Falls continue to plague the construction industry. According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of death in construction.

A spike in lost-time injuries and illnesses resulting from “environmental cold” suggests a lack of understanding of cold stress and how to avoid related injuries.

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.

Washington — Citing the increased circulation of airborne viruses when temperatures drop, “indoor air quality in the workplace during cold weather is especially critical,” OSHA says in a new alert.

Download this guide from Winter Walking to identify the best traction aids for your organization.

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.

“Workers – both indoors and outdoors – in services, transportation, agriculture, construction and other industries may be exposed to environmental cold stress that can lead to thermal discomfort, and in some cases even severe injuries, illnesses or death,” NIOSH warns.

Protecting workers from frigid outdoor conditions requires awareness, planning and training. We've got seven tips for workers and safety professionals.

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.

Working outdoors already involves many hazards. Add cold temperatures during the winter months, and the number of risks grows.

Miners who work in cold temperatures are at risk for cold stress, which may trigger hypothermia, frostbite, and other injuries and illnesses.

Working with Ludwig System GmbH & Co. KG, OTH Pioneer Rigging has developed an alternative to traditional lifting hooks that helps quicken the rigging process while mitigating risk to workers.

Booth #5653

Local products. Accountable people. We Are Where You Are. For all of your industrial and construction supply needs, visit us at www.Fastenal.com.

Click here for more information from Fastenal Company

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

Booth #4037

By wearing the Tango™ TX1 Single Gas Monitor, which includes two identical sensors for the detection of the same gas, workers will be the safest single-gas monitor users in the world. The Tango’s three-year runtime and patent-pending DualSense® Technology increase worker safety, regardless of bump test frequency, while reducing overall maintenance costs.

Click here for more information from Industrial Scientific Corporation

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

Booth #1104

Visit Booth #1104 at the 2014 NSC Congress & Expo and receive FREE MaxiSigns® V.2 Safety Sign-Making Software (a $499 value)! Try the K-Sun® PEARLabel® 400iXL Pipemarker and Safety Labeling Solution, an Energy Star, high-resolution printer with easy-to-use PipeMarker™ V8 and powerful MaxiLabel® Pro Ver 5 software. Make signs/labels/pipemarkers in-house, on-demand at great savings! Call (800) 622-6312 x214 or email us at info@ksun.com.

Click here for more information from K-Sun Corporation

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

Booth #4517

The Meridian Universal Gas Detector is an innovative gas detection solution. Meridian’s single detector head supports combustible and toxic sensors. Designed for ease of use, Meridian significantly reduces upfront investment and ongoing maintenance costs. With global approvals and SIL2 certification from TUV-Rheinland, Meridian ensures best-in-class performance and safety.

Click here for more information from Scott Safety

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

Booth #4404

Sked, the most versatile rescue stretcher available today, can be hoisted vertically or simply dragged or carried through the smallest of passageways. The Sked and Oregon Spine Splint II, combined with Skedco’s Sked-Evac Tripod and 4:1 mechanical system, can bring immobilized patient through holes as small as 11" x 15".

Click here for more information from Skedco, Inc.

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

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.

Opioid use disorder is defined by Johns Hopkins Medicine as a medical condition in which you’re unable to abstain from using opioids, and behaviors centered around opioid use that interfere with daily life.

Alcohol, cannabis, prescription drugs, fatigue and mental distress can all cause impairment in the workplace. “Impairment risks are everyone’s responsibility,” the National Safety Council says.

Frequently using a computer may cause ergonomics issues, warns the Rosemont, IL-based American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Hartford, CT — Thirty-three percent of people working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic are concerned about their mental health, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by health benefits provider Aetna International.

Bannockburn, IL — Nearly 1 out of 4 workers don’t receive training on COVID-19 safety guidelines, according to a recent survey commissioned by compliance company Stericycle.

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.

Aurora, CO — Raise your cup, coffee drinkers! Drinking one or more cups of caffeinated coffee a day may reduce your risk of heart failure, according to the results of a recent review conducted by researchers from the University of Colorado.

