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MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER
April 13, 2020
In Brief
I n this issue of the Monday Morning Messenger , read our Top Story, as the CDC has released information on essential critical workers who have been exposed to COVID-19. You do not need to shut down operations because one of your workers was exposed. CDC outlines what employers of essential critical workers should do in those instances.

Secondly and very important, the RRC has added even more online classes for the Spring for continuing education, and there is a new two-step registration process that must be completed in order to be officially registered. Read our second story for more insight into the new online classes.

Additionally, the FMCSA has extended its hours of service waiver for essential services like food & fuel.

Lastly, do not forget, nearly everything we are sending out is archived on the TPGA website. The TPGA COVID webpage as well as the   www.txpropane.com   site, in general, can be your one-stop-shop for all your COVID related questions.
MEMBERS ONLY
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
In this issue
  • In Brief
  • Top Story: ! COVID-19 !
  • Important Training Info
  • Extended HOS Waiver
  • Additional Resources
Top Story
CDC Releases Guidance on
Essential Workers Exposed to COVID-19
May Continue Work If:
To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, CDC advises that essential critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community.

A potential exposure means being a household contact or having close contact within 6 feet of an individual with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The time frame for having contact with an individual includes the period of time of 48 hours before the individual became symptomatic.

Critical workers who have had an exposure but remain asymptomatic should adhere to the following practices prior to & during their work shift:

  • Pre-Screen: Employers should measure the employee’s temperature and assess symptoms prior to them starting work. Ideally, temperature checks should happen before the individual enters the facility.
  • Regular Monitoring: As long as the employee doesn’t have a temperature or symptoms, they should self-monitor under the supervision of their employer’s occupational health program.
  • Wear a Mask: The employee should wear a face mask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure. Employers can issue facemasks or can approve employees’ supplied cloth face coverings in the event of shortages.
  • Social Distance: The employee should maintain 6 feet and practice social distancing as work duties permit in the workplace.
  • Disinfect and Clean workspaces: Clean and disinfect all areas such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment routinely.

If the employee becomes sick during the day, they should be  sent home immediately . Surfaces in their workspace should be  cleaned and disinfected . Information on persons who had contact with the ill employee during the time the employee had symptoms and 2 days prior to symptoms should be compiled. Others at the facility with close contact within 6 feet of the employee during this time would be considered exposed.
Compliance Corner
Important Update: Continuing Education
Updated Schedule, 2-Step Registration, & Tips
The Railroad Commission of Texas, once again, has beefed up their online training schedule to offer even more Continuing Education offerings for Spring (April 2020 & May 1, 2020).

The online training classes are interactive LIVE presentations with audio. Designed for ONE USER PER SCREEN . Classes have poll questions throughout that registrants must answer to receive credit.

In this post we share the updated schedule , the new two-step registration process as well as online class tips .
500 Seats Made Available for April 2020
Updated Expanded Schedule is Below
April 15, 2020
 
April 17, 2020
 
April 20, 2020
 
April 22, 2020
 
April 24, 2020
 
April 27, 2020
 
April 29, 2020
 
May 1, 2020

Class availability is subject to change as people register.
Class schedule is subject to change as more classes are added.

Click here to see the live hosted schedule on the RRC website.
Two-Step Registration
Registering for the online classes is a TWO-STEP process.

Step 1. Register for the online class on the RRC website (under each class date above is a link to said class)

Step 2. Once the RRC processes your registration & determines space is still available, a special Go To Training Registration link and personal ID number will be emailed to the registrant to complete the next step in the registration process.

In short, register once with RRC, then register with GoToTraining. If the person doesn’t complete the second step IMMEDIATELY when they received their special link/ID number, then they might not be able to attend the online training session.
Tips for Attending Online Training
RRC has created tips for those who will participating in the online training. Download the tips below.
Regulatory Update
FMCSA Extends Hours of Service Waiver
until May 15, 2020
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended the expiration date for its nationwide emergency declaration to May 15, 2020 . 

The declaration waives hours of service requirements for motor carriers providing direct assistance in support of emergency relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks, including transportation to meet immediate needs essential supplies such as fuel . FMCSA also amended the scope of the declaration to also include liquefied gases used for refrigeration and cooling systems.

Direct assistance does not include routine commercial deliveries, including mixed loads with a nominal quantity of qualifying emergency relief added to obtain the benefits of this emergency declaration.
Additional Resources
Please be sure to visit the Texas Propane Gas Association (TPGA) COVID dedicated website for the latest waivers, exemptions, guidance and pertinent coronavirus information.

Quote of the Week

“There are no negatives in life, only challenges to overcome that will make you stronger.” ― Eric Bates