safety

FY20 Official Statement from Ohio BWC

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Latest update from the Ohio BWC on 4/20/20:

Dear Safety Council Rebate Program Participants,

We thank you for your patience as we’ve determined how to proceed with the FY20 Safety Council Rebate Program in the midst of COVID-19.

As you know, we directed safety council sponsors to cancel March, April, and May safety council meetings in light of public health concerns. And today’s announcement will eliminate the need for sponsors to host a June meeting. As a result of these cancellations, we realize it is impossible for many of you to complete the program’s FY20 rebate eligibility requirements.

Therefore, we will provide the FY20 rebate to safety council members who, as of Feb. 29, 2020, had attended at least FOUR safety council meetings. This determination was based on crediting each member with one meeting credit for each cancelled meeting, the maximum of two external training credits and waiving the CEO attendance and calendar year 2019 semi-annual report requirements.

Although we realize a small number of safety councils host more than one meeting a month late in the program year, we are granting relief for only one safety council meeting credit per month in March, April, May, and June. This resolution reinforces the program’s goal of active participation for the purpose of education, networking and resource sharing and, unfortunately, members who condense participation to the latter part of the program year will not appreciate relief from this solution.

Ultimately, employers we determine have earned the rebate under the revised guidelines will receive the maximum percentage rebate allowed per their BWC group-rating status:

  • 2% for employers enrolled in BWC’s Group-Retrospective-Rating Program and eligible for the participation rebate.
  • 2% for employers enrolled in BWC’s Group-Experience-Rating Program and eligible for the performance bonus – there will be no claims data measurement calculation.
  • 4% for employers not enrolled in a BWC Group-Rating Program.

Your safety council sponsor will submit July 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020 attendance records to us when normal business operations resume. The timeline for the processing of these rebates is yet to be determined but we will continue to update safety council sponsors when you should expect FY20 safety council program rebate checks.

Our most sincere interest is the health, wellness and safety of Ohio’s workforce. Be safe and take care.

Michelle Francisco

BWC Safety Council Program Manager

April 2020 Newsletter

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Welcome to our monthly newsletter for April 2020!

Our goal for the newsletter is to connect our members to relevant safety resources, all linked together in one convenient location every month. We hope you find this resource useful and valuable!

Please share with your colleagues!

COVID-19 Related:

SAFETY RESOURCES:

  1. How Stress Affects Workplace Safety. Is stress really a safety concern? In this episode, Mike & Nic chat about stress before & during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it significantly impacts your workforce, even in regards to safety! (22:52)
  2. [Safety Talk] Tornado Safety Tips. Here’s some safety tips from Ready.gov on how to prepare for and survive a tornado! (4:34)
  3. [Safety Crash Course] JSA & JHA Basics (Live). This is a live recording of the 4th of 4 Safety Crash Course – Part 1 presentations at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on February 13, 2020. The topic was JSA & JHA Basics and it was presented by Debbie O’Connell, Regional Account Manager, 1-888-OhioComp. Click here to view the power point. (11:41)
  4. [Safety Crash Course] Forklift Safety Basics (Live). This is a live recording of the 3rd of 4 Safety Crash Course – Part 1 presentations at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on February 13, 2020. The topic was Forklift Safety Basics and it was presented by Robert Campbell, Safety Coordinator, Viking Forge Corporation. Click here to view the power point. (8:58
  5. [Safety Crash Course] PPE Basics (Live). This is a live recording of the 2nd of 4 Safety Crash Course – Part 1 presentations at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on February 13, 2020. The topic was PPE Basics and it was presented by Twilla Watson, Human Resources Manager, Hess Print Solutions. Click here to view the power point. (5:50) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  6. [Safety Crash Course] Lockout Tagout Basics (Live). This is a live recording of the first of four Safety Crash Course – Part 1 presentations at our monthly workplace safety luncheon on February 13, 2020. The topic was Lockout Tagout Basics and it was presented by Renee Onesti, Director of Engineering & Maintenance, Kent Elastomer Products, Inc. Click here to view the power point. (8:38)
  7. April’s Safety Update from the Ohio BWC Library. Each edition provides up-to-date news & safety information.
  8. Respirator Fit-Testing Guidelines: April’s Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  9. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are now available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Podbean, Stitcher & You Tube! local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone! Subscribe today!

PCSC NEWS:

  1. COVID-19 Program Updates: The latest program updates from the PCSC as a result of COVID-19. More info coming soon!
  2. Event Cancellations: All PCSC events have been cancelled through June 2020.
  3. Get Outside Campaign:This campaign is aimed at improving worker health & wellness by highlighting local parks & trails while promoting the benefits of spending time outdoors! This page contains links to free campaign tools and related resources to help you, your company and/or community to promote & improve health & wellness. Click here to listen to the official campaign launch!

