It’s late, and you’ve just checked into an older hotel. You spend far too much time finding the room and getting settled. Exhausted, you fall into bed, and sleep for what seems like only minutes, and alarms go off, requiring you to evacuate. It’s dark, and the emergency exit route lighting is not working. Suddenly, you smell smoke, and your only job is to get out through the emergency exit, finding the safest escape route.

Understanding Emergency Exit Routes: A Vital Workplace Safety Component

What is an Exit Route?

An exit route is a continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety. An exit route consists of three parts:

1. Exit access – portion of an exit route that leads to an exit.
2. Exit – portion of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge.
3. Exit discharge – part of the exit route that leads directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside.

How Many Exit Routes Should Your Workplace Have for Optimal Safety?

A workplace must have at least two exit routes to permit prompt evacuation of employees and other building occupants during an emergency. More than two exits are required, if the number of employees, size of the building, or arrangement of the workplace will not allow employees to evacuate safely.

Exit routes must be located as far away as practical from each other in case one is blocked by fire or smoke. Exception: If the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace allows all employees to evacuate safely during an emergency, one exit route is permitted.

Building Safe Exit Routes: Design and Construction Requirements

What Requirements Must Exit Routes Meet?

• Exit routes must be permanent parts of the workplace.
• Exit discharges must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside. These exit discharge areas must be large enough to accommodate the building occupants likely to use the exit route.
• Exit stairs that continue beyond the level on which the exit discharge is located must be interrupted at that level by doors, partitions, or other effective means that clearly indicate the direction of travel leading to the exit discharge.
• Exit route doors must be unlocked from the inside. They must be free of devices or alarms that could restrict use of the exit route if the device or alarm fails.
• Side-hinged exit doors must be used to connect rooms to exit routes. These doors must swing out in the direction of exit travel if the room is to be occupied by more than 50 people or if the room is a high-hazard area.
• Exit routes must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served, and the capacity of an exit route may not decrease in the direction of exit route travel to the exit discharge.
• Ceilings of exit routes must be at least 7 feet, 6 inches high.
• An exit access must be at least 28 inches wide at all points. Where there is only one exit access leading to an exit or exit discharge, the width of the exit and exit discharge must be at least equal to the width of the exit access. Objects that project into the exit must not reduce its width.
• Outdoor exit routes are permitted but must meet the minimum height and width requirement for indoor exit routes and must−have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides if a fall hazard exists;−be covered if snow or ice is likely to accumulate, unless the employer can demonstrate accumulations will be removed before a slipping hazard exists;−be reasonably straight and have smooth, solid, substantially level walkways; and not have a dead-end longer than 20 feet.
  

  Meeting Exit Requirements: Key Elements for Workplace Safety

Exits must be separated by fire resistant materials—that is, one-hour fire-resistance rating if the exit connects three or fewer stories and two-hour fire-resistance rating if the exit connects more than three floors. Exits are permitted to have only those openings necessary to allow access to the exit from occupied areas of the workplace or to the exit discharge. Openings must be protected by a self-closing, approved fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency.

Navigating Exit Route Regulations: OSHA Standards for Employers

• Keep exit routes free of explosive or highly flammable furnishings and other decorations.
• Arrange exit routes so employees will not have to travel toward a high-hazard area unless the path of travel is effectively shielded from the high-hazard area.
• Ensure that exit routes are unobstructed by materials, equipment, locked doors, or dead-end corridors.
• Ensure that safeguards designed to protect employees during an emergency remain in good working order.
• Provide adequate lighting for exit routes for employees with normal vision.
• Keep exit route doors free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of exit route doors.
• Post signs along the exit access indicating the direction of travel to the nearest exit and exit discharge if that direction is not immediately apparent. Also, the line-of-sight to an exit sign must be clearly visible at all times.
• Mark doors or passages along an exit access that could be mistaken for an exit “Not an Exit” or with a sign identifying its use (such as “Closet”).
• Install “EXIT” signs in plainly legible letters.
• Renew fire-retardant paints or solutions often enough to maintain their fire-retardant properties.
• Maintain exit routes during construction, repairs, or alterations.
• Provide an emergency alarm system to alert employees, unless employees can promptly see or smell a fire or other hazard in time to provide adequate warning to them.

