Section: OSHA
OSHA Launches National Emphasis Program on Falls
Strategies for Building a Culture of Safety
The Power of Choice in AR/FR Clothing Programs
OSHA Launches National Emphasis Program on Falls
Recovery-friendly workplaces can help combat the nation’s opioid crisis: report
OSHA Launches Effort to Prevent Workplace Falls
Plan Now for National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction
ESFI Releases Updated Workplace Safety Statistics
Ladder Safety Best Practices
New White Paper Looks at Serious Injuries, Fatalities from 2017 to 2021
CPWR: 65% of construction deaths linked to ‘Focus Four’ hazards
Is Your Fall Protection Program Falling Short?
OSHA’s 2022 list of top cited standards has been released, and fall protection remains at the top of the list for the 12th consecutive year
Excavation Company Faces Citations After Failing 3 Inspections
Dos and Don'ts to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning While Using a Portable Generator
7 safety essentials for an electric fleet
Electric vehicles are supercharging the future of mobility, including fleets.
More Than 4 in 5 Women Have Trouble Finding Correctly Fitting PPE 'Regularly' or 'Once in a While,' New Poll Shows
MSHA Safety Alert
Is Time Running Out on Workplace Safety?
How safe is the workplace these days? We don’t really know, since given the nature of the federal government’s data-crunching capabilities
Managers have big influence on worker mental health: survey
Managers have greater influence on the mental health of workers than doctors and therapists, results of a recent survey suggest.
Construction Safety in the Atypical Wake of Worker Turnover
Even at the best of times, managing safety concerns in the wake of the construction industry’s turbulent employee turnover patterns is a challenge. And right now is hardly the best of times.
7 tips for safe use of ladders
Contractor Issued Citations for 4 Willful, 4 Serious Violations After OSHA Finds No Fall Protection, Other Violations on Eighth Inspection
A New York contractor with a history of violations is facing citations and proposed penalties after a recent inspection found employees with no fall protection.
Why You Should Use Videos for Safety Training
Safety training is a crucial aspect of any workplace, as it helps ensure the well-being of employees and the overall success of a business.
Three Contractors Cited Following Worker Death After 12-Foot Fall
Three contractors are facing citations after an incident that led to the death of a 31-year-old employee.
ESFI Releases Updated Workplace Safety Statistics
Each year, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) collects information on fatal occupational electrical injuries using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Construction worker deaths prompt winter safety campaign in NYC
In response to the recent deaths of four New York City construction employees in separate workplace incidents, the NYC Department of Buildings has launched a winter construction safety campaign
Ways Employers Can Help Stressed Employees
Stress is an unfortunately-all-too-common emotion for many people. Daily life and responsibilities carry their own stresses, but so can work
Improving Electrical Safety in the Workplace
Safety is not to be brushed aside, though workers often overlook proper protocols
The aging workforce’s effect on electrical safety
Sun Tzu wrote in “The Art of War” that “in the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
OSHA and other DOL agencies increase civil penalty amounts
The maximum penalty for a “willful” or “repeat” OSHA violation has increased
National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction set for May 1-5
The 10th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is slated for May 1-5.
Comprehensive NFPA 70E Training for Qualified Workers
If there was one positive takeaway from the COVID-19 pandemic, some would say it was businesses’ renewed commitment to safety and implementation of additional protocols that protect their employees.
Why Training is Still one of the Best Ways to Prevent Falls
Over the past decade, businesses and regulators have focused more on preventing fatal workplace falls.
Keeping Workers with Demanding Schedules Safe and Healthy
Methylene chloride an ‘unreasonable’ risk to some workers, EPA says
Methylene chloride poses “unreasonable” risk to workers under certain conditions, and the Environment Protection Agency will take action “to identify and apply measures that will manage these risks,”
Rethinking the Construction Industry’s Suicide Prevention Model Will Save Lives Today
Work-related stress is all around us and is especially exacerbated by life stressors in our post-pandemic world as inflation soars and terms like job burnout become more ubiquitous than ever, but in certain industries, it has a stronger presence.
CPWR: Construction industry accounts for about half of job-related electrical deaths
Fire Safety and Burn Prevention for Construction and Labor Trades
?A burn is one of the most common types of injuries that can result from fire exposure. According to the American Burn Association, an estimated 486,000 burn injuries that require medical treatment occur each year.
