The last few years, there has been a call for improving ESG standards and policies in the workplace. But let’s take a step back and understand what is ESG and why your business should take a proactive approach.

     ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, and instead of getting too much in the weeds, we’ll summarize it as being a responsible business. Hold up, before you quit reading as we know ESG has started to feel like a bad word, let’s see what is in it for you, your employees and your business.

     Recycling waste, lowering carbon footprints and reducing energy consumption can definitely add to your bottom line and improve the overall well-being of your employees – two essential ways for your business to remain competitive.

     Let’s discuss the two main drivers behind the importance of ESG today – investment and management.

Investment

     There is a plethora of research and data out there that demonstrates the relationship between higher ESG maturity and better financial performance – as well as reduced volatility such as fires, chemical spills and explosions, which are extremely costly dollar-wise as well as to your employees’ health and well-being.

Management

     Businesses with higher ESG maturity have been shown to lead to improved engagement with all business stakeholders. When thinking about Governance in particular, which is the measuring of how well the business is managed, companies that have such taken steps to prioritize such things as ethical practices and policies and cybersecurity programs are most likely seeing better financial success.

     Always keep in mind, businesses have a responsibility to keep their employees safe and healthy. Keeping ESG in the forefront of your policies can help you achieve that!

WINTER WEATHER

OSHA is a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador committed to working with NOAA and other Ambassadors to strengthen national preparedness for and resilience against extreme weather.

Introduction

Winter weather presents hazards including slippery roads/surfaces, strong winds and environmental cold. Employers must prevent illnesses, injuries, or fatalities, by controlling these hazards in workplaces impacted by winter weather.

OSHA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are working together on a public education effort aimed at improving the way people prepare for and respond to severe weather. This page is designed to help businesses and their workers prepare for winter weather, and to provide information about hazards that workers may face during and after winter storms.

Preventing Slips on Snow and Ice

To prevent slips, trips, and falls, employers should clear snow and ice from walking surfaces, and spread deicer, as quickly as possible after a winter storm. When walking on snow or ice is unavoidable workers should be trained to:

• Wear footwear that has good traction and insulation (e.g. insulated and water resistant boots or rubber over-shoes with good rubber treads)
• Take short steps and walk at a slower pace to react quickly to changes in traction

Preventing Falls When Removing Snow from Rooftops and Other Elevated Surfaces

OSHA’s Hazard Alert, Snow Removal: Know the Hazards Pamthlet, and winter weather webpages provide guidance to employers on how to prevent serious injuries and fatalities. Employers should consider options to avoid working on roofs or elevated heights, plan ahead for safe snow removal and must:

• Provide required fall protection and training when working on the roof or elevated heights
• Ensure ladders are used safely (e.g. clearing snow and ice from surfaces)
• Use extreme caution when working near power lines
• Prevent harmful exposure to cold temperatures and physical exertion

https://www.osha.gov/winter-weather.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

National Forecast Maps

Weather.gov > National Forecast Maps

Short Range Forecast Discussion

Probabilistic Heavy Snow and Ice Discussion

Snowfall Probability Forecasts

Sfc Press/Fronts Thru Day 7 - Loop

U.S. Surface Analysis and Radar

Weather Briefing Maps

Forecast Map

12 Hr | 24 Hr | 36 Hr | 48 Hr Archived Daily Maps

Sfc Press/Fronts Thru Day 7 - Loop

U.S. Surface Analysis and Radar

NOAA Weather Radio

Weather.gov > NOAA Weather Radio

Report an Outage

View Outages

Find My Station

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Working with the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Emergency Alert System , NWR is an "All Hazards" radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information. In conjunction with Federal, State, and Local Emergency Managers and other public officials, NWR also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or 911 Telephone outages).

Known as the "Voice of NOAA's National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce. NWR includes more than 1000 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts are found in the VHF public service band at these seven frequencies (MHz):

162.400

162.425

162.450

162.475

162.500

162.525

162.550

https://www.weather.gov/briefing/

Seasonal Flu

Overview

Quick Facts about Seasonal Flu

• Seasonal influenza (flu) can be transmitted year-round but is more common in the fall and winter seasons. Infections usually peak between December and February.
• Exposure to flu is more likely among certain occupations such as healthcare workers. General precautions are also recommended during flu season for non-healthcare workers.
• Getting a seasonal flu vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection, and it can also reduce the severity and duration of illness.
• Good hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, and staying home when sick are also critical components of prevention.
• Improving ventilation can also minimize the inhalation of influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses that may be circulating. For additional information regarding protecting workers from COVID-19, please see OSHA's COVID-19 Safety and Health Topics page.
• Because influenza viruses change frequently, worldwide monitoring by public health agencies is necessary to determine the predominant circulating strains. The CDC provides up-to-date information on U.S. flu activity.

Workplace Safety and the Flu

This page includes information for workers and employers about reducing the spread of seasonal flu in workplaces. It provides information on the basic precautions for all workplaces, including additional precautions for healthcare settings. Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever to:

• Protect yourself, family, coworkers and other members of the community,
• Make the flu less severe if you get it, and
• Reduce the burden on our healthcare systems.

Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated guidance for protecting individuals from seasonal flu. Refer to this page for updates on the most recent seasonal flu vaccine. Each year the vaccine is revised to protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common this season.

Vaccination Recommendations for 2024-2025 Flu Season

• CDC Recommendations
• Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
• World Health Organization

https://www.osha.gov/seasonal-flu

The U.S. Department of Labor announced changes to Occupational Safety and Health Administration civil penalty amounts based on cost-of-living adjustments for 2024.

Read entire article: https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/trade/01112024

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published a new resource
to help employers and workers reduce hazards associated with lead pipe removal and
replacement.

Read entire article - https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-11-03-23.html

A culture of safety is paramount to keeping your employees safe and healthy. We shared in Part 1 these four characteristics: safety is always the highest priority, all employees are accountable for maintaining standards and procedures, safety supervisors receive support, and always focus on improvement!

Let’s continue looking at a few more characteristics you should keep in mind if you really want your company to be a safety culture champion.

• Encouragement of frequent communication – open communication between all levels of a company definitely helps promote safety as a priority. Are there opportunities for employees to share concerns regularly, maybe special sessions focused on “safety first” mentality?
• Risk mitigation support – do employees feel supported and rewarded for stopping work to address safety concerns? If employees feel such stressors as missing a deadline if they stop to focus on a safety concern, they may not keep safety front and center. Lack of that support can raise the risk of an accident as employees push through, even if it’s not the safest environment for them.
• Access to safety procedures – and regularly attended trainings – make sure your safety procedures are easily accessible, so if you have multiple locations or even just one large facility, make sure you have many copies in different areas. It is also key to make sure your employees are attending regular trainings, so find ways to make trainings easily accessible – can they be done after work or weekends, can it be done online as well – and if not during work hours, pay them for it?
• Employee satisfaction and engagement is positive – one way to gauge this is through employee surveys and collaborative feedback sessions focused on positive safety culture.

A strong safety culture starts and ends with the people – from management to the employees. The business mindset of everyone working towards a workplace that focuses on safety first and giving all levels the chance to collaborate and learn can definitely get you there faster and keep your employees and your business healthy and safe.

Want to learn more? Workplace Safety & Health Inc. is your partner when it comes to all things workplace safety. Contact us at 317-253-9737 or info@workplace-safety.net.

A look at the most common workplace injuries and insights into what companies can do to
mitigate the likelihood of those injuries occurring.

Read entire article - https://www.ehstoday.com/safety/article/21279821/talking-ehs-episode-5-how-to-reduce-the-likelihood-of-workplace-injuries

As we continue to explore our Workplace Safety Culture series, let us recap from last month’s blog what exactly is a safety culture. Safety culture is a collection of beliefs, perceptions and values employees share in relation to risks within an organization, such as a workplace or community. 

Workplace safety culture is extremely important specifically in those environments with such frequent and severe hazards as construction or manufacturing – the culture focuses on being proactive to keep employees safe, and there are definitely certain organizational characteristics to keep in mind when assessing if your workplace is a culture of safety. In the next couple blogs, we will cover some of those characteristics.

• Safety is always the highest priority – this is about management really showing they value the health and well-being of their employees over productivity and profit. All businesses have deadlines and goals, but finding ways to work efficiently versus taking shortcuts is key. Also making sure all levels of management understand their company’s safety procedures to contribute to the overall safety communication and support.
• All employees are accountable for maintaining standards and procedures – if safety is the priority from the standpoint of management, the onsite workers are usually more in tune with what those standards should be, so they should influence those procedures, which also helps with employee buy-in. And if employees do not follow those safety procedures, a strong safety culture means holding each person accountable and providing resources and training as part of that accountability strategy.
• Safety supervisors receive support – both employees and management can support this important initiative, so your safety supervisors can do their work and keep your employees safe and your business running efficiently.
• Continuous improvement – it’s not about just getting those standards and procedures in place, but then letting them just sit up on the shelf. There must be continual improvement, so managers and safety supervisors should review procedures and update them regularly with new information. Keeping it up-to-date and communicating these updates regularly to your employees helps keep the safety culture environment front and center.

We will cover a few more safety culture characteristics next time!

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its annual census of fatal work injuries for 2022, reporting 5,486 fatal work injuries in the U.S. in 2022, a 5.7 percent increase from 5,190 in 2021. The fatal work injury rate was 3.7 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, up from 3.6 per 100,000 FTE in 2021. 

https://www.assp.org/news-and-articles/work-related-fatalities-up-nearly-six-percent-in-2022

Until Artificial Intelligence takes over the world in all aspects like in the classic movie, Terminator, the definition of workplace includes people. And whenever your workplace involves people, accidents are bound to happen. But on average, there is a significant difference between those companies with a good safety culture vs those that don’t.

So what exactly is a safety culture and what possible impact does it have on a company’s liability risk? Safety culture is a collection of beliefs, perceptions and values employees share in relation to risks within an organization, such as a workplace or community.

Safety culture is a part of the organization’s or business’s culture as a whole. It’s understood when a company has a good safety culture, it means the people who work there, from executives to frontline workers, place a high priority on safety and it shows through different characteristics.

How does that impact the company’s liability risk? Well, first and foremost, with safety top of mind, it makes sense the possibility of accidents and workplace injuries and illnesses will be lower. Keep in mind even the most safety conscious businesses won’t be completely accident free, but according to EHS, the safety culture concept is taken into account when such accidents occur and OSHA officials are investigating in such ways:

• The determination whether to issue citations and how to classify them (for example, serious or willful);
• How much to fine an organization for a particular violation;
• When such fines and penalties are inflicted, if the courts decide to upload those when appealed

In our next set of blogs, we will take a deeper dive into specific characteristics of a good safety culture. Until then, Workplace Safety & Health Co. Inc. is here to help you protect your most valuable assets -– your employees! Contact us at 317-253-9737 or info@workplace-safety.net.

