Suspension trauma is a rare occurrence, but it is important to know the warning signs to reduce the hazard.

Consistent and thorough inspections of scaffolding are crucial to ensure worker safety.

Fall protection is designed to save a worker’s life, but it also can create risks in certain situations. If a worker is suspended for too long, he or she may develop what is known as suspension trauma.

Reduce your risk of slips, trips and falls by keeping floors clean and clear of clutter, maintaining good lighting both indoors and on outdoor walkways, and more.

Fall protection systems may prevent a serious injury or fatality. However, if a worker wearing fall protection gear falls and is suspended in a static upright position for an extended period of time, too much blood can accumulate in the veins and blood flow cannot normalize.

Although truck drivers and delivery workers are exposed to a number of traffic-related hazards every day, one hazard that may not be apparent is the risk of falling from a vehicle.

Scaffolds can be a safer and more productive way to work than ladders, but they must be set up correctly, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health warns, noting that the majority of fatal falls among construction workers in Massachusetts involve scaffolds.

Work-related falls can result in severe injuries and death. According to the National Safety Council, falls to a lower level were the second leading cause of workplace fatalities in 2009, behind highway crashes.

Falls through skylights and roof and floor openings can cause severe injuries and, in the worst case, death. According to NIOSH, workers should follow these tips to protect themselves:

If a worker wearing fall protection falls and is left suspended in the air too long, he or she may develop suspension trauma.

Building scaffolding for work projects can present numerous serious hazards to employees. According to OSHA, injuries related to scaffolds include falls, tip-overs, being struck by falling equipment, and coming into contact with energized power lines.

Between 2003 and 2013, falls were the leading cause of death in the construction industry, resulting in more than 3,500 fatalities, according to OSHA. During that time, falls from roofs made up roughly 34 percent of the deaths – all of which were preventable.

Imagine this scenario: A construction worker is replacing shingles on the roof of a two-story house 20 feet above ground. He loses his footing and slips, falling off the roof. He’s wearing a fall-arrest system, and as a result is saved from death. But he’s not out of danger yet.

Falling from height, electrical hazards, inclement weather, equipment failure and structural collapse of towers are some of the hazards that communication tower workers face, according to OSHA. The agency recorded 13 communication tower-related fatalities in 2013, 12 in 2014, three in 2015 and six in 2016.

Violations of OSHA’s scaffolding standard (1926.451) are a mainstay on the agency’s annual Top 10 list of most cited standards, ranking fourth in fiscal year 2020 and third in FY 2019.

A 55-year-old painting contractor and his 27-year-old son were electrocuted when the aluminum extension ladder they were moving contacted an overhead power line.

Rounding out the top five on OSHA’s Top 10 list of most cited violations for fiscal year 2022 is scaffolding (1926.451), with 2,285 violations. Violations of this standard are a mainstay on the list year after year.

Not all construction risks can be completely eliminated, so leaders must prevent injury and loss by understanding the specific hazards of various jobsites and providing the proper personal protective equipment for worker tasks.

This white paper aims to provide an overview of key OSHA standards for many of the hazards in the construction industry, frequently cited construction violations and PPE solutions that can help protect workers.

Designed for working at height, self-retracting lifelines “extend and retract automatically, which keeps the lifeline in consistent tension while allowing the wearer to move around within a work area,” says the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

Scissor lifts – named for the way the lifting mechanism’s crossed beams raise and lower the work platform – are often used by manufacturing, warehouse and construction workers.

A 34-year-old installer and a co-worker were installing gutters on a two-story residential home.

On-the-job training can be helpful for new employees, for those who switch job roles, or when your organization begins using new equipment or methods. However, such training requires special attention, according to the National Safety Council.

Do your employees know what to do in the event of a fire or a tornado? What about a nearby chemical spill or a gunman in the building? Ready.gov, a FEMA website aimed at educating people about preparing and responding to emergencies, urges all employers to train workers on evacuation, sheltering and lockdown procedures.

An active shooter situation is a scenario many people don’t want to think about – but it’s important to be prepared.

Safety and health training should begin as soon as employees are hired, the National Safety Council states, because workers generally will be open to ideas and information about how their new organization operates.

No one can keep an entire organization safe on his or her own. Collaboration is needed to create a strong safety culture in which everyone looks out for each other.

Laughter “opens the door to get our safety message out,” experts say – but it needs to be used carefully.

