Join us on Thursday, June 11th from 1 PM to 3 PM for a free webinar. This webinar will provide small employers with the tools necessary to coordinate a safe reopening amidst a pandemic. Join us on June 11th from 1 PM – 3 PM as experts discuss key topics including navigating the plethora of interim guidance, critical elements of a preparedness plan, and realistic strategies for supporting business continuity. Topics at a glance: How to minimize exposure in the workplace Signs, symptoms, and testing for Coronavirus Strategies to control […]

Written by: William Tomlin, USF SafetyFlorida Health Supervisor SARS-CoV-2 has swept the nation, leaving many of us to grapple with how to best protect our employees.  We as safety professionals are facing  serious challenges in protecting our employees and preventing infections at our facilities. With the shelter-in-place orders lifting, we will have workers or office staff returning to our workplaces.  This article presents a few items that should be considered when reopening your workplace. These suggestions were taken from a webinar provided by the Texas OTIEC, hosted by Dan Rosenthal […]

As we move closer to the reopening of our economy, it is important that employers consider implementing processes to mitigate the effects of potential future health hazards in their workplaces in addition to CDC guidelines such as social distancing, updated PPE requirements, temperature checking and COVID-19 testing. Maintaining a safe work environment for employees to return to not only is good for business, but also an obligation. The OSHA general duty clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, requires that each employer furnish a workplace that is […]

Several USF College of Public Health staff members were awarded the 2019 Outstanding Staff Awards. Each year, the University of South Florida seeks to recognize employees who exemplify “above and beyond” performance excellence through their daily commitment to the University. This year, the COPH recognized individual award winner Paige Hunt, […]

Research suggest almost 50% of small businesses do not have an emergency preparedness plan in place. Failure to have a plan can lead to chaos, confusion and failure. Moreover, it lends itself to insufficient resources and inadequate training for workers. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major toll on businesses, workers, customers, and the public. Planning in advance for a pandemic or any unexpected disaster is critical to the sustainability of your business. Plans should be up-to-date, address specific risk exposure, sources of exposure, routes of transmission, and any other […]

On the same day worldwide cases of coronavirus were reported to have surpassed 100,000, lawmakers swiftly passed a bill approving 8.3 billion dollars directed toward COVID-19 prevention efforts and research. To date, the CDC has reported 938 total cases in the U.S. and as many as 19 cases in Florida. Currently, there is no vaccine available to protect against COVID-19 and the virus is reported as being transmitted mainly through human-to-human contact. Signs and symptoms of infection with COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. While most Americans are […]

Written by: Pat Stark, CHST, PCC, PCG, Senior Safety and Health Consultant, USF SafetyFlorida Most employers need to maintain the OSHA 300 and 300A at their establishment. OSHA defines an establishment as a single physical location where business is conducted or where services or industrial operations are performed. Many employers […]

Written by: Keith Brown, Safety Supervisor, USF SafetyFlorida Hazard(s): A portable air compressor was found being fed by two, 100 feet long, 16 gauge extension cords. While the extension cords were suspended overhead to avoid contact with the water on the floor, water was encroaching upon the area in which the air compressor was located. Violation(s):29 CFR 1926.403(b)(1) – Examination. The employer shall ensure that electrical equipment is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. Specifically, water was observed encroaching upon […]