The trucking industry is set to face heightened financial pressures in 2024, as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces significant increases in civil penalty amounts, this change, reflective of broader adjustments across various U.S. Department of Transportation agencies, is crucial for owner-operators to understand and prepare for,

https://www.fleetdrive360.com/navigating-increased-fmcsa-fines-in-2024-what-owner-operators-need-to-know/

The last few years, there has been a call for improving ESG standards and policies in the workplace. But let’s take a step back and understand what is ESG and why your business should take a proactive approach.

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance, and instead of getting too much in the weeds, we’ll summarize it as being a responsible business. Hold up, before you quit reading as we know ESG has started to feel like a bad word, let’s see what is in it for you, your employees and your business.

Recycling waste, lowering carbon footprints and reducing energy consumption can definitely add to your bottom line and improve the overall well-being of your employees – two essential ways for your business to remain competitive.

Let’s discuss the two main drivers behind the importance of ESG today – investment and management.

Investment

There is a plethora of research and data out there that demonstrates the relationship between higher ESG maturity and better financial performance – as well as reduced volatility such as fires, chemical spills and explosions, which are extremely costly dollar-wise as well as to your employees’ health and well-being.

Management

Businesses with higher ESG maturity have been shown to lead to improved engagement with all business stakeholders. When thinking about Governance in particular, which is the measuring of how well the business is managed, companies that have such taken steps to prioritize such things as ethical practices and policies and cybersecurity programs are most likely seeing better financial success.

Always keep in mind, businesses have a responsibility to keep their employees safe and healthy. Keeping ESG in the forefront of your policies can help you achieve that!

On November 8, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said that private industry employers reported 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022, up 7.5% from 2021. This increase is driven by the rise in both injuries, up 4.5% to 2.3 million cases, and illnesses up 26.1% to 460,700 cases.

Read entire article: https://www.ehstoday.com/health/article/21277089/injuries-and-illness-up-75-in-2022

Every year, OSHA comes out with their Top Ten most frequently cited violations, and as it’s been the case for the past 12 years before, Fall Protection – General Requirements has topped the list again for Fiscal Year 2023, 56% higher than #2! The top ten standards don’t change much – sometimes a few will switch places year over year, and this year was no exception.

Here are the top ten frequently cited violations with a brief description, their ranking last year and the most cited sections shared as well:

1.  Fall Protection - General Requirements (1926.5010)
   Total Violations - 7271; FY 2022 ranking - 1
   Proper construction and installation of safety systems, and the proper supervision of employees to prevent falls (unprotected side or edge above 6 feet)
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200)
   Total Violations - 3213; FY 2022 ranking - 2
   Chemical hazards (both produced in the workplace and those imported into the workplace) and the communication of those hards to workers
3. Ladders - (1926.1053)
   Total Violatins: 2978; FY 2022 ranking - 3
   Covers all general requirements for ladders
4.  Scaffolding (1926.451)
   Total Violations: 2859; FY 2022 ranking - 5
   General safety requirements for scaffolding, which should be designed by a qualified person and constructed and loaded in accordance with that design

5. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178)
   Total Violations: 2561; FY 2022 ranking – 7
   The design, maintenance and operation of powered industrial trucks, including forklifts and
   motorized hand trucks. It also covers operator training requirements

6. Lock Out/Tag Out (1910.147)
   Total Violations: 2554; FY 2022 ranking – 6
   The minimum performance requirements for the control of hazardous energy when servicing
   and maintaining machines and equipment
7. Respiratory Protection (1910.134)
   Total Violations: 2481; FY 2022 ranking – 4
   Directs employers on establishing or maintaining a respiratory protection program
8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503)
   Total Violations: 2112; FY 2022 ranking – 8
   Training requirements for employers in regard to fall protection
9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102)
   Total Violations: 2074; FY 2022 ranking – 9
   Appropriate personal protective equipment for workers exposed to eye or face hazards
10. Machine Guarding (1910.212)
    Total Violations: 1644; FY 2022 ranking – 10
    Guarding of machinery to protect operators and other employees from multiple hazards

OSHA publishes this annual list to alert employers about these commonly cited standards in hopes employers will take steps to find and fix these hazards in their own workplaces.

Workplace unintentional overdose deaths from nonmedical use of drugs or alcohol have increased 536% since 2011. Overdose deaths totaled 464 in 2021, equivalent to nearly 9% of all occupational injury deaths in 2021. Increases have been experienced among all employee demographics, industries and occupations.

Read entire article: https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/work/safety-topics/overdose-deaths/

Every year in the United States, more than 310 construction workers are killed and more than 10,350 are seriously injured by falls. Many of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented as there are fall prevention equipment and strategies to keep your workers safe.

The majority of the falls that result in death or serious injury in the construction industry occur during rooftop work. Identifying any danger zones during rooftop construction and taking the needed steps every single time can minimize the likelihood of a fall:

1. Access Points – ladders and hatches must be secured with self-closing gates and safety-compliant railings, which will provide safe egress and ingress for workers
2. Skylights and Rooftop Openings – skylights are the equivalent of holes in the roof, so all skylights must be guarded by standard skylight screens or railings, and all rooftop opens need to have guardrails and protective screen coverings as well
3. Unprotected Edges – safest solution to these visible hazards is installing a perimeter railing system that surrounds and protects all roof edges
4. Obstacles on the Roof – any obstructed routes or changes in roof level increases the risk of slips, trips and falls, so ensuring a safe path across the roof is imperative

Prioritizing rooftop safety means prioritizing the health and wellness of your employees. Keep your most important assets safe this year up on those roofs! Contact Workplace Safety for more information – 317-253-9737 or info@workplace-safety.net.

The U.S. agencies that enforce labor laws and workplace safety rules said they will work together on investigations and enforcement to protect workers who raise safety concerns from retaliation, which could spur more fines and legal complaints against employers.

Read entire article: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/nlrb-osha-will-team-up-investigations-enforcement-2023-11-01/

Every year, millions of people in the United States experience season affective disorder (SAD) – the winter blues. This seasonal depression is characterized by individuals just not feeling themselves, short periods of sadness as the days get shorter through the fall and winter, but then as spring approaches, they begin to feel better. Populations in the more northern states tend to experience SAD more often where those southern states, like Florida and Texas, SAD is rare.

Symptoms of SAD, as other signs of depression, include feeling “down” most of the day, losing interest in work or activities once enjoyed, having a difficult time concentrating, having decreased energy, sleeping more, weight gain, and feelings of hopelessness. These symptoms definitely can negatively affect workplace productivity and motivation, as well as increase injuries, accidents and absenteeism.

Nowadays in the workplace, mental health issues have been more readily acknowledged and many companies are offering mental health days and more options for counseling benefits to show their support. Taking a few extra steps in the workplace may help your employees who experience SAD combat its effects.

• Improve indoor lighting – many workplaces have dim indoor lighting, so brighten it up during the fall and winter months with brighter bulbs and opening blinds
• Allowance for light therapy lamps – these lights emit a brighter light than traditional bulbs
• Offer more flexible work hours – let employees start a bit later during the winter months as seeing that morning sunrise can help alleviate SAD symptoms
• Encourage outdoor physical activity – schedule office walks at lunch time as inactivity has been shown to exacerbate symptoms, and just getting outside in the natural sunlight can make a huge difference in your employee’s mental state
• Provide education – distribute SAD-related information based on scientific evidence, as well as encourage employees to be open about their symptoms and get help early on as SAD can reach levels of major depressive disorder

For employees, there are a few basic steps to help address SAD:

• Follow a routine – if you are prone to SAD, you most likely tend to want to stay home and isolate, which only makes matters worse - make a point to create and follow a routine that includes activities throughout the day
• Find your triggers – what are those common triggers that can send you into a negative space? Knowing what those are can help you recognize when you are heading there and can take steps to minimize them!
• Try light therapy – getting outside into the natural sunlight is best, but if that is not possible, sitting in front of a lightbox specifically designed for light therapy for 20-90 minutes has been shown to be effective as the light stimulates pathways in the brain that control sleep and help regulate mood
• Stay on top of both your mental and physical health – getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, staying hydrated and eating health, well-balanced meals will support your health all-around, and getting some extra sunshine (natural Vitamin D) can boost the mood, so take some of that exercising outdoors!
• Seek professional help, if necessary

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services, is asking for input on the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Testing Programs and possible updates to the Urine and Oral Fluid Analyte Table to include fentanyl.

Read entire article - https://www.truckinginfo.com/10209877/feds-seeking-comment-on-adding-fentanyl-to-workplace-drug-testing-table

Our last blog focused on 5 hazards to think about to keep your employees safe this winter. Let’s take some time to dive into one such hazard, cold stress, and how to keep those employees that have to face the weather as part of their job as safe as possible.

According to OSHA, cold stress occurs by driving down the skin temperature, and eventually the internal body temperature. When the body is unable to warm itself, serious cold-related illnesses and injuries may occur, and permanent tissue damage and death may result. Types of cold stress include trench foot, frostbite, hypothermia, and chilblains.

This winter, take steps to protect yourself and your workers from the frigid outdoors!

1. Keep an Eye on the Weather and Your Team– if it’s going to be harsh out there, supervisors should take extra precautions to keep their employees safe. Shorter shifts, radiant heaters and work areas shielded from the wind, check on them regularly, and if too bad and you are able to, call it a day! Know the signs of cold stress – and make sure your employees know as well, so everyone can keep an eye on each other.
2. Stay hydrated! Yes, it seems strange, but the body still loses moisture in cold weather, so make sure your workers are drinking, as long as it’s water or a sports drink for electrolytes. Stay away from alcohol as it is actually a diuretic and can cause dehydration.- plus not something one should be drinking on the job!
3. Keep clothing loose and dry – tight clothing can reduce blood circulation, so wear loose-fitting clothing in multiple layers. If possible, wear moisture-wicking apparel, which can help keep the body dry by “wicking” away any perspiration or water from the body, keeping it dry.
4. Have an extra set of clothes and a blanket handy - it is very important to stay dry, so that dry shirt and pants, along with socks and gloves, could be a lifesaver if employees were to get wet
5. Cover your head and feet! Research shows that 10% of your body’s heat loss occurs from your head, so wearing a winter hat or hood can help retain heat – as well as protect those ears! Also very important is keeping toes warm and dry as frostbite or trench foot are serious consequences. Shoes should be waterproof and insulated – keeping your feet as dry as possible! And if they become wet, change out socks and shoes.

Keep you and your workers safe this winter!

As the last leaves fall and the crisp, cold mornings extend way into the day, it’s time to start thinking about workplace safety in the winter months! Winter brings a whole different set of safety hazards to keep in mind!

1. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – every year, workers die from carbon monoxide poisoning, usually while using fuel-burning equipment and tools, and it’s more prevalent in the winter months as employees will use this type of equipment in indoor spaces
2. Cold Stress – dropping temperatures, increased wind (wind chill factor) while outdoors and body dampness can facilitate more rapid heat loss, which is the culprit of cold stress. When your skin temperature decreases and your body is unable to warm itself, your internal body temperature drops, which then can lead to serious cold-related illnesses such as frostbite and hypothermia.
3. The Cold and Flu (and COVID) Season – even though the pandemic is over, COVID is here to stay, just like the flu. These illnesses are typically spread in respiratory droplets and small particles caused by breathing, coughing and sneezing – and can quickly spread through a workplace if standard precautions are not taken.
4. Ice and Snow – trips and falls due to snow and ice are common occurrences in the winter months; clearing walkways and parking lots, as well as having door and floor mats to lessen the amount of water on the floors can help alleviate potential fall hazards
5. Winter Sun – it’s just as important to protect yourself from winter sun as you do in the summer. And that winter sun reflecting off the snow can be more blinding than summer sun reflecting off water. Protect your skin and your eyes just like you would do if you were visiting the beach!

What are other winter hazards we should be considering? Let us know!

In advance of a meeting with OSAH to modernize and expand the longstanding Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 15.

Read entire article - https://www.ehstoday.com/news/article/21268180/worker-safety-gets-boost-as-assp-and-vpppa-collaborate

Each year, about 20,000 eye injuries occur in the workplace. These injuries are estimated to cost $300 million dollars per year in workers' compensation, lost productivity and medical treatment, but simple precautions could prevent up to 90% of these injuries.

So what are the 5 most common eye injuries?

• Striking or scraping: small fragments or particles interacting with the eye, which could include splinters, dust, worksite debris, and metal or wood fragments; causes may include outdoor wind, use of heavy equipment or objects falling from above
• Blunt force trauma: objects striking the worker’s eye or face causing blunt-force trauma to the eye socket; common occurrences of this type of injury include a fall, slip or trip or a workplace auto accident
• Chemical burn: cleaning products, toxins or industrial chemicals are the main culprits of chemical-burn related eye injuries; many times, exposure occurs if a product is splashed or sprayed into the eye or the worker accidentally touching their face without properly cleaning their hands
• Thermal burns: workers who regularly use welding equipment are at the highest risk for thermal burns, as well as the occurrences of such hazards as workplace fires or explosions
• Penetration: any foreign objects going through the eyeball’s soft tissue, such as staples, nails, metal or wood slivers

Eye injuries can cause permanent damage, vision loss and blindness, but it takes just a bit of effort to protect your eyes from workplace hazards. That bit of effort – always wear protective eyewear! The eyewear you need will depend on the workplace hazard:

• Safety glasses with side shields if working around particles, flying objects or dust
• Goggles if you are handling chemicals
• Specially designed eye protection, including face shields and helmets along with glasses and goggles, for such work that involves welding, lasers or fiber optics

Keeping in mind OSHA’s regulations for eye and face protection will keep your most valuable assets, your employees and their eyes healthy and safe!

On May 16-18, 59,429 commercial motor vehicles were inspected in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. as part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 72-hour International Roadcheck inspection and enforcement initiative. Eighty-one percent of the commercial motor vehicles and 94.5% of the commercial motor vehicle drivers inspected did not have any out-of-service violations and continued en route to safely complete their runs.

Read entire article - https://www.cvsa.org/news/2023-roadcheck-results/

While there are many things that induce stress in our lives, 83% of US workers surveyed say they suffer from work-related stress. As employers, finding ways to help employees manage their stress levels and increase their wellbeing and resilience is important, and workplaces can be a key place for such resources, solutions and activities.

In our last blog, we covered the possible negative effects of stress on employees, and how this shows up negatively in the workplace can vary, but here are some of the most common effects:

• Job performance
• Productivity
• Work engagement and communication
• Physical capacity and daily functioning
• Possible burnout – and “quiet quitting”

These characteristics definitely affect your business’s bottom line, but research shows that for every $1 spent on ordinary mental health concerns (which stress can be very harmful for our health and increase mental health challenges), employers see a $4 return in productivity gains.

A recent Forbes article shared several ways companies can help alleviate stressors, help build coping skills and resiliency and ensure people know where to turn, including establishing metrics to assess workloads and unused PTO, utilize employee focus groups and peer-led wellness councils, and as a leader, led by example.

Reducing workplace stress will benefit everyone across your business as it can improve morale and lead to increased focus and productivity, fewer workplace injuries and sick days, improved physical health and reduced workforce turnover.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced July 21 a new Form I-9—which has been streamlined and shortened—that employers should use beginning Aug. 1, 2023. Employers may continue to use the older Form I-9 (Rev. 10/21/19) through Oct. 31, 2023. After that date, they will be subject to penalties if they use the older form.

Read entire article - https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/uscis-new-form-i9-remote-e-verify.aspx

International Stress Awareness Week is October 30-November 3, with Wednesday, November 1 considered Stress Awareness Day. The definition of stress is a physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension and may be a factor in disease causation.

All of us have stressors in our lives – be it work, personal or both, and stress isn’t always a bad thing. In the workplace, stress can help workers stay focused on a task or meet a deadline, but extensive and prolonged stress can be harmful on a worker’s physical and mental health, which will negatively affect the organization.

Eighty-three percent of US workers surveyed suffer from work-related stress, and more than half of those surveyed report these stressors affect their home life. Workplace stressors may include some of the following but definitely not an exhaustive list:

• Concerns about job security, especially in today’s market with so many lay-offs and reduction of hours
• Lack of access to tools and equipment needed to perform work safely
• Adapting to new or different workspace, schedule or rules
• Learning new or different tasks, skills, or technologies
• Juggling work and personal responsibilities
• Physically demanding work

Long term stress harms workers in a variety of ways, both physically and mentally:

Physical Harm:

• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Muscle tension and pain
• Headaches
• Poor sleep
• Stomach discomfort
• Extensive weight gain or loss

Mental Harm:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Burnout
• Emotional outbursts
• Social withdrawal
• Drug or alcohol use
• Fatigue
• Anger and irritability
• Lack of motivation or focus

More than 85% of employees surveyed reported that actions from their employer would help alleviate stressors and help with their mental health. We will cover the effects of stress for employers and how they can find ways to lessen the negative consequences of work-related stressors in our second part of this blog series.

Bipartisan members of Congress introduced The Fair Access for Individuals to Receive (FAIR) Leave Act (S 2574; H 5037) on July 27, 2023. The bill would allow married employees at an organization to each have 12 weeks of FMLA leave per leave year, as long as they are both eligible and the reason qualifies.

Read entire article - https://www.fmlamanager.com/resources/fmla-articles/2023/new-bill-would-close-fmla-loophole-requiring-shared-leave

There are more than 3300 fires that take place in the workplace each year. National Fire Prevention Week is October 8-14 with Monday, October 9, observed as Fire Prevention Day. It’s a great day to schedule a fire drill! No, these are not just for school kids – your business should be conducting fire drills at least once a year, but more frequently if there are any changes in fire safety procedures, layout of your business or if your staff are moved to different areas.

Fire drills are important for many reasons:

• Great practice and training for your staff to get out of the building safely – be it a fire or any emergency situation
• Good chance to evaluate any evacuation routes that might be blocked – and have time to get those areas cleared out
• Opportunity to see if staff are struggling with instructions, routes or where to meet up

So here are some steps to keep in mind to conduct successful workplace fire drills:

1. Assign someone responsible for fire safety – this could be the business owner or manager, but someone needs to ensure all fire safety rules are adhered to
2. Develop an evacuation plan – and ensure it has multiple routes with several possible exits just in case any part of the building is blocked or inaccessible, as well as a spot a safe distance from the building to gather (assembly point) – and have the plan posted in various places throughout your business
3. Make sure your plan takes into account all employees, regardless of age, sex, physical or mental ability
4. Educate all employees – make sure it’s in employee handbooks for all new hires, but also take time to re-educate employees at least annually in some way
5. Conduct a fire drill – a test run to see if the plan works (and if some issues arise, change it up and test again)

Having all the best fire safety equipment, be it state of the art fire detectors, fire extinguishers, and flashing lights, is great, but making sure your employees know how to get out of harm’s way is the most important workplace safety objective when it comes to a fire or any reason to need to evaluate quickly.

The standards and laws for safety in an industrial environment are currently facing upheaval. This is being driven by the issues of security and artificial intelligence (AI). For industry in general, there are three new or upcoming legal requirements for security that are relevant: EU Directive NIS 2, the Cyber Resilience Act, and the new Machinery Regulation

Read entire article: https://www.ehstoday.com/safety-technology/article/21267909/the-future-of-safe-automation

It’s National Recovery Month – a national observance held every September to promote and support treatment and recovery practices. It is estimated two-thirds of all Americans with an alcohol or illicit drug use disorder have jobs, so it’s pertinent employers should consider creating a Workplace Supported Recovery (WSR) Program to prevent substance misuse, reduce stigma and encourage recovery.

Centers for Disease Control and Health (CDC) has some great resources when considering creating a WSR Program, which uses evidence-based policies and programs to address multiple risk factors. Here are some key points and insights to consider:

• Recovery recognizes substance use disorder as a chronic condition where individuals can recover
• Recovery is a voluntary and ongoing process where each person’s path to recovery is unique
• Recovery-supported workplace means: 1) preventing workplace factors that could cause or prolong a substance use disorder; 2) lowering barriers to seeking and receiving care, and maintaining recovery – this includes, but not limited to evaluating the workplace conditions that may lead to employee substance misuse including extra work demands, personal conflict at work or dangerous work
• Taking steps to reduce stigma by providing training to managers and workers to educate and overcome bias against individuals with substance use disorder and adopt policies that raise awareness and support workers and their families
• Ensure your company’s employee assistance program and health insurance take into account services for substance use disorders, and if not available, provide information on such resources in the community

Research showed that 28.6% of 18,145 participating construction workers developed RSP, which causes an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and lung cancer.

Read entire article: https://www.ehstoday.com/ehs-outloud-blog/article/21267734/construction-workers-at-risk-for-lung-disease-says-new-study

September is National Preparedness Month, and this year’s focus is preparing older adults for disaster as they are disproportionally impacted by all-hazard events. So keeping with the theme, let’s chat about how to keep your older workforce safe and healthy on the job.

It is estimated 1 in 4 American workers is over the age of 55, and about 20% of adults over the age of 65 are either working or looking for work. This population of older workers is known for some great benefits to the company, including low absenteeism and turnover and a strong work ethic. But even though older workers tend to experience fewer workplace injuries than their younger counterparts, these injuries do tend to require more time to heal and are more likely to be fatal.

