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From the Desk of the CEO
Welcome to 2018, each year seems to go just a little bit faster! With the New Year comes change. As you will see in the newsletter, there are many. Policy review is necessary, now more than ever. Two TSS staff members are experts in policy review and rewrite. Jo McGuire and Ginny Clay stand ready to get your policy up to date with the expanded opiates language.
Auditors will be particularly sensitive to reviewing the policy and the communication of the policy to employees. I suggest you work on that right away to avoid problems later. DER's are now required to subscribe to the ODAPC website. Collectors have some new regs to follow regarding shy bladder and MRO's and laboratories have updates, as well.
TSS has some changes also. We are re-working the random program management system. With the new updated version, your results will now be available to you via the web portal. Many of you have requested this ability and within the next couple of weeks, it will be realized. We hope you will utilize this system, provided at no cost to you. You should also be able to review your employee list and make necessary updates. It's exciting to be able to give the DER's the ability to know within a click, the status of the drug testing program of the company.
By now, you should have received and returned your 2018 enrollment contract. Our contracts expire on 12/31 annually. We do keep every company active for a brief period of time after 12/31. That allows for vacationers to return and catch up on the paperwork. I
f you have sent it in already, thank you! If you have not, please let me know how we can assist you in the completion of that paperwork. We are happy to do so.
Our Safety Division is working hard to keep people safe. It is worth noting that time spent on education of employees about their workplace safety, saves time and money. In
2016, OSHA reports that workplace accidents cost U.S. employers over $1 BILLION per week in direct workman's comp claims, alone. TSS staff can assist you with policy, training collateral, and provide a trainer, should you desire that. The webinar series is especially helpful when you cannot attend in person.
Our Training Toolbox is very popular with employers. You choose the topics, we build your custom program and provide the training materials. Toolbox training puts 12 months of safety meetings in your hands right away. We're working hard to bring safety to you via multiple avenues, allowing you to choose what works best for you and your employees. Call our safety coordinator, Ron McKinley, to find a safety training method that works for you.
Harassment in the Workplace. It's in the news every single day.
And I hope you are preparing to update your policy and communicate the requirements to your staff. There is plenty to talk about in this arena and TSS will be holding training via web and in person on January 23, 2018.
Details are located in this newsletter. We can also provide company specific training based on your policies. Do this training. Do not wait, do not procrastinate. This is important for your team.
I wish for a safe and prosperous 2018 for all. I encourage you to call me with any questions or concerns about anything. As your safety partner, I stand ready to take action to ensure that everyone goes home whole, at the end of the day.
Best Wishes for a Safe and Productive 2018!
Renee Schofield
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New D.O.T. rules went into effect as of
January 1
st
, 2018
, if you missed this important info, you can find the update by
clicking here
.
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By: Eric Bartholomew & Jo McGuire
January 23rd
$29 per person
Defining types of harassment, what it is and what it is NOT will help update your company policy, training requirements for employees and appropriate responses. (60 min)
You, the D.E.R.
By: Jo McGuire
February 13, 2018
$75 per person
If you receive the drug & alcohol testing results for your company, you are required to know the responsibilities outlined in 49 CFR Part 40. We'll cover the rules, random selection, document retention and much more! Certificates of completion will be given for attending this course. (90 min)
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All webinars are
10:00 am AK Time
1:00 pm CS Time
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To register, please email:
or call:
217.223.2300
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Questions about your random pool?
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We've added a Q&A sheet to our website that we think you will find very helpful!
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Moira Mareko
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Moira is the newest employee in our Juneau office and brings great energy to the team!
Moira has lived in Juneau for 8 years and has been blessed with one lovely 6-year-old! She's always up for an adventure and enjoys working out, having girl's nights, going to the movies with the kids, and most importantly she shares a passion for bingo! Moira loves to help people and her dream goal is to either become a teacher or a nurse. Although she has not taken the first step, her confidence level is increasing, and she plans to take some classes in the near future to make her dreams a reality! We are pleased to have Moira as part of the TSS crew and look forward to embracing her positivity!
