Wishing You A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See Ya 2020!

We thank each and every one of our clients and partners for their continued support through this pandemic.

There's absolutely no way we would be still be here without you!

See ya 2020! What a year to remember and forget.

Please stay healthy and safe this Holiday break.

Get Certified To Perform Respirator Fit Testing Today!

Get trained and certified to perform respirator fit testing for tight-fitting respirators, including N95s.

Our 8-hour virtual training course covers respiratory protection and respirator fit testing.

Many assume the objective of a fit test is face piece sizing. Although this is a very important element of fit testing, the primary reason to fit test an individual is to verify that he or she has been trained to wear a respirator and has, in fact, learned how to put on the face piece correctly. If a person does not know how to use the equipment, the respirator will be less effective, regardless of whether or not it is the right size.

We have one last virtual training course this year, scheduled for Tuesday, December 15th.

NEW 2021 NFPA 70E Standard! Stay Informed.

Stay on top of the latest changes to the 2021 Edition of NFPA 70E Standard. Our electrical safety certification courses cover the significant changes made to the standard.

We offer the following certification courses that include the latest updates to the NFPA 70E Standard:

• 7hr. Electrical Safety Low Voltage Qualified Person
• 9.5 Electrical Safety High/Low Voltage Qualified Person
• 4hr. NFPA 70E Arc Flash Electrical Safety

Proudly Guest Speaking at Young Community Developer's First Successful Virtual Graduation

Through our partnership with Young Community Developers, we are honored for the opportunity to provide safety education to San Francisco's Southeast residents.

We recently guest spoke in the virtual celebration of the 16th cohort graduation. This is the first YCD EPA JRT cohort that began and ended during a worldwide Pandemic. We are truly excited for all the graduates.

We stand by YCD's mission:

Youth Community Developers (YCD) is a community-based organization that provides education and employment training opportunities to residents of San Francisco’s Southeast neighborhoods. We all have one thing in common: we are dedicated to empowering the Bayview Community with the tools and resources to be successful in school and on the job.

Happy Thanksgiving Holiday Break! Gobble, Gobble

The ehsInc team wishes you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! 

We are thankful for our clients, partners, and colleagues.

We will be closed on Thursday and Friday, so that our team may enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with their family and friends.

We Are Closed Veterans Day - Honoring All Who Served

In observance to Veterans Day, we will be closed

Wednesday, November 11th.

We honor and thank all military personnel who served this great country.

Click below to Learn More about Our Veterans In Construction Program

Offering free safety training for our veterans

COVID-19 Infection Prevention Requirements (AB 685) - Enhanced Enforcement and Employer Reporting Requirements

Assembly Bill 685 (Reyes) enhances Cal/OSHA’s enforcement of COVID-19 infection prevention requirements by allowing for Orders Prohibiting Use and citations for serious violations related to COVID-19 to be issued more quickly. The law also requires employers to notify all employees who were at a worksite of all potential exposures to COVID-19 and notify the local public health agency of outbreaks. The changes will be in effect from January 1, 2021 until January 1, 2023.

1.    What did Assembly Bill 685 change?

• Orders Prohibiting Use (OPU): Cal/OSHA can issue an OPU to shut down an entire worksite or a specific worksite area that exposes employees to an imminent hazard related to COVID-19.
• Citations for serious violations: Cal/OSHA can issue citations for serious violations related to COVID-19 without giving employers 15-day notice before issuance.
• Employers are now required to notify all employees at a worksite of potential exposures, COVID-19-related benefits and protections, and disinfection and safety measures that will be taken at the worksite in response to the potential exposure.
• Employers are now required to notify local public health agencies of all workplace outbreaks, which are defined as three or more laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among employees who live in different households within a two-week period.

2.    What is an Order Prohibiting Use (OPU)?

• An OPU allows Cal/OSHA to protect workers from an imminent hazard by prohibiting entry into a place of employment or prohibiting the use of something in a place of employment which constitutes an imminent hazard. An imminent hazard is defined as any condition or practice which poses a hazard to employees, which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately, or before the imminence of such hazard can be eliminated through normal enforcement procedures.

