NJ PEOSHA MEETING MINUTES Thursday, July 22, 2021
NJ PEOSHA MEETING MINUTES Thursday, July 22, 2021
MEETING MINUTES
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD
Thursday, July 22, 2021 Virtual TEAMS Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT
Luis Alamo, Representative for Public
Howard Black, Designee for Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Wayne Blanchard, Representative for Employees of Law Enforcement
Richard Hogan, Representative for Municipal Employees Paul Malarcher, Representative for County Government
Gina Mayer-Costa, Representative for Institutions of Higher Education Michael McLinden, Designee for Commissioner of Environmental Protection Lennie Parham, Designee for Commissioner of Education
Robert Shannon, Representative for Municipalities
Mark McLane, Representative for Rutgers, The State University John Saville, Representative for Public
Michael Smith, Designee for State Treasurer Robert Weissman, Representative for Public
MEMBERS ABSENT/EXCUSED
Gary Centifonti, Designee for Commissioner of Health
Timothy Rudolph, Representative for State Government Employees VACANT BOARD POSITIONS
Designee for Commissioner of Community Affairs Employees of Public Health Care Facilities Correctional Institutions Local School Boards
Employees of Correctional Institutions Employees of Local School Boards
Employees of County Government Fire Services Public Health Care Facilities
NJ DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT STAFF
Justin Baker Theresa Kramarz Mark Wadiak
Krishna Jagannathan Tom Lipski Thomas Wilson
James Revak
NJ DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SUPPORT STAFF
Glenn Pulliam OTHERS PRESENT
Kristen Affrime, CWA Victoria Fisher, CWA Francisco Masini, Monmouth Co
Nicole Benowitz, NJDOL Crissandra Garcia, NJDOL Steve Matthews, NJDOL
Wanda Caudle, HPAE Tim Grilo, NJDOL William Ruch, SIFNJ
Kenneth Child, PMA Group Shari Haines Janice Thomas, NJDOL
Ivan Cohen Pura Jackson, CWA Carol Tiedeman, OSHA
Salvatore Fama, NJDMV Dr. Koshy Koshy, Rutgers
Meeting Motions:
• Motion to approve the April 22, 2021 meeting minutes. Robert Weissman motioned; Wayne Blanchard seconded. Motion approved.
Assistant Commissioner Howard Black called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. After the flag salute, Theresa Kramarz called roll and determined there was a quorum. After providing brief opening remarks, Assistant Commissioner Black moved to approve the April 22, 2021 meeting minutes. Robert Weissman motioned; Wayne Blanchard seconded. Motion approved.
Report of the NJ Department of Health’s (NJDOH) PEOSH Enforcement Update – Glenn Pulliam:
Glenn Pulliam reported the following:
• NJDOH’s PEOSH enforcement activity report was distributed and covered the period of April 1 – June 30, 2021. During that period, 23 IAQ/Sanitation complaints/referrals and 26 five-day complaints were received. Sixteen (16) initial on-site and no follow-up inspections were conducted. Twenty-five (25) cases were closed. Six (6) programmed inspections were also conducted in accordance with the five-year strategic plan at: local fire department (4), DPW (1), and sewer treatment plant (1). Three (3) Orders to Comply (OTC) were issued containing 14 citations.
Report of the NJDOH’s PEOSH Consultation Program Update – Glenn Pulliam:
Glenn Pulliam reported the following:
• NJDOH’s PEOSH consultation activity report was distributed and covered the period of April 1 – June 30, 2021. During that period, one (1) initial consultation request was received; one (1) initial onsite consultation and one (1) follow-up inspections were conducted.
• Due to COVID-19 response efforts, consultation staff has been assisting the PEOSH enforcement unit.
• Two (2) educational seminar/conferences were conducted.
Lennie Parham requested an e-mail regarding the five schools that were reported.
Report of the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) – Assistant Commissioner Howard Black:
• PEOSH is in the process of preparing the FFY 2022 23(G) grant application which is due August 2, 2021. The FFY 2022 50% Federal OSHA funding base award level increased by $30,700 for a total base award level of funding of $2,121,100. The NJDOL/NJDOH will provide 50% matching funds. Any additional amount over the 50-50 OSHA/State matching funding shall be provided by DOL/DOH at 100% overmatch for the balance of the FFY 2022 23(G) grant total.
• The Spring 2021 OSHSPA/OSHA meeting was held virtually on May 18-19, 2021 with NJDOH and NJDOL PEOSH in attendance. The Fall OSHSPA meeting will be hosted by Michigan, scheduled for September 28-29, 2021.
• Executive Order 192 for the protection of workers against COVID-19 in New Jersey terminated as of July 4, 2021. Any remaining private sector cases are in the process of being prepared for transfer to Federal jurisdiction for action as deemed appropriate.
• On June 10, 2021, Federal OSHA announced it will issue an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on COVID-19 for the Healthcare Industry in addition to updated guidance for mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. On June 21, the ETS was published in the Federal Register. The NJ PEOSH state plan is adopting the ETS identical with no modifications.
