Is your workplace at risk of experiencing a violent incident? Probably not, you may believe. But consider the statistics: In 2013, 404 homicides occurred on the job, according to the 2016 edition of the National Safety Council chartbook “Injury Facts.” And, according to OSHA, roughly 2 million workers report having been victims of workplace violence each year. The agency notes that many additional cases likely go unreported. How can your workplace prepare?

Workplace violence is a “growing concern for employers and employees,” OSHA states. In 2016, workplace homicides increased by 83 cases to 500, the highest homicide figure since 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In Episode 39, the S+H team examines the May issue’s feature story on workplace violence prevention. Also, Cal/OSHA Heat and Agriculture Program Coordinator David Hornung discusses heat illness awareness in the “5 Questions With …” interview.
 

Are you worried your workplace might have mold? You’re not alone.

A new white paper offers actionable tips and insights from J. J. Keller’s experts to help you better understand the features of a successful, OSHA-compliant safety program.

Written by J. J. Keller’s human resources experts, this free white paper delivers proven strategies for identifying, documenting and addressing unacceptable employee conduct. Download it now and promote a safe, respectful workplace!

This Avetta white paper provides information on how to react after a worker fatality, including immediate next steps for the employer, support for the family, workplace considerations and insurance.

In this free white paper, J. J. Keller’s regulatory experts provide key information and guidance on OSHA’s industrial hygiene criteria and cover the common areas employers should assess.

This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of global workplace incident trends, focusing on the top three biases leading to such incidents.

This white paper contains detailed advice on this subject from J. J. Keller’s workplace safety experts, covering topics such as the meaning of bloodborne pathogens, applicability of the OSHA standard, required training elements, trainer qualifications and more.

“The many benefits this technology brings to workplace safety programs cannot be overlooked,” says the National Safety Council, which recently published a white paper on the topic.

Your commitment to safety can make a tangible difference in your employees’ lives and your organization’s overall success. These eight essential strategies can help you lead the way in building a safety culture beyond compliance.

This white paper uses a recent real-world occupational fatality investigation to help you transform the way you conduct workplace incident investigations.

Washington – The risk of work-induced hearing loss http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ohl/ may be declining, but efforts are still needed in industries such as mining, construction and health care, according to a new NIOSH study.

Nieuwegein, The Netherlands — On-the-job exposure to silica, beryllium and certain other metals may be linked to the inflammatory disease sarcoidosis, results of a recent study led by Dutch researchers suggest.

When thinking about where electrical hazards are commonly found, your first thought likely isn’t your office. However, the Georgia Institute of Technology states that electrical equipment used in offices can be hazardous and result in serious injuries if not properly maintained.

We have some 10- and 12-hour work shifts. How do we account for the longer noise exposure times under OSHA reporting requirements, and should we be adjusting our criteria for determining which employees should be included in our hearing conservation program?

Chicago — No matter where work gets done, “protecting vision should always be a priority,” advocacy group Prevent Blindness is reminding employers.

The need and value of personal protective equipment and worker safety have surged over the past two years. More than ever, it is imperative that organizations ensure they mitigate the risk of workplace hazards for their employees as well as their business’s sustainability.

Good housekeeping is crucial to safe workplaces. Experts agree that all workplaces – from offices to manufacturing plants – should incorporate housekeeping in their safety programs, and every worker should play a part.

Protecting employees from COVD-19 exposure requires creating a comprehensive plan – and then executing that plan and adjusting it when necessary.

Chicago — Eye safety and protection should be a workplace priority, advocacy group Prevent Blindness is reminding employers and employees.

Denver — Young people who participated in an introductory workplace safety and health training session significantly boosted their knowledge of and attitude toward the topic, results of a recent study show.

While prevention is the best way to avoid fires in your workplace, knowing how to quickly and correctly respond in the event of a fire can save lives.

According to OSHA, the most common emergency small businesses must plan for is a fire. Fire extinguishers can be invaluable tools to help fight smaller fires in the workplace or to protect evacuation routes in the event of a larger one.

If your facility is considering installing EV charging stations, the Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends a site assessment conducted by a trained and qualified electrician.

The failure to prioritize rest is a growing concern – and taking a toll on U.S. workers. “Most employers underestimate how little sleep deprivation is necessary to result in detrimental outcomes,” one expert says.

What role does data analysis play in ensuring the safety of connected workers, and how can it be used to identify potential hazards and prevent incidents?

Washington – Mandatory guidelines for drug testing of federal employees have been updated to include testing for four semi-synthetic opioids, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently announced.

Nashville, TN — A free online tool developed by researchers at Vanderbilt University is intended to help employers assess how and where exoskeletons could help reduce work-related back injuries “without the need for costly and time-consuming experiments.”

Join the MSD Solutions Lab, a National Safety Council program, for its second annual virtual Workplace Safety Summit: Insights and Actions to Prevent the Most Common Injury on the Job.

UL’s PureSafety Safety Management System employs integrated tools to simplify and centralize training, safety and compliance programs. With a single, comprehensive system, you can seamlessly manage recurring training requirements, report incidents and observations and provide powerful reporting and analytics. See it in action at the TSCE in Booth 1017.

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Stockholm — Exposure to dusts and fumes from common workplace agents such as vapors, gases and solvents may increase workers’ risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, results of a recent study out of Sweden show.

Washington — Workplace violence led to nearly 18,000 deaths over a recent 27-year period, according to a recently published report from NIOSH and two other federal agencies.

Itasca — New guidance from the National Safety Council is aimed at providing organizations with information and solutions to effectively mitigate and address workplace violence.

Geneva — Nearly a quarter of workers worldwide have endured workplace violence or harassment, but only half of the victims discuss their experiences, results of a recent survey show.

Provo, UT — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) has signed a law allowing employers to petition for and obtain protective orders against anyone who poses a threat.

Cincinnati — A new guidance document from NIOSH outlines ways to reduce the risk of injuries and deaths associated with robbery-related violence at gasoline stations and convenience stores.

“The old methodology of, ‘Oh, it could never happen here’ – that has to go out of the window,” a workplace security expert says. “Because it can.”

Iowa City, IA — Three out of 5 young employees have experienced some form of workplace violence, results of a recent study show.

Sacramento, CA — Employers in California will be required to establish, implement and maintain a workplace violence prevention program, under a new state law.

Washington — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is asking for comment on proposed enforcement guidance aimed at preventing and addressing worker harassment based on sex, race and other protected traits.

Portland, OR — In light of the 29 workplace homicides that have occurred in the state since 2018, the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences has issued a hazard alert.

Is your worksite ready to respond to an incident? Experts offer advice.

In Episode 46, the S+H team examines the December issue’s feature story on best practices for preventing workplace violence. Also, Atanu Das, owner of MSDS Writer, a consulting company, joins the podcast to discuss Safety Data Sheets in the “Five Questions With …” segment.

Geneva, Switzerland — Around 20% of workers worldwide have reported some form of violence or harassment, according to a recent report from the International Labour Organization.

Chicago — Chronic workplace harassment may increase the risk of coronary heart disease, arthritic/rheumatic conditions and migraines, results of a recent University of Illinois Chicago study show.

Washington — New guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is intended to prevent and address worker harassment based on sex, race and other protected traits, outlining when such behavior is against the law.

Orlando, FL — Although OSHA remains largely a regulatory and enforcement agency, it’s recently started prioritizing safety culture.

London — Around half of workers who’ve been harmed on the job in the past two years didn’t report it, according to a new report from Lloyd’s Register Foundation.