Oakland, CA — Hospitality workers are praising the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board for unanimously approving a standard designed to protect housekeepers from workplace hazards.

Oakland, CA — California’s Office of Administrative Law on March 9 approved a workplace health and safety standard for the state’s hospitality workers, completing a multiyear push by hospitality workers union UNITE HERE.

Trenton, NJ — Calling it the first state law of its kind, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) on June 11 signed a bill intended to help protect hotel housekeeping and room service workers against assault and harassment.

Washington – The Department of Labor and OSHA have an “identical” interest with labor unions in defending a legal challenge to the Improve Tracking of Workplace Illnesses and Injuries final rule, making union intervention unnecessary, attorneys representing DOL said in a legal brief issued May 30.

To maintain a safe and healthy workplace, housekeeping must be a priority.

Washington — More than half of recordable injuries in commercial fishing are preventable with proper housekeeping and sanitary practices, OSHA states in a recently released fact sheet.

Demolition work involves the dismantling, razing, destroying or wrecking of any building or structure. Hazards of this dangerous work, according to OSHA, may include materials hidden within structural members (e.g., lead, asbestos, silica, and other chemicals or heavy metals requiring special material handling), as well as unknown strengths or weaknesses of construction materials, such as post-tensioned concrete.

The Ronald McDonald House is far more than just a place to sleep. Many of the families who come here are undergoing some of the most stressful times of their life as they seek medical care for their children. 

This white paper walks you through OSHA's workplace injury and illness recordkeeping requirements, including recent revisions pertaining to COVID-19.

This whitepaper walks you through OSHA's workplace injury and illness recordkeeping requirements, answering your most pressing questions using OSHA's own words.

Washington — A proposed rule that would restore two parts of OSHA’s injury and illness recordkeeping regulations is under review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

Washington — OSHA is withdrawing the non-recordkeeping portions of its emergency temporary standard for COVID-19 focused on health care workers, the agency announced Dec. 27.

Washington — OSHA is requesting public comment on a proposed rule that would revise its injury and illness recordkeeping regulation.

Washington — OSHA has extended until June 30 the deadline to comment on a proposed rule that would revise injury and illness recordkeeping rules.

Trenton, NJ — A coalition of state attorneys general has written a letter supporting OSHA’s proposed changes to the agency’s injury and illness recordkeeping rules.

Washington — OSHA has finalized its revised rule on submitting annual injury and illness data.

Washington — Six states are dropping their lawsuit against OSHA after the agency finalized changes to its revised rule on submitting annual injury and illness data.

Washington — OSHA is set to host a two-part webinar series on recordkeeping and the electronic submission of workplace injury and illness data.

In a memo sent Oct. 11 to regional administrators and state designees, the agency outlines examples of acceptable drug testing, and states that incentive programs that withhold prizes because of an injury are compliant “as long as the employer has implemented precautions to ensure that employees feel free to report an injury or illness.”

In Episode 18, the S+H editorial team discusses the pros and cons of safety incentives, along with OSHA’s evolving stance on the topic. Also: Transportation safety expert Brian Hammer answers our questions about road safety, as more workers begin to commute to their workplace again.

How can I change up my fire prevention program to provide more advanced lessons to veteran employees? Some have seen my presentation year after year.

The proportion of older workers in the United States continues to rise, prompting safety professionals and researchers to strategize about the best ways to accommodate them.

Older drivers bring knowledge and experience to the workplace. By 2020, 25 percent of workers in the United States will be 55 or older. But this group is not without risk. According to NIOSH, motor vehicle crashes account for 32 percent of all work-related deaths among workers 55 or older.

“From the moment they start to operate the machine,” one safeguarding expert says, “you look at the design and you think, ‘Well, could someone potentially get hurt?’”

How much do you know about OSHA’s recordkeeping rules? Test your knowledge by taking our 20-question quiz. (It’s tough!)

Don’t navigate the complexities of OSHA reporting alone. Download KPA’s OSHA Record Keeping and Reporting Cheat Sheet.

Don’t navigate the complexities of OSHA reporting alone. Use this OSHA Record Keeping and Reporting Cheat Sheet to guide you through agency requirements.

Washington – A proposed rule that would modernize OSHA’s reporting system has cleared one regulatory hurdle and could be published soon.

Washington – Automobile dealerships should remain exempt from OSHA’s injury and illness recordkeeping requirements, the National Automobile Dealers Association stated during a March 26 meeting officials from OSHA and the Office of Management and Budget.

New York – A new set of guidelines has been published to help freelance journalists stay safe in dangerous areas of the world, including war zones.

New York — Remove all snow, ice and other debris from construction jobsites to help reduce slip and trip hazards.

“It’s definitely a difficult issue,” the associate director of the NIOSH Office of Construction Safety and Health says.

Silver Spring, MD — The Solid Waste Association of North America is asking the public to take simple steps to help protect sanitation workers from exposure to COVID-19. That includes holding off on cleaning projects that generate large amounts of trash.

Download a free white paper containing expert guidance to help you keep your business, your employees and the environment safe when dealing with universal wastes.

Richard Hawk has tips to help you and others recognize and defuse potentially upsetting situations.

In Episode 52, the S+H team examines content from the June issue, including a feature story with tips on keeping your safety committee fresh and effective. Also, Iowa OSHA Bureau Chief Peggy Peterson joins the podcast to discuss how to keep workers safe in the heat during the “Five Questions With …” segment.

“In all aspects of our lives, confirmation bias can hinder our ability to stay open-minded. As safety pros, it can make us less effective.”

Asbestos, a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers, was once touted as a “miracle product” for its strength and ability to resist corrosion and fire. However, asbestos can be extremely dangerous to workers, and is now known to cause cancer in humans.

Because natural disasters can result in significant loss of life and property, it’s incumbent not only on individuals and homeowners to prepare to respond, but also on businesses to have response plans in place.

London — Although spending time on work-related activities while on vacation can help reduce your anxiety levels when returning to the job, it also impairs recovery from work exhaustion, results of a recent study out of England suggest.

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

Washington — As warmer summer temperatures approach, OSHA has unveiled a new poster intended to help workers reduce their risk of heat-related illness.

Washington — Ensuring workers are properly hydrated is essential for preventing heat-related illnesses, OSHA is reminding employers.

Seven facts about on-the-job heat exposure

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.

Portable fire extinguishers can be vital in preventing a small fire from turning into a major incident. But the devices cannot provide protection unless they are properly maintained.

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.

Menlo Park, CA — Does worry about work keep you from getting a good night’s rest? Forty-four percent of respondents to a recent survey said work-related stress causes them to lose sleep.

A final rule from OSHA updating its recordkeeping requirements is intended to spark a conversation between the agency and employers. What are the new requirements, and who is affected? (Part one of a two-part article)