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Good morning! We hope you’re enjoying the labor day weekend. When you’re ready we are here to get you ready for the week ahead!

THIS WEEK’S TIPS

This week’s safety upgrades:

• New Violence Protection Law

• MPox What You Need to Know

• New Occupation Kidney Disease Research

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This Weeks Professional Development Tip

• How to fall back in love with your job

SAFETY KNIGHTS COMMUNITY
Test Your Knowledge.

Distance of the Base of Ext Ladder from Wall?

If X = 20 feet, Per OSHA the distance for the extension ladder to be from the wall is X/Y. That distance is?

 a) 2 feet

b) 3 feet

c) 4 feet

d) 5 feet

OSHA NEWS
Florida’s Safety Reforms: A Masterclass in Deregulation and Worker Neglect.

Oh, Florida, always finding new ways to dazzle us with its commitment to safety! In 2023, Florida decided to bless over 68,000 state and municipal employees with the gift of losing their union representation and contracts. What a thoughtful move for the 900,000 public sector workers who were already getting a masterclass in the art of “not covered by federal OSHA protections.” Federal OSHA, the golden standard since 1970, conveniently overlooks public sector employees—because, clearly, they don’t deserve the same basic protections as those in the private sector.

Before this brilliant reform, less than one-third of Florida’s public sector workers had the luxury of union representation. Now, thanks to the law, they get to enjoy the even greater luxury of having none. LiUNA Local 630, for example, just lost certification for 11 unions, affecting over 1,700 workers. I’m sure those workers are thrilled about their newfound freedom from safety regulations.

And let’s not forget the cherry on top: extreme heat. The federal government is proposing a standard to protect workers from heat, but guess what? It won’t cover public sector workers in states like Florida that don’t have a state OSHA plan. Because who needs protection from extreme heat when you can bask in the glory of deregulation? With public sector injury rates at a whopping 4.9 per 100 workers—compared to the private sector’s cozy 2.7—who could possibly argue for better safety measures?

Remember the 2006 Daytona Beach wastewater plant explosion? Two workers dead, another severely injured. Just another day in the sunshine state where safety regulations are apparently optional. Florida’s never bothered with a state OSHA plan, and with only 53 federal inspectors for its 8.4 million private sector workers, oversight is clearly top-notch. Efforts to create a state OSHA plan or enhance protections? Oh, they’ve stalled faster than you can say “regulatory red tape,” with federal initiatives not faring much better.

What a shining example of prioritizing deregulation and cost-cutting over the safety and well-being of workers. Bravo, Florida, bravo.

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
Texas Mandates Healthcare Violence Prevention.

Texas is cracking down on workplace violence in healthcare with a new mandate. Senate Bill 240, effective September 1, 2024, requires all healthcare facilities to adopt workplace violence prevention plans. This measure, championed by Sen. Donna Campbell and passed in 2023, comes in response to rising violence against healthcare workers, which has worsened since the pandemic.

Texas joins nine other states—California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington—in enforcing such requirements. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also developing a federal standard for healthcare violence prevention, expected to be proposed in December.

• New Texas Law Requirements:

  • Mandates a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan.

  • Requires a clear definition of workplace violence, including:

    • Physical threats

    • Psychological trauma

    • Incidents involving dangerous weapons

  • Seeks to address underreporting and enhance focus on safety measures.

• Healthcare Facilities Must:

  • Evaluate current violence prevention strategies.

  • Identify gaps in existing plans.

  • Ensure proper training and reporting mechanisms are in place.

• Initial Reactions:

  • Positive feedback from the healthcare community.

  • Aligns with recommendations from organizations like the American Hospital Association.

  • Reflects the urgent need for improved safety protocols.

Texas isn’t the only state taking action against workplace violence. According to a Government Accountability Office report, nine states have workplace violence prevention requirements: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. Additionally, OSHA is working on the first federal workplace violence standard for healthcare, with a notice of proposed rulemaking expected in December.

The law is significant not just for large health systems but also for behavioral health facilities, highlighting the need for leadership-driven safety measures. Reaction has been positive, with the law pushing organizations to recognize and address workplace violence more effectively.

California also introduced a new workplace violence prevention law effective July 1, requiring nearly all employers to implement a plan. However, there is a lag as businesses adapt to this requirement, and Cal/OSHA is expected to finalize its standard in the coming years.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Mpox, What You Need to Know.

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) as it poses significant risks in various workplaces, especially healthcare settings. Here’s a summary focusing on worker safety and employer responsibilities:

Mpox, a viral disease with symptoms like fever, rash, and muscle aches, spreads through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated items. Workers at higher risk include healthcare providers, laboratory staff, and support personnel dealing with contaminated materials. The disease particularly affects immunocompromised individuals, including those with HIV, eczema, children, and pregnant women.

• Transmission: Mpox spreads through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated items like clothing and bedding.

• Risk Groups: High-risk individuals include healthcare workers, laboratory staff, support and administrative personnel, and those involved in public sanitation.

• Precautions: Implement comprehensive safety plans, including engineering controls, administrative measures, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Follow the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE.

• Vaccinations: The JYNNEOS vaccine is recommended for high-risk workers and should be administered within 4 days of exposure.

Employer Responsibilities:

• Consultation and Communication: Engage with workers to discuss any changes affecting health and safety. Maintain transparent communication regarding safety measures and updates.

• Training and Awareness: Conduct regular training sessions on mpox prevention, symptoms, and emergency response procedures. Ensure all staff are aware of and understand the risks and prevention strategies.

• Health and Safety Protocols: Implement robust decontamination procedures for areas and materials potentially exposed to mpox. Ensure workspaces are well-ventilated and maintain hygiene stations.

• Risk Assessments: Identify and assess workers who are more vulnerable to severe illness from mpox, including pregnant and immunocompromised individuals. Tailor safety measures to these high-risk groups.

3motionAI
Your Ergo Solution.

Overexertion is costing companies $12.49 BILLION each year and feeding into a much larger problem! That’s why we’ve partnered with 3motionAI to enhance workplace safety with their Risk Flashlight solution. Together, we’re empowering EHS professionals to tackle these costly problems at the root, building a safer, more equitable workplace.

Steps to Take:

1. Learn more about 3motionAI: Read, here

2. Show company leadership how you can protect the bottom line.

3. Earn the respect you deserve by making a real impact.

NEWS
Your Virtual Water Cooler

• Within the Greater Los Angeles area in Sun Valley Cal/OSHA Cites Nine Employers for Silica Health and Safety Violations

• GSA has a backlog of 36,000 open fire, safety and health risk conditions in federal buildings

• Connecticut Sees Increase in Occupational Disease

• Health care worker mental health: NIOSH offers tips for stigma-free communication

• Occupational exposure to particles may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease

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