3.    What changed about Cal/OSHA’s authority to issue OPUs related to COVID-19?

• The law makes it clear that Cal/OSHA can now shut down an entire worksite or specific worksite area that exposes employees to an imminent hazard related to COVID-19 infection. Cal/OSHA can exercise its authority at any place of employment where risk of exposure to COVID-19 constitutes an imminent hazard, and would remove employees from the risk of harm until the employer can effectively address the hazard.

4.    What is a citation for a serious violation and why does it take longer to issue?

• Cal/OSHA’s inspections may result in citations with monetary penalties. The citations classify each violation based on the severity of the hazard. Citations are classified as serious when Cal/OSHA demonstrates there is a realistic possibility that death or serious physical harm could result from the actual hazard created by the violation. Prior to AB 685, when Cal/OSHA planned to issue citations for a serious violation, it would first provide a form to the employer with at least 15 days of notice prior to issuing a citation with a serious violation.

5.    What changed about how Cal/OSHA issues citations for a serious violation related to COVID-19?

• Cal/OSHA can now more quickly issue citations for serious violations related to COVID-19. AB 685 removed the possibility of a negative inference being drawn if Cal/OSHA does not send a pre-citation notice to the employer at least 15 days prior to issuing a citation for a serious violation related to COVID-19.

6.    Whom must employers now notify of their potential exposure to COVID-19?

• The law now clearly states that employers must provide a written notice to all employees, and the employers of subcontracted employees, who were on the premises at the same worksite as the person who was infectious with COVID-19 or who was subject to a COVID-19-related quarantine order. After becoming aware of a potential exposure because someone at the worksite was infectious with COVID-19 or is ordered by a public health official to isolate due to COVID-19 concerns, employers must immediately (within one business day) provide the written notice to the employees and the employers of subcontracted employees.

7.    What must employers notify workers of when informing them of their potential exposure?

• The law requires an employer to notify employees, and employers of subcontracted employees, of their potential exposure and provide them with certain information regarding COVID-19-related benefits and options. Employers must also notify employees and employers of subcontracted employees of the disinfection and safety plan that the employer plans to implement and complete per the guidelines of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

8.    What is a workplace outbreak of COVID-19?

• The California Department of Public Health defines an outbreak in non-healthcare or non-residential congregate setting workplaces as three or more laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among employees who live in different households within a two-week period.

9.    How do employers have to report outbreaks?

• Employers must notify local public health agencies of outbreaks within 48 hours of becoming aware of the number of cases that meets the definition of an outbreak. The employer must notify the local public health agency in the jurisdiction of the worksite of the names, phone number, occupation, and worksite of employees who may have COVID-19 or who are under a COVID-19 isolation order from a public health official. Employers must also report the business address and NAICS industry code of the worksite where the infected or quarantined individuals work. An employer that has an outbreak subject to these provisions must continue to give notice to the local health department of any subsequent laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the worksite.

10.    How long will the changes from AB 685 be in effect?

• The changes will be in effect from January 1, 2021 until January 1, 2023.

Read the State's post here

ehsInc Celebrating 10 Years of Business!

October 8th, 2020 - Today marks our 10th year of doing business as ehs International, Inc. (ehsInc) 

As we reflect on the past ten years, we can't go without saying thank you to our loyal clients who have been with us since day one. You know who you are.

And to all of our clients and colleagues who have entrusted in our services and product, we thank you.

The most significant thing we learned from the 10 years in business is to treat each client the same, as if they were our biggest investor.

Cheers to another decade of providing environmental, health, and safety education and consulting services!

NEW Virtual Training: HAZWOPER General Site Worker Certification

We now offer the 5-Day 40 Hour HAZWOPER General Site Worker Certification Training via Open-Registration Virtual Training.

Get your required certification training at your finger tips! It's never been easier!

Customized Virtual Training That Meets OSHA's Training Requirements

Virtual training that meets OSHA's training requirements

Whether we provide training exclusively for your company or if you attend our open-registration courses, we got you covered!

We also provide blended training for safety topics that require hands-on practical exercises.

We use the latest technology to deliver effective user-friendly online virtual training.

