OSHA Recordkeeping for COVID-19

Under OSHA's recordkeeping requirements, COVID-19 is a recordable illness, and thus employers are responsible for recording cases of COVID-19, if:

  1. The case is a confirmed case of COVID-19, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);

  2. The case is work-related; and

  3. The case involves one or more of the general recording criteria (medical treatment, days away from work, etc).

OSHA has released revised enforcement guidance that can be reviewed at the following site:

https://www.osha.gov/memos/2020-05-19/revised-enforcement-guidance-recording-cases-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

Doing Our Part to Protect Retail Workers

Doing Our Part to Protect Retail Workers

As customers of retail establishments, we need to do our part to protect retail workers that are vital to us. There are many ways that the WHO and CDC have recommended to limit the spread of SARS-COV-2. We can limit the number of retail trips we take, follow the social distancing guidelines at stores, and wear face masks.

R2V3 Responsible Recycling Update

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The R2 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is nearing the end of its review of the public comments on the second draft of the R2v3 Standard.  Once the standard is voted on and released, facilities that have certificates that expire after the 1-year anniversary of the R2v3 release date will be required to transition to the new R2v3 Standard.  First time certifications to the current R2:2013 Standard will only be permitted for six months after the R2v3 release date.

https://sustainableelectronics.org/news/2020/04/28/r2v3-update

For Earth Day, Do Less With Your Lawn

For Earth Day, Do Less With Your Lawn

Thinking of a way to support the Earth this week? How about something that will benefit the Earth by doing less work and spending less money? You may think that your lawn represents a small effect on the environment; however, per a September 2008 article from the Carey Institute of Ecosystem Studies states “An estimated 80 percent of American households have a lawn; in aggregate, lawns would cover an area about the size of North Carolina.”

Post Pandemic Environmental Impacts

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In honor of Earth Day, some thoughts on how the way that we will work, post pandemic, may have an impact on the environment.  Will we continue to see a reduction in the amount of air pollution that we generate due to decreased travel due to an increase in
- telecommuting?
- the use of video conferences vs. travel?
- the number of shifts to reduce working in close proximity; thereby reducing traffic congestion?
- local vs. international vacations?

Will Social Distancing Make Way for Work Place Distancing?

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A good article from HOK on redesigning the workplace due to COVID-19.  Throughout my career I have been in multiple workplaces where desks are facing each other (and of course conference rooms).  However, this article has some good actionable items on A/C and increasing wash stations as well.

https://www.hok.com/news/2020-04/will-social-distancing-make-way-for-workplace-distancing/