shamrock Management, a graduating senior from New Iberia Senior High School who plans to attend LSU and major in Interior Design.
  3. Kelly La Grange, daughter of David and Gina Lagrange from member company Mc Dermott, a graduating senior from Assumption High School who plans to attend Nicholls State University and major in education.
Bubba Dove

The Aimee Celeste Lagarde Scholarship is presented by the Bobby Barthel family in memory of their daughter. Mr. Barthel presented the award to this year's recipient, Joshua Tardo, son of Michael & Pam Tardo from member company, Bollinger Shipyards, a graduating senior from ED White in Thibodaux who plans to attend Nicholls State University and major in medicine.

Aimee Celeste

The SCIA Otis T. Loque Scholarship was our first scholarship, developed 14 years ago. It is in honor of the inaugural SCIA president. This year's recipient is Karl Joseph Walker, son of Jay and Amy Walker from member company South LA Bank, a graduating senior from Vandebilt Catholic High School who plans to attend LSU. The award was presented by SCIA President, Tony Alford.

Otis


OSHA Updates

OSHA UPDATE from "ICE"
By Terry J. Hoyle, CUSA, CMR, CPEA
Vice President of Loss Control for Wright & Percy Insurance

Every year, the federal workplace safety watchdog (OSHA) issues a list of the ten standards that its inspectors cited most frequently during the preceding fiscal year, along with a list of the standards that led to the highest total penalties.

Why should an owner or contractor be interested in what OSHA looked at last year? Two reasons. First, it calls attention to what inspectors are looking for when they set foot on jobsites. For example, the first entry on the "most cited" list (and the second for fines) is scaffolding on construction sites. Consider it a gentle warning that if an OSHA inspector shows up on your site, he or she will be looking closely at your scaffolding and verifying that a properly trained competent person is overseeing it.

The second reason to share the lists is that they provide reminders of the many facets of workplace safety, giving you the opportunity to verify that your own safety program addresses all the areas mentioned in the lists. With that introduction, here are the ten safety standards OSHA inspectors cited most frequently during 2009:

  1. Scaffolding (construction). Nearly two out of three construction workers perform at least part of their work on scaffolding. Roughly 4,500 workers are injured each year in scaffold-related incidents, and as many as 50 actually die.

  2. Fall protection (construction). Proper fall protection and the correct use of personal protective equipment are not always well-understood, creating a very real prospect of danger.

  3. Hazard communication (general industry). The best safety plan is only effective when it is communicated clearly and well-understood.

  4. Respiratory protection (general industry). From particulates to chemicals to vehicle exhaust, worksites have many airborne pollutants that can irritate and even harm a worker's lungs.

  5. Control of hazardous energy (general industry). The best way to comply with OSHA rules in this area is to develop and implement a sound lockout/tagout program.

  6. Ladder (construction). On worksites, ladders are often the most dangerous tools. Many workers do not consider them to be particularly dangerous, creating a false sense of security.

  7. Powered industrial trucks (general industry). Remember that anyone operating a forklift or similar vehicle must be properly trained. Most forklift incidents are preventable.

  8. Electrical (general industry). Here, OSHA is referring to the basics of electrical safety, including proper wiring methods, the use of correct components, and the adequacy of equipment.

  9. Electrical systems design (general industry). Although it may not be an official government document, NFPA 70E covers every practical aspect of workplace safety related to working with electricity. In addition to outlining standards and documentation for specific procedures and the correct types of personal protective equipment (PPE) for each, it spells out the responsibilities of both owners and contractors, and how they should interact regarding potential hazards on a jobsite. Reports from the field suggest that OSHA is citing NFPA 70E's requirements when it investigates incidents and injuries.

  10. Fall protection (training requirements). Companies that want to protect workers from falls need to place a high priority on training everyone involved. In addition to proper identification of anchorage points and use of equipment, that training should ensure that everyone knows what to do when a mishap occurs.

In addition to the ten areas cited above, OSHA's highest total penalties for the year were also assessed on a number of standards, among them excavation-related issues, general rules about machinery, the General Duty clause, aerial lift equipment, and how processes involving highly hazardous chemicals were managed.

DEQ

View DEQ