Category: Occupational health and safety

Occupational health and safety compliance in Guatemala

Posted on by zone_admin

Author: Ruben Fuentes – Lawyer & Environmental Consultant of ZONE

The Government of Guatemala has implemented a series of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Among these measures is the declaration of a State of Calamity and the issuance of Presidential Provisions that are updated at least once a week. The established government measures are mandatory for all inhabitants of the country, regardless of whether they are individuals or companies.

Occupational Health and Safety is an important part of the measures adopted. In fact, it has been established that in this stage of crisis, all work centers that continue to operate must apply the measures, protocols and recommendations for health, hygiene and sanitary and occupational safety for the prevention and containment of COVID-19 that is in the virtual communication platforms and electronic portals of the Government, as well as any provision established by the competent authorities, including national and international health regulations.

To implement Occupational Health and Safety measures, Guatemalan regulations require that there be a specific Regulation, duly authorized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. In the mandatory compliance health protocol ordered by the government authorities, some points stand out that, precisely, derive from the implementation of the Regulation:

  1. “… Ensure health services for all its employees in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations …”
  2. “… Provide health services in the production plant for its employees, in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations …”
  3. “… Have someone responsible for medical services …” [1]

Complying with the minimum provisions related to Occupational Health and Safety represents for companies the attenuation of health and labor risks; the proper implementation of the action protocol in the case of people diagnosed with COVID-19 and, above all, timely information to ensure health in the workplace and the continuity of operations, since in the absence of an Occupational Health and Safety Regulation , there is a risk of being sanctioned with the official suspension of activities.

At ZONE we have specialized personnel with experience in the field, who can support you in the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety measures. We remain at your disposal in case of doubts or comments on this subject.

[1] Statement from the Ministry of Economy, dated March 17, 2020. Available at https://www.mineco.gob.gt/

Evolving towards the culture of prevention

Posted on by zone_admin

COVID  -19 came to change the reality of the world as we currently know it and therefore the way companies operate.  It is difficult to think that after this crisis that organizations will return to where they were before, to operate as before, in a way in which prevention is usually seen as an expense and not an investment.

Actions aimed at preventing the health of workers are key to being able to face the new challenges that this century has in store for us, but they are also necessary to comply with the legal mandate of guaranteeing an adequate level of protection for the health and safety of workers. workers, required by the General Law on Prevention of Occupational Risks.

These preventive actions are becoming increasingly important in an overpopulated world in the process of climate change, where it is warned that events will frequently occur that test our emergency response systems and our ability to adapt. From now on, COVID-19 provides important lessons to organizations, one of them is that there were no protocols or emergency plans to deal with situations like this, so it is important to learn from the crisis and evolve. From now on, organizations, regardless of their size, have valuable experience that gives them the opportunity to develop a culture of prevention that allows them to survive over time and develop the necessary mechanisms to face a pandemic of this nature or any other. another future situation.

In accordance with the Principle of Prevention and the purposes of the aforementioned General Law on the Prevention of Occupational Risks, prior to the reincorporation of the activities of each organization, they must carry out a detailed analysis of all the risks to which the collaborators will be exposed. Due to the difficulty of foreseeing all the risks involved, it is recommended that the resumption of activities be done in an orderly and staggered manner, guaranteeing the safety and health of the workers, with especially sensitive groups being the last to rejoin, when the virus is fully controlled. This approach of taking preventive actions before resuming any economic activity is being taken as a mandatory measure by other countries in the region.

In the case of El Salvador, the result of the detailed risk analysis must be incorporated into the Occupational Risk Prevention Management Program (PGPRO), which is already established in article 8 of the General Law on Risk Prevention in the Workplaces, whose creation and implementation corresponds to the employer. Thus, the program described must be updated to include the risks of a pandemic that, until today, very few companies had foreseen as a real risk for their organization.

For this reason, even when there is no specific guide or guidelines issued by the Government, the prevention actions to be taken have been established in the principles and the very object of the General Law on Risk Prevention, and therefore they must be incorporated. and be implemented within companies, updating the PGPRO.

Failure to comply with the duty to guarantee an adequate level of protection of the health and safety of workers can be considered a very serious infraction established in article 80 of the Law in reference, for not adopting the applicable preventive measures in matters of Safety and Health. Occupational, when said omission results in a serious and imminent risk to the health of the workers, whose fine will be established between twenty-two to twenty-eight monthly minimum wages, depending on the capacity of the offender, in addition to the sanctions that may be imposed as soon as the regulations are issued. specific guidelines for each activity.

With this we conclude that for the return to the operation of each organization, it is essential that each one evaluates its risks, according to its size and activity, establishing clear, simple measures that expose the commitment of the organization and the workers to avoid risk of contagion from this or another type of future virus, always under an adaptive approach that allows the organization to evolve and survive in a new culture where prevention and resilience are key.

Reduction of procedures and requirements for economic reactivation in Costa Rica

Posted on by zone_admin

Recently, guideline number 085-MIDEPLAN-MEIC was issued to reduce procedures in Central Government entities, decentralized institutions and municipalities in search of the economic recovery of the country. With this, the Public Administration has 3 ways to process the issuance of permits necessary for the development of economic activities, which we detail:

Affidavit:
It seeks to streamline 119 procedures within a period of 3 months, 6 months and the first quarter of 2021, according to Executive Decree No. 41795-P-MEIC of June 19, 2019 in which it was arranged to promote the use of the affidavit as a measure to speed up the procedures.

Single Window for Investment:
It is planned to speed up the Single Window for Investment platform, under the principles of efficiency and effectiveness of the Public Administration, with the digitization and simplification of 69 procedures.