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S
AFETY CORNER
TIPS TO PREVENT FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA
Eric Bartholomew, CPC, BAT
With the cold winter weather comes many health and safety risks, that are not always visible to the naked eye. Cold stress can be a fatal threat to each and every one of us who work in freezing temperatures (whether outdoors, or indoors). With that said, let's review some safety tips to prevent cold stress and cold-related illness and injury:
- BE AWARE OF THE SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHERMIA (AND TRAIN YOUR EMPLOYEES, WHERE APPLICABLE)
- Signs and symptoms of hypothermia include: cool skin, slowed or irregular breathing, slower heartbeat, weak pulse, uncontrollable shivering, severe shaking, rigid muscles, drowsiness, exhaustion, slurred speech, and memory lapse.
- Frostbite signs and symptoms include: paleness of the skin, sensation of coldness of pain, pain disappearing with the freezing of tissue, tissues becoming whiter and harder.
- USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM WHEN WORKING IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES
- Always work with a partner when working in freezing conditions, so you may monitor each other for potential danger signs.
- MAKE EFFORT TO TIME YOUR OURDOOR/COLD WEATHER WORK DURING THE WARMEST PART OF THE DAY
- Pace yourself; when and where possible, check the weather forecast and plan to work during what should be the warmest portion of the day.
- LAYER CLOTHING
- Several thick layers of clothing will protect your body better than one or two thicker layers. Choose synthetic fabrics to avoid absorption of sweat.
- For outer layers of clothing, chose fabrics made of waterproof and wind-resistant material.
- WEAR APPROPROATE/JOB-REQUIRED PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
- Warm gloves, hats, coats, hoods are a must. Make sure all areas of skin are protected.
- Make sure footwear is slip-resistant and offers ample room to wear multiple pairs of socks.
- EAT AND DRINK HOT FOODS AND LIQUIDS
- Consume warm, sweet beverages. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. It is important to stay hydrated in cold temperatures, just as it is in hot temperatures.
- WEAR EYE PROTECTION
- Excessive ultraviolet rays, in combination with ice or snow, make eye protection a must. Know what conditions you will be exposed to (glare, blowing snow, etc.) and make sure your eyes are protected with the proper eyewear.
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By: Christina Boernson
I found this particular Q&A valuable because our local DER's often have questions about DOT policies and this was a very informational tool we can refer to.
ยง40.21
QUESTION:
If an employee fails to provide a sufficient amount of urine during an observed collection, can an employer remove the employee from performing safety-sensitive functions pending receipt of the verified result from the Medical Review Officer (MRO)?
ANSWER:
* The Department believes an employee's failing to provide a sufficient amount of urine during a directly observed collection is very similar to a laboratory's reporting a positive, adulterated, or substituted test result to MRO.
* While we do not believe it is appropriate for an employer to remove the employee from safety-sensitive duties until receiving the MRO's verified result, we think stand-down waiver provisions could be relevant.
* Therefore, employers can apply for a stand-down waiver that would permit the employee to be removed from safety-sensitive duties when he or she does not provide an adequate amount of urine during an observed collection.
* The waiver request would need to meet all criteria outlined at 40.21 and should reference the fact that it is for standing an employee down who fails to provide an adequate amount of urine during an observed collection.
* The 40.21 waiver request for laboratory positive, adulterated, and substituted results will continue to be evaluated separately.
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We offer world-class education and screening services for workplace and community safety.
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120 Carlanna Lake Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901 * 907-247-1431
8800 Glacier Hwy #105, Juneau, AK 99801 * 907-523-8402
501 Main St, Craig, AK 99927 * 877-225-1431 [APPT. ONLY]
906 Main St, Keokuk, IA 52632 * 319-524-5051
416-R N 24th St, Quincy, IL 62301 * 217-223-2300
18 Northport Plaza, Hannibal, MO 63401 * 217-223-2300 [APPT. ONLY]
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