Safety
Posts Tagged Safety
We all know that the wearing of masks is an essential element in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As with many safety precautions, however, the specifics of what is required continues to evolve relative to masks, and employers need to keep up with the evolving legal requirements as well as public health and other guidance.
Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) redefined “close contact” for purposes of potential higher risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Until yesterday, the CDC had defined closed contact generally as 15 consecutive minutes within six (6) feet of someone who having (or suspected as having) COVID-19. The operative word for this blog is “consecutive.”
When the pandemic first hit hard in the United States—a lifetime ago, early March—we focused on travel from China, then South Korea, then Italy and so on. Our focus was on the quarantine of employees who had engaged in international travel.
This 2019 SHRM Annual Conference & Exposition interview is with Atlas Injury Prevention Solutions, or Atlas IPS. Below is a quick Q&A with the company.
Customer Loyalty
Loyalty. It's an important word in business. There’s a lot of talk about increasing customer loyalty. Businesses know that keeping a customer is much more important and less expensive than gaining them. Reducing customer churn is vital for growth in a competitive world.
This year something that had once been an academic exercise became a reality. Myself and a few other managers in our building were asked to come to a conference room and we did not know why. A very senior manager in another department gave us a “heads up” that one of her employees, a medical trainee, was being stalked and threatened. This behavior was also exhibited towards another one of her employees.
Many of us have read through FMLA paperwork describing things we can do to assist our employees with acute or chronic pain. These instructions may ask us to pad the floor by their desks or give extended breaks to allow employees to rest their impacted area(s) of pain.
As a result of the “great awakening” last year of the persistence and pervasiveness of sexual harassment, we all know that more must be done to tackle this scourge. Companies are looking to enhance their preventive efforts, and, of course, that must start at the top.
Christmas tree fires account for an average of 200 house fires every year and 37% of those occur in January. I am reminded this time of year that it is time to check the batteries in my smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Early in my career I was part of the team that treated patients after they had been exposed to the colorless and odorless carbon monoxide gas.
“Don’t hand me no lines, and keep your hands to yourself.” Way back in 1986 (that was 31 years ago, can you believe it?), the Georgia Satellites summed it up pretty well. But apparently not everyone was listening.
For the past few years, I have told the changing holiday tale of the Jewish Guy Who Wears A Chai. Together, we have taken a journey on how we can maximize the joy and minimize the myriad risks of the holiday season.
I have had this argument for close to two decades. I even had a lengthily discussion a few years ago with a former CEO who stated that HR should embrace these types of activities.
Well based on my last comment you know that I am not in favor, however let’s have a good discussion on the topic…
I have seen it all when it comes to Halloween in the office. From nothing to all out costume and Halloween Parties with drunken pirates and everything in-between. So, what should HR allow and where is the line in the sand?
So, let’s start with your actual work environment. Here are a few quick questions to ask:
Are customers or clients regularly on-site or are you sheltered from contact?