According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), here are some workplace safety tips to keep your older workers safe:

• Match tasks to abilities - if any physical limitations, assign them to tasks that do not require them to strain beyond their ability (and also allow self-directed breaks)
• Prioritize workplace flexibility – to the extent possible, give workers a say on their schedule, work condition, work organization, work location and work tasks
• Manage hazards – keep in mind when assessing workplace hazards, what might not be a hazard to a younger worker could pose a hazard to someone older (noisy work environment and ability to hear)
• Provide ergo-friendly work environments – examples include better illumination, screens and surfaces with minimum glare, ergonomic workstations and tools, adjustable seating
• Avoid prolonged sedentary work – consider sit/stand workstations and provide onsite physical activity opportunities; prolonged sedentary work isn’t ideal for any age!
• Invest in training and building worker skills and competencies – older workers can serve as mentors and younger workers can help older workers adapt to new technologies
• Require aging workforce management skills training for supervisors – good idea to focus on the most effective ways to manage a multigenerational workplace
• Proactively manage reasonable accommodations and policies around returning to work – especially important after an injury or illness
• Be vigilant concerning workplace hazards – including noise, slip/trip and other physical hazards

Reasonable accommodations for older workers are beyond the standard Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, but do not rise to the level of impairments considered disabilities required to be addressed for the Americans with Disabilities Act. It might take a little more work to keep your older workers safe and healthy, but statistically speaking, these workers are loyal, experienced and extremely valuable to your business health.

Final rules for workplace injury tracking, COVID-19 in healthcare and hazardous communication are due to release within the next few months, according to information in the U.S. Fall 2022 Regulatory Agenda.

Read entire article: https://www.safetynewsalert.com/articles/final-rules-oshas-fall-2022-regulatory-agenda/

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can kill within minutes in high concentrates. In the workplace, the most common source of exposure is from internal combustion engines, such as furnaces, ovens, generators, and gas-powered vehicles and tools. Many think the risk of this type of poisoning is more of a winter issue, but carbon monoxide can build up fast in any enclosed or even semi-closed space any time of year.

A little biological lesson: CO is considered a chemical asphyxiant, and when inhaled, it bonds with your blood’s hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout your body. The CO displaces the oxygen in your blood and deprives your vital organs of oxygen, which if exposure is high enough for long enough, the tissue and cells in the body start to die, leading to organ failure.

Levels and Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set permissible exposure limits to 50 parts per million (ppm) or 55 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) in an 8 hour time weighted average concentrate, while the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NOISH) recommended exposure limit is a bit lower at 35 ppm or 40 meg/m3. Any concentration of 1200 ppm is considered instantly dangerous. Symptoms at low levels have the same type of symptoms of the flu or common illnesses, such as headaches, nausea, weakness and dizziness, and symptoms usually resolve themselves if removed from the CO exposure in time.

Here’s a chart of CO levels and the possible effects:

CO Level  Possible Effects/Timeline
(ppm)

Detection is crucial! Here are some prevention tactics to keep your workers safe:

• Install CO detectors in your business (and your home)
• Include CO poisoning education as part of your workplace safety training
• Ventilate areas to dilute or reduce the concentration of CO
• Install detector tubes, diffusion tubes and color badges to measure the CO concentration in the air – as well as portable CO monitors that have a digital readout and visible/audible alarms

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of poison-related deaths and illnesses worldwide. In the United States, more than 400 people die annually, and CO exposure is linked to 20,000 emergency room visits and more than 4000 hospitalizations every year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through its National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), are pleased to launch the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer online enrollment system for firefighters across the nation. The NFR for cancer is the largest effort undertaken by the nation to support and advance understanding of cancer in the fire service.

Read entire article - https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/p0417-firefighter-cance-registry.html

Did you know the average person has 2.6 million sweat glands? This is our body’s natural defense against heat as these glands are activated when our brain tells our body to cool down. The human body is usually able to regulate it temperature through sweating, but if exposed to more heat than it can handle, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and even death could happen. With the usually hottest part of the summer right around the corner, it’s a good time to find ways to keep your workers as cool as possible and avoid heat stress.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the top three weather-event types that cause the most deaths are: 1) winter weather; 2) heat; 3) flood. In 2021, NOAA reported 201 people died and 67 were injured in the U.S. from weather-related excessive heat.

Heat stress has many possible illnesses ranging from heat strain to heat syncope. For a list and description of these illnesses, check out one of our past blogs. So what can you do to keep yourself and others safe in the heat? According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), here are four recommended precautions:

• Working shorter shifts until workers have become acclimated to the heat
• Staying hydrated and drinking BEFORE you get thirsty – all those sweat glands are hard at work, but you have to resupply your body’s water and electrolytes lost due to sweat
• Watch out for co-workers exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke
• Take time to rest and cool down

NIOSH and OSHA offer a couple tools to help employers keep workers in the know when it comes to the possibilities of dehydration and heat index:

• Hydration Check – Placement of urine color charts that compare the urine color of a hydrated person with that of a dehydrated person near your toilet facilities
• Heat Safety App – OSHA Heat Safety Tool lets workers calculate the heat index at their worksite and let’s them know instantly if they are in a high risk zone due to heat and humidity, as well as indicating the necessary precautions to take

Summer is here! Take steps now to stay cool and safe!

Despite making up more than 40% of the global workforce, the average work environment is still designed for men, which puts women at greater risk of injury on the job.

Read entire article - https://www.ehstoday.com/safety/article/21265017/women-more-likely-to-get-hurt-on-the-job

Summer is in full swing, and that means it’s time to start thinking about heat stress and workplace safety! Educating your workers on the many risk factors and signs of heat illnesses is key to helping protect them, as well as finding ways to keep them as cool as possible and well-hydrated. There is still some misinformation out there – or myths – when it comes to heat stress, so let’s uncover the biggest myths shared by NIOSH.

MYTH #1: The difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, you do not sweat during a heat stroke.

The real story: Heat stroke symptoms include such things as confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures and high body temperature. Victims may continue to produce sweat. Call 911 and do your best to cool the worker down.

MYTH #2: If you take a break in the air conditioning, you will ruin your acclimatization.

The real story: It takes a few days of non-heat exposure to reduce your acclimatization, so take those breaks in the A/C. It’s a very effective way to cool down in a fairly short period of time.

MYTH #3: Acclimatization will protect you during a heat wave.

The real story: It takes about 7-10 days for someone to become acclimatized to extreme environmental conditions, so if the temperature rises above normal quickly during a heat wave, the clock starts over. During extremely hot weather, workers need more breaks and maybe reschedule work hours to take advantage of the cooler parts of the day.

MYTH #4: Salt tablets will help restore electrolytes lost during sweating.

The real story: Do not use salt tablets unless directed by your doctor. Electrolytes are restored through normal meals and snacks. Ingestion of too much salt can cause nausea and vomiting, which worsens the level of dehydration already present during heat stress. Staying hydrated is key!

Something else to keep in mind, but not really a myth – your workers’ medication and health condition as these two factors can put your workers at a higher risk for heat exhaustion and illness. Some medications affect your body’s natural ability to cool down or may cause your body to heat up more quickly, and health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease may put your workers at greater risk of heat illnesses.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM), signaling it will forge ahead with rulemaking that would require trailers be equipped with side underride guards. That begins with studying side underride guards and establishing an advisory committee.

Read entire article - https://www.ccjdigital.com/regulations/safety-compliance/article/15383279/nhtsa-presses-forward-on-trailer-side-underride-guards

In honor of National Safety Council’s observation of June being National Safety Month, it is always a good chance to chat up our services here at Workplace Safety & Health, Co. Inc. We are an occupational health and safety consulting firm specializing in risk management.

It is our goal to help our customers reduce health risks, injuries, and illnesses – all while keeping profitability in mind through sound health and safety management practices. Here are just a few of the most requested services we provide to help you keep your most important assets – your employees – safe and healthy:

• Lockout/Tagout Procedure Authoring Services
• Confined Space Identification & Hazard Assessment
• Industrial Hygiene Air Monitoring
• Noise Monitoring and Mapping
• Asbestos and Lead-based Paint Surveys
• Indoor Air Quality Surveys

Workplace Safety & Health Company, Inc. has been around since 2000, and we have clients nationwide, as well as globally. Our clients have included large manufacturing companies in pharmaceutical, food and beverage, automotive, steel, building products, and electronics just to name a few, and we have had the privilege of working in health care, retail, educational, nonprofit, and processing facilities.

It’s National Safety Month – give us a call and see how we can help your business and your employees be safe – 317-253-9737.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has released a new Employee Rights Under the Fair Labor Standards Act posting and, in an about-turn from earlier this month, now says all covered employers must display the revised version.

Read entire article - https://www.jjkeller.com/learn/news/052023/Updated-FLSA-poster-is-now-mandatory--DOL-changes-course

Did you know that preventable injuries or accidents are the fourth leading cause of deaths in the United States? June is National Safety Month, which considers safety both in the workplace arena and the home front.

This Awareness Month observes weekly themes, and this year’s themes are:

• Emergency Preparedness
• Slips, Trips and Falls
• Heat-Related Illnesses
• Hazard Recognition

Want some ideas on how to celebrate National Safety Month in your business to help bring about a more heightened awareness?

• Safety Award Celebration – most everyone enjoys being recognized, so celebrate those who go above and beyond when it comes to workplace safety. Give small useful and practical gifts that speak to safety, such as first aid kits, OSHA-approved headphones, safety goggles, etc.
• Do an office or work area walk-through with your team – have them point out possible safety issues that you can address together as a way to show them safety is a priority
• Revisit those safety plans – okay, maybe not the typical way people think of celebrating, but important nonetheless! Make it fun by offering a chance to win prizes for those who complete safety quizzes each week of the month!
• Great chance to review and update emergency contact information, along with some educational material – again, incentivize your employees to take a look by offering a random drawing of some safety-related gifts for completion.

It’s all about establishing and maintaining a safety culture, and National Safety Month is a great time to jumpstart year-long activities to keep your employees safe! Here at Workplace Safety, we can help you do just that. Give us a call at 317-253-9737 or check out our services at www.workplace-safety.net.

OSHA is revising its Site-Specific Targeting inspection program to update the Form 300A data it requires. Form 300A is an annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses. Under current OSHA regulations, establishments with 250 or more employees and those with 20-plus employees in certain high-hazard industries must submit Form 300A data to the agency each year.

Read entire article - https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/23568-osha-updates-data-used-for-its-site-specific-targeting-program

Last year, OSHA reported that by the end of November, 35 workers had died in trenching and excavation work. The writing was definitely on the wall last June when the statistics for the first six month of 2022 showed 22 workers had died, which was more than all the trench-collapses in 2021, and reports showed the final month of 2022 proved to be quite deadly with four separate trench-collapse deaths occurring.

Since 2016, June has been declared Trench Safety Month, and after such a deadly year last year with trench collapsing fatalities, it’s an important time to take a more proactive stance to keep your workers safe. Because of the 68% increases in trench-related deaths last year, OSHA has also launched an enhanced enforcement initiative to supplement their National Emphasis Program for Excavations, which means OSHA compliance officers will perform more than 1000 trench inspections nationwide as part of their daily duties.