This detailed white paper will help you increase the impact of your sexual harassment prevention training.

A key principle of OSHA’s Safe + Sound campaign is “worker participation.” (The others: “find and fix hazards” and “management leadership.”)

Simply put, “lockout/tagout is a safety procedure used to make sure equipment and machines are properly shut off and not able to start during maintenance or repair work,” the Texas Department of Insurance says. “This is known as controlling hazardous energy.”

This newly updated white paper includes valuable safety and compliance tips from J. J. Keller experts on important forklift topics such as equipment design, modifications/additions, operator training and more.

How much do employers spend on training? What types do they use? The results of the 2022 Safety+Health Training Survey are in.

Thinking about creating an in-house first aid response team? Here are five tips for getting started.

This free white paper contains useful tips and insights from J. J. Keller experts to help you understand the training requirements that apply to your organization. It covers important topics such as OSHA expectations, refresher training, recordkeeping and more.

Download a new white paper featuring valuable tips and insights from J. J. Keller’s experts to ensure your OSHA training program is effective and compliant. Learn how to identify your training needs, avoid common missteps and more.

In Episode 32, the S+H editorial team dives into the October issue’s feature story on how to help reduce the stigma around workers’ mental health. The team also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced changes in safety training.

This white paper features helpful tips from J. J. Keller’s human resources experts, covering important sexual harassment prevention training topics such as the bystander approach, teaching civility, individual state training requirements and more.

Does your workplace have a safety committee? If not, the new year is the perfect time to get one started.

Keeping workers comfortable and productive on the job often starts with taking care of their feet. Download a free training presentation to start sharing foot safety facts with your crew at your next safety meeting.

How much do employers spend on training? What types do they use? The results of the 2023 Safety+Health Training Survey are in.

If a fire broke out at your workplace, would workers know what to do? Do they know what procedures to follow?

How much do employers spend on training? What types do they use? Check out the results of our annual training survey.

Keeping workers comfortable and productive on the job often starts with taking care of their feet. Download a free training presentation to start sharing foot safety facts with your crew at your next safety meeting.

Safe + Sound Week is intended to recognize the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offer information and ideas on how to keep workers safe.

Booth # 3152

Help reduce slips and falls in slick or wet environments with our proprietary rubber sole compound and tread pattern. Laboratory and field tests reveal superior performance on a wide range of flooring conditions. STABILgrippers can easily be washed by hand in hot, soapy water, or can simply be thrown in the dishwasher.

Click here for more information from 32North, STABILicers

Product information is provided by manufacturers. This publication has not independently tested manufacturers' products and cannot assume responsibility for the validity of product claims.

Booth #2747

Founded in 1924, the production of ABUS padlocks has set a worldwide benchmark for security. “Made in Germany” stands worldwide for excellent engineering and the highest quality levels. Products include various grades of padlocks, chains and cables, file bars, diskus locks, lockout tagout devices, and more. Visit www.abus.com for more information.

Click here for more information from ABUS USA

Product information is provided by manufacturers. This publication has not independently tested manufacturers' products and cannot assume responsibility for the validity of product claims.

Booth #1565

The “Career Paths in Safety” brochure shows BCSP’s certification options at basic, technologist and technician, trainer, and professional levels. It outlines safety education, experience and job roles. “Career Paths in Safety” includes information on BCSP’s certifications including the CSP, ASP, OHST, CHST, STS, STSC and CET.

Click here for more information from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals

Product information is provided by manufacturers. This publication has not independently tested manufacturers' products and cannot assume responsibility for the validity of product claims.

GuardianCoil® Coiled Wire Fabric Machine Guards are widely used in the manufacturing and fabrication industries to guard operators from ejected parts and debris during machine use. Available in numerous sizes, our kits fit most hydraulic presses and equipment. Plus, we can design and manufacture custom machine guards for special applications.

Click here for more information from Cascade Coil Drapery, Inc.

Product information is provided by manufacturers. This publication has not independently tested manufacturers' products and cannot assume responsibility for the validity of product claims.

Booth #2917

The B.S. in Occupational Safety and Health degree will provide students with a flexible, relevant, and current curriculum that will include opportunities for students to demonstrate a depth of knowledge in safety and health theory and technology necessary to function at the safety and health professional level in industry.

Click here for more information from Columbia Southern University

Product information is provided by manufacturers. This publication has not independently tested manufacturers' products and cannot assume responsibility for the validity of product claims.