Johnson City, TN – Appalachian Lumbermen’s Club members learned at a recent meeting here to evaluate the risk of every action before taking it.
A representative of EnSafe, a leader in providing environmental, health and safety services, spoke to the group at the Carnegie Hotel. The company uses risk assessment to streamline processes and customize solutions for companies committed to safety.
Mike Palmer, EnSafe spokesman, said many companies use generic training programs that meet applicable regulatory training requirements. EnSafe’s approach is to customize training to address the specific concerns of a particular facility or group.
He said the programs help employees become familiar with the workplace, aware of hazards and assess the risk involved in actions. The EnSafe team reviews material safety data sheets, process technology, facility layout, and existing company standard operating procedures and develops a procedure to train employees on conditions of the job site.
The EnSafe model sends safety management experts to clients to determine how companies can safely manage highly hazardous equipment and chemical processes and maintain compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requirements.
The company encourages clients to have a COVID-19 response plan, policies, programs and practices based on current Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) requirements, as well as recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and other applicable agencies.
A systematic COVID-19 Gap Assessment should evaluate and offer recommendations for:
- Determinations of highest areas of concern for risk of virus contraction or transmission
- Sensible engineering controls to isolate, contain, and protect workplaces of highest concern
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations based on task and locations
- Administrative controls regarding interaction of personnel
- Decontamination plans based on equipment, task, location, etc.
- Identifying Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) concerns with shared HVAC systems
- Identifying “deep clean” best practices for COVID-19 affected or suspect areas
- Conformance with CDC COVID-19 prevention, containment, and response guidelines and protocols
EnSafe is headquartered in Memphis, TN, and has offices in nine states.
The next meeting of the ALC is Jan. 12, 2021 at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC.
John Evans, Ontario Hardwoods, Keysville, VA; Brett Brown, Linden Lumber Co., Linden, AL; and Jeff Dougherty, Ally Global Logistics, Jacksonville, FL 
Steve Moore, Havco Wood Products, Vonore, TN; Dave Kocher, Justin Laws, and Jason Powers, Southern Forest Products, Appalachia, VA 
Gale Keener, Mullican Flooring, Ronceverte, WV; and Larry Cockram, Griffith Lumber Co., Woolwine, VA 
Shannon Garland, ATI International, Roanoke, VA; CJ Struyk, TMX Shipping, Morehead City, NC; and Jay Reese, Penn-Sylvan Inc., Spartansburg, PA 
Gale Keener, Mullican Flooring, Ronceverte, WV; Allan Robinson, PLM Insurance Co., Philadelphia, PA; and Steve Leonard, Lawrence Lumber Co. Inc., Maiden, NC 
Brett Bollinger, BOLDesign, Hickory, NC; Jimmy Clay, Parton Lumber Co., Rutherfordton, NC; Karl Schmertzler, Yoder Lumber Co., Hickory, NC; and Jeff Cowley, BOLDesign 
Ray Hunt, Austin Hunt Lumber, Statesville, NC; Andrew Robinson, Penn-Sylvan Inc., Spartansburg, PA; and Lance Johnson, ISK Biocides, Memphis, TN 
Greg Pappas, Collins Hardwoods, Cove City, NC; Eddy Phillips, Phillips Lumber & Farm Supply, Mountain City, TN; and Tyler King, New River Hardwoods Inc., Mountain City, TN 
Wayne Law and David Bailey, New River Hardwoods Inc., Mountain City, TN; and Brian Ballard, Tioga Hardwoods, Claremont, NC 
Tim Thornburgh and Wes Byler, Accord Lumber Co., Weymouth, MA; and Andy Nuffer, DMSi, Kernersville, NC