Regulatory Improvement Plan:
The heads of the Centralized Public Administration are instructed and the heads of the Decentralized Public Administration are urged to execute the following percentages of improvement according to the deadlines for progress in the defined regulatory improvement plans: Advance:

  1. 50% advance as of June 10, 2020.
  2. 75% progress as of September 10, 2020.
  3. 100% compliance as of December 10, 2020, of all the procedures contained in the duly simplified regulatory improvement plan. 

Some of the procedures that will be streamlined are:

  1. D2 (low environmental impact) before SETENA. Within a maximum granting period of 2 business days
  2. Sanitary operating permit Category A and B granted by the Ministry of Health. Within a maximum period of 7 business days
  3. Issuance of the municipal land use certificate . Within 5 business days
  4. Environmental viability D1+DJCA issued by SETENA . Within 49 business days
  5. Environmental viability D1+PGA granted by SETENA . Within 63 business days
  6. Environmental viability D1+ESIA issued by SETENA . Within 126 business days
  7. Authorization for self-consumption hydrocarbon tanks issued by MINAE. Within 7 business days
  8. Boiler permit from the Ministry of Health. Within 7 business days
  9. Wastewater treatment plant location permit issued by the Ministry of Health. Within 10 business days

To see the complete Guideline 085, click on this link.

For more information or if you require advice on any of the procedures mentioned, ZONE is at your disposal. You can contact us at [email protected]

Risk Prevention – Health and Safety at Work in Costa Rica

Posted on by zone_admin

According to the World Health Organization, Occupational Health and Safety management is a multidisciplinary activity that promotes the protection of health, physical, mental and social well-being of workers.

Costa Rica is a country that has been characterized by its achievements in terms of Health and Social Security, with which over time it has managed to guarantee the working population better working conditions. To achieve constant improvement, every employer must adopt the necessary measures for hygiene and safety at work in their company.

For its part, the State is in charge of establishing the minimum standards of Health and Safety at Work, as well as supervising and controlling their compliance. The legislation on Health and Safety at Work in Costa Rica is extensive and begins with general regulations of the Political Constitution or the Labor Code, to regulate precise situations through Decrees and Guidelines issued and constantly updated by the Ministry of Health.

With the aim of enforcing the applicable legislation on Occupational Health, the Occupational Health Council is created as a technical entity attached to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, which performs various functions such as:

  1. Promote the best Occupational Health conditions in all work centers in the country.
  2. Carry out studies and research in the field of their competence.
  3. Promote the necessary regulations to guarantee optimal Occupational Health conditions in all workplaces.
  4. Promote by all possible means, the training of technical people, specialized in the various branches of Occupational Health and the training of employers and workers in Occupational Health.
  5. Carry out the dissemination of all conventions with the ILO, laws, decrees, regulations, guidelines, technical legal criteria, technical standards, guides, manuals and methods of prevention of work risk and technical systems of prevention of work risk.
  6. Prepare manuals, catalogs and lists of safety devices and personal protection equipment for workers, for the different activities.
  7. Prepare bills and regulations on their organic specialty, as well as issue essential criteria on the laws that are processed regarding occupational health.
  8. Propose to the Executive Power the list of equipment and personal protection items for workers, which can be imported and brought into the country with exemption from taxes, fees and surcharges.
  9. Carry out or coordinate national or local occupational health campaigns, on their own initiative or in collaboration with public or private entities; Carry out all kinds of statistical and economic studies related to the matter of its competence.

For their part, companies, depending on the number of workers, must register an Occupational Health Commission and an Occupational Health Office, with which they come to collaborate in the prevention of work risks. Through the development and implementation of occupational health programs, safety plans and preventive medicine plans.

Work centers must register the Occupational Health Commissions when they permanently employ ten or more workers; and these must be made up of an equal number of representatives from the employer and from workers.

The purpose of the Occupational Health Commissions is to investigate the causes of occupational hazards, recommend prevention measures, monitor compliance with Occupational Health provisions, promote training in this area for employers and workers, form emergency and fire brigades. and coordinate the purchase of equipment.

As for the Occupational Health offices, they must be formed when they permanently occupy more than fifty workers. Some of its functions are:

  1. Manage the occupational health of people in the workplace, based on a prevention approach, with comprehensive management of hygiene, safety and psychological risks and emerging and re-emerging risks, depending on the nature of each company.
  2. Intervene on the risk factors of work activity, through a diagnosis to address through an intervention strategy.
  3. Keep a statistical record of accidents and illnesses as a result of work.
  4. Submit to the Council a report on cases of accidents or illnesses.
  5. Carry out occupational health prevention and promotion activities through training and raising awareness among workers.

In 2015, through Executive Decree No. 39321-MTSS, the National Occupational Health Policy of Costa Rica is promulgated, which defines the national guidelines that guide state action in matters of Health and Safety at Work.

The objective of the policy is to establish the general guidelines for the improvement of working conditions and environment and a culture of prevention in labor harmony, which promotes a healthy style and quality of life for working people. Consolidate the National Occupational Health System. Review and update the regulatory framework in Occupational Health and develop strategies that allow the promotion of health, prevention, protection, labor adaptation of workers and healthy workplaces.

