Seven facts about on-the-job heat exposure

Washington — A Spanish-language version of a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences resource intended to help employers identify and implement steps to protect workers from heat stress is now available.

We have some 10- and 12-hour work shifts. How do we account for the longer noise exposure times under OSHA reporting requirements, and should we be adjusting our criteria for determining which employees should be included in our hearing conservation program?

What are Personal Attenuation Ratings and can they be used in lieu of annual audiograms?

What can be done to minimize or eliminate artifacts and uncertainties from my noise dosimetry results, and to determine whether or not these were caused intentionally?

What hearing protection is most appropriate for arc flash hazard areas?

Can you tell me more about hearing protection products that help provide situational awareness at work?

My earmuffs are too bulky. What other types of hearing protection can I use? Are there other ways I can preserve my hearing?

What is “acoustical confusion,” and what are some solutions to this problem?

How does fit checking minimize the risk of hearing loss claims and help workers properly use hearing protection products?

A growing number of workers wear hearing aids, such as behind-the-ear or in-canal models, that can’t be used with foam earplugs. What does OSHA allow, and what actually works to mask most noise but allow conversations with earplug-wearing co-workers?

What is double hearing protection, and when is it needed?

How can employers alleviate noise hazards above and beyond using hearing protection?

Can noise-canceling hearing aids serve as my hearing protection at work?

How can bringing a hearing testing program in-house improve workflow efficiencies?

The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health degree will provide students with a flexible, relevant and current curriculum that includes 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.

Human factors safety training can help reduce the impact of human error on your injury rate and bottom line.

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The J. J. Keller EyeCue Visual Learning System uses a simple yet effective three-step process.

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PureSafety is a simple, powerful solution for safety training management.

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United Academy is an effective training solution that uses cutting-edge technology to minimize the overall cost and complexity of operator and safety training, as well as the credential tracking for customers and employees.

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HSTC at The University of Texas at Austin is proud to offer Associate Safety Professional and Certified Safety Professional exam prep courses.

It’s hard to go anywhere these days without seeing people with smartphones – and safety professionals have noticed this, too. So will safety training of the future involve a touch screen?

Washington – OSHA has issued a proposed rule that would update personal protective equipment requirements to incorporate the latest American National Standards Institute’s eye and face protection standard.

Washington – An updated resource from OSHA emphasizes the importance of maintaining emergency eyewash stations so the water does not become contaminated and lead to potential infections.

Washington – OSHA has issued a final rule that revises requirements for face and eye protection for workers in general industry, construction and longshoring, as well as at shipyards and marine terminals.

San Francisco – Ninety percent of on-the-job eye injuries could be avoided if workers wore eye protection, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Gaithersburg, MD — Many laser protective eyewear products may not be adequately tested – by both manufacturers and end users – for lasers that emit high-power, ultrafast pulses, potentially putting workers at risk, according to a study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Experts offer insight into ways this essential personal protective equipment can be misused or overlooked.

Dublin — Frontline health care workers treating COVID-19 patients can reduce their risk of developing a facial pressure injury caused by prolonged use of personal protective equipment by using the contents of a specially designed “care bundle,” claim researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Chicago — No matter where work gets done, “protecting vision should always be a priority,” advocacy group Prevent Blindness is reminding employers.

Geneva — Occupational safety and health programs should identify and assess the on-the-job risks to eye health, the International Labor Organization says.

Washington — Honeywell Safety Products has issued a voluntary recall of nonsterile eyewash cartridges after a supplier was found to be noncompliant with current good manufacturing practice regulations.

Respirators are vital pieces of protective equipment in many workplaces, protecting workers against harmful fumes and contaminants. But respirators cannot do their job effectively if they are not properly fitted.

Work-related hearing loss is the second most self-reported occupational illness or injury, according to NIOSH. An estimated 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise on the job, with the most at-risk industries being agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing and utilities, transportation, and military.

Approximately 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work, according to NIOSH. Hearing damage caused by exposure to loud noise may occur long before changes in hearing are perceived.

Although disposable respirators cannot completely protect a worker from inhaling airborne particles, they can reduce the number of particles inhaled.

Eye and face injuries commonly are caused by flying or falling objects, or sparks striking the eye. Different types of hazards may require different types of protection, including goggles, faceshields or wielding shields.

The workplace can create many hazards for your hands, whether from chemicals, cuts or burns. No single glove can provide appropriate protection for every work situation, so it is important to assess the risk for each task and select a glove that provides specialized protection.

When handling chemicals, it is important that workers protect their hands.

Wearing the wrong kind of protective footwear on the job can cause discomfort, calluses, ingrown toenails and generally tired feet.

A construction worker removes his hard hat because he is too warm. An engineer refuses to wear head protection, as she has “never been hurt before.” A utility worker thinks hard hats make him look silly and removes his every chance he gets.

Making sure respirators are in proper working order is critical to ensuring they perform as intended. The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety recommends following a number of steps when caring for your respirator.

Well-fitting, appropriate footwear is critical to keeping workers comfortable while protecting them against on-the-job injuries. The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety offers information to help make the right selection.

Toluene is a clear and colorless liquid that turns to vapor when exposed to air at room temperature. According to OSHA, it’s often used in a mixture with other solvents and chemicals, such as paint pigments, so employees who work with paint, metal cleaners and adhesives may be at risk for exposure.

The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety describes latex as a milky sap produced by certain plants, shrubs and trees, including the commercial rubber tree Havea braziliensis. This protein substance has been identified by researchers as a major source of latex allergies.

Metallic mercury is a liquid at room temperature and can readily evaporate into the air. It’s also a potent neurotoxin that, in small amounts, can cause serious health problems, according to the California Department of Public Health.