Use scaffolding safely
Rounding out the top five on OSHA’s Top 10 list of most cited violations for fiscal year 2022 is scaffolding
Keeping Employees Safe from Hazards After a Snowstorm
With temperatures already dropping in regions of the country, many workers will soon find themselves working in the cold
As slip and fall fatalities continue to occur, MSHA focuses on fall protection
Fatalities resulting from a slip and fall account for 12% of total miner deaths this year to date – more than twice the percentage reported in 2021, a recent analysis by the Mine Safety and Health Administration shows.
Electrical Safety Equipment All Factories Need
Working in a factory exposes employees to all kinds of electrical hazards. Heavy machinery that relies on electricity may shock and spark, causing burns, electrocutions, and fires.
Six Tips for Where, When and How to Choose and Use Self-Retracting Lifelines
For many workers, working on top of an elevated surface or structure is a daily actuality or eventuality. It’s also some of the most hazardous work on the planet.
Pre-employment Investigations for Drug and Alcohol Program Violations
Employers of CDL drivers are required to conduct background investigations before hiring a driver.
Why Workplace Communications May be Affecting Employees' Well-Being
Digital technology has transformed the way we stay connected in both our personal and professional lives.
Flame-Resistant Clothing Options You Should Own
As an electrician, you already know how important it is to stay safe. You’re in charge of protecting people and property.
NJ Developer, Subcontractors Cited After OSHA Finds Employees Working Close to Energized Power Lines
One developer and two subcontractors in New Jersey were recently cited after metal scaffolding, which employees were on, was found only five feet from energized power lines.
OSHA concerned about construction suicides, drug overdoses
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is increasingly concerned about suicides and opioid-related deaths in the construction sector, according to agency officials.
From Top to Bottom: Proper Selection of PPE for Electrical Work
Electricity is one of the most dangerous and unpredictable things you can work with. According to data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), 126 workers died due to exposure to electricity in 2020.
Confined but Not Alone: Protecting Workers in Tight Spaces
How many of you feel uncomfortable in small, confined spaces? Quite a few of you.
5 tips to reduce repetitive stress injuries
Construction workers: Do you often perform the same task at work over and over again?
High-Tech Tools Open Doors: Connecting workplaces for efficiency and productivity
Many essential tools of the electrical trade—pliers, hand drills, cutters, etc.—haven’t changed in decades. Today they are competing with high-tech solutions and devices for a place in the electrician’s toolbox.
Why Considering Yourself a “Qualified Person” Might Not Keep You Safe
According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, contact with live electrical parts kills 143 construction workers annually making it the number two killer on construction sites behind falls.
Workplace Violence by Occupation
It's a very grim statistic. From 1992-2019 workplace violence has killed almost 18,000 people.
Why Sufficient Sleep and Rest is so Important for Work
Whether you're a student, a professional or a stay-at-home parent, chances are you don't get enough sleep. With so many demands on our time, it's often the first thing to get cut from our schedule.
Government Will Not Enforce Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate
On August 31, 2022, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force announced that the Federal Government “will take no action to implement or enforce Executive Order 14042,”
The myth of ‘de-energized work’
The myth of “de-energized work” is an issue primarily for commercial, industrial and residential electrical work in the United States, not utility transmission and distribution.
Seeing Safely: Tips for an Effective Vision Protection Program
Seeing clearly is one of the most important abilities employees can have when navigating the work environment safety.
Say This, Not That: Changing the Conversation Around Construction Careers to Lure Labor
As prices for materials, equipment, labor and shipping continue to increase due to unprecedented inflation in the United States as well as various supply chain crises, both nonresidential and residential construction timelines continue to lengthen.
Workplace Accident Report Shows Statistics of Non-Fatal and Fatal Occupational Injuries
What state has the highest occupational injury rate? Are there certain industries with higher injury rates? Is there a certain day of the week when workers are injured more often?
Specific PPE is Needed for Entry and Exit
Confined spaces present health and safety risks for many workers, which is why recognizing and planning appropriately for working in confined spaces is so important.
Smart Electric Panels Could Help Meet Increasing Electricity Demand
Moving households away from fossil fuels and toward green energy solutions will require much more electricity—two to three times more
2022 OSHA Inspection Prep Part Two: Indoor Fall Protection
In our first installment of this series, we discussed how to prepare your rooftop for an unexpected OSHA inspection. With this edition, we’re turning our lens to your facility's interior
AGC Construction Advisory Alert: Bad Deal for Construction
On August 4, AGC announced its opposition to the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” as agreed to by Senator Manchin and Senator Schumer
Contractor Cited After Worker Falls and Suffers Fatal Injuries
A Florida contractor is being cited after a worker died from injuries.
