Article provided courtesy of Jackson Lewis

Under federal and state laws, “whistleblowers” — individuals who expose employer misconduct — are protected against retaliation under certain circumstances. However, with the growing array of statutes and regulations seeking to regulate whistleblowing, insurers and insureds should be well-versed in potential retaliation actions that may be asserted by employees who “blow the whistle.”  Discussed herein are recent developments concerning three of the most significant laws protecting whistleblowers: the Dodd-Frank Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Employers and insurers should note that many states also have whistleblowing protections that are broader than the protections available under federal statutes.

I. Dodd-Frank Act whistleblower protections require more than internal reporting, federal appeals court rules

In a departure from a steady stream of federal district court decisions broadly construing the anti-retaliation provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 (“DFA”), the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, in New Orleans, has limited the scope of the term “whistleblower” under those provisions to apply only to employees who actually report information relating to a violation of securities laws to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission(“SEC”), thus reducing employers’ exposure to such claims. Asadi v. G.E. Energy, No. 12-20522 (5th Cir. July 17, 2013).

Khaled Asadi, a former G.E. Energy executive, alleged he was fired after reporting a possible securities law violation to his supervisor and the company’s regional ombudsman. Asadi claimed he was protected by the anti-retaliation provisions of the DFA, even though, indisputably, he did not provide any information to the SEC, and therefore, did not meet the express statutory definition of the term “whistleblower.” Instead, he argued that his internal reports were protected based on purportedly conflicting language in the statute’s anti-retaliation provision. He argued that the DFA’s anti-retaliation provision protects those who make disclosures that are protected under SOX, even if they do not report a violation to the SEC.

Rejecting Asadi’s argument, the Fifth Circuit concluded that the plain language and structure of the statute compelled the conclusion that internal communications alone were not protected. It so doing, the Court disagreed with numerous district court decisions that have held to the contrary. See, e.g., Murray v. UBS Secs., LLC, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 71945 (S.D.N.Y. May 21, 2013); Genberg v. Porter, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 41302 (D. Colo. Mar. 25, 2013); Kramer v. Trans-Lux Corp., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 136939 (D. Conn. Sept. 25, 2012); Nollner v. S. Baptist Convention, Inc., 852 F. Supp. 2d 986, 994 n.9 (M.D. Tenn. 2012). It also rejected the SEC’s similar administrative interpretation of the statute.

Based on district court decisions, many employers, not surprisingly, had begun to question whether internal reporting mechanisms they had adopted were simply a trap waiting to ensnare them in DFA whistleblower litigation, rather than the constructive vehicle they had envisioned for achieving compliance through transparency and self-regulation. The Fifth Circuit’s decision may provide a welcome tonic for employers’ concerns.

In light of Asadi, employers should re-evaluate and update their corporate internal reporting mechanisms or so-called whistleblower hotlines. Supported by employee awareness programs, these avenues of communication should encourage internal reporting. Adopting clear language and process, articulating strong assurances from senior management of protection from retaliation, and managing expectations of those who employ the procedure to make reports also are essential.

Employers must manage internal resources effectively. They must respond promptly, conduct diligent internal review, take appropriate corrective action, and self-report as warranted. Employees of organizations that deliver on their promises are less likely to resort to the SEC. While reporting to the SEC ultimately may be warranted in some situations, the employer will have the opportunity to be involved and in some measure to affect the course of events.

II. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act

A. Does the Sarbanes-Oxley Act apply to employees of private contractors? Supreme Court to give answer

Through Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“SOX”), a federal statute that applies to publically-traded companies, Congress created a private cause of action for individuals who have suffered retaliation after reporting fraud or violations of securities regulations. The section provides that no company covered by SOX or “any officer, employee, contractor, subcontractor, or agent of such company, may discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass, or in any other manner discriminate against an employee” in providing information of a potential violation of SOX. 18 U.S.C. §1514A(a) (2013) (emphasis added).

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to determine whether an employee of a private employer can invoke the SOX whistleblower provision against that private company, solely because the private company is a contractor of a SOX-covered entity. In the first SOX case it has accepted, the Court will review the First Circuit’s decision in Lawson v. FMR, LLC, 670 F.3d 61 (1st Cir. 2012), wherein the appeals court ruled that employees of privately-held companies are not covered by the Section 806 whistleblower protections of SOX even if their employer does business with a publicly-traded company. The Department of Labor’s (“DOL”) Administrative Review Board (“ARB”), however, reached the opposite conclusion in Spinner v. David Landau & Associates, LLC, ARB Nos. 10-111, 10-115 (May 31, 2012). Seeking to expand SOX’s reach, the ARB held that Section 806 applies to employees of privately-held companies if they have contracts with publicly-traded companies.

Lawson involved two former employees of privately-held companies providing investment advice and fund management services to publicly-held mutual funds. They claimed their employer had retaliated against them for reporting alleged improper registration statements and accounting practices in violation of SOX. Determining that this case did not fall within the protections of Section 806, the First Circuit court rejected the plaintiffs’ contention that an “employee” afforded whistleblower protection under SOX includes not only the employees of public companies, but also the employees of that company’s contractors and subcontractors. See Lawson, 670 F.3d at 67-68. Further, the court found the meaning of “employee” to be unambiguous within the context of Section 806 and that, under the Chevron case, the court therefore owed no deference to a contrary DOL interpretation. (The Supreme Court ruled in Chevron that agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes will be upheld so long as they are reasonable.)

In contrast, Spinner considered whether the plaintiff, an employee of a privately-held internal auditing firm offering services to publicly-traded companies, was entitled to protection under Section 806. Finding in favor of the plaintiff and rejecting the First Circuit’s interpretation in Lawson, the ARB announced that “accountants employed by private accounting firms, who in turn provide SOX compliance services to publicly traded corporations, are covered as employees of contractors under Section 806.”