Crafting Effective Emergency Action Plans: A Critical Safety Measure

If you have 10 or fewer employees, you may communicate your plan orally. If you have more than 10 employees, however, your plan must be written, kept in the workplace, and available for employee review.

Essential Requirements for Emergency Action Plans

• Procedures for reporting fires and other emergencies.
• Procedures for emergency evacuation, including the type of evacuation and exit route assignments.
• Procedures for employees who stay behind to continue critical plant operations.
• Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation.
• Procedures for employees performing rescue or medical duties.
• Name or job title of employees to contact for detailed plan information.
• Alarm system to alert workers.

In addition, you must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees. You must also review the emergency action plan with each employee covered when the following occur:

• Plan is developed or an employee is assigned initially to a job.
• Employee’s responsibilities under the plan changes.
• Plan is changed.

If you have 10 or fewer employees, you may communicate your plan orally. If you have more than 10 employees, however, your plan must be written, kept in the workplace, and available for employee review. Although employers are only required to have a fire prevention plan (FPP) when the applicable OSHA standard requires it, OSHA strongly recommends that all employers have a FPP.

OSHA Standards Mandating Fire Prevention Plans

• Ethylene Oxide – 1910.1047
• Methylenedianiline – 1910.1050
• 1,3-Butadiene – 1910.1051

Essential Components of Fire Prevention Plans

• List of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard.
• Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials.
• Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials.
• Name or job title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires.
• Name or job title of employees responsible for the control of fuel source hazards.

In addition, when you assign employees to a job, you must inform them of any fire hazards they may be exposed to. You must also review with each employee those parts of the fire prevention plan necessary for self-protection.

Resources for Exit Route Safety: References and Guidance

• Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.33-39
• OSHA Directive CPL 2-1.037, Compliance Policy for Emergency Action Plans and Fire Prevention Plans
• National Fire Protection Association’s 101-2009
• Life Safety Code
• International Fire Code, 2009

Six Common Hazards at Work

There are many types of workplace hazards that can affect employees physically, mentally, and emotionally. Early detection of hazards and implementing safety practices can help to:

• Improve business operations.
• Reduce unexpected damages and lower associated costly repairs.
• Lessen the number of work-related health issues including illnesses and injuries.
• Improve employee productivity.
• Improve regulation compliance.

According to OSHA six of the most common work hazards include the following.

Safety Hazards

A safety hazard is one of the most common hazards in the workplace. Most managers will find one or many of these hazards create unsafe conditions in their workplace because they can cause injury, illness and even sometimes death. Safety Hazards include:

• Machinery-related issues include boiler safety, lockout/tagout, forklifts.
• Working high-up on things like ladders, roofs, scaffolds, or a work area that is elevated.
• Working in confined spaces.
• Tripping hazards including things like spills and cords running across the floor that could make a person fall.
• Electrical hazards like improper wiring, frayed cords, and missing ground pins.
• Moving machinery parts and/or unguarded machines, guards being removed or moving parts that a worker could touch or run into.

Chemical Hazards

Even the most common solutions can cause illness, skin irritation or breathing problems depending upon how sensitive a worker is to chemicals. To that end, these hazards are present when any worker is exposed to any chemical in the workplace including solids, liquids, or gasses. Even the most common chemicals can cause illness, skin irritation or breathing problems. Be cautious of:

• The vapors and fumes that can come from welding or exposure to the solvents.
• Liquids like paints, cleaning products, acids, and solvents. Be especially cautious of liquids that are in an unlabeled container.
• Flammable materials such as explosive chemicals, solvents, and gasoline.
• Gases such as helium, carbon monoxide, propane, and acetylene.