Trench collapses usually end up in fatalities, but they are completely preventable. Engineering controls, protective equipment, and safe work practices can reduce the hazards to workers and prevent trench cave-ins.

An OSHA requirement is that all excavations 5 feet deep or greater must use one of the following protective system options:

• Sloping the ground
• Benching the ground
• Shoring the trench with supports (ie. planking or hydraulic jacks)
• Shielding the trench (using a trench box)

Before a job even begins, employers should have a solid plan in place and insist their workers follow it. Here are some important steps to follow to mitigate trench collapses:

• Assign and train a competent person.
• Call 811 to identify and mark underground utility lines.
• Dig a minimum 5 feet away from utility lines.
• Evaluate the soil to determine its stability.
• Plan the job layout to identify safe locations for spoil piles and heavy equipment routes.
• Before the job starts, if the trench will be 5 feet or deeper, set up a protective system.
• If the trench will be 20 feet or deeper, provide additional engineering protections.
• Have a traffic control plan and lane closure permits.
• Develop a trench emergency action plan.

Too often, workers may jump into a trench not truly thinking of the impact of dirt – but one square yard can weigh more than 3000 pounds! This weight is the equivalent of a compact car, and that small amount of dirt is enough to fatally crush and suffocate workers.

A new OSHA fact sheet focuses on protecting workers in the maritime sector from physical hazards in confined spaces. The agency explains that hazards such as slippery and sloping working surfaces, corroded ladder rungs, moving or rotating equipment, obstructions, and elevated walking-working surfaces are common in confined spaces in this industry, and factors such as hot or cold conditions, poor lighting, and physically restrictive work areas can increase health and safety concerns.

Read entire article - https://www.aiha.org/news/230105-osha-highlights-physical-hazards-in-shipyard-confined-spaces

Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses with 22 million US workers exposed to hazardous noise levels each year and 30 million US workers exposed to chemicals, some of which are harmful to the ear and hazardous to hearing. Fortunately, occupational hearing loss can almost always be prevented.

May is designated as Better Hearing Month, and here are some reasons why hearing health should be a workplace priority:

• Untreated Hearing Loss Can Impact Job Performance: According to studies, many employees suspect hearing problems, but do not seek treatment. Having good hearing can save lives – think about being able to hear such things as fire alarms, emergency announcements, and vehicle back-up signals.
• Employees’ Overall Health: Dangers of noise go beyond hearing loss, including other health problems like stress, anxiety, chronic fatigue and cardiovascular problems. And for people to be able to perform their best at work and be productive, they need to be able to communicate effectively.
• Noise-Induced Hearing Loss is Preventable: It is an employer’s responsibility to cultivate a safe workplace. Some ways to do just that when it comes to protecting their hearing is to be compliant with the American National Standards Institute’s standards regulating hearing protection, provide proper equipment such as ear muffs and ear plugs, develop a hearing loss prevention program, and visually communicate any type of safety in the workplace, including marking areas of high noise and hang up posters in spots where ear protection is required.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued new enforcement guidance to make its penalties more effective in stopping employers from repeatedly exposing workers to life-threatening hazards or failing to comply with certain workplace safety and health requirements.

Read entire article - https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/national/01262023-0

To finish up our Top Workplace Trends series, it’s time to talk Sustainability and Corporate Health. Businesses are only truly sustainable when they ensure the safety, health and welfare of their workers – both now and in the future. It’s about going beyond the standard regulatory compliance – meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

It's not just about profits anymore. There has been an ongoing push that businesses have a responsibility to take care of the world in a broader sense – a corporate social responsibility. What that means is what’s been termed the triple bottom line – profit, people and planet. Finding that balance will help businesses achieve long-term success and viability.

Keeping sustainability top of mind is the way a business can honor its fiduciary obligations in an ethical way, balancing the needs of all stakeholders in mind, which include shareholders, employees, customers, the communities in which it operates, and society at large.

According to OSHA’s Sustainability white paper, current sustainability efforts focus is in seven areas of activity:

1. Reporting and Metrics
2. Investing and Shareholder Engagement
3. Business
4. Standards and Certifications
5. Procurement
6. Education
7. Research

Think of sustainability as a business’s best friend! Sustainable practices are in most cases fundamentally safer than their alternatives, and if we keep sustainability at the forefront and approach your day-to-day operations in such a way, you will be creating a safer workplace.

The ongoing environmental disaster in eastern Ohio, sparked by a Feb. 3 train derailment, continues. Several publications listed deal with safety, transportation, water systems and other topics relevant to the situation.

Read entire article - https://www.ehstoday.com/emergency-management/article/21260329/ohio-train-derailment-what-went-wrong

As we continue to cover the top workplace trends, let’s recap our series up to this point:

• Heat Stress, “New” Black Lung
• Back, Neck, Shoulder Pain, DEI in the Workplace 
• Workplace Violence, Mental Health

In this fourth installment of the series, we will cover Safety Technology, OSHA Fines and Drug Testing, so let’s get right to it!

Safety Technology

Workplace safety technology has come a long way and continues to advance rapidly, which has helped businesses streamline processes and increase efficiencies. Here are a few of the technologies that could make a huge difference when it comes to keeping your employees safer:

• Wearable Technology – can notify employees if they have been sitting too long (ergonomic injury) or a manual laborer could be alerted to any signs of fatigue. Wearables can help monitor situational risks like extreme temperatures or the presence of hazardous gasses – or even help pinpoint an employee’s location in case of emergencies.
• Voice Recorders – no more carrying around a clipboard, just record observations during inspections and communicate real-time reports with more detail
• Drones – camera-equipped drones can go places that are difficult and dangerous for workers to get to, be it confined spaces or high platforms
• Smart Glasses and Body Cameras – allow workers to assess potential hazards without having to describe it over the phone. It also can capture unexpected events to help better understand what happened without having to depend totally on those involved to remember details.
• Robotics – can be programmed to carry out dangerous tasks

OSHA Fines

It seems OSHA is increasing its occupational safety efforts for 2023. Maximum fines increased about 8% in January and budget increases are expected to hire more inspectors with the expectation of many more inspections. More inspections will undoubtedly lead to more fines.

Drug Testing

When it comes to drug testing, it’s really up to the state and the employer in most cases, and if a state does not have such laws, they follow the federal law.

The most common drugs revealed by a drug test are as follows:

• Methanphetamines
• THC
• Alcohol
• Cocaine
• Opiates
• Phencyclidine

Nowadays, especially with the legality of either medicinal or recreational marijuana, it’s made this task more difficult. For workplaces committed to an alert and substance-free workforce, it’s a tricky balancing act. One of the biggest challenges facing all companies seems to be establishing a workplace marijuana policy that retains quality employees and filters out those who are impaired on the job.

The U.S. Department of Labor and the IRS today renewed a memorandum of understanding and added a streamlined process for joint referrals and closer coordination to stop businesses from misclassifying workers and denying them their full wages, benefits and protections under the law.

Read entire article - https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20221215-0

Our recent blog series focuses on what EHS says were the top ten workplace safety trends. So far, we have covered heat stress and the “new” black lung disease and back, neck, shoulder pain and DEI in the workplace.

To continue the conversation, we will be covering Preventing Workplace Violence and Mental Health.

Preventing Workplace Violence

OSHA defines workplace violence as any act that hurts or threatens a person with physical violence, verbal abuse, intimidation, harassment, and other disruptive or harmful behavior during work or occurring at one's workplace. Assault is the fifth leading cause of workplace deaths, and every year, thousands of US workers have reported being a victim of workplace violence. According to Injury Facts, workplace assaults resulted in 20,050 injuries and 392 deaths in 2020.

Workplace violence falls into four categories: criminal intent, customer/client, worker-on-worker and personal relationship. Even though certain industries are more prone to violence, including taxi drivers, healthcare and education, workplace violence can happen anywhere.

OSHA recommends employers do their due diligence and more to keep their employees safe by making their workplace safer. Ideally, all workplaces should have video surveillance cameras, proper lighting, and alarm systems. Every workplace should have a policy on violence that includes employee training, emergency action plan, mock training exercises and being very vocal of a zero-tolerance towards workplace violence.

Mental Health

Before the COVID pandemic, 61% of workers surveyed said their productivity was affected by their mental health. Assuming this has only increased in the past three years. Poor mental health and stress can negatively affect an employee in a variety of ways, including job performance and productivity, employee engagement, communication with coworkers, and physical capabilities/daily functioning.

Mental health awareness in the workplace has definitely grown for the past several years, but awareness isn’t enough. The stigma is still very much alive – 68% of employees still worry that reaching out about a mental health issue could negatively impact their job security. It’s important for businesses to talk openly about mental health, promote a healthy work environment and support those experiencing mental health problems by implementing supportive policies and including mental health services as a benefit.

OSHA recently released two new letters of interpretation (LOI), which address exit signs and lockout/tagout. While the LOIs are dated March and May of 2022, they appeared on OSHA’s website during the last week of December.

Read entire article - https://www.jjkeller.com/learn/news/122022/New-OSHA-LOIs-address-exit-signs-lockouttagout

Last blog, we started talking about the EHS Today’s year-end report that covers the top ten environmental health and safety trends. We will continue covering these in more detail in the next few blogs. Tackling a couple more in today’s blog – Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain and DEI in the Workplace.

Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain

No matter the pain, be it dull and achy or sharp and stabbing, it’s hard to concentrate when your back, neck and shoulders are hurting. Anything from heavy lifting, repetitive movements or too much time sitting at your desk can be the culprit – causing Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs).

This pain impacts employees in many ways, including sapping productivity, decreases motivation and even makes it harder to make decisions. Workplace ergonomics can help lessen muscle fatigue, increase productivity and reduce the number, as well as the severity, of work-related MSDs. Some basic ergonomic principles to keep in mind: maintain a neutral posture, allow time for movement and stretching, reduce excessive force or motions, minimize contact stress and provide adequate lighting and a comfortable environment.

DEI in the Workplace

DEI stands for diversity, equity and inclusion, and the term and practice in the workplace is growing. As a discipline, DEI is any policy or practice designed to make people of various backgrounds feel welcome and ensure they have support to perform to their fullest potential at work. DEI is considered vital not only in creating and maintaining a successful workplace where all people can thrive personally and professionally, but also with so many different thoughts and experiences, it leads to new and creative ideas to help a business thrive as well.

Need some ideas on how to build DEI in your workplace? Here’s a great first step – The Why and How to Prioritize DEI at Your Organization.

There were 5,190 fatal work injuries in the United States in 2021, meaning a worker died every 101 minutes from an occupational injury over the course of the year. The number of fatal work injuries increased 8.9 percent from 4,764 in 2020, but decreased 2.7 percent from 5,333 in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read entire article - https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2022/total-of-5190-fatal-work-injuries-in-2021-up-8-9-percent-from-2020.htm

The EHS Today published a year end report on the top ten environmental health and safety (EHS) trends to keep an eye on for 2023, anything from safety violations of the industrial kind as well as such things as active shootings and suicides.

