BWC Safety Update - December 2020

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Two New BWC Safety Resources 

There are two new resources on our website under the Safety and Video Library. Our safety staff has created a new series of Safety Talks and Written Safety Program Templates.

Each Safety Talk is a short training program with group activities and a list of additional resources to learn more about the topic. The sample written programs are templates to assist Ohio employers with sample programs they can customize for their workplaces. We will be adding more talks and program templates to the pages so check back often. Safety consultants are also available to assist employers with these resources.

BWC News

State of Ohio Offers $28 Million Air Quality Program for Senior Facilities The State of Ohio has launched a financial assistance program to reimburse facilities serving older Ohioans that invest in air quality and air flow improvements during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program — which is federally funded with money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act — reimburses up to $15,000 to Ohio nursing homes, assisted living centers, and adult day centers that invested in air quality improvements on or after March 1, 2020, and prior to Dec. 30 this year. Learn more here.    Exhibit Your Products and Services Virtually at Safety Congress Exhibitor sales are now open for the virtual expo at the 2021 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo (OSC21), which will take place online March 10-11, 2021. Don’t wait – booth space is limited to 100 companies. Apply early for discounts and to improve your chances of getting the promotional opportunity you want.

NIOSH/CDC News 

Construction Struck-by Injuries

Struck-by injuries are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries and the second most common cause of fatalities among construction workers. This blog post from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has information about the national Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Injuries, statistics on these types of injuries, and tips to prevent them.

COVID-19 Reports

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) covers the COVID pandemic with weekly reports on various aspects. The MMWR website has these reports as well as a link to the weekly COVID Briefing podcast.

Fight the Flu

The CDC’s Influenza Communication Resource Center has downloadable graphics and educational materials including a social media toolkit, infographics, images and more.

Frostbite and Hypothermia Infographic

The CDC’s Center for Preparedness and Response has a downloadable infographic that you can use to help avoid, spot, and treat frostbite and hypothermia.

OSHA News

Seasonal Worker Safety

If you are hiring seasonal workers for the upcoming holidays, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has tips for you to keep those workers safe. The Holiday Workplace Safety page has tips for retail sales, delivery, order fulfilment, and all other workplaces.

Coronavirus Citation Guidance

OSHA released two documents to help employers understand which standards are most frequently cited during coronavirus-related inspections, a one page Lessons Learned and Common COVID-19 Citations.

Long-Term Care Guidance

OSHA released a new Respiratory Protection Guidance document for nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care facilities. The document describes the types of respiratory protection available, how to create a protection plan, and has links to additional resources.

Staying Safe During Flu Season

This blog post from the U.S. Department of Labor lists 10 ways to keep workers safe during flu season. What is the number one recommendation? Get a flu vaccination!

Ventilation in the Workplace

This one-page guidance document has tips on how heating, ventilation, and air conditioning professionals can help employers optimize building ventilation to reduce the risk of workers being exposed to the coronavirus.

Other News 

Health and Safety Training Webinar

The Center for Construction Research and Training will present a webinar on effective delivery of health and safety training at 2 p.m. EST Dec. 3. The speaker discusses distance learning compared to face-to-face learning and supplies tips and tricks for the delivery of training during a pandemic.

Fatigue in the Workplace Webinar

The California Center for Occupational Health will present a webinar on Fatigue in the Workplace at 3 p.m. EST Dec. 16. The webinar discusses worker fatigue and its effects on health and job performance and methods for measurement of fatigue.

Dust Hazard Learning Review

The Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released the report Dust Hazard Learning Review. This new type of report resulted from a fatal dust explosion in Wisconsin in 2017. The CSB issued a request for comments on the management, control, and understanding of combustible dust. This document captured those comments and reports on the “issues, concerns, and opportunities faced by dust-producing operations daily.”

Outdoor Heater Safety Factsheet

As businesses work to extend the use of outdoor spaces as the weather gets colder, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) created a new factsheet with tips and code requirements so outdoor propane and electric heaters are used safely.

Winter Holiday Fire Safety

NFPA also has a Winter Holiday page that provides multiple safety resources including tip sheets, holiday fire facts, and videos demonstrating the hidden dangers of holiday decorations.

Virtual Safety Inspections

The NFPA’s article “Are You Seeing This?” covers virtual inspections of workplaces during the COVID pandemic. The article reviews stigmas associated with conducting inspections remotely, real-life examples, and suggestions for the future. In 2018, NFPA authored a white paper on the topic and NFPA is currently working on the new NFPA 915: Standard for Remote Inspections.

Newest Safety Podcasts

Take a listen to some of the latest safety podcasts available. On the Safe Side discusses powered industrial trucks with National Safety Council experts and hearing loss prevention with a NIOSH research audiologist. The American Society of Safety Professionals’ rebranded podcast The Case for Safety dedicates time to talk about suicide prevention in the workplace.

Tips for Survivors of a Pandemic: Managing Stress

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has released a new tip sheet that describes common reactions after pandemics and other disasters and suggests way to cope. It also covers financial stress and signs of the urgent need for mental health assistance and lists sources of help and support.

Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) 2019

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) released the 2019 data for its Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII). The SOII Nov. 4 news release includes charts and useful data summaries. BLS will release data for the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries  at 10 a.m. EST Dec. 16.

Established in 1912, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is the exclusive provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Ohio and serves 249,000 public and private employers. With nearly 1,800 employees and assets of approximately $28 billion, BWC is one of the largest state-run insurance systems in the United States. Our mission is to deliver consistently excellent experiences for each BWC customer every day. For more, visit www.bwc.ohio.gov.