Active learning is the only way

Active learning by engaging students with tabletop exercises and hands-on practical training ensures you won't get the Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?'s of the world :)

NEW Open-Registration Virtual Training Schedule

OSHA compliant safety training at your fingertips! We have created a schedule of popular safety topics that are now open for registration.

• 8 Hour HAZWOPER Refresher
• 40 Hour HAZWOPER General Site Worker
• 24 Hour HAZWOPER Occasional Site Worker
• 10 Hour OSHA Outreach - Construction Industry
• CPR Train-The-Trainer
• Respiratory Protection & Fit Test Train-The-Trainer

Click on below or the graphic above for more information.

We also provide customized virtual training, exclusively for your company.

Honoring The Fallen - Closed Memorial Day

We will be closed on Memorial Day to honor the men and women of America's Armed Forces who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

“…And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice."

Ronald Reagan

New Bay Area Order Requires 3rd Party Jobsite Safety Supervisors

Effective April 29, 2020 - In efforts to reduce the COVID-19 spread, Large Construction Projects (LCP's) in the Bay Area must adhere to the LCP Safety Protocols listed in Appendix B2 of the Bay Area SIP Order (Order No. HO-COVID19-09).

Among these requirements, LCP's must assign a qualified COVID-19 Third Party Jobsite Safety Accountability Supervisor (JSAS) for the jobsite.

We can help! Our team of safety experts are vetted and qualified JSAS's. 

We are serving the following Bay Area Counties:

• County of San Francisco
• County of Santa Clara
• County of Alameda
• County of San Mateo
• County of Contra Costa
• County of Marin

May is Safe Jobs For Young Workers Month

May is SAFE JOBS FOR YOUTH Month.

Help YoungWorkers.org campaign to bring awareness to the importance of providing a safe workplace for our youth.

Every 6 minutes a teenage worker is seriously injured! Lets change this. A good start is providing basic safety awareness to our hard working youth. 

For more information and resources visit: http://youngworkers.org/

Workers Memorial Day - Light a Candle to Honor the Fallen

April 28th - Today we join AFL-CIO by observing Workers Memorial Day.

Light a candle to remember and honor the hundreds of thousands of workers killed and injured on the job every year.

For those on the front lines fighting COVID-19 - we see you and we thank you.

OSHA Compliance and Virtual Conferencing Training

At home working? We can help maintain your certification. You will remain OSHA-compliant by taking virtual conferencing training with us.

Perks:

• Live Instructor-Led Training
• Downloadable Student Materials
• Student Engagement with Interactive Options
• Registration and Attendance Reporting
• Connect via any Web-Enabled Device
• Voice Recognition for Webcam Video
• Customized Webcam Virtual Background
• Modern and Robust Chat Menu
• Immediate Access to Training Certificates

A Message from ehsInc CEO Marjorie Del Toro

A SAFE WORKFORCE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS A HEALTHY ONE

Hi, I’m Marjorie Del Toro, President, and CEO of ehs International, Inc. (ehsInc). Let’s have a conversation; it’s important.

I understand the challenges you are facing, the concerns for your employees during this global health crisis. You have, by this point, received hundreds of notices from your clients, vendors, associations as to what steps they are taking to ensure the containment of COVID-19, within their purview.

I will not bombard you with yet another similar notice. I’m confident most are following CDC guidelines. My message today is that of the perspective of a business owner dealing with the same economic, health, and governmental compliance concerns. Our firm has educated hundreds of thousands of lives across the Nation on how to conduct their jobs safely. We accomplished this by providing our clients with a multitude of effective learning channels since 1997.

As leaders, we often fail to see solutions to challenges, even if the answer is right in front of us—especially during times like these.

I consistently search for options, solutions, guidance on how to continue to move forward with my responsibilities to my employees, clients, vendors, and regulating agencies. I heard that sigh-not one of relief!

I’m going to provide you a clear solution as to how to adhere to your responsibilities when it comes to complying with Federal and State regulations set by the Occupational, Safety, and Health Administrations (OSHA).

Technology provides us the ability to continue to focus on our mission for a healthier and safer workforce. Let’s take advantage of what we have.