The Supreme Court’s review of Lawson presents three important concerns:

• Whether Section 806 extends to employees of private companies who have contracts with public companies;
• How much deference federal courts should afford interpretations of the Department of Labor; and,
• Whether the Section 806 issue currently is ripe for review by the Supreme Court.

A Supreme Court ruling that Section 806 applies to employees of private contractors would expand the scope of the provision’s whistleblower protection greatly, while a contrary ruling will act as a restraint on the current ARB/DOL, which many consider to be seeking to expand the application of SOX. The Court likely will take this opportunity to decide whether federal courts should defer to the DOL’s construction of SOX, clarifying the proper relationship between federal courts and the DOL regarding interpretation of Section 806. Employers should continue to limit their exposure to retaliation claims by implementing strong internal reporting mechanisms and taking whistleblower complaints seriously.

B. Third Circuit adopts DOL’s liberal test for determining protected whistleblower activity under SOX

Earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit became the first federal Circuit Court to adopt the liberal “reasonable belief” standard for determining protected activity under the whistleblower provisions of SOX. Wiest v. Lynch, No. 11-4257 (3d Cir. Mar. 19, 2013). In doing so, the court rejected case law requiring a plaintiff-employee’s internal complaint to relate “definitively and specifically” to a statute or regulation specified in Section 806 of SOX in order for the employee’s communication to be considered protected activity. The Third Circuit’s holding represents a significant, employee-friendly development in cases brought under SOX’s whistleblower provision. The Court has jurisdiction over Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Jeffrey Wiest, a former accountant for the defendant company, filed a complaint alleging his former employer had terminated his employment in violation of SOX after he raised concerns to his supervisors about certain corporate expenditures. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania granted the employer’s motion to dismiss Wiest’s claims. It found the concerns Wiest raised did not meet the “definitively and specifically” standard announced by the ARB in Platone v. FLYi, ARB No. 04-154, ALJ No. 2003-SOX-27 (ARB Sept. 29, 2006). Under the “definitively and specifically” standard, to be protected, an employee’s communication regarding suspected fraud had to assert specific elements of securities fraud.

On appeal, the Third Circuit reversed the dismissal of two of the Wiest’s SOX retaliation claims. In doing so, the Court adopted the “reasonable belief” standard first articulated by the ARB in Sylvester v. Parexel International, LLC, ARB No. 07-123, ALJ Nos. 2007-SOX-39, 42 (ARB May 25, 2011). Under the “reasonable belief” standard, employees making internal communication regarding questionable conduct need only believe the objectionable conduct violates a SOX provision, provided that a person with the same training and experience also would think the complained-about conduct could violate the Act. Although Sylvester was announced in May 2011, no Circuit Court had adopted the decision or rejected the “definitively and specifically” standard — until now. In fact, even after Sylvester, many district courts continued to use the “definitively and specifically” standard in ruling on SOX whistleblower claims, leading even the DOL to wrestle with the impact of Sylvester on new SOX claims.

In a vigorous dissent, Circuit Judge Kent A. Jordan observed in Wiest that it would be difficult for an employer to know or suspect an employee has engaged in protected conduct if the employee does not adequately communicate his or her concerns in an understandable way to the employer. Judge Jordan echoed Platone when he observed that “[w]hat matters is not what is locked in the plaintiff’s mind or how the plaintiff may later describe his actions; it is what is communicated to the employer that counts.”

Wiest represents a significant development in SOX jurisprudence. Moreover, it is an expansion of employee rights in this area of law that cannot be overstated. The decision makes an employer’s duty to investigate claims of corporate fraud more difficult and complicates an employer’s ability to take necessary employment action with respect to potential whistleblowers.

III. Government releases long-awaited Foreign Corrupt Practices Act resource guide

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) prohibits bribery of foreign officials. Essentially, the FPCA prohibits an “issuer” — a U.S. company that issues securities — or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, or stockholders to: 1) make use of interstate commerce (mail or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce); 2) corruptly; 3) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment of any money, or offer, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to; 4) a foreign official — directly or indirectly; 5) for the purpose of influencing that foreign official.

At the end of 2012, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the SEC issued their much-awaited regulatory guidance entitled, “A Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practice Act.” The guide is a comprehensive overview of the FCPA. More importantly, it describes the DOJ’s and the SEC’s enforcement approach and priorities in relation to the FCPA. Therefore, the guide, released November 14, 2012, provides critical insight as to how these regulatory and law enforcement organizations will assess potentially wrongful conduct within corporate organizations. It also offers insight on how these agencies will determine whether to hold an employer organization responsible for the misdeeds of its employees or agents.

The guide acknowledges that each investigation requires fact-specific review and analysis. It notes that presence of a corporate compliance program is a common factor in determining whether there will be organizational liability and whether the organization will be subject to prosecution, regulatory fines, or otherwise shielded from responsibility. In the guide, the DOJ and SEC take a “common-sense and pragmatic approach” to evaluating an organization’s compliance program by asking three simple, albeit broad, questions:

• Is the company’s compliance program well-designed?
• Is it being applied in good faith?
• Does it work?

Applying the guidance offered by the guide, the following are some of the “hallmarks” of an effective compliance program:

• Commitment from senior management and a clearly articulated policy against corruption
• Code of conduct and compliance policies and procedures
• Oversight, autonomy, and resources
• Risk assessment
• Training and continuing advice
• Incentives and disciplinary measures
• Third-party due diligence and payments
• Confidential reporting and internal investigations
• Continuous Improvement: periodic testing and review
• Pre-acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition integration (in the context of mergers and acquisitions)

The new guide now makes clear that effective compliance programs not only are a requirement, but an essential tool for an organization’s own survival and well-being. Company boards, senior management teams, and corporate officers are unequivocally on notice that mediocre compliance programs represent a dereliction of duty. Moreover, compliance programs assist employers in successfully defending against whistleblower claims.

The time is now for employers to develop, update, or polish-off their corporate compliance programs. As important as any capital asset, a best practice corporate compliance program can literally mean the difference between an organization that prospers (notwithstanding the misdeeds of wayward employees) or an organization that falters in the face of an FCPA problem.

