Safety+Health presents a look at OSHA’s most cited violations and largest penalties for fiscal year 2014. Also: A Q&A with the deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs.

Washington — NIOSH, OSHA and the Center for Construction Research and Training – also known as CPWR – are offering a number of free online resources to help employers prepare for the sixth annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, set to take place May 6-10.

Quick access to an emergency eyewash/shower station is vital in the event of an incident.

Disasters can manifest in a variety of ways. Taking preventive measures and planning ahead can help you remain calm in an emergency.

Pressure washers are used to clean large areas, including buildings, parking lots, vehicles and other machinery. These high-powered tools also are used in disaster cleanup. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a pressure washer’s intense spray can cause wounds and other serious injuries that may at first appear minor.

Which locations in my building are at highest risk for water leaks, and how can I prevent them?

Washington – Two new fact sheets from OSHA provide information intended to protect workers from combustible dust explosion hazards and agricultural emergencies.

Washington — OSHA recently announced the start of a three-month increase of inspections at hospitals and nursing care facilities that treat COVID-19 patients.

Washington — OSHA will begin identifying and citing workplaces that haven’t complied with the agency’s requirement to submit Form 300A – an annual summary of worker injury and illness data, under a newly adopted enforcement program.

Washington — Understaffed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA “lost a valuable opportunity” to better protect workers by “not identifying federal partners in a position to assist during a large-scale safety and health crisis,” concludes a Department of Labor Office of Inspector General audit report released March 31.

Washington — “It is past time for regulators to fully recognize the hazards presented by reactive chemicals,” Katherine Lemos, chair and CEO of the Chemical Safety Board, says in a new video in which the agency calls on OSHA and the Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen their standards on these substances.

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board says it will resume providing updates on incident investigations to “provide important initial information” on agency developments.

Washington — Safety scofflaws may face increased citations and penalties under an OSHA policy set to go into effect in March.

Atlanta — Hazards in the auto parts supplier industry “continue to be the source of serious injuries, including amputations, and deaths to employees,” OSHA says.

Washington — A look at four incidents – some deadly – involving emergency discharges from pressure release valves has prompted the Chemical Safety Board to issue a safety alert.

Washington — OSHA has launched a National Emphasis Program aimed at reducing and preventing falls in all industries.

Washington — Internal Revenue Service personnel will no longer make unannounced visits to businesses or households, except in certain circumstances.

Greenbelt, MD — Law enforcement officers will have an eye out for reckless, careless or dangerous driving July 7-13 during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Operation Safe Driver Week.

Denver — A new Local Emphasis Program from OSHA is aimed at identifying and reducing workplace hazards associated with cannabis processing, growing, cultivation and product manufacturing.

When educating employees about workplace safety, what can OSH professionals do to accommodate workers who aren’t proficient in English?

As labor markets tighten and operations become leaner, what are some strategies for recruiting and retaining top talent?

What are the top reasons why employers should leverage language learning as a safety solution?

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.

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.

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

Do your workers know how to respond to emergency situations?

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 #3752

Our new collection of AR/FR accessories keep you covered in any environment. The SunShield™ Lightweight Balaclava is moisture-wicking, breathable and protects against harsh sun; the highly versatile Shape Shifter™ Neck Tube gives unlimited wearing options; and the Cold Warrior™ Balaclava sheds rain and snow to keep you warm in punishing temperatures.

Click here for more information from DragonWear by True North Gear

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

Rosemont, IL – The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons is advising people to be cautious when removing snow this winter.

Rosemont, IL – The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is reminding people to follow safe practices while engaging in winter sports such as skiing and ice skating.

Washington – Although winter is coming to an end, OSHA is reminding employers and workers to be cautious when removing snow from roofs and other structures.

Booth #1254

Waldorf College online degree programs can give you the educational tools needed for a career in occupational safety. From the fundamentals of construction safety to accident investigation, our online education courses offer the knowledge essential to becoming an efficient safety professional. Learn and grow with Waldorf today!

Click here for more information from Waldorf College

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

Work-related stress can have serious physical and emotional repercussions. The American Psychological Association states that work-related stress can cause stomach problems, sleep issues, headaches and irritability. Read APA's seven recommendations for managing stress.

Although it’s recommended that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep a night, NIOSH notes that multiple factors may contribute to workers being sleep-deprived.

Night shift workers typically get one to four fewer hours of sleep a day than day shift workers, the American College of Chest Physicians says.

Audition Technology’s white paper summarizes the current global standards for safe listening in the environment and from audio (headphones) and provides a framework for monitoring lifestyle exposures versus safe dose, building awareness and self-management with associated tools offered by the company.

More than 51,000 luggage-related injuries were treated in doctors’ offices, clinics and emergency rooms in 2005, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Boston — Do you eat lunch with co-workers? The food choices – healthy or unhealthy – of your lunch bunch are very likely to influence your own choices, results of a recent study led by researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Massachusetts Amherst show.

San Francisco — Slightly more than 70% of employers expect their workers to want a hybrid model when their physical workplace reopens, but only 55% plan to offer that option, according to the results of a recent survey.

Fort Collins, CO — Ambiguous expectations and undefined work boundaries may put more conscientious remote workers at elevated risk for burnout, dissatisfaction and illness, a recent study suggests.

Barcelona, Spain — Exposure to printer toner, cleaning products and mold circulated in air conditioning systems – along with poor ventilation – can trigger asthma in office workers, results of a recent study out of England suggest.

Oulu, Finland — “Even light physical activity may foster work engagement,” researchers in Finland are saying after studying on- and off-the-job data for more than 6,800 workers.

Adding physical activity to your daily routine could lead to a longer life – regardless of genetic predisposition, say researchers at the University of California, San Diego.

Cologne, Germany — Workers who engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors and encourage their colleagues to do the same can help create a more healthful workplace, results of recent study show.

If you have allergies or asthma, clean your smartphone more often to minimize reaction triggers that may be lurking on the surface, researchers recommend in a recent study.

Washington — OSHA has published a fact sheet and Quick Card intended to help employers protect workers from exposure to lead at indoor firing ranges.

Safety Toolbox Trainer is a one-stop solution for busy safety trainers who need to keep up with their management and compliance obligations on the go.

One serious risk of outdoor work is Lyme disease, which is spread when individuals are bitten by infected ticks. Initial symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, fatigue and skin rash.

You probably know about Lyme disease, and that it’s transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. But have you heard of alpha-gal syndrome?

How can workers reduce fogging when wearing safety eyewear?