Welcome to the January issue of the Safety Suzy Newsletter!
| | | | SEASON'S GREETINGS! As 2024 comes to a close, we hope you're embracing the holiday spirit and preparing for a bright and successful New Year. This month's newsletter is packed with important updates to keep you informed as we head into 2025. The New York minimum wage is set to increase again as of January 1st to $16.50/h. We also offer clarity on NYSDOL prevailing wage rulings and share EPA’s newly updated air quality standards. At FEDTC we've been hard at work delivering top-notch safety training this year and we're gearing up for an even busier 2025. Be sure to visit our website (or course schedule at the bottom of this page) to explore upcoming training opportunities and secure your spot today! On December 3, 2024, EPA announced Part 2 of the evaluation of legacy issues for asbestos. See the highlights below and read our blog post regarding this important finding. From all of us, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! If you have any questions or comments, please reply to this email.
| | | | | Under Review: OSHA PPE Fit Requirements | | OSHA’s final rule on fit requirements for personal protective equipment in construction is undergoing a final review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The rule is supposed to better protect workers, but it's not expected to increase employers’ costs or compliance burdens. | | | | | | | Save the Date: PACNY 2025 February 27-28, Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York. FEDTC will be sponsoring the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York’s (PACNY’s) Environmental Conference again this year! In addition, Angelo Garcia, iII will be moderating a distinguished panel discussing the importance and differences of asbestos inspections (surveys). The panel will consist of Tom Laubenthal of TGL Consulting and the ASTM E2356 Chairman, Chris Alonge from DASNY, Marc Rutstein from Env. Consulting & Mgmt. Services, and Matt Brooks from IAR. This is your reminder to book your spot and not miss this important panel discussion. We've attended and sponsored the conference for many, many years and have found it to be one of the most educational and informative environmental abatement conferences. | | | | | | Access to Health Benefits Reduces Work Absences in Women | | | |
Research from the Integrated Benefits Institute has found that women who use their employer-provided health benefits miss fewer days at work. The survey included 1,000 women from across industries to explore how they feel about health benefits: - 89% say that health benefits have positive influence on workplace satisfaction;
- preventative care was the most commonly used benefit (used by 63% of women);
- Time constraints, cost and scheduling difficulties were the biggest issues for accessing health benefits.
| | | | Protect Outdoor Workers from Extreme Weather Conditions | | | | Extreme weather hazards in the workplace significantly increase the risk of accidents, illnesses, and decreased productivity, while also driving up workers' compensation claims and insurance costs. To address these challenges, NYSDOL has issued guidance and best practices for protecting outdoor workers in extreme conditions like high temperatures, poor air quality, and heavy precipitation, as part of the state’s Extreme Heat Action Plan.
| | | | 47% of Young Business Owners Wish They Prioritized Worker Safety Early On | | | | | | | Research from YouGov PLC, on behalf of Pie Insurance, has found that nearly half (47%) of young small-business owners (500 or fewer employees) regret not having emphasized worker safety when they were starting the business. Only 30% of all respondents feel the same way.
Pie Insurance issued a quick checklist for small-business owners to improve worker safety: - Establish reporting procedures for injuries, illnesses, incidents, hazards, and safety and health concerns.
- Provide comprehensive workplace training on risks to physical and mental health.
- Encourage open dialogue about mental health and offer access to resources for coping mechanisms and support.
- Identify and address workplace stressors that may contribute to mental health concerns.
- Encourage worker feedback and incorporate their suggestions for safety measures.
