Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law that bans local governments from creating protections for workers who labor in the state's heat. Florida joins Texas, a state whose government last year also passed a similar law in limiting the power of local governments to require heat and water breaks for outdoor workers. Florida, one of the hottest U.S. states, has an estimated 2 million outdoor workers in industries including construction and agriculture. The new law is a direct response to proposed regulations from Florida’s Miami-Dade County to require shade and water for construction, farm, and other outdoor workers. Miami-Dade County is home to an estimated 325,000 outdoor workers alone. But the new law blocks heat protections from being implemented in cities and counties across Florida. The loss of the local rule was a blow to Miami-Dade activists and workers who had hoped the county heat protection rules would be in place before summer. Last year, the U.S. experienced its hottest summer on record, and Florida logged its hottest-ever July and August. The heat index, a measure that incorporates temperature and humidity, stayed greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 46 consecutive days in Miami. Currently, no federal rules regulate when it's too hot to work, and thousands of heat-related injuries and dozens of deaths are reported across the U.S. annually. U.S. employers do have a federal mandate to keep workers safe on the job, and recommendations for how to do so, including protecting workers from extreme heat. The guidance, though, doesn't explain exactly what those protections are or what to do when limits are surpassed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began working on national rules targeting heat in 2021, but a new OSHA rule takes years to implement. Across the U.S., the Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded 436 heat-related worker deaths between 2011 and 2021. A few states and local governments in the U.S. have attempted to create some heat protections. California was the first to establish regulations in 2006. The state requires employers to provide shade, rest breaks, and access to cool, clean water for outdoor workers. In 2021, Washington and Oregon created worker protections from heat as well.
A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control spotlighted the particular vulnerability for contamination through sinks and other water sources in a hospital setting. The study followed the infection prevention steps taken to control a months-long multispecies outbreak of carbapenemase-producing (CPE) Enterobacterales that occurred in a pediatric ward at the Toho University Omori Medical Center in Tokyo in 2017. CPE bacteria are a major public health threat because of their resistance to antibiotics. This new report details the detection of CPE in a single patient in June 2016, which appears to have triggered an outbreak to 19 pediatric patients starting in March 2017 and ending in October 2017 in an academic medical center in Tokyo. The infection prevention team sampled microbes from patients and the environment of the pediatric ward to better understand the outbreak. This sampling identified nine sinks contaminated with CPE, including six in hospital rooms and three more in a nurse center, a waste room, and an ice machine. The CPE-positive sinks were all found in rooms where CPE-positive patients had been treated. In rooms with CPE-negative patients, no sink contamination was detected. To help rein in the outbreak, all sinks in the pediatric ward were replaced with new ones in June 2017, and the new sinks were thoroughly disinfected with hydrogen peroxide. However, CPE contamination continued even after that step. The discovery of the same bacterial species in sinks in adjoining rooms indicated to researchers that pathogen transmission may be possible from one sink to another via the drains and connected plumbing. Other measures implemented by the infection prevention team—composed of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and microbiologists—included recommending hand disinfection after using sinks, introducing disposable tools for cleaning sinks, prohibiting mouth-washing with sink water, and enacting disinfection and drying procedures for any items exposed to sink water. Finally, after October 2017, no further CPE contamination was identified in patient samples or environmental surveillance. “The tremendous effort that went into controlling this outbreak is representative of the comprehensive and holistic approach to infection prevention that is required in these situations,” said Tania Bubb, Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) president. “Even a measure as definitive as replacing contaminated sinks may not be enough to stop the spread. This outbreak ended because the infection prevention team implemented a bundle of core processes related to hand hygiene, and the use and disinfection of hospital sinks.” For more information about APIC, visit apic.org.