Washington — AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka cautioned the public not to become “numb” to workplace fatalities and illnesses, as the labor federation released its annual report detailing the hazards workers face every day.

Washington — Public Citizen will not appeal the second dismissal of its lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s “2-for-1” deregulatory Executive Order, a spokesperson for the watchdog group told Safety+Health Jan. 16.

San Diego — The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health has published a list of best practices intended to “enhance workplace safety” for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — This year’s Workers’ Memorial Day, marked on April 28 each year to honor those who have lost their lives on the job, served as a poignant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by the many workers providing essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — Two days after OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued voluntary interim guidance aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 among workers in the meatpacking and poultry-processing industries, President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act of 1950 and declared the facilities “critical infrastructure” in an Executive Order intended to keep meatpacking facilities open.

Los Angeles — To help ensure the safety of people returning to work – as well as those already on the job – during the COVID-pandemic, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health has released guidelines for workplace safety; worker participation; and compensation for sick, injured and at-risk workers.

Washington — A coalition of roadway safety advocacy groups, in conjunction with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation challenging a controversial final rule FMCSA claims will add flexibility to hours-of-service regulations for commercial truck drivers.

Washington — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance is evaluating its next course of action after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Sept. 18 denied a CVSA petition requesting that the agency update its definition of “personal conveyance” and clarify a mileage limit.

Los Angeles — Workplace deaths as a result of trauma have increased at a significantly higher percentage for Black, Latino and Asian workers compared with white workers, according to the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.

Washington — The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health is calling on OSHA to enact an emergency temporary standard related to COVID-19 – an action the advocacy group says won’t require OSHA officials to reinvent the wheel.

Washington — 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.

Washington — A pair of advocacy groups are calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to reconsider a final rule aimed at strengthening protections for drivers and passengers in light vehicles involved in “underride” crashes, which occur when vehicles strike the rear of large trucks and slide underneath.

Washington — The Truck Safety Coalition is calling on the Department of Transportation and Congress to advance “critical truck safety reforms” after the recent release of its “Deadliest Truck Crash States” report.

The Due North HTA-Heel Traction Aid is quick and easy to put on and offers injury protection to drivers, delivery personnel or anyone operating machinery when use of a conventional, full-coverage traction aid may interfere with driving capabilities.

Rain and sweat can leave work boots and gloves soaked with moisture. This not only makes them cold and uncomfortable to wear, it also creates a breeding ground for bacteria, fungus and molds.

The Millenium Full Protect is an ASTM-certified safety overshoe that features a safety toe cap, penetration-resistant midsole and slip-resistant sole.

Turn hard-working boots into ice picks of steely sturdiness with the TREX 6310 Adjustable Ice Traction Device.

The Footrests High-Energy Super-Guard X Metatarsal Guard Boot features a waterproof full-grain leather upper with a high-abrasion-resistant heel, high-visibility trim and a molded TPU toe guard for extra protection.

The Lehigh QuickFit Collection features the LEHI009 Work Boot for heavy industrial, and the LEHI015 Work Boot – ideal for general use.

Tony Lama’s TLX Western Work Collection features XT2 anti-odor technology. Real silver is woven into the removable insole inserts of the boots for proven, powerful odor protection that keeps wearers’ feet cool and dry.

The Mt. Vernon Work Boot is outdoor-inspired and available in both 6- and 8-inch silhouettes.

DuraShocks technology, with a fully integrated energy return system, builds more comfort into every step in the Wolverine Legend and Wolverine Nation boots.

The Southern Cross Men’s Boot features the highest level of slip resistance under current available standards, nitrile rubber outsoles and outsoles resistant to temperatures up to 572º F.

The HazProof Boot is certified to NFPA 1991 for chemical and hazmat cleanup, emergency response, and domestic preparedness.

In 2013, foot injuries resulted in 43,570 cases involving days away from work, according to the 2016 edition of “Injury Facts,” a chartbook from the National Safety Council.

According to OSHA, injuries on loading docks most often occur when forklifts run off docks, or when product or equipment falls off and strikes a workers.

Working with pallets can present hazards for both workers and equipment. Workers can suffer cuts and abrasions from pallets in disrepair, and unstable pallets can break, dropping freight and causing potential damage to equipment and injury to workers.

Damaged loading dock floors can be a workplace hazard, according to the National Safety Council.

From 2005 to 2010, dump trucks, semi-trailers, trucks, forklifts, garbage trucks and pickup trucks were involved in nearly 200 workplace backover deaths, according to OSHA.

When using chains and chain slings on the job, you need to keep a few important things in mind.

A quick online search will uncover a large number of fatal workplace incident reports involving forklifts. From workers being crushed by these vehicles to others being run over or backed over, incidents involving forklifts can cause injuries and deaths in many ways.

You can’t smell it, taste it or see it, but it can be deadly. Carbon monoxide – sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” – prevents oxygen from going into the body and can result in death in a short period of time, the Michigan Department of Community Health states. But how does carbon monoxide form, and when are workers at risk?

Everyone remembers the school class clown – the person always getting into trouble, pulling pranks and being goofy. Harmless stuff, right? Maybe back then. If your workplace has a class clown who engages in horseplay, it’s no laughing matter.

Think emergency drills are only for schoolchildren? Think again. The National Safety Council urges all workers to take drills seriously.

How can management demonstrate its commitment to a safe and healthy workplace? Try a safety walkaround.

Hazards are all around us. Although some are easy to see, many are not. The trick is learning to spot the hidden hazards.

Looking for some quick recommendations for setting up a workplace safety and health program? OSHA has 10 steps.

Use of compact fluorescent lightbulbs can save money, conserve energy, reduce waste and lower greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. However, CFLs contain mercury – a potent neurotoxin that, in small amounts, can cause serious health problems. At room temperature, mercury is a liquid and can readily evaporate into the air.

Nearly half of all work-related injuries involving mechanical power presses result in amputation, statistics compiled by OSHA show. Around 60% of amputations involve a worker’s fingers or arm getting caught or compressed by a press or other machinery such as a conveyer, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Safety walkarounds demonstrate an employer’s commitment to safety and allow managers to see for themselves how effective their safety and health management program is, OSHA says in a fact sheet from its Safe + Sound campaign.

Although ever-present and used on a daily basis, electrical equipment requires constant awareness of its associated hazards, as well as training on appropriate use, storage and maintenance, the Indiana Department of Labor reminds employers and workers.

Every day, about 2,000 U.S. workers injure their eyes severely enough to need medical treatment, according to NIOSH. With May being Healthy Vision Month, let’s take a look at how workers can protect their eyes.

Not all risks hold equal weight. For example, focusing efforts on reducing the frequency of safety-related incidents doesn’t necessarily lead to a reduction in the severity of incidents.

The “blue line” is defined as the path workers take to get their work done. The National Safety Council adds: “Blue line reviews are field observations of work by leaders with the goal of better understanding how work is actually performed.”

Identifying and correcting hazards in the workplace helps ensure workers safely return home to their families. OSHA, via its Safe + Sound campaign, says employers can do many things to encourage workers to find and fix hazards.

Contact with electricity is one of the leading causes of fatalities in construction, according to OSHA.

Did you know? Flammable liquids are required to be stored in approved glass, plastic or metal containers.

When you’re at work, take time to stop, look and see the dangers around you.

Extension cords can be found in many types of workplaces, from offices and warehouses to retail stores and construction jobsites. Unfortunately, they’re often misused.

Severed fingers and toes are injuries commonly associated with using truck liftgates. So are crushed feet.