Welcome to the May issue of the Safety Suzy Newsletter!
| | | | As spring is in full swing, we bring you a bucketload of industry news, updates and some good-to-know stories. On May 13, EPA is holding a webinar on asbestos risk evaluations (more on this below). Law changes also require homeowners in New York to disclose full property history to new buyers, putting extra strain on agents and sellers. The Safety Training 2024 survey results are in. Companies still invest significantly in safety training primarily to avoid injuries and illnesses. We share more of the findings below.
Read on for more industry news and updates on our safety courses. | | | | | | Webinar: May 13, 3PM ET, Risk Evaluation for Asbestos | | On April 15th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Risk Evaluation for Asbestos, Part 2, inviting public comment. This part focuses on evaluating legacy uses and associated disposals of asbestos, including various fiber types like chrysotile asbestos. Those interested in providing feedback during the webinar are encouraged to email Chloe Durand ([email protected]) by May 7, 2024 | | | | Apply for Asbestos Variance via MPWR | | You can now apply for asbestos variance using the Management System for Protecting Workers’ Rights (MPWR). This completely online system speeds up the application process and makes information about applications readily available. This way applicants can submit all necessary documents online and receive real-time updates about the status of their application. To apply online, click here. As of June 1, NYSDOL will only accept variances by the MPWR system or by mail. | | | | | | | | Safety Walkarounds for Managers | | OSHA has released a guide on how managers can prepare and perform safety walkarounds to inspect the workplace, identify hazards and communicate with workers. To download the guide click here. | | | | Fighting Cancer: Over 10,000 Firefighters Registered | | It’s been one year since NIOSH launched the National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer. Research has shown that firefighting can increase the risk of certain types of cancer, but many knowledge gaps remain. If you've ever served as a firefighter you can still sign up to share your experience and help researchers understand why some firefighters develop cancer and why others don't. | | | | | | | 2024 Safety Training Survey Results are IN | | | |  | | | The latest survey results by Safety + Health Magazine on training in construction are in. Here are the key findings this year: - Majority of businesses (82%) rely on custom content whereas 69% use off-the-shelf and 68% use external vendors;
- Instructor-led classroom training is still the leading format with 88%;
- 91% of respondents say that reducing injuries or illnesses is primary reason for training;
- Almost a third of respondents (27%) spent less than $5,000 on training while 15% spent $100,000 or more;
- Almost half of respondents (45%) spent less than $200 per learner and 30% spent $200-$499.
- The training budget either remained the same or increased for 90% of respondents;
| | | | | | | | | Plants Can Improve Indoor Air Quality | |  | | Most of us spend about 90% of our time indoors, so indoor air quality is of paramount importance for our physical and mental wellbeing. Our air should be made up mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, argon and very small amounts of carbon dioxide, but this is rarely actually the case. Not only are there elevated levels of carbon dioxide, but there is also some pretty nasty stuff mixed in there, including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide. This can be even worse when we open our windows for some fresh air and find that we are actually letting more pollutants in. House plants can help through the process of photosynthesis where they capture carbon dioxide and release oxygen in the air. Some plants can also capture nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants. Popular plants here are peace lilly, aloe vera and the weeping fig. | | | | | | | | New Law Requires Home Owners to Disclose Property History | | | | | Until recently, home sellers in New York were able to avoid disclosing property history by giving buyers a $500 credit. However, recent changes to the Property Condition Disclosure Act has removed this option and it also added additional seven questions around the property's flood history and insurance requirements. As a result, sellers are now responsible for answering 56 questions on topics ranging from their home’s history of fire and flood damage to any defects in electrical, heating or plumbing systems. This means that homeowners would need to be cautious when putting their property up for sale to avoid possible lawsuits. | | | | | | | | | Use SafetySuzy10FEDTC at checkout to get 10% off of any of our health and safety courses. Don't forget that our loyal customers get 15% off, so please get in touch if you'd like to find out more. | | | | | | | CDC Releases New COVID Isolation Guidance | | | | In March CDC released new guidance on isolation for those suffering from respiratory airborne diseases which brings COVID-19 to the same levels of precautions applied for the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This removes the need for a 5-day quarantine if you're suffering with COVID-19. Instead, anyone who has any form of respiratory disease needs to: - stay home and away from others; -you can go back to work when you have not had fever for 24h and your symptoms have been improving overall. When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
| | | | | Could Your Cleaning Products Be Giving You Asthma? | | | | Three hundred and sixty million people suffer from asthma globally. In the U.S., 17% of adult-onset asthma cases are related to occupational exposure. Recent findings show that the incidence is much higher with cleaning and maintenance workers. In fact, studies show that there are over 400 agents which are associated with occupational asthma. | | | | | | To mitigate the risk of developing asthma, employers can: - Provide workers with personal protective equipment while paying close attention to respiratory protection.
