TIP OF THE MONTH

Winter Weather Safety
If there is a power failure, use battery-powered flashlights rather than candles. If you must use candles, never leave lit candles unattended. And never use a charcoal or gas grill indoors — the fumes are deadly.

Source: CDC Website-www.cdc.gov

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HOT TOPIC - DOT Stresses Medically Fit Drivers

Commercial Drivers Medical Certification
New Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) commercial driver’s license (CDL) medical certification requirements went into effect January 30. The new rule requires states to merge the CDL and the driver’s medical examination certificate into a single electronic record to provide instant electronic access to the CDL holder’s medical certificate by state and federal enforcement officials. In addition, the rule requires states to take enforcement actions against CDL holders if they do not provide medical certification status information within the deadline. To view the final rule, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov Agency officials were severely chastised at a House hearing earlier this year for going years without addressing the problem of medically unfit drivers despite repeated warnings from Congress. The rule finalized in early January addresses some of a series of recommendations make by the National Transportation Safety Board in 2001 in response to a motorcoach accident two years earlier in New Orleans that killed 22. In that incident, NTSB said the 46-year old bus driver suffered life-threatening kidney and heart conditions, but still held a valid commercial license.

In a related action, the FMCSA has issues a proposed rule to establish a National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The proposal would establish certification standards, including a training and testing program, and a National Registry of medical examiners who are qualified to conduct examinations of interstate truck and bus drivers. Medical examiners would be required to electronically transmit to FMCSA the name and a numerical identifier for each driver who is examined.

The DOT’s 10 Steps to Collection Site Security and Integrity, which are followed by all WCORHA locations for DOT and Non-DOT Collections.

1.      Pay careful attention to employees throughout the collection process

2.      Ensure that there is no unauthorized access into the collection areas and that undetected access  (e.g., through a  door not in view) is not possible

3.      Make sure employees show proper picture ID.

4.      Make sure employees empty pockets, remove outer garments, (e.g., coveralls, jacket, coat, hat); leave brief cases, purses, and bags behind; and wash their hands.

5.      Maintain personal control of the specimen and CCF at all times during the collection.

6.      Secure any water sources or otherwise make them unavailable to employees (e.g., turn off water inlet, tape handles to prevent opening faucets, secure tank lids).

7.      Ensure that water in the toilet and tank (if applicable) has bluing (coloring) agent in it.  Tape or otherwise secure shut any movable toilet tank top, or put bluing in the tank.

8.      Ensure that no soap, disinfectants, cleaning agents, or other possible adulterants are present.

9.      Inspect the site to ensure that no foreign or unauthorized substances are present.

10.  Secure areas and items (e.g., ledges, trash receptacles, paper towel holders, under sink areas, ceiling tiles) that appear suitable for concealing contaminants

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WCORHA UPDATE

OSHA 300 Record Keeping
Friday, February 27, 2009
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Grand Lakes Regional Cancer Center
$35 per participant
Instructed by Maria Bayless, PHR, OS
Download the Flyer

OSHA 10 Hour Safety Training Course (for General Industry)
March 24-25, 2009
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Grand Lakes Regional Cancer Center
Presented by Maria Bayless, PHR, OS
Download the brochure

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WELLNESS UPDATE

Do You Know the Symptoms of Depression?

Many people recognize the excessive sadness as a sign of depression but did you know the symptoms of depression often include headaches, back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, anxiety, sleep problems, shortness of breath, and many other conditions? If you have persistent symptoms that resist treatment, the underlying problem might be depression. Please call your family physician or Employee Assistance Program for treatment options. EAP services are available through WCORHA, and are provided by Corporate EAP, which is a regional provider. Corporate EAP has a team of certified, licensed professionals who provide personal assessment, short term counseling, education, crisis intervention and referral to other community providers when necessary. More importantly all personal issues discussed with your EAP counselor are absolutely confidential. To request more information regarding our EAP program please contact your Account Executive, Ami Boley or Dan Schroeder.

