- Final Beryllium Standard for General Industry
- Protect Workers from Heat Exposure
- Meat Packing Worker Safety
- COVID-19 Safety Facts
- Delayed Fall Protection Stand-down (September 14–18)
- Virtual Training Best Practices
Final Beryllium Standard for General Industry
The general industry often uses beryllium as an alloying agent, but the mismanagement of handling beryllium can cause adverse health effects. OSHA has issued its final beryllium standard for the general industry to ensure the rule is well understood and compliance is easy to follow.
Protect Workers from Heat Exposure
Did you know some indoor jobs can carry the threat of heat-related illnesses? Heat stress can occur in any environment that prevents the body from getting rid of excess heat. OSHA maintains a heat-related illness webpage intended to spread awareness about heat stress and provide prevention information.
Meat Packing Worker Safety
The meatpacking industry is one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 23 states have reported COVID-19 outbreaks in meat and poultry processing facilities. OSHA has created a poster titled, ”9 Steps to Reducing Worker Exposure to COVID-19 in Meat, Poultry and Pork Processing and Packaging Facilities” to provide packaging facility workers with the knowledge needed to keep themselves and their co-workers safe. This poster is available in 17 languages.
COVID-19 Safety Facts
Do you have questions about COVID-19 OSHA guidelines? Visit OSHA’s COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions web page to find answers to most asked questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and how it affects the workplace.
Delayed Fall Protection Stand-down (September 14–18)
OSHA’s Fall Protection Stand-Down has been rescheduled for September 14-18. The program is designed to raise awareness of fall risks and lower fatalities and injuries. Anyone who wants to reduce hazards in the workplace can participate in the Stand-Down.
Virtual Training Best Practices
The pandemic has pushed us out of our classrooms and behind computers. For many of us, this is the first time implementing virtual training and there has been a learning curve to transition classroom material into virtual material. Here are some tips we’ve learned and would like to share with you to enhance your virtual training sessions for you and your students.
The most important advice would be to utilize a high-speed internet connection. The recommendation is broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE). Minimum bandwidth is 600kbps (up/down) and recommended is 1.5 Mbps (up/down). A capable microphone, camera, and speakers (built-in, plug-in, or wireless) are essential.
Test all systems prior and encourage your students to do the same. Consider scheduling a couple of brief sessions before allowing participants in. Testing will lower the risk of running into any technical issues and will enable you to become more familiar with the video platform being utilized.
Be sure to review your expectations either before or at the start of class. For example:
- Students’ cameras are to remain on at all times.
- Keep mics muted unless there is a question to be asked.
- Remind students that everyone will be able to see what is going on in each other’s backgrounds (this also goes for performing potentially “unflattering” actions such as rolling one’s eyes, scratching armpits, downing a Big Mac, etc.).
Have contingency plans—which are communicated—to address potential issues that may arise during instruction. What should a student do if they lose power/internet? What should students do if you, as the instructor, lose functionality and go offline?
Imagery is also a critical component of a well-balanced virtual learning course. Too much whitespace or lack of images can be boring and lack visual appeal. Too many photos can create a claustrophobic feel or make learning confusing. Striking a balance is one of the best ways to make sure that the virtual learning experience is engaging and is easily digestible.
Emphasize that just because you are not in a face-to-face classroom environment, interaction and participation are still vital, and expected! And lastly, have fun!
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Shelby Kimes is a Marketing Content Writer in the marketing department for NC State Industrial Expansion Solutions. She writes marketing content for various IES and media platforms to communicate the services and values of IES. She also writes the marketing material needed to alert existing and/or potential clients of any updates within IES. She previously interned with the marketing department at Greenville Parks and Recreation in North Carolina. Shelby graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor’s in Sports Studies and a Minor in Marketing/Business Administration.