Alarming rise in trench-related fatalities spurs US Department of Labor to announce enhanced nationwide enforcement, additional oversight
In 2022's first six months, 22 workers have fallen victim to the deadly hazards present in trenching and excavation work – surpassing 15 in all of 2021
Fall Protection Can Be Surprising
What comes to mind when you think of fall protection? Is it a harness, keeping a construction worker connected to a building? Or is it a device that alerts an emergency if a worker has fallen and is unconscious?
ARTBA Details Industry Efforts to Protect Workers from Heat-Related Hazards
ARTBA has reminded the Biden administration of the transportation construction industry’s proactive steps to reduce heat-related illness and injuries.
Engineers aim for early detection of concerning chemical changes at worksites
Engineers from Purdue University say they have developed new technologies that enhance methods of detecting, identifying and quantifying chemicals in various work environments that might traditionally require lab analysis
THE LONG-AWAITED OSHA COMPLIANCE DIRECTIVE IS OUT
As promised by OSHA’s Scott Ketchum at the NCCCO conference last fall, the compliance directive for the Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard has finally been released.
Embracing Innovations in Personal Protective Equipment This National Safety Month
When it comes to worker safety, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends implementing a hierarchy of controls plan to help prevent accidents before they happen by limiting workers’ exposure to hazards.
How to Protect Workers from Falls from Height
Birds are chirping, bees are buzzing and lawn mowers are revving. These are sure signs of warmer weather, but there’s another harbinger of summer: construction work.
The Pandemic’s Lasting Digital Impression on Construction Safety
Construction is the largest industry in the global economy, accounting for 13% of the world’s GDP. Tight profit margins, poor project delivery performance, and low levels of customer satisfaction have plagued the industry for years.
National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction Week Promotes Fall Hazard Awareness
According to NIOSH, in the construction industry, falls make up more than 30 percent of fatalities. In 2020, 350 people died from falls. All of these deaths were preventable.
NETA publishes 2022 standard for certification of electrical testing technicians
Available now through NETA’s online bookstore, ETT-2022 was created “to codify the experience, education, and training requirements necessary for an individual to obtain a level of competency as an electrical test technician”
Four Quick Wins to Improve Safety & Decrease Employee Turnover
Companies around the world are doubling their cultural efforts in a unique and challenging labor market. This is especially the case when it comes to placing a heightened emphasis on safer working conditions and practices. What’s driving this shift?
Over Half of Workplace Electrical Fatalities are Attributed to Non-Electrical Occupations
While investigating the recovery of electrical burn victims, researchers discovered a distressing truth about their data: the use of safety equipment, such as PPE and insulated tools, was alarmingly low.
Positive drug tests for U.S. workers at highest level in 20 years: annual index
Paced by a continuing increase in marijuana positivity rates, the positive drug test rate for U.S. workers reached its highest level in two decades in 2021
Flash Fire Protection Now Extends to Hands with NFPA 2112:2018 Certified Gloves 
Flash fire is a serious hazard in many workplace environments.
OSHA budget increase for FY 2022 much smaller than Biden administration’s request
OSHA is set to receive a $20 million increase in its fiscal year 2022 budget after President Joe Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2471) on March 15.
Contractor Cited Twice in Six Months for Exposure to Fall Hazards
A roofing contractor has decided to ignore OSHA citations and fines by continuing to put workers at risk of serious fall hazards.
Cut confusion over confined space
“Confined Space Entry is a leading cause of occupational fatalities within the United States!” Every year, more articles are generated on this subject.
Electric Company Cited Following Deaths of Two Teenage Apprentices
A tragic incident in North Carolina has led to the deaths of two 19-year-old apprentices at an electrical construction company.
8 Tips for Improving Electrical Safety In the Construction Industry
From powerline workers to electrical engineers to indoor electricians, there are many jobs associated with electricity in the construction industry.
All about electrical risk assessments
An electrical risk assessment is made up of a shock risk assessment and an arc flash risk assessment.
Five Reasons to use Cold Formed Steel Construction for Project
Cold Formed Steel (CFS), also known as light gauge steel (LGS), construction is a practical, code approved solution to many of the limitations that builders face today when using traditional construction materials.
On-the-job electrical fatalities fall, but injuries up, analysis finds
In 2020, 126 U.S. workers suffered fatal electrical injuries, a 24% decrease from the previous year, but nonfatal electrical injuries involving days away from work increased 17% over that same span
How to Provide Enough Lighting to Construction Sites
As the supply chain bounces back from pandemic-related deficiencies, construction professionals return to work, catching up on delayed projects.