Biosafety Guidelines for land cargo transportation in Central America

Posted on by zone_admin

These guidelines were approved by the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration (COMIECO) and the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America and the Dominican Republic (COMISCA), with the following objectives:

  1. establish coordinated procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19,
  2. guarantee the health of cargo carriers,
  3. the cleaning and disinfection of means of transport and,
  4. the fluidity of trade.
  1. BIOSAFETY GUIDELINES FOR LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT COMPANIES:

1.1. Entry and Exit of the facilities of the land cargo transport company.

  1. a) Disinfection of general work areas and parking of means of transport.
  2. b) Disinfection of means of transport before and after each service/operation.
  3. c) The permanent use of the mask.
  4. d) Establish an inspection point for taking the temperature of all workers who enter the facilities, for which there must be a person responsible for taking the temperature with a digital infrared or laser clinical thermometer to avoid contact, the responsible person must be properly protected (surgical mask, glasses and disposable gloves).
  5. e) Maintain the recommended distances between people (between 1.5 and 2 meters).
  6. f) Use the shoe wash or footbath with a disinfectant solution.
  7. g) Install 70% alcohol-based hand gel alcohol dispensers in the entrance areas for hand disinfection.
  8. h) Workers who present a temperature above 37.5°C will not be able to enter the facilities, they must be referred to the corresponding health centers established by the authorities or call the corresponding competent authority.
  9. i) Wash hands with soap and water and/or disinfect with alcohol or hand sanitizer gel (70% alcohol-based) when entering or leaving the facilities.
  10. j) It is recommended that companies reorganize their operations in such a way that if they have drivers or pilots who present greater health risks (hypertension, diabetes, among other conditions that increase their vulnerability) they can assign them other functions within the company so as not to expose them during travel and reduce the risk of contagion.
  11. k) Drivers or pilots must comply with all health provisions before, during and after starting a trip.

1.2. HYGIENE AND PERSONAL CARE GUIDELINES FOR FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION DRIVERS.

  1. Disinfect your hands every time you enter and exit the means of transportation.
  2. Maintain a recommended safety distance (between 1.5 and 2 meters).
  3. Do not shake hands or any greeting that involves contact with another person.
  4. Perform constant personal hygiene, as well as washing utensils and clothes daily.
  5. Perform constant disinfection of cell phones, keys or other personal objects.
  6. Disinfect footwear with a disinfectant solution.
  7. Do not self-medicate; in case of presenting symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, dry cough or
  8. difficulty breathing) go immediately to the nearest health center or
  9. call the corresponding competent authority (or rapid attention line of the
  10. country).

1.2.1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  1. 70% alcohol-based hand gel
  2. Disposable gloves
  3. Surgical type mask
  4. Protective glasses or face shield

and. disinfectant liquid soap

  1. powder detergent
  2. Gallon-size container of drinking water
  3. Infrared or laser digital clinical thermometer for temperature taking

1.2.2. Use of supplies.

  1. Every official who exercises controls at land border posts and cargo transport workers must have basic biosafety supplies (mask, glasses, alcohol disinfectant gel and disposable gloves).
  2. Each person is responsible for the proper use of the same and the surveillance and monitoring of the use and good sanitary practices.
  3. Guarantee that all personnel use the required PPE, according to their work activity, to prevent the transmission of the virus as provided for in the national legislation of the Member States.
  4. Personal protective equipment will be appropriate to the activities and work to be carried out.

and. Guarantee that users periodically clean and disinfect their PPE, workers are responsible for its adequate disinfection.

  1. Request the replacement of the PPE when it is damaged, do not share for any reason.
  2. Put on the PPE before entering the facilities, the disposable PPE once used will be discarded using the appropriate techniques.
  3. Discard the disposable PPE, in the appropriate waste containers, labeled with the precise warnings.
  4. Wash hands with soap and water and/or disinfect with alcohol or disinfectant gel after removing PPE.
  5. The use of PPE is an essential requirement for those activities in which there is frequent and close contact with people.
  6. Wearing disposable gloves throughout the work day can generate a false sense of security and should not, for any reason, replace hand washing with soap and water or disinfection with disinfectant gel on a regular basis.
  7. PREVENTION GUIDELINES TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE TRANSPORT COMPANIES IN THE FACE OF SUSPICIOUS AND SICK CASES.
  8. All drivers or pilots and freight transport personnel must be trained not only to know what to do when a COVID-19 infection is suspected, but also to promote prevention measures.

Therefore, it is recommended that everyone be trained in:

  1. Information about COVID-19, in particular about the symptoms, the incubation period and the modes of transmission of the virus.
  2. Epidemiological information on the affected areas.

iii. Information on disinfectants and proper hand hygiene.

  1. Information on how to proceed in case of symptoms.
  2. Informative materials.

saw. Information on fast service lines in each country.

  1. In case of presenting symptoms associated with COVID-19, the worker must follow the following recommendations:
  2. If you have symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat and difficulty breathing; Go to the nearest health center or call the corresponding competent authority to request assistance or another mechanism determined by the competent authority.
  3. Follow the instructions provided by the health personnel by calling the corresponding competent authority (or the country’s hotline) or attending the health center.

iii. The decision to continue or not the trip of the pilot or driver will be made by the public health authorities in close coordination with the authorities that exercise control of the land border posts.

  1. The means of transport must be isolated in the previously enabled area, external and internal disinfection measures will be applied.
  2. In case of presenting symptoms when being at home, contact the direct boss to report them and determine not to show up to work as a preventive measure of contagion.

saw. In the event that medical disability is granted, the respective documentation must be presented, such as medication prescriptions and the recommendations to be followed.

2.1. General protocol for heads of workers :

  1. The work managers must have a log of the disinfected means of transport, responsible and schedule. This will serve as a means of verifying the biosecurity of the means of transport and the driver prior to departure.
  2. In the event that any driver or worker presents or reports symptoms in which they are suspected as likely suffering from COVID-19, the following must be done:
  3. Isolate the worker, provide a mask and avoid contact with other surfaces and other people; Likewise, identify the people with whom the infected personnel had contact to close the epidemiological circle.
  4. Maintain active lines of communication and arrange for medical care to be provided.
  5. Once this procedure is finished, carry out disinfection of all possible contaminated objects or surfaces that may have been in contact with the symptomatic worker, including the means of transport.
  6. If the worker has been in close contact with family members and people who have been in the same place with a confirmed case of COVID-19, they should not report to work and call the corresponding competent authority (or rapid assistance line in the country) to request assistance.

and. Workers suspected or sick of COVID-19, who work in activities and tasks that require direct contact with people (transport of goods), must be subjected to isolation.

