BWC Safety Updates - September 2021

BWC News

BWC Data in the NIOSH Science Blog

Landscaping is one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S. Young and newly hired workers are at an increased risk. A recent study conducted by BWC and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found workers age 34 and younger experienced 50% of serious injuries in the industry. Injured workers were also likely to have only brief job tenure. These findings suggest better training and supervision of new workers could be crucial to worker safety.

Learn more by reading this NIOSH Science Blog, “Workers’ Compensation Data Sheds Light on Hazards in Landscaping,” co-authored by Steve Naber, Division of Safety & Hygiene's Business Intelligence & Analytics Manager.

BWC Safety Talks

The BWC website has 57 Safety Talks designed for safety leaders to help you increase safety awareness and improve performance in your organizations. We add more talks regularly, so be sure to check the site for new materials.

Deadline Approaches for COVID-19 Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program

Funds are still available for the COVID-19 Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program. Eligible facilities have until October 15 to apply.

The program provides reimbursement for eligible applicants to help cover the costs of inspections, assessments, maintenance, and improvements to indoor heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to control the spread of COVID-19. It also provides reimbursement for secondary devices designed to destroy bacteria and mold, and to inactivate viruses.   

OSHA News

Updated Safety Handbook

OSHA and NIOSH revised the Small Business Safety and Health Handbook. This updated handbook has self-inspection checklists for a variety of safety topics such as hazard communication, respiratory protection, and fire protection. The handbook covers implementation of a safety and health program and describes multiple sources of safety and health resources for small business owners.

Updated COVID-19 Guidance

On August 13, OSHA updated its guidance on mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace for all industries. It expands information on appropriate measures for protecting workers in higher-risk workplaces with mixed-vaccination status workers Workplaces in these categories include manufacturing; meat, seafood and poultry processing; high volume retail and grocery; and agricultural processing, In these workplaces there is often prolonged close contact with other workers and/or non-workers.

Power Press Standard Update Comments Requested

OSHA is considering updates to the mechanical power press standard first issued in 1971. The agency is requesting information about the need to update the mechanical power presses standard, how closely the standard should follow the current ANSI standard. Also under consideration are the types of presses that should be covered, the use and certification of equipment, presence-sensing device initiation systems, and requirements for press modifications, training, and injury reporting. Comments may be submitted electronically at https://www.regulations.gov/document/OSHA-2007-0003-0028 until October 26, 2021.

NIOSH/CDC News

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Respiratory Protection Week

NIOSH observes Respiratory Protection Week September 7-10, 2021. Events for the week include two webinars, The Future of Respiratory Protection and other Personal Protective Equipment on September 7 and Authorities Associated with Respiratory Protection - The Role of NIOSH, the FDA, and OSHA on September 9. Details and signups for the webinars are available on the Respiratory Protection Week 2021 website.

Safee and Proper Use of Disinfectants to Reduce Viral Surface Contamination in Correctional Facilities

This new NIOSH publication is for correctional facilities staff, as well as incarcerated persons assigned to work details. The document recommends stes to reduce viral surface contamination through safe and proper use of disinfectants. Learn more about these products and how to handle them safely.

Prevent Struck-by Incidents at Crash Scenes

More than 200 law enforcement officers died by struck-by incidents from 2005–2019, which was 24% of officer deaths related to motor vehicles. This new NIOSH infographic shows four ways that law enforcement officers can lower their risk of being struck by a passing vehicle while outside the patrol vehicle.

Behind the Wheel at Work

The August issue of Behind the Wheel at Work has a list of ten actions you can take to protect drivers at work. This list has the actions that NIOSH considers the most important when starting a motor vehicle safety program at work.

Other News

Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation

Vision: To transform BWC into an agile organization driven by customer success.
Mission: To deliver consistently excellent experiences for each BWC customer every day. Core Values: One Agency, Personal Connection, Innovative Leadership, Relentless Excellence.

Established in 1912, the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is the exclusive provider of workers’ compensation insurance in Ohio and serves 249,000 public and private employers. With nearly 1,700 employees and assets of approximately $25 billion, BWC is one of the largest state-run insurance systems in the United States. For more, visit www.bwc.ohio.gov.