Keely Knopp

OSHA’s Most Cited Violations of 2021

December 21, 2021 by Keely Knopp

With so much attention focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, it might seem like we’ve all put worries about other common workplace hazards on hold. But the Occupational Safety and Health Administration hasn’t — and, to ensure employers do not become complacent, it recently released its list of most cited employer violations.

For the last 11 years, fall protection has been OSHA’s most frequently cited standard, and it remains the number one cited violation for employers in 2021. In fact, the top 10 most cited standards have remained largely unchanged over the last decade. Below is this year’s list of the most cited violations for fiscal year 2021.

Fall Protection. With 5,271 total violations, this standard outlines where fall protection is required, proper systems and installation, and proper supervision to prevent falls.
Respiratory Protection. With 2,521 citations, this standard directs employers on establishing and maintaining respiratory protection for its workers, including respirator selection, fit testing, and proper worksite procedures.
Ladder Use and Protection. This category cited 2,018 violations and deals with all aspects of ladder use and safety.
Scaffolding. With 1,943 citations, this standard deals with construction and general safety of scaffolding. Employers are required to protect workers from falls and hazards from heights of more than 10 feet.
Hazard Communication. With 1,939 citations, this standard deals with chemicals in the workplace, as well as communication to employees about workplace chemicals.
Lockout/Tagout. This category received 1,670 citations and deals with protecting employees from hazardous energy while servicing and maintaining machinery and equipment.
Fall Protection: Training Requirements. With 1,660 violations, this standard specifically deals with training related to fall risk and protection.
PPE. Coming in at1,451 citations, this standard deals with personal protective equipment in the workplace, like protection from flying objects, or exposure to gases and chemicals.
Powered Industrial Trucks. Totaling 1,404 violations, this standard deals with protections and maintenance for industrial trucks, like forklifts and motorized hand trucks.
Machine Guarding. With 1,105 violations, this standard aims to protect employees from machinery hazards, like rotating parts, nip points, flying debris, sparks, and other hazards.

Now is a great time to review your workplace protocols for these and other types of hazards — and to take corrective action should you find areas that may be deficient in proper protection. Mercy Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine can help you determine potential points of concern by scheduling a walk-through safety evaluation and making recommendations for improvement. Please contact us to schedule this type of evaluation for your business at mom@mercyurgentcare.org or at 828-254-7576.

Source: OSHA.gov, Safety and Health Magazine

Safer Ways to Gather for the Holidays

December 17, 2021 by Keely Knopp

As the holidays draw closer, many of us look forward to gathering with family, friends and coworkers. That said, we should not lose sight of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. There are several ways that we can celebrate holiday traditions and still protect our health. Reminding yourself and your friends, family and coworkers of some simple and effective preventative measures is a great way to ensure a safer and healthier holiday season.

Vaccination remains one of the best protection methods to help keep yourself and your community healthy. Getting your COVID-19 vaccine and wearing a mask indoors in public in areas of high transmission is the best way to mitigate disease transmission for COVID-19 — and it may also help eliminate transmission of other diseases, like the common cold and seasonal flu.
Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination, such as young children, by getting yourself vaccinated and encouraging other eligible people around them to become vaccinated.
Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings, even if you are fully vaccinated.
Outside is safer than inside. Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
If you are sick or feeling unwell, don’t host or attend a gathering.
Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow the CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people. If you plan to travel in a group that includes unvaccinated individuals, choose safer travel options. Everyone, even those who are fully vaccinated, is required to wear a mask on public transportation and follow international travel recommendations.

Special considerations:

People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected, even if they are vaccinated and have received a booster dose. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.
If you are gathering with a group of people from multiple households or from different parts of the country, you may want to consider additional precautions (like avoiding crowded indoor spaces before travel, taking a COVID-19 test prior to travel) in advance of gathering to further reduce risk.
Remember: Do not put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.

By working together, we can enjoy safer holidays, travel, and protect our own health, as well as the health of our family, friends and coworkers.

Mercy Urgent Care can help with testing prior to the holidays. We have rapid testing available — and we even offer a cash-only COVID test at our South location. Learn more at mercyurgentcare.org/covid-tests-and-results/.

Source: CDC.gov

OSHA’s Anticipated Covid-19 Vaccine and Testing Guidelines for Large Businesses

November 19, 2021 by Keely Knopp

On Nov. 5, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration released its anticipated Emergency Temporary Standard concerning COVID vaccination mandates and testing for companies with more than 100 employees.

While the ETS is currently on hold by the U.S. Court of Appeals for further legal review, the verbiage of the ETS shows OSHA is serious about protecting Americans from COVID-19 in the workplace.

Employers should take this ETS seriously and begin planning to ensure compliance with the OSHA mandates. This may include: determining whether your company is covered under the ETS mandates, establishing protocols for employee vaccination records, and devising a system to conduct employee testing for those unwilling or unable to receive one of the COVID-19 vaccines. Although enforcement of the ETS is currently suspended pending court challenges, experts recommend that now is a good time to establish solid regulations and processes in the event the ETS is upheld in court and OSHA begins enforcement.

Mercy Urgent Care and Mercy Occupational Medicine can help companies navigate many of the questions around the OSHA ETS to ensure your company is compliant regarding testing protocols. To talk with our occupational staff regarding the OSHA ETS or other occupational health needs, contact us at 828-254-7576 or at mom@mercyurgentcare.org.

