Issue No. 3 | July 2021 | 13th Volume
Welcome, Mr. David Lucas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) – Texas Asbestos Individual Consultant
We are happy to share with you the newest addition to Caliche, Ltd. Mr. Lucas has been involved with industrial hygiene sampling, primarily with asbestos related projects, since the state licensing conception. He is experienced with numerous asbestos removal projects and has worked with many individual asbestos contractors and building representatives through the years. In the 1980’s, Mr. Lucas worked with our CEO, forensic expert, and ex Magnolia City Mayor, Mr. Frank Parker III. Together they co-invented the PL1 sampler.
A r t i c l e 1
OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard: COVID-19
The compliance date for all requirements is July 21, 2021.
A r t i c l e 2
Promote Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing
NSC resources, “addressing topics like mental health, stress reduction, substance misuse and more.”
A r t i c l e 3
Deaths of Texans not Wearing Seat Belts Spike 16% in 2020
“Despite a drop in the number of traffic crashes throughout the year, 2020 saw a spike in the number of fatalities overall and deaths of people in Texas from not wearing a seat belt.”
A r t i c l e 4
Study Examines Association between Injury Frequency, Severity & Hour of Work
Read the study at https://doi.org/10.1002/1348-9585.12118.
OSHA’S EMERGENCY TEMPORARY STANDARD: COVID-19
By: Gerry Luther
For more information, visit https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/06/21/2021-
12428/occupational-exposure-to-covid-19-emergency-temporary-standard
A new directive issued by OSHA this week provides guidance for OSHA compliance safety and health officers on enforcing the requirements of the agency’s new emergency temporary standard to protect healthcare workers from contracting SARS-CoV-2. The ETS, which became effective on June 21 upon publication in the Federal Register, focuses on workers in healthcare settings where suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients are treated. Employers must comply with all requirements of the ETS, except for provisions regarding physical barriers, ventilation, and training, by July 6, 2021. The compliance date for all requirements is July 21, 2021.
PROMOTE EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
For more information, visit https://www.nsc.org/work-safety/safety-topics/coronavirus/mental-health-andwellbeing
With the continued COVID-19 pandemic, your employees’ mental health and wellbeing will have undoubtedly been affected. For mental health resources and information for both employers and employees, visit the NSC website provided above.
Deaths of Texans not Wearing Seat Belts Spike 16% in 2020
For more information, visit https://www.txdot.gov/about/newsroom/statewide/2021/deaths-of-texans-not-wearing-seat-belts-spike-16-percent.html.
Though the number of traffic crashes in Texas in 2020 dropped, the number of fatalities in the crashes increased 16%. “There were 1,073 fatalities in 2020 and 926 fatalities in 2019 due to people not wearing seatbelts.” This has led TxDOT to remind us that, “buckling up is the best defense in a crash”. “Putting on a seatbelt only takes a few seconds and doing so reduces the risk of dying by up to 45% for people in the front seat of passenger cars and up to 60% for people in pickup trucks.”
“Texas law requires everyone in a vehicle to be properly secured in the front or back seat or face fines and fees up to $200. Children younger than 8 years old must be estrained in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. If a child isn’t secured, the driver faces fines of up to $250.”
“This past year we have all been reminded of the simple acts we can take to protect our lives and those of our loved ones,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass.
“Wearing a seat belt is the most important step we can take to protect ourselves from serious injury or even death in a traffic crash. Instead of putting yourself and others in danger, remember: buckle up day and night, every rider, every ride.
Study Examines Association between Injury Frequency, Severity & Hour of Work
Study Examines Association between Injury Frequency, Severity & Hour of Work. (n.d.). PSI, 66, No. 4(April 2021), 8.
A study published recently in the Journal of Occupational Health examined frequency and severity of injuries in relation to hours of work among Oregon construction workers.
“According to the study, among more than 120,000 disabling claims, the average annual injury rate was 2.21 per 100 workers. Male workers had higher injury rates, while medical cost and lost workdays increased for older workers. Injuries occurring at night were more severe. According to the study, injury frequency peaked in the 4th and 8th hour of work, while the 5th and 13th hours corresponded to more severe injuries and illnesses.”
Read the study at https://doi.org/10.1002/1348-9585.12118.
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
