TSS News – April 2021

SAFETY NEWS

Apr 2021

From the CEO

Welcome to April 2021! TSS has a lot going on in the spring and this year is no different. There are several things to talk about in this column, so I’ll get right to it.

TPA ACCREDITATION FROM NDASA

TSS, Inc has earned Third Party Administrator Accreditation by the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association. To achieve the certificate for accreditation, companies must show the highest industry standards as set forth by experts representing all facets of service in the drug and alcohol testing industry.

TSS staff completed the extensive application process and was found highly qualified by a review committee comprised of experts. Areas of inspection included TSS’s:

– Code of ethics

– Core competencies, knowledge and best

practices regarding:

Regulatory issues
Breath Alcohol Testing, drug collections and procedures
Random Testing and Consortium Services
Training, development and leadership
Services and product offerings
Ethical standards, integrity and confidentiality
Proof of training and certification by an acceptable provider
Proof of appropriate standard business operations

I am so proud of the TSS team for achieving this designation and honored to be one of only five businesses in the entire USA to have been accredited by NDASA, to date.

GRADUATION DAY

More good news....I’m thrilled to announce that I have completed my journey in health coach training through the Integrative Institute of Nutrition! Graduation was held virtually on March 25 for students from around the globe.

To implement my new skillset, I have launched NO SPEED LIMIT, a health coaching business, and am now taking clients for the 6-month program.

Health coaching is so much more than food and nutrition. One thing I am finding that I love is how the body can do so much to heal itself when given half a chance. Getting folks on track with not just food, but sleep, water and exercise, can improve their whole outlook on work, family and many other aspects of their life.

I am available to work one on one, coordinate with corporate wellness programs or lead group coaching programs. It is extremely interesting work and I look forward to sharing it with you! Watch for a monthly column about health coming soon!

SECOND QUARTER RANDOMS ARE

NOW OPEN

Second quarter random selections were completed on April 1, 2021. Each Designated Employer Representative should be in receipt of the new random selections. Please proceed to send your employees in for screening as soon as possible.

This is one of the most important things that TSS staff supports our clients in accomplishing. Federal guidelines must be followed to avoid substantial penalties under Department of Transportation regulations. TSS also offers training for DER’s to assist them in following the rules. This FREE course is held on a regular basis. Find the next date here in our newsletter or on our website at www.tss-safety.com As always, please call one of our offices to ask questions if you need help. We are happy to always be your resource, 24/7.

Best Regards,

Renee Schofield

Alcohol Awareness Month

Studies show that increased alcohol consumption is among the challenges that have come out of the pandemic and are bound to spill over into the workplace.

That’s why this year, during National Alcohol Awareness Month, we urge employers to make a special effort to understand the signs of alcohol use at work, know about prevention strategies and support workers who are seeking treatment.

It’s still too early to know what increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic will mean for the workplace. But certainly, we need to be extra vigilant as most people return to their offices, job sites, stores and factories.

The costs of alcoholism and alcohol abuse manifest themselves in many different ways in the workplace. Having an impaired employee threatens the safety of everyone connected to your business and the general public. Accidents and on-the-job injuries are far more prevalent among alcoholics and alcohol abusers. Absenteeism is estimated to be four to eight times greater among alcoholics and alcohol abusers. Alcohol abuse tends to result in lost productivity and increased healthcare costs, which have a direct impact on the bottom line.

What can the employer do?

TSS Featured

TSS's CEO Renee Schofield recently was a guest on the National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association's weekly podcast. Renee shared her wisdom from more than 20 years of running a business in the industry and introduced listeners to what operations look like for The Safety Specialists in Ketchikan, Alaska.

If you have an interest in workplace drug and alcohol policy, changing drug legislation, regulatory compliance, business building or just want to here what Renee has to say, we urge you to check out the Member's Memo podcast.

Listen Now

Safety Corner: Tips for Avoiding Trips, Slips and Falls

Slips, trips and falls can happen to anyone if they aren’t paying attention. In fact, falls are the leading cause of death in construction and, in general, only motor vehicle incidents cause more worker fatalities.

Each year, approximately 230,000 workers are injured in slips, trips or falls, costing businesses an estimated $70 billion, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the leading causes for workplace falls are slippery and cluttered or unstable surfaces, floor or wall holes, poor lighting, incorrect positioning of ladders and misuse of safety equipment.

The good news is that in most cases these injuries are entirely preventable with some careful housekeeping, the correct equipment and appropriate training.

Distracted Driving Prevention

When your mind, eyes and attention wander, driving can quickly turn dangerous, traffic data from the last year suggests. The research shows that despite a significant drop in travel because of COVID, traffic fatalities increased nationally.

According to The National Safety Council (NSC), in 2020 there were 42,060 total motor-vehicle deaths, up eight percent from 2019. While Americans drove less because of stay-at-home orders and increased telecommuting, the fatality rate per mile driven rose 24 percent.

“I think a lot of what you’re seeing is emotionally distracted driving,” said Mark Ezzell, director of the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program in a recent article on North Carolina Health News.

“People are worried about family, worried about their future, worried about their health, and they’re just not doing some of the things that normally would come naturally and as a routine to them because their minds are not concentrating on driving. And one of those things is using your seat belt.”

The emotional toll of this time researchers believe may have contributed to more speeding, aggressive driving, and impaired driving that law enforcement witnessed on the roads over the last year.

As the light at the end of the tunnel for COVID seems to be approaching and warmer temperatures are arriving, people will be getting out and about. This means keeping distractions to a minimum is more important than ever.

TSS TRAINING

Webinar, online, blended

Through webinars and interactive online training courses, TSS offers a wide range of options that can help you reach your professional development or safety learning goals.

These include DOT and OSHA-related safety trainings as well as courses about home safety or those geared to keeping you secure behind the wheel.

Learn More

Upcoming Webinars

All webinars are

10 a.m. AK Time

1 p.m. CS Time

Signs & Symptoms

for Supervisors

Tuesday, April 20

Cost: $129

Forty percent of workplace fatalities involve employee substance abuse. Do YOU know the signs & symptoms?

It is essential for employers to understand the prevalence, trends and costs related to substance use among employees and how to respond. This training meets the requirements for DOT mandated training on drugs and alcohol and is appropriate for all supervisors, DERs and employees who need training.