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its updated Public Health Data Strategy for 2024-2025 and a companion 2023 Lookback Report. First launched last year, the strategy outlines the data, technology, policy, and administrative actions essential to address challenges in data exchange between healthcare organizations and public health authorities and between state, tribal, local, territorial, and federal public health authorities. The strategy advances the priorities of the CDC’s Data Modernization Initiative (DMI). “We need a modernized public health data infrastructure that is seamlessly connected to the healthcare data and information technology ecosystem to effectively protect the health of communities across the country,” said Mandy Cohen, CDC Director. “Data are the oxygen that powers our ability to detect and respond to health threats. Early detection and monitoring of health threats rely on timely data in order for us to investigate and respond effectively.” According to the report, a standout achievement during 2023 for the CDC was the increase in the number of healthcare facilities implementing electronic case reporting. Electronic case reporting, or eCR, helped move data quickly, securely, and seamlessly from healthcare facilities to state, tribal, local, and territorial public health agencies on actionable threats. More than 36,000 healthcare facilities can now send electronic case reports, up from more than 25,000 in early 2023. In addition to the increased adoption of eCR, the CDC reported other key achievements, including: Expanding electronic laboratory reporting. 90% of CDC labs now electronically share data with external partners, such as state, territorial, local, and tribal health departments. Routinizing real-time reporting. 78% of U.S. hospital emergency departments (EDs) provided data to CDC within 24 hours through the National Syndromic Surveillance Program. Improving data access in rural communities. 380 critical access hospitals (CAHs) across the U.S. have implemented eCR, up from approximately 300 in early 2023. Establishing the Respiratory Virus Data Channel. This tool on the CDC’s website offers data visualizations and up-to-the-minute viral respiratory findings for COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It has received more than 4 million visits since it was launched in September 2023. The CDC’s updated strategy for 2024-2025 shares the organization’s priority work for the next two years, including: Further accelerating the adoption of eCR to ensure rapid detection of novel and emergent threats and diseases. The updated strategy includes milestones on further increasing adoption of eCR among CAHs. Connecting public health to health IT to enable faster sharing of data. The updated strategy includes milestones focused on use of the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement, or TEFCA, which helps establish a pathway for data sharing with healthcare systems and providers. Expanding core data sources that are critical for detecting threats early and monitoring in real-time. In addition to new milestones for eCR, ED, lab, and vital statistics data, the updated strategy includes milestones focused on strengthening exchange and improving sharing of additional core data sources such as wastewater, hospitalization, and hospital bed capacity. Prioritizing data to address health disparities and promote health equity. The updated strategy milestones include increased reporting on additional social determinants of health-related data.
According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) press release, the Biden-Harris Administration is directing U.S. government contractors to purchase cleaning products for federal buildings that are free of toxic “forever chemicals.” The updated requirements are the result of a collaboration between the EPA and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to implement U.S. President Joe Biden’s Federal Sustainability Plan, which directs federal agencies to prioritize the purchase of sustainable products and services, including products without added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). GSA’s updated custodial specifications require that contractors use cleaners and hand soaps must be certified to the EPA Safer Choice, Green Seal® GS-37, Green Seal® GS-41, or Green Seal® GS-53 certifications, which do not allow intentionally added PFAS in product formulations. This is in addition to meeting federal statutory requirements, including the minimum biobased content requirement set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s BioPreferred Program. Currently, GSA’s Public Building Service has more than 600 contracts for custodial services at more than 1,500 U.S. government-owned buildings at a cost of more than US$400 million per year and expects that most of these contracts will include the new specifications within five years. “Everyone deserves protection from the harmful effects of forever chemicals, including the workers who use cleaning products, federal employees, and those who visit government buildings every day,” said Michael Regan, EPA administrator. “EPA has well recognized and established tools to help our partners in the federal government identify cleaning products that use safer ingredients and do not contain intentionally added PFAS to keep people safe and healthy.” To help educate contractors on the new requirements, EPA’s Safer Choice Program is offering a webinar on April 9, at 2:00 p.m. ET, on how updates to federal purchasing and GSA Advantage provide further incentives for businesses to acquire and maintain Safer Choice certification for their products, as well as how product manufacturers can feature their product benefits in GSA Advantage. Product manufacturers and purchasers are encouraged to attend. For more information and to register, click here.