Work Organization Hazards

These are the hazards associated with issues like workload, lack of control, lack of respect, etc. These are things that can cause stress due to short-term effects and strain due to long-term effects. Examples of Work Organization Hazards include:

• Sexual harassment.
• Workload demands.
• Lack of respect.
• A lack of control or say.
• High intensity or rapid pace.
• Lack of flexibility.
• Lack of social support/relations.
• Workplace violence.

Ergonomic Hazards

These hazards occur when working conditions put a strain on your body. They are hard to spot because the body strain is not immediately noticed, it can happen over time. Short-term exposer can result in sore muscles the next day or days following, where longer-term exposure can result in more serious illnesses. Examples of Ergonomic Hazards include:

• Repeating the same movement frequently.
• Having to use too much force especially if you are doing it over and over again.
• Frequent lifting.
• Poor posture.
• Workstations and chairs that are not properly adjusted.
• Repetitive awkward movements.

Physical Hazards

These hazards are issues that exist in the environment that can harm the body without necessarily touching it. Some examples of Physical Hazards include:

• Constant loud noise.
• Radiation including ionizing and non-ionizing (EMFS, microwaves, radio waves, etc.).
• Temperature extremes both hot and cold.
• High exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays.

Biological Hazards

These hazards are associated with working with infectious plant materials, people, or animals. Examples of environments that may have environmental hazards includes schools, colleges and universities, day care facilities, emergency response centers, hospitals, nursing homes, laboratories, outdoor occupations, zoos, etc. The types of Biological Hazards that you may be exposed to include:

• Animal and bird droppings.
• Body fluids such as blood.
• Fungi/mold.
• Insect bites.
• Bacteria and viruses.

About EMR Safety and Health

Since its establishment in 1980, EMR Safety and Health has been in the business of Safety and Health education and one of the largest American Heart Association Training Centers in the country. For the last 40 years we have been the go-to source for OSHA authorized training. We offer a long list of OSHA and safety classes as well as OSHA mock inspections.

OSHA’S Top 10 Safety Violations in 2022

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency of the United States Department of Labor. Established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, it is responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards for employers and employees across the country. This article will explore the top 10 safety violations of 2022 and discuss what employers can do to avoid them.

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements

According to OSHA, fall protection – general requirements topped the list of the most frequently cited violations in 2022, with 5,260 instances cited. This isn’t entirely surprising, as falls are one of the most common causes of workplace injury and death. Employers must make sure that they have proper safety measures in place, such as guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems, to ensure that their employees are protected from falls. Additionally, employers should provide workers with training and materials to reinforce safe practices when working at heights.

2. Hazard Communication

Hazard communication was the second most frequently cited violation in 2022, with 2,424 citations reported. The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires employers to develop and implement a written hazard communication program that includes a list of hazardous materials used in the workplace, labels and other forms of warning, safety data sheets for hazardous materials, and training for employees on how to handle hazardous materials. Employers must also provide their workers with information and training on the appropriate handling and storage of hazardous chemicals and the health effects associated with exposure to such chemicals. By ensuring that their workers are properly trained and informed about hazardous materials, employers can help protect their employees from potential injuries and illnesses.

3. Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection came in third on the OSHA list of the most frequently cited safety violations in 2022, with 2,185 citations. This is unsurprising, considering that many jobs involve workers using respirators to protect themselves from hazardous airborne materials. Employers must develop a written respiratory protection program that includes training employees on the proper use and maintenance of their respirators. They are also required to provide workers with appropriate respirator filters and cartridges depending on the environment they are working in and the type of hazard they are exposed to.

4. Ladders

Ladders were the fourth most frequently cited safety violation by OSHA in 2022, with 2,143 citations reported. Employers must ensure that ladders are properly maintained and inspected regularly. Additionally, employers should train employees on the proper use of ladders, including the importance of keeping three points of contact with the ladder at all times. Employers should also ensure that their ladders are the appropriate size and type for the job they are being used for and that they are placed on a stable and secure surface.

