COVID Updates
It feels like the COVID news is changing pretty rapidly again, but this time it is mostly positively. As of the date we are writing this, 60% of Minnesotans have received at least one COVID vaccine shot. Governor Walz said he will lift the mask mandate on July 1 or when we get to 70% of adult Minnesotans vaccinated, whichever comes first. As of May 7, many restrictions were eased, with plans to lift more on May 28.
We’ve put together a poster explaining reasons to get vaccinated – it’s available on our Newsletters page. To go with that, here are answers to some common questions:
If I’m fully vaccinated, and I may have had exposure to someone with COVID, do I need to quarantine? If you have no symptoms, you do not have to quarantine. You may continue to work. You do not have to get tested, but monitor for symptoms for two weeks. If you have symptoms, you should isolate and get tested.
What does fully vaccinated mean? Fully vaccinated means two weeks from your final shot (2 weeks after the one Johnson & Johnson shot, or two weeks after the second Moderna or Pfizer shot). It takes time for immunity to build up in your body.
If I am fully vaccinated, should I still get routine COVID test? No, you do not need to be tested unless you have symptoms.
Can I still get COVID after my first shot, but before my second? Yes, you can still get COVID. There is a very low chance of getting COVID even after your second shot, but if you do contract it, symptoms should be a lot less severe than without the vaccine.
Can I still transmit COVID after being fully vaccinated? There is a low potential risk that you could transmit the virus to someone who is not vaccinated. That is a major reason why the CDC still recommends that people who are vaccinated continue to take precautions. You may not know who around you has or has not been vaccinated and who is at risk for a severe reaction to the virus.
This information may change as more people are vaccinated, as we learn more about the virus, and as mutations of the virus develop and spread.
For more information on Minnesota’s Stay Safe Plan and COVID restrictions, go to https://mn.gov/covid19/stay-safe/stay-safe-plan/index.jsp
For an infographic on choosing safer activities: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/pdfs/choosingSaferActivities.pdf
OSHA and Environmental Updates
OSHA 300 Log of Injuries & Illnesses
For companies that posted their OSHA 300 log summary, the logs can be taken down now.
Any company that had 20 or more employees at any time during the year, including seasonal and part-time employees, must submit their OSHA log information to federal OSHA’s data collection website. While the deadline was March 2, if you did not submit, you can still do so. We handled the submission for our maintenance clients.
The Environmental Protection Agency has begun using electronic manifests, and requiring waste disposal firms to use them. If you want to use e-manifests, you need to register for the service. Once registered, you can keep on signing paper copies of the manifest for waste you offer for disposal or you can sign an electronic manifest online. The e-manifest is considered the official manifest; once it has been entered into the EPA’s system, you no longer have to keep the paper copy. You still must make sure that the waste has been received at its final destination.
Welcome to Mary
Mary Dipping is the newest member of our staff, starting this week. Mary has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from Illinois State University. She spent a semester in Cyprus studying viruses and human diseases, completed a safety internship in Sitka, Alaska, and taught in Thailand. Watch for more information on Mary in our next newsletter.
Situational Awareness
The recent edition of Minnesota SafetyLines had an article about situational awareness. Here are some highlights:
Pay attention to your surroundings, don’t just pass through them.
- That means noticing – and doing something about – spills, smell of gas, slipping hazards, missing machine guards
- Use your five senses
- Don’t bury your eyes in your phone. Your phone can be a tool in an emergency – or a distraction that puts you in danger.
Have two exit plans.
- The exit door may not be your only exit route.
- Park your vehicle in well lit areas, and so you won’t be blocked in.
Be weather aware.
For the next few months (fingers crossed) we don’t have to worry about ice and snow. Heat and storms take their place. If you work outside, check for severe weather alerts. Know the signs of heat stress. Keep an eye on coworkers, as people suffering from heat stroke often do not realize how dangerous their condition is.