Their listed top ten (not in any particular order) are as follows:

• Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain
• DEI in the Workplace
• Heat Stress
• Preventing Workplace Violence
• The “New” Black Lung Disease
• Mental Health
• OSHA Fines
• Sustainability and Corporate Health
• Drug Testing
• Safety Technology

We’ll plan on covering these in some detail in the next few blogs, starting with a couple in the realm of safety violations – heat stress and the “new” black lung.

Heat Stress

In most work situations and the weather right now, it’s a bit difficult to think about heat stress.  But there are plenty of jobs where heat stress is a factor all year long, including bakery workers, miners, boiler room workers, firefighters and factory workers. Then, of course, in the warmer weather, there are the multitude of outdoor workers to think about.

Exposure to extreme heat can result from heat rashes to heat stroke, and heat in the workplace can also increase the risk of injuries because of sweaty palms, fogged up glasses and dizziness. Those workers who are 65 years of age or older, are overweight or have such health conditions as heart disease or high blood pressure are more susceptible to heat stress. Educating employees on heat stress, including signs and ways it can be prevented, is essential for workplace safety.

The “New” Black Lung

Black lung, or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, is caused by inhaling coal and silica dustover a long period of time. Not all coal workers develop black lung, and there are certain prevention strategies to help reduce the risk of this preventable disease:

• Wearing an appropriate respirator while working
• Washing skin that’s been exposed to coal dust
• Safely removing coal dust from clothing
• Washing hands and face before eating or drinking
• Get regular physical check-ups to monitor your lung function and breathing as there are no tests for black lung disease

Rates of black lung disease, or coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), has more than doubled over the last fifteen years. Possible reasons cited for this increase include working conditions and rules for miners have changed since many unions have been disbanded, so miners are working longer hours with less time to rest between shifts, as well as mining technology advancements. Powerful extraction machines are more time-efficient but throw more coal dust into the miners’ lungs.

We will continue to cover the top trends of environmental health and safety in upcoming blogs, so stay tuned!

Truck driver behavior is a key predictor of whether any driver will be involved in a road accident in the future, according to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the nonprofit research arm of American Trucking Associations (ATA).

Read entire article: https://www.ehstoday.com/safety/article/21254652/strong-link-between-driver-behavior-and-crashes

It’s another year, and workplace safety should be part of your New Year’s Resolutions! Last blog, we covered some practical tips within the organization to get you started. Now let’s focus on what you personally can do to take steps to stay safe and healthy, so you can bring your best self forward at work.

1. Stay Healthy – if you are feeling under the weather or just not up-to-par health-wise, stay home. Not feeling well is a recipe for unsafe practices and accidents, which puts yourself and others at risk.
2. Stay Hydrated – drinking enough water every day is essential for many reasons, including regulating your body temperature, keeping your joints lubricated and helping your organs function properly. Also, being well-hydrated has been known to improve sleep quality and mood, as well as help with focus, which are key to workplace safety.
3. Practice Good Posture – the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates nearly 20% of all workplace injuries are back injuries. One such way to alleviate back injuries is practicing good posture in all you do. Poor posture strains your back, neck and shoulders. Using ergonomic desks and keyboards can help, along with sitting up straight and lifting with your legs, not your back, are all ways to help keep you and your back safe in the workplace.
4. Take Regular Breaks - continuously working without breaks will lead to a variety of problems, including losing focus and attention, developing neck and back problems from staying in one position for an extended time, and always feeling tired. Taking a break should not be viewed as wasting time, but actually saving you from an unexpected accident if you’re too tired to focus.
5. Keep Calm – we live in a hustle and bustle world, but working in a hurry can lead to injuries as you are not paying as much attention to your surroundings. Even in emergency situations, staying calm allows you to think more clearly, which leads to better outcomes.

It’s the New Year! These five tips can help you make better choices and stay healthier in 2023!

OSHA provides a secure website that offers three options for injury and illness data submissions. You can manually enter your data, upload a CSV file to add multiple establishments at the same time, or transmit data electronically via an API (application programming interface).

Read entire article: https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting/

It’s a new year and a good time to review workplace safety tips! As the saying goes “it’s better to be safety conscious than unsafe and unconscious,” so let’s start the year off on the right and safest footing possible by sharing several practical safety tips you can implement today and every day to make 2023 the safest year yet!

Every year, there are about 2.8 million nonfatal workplace accidents and injuries in the United States, and on average around 5000 workplace fatalities each year. Workplace injuries and illnesses cost an estimated $250 billion each year.

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Know Your Workplace – what that means is making sure you are looking around and know where such items as fire extinguishers, emergency exits, as well as where potential hazards lie.
2. Keep Work Area Clean - another saying is “a clean work area is a safe work area” as messy and dirty work areas are breeding grounds for germs, as well as a messy work area hurts productivity and can definitely be a workplace hazard.
3. Follow Safe Work Procedures – these procedures are your guidelines and make sure they are updated regularly.
4. Wear Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – PPE requirements vary depending on the job. Make sure you review safety data sheets and safe work procedures to understand what PPE is best to keep you and others safe.
5. Use Machinery and Tools Properly – read the manuals and take note of every safety precaution, including the appropriate working load for each machine and tool, and only operate machines and tools you are trained or certified to use – and ensure they are cleaned and maintained regularly.
6. Report Unsafe Working Conditions Immediately – do not wait or even second guess yourself as it’s better to be safe than sorry!

These are just a few of the many steps you can take to keep you and others safe at work. Next blog, we will cover what you can do at a personal level to stay safe and healthy in 2023.

With an increase in usage, and an increase in some states restricting employee testing, how will companies balance rights and safety?

Read entire article - https://www.ehstoday.com/health/article/21251832/a-quandary-as-more-workers-test-positive-for-drug-use

OSHA’s Top 10 Violations don’t really change much from year to year. Fall Protection has been the #1 most cited violation since 2010, and looking at the list closely, you realize about half of the list is connected to working at elevated heights. One key element to helping eliminate falls this new year and for the years to come would be through the design of embedded safety features from the beginning of construction.

So what are these designed embedded safety features you should consider while designing building construction? Let’s take a look!

Embeds for Guardrail Support - providing steel embeds along the concrete slabs provide a secure method of installing guardrails quicker and more securely than bolted guardrail systems

Embedded Roof Anchor Points – several embedded anchor points can be installed so they provide tie off points for attaching horizontal or vertical lifelines used in these systems

Straps Embedded in Concrete – straps are installed before casting by attaching each strap to the reinforcement that will be buried within a concrete column, beam or slab

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries, but if steps were taken at initial construction to keep workers safer by including embedded safety features at the beginning, think of the number of injuries prevented and lives that could be saved!

Beginning January 6, 2023, a pre-employment Clearinghouse query will satisfy the requirement to investigate a prospective driver's previous drug and alcohol program violations, as established by 49 CFR 391.23(e). You will NO longer be required to conduct a past employer inquiry regarding whether the applicant tested positive for drugs or alcohol or refused to take a test in the previous three years.

Read entire article: https://www.idealease.com/safety-bulletins/upcoming-change-pre-employment-investigations-drug-and-alcohol-violations

If we have learned anything from the past going on three years of the pandemic, it’s we should stay away from others when we are feeling under the weather. But this season of colds, be it a simple cold or the flu or COVID, is also when workers are facing the pressure to be back in the office. And to add to that pressure, recession fears and all the talk about layoffs across the nation may cause workers to feel like they cannot miss work. All this could add up to a germ fest in the workplace this winter!

The official prediction is this year’s cold and flu season could be bad as there is already early increases in seasonal flu activity, and hospitals across the country have reported a surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is a common virus that causes lung infections.

Presenteeism, people who show up for work while sick, accounts for $150 billion in lost productivity every year. This puts everyone at risk, so here are some ideas on how to encourage sick employees to stay home:

• Provide an allotted amount of sick days – these should always be separate from their vacation time
• Do not require proof to use a sick day, like a note from their physician; sometimes an employee just needs to stay home a few days and rest
• Let your employees who feel under the weather to work from home, especially if they do not have sick days; yes, their productivity will be lower, but it’s keeping your other employees much safer
• Provide items at work to help everyone protect themselves – you can’t keep all germs from spreading in the office, but here’s a list of items you should have readily available to help mitigate it a bit:
  • Tissues
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Soap
  • Disinfectant spray/wipes
  • Cough drops/lozenges
• Offer good health insurance and wellness programs
• Offer flu shots at the workplace – partner with a medical provider to come to the workplace a couple times a year for easier access for your employees
• Lead by example – make sure all managers and supervisors are setting the tone when it comes to taking sick days when they aren’t feeling well, as this will help others feel your workplace culture does encourage them to take care of themselves

Even if you take all of these precautions, there is no guarantee the flu or COVID will not find its way to your business. If your workplace is beginning to seem like a super spreader event, sometimes it makes more financial sense to close down for a bit, letting those who are sick recuperate and keeping other safe and healthy – and conduct a thorough cleaning and disinfecting!

Here’s to a healthy winter!

As the nation enters the holiday shopping season, employers must ensure that all workers are trained to recognize and prevent job hazards and implement safe work practices. OSHA has resources to help keep workers safe at every step, whether you’re working at a retail store or delivering gifts from the warehouse to homes.

Read entire article: https://www.osha.gov/holidaysafety

The cold weather is upon us, and the winter season definitely brings its share of challenges when it comes to workplace safety. While you cannot control the weather, you can control many of the risk factors your employees may face to help keep them safe this winter.

Some hazards we automatically think of when we imagine workplace safety and winter, including icy roads, parking lots and sidewalks, but don’t forget the increased likelihood of flu and COVID or other serious illnesses. Even before the pandemic, the flu cost employers billions annually in lost productivity.

Here are 8 tips to help mitigate those winter work hazards:

• Clear ice and snow from parking lots, walkways and entries to help ensure those entering the buildings can do so safety, without slipping or falling – and make sure you keep all walkways well-lit and clearly marked
• Use absorbent mats at entrances to help lessen wet floors, and make sure you put up some caution signs alerting everyone to the chance of slippery floors
• For workers such as delivery drivers and those helping to unload vehicles should wear footwear with good traction – water-resistant boots with good rubber treads are a must!
• Shoveling snow? Do so safely by starting with small scoops, and push rather than lift the snow to avoid back injuries.
• Staying safe while using snow removal equipment by ensuring equipment is properly grounded while in use – and never attempt to clear a jam by hand while machine is on
• Remember, snow is quite heavy, so keep this in mind when clearing it from any heights, including roofs – and watch out for skylights covered in snow as a tripping and fall hazard
• Develop an emergency response plan for extreme winter weather
• For your on-the-road workers, there are plenty of winter hazards to think about, so take these steps to lessen some possible issues:
  • Ongoing maintenance, including vehicle inspection such as brakes, tires and exhaust systems
  • All vehicles include emergency kit, which should include a cell phone or two-way radio, windshield ice scraper, snow brush, snow shovel, flashlight with extra batteries, traction aid (bag of sand, cat litter), emergency flares, first-aid kit, jumper cables, snacks and water, road maps, blanket, change of clothes, and a candle or two with a lighter (in case you get stranded for a bit of warmth)

These are just a few of the steps you can take to keep your employees a bit safer this winter. For more information, check out OSHA’s resources on winter safety tips.