5. Scaffolding

Scaffolding was the fifth most frequently cited safety violation by OSHA in 2022, with 2,058 citations reported. Employers must ensure that scaffolding is appropriately constructed and inspected before use. Additionally, workers should be trained on the proper use of scaffolding, including the importance of not overloading and not using the scaffolding in a manner inconsistent with its design specifications. Employers should also provide workers with appropriate fall protection, such as guardrails or personal fall arrest systems, which are essential for protecting workers from falls when working at heights.

6. Lockout/Tagout

Lockout/tagout was the sixth most frequently cited safety violation in 2022, with 1,977 citations reported. The OSHA Lockout/Tagout Standard (LOTO) requires employers to develop and implement a written program to protect workers from the unexpected startup or release of stored energy that can occur during servicing and maintenance activities. Employers need to train workers on properly using lockout/tagout devices and ensure they are appropriately used when servicing and maintaining equipment. By following these requirements, employers can help protect their employees from potential injuries or fatalities.

7. Powered Industrial Trucks

Powered industrial trucks, commonly referred to as forklifts, were the seventh most frequently cited safety violation in 2022, with 1,749 citations reported. OSHA requires that employers ensure that their workers are appropriately trained to operate the powered industrial trucks and aware of the associated hazards. Additionally, employers must ensure that the powered industrial trucks are inspected regularly and that any necessary repairs or maintenance is performed promptly. By following these requirements, employers can help protect their workers from potential injuries or fatalities resulting from improper use of powered industrial trucks.

8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements

The eighth most frequently cited safety violation in 2022 was fall protection – training requirements, with 1,556 citations reported. Employers must provide workers with fall protection training to protect them from potential falls that can occur while working at heights. This training must include instruction on identifying the fall hazards they may be exposed to, proper use of personal fall arrest systems and guardrails, and the appropriate inspection and maintenance of fall protection equipment. Additionally, employers must ensure that their workers know the importance of following safe work practices when working at heights.

9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face

The ninth most frequently cited safety violation in 2022 was personal protective and lifesaving equipment – eye and face protection, with 1,401 citations reported. OSHA requires employers to provide workers with the appropriate eye and face protection for the task. It is necessary to select the correct eye protection based on the type of hazard present, such as flying particles, liquid or chemical splashes, or harmful light radiation. Employers must also ensure that workers properly use and maintain their eye and face protection, such as cleaning and storing it safely, to help ensure their safety.

10. Machine Guarding

Machine guarding was the tenth most frequently cited safety violation in 2022, with 1,370 citations reported. According to OSHA, employers must ensure that their workers are adequately protected from hazards associated with the operation of machines and equipment, such as rotating parts, flying particles, and other hazardous motions. Employers must provide guards and other safety measures to protect workers from these hazards and ensure that these are maintained in good repair. Additionally, employers are required to train workers on the proper use of machine guards and other safety measures to help ensure their safety while working with machinery.

EMR Safety and Health provides training on all 10 of these violations. To learn more click here OSHA/Safety Training – EMR Safety and Health.

How are Mock Inspections Beneficial for a Workplace?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Mock Inspections are designed to help organizations prepare for an OSHA inspection. The process involves an on-site visit by a consultant who will review the organization’s safety and health programs and procedures. The consultant will provide recommendations for improvement. A mock inspection aims to identify potential hazards and ensure compliance with OSHA regulations.

According to a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, mock OSHA inspections can reduce injuries and fatalities in the workplace. The study found that businesses that underwent mock OSHA inspections had a 26% reduction in injuries and a 50% reduction in fatalities. These numbers show that mock OSHA inspections can benefit businesses and their employees.

The Consequences of Failing Audits

Fines for safety violations can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per violation, with the potential for even more significant penalties for willful or repeated violations. In addition to monetary penalties, OSHA violations can result in citations and notices being placed on a company’s OSHA record. A company’s OSHA record is public information and can be accessed by potential customers, clients, and employees.

