Volume 1, Issue 5 | December 2021 |
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In this Issue:
COVID Resource Center • Florida's Latest Data on Safety, Health & Sustainability • Leadership Conference Speaker Announcement • OSHA Update • Importance of Mental Hygiene Training • Ladder Safety Training Discount
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A Message from Florida Chamber Safety Council
Executive Director Jason Mozo, J.D.
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Greetings!
As we are closing the year of a successful 2021 here in Florida, we need to carry the momentum into 2022 for an even stronger and more successful year with safety, health and sustainability! This new year will set the stage for Florida businesses to assure a safe and healthy workforce for years to come and move the needle on establishing Florida as the safest, healthiest and most sustainable state in America!
December is our Ladder Safety awareness month. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Ladders is ranked number 3 in the top 10 violations in America accounting for 2,026 cited violations in the workplace in 2021. That equates to 5.6 citations issued every day to employers on this subject matter.
For the 11th year in a row, falls are the number one cited violation according to OSHA with 5,295 violations in 2021 alone in the workplace. Ladder Safety plays an integral role in this. According to ANSI (American National Standards Institute), there are more than 300 ladder-related deaths and over 130,000 emergency room visits related to ladders each year, as well as 2,000 ladder-related injuries every single day.
Let’s work together to bring Ladder Safety awareness to you and your staff. It all starts with providing the proper training and awareness. Our number one goal is to assure that we all go home safely to our families and loved ones very single day.
Today, we held our highly attended Active Shooter and Threat Management Educational Webinar. Thank you to our sponsors and the attendees that joined us. If you missed it watch the recording here.
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Upcoming Florida Chamber Safety Council Trainings |
CPR/First Aid/AED with Bloodborne Pathogens
January 25, 2022
9:00am - 3:00pm
During this course participants learn how to execute life-saving techniques and learn the fundamentals of bloodborne pathogens
*Upon completion participants will earn two certification cards and .95 CEU's
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Basic FDOT-MOT Flagger Training
February 1, 2022
8:30am - 12:30pm
During this course participants learn how to provide safe passage of traffic through and around work areas
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On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern and has named it Omicron. CDC is following the details of this new variant, first reported to the WHO by South Africa. On November 30, 2021, U.S. government SARS-CoV-2 Interagency Group classifies #OmicronVariant as Variant of Concern (VOC).
How Florida's Second Special Session affected COVID Regulations
The business of special session that took place November 15 - 19 concluded with the passage of legislation that does not ban private employers from requiring vaccination as a term of employment so long as they offer employees a series of exemptions – some of which are yet to be fully defined. Employers that require vaccination as a condition of employment must offer employees five exemptions to that vaccination policy, including a medical or religious exemption, which is already consistent with federal law. Special Session Legislation Summaries & FAQs
COVID-19 Liability Protections Extension Passes First Senate Committee
On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB 7014, which extends the COVID-19 liability protections passed earlier this year for health care providers to June 1, 2023. SB 72, which passed with the Florida Chamber's support during the 2021 regular session, provided liability protections for health care providers through March 28, 2022. At the time of SB 72’s passage in March 2021, no one anticipated we would still be dealing with COVID-19 and its variants, but it has quickly become evident that liability protections must be extended so we continue to protect our front-line health care heroes. If you want to know more, email Carolyn Johnson at cjohnson@flchamber.com.
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Florida's Latest Data on Safety, Health & Sustainability |
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According to the Florida Chamber Safety Council's Florida Workplace Safety Report released in 2020,
Safety: Workplace fatalities are on the rise in Florida with the construction industry leading the way with the most fatal injuries ranked number 34 in the country with 531 fatalities from a total of 1,950 fatalities in Florida from 2011 to 2018. The greatest number of these are caused by falls, slips, and trips at 209 fatalities. Florida’s rate in 2018, 4.03 fatalities per 100,000 workers, was higher than the national average of 3.84 deaths per 100,000 workers. The rate for Florida has increased from a rate of 3.32 in 2011. OSHA requires that employers provide the necessary trainings to all employees that are exposed or potentially exposed to any hazards within the workplace. Download our Safety Means Success Video Campaign - Construction Safety Partner Tool here and watch our educational construction videos for employers here and employees here.
Health: Florida has the 7th-lowest level of diagnosed depression in the country where in 2018 CDC survey, Florida residents had a rate of depression of 15.6 percent. A workplace injury could lead to the loss of work and then to problems with depression and poor physical health. Conversely, poor physical and mental health can increase the risk of workplace injuries. Depression is a growing concern in America in which about 20 percent of the population has been officially diagnosed with depression by a health care provider.
Sustainability: Energy intensity is a measure of the energy efficiency of an economy. Calculated as units of energy per unit of GSP, higher energy intensities indicate the state’s economy requires high levels of energy usage. Alternatively, low energy intensities indicate an economy that is less reliant on energy. Florida ranks 14th lowest in the nation. The Florida economy is less reliant on energy to operate when compared to other states.
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2022 Southeastern Leadership Conference on Safety, Health + Sustainability |
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March 30 - April 1, 2022
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Can't miss Keynote speakers include...
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Mike Rowe
Host, Dirty Jobs
Mike Rowe WORKS Foundation
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Bill Yeargin
CEO
Correct Craft
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Mark Robinson
Comedian/Magician
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Event Features:
- Earn CEUs
- Live Music & Door Prizes
- Nearly two dozen breakout sessions
- Exhibit Hall of Top Safety Products and Services
Registration Opening Soon!
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US Department of Labor extends comment period for COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has extended the comment period for the COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard to Jan. 19, 2022. OSHA extended the comment period by 45 days to allow stakeholders additional time to review the ETS and collect information and data necessary for comment. Read full news release here.
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Mental Health with Dr. Aaron Weiner |
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We have partnered with mental health expert Dr. Aaron Weiner to offer a sequence of live mental hygiene training webinars that we can tailor specifically to your business’s needs. Your employees will learn actionable strategies about how to promote their mental wellbeing, improving their quality of life and improving their performance at work.
Trainings include:
- Building Trust Though Empathetic Communication
- Modern Tools for Mental Health
- Recognizing Mental Health Problems in Yourself and Others
- Mindfulness and Meditation 101
- Reasonable Suspicion Training
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Up to 40% Off Ladder Safety Training |
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According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the improper use of ladders is ranked number 3 in the Top 10 violations in America accounting for 2,026 cited violations in the workplace in 2021. That equates to 5.6 citations issued every day to Employers on this subject matter.
Join the Florida Chamber Safety Council as we educate organizations on the OSHA standards and requirements and best safety practices to lower workplace injuries and eliminate fatalities. The Florida Chamber Safety Council is dedicated to keeping Florida's workers safe and has declared December Ladder Safety Month.
The Florida Chamber Safety Council is offering Florida's job creators up to 40% off* our Ladder Safety Training if booked during the month of December.
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Florida Chamber Safety Advisory Board
Thank You to the Visionary Companies and Leaders who are Working Together to Create a Culture of Safety, Healthy and Sustainability across Florida
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Florida Chamber Safety Council
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