CDC Study Reveals COVID-19 Hospitalizations are 23 Times Higher for Those who are Unvaccinated than Boosted
According to a new study, unvaccinated adults were 23 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 during the omicron wave than adults who were vaccinated and boosted. This study further highlights the importance of coronavirus vaccination and booster shots.
Smart Confined Space Monitoring - Systems Innovate
Severe temperatures, poor ventilation, toxic gasses and extreme darkness – these are all common working conditions when operating in confined spaces.
Matts Minute: Hand Tool Safety
Hammers, wrenches, chisels, pliers, screwdrivers, and other hand tools are often underrated as sources of potential danger. Hand tools may look harmless, but they are the cause of many injuries.
Why Electrical Safety Should Be a Priority in Post-COVID Planning
Prior to COVID-19, the average person probably didn’t even know what PPE meant.
Rethinking Electrical Safety Because Lives Depend On It
Electrical safety is without question a critical component to a successful electrical installation. Yet many seem to have differing viewpoints on what is safe and what risks should be taken.
Supreme Court to hear arguments on OSHA ETS in special session Jan. 7
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for one hour on Jan. 7 on OSHA’s emergency temporary standard on COVID-19 vaccination, testing and masking, according to an order issued Dec. 22.
Taking a Deep Dive into the World of LOTO
When it comes to taking the important first step in setting up your energy control procedures (OSHA’s lockout/tagout standard 1910.146), the sky is the limit.?Lockout/tagout (LOTO)?is?a key safety program?when working with any power source
Protecting Respiratory Health in Workers During the Winter Months
The drop in temperature, weakening of the immune system and shortage of sunlight can produce seasonal respiratory diseases. Children and older adults are prone to the flu, asthma and lung problems during the winter months.
Quarterbacking Safety When Nobody Takes Charge
Every diligent safety manager preaches to his or her coworkers about the importance of speaking up when they anticipate or see danger on the job
Take Precautions to Stay Safe During Thanksgiving Amid the Pandemic
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching during a surge in COVID-19 cases, there are precautions
BLS: Nonfatal injuries and illnesses in private sector down slightly, but respiratory illness cases rise dramatically
The number of nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses in the U.S private sector, as well as the nonfatal injury and illness rate, decreased slightly in 2020.
Fired for refusing to get vaccinated? You might not be able to collect unemployment benefits
Some legal experts believe that resisting a vaccine mandate could be treated as equivalent to a voluntary resignation, which would disqualify an employee from receiving benefits.
How Location Tracking Improves Worker Safety
Employers across all industries want to ensure a safe working environment for their employees. However, challenges tend to arise in sectors with higher injury risk, such as construction or manufacturing.
Doug Parker confirmed as OSHA administrator
Doug Parker is OSHA’s first Senate-confirmed leader in nearly five years, after his nomination for assistant labor secretary was approved with a 50-41 vote Oct. 25.
The Forgotten Pandemic
Growing up post-Columbine, I have been acutely aware of the possibility of an active shooter situation for most of my life. The prospect has put me on edge and prevented me from concentrating on my studies or work.
The Biggest Danger in Construction Work Is Poor Mental Health
Ask what the top dangers of construction work are, and you’ll get the same answers almost every time: falls, electrocution, caught-ins and struck-bys. Yet more construction workers die from suicide each year than every other workplace-related fatality combined.
Workplace Noise: The Stealth, Long-Term Hazard
There is no question that construction sites are?loud. Between the bulldozers rumbling across the ground, jackhammers breaking through concrete?or?saws cutting through metals?and woods, noise is almost impossible to avoid.?
Biden says OSHA will issue an emergency temporary standard on COVID-19 vaccination, testing
OSHA is developing an emergency rule that will require employers with at least 100 workers to “ensure their workforces are fully vaccinated or show a negative test at least once a week,” President Joe Biden announced Sept. 9.
The Biggest Danger in Construction Work Is Poor Mental Health
Ask what the top dangers of construction work are and you’ll get the same answers almost every time: falls, electrocution, caught-ins and struck-bys. Yet more construction workers die from suicide each year than every other workplace-related fatality combined.
U.S. Department of Labor issues updated guidance on protecting unvaccinated and other at-risk workers from the coronavirus
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today issued updated guidance to help employers protect workers from the coronavirus.
NYC conducting ‘zero tolerance’ safety sweeps at largest construction sites
A recent string of construction worker deaths has prompted the New York City Department of Buildings to begin conducting “zero-tolerance” safety sweeps at thousands of the largest and most complex construction sites in all five boroughs.
OSHA Actions Impact the Construction Industry
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is planning to take actions that will directly impact employers in the construction industry.