Will Your Business Benefit from a Mock Inspection?

A mock OSHA inspection may be suitable for some businesses, depending on circumstances such as the size of your company. Smaller companies typically require additional resources and can’t dedicate a full-time safety and health manager, therefore they would benefit from this procedure.

The process can be costly and time-consuming, and it may not be necessary for companies with good safety records and who comply with OSHA regulations. Mock inspections can aid businesses struggling to meet OSHA standards or have been cited for safety violations. A mock inspection can help an organization prepare for an actual OSHA inspection by identifying potential hazards and weaknesses.

Benefits of a Mock Inspection:

Identifies any Weaknesses in Your Safety and Health Programs

A mock inspection can guide an organization by identifying potential hazards and ensuring compliance with essential safety regulations. By identifying potential hazards and weaknesses within the business, a mock inspection can help an organization better prepare for an actual OSHA inspection and correct current weak practices.

Reaffirms Positive Aspects of Safety Programs

OSHA mock inspections can also reaffirm positive aspects of any current safety programs or protocols. Recognizing positive practices can boost morale and provide documentation of a company’s commitment to safety. Additionally, it can help to identify any best practices. A company can better understand what OSHA is looking for during an inspection by going through the mock inspection process.

Ensures Proper Responsibilities on all Levels

By conducting mock inspections, businesses can ensure that all levels of responsibility are being executed efficiently and correctly. This includes employees, managers, and executives. Having everyone on the same page allows for a more cohesive work environment and helps to avoid any potential misunderstandings. Building trust between different levels of management will increase a commitment to safety.

Improve Overall Safety for Employees

Safety professionals bring knowledge to improve employees’ overall safety in the workplace. OSHA mock inspections are not required but are recommended if you wish to go above and beyond.

Conclusion

​​At EMR Safety and Health, we are dedicated to equipping employers with the knowledge they need to promote safety procedures in the workplace effectively. If you are interested in learning more, call us at 214-428-6759. Also, to learn more about EMR Safety and Health, visit our website today.

5 Tips for Effective Safety Meetings with your Team

Effective safety meetings are crucial for maintaining a safe work environment, and many strategies make them valuable to employees. Whether you are a small business owner or a large corporation manager, it is essential to have regular safety meetings with your team. These tips can ensure that everyone involved learns from the meeting. Here are five tips to help you get started.

Preparation is Key

Preparation is vital to make your safety meeting productive. By doing your research ahead of time, you can present in an organized way. You also need to ensure everyone attending the meeting is familiar with the schedule and has time to prepare, which will help them participate.

You can help to make your employees aware of upcoming safety meetings by distributing flyers or emailing reminders to the team. This way, everyone will be mindful of the meeting’s date, time, and topic.

Show Commitment Through Consistency

When hosting safety meetings with your team, stay consistent with meeting scheduling. If you only have meetings when there is an accident or near-miss, your employees will see that safety is not a priority. However, if you have regular meetings, even if there is nothing significant to discuss, your employees will know that you are committed to keeping them safe. This consistency will help to build trust and respect between you and your team. Having regular meetings helps to establish a routine and make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Cover Relevant Topics

To conduct an effective safety meeting, covering relevant topics is vital. This can include new safety procedures, changes to the workplace, and anything else that might be pertinent to the employees.

By covering topics directly related to their jobs, you can ensure that they are learning valuable information they can apply to their work. For example, if you have a construction company, you may want to cover fall protection and OSHA regulations. You may wish to cover machine safety and hazard communication topics if you have a manufacturing company.

Allow for Employee Engagement

Encourage participation and conversation amongst team members. You can help identify concerns that employees may have. This way, you can address these concerns before they become more significant.

Demonstrate Safety Procedures for a Visual Aid

A safety meeting is not only a time to discuss safety procedures but also an opportunity to demonstrate these procedures. By doing this, you can provide a visual aid for your employees. This will help them to understand the importance of following these procedures and will also help them to remember what they need to do.

