All posts by : United Alliance Services Corporation

As businesses try to navigate these uncertain times and provide a safe work environment, many states are still showing increases in COVID-19 cases. For states where cases are either declining or holding steady, workers are returning to work under stricter safety protocols.

Employers are also scrambling to keep up with customer demand and provide their workers with a safe workplace. All states have specific requirements employers need to follow and while most are adhering to these standards, many are not.

900 COVID-19 Complaints Filed Since May

A recent article on MassLive revealed there were as many as 900 formal complaints filed against Massachusetts businesses since May from workers about alleged failures to adequately protect them from COVID-19 risks.

Many of the complaints were due to failure to allow for enough social distancing and a lack of cleaning and disinfection. While other complaints were for employers allegedly requiring those with COVID-19 symptoms to come into work.

It was also reported that OSHA has closed more than 500 coronavirus-related complaints in Massachusetts this year.

While no fines have yet to be enforced upon these businesses, several have been ordered to shut down immediately for cleaning and sanitation, and dozens of cease-and-desist letters have been sent to companies allegedly in violation of COVID-19.

Filing a Complaint

Due to the number of complaints, Massachusetts has provided a complaint form on Mass.gov that can be completed anonymously.

The types of hazard people can file a complaint about include:

• Cleaning/disinfection
• Hygiene
• Failure to display Compliance Attestation poster
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Requiring symptomatic employees to work
• Retaliation
• Social distancing

What Employers Must Do to Keep Employees Safe at Work

Many states have established safety standards for businesses to follow while they continue to reopen and need to follow in order to remain open. They are designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission to employees and customers.

The MA Department of Public Health (DPH) and the COVID-19 Command Center, note the following required safety standards:

1. Social Distancing

Whenever possible, all persons, including employees, customers, and vendors should remain at least six feet apart, both inside and outside workplaces. Protocols should be established to ensure that employees can practice adequate social distancing. Signage needs to be provided to show steps for safe social distancing. Face coverings or masks for all employees is required.

2. Hygiene Protocols

Employers need to provide handwashing capabilities throughout the workplace with supplies and make sure employees are frequently washing their hands. Also, regular sanitization of high touch areas, such as workstations, equipment, screens, doorknobs, restrooms throughout work site, needs to be implemented.

3. Staffing and Operations

Employers need to provide training for employees regarding social distancing and hygiene protocols. If an employee is displaying COVID19-like symptoms, the employer should allow that person to stay home. An established plan for employees getting ill from Covid-19 at work, and a return-to-work plan, needs to be in place for employees to review.

4. Cleaning and Disinfecting

Employees must establish and maintain a cleaning protocol. When an active employee is diagnosed with COVID19, cleaning, and disinfecting must be performed. Disinfection of all common surfaces must take place at intervals appropriate to the workplace and work environment.

Avoid Employee Complaints

The safety standards have put another layer of pressure on business owners and workers. No business owner wants the added expense of a potential fine or a cease-and-desist letter.

However, having a complaint filed is avoidable. Following the required standards is necessary and for those who need additional help, we offer two Safety Service Options:

COVID-19 CONSULTING BUNDLE – Written directive/policy on requirements which can be either a corporate policy or a site-specific policy.

COVID-19 TRAINING (INFECTION CONTROL WEBINAR) – We offer Open Enrollment Classes and Private Company Sponsored Classes made available at your convenience.

If you have concerns about your workforce and coronavirus, please contact us today to learn about steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your employees.

COVID19 TESTING – We now offer COVID-19 Testing Services For Colleges, Universities, Private Companies, And Public Agencies

To keep our clients informed and safe, we are providing information on a recent recall notice from 3M™. If you are using these products, please read this announcement and follow the steps provided.

3M™ recently issued a notice to immediately stop using TR-6510N and TR-6530N Cartridges. These cartridges are used with the 3M™ Versaflo™ TR-600 and TR-800 Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs).

The reason for the stop and return announcement was based on 3M™ internal testing which showed that they may not pass the NIOSH requirements for HEPA particulate filters of at least 99.97% filtration efficiency. The TR-6510N and TR-6530N cartridges of concern may have a filter penetration of up to approximately 2% (filter efficiency of approximately 98%), which is below the relevant NIOSH requirements. The gas and vapor portion of these cartridges continues to meet the NIOSH requirements.

3M™ asks that you please review your inventory immediately to determine if you have affected product. If you have any of the affected product in question, please visit: go.3m.com/TRcartridge for return and replacement.

Please note that this stop use and return notice applies only to the 3M™ TR-6510N and TR-6530N cartridges and does not affect any other 3M™ powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) cartridges, filters, components, or assemblies/kits.

View Frequently Asked Questions here

If you have any concerns about the safety of your equipment, please contact us.

As states continue with reopening plans, Coronavirus has not subsided. In fact, in many states, the rate of infection is increasing at an alarming rate. While the CDC provides recommendations on ways to protect yourself and others, not everyone is adhering to the guidance.

