Category: Safety

CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidelines on When to Quarantine

The CDC recently updated its guidelines on when to quarantine following exposure to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. The new guidelines indicate that people who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, excluding people who have had COVID-19 within the past 3 months, should quarantine immediately. It is considered close contact when:

  • You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more;
  • You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19;
  • You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them);
  • You shared eating or drinking utensils; and/or
  • The person sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you.

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine or get tested again for up to 3 months as long as they do not develop symptoms again. People who develop symptoms again within 3 months of their first bout of COVID-19 may need to be tested again if there is no other cause identified for their symptoms.

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Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention in Construction Webinar on December 9 at 12:00 p.m. EST

MCAA and the Allied Trades Assistance Program are partnering to present this webinar addressing mental health issues in the construction industry, such as opioid addiction, suicide, depression, and anxiety. The webinar will highlight how work-related stress and anxiety have overtaken musculoskeletal disorders as the most reported workplace health issue. Mental health issues in construction can be just as dangerous as the industry’s physical hazards. And, according to the CDC, the construction industry is one of the most at-risk industries for suicides. Come join us to learn how to improve outreach, provide support, and remove the stigma associated with mental health issues to help your workers navigate this new hazard. The free webinar will be presented on December 9, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST.

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MCAA and the UA Led Development of Industry Consensus Standard on Pressure Testing Safety

MCAA, in conjunction with the UA, recently led the development of a new American National Standards Institute (ANSI) industry consensus standard on pressure testing safety. The new standard, ANSI/ASSP A10.35 Safety Requirements for Pressure Testing Steel and Copper Piping Systems, was published on October 16, 2020. The voluntary industry consensus standard is based largely on the MCAA Guide to Steel and Copper Piping System Pressure Testing Safety. The standard’s safety requirements address planning, procedures, checklists, and other items for both hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure testing on steel and copper piping systems.

PURCHASE THE ANSI/ASSP A10.35 STANDARD
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3M™ PROTECTA® Rebel Self Retracting Lifelines – Pre-Use Inspections Required

A limited number of 3M™ PROTECTA® Rebel Self Retracting Lifelines produced between October 14, 2019 and February 25, 2020 may have a manufacturing issue. However, the issue can be easily detected through a pre-use inspection described in detail by 3M. If after carefully following 3M’s pre-use inspection instructions the SRLs are not working properly, take them out of service immediately, and contact the 3M customer service department at 1-800-328-61446 or by e-mail at 3musfpserviceaction@mmm.com.

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Need to Evaluate Your Company’s Ergonomics Program? Check Out this New Safety Resource

MCAA believes that ergonomics should be a standard part of every company’s overall safety program. Recently MCAA partnered with The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), Washington University in St. Louis, and Best Built Plans to develop and record a webinar on Creating a Contractor Ergonomics Program to Reduce Soft Tissue Injuries Among Construction Workers. The webinar is ideal for helping viewers understand the vital components of a successful ergonomics program, and why the components are so vital.

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STOP USE! Miller MightEvac & MightyLite SRLs

Honeywell has issued an Immediate Stop USE Notice for certain models of Miller MightEvac and MightyLite self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) manufactured within a specific time frame. The notice only affects specifically listed models, with identified manufacturing dates or re-certification dates between October 27, 2016 and October 6, 2018. Models outside of this date range, including new units, are not affected by this notice. If your company uses these SRLs check Table 1 in the attached notice to determine whether your SRLs are affected. If so, they should be removed from service immediately. Honeywell is making arrangements for their return and replacement. That information is forthcoming.

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Law Office of Adele Abrams Newsletter – August 20, 2020

MCAA partner Adele Abrams has released the Law Office of Adele Abrams Newsletter dated August 20, 2020. The latest newsleter includes articles on OSHA Use of NWS Chart for Heat Stress Invalidated and Updates Affecting Marijuana in the Workplace.

Train Your COVID-19 Symptom Screeners with MCAA’s New Screener Training Resource

Are your company’s COVID-19 temperature and symptom screeners properly trained? To protect your company as much as possible from complaints, lawsuits, local labor issues, etc., it is critically important to:

  • Establish a consistent process for conducting such screening and excluding symptomatic individuals to promote workplace
    safety;
  • Adopt measures to mitigate the risk of claims under laws related to discrimination and medical privacy; and
  • Be mindful of employee relations considerations.

Temperature and symptom screeners play an important role in accomplishing these objectives, so it’s a good idea to ensure that they are properly trained to take temperatures and screen for symptoms. MCAA’s new training resource, COVID-19 Temperature and Symptom Screener Training, will help you provide the proper training.

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Evaluate Your Company’s Pressure Testing Safety Practices with MCAA’s Updated Guide

Evaluate your company’s work practices on pressure testing safety with MCAA’s recently revised Guide to Steel and Copper Piping System Pressure Testing Safety. The guide includes information on pressure testing hazards, associated injuries, primary causes of pressure testing failures, general pressure testing safety, safe work practices for hydrostatic testing, and safe work practices for pneumatic testing. The guide also provides direction on pre-test safety planning, and sample checklists to help improve safety during your company’s hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure testing operations.

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Revised CDC Guidelines for Discontinuing COVID-19 Isolation and Precautions

CDC Guidelines for Discontinuing COVID-19 Isolation & Precautions – For Non-Healthcare Settings – July 2020

Recent research indicates that individuals with mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptoms began; and individuals with severe illness or those who are severely immunocompromised remain infectious no longer than 20 days after symptoms began.