By using your employees to demonstrate safety procedures during your meetings, you can help to ensure that they are fully engaged with the content. This way, they will be more likely to remember and apply the information to their work.

Conclusion

At EMR Safety and Health, we are dedicated to equipping employers with the knowledge they need to teach safety procedures in the workplace effectively. If you are interested in learning more, call us at 972-235-8330. Also, to learn more about EMR Safety and Health, visit our website today.

Boosting Workplace Compliance with Personal Protective Equipment Communication

What is PPE?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) protects employees from potential workplace hazards. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), PPE can reduce the risk of injuries by 90 percent. Proper fitting PPE can reduce exposure to hazardous substances and objects. Workplaces must provide employees with the appropriate clothing and equipment to protect them from the risk of injury.

Examples of Personal Protective Equipment

Commonly used PPE includes gloves, eye and face protection, hearing protection, and respiratory protection. Each type of PPE is designed to protect workers from specific hazards. For example, gloves protect hands from contact with sharp objects or chemicals, while face shields protect the face from flying debris or liquids.

Why is it important?

Noncompliance with PPE guidelines can result in a series of negative consequences. Avoid fatal injuries and exposure to hazardous materials by simply wearing proper protection and using safety equipment. Noncompliance with PPE guidelines can result in costly citations and fines for employers.

It is also essential that employees are adequately trained on how to use specific equipment. If not used properly, it can create new hazards. For example, suppose an employee is not sufficiently prepared to use a respirator. In that case, they may wear it incorrectly and end up inhaling more airborne contaminants than if they were wearing it properly. Improper PPE use can also lead to other injuries, such as slips, trips, and falls. Employees who do not comply with PPE requirements are putting themselves and their co-workers at risk.

Improving Company Culture with Proper Training

Employers play a vital role in protecting their employees by providing them with the proper training to use PPE safely.

• A culture that values safety will go a long way in promoting effective compliance.
• Employees who feel valued for safety are more likely to comply with a productive attitude.
• Appropriately trained employees on how to use PPE are less likely to experience injuries.

Encourage employees to ask questions by creating a safe and comfortable work environment. Being able to value their feedback will ensure that all employees are productive and happy within the workplace. In addition, holding frequent training sessions will allow consistent communication between the employer and employees. Reduce the number of workplace fatalities by creating an open and safe culture.

Conclusion

At EMR Safety and Health, we are dedicated to equipping employers with the knowledge they need to teach PPE compliance within the workplace effectively. If you are interested in learning more, call us at 972-235-8330. Also to learn more about EMR Safety and Health, visit our website at www.emrsafetyandhealth.com.

Safety Compliance Awareness Trainer (S-CAT) OSHA and HIPAA For Healthcare Instructor Course

Since 1980, we have poured our knowledge and efforts into being the best stewards of human workplace safety. As such, we’ve lent our support to America’s health and safety workers long before the pandemic and well before the world deemed them “essential”. We’re inclined to argue that human safety is always essential.

We believe that a company’s safety, health and welfare measures should always be at the core of its business operations.  As such, we offer the Safety Compliance Awareness Trainer (S-CAT)  – OSHA and HIPAA for Healthcare Instructor Course to equip professionals across several industries with the knowledge needed to teach workplace safety. This certification will enable students to teach safety awareness for the following topics: OSHA for Healthcare, OSHA for Dentistry, HIPAA for Healthcare and N95 Respirators.

The OSHA for Healthcare portion is one of the most comprehensive in the course. It primarily covers various kinds of hazards in the workplace, e.g., electrical, fire, radiation, etc. This section also covers the hierarchy of hazard controls used to manage and neutralize threats. The fire hazard component delves into the differences between the five classes of fires that can occur in the workplace.

In addition, this course teaches its students about fire extinguisher maintenance (monthly and yearly inspections) and how to properly use the tool – especially the P.A.S.S. technique. Latter sections cover elements of lab safety such as sterilization and how to handle sharp equipment safely.

