From Safety Skills:

As the world is experiencing the rapid spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, it is becoming increasingly common to see respirators being used by the general public. But is this simple piece of personal protective equipment effective for our current situation?

While many doctors and even the CDC have noted that respirators available to the public may not be fully effective in protecting against the spread of this virus, it is important for anyone who chooses to use one to understand how to properly do so.

Download this short guide to learn about the different types of respirators and how to correctly put on, take off and dispose of them in order to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Struck-by injuries are a leading cause of death,^[1]  and since 1992 the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in the construction industry.^[2] According to OSHA, there are four common struck-by hazards:

• Struck-by a flying object
• Struck-by a falling object
• Struck-by a swinging object
• Struck-by a rolling object

Join CPWR, the NORA Construction Sector Council, and other partners on April 20th for the first National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents during National Work Zone Awareness Week.  To help construction contractors and their employees find resources to help reduce the risks and prevent struck-by incidents and fatalities, we developed an online resource to provide ready access to training materials and the latest research from trusted sources.  Leading up to the event, we’ll be adding resources that you can use for your stand-down and information about ways you can partner with us to save lives.

New resources to use as handouts, in print publications, and for social media:

• Stand-Down promotional flyer (JPEG,PDF)
• Infographics –
  • STAY ALERT IN WORK ZONES! (JPEG/PDF)
  • OPERATORS! 4 Steps for Work Zone Safety (JPEG/PDF)
  • CONTRACTORS! Work Zone Safety Starts with Your Internal Traffic Control Plan (JPEG/PDF)

[1] CPWR Quarterly Data Report: Struck-by Injuries and Prevention in the Construction Industry https://www.cpwr.com/sites/default/files/publications/Quarter2-QDR-2017.pdf

From the U.S. Department of Labor Press Release:

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today published “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” to help companies respond in the event of coronavirus in the workplace. The guidance was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).

The document provides practical guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19, also known as novel coronavirus, and contains information on safe work practices and appropriate personal protective equipment based on the risk level of exposure.

“Protecting the health and safety of America’s workforce is a key component of this Administration’s comprehensive approach to combating the coronavirus,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt. “This guidance outlines practical ways that employers and workers can address potential health risks from the coronavirus in their workplaces.”

This guidance is part of the Department of Labor’s ongoing efforts to educate the workers and employers about the COVID-19 outbreak.

• In addition to the guidance, OSHA recently launched a COVID-19 webpage that provides infection prevention information specifically for workers and employers, and is actively reviewing and responding to any complaints regarding workplace protection from novel coronavirus, as well as conducting outreach activities.
• The Wage and Hour Division is providing information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19, including effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• The Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs has also published guidance for federal employees and outlines Federal Employees’ Compensation Act coverage as it relates to the novel coronavirus.

For further information about Coronavirus, please visit the HHS’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Pure Safety Group (PSG) Notice March, 6th 2020
No. GFP-S003-A

PRODUCT RECALL NOTICE
IMPORTANT – STOP USE IMMEDIATELY
#10967, #10968, #10979, #10980, #10982 Diablo Big Block SRL

THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES RELATED TO THIS PRODUCT RECALL.
If the date of manufacture is between February 2019 through February 2020 the product must be immediately removed from service. Removal from service is also required if the date of manufacture is unknown. All affected product must be returned to Pure Safety Group for repair. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE UNIT. This notice is intended to communicate product recall information regarding the Guardian Fall Protection Diablo Big Block Leading Edge Self-Retracting Lifeline. Due to a potential manufacturing defect over the period of February 2019 through February 2020, this product must be immediately removed from service and returned for inspection and repair.

The recall includes the following part #s:
– # 10967: 65’ Diablo Big Block SRL.
– # 10968: 50’ Diablo Big Block SRL.
– # 10979: 50’ Diablo Big Block SRL.
– # 10980: 65’ Diablo Big Block SRL.
– # 10982: 60’ Diablo Big Block SRL.
– Component of kit # 20055.
– Private labeled versions of listed part #s.

PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION AND COMPLETE THE STEPS LISTED IN THE FULL NOTICE HERE.

This year’s Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction will take place May 4-8, 2020.  The Stand-Down was originally conceived by OSHA in 2014 as part of the National Falls Campaign to raise awareness surrounding the severity of fall hazards in construction and the importance of preventing them.  In a construction setting, the term “safety stand-down” is used to describe a wide variety of activities where normal work is paused and the entire site focuses on a particular safety issue. While some employers may use stand-downs to call attention to specific hazards present on their site as an intervention, the Campaign has adopted the use of the stand-down to draw attention to fall hazards in a nation-wide week-long event.  It’s an opportunity for employers to pause work and have a conversation with workers about fall hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies, goals and expectations.  This should also be an opportunity for workers to talk to management about fall hazards they see.

Visit https://stopconstructionfalls.com/one-stop-stand-down-shop/ for Stand-Down resources, and https://stopconstructionfalls.com/online-ordering-form/ to order FREE 2020 hardhat stickers.