Spray paint operation hazards include those created by carrier solvents’ flammable vapors and the residue buildup from paint overspray. Infrequent cleaning and casual maintenance can destroy even the best designed and constructed equipment's effectiveness. Fire statistics regularly include infrequent cleaning or poor maintenance as either a cause of the loss or a factor contributing to the size of the loss. These maintenance tips are essential for the continued safe operation of a paint spray booth.¹

Frequent cleaning

All booth surfaces should be kept as free from overspray deposits and residues as practical. Surfaces should be cleaned daily if necessary. Automatic sprinkler heads or other fire protection devices should be given special attention, and exhaust duct interiors and fan blades should not be overlooked. Using special or “strippable” coatings on interior booth walls will simplify cleaning.

Keep filters clean

Disposable filters should be changed frequently. Filter gauges should be used to determine filter condition and to indicate change intervals. Gauges should shut off the paint spray gun’s supply if there is not enough air flowing through the filters.

Use non-sparking tools

Scrapers and all other tools and devices used for cleaning should be made of non-sparking materials.

Cleaning solvents

Only solvents with flashpoints over 100°F should be used for cleaning purposes. The ventilation system should continue to operate during solvent cleaning. No more than one day’s supply of solvents should be kept near the booth.

Residue disposal

Scrapings and sweepings should never be left in piles on the floor or in uncovered containers. They should be wet down with water and removed from the building once the cleaning operations are completed.

Safety containers

Approved metal waste containers should be provided wherever rags or waste are saturated with finishing material. The contents of these containers should be removed from the building at the end of each work shift or at least daily. All solvents should be stored in listed or approved safety cans.

 

1. Sprinkler heads exposed to overspray should be protected by thin polyethylene, cellophane or paper bags.
2. Approved metal waste cans for used rags and waste.
3. Access door facilitates cleaning ductwork. Should be fitted with gaskets to create an airtight seal. Smooth, non-combustible floor or floor covering.
4. Smooth interior walls of non-combustible construction.
5. Removable filters — Change filters before airflow is severely reduced.
6. Lighting fixtures — Check for paint accumulation.

Combining hazardous materials

Because some combinations of materials can ignite spontaneously, different types of coating materials should not be sprayed interchangeably. All residue should be removed from the spray booth and all ductwork before another coating material is used.

Safe distances

Maintain at least a three-foot clear space around all spray booths. This is done for maintenance purposes and to reduce the chance of fire spreading either into the spray booth or away from it. Combustible materials should not be stored near paint spraying operations.

Smoking restrictions

“No smoking” signs in large letters should be conspicuously posted near both the paint spraying operation, and paint and solvent storage areas.

Important note:

All written and diagrammatic information contained in this data sheet is believed to be accurate and has been developed from sources which The Hanover believes to be reliable. Please note, however, that The Hanover makes no representations as to the correctness or completeness of this material and accepts no legal responsibility for anything contained herein. We strongly advise that prior to undertaking any of these activities you procure a copy of the appropriate portion(s) of the National Fire Protection Association code or standard covering this subject matter and that you consult appropriate local authorities, as well as your fire insurance rating organization.

1Data Source: NFPA Standard No. 33, Spray Application Using Flammable and Combustible Materials.

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This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC DEC 2018-506
171-0662 (10/17)

Below is important information for kitchen staff about the hazards associated with slicers, dicers, choppers, mincers, mixers, microwaves, steamers, pressure cookers and coffee makers. It's important to remember that child labor laws do not permit employees younger than 18 to work with, repair, adjust, or clean power-driven machinery like meat slicers and bakery mixers.

Possible solutions

Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following the safe work practices of their employers.

Before operating any machinery workers should:

• Get trained in its use.
• Wear any personal protective equipment provided by the employer.
• Use any machine guarding provided.
• Always ask for help if unsure how to do something.
• Be aware that age restrictions exist for workers under the age of 18 from using or cleaning certain equipment.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for machine use and cleaning.

Follow the general recommendations below to identify and avoid potential hazards associated with kitchen machinery.

Mincers, choppers, dicers and slicers

• Always use push sticks or tamps to feed or remove food from these types of machines.
• Do not use hands to feed smaller pieces of meat through slicers.
• Be sure to use any machine guarding that is provided to prevent access to cutter blades. Do not bypass safety guards.
• Do not open up or put hands into an operating machine to stir contents or guide food.
• Turn off and unplug the machine before disassembling and cleaning.

Food processors and mixers

• Do not attempt to remove items (for example, a spoon that falls into the mixture) from dough while the machine is mixing.
• Do not open up the lids of processors to stir contents while food is processing.
• Make sure the processor is off before opening the lid or adding items.
• Turn off and unplug machinery before cleaning or removing a blockage.
• Use any machine guards provided.
• Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry that could become caught in machinery.

Microwaves

• Make sure the microwave is located at approximately waist level and within easy reach, to provide for ease in the lifting of hot foods.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for operating microwave ovens.
• Cover foods cooked in microwaves to avoid splattering.
• Use caution when opening tightly covered containers. Open containers away from the face because they may be under pressure and could be extremely hot.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as hot pads when removing foods from microwave.
• Make sure door seals are in good condition and free from food or grease buildup.
• Do not use a microwave if it has a door that is damaged or doesn’t lock properly. Damaged ovens may emit harmful radiation.
• Do not microwave metals, foil, or whole eggs.
• Keep the interior of the microwave clean to avoid splattering and popping.
• If you notice any sparking inside the microwave, immediately turn off the microwave, unplug it, report it to the supervisor, and do not use it.
• Be advised that microwaves may interfere with the workings of pacemakers.
• Be aware that food cooked in the microwave can remain hot long after the microwave turns off.