Sources: US Dept of Labor, White House.gov, OSHA

National Diabetes Month

November 15, 2021 by Keely Knopp

You may already know that November is National Diabetes Month. But did you know that addressing diabetes could be good for your business?

Diabetes can be extremely costly — costing $327 billion in 2017 alone, according to the CDC — and employers can play an important role in reducing this figure for everyone’s benefit. In fact, helping employees prevent or manage Type 2 diabetes not only results in a healthier, more productive workforce, but it also can lower health care costs for them and for your business. While each individual manages his or her own illness, smart employers know there’s a strong business incentive for maintaining a healthy workforce.

So how do you keep your employees healthy, maintain productivity, control medical costs, and, ultimately, reduce risk for Type 2 diabetes and its complications?

First, give them the tools they need to succeed. By offering onsite wellness and screening services, like glucose screenings, employees can easily monitor and maintain healthy glucose levels — or follow up with a professional if there is cause for concern — all without leaving the workplace.

Next, consider making adjustments around the workplace to help people with diabetes maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Common examples include allowing employees with diabetes to take more frequent breaks — giving them time to stop, monitor and manage glucose levels, especially while working on their feet — or stocking healthier options in vending machines and in the cafeteria. Be aware of these and other concerns employees with diabetes may have in the workplace, and make accommodations when necessary.

Additionally, to help employees who are at risk of developing diabetes, consider offering enrollment in a National DPP (diabetes prevention program). Taking these preventative measures benefits individuals while also helping to reduce employer health care costs over time.

Small adjustments make a difference — and showing employees that you care about their well-being can lead to reduced absenteeism, increased productivity and concentration, higher energy levels and fewer on-the-job injuries.

Mercy Occupational Medicine can support your workforce with wellness and health programs tailored to your company’s health goals. To start a conversation about health in your workplace, contact us at mom@mercyurgentcare.org or call 828-254-7576. Let’s find a solution together.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Men’s Health Month

November 9, 2021 by Keely Knopp

This November, join us in celebrating National Men’s Health Month (better known as Movember), which highlights men’s health issues with special attention given to prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health.

Globally, men live, on average, five fewer years than women. But it doesn’t have to be this way, as the reasons behind this trend are often largely preventable. Let this month be a reminder: We can all take action to help ourselves and our fathers, husbands, brothers, and friends live healthier, happier, and longer lives.

A growing number of men — around 10.8 million globally — are currently facing a prostate cancer diagnosis. In the United States alone, nearly one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Early detection is one of the best ways to fight this increasingly common disease. Starting at age 50, experts recommend that men talk with their doctors about prostate cancer, specifically asking whether you are a candidate for PSA testing. African Americans or individuals with a family history of prostate cancer should start this conversation sooner, around age 45.

Additionally, testicular cancer is the most common cancer in younger men, age 15-39, with nearly half of all diagnoses occurring in men age 20-34. The good news is that these cases are highly treatable, even at an advanced stage. Again, the key is detection — and experts urge men to do monthly self-exams, making note of any changes, lumps or swelling of the testicles, along with yearly physical exams by a doctor.

Mental health, on the other hand, is something many men struggle with but are often reluctant to discuss or seek help for, when needed. Across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 75% of all suicides worldwide. But suicide is another highly preventable problem that men face disproportionally. Improving overall mental health and helping men establish better social connections can help reduce the risk of suicide. If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of a mental health crisis, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 1-800-273-TALK to receive support.

Generally speaking, men tend to place their own needs secondary to the needs of others — whether at work or at home — and this can lead to delayed detection of preventable diseases. Employers, however, can help ensure that the men in their workforce are getting the care and attention they need to prevent serious illness through companywide health screenings. Mercy Urgent Care and Mercy Occupational Medicine offer a variety of onsite screenings designed to help companies promote an environment of health and wellness for all employees.

To discuss health and wellness programs for your employees, contact Mercy Occupational Medicine at mom@mercyurgentcare.org or call 828-254-7576.

Sources: American Cancer Society, us.movember.com

Health Literacy: Know Your Numbers

October 20, 2021 by Keely Knopp

From the Mercy Occupational Medicine October eNewsletter

In addition to Home Eye Safety Month, October is also Health Literacy Month. Health Literacy Month began in 1999 as a way to improve individuals’ understanding of their personal healthcare information. Studies show that a significant number of people—particularly older adults, minority populations, individuals with lower socioeconomic status, and medically underserved populations—have problems reading, understanding, and acting on health information, and Health Literacy Month is aimed at changing that fact.

There are two categories of health literacy of which individuals and organizations should be aware:

Personal health literacy: The degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.
Organizational health literacy: The degree to which organizations equitably enable individuals to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.

At Mercy Urgent Care, we recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the health care system easier to navigate. We urge patients to speak up if there are questions regarding their visit results or treatment plans.

Mercy Urgent Care also urges individuals to “know their numbers,” particularly those dealing with one’s blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. These numbers can have a significant impact on overall health for individuals.

Mercy Urgent Care is here to help companies looking to increase their own organizational health literacy. Mercy Occupational Medicine provides onsite workplace health and wellness programs to help employees make informed health-related decisions. Blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing and blood glucose testing are just some of the services offered to companies and their workers. Find more information about our onsite services here.

Source: CDC, Health.gov

Keely Knopp

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