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6th Edition Monday Morning Newsletter
Good morning! As we embark on the descent into the vast expanse of winter, we find it fitting to delve into the realm of winter workplace safety policies and plans in this edition, ensuring everyone's well-being as we venture into the enchanting holiday season. And in the spirit of embracing the wintry theme, let us journey northward to encounter the illustrious safety manufacturer of Canada, who graciously imparts his invaluable wisdom. With the chill in the air, we hope you have prepared a cup of your favorite warm, morning beverage. If you are prepared, let us plunge into the depths of this week's edition!
THIS WEEK’S TIPS
Tips you’ll find in this weeks edition:
Drug Use Prevention and Safety Plans
Winter Workplace Safety
Safety Tips from Canada’s Safest Manufacturer
DRUG USE IN THE WORKPLACE
Looks like the D.A.R.E. Program worked well.
Gif by BTTF on Giphy
Back to the future covered the power of just saying, “no”. Granted that was about partaking in criminal activity (not drugs) but the sentiment is the same. Say “no” and everything will work out. Some of us may even remember the D.A.R.E. program and the different ways they told us to say “no”, like, “giving the cold shoulder”. Unfortunately, it didn’t help when it came to drug prevention.
Drugs in the workplace are nothing new. However, according to the National Safety Council the number of workplace overdose deaths has hit a record 464 in 2021, rising from 388 in 2020, and a 536% increase since 2011. To help address this issue, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) released the, The Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit: Guidance and Resources for Private and Public Sector Employers. The toolkit is designed to be used across all industries, sectors and job types.
“The Recovery-Ready Workplace (RRW) Toolkit is designed to help businesses and other employers prevent and respond more effectively to substance misuse among employees, build their workforces through hiring of people in recovery, and develop a recovery-supportive workplace culture”.
The toolkit can be broken down into 3 components:
1. Brief Overview of RRW Policies: An overview of RRW policies and approaches across four broad areas: recruiting and hiring; prevention; facilitating help-seeking and accommodating treatment and support needs; and messaging, branding, and community engagement.
2. Getting Started: Guidance on how to implement RRW policies, beginning with an organizational assessment and moving to implementation and continual improvement.
3. Appendices: Ready-to-use resources, such as checklists; sample RRW declarations; brief descriptions of selected RRW initiatives led by companies, unions or business groups, state or local government, or other entities; supplemental information on regulations and other topics; and a comparison of RRW and Drug-Free Workplace Program (DFWP) approaches.
Access to the The Recovery-Ready Workplace Toolkit can be found here.
Respond Ready Workplace
You know drug use in the workplace is a problem when the National Safety Council also has it’s own resource to help employers. Called the, Respond Ready Workplace, the program is designed to help employers take advantage of the recent FDA approval for the over the counter naloxone nasal spray for use in the workplace.
More info on the Respond Ready Workplace can be found here.
New Guidelines for Pharmacists
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has updated guidelines for handling hazardous drugs (HDs) in alignment with NIOSH alerts. NIOSH maintains a readily accessible list of HDs, guidelines for risk assessment, and guidelines for personal protective equipment (PPE).
Key Guidelines:
1. Hazardous Drug Assessment:
Maintain an up-to-date list of HDs, including drug names, dosage forms, and handling requirements.
Review the list every 12 months, involving a multidisciplinary committee for better communication.
NIOSH provides a procedural document for examining new drugs for inclusion in the HD list.
2. Personnel Training and Education:
Comprehensive training is essential for all personnel handling HDs.
Provide initial and ongoing training on safe handling, PPE usage, and spill response.
3. Engineering Control:
Implement appropriate engineering controls, such as biological safety cabinets, to minimize airborne exposure during drug preparation.
Regular maintenance and certification of these controls are vital.
4. PPE:
Train personnel on the correct use and disposal of PPE based on product formulation, activity, and engineering control requirements.
Specific PPE requirements should be outlined in the entity's policy.
5. Safe Handling Procedures:
Establish protocols for compounding, labeling, and administration of HDs to reduce contamination risk.
Display signage in HD handling areas and conduct regular drills for spill management.
6. Environmental Monitoring:
Regularly monitor the pharmacy environment for contamination through air and surface sampling.
Conduct periodic cleaning to cover atypical areas prone to contamination.
Conclusion:Pharmacists play a crucial role in prioritizing safety and welfare by adhering to guidelines, ensuring the efficacy of drug treatments, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to outstanding healthcare. Handling HDs reflects this commitment and shared dedication to community health and well-being.
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WORKPLACE SEASONAL SAFETY
Winter is coming.
When it comes to being sick, it’s already here.
With the approach of winter and increased indoor activities, there is a heightened risk of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Employers, adapting to evolving workplace policies, should anticipate the surge in illnesses and establish clear safety procedures. New variants like BA.2.86 and the coexistence of COVID-19, Flu, and RSV highlight the importance of vaccination. OSHA recommends following CDC guidelines,
Encourage Employee Vaccination: Advocate for employee vaccination as a highly effective measure to boost immunity and prevent severe illness from the flu, COVID-19, and RSV. Refer to CDC immunization recommendations for guidance on who should receive vaccinations, the associated benefits, and where to access recommended immunizations.