WORKPLACE WELLNESS:

  1. How to Take Care of Your Mental Health During COVID-19. Jennifer Parmenter, Clinical Counseling Supervisor at Family & Community Services, Inc., in Kent, OH, called in to give us some tips on how to take care of ourselves and our mental health during the COVID-19 crisis! (28:37)
  2. Staying Active at Home During the Lockdown. Leslee Keegan of I’m Power Fitness Center in Ravenna, OH, called in to give us tips on how to stay active at home during the COVID-19 lockdown! Check out her Facebook page for more info today! (12:31)
  3. How Stress Affects Workplace Safety. Is stress really a safety concern? In this episode, Mike & Nic chat about stress before & during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it significantly impacts your workforce, even in regards to safety! (22:52)
  4. [Get Outside] 2020 Campaign Launch!Are there advantages of spending more time outdoors? Should employers implement a #GetOutside campaign to their employees? Join Mike & Nic as they answer these two questions and chat about the Portage County Safety Council’s new Get Outside Campaign with Portage Parks! Follow the campaign link to download a free campaign poster or flyer today! (16:36)

 

 

Respirator Fit-Testing Guidelines: April’s Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Question: Can you explain the Temporary Guidance for Respirator Fit-Testing in Healthcare from OSHA?

Answer: OSHA has issued temporary enforcement guidance for respirator fit-testing in healthcare during COVID-19 outbreak

This guidance is aimed at ensuring healthcare workers have full access to needed N95 respiratory protection in light of anticipated shortages.

OSHA recommends that employers supply healthcare personnel who provide direct care to patients with known or suspected coronavirus with other respirators that provide equal or higher protection, such as N99 or N100 filtering facepieces, reusable elastomeric respirators with appropriate filters or cartridges, or powered air purifying respirators.

This temporary enforcement guidance recommends that healthcare employers change from a quantitative fit testing method to a qualitative testing method to preserve integrity of N95 respirators. Additionally, OSHA field offices have the discretion to not cite an employer for violations of the annual fit testing requirement as long as employers:

  • Make a good faith effort to comply with the respiratory protection standard;
  • Use only NIOSH-certified respirators;
  • Implement strategies recommended by OSHA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for optimizing and prioritizing N95 respirators;
  • Perform initial fit tests for each healthcare employee with the same model, style, and size respirator that the employee will be required to wear for protection from coronavirus;
  • Tell employees that the employer is temporarily suspending the annual fit testing of N95 respirators to preserve the supply for use in situations where they are required to be worn;
  • Explain to employees the importance of conducting a fit check after putting on the respirator to make sure they are getting an adequate seal;
  • Conduct a fit test if they observe visual changes in an employee’s physical condition that could affect respirator fit; and
  • Remind employees to notify management if the integrity or fit of their N95 respirator is compromised.

The temporary enforcement guidance is in effect beginning March 14, 2020 and will remain in effect until further notice.   Appropriate respiratory protection is required for all healthcare personnel providing direct care of these patients. For additional guidance, see COVID-19 Hospital Preparedness Assessment Tool, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/hcp-hospital-checklist.html.

 

Free BWC Classes at the North Canton Office this Spring

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The following classroom classes are not PCSC events but do qualify for up to 1 safety council eternal training credit.*

Free BWC Classes at the North Canton office:

  • Hazard Communication Half-day Workshop – March 5
  • Controlling Workers’ Compensation Costs – March 18
  • Powered Industrial Trucks: Developing a Training Program Half-day Workshop – March 19 AM
  • Violence in the Workplace – March 19 PM
  • Restaurant and Food Service Safety Workshop – March 23 AM
  • Ergonomics:  Developing an Effective Process – April 1
  • Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Refresher – April 14

Click here for more info.

Trenching Hazards: March’s Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Question: I am hearing a lot about trench & excavation hazards recently.  Besides cave-ins, is there any other hazards I should be aware of?

Answer: Many construction workers are injured and killed in trench and excavation collapses each year.  Although collapsing is the major hazard with trenches and excavations, there are others that you should be aware of, as well.

