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Newsletter 21st Edition
Dan Abbotoy
March 11, 2024
Good morning! This week we’re covering new security safety threats, taking a look at AI, celebrating International Women’s Day and more. So if you’re ready, let’s dive in to this weeks edition!
THIS WEEK’S TIPS
This week’s safety upgrades:
New Safety Threat Warning for Healthcare
Vision Protection
Webinar: Harnessing AI
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
This Weeks Professional Development Tip
SAFETY KNIGHTS COMMUNITY
Looking to hire?
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
Homeland Security Warns Hospitals.
Federal intelligence analysts warn of a surge in threats to health care locations and workers, attributing it to contentious issues like abortion, gender-related care, and lingering debates from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a Department of Homeland Security briefing memo, these divisive societal issues amplify the visibility of the health care sector as a potential target for domestic extremists.
The threats range from compromised patient care due to violence or intimidation to ideologically motivated cyber attacks targeting health care providers. Recent incidents include hoax bomb threats, doxing, and calls to harm specific individuals within the health care sector.
The escalation in threats coincides with increased public dialogue and legislative debates on medical issues, such as abortion and gender-affirming care. Experts note a rise in violence targeting health care facilities and personnel amid societal polarization and misinformation.
Real attacks, including firebombings and false bomb threats, have been directed at health care facilities perceived as epicenters of extremist grievances. These threats not only compromise patient care but also create a chilling effect on providers, potentially limiting access to medical services.
With the upcoming presidential election and ongoing societal divisions, authorities anticipate a further escalation in threats to the health care sector. Ideologically motivated cyber actors are increasingly targeting health care entities, exacerbating the complexity of the threat landscape.
Overall, the surge in threats poses significant risks to public health and underscores the need for enhanced security measures and vigilance within the health care sector.
Cal/OSHA Taking Violence Prevention Seriously
Long Beach State has been fined $10,125 by Cal/OSHA for violations related to assessing potential workplace violence within its Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) satellite program. The citation was issued after it was found that CAPS failed to implement procedures for identifying and assessing dangers related to possible workplace violence.
The CAPS satellite program, launched in fall 2023, aimed to provide counseling services at various campus locations. However, before its official launch, concerns regarding faculty safety and student confidentiality led to an OSHA complaint on July 19, 2023. Cal/OSHA's investigation concluded that CAPS had violated safety regulations by not establishing a plan for evaluating workplace violence and correcting unsafe conditions in the satellite offices.
Long Beach State was fined for these serious violations and was required to correct them by January 23. The university submitted an appeal to the investigation on January 12, stating that they corrected the discrepancies promptly once mandated by Cal/OSHA. A letter of abatement was sent to the Department of Industrial Relations on January 30, stating that CAPS had addressed the violations, which was accepted by Cal/OSHA on February 26.
As of now, corrections to the cited violations have not been made public, and the satellite program has been scaled back. Only two CAPS counselors and one case manager are currently working from the satellite office, while others have been relocated to the main CAPS building since August. Long Beach State's Chief Communications Officer mentioned that the matter is still under review and discussion with Cal/OSHA, and further information is not available at the moment.
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EYE SAFETY
The ‘EYES’ of March.
Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading eye health and safety nonprofit organization, has once again declared March as Workplace Eye Wellness Month to encourage employers and employees to make eye safety and eye protection a priority on the job. Prevent Blindness offers a variety of free resources including workplace eye safety fact sheets, shareable social media graphics in English and Spanish, and, to help employers educate workers on eye protection and safety, Prevent Blindness offers the Workplace Safety module in the Healthy Eyes Educational Series.
According to a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers suffered 18,510 eye-related injuries and illnesses in 2020. Contact with objects or equipment led to the majority of eye injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work in 2020. Of these cases, close to 60 percent resulted from the worker rubbing or being abraded by foreign matter in the eye. Another 35 percent resulted from the eye being struck by an object or equipment.
On a global scale, The International Labour Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness collaborated to author the 2023 “Eye Health and the World of Work” report. The report showed that an estimated 3.5 million eye injuries occur in workplaces around the world every year.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends eye safety gear that protects eyes from hazards such as:
Flying shards of metal or glass
Tools that slip or malfunction
Particles such as wood splinters, metal shavings, or crystalline silica
Spattered chemicals
All eye safety gear should meet the eye protection standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In the event of any eye injury, Prevent Blindness offers the “First Aid for Eye Emergencies” resource.
For those who work in an office setting, using digital devices such as computers, tablets, and cellular phones can expose eyes to blue light, leading to digital eye strain. Prevent Blindness recommends several strategies to mitigate digital eye strain, including:
Proper screen positioning
Using document holders
Adjusting lighting to reduce glare
Ensuring ergonomic setups
Considering specialized eyewear such as computer glasses with yellow-tinted lenses or anti-reflective lenses.
“Whether working at a job site or in a home office, we must make sure to protect our eyes and vision in order to maintain productivity and independence,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Making vision a priority should be part of everyone’s daily routine to keep our eyes healthy today and for years to come.”
For more information about workplace eye health topics, including the effects of prolonged digital screen use, blue light, and eye injuries, please visit PreventBlindness.org.
GENDER IN THE WORKPLACE
Women in Construction.
This week Lumber released the 2024 "She Builds Nation" report, revealing the challenges faced by women in construction. Surveying over 100 industry leaders, the report unveiled alarming statistics: 67% cited a lack of gender-friendly safety equipment, and 85% expressed concerns about maternity-friendly gear. Additionally, 64% reported inadequate restroom facilities for women at construction sites. Despite positive trends like increased advancement opportunities (72%), concerns persist regarding pay parity and support systems. Attracting and retaining female talent remains a significant challenge (52%).
The report echoed common issues highlighted in broader discussions about challenges women in construction face on a regular basis.
Safety concerns: A significant issue arises from the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) tailored to women's needs, increasing safety risks. Additionally, inadequate training on equipment operations and safety practices further compounds these risks.
Gender bias and harassment: Gender bias and discrimination often plague women in the construction industry, leading to various challenges like doubt in their abilities and harassment. This hostile environment greatly discourages women from entering or staying in this profession.
Lack of representation: The underrepresentation of women in construction results in a scarcity of role models and mentors for aspiring female professionals. This absence of representation contributes to feelings of isolation and impedes women's career advancement.
Work-life balance: The demanding schedules and physically demanding nature of construction work pose challenges for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, particularly for women who may also shoulder a disproportionate amount of household responsibilities.
Workplace culture: The culture both on and off construction sites presents significant challenges, surpassing even the physical hazards. A study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that 41% of women in construction experienced harassment within a year. This harassment, which includes sexual harassment and the exclusion of female workers, often goes unreported due to fear of retaliation or stigma.
To address these challenges, industry improvements are necessary, focusing on technological integration, industry collaboration, advocacy and educational groups, and support networks. As the industry evolves, prioritizing the needs of women can lead to a more diverse, equitable, and safer construction environment for all.
WEBINARS
Harnessing AI for EHS!
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NEWS
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