The OSHA for Dentistry section reiterates much of the same material as the OSHA for Healthcare module. Similarly, the Dentistry section also covers first aid, personal protective equipment (PPE) and how to curb the spread of both airborne and bloodborne pathogens. This module’s crucial element is the detail it goes into while outlining the various dental hazards that personnel must protect themselves and customers against.

The HIPAA Awareness for Healthcare portion covers HIPAA’s purpose and the act’s key features. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was created in 1996 with the aim of kickstarting and maintaining incremental healthcare reform. Throughout this module, students will learn the difference between privacy rules and security rules – both of which HIPAA protects to varying degrees. This section also gives guidelines on how to implement HIPAA compliance in the workplace – especially as it pertains to handling and disclosing patients’ protected health information.

The N95 Respirator section covers one the various forms of respirators and masks worn in compliance with OSHA regulations. During this module, students will learn how to properly put on a respirator and how to check for a proper fit. Students will also gain insight into how intensive the fit testing process is for these respirators. This module’s content will also cover respirator care, inspection, and storage – all of which play a major role in curbing the spread of airborne pathogens in the workplace.

If you are interested in taking the class, click here. For more information about EMR Safety and Health go to www.emrsafetyandhealth.com.

A Quick, Easy Guide to Situational Awareness

Situational awareness is one of the most underrated skills you can have in life. People with high situational awareness constantly process their surroundings and quickly identify threats and benefits in their vicinity. Processing and clearly comprehending information during emergencies could be the difference between life and death.

Different settings call for varying levels of situational awareness. The level of alertness you would display in the privacy of your own home is not the same level you would show walking down a lonely street at night. We color-code the different levels of situational awareness a human being displays – white being the lowest and red the highest.

• White: This level of situational awareness is most people’s default setting. You are usually on code white at home, minding your business with locked doors. You are walking around, oblivious to any incoming threats. You are often in this state because you are preoccupied with something like taking a shower, scrolling through your phone, or being engrossed in a TV show or a movie.
• Yellow: This is the next immediate level. The main difference between code white and code yellow is that the latter involves you scanning your environment for threats. Remember, although you are now aware of your surroundings, you are still on relatively low alert and not focusing on a particular threat. An example of this level would be glancing around before fetching a newspaper from your lawn.
• Orange: At this level, your head is on a swivel. Your movements become more purposeful, and a hint of paranoia kicks in. You start taking precautions, e.g., locking your doors. Your heart rate picks up, your breathing gets shallower, and you get a rush of adrenaline. You are now scanning your environment for threats and focusing on them. A common orange level situation is walking through a poorly lit parking lot.
• Red: It is a code red! You are officially on high alert. You probably feel jumpy because your fight or flight response is kicking in. If your mind seems scrambled, it is okay. At this point, rational thought becomes difficult. You even start to process stimuli differently. Common effects at this level include time distortion, tunnel vision and auditory exclusion. Despite these problems, people lock in on a threat and act upon it. A code red situation could be a threat chasing after you on your way home.

We advise our readers to consider these levels as gears on a car. In every situation we find ourselves in, there is an appropriate setting to which we dial our situational awareness. Learning to shift between those gears takes practice, but it is worth it.

Situational awareness rests on four pillars:

• Observing – taking in threats
• Orienting – adapting to a situation
• Deciding – formulating a plan
• Acting – following through with the plan

One habit that translates into good situational awareness is people-watching. People-watching and scanning your environment can reveal suspicious behavior. This is especially true if you know what you are looking for. For example, here are some signs that somebody could become a mass shooter:

• Oversized or loose-fitting clothes
• Clothes not appropriate for an event or the weather
• Keeping hands in pockets or concealing hands
• Repositioning a weapon (confirmation touch)
• Small bulges near waist or hip
• Undue attention to carried objects
• Oversized torso or bulky jackets/vest
• Favoring one side (strong side)
• Blading (turning body to protect or conceal a weapon)
• Nervousness, muttering
• Tunnel vision or 1000-mile stare
• Trouble communicating
• Repeated entries and exits to an area

At EMR Safety and Health, we are dedicated to equipping everyday people with the knowledge they need to combat potential violence effectively. If you are interested in learning more, sign up for our Safety Compliance Awareness Trainer (S-CAT) – Active Shooter, Workplace Violence course, or visit us at www.emrsafetyandhealth.com.