- Educate workers on emergency response plans and procedures, as well as security and response procedures in the event of workplace violence.
| | | | | | | | OSHA: Arc Flashes Guidance Arc flashes, also known as electric arcs, are electrical explosions that produce temperatures greater than 35,000 F—“nearly four times the temperature of the surface of the sun,” the guidance notes—along with shrapnel, concussive forces, and deafening sounds. Items within a three-foot radius of an arc flash are likely to burn, melt, or vaporize, though most injuries from arc flashes result from the ignition of flammable clothing. OSHA’s guidance identifies several hazards that may lead to arc flashes, including faulty electrical equipment, operating equipment beyond its rated capacity, lack of proper warning systems, and inadequate personal protective equipment. The guidance recommends that employers use multiple calculation methods and implement the most conservative. | | | | | | Prevailing Wage Ruling Doesn't Apply to These Jobs | | Many consultants may have received emails about penalties or disqualification for not registering with the New NYSDOL Contractor and Subcontractor Registry. However, this registry is only mandatory for businesses with employees subject to New York State Prevailing Wage requirements. Most consultants are not required to register. Specifically, asbestos inspectors, project monitors, and asbestos air sampling technicians are not covered under these rules, as their job titles are not listed in the NYS Prevailing Wages system. For further clarification, you can use the DOL Prevailing Wages Search Tool or contact the Bureau of Public Work at (518) 457-5589. | | | | | 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. | | | | | | EPA Lowers PM2.5 Standards | | | | EPA recently lowered its air quality standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), putting extra pressure on industries to implement more advanced air quality monitoring solutions. The allowable concentration has been lowered from 12 µg/m³ to 9 µg/m³, marking a 25% reduction. This is the EPA’s first update to PM2.5 standards since 2012, something that has been a long-time coming considering the mounting evidence of the adverse effects poor air quality has on people's health. PM2.5, or particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers, can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing serious health issues such as respiratory diseases and heart attacks.
| | | | Construction Safety Resources | | | | New York's Minimum Wage to Increase from January 1st | | | | As of January 1, 2025, New York’s minimum wage will increase again as part of a multi-year plan. In New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, the minimum wage will rise to $16.50 per hour. For the rest of the state, it will increase to $15.50 per hour. These updates follow the January 2024 changes and are designed to help workers manage rising costs and inflation.
| | | | | | Ensure your paycheck reflects these new rates starting January. Workers not seeing the increase are encouraged to file a wage complaint with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) at 833-910-4378 or through their website. With additional increases planned through 2026 and inflation-based adjustments starting in 2027, these changes aim to support New Yorkers in maintaining their purchasing power amid economic shifts | | | |
OSHA Courses (Online & In-person): - AHERA/OSHA Asbestos Awareness
- OSHA/NYSDOL 4-hr Apprentice Asbestos Awareness (NEW) - Online
- 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
Mold Courses: - Keeping Your Family Safe Mold Awareness - Online
- Mold in Construction Awareness Course - Online
- Mold Assessment Initial
- Jan 10-15, 8:30 AM - 5:45 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- Mold Remediation/Supervisor Initial
- Jan 10-14, 8:30 AM - 5:45 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- Mold Abatement Worker Initial
- Jan 10-13, 8:30 AM - 5:45 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- NYS Mold Refresher
- Jan 9, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- Feb 14, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Virtual
Asbestos Courses: - AHERA/OSHA Asbestos Awareness Course - Online
- OSHA/NYSDOL 4-hr Apprentice Asbestos Awareness (NEW) - Online
- NYCDEP Handler/Supervisor Exam Prep - Online
- NYCDEP Investigator Exam Prep - Online
- AHERA LEA's Designated Person Training - Online
- NYS/NYC Asbestos Inspector Refresher
- Jan 22, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- Feb. 7, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Virtual
- Asbestos Management Planner Refresher
- Jan 22, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- Asbestos Supervisor Refresher
- Jan 18, 08:00 - 4:00 PM, Watral Brother, Inc
- Jan 21, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- Feb 6, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- Asbestos Project Monitor Refresher
- Jan 8, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, FEDTC's Syosset
- Jan 28, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Virtual
- Asbestos Project Designer Refresher
- Jan 27, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Virtual
- Feb 18, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Northport Power Plant
For the most current schedule and additional courses, please visit Future Environment Designs' website. 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! | | | | |