Safety & Health

With the recent updates and changes to the NECA Standing Policy to include “health” as a core value for our employers and employees, we feel it is appropriate to change the name of this newsletter to the NECA Safety and Health Newsletter. With this coinciding around the holidays, mental health is on everyone’s mind as it relates to our friends, co-workers, and family. While the holiday season is joyous for most of us, we should stop and reflect on those that have lost loved ones during the past year for many reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, it may be a time that we each can offer someone who is alone a place to enjoy a holiday meal, socialize with others and share in festivities—in other words, no one should be by themselves during the holidays.

One key point to always consider, when was the last time you contacted a close friend, a distant relative, or a former co-worker with whom you spent many hours together on the job? Many times, their names will pass through our thoughts, and we say to ourselves, “I am going to give that person a call,” only to postpone the action until the thought has left us. Next time this happens to you, stop and make a conscious effort to reach out, call, and invite them to get together and catch up on the experiences we call life. Think of how you feel when someone reaches out to you and the joy that conversations bring.

If you know anyone that is experiencing issues and needs support, remember there are many associations and organizations that can offer intervention and professional counseling. Mental Health America offer free resources for anyone needing assistance. Also, Cedars Sinai has a good article on “Depression and Anxiety Around the Holidays,” to help you identify someone that may need your help.

One way to get involved may be to follow the example of a NECA Contractor in Southern California.  Morrow-Meadows Corporation is encouraging all employees this holiday season to pay attention to those around them and invite other co-workers who may be alone or in crisis to join together for their holiday meal or special gathering. They know when it comes to sharing with others, there is always space at the table for another person.

DOL/OSHA's Fall Regulatory Agenda

Last week, DOL/OSHA released it Fall Regulatory Agenda that includes items in the pre-rule, proposed rule, and final rule stage for 2021. These include items in the pre-rule stage that NECA is gathering information and member comments on such as Heat Illness in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings, and a new Emergency Response Standard that could affect utility and outside line contractors. Other proposed rules include an Infectious Disease Standard, Updates to the Hazard Communication Standard, Lock-out/Tag-out Update and Personal Protective Equipment in Construction that will include proper fit requirements moving forward. While the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard and the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard may be held up in litigation, stay tuned to NECA for the latest safety and legal updates related to COVID-19.

OSHA’s long-term actions include adding a column on the recordkeeping form for Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) and the Powered Industrial Truck Update.

OSHA Safe & Sound At Work Information

Take the All In On Safety Challenge

Worker participation is a core element of a workplace safety and health program. Effective safety and health programs tap into workers' collective experience, knowledge, and insight in order to find solutions to workplace safety and health challenges. 

Engage workers in your safety and health program by taking the All In On Safety Challenge!

1. Identify a safety activity that helps build a more diverse and accepting workplace.
2. Recognize workers who participate with a certificate and appreciation card.
3. Download your virtual challenge coin and share your participation in your workplace or on social media using #AllinonSafety and #SafeAndSoundAtWork.

Share the Worker Participation Graphic

Workers are valuable partners in making the workplace safer. Show that you are committed to engaging workers in safety and health by sharing the Worker Participation Partner Graphic!

1. Download the Worker Participation Partner Graphic.
2. Add your organization’s logo.
3. Use the existing text or create your own message
4. Share on social media using #SafeAndSoundAtWork.

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 Visit the United States Department of Labor's Email Subscription Service to enter your email address and select email subscription types to begin receiving email updates from the U.S. DOL. They provide content from OSHA, and other agencies to keep you informed.

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