Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

It’s not too late to register for Safety Congress

This year’s Ohio Safety Congress and Expo is all online March 10-11. Attendance is free, and you can register online any time at the Ohio Safety Congress website. Attend sessions and visit our exhibitors all from your home or office.

Ohio BWC news

BWC expands Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program

In the continuing effort to weaken COVID-19’s spread, BWC has expanded the agency’s Indoor Air Quality Assistance Program to include substance use treatment centers, group homes, and others.

Prior to the Board’s vote, the federally funded reimbursement program was limited to nursing homes, assisted living centers, and adult day centers that invested in HVAC improvements that weaken COVID-19’s spread. The deadline to apply is June 30. For an application, FAQ, and more, visit this BWC webpage. Questions can be emailed to grants@bwc.state.oh.us. 

BWC still offering virtual training classes

We are offering a small number of classes virtually during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Classroom cancellations may extend through most of the fiscal year ending June 2021. Virtual training allows students to learn remotely to ensure the safety of our customers. All virtual training classes provide the same credits as training classes scheduled at physical locations.

And don’t forget, we also offer online e-courses to Ohio employers and employees with active workers’ compensation coverage.

2019 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses

Ohio data from the 2019 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) is now available. See the Bureau of Labor Statistics/SOII 2019 data web page for detailed information on workplace injuries and illnesses in Ohio for 2019. The rate of workplace injuries and illnesses for Ohio continues to be lower than the national average, as well as our neighboring states. For national statistics on injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities web page.

Safe handling of dry ice

Shipments of COVID-19 vaccines are arriving at Ohio hospitals and pharmacies and will continue to be distributed into 2021 and beyond. Several of the vaccines are transported and stored at ultra-cold temperatures. Dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) keeps the vaccines cold. Handling dry ice can be hazardous and requires special precautions by hospitals, pharmacies, and others that may handle the vaccines. Other industries, including industrial cleaning and artificial fog production, also use dry ice, so its hazards are not just limited to the medical sector.

For tips and resources on the safe handling of dry ice, see our Dry Ice Safety Bulletin, and watch our video by clicking the image below. Have questions? Our safety consultants can provide answers at no cost. You can request services on our website, or by phone at 1-800-644-6292. Note: Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, we are conducting consultations virtually or by phone.

NIOSH/CDC news

NIOSH Celebrates 50 Years

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is 50 years old! The NIOSH blog describes the history of the agency in this kickoff post with facts about the agency’s early years, including the Division of Industrial Hygiene’s move to Cincinnati in 1950.

Needlestick Injury Prevention

This NIOSH newsroom feature discusses accidental needlestick injuries and how to prevent them. Vaccine providers work with dozens if not hundreds of needles each day. This news item has tips to prevent needlesticks, information on what to do if you have a needlestick injury, and links to more information on the topic.

CDC COVID-19 Resources

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated documents and created new materials regarding COVID-19.

• Guidance for Business and Employers – updated
• Construction COVID-19 Checklists – updated
• Isolation Gown Optimization – updated
• Easy to Read COVID-19 Materials – new
• Communication Toolkit – new

NIOSH Expanding Research Partnerships Webinar

Join NIOSH at noon on March 10 for a free webinar: Exploring the Future of Worker Health and Safety in the Post-pandemic World. The webinar is part of NIOSH’s Expanding Research Partnerships Webinar Series, which will also offer webinars in June and September on occupational safety and health. The webinars focus on the post-pandemic world.

OSHA news

New OSHA COVID-19 Guidance

OSHA updated its guidance document on mitigating and preventing COVID-19 on Jan. 29, 2021. The updated document makes several recommendations for a prevention program.

• Conduct a hazard assessment.
• Identify control measures to limit the spread of the virus.
• Adopt policies for employee absences that don’t punish workers to encourage potentially infected workers to remain home.
• Ensure that coronavirus policies and procedures are communicated to both English and non-English speaking workers.
• Implement protections from retaliation for workers who raise coronavirus-related concerns.

COVID-19 Safety Videos

OSHA has videos on their website addressing various safety issues involving COVID-19. Use these videos to train your employees on the latest safety topics.

Other news

Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Program Advise

The Institute for Work & Health published a new resource offering strategies on how to implement successful musculoskeletal injury prevention programs. Each section offers examples of potential programs, practices, and advice.

Determining Cost Benefits for Workplace Ergonomics Webinar

Join the American Industrial Hygiene Association at 2 p.m. on March 17 for a free webinar: Cost-Justifying Ergonomics: Methods and Tips for Calculating ROI. This webinar will discuss methodologies for cost-benefit analyses of ergonomics programs, including pros and cons, and how to determine the cost savings for a multitude of categories.

EAP Prescription Drug Toolkit and Fact Sheets

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Prescription Drug Toolkit and Fact Sheets from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides guidance related to counseling, referrals, and follow-up services that EAPs can offer employees whose substance misuse has affected their workplace environment. The toolkit has information for employers about preventing substance misuse and maintaining professional standards.

Hazardous Materials Safety Videos

A non-profit railroad safety organization, Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI), has developed five short videos on hazardous material handling by railroad employees. The four- to seven-minute videos are available on the SLSI website.

Health and Wellness Tip

Looking for extra ways to stay healthy this season? Try getting good sleep! For adults, seven to eight hours of restful sleep boosts our immune systems. Spending time in nature and limiting caffeine late in the day can help us have better sleep. For more information on catching your z’s, see these resources.

Grain Safety Week

Register now for Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week! This free virtual event from the Grain Handling Safety Coalition offers daily educational events to raise awareness about storage hazards and provide information, education and training on best practices for safe grain handling. Register online.

Each day starting at 10 a.m. on March 29, there is a two-hour event with a new focus and resources available to you!

• Monday: Standup Kickoff Event with livestreamed worker safety trainings, idea sessions and safety resources for industry use.
• Tuesday: Near Miss Reporting.
• Wednesday: Impact of Grain Quality on Safety.
• Thursday: Bin Safety.
• Friday: Emergency Action Plans.

Learn more at www.standup4grainsafety.org or use #StandUp4GrainSafety to search social media for event details and resources available to you.

The Ohio BWC Library of BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene compiles and distributes this newsletter each month.

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. Our mission is to deliver consistently excellent experiences for each BWC customer every day. For more, visit www.bwc.ohio.gov.