You can’t smell it, taste it or see it, but it can be deadly. Carbon monoxide – sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” – prevents oxygen from going into the body and can result in death in a short period of time, the Michigan Department of Community Health states. But how does carbon monoxide form, and when are workers at risk?

Although ever-present and used on a daily basis, electrical equipment requires constant awareness of its associated hazards, as well as training on appropriate use, storage and maintenance, the Indiana Department of Labor reminds employers and workers.

Portable dockboards are used to help prevent falls over gaps in the surface when forklifts, pallet jacks, carts and other equipment are moving between a trailer and the warehouse dock area.

With more than 20 years of providing occupational safety and health education, Columbia Southern University is an online leader in producing highly qualified OSH graduates. Our online associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in OSH offer training in environmental science, air quality, ergonomics and more. Contact CSU to get started today!

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Perth, Australia — Around 1 out of 4 Australian workers experience ringing in the ears – called tinnitus – and those in the construction, automotive, transportation and agricultural industries may be at higher risk, results of a recent study suggest.

It’s one of occupational safety’s greatest ironies – the professionals who care for the ill and injured are themselves among the most likely to become sick or hurt on the job.

Various studies have shown that investing money in workplace safety improvements will result in greater savings down the line. Safety+Health looks at where injury costs come from.

Safety+Health presents a look at OSHA’s most cited violations and largest penalties for fiscal year 2014. Also: A Q&A with the deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs.

In this infographic, Magid Glove explains new changes to the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 cut protection standard: How to read the new cut level icon and how to choose the right cut level for the job.

Arlington, VA – The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology has created a flier detailing best practices for proper use of different types of gloves in health care settings.

"When improving safety for the merit of just having a safer workplace is not enough, it's often a very powerful argument with leadership to help explain the cost of safety by showing the economic benefits of safety," one expert says. The challenge: lack of a universal formula.

Washington — NIOSH, OSHA and the Center for Construction Research and Training – also known as CPWR – are offering a number of free online resources to help employers prepare for the sixth annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, set to take place May 6-10.

Waterloo, Ontario — Overhead work is associated with shoulder injuries. New resources from the Center of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders, also known as CRE-MSD, are intended to help employers and workers address MSD risks caused by overhead work.

The potential hazards present on a worksite can be exacerbated during inclement conditions such as rain. Working in the rain can cause slippery surfaces and limited visibility.

Secaucus, NJ — Lyme disease is becoming more common outside the Northeast and more prevalent in the United States overall, a recent study by lab services provider Quest Diagnostics shows.

Millions of tons of asphalt are produced and used in the paving and roofing industries every year, the Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers’ Compensation notes, and more than 500,000 workers are exposed to fumes from asphalt.

Heat-related illnesses accounted for 783 worker deaths and nearly 70,000 serious injuries in the United States from 1992 to 2016. And in 2018 alone, 3,950 workers experienced days away from work as a result of nonfatal injuries and illnesses from on-the-job heat exposure.

Outdoor workers are unique in that they regularly share their workspaces with wasps, bees, hornets and other stinging insects. It’s important for workers to know how to respond to and treat stings, especially because some people may be allergic.

In Episode 27, the S+H editorial team discusses lightning safety for workers as the summer months approach. The team is also joined by NIOSH social scientist Gigi Petery, co-director of the agency’s National Center for Productive Aging and Work.

Washington — Understaffed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA “lost a valuable opportunity” to better protect workers by “not identifying federal partners in a position to assist during a large-scale safety and health crisis,” concludes a Department of Labor Office of Inspector General audit report released March 31.

Atlanta — Hazards in the auto parts supplier industry “continue to be the source of serious injuries, including amputations, and deaths to employees,” OSHA says.

Greenbelt, MD — Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspectors placed 11.3% of the trucks and buses they examined out of service for brake-related violations during a recent, unannounced inspection initiative.

In Episode 40, the S+H team examines the June issue’s feature story on eye and face protection. Also, Tarah Kile, director of Michigan OSHA’s Consultation, Education and Training Division, discusses safety walkarounds in the “5 Questions With …” segment.

Philadelphia — OSHA Region 3 has renewed a series of regional and local emphasis programs, which include a focus on fall hazards in the construction industry.

Greenbelt, MD — Law enforcement officers will have an eye out for reckless, careless or dangerous driving July 7-13 during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Operation Safe Driver Week.

Washington — OSHA is challenging employers to have managers and workers do a temporary “job swap” to help them better understand worksite hazards.

Falls are the leading cause of nonfatal, unintentional injuries, affecting nearly 8 million individuals in 2005, according to the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts.” Many of these falls involve ladders. Because a ladder is considered a basic tool, some people may discount the dangerous nature of them.

Imagine this scenario: A construction worker is replacing shingles on the roof of a two-story house 20 feet above ground. He loses his footing and slips, falling off the roof. He’s wearing a fall-arrest system, and as a result is saved from death. But he’s not out of danger yet.

A 55-year-old painting contractor and his 27-year-old son were electrocuted when the aluminum extension ladder they were moving contacted an overhead power line.

Not all construction risks can be completely eliminated, so leaders must prevent injury and loss by understanding the specific hazards of various jobsites and providing the proper personal protective equipment for worker tasks.

On-the-job training can be helpful for new employees, for those who switch job roles, or when your organization begins using new equipment or methods. However, such training requires special attention, according to the National Safety Council.

Safety and health training should begin as soon as employees are hired, the National Safety Council states, because workers generally will be open to ideas and information about how their new organization operates.

As employers struggle to fill open positions, many are turning to inexperienced workers. This presents an added challenge for safety professionals: a larger number of workers who aren’t familiar with the risks and hazards related to their new role.

Download a new white paper featuring valuable tips and insights from J. J. Keller’s experts to ensure your OSHA training program is effective and compliant. Learn how to identify your training needs, avoid common missteps and more.

In Episode 32, the S+H editorial team dives into the October issue’s feature story on how to help reduce the stigma around workers’ mental health. The team also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced changes in safety training.

Keeping workers comfortable and productive on the job often starts with taking care of their feet. Download a free training presentation to start sharing foot safety facts with your crew at your next safety meeting.

Keeping workers comfortable and productive on the job often starts with taking care of their feet. Download a free training presentation to start sharing foot safety facts with your crew at your next safety meeting.

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Product information is provided by manufacturers. This publication has not independently tested manufacturers' products and cannot assume responsibility for the validity of product claims.

Can you explain the new ANSI/ISEA 201-2012 voluntary standard about classifying insulation apparel for cold-weather environments?

Extremely cold weather can be dangerous for outdoor workers and those who work in an area that is poorly insulated or without a heat source. Two dangerous health risks associated with cold weather are hypothermia and frostbite.

Rosemont, IL – The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is reminding people to follow safe practices while engaging in winter sports such as skiing and ice skating.

What advice can safety managers share with workers about layering clothing appropriately so that they do not feel too cold or hot in the field? What fabric qualities should we look for when specifying FR garments for layering in cold weather?

Working outdoors is an inevitable part of the job for many people across the country. And when the temperatures drop, it is important that workers wear appropriate protective clothing.

Stockholm – Working in the cold increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to researchers at the Karolinska Institute.

As outdoor temperatures plummet, employers and employees alike can take steps to help prevent injuries and illnesses when workers have to brave the elements to get the job done.

Sun protection may not be top of mind for outdoor workers during the colder months, but ignoring skin protection in the wintertime is a mistake.

Snow-covered or icy roads, and slick driving surfaces resulting from heavy rain – these are just some of the weather-related conditions that workers may encounter. All this severe weather potential raises the question: Should workplaces have severe weather policies?