  1. The transportation company must have replacement personnel to cover personnel absences due to COVID-19, which may previously be identified and notified in the observations field of the Single Central American Declaration (DUCA-T), at the time of its generation. .
  2. TRAINING.
  3. All freight forwarding employees must be trained not only to know what COVID-19 is and what to do when COVID-19 infection is suspected, but also to promote and implement prevention measures.
  4. Land freight transport companies will be responsible for training their staff or any person they hire to carry out international freight transport. In this sense, they must carry out training programs on the risks to which workers are exposed in organizations, centers and workplaces, emphasizing prevention and biological control measures.
  5. Land freight transport companies must have logbooks of the training given, and it is suggested that this include the following: date, training topics, training duration, list of participants, evaluations, evaluation results , corrective measures.
  6. Land freight transport companies will be responsible for training their staff or any person they contract to carry out international freight transport, in at least the following topics:
  7. Information about COVID-19, in particular about the symptoms, the incubation period and the modes of transmission of the virus.
  8. Epidemiological information on countries, regions and affected areas.

iii. Information on prevention measures, including information on disinfectants and proper hand hygiene.

  1. Information on how to proceed in case of symptoms.
  2. Information on the routes enabled for cargo transport.

saw. Information on the measures that the Member States are implementing to deal with COVID-19, according to the established route.

vii. Information on the disinfection of means of transport.

viii. Information on the contingency plans of the transport company, for any eventuality related to COVID-19 according to the established routes.

  1. Other related.
  2. CLEANLINESS GUIDELINES FOR FREIGHT TRANSPORT MEANS.

4.1. Hygienization of means of cargo transport

It is mandatory to wash and clean the means of transport with disinfectant before and after each route, considering the following measures:

  1. Surfaces must be cleaned with solutions recommended by international organizations and proven effective against COVID-19.
  2. Each worker who performs the cleaning must have their own utensils and they must be disinfected before and after use; avoid sharing with the rest of the workers.

4.2 . External cleaning of the means of transport and van

Prior to loading, the driver of the means of transport must wash it with soap and water on the outside (wheels, doors, bodywork in general, van) and use a disinfectant solution (Review list of recommended disinfectants)

4.3. Internal cleaning and care of the cabin

The driver must clean with a disinfectant solution, the use of gloves and a mask is essential, disinfect:

  1. Gear lever
  2. Steering wheel
  3. Contact controls while driving
  4. Seating

and. seat controls

  1. Tachograph or speedometer (including all the instruments that manipulate the

driver)

  1. Llavines
  2. Door latches
  3. Doors

4.4. OTHERS.

  1. Ventilate cabin regularly during movement, keep windows closed during inspections or checkpoints.
  2. The cabin of the means of transport must be occupied only by the driver (International Transport) and/or transport staff (transport staff is limited to national transport).
  3. Cash can be cleaned with the disinfectant solution.
  4. In the case of using credit or debit cards, carry out the disinfection process in the same way as in the case of using cash.

and. If you require the use of ATMs, disinfect your hands immediately with antibacterial gel.

  1. It is recommended to perform cleaning every four hours or according to the exposure of the cabin.

4.4.1. Internal Cleaning of the Van

The Driver and/or transport personnel must clean the interior of the van and observe the following:

  1. The means of transport is in good clean conditions and has been disinfected.
  2. Eliminate residues from previous shipments (food, chemical compounds, etc.)
  3. The closure of doors, curtains and other openings with closing mechanisms.
  4. It is suggested to implement a simple handwashing system in the means of transport with disinfectant soap, for the exclusive use of the driver after he has to carry out procedures or records at checkpoints or others.

4.4.2 Waste management

  1. Each means of transport must always carry disposable bags to discard handkerchiefs and personal protective equipment, said bag must be removed on each trip that it makes, properly closed, depositing it later in the corresponding garbage cans, pedal-opening garbage cans are recommended.
  2. All disposable biosafety material (PPE, bags, etc.) or possible source of contagion (handkerchiefs, cleaning items, etc.) must be kept in a different deposit from the regular waste and must be closed with a double bag with a zip closure. bag to later deposit in the places designated for the disposal of biosafety material.
  3. BIOSECURITY GUIDELINES FOR THE LOADING, TRANSFER AND UNLOADING OF GOODS.
  4. To safeguard the integrity of the people involved in the loading and unloading process at the different points, it is recommended:
  5. That all personnel involved in the operations of the cargo transport company have the mandatory biosafety equipment (gloves, face shield or glasses, masks and alcohol disinfectant gel).
  6. Epidemiological surveillance at the loading and unloading point taking temperature and symptom control. If the driver presents any symptoms or a temperature greater than 37.5°C, as long as he is not exposed to sources of heat prior to taking the temperature, he will be sent to the nearest health center.

iii. Clean the means of transport on the outside (tires, wagon, doors, curtains and cabin) and inside (cabin and wagon), prior to loading.

  1. Carry out the loading and unloading in a mechanized way, after the use of said machinery it must be properly cleaned and disinfected.
  2. Close the doors/curtain of the car. At no time will the driver or transport personnel have contact with the merchandise/product, in cases where the transport is for the transfer of cargo, for those drivers or personnel who fulfill the functions of cargo personnel (such as distributors). they must handle the load observing the biosafety guidelines.

5.1. Before loading goods

The driver(s) and transportation personnel must:

  1. Verify that the means of transport is in good clean conditions and that it has been disinfected if necessary.
  2. Check that there are no residues from previous shipments left in the means of transport.
  3. Verify that there are no residues of chemical cleaning or disinfection compounds.
  4. Check that the closure of doors and other openings with locking mechanisms.