Most of the time, conversations about workplace safety center around topics like reducing slips, trips and falls or improving total worker health. But there’s another topic we don’t always talk about, and we might not like to think about, either: workplace violence.

Read entire article: https://www.ehstoday.com/safety/article/21251504/slc-2022-preview-mitigating-workplace-violence

Another year almost over, and another Top 10 Most Cited Workplace Violations list is published, but some things seem to stay the same year after year. For the 12^th year in a row, Construction Industry Fall Protection Standard remains OSHA’s most frequently cited violation.

The ten most frequently cited standards also has remained the same – with some standards moving around within the list. The goal behind the published list is to help identify trends and alert employers of these commonly cited standards, so they can take steps to find and fix recognized hazards – in hopes of saving lives.

The top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety and health standards so far for FY 2022 are:

1. Fall Protection General Requirements (29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1926.501): 5,260 violations
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 2,424 violations
3. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,185 violations
4. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,143 violations
5. Scaffolding (1926.451): 2,058 violations
6. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 1,977 violations
7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 1,749 violations
8. Fall Protection Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,556 violations
9. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment—Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,401 violations
10. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,370 violations

Workplace Safety & Health Co. Inc. is a leading provider of industrial hygiene, safety, and risk management services, as well as industrial hygiene and safety data management and occupational safety training courses. We are ready to help you reduce workplace injuries and illnesses – keeping your employees safer and promoting your company’s profitability.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced the release of a new set of best practices for protecting temporary workers.

Read entire article: https://naspweb.com/blog/niosh-releases-best-practices-for-temp-workers/

Did you know November is National Career Development Month? This month-long awareness campaign encourages professionals to set career-related goals and acquire skills to reach those goals. No matter if you are brand new to the field or been in the workforce for many years, having those career goals, whatever they may be, helps workers stay motivated and inspired at work, increases productivity, and can strengthen their relationships with their supervisors.

Lack of career development opportunities is one of the biggest reasons people leave their current positions. Including career development plans as part of an ongoing conversation with your employees and helping them acquire new skills is a win for all. And when it comes to workplace safety, additional training not only helps boost employee engagement, but also helps maintain and improve the health and well-being of your employees.

Workplace Safety & Health provides a full range of quality industrial hygiene and occupational safety training services. Here’s a list of some of our courses available:

• Complying with OSHA – 30 Hour/10 Hour Courses: basic introduction to OSHA standards
• Hazwoper 24/40 Hour Courses: designed for site workers to meet the 40-hour or 24-hour classroom-based training requirements for OSHA’s HAZWOPER regulation
• Hazwoper 8 Hour: annual refresher training requirement for hazardous waste site personnel who have completed either the 40-hour or 24-hour course
• Safe Entry into Confined Spaces: designed around a series of practical exercises, testing proficiency in isolation techniques, air monitoring, the use of retrieval equipment and more
• Lockout/Tagout Compliance: designed around the requirements of the OSHA standard and how they are applied to specific equipment located at your plant site

Whether it’s for career development or required training services, Workplace Safety & Health Co. Inc. is your go-to source for educating your team, helping them reach their goals and keeping them safe. Contact us at 317-253-9737.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has moved, due to a myriad of reasons, from the initiative status to a strategic necessity. Much of the emphasis in developing DEI programs is to recognize the varying backgrounds, cultures and other characteristics of specific groups of people.

Read entire article: DEI in the Workplace: Time to Break Down the Silos | EHS Today

The pandemic changed the workplace landscape in many ways to keep employees safe and healthy, but one such way most may not even think about is cybersecurity. With so many employees working remotely or in some sort of hybrid role, the likelihood of a security breach is even more prevalent, putting companies and individuals at much greater risk of falling prey to data breaches that can disrupt businesses and destroy lives.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it is a great time to take steps to protect your business and your employees. Here are some ways both employees and employers can do just that:

• Actively track all your company’s hardware and software – you cannot protect what you don’t know you have!
• Lock up all devices, such as laptops and cell phone, with secure passwords – and, of course, use unique passwords for each.
• Use two-factor authentication, be it a randomly-generated code or ID badge, a fingerprint or a password.
• When conducting business outside of the office network, never use Wi-Fi without using a VPN (Virtualized Personal Network) as it encrypts and secures your information over the internet.
• Be aware of phishing scams – if it looks suspicious, it most likely is! Such examples are urgent subject lines and billing-related attachments. Never open or download attachments from unknown senders and always hover over a link before clicking on it to review the actual URL.
• Offer cybersecurity training during employee onboarding and at least annually to help instill employees’ understanding of cybersecurity essentials.

Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and the above tips are the basics to keeping your business and your employees safe. Be safe out there!

On July 26, 2022, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published the final ruling on Hazardous Materials: Harmonization with International Standards rulemaking, HM-215P.

Read entire article: Detailed Summary of PHMSA Final Rule HM-215P – IHMM

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) entered into a new Ambassador status agreement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Service, Transmission, Exploration, and Production Safety (STEPS) Network to prevent illnesses, injuries, and fatalities among workers in the oil and gas extraction industry.

Read entire article - NIOSH Signs Alliance Program Ambassador Agreement with OSHA, National STEPS Network | NIOSH | CDC

October is Fire Prevention Month, and specifically the week of October 9th is the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. This year’s campaign is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape,” which is incredibly critical as you may only have as little as two minutes to safely escape your home or business from the time the smoke alarms sound.

Besides having a planned fire escape and educating your employees on what that plan is at least on an annual basis, let’s take a look at ways to improve fire safety in the workplace as most workplace fires can be avoided with a few extra precautions.

Identify Risks in the Workplace – taking a look at your building, facility or site to see if there are any unique risks and understanding how to avoid a fire or at least mitigate the impact. The most common causes of workplace fires include such things as cooking appliances, electrical wiring, overloaded power strips, and many others. Also keeping in mind minimizing the risk of those items that produce the most damage – ie. loose paper and flammable materials. Some of those risks you may be able to remove completely, but most are just part of the work environment, so take steps to educate employees and keeping an eye on those critical fire-prone areas.

Assign Fire Safety Roles – designating at least one person, but preferably a team of people, to oversee fire safety. Many times this role is given to either your office manager, facility manager, safety manager or human resources manager.

Understanding Your Industry’s Specific Needs – when it comes to fire safety, every business will have specific industry considerations, including what type of fire risks and if a specialized fire extinguisher is needed, or in the case of such a place as a hospital, an evacuation plan that includes how to get staff and patients out safely and quickly.

Educate, Educate, Educate on Fire Safety Guidelines – businesses have a legal and moral responsibility to keep their employees safe, and one very important step is to make sure employees are trained on fire prevention and safety. Every organization should have a fire prevention plan that is posted and made available for all employees to review. October is a great time to do annual inspections and fire drills, but best practice is not to only do these once a year. Unexpected fire drills are a great way to access if your employees know what to do in case of a fire.

Workplace Safety and Health is here to help you maintain a safe work environment. Give us a call at 317-253-9737.

On March 10, 2022, the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) entitled “Protecting Workers from Retaliation.”

Read entire article: https://www.employmentlawworldview.com/dol-issues-new-guidance-specific-examples-of-prohibited-retaliation-under-whd-enforced-wage-hour-laws-us/

Twenty-two workers have died already in just the first half of 2022 from trenching and excavation hazards, exceeding the 15 deaths in all of 2021. This rise has prompted the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to take action, announcing enhanced enforcement initiatives in an effort to protect workers. Because of this sharp rise in fatalities, OSHA is looking at possible criminal referrals in cases where a trenching incident resulted in a worker’s death.

OSHA’s Assistant Director stated every one of those tragedies could have been prevented had employers complied with OSHA standards. Failing to install trench protection systems or properly inspect the trenches, workers are exposed to serious hazards, and in one such instance, two workers died while the trench shields laid unused off to the side.

OSHA defines an excavation as any man-made cut, cavity, trench, or depression in the Earth’s surface formed by earth removal. A trench is defined as a narrow excavation (in relation to its length) made below the surface of the ground. In general, the depth of a trench is greater than its width, but the width of a trench (measured at the bottom) is not greater than 15 feet (4.6 m).

Trenching standards require protective systems on trenches deeper than five feet and soil and other materials kept at least two feet from the edge of the trench. Each trench must be inspected by a knowledgeable person, be free of standing water and atmospheric hazards and have a safe means of entering and exiting before allowing workers to enter.

It is estimated a cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as 3000 pounds, which is about the same as a small car. It only takes seconds, and workers can be crushed and buried under thousands of pounds of soil and rock. Don’t know what a cubic yard amounts to? Do a search on the internet – it will surprise you just how little that actually is!

OSHA is ready to help your business take steps to comply with trenching and exaction requirements. And if you own a small to medium-sized business, OSHA has an On-Site Consultation Program, which is a no-cost and confidential health and safety program, to assist employers with developing strategic approaches for addressing trench-related illnesses and injuries.

Trench collapses are rarely survivable, but they are completely preventable. Take steps today to keep your employees safe and healthy – and alive. Educate your workers on the hazards of excavating and trenching and have systems in place to ensure their safety.

Workers responding to the cleanup from floods may be exposed to serious hazards including electrical, fallen trees and debris, mold, and carbon monoxide. OSHA reminds employers that worker safety is a priority, and the agency has resources available to protect workers from hazards associated with flood response operation.

Read entire article: Keeping Workers Safe during Flood Cleanup (osha.gov)

Commercial vehicle inspectors took 1,290 CMVs, or 14.1% of those inspected, out of service with critical brake-related violations on a special unannounced brake safety day operation conducted April 27, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced June 22.

Read entire article - Nearly 1,300 CMVs Taken Out of Service on Surprise Brake Safety Day | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)

Every September, the United States observes National Preparedness Month to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen any time – in your home, your business or your community. When thinking about your business, it is a great time to remind your employees of safety precautions and plans to reduce large and small-scale emergencies.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) created National Preparedness Month in 2004, three years after 9-11 attacks, to encourage every American to plan for emergencies. The month of September was selected for that historical significance.

