Risk Management

02 Oct

Posted at 18:06h in Risk Management by
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidance on safety protocols employees can use when wearing cloth face coverings in hot, humid indoor and outdoor work conditions. Wearing face coverings has become necessary in multiple industries because of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Heat-Related Illness and Respiratory Hazard

According to OSHA, hot and humid working conditions can pose a respiratory hazard to workers and account for 50 to 70% of all outdoor fatalities in the workplace. Hazardous heat exposure can occur indoors or outdoors, and can occur during any season if the conditions are right. For these reasons, and because of the current pandemic, OSHA has published guidance for employers on how they can protect workers who wear cloth face coverings in hot and humid work conditions.

25 Sep

Posted at 17:59h in HR, Risk Management by
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On Sept. 17, 2020, California enacted a new law (AB 685) that authorizes the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (the Division) to issue stop-work orders for facilities or operations that pose an imminent COVID-19 hazard to workers.

The new law also requires employers to:
  • Notify workers when they have potentially been exposed to the coronavirus in the workplace; and
  • Notify local public health agencies when a worksite has a COVID-19 outbreak.

14 Sep

Posted at 16:21h in Risk Management by
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On Sept. 11, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended yet again the emergency declaration that provides truck drivers an exemption from Parts 390 to 399 of the federal motor carrier regulations (including hours of service, vehicle inspection and driver qualification rules).

COVID-19 trucking exemptions were originally issued on March 13, 2020, but have been repeatedly expanded to remain in force throughout the current pandemic. This latest extension is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020, or until the national state of emergency ends, whichever comes sooner.

09 Sep

Posted at 16:04h in Safety by
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The FDA is warning consumers to refrain from using more than 150 sanitizers.

Hand hygiene is an important response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands with soap and water. If those aren’t available, using a hand sanitizer can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers that some hand sanitizers are dangerous to use. The FDA’s first warning was issued in June 2020 after the agency discovered nine brands of hand sanitizer that contained methanol, or wood alcohol, which is a substance that can be toxic when ingested or absorbed through the skin. Since this first discovery, the agency launched an investigation into the safety of hand sanitizers.

04 Sep

Posted at 16:40h in Safety by
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The past few months have seen multiple instances of aggression and violence against workers who attempted to enforce their establishment’s COVID-19 prevention policies and practices with customers.

As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued new guidance instructing employees not to force any customer who appears upset or potentially violent to comply with their workplace’s COVID-19 prevention requirements. In addition to this new guidance, the CDC also provided strategies to help employers reduce the risk of violence that may be aimed at their staff when implementing organizational standards to limit the spread of COVID-19. Keep reading to learn more about the CDC’s latest guidance and workplace violence prevention strategies in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

28 Aug

Posted at 16:48h in Risk Management, Safety by
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As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues, employers are discerning appropriate actions to prioritize health and safety within their workplace.

Organizations are responsible for protecting the health of their employees, which can include recommending self-quarantine to employees who have been exposed to COVID-19. An exposure to COVID-19 may take place within the workplace, or an employee may report an exposure outside of the workplace. This HR Insights article provides an overview of guidance from the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) for quarantine after exposure to COVID-19. This guidance addresses who should quarantine, as well as how long quarantine should last dependent on the scenario.

26 Aug

Posted at 16:44h in Safety by
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is drawing attention to two big national food recalls to prevent salmonella outbreaks. The advisories are focused on frozen shrimp and both bagged and bulk peaches.

As of Aug. 19, 2020, the salmonella outbreak linked to peaches has sickened 68 people in nine states. So far, there are no reports of anyone getting sick from the shrimp. Both investigations are ongoing.

14 Aug

Posted at 15:51h in Risk Management, Safety by
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends isolation to separate people infected with COVID-19 from people who are not infected.

This article compiles important information from the CDC. Visit www.cdc.gov/covid-19 for more information.

Who Needs to Isolate?

People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick room” or area, and using a separate bathroom, if available.

13 Aug

Posted at 17:32h in Safety by
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Managing a fleet and drivers can be a challenge, particularly given the potential for accidents, employee injuries, liability concerns and increased costs associated with vehicle upkeep.

Nevertheless, your fleet—whether it be a handful of cars or dozens of commercial vehicles— plays a major role in the success of your organization. As such, it’s crucial to take a proactive approach to fleet management. To help accomplish this, many businesses have started to equip vehicles with devices known as telematics. These devices can help reduce numerous fleet risks, improve efficiency and promote safe driving behaviors. This Risk Insights provides an overview of telematics and the benefits that this technology can provide for your organization. For detailed information on the telematics solutions available to your fleet, contact us today.