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OIG to OSHA: Plan for better collaboration with other agencies during health and safety crises

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.




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Chemical Safety Board calls for stronger standards on reactive chemicals

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.




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Annual truck and bus brake inspection blitz set for Aug. 21-27

Greenbelt, MD — Commercial motor vehicle inspectors throughout North America will conduct announced and unannounced brake system inspections Aug. 21-27 during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week.




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Brake Safety Day: Unannounced inspections park nearly 1,300 unsafe trucks and buses

Greenbelt, MD — A recent, unannounced inspection blitz of trucks and buses resulted in 14.1% of those checked being placed out of service for brake-related violations, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance announced June 22.




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Fall-related deaths and injuries in construction spur OSHA weekend inspection initiative

Denver — Deaths and serious injuries resulting from falls in the construction industry in recent years have prompted OSHA to launch an initiative to inspect worksites across Colorado’s Front Range, Montana and South Dakota on weekends, “when many employers typically do not monitor their jobsites well.”




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CVSA releases results of annual truck and bus brake inspection blitz

Greenbelt, MD — Commercial motor vehicle inspectors across North America conducted 38,117 brake system inspections and identified 5,059 vehicles – or 13.3% – with out-of-service conditions during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week, the organization announced recently.




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Brake inspection blitz takes unsafe trucks and buses off the road

Greenbelt, MD — Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspectors placed 11.3% of the trucks and buses they examined out of service for brake-related violations during a recent, unannounced inspection initiative.




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On the Safe Side podcast Episode 40: Eye/face protection and safety walkarounds

In Episode 40, the S+H team examines the June issue’s feature story on eye and face protection. Also, Tarah Kile, director of Michigan OSHA’s Consultation, Education and Training Division, discusses safety walkarounds in the “5 Questions With …” segment.




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Annual truck and bus brake inspection blitz nears

Greenbelt, MD — Commercial motor vehicle inspectors throughout North America will conduct announced and unannounced brake system inspections Aug. 20-26 during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week.




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Annual ‘Roadcheck’ spotlights out-of-service vehicle and driver violations

Greenbelt, MD — The results of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 36th annual International Roadcheck are in.




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Injury and illness rates in warehouses are too high, OIG tells OSHA

Washington — OSHA hasn’t “effectively addressed” elevated injury and illness rates in the warehousing industry, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General contends.




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CVSA brake inspection blitz sidelines 1 in 8 trucks and buses

Greenbelt, MD — The results are in for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual Brake Safety Week.




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Annual truck and bus ‘Roadcheck’ set for May 14-16

Greenbelt, MD — Inspectors across North America will examine braking systems, lights, tires, and other commercial truck and bus equipment during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 37th annual International Roadcheck.




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Fall Protection remains atop OSHA’s annual ‘Top 10’ list of most frequently cited standards

Orlando, FL — For the 14th consecutive fiscal year, Fall Protection – General Requirements is OSHA’s most frequently cited standard, the agency and Safety+Health announced during the 2024 NSC Safety Congress & Expo.




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Standard earmuff

The Tonedown 200 Standard EarMuff has adjustable earcups and a comfortable tension band.




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Psychological health and safety

What is ISO 45003? What insights does it provide on psychological health and safety in the workplace?




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Preventing slips, trips and falls

Reduce your risk of slips, trips and falls by keeping floors clean and clear of clutter, maintaining good lighting both indoors and on outdoor walkways, and more.




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Use caution near roof and floor openings, skylights

Falls through skylights and roof and floor openings can cause severe injuries and, in the worst case, death. According to NIOSH, workers should follow these tips to protect themselves:




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FACE Report: Father and son painters killed when ladder contacts power line

A 55-year-old painting contractor and his 27-year-old son were electrocuted when the aluminum extension ladder they were moving contacted an overhead power line.




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Construction Risks and Safety Standards

This white paper aims to provide an overview of key OSHA standards for many of the hazards in the construction industry, frequently cited construction violations and PPE solutions that can help protect workers.




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Forklifts: Safe Operation and Training

This newly updated white paper includes valuable safety and compliance tips from J. J. Keller experts on important forklift topics such as equipment design, modifications/additions, operator training and more.




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Top OSHA Training Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Download a new white paper featuring valuable tips and insights from J. J. Keller’s experts to ensure your OSHA training program is effective and compliant. Learn how to identify your training needs, avoid common missteps and more.




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Trends in ... instruments and monitors

Many workers rely on instruments and monitors, including noise dosimeters and gas monitors, to help keep them safe.




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Working in a winter wonderland

Watching snow fall can be a beautiful sight. But for outdoor workers or commuters, it’s a sign of danger.




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Understanding hypothermia

Working in cold conditions can be unpleasant, uncomfortable and even dangerous if proper safety precautions aren’t followed.




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The definitive guide to understanding ice cleats and traction aids

Download this guide to learn everything you need to know about the different types of ice cleats and traction aids.