- Ensure that properly ventilated workspaces are available.
- Provide workers with training and awareness for safe handling and use of cleaning products.
- Make safety data sheets available for all cleaning products.
- Consider implementing regular respiratory screening and medical monitoring for all cleaning and maintenance workers.
| | | | | | Important Links | |
Upcoming FEDTC Courses (virtual, in-person, online).
FED Creates Asbestos Air Sampling Tables That Can be Used In the Field or the Office
Order Here!
ELEVATE YOUR SAFETY PROGRAMS with SiteDocs and Future Environment Designs. Contact SiteDocs here. "Do As I Say, Not As I Did! What I've Learned After 30-Years of Being in Business" - book by Angelo Garcia III
Order Here!
FEDTC Training Library: Click Here to access our Library.
Additional Resources
FEDTC’s Recent Blogpost:
New York Asbestos LinkedIn Group Recent Discussion:
Drug offers "wonderful" breakthrough in treatment of asbestos-linked cancer. Join the conversation and become a member of a thriving group of health and safety professionals.
| | | | | | | OSHA courses (Online & In-person): - OSHA Respirator User
- OSHA Crystalline Silica Standard for Workers
- OSHA Hazard Communication
- OSHA Hazard Communication plus NYS Right-to-Know
- Covid-19 Awareness Course
- Respirator Hierarchy
- Lead in Construction Awareness Course
- Mold in Construction Awareness Course
- Blood-borne Pathogen 4-Hour Course
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Course
- May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 18, &June 25, 7:45 AM - 2:00 PM
Mold courses: - Keeping Your Family Safe Mold Awareness - Online
- NYS Mold Refresher
May 10, Aug 1 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, GoToMeeting
Jun 14, Jul 19, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
Asbestos courses (check our website for the full schedule of upcoming refresher courses): - Asbestos Awareness Course - Online
- NYCDEP Handler/Supervisor Exam Prep - Online
- NYCDEP Investigator Exam Prep - Online
- AHERA LEA's Designated Person Training - Online
- Asbestos Inspector Initial
Jun 10-12, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset - Asbestos Inspector Refresher
Jul 2, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, FEDTC Syosset
May 9, Jun 17, Jul 9, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, GoToMeeting - NYS/NYC Asbestos Handler/Worker Refresher
Jun 1, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Westchester County
- NYS Asbestos Project Sampling Technician Refresher
May 13, Jul 17, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
Jun 4, Jul 8, 8:30 Am - 12:30 PM, GoToMeeting
- Asbestos Management Planner Refresher
May 9, Jun 17, Jul 9, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, GoToMeeting - Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor Initial
Jun 24-28, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset - Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor Refresher
Jun 7, Jul 15, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset - Asbestos Project Monitor Refresher
May 13, Jul 17, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
Jun 4, Jul 8, 8:30 Am - 4:30 PM, GoToMeeting - Asbestos Operations and Maintenance Refresher
Jun 1, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Westchester County
Jul 12, 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Suffolk County - Asbestos Project Designer Refresher
May 8, Jun 3 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, GoToMeeting
Please click on the individual courses' link to discover more dates!
| | | | Don't Forget Our Referral Program! If you refer asbestos, indoor air quality, or OSHA training to us we will provide you with a 5% discount on any training you book with us. This would be in addition to any other discounts we provide. Thank you to those who have taken advantage of this! | | | | | |  | | |