Based on these findings, the CDC has made changes to their guidelines regarding discontinuing COVID-19 isolation and precautions for non-healthcare settings. The highlights of these changes include the following:

  • Decision makers should use a symptom-based strategy for decision making. Using a test-based strategy is no longer recommended, except to discontinue isolation or other precautions earlier than would occur under the symptom-based strategy that follows.
  • Persons with COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions:
    • At least 10 days have passed since symptom onset; and
    • At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
    • Other symptoms have improved.
  • Infected individuals who never develop COVID-19 symptoms may discontinue isolation and other precautions 10 days after the date of their first positive real-time qualitative test for the virus.
  • The test-based strategy may still be appropriate for severely immunocompromised individuals. Consult with infectious disease experts for more information.

These recommendations will prevent most, but cannot prevent all, instances of secondary spread. 

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DeWALT COVID Tool Cleaning Guides

The way DeWALT works is changing, but their commitment to service isn’t. DeWALT is here to support MCAA members through evolving situations, rules, and safety requirements. They have you covered with the informative materials that will guide you through the proper way to clean and sanitize tools on the jobsite. Watch this short tutorial and review the guidelines below for the proper way to sanitize your tools.

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Updates to MCAA’s Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan

New information from research on COVID-19 is being generated constantly. This reality requires us to carefully monitor the new information and make updates to MCAA’s Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan as necessary. MCAA’s model plan was recently updated. We recommend that you evaluate the changes to determine whether your company’s plan also requires an update.

The recent changes include:

  1. The addition of Appendix B – Critical Industries Requirements Summary
  2. The addition of Appendix H – OSHA Guidance on Returning to Work
  3. Text changes regarding OSHA now allowing face shields in lieu of cloth face coverings when appropriate
  4. Text changes regarding the cleaning of power tool batteries
  5. Text changes regarding surgical masks/PPE

UPDATED MODEL PLAN

Prepare for the Summer Heat with MCAA & CNA Safety Resources

Prepare your workers for the hot summer days by providing them with the knowledge they need to prevent heat stress related illnesses.

Common heat stress related illnesses and accompanying symptoms include:

  • Heat Stroke: The body loses its ability to sweat, and can’t control its temperature (HEAT STROKE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY)
  • Heat Exhaustion: The body sweats away too much water and salt
  • Heat Syncope: The body’s blood pressure becomes too low, resulting in dizziness or fainting and
  • Heat Cramps: The body experiences painful muscle spasms.

MCAA Safety Resources Provide Training Talks

MCAA’s safety resources are available for free as a benefit of membership. Be sure to check out:

MCAA’s full range of safety resources are available via our Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page.

CNA Offers Guidance

Long-time MCAA partner in safety CNA offers guidance on the subject in one of its highly informative risk control bulletins.

Caution Your Workers About Exposure to COVID-Disinfecting Chemicals

Some of the chemicals being used to disinfect jobsite surfaces can cause COVID-19 like symptoms in recently disinfected areas without adequate ventilation and/or other protective measures. MCAA recommends that you train all employees to ask appropriate onsite personnel whether chemical disinfection for COVID-19 has been performed recently in the areas they will be working. When chemicals have been recently used in those work areas, workers should request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the chemical(s) to determine what the health hazards are, and how they can protect themselves. Once they have the SDS(s) they should pay special attention to Section 2 Hazard(s) Identification and Section 8 Exposure Controls/Personal Protection.

Two New Sources for COVID-19 PPE

There are two new sources for COVID-19 PPE, cloth face coverings, hand sanitizer, etc. for MCAA members. One is the company MONTCO and the other is long-time MCAA partner RESCUE ONE. Both companies are credible, reliable, and have good relationships with MCAA.

MONTCO:

MCAA member discount prices are available with MONTCO if you use the discount code “MCA-1” when placing your order. MONTCO is working on an MCAA member order sheet, but in the meantime, you can place your order by e-mail or telephone at: mdelladonna@comcast.net, 610-935-9545

MONTCO INVENTORY

RESCUE ONE:

To order items from Rescue One, contact Carl Murphy at cmurphy@rescue-one.com or 301-740-3390 ext.12. If unavailable, please contact Dean Tschudy at dtschudy@rescue-one.com or 301-740-339 ext.34.

RESCUE ONE INVENTORY

Critical Change to CDC’s Discontinuing Isolation Guideline

Based on new COVID-19 research the CDC has recently changed their guidelines regarding discontinuing isolation for individuals with symptoms of the virus who are caring for themselves at home. The original guidelines for discontinuing isolation specified that at least 7 days had passed since symptoms first appeared and, at least 3 days (72 hours) had passed since recovery. Recovery is defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath). The CDC’s change increases the period of recommended isolation by 3 days, from 7 to 10 days after symptoms begin. Please be sure to change your company’s COVID-19 exposure control plans accordingly.

FURTHER CLARIFICATION & EXAMPLES:

Worker has symptoms, but has not tested positive: Any employee who has not tested positive, but who exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 is required to stay off the jobsite until he or she is free of symptoms for 72 hours or more without the use of fever-reducing, or other symptom-altering medications.

Worker tests positive, but has no symptoms: Any employee who does test positive, but is symptom free may return to work when at least 10 days have passed since the date of his or her first positive test, and he or she has not had a subsequent illness. 

Worker tested positive, has symptoms and is caring for self at home: Any employees who does test positive and is caring for him or herself at home may return to work when at least 72 hours have passed since recovery, and at least 10 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared. 

Worker tested positive and has been hospitalized: Any employee who tests positive and has been hospitalized may return to work when permitted to do so by his or her medical care provider.

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Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Are Flammable

Using an effective hand sanitizer is one of the most important things everyone can do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This is especially true on construction jobsites and in mechanical service areas where there is no running water. To be effective against COVID-19, the CDC states that hand sanitizers must contain at least 70% alcohol. Since alcohol is flammable, we must be extremely careful when using it. Many things on a jobsite can serve as an ignition source, such as a lighter, a welding torch striker, welding and grinding sparks, even static electricity.

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