Newsletter 34th Edition

Good morning! We hate to make a Monday feel any more like a nightmare but this week we are talking giant parachuting venomous spiders. In better news, we are also covering a new heat stroke treatment that is being used by EMS and sharing that knowledge with you. It might just save a life. So, if you’re ready let’s dive in to this weeks edition.

THIS WEEK’S TIPS

This week’s safety upgrades:

• Giant Parachuting Venomous Spiders & Ticks - What you need to know

• New Treatment for Heat Stroke

• NYS Retail Worker Safety Act Update

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This Weeks Professional Development Tip

• How to Manage: Getting Out of the Weeds

SAFETY KNIGHTS COMMUNITY
The Conversations You Might Be Missing.

HEAT PROTECTION
New Treatment For Heat Stroke.

The Southwest is experiencing its first significant heat wave of the season, with temperatures soaring into the triple digits. Phoenix, known as America's hottest big city, is facing the brunt of this extreme weather, prompting the Phoenix Fire Department to adopt new, potentially lifesaving techniques. Following a year that saw 645 heat-related deaths in Maricopa County, Phoenix firefighters are now using cold-water immersion to rapidly cool down heatstroke victims before they reach hospitals. This method, widely used by marathon runners and the military, involves immersing victims in ice and has proven effective in quickly lowering body temperatures.

Phoenix emergency vehicles are now equipped with ice and human-sized immersion bags as standard gear. Fire Capt. John Prato demonstrated this technique, showing how it dramatically reduces body temperature within minutes. The city has also opened two cooling stations to provide overnight relief during the heatwave.

This heatwave has arrived earlier than usual, with temperatures reaching 108°F (42.2°C) in Phoenix and Las Vegas, and predictions of record highs exceeding 110°F (43.3°C). The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings for southeastern California, southern Nevada, and Arizona, with the unseasonably hot weather expected to spread to parts of the Pacific Northwest by the weekend. In California, areas like Death Valley National Park are forecast to hit 121°F (49.4°C), tying a record last set in 1996.

Arizona's second-largest city, Tucson, has adopted a heat protection ordinance to ensure city employees have access to cool water, shade, and extra breaks. Last year, Pima County, which includes Tucson, reported 176 heat-related deaths. The city of Las Cruces, New Mexico, has activated cooling centers to provide temporary shelter from the heat, with temperatures expected to reach triple digits.

Medical professionals in Phoenix, such as Dr. Paul Pugsley from Valleywise Health, emphasize the importance of early cooling for heatstroke victims, noting that immediate intervention can significantly improve survival rates. Despite its effectiveness, cold-water immersion is not widely used in non-military hospitals or by first responders in the U.S., though it is gaining traction in some areas, including select hospitals in California and Texas.

Dr. Aneesh Narang from Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix supports this approach, calling it the standard of care for treating heatstroke patients. The city's proactive measures, including new medical protocols and public cooling centers, aim to reduce the devastating impact of extreme heat on its residents.

Understanding and applying this knowledge of cold-water immersion can be crucial in workplaces, especially those prone to extreme heat. Worksite supervisors and employees can prepare by having ice and large immersion containers available, allowing them to start cooling down heatstroke victims immediately while waiting for emergency services to arrive. This proactive step can make a significant difference in saving lives and mitigating the severe effects of heatstroke in high-risk environments.

PRESENTED BY TENFORCE
Lunch & Learn: The lean approach to digital permit to work.

Thinking about switching your Permit to Work system to digital but not sure where to start?

Don’t let uncertainty hold you back. During this webinar, we’ll show you a lean way to bring everything you need to your digital permit-to-work program.

You’ll learn how to:

• Spend less time on admin and stay on top of compliance with an automated audit trail.

• Keep all your work permits and forms in one easy-to-access platform.

• Handle the entire Permit to Work process digitally, from start to finish.

• Move from pen and paper to a digital system in just 8 weeks.

Got concerns? We hear you

• Concerned that going digital means less focus on safety? We’ll show you how automation actually increases risk awareness.

• Not sure if you’re ready for digital solutions? We’ll guide you step-by-step.

• Anxious that mobile devices might disrupt your workplace? We’ll help you integrate tech smoothly into your safety culture.

See TenForce in action:

Our webinar will tackle these concerns head-on:

• Divide and conquer, start digitizing the administrative part first.

