FMCSA Considering Inclusion of Hair Testing Results in Drug Clearinghouse
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Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Acting Administrator Jim Mullen said the agency is considering whether carriers should include positive drug tests obtained via hair follicle testing in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Speaking during the Truckload Carriers Association's (TCA) Virtual Safety and Security Meeting, he noted that almost 24,000 positive test results have been entered since the clearinghouse launched in January. "It's good news in that 24,000 individuals that have tested positive are not able to circumvent the system by not telling a future employer they tested positive at a former employer," Mullen said. "So, that obviously was the intent of the clearinghouse — to prevent that sort of trucking company shopping, if you will, and hiding your past." FMCSA, he said, also is looking at requiring only partial versus full queries for drivers, citing an exemption that was given to the Motion Picture Association. In terms of broker transparency, Mullen acknowledged petitions asking for rule-making, particularly the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association's request that the transfer of this data be automatic within 48 hours of the completion of the load or transaction and that the provisions contained within regulation 371.3 can't be contractually waived. He added that FMCSA plans to do an open comment period on the matter and cautioned that other government agencies were also looking at the issue.
(Source: NLBMDA Workplace Safety & Risk Management Update, June 2020)
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Tackle heat stress hazards
What can I do to mitigate the risk of heat stress in a hard-to-cool environment?
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Every year, thousands of workers are exposed to excessive heat as a result of environmental conditions, workload, machinery output and personal protective equipment. This heat exposure can lead to lack of focus, heat illness and even death. Agencies such as OSHA implement guidelines and regulations to ensure heat-related prevention practices are in place to protect workers. Ultimately, however, heat-related illness prevention is most effective when management commits to identifying and reducing exposure to heat hazards.
It’s important to have proactive measures in place to mitigate heat. Here are some basics:
- Rest. Water. Shade. Workers must be provided water, scheduled breaks for rest, and a shaded area to cool down and recover if they are exposed to outdoor conditions.
- Training and safety plans. All organizations should have an injury and illness prevention program to help identify hazards in the workplace and protect all employees. These plans are not one size fits all and should be tailored to your company’s specific work environment and crew size. Gathering information on current safety rules, policies and practices will help develop a good foundation on which to build a written plan. Go above and beyond to train supervisors on safety planning related to heat safety.
- Knowledge. Make sure workers take the risk seriously by explaining how the body responds to heat and hot conditions. As temperatures rise, the body releases heat more slowly. As humidity increases, sweat evaporation decreases, while stagnant air makes sweat evaporation more difficult. A 2° F increase in body temperature can affect mental functioning, and an increase of 5° F can result in serious illness or death. During hot weather, heat illness may be an underlying cause of heart attacks, falls, equipment-related incidents and other injuries.
- Proactive engineering controls. In environments that are difficult to cool, additional measures may need to be taken. Consider placing a portable evaporative cooler in trouble areas, such as near heat-generating machinery. These devices create cooler air by using ambient air and water, as opposed to a fan that just blows warm, stagnant air. Coolers typically work off a standard 110-volt plug and come in a range of sizes to achieve cooling where it’s needed.
- Plan for acclimatization. Acclimating workers is an important and necessary process. An effective heat acclimatization program gradually increases worker exposure to heat over a seven- to 14-day period. By building up tolerance to the heat, this process can help ensure safety and increase productivity by reducing mistakes made as a result of heat fatigue. In addition, consider adapting worker activity to account for high heat conditions. This could mean scheduling work earlier or later in the day, or implementing work/rest schedules.
Often, heat stress is a hazard that can be prevented by being proactive; ensuring workers and supervisors know the signs of heat stress, the proper procedures and about the resources that are available to them; and implementing tools such as adjusted schedules or portable evaporative coolers in hard-to-cool environments.
(Source: Safety+Health magazine, June 2020)
If you're looking for additional resources, the NLBMDA June issue of Workplace Safety & Risk Management Update recommends OSHA's assessment tools and li st of best practices .
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Recognize Safe + Sound Week, August 10-16, 2020
Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held each August that recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America's workers safe.
Why Participate?
Successful safety and health programs can proactively identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. Participating in Safe + Sound Week can help get your program started, energize an existing one, or provide a chance to recognize your safety successes.
Who Participates?
All organizations looking for an opportunity to recognize their commitment to safety are welcome to participate. Last year, more than 3,300 businesses helped to raise awareness about workers' health and safety!
(Source: OSHA.gov, July 2020)
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