Katie
Yesterday, we took a look at flame-resistant (FR) clothing for the workplace. This clothing can protect workers against fires because it is either made from naturally flame-resistant materials or materials treated with flame-retardant chemicals. This discussion touched on the importance of finding FR clothing that isn’t too stiff or too thick, as this clothing can…
Flame-resistant (FR) clothing is either made of materials that are naturally flame resistant (such as wool or cotton) or that are treated with a flame retardant. These materials, used to make shirts, pants, jackets and coveralls, protect people performing work around potential fire and electrical hazards. This type of personal protective equipment (PPE) falls under OSHA…
You’ve probably heard of OSHA’s General Duty Clause, perhaps in the context of a company receiving a citation. For safety managers and business owners, hearing stories about OSHA using the General Duty Clause to issue citations might sound a bit intimidating because the clause itself is vague. OSHA’s General Duty Clause, found at section 5(a)(1)…
The term Lean Six Sigma, actually a combination of Lean and Six Sigma, is a methodology first implemented in the manufacturing sector that aims to continuously improve the workplace. These terms are fairly complex, but in a nutshell, Lean is concerned with reducing waste in the workplace by identifying anything that isn’t adding value to…
Trenching and excavation accidents in the construction industry aren’t a new occurrence. Fatalities have happened for decades, in large part because of cave-ins. OSHA even began a National Emphasis Program for trenching and excavation safety in 1985 to reduce the number of serious accidents. Violations, serious injuries and fatalities related to this type of work continue…
Climate change often seems huge in scale, something that countries and large organizations need to think about. We’ve all heard the importance of thinking about climate change on a smaller scale, though, and finding ways to reduce emissions, throw away less trash and save energy. One topic that often gets overlooked during discussions of climate…
2015 is quickly approaching, and with the arrival of the New Year many people will be making New Year’s resolutions. This year, in addition to resolving to eat better and go to the gym more frequently, try making some resolutions for your safety program, too. Having clear goals as you approach 2015 can help you…
Capt. Chuck Hayden, Research Acoustical Engineer at NIOSH Details. “Buy Quiet” is the NIOSH campaign for quieter machinery and tools to reduce worker noise exposure. Hear Capt. Chuck Hayden tell how to buy or rent less noisy tools. Capt. Chuck is Research Acoustical Engineer for National Institute For Occupational Safety And Health…
The holiday season is upon us, and that means trees, lights and lots of food. It also means that new fire, fall and health hazards exist, too. This time of year, many people who don’t often use ladders do so to hang lights. Many of us also end up using questionable methods to string those lights…
Indoor air quality is an increasing concern among safety managers and public health professionals alike, as polluted air in homes and workplaces is often more dangerous to breathe than the air outside. Indoor air often contains pollutants such as formaldehyde (a known carcinogen), benzene, trichloroethylene, dusts and particles that can cause respiratory issues and some serious…