Electrical incidents happen daily, putting lives and operational continuity at risk. However, there are ways companies can reduce the occurrence of these incidents and protect everyone concerned from the physical, financial, and statutory consequences.

The life cycle of electrical assets typically spans 25-30 years under ideal conditions. However, many companies don’t maintain their electrical assets, which may result in reduced asset life.

In Episode 45, the S+H team examines the November issue’s feature story on common electrical safety errors. Also, T.J. Lentz, a lead health scientist at NIOSH, joins the podcast to discuss workplace chemical safety in the “Five Questions With …” segment.

Oakland, CA – The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s heat illness prevention Special Emphasis Program led to 3,575 inspections in 2014 – about one-third of which resulted in heat-related citations – the agency has announced.

Oakland, CA – With warm weather approaching, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health is urging employers of outdoor workers to begin preparing for hot temperatures.

Sacramento, CA – The California Department of Industrial Relations has issued a new guidance document to help familiarize employers on the state’s updated heat illness prevention rules, which are set to go into effect May 1.

Washington – As hot weather approaches, OSHA is placing potentially lifesaving information at outdoor workers’ fingertips.

Iowa City, IA – A new campaign is reminding farmers about the dangers of skin cancer and heat stress, and how to stay protected.

Washington – A new YouTube video from OSHA aims to inform workers of all ages about the importance of taking precautions against heat illness.

Silver Spring, MD – An online resource offers guidance for employers and employees on preventing heat illnesses in the workplace.

Fort Lauderdale, FL – More than 9 out of 10 heat-related injuries among military service members stem from non-combat operations, according to researchers from the Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute.

Working outside in the sun can cause serious skin problems, including burns and skin cancer.

If you’ve ever come in contact with poison ivy, you know how unpleasant it can be. And for many outdoor workers, poisonous plants are a common hazard.

Silver Spring, MD – With summer only days away, the Center for Construction Research and Training – also known as CPWR – has issued a hazard alert about heat risks and precautions workers can take to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Washington – NIOSH and OSHA recently teamed up to update a heat safety mobile app that uses temperature and humidity to measure heat index values.

Does your workplace really need to be prepared for the possibility of a tornado? The answer is “Yes.” Tornadoes can occur anywhere and at any time, OSHA states, adding that an average of 800 tornadoes are reported across the nation every year. So, what can employers do to help keep employees safe in the event of a tornado?

What can employers and employees do to help prevent heat stress during the summer?

Washington – OSHA has launched its annual summer campaign to remind employers and employees about the dangers of working outdoors in hot weather.

Summer is here, which means the weather is warmer, more people are on the roads and highway construction work is underway.

Muncie, IN — Concerts, fireworks, auto races, road construction and mowing the lawn are all summertime happenings that can cause permanent hearing damage, cautions Ball State University audiologist Lynn Bielski.

Washington — As warmer summer temperatures approach, OSHA has unveiled a new poster intended to help workers reduce their risk of heat-related illness.

Why do individual workers respond to heat so differently?

Washington — Ensuring workers are properly hydrated is essential for preventing heat-related illnesses, OSHA is reminding employers.

Seven facts about on-the-job heat exposure

How can safety software help us prepare for summertime heat?

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.

What are some common misconceptions about treating heat-related illnesses?

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 NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace has been updated for 2015.

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.

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

DuPont offers organizations one of the industry’s most powerful suites of blended-learning solutions – including instructor-led training, online training and traditional media.

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

SPAN is the world leader in safety professional exam preparation workshops and self-study workbooks.

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.

Vivid’s Mobile Solution automatically detects PCs, Macs and mobile devices and serves the optimal experience to each.

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