Washington — Vehicle-mounted electronic signs indicating that tow truck drivers and first responders are roadside may have significant outcomes for worker safety.

When selecting an extension cord for use with a power tool or high-powered machine, cord length is not the only thing that should be considered. Improper use of extension cords can easily cause appliances to overheat and can lead to fire.

Although it is a commonplace activity on many worksites, charging a lead-acid battery can be an extremely hazardous task. NIOSH identifies a number of associated hazards: the hydrogen gas formed while the battery is charging, the poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid present in the battery fluid, the possibility of short circuits causing burns or explosions, and the risk of electric shock.

Inattention to electrical hazards can lead to burns, shocks and electrocution. It is important to always be mindful of any potential electrical risks, both on and off the job.

Improperly using electrical equipment can create very serious hazards for workers. Special safety features built into equipment often are rendered ineffective when equipment is manipulated or misused.

Electrical hazards cause more than 300 electrocutions and 4,000 injuries in the workplace each year, according to the Rosslyn, VA-based Electrical Safety Foundation International. Many of these incidents could have been avoided with increased awareness about electricity, according to the organization.

Although injuries from electrical hazards represent a fraction of total on-the-job injuries, they are more likely to result in death than injuries from other causes, according to the Arlington, VA-based Electrical Safety Foundation International.

Understanding electrical safety on the job is critical. But can you separate electrical safety myths from facts?

When thinking about where electrical hazards are commonly found, your first thought likely isn’t your office. However, the Georgia Institute of Technology states that electrical equipment used in offices can be hazardous and result in serious injuries if not properly maintained.

OSHA recommends workers follow eight “rules to live by” regarding downed electrical lines.

A 62-year-old mechanic died after being crushed when the 994-pound electrical cabinet he was working on tipped over.

Exposure to electricity resulted in 141 workplace fatalities and 2,090 cases with days away from work in 2013, according to the 2016 edition of “Injury Facts,” a chartbook from the National Safety Council. How can workers stay safe?

On-the-job electrical hazards are more common than people may realize.

Struggling to figure out how to remove or minimize human error in the workplace? The simple answer is to adopt a three-step technological approach of “monitor, inspect and manage” to create an ecosystem of safety-focused operations that remove the human element’s risk.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Workers in a wide variety of jobs and industries wear high-visibility safety apparel to alert others of their presence, particularly in dark or dim places. Users include utility linemen, construction workers, police officers and school bus drivers, to name a few.

The need and value of personal protective equipment and worker safety have surged over the past two years. More than ever, it is imperative that organizations ensure they mitigate the risk of workplace hazards for their employees as well as their business’s sustainability.

Perth, Australia – Promoting activity in the workplace can help reduce sitting time, but not by much among workers with fixed schedules, according to a new study from Curtin University.

Olympia, WA – Workers are spending more time on computers and, as a result, the percentage of office workers with musculoskeletal issues is increasing, according to an ergonomics evaluation study conducted by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

Chicago — Eye safety and protection should be a workplace priority, advocacy group Prevent Blindness is reminding employers and employees.

The Clipless Steel Guarding Line is used to create robotic guards, safety guards, welding cells, conveyor guards and more. The core characteristics of the steel guarding – easy assembly, sized to exact specifications, simple modifications and modularity – remain the same.

These custom belt guards are built with a low-cost design process through lean manufacturing.

Washington — OSHA is warning workers involved in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene to be aware of hazards caused by flooding, power outages, structural damage, fallen trees and storm debris.

Washington — The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 requires pesticide manufacturers to translate safety and health information on product labels into Spanish. New and updated resources from the Environmental Protection Agency are intended to help.

Washington — NIOSH has established a center to “better protect firefighters and be able to identify and prevent new and emerging hazards in the fire service earlier and faster” through research and service.

Washington — New videos from OSHA feature safe practices for workers tasked with cleaning up after a flood or using a portable generator.

Blacksburg, VA — The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab is planning to venture outside of sports and recreation to create ratings for safety helmets.

Birmingham, England — Workers who feel stuck in a job they want to leave are more likely to respond to perceived safety-related wrongdoing with retaliatory behavior – even when employers show support.

Columbus, OH — Moisture and mold go together – even in space – so it’s important to control dust and humidity in space stations to protect astronauts, researchers say.

What factors need to be considered in selecting an emergency eyewash station?

Vantage 180 is a lightweight, multi-function light that easily attaches to full-brim fire helmets, but also can be used as a handheld or right-angle light.

Welding processes are classified into two groups: fusion welding, which is heat alone, and pressure welding, which uses heat and pressure. Fusion welding involves three types: electric arc, gas and thermit.

The National Fire Protection Association notes that portable fire extinguishers can “save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives, but portable extinguishers have limitations.”

Does your workplace have vehicles or equipment that are fueled onsite? If so, certain precautions are necessary.