• Use our standard digital workflow but keep your current permit printing process.

• Begin with small, manageable steps that show quick wins and build confidence.

Join us to discover how you can overcome common hurdles and successfully implement a digital Permit to Work system.

VIOLENCE PROTECTION
NYS Retail Worker Safety Act. Part 2.

The New York State Assembly passed the Retail Worker Safety Act, which mandates retailers to implement a violence prevention plan and train workers in de-escalation and active shooter scenarios. The bill, now moving to the State Senate, faces opposition from retail groups like the Food Industry Alliance of New York State and the Bodega and Small Business Association of New York due to cost concerns.

Governor Kathy Hochul has pledged to tackle retail theft, citing increased property crime since the pandemic. Her state budget includes harsher penalties for assaulting retail workers, more law enforcement funding for retail theft, and $5 million in tax credits for small businesses investing in theft prevention.

The bill, supported by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, aims to protect workers from workplace violence and harassment. N.Y. State Sen. Jessica Ramos emphasized the need for workplaces to have a proactive safety plan. The New York Department of Labor would develop a model training program for retailers to use.

Bill Summary

Establishes the retail worker safety act requiring retail worker employers to develop and implement programs to prevent workplace violence; directs the department of labor to produce a model workplace violence prevention training program; requires employers to provide training on such programs; requires the installation of panic buttons at certain workplaces or wearable or mobile phone-based panic buttons to be provided.

Some key points to note:

1. Retail store with 10 or more employees will be effected by this.

2. Retailers with more than 500 employees nationwide would be required to install panic buttons in their stores or provide mobile-phone activated or wearable panic buttons.

3. Mobile and wearable panic buttons can only be installed on an employer provided equipment. It has to immediately contacts the local 9-1-1 public safety answering point ("PSAP"), provide that PSAP with employee location information, and dispatches local law enforcement to the workplace.

4. Fast food and restaurants will not be affected. "Retail store" means a store that sells consumer commodities at and which is not primarily engaged in the sale of food for consumption on the premises.

Once the bill passes, retailers will have 180 days to implement changes. Panic button requirements will go into effect on January 1, 2027.

Related: How proposed warehouse safety bill would help protect NY workers

OSHA NEWS
First Cicadas. Now Parachuting Spiders & Ticks.

The Northeast United States is bracing for an invasion of Joro spiders, large and venomous arachnids known for their bright yellow and gray coloration and significant leg span. Originating from East Asia, these spiders have been spreading across the southeastern U.S. since their introduction around 2010. This report delves into their characteristics, potential impact, and the implications of their spread.

Joro spiders (Trichonephila clavata), native to East Asia, have become a concern for residents of the northeastern U.S., including New York and New Jersey. Their ability to travel through the air using a technique called ballooning has facilitated their rapid spread.

Physical Characteristics

• Size and Appearance: Female Joro spiders have a leg span of up to 4 inches, making them quite noticeable. They are known for their vibrant yellow and gray bodies, which set them apart from other spider species.

• Ballooning: Joro spiders have a unique ability among spiders to "fly" by releasing silk threads into the air, allowing them to be carried by the wind. This method, known as ballooning, aids in their widespread dispersal.

Spread and Habitat

• Introduction to the U.S.: Joro spiders were first introduced to Georgia around 2010, likely via shipping containers. They have since spread throughout the southeastern U.S.

• Current and Expected Range: Sightings have been reported in states such as Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Ohio. Experts predict they will soon appear in New York and New Jersey, areas well-suited to their habitat preferences.

Human Interaction and Safety

• Venom and Bites: While Joro spiders are venomous, they pose no significant threat to humans or pets. Their venom is primarily effective against their prey, and bites are rare and unlikely to pierce human skin.

• Behavior: Joro spiders prefer outdoor environments and are unlikely to enter homes. If encountered, they can be relocated using a broom or stick.

The arrival of Joro spiders in the Northeast U.S. is imminent, with potential sightings expected in New York and New Jersey this summer. While their size and appearance may cause alarm, they are relatively harmless to humans and pets.

Don’t Forget Ticks

I bet you’re thinking, can’t get any worse, right? I mean the sky is already getting ready to fall with giant parachuting spiders but, you’d be wrong. Tick season is already off the a strong start. This past March emergency rooms in the Northeast reported the highest number of tick bite cases for any March in recent years. This trend underscores concerns that tickborne illnesses, including Lyme disease, will continue to rise due to increasing deer populations and milder winters.

