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Safety Update - Ohio BWC Library
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced the publication of an interim final rule to update the regulatory requirements it uses to test and approve air-purifying particulate respirators for use in the ongoing pandemic. The rule allows for a new class of powered air purifying respirators, consolidates all the standards, and removes obsolete information.
Mining Hazard Training Tool
NIOSH published information in their Technology News publication about a new computer-based training tool for the mining industry. The tool, known as EXAMiner, gives mineworkers the opportunity to practice identification of hazards by performing virtual mine examinations. Users perform a timed examination of a mine scene to identify as many hazards as possible.
Division of Safety & Hygiene’s June webinars
BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene (DSH) is offering a series of free webinars covering a variety of workplace safety topics throughout June. Below is a listing of dates and topics.
• June 4 – Selling Safety and Why It’s Important
• June 11 – Developing an Effective Ergonomics Management Process
• June 18 – Before You Hire That Contractor – Groundwork to Reduce Safety Risks
• June 25 – Accident Analysis – Why Should I Do It?
DSH safety experts who are well-versed in the topic they are presenting conduct the webinars. Each webinar lasts about one hour.
NIOSH Bibliography
The NIOSH Bibliography of Communication and Research Products 2019 contains a chapter on the history of workplace safety leading up to the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Act. The document also outlines the work NIOSH has done in the previous year, including articles, books, book chapters, proceedings, and more. OSHA News
OSHA Guidance on COVID-19
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) topic site on COVID-19 contains new guidance documents for restaurant curbside pickup, nursing homes and long-term care workers, dental workers, retail pharmacies, rideshare/taxi/car service workers, and manufacturing workers. The site also has links to relevant videos and posters (including use of respirators) in English and Spanish, workplace-specific guidance on control and prevention, medical information and applicable OSHA standards. OSHA Revised Enforcement Policies for Coronavirus
OSHA adopted two revised enforcement policies for coronavirus. In a news release dated May 19, 2020, OSHA reported it is increasing in-person inspections at all types of workplaces and described the circumstances under which instances of coronavirus in employees is reportable to OSHA under the recordkeeping requirements. Coronavirus Guidance E-book
The OSHA document Coronavirus: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 is now available as an e-book in EPUB and MOBI format. Other News
EHS Now: Virtual Summit
EHS Now is offering a free online educational event for EHS professionals 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 17. The Virtual Summit covers topics such as recordkeeping, leading and lagging metrics, workplace violence, and more. Attendees can sign-up for specific sessions or can attend all of them. Please visit the Virtual Summit registration page for more information. OSHA Inspection Webinar - Safety+Health Magazine
Safety+Health Magazine is offering a free webinar titled “OSHA Workplace Safety Inspections: What You Need to Know,” at 11 a.m. June 18. The webinar will last about one hour. Topics of discussion include: What goes on during an inspection; what OSHA inspectors look for; rights you have as an employer; and how to get OSHA fines reduced. Web App for Coronavirus Disinfectants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) transformed its List N data webpage — a list of more than 400 surface disinfectant products that meet the agency’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2 — into a browser-based web app that allows users to use their mobile devices to rapidly identify the disinfectant products best suited for their needs. Users can search by use site (e.g., home, business, health care, etc.), surface type, contact time, EPA registration number, active ingredient, or product name. NFPA Reopening Buildings Guidance
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) created documents to help businesses follow reopening guidelines while maintaining fire and life safety standards. One checklist addresses the NFPA standards to consider when reopening a building that has been vacant for an extended period of time. A separate fact sheet gives guidance for “the new normal” as businesses work to reconfigure and adjust their spaces to reopen to the public while considering egress management, partition placement, hand sanitizer storage, and more. CPWR Stand-Down Video
Struck-by incidents are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. In a video presentation titled “Virtual National Stand Down to Prevent Struck by Injuries - Q&A Panel,” The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) hosted a panel of experts on April 20. Panelists answered questions about struck-by hazards in work zones and provided practical information stakeholders can use on their job sites to prevent such incidents. Fall Rescue on Construction Sites
The American Road & Transportation Builders Association created a new training video to raise awareness of the severity of fall hazards on roadway projects, with falls accounting for about 1,200 construction fatalities annually. The video explains how to create a fall rescue plan, prevent suspension trauma, and provide emergency medical treatment. Electrical Safety Resources
The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) released a new video reminding nonelectrical workers on job sites to look up and be aware of overhead power lines. For all you teleworkers out there, the ESFI also created an infographic about electrical safety while working at home. Tabletop Exercise Toolkits – K-12 Schools Severe Weather
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) developed a new severe weather tabletop exercise toolkit for K-12 schools. Designed to help school staff, first responders, and others prepare for tornados and other severe weather events, this free-to-download toolkit covers shelter-in-place procedures, school closures, and rapid assessments. This new resource joins the Ohio EMA’s previous tabletop exercises Mall Active Shooter, Business Continuity: Disaster in the Workplace, Higher Education: Active Aggressor, and Houses of Worship: Targeted Disruption. Raptor Safety for Telecommunication Tower Climbers
The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association posted a video called “Birds of Prey” with information about dealing with raptors nesting on telecommunication towers. The video includes information tower technicians should know when confronted with raptor nests on towers and tips for remaining safe when working in these environments.
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