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Able Safety Consulting - COVID 19 Returning to Work for Employers

Covid 19 Returning to Work for Employers

The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is the most serious global health security threat in decades. More than 200,000 cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide. This is an awareness level training designed to inform workers about how to protect themselves and co-workers from exposure to the covid-19 virus. The goal is to increase health and safety awareness for responders and workers with potential exposure to covid-19. This class will also cover ICRA (infection control risk assessments). ICRA is a process used to identify and mitigate potential hazards in high risk environments. 

 

Employer and Worker Responsibilities

Employers and workers have the following responsibilites under the OSH act:

  • The occupational safety and health act requires that employers provide a safe and healthy workplace free of recognized hazards and follow OSHA standards. Employers responsibilities also include providing training, medical examinations, and record keeping
  • Workers should participate in the development and implementation of the employer's safety and health polocies and help ensure that they are appropriate and implemented. This includes promoting the use of all required gear and equipment, following safe work practices and reporting hazardous conditions. Workers have a right to report hazardous conditions to OSHA if employers do not fix them

 

Covid-19 Awareness and Preparedness Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this online Covid-19 training, the student will be able to:

  • Explain basic facts about covid-19
  • Assess the risk of workplace exposure to covid-19
  • Define key steps in worker and protection infection control
  • Identify methods to prevent and respond to covid 19 exposure in the workplace

What you need:

  • Webcam or smartphone
  • Microphone or smartphone
  • Photo ID

 

What you get:

  • Certificate of Completion
  • IACET CEUS .4

Course Content

Title Page
Introduction
Goal and learning objectives
Caution
Critical infrastructure
Who are “essential workers”?
Essential workers who have the greatest face to face contact with people and the greatest potential exposure to disease
Employer and worker responsibilities
Right to refuse unsafe worker
What is SARS-CoV-2?
Increased risk factors
US distribution map
What can all essential workers do to protect themselves?
Which is better: soap and water or hand sanitizer?
General principles – worker protection
Five steps to proper handwashing
“Hand Washing Steps, Using the World Health Organization Technique”.
Key steps for employers in preparing for and managing epidemics in the workplace
Key elements: COVID-19 workplace plan
Resuming work after a closure or slowdown
Title Page
Transmission
How long does SARS-CoV-2 survive outside of the body?
Questions to determine key exposure factors in the workplace
Community/Workplace Connection
High potential for exposure
More high potential for exposure
Medium Potential for exposure
Low potential for exposure
Guidelines from OSHA and CDC/NIOSH
What are the steps in assessing risk?
Do you have a process that…
Job Hazard Analysis
How will you document the assessment?
Title Page
Overview
Protecting workers
Selection and implementation of safeguards
Basic hygiene and social distancing
Hazard elimination methods
Engineering controls
Engineering controls for high exposure potential jobs in healthcare and laboratories
What are examples of engineering controls for COVID-19?
Administrative controls to reduce exposure
Additional administrative controls
Adjust employer policies to reduce exposures
In construction, identify choke points
Communicate the safety plan
Employers should review CDC recommendations and adjust sick leave policies as needed
CDC recommended sick leave continued…
OSHA PPE standard
PPE for jobs with high potential exposure
Respirators
Respirators (continued)
Surgical masks are not respirators!
CDC revised guidelines for PPE for healthcare and high-risk workers
Strategies for optimizing supplies of N95s
Respiratory protection standard
Donning the disposable respirator
What about CDC’s recommendation to wear cloth masks in public settings?
When to use respirators or masks
Cal OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Disease (ATD) Standard
Gloves
Healthcare settings
Healthcare facility identification and isolation
Hospital negative air isolation room
NIOSH ventilated headboard
Are these safeguards adequate?
Are these safeguards adequate?
Are these safeguards adequate?
Are these safeguards adequate?
Are these safeguards adequate?
Are these safeguards adequate?
Are these safeguards adequate?
Is this safeguard adequate?
Example: zero contact auto full service
Santa Clara social distancing protocols
Preparedness training and drills
What about exposures at work?
Alternative: apply CDC’s general home isolation guidelines to worker exposures
What if a worker tests positive?
Title Page
Cleaning and decontamination
CDC cleaning guidelines (non-healthcare)
Contact time for disinfection is important!
Tips and traps
Health effects of disinfectants may include….
Safer chemicals are available
OSHA Hazard Communication standard
Portable containers
When you use disinfectants:
When you use these disinfectants:
What are the high contact work surfaces?
Title Page
What zone are you in today?
Mental health and stress
Self-Care and Stress Management
Reaching out to co-workers
Check out NIEHS Disaster Worker Resiliency Training
4 Factsheets are available
Workers’ families can also be exposed
SAMHSA App resource
YouTube tutorials teach coping skills such as meditation
AFSCME factsheets by industry sector
Closing Activity
Begin an action plan
Acronyms
In conclusion
For more information
Why this training tool was created