MEMBERS’ VALUE PROGRAMS

From the time I arrived at PCOC, we have been working to add new member benefit programs for our members to utilize. There are a vast number of products and services that our industry uses. But it doesn’t just stop there. We don’t just research and partner with companies, but I also follow up on them. I double check their performance to evaluate if they should continue to be a partner. Below is a list of companies partnered with PCOC:

 Epic Brokers – PCOC Insurance Program

ChemTrec

Med-Net

PixelMill – Web Design

G&K Services – Uniforms

Worldpay – Merchant Services

Atlas Accounting – Payroll & HR Resources

T-Mobile

Reference Services Inc. – Background screening, physicals, drug-testing

In & Out Traffic School – Online

Market Hardware – Web Marketing

Northwestern Mutual

Enterprise – Vehicle Fleet Services

A.R.M. Services – Debt. Collection

Legal Shield – Pre-paid Legal Services

Danielle Moore – Employee Handbooks

 If you have any questions about any of these services, please feel free to contact me. I also plan to create a new brochure and updating the information on our website, www.pcoc.org (see the Members’ Value Programs tag). There will be more to come...

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HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION REGULATION AMENDMENTS

On February 20, 2015, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board voted on new changes regulations regarding heat illness prevention. The new regulations focus on potable water requirements, shade, preventative cool-down resting periods, high heat procedures, emergency preparedness requirements, acclimatization, training and planning.

The revisions, which the Division of Occupational Safety and Health say are necessary based on the Division's enforcement experience, are aimed at specifying the requirements for provision of water and shade. It also ramps up requirements under the high-heat provisions and adds new language on emergency response procedures, acclimation and training. Specifically:

1. Water must be "fresh, pure, suitably cool" and located as close as practicable to where employees are working, with exceptions when employers can demonstrate infeasibility.

2. Shade must be present at 80 degrees, instead of the current 85, and accommodate all employees on recovery or rest periods, and those onsite taking meal periods.

3. Employees taking a "preventative cool-down rest" must be monitored for symptoms of heat illness, encouraged to remain in the shade and not ordered back to work until symptoms are gone. Employees with symptoms must be provided appropriate first aid or emergency response.

4. High-heat procedures (which will remain triggered at 95 degrees) shall ensure "effective" observation and monitoring, including a mandatory buddy system and regular communication with employees working by themselves. During high heat, employees must be provided with a minimum 10-minute cool-down period every two hours.

5. Emergency response procedures include effective communication, response to signs and symptoms of heat illness and procedures for contacting emergency responders to help stricken workers.

6. Acclimation procedures including close observation of all employees during a heat wave — defined as at least 80 degrees. New employees must be closely observed for their first two weeks on the job.

To see the amendments made to the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3395, See attached PDF.