Steamers

• Do not open the door while the steamer is on. Shut off the steamer and then wait a few minutes before releasing the pressure and opening.
• Clear the area around the steamer before opening.
• Open the steamer door by standing to the side, keeping the door between the operator and the open steamer.
• Use oven mitts to remove hot trays from the steamer.
• Place hot, dripping steamer trays on a cart to transport. If trays are carried by hand, they could drip on floors and create a slip hazard.
• If a steamer is stacked, remove the tray from the top steamer first, then the lower one, to prevent burns from rising steam.

Pressure cookers

• Shut off the steam supply and wait for the pressure to equalize before opening the lid of the pressure cooker.
• Stand to the side and open the pressure cooker away from yourself, keeping the open lid between you and the pressure cooker.

Coffee makers

• Do not place hot coffee makers close to the edge of counters where people passing by may come in contact with them.
• Check to make sure the coffee filter is in place before making any coffee.
• Do not remove the filter before the coffee has stopped dripping.
• Never stick fingers into the chamber of a coffee grinder to get beans to drop into the grinder. Tapping on the outside of the container will encourage beans to drop into grinder.

 

Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, www.osha.gov

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This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you. The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC DEC 2018 08-70
171-0872 (01/14)

The best way to lower workers' compensation costs is to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. After an accident occurs the simplest way to control the cost of the claim is to report it promptly.

Delayed reporting increases claim cost

A Hanover study of strain injuries illustrates how claim costs increased by thirty percent for every ten days' delay.

A two-week reporting delay increased the average claim by over $8,000.

Control costs and improve medical care

Immediate reporting of injuries helps to control insurance costs, and may also help in providing proper medical care to injured employees. By reporting each accident without delay you can:

• Facilitate prompt and appropriate medical attention to the injured worker, avoiding possible complications and reducing treatment costs.
• Possibly reduce future legal expenses.
• Allow enough time for a complete accident investigation.
• Record facts about the incident while they are still fresh.
• Steer clear of fines or surcharges that may be awarded if employee benefits are delayed.

Establish rules for prompt accident reporting

You should require each employee to report accidents immediately. The injured employee's supervisor should obtain details about the accident. A report should be completed promptly.

Send the report to the appropriate person for processing. Notify our claims department (800-628-0250) without delay.

Our adjusters are committed to keeping you informed about payments and medical progress. They will help care for injured employees and issue payment as quickly as possible.

Conclusion

Delayed reporting increases claim costs dramatically. You and your employees can help control expenses and improve medical care by promptly reporting accidents.

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This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC OCT 2018 14-124
171-0963 (9/14)

Power quality is a general term used to describe the degree of abnormality to several different electrical system characteristics. These characteristics are the frequency and amplitude of the voltage, the balance between phases on a three-phase system and the distortion level of the waveform. The characteristics that are important and what is considered an acceptable level of power quality varies from facility to facility.

Most of the older electro-mechanical equipment was robust and could handle minor power quality related issues with little or no effect on operations. But, due to the shift in the type of loads from electro-mechanical to electronic, power quality has become a real concern in all types of businesses. This includes hospitals, universities, commercial buildings and industrial facilities. Poor power quality results in random equipment malfunctions, data corruption, loss of process control, and heating of cables, motors and transformers.

Power source

An ideal power source offers a continuous, smooth sinusoidal voltage, as shown in Figure 1.

Poor power quality as shown in Figure 2 contains noise, harmonic distortion, voltage sags and swells, interruptions and voltage surge.

 

 

 

 

Causes of poor power quality

You might think that poor power quality is primarily the result of weather-related and utility-related disturbances. However, studies have shown that issues such as lightning, other natural phenomena, and utility operations, account for only a small portion of all electrical disturbances.

A large portion of electrical disturbances are from internal sources or from neighboring businesses that share the same building or are in close proximity. Internal sources can be fax machines, copiers, air conditioners, elevators, and variable frequency drives just to name a few.

 

Power quality issues

Description — A decrease (sag) or increase (swell) in line voltage lasting at least 1/2 cycle (1/120 of a second) to several seconds.

Cause — Utility related events, starting and stopping of large loads.

Issue — If equipment is operated slightly outside the design envelope, random malfunctions and failure may occur. If the equipment is operated significantly outside the design envelope, the equipment will not operate and may fail prematurely. The effects are based on the length, magnitude and timing of the sag or swell.

Voltage imbalance

Description — Differing voltage levels on each leg of a three-phase system, typically < +/-2% of the average.

Cause — Large loads in a building such as HVAC equipment and elevators are three-phase loads. The small but numerous loads such as copiers, control equipment and computers are single-phase loads. Single-phase loads should be equally distributed among the three phases to prevent imbalance. Imbalance can also be caused by poor connections or blown fuses.

Issue — Depending on the level of imbalance, loads can operate erratically, not operate at all or fail.

Interruptions

Description — A significant or complete loss of voltage. The loss can be momentary or sustained.

Cause — Weather, utility equipment failures, internal faults or internal equipment failures.

Issue — A momentary interruption can damage computers and other electronically controlled equipment or disrupt processes. The damage can occur on both the loss and the re-energization of power. Electro-mechanical equipment is generally not affected by these brief outages. Sustained interruptions can last from hours to days. Contingency plans should be developed to address orderly equipment and process shutdown and restarts.

Solutions

Each occupancy will have a different sensitivity level to poor power quality and will have different sources of poor power quality. However, common to all businesses is the importance of a well-maintained electrical distribution and grounding system. The importance of these systems cannot be overstated. When addressing potential or actual power quality issues, the power and grounding system should be the first item addressed. This will ensure personnel safety, allow for the proper operation of surge protection devices, minimize the potential for excessive currents on neutral conductors, and provide a common reference plane for electronic equipment.

Once the power and grounding system deficiencies have been addressed, the next steps include: power quality walk-throughs, power quality inspections and surveys, and mitigation equipment.