5.2. During loading of goods

The driver or pilot and transport personnel must:

  1. Verify that there are no breaks or deterioration in the packaging or products.
  2. Verify that the product is protected from dust, humidity or other types of dirt.
  3. Avoid contact with the floor and walls of the cargo area or the means of transport.
  4. Check that the means of transport does not include objects or substances other than those authorized in the documents issued by the shipper.

and. Prevent personnel other than cargo or animals from entering the means of transport.

  1. Verify that the load is accommodated in such a way as to reduce its exposure to the environment and with an appropriate location according to its temperature requirements.
  2. Carry out the disinfection process of the contact areas every four (4) hours.
  3. The loading procedure must be carried out in the shortest possible time.

5.3 During the transfer of goods

The driver or pilot and transport personnel must:

  1. Clean all frequently touched surfaces (doors, rudder, lever, dashboard, etc.) described in the instructions regarding internal cabin cleaning. It is recommended to carry out this measure at least every 4 hours or immediately when there is possible contact with another person outside the cabin other than the driver or transport personnel.
  2. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or with hand sanitizer gel (70% alcohol-based).
  3. Avoid touching your face. If necessary (eg cleaning sweat) wash hands prior to contact with the face and after it.
  4. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing with your elbow or with a disposable handkerchief that will be thrown away after use.

and. The driver or transport personnel must use the mask and gloves if they have to get off the means of transport.

  1. Before entering the means of transport again, shoes must be disinfected with a disinfectant solution and hands cleaned with alcohol in disinfectant gel.
  2. In transit in the means of transport it is not necessary to wear a mask if you drive alone in it.
  3. Feeding must be done in your means of transport, avoiding staying in places with crowds of people and ensuring hand hygiene with soap and water or hand disinfectant gel (70% alcohol-based). Eating with gloves on should be avoided.
  4. A maximum of two people is allowed in the cabin for the transport of national cargo, for international trips only the driver will be allowed.
  5. Maintain the recommended safety distance between people when making planned stops.

5.4. During unloading of goods

The driver or pilot and transport personnel must:

  1. At the unloading point prior to entering the facilities, clean the outside of the means of transport.
  2. Have the mandatory biosafety equipment applicable to all personnel involved, with emphasis on unloading and transportation personnel.
  3. At the loading and unloading point, guarantee epidemiological surveillance, taking temperature measurements and controlling symptoms.
  4. The driver will disinfect contact areas such as: hands, shoes, keys, padlocks, doors, curtains, etc. according to the protocol described above.

and. At the time of unloading the product, the driver must keep a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from the unloading personnel, the driver may not unload any product, except for those drivers who comply with the loading and unloading functions .

  1. If documents are required to be signed, the driver must use their own pencil or encourage the electronic exchange of these documents.
  2. Only the driver may close the curtains and/or doors of the means of transport.
  3. Companies must establish what measures to take in the event that the cargo or merchandise is rejected.

5.5. Recommendations in route planning.

  1. Land freight transport companies must identify workers with vulnerabilities and risk factors together with health services and evaluate those workers with certain health conditions, which are considered to be at risk for exposure to COVID-19, and establish the corresponding measures. of isolation.
  2. Routes must be planned to identify and define the places where stops will be made (for example: for rest, use of toilets, dining rooms or cafeterias), which comply with biosafety requirements. Trying to make as few stops as possible.
  3. In the rest periods according to the scheduled stops during the tour, restrict the intake of food (preferably bring your own) and sleep inside the means of transport in the compartment designed for that purpose or in the hotel assigned by the competent authority. All material that enters the transport medium cabin must be disinfected in a 70% pure alcohol solution.
  4. Plan with clients the loading/unloading of goods in the most precise way to avoid the accumulation of several carriers at the same time.

and. Establish alternative forms of merchandise delivery and receipt documents (delivery notes) by electronic means to avoid personal contact.

  1. Avoid cash as much as possible, it is advisable to manage the payment or per diem by electronic means.
  2. In the driver’s cabin it is recommended to keep a properly stocked first aid kit.
  3. Provide a fumigation pump for the disinfection of each means of transport (tires and wagon), without limiting the corresponding washing of the means.
  4. If it is necessary to handle documentation, use your own pen to sign documents.
  5. Provide a personal hygiene kit for each carrier, water, soap and hand sanitizer gel (70% alcohol-based), disposable tissues, etc.
  6. The transport company must provide the necessary PPE to its personnel (disposable gloves, glasses and mask).
  7. The individualized use of means of transporting loads is recommended, as well as utensils used for daily work.
  8. Every freight transport worker must avoid manipulating the merchandise that he transports. In situations where this activity is part of your duties or in situations where such manipulation is necessary, you must comply with the required protection and prevention measures, which includes at least washing and disinfecting your hands before and after the handling and use of adequate PPE (disposable gloves, glasses and mask). Additionally, aid must be guaranteed to avoid the handling of merchandise as much as possible (forklifts and other hauling equipment).
  9. DISINFECTION GUIDELINES FOR BUILDINGS AND MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.

6.1. buildings and facilities

The surfaces of the buildings and other facilities of the land border posts must be cleaned frequently, in accordance with the International Protocols approved by the WHO and the Ministries of Health.

6.2. Transport.

  1. External disinfection of the means of transport is recommended before entering the border post, with solutions recommended by international organizations, verifying that the pilot or driver has biosafety personal protective equipment such as: 70% alcohol-based hand gel %, gloves, face masks or masks, face shield or glasses.
  2. In addition, the competent authority must verify that:
  3. The means of transport is in good clean conditions and has been disinfected.
  4. That there are no residues from previous shipments (food, chemical compounds, etc.)
  5. The closure of doors, curtains and other openings with closing mechanisms.
  6. It is suggested to implement simple hand washing systems in the means of transport, for the exclusive use of the driver after he has to carry out procedures or records at checkpoints or others.

