Issue No. 2 | April 2021 | 13th Volume
A r t i c l e 1
The ‘first step’: OSHA Updates COVID-19 Guidelines as Biden Administration Focuses on Worker Safety
A r t i c l e 2
Fake Face Mask Guide or HPAE Members
“Don’t get fooled by fake hospital masks: A guide on how
to tell.”
A r t i c l e 3
Hazard Communication
OSHA’s Adoption of the Globally System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
THE ‘FIRST STEP’: OSHA UPDATES COVID-19 GUIDELINES AS BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOCUSES ON WORKER SAFETY
For more information, visit https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/20798-the-first-step-oshaupdates-covid-19-guidelines-as-biden-administration-focuses-on-worker-safety
Updated COVID-19 guidance for workplaces has been issued by OSHA as a “first step” in the Biden administration and OSHA leadership’s attempt to address the pandemic. “The updated guidance, titled Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace stems from an Executive Order signed by President Joe Biden on Jan. 21. In addition to issuing the updated guidance, the order directs OSHA to consider an emergency temporary standard related to COVID-19. If an ETS is considered necessary, the agency is instructed to issue one by March 15.”
In the updated guidance you will find OSHA has replaced “suggestive language with stronger language… Steps employers should take to reduce transmission of COVID-19 among workers… hazard assessments and the identification of control measures that will limit the spread of the coronavirus”, and more.
Being a guideline though and not a regulation, there are no legal obligations for
employers.
Fake Face Mask Guide for HPAE Members
Don’t get fooled by fake hospital masks: A guide on how to tell.
For more information, visit https://www.hpae.org/resources/fake-face-mask-guide-for-hpae-members/
Beginning in the fall of 2020, HPAE has received reports from healthcare workers concerning “highly suspicious ill-fitting, misshapen, sometimes torn and, often, oddsmelling “3M” masks they are being given by their employers while providing care for patients during a pandemic outbreak.” Healthcare workers have reported difficulty getting a proper seal with these masks in order to ensure they are fully protected. It has come to light that there are overwhelming amounts of counterfeit masks making it into the states.
Here is a guide on how to tell whether the masks you’ve been provided is potentially
counterfeit.
https://www.hpae.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Fake-Face-Mask-Guide-for HPAEMembers-1.pdf
- In the guide, some of the information you will find is;
- How to determine if your mask is fake including visual examples,
- What you should do if you believe your mask to be a fake, and
- What you should do if you are being forced to use a fake N95 mask.
If fake masks remain undetected, you and your patients could be exposed and at risk.
HAZARD COMMUNICATION OSHA's Adoption of the Globally System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
By Jerome E. Spear, CSP, CIH, FAIHA
https://www.jespear.com/
Laws and regulations throughout the world are different enough to require multiple labels and safety data sheets for the same product both within the U.S. and international trade. It is estimated that about 42 to 45 million workers are exposed to one or more chemical hazards in the workplace. Furthermore, an estimated 650,000 existing chemical materials exist and hundreds of new chemicals are introduced to the workplace annually. The worldwide use of chemicals has resulted in regulations specific to each country and sectors within that country (e.g., workplace, agriculture, transportation, production, consumer products). Thus, efforts began over 20 years ago to standardize labeling and safety data sheets throughout the world.
In 2012, the Hazard Communication standard was revised to adopt to adopt certain annexes of the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The revised standard established new requirements for Safety Data Sheets (SDS), formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), classifying chemicals, labeling, and symbols for hazards. Since the HazCom 2012 revision, the GHS has been revised five times. As a result, OSHA has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to modify the Hazard Communication standard on February 16, 2021.
Caliche is here to help you and your company stay as safe as possible. Some of the service we offer are:
Asbestos
- Texas licensed consultant
- Management planners
- Project manager
- Inspectors
- Air monitors
Maritime
- Air monitoring
- Benzene, H2S, LEL,
etc.
- Benzene, H2S, LEL,
- Respirator use
- Fit-testing and training
- Qualitative
- Quantitative
Industrial Hygiene
- Workplace assessment
- Air monitoring
- Noise
- NORM
- Ventilation
Indoor Air Quality
- Microbial
- Bacterial
- Bio aerosol
Safety
- Risk assessments
- Written program development
