NATSB’S EBOLA PRECAUTIONS

The outbreak of the Ebola virus is an unprecedented health situation for the United States due to the severity of the disease, even though officials have said there is an extremely low likelihood of contracting Ebola unless there is direct and unprotected contact with the bodily fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola. We want to make sure that all employees and customers of NATSB are safe and protected.

ebola virus symptoms

From this time forward:

● PROTECTIVE GLOVES NEED TO BE WORN WHILE DOING DRUG TESTING
● Wipe down all surfaces with a disinfectant wipe, while wearing gloves, after each test.
● Protective gloves shall be discarded in the waste receptacle with a lid.
● Protective gloves shall be worn when emptying and disposing the waste from this receptacle.
● Also, frequent hand washing is always good hygiene.

hand washing

Urine has been identified as a carrier of Ebola but only by “direct contact”. Direct contact means that body fluids (saliva, mucus, vomit, feces, sweat, tears, breast milk, urine, and semen) from an infected person (alive or dead) have touched someone’s eyes, nose, or mouth or an open cut, wound, or abrasion. Please use precautions while handling these body fluids.

Q&A about Ebola

1. Q. How is Ebola viruses transmitted?
A. Ebola viruses are transmitted through direct contact with blood or body fluids/substances (e.g., urine, feces, vomit) of an infected person with symptoms or through exposure to objects (such as needles) that have been contaminated with infected blood or body fluids.

2. Q. What does “direct contact” mean?
A. Direct contact means that body fluids (saliva, mucus, vomit, feces, sweat, tears, breast milk, urine, and semen) from an infected person (alive or dead) have touched someone’s eyes, nose, or mouth or an open cut, wound, or abrasion.

3. Q. Is Ebola transmissible through contact with contaminated surfaces like elevator buttons, stair railings and door knobs?
A. According to the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no epidemiologic evidence of Ebolavirus transmission via either the environment that could become contaminated during patient care (e.g., bed rails, door knobs, laundry). However, given the apparent low infectious dose, potential of high virus titers in the blood of ill patients, and disease severity, higher levels of precaution are warranted to reduce the potential risk posed by contaminated surfaces in the patient care environment. In isolated cases, Ebola on dry surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops can survive for several hours. If you have any belief that any space has symptomatic people, try to avoid “common touch” areas by using a tissue or handkerchief. Also, wash your hands frequently and have bleach based hand wipes available.

4. Q. Does bleach kill the virus?
A. Ebola is killed with hospital-grade disinfectants (such as household bleach). Ebola on dry surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops can survive for several hours; however, virus in body fluids (such as blood) can survive up to several days at room temperature.

5. Q. How long does the Ebola virus remain contagious when in contact with an inanimate surface? How long does Ebola live outside the body?
A. Ebola is killed with hospital-grade disinfectants (such as household bleach). Ebola on dry surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops can survive for several hours; however, virus in body fluids (such as blood) can survive up to several days at room temperature.

6. Q. Should gyms and fitness centers be closed? (Health officials in Dallas where the first laboratoryconfirmed case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States answered this question directly)
A. No, regular cleaning that all gyms and fitness centers undergo to prevent other infections and transmissions is more than sufficient.

Updated 10/17/14 12:20 A.M.

Physical Therapy: Safety Consideration for the Aging Worker

Physical Therapy is a safety consideration for the aging worker. For the first time in the history of American business four different generations are in the work place at the same time. This can cause communication, management and worksite safety issues and increased workers’ compensation claims. It should be noted that “older employees” can be defined from 40 to 55 and over, depending on the agency.

WorkSafe Physical Therapy Logo

Guest Blog Post by WorkSafe Physical Therapy

The Situation:

According to the Department of Labor, the situation will not be changing soon. They estimate that by the end of 2030 25% of employees will be over the age of 55. That translates into 32 million people. The breakdown looks like this:

  • 76 million “Baby Boomers” born between 1946 and 1964
  • 30.8 million are in the workforce now
  • 85% plan to work after retirement age
  • 70% prefer to work full-time
  • Nearly half plan to work into their 70s and 80s
  • 32 million workers over age 55 by 2015 (US Census prediction)

The reasons for the employees continuing to work include lagging retirement funds, cost of health insurance and/or wanting to stay active. On the part of the employer it is pretty simple – the need for skilled, experienced labor.

While the incidence rate of injury among older workers declines, injury severity increases. Older workers have more lost work days, higher treatment costs and the fatality rate is nearly three times higher than younger workers.

The Effects:
The physical changes affect the entire system of the aging worker.  Changes in the cardiovascular system means older individuals may have more difficulty working in extreme heat and humidity or extreme cold. They will also have more trouble recovering from work.

Musculoskeletal changes mean they lose flexibility, joints get stiff and injuries take longer to heal. This means older adults are more prone to sprains and strains and have a decreased capacity for repetitive work. Reaction times slow down and older workers have decreased balance, making falls a great risk.

Falls from the same level are the second highest cause of work injury and in the older worker falls can be fatal, due to the chronic health conditions common in older adults. These conditions include diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity. These conditions may also increase the amount of time required for any injury to heal.

The Solutions:
Older workers are a valuable resource to any organization. Their skill and experience is priceless. Good safety practices will keep them as well as their younger counterparts working safe.

  • Job demands analysis: By evaluating each job demand individuals can perform tasks that actually match their physical capabilities. This makes good sense for workers of any age.
  • Ergonomic principles: Use sound ergonomics when designing work areas. By limiting the work above shoulder or below knee height one can avoid aggravating age-related changes in those joints.
  • Physical ability testing: After a thorough job demands analysis is performed the next step is to test new employees to make sure they can perform those job demands. Testing should include job specific tasks such as lifting and carrying or postural demands like kneeling, squatting and stooping.
  • Return to work testing: These tests are similar to the physical ability testing but are performed after an employee returns to work following an absence for medical reasons.
  • Good Safety Practices: Clear trip hazards, spills and clutter to prevent slips, trip and falls. Make sure employees are wearing proper footwear and protective equipment.
  • Buddy system: Pairing older, experienced workers with younger employees. Benefits for both younger employees can help with the physical tasks and knowledge is passed down to the newer employee

Nancy Wilson, PT, CEAS
Owner, WorkSafe Physical Therapy
Nancy Wilson, PT, CEAS Owner, WorkSafe Physical Therapy

The Importance of Job Fit

The importance of job fit is key, technical skills are not enough!
Technical skills are necessary, but not sufficient, to predict future success as a manager when selecting a professional for a management position. What is missing? The answer is Job Fit. Does an engineer or an accountant have the right combination of mental abilities, personal interests and behavioral traits to allow for success as a manager?

job fitLeaders Do Not Determine Job Fit
Generally, most leaders do not understand nor cannot determine Job Fit so instead they evaluate the individual’s Company Fit and Skills Match, but not Job Fit. According to Chuck Russell in his book, “Right Person-Right Job; Guess or Know, The Breakthrough Technologies of Performance Information” Job Fit is defined as:

“The degree to which the candidate’s cognitive abilities, interests, and personality dynamics fit those required by the position.”

COMPANY FIT is determined by one or more of the following:

  1. Drug testing
  2. Integrity testing
  3. Honesty testing
  4. Interviewing

SKILLS MATCH is evaluated by:

  1. Education
  2. Work History
  3. Objective Skills Testing
  4. Reference Checking

JOB FIT requires an assessment in three critical areas:

  1. Cognitive Ability
  2. Personal Interests
  3. Personality

Why success in hiring seems to be a 50-50 proposition?
The pool of otherwise qualified job applicants for any position contain several individuals who will not be successful because they lack Job Fit. Roughly one-third of the otherwise qualified candidates have Job Fit which is based on the traits required by the position itself. The other two-thirds include the obvious misfits and the less obvious future non-performers. The misfits and non-performers are about equal in number (one-third each) but only the obvious misfits are readily excluded in the screening process. Therefore, we have reduced the pool of acceptable applicants by one-third, the obvious misfits and we are left with the one-third future non-performers and the one-third with Job Fit.

In summary, the pool of acceptable candidates consists of two groups—applicants with Job Fit and the future non-performers. Since most managers cannot distinguish between the two groups, the success rate in hiring or promoting is about 50%.

The Price of People Failure

  • Performance — Quality & Quantity 
  • Dependability — Turnover, Absenteeism, Tardiness
  • Workplace Health — Tension, Stress, Accidents
  • Negative Attitudes — Poor Morale
  • Counterproductive Behaviors — Dishonesty, Substance Abuse, Sabotage, Harassment
  • Loss of Image — Negative Reputation

Successful Hiring Comes Down to Fit
By matching jobs and candidates based on what science has shown predicts superior performance, turnover can be reduced and performance at work can be dramatically increased. Job-matching techniques and psychometric assessments are tools that can be used to clarify and solidify placement decisions. They provide the best possible insight for those seeking deeper information helpful in both hiring and development processes.

Will Stricker, Job Fit Specialist

Will Stricker

Want to learn more?
Placing the right people in the right positions will make a positive impact within any organization. Right Fit Hiring™ is an advanced, state-of-the-art solution available for measuring human potential and predicting job performance. To learn more, contact National Screening Bureau: 877-264-4405 or will@natsb.com.

Privacy Conscious Volunteers

Every day, hundreds volunteer countless hours to help districts fulfill their mission. Their help is often vital to your success, but it can come with a hidden cost and a growing challenge – How do you properly screen out the bad volunteers (yes, they are out there) without alienating your stars?

hands in the airThe good news is, it’s easy. In fact, we are finding that most volunteers in today’s environment are expecting to have a background check done on them and are concerned if one is not requested.

Our goal is to make the process as simple as possible. The two most popular options are:

1. Use the same process that you do for employees.

2. Set up a weblink that you can send them in an email or post on your website.
The great news is, during the months of August and September, we are waiving the weblink setup fee!

Quick, Simple and Thorough.

At NATSB, our mission is to be the ultimate source of services to hire and retain superior employees for our clients. With our team of experts adhering to industry standards, we use robust products to help you achieve your goals and objectives. As your company continues to grow, we would like to grow with you! Monitoring the screening industry and the relevant regulatory bodies is imperative in keeping your companies free of hazards. We stay up-to-date in all our practices. We continue to invest in training, technology and systems to provide the best environment for our clients to hire with success. Please feel free to contact any of our customer service representatives with questions you may have regarding your account or our services. If you are searching for educational training for your business, you may contact Dan at dan@natsb.com. He will be excited to formulate a quote for you and come out to train your volunteers.

TRAFFIC REPORTS ON A BACKGROUND CHECK

Ever wondeTraffic Lightr why Traffic information is reported under the Criminal County, National Criminal History and 50-State Sex Offender components of a background check? The reason is because Traffic falls under the criminal court system.

We are making a change to this practice and will be removing traffic violations from these sections. We are making these changes for the following three reasons:

  1. This will help to ensure that we continue to be compliant with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations.
  2. We have heard your requests and concerns about minor traffic tickets falling under such serious categories as Criminal and Sex offender reports. Please be assured that if it is a criminal charge, such as a third -offense DUI or vehicular homicide, the information will still be reported under the criminal section.
  3. Another reason we are making this change is because traffic data is not consistent across the nation. Some states include traffic information in their criminal courts, but others do not. To provide you with consistency in information, ordering a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) search is a better, more accurate, option.

If you need Traffic information, we can provide you with this information through a Motor Vehicle Records report.  You can order an MVR that will give you up-to-date and accurate information to better meet your needs.

If you are in need of traffic information to make a hiring decision, please contact us and we will set up your ordering system to include the MVR. We would love to talk with you and help meet your needs.