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Protect against the cold: Tips for employers and workers

A thorough workplace safety and health plan should include steps to protect workers from cold-related hazards. This is particularly important for workers in the services, transportation, construction and agriculture industries.




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Use caution with cough and cold medications

Fall means cold and flu season is almost upon us, and store shelves are lined with a variety of products made to treat common symptoms. But those medications can be toxic when not used properly, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.




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MSHA releases winter safety checklist for mine workers and operators

Arlington, VA — As winter approaches, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has released best practices aimed at reducing hazards related to cold weather.




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On the Safe Side podcast Episode 36: Working in cold weather and ladder safety

In Episode 36, the S+H team dives into the February issue’s feature story on the hazards of working in cold weather. Additionally, Mike Kassman, director of OSHA and disaster response training at CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training, discusses ladder safety.




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Powered elevating hand truck

The LNB-2 is the next generation in powered-elevating two-wheel hand trucks.




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Gantry crane and material basket

This free-standing gantry crane lifts and lowers material baskets, allowing for the transport of tools, brick pallets, equipment and more.




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5 steps to properly wash your hands

CDC provides tips on how and when to wash your hands, and comments on the effectiveness of hand sanitizers.




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‘Presenteeism’ and ‘leavism’: Bad for workers, bad for business

Anyone who has gone to school or has a job has probably heard the term “absenteeism.” But what about “presenteeism” and “leavism”? Although not as widely talked about, both presenteeism and leavism can have serious health and safety repercussions for both workers and employers.




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Working women and menopause: How employers can help

Menopause, when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops permanently, typically occurs between age 45 and 55. According to the National Institutes of Health, it can last anywhere from seven to 14 years.




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On the Safe Side podcast Episode 44: Respirable crystalline silica and mental health at work

In Episode 44, the S+H team examines the October issue’s feature story on respirable crystalline silica. Also, Suzi Craig, vice president of workplace mental health at Mental Health America, joins the podcast to discuss normalizing conversations and attitudes around mental health in the “Five Questions With …” segment. 




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Push-and-twist earplugs

Glide Earplugs allow users to determine custom fit with its unique curved stem design.




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Stand up against ergo injuries

Equipment such as adjustable chairs and ergonomic mouse pads can help prevent strain among workers sitting at a desk. But workers required to stand for long periods of time are subject to strain injuries that cannot be prevented with such equipment.




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Whole-body vibration and back pain

Whole-body vibration occurs when mechanical energy oscillations are transferred to the body as a whole, commonly through a seat or platform.




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Understanding hand tool ergonomics

It’s important to exercise good ergonomics throughout the day. If you use hand tools as part of your job, keep the following in mind.




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A better understanding of carpal tunnel syndrome

What is carpal tunnel syndrome, and where is the carpal tunnel? Mayo Clinic explains: The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway located on the palm-side of your wrist that “protects a main nerve to your hand and the nine tendons that bend your fingers.” Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compressing this nerve, which produces “numbness, tingling and, eventually, hand weakness.”




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Keep older workers healthy and productive

Nearly 20 percent of the U.S. workforce is older than 65, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By 2020, 1 in 4 American workers will be older than 55.




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Motivate safety and reduce injuries fast with wearables

Download this white paper from Soter Analytics to learn how wearable technologies can automate ergonomic training processes, motivate workers and drive down injury rates as much as 55%.




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COVID-19 pandemic: Michigan OSHA launches emphasis program on office worker protections, remote work policies

Lansing, MI — Michigan OSHA has launched a state emphasis program focused on protecting workers in office settings, where community spread of COVID-19 is a risk.




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Workplace vaping is common – and co-workers don’t like it, survey finds

Washington — About two-thirds of employees say they’ve observed co-workers vaping, while a nearly equal amount believe the secondhand vapors from e-cigarettes and other vaping devices are at least moderately harmful to their own health, according to the results of a recent survey.




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Workers want employers to do more to address mental health impacts of pandemic: survey

San Francisco — Around half of workers say their employer isn’t doing enough to address the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by Total Brain, a mental health and brain performance platform provider.




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Office workers taking handwashing seriously in light of virus variants: survey

Menomonee Falls, WI — Around 70% of office workers say they’re washing their hands more often because of new strains of the virus that causes COVID-19, while about half avoid shaking hands with others, results of a recent survey show.




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Toilet lids and trash cans: Study explores disease transmission in public restrooms

Adelaide, Australia — Open toilet lids, defective plumbing drains and uncovered trash cans may increase the risk of bacterial and viral disease transmission in public restrooms, according to a recent research review.




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Remote work amid COVID-19 pandemic led to spikes in mental, physical issues: survey

Los Angeles — A recent survey of people who worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic shows that nearly three-quarters experienced new mental health issues, while 65% developed new physical issues.




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Is the surface of your smartphone hosting allergens and asthma triggers?

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.