30
2015
Prevent Employee Exposure to Silica
OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently issued a joint hazard alert about protecting workers from significant crystalline silica exposure during manufacturing, finishing, and installing natural and manufactured stone countertops. Protect workers in this and other industries from silica exposure with the safety measures outlined below. Preventing Silica Exposures Because the damage crystalline silica causes can’t be undone,…
13
2015
Expanded Safety Fest 2015 Set For September
Safer workplaces result in safer communities. Why? Because workers take safety practices learned on the job back home and into their communities. In Oak Ridge, once a year, an event is held to ensure safer communities by offering free safety training to anyone who registers. For the fourth consecutive year, the Oak Ridge Business Safety Partnership (ORBSP), partnering with numerous businesses and organizations will host…
08
2015
Don’t Tell OSHA Injury Was Due to ‘Careless Workers’
Telling OSHA that an injury was the worker’s fault is a sure way to get inspected, according to the head of the agency. OSHA administrator David Michaels made the comment in a recent speech at a National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) meeting. “When employers say an injury was a worker’s fault, an inspection will likely take place,” Michaels said. For the first 5…
01
2015
OSHA Cites Poultry Processor for Ergonomic Hazards
Workers cutting chicken fat, bone and cartilage eight hours a day at a Delaware poultry plant were suffering musculoskeletal injuries caused by their jobs, an OSHA inspection found. Keep reading to learn what OSHA cited the employer for and how to prevent and fix similar hazards at your worksite. Following the inspection, OSHA cited the company for exposing employees on the debone line to musculoskeletal…
22
2015
Niagara Recalls 14 Bottled Water Brands From Same Source for E. Coli Risk
Niagara Bottling LLC has recalled all spring water products produced at its two Pennsylvania facilities between June 10-18, 2015, after being informed that the water source was potentially compromised by E. coli bacteria. Niagara stated that the bacteria were found on June 10, noting, “As the spring source did not notify us in a timely manner, we have discontinued the use of this source.” The company…
04
2015
OSHA Shares Best Practices for Restroom Access for Transgender Workers
In a week that saw the debut of Caitlyn Jenner, OSHA is working to improve protections for transgender workers. OSHA published a Guide to Restroom Access for Transgender Workers – a document that offers best practices for restroom access for transgender workers. The guide, which was developed by request of the National Center for Transgender Equality, explains gender identity, why restroom access is a health…
03
2015
Owner and Consultants Disobey Order to Allow OSHA Inspection – Now They’re Fined
In what it believes to be the first time in OSHA’s history, a company has been found in criminal contempt for not allowing OSHA to inspect a facility after a judge’s order. Now a federal court has fined four people. Martin Foundry Inc. owner Darrell Stone and three representatives from Compliance Professionals Inc., all based in Kansas City, MO, have been fined for disobeying an…
01
2015
Awareness in Safety: Did You See It Coming?
Awareness is an important element in any effort to reduce accidents and incidents. Just what is the difference between an accident and an incident? According to the National Safety Council, an “incident” is an unexpected or unintended event that adversely affects completion of a task, while an “accident” is an unexpected or unintended event that results in property damage or personal injury. The words “unexpected”…
28
2015
Prevent New Hire Injuries With These Tips
New employees are more likely to be injured on the job than experienced workers. But it doesn’t have to be that way. By addressing the risks much as you address physical or chemical hazards, you can significantly eliminate them. Estimates suggest that 30 percent to 40 percent of injured workers have been on the job for less than a year. The first step to addressing…
26
2015
Is it Work-Related? OSHA Answers Common Recordkeeping Questions
Determining when an injury or illness is work-related for the purposes of OSHA 300 recordkeeping can be a challenge. While the distinction may seem straightforward, applying OSHA’s criteria to real-world situations is often anything but. In two recent letters of interpretation (LOIs), OSHA attempts to shed light on some common questions surrounding the work-relatedness of injuries that result from motor vehicle accidents. Keep reading to…