Safety Consulting & Training
On-Site and/or On-Line

Scientists say there is mounting evidence that with indoor situations, tiny aerosols emitted when we talk are playing a significant role in the spread of COVID-19. This is very important information, since the initial message and focus was to contain the emission of larger particles when people cough, sneeze, sing, or yell, in hopes that catching these larger particles would be enough to contain the virus. The initial message implied that since the large particles normally don’t travel more than 6 feet (unless a fan of some type is in use), masking may not be necessary if people are reasonably distanced.

The current message from some scientists is that when we simply talk (and of course, cough), tiny invisible aerosols are also emitted and that the aerosol floats and disperses like cigarette smoke. This means that (more…)

OSHA has not made any official changes to exclude any work-related COVID-19 cases from OSHA logs. This link has some information on the topic: https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/standards .

I was in a zoom meeting with JP Walsh, of OSHA this morning –and I asked about how we should make the call on which COVID cases would be considered “work-related”… This post reviews my understanding on this topic:

Examples on making calls on COVID cases  Work-Related. These call can sometimes be pretty subjective and difficult. Thereforeit’s important to conduct a basic investigation as soon the company is aware of the COVID case.  These are some examples of situations and what would be considered a reasonable call on work-relatedness:

* If a worker tells the company they recently tested positive for COVID and the company asks or allows them work with others (Is Work-Related).

* If two employees that do not work near each other, but went to lunch together a couple of times the week they both came down with COVID (Not Work-Related).

* The company follows local guidelines (masks, distancing, barriers, etc). If it seems possible that a 21 year old that never had symptoms (but was randomly tested and it came back positive) may have spread COVID to a couple of close co-workers…( A company could consider this Not Work-Related) because there is no screening that would have detected this case and prevented the spread.

* If three employees work closely together all get COVID in within a week … (For the two that have typical exposures at grocery stores, have friends over, etc –Not Work-Related. For the one that lives in total isolation from others (other than work) – Consider this one Work-Related, especially if contagion in the area was low).  On the other hand, if the city required masks in the plant and the company allowed these three to not wear masks at work for multiple close conversations per day without splash barriers between… Could consider all three cases as work-related).

The company should investigate (and document) whether a COVID case of an employee is work-related or not (to determine whether the case goes on the OSHA log). Some things you might want to determine: (more…)

Most of our clients have some warehousing. When selecting, staging, and anchoring racks there are many factors to consider including the following:

• • Pallet depth vs rack depth
  • Aisle width vs lift trucks to be used
  • Where to place rows compared to structural beams
  • Can racks be moved without disassembly?
  • Length of spacers between back to back rack rows
  • How level is level enough?
  • How high can we stack leveling shims?
  • What size and anchor type should be used?
  • Should we use a racking contractor?

Download this pdf primer for insights on staging and anchoring racks.

RackPlacementAnchoringJE

OSHA published a detailed document describing what they expect companies to be doing to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus. Information should be a key document your company uses to design and implement a COVID Preparedness Program that is appropriate for your work environment and community situation.

You can join Joe Eudy and Brian Rutherford in a webinar Tuesday, August 25, 2020 to discuss this subject. The webinar is sponsored by PIA MidAmerica. Registration: www.piamidam.org.

This is the link to the OSHA document:

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf

OSHA Depiction of COVID Risk Categories

Just how far are we expected to go with our workplace protections to prevent the spread of COVID-19? OSHA expects us to have protective measures place. However, the extent of our preventive measures needs to be appropriate to match the assessed risks, not necessarily the best of the best practices available in all cases.

A little clarification on the categories in the Risk Pyramid:

• Very High Exposure Risk: Jobs with a very high potential for exposure to known or suspected sources of SARS-CoV-2 during specific medical, postmortem, or laboratory procedures.
• High Exposure Risk: Jobs with a high potential for exposure to known or suspected sources of SARS-CoV-2. Workers in this category include:
• Medium Exposure Risk: Jobs that require frequent/close contact with people who may be infected, but who are not known to have or suspected of having COVID-19.
• Lower Exposure Risk (Caution): Jobs that do not require contact with people known to be, or suspected of being, infected with SARS-CoV-2. Workers in this category have minimal occupational contact with the public and other coworkers

I'm personally relieved that my work and the work of most client companies' situations are mostly in the section with "Lower Exposure Risk". However, we may occasionally find ourselves in a "Medium Risk" situation, especially as managers in production plants.

Since our risk of exposures is not extreme, our preventive measures tend to be simple and inexpensive. However, there are many companies that have not put forth the effort to but very basic common controls in place in a consistent manner yet.

If your company has been lax on basic COVID-19 controls (or any other controls required by your county), I suggest you (more…)

               
Automated Check-in.            Manual self-check-in.                  Collection Bin for Privacy.

Companies should have some sort of daily check-in/screening process for COVID-19. The check-in system typically asks employees about whether they've had a fever during the last day, has experienced other possible COVID-19 symptoms, and whether the employee has a likelihood of significant exposure to COVID-19. The check-in process may also include a forehead temperature check.

Follow this link for details and Sample Screening Form. (more…)

The CDC updated the recommended guidelines for employers (7/20/2020) to follow for accepting an employee back at the worksite after an isolation period for COVID-19 (whether their case is confirmed or suspected).

They did not seem to cover all the situations we are seeing, so here's some ideas for you:

Situation 1: Person had symptoms and is getting better (whether tested positive, or never tested)

Must have these:  Symptoms (such as cough or shortness of breath must be improved & no fever last 24 hrs (without taking any fever reducing meds).
And need one of these:
a) 10+ days since symptoms first occurred
b) 2 negative COVID-19 tests taken over 24 hrs apart (Because of lines and delays in results, this may not be a feasible route these days).

Situation 2: Person was hospitalized for COVID-19

Should have a Doctor's note and 2 negative COVID-19 tests taken over 24 hrs apart

Situation 3: Person tested Positive for COVID-19 but never had symptoms (more…)

Gov. Greg Abbott                            Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley

OK - It's official now. When in public, or with a moderate size group,  or within 6 feet of a co-worker -Wear A Mask.

The eye-opening data below shows we need to do a much better job in preventing the spread of COVID.

COVID-19 has created challenges for holding workplace classes and meetings. Impact Safety has created an on-line training program covering Lockout / Tagout. Follow this link (the cartoon graphic) to see a sampling of the new on-line program.

Impact Safety helps companies build and maintain safety programs that employees are proud to support and participate in. We can be especially helpful for companies near Dallas-Fort Worth. If you would like to know more about our services and what's-in-it-for your company, let's start a conversation.