Occupational health and safety protection standards for companies

Posted on by zone_admin

The duty to take care of the Health and Safety of workers in their work functions has existed in all the countries of the region for years, but one of the lessons that COVID-19 leaves us is that these measures take on even greater importance to guarantee the sustainability of the company in a century that promises great challenges for the well-being of people.

Companies must anticipate and be clear about how to act in the event of any eventuality that may affect their collaborators today more than ever. The reasons are clear, on the one hand there is a scientific consensus that this century will be accompanied by new diseases for the human being, since more and more populations come into contact with wild areas and ecosystems to which they are not accustomed, it will also increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, frosts and storms as a result of climate change.

On the other hand, the response to most of these events supposes some type of reorganization of the population, in the case of contagious diseases such as COVID-19, the main measures are social distancing, and the operation of the production lines of the most segmented and least agglomerated way possible. In other eventualities such as storms, frosts or floods, it is usual to respond with isolation measures, shelter or even evacuations, but something that they all have in common is that they imply a certain degree of displacement and a change in the routine of work operations.

Therefore, the companies with the most opportunities to remain productive in this scenario of changing conditions will be those that can prevent these events and have a clear plan on how to act when the emergency is unavoidable.

This anticipation and prompt response is achieved by applying the same measures required by current health and safety protection standards, so their application is not only necessary to ensure the continuity of the company, but they are mandatory from a legal point of view. . Among these measures we mainly find:

  • Have a Commission made up of the administrators and workers of the organization, which is in charge of identifying all the risks for health and safety that exist in the company and is in charge of mitigating them.
  • Have emergency care plans and contingencies that the company may face. As well as internal programs that establish occupational health and safety rules to be followed by employees.
  • Have clear rules on the cleaning and disinfection of work centers and tools.
  • Apply teleworking policies to all positions in which it is feasible, in response to the health guidelines that have been issued in the face of the most recent pandemic.

These actions, accompanied by a vigilant approach aimed at identifying and mitigating new risks, have allowed many companies to continue standing in the face of one of the greatest challenges they have seen in decades and, without a doubt, its importance will increase as we enter the future. XXI century.

Occupational Hygiene and Safety in Nicaragua

Posted on by zone_admin

The hygiene and safety of collaborators in companies is an issue that regains special importance in the circumstance of the pandemic caused by Covid-19 in which we currently find ourselves. With the entry of the virus into the country, various economic sectors were affected, mainly those related to services, commerce and tourism.

The current national legislation on occupational hygiene and safety establishes a series of obligations and recommendations that the employer must take into account to preserve hygiene in the workplace, guarantee the health of their collaborators and avoid possible sanctions by the employer. Ministry of Labor (MITRAB).

In this regard, the General Law on Occupational Hygiene and Safety, Law No. 618 published in La Gaceta, Official Gazette No. 133 of July 2007, and its regulations, Decree No. 96-2007 published in La Gaceta, Official Gazette No. 196 of October 12, 2007 are intended to establish a set of minimum provisions that, in terms of hygiene and safety at work, the State, employers and workers must develop in the workplace, through the promotion, intervention, surveillance and establishment of actions to protect workers in the performance of their work.

Among the main obligations that the employer must fulfill by virtue of the regulations indicated above, is that of adopting the necessary and adequate preventive measures to effectively guarantee the hygiene and safety of its workers in all aspects related to work. As well as that of constituting in the workplace, a mixed commission of occupational hygiene and safety, which must be integrated with an equal number of workers and employer representatives.

As indicated in the reformed Ministerial Resolution on the Mixed Commissions of Occupational Hygiene and Safety in Companies published in La Gaceta, Official Gazette No. 29 of February 9, 2007, the mixed commission of occupational hygiene and safety is a joint body of participation in the activities of protection and prevention of risks in the work center promoted by the administration of the work center through the management carried out by the technician in charge of attending to Hygiene and Safety in the Work Center. All mixed commissions must be registered with the Ministry of Labor and have internal operating regulations and an annual work plan. This last document must also be presented to the MITRAB authorities.

Among the main functions that this commission can carry out are related to the evaluation, determination and investigation of professional risks of the company; monitoring and control of compliance with the provisions adopted in the area of ​​occupational risk prevention; propose to the employer the adoption of preventive measures, aimed at improving the levels of protection and prevention of occupational risks, among others.

The formation and/or activation of the mixed occupational hygiene and safety commission is an important tool available to employers that will allow, with the support of the company’s collaborators, to take technical biosafety measures and other measures that are deemed pertinent. and are particularly suitable for the company. This translates into benefits such as cost reduction in the implementation of the measures and guaranteeing hygienic working conditions, aimed at avoiding the contagion and spread of COVID-19.

Relevant information on occupational health and safety in Honduras

Posted on by zone_admin

Occupational health and safety is an issue that has become very relevant in companies today due to the Pandemic that the entire world is experiencing. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have had to transform the way we work to prevent the spread and contagion of the virus. In terms of Occupational Health and Safety, the Government of the Republic of Honduras has issued different laws and protocols to prevent the spread and infection in the workplace.

On March 16, 2020, Executive Decree Number PCM-019-2020 was published in the Official Gazette, which approves the Hygiene and Safety Protocol for the Prevention of COVID-19 in work centers and states that it is mandatory. compliance by employers and workers at the national level. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Protocol by an employer will lead to an administrative sanction provided for in the Labor Inspection Law.

Decree PCM-019-2020 also establishes duties for workers, not only for employers. Workers have the duty to inform their employers if they have symptoms of the Coronavirus or any other similar symptom that compromises the respiratory tract prior to entering the workplace.