A recent study from Ohio personal injury law firm John Fitch analyzing workplace safety across the U.S. unveiled North Dakota as the state where companies have received the highest average penalties for safety violations. The study drew 2014-2024 data from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) records of enforcement cases with initial penalties of US$40,000 or greater. North Dakota businesses were hit with the highest fines for workplace safety breaches. With 59 initial penalties issued, the sum totals $10,731,540, averaging $181,891 per business–the highest in the U.S. The businesses in the state that have been hit with the penalties include construction companies, food companies, and retail businesses. Following North Dakota, Virginia is the state with the second highest average initial penalties for workplace safety breaches. In total, $29,307,524 in fines have accumulated for 235 companies across the state, which averages out at $124,713. In third place, Washington businesses have received a total of $51,016,418 safety violation-related penalties. That amount has been spread across 415 companies, resulting in an average fine of $122,931. Montana, despite the third lowest number of penalties out of the 50 states, with just 20, still has the fourth highest average cost of $120,012 per business. The top five is rounded out by Alabama where 248 businesses have received a total of $29,737,468 in penalties for workplace safety breaches since 2014. The resulting average cost per business is $119,909. “The study found that more than 13,000 enforcement cases with initial penalties of at least $40,000 since 2014, totaling more than $1 billion in fines,” said a John Fitch spokesperson. “It is important for businesses to understand the repercussions of safety breaches and ensure the safest possible work environment for employees."
ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, today announced that industry leaders will convene on Capitol Hill April 10-11 for the 2024 ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit. More than 100 cleaning industry leaders will head to Washington, D.C., to inform Congress how the cleaning industry strengthens America’s health and economy. The group will advocate for important issues, such as addressing labor shortages, securing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding, and seeking support for workforce legislation. Attendees include leadership from cleaning product manufacturers and distributors, as well as service providers responsible for cleaning schools, homes, hospitals, hotels, workplaces, and other spaces. “Industry leaders are eager to emphasize that fostering healthy and safe facilities contributes significantly to the economy and plays a crucial role in safeguarding public health,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “In this dynamic landscape, ISSA and the cleaning industry must continue to have a seat at the table to shape policies prioritizing a resilient and thriving future for all.” Cleaning industry leaders will ask Congress to support a minimum of US$166 million in federal funding for the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs in fiscal year 2025. Funding will ensure the agency has sufficient resources to process registrations for the sanitizers and disinfectants that keep homes, schools, and workplaces clean, healthy, and safe. Per data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one out of every 40 workers in the United States is a cleaning professional, and labor shortages continue to be a huge issue for the industry. The group is asking for Congress’ support in reforming asylum laws, instituting employment verification reforms, and expanding the scope of essential worker programs, specifically allowing employers to meet temporary labor needs in non-seasonal jobs. Additionally, cleaning industry leaders will ask for support on the bipartisan, bicameral Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (HR 1477/S 722). The act will expand qualified expenses under 529 savings plans to include post-secondary training and credentialing, such as licenses and professional certifications for workers who pursue career growth, mid-career changes, or pathways that diverge from a typical academic route. Cleaning industry leaders from more than 30 states will hear from over 125 congressional offices, including Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY-06) and Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL-16), and are scheduled to meet with Reps. Ami Bera MD (D-CA-06), Russ Fulcher (R-ID-01), Brian Mast (R-FL-21), Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), and Mike Rogers (R-AL-03). “As we grapple with big issues facing the country, the industry has a compelling story to share – one that highlights its vital contributions to the economy and dedication to safeguarding public health,” said ISSA Director of Government Affairs John Nothdurft. “The industry continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a resilient and health-conscious future for our nation.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a person in the United States has tested positive for avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus (commonly known as H5N1 bird flu), as reported by Texas and confirmed by the CDC. Symptoms of H5N1 bird flu range from mild (eye infection and upper respiratory symptoms) to severe (pneumonia), which has resulted in death in other countries. The person, exposed to the highly pathogenic virus via infected dairy cattle in Texas, reported only one symptom of the disease, that being eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis). The individual is receiving an antiviral drug as treatment and is recovering. This is the second person reported to have tested positive for H5N1 bird flu in the United States. In 2022, a previous human case was reported in Colorado. According to the CDC, human infections with avian influenza A viruses, including H5N1, are uncommon but have occurred sporadically worldwide. The CDC has been monitoring for illness among people exposed to H5 virus-infected birds since outbreaks were first detected in U.S. wild birds and poultry in late 2021. Despite