Managers say their employees’ personal lives shouldn’t be their concern. However, this isn’t the best approach because workplace mental health is an important matter. It’s a common mistake to forget the human nature of employees. As an employer, it’s important to be compassionate with those who work for you.

On the average construction site, safety is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Rules, OSHA regulations, and standard operating procedures control how crews go about their days. While physical safety is essential, what is often overlooked in heavy industries is the weight of mental health challenges.

Studies have been looking into the effect of stress and other psychosocial factors on employees’ well-being for decades. One of the first efforts to recognize the connection between workplace stress and well-being was the Whitehall Studies from 1967 to the mid-1980s. And studies continue to document the link between the two.

CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will host a special virtual event on Thursday, Nov. 18 with NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and other national experts from labor and medicine on the mental health of the nation’s critical health workforce.

Neuroscience applied to workplace safety has emerged in the past several years as new field in safety. 

Coinciding with Construction Suicide Prevention Week, a task force is calling on construction industry employers, trade groups and other stakeholders to join OSHA’s Suicide Prevention Safety Stand-Down, Sept. 5-9, 2022.

The intent of a “stop work authority” (SWA) when included in a safety program is to empower employees to take action when they see a situation that is unsafe or think a worker may get injured. Though the SWA process and practice may seem as beneficial at many levels in dealing with operational risk and worker safety; there potentially may be some unforeseen barriers or challenges to its actual utilization.

Workplace mental health and well-being are critical in every industry and company. Unfortunately, not all companies take the need for mental health support and resources seriously. The manufacturing industry, in particular, has been deemed one of the worst for mental health and wellness support.

How to use psychological and behavioral knowledge to improve workplace safety. As a safety leader, it’s important to recognize moments when people are looking to you as an example and ensure that your behavior aligns with the values you’re working to instill in others.

Securing employees' physical safety is a top priority for employers in the construction industry. But what about psychological safety? Keeping your employees’ minds in a safe, healthy space is essential, but, unfortunately, mental health care in the construction industry is falling short.

Colors and symbols can affect our emotions, cognition, and actions, and their strategic implementation improves safety outcomes.

It’s vital to help alleviate these outside stressors so your employees become more engaged and productive in all phases of life.

 In the age of customer-centric business models, it's easy to overlook the fundamental role of employees in driving business success. Here's one company's story utilizing a focused approach to enhance employee engagement.

In this episode, editor-at-large Dave Johnson interviews behavioral psychologist Dr. E. Scott Geller. Dr. Geller discusses the uses and misuses of behavior-based safety, why the psychology of safety is more important today than ever, and the need for safety and health professionals to practice empathy, positive psychology, one-on-one conversations, and Actively Caring For People (AC4P).

Another way of feeling safe on your job is in terms of psychological safety. This is mental and emotional safety. Do you feel it’s safe for you to put it out there — opinions and ideas?

Do your employees truly know what to look for and can they recognize the hazards and risks associated with their tasks? Is it psychologically safe to openly recognize hazards and risks and choose safe actions within the culture? 

Those working in industrial jobs face unique physical and mental health challenges that employers should be aware of. Most companies care about the well-being of their workers.

Mike Ettenberg, Founder of Frontline, is a retired firefighter tired of losing or destroying his designer shades in the heat of the frontlines. 

The revised standard strengthens requirements for incident reporting and analysis, and includes modifications that address today’s vehicles, technologies and operating environments.

Are we doing enough to keep firefighters safe? No, we are not – but setting priorities and executing on requirements is easier said than done. 

Research reveals there is actually significant confusion and over-simplification in the differences (and similarities) between hardhats and helmets.

PFAS-based repellents used in safety apparel can potentially lead to adverse health effects so solutions are needed.

Founder of safety footwear for women highlights the unique challenges women face in hazardous work environments.

This powered, two polymer-rail, vertical-rising gate is OSHA-compliant, meeting all standards for fall protection and walking-working surfaces.

Onboarding more personnel, especially in compliance officer and senior executive staff roles, has significantly enhanced OSHA’s oversight capacity.

The hierarchy of controls for respiratory protection is a system designed to minimize or eliminate exposure to airborne contaminants.

Without proper CO2 monitoring, personnel in environments like restaurants, beverage distribution facilities, grow spaces, and laboratories are at significant risk. 

The two organizations will cross-promote volunteering opportunities while sharing content and amplifying the stories of members and member communities.

The Challenge was a three-phase, $350,000 competition aimed at improving respirator fit evaluation.

Non-FR/AR rainwear can ignite and melt when exposed to flames or electrical arcs, exacerbating injuries.

Self-retracting lifeline is made for utility crews working at height.

Hand protection for those working with risk of fire, arc flash and cuts.

Four new models for Fall 2024.

This shift towards eco-conscious construction responds to escalating environmental concerns, evolving regulations, and growing consumer demand for sustainable living spaces. 

Designed for any terrain, new boot offers style and protection. 

Designed for any terrain, new boot offers style and protection. 

The guide provides a structure by which employers can assess, plan, and implement strategies and practices that support mine worker mental health and address harmful opioid use.  

OSHA found the Missouri grain cooperative had not completed a required bin entry permit before allowing the worker inside. 

A 27-year-old rigger suffered fatal injuries after falling approximately 30 stories.

OSHA investigation finds operator of three Massachusetts waterproofing contracting companies could have prevented an employee from dying in February 2024 when part of a foundation broke and fell.

Employees were using a forklift to take stone slabs off a storage rack when the slab became unsecured and struck the worker. OSHA investigators find it could have been prevented. 

Regular inspections and the implementation of advanced technologies, such as IoT sensors, are essential for early risk detection and prevention of catastrophic events.

The Institute is a collective of in-field and C-suite environmental, health & safety expertise.

Preliminary agency data show a decrease in fatalities the agency is mandated to investigate, including significant reductions in fatal injuries from trench collapses and falls.

The revised standard is helping to elevate World Standards Week, an event held Nov. 12-14 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to promote best practices in workplace safety.

A new study by NIOSH reports that more than half (53%) of the workers don’t use hearing protection “always” or “usually” when encountering dangerous noise levels.

With plant-based ingredients in high demand, formulators oftentimes are turning to hydrocolloid solutions to deliver the stabilization these beverages need.

Current trends for health-and-wellness, plant-based, reduced-sugar and functional beverages, for example, easily can affect the taste, mouthfeel and overall beverage experience. Thus, beverage formulators engage masking ingredients to fight off any unwanted effects.

Today, as people are increasingly seeking out ways that proactively support overall well-being, experts note that citrus ingredients that contain vitamin C continue to attract attention.

With the functional beverage space growing dramatically, experts note that consumer interest in botanicals and adaptogens is on the rise.