If symptoms appear in the worker, they are obliged to immediately carry out a laboratory test to check or rule out the spread of COVID-19. The result of this examination must be notified to the employer so that he can take the necessary measures in case the contagion is confirmed.

The Safety and Hygiene Protocol for Work Centers at the National Level in Prevention of COVID-19 establishes measures aimed at workers and employers for the prevention and control of COVID-19, these measures are the following:

  1. Handwashing with soap and water on a recurring basis, for these purposes, each employer must structure a guide for correct handwashing and its frequency, according to the economic activity of each company.
  2. The employer is obliged to provide its workers with prevention and hygiene supplies in the workplace, such as hand gel, antiseptic liquid soap, gloves, personal protective equipment and masks when appropriate and any other instructed by the safety authorities. Government.
  3. Frequently use gel that contains 70% alcohol or another disinfectant promoted by the Ministry of Health, before entering the facilities of your work center, as well as in your different areas or jobs.
  4. In the cases indicated by the Ministry of Health, by virtue of the type of work that is carried out and implies direct and permanent contact with people infected with COVID-19, they must use gloves, eye protection glasses, clothing and a mask, when removing the aforementioned equipment, internal contact must be avoided, manipulation of the same to avoid the passage of the virus from the hands to the eyes, nose or mouth.
  5. Masks are permanently and mandatory for workers who present symptoms of COVID-19 and people who have direct contact with them. Once discarded, they must be deposited in garbage containers in a safe way, with a lid that can be opened with a pedal.
  6. Avoid being in places with poor ventilation and with people who have any symptoms such as: sneezing, coughing and a temperature greater than 38 degrees.
  7. Maintain greater cleaning hygiene and the use of gel, soap and water in the toilets.
  8. Give talks to workers regarding the prevention of the spread of COVID-19.
  9. Establish monitoring, control and follow-up mechanisms so that workers who present symptoms and/or are infected from the contracting companies that provide services to the companies, whether permanent or temporary, do not enter the workplace, and can be treated in a timely and as required by law.

The Ministry of Labor, together with the Ministry of Health, to date have issued twenty-seven Biosafety Protocols due to the COVID-19 Pandemic for Work Centers in different sectors of the economy. All protocols have general measures that are mandatory, regardless of the industry to which the establishment belongs. The general measures for all industries are as follows:

  1. Distancing or isolation of people:

Awareness about maintaining the recommended safety distances between people (between 1.5 and 2 meters).

  1. Respiratory etiquette rules.

They are a set of recommended measures to prevent respiratory transmission of biological agents. The measurements are:

– Cough and sneeze covering the nose and mouth with the inner angle of the flexed elbow (elbow fossa or cubital).

– Use disposable handkerchiefs or towels, and discard them after use.

– Deposit disposable tissues or towels in containers for this purpose, with pedal lids.

– Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes unnecessarily.

– Wash and disinfect your hands before and after touching your nose, mouth and eyes.

– Wash your hands frequently, especially when you have manipulated objects or had contact with surfaces.

– Talk while maintaining safety distances, especially when done with people with respiratory symptoms.

– Avoid coming into contact with suspicious people or with respiratory symptoms and signs.

– Avoid places or spaces with crowds of people.

– Inform and seek medical help if respiratory symptoms or signs appear or if you have been in direct contact with suspicious persons or with respiratory symptoms.

– Inform about the presence of suspicious people or people with respiratory symptoms, especially in workplaces and workplaces.

iii. Hand washing:

Training on the proper technique for hand washing.

In general, the technique established by the World Health Organization (WHO) is recommended. The minimum duration is one (1) minute:

– Wet hands with soap and water.

– Lather the palm, the back, between the fingers and the nails very well.

– Rinse the soap residue well and if necessary, repeat the process.

– Properly dry your hands with a paper towel.

Washing and disinfection must be frequent, while they carry out their work activity. The frequency must be established according to the type of activity.

Training on the appropriate products for washing and disinfecting hands (soap and water, alcohol with glycerin, alcohol gel).

These products must be supplied by the responsible person or the employer. Centers and workstations must have handwashing facilities that have soap and water, alcohol gel or glycerin dispensers.

Hand washing will be mandatory, before putting on the PPE and after removing it. When hands are visibly clean, hand hygiene will be done with alcohol-based products; if they are dirty or stained, it will be done with water and antiseptic soap. The use of gloves never exempts from carrying out a correct washing of the hands after their removal. Nails should be short and well groomed.

Washing or disinfecting your hands should be a necessary measure in the following situations:

– After coughing or sneezing.

– Before and after touching or blowing your nose.

– Before and after using any means of transport, especially if it is collective or public.

– Before and after visiting public places.

– Before and after handling objects, solid or liquid waste, money.

– Before and after touching animals or people.

– Before and after eating.

– Before and after using the toilets.

– Before and after completion of the work.

– During the performance of the work, the frequency will depend on the workplace and the type of activities and tasks that are carried out. It will be defined in each organization or work center.

  1. Cleaning and disinfection of objects and surfaces.

The procedure for cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces related to the worker will be carried out in accordance with the usual way of cleaning and disinfecting the workplace. Ensuring that the frequency is related to their use.

After cleaning and disinfection, they must be free of moisture. For cleaning and disinfection, towels with disinfectant, soap and water or the detergents and disinfectants that are usually authorized for this purpose (with a virucidal effect) can be used, and disposable textile material will be used for the surfaces. General cleaning will always be done wet, from the cleanest areas to the dirtiest, from the inside out.

