OSHA is committed to protecting the health and safety of America’s workers and workplaces during these unprecedented times. The agency will be issuing a series of alerts designed to keep workers safe.

Ensuring adequate ventilation throughout the work environment can help to maintain a safe and healthy workplace. Employers should work with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional to consider steps to optimize building ventilation. An HVAC professional can ensure that the ventilation system is operating as intended. The following tips can help reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus:

• Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick.
• Ensure all HVAC systems are fully functional, especially those shut down or operating at reduced capacity during the pandemic.
• Remove or redirect personal fans to prevent blowing air from one worker to another.
• Use HVAC system filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of 13 or higher, where feasible.
• Increase the HVAC system’s outdoor air intake. Open windows or other sources of fresh air where possible.
• Be sure exhaust air is not pulled back into the building from HVAC air intakes or open windows.
• Consider using portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) fan/filtration systems to increase clean air, especially in higher-risk areas.
• When changing filters, wear appropriate personal protective equipment. ASHRAE recommends N95 respirators, eye protection (safety glasses, goggles, or face shields), and disposable gloves.
• Make sure exhaust fans in restrooms are fully functional, operating at maximum capacity, and are set to remain on.
• Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns.
  

For more information, visit www.osha.gov/coronavirus or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

Four Iowa municipal electric utilities were part of the list of one hundred twenty-five utilities that have earned the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2019, APPA reported on April 20. Congratulations to Coon Rapids Municipal Utilities, Independence Light & Power, Lenox Municipal Light and Power, and Waverly Utilities.

More than 335 utilities entered the annual safety awards, which is the highest number of entrants in the history of the program.

Entrants were placed in categories according to their number of worker-hours and ranked based on the most incident-free records during 2019.

The incidence rate, used to judge entries, is based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and the number of worker-hours during 2019, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“Strong safety programs are essential to ensuring that electric utility employees are informed and trained on safe work procedures,” said Brandon Wylie, chair of APPA’s Safety Committee and director of training & safety at Electric Cities of Georgia. “The utilities receiving this award have proven that protecting the safety of their employees is a top priority.”

The safety awards have been held annually for the last 60 years.

Free Noise Hazard Training for 2020, this training is supported by OSHA’s Susan Harwood Program.

The training is free and is specially aiming at facilities with 250 or less employees.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/training-for-understanding-evaluating-and-controlling-noise-hazards-registration-96102251421

Click here for the brochure.

Please contact Wendy Van Dyke at ISU for more information.

Here is a list of future training:

Date	Host	City
Thursday, March 19	Iowa Western CC	Council Bluffs
Wednesday April 22	Northeast Iowa CC	Peosta
Thursday April 23	Northeast Iowa CC	Calmar
Tuesday, May 26	Hawkeye CC	Waterloo
Thursday, June 25	CIRAS	Davenport/Quad Cities
Tuesday, August 4	IISC	Des Moines