In This Issue:
Upcoming and Recorded Webinars
New Training
Governor Mandates Face Masks for all Essential Employees
Governor Cuomo Orders Employers to Provide Essential Workers with Masks
Governor Cuomo has issued an Executive Order directing employers to provide essential workers with masks, free of charge, to wear when directly interacting with the public. The hope is to prevent those who have the virus, but no symptoms, from infecting others.

The order, which takes effect Wednesday evening, states:

"For all essential businesses or entities, any employees who are present in the workplace shall be provided and shall wear face coverings when in direct contact with customers or members of the public. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings for their employees. This provision may be enforced by local governments or local law enforcement as if it were an order pursuant to section 12 or 12-b of the Public Health Law.  This requirement shall be effective Wednesday, April 15 at 8 p.m. "
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued the following guidance on Decontamination and Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators (FFRs). Decontamination and subsequent reuse of FFRs should only be practiced as a crisis capacity strategy. This document summarizes research about decontamination of FFRs before reuse.

CDC recommends  wearing cloth face coverings in public settings. CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.  For guidance on cloth face coverings, click here.
The Empire Chapter, in partnership with the American Safety Council, is pleased to offer two no-cost certifications for our members. Now, through the end of June, members can take the following courses and receive certifications in:

Handwashing is a critical aspect of infection control, which aims to prevent or stop the spread of disease in health care settings. This training is vital for all workers.   CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus, such as the H1N1 virus, emerges and begins to spread as quickly as the ordinary flu. Global pandemics can cause millions of deaths and significant societal disruptions, but their effects can be mitigated.
That is why it is critical for the world to quickly identify emerging pandemics and delay their spread until countermeasures are developed. With proper knowledge of pandemic influenza and how it occurs, you can do your part to slow the spread of disease and safeguard public health. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

This 10-hour Video training course is a convenient way for workers to learn about workplace safety, hazard avoidance, workers' rights, filing an OSHA complaint and more.

This training is interactive with class and instructor. You will need to have access to any web-enabled device (like a smartphone or a laptop).

Dates: April 21 & 22, 2020
Time: 8:00am -1:30pm
Must attend both days!

$100 per person training fee


FULL PAYMENT IS DUE AT REGISTRATION
Keep Your Workers Trained and on the Payroll

The Empire Chapter hopes our members are staying healthy and safe during the COVID-19 crisis. We understand that many members may be looking for ways to keep their workforce productive during these ever evolving times.

As always, we can assist with online training and web based learning on a number of different safety topics, including:

OSHA 10 / OSHA 30 / Construction Industry
Asbestos/ Lead & Mold awareness
Electrical Safety
Fall Protection
Lockout / Tagout
Hazardous Communication
Ladder safety
Electrical Safety
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Silica Awareness
Work Zone Safety
Work Place Safety

If you are interested in discussing or setting up training for your employees, please contact Amy Platenik: platenik@abcnys.org  or call 585-363-1657
 
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Time: 3:00 p.m EDT
Length: 60 minutes
Speakers:  Calvin Beyer, Cobb Strecker Dunphy Zimmerman (CSDZ); Gary Clevenger MS, CSP, RRE, CNA; Kevin Sell, United Group Services; Michelle Walker, SPHR, SSC Underground
 
Moderator:  Greg Sizemore, ABC National
 
WEBINAR DESCRIPTION
ABC Members Only
A panel of industry, safety and mental health experts will discuss proactive strategies your organization can take to address total human health on your projects, including signs and symptoms and available resources your company and your employees can access to ensure a mentally healthy work environment.
 
Date: Thursday, April 16
Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT
 Speakers: Matt Abeles, ABC National; Jeff Sample, eSUB; Karl Sorensen, Blue Collar Labs

Which technologies can help your business succeed during the coronavirus pandemic—and immediately improve your bottom line when you are back up and running at full capacity? Hear about collaborative technologies that will improve productivity and learn which solutions could work best for different contractors. Plus, discover simple tech solutions you can implement to jumpstart and help scale your business your business after we overcome the COVID-19 challenge.


Supplemental Unemployment Plans can provide compensation to employees beyond state unemployment insurance during lay off periods. SUB plans can help ease the financial stress of layoffs, generate peace of mind and worker loyalty, and offer significant tax advantages compared to severance pay.

To learn more, click here to listen to DirectAdvisors podcast where they discuss how a SUB plan can be beneficial in such a difficult time.
The Empire Chapter is offering a library of recorded webinars from both ABC National and our Empire Chapter Professional Services Committee. To view previous recordings, click on the title of the webinar, below:















*To access ABC National’s recorded webinars you must apply for a login
Cornerstone Training Institute
Offers Three Web Based
COVID-19 Training Courses
2 Hour COVID-19 Awareness
This brief awareness level training is geared for employees that will be returning to the workplace and will be responsible for light cleaning and disinfection in their work space. The objective of this course is to raise the awareness of COVID-19 with factual information and simple steps that employees can take to avoid spreading the disease within the workplace and spreading it home
$65/pp (group discounts always apply)
 
April 16 8:00 am -10:00 am
April 16 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
April 17 8:00 am - 10:00 am
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4 Hour COVID-19 Disinfection Worker Certification
This half day session is geared toward janitorial, custodial, cleaning and remediation contractors and employees that are working diligently with the main focus of deep-cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and entire facilities. This training touches on Hazard Communications and Personal Protective Equipment, however, it is highly recommended that individuals that attend the class have some additional experience and training in a remediation field. This course isn't intended to meet and OSHA requirements.
$105/pp (group discounts always apply)
 
April 15 8:00 am -12:00 pm
April 15 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
April 22 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
April 22 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
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8 Hour COVID-19 Disinfection Supervisor Certification
This in depth, full day interactive seminar is the perfect event for building & grounds managers, property managers, construction project managers, custodial managers, remediation managers, and many more. We will cover in depth, the importance for creating and implementing an effective cleaning and disinfection regimen. We will discuss the various classifications of exposure (per OSHA) and how to manage this within your facility. The program will discuss what situations you might consider bringing in a professional decontamination/disinfection contractor, such as if there is a positive COVID-19 case in the workplace. The multitude of disinfection methods will be discussed in depth. We will also discuss a way to effectively communicate to all building occupants about the serious measure that the facility is taking.
$175 (group discounts always apply)
 
April 20 8:00 am - 3:30pm
April 21 8:00 am - 3:30pm
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To register, call: 585-319-3625 email: dyehl@ctiny.com

Essential Employee Verification Letter
With the New York PAUSE Act enforcing tighter restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, employees may need to provide evidence that they work for an essential business.

The Empire Chapter is providing this fillable template for members to provide to their employees in the event that they are asked for proof of employment with an essential business.
New York Offers a Free Mental Health Hotline to Help with the Emotional Trauma of the Coronavirus
On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo announced the creation of a free mental health hotline for New Yorkers. It is staffed by thousands of mental health professionals, all volunteers.

Anyone can call the hotline and schedule an appointment with a mental health professional for free. Callers to the hotline will hear an introduction to the "New York State COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline," and then will be directed to a trained volunteer.

You can reach the hotline at 1-844-863-9314 .