this case, the CDC maintains that H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment remains low for the U.S. general public. However, people with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock) or to contaminated environments are at a greater risk of infection. Seasonal flu vaccines do not provide protection against avian influenza A viruses. To avoid infection, the CDC recommends avoiding unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including cattle), as well as with animal carcasses, raw milk, feces, litter, or materials contaminated by birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected HPAI A(H5N1)-virus infection. People should not prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked food or related uncooked food products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk, or products made from raw milk such as cheeses, from animals with confirmed or suspected HPAI A(H5N1)-virus infection (avian influenza or bird flu). People exposed to birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection should be monitored for any signs of illness for 10 days after the last known exposure. This includes individuals who were wearing recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) at the time of the exposure. The CDC states that it is working closely with state and federal agencies, including USDA, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and local health authorities to further investigate and monitor this situation.
Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, recently completed the reaccreditation process for GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a Division of ISSA. The iconic 20,000-seat sports arena, formerly known as Staples Center and home of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, and home to many of your favorite award shows and events, joined more than 150 facilities across the globe in renewing their GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation during the first three months of 2024. The accreditation demonstrates a facility’s commitment to establishing and sustaining a high-performance cleaning and disinfection program to maintain a hygienic indoor environment supported by knowledgeable professionals trained to uphold the highest standards of building maintenance. In addition, GBAC STAR Accreditation aligns a facility’s rigorous infectious disease prevention protocols with the latest sustainability initiatives, ensuring a resilient, sustainable operation. “Facilities of all types and sizes are renewing their GBAC STAR accreditation because it assures visitors and employees that these environments are clean and healthy,” said Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, GBAC Senior Director. “With GBAC STAR, you are not only demonstrating your commitment to protecting your employees’ and customers’ health and well-being in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way, but also shaping a healthier and safer world for everyone, everywhere.” Visit ISSA.com to see all the facilities that joined Crypto.com Arena in successfully achieving GBAC STAR Facility Reaccreditation during the first quarter of 2024, reinforcing their commitment to keeping their staff, visitors, and community safe.
New research recently released by hygiene product company Tork, an Essity brand, shines light on the difficulties Americans have in staying hygienic while using public restrooms in the United States. According to data gathered by Tork: Almost 1 in 3 Americans faced barriers to washing their hands in public restrooms. Around 1 in 5 experienced difficulties using soap or hand towel dispensers due to an injury, health condition, physical capability, or as a parent with a child. 1 in 7 cited loud noises as a source of difficulty, either personally or when assisting a child when using public restrooms. More than 1 in 3 viewed lack of cleanliness as a barrier to using workplace or public restrooms. The research also found that more than 60% of individuals surveyed have a lesser opinion of businesses or venues that provide hand hygiene facilities that are challenging to use. Almost one-third of guests at high-traffic venues (such as sport stadiums) said they limit how much they eat or drink, in order to avoid going to the restrooms. To heighten awareness of these issues, Tork has created a “paper towel plea” campaign, through which the company is distributing paper towels printed with hand-written notes from individuals who face restroom barriers related to age, neurodiversity, skin sensitivities, and hygiene-related concerns. “We’re spotlighting these hand hygiene barriers because they can lead to restroom avoidance and can go largely unobserved,” said Amie Kromis, Essity North America DEI director. “Our ultimate ambition is to explore —and solve for—the ways that the restroom experience could be improved for everyone. Not only is this important for the individual’s ability to use the restroom and wash their hands, but a negative experience in the restroom can impact a businesses’ revenue, as well.” On March 27, Tork also announced its goal to advance hygiene inclusivity in the restroom at Reuters Events’ Responsible Business USA 2024, where the brand joined sustainability, legal, communications, and finance leaders to explore how organizations can improve the environmental and societal sustainability of their operations and solutions. “Many people around the world experience barriers, discomfort, or anxiety when they try to properly wash and dry their hands in a public or workplace restroom,” said Ron Clemmer, Global Handwashing Partnership secretariat director. “We know that hand washing is critical for reducing the spread of disease and having the integrity of good hygiene, but it isn’t easily accessible for everyone. We applaud Tork for leading the charge on this important initiative and continuing to push for attention and improvement of the accessibility of hand washing in public and workplace restrooms. Through these efforts, they are paving the way to make it easier for everyone to be able to wash their hands properly in public and workplace settings.” To learn more about Tork’s paper towel plea campaign, click here.
