Have You Conducted Refresher Safety Training in 2020?
It’s not too late to conduct your annual refresher safety training! With all the COVID 19-related changes that everyone has had to make in the workplace this year, it’s easy to see how this requirement could slip through the cracks.
In light of the pandemic, OSHA is making some allowances for lapses in annual training requirements such as for companies that were required to close for a period of time.
That said, OSHA is requiring that companies demonstrate that they have made a good faith effort to comply with annual training requirements including the use of virtual training options and other means of remote communication. The use of virtual training has been a great option for many companies and has even proven to make annual refresher training easier to schedule!
Which OSHA standards specifically require refresher training?
- The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires that annual training be provided within one year (i.e., 12 months) […]
In a November 17th, 2020 Lab Advisory, the CDC announced the release of the 6th Edition of Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL)! The BMBL has become the foundation of biosafety practice since it was first published in 1984. Historically, the information in this publication has been advisory in nature although some legislation and regulations, in particular local recombinant DNA ordinances, have made compliance with the guidance provided mandatory. The previous version of the BMBL (5th Edition) was published in December 2009.
Ryan Burke, tCSO at Safety Partners, is also part of the New Hampshire Marine Corps and currently on reserve. Note, as part of Safety Partners policies, we allow any employee to take a leave of absence from work to serve in the United States uniformed services – including active or inactive military duty for training, National Guard duty or training, and Armed Forces Reserve duty.
Often companies seek to check off all of the regulatory boxes so non-compliance doesn’t interfere with their work and timelines. While this may be reasonable, regulations can be general and do not always achieve safety standards that appropriately address workplace hazards.
