We would also like to thank:
RIEDC Executive Director Keith Stokes
North Smithfield Town Administrator, Paulette Hamilton
Northern RI Chamber of Commerce President, John Gregory
All of whom were instrumental in this great success.

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We all agree  – We LOVE working in Rhode Island!

Don’t cut your life short
Use LOTO to control hazardous energy
By Lisa Burns
ISHN Magazine April 02, 2012

Let’s be frank — we all know it is a bad idea to stick your body parts in a moving machine. So, why is it that of the 3 million workers who service equipment in the U.S., we still hear about thousands of injuries every year stemming from a failure to securely lock out equipment and machinery? Sadly, lockout/tagout is almost always listed on OSHA’s top 10 most cited standards (ranking #5 in 2011).

If you are an employee, you have at some point taken a shortcut when it comes to safety — especially if you have been performing the same job for years. It is easy to get comfortable with equipment and processes and take for granted the simple steps and precautionary measures that may actually save a life — or maybe you have never had formal training on LOTO (lockout/tagout). If you are an employer, supervisor or manager, you may lack resources to continually monitor LOTO protocols or feel you do not have time for regular training in this area.

OSHA fines for failing to enforce and train workers in LOTO procedures can be in the tens of thousands! An even worse scenario is the death or dismemberment of an employee. The OSHA regulation (29CFR 1910.147) Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout) requires employers to follow a set of minimum requirements and procedures which have to be documented to ensure there is no release of stored power or that the machinery does not start up when maintenance is being performed. The expectation is that employers should demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety and the health and wellbeing of its employees by providing training on the safe applications, usage and controls for the removal of energy for equipment they operate or conduct maintenance on.

What is hazardous energy?

Hazardous energy is best described as any energy (source) that can cause physical harm to a worker. The most common sources are: electrical, mechanical, chemical, thermal, pneumatic and gravitational. Some people say that all of these are types of kinetic or potential energy being “expressed” in different ways.

Kinetic Energy: “Matter in motion” — The force caused by the movement of an object (examples: machines using gears, belts, levers and pulleys)

Potential Energy: “Energy that is waiting to happen” — The force stored in an object that is not moving (example: spring loaded equipment)

How do I know if lockout/tagout is needed?

Any piece of equipment or machinery in an industrial workforce setting that creates “hazardous energy”, has the potential to cause harm to a worker or may require maintenance, has a need for “LOTO”.

What is the difference between lockout and tagout?

Lockout refers to the use of a padlock to physically “de-energize” and keep power from a machine while maintenance is performed. Tagout refers to “tagging” a machine to make employees aware that a machine is out of operation or lockout cannot be performed. This is not a preferred method, according to OSHA.

Locking a machine that requires maintenance is almost always the best course of action. This method allows the “operator” of the equipment to lock the machine and take possession of the key so the machine is not accidently activated.

Tags should only be used when a lock cannot be used or if the employer can prove that an employee is fully protected and is just as safe as if they were using a lockout device. Train employees in the limitations of tagout programs. Please note there is a strict criterion that must be followed in order to make this determination. (See Paragraph c (3) of the 1910.147 standard.)

Where do we start?

• Establish a corporate-wide Energy Control program (1910.147 (c),(1) that is strictly enforced and consists of:
• Energy control procedures (1910.147 (c),(4)
• Develop procedures that are well documented, communicated and utilized by all supervisors and employees who operate or maintain equipment
• Protective Materials & Hardware (1910.147 (c),(5)
• All protective devices and hardware are required to be singularly identifiable, be the only device used for controlling energy and not be used for other purposes. They must meet additional requirements of durability, standardization, be substantial and identifiable.
• Periodic Inspection (1910.147 (c),(6)
• Employers are required to conduct an inspection of these energy control procedures — at least annually.
• Training & Communication (1910.147 (c),(7)
• It is the responsibility of the employer to provide training (and re-training) so that employees have the skills required to operate machinery safely.
• Develop a set of procedures on how to prepare the machinery for shut down, the number and type of lockout/tagout devices needed and where they will be used.
• Prior to restoring the energy (power) to a machine, procedures for the release of lockout/tagout should be performed (1910.147 (e).

(Please refer directly to the standard for more specific requirements related to the above program & procedures. Also, additional requirements may apply — see 1910.147 (f))

Provide employees with daily reminders and periodic training on LOTO procedures with training programs, videos and posters. Communicate the regulations and impose stiff penalties when procedures are not followed.

Lisa Burns is director of marketing for National Marker Company.

April 2nd was Light it up Blue day to support Autism Speaks and their effort to raise awareness about the growing public health concern that is autism. NMC has supported this cause for many years and 2012 was no exception. Thank you to all who showed their support and gave to Autism Speaks. This year we raised $150!

NMC Supports Autism Speaks

Our lights are BLUE! We will keep them blue for the month of April.

We continually strive to provide a level of quality that exceeds our customers’ expectations and are currently looking for an expert in Supply Chain Management to help us ensure that this level of quality is maintained through NMC’s manufacturing process and delivered to the customer.

In this vital roll you will report to the Director of Operations and manage and oversee all aspects of:

• Material Supply for manufactured and resale parts

• Distribution of finished goods

• Freight Costs

• Purchasing

• Supply Contracts

• Inventory Control

• Production Planning

• Metrics Analysis

Candidates are required to have the following:
7-10 years Purchasing experience, Bachelors in Business Admin or Technical, Experience  in Lean Manufacturing, Change Management or Total Cost Management; ERP System; 3-5 years in Supervisory/Management roll; strong manufacturing background with large quantity SKUs.
Additional preferred experience include:
Knowledge of plastics; experience in distribution, printing, or sign manufacturing; history of improvements in financial results and service levels;

For full job requirements please visit  JobsinRIor email resume to

Resumes@nationalmarker.com

We continually strive to provide a level of quality that exceeds our customers’ expectations and are looking for a General Helper to help us ensure that this level of quality is maintained through NMC’s manufacturing process and delivered to the customer.

Some of the things you’ll be doing in this position:

• Set up and operate the rewinding machines to change the wind on finished rolls to customer specifications

• Count items and package according to pick ticket

• Round corner, drill holes in different substrate

• Assemble kits according to production order

• Laminate cut stock according to job specs

• Install grommets, eyelets according to customer’s order

• Bend acrylics according to customer’s order.

• Ship items

For full job requirements please visit JobsinRI or email resume to
Resumes@nationalmarker.com

Visit NMC Safety Scoreboards to see all of the scoreboards we offer.

We continually strive to provide a level of quality that exceeds our customers’ expectations and are looking for a Digital Press Operator to help us ensure that this level of quality is maintained through NMC’s manufacturing process and delivered to the customer.

• Some of the things you’ll be doing in this position:

• Design signs with the Vutek QS2000 printer utilizing Adobe Illustrator and EFI Fiery software to rip files according to customer specs

• Take existing art work and tile it out for printing

• Utilize the sled to prepare substrate to set up for printing

• Perform daily printer maintenance

Experience working with digital machinery a plus. Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and EFI XF RIP software also a plus. High School degree or Technical School degree required.

NMC offers a comprehensive benefit package including United Health Care, Health Reimbursement Account, Flexible Spending Account, Colonial Life Voluntary Benefits, vacation time, personal/sick time, eight paid holidays and 401K plan.

Free on site parking. Company parties, friendly coworkers. Opportunities for growth and advancement.

For more details on this position, please visit JobsInRI. Interested candidates should email
Resumes@nationalmarker.com