Seven facts about on-the-job heat exposure

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?

Can you tell me more about hearing protection products that help provide situational awareness at work?

A growing number of workers wear hearing aids, such as behind-the-ear or in-canal models, that can’t be used with foam earplugs. What does OSHA allow, and what actually works to mask most noise but allow conversations with earplug-wearing co-workers?

Can noise-canceling hearing aids serve as my hearing protection at work?

SPAN is the world leader in safety professional exam preparation workshops and self-study workbooks.

San Francisco – Ninety percent of on-the-job eye injuries could be avoided if workers wore eye protection, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dublin — Frontline health care workers treating COVID-19 patients can reduce their risk of developing a facial pressure injury caused by prolonged use of personal protective equipment by using the contents of a specially designed “care bundle,” claim researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

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

Geneva — Occupational safety and health programs should identify and assess the on-the-job risks to eye health, the International Labor Organization says.

Metallic mercury is a liquid at room temperature and can readily evaporate into the air. It’s also a potent neurotoxin that, in small amounts, can cause serious health problems, according to the California Department of Public Health.

When a natural disaster, biological incident or other event occurs, first responders and recovery workers often rush to the scene. That means it’s crucial they have the proper personal protective equipment ready and know how to use it.

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.

Perth, Australia – Promoting activity in the workplace can help reduce sitting time, but not by much among workers with fixed schedules, according to a new study from Curtin University.

Tokyo – Office workers who spend long hours in front of computer screens experience changes in their tear fluid similar to people who have dry eye disease, according to a study from the Keio University School of Medicine in Japan.

Chicago – Working near a window could improve an employee’s sleep and overall quality of life, suggests a study from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

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.

Birmingham, AL – Can your office’s thermostat setting affect how much you eat at work? Recent research from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, indicates “yes.”

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.

Chicago — Spontaneous activity, such as moving your feet back and forth, while seated can burn more calories than using a standing workstation, according to the results of a recent study.

Chicago — Workers can get quite heated when it comes to office temperatures. In a recent Harris Poll survey of 1,012 full-time U.S. adult employees, conducted between April 4 and May 1, 46 percent of respondents said their office is either too hot or too cold.

Lansing, MI — Michigan OSHA, along with the state’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, has published a 25-page guidance document intended to help employers safely return workers to office settings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

In certain workplaces, wearing contact lenses can complicate eye safety, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

Los Angeles — OSHA administrator Doug Parker is urging workers to provide feedback on the agency’s proposed rule aimed at protecting them from heat-related illnesses both indoors and outdoors.

Washington — OSHA is accepting nominations for membership on its Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health.

Washington — OSHA has updated its internal guidance on communicating with the families of workers killed on the job.

Washington — More than 4 out of 5 workers are willing to try safety technologies, a new research report from the Work to Zero initiative at the National Safety Council shows.

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.

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.

Birmingham, England — Workers who feel stuck in a job they want to leave are more likely to respond to perceived safety-related wrongdoing with retaliatory behavior – even when employers show support.

Atlanta — Although a majority of LGBTQIA+ workers say they have strong support from allies on the job, more than half still report discrimination and prejudice, which can make them feel unsafe, results of a recent survey show.

Bilbao, Spain — A new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work suggests practical measures – such as changes in work environment, hours and patterns, as well as tasks and equipment – that employers can implement to help and retain workers after mental health-related absences.

Toronto — Workers with “precarious” jobs – which can include temporary contracts, part-time hours, irregular schedules and low wages – face an elevated risk of a work-related injury and illness, results of two recent studies out of Canada show.

Is an injury victim's comfort while using an eyewash ever taken into consideration in the product design phase? It seems like most eyewashes have very aggressive flow patterns.

The NSR-2168R Xtreme Lumens Rechargeable Multi-Purpose LED Work Light provides super-bright, hands-free lighting.

The LED Dual Fixture Work Light on Tripod Stand (model SL-1530) is a 10,000-lumen work light that can be directed independently, allowing users to position each fixture exactly where light is needed.

With an output of 3,100 lumens, the Maxxima LED Work Light distributes bright white light evenly across a large area while drawing little power.

The Syclone Jr. work light can rotate a full 360 degrees and is compact enough to fit into tight spaces. Weighing just 2 ounces, the work light can brighten up to 210 lumens, can run for as long as 8½ hours and is rechargeable via a USB port.

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.

Portable fire extinguishers can be vital in preventing a small fire from turning into a major catastrophe. But the devices provide no protection if they are not properly maintained.

Nearly every workplace has potentially dangerous liquids, including fuels, paint thinners, solvents, cleaners, waxes and adhesives, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety.

When it comes to fire safety on the job, everyone can play a role – not only by recognizing hazards but also by taking action to resolve them.

Employers need to create a program to ensure hot work is performed safely. Here’s what OSHA says an effective program looks like.

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.

Guarding floor and wall openings and holes is a requirement under OSHA’s fall protection standard. Hatches, which provide workers with direct access to a rooftop where equipment is often stored, fall under this requirement.

The first rule of performing façade work while on a scaffold: Don’t do it unless you’ve completed scaffold safety training, warns a recent worker alert from the New York City Department of Buildings.

“You play a role in work zone safety. Work with us.” That’s the theme of this year’s National Work Zone Awareness Week, set for April 17-21.