According to FEMA, there are four phases of emergency preparedness:

1. Mitigation – preventing or minimizing emergencies
2. Preparedness – actively preparing for an emergency
3. Response – carrying out plans and use of equipment during an emergency
4. Recovery – action taken after the fact to get back to status quo

Want to take part in National Preparedness Month? Here are some easy ways that can make a big difference:

• Find out how you can reduce risks to life and property in an event of any major disaster by visiting such websites as ready.gov and www.cdc.gov/disasters
• Run mock safety drills – you remember the ones when you were in school! It’s a great time to dust off that safety plan and test it out at your business. What went well, what didn’t go so smoothly? It’s best to figure that out now, so you and your employees will be ready if it’s ever a real emergency!
• Get involved and support your community – promote volunteering for such organizations as the Red Cross or your local fire department to see how your business can support their efforts

This year’s theme is “A Lasting Legacy” – because the life you’ve built is worth protecting. Take some time this month to focus on disaster preparedness and protecting your business, your employees and your community.

Your frontline employee training program is key to a successful safety culture, delivering quality products, and maximizing productivity. After all, your frontline employees have the greatest day-to-day impact on all of these initiatives. Join this webinar on August 10 to learn the top 5 best practices for creating a safe, productive, and engaged workforce for years to come.

Register for webinar: Webinar: Top 5 Training Best Practices for Your Frontline Workforce | EHS Today

Brake Safety Week is an annual weekly event in August focused on inspecting commercial motor vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico for brake-related out-of-service violations. This year’s event happens August 21-27, and it’s a great opportunity for motor carrier companies to educate their drivers and maintenance employees on brake safety. During Brake Safety Week, inspectors will conduct the North American Standard Level I and V Inspections, reporting all brake-related data to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). Results will be released in the fall.

Brake Safety Week 2021 results:

• 35,764 commercial vehicles were inspected and 12% were restricted from travel due to critical brake-related issues
  • United States – 28,694 vehicles inspected and 13.5% out-of-service rate
  • Canada – 1903 vehicles inspected and 15.4% out-of-service rate
  • Mexico – 5167 vehicles inspected and 2.6% out-of-service rate

Preparing for Brake Safety Week

Keep in mind even though brake systems are the focus of Brake Safety Week inspections, any type of critical violation can result in out-of-service orders. The CVSA has a great cheat sheet for roadside inspections in general, which can be found here, and for a more detailed list focusing on what inspectors look for during brake inspections, check out the Brake Inspection Checklist. 

Some best practices to keep your commercial vehicles safe and on the road:

• Establish vehicle maintenance and record-keeping protocols
• Train your drivers on pre- and post-trip brake inspections
• Schedule and perform vehicle maintenance regularly – including ahead of Brake Safety Week
• Educate your team – both drivers and maintenance – on the importance of brake safety

Improperly functioning brakes pose a very serious safety risk, and those out-of-service violations come with a hefty fine and lost time on the road. For 2022, let’s play it safe and keep on truckin’ by taking steps today to pass those upcoming possible inspections.

While it is essential to have a safety program, it’s critical to transform culture from contentment to involvement. Several factors influence the need for manufacturing organizations to incorporate a safety program within their facilities. Regulations are viewed as primary by many individuals with a mindset of contentment. Individuals that exhibit an involvement mindset understand the impact safety has on the well-being of the workforce.

Read entire article - How Effective Is Your Safety Program? | EHS Today

The rate of worker deaths and reported injuries in the United States has decreased more than 60% in the past four decades since the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed in 1970, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yes, we have come a long way, but every year, more than 5000 workers are killed on the job, which equates to a rate of 14 per day, and more than 3.6 million suffer a serious job-related injury or illness.

Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event held every August to recognize both the successes of workplace health and safety programs around the country and provide information and ideas on ways to keep workers safe. This year’s event is August 15-21.

Don’t have a bonafide workplace safety program quite yet? OSHA has some great resources, including a list of 10 ways to get your program started:
• Establish safety and health as a core value
• Lead by example
• Implement a reporting system
• Provide training
• Conduct inspections
• Collect hazard control ideas
• Implement hazard controls
• Address emergencies
• Seek input on workplace changes
• Make improvements to the program

Any organization can participate in Safe + Sound Week – registration is slated to open up this month.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is initiating an enforcement program that identifies employers who failed to submit Form 300A data through the agency’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA). Annual electronic submissions are required by establishments with 250 or more employees currently required to keep OSHA injury and illness records, and establishments with 20-249 employees classified in specific industries with historically high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses.

Read entire article - OSHA initiates enforcement program to identify employers failing to submit injury, illness data | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas produced by burning fuel in such things as cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, grills, fireplaces, and portable generators. When this gas builds up in enclosed spaces, those in the area can be poisoned as the gas displaces oxygen in the blood, depriving the heart, brain, and other vital organs. Large amounts of this gas can overcome a worker within minutes without warning.

The main source of workplace exposure to CO is when an internal combustion engine is operated indoors or in confined area, increasing those toxic levels, especially if they are not properly maintained. Other culprits could include kilns, boilers, fires or furnaces.
Initial warning signs of CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness and nausea. Those symptoms will continue to worsen during prolonged or high exposures, and then can include vomiting, confusion and collapse.

As an employer, it is your responsibility to keep your workplace as safe as possible. When it comes to carbon monoxide poisoning, the best bet to managing exposure is to eliminate the source. One method is to substitute non-gas producing equipment, such as battery-powered engines, for those vehicles and machinery that emit CO. If that is not possible, here are some risk control measures to consider:
1. Stop using diesel or gas equipment indoors
2. Modify the work areas to reduce exposure and improve ventilation
3. Test air regularly in areas where CO may be present
4. Maintain equipment that produces CO
5. Develop a written exposure control plan to help employees understand the risks – awareness can be prevention in many cases
6. Install carbon monoxide monitors with audible alarms
7. Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) if the CO exposure cannot be minimized

If a worker is experiencing CO poisoning, it’s imperative to act fast! Get the victim to fresh open air and call 911. Every year, thousands of American workers are killed outright from carbon monoxide poisoning, making this poisonous gas one of the most dangerous industrial hazards. Take steps today to mitigate the chances of your workforce’s exposure to this invisible killer.

The Biden Labor Department violated the Administrative Procedure Act by delaying, then withdrawing, a Trump-era rule that made it easier for businesses to classify workers as independent contractors, a federal judge in Texas said. Judge Marcia A. Crone invalidated the DOL’s actions and reinstated the Trump rule, siding with the Coalition for Workforce Innovation, which represents gig-economy companies like Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc.

Read entire article - Business Groups Get Trump Independent Contractor Rule Reinstated (bloomberglaw.com)

It’s National Safety Month – a time to focus on working conditions around the country and how each of us can help create a safer environment for all. Workplace Safety has been helping businesses do just that for over 20 years. We specialize in risk management with a primary concern of helping our customers reduce health risks, injuries, and illnesses while promoting their profitability through sound health and safety management practices.

Some of our services include, but are not limited to:

• Asbestos Consulting
• Confined Space Evaluations
• Data Management
• Ergonomic Consulting
• Industrial Hygiene Consulting
• Lead-Based Paint Assessment
• Lockout-Tagout Programs
• Noise Measurements
• Training Courses and Materials

At Workplace Safety, every month is a Safety Month. Our ultimate goal is to help you protect your most valuable asset – your employees. Contact us at 317-253-9737 or info@workplace-safety.com to see how we can do just that for you!

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a new enforcement initiative that will target one of the agency’s top priorities after the appearance of COVID-19: indoor and outdoor heat-related workplace hazards.

Read entire article: OSHA Workplace Safety Heat Hazard Emphasis Program (natlawreview.com)

Summer and thunderstorms go hand-in-hand and that means lightning! For those who work in outdoor spaces, lightning safety is definitely something to keep in mind at all times. We’ve all probably have heard the phrase, “when thunder roars, go indoors.” Here are some common Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to outdoor safety and lightning:  

Do:

• Check the weather forecast. Be aware of upcoming storms, and if the forecast calls for thunderstorms, make sure you have adequate safe shelter options.
• Find a safe, enclosed shelter when you hear thunder. Safe shelters could be a home, offices, shopping centers or even a hard-top vehicle with the windows rolled up.
• Seek shelter immediately if a thunderstorm is heading your way to remove yourself from the danger. If there is no shelter available, these actions may reduce your risk…but does not remove you from the danger completely:
  • Get off of any elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks.
  • Never lie flat on the ground (goal is minimum contact on the ground), but you can crouch down in a ball-like position with your head tucked and hands over your ear.
  • Do not shelter under an isolated tree – ever!
  • Do not use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.
  • Get out of and away from any water immediately.
  • Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, which as power lines, barbed wire fences).

Don’t:

• Stay in open vehicles (convertibles, motorcycles, golf carts), structures (porches, gazebos, sports arenas), or spaces (golf courses, bodies of water, playgrounds).
• Stay near tall structures – avoid leaning on concrete walls as lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls and flooring.
• Venture out too quickly after a thunderstorm – it is recommended to shelter in place for at least 30 minutes.

Lightning can occur any time of year, but July is generally the month with the most lightning, and lightning casualties are highest during the summer with 2/3 of all lightning casualties occur between noon and 6pm. Take steps this summer to keep yourself and your team members safe while working outdoors when a thunderstorm is heading your way!

Employers can no longer mandate pre-dispute arbitration for claims of sexual assault or sexual harassment by employers. On Feb. 10, 2022, Congress passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 (the “law”) ending any dispute as to whether the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. (FAA), preempted state laws seeking to prohibit mandatory pre-dispute arbitration of employee sexual harassment claims.

Read entire article: https://www.natlawreview.com/article/employee-s-choice-no-more-forced-arbitration-sexual-harassment-and-sexual-assault

Ergonomics is the scientific study of human work conditions, especially the interaction between man and machine. The term itself is taken from the Greek word “ergon” meaning work, and “nomos” meaning natural laws. The thought and goal behind it – a way to work smarter, not harder by designing tools, equipment, workstations and tasks to fit the job to the worker, not the worker to the job. It’s making work more comfortable, which improves both health and productivity of your employees.

Per OSHA, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. This definitely includes the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These MSDs can occur in such situations as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures and performing the same type of tasks repetitively. These disorders are the fastest-growing category of work-related illness – and account for up to 63% of the illnesses reported to OSHA. The majority of these are caused by ergonomic work-related injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, rotator cuff injuries, muscle strains, and low back injuries.

The implementation of ergonomics safety as part of an overall workplace safety program improves both the employees’ lives and the overall efficiency of your business, by helping to reduce costs, prevent other incidents and injuries, improves overall productivity – and in today’s great resignation, it shows your employees you are committed to their safety and health, which can foster employee engagement.

Workplace Safety & Health Company is here to help assist you with your ergonomic safety program. Take a look at our Ergonomic brochure. We specialize in evaluating employee workstations, assessing potential for injury, prioritizing stations based on risk, and making appropriate recommendations in order to reduce or eliminate work ergo-related risk as a whole. Contact us for more information – 317-253-9737 or www.workplacesafety.net.  

This final rule provides the statutorily-prescribed 2022 adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain DOT regulations. In addition, this rule notes new DOT civil penalties authority provided in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL, enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act).

PDF: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-03-21/pdf/2022-04456.pdf