Environment Department launches reporting tool

To continue ensuring safe New Mexico workplaces, help businesses safely stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic and make it easier, more efficient and more accurate to report positive COVID-19 cases among employees, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) launched a new webform for employers.

Through the online portal, employers not only can report positive employee cases within four hours as required, but simultaneously complete the rapid response process.

Benefits of the new tool include:

• 24/7 availability, providing employers the flexibility to report employee cases at any time of day or night, within four hours as required;

• Multiple reports may be filed at once;

• Enhanced record management capabilities, resulting in easier tracking for the employer;

• Direct reporting of positive cases by employers, freeing up valuable Occupational Health and Safety Bureau resources for other critical work, including fatality and injury investigations;

• Allows NMED Rapid Response team to spend more time with employers who need assistance with the rapid response or reporting process.

NMED works with employers to complete rapid responses after notification of positive cases by ensuring infected employees are isolated, close contacts are identified and quarantined, workplaces are disinfected and COVID-Safe Practices are in place to prevent virus transmission.

The portal allows employers to complete these steps without the direct assistance of NMED unless requested, making the process more streamlined and convenient while ensuring employee safety.

“We are grateful to employers for all the work they do every day to protect their employees,” NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney said. “This new portal will increase employee safety and prevent transmission of COVID as it speeds up our rapid responses and reduces the burden on employers – it’s a win-win.”

“I no longer have to carry a binder full of information while I wait to get a call from the rapid response team and am also saving a lot of time spent on phone calls and writing emails,” said Jessica Canales, Director of Training and Human Resources at Blake’s Lotaburger.

If an employer does not take report positive employees within four hours or take required rapid response steps, NMED will take enforcement action, including penalties and legal action.

Employers should continue to report positive cases through nmgov.force.com/rapidresponse/s/. Once positive cases are reported and if the rapid response is assigned to NMED, the employer will receive an email with a unique link to the new webform.