Recommendations for Tick-Borne Disease Prevention

1. Training

• Educate workers on how tick-borne diseases spread, the risks, protection methods, and the importance of reporting illnesses and injuries promptly.

2. Worksite Management:

• Avoid high-risk areas (woods, bushes, tall grass, leaf litter) if possible.

• If unavoidable, reduce tick populations by removing leaf litter, cutting back tall grass and brush, and discouraging deer activity.

3. Protective Measures:

• Wear a hat and light-colored clothing, including long-sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into boots or socks.

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents and follow instructions carefully.

• Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin (avoid skin contact). Permethrin-treated clothing is also available and remains protective through several washings.

4. Daily Tick Checks:

• Check skin and clothes for ticks daily. Pay attention to hard-to-see areas like hair, underarms, and groin.

• Shower or bathe as soon as possible after working outdoors to wash off and check for ticks.

5. Tick Removal:

• Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove ticks immediately. Grasp the tick close to the skin and pull steadily. Clean the area with soap and water.

• Removing ticks within 24 hours reduces the risk of Lyme disease.

6. Post-Exposure Actions:

• Wash and dry work clothes in a hot dryer to kill any ticks.

• Learn the symptoms of tick-borne diseases and seek medical attention if symptoms develop. Inform healthcare providers about outdoor work in tick-prone areas.

By following these recommendations, employers and workers can significantly reduce the risk of tick-borne illnesses.

CHILD LABOR
Fake ID Gets 3 Alabama Companies. Including Hyundai.

The U.S. Department of Labor filed a complaint on May 30, 2024, seeking to prevent three Alabama companies, including a Hyundai U.S. assembly plant, from employing children illegally and to require them to surrender profits from child labor. The investigation revealed a 13-year-old working up to 60 hours a week on an assembly line in Luverne, Alabama. The defendants, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama LLC, SMART Alabama LLC, and Best Practice Service LLC, are accused of violating child labor laws from July 2021 to February 2022. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, aims to stop the illegal employment of children and disgorge related profits.

However, the article fails to mention that the child was possibly an illegal immigrant who lied about her age to get employed. Temp agencies often hire illegal immigrants and put them to work without proper paperwork, sometimes even helping create fake IDs. SMART LLC, which suffered from a labor shortage, relied on such temp agencies to provide Hispanic workers. The child's parents reported her as kidnapped, but she had run off with her boyfriend who worked at the plant. When the police got involved, they discovered she was only 13 years old. This practice is common among Hispanics in temp jobs. Eventually, the company obtained a permit for her to work there. This context suggests the article is misleading.

In fiscal year 2023, the Department of Labor found child labor violations in 955 cases involving 5,792 children and issued over $8 million in penalties. The Wage and Hour Division offers confidential compliance assistance and can speak with callers in more than 200 languages through its helpline.

Our Safety Knight Tips for Employers:

1. Use Common Sense: Ensure that basic common sense is applied in hiring practices.

2. Treat Temps Equally: Treat temporary workers like regular employees, providing the same level of attention and training.

3. Basic Information Form: Have each temp fill out a form upon arrival with basic information and simple questions like their age and eligibility to work in the USA.

4. Verify IDs: Request two forms of ID from temps. Be vigilant about verifying the authenticity of IDs to prevent underage workers from slipping through. If IDs are suspicious, ask simple verification questions such as their age to ensure consistency.

By following these guidelines, employers can better prevent the illegal employment of minors and ensure a safer, more compliant workplace.

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NEWS
Your Virtual Water Cooler

• Heat Rules for California Workers Would Also Help Keep Schoolchildren Cool

• IOSHA issues citation to contractor for worker’s death

• Federal Judge Upholds DOL’s Decision in Whistleblower Case

• NSC Secures $3 Million Grant to Enhance Workplace Safety Technology

• Pallet maker failed to train workers leading to 2023 death

• Flash Report: DOSH Names New Chief

• Construction worker killed after fall near UChicago Cancer Center ID'd, another hurt, officials say

• Turning the law to your side: How reducing risk can boost a business’ bottom line — Table of Experts

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