Walk-throughs provide an overview of a facility from a power quality standpoint. In addition to housekeeping and the overall appearance of electrical equipment, items to note during a power quality walk-through include:

• Type of equipment that is installed
• Concentration of computer and electronic equipment
• Presence of welders, power factor correction capacitors, or variable frequency drives
• Heat discoloration of electrical equipment
• Communication and control wiring in close proximity to power wiring
• Condition of the grounding system
• Presence of surge protection installed on power and data lines

The conditions below are considered warning signs for potential power quality issues in a facility. These conditions do not guarantee a problem. A facility with these conditions usually has an increased likelihood of power quality issues.

• History of power-related issues
• Poorly maintained electrical system
• Failure of surge protection equipment
• Weather and utility disturbances common
• High concentration of electronic equipment
• Infrared surveys which identify current flow (heat) on grounding conductors and/or system neutrals
• Repeating and random equipment malfunctions, failures, tripped breakers or blown fuses with no identified causes
• Equipment running hot
• Frequent switching to backup power systems
• Lost data or data corruption

Based on the results of the power quality walk-through and the type of processes and equipment at the site, the following recommendations are common:

• Use infrared thermography to locate troubled areas. Not all power quality related issues will cause hot spots. Loose connections, harmonics and undervoltage will cause an increase in the operating temperature of equipment.
• Conduct a power quality inspection and survey using a properly trained and experienced power quality contractor. The results of the inspection and survey should be reviewed with trained and experienced power quality engineers.
• Perform a power quality study if an expansion is planned or a large load is being added. This study should be completed during the design of the expansion or during the specification process of the new equipment installations.

Power quality inspections and surveys identify the types of problems, the extent of the problems, and the potential solutions. Power quality inspections and surveys should only be performed by qualified power quality contractors. In many commercial or light industrial type businesses, only a few loads are affected by power quality issues and only a few loads are susceptible to poor power quality. By identifying these loads during a survey, targeted mitigation techniques can be utilized.

A power quality survey is the monitoring and recording of the power system supplied to a building or specific area of a building. It is important to measure power continuously over an extended period of time such as days or weeks. This will capture all of the intermittent event. Due to the special knowledge needed to identify power quality related issues, it is recommended that only electricians trained in the use of power monitoring instruments be utilized. The equipment should be capable of recording very fast events (less than one cycle) and have data storage capabilities. Since it is difficult to monitor all points simultaneously, selecting the best points to monitor is extremely important. This should be done based on the areas of concern that were identified during the inspection. The equipment must be monitored in its normal operating environment. Do not perform a power quality survey during a shutdown.

The review of the data from the survey will determine the type and severity of the problems and assist in recommending mitigation techniques. The data review should be performed by qualified and experienced power quality engineers.

Prior to selecting any type of mitigation equipment, the power quality deficiencies that are responsible for operational issues and failures must be clearly identified. The next step is to estimate the costs of the power quality related issues. This aids in a budget for the project.

A wide variety of power quality correction products is available utilizing a range of technologies and providing a range of protection. Common mitigation techniques include surge protection devices, isolation transformers, voltage regulators, motor generators, standby power supplies, uninterruptible power supplies and harmonic filters. Each technique has advantages and disadvantages and should be applied based on the discovered problems.

This list defines different types of mitigation techniques available, but it is not a complete list.

Surge Protection Devices (SPD)

Function — Diverts surge events to ground.

Description — A device connected between line and ground which has high impedance at normal frequency system voltage levels and very low impedance at higher than normal voltage levels. Because of this low impedance, the SPD acts as a shunt to ground for voltage surge events. Devices vary in their surge current-handling capability and voltage-limiting capability. Since devices have different voltage and current capabilities, a multi-level approach is required to protect against surge events. The multi-level approach is also known as zones of protection. Each zone experiences a different level of surge event and therefore the SPD should be sized appropriately based on the zone. In general terms, the zones of protection are the service entrance line, the remote distributed panelboards, and at the equipment points-of-use.

Communications and data equipment are also vulnerable to surges. Special surge protectors are available for line protection of this equipment.

Many types of equipment claim to have built-in surge protection. But these are often inexpensive varistors. These devices may or may not provide sufficient protection. They should be supplemented by the field installed units for complete surge protection.

Isolation transformers

Function — Isolation transformers attenuate common-mode disturbances on the power supply conductors, provide a local ground reference point and allow for voltage output adjustments using internal winding taps.

Description — A transformer with special windings utilizing a grounded electrostatic shield between the primary and secondary. This grounded shield provides attenuation of high-frequency noise. Isolation transformers may step the voltage up or down (i.e., 480v to 208v) or be used for isolation only with no output voltage change (208 V in and 208 V out).

Voltage regulator

Function — Provide a constant output voltage level for a range of input voltages.

Description — A variety of voltage regulation techniques are available, such as ferro resonant transformers, electronic tap-switching transformers, and saturable reactor regulators.

Motor generator

Function — Provides voltage regulation, noise/surge elimination, voltage distortion correction and electrical isolation between the electrical system and the connected equipment.

Description — A separate motor and an alternator (generator) are interconnected by a rotating shaft and coupling. Typically, the utility is the power supply for the motor which drives the generator to produce clean power.

Standby power supply

Function — An inverter and battery backup power system operating as an outage protection system. In normal mode, the inverter is in a standby mode and the load is directly supplied from the input power source. On a loss of input power, the load is switched to the battery supply. There is a momentary break in power when the transfer to and from input power occurs.

Description — Usually comprised of a solid-state inverter, battery, and battery charger.

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

Function — Maintain uninterrupted supply of regulated voltage for a period of time after a power failure.

Description — A variety of technologies exists. The two common types are rotary and static. A rotary unit consists of a motor generator set with a short ride through capability. A static unit utilizes power electronics and a battery string or other energy storage means as a source of energy during loss of input power. These depend on properly maintained batteries. The battery system is sized based on the load and duration of required time.

Other types include combinations of rotary and static units or UPS systems supplemented with engine driven generators for extended outages.

The design of the backup power supply capability should reflect the criticality and size of the loads to be supplied. Redundancy should be in consideration for installations with significant power loss consequences. Each element of the backup power scheme needs to be viewed as a point of failure. If appropriate the design should provide for functional duplication of each system component.

