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June 2020 Newsletter                                Volume 12, Issue 6
HASC/UTHealth Reopen Texas: Return to Work the Right Way Webinar Series

The Houston Area Safety Council and the UTHealth School of Public Health have collaborated to host a seven-part complimentary statewide weekly industry-specific webinar series looking at what the immediate future holds for our various industries.

This webinar series is in direct response to Governor Abbott's general guidelines for specific industry sectors to reopen. Each workplace is unique, and now that reopening has begun, employers still harbor many questions on how to implement best practices to ensure the safety of their employees and patrons.

Each webinar will feature a panel of specialists in occupational safety, occupational medicine, risk assessment, and guest panelists who are industry representatives experienced in return to work practices.

Click HERE to register for upcoming webinars or view past webinar recordings.
Houston Area Safety Council & Safety Council Texas City Join Forces
We are proud to announce the business combination of the Houston Area Safety Council and Safety Council Texas City. We will be partnering together to expand service offerings and provide the best experience possible for our members. Uniting allows us to further our mission and serve our industry by expanding our footprint and innovating through collaboration.
SCTC's Extended Hours Schedule to support Marathon GBR Turnaround
  • Extended hours are scheduled for May 29 through June 21.
  • SCTC will be open everyday (including Saturdays and Sundays) from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
  • The Instructor-led ARSC Basic Plus Class will start everyday (including Saturdays and Sundays) at 8:00 AM.
OSHA's New Enforcement Policies Include How to Record COVID-19 Cases - EHS Daily Advisor

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has adopted revised policies for enforcing workplace safety and health requirements as states throughout the country begin lifting stay-at-home restrictions and workplaces reopen. The changes include updated requirements for recording cases of COVID-19.

OSHA has started increasing in-person inspections at all types of workplaces. However, agency staff will continue to prioritize COVID-19 inspections. An updated interim enforcement response plan has been sent to Area Offices and compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) handling COVID-19-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports. The new enforcement memorandum takes effect May 26, rescinding the agency's April 13 memo.

Recording COVID-19 Cases

The agency also updated guidance for recording cases of COVID-19. Employers are responsible for recording cases of COVID-19, if:
  • The case is a confirmed case of COVID-19, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);
  • The case is work-related as defined by 29 CFR §1904.5; and
  • The case involves one or more of the general recording criteria set forth in 29 CFR §1904.7 - death, days away from work, restricted work or transferred to another job, medical treatment beyond first aid, or loss of consciousness.
NSC Outlines 10 Universal Actions Every Employer Must Take to Help Ensure a Safer Reopening - EHS Daily Advisor

Reopening businesses and returning employees to traditional work environments post-quarantine will be the most nuanced and complex actions American employers will undertake in the coming months. To help them prioritize safety during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Safety Council (NSC)-based on recommendations from the SAFER task force-identified the 10 universal actions every employer must consider before reopening and released a series of playbooks with in-depth recommendations for doing so safely.

SAFER-a group of experts from companies of all sizes, leading safety organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and public health organizations-is the first national task force focused on worker safety.

Independence Day Holiday

SCTC will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, in observance of the Independence Day Holiday. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, July 6th.
Safety Council of Texas City
409-948-9009 ext. 404
krobison@csctc.org
http://www.csctc.org