Rock Products is the aggregates industry's leading source for market analysis and technology solutions, delivering critical content focusing on aggregates-processing equipment; operational efficiencies; management best practices; comprehensive market
Issue link: https://rock.epubxp.com/i/433535
www.rockproducts.com ROCK products • DECEMBER 2014 59 pervisory, non‐managerial employees the right to engage in "protected concerted activity" for their own mutual aid or protection. Activity is "protected" if it is neither violent nor sufficiently opprobrious. Activity is "concerted" if it is taken by or on behalf of more than one employee and concerns the employees' terms or conditions of employment, including safety and health. Federal, state and local leave laws such as the Family and Med‐ ical Leave Act, may allow employees to take time off for diag‐ nosis and treatment of either the employee's medical condition or that of a family member. State medical privacy laws generally prohibit the disclosure of personal health information. Some require notification to an employee if there has been an unauthorized disclosure. Common law defamation or invasion of privacy claims may arise from identifying someone as having the virus when he or she does not. Emergency Response and Business Continuity While the mining industry is not considered high risk for ex‐ posure to Ebola, mining employers are encouraged to review their own emergency response and business continuity plans in light of the Ebola outbreak and the considerations above. At this time, Ebola may not be having a significant impact on min‐ ing operations. However, the lessons learned here can inform preparations for future events. Successful business continuity objectives planning should include: • Creating a business continuity team. • Evaluating the level of risk, probability for the event, and potential hazards and impacts in the workplace. • Defining the organization's essential functions and ensur‐ ing that the organization can perform its essential functions under all conditions. • Planning and procedures developed to reduce the loss of life and minimizing property damage and loss. • Executing a successful order of succession with accompa‐ nying authorities in the event a disruption renders the lead‐ ership unable, unavailable, or incapable of assuming and performing their duties and responsibilities. • Ensuring there are facilities from where the organization can perform essential functions. • Protecting personnel, facilities, equipment, records, and other assets critical to the performance of essential func‐ tions in the event of a business disruption. For mining operators, the Ebola outbreak is a "leading indica‐ tor" for emergency response planning. Organizations should review their business continuity plans and ensure they are fully prepared if the Ebola outbreak should continue or spread or another emergency occur that impacts operations. E