Black young receptionist checking the body temperature of customer before entering the establishment

OSHA DIY Quick Takes – Healthcare Industry

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

By Timothy W. Braun, Risk Control Specialist OSHA has an online Quick Takes newsletter called “Did You Know?” It’s a free service to give subscribers twice monthly updates to their phone, tablet, or other device. DYK topics provide the latest information on timely topics from OSHA. This recent DYK gives ideas and tips for protecting workers in the Healthcare industry from COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/quicktakes/12162020 There are many other topics including: COVID-19 and enforcement actions COVID-19 protection for employees in various work settings Assistance with OSHA compliance Training Resources …and much more. I encourage you to check into these.  To learn more or to subscribe, go to: https://www.osha.gov/quicktakes/ Contact Tim at 717.224.1835 or another member of the Murray Risk Control Team at 717.397.9600 …

Portrait of a happy construction worker at a building site wearing a facemas with a group of workers at the background (Portrait of a happy construction worker at a building site wearing a facemas with a group of workers at the background , ASCII,

OSHA DIY Quick Takes – Construction Industry

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

By Timothy W. Braun, Risk Control Specialist Did you know? OSHA has an online Quick Takes newsletter called “Did You Know?”  It’s a free service to give subscribers twice monthly updates to their phone, tablet, or other device. DYK topics provide the latest information on timely topics from OSHA.  This recent DYK gives ideas and tips for protecting workers in the construction industry from COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/quicktakes/12172020#covid-construction-industry There are many other topics including: COVID-19 and enforcement actions COVID-19 protection for employees in various work settings Assistance with OSHA compliance Training Resources …and much more. I encourage you to check into these.  To learn more or to subscribe, go to: https://www.osha.gov/quicktakes/ Contact Tim at 717.224.1835 or another member of the Murray Risk Control …

Developing a Behavior Based Safety Culture

Denise GillinRisk Management

By Timothy M. Murray, GSP, Risk Control Consultant A Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is the evaluation of hazards and risks associated with a particular job task. The majority of safety professionals use the terms JHA and Job Safety Analysis (JSA) interchangeably. Developing a JHA is the first step to an effective behavior based safety approach. A JHA, along with excellent training and observations, is the start to your organization developing a true safety culture. A JHA is a technique used to identify the dangers of specific tasks in order to reduce the risk of injury to workers. Listed below are just a few of the many added benefits to completing a JHA / JSA: Clearly defines each worker’s job description: …

Don’t Let Your Holidays Go Up In Smoke

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

By Eugene V. Schmitt, CSP, ARM, CHST, CFPS, Risk Control Specialist Christmas is a special time but safety shouldn’t take a vacation. According to the United States Fire Administration, more than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles and more than one in every five Christmas tree fires are caused by a heating source too close to the tree. This holiday season, remember these fire safety practices: Keep candles at least 12 inches away from flammable materials. Keep your tree at least three feet away from sources of heat, such as fireplaces. Inspect light  for damage or frayed wires. If you have a live Christmas tree, water it daily. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Following these practices only …

OSHA’s Five Tips to Keep Workers Safe During the Holidays

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, provides five practices you can implement to keep employees safe during the pandemic. Train workers on safe work practices Maintain social distancing between workers and customers Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick Clean and disinfect work surfaces and equipment Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns For more information regarding keeping your workers safe during the holidays, contact a member of the Murray Risk Control Team at 717.397.9600.

OSHA’s Enforcement Role for COVID-19

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

By Timothy W. Braun, Risk Control Specialist OSHA’s role in protecting workers since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic has been multifaceted.  OSHA has and continues to issue helpful guidance documents about COVID-19: how to protect workers; ideas for many work situations; and memos discussing how OSHA will utilize their enforcement capabilities. The traditional OSHA enforcement role is and has been ongoing as well. As of December 4, 2020, OSHA has issued citations stemming from 255 inspections. The penalties for those inspections have amounted to over $3,000,000.  Many of these inspections and citations have been at long-term care facilities and various other healthcare establishments. Among the more commonly cited situations related to OSHA regulations are: Inadequacies, or lack of a …

Doctor or nurse is holding the Covid-19 vaccine and syringe with her blue glove.

COVID-19 Immunizations and Employee Relations Considerations for Long-term Care Facilities

Denise GillinHuman Resources, News, Risk Management

By Richard L. Hackman, Esq. and Collin T. Keyser, Esq., Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants With the imminent possibility of a COVID-19 vaccine, long-term care facilities must be prepared for staff questions and concerns related to immunization for the virus. A recent Gallup survey indicated that approximately 42% of Americans would decline an approved COVID-19 vaccination. Reasons for declining included: the rushed timeline for development of the vaccine; the desire to wait to confirm the vaccine is safe; no trust in vaccines in general; and the desire to wait to determine the effectiveness of the vaccine. These same concerns as voiced by the general populace most certainly will arise with facility staff, which will require an employer to engage …

Diverse Hands Holding The Word Wellbeing

Pandemic Mental Toll On Gen Z

Denise GillinHealth Benefits, News

By Michael Diller, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist and Director, Employee Assistance Program, WellSpan Normal times can be stressful, but the additional distress added by a pandemic can make things overwhelming. What are the signs to look for that may indicate mental anxiety has become something more? Stressors and symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, lower frustration tolerance, difficulty concentrating, problems and changes with sleep and appetite become more frequent, more intense, and last longer. All may be indicators that there is a need to reach out for and get connected to professional support. While everyone is impacted by the pandemic, the American Psychological Association reports the long-term consequences of the persistent stress and trauma are particularly serious for Generation Z – teens …

Holiday Gatherings During a Pandemic

Denise GillinNews

By Josh Mountz, M.Ed, Prevention Specialist, Compass Mark As people begin to think of holiday celebrations, it’s important to point out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers safety guidelines to protect individuals and communities by preventing the spread of COVID-19. Click here to read the guidelines and note they should be used in collaboration with state and local health official considerations. Also, according to the CDC, gatherings with family and friends who do not live with you can increase the chances of getting or spreading the virus or the flu. For anyone planning even the smallest of gatherings, in addition to pandemic precautions, remember your guests may not want to drink for a variety of reasons. …