Report of the NJDOL’s PEOSH Enforcement – Chief Thomas Lipski:
Chief Lipski reported the following:
• NJDOL’s PEOSH enforcement activity report was distributed and covered the period of April 1 – June 30, 2021. During that period the following inspections were conducted: 40 general inspections, three (3) complaint investigations, and five (5) accident investigations.
• There were no public employee fatalities. Three (3) fatality investigations are in progress.
• There were no new discrimination cases received and eight (8) open penalty cases.
• There were no penalties collected during this time period.
• The most frequently cited standard was N.J.S.A. 34:6A-33(a).
Robert Weissman asked what the top frequently cited standard was about.
• Tom Lipski responded it is the general duty clause.
Report of the NJDOL’s Public Employees Occupational Safety Consultation and Training – Assistant Chief Krishna Jagannathan:
Assistant Chief Jagannathan reported the following:
• NJDOL’s Public Employees Occupational Safety Consultation and Training activity report was distributed and covered the period of April 1 – June 30, 2021. During that period, 11 safety consultation visits and four (4) follow-up visits were conducted. The most frequently cited standard was 1910.303 electrical general requirements.
• Under PEOSH Safety Training, two (2) courses were presented to 13 participants. The most requested training included: Personal Protective Equipment and Confined Space Awareness.
• Staff attended the following training:
o On April 13, 2021, one PEOSH staff attended a “COVID In The Workplace” webinar hosted by the Rutgers School of Public Health.
o On April 22, 2021, one PEOSH staff attended a “Creating a Culture of Safety” webinar hosted by the Rutgers School of Public Health.
o On May 7, 2021, a PEOSH consultant completed the OSHA 502-Construction Trainer Update virtual class at the Rutgers School of Public Health/Atlantic OSHA Training Center.
o On May 10, 2021, a PEOSH consultant attended the OSHA Region 2 COVID Virtual Summit webinar.
o On June 10, 2021, the Assistant Chief and one PEOSH Consultant completed the 8-Hour Annual Refresher for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) offered by the Atlantic OSHA Training Center/Rutgers School of Public Health.
• PEOSH Consultation and Training continues to offer virtual services and limited on-site activities only as necessary.
• PEOSH Consultants continue to reach out to their clients to provide information regarding COVID precautions.
Presentation:
Dr. Koshy Koshy from Rutgers School of Public Health (SPH) provided an overview of education and outreach activities at the Rutgers SPH.
New Business: No new business. Old Business: No old business. Open Discussion:
Paul Malarcher shared the following with the Advisory Board:
• Since 1992, the National EMS Memorial Service has held annual ceremonies to remember and honor those emergency medical services personnel who have died in the line-of-duty and to recognize the ultimate sacrifice each made. The National EMS Memorial Bike Ride is an organization that was formed in 2001 to honor EMS personnel by organizing and implementing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who serve every day, those who have become sick or injured while performing their duties, and those who have died in the line of duty. This weekend, these organizations will come together for a “Weekend of Honor” in Arlington, Virginia. On Friday, the EMS Bike Ride will conduct a 45-mile ride during which the riders will carry pairs of dog tags with the names of the honorees. At the end of the ride, one dog tag will be given to the family of the honoree, while the rider keeps the second as a continuing memory. The 2021 National EMS Memorial Service will be held on Saturday.
• The 2021 honorees include the following NJ public sector honorees:
o John Careccia, Chief/EMT, Woodbridge Township Ambulance & Rescue Squad, Iselin – line of duty death due to COVID-19, 4/17/2020
o John Ferrarella, EMT/EMT Instructor, NJ Sports & Exposition Authority, East Rutherford – line of duty death due to COVID-19, 4/14/2020
o William Lightbody, Rescue Member/Firefighter, Paramus Rescue Squad, Paramus – line of duty death due to medical emergency, 9/18/2004
o Edward McEvoy, Paramedic, Underwood Memorial Hospital/NJ EMS Task Force, Millvale – line of duty death due to WTC-related illness, 8/16/2020
o David Pinto, EMT, NJ Sports & Exhibition Authority, East Rutherford – line of duty death due to COVID-19, 5/17/2020
Kristen Affrime asked about indoor air quality in state-leased offices. She has been attending worksite meetings in state-leased offices and is having a difficult time obtaining what the MERV ratings are and how often air filters are changed. She indicated the information from state-owned buildings have been received; it’s the leased buildings that she is having a problem with.
• Glenn Pulliam recommended to contact the manufacturer of the HVAC unit. He also noted that the MERV rating should not exceed the rating for which that system is designed. Also, he recommended that the installer of the system would also be a good source for information about the system. The IAQ standard is on NJDOH’s website.
Robert Weissman wanted to thank the NJDOL and NJDOH staff who have been working on the fatality investigation related to a fellow firefighter’s in the line of duty death.
Michael McLinden asked if the NJDOL will still accept complaints regarding COVID now that EO192 has been rescinded.
• Assistant Commissioner Black responded yes, the complaints will be handled as a PEOSH complaint.
• Glenn Pulliam also noted NJDOH’s FAQs page is a good resource for information.
Assistant Commissioner Black adjourned the meeting at 11:01 a.m.
The next PEOSH Advisory Board meeting is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 28, 2021 via Teams.