Harmonic filters

Function — Acts to reduce the level of harmonic distortion on a power system.

Description — Harmonic filers should be specifically designed to suppress the offending harmonics determined during the monitoring and analysis study. Harmonic filters may be available from equipment manufacturers that manufacturer electrical equipment known to create harmonic distortions on the power lines.

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Copyright ©2011, 2015, 2017 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission of The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company.

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC FEB 2019-409
171-9262 (1/19)

Why preventive maintenance is more important than ever

Electrical-related fires are occurring more often and causing more severe losses. Like the country’s aging and overburdened electrical infrastructure, buildings and electrical systems are aging and may not be designed to handle the load most businesses need as they add more equipment.

Inadequately maintained electrical systems also are a leading cause of business interruption, poor energy efficiency, equipment wear-out and breakdown — all costly problems. An effective electrical preventive maintenance program can reduce your risk of an unscheduled outage by as much as 66% according to statistics from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

What you can do to keep your electrical system safe

Focus your electrical preventive maintenance program on the most common and frequent problems leading to electrical fires and equipment failure. That includes inspection and preventive measures to ensure electrical apparatus is kept clean, cool, dry and tight.

Keep it clean

• Electrical apparatus and equipment rooms should be free of excessive dust and dirt accumulation.
• Don’t use electrical equipment rooms for storage.
• Limit access to authorized operations and maintenance personnel.
• Maintain proper lighting to ensure correct and efficient operation and maintenance.

Keep it cool

• Prevent excessive heat buildup in electrical apparatus enclosures and equipment rooms.
• Exceeding design temperatures could be a fire hazard, and can also shorten the life of equipment.
• Maintain cooling fans or blowers installed on equipment to provide adequate cooling.
• Keep ventilation openings in equipment enclosures clean and free from obstruction.
• Change or clean any installed filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Keep it dry

• Keep equipment rooms dry and protect equipment from moisture. Persistent exposure and direct contact with moisture can cause equipment to fail or shorten its life.
• Check equipment for moisture contamination. If found, examine equipment for damage and get necessary repairs made. Identify and eliminate the source of moisture.

Keep it tight

• Loose connections are the most common source of electrical equipment failure.
• Check all connections and ensure they are kept tight.
• Follow any applicable manufacturer’s instructions for tightening.
• Get an infrared imaging survey to test for loose connections.

Where to begin with a maintenance program

The first step in conducting electrical equipment maintenance is following applicable jurisdictional code requirements and specific manufacturers’ recommendations.

Regular and routine maintenance is extremely important. Preventive maintenance should be performed at least every three years or more often when conditions warrant.

Please remember, it takes qualified and competent maintenance personnel to properly, safely and effectively maintain electrical equipment.

Electrical system maintenance increases safety and decreases losses. Reduce your risk of fire, equipment breakdown, business interruption, equipment inefficiency and premature wear-out with a preventive maintenance program.

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Copyright © 2020— Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Co.

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC FEB 2019 10-418
171-0927 (4/17)

When it comes to losses of electrical and electronic equipment, few events can match the destruction caused by surges (transients) and electrical noise. These phenomena are responsible for about 50 percent of most electronic equipment failures today. This does not include the latent damage or degradation to electrical equipment caused by surges.

Since microprocessor-based equipment functions with faster operating speeds and lower operating voltage than other equipment, surges and electrical noise previously classified as non-threatening are significantly more damaging. The estimated annual cost for damages and lost revenues associated with these problems is in the millions. A facility owner can greatly reduce the risk of equipment damage, component degradation and system disruptions with a robust surge protection system.

An electrical transient is a short-duration, high-energy impulse that is imparted on the normal electrical power system whenever there is a sudden change in the electrical circuit. They can originate from a variety of sources, both internal and external to a facility.

The most obvious source is from lightning, but surges can also come from normal utility switching operations, unintentional grounding of electrical conductors (such as when an overhead power line falls to the ground). Surges can also enter the premises via internet cable and telecommunications lines. However, numerous studies have shown that exterior sources account for only 20 percent of all electrical surges. The remaining 80 percent can be accounted for by equipment within a facility. Known sources of transients and noise within a building or facility include everyday things such as fax machines, copiers, air conditioners, elevators, motors/pumps, or arc-welders. In each case, the normal electric circuit is suddenly exposed to large doses of energy that can adversely affect the equipment being supplied power.

Surge protection basics

A surge protection device (SPD), previously known as a transient voltage surge suppressor (TVSS), is designed to absorb and divert high-current surges to ground and bypass your equipment. This action limits the voltage that is impressed on the equipment. The backbone of every SPD is the metal oxide varistor (or MOV). The MOV is a solid-state device that normally has very high impedance. When the applied voltage suddenly exceeds the “breakdown voltage,” the MOV acts as a very high-speed switch and diverts the energy to ground. An important aspect of the SPD is that it is a sacrificial device with degradation of performance over time. It is considered to be at the end of its life when it has lost 10 percent of its design capacity. When selecting an SPD, there are many features to consider, including remote annunciation capabilities, audio alarms, and indicator lights. A very important feature is a diagnostic indicator (visual, audible or otherwise) to verify that it is still functioning and hasn’t been disabled from the last surge suppression event.

Installation

Only surge protection that is properly sized and grounded can be successful in preventing equipment damage. For maximum protection, SPDs should be installed as close to the protected equipment as possible, and cable lengths should be as short and straight as possible to minimize the resistive path of the circuit to ground. Anything less than a low grounding and bonding impedance will cause surge energy to be diverted throughout the facility with potentially hazardous effects. The National Electrical Code (NEC^®), NFPA-70, Article 285 provides details on the proper installation of SPD devices. NEC Article 250 provides details on proper grounding of your electrical system. It is highly recommended that a licensed electrician be retained to ensure that your SPD is properly installed and grounded.

Grounding is essential

Three key points must be addressed regarding grounding and bonding.