Take Care of Yourself First
During these tough financial times, many people feel they have to push themselves to unhealthy levels in order to succeed. But high-pressure jobs and long hours take a real toll on their immediate and future health. Whether running for president, moving up the corporate ladder, or juggling the family's activities, success may come at a hefty cost.

The 7 worst habits of these workaholics include:

1. Forgetting to relax: Some stress can be good because it keeps you alert and motivated; too much stress, however, will take its toll on your body.

2. Eating on the go: Who has time to sit down for a healthy lunch? But beware of frozen meals, fast, and processed food that can be high in sodium, calories, and fat.

3. Putting off sleep for work: Lack of sleep can cause irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, poor judgment, and obesity.

4. Not making time for exercise: Humans were not designed to sit at desks for 8 hours a day. Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk for nearly every major disease and to help fight anxiety and depression.

5. Working when sick: 3 common-sense reasons to stay home: avoid spreading the infection, you'll be less productive, and you need your rest to get better.

6. Drinking (too much): Moderate alcohol consumption has some proven health benefits , but excessive drinking can lead to alcoholism, liver disease, and some forms of cancer.

7. Skipping annual medical checkups: Depending on age, family history, and lifestyle, a comprehensive medical checkup and special screenings is recommended every 1 to 5 years.

Eventually, something's going to give. If your patients keep burning the candle at both ends, the flame will burn out faster. But, if they maintain a healthy balance, they will be happier and healthier overall.That's my opinion.
Source: Dr. George Griffing, Professor of Medicine at St. Louis University and Editor in Chief of Internal Medicine for eMedicine.

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OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE UPDATE 

Funding for Drug Free Work Place
The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC) has implemented a new funding policy for the Drug Free Work Place (DFWP) program. The BWC will allow $150.00 per hour for DFWP training. Organizations who utilize BWC reimbursement funds will be required to complete the supervisor and employee training sessions. Employers will then be required to submit to the BWC the training invoice and the cancelled check

FMLA Revised Regulations
Revised Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations went into effect Jan. 16, 2009. The regulations are intended to provide employers with tools to administer FMLA leave more efficiently, including the handling of problematic intermittent leave requests. “The overarching theme of the regulations is shared responsibility,” said Frank Alvarez, national coordinator of the disability, leave and health management practice group at Jackson Lewis, a national employment law firm. ”Employers must do a better job educating employees and employees must do a better job communicating their need for leave and supplying appropriate and timely medical certifications.” The following are among significant changes affecting clinical practice: READ MORE HERE >>>

Source: www.jacksonlewis.com

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SAFTEY UPDATE

U.S. Labor Department’s OSHA highlights another successful enforcement year in FY 2008

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continued to exceed enforcement goals during Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 according to data released in December. The agency’s emphasis on identifying and eliminating serious safety and health hazards has resulted in an unprecedented 80 percent of all violations issued being in the most serious category.

Nationwide OSHA logged 87,687 violations of its standards and regulations for worker safety and health with 67,052 of these violations cited as “serious.” The proportion of those violations classified as endangering employees is at the highest level ever, and this administration has made more criminal referrals for wrongdoing under the Occupational Safety and Health Act than any previous one, including 12 in FY 08 alone. Additionally, in FY 08 OSHA conducted almost 39,000 worksite inspections, surpassing the agency’s goal for the year by 2.4 percent. On average, 4,000 more workplace inspections were completed each year (38,515) between FY 2001-2008 as compared to the prior administration FY 1993-2000 (34,508).

“Workplace inspections and issuing citations are a critical part of OSHA’s balanced approach to improving workplace safety, but the real test of success is saving lives and preventing injuries,” said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Thomas M. Stohler. “According to preliminary numbers for 2007, the workplace fatality rate has declined 14 percent since 2001, and since 2002, the workplace injury and illness rate has dropped 21 percent – with both at all time lows.

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