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.

Mill Valley, CA — Seventy percent of workers want their employer to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before fully reopening the office, according to the results of a recent survey commissioned by job research and review company Glassdoor.

Lansing, MI — If you rely on caffeine to provide a brain boost after a poor night of sleep, findings of a recent study from researchers at Michigan State University may give you a jolt.

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.

Menlo Park, CA — More than 40% of employees say they’re more burned out on the job than they were a year ago, and 1 out of 3 plan to take at least three weeks of vacation this year, recent survey results show.

Atlanta — Almost three-quarters of U.S. employees are concerned about workplace safety standards and cleanliness as a protection against COVID-19, according to the results of a recent 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.

Ljubljana, Slovenia — Work intensity is the most commonly identified risk factor for daily stress on the job, European researchers have concluded after conducting a research review.

Guildford, England — Commuters are more likely to bike to work when the average speed of vehicle traffic along their route is below 20 mph, results of a recent study out of England suggest.

San Diego — Saying “thank you” and expressing other forms of gratitude to co-workers can lead to better cardiovascular response in high-stress situations, results of a recent study show.

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.

London — Employees – especially younger ones – are concerned about the air quality in their workplace, according to a recently published report from Infogrid.

Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on whether renovation, repair and painting activities in public and commercial buildings create lead-based health hazards.

Lansing, MI – The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking to protect workers from hazards linked to asbestos, lead and cadmium that may be encountered during blight removal projects, as part of a one-year state emphasis program launched in September.

Washington — In response to multiple stakeholder requests, OSHA has extended until Oct. 28 the comment period on a proposed rule that would revise the agency’s standards on occupational exposure to lead in general industry and construction.

“Arc Flash Electrical Safety,” a nine-module online course series, is a convenient and affordable self-paced course designed to help individuals who may otherwise find it difficult to attend classes through a more traditional method.

MSA’s new G1 SCBA enhanced solutions include a lightweight, low-profile design of the facepiece to reduce stress and fatigue. Other features include ergonomic improvements for better balance, integrated electronic communications, and a central power system for all electronics – designed for low cost of ownership and ease of maintenance.

Click here for more information from MSA, The Safety Company

The original – and still the best – rescue solution for confined spaces, the Sked gets you out safely when nothing else can. It also can perform water, vertical-rope, military, helicopter and virtually any other types of rescues. Compact, lightweight and backpackable. Visit www.skedco.com for more information.

Click here for more information from Skedco, Inc.

The New Eclipse™ by Tingley: The same features as the original – the blue color gives versatility to use in applications when high visibility is not necessary. Tri-Hazard® protection offers liquid-proof, arc flash and flash fire defense. Thermo-Grid® technology blocks out heat energy. Ideal for chemical applications and off-shore drilling.

Click here for more information from Tingley Rubber Corp.

Avery makes GHS labeling easy. Labeling chemicals properly is a critical part of being compliant with the OSHA-mandated GHS. Avery® UltraDuty™ GHS Labels are waterproof and durable. Marine-grade adhesive ensures the labels adhere securely to containers. Free Avery GHS software and templates make it easy to design and print GHS labels right from your printer.

Click here for more information from Avery Products Corp.

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

No plumbing required. Portable Eyewash Stations from Encon®. Self-contained pressurized emergency eyewash stations from Encon are the perfect solution for plant turnarounds and for areas lacking plumbed potable water. The ASME-rated and CRN-registered 37-gallon Eyewash and Drench Station with a heat-reflective insulating jacket delivers ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 performance and is fully certified for use in the United States and Canada.

Click here for more information from Encon Safety Products, Inc.

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

Want assurance that your ecosmart^TM Calibration Gas Cylinders are empty? Try the M/T plug today. When your ecosmart cylinder is empty or expired, leave the M/T plug installed for shipment. This offers additional safety assurance to the carrier or others that the cylinder is in fact empty and non-hazardous.

Click here for more information from Gasco

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