• Evaluate your facility’s grounding for NEC compliance. All outlets should be checked for proper polarity and impedance that should be less than 1 ohm.
• Determine if the grounding system is robust enough to fulfill the function of the SPD, i.e., proper wire size and tightness of connections.
• Determine specific corrective action required to bring the grounding network to both NEC compliance and to the level of performance to address transients and electrical noise.

Zones of protection

Photo courtesy of Hartford Steam Boiler

IEEE Std 1100 — IEEE Recommended Practice for Powering and Grounding Sensitive Electronic Equipment (also known as the IEEE Emerald Book^®) presents recommended guidelines for design, installation, and maintenance practices for electrical power, grounding and protection of sensitive electronic loads such as computers, servers and other susceptible electronic equipment used in commercial and industrial applications.

One of the primary recommendations set forth in IEEE 1100 is the implementation of “Zones of Protection.” Considering that surges can originate from both internal and external sources, SPDs should be installed to provide maximum protection regardless of the source location.

The three zones include:

• The first zone is at the service entrance where the most robust SPD is placed to divert surges coming from external sources. SPDs installed here are listed as Category “C” devices.
• The second zone of protection is within the facility at locations identified as susceptible to surges. SPDs at these locations are listed as Category “B” devices and are installed on equipment such as switchgear, panel-boards, and branch circuit panels.
• The third zone of protection is at the outlet, or point of use. SPDs installed here are listed as Category “A” devices.

It is strongly recommended that a professional engineer, experienced with surge suppression technology, be retained to design the protection system for your facility to ensure all SPDs are properly sized and coordinated.

Coordination of SPDs

Each zone of protection adds to the overall protection of the facility as each helps to further reduce the voltage exposed to the protected equipment. While the service entrance SPD provides the first line of defense against electrical transients for a facility by diverting high-energy, outside surges to ground, it also lowers the energy level of the surge entering the facility to a level that can be handled by downstream devices closer to the load. Therefore, proper coordination of SPDs is required to avoid damaging SPDs installed on distribution panels or locally at vulnerable equipment. If coordination is not achieved, excess energy from propagating surges can cause damage to Zone 2 and Zone 3 SPDs and destroy the equipment that you are trying to protect.

Standards for SPDs

Standards that are useful in evaluating SPDs include, but are not limited to:

IEEE Std. C62.45 — this standard provides the surge testing procedures, and a means of measuring the performance characteristics for surge-protective devices used in low-voltage ac power circuits.

NEMA-LS1 — is the manufacturer’s standard and specification guide for low voltage AC power SPD applications.

NFPA 780 — is the standard for Lightning Protection Systems.

UL1449 — is the safety standard for all surge protection equipment installed on low voltage AC circuits. It is a safety standard, and not a performance standard. (NEMA LS-1 is the manufacturing performance standard.)

Note: any statement that an SPD “meets the requirements of C62.41” is inappropriate and misleading. IEEE Std C62.41 has been superseded by IEEE Std C62.41.1 and C62.41.2. These two standards describe the surge environment and establish standardized waveforms; they are not testing or performance standards

Typical costs

Depending on the application and ratings, SPDs for service entrance equipment range from $500-$6500. Data line and AC receptacle protection ranges from $25-$150.

Summary

Although surges and electrical noise cannot be totally eliminated, they can be mitigated through an engineered approach thereby reducing their damaging effect. This leads to greater reliability and overall improved productivity. In this regard, surge protection really is an inexpensive form of electrical system insurance.

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Copyright © 2014 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC FEB 2019-408
171-9308 (1/19)

Grounding is an important aspect of every electrical distribution system. A properly designed and well maintained grounding system significantly reduces the chance of personnel electrocution, electrical fires, equipment damage and associated downtime. This page addresses the basics of grounding and outlines the need for regularly scheduled maintenance and testing activities for grounding systems. The National Electric Code (NEC), Article 250, contains specific requirements on the grounding of electrical power systems and equipment. In all cases, the requirements of the NEC should be followed. Grounding is covered in greater detail in HSB's Recommended Practices for Grounding of Commercial and Industrial Power Systems.

Basics of grounding

For a piece of electrical equipment to operate, a complete path for current flow must exist between the source of the power and the piece of electrical equipment. For a three-phase system (Figure 1), current flows between the source and the piece of equipment on the three-phase conductors, phase A, phase B and phase C. On a single-phase system (Figure 2), current flows from the source to the piece of equipment on a single conductor (sometimes called the hot leg) and returns to the source on the neutral or common conductor. A neutral or common conductor can also be used to establish a voltage reference. This is required for certain circuits to operate properly. A neutral or common conductor can be grounded, but a neutral or common conductor is not an equipment safety ground.

The grounding of electrical equipment is the deliberate connection of exposed metal surfaces of electrical equipment to the earth (ground) for personnel safety. Electrical equipment such as transformers, motors, switchgear, cable and bus contain energized and non-energized components. When an energized component comes in contact with a metal case or structure of a piece of equipment, it is commonly known

as a ground fault. If a ground fault occurs, the case or structure will be at system voltage. This is a very dangerous situation. When a metallic object or person touches the equipment, current will flow through the object or person to ground. This can severely injure or kill the person and will cause extensive equipment damage. A properly designed, installed and maintained grounding system can prevent this from occurring.

Types of grounds

A grounding system is composed of a system ground and equipment grounds.

A system ground is ground rod(s) bonded together and connected to the power supply of the system. Ground rods can be metallic spikes driven into the ground, rebar, structural building steel and metal underground pipe or any combination of these.

Equipment grounds must provide a path from the equipment to the system ground. Equipment grounds can be conductors, metallic conduit or cable raceways.

In addition to a personnel safety equipment ground, electronic equipment such as computers and control equipment may require additional equipment grounds for proper operation. These grounds must be connected at a single point to the ground. Electronic equipment cannot have separate system grounds.

Ground faults

There are two types of ground faults, solid ground faults and intermittent ground faults. Solid ground faults occur when an energized component comes in contact and stays in contact with ground. This type of ground fault results in a very large current draw and will typically cause a fuse to open or a breaker to trip on overcurrent. An intermittent ground fault will intermittently connect an energized component to ground.

This type of ground causes significantly less fault current and will not consistently cause overcurrent protective devices to operate. This fault will result in arcing and heating and can result in fire and equipment damage. Ground fault protection is used to protect against ground faults. Ground fault protection senses a ground fault condition and automatically opens the supply breaker.

Recommended inspection and maintenance activities

Over time grounding systems that are not maintained become less effective. This can be due to changes in the electrical system, changes in the water table, loose connections, replacement of underground metal pipes with non-metallic pipes, corrosion or improper work on the electrical system. This degradation can cause injuries, fires and equipment damage on systems with previously adequate grounding systems. After any major change to an electrical distribution system, every three years (maximum), or if ground-related issues are suspected, a qualified electrical contractor or professional engineer should verify the grounding system is in accordance with the National Electric Code Article 250.

 

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© 2010 The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission of The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company.

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC MAR 2019 2015-410
171-9273 (03/16)

Every year in the United States, we celebrate the Fourth of July with community parades, picnics, barbecues, and fireworks — the things of which happy memories are made. Unfortunately, Independence Day also includes tragic events resulting from the use of fireworks. The safest way to enjoy them is through public displays conducted by professional pyrotechnicians hired by communities.

Who is most at risk?

In 2017, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 12,900 people for fireworks-related injuries. 67 percent of these injuries occurred between June and July. Of these:

• 70 percent were males and 30 percent were females.
• Children under 15 years old accounted for 36 percent of the estimated injuries.
• Children and young adults under 20 years old had 50 percent of the estimated injuries.
• An estimated 800 injuries were associated with firecrackers. Of these, an estimated 51 percent were associated with small firecrackers, 18 percent with illegal firecrackers, and 31 percent where the type of firecracker was not specified.
• An estimated 1,200 injuries were associated with sparklers and 300 with bottle rockets.
• The parts of the body most often injured were hands and fingers (estimated 31 percent), head, face, and ears (estimated 22 percent), legs (estimated 17 percent), eyes (estimated 14 percent), and arms (estimated 6 percent).
• More than half of the injuries were burns. Burns were the most common injury to hands, fingers and arms.
• Most patients were treated at the emergency department and then released. An estimated 14 percent of patients were treated and transferred to another hospital or admitted to the hospital.

How and why do these injuries occur?

Did you know the tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of about 1,200°F? This is hot enough to cause third degree burns.

• Availability — In spite of federal regulations and varying state prohibitions, many types of fireworks are still accessible to the public. Distributors often sell fireworks near state borders, where laws prohibiting sales on either side of the border may differ.
• Fireworks type — Among the various types of fireworks, some of which are sold legally in some states, bottle rockets can fly into peoples’ faces and cause eye injuries. Sparklers can ignite clothing and firecrackers can injure the hands or face if they explode at close range.
• Being too close — Injuries may result from being too close to fireworks when they explode; for example, when someone leans over to look more closely at a firework that has been ignited, or when a misguided bottle rocket hits a nearby person.
• Lack of physical coordination — Younger children often lack the physical coordination to handle fireworks safely.
• Curiosity — Children are often excited and curious around fireworks, which can increase their chances of being injured (for example, when they re-examine a firecracker dud that initially fails to ignite).
• Experimentation — Homemade fireworks (ones made of the powder from several firecrackers) can lead to dangerous and unpredictable explosions.

What can I do?

The best way to protect your family is not to use any kind of fireworks at home. Attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals instead.

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This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC JAN 2019 12-139
171-0857 (11/18)

A standing posture permits a greater range of vertical reach. The need for mobility is usually the reason for choosing this work position. Standing work has advantages related to mobility, less rear room requirements and greater latitude in workplace design. Standing work positions can be beneficial to the circulatory system. The standing position can improve posture, decrease muscle fatigue, reduce static pooling and reduce back pain.

Proper body alignment while in a standing positions at a computer workstation.

When standing work is performed in front of a workstation it is recommended that the following be considered:

• There must be sufficient room for feet and knee mobility.
• Posture should be erect; a bent posture should not be needed to perform the task(s).
• Arm posture to perform task(s) should be mid-torso for best mechanical use of arms.
• Anti-fatigue mats should be used for prolonged standing task(s).
• Distribute body weight evenly to the front, back, and sides of the feet while standing
• Object handling tasks should be at or just below elbow height.
• Provide sit or stand stools to minimize the amount of loading on any one-muscle group. Placing one foot on a stool or footrest reduces the lumbosacral angle, thus reducing fatigue.
• Walking, lifting heavy materials, holding a telephone, and typing are all moving activities that require attention to ergonomics and posture. It is important to maintain good posture even while moving to avoid injury.
• If the worker must move along a line provide a padded work rail to lean against; the rail will relieve stress to the back and legs.
• Footrests should be 4 to 6 inches off the ground or platform. Again the rest will relieve strain on leg and back muscles.
• Avoid regularly wearing high-heeled shoes, which can affect the body’s center of gravity and change the alignment of the entire body, negatively affecting back support and posture.
• Foot activated controls should not be used for standing activities.
• Regular exercise such as walking, swimming, or bicycling will help the body stay aerobically conditioned, while specific strengthening exercises will help the muscles surrounding the back to stay strong. These benefits of exercise promote good posture which will, in turn, further help to condition muscles and prevent injury.

Note

When standing, muscles and good posture help to keep your spine in the balanced neutral position, abdominal muscles pull up in front and buttock muscles pull down in the back to maintain the spine in a natural position. This balance allows the workers to stand for long periods of time without developing significant back and leg fatigue.

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This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. The examples in this material are provided as hypothetical and for illustration purposes only. The Hanover Insurance Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“The Hanover”) specifically disclaim any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations contained herein will make any premises, or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. By providing this information to you, The Hanover does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.

LC JAN 2019 14-38
171-0918 (9/16)