I’m sharing with you what our firm has done for our clients to alleviate the challenges set by OSHA while at the same time providing our clients with economic relief. I challenge all businesses to do the same for their clients.

• We developed a written program covering policy and procedures for Aerosol Transmissible Disease (ATD), specific to COVID-19, and have made it available to our clients for a minimal fee.

• 25% Savings on Video Conferencing Training:
• On-site training is not an option; we have switched our clients to video conferencing.
• Employees log-on remotely or in small groups (providing the 6 foot distance between each employee is possible), while our safety instructors are teaching in real-time as they interact with each student.
• They encourage discussion, provide visual aid, polling, and interactive games. Our learning method is to provide a fun environment that takes the “stigma” of training, to a place that our students forget they are doing just that, learning!

• We have waived all cancellations fees, our way of thanking current clients for their continued support.
• We provided full access to our library of safety talks/tailgates. We are providing our clients, the guidelines, and discussion points necessary for a productive morning safety meeting. (for clients only)
• Online Training: Provide a discount for most corporations. Our robust learning management system provides the flexibility needed for the workforce.

In a time of adversity, we need to work together, NOT price gauge or hoard. I rely on my faith, family, the phenomenal team at ehsInc (whom I work for), partners, and vendors.

We are extending these offers to you until August 1st, 2020.

We are here to help; follow the button provided or call us at 855.2.ehsInc (855.234.7462) or contact me directly, sincerely, I’m here to help. We want to provide you with one less worry.

Respectfully,


Marjorie Del Toro
President/CEO
ehsInc
mdeltoro@ehsinc.org

Celebrating National Women in Construction Week - March 1-7, 2020

March 1-7, 2020 is National Women In Construction week! This week sheds light on female professionals making an impact in construction and to raise awareness for women finding careers in the construction field.

We only employ safety professionals that are forward-thinkers and have immediate capability or potential to make a positive impact in safety - it's no coincidence they are mostly female :)

This week we celebrate the positive impacts made by VP, Client Relations Kaila Krichmar CHST; Project Manager Leah Bates; and Processing Specialist Jacky Ornelas.

ehsInc is woman-owned since '97.

Every 40 Seconds, a Heart Attack Happens. Save a Life - Learn CPR

Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a heart attack.

According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming the lives of more than 600,000 people each year. While heart disease is on the rise...CPR CAN HELP SAVE LIVES!

Are you CPR/AED trained and certified? We offer same-day certification at the student level and at the instructor level with our Train-The-Trainer course. We deliver effective hands-on training and we gamify the student's learning experience by using the LOOP Learning System.

Learn more and get a free safety talk: http://www.ehsinc.org/CPR.html

855.234.7462 • info@ehsinc.org

New ANSI Standards Require Certification Training for all Mobile Elevating Work Platform Users AND Supervisors

New ANSI standards require certification training for all Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) operators AND supervisors.

ANSI standards also require employers to develop a risk assessment and site plan for the safe operation of MEWPs.

If your MEWP operators aren't certified, YOU ARE OUT OF COMPLIANCE! Call us ASAP to schedule your next training.

Our MEWP operator-level and train-the-trainer courses cover the latest regulations and help operators increase their safety awareness.

Our team of technical writers will develop your site plan too. We are your one stop shop.

To learn more and to download our infographic & safety talk follow the link below:

http://www.ehsinc.org/MEWPs.html

855.234.7462 • info@ehsinc.org

New California Learning Center Courses for 2020!

Do you have 2020 vision for safety?

Check out our new 2020 open-enrollment courses in California. We have Learning Centers serving the Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

Click on the graphic above to view our California Learning Center schedule. Do you have 2020 vision for safety?

We are also introducing our 40-Hour HAZWOPER for Biological Response course for our Orange County, CA and Rahway, NJ Learning Centers. Dates coming soon!

Congrats to our 2019 Safety Champion Award Winners

Congratulations to our 2019 SAFETY CHAMPION AWARD recipients for their commitment to workplace safety!

• Mass Electric Construction Company
• City of Long Beach Water Department
• City of Riverside Public Works Department 

These companies go above and beyond to maintain a safe workplace for their employees. This is well-deserved recognition for their hard work.

Will you be among the 2020 Safety Champions?