OSHA Seeks to Raise Suicide Prevention Awareness

OSHA and Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling have embarked on a messaging campaign to raise awareness to help reduce the stigma around conversations of mental health at work as part of the agency’s efforts surrounding suicide prevention month.
“Mental wellness is as important as physical health in all industries, and it’s important to know the best ways to offer help. Starting conversations and listening to your coworkers are important first steps in supporting someone who may need help, but unable to ask for it,” the Labot Secretary said. “Breaking the silence by encouraging open discussions around mental health in the workplace can normalize the subject and make it easier for workers to speak about their own issues without embarrassment.”
OSHA is recommending best practices for employers to follow, including: Expressing a commitment to prioritizing employee mental health and well-being; Asking about workplace stressors and discussing what support or services are available and may be of help; and, Encouraging employees to share concerns and ideas with management without fear of retaliation.
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Two of the biggest nursing care facility trade groups said they have developed programs to help member centers meet OSHA and Center for Medicare Services respiratory protection plans.
The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living said their new offering contains everything needed for full compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, including a customizable template plan, essential forms, training videos, and detailed reference guides.
The OSHA mandate includes performing medical evaluations, conducting fit testing, providing appropriate respirators, and ensuring proper training for all employees who are at risk. Failure to comply can result in substantial fines, penalties, and increased liability, as well as serious health risks to employees.
Meeting OSHA’s standard also helps demonstrate compliance with the CMS health and emergency preparedness mandates, which also requires an annual hazard vulnerability assessment to identify risks including airborne infections.
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The Labor and Education Departments said that they are moving forward to the integration of the federal government’s workforce portfolio, including administering core Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs.
The aim is to position the Labor Department as the centralized hub for federal workforce programs.
Administering Perkins and WIOA Title I, II, and III through this partnership will facilitate streamlined services for states and grantees, according to the announcement.
The integrated state plan portal is a content management system that improves the process of creating, reviewing, and managing the state plans associated with WIOA programs. States submit four-year plans and modify the plans every two years.
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