  1. Trenches and excavations can be deficient of oxygen or could contain hazardous concentrations of gases like carbon monoxide. Stay out of the trench or excavation and report to your supervisor if either hazard is a possibility.
  2. Watch out for buried electrical cables that could cause injuries or electrocutions. Excavators are supposed to call local utilities before they dig, but its safest to assume that they haven’t.  If you see a cable, assume it is hot.  Get out immediately without coming into contact with it and report to your supervisor.
  3. Watch for water lines and avoid breaking them. Broken lines will cause trenches and excavations to cave in quickly.  If you see water inside a trench or excavation, get out immediately and contact your supervisor.
  4. Watch for buried gas lines and other buried hazards. They could cause injuries.  For example, a broken natural gas line could be ignited by a welding spark, torch, cigarette or other source.
  5. Be aware of falling and moving objects while working, especially when an equipment operator is lowering pipe, shoring materials or other objects into the trench or excavation. Keep well away from the process.
  6. Remember that changing weather conditions may affect the stability of the soil in a trench or excavation. When changes in weather occur, such as rain, snow, ice storms, heavy winds or extended periods of hot, dry, weather.  Stay out of the trench until it is inspected by someone with the knowledge and experience to know whether entering could be hazardous.
  7. Always maintain an accessible means of exiting the trench or excavation such as a ladder or ramp. There should be an accessible exit within 25 feet of every worker inside the trench or excavation.

Provided by the Ohio BWC safety consultants.

February 2020 Newsletter

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Welcome to our monthly newsletter for February 2020!

Our goal for the newsletter is to connect our members to relevant safety resources, all linked together in one convenient location every month. We hope you find this resource useful and valuable!

Please share with your colleagues!

SAFETY RESOURCES:

  1. Embracing the Long View for Safety. Do you abandon your new safety strategy too soon? In this episode, Mike & Nic chat about the diffusion of innovation model and what it means for safety! (11:30) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  2. Tench Safety Grant (TSG) Program:BWC’s Trench Safety Grant Program provides 4-to-1 matching funds, up to $12,000, to Ohio private and public employers covered by the State Insurance Fund who wish to purchase equipment to substantially reduce or eliminate injuries and illnesses associated with trenching and excavation. The grant funds can assist employers in purchasing safety equipment, such as trench boxes and hydraulic shoring.
  3. Trench Safety Ohio.com! A new website from the Ohio BWC that provides links to trenching safety information and tips, training, and publications.
  4. Practical Application of Electrical Safety (Live). This is a live recording of our monthly workplace safety luncheon on December 12, 2019. The topic was Practical Application of Electrical Safety and it was presented by Karl Cunningham, Global Electrical Safety, Maintenance and Project Specialist, ES Squared, Inc. (34:26) Listen/Download via Google Drive.
  5. February’s Safety Update from the Ohio BWC Library. Each edition provides up-to-date news & safety information.
  6. OSHA’s Policy on Online Training: February’s Safety & Hygiene Corner.
  7. PCSC Podcasts: Our podcasts are now available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Podbean, Stitcher & You Tube! local & relevant workplace safety information right through your phone! Subscribe today!

PCSC NEWS:

  1. NOTICE: March Meeting Date Change! Due to OSC 2020, our regularly scheduled March meeting will now be on March 5th, 2020. Please advise all staff planning to attend.
  2. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, March 5, 2020, 11:30am-1:00pm. The topic will be Safety Crash Course – Part 2 and it will be presented by various speakers. RSVP deadline is 12pm on Monday, March 2.
  3. 2020 Expo! The 4th biannual Portage County Workplace Health & Safety Expo will be on Friday, June 19, 2020, 8am-3pm, at Maplewood Career Center. More details coming this spring!
  4. Expo Vendor Tables Starting at $50!!! Deadline is March 31, 2020. Follow link for more details.
  5. New PCSC You Tube Channel! One podcast will now be automatically converted to video and uploaded to our new You Tube channel every week! 
  6. Website Update! Our website can now be found at PortageCountySafetyCouncil.com! The old WordPress URL stills works but now we are ad free and you can save a few seconds with the new domain address. In addition, we’ve also added several new pages under the About Us tab, to make it easier to explore & navigate all the good things the PCSC is currently involved in! Check it out!

EXTERNAL TRAINING CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES

*Click here for ETC guidelines.

PROGRAM UPDATES:

  • Monthly Meeting Power Points. We post them on our website after the presenters send them to us and give us permission to publish. If the speaker provides additional info, we’ll post it there as well.
  • External Training Credit Opportunities: We post them on our blog as outside organizations send them to us. A maximum of 2 external training credits are allowed per program year to help members earn the 10 minimum attendance credits required by the rebate. Please Note: ETC certificates of completion must be submitted by June 30 every year in order to qualify. Click here for ETC guidelines.
  • Rebate Participation Spreadsheet. Rebate eligible members can review how close they are to fulfilling the minimum rebate eligibility requirements by reviewing the Participation Spreadsheet which is typically updated on a monthly basis.
  • Rebate Fact Sheet: Have a question regarding rebate requirements? Check out this fact sheet from the Ohio BWC.