According to an article on phys.org, newly developed titanium oxide nanoparticles, when added to paint, can cause walls to clean themselves, as well as the air in the room. A research team from TU Wien (also known as the Vienna University of Technology) and the Università Politecnica delle Marche in Italy has developed the nanoparticles. When added to ordinary paint, the nanoparticles use sunlight to activate the paint’s self-cleaning attributes. According to the article, the nanoparticles bind substances from the air and then decompose them afterwards. As such, a painted wall can clean the air and also clean itself. By doing so, the wall can help eliminate pollutants in indoor air, improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and combat “sick building syndrome,” a situation where poor air quality affects the health of a building’s inhabitants. “For years, people have been trying to use customized wall paints to clean the air,” Günther Rupprechter, professor at the Institute of Materials Chemistry at TU Wien, told phys.org. “Titanium oxide nanoparticles are particularly interesting in this context. They can bind and break down a wide range of pollutants.” According to the study, 96% of air and wall pollutants can be removed by simple sunlight using this technology. “We have now investigated this phenomenon in great detail using a variety of different surface and nanoparticle analysis methods,” Qaisar Maqbool, one of the study’s authors, told phys.org. “In this way, we were able to show exactly how these particles behave, before and after they were added to the wall paint.” According to the article, further study is planned, with the eventual intent of producing a commercially available paint. To view the study on the technology, click here.
Be sure not to miss CMM’s upcoming FREE webinar, Getting the Full Story on Product Safety: Separating Myths From Facts, being presented April 23 at 1:00 CT. From debunking myths to offering essential insights for cleaning professionals, this one-hour session will help you learn more about product safety and improve your ability to pick the right cleaning products for your business or facility. As an attendee, you will learn: Critical information cleaning professionals need to know about the products they use What makes a study worthy of attention or concern for product users and building occupants Understanding a cleaning product label and safety data sheet details And much more! The event’s expert panel includes: Charles Gerba, PhD—Professor of Environmental Microbiology at the University of Arizona Mark Warner—National sales manager for The Bullen Companies, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania A live Q&A session will conclude the webinar, so be prepared to present our experts with all your product safety questions, challenges, and concerns. Register for the free webinar today!
According to a press release by the Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Sheriff’s Department, a maintenance worker died while cleaning one of the community’s water tanks. On Friday, March 23, Carlos Medina, a 30-year-old man from El Paso, Texas, was cleaning off sentiment inside the Blair, Wisconsin, city water tank using a 90-foot suction tube. Medina was wearing scuba gear and a wet suit during the work. Two co-workers who were also at the site noted that he had been in the tank approximately 45 minutes, at which point Medina stated that he was starting to feel cold yet continued to work. The co-workers speculated that Medina then entered a hypothermic state and lost strength and mobility in his hands. Ultimately, Medina became tangled in the suction tube, leaving his co-workers unable to remove him from the tank. When first responders and law enforcement arrived at the scene, Medina was found motionless, roughly six feet below the surface of the water. Together with the co-workers, they were able to remove Medina, but life-saving measures performed on him were unsuccessful. The incident remains under investigation.