Improve Workplace Ventilation: With the onset of colder temperatures leading to increased indoor activities, prioritize upgrading workplace ventilation and filtration systems to diminish airborne virus levels and mitigate the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Implement Rigorous Disinfection Protocols: Intensify the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting procedures across all workplace surfaces, placing emphasis on frequently touched areas and high-traffic zones such as office kitchens, cafeterias, and conference rooms.
Ensure Adequate Supplies: Maintain robust stocks of sanitizing products and personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks or face coverings.
Promote Responsible Behavior: Reinforce the importance of good personal hygiene practices among employees and stress the significance of staying home if feeling unwell or exhibiting any signs/symptoms. Encourage employees to take advantage of the four additional free COVID-19 rapid tests available for delivery to U.S. households since September 25, 2023.
Keep in mind, while the majority of state and local government mandates related to COVID-19 have relaxed over time, employers should take into account the connection between COVID-19 and employment laws when formulating their strategies for addressing COVID-19 or other infectious diseases.
Additional Winter Prep
Winter’s workplace safety challenges don’t end with just being sick. We haven’t even talked about the elements, so let’s do that now. And thanks to CBIZ’s Winter Workplace Preparedness Guide, you’re covered.
Winter Workplace Preparedness Guide:
1. Cold Stress Concerns:
OSHA guidelines provide preventive measures for cold stress, including tissue damage, hypothermia, and frostbite.
Factors like cold air temperatures, wind, and dampness contribute to cold stress.
2. Guidelines to Prevent Cold Stress:
Schedule regular breaks for workers to warm up.
Promote hydration and discourage alcohol and caffeine consumption.
Discourage smoking as it hampers blood flow.
Educate workers on medication effects in cold weather.
Provide training on recognizing signs of cold-related illnesses.
3. Proper Training for Winter Safety:
Employees need training to navigate winter challenges and identify risks.
Safety procedures should cover exposed skin, protective wear, and cold-weather illnesses.
Drivers should undergo training for safe winter driving.
4. Winter Roads Safety:
Conduct comprehensive inspections of company vehicles for winter readiness.
Equip vehicles with emergency supplies.
Train drivers on cautious driving techniques and proper actions in case of accidents.
5. Compensation Considerations:
Non-exempt employees are paid for hours worked; no pay obligation for missed time during closures.
Exempt employees must be compensated for any portion of the day worked, even during closures.
Exempt employees unable to commute due to weather are not obligated to be paid.
6. Policies & Communication:
Clearly communicate inclement weather policies, safety measures, and attendance expectations.
Establish effective communication methods for prompt closure or delay notifications.
Revisit policies and remind employees of communication channels before anticipated bad weather.
7. Insurance Protection:
Workers’ Compensation Insurance:
Covers medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost wages from winter-related injuries.
General Liability Insurance:
Addresses third-party bodily injury or property damage claims resulting from winter incidents.
Commercial Auto Insurance:
Provides coverage for accidents, property damage, and injuries during winter driving.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI):
Protects against employment-related claims arising from decisions made during winter.
Business Interruption Insurance:
Compensates for income loss due to winter-related closures, covering additional expenses for business continuity.
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
Meet Canada’s Safest Manufacturer.
Thermon Canada Inc. led by President and CEO Bruce Thames was recently named Canada's safest manufacturing employer at the prestigious Canada's Safest Employers Awards and it’s easy to see why.
"Safety starts at the top. It's with leadership and a culture that recognizes and acknowledges that all incidents are preventable", according to Thames.
Looking to take a few pages out of Thames’ playbook? Here is some insight into their approach to workplace safety.
Leading with safety
Complacency and culture are often the biggest threats to safety; long-time employees may become accustomed to risks and hazards over time.
“Safety starts at the top. It's with leadership and a culture that recognizes and acknowledges that all incidents are preventable.” -Thames
Thermon's core values—care, commit, and collaborate—are essential in anchoring their safety efforts.
Mitigating complacency and promoting engagement
Thermon has a, "What's Your Why?" program. An initiative encourages employees to connect with their personal motivations for staying safe in the workplace. By sharing photos of family members, pets, hobbies, or other meaningful aspects of their lives, employees establish a deeper connection to the importance of safety.
Engaging shop floor employees in safety initiatives is critical.
Implementation of a robust hazard identification and near-miss program, designed to identify and address risks promptly, ensuring a safer work environment for all.
Prioritizing Safety Above All Else
Safety should always take precedence over production.
"There is nothing more important than safety. There is no deadline or production standard worth compromising the safety of our employees," -Thames.
Advice for other manufacturers
Leadership involvement is important.
Leaders need to embrace and actively participate in their safety programs, setting the example for the entire organization.
Foster a safety-focused culture by focusing on beliefs and values.
Shop floor engagement, is an important and pivotal role in building and maintaining a safe work environment.
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