Harassment is Workplace Violence

According to Statista, America’s civilian labor force is about 164 million people. That is a little under half the population. Given the sizable proportion of the public this accounts for, the topic of workplace violence is more salient than ever. Are Americans safe at work, and do they have a clear picture of what constitutes workplace violence? This blog will unpack a few common examples of workplace violence and what steps you can take to mitigate its effects on you and your coworkers.

Harassment

Many Americans believe that some physical altercation must occur in the workplace to be deemed “workplace violence”. Well, this could not be further from the truth. OSHA defines workplace violence as “any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or threatening disruptive behavior at the work site.”

Harassment in the workplace is prevalent across all industries. Harassment is unreasonable behavior that demeans, humiliates, or embarrasses someone. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission expands upon this by deeming harassment as any “unwelcome verbal or physical behavior based on race, color, religion, gender/gender identity, age, etc.”

Workplace harassment violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other federal regulations. Harassment becomes unlawful when:

• The conduct is severe enough that a reasonable person would consider the workplace intimidating, hostile or abusive
• Enduring the conduct is a prerequisite to the victim’s continued employment

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment, like workplace harassment, violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, sexual harassment is deemed unlawful when it leads to sexual assault. According to a 2017 study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the EEOC received 26,978 claims of workplace harassment – a quarter (6,696) of which were specifically sexual harassment claims.

According to the EEOC, there are two types of sexual harassment:

1. 1. Quid Pro Quo – this type of harassment occurs when sexual advances are demanded of an employee in exchange for an employment benefit, e.g., hiring, continued employment, promotions, pay raises, etc.
   2. Hostile Work Environment – this type of harassment occurs when an employee is subjected to one of the following:

1. • Staring or leering
   • Dissemination of sexually explicit material via emails, letters, or notes
   • Display of sexually explicit material in the workplace
   • Jokes and offensive remarks

If the behavior worsens, sexual assault is in play. Unwarranted touching, patting, pinching or inappropriately brushing oneself against a victim all constitute ample grounds to file a sexual assault claim.

Sexual harassment’s adverse effects on a workplace cannot be overstated. For its victims, they deal with undue guilt, shame, and stress. Also, sexual harassment cripples an employees’ morale and productivity. Companies must have effective grievance measures to tackle these issues, and the resulting corrective actions must be stern and decisive.

Report and Documenting Your Claim

Before starting the claim process, we appeal to everyone enduring any form of workplace violence to address the perpetrator and demand that they stop immediately. If you have done this and seen no changed behavior – or you’re uncomfortable addressing the perp – you can go ahead.

Your next step is to report the incident to at least two different supervisors. In your report, make sure you include the following:

1. • The date and time of the incident
   • The incident’s location
   • A detailed description of what happened
   • The person(s) involved, including witnesses
   • Any other information necessary to explain your concerns

We recommend that you timestamp all emails concerning your claims and that you send yourself a private copy of all your communications during the claim process. This ensures that even if your emails get deleted, you will not be left vulnerable. Make sure that your company follows its sexual harassment policy to the letter. If the perpetrator is a high-ranking official in your company, you can always reach out to someone higher up in the chain of command.

Conclusion

At EMR Safety and Health, we are dedicated to equipping everyday people with the knowledge they need to effectively understand and combat workplace violence. If you are interested in learning more sign up for our Active Shooter, Workplace Violence Online Event by clicking here or visit us at www.emrsafetyandhealth.com.