The following measures should also be considered:

  • The use of brooms in high-risk areas should be avoided as much as possible.
  • Double cube techniques will be used.
  • The material used that is disposable, will be placed in a waste container with a lid and labeled with the precise warnings. Surfaces must be cleaned with solutions recommended by international organizations and proven effective against Sars-CoV-2. Among the recommendations are:
  • For personal items (screens, phones, tablets)
    • Use at least 70% alcohol solution, spray and air dry or wipe with a cloth and air dry.
  • For work surfaces, floors, walls, doors, desks and other surfaces:
    • Use a household bleach solution (5%) diluted as follows: Four teaspoons of bleach per liter of water, spray or rub in and leave for at least 10 minutes.
    • Use quaternary ammonium at 5% dilution, follow the instructions of each supplier for its dilution in case it is more concentrated. Wait at least 10 minutes for it to act.
    • Use commercial use hydrogen peroxide at 3% and let it act for at least 5 minutes.
  • For any product used to clean surfaces and disinfect SARS CoV-2, the indications for use should be consulted, since the concentration of the active components may vary from industrial to domestic presentation and from brand to brand.
  1. Handling and use of Personal Protection Equipment.

Training on the use and handling (putting on and taking off) of PPE. Single-use or disposable PPE must be disposed of under established standards to avoid cross-contamination of other sites, objects, products, or surfaces.

saw. Health and safety system operation:

In the organizations or work centers where the Joint Hygiene and Safety Commission is formed and in operation, it must play a fundamental role during the implementation of the measures for SARS CoV-2. It is essential that a surveillance and control system be established on compliance with and compliance with all the measures, guidelines, standards, orientations and others that are available within the organization or work center. Organizations or work centers that have health care services must take extreme measures to detect suspects and patients. Health personnel must be duly trained to approach people suspected or sick by SARS CoV-2 according to the protocols and standards established in the country and failing that,

vii. Health or epidemiological surveillance:

If the organization or work center has a surveillance program or plan, it must consider the necessary measures to adapt it to the regulations and guidelines that guarantee constant communication with the responsible authorities and institutions. If the organization or workplace does not have surveillance strategies, constant communication with the responsible authorities and institutions must be guaranteed. In any case, the organization or work center must maintain a direct communication mechanism for immediate notification of suspected cases.

On May 23, 2020, the National Congress approved the Law on the Mandatory Use of Masks and Application of Biosafety Protocols. The Law establishes the mandatory use of masks or mouth covers (whether homemade, artisanal or industrial that covers the nose and mouth) for all people, without exception, who wander the streets throughout the national territory or who attend public or private places with more than five people in the same space.

The sanction for not wearing the mask or mouth cover is the application of a fine of Two Hundred Lempiras (L. 200.00) or the obligation to carry out community work for six hours, in case of being a repeat offender, they will be detained for twelve hours.

Biosafety Protocols

The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Security were authorized to temporarily cancel the operation of any establishment for not applying the Biosafety Protocols. The reopening will be done once it is authorized by the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary of Security, having corrected the infractions that gave rise to the closure. The Law is valid until the end of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The person responsible for complying with biosafety protocols in companies is the Joint Hygiene and Safety Commission. Any company with more than ten employees is required to set up a Mixed Hygiene and Safety Commission. We recommend that you verify that the Commission is constituted in your company and that it is in force, otherwise, you must request the constitution in the Secretary of Labor when restarting work.

The Biosafety Protocols approved to date are those of the following industries:

  • Government Offices and Customer Service Centers
  • Maquila Sector
  • Hardware Industry
  • Automotive Maintenance Workshops for Supply Chain
  • Restaurant and Cafeteria Industry
  • Construction Sector
  • Supermarket Industry
  • Meat Sector (Beef and Pork)
  • Sugar Industry
  • Financial sector
  • Poultry Sector
  • Household Items Wholesalers
  • Soft Drinks and Beverages Sector
  • Insurance Sector
  • Patisseries and Bakeries
  • Agricultural sector
  • Tobacco Sector
  • Supply Chain
  • Call Centers
  • Squares and Shopping Centers
  • Petroleum Products Distributors
  • Hairdressers and Barbers
  • Religious Practices and Activities
  • Dairy Sector
  • Pharmacy Industry
  • Forest Sector
  • Telecommunications Companies

If you wish to download the specific Biosafety Protocol for your industry, go to the following link: http://www.trabajo.gob.hn/protocolos-de-bioseguro-en-los-centros-de-trabajo/

Trend towards occupational health compliance

Posted on by zone_admin

A large part of the health regulations issued in 2020 are focused on the protection of employees
during their working hours. Therefore, one of the aspects that became more relevant at the
beginning of this decade is the growing attention to compliance with health and safety
regulations in the company.
Since the beginning of 2020, authorities worldwide have been much more vigilant about
compliance with health regulations, which is why they have increased inspections of company
facilities to verify that employees are working under adequate health and safety conditions.
security. Although these inspections are intended to prevent the transmission of diseases, once
the officers are in inspection, they usually audit compliance with other standards that are equally
mandatory.
In Costa Rica, the regulations for the protection of the health and safety of employees place
special emphasis on companies being diligent in the prevention of risks at work. For this reason,
companies that manage to demonstrate the correct implementation of an occupational health
and safety compliance program, even when accidents occur, manage to avoid sanctions that
can go as far as the cancellation of permits and the closure of activities.
On the other hand, companies with processes that ensure the safety of their employees tend to
have a much better business image and experience fewer incidents that delay operations.
Among the main elements to have an effective occupational health and safety program, we find:
 The identification of the health and safety standards that regulate each of the processes and
the ways to comply with them.
 Communicate compliance duties so that they are accessible to all members of the
organization.
 Constant training on behaviors that ensure compliance with the rules.

 Establish communication mechanisms that favor the reporting of irregularities and
opportunities for improvement.
 The constant verification of compliance, through previously defined processes.
 Commitment to compliance by all levels of the organization.
 Periodic evaluation and updating of legal regulations and other applicable standards.
 The possibility of verifying the application of the program over time.