What can employers and employees do to help prevent heat stress during the summer?

Washington – OSHA has launched its annual summer campaign to remind employers and employees about the dangers of working outdoors in hot weather.

Muncie, IN — Concerts, fireworks, auto races, road construction and mowing the lawn are all summertime happenings that can cause permanent hearing damage, cautions Ball State University audiologist Lynn Bielski.

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?

How can employers alleviate noise hazards above and beyond using hearing protection?

Work-related hearing loss is the second most self-reported occupational illness or injury, according to NIOSH. An estimated 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise on the job, with the most at-risk industries being agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing and utilities, transportation, and military.

OSHA requires respiratory protection to be worn whenever work is being conducted in hazardous atmospheres. Although different respirators are required in different atmospheric situations, in all cases training must be provided to employees using such devices.

The workplace can create many hazards for your hands, whether from chemicals, cuts or burns. No single glove can provide appropriate protection for every work situation, so it is important to assess the risk for each task and select a glove that provides specialized protection.

When handling chemicals, it is important that workers protect their hands.

A construction worker removes his hard hat because he is too warm. An engineer refuses to wear head protection, as she has “never been hurt before.” A utility worker thinks hard hats make him look silly and removes his every chance he gets.

Workers in a wide variety of jobs and industries wear high-visibility safety apparel to alert others of their presence, particularly in dark or dim places. Users include utility linemen, construction workers, police officers and school bus drivers, to name a few.

Olympia, WA – Workers are spending more time on computers and, as a result, the percentage of office workers with musculoskeletal issues is increasing, according to an ergonomics evaluation study conducted by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

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

How can workers determine if the glasses they’re wearing are actually safety glasses?

Washington — OSHA has unveiled the winners of its inaugural “Beat the Heat” photo contest, a national competition aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of heat exposure.

Washington — Employers can help prevent the spread of common respiratory viruses indoors by ensuring proper workplace ventilation and limiting the use of small, shared spaces, the Environmental Protection Agency says.

Adelaide, Australia — Employers with stronger psychosocial safety climates experience fewer days lost to work-related ailments, as well as lower injury costs, results of a recent study out of Australia suggest.

Melbourne, Australia — Employers incorporating collaborative robots in their workplace can ease the transition for employees by taking three key steps, Australian researchers say.

Denver — Nearly half of young small-business owners – and 3 out of 10 overall – regret not emphasizing worker safety when they started their business, results of a recent survey show.

What are key considerations in selecting emergency showers and eyewashes?

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.

The National Fire Protection Association notes that portable fire extinguishers can “save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives, but portable extinguishers have limitations.”

You can help prevent a potential head-on collision before it occurs. NSC has developed a lifesaving method for drivers to use: the four R’s.

Being a true safety partner means knowing what’s important to people in the safety profession. Red Wing asked hundreds of safety professionals about their challenges, concerns and successes.

Download this free Foot Protection Training Guide with expert tips to help keep your workers safe from potentially devastating foot injuries.

Get our guide that compares the many advantages of a managed safety footwear program with those of a typical reimbursement program. Get the guide and see how working with a reputable safety footwear provider can tailor a program for your business needs, as well as for the safety and productivity of your workers.

These types of on-the-job deaths often involve large vehicles, such as those used in transportation and construction.

Do you know the difference between a hard hat and a helmet?

Arlington, VA — In an effort to address a persistent concern in the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, the American Waterways Operators has released a guide on various principles of fatigue risk management.

Fort Collins, CO — Employers should prioritize efforts to help workers get a good night’s sleep, researchers from Colorado State University say after their study of construction workers found a connection between poor quality sleep and the risk of workplace incidents and injuries.

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.

New York — Nurses get nearly 90 minutes less sleep before shifts compared with days they don’t work, according to a recent study from New York University’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing.

New York — More than half of nurses in a recent survey say they had trouble sleeping during the first six month of the COVID-19 pandemic – a risk factor for increased feelings of anxiety and depression.

In Episode 38, the S+H team examines the April issue’s feature story on workplace fire drills. Also, Lori Guasta, senior director of consulting services at NSC, discusses fatigue in the workplace and beyond in the “5 Questions With …” interview.

London — People with irregular work schedules are more likely to have problems sleeping than those who work a typical 35- to 40-hour week, according to a recent study.

Experts weigh in on the importance of training, code compliance and accuracy of part numbers in security locks and door hardware.

Absolute Systems of Kansas City has acquired Eclipse Integration, expanding its commercial security solutions and presence in the metropolitan market.

Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and security integrators are seeing real benefits for themselves and their customers.

Find out how security integrators are addressing the rapid adoption of AI technologies, overcoming cost challenges, implementing advanced solutions for clients, and improving internal business efficiency with AI.

Find out how security integrators are addressing the rapid adoption of AI technologies, overcoming cost challenges, implementing advanced solutions for clients, and improving internal business efficiency with AI.

Columbia Southern University's occupational safety and health degree programs meet the educational requirements mandated by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals for the Associate Safety Professional designation (ASP) and the Certified Safety Professional designation (CSP).

Click here for more information from Columbia Southern University

What considerations should be made when dressing for working in a cold environment?

How do advanced performance fabrics help workers during warm weather?

Keeping workers happy as well as safe starts by supplying personal protective equipment that fits well, feels good and they’re proud to wear.

How can utility workers best prepare for cold-weather conditions?

What do workers who are required to wear flame-resistant clothing need to consider when layering for cold weather?

How do I select a quality management system that meets key safety requirements and best practices to ensure its successful rollout and use?

Dig into the details on keeping records for OSHA, including recording, reporting and submitting.

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?