In one hard-hit region, Las Vegas, casino workers sued several casinos after reports that many workers fell ill to COVID-19. The lawsuit complains that the casinos did not require workers to wear face masks.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas, is against the owners of Harrah’s, MGM Grand and Bellagio casinos. It claims the companies continued operations of their food-and-beverage outlets and other areas after learning of positive cases and that it did not inform employees when co-workers tested positive and did not provide adequate contact-trace before allowing colleagues of infected employees to return to the job.

6 Ways to Protect the Health of Your Employees

1. Encourage sick employees to stay home.
Coronavirus spreads from person-to-person very easily. If an employee becomes sick, whether from COVID-19 or not, it is best to have the employee stay home. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person while close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. To avoid the risk of spreading the disease to other employees and to customers, it is best practice to have a sick employee stay home and self-quarantine.

2. Develop flexible work schedules and continue work from home, if possible.
Since the virus spreads easily person-to-person and most people who test positive may be asymptomatic (showing no signs of or very mild signs of illness), allowing for flexible work schedules and work from home policies may lessen the physical contact between employees and customers. This act may help slow the spread and keep employees safe while working.

3. Promote proper hygiene and etiquette.
It is suggested that this virus can spread through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, and talking. Proper hygiene is key to possibly reducing the spread. All employees should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after they have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Promote proper hygiene by having soap and water available for all employees, as well as hand sanitizers and face masks.

4. Perform routine environmental cleaning.
As employees and customers begin to physically interact, proving a safe and clean work environment will be critical to stopping the virus spread. Be sure to routinely clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces, such as workstations, countertops, handrails, and doorknobs. Also, discourage employees from sharing of tools and equipment, if feasible.

5. Utilize Onsite Medical Services.
To help prevent on-the-job injuries, reduce workers’ compensation costs, and ensure occupational health compliance, and avoid OSHA fines, utilizing on-site health and safety services can help to treat injuries quickly can help avoid unnecessary and excessive off-site referrals, treatments, and prescriptions. Minor injuries can be resolved on-site, as well, allowing workers to return to productive work quicker. More serious cases are recognized sooner so they can receive appropriate diagnoses and treatment.

6. Provide access to training and educational material.
Keeping employees informed on the latest safety protocols is good practice. The more your employees know, the better informed they are about the risk of spread and how best to handle the work environment to help keep everyone safe. Have posters and fact sheets available for employees to easily access. Also, encourage employees to take additional training courses. There are numerous online courses available to educate employees on how to protect themselves from the virus.

There is still much we do not know about this virus; these simple steps can help. Implementing them now can help to provide a safer work environment and possibly help to reduce your risk of a business lawsuit or an insurance claim.
In these challenging times, the risk of exposure is more prevalent than ever. We offer two Safety Service Options:

COVID-19 CONSULTING BUNDLE – Written directive/policy on requirements which can be either a corporate policy or a site-specific policy.

COVID-19 TRAINING (INFECTION CONTROL WEBINAR) – We offer Open Enrollment Classes and Private Company Sponsored Classes made available at your convenience.

If you have concerns about your workforce and coronavirus, please contact us today to learn about steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your employees.

As businesses begin to reopen and employees start returning to work, now, more than ever, safety is crucial both inside and outside the workplace. In concert with the National Safety Council, we’re recognizing June as National Safety Month®. National Safety Month focuses on saving lives and preventing injuries, from the workplace to anyplace.

Share the Safety Message in June

To help spread the word about National Safety Month, we’re sharing recent information on relevant safety topics. Here are articles and a recent webinar related to safety:

Simple Guidelines for All Workers and Employers to Stay Safe from COVID-19

Why You Should Consider a Safety Professional

Prevent Construction Struck-By Fatalities by Implementing Proper Safety Techniques

The importance of Ariel Lift Safety Training

On June 11^th, we hosted a webinar: What Employers Need To Know About Covid-19 Testing & Acclerating The Return To Work. Which provided tips on keeping the workplace safe for employees and customers Topics included:

• How do employers verify employees’ health status?
• What type of documentation is required?
• Are thermometers and other testing protocols even available?
• What other protocols are required, like wearing masks and conducting health screening, temperature screening and latest anti-body testing options?
• What if employees refuse to come back claiming the workplace is unsafe?

Watch it free here

Safety Training Courses

Safety training courses can help you obtain necessary OSAH certifications, expand your skillset and knowledge, and stay current with industry safety trends and requirements. We offer online, onsite, and public classes safety training programs.

Choose the right safety course and training that fits your schedule. Enroll in our online courses during your downtime and save 20% by using code: STAYSAFE

Safety Consulting Services

We offer two Safety Service Options:

COVID-19 CONSULTING BUNDLE – Written directive/policy on requirements which can be either a corporate policy or a site-specific policy.

COVID-19 TRAINING (INFECTION CONTROL WEBINAR) – We offer Open Enrollment Classes and Private Company Sponsored Classes made available at your convenience.

If you have concerns about the safety of your workplace, please contact us today to learn about steps you can take to protect your employees and keep your business open.