BWC Safety Update - April 2021

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BWC and Ohio news

BWC grants reopened

Funding opportunities are once again available for four of our special safety grant programs. These include our:

• Trench Safety Grant. Available only to Ohio employers that perform trenching and excavating.
• Firefighter Exposure to Environmental Elements Grant combats firefighter cancer risk.
• Employers Working with Persons with Developmental Disabilities Grant assists Ohio employers with ensuring the safety of their staff when carrying out the services they provide to developmentally disabled children and adults.
• School Safety and Security Grant provides assistance to Ohio employers with ensuring the safety of their staff who instruct children throughout the state.

We encourage employers to explore and take advantage of these opportunities. For more information on our safety grants, visit this BWC webpage.

2021 virtual Medical & Health Symposium

Join health care practitioners, office staff and administrators, and legal professionals nationwide for our free, virtual Medical & Health Symposium April 8-10. Register now to secure your spot at this year’s symposium.

Ohio vaccination clinics and eligibility

From our friends at the Ohio Department of Health, Ohioans age 16 and up will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday, March 29. Ohio’s new Vaccine Management Solution (VMS) is a streamlined tool to help Ohioans determine vaccine eligibility, find providers, and receive updates. Check your eligibility and book an appointment now at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.  

Looking for a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you? Visit https://vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov to see a list of providers vaccinating in the current phase. Here’s another resource: COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Clinics.

OSHA news

National Emphasis Program – COVID-19

OSHA published its National Emphasis Program, DIR 2021-01(CPD-03), on March 12, 2021. The intent of this program is “to ensure that employees in high-hazard industries or work tasks are protected from the hazard of contracting SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the cause of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).” The program targets industries within healthcare and non-healthcare, such as meat processing, restaurants, and correctional institutes.

OSHA Top 10

OSHA announced the top ten most cited violations to the National Safety Council. This article from Safety and Health Magazine has the list of those most cited violations and a link to a webinar discussing the announcement. The standards on the list are unchanged from 2019, but some of the positions on the list are changed.

Workplace guidance for COVID-19

This OSHA website has up to date guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

• Assembly Lines. (Spanish).
• Delivery Safety (Spanish).
• Putting on and Taking off a Mask (Spanish).
• Drive-Thrus and Curbside Pickup.
• Don't Share the Virus (Spanish).
• Handwashing Practices to Keep Workers Safe (Spanish).
• Higher Risk Jobs Need Extra Protection to Keep Workers Safe (Spanish).
• Use the Right Tools to Clean Your Workplace (Spanish).
• Way to Increase Social Distancing at Work (Spanish).

New OSHA documents

• This new poster for the 2021 Stand Up 4 Grain Safety contains seven steps to grain safety in English and Spanish.
• OSHA published an informational sheet on steps to keep workers safe at COVID-19 vaccination sites in English and Spanish.

NIOSH/CDC news

Odor fade in natural gas and propane

A new Safety Advisory from NIOSH reminds firefighters to always use gas detection equipment to determine the presence of propane or natural gas due to the potential for fading of the odorant in those gasses.

NIOSH eNews

The NIOSH March eNews contains information on the efforts by NIOSH to research and approve new respirators both for personal protection and for source control. It also includes a discussion of the results of a study showing masks are more effective than face shields.

CDC interim recommendations for fully vaccinated people

The Centers for Disease Control issued interim public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people describing what is safe for them to do when interacting with others. The site has these recommendations as well as a definition of “fully vaccinated,” plus a downloadable graphic with visual representations of the recommendations.

Other news

Struck-by hazards stand-down Struck-by incidents are a leading cause of death among construction workers and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the construction industry since 1992. According to OSHA, the four most common struck-by hazards are being struck-by a flying, falling, swinging, or rolling object. To call awareness to struck-by incidents, the 2nd annual National Stand-Down is taking place on Monday, April 26. The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) has an information page, including training handouts, infographics, and links to NIOSH research papers and training materials. Hand safety webinar In this webinar, Joe Geng, author of the best-selling hand safety book REThinking Hand Safety, will share what he’s learned from a lifetime of hand safety work and research. Joe will cover key topics from his book, including what the most and least successful hand safety programs have in common, practical tips for building a hand safety program that works, and how to achieve team buy-in. This OH&S webinar is free on Wednesday, April 21 at 2 p.m. ET.  Combustible dust video This recent video by the National Fire Protection Association describes how fires occur from combustible dust and gives information about prevention of these fires. April newsletter wellness tip: Don't let the spring showers wash away your motivation to move. Poor weather may leave us tempted to stay inside and sit more than usual. Sitting too much increases our risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. If you find yourself in a sitting rut, plan mini indoor walking breaks. Try jumping jacks, or even walking up and down the stairs. A little movement can go a long way! For more information, click here.  #BWCWellness Fall survey The American Society of Safety Professionals and The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) have a survey for safety and health professionals about falls. The Fall Experience Survey asks questions about fall incidents and is open for participation until April 30, 2021. This recent CPWR webinar discusses the root cause of falls from heights.

The Ohio BWC Library of BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene compiles and distributes this newsletter each month.

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 1,700 employees and assets of approximately $25 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.