OSHA Changes Focus of COVID NEP
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently made substantial changes to its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for COVID-19 that the agency kicked off earlier this year, including the removal of some industries from the list of targets for intensified inspection activities.
Are your Workers Trained Hard or Hardly Trained?
A well-accepted practice in major industries refers to the importance of training workers on how to do an activity in the safest possible way, as this will reduce their chances of being part of an incident with consequences such as injury, death, property damage, and loss of productivity.
How to Improve and Promote Safety in Construction
The construction industry poses unique health and safety challenges for its workers. In fact, about one out of every five workplace deaths in calendar year 2019 were construction-related, according to OSHA.
What the Updated Z359.11 Standard Means for Full Body Harnesses
Full body harnesses are critical elements of effective fall protection systems. Workers must understand how to properly wear and use full body harnesses when operating at height.
An OH&S Impact Guide to The American Jobs Plan
At the end of March, President Biden unveiled his $2 trillion infrastructure plan, The American Jobs Plan, which called for large-scale investments in manufacturing, research, worker training, and protection systems, among other priority spending proposals to rebuild and revitalize American infrastructure.
Rate of nonfatal struck-by injuries in construction falls between 2011 and 2019: CPWR report
The rate of nonfatal construction worker injuries resulting from struck-by incidents decreased 20% over a recent nine-year period
OSHA Cites Company After a Deadly Fall on a Brooklyn Building Project
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry.
Watch for Falling Objects: PPE to Protect You on the Jobsite
We all know the importance of protecting an employee working at heights; we routinely use PPE such as full body harnesses, self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) and lanyards for fall protection to prevent workers from being injured in a fall. But there is another kind of “fall hazard” that is dangerous to other workers on the ground, working underneath and around an elevated jobsite: falling objects.
Returning Back to the Workplace is a Sticky Situation During COVID-19
The American Staffing Association Workforce Monitor conducted an online survey by the Harris Poll among 2,055 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The study shows 54 percent of adults cite barriers preventing them from returning to “brick-and-mortar” work locations during the pandemic.
Getting the Upper Hand: Selecting the Right Hand Protection for Your Workers
We are diving into all things hand protection during today’s episode!
ATSSA submits 120 comments for feedback to proposed MUTCD
The 23 pages of comments were compiled over the past few months and are the product of input received from ATSSA’s technical committees, MUTCD Chat Lounges during February’s Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Device (NCUTCD) committee meetings and other conferences attended by ATSSA.
Work Zone Fatalities Reach 15-Year High
Each year in April, the construction industry claims one week out of the month as Work Zone Awareness Week. The goal of this campaign is to broaden the understanding of a driver's role in keeping workers safe. It's an issue more important than ever as work zone crashes and fatalities are on the rise.
8 Trends for the Future World of Work
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many changes in how people work. Some of them, such as limited social gatherings and mandatory face coverings, are likely to be temporary while others may remain for the foreseeable future. Check out eight workplace trends NSC identified impacting the future of work.
CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Communications
Employers of essential workers can use the following materials to encourage COVID-19 vaccination. You can add your own logos and customize the text to make it appropriate for your organization.
Is Time Contributing to Traumatic Injuries on the Job?
Time might play a larger part in the likelihood of a traumatic injury in the construction industry than previously thought. According to a study done by Oregon State University, construction workers are mostly likely to suffer traumatic injuries during the first four hours of their shift, and those who work evenings or night shifts experience more severe injuries than their day-shift counterparts.
Safety Speak: Nonfatal Injury Trends in the Construction Industry
Ready for a new weekly episode of OH&S SafetyPod? On this Safety Speak mini episode of the podcast we dive into the new OSHA guidance on reducing the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace
The Five Pillars of a Highly Effective Safety Management Process
Most businesses face the possibility of worker accidents and potential injuries. In all likelihood, they have a safety department or an assigned person to oversee and manage such possible outcomes. Traditionally, the management of safety involved complied with the company safety program.
OSHA Announces Increase in Civil Penalty Amounts for 2021
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced adjustments to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) civil penalty amounts for serious and other-than-serious safety violations based on cost-of-living adjustments for 2021.
OSHA to employers: Deadline approaching for submitting Form 300A data
OSHA is reminding employers to submit their 2020 Form 300A data by March 2. According to an agency press release, the time frame to submit the data has begun.
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Respiratory Protection Guidance For Long-Term Care Facilities During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued respiratory protection guidance focused on protecting workers in nursing homes, assisted living and other long-term care facilities (LTCFs) from occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus.