A Year in Review: 2021 BEP Highlights
2021 was a busy year for BEP! Read some of the highlights in our end of year newsletter.
Beware of Unsafe or Ineffective Antimicrobial Products
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced violations by a Southern California company that was selling unregistered antimicrobial products that resulted in a $150,000 fine for the company. The company claimed their product could kill or repel microbes through a water filtration system that had not been tested or approved by the EPA. The danger to purchasers lies in the potential ineffectiveness of the product and/or harm to the user. Antimicrobial products that claim to kill or repel bacteria …
Read MoreBeware of Unsafe or Ineffective Antimicrobial Products
Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Nevada Businesses and New Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard
On June 24, 2021, the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Nevada OSHA) issued updated COVID-19 guidance for Nevada businesses which includes a new OSHA Healthcare COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard. Nevada OSHA adopted the Federal OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) and it became effective in Nevada on July 1, 2021. Employers must comply with most provisions within 14 days and with the remaining provisions within 30 days. The ETS is aimed at protecting workers facing the highest coronavirus hazards such …
Nevada COVID-19 Updates
Updated Nevada COVID-19 Roadmap to Recovery As of May 1st, Nevada’s Roadmap to Recovery mitigation measures are transitioning to local authority. Visit nvhealthresponse.gov to review the county plans endorsed by the COVID-19 Mitigation and Management Task Force. Nevada OSHA Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses On May 14th, Nevada OSHA revised their COVID-19 Guidance for Business Operations to to be consistent with the new CDC guidelines issued May 13th. The measures contained in the guidance are required of each business and should be applied to all employees of that business.
Restaurant Relief Fund Now Open – Applications Due May 24, 2021
Established as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) is now accepting applications. RRF will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023. CLICK HERE to find out more details about applying for the program. Eligible entities who …
Read MoreRestaurant Relief Fund Now Open – Applications Due May 24, 2021
US EPA Approves Copper Surfaces As The First Product with Residual Claims Against Coronavirus
Did you know the US EPA tests materials – such as copper alloy surfaces – to substantiate claims of effectiveness against viruses? Recently, the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention announced the first amended registration to the Copper Development Association for an emerging viral pathogen claim to be added to the label of Antimicrobial Copper Alloys-Group 1 (EPA Reg No. 82012-1). What does this mean? It means the surface of the copper alloy, made up of at least 95.6 % copper, can …
Federal Stimulus Programs for Small Businesses
The American Rescue Act was signed into law last week and includes some extensions to existing stimulus programs as well as the creation of new ones for small businesses. Here are some of the key program changes the US Small Business Administration (SBA) will implement for small businesses: $7.25 billion additional for the Paycheck Protection Program, including to expand eligibility to additional nonprofits and digital news services with money set aside specifically for businesses in low-income communities. Additional funds are allocated for the Shuttered …
Nevada’s New COVID-19 Recovery Plan and Timeline
This month, the State of Nevada released Nevada’s Roadmap to Recovery which includes updated mitigation measures for businesses and a timeline with increasing capacity limits and other changes. New guidelines went into effect February 15th and the next sets of guidelines will go into effect March 15th and May 1st. Read more about current COVID-19 mitigation measures on nvhealthresponse.nv.gov.
Healthier, Greener Cleaning Products Now on the EPA’s List-N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus
It has been almost a year since we first started shutting down businesses and schools while we also started cleaning and wiping down everything from doorknobs to groceries to pens. In that time, US EPA, along with the cleaning products industry, has ramped up product testing to test directly against SARS-CoV-2 (the coronavirus that causes COVID-19). While there are hundreds of products of products now listed on US EPA’s List N as effective against SARS-CoV-2, some have shown safer than others for …
Read MoreHealthier, Greener Cleaning Products Now on the EPA’s List-N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus
BEP Reopening Tip Sheets
Your business may look very different as it begins to recover from COVID-19 impacts. To move forward, your business will need to adapt to new safety and health guidelines and respond to new and increased expectations from staff and customers. New practices and guidelines will become commonplace in order for customers to feel safe. To help you get started we have put together numerous tip sheets for the different industries that have opened in Phase I and Phase II of …