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?

Workers using aerial lifts can be injured or killed if they don’t know how to operate them safely.

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.

Oakland, CA – With warm weather approaching, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health is urging employers of outdoor workers to begin preparing for hot temperatures.

Fort Lauderdale, FL – More than 9 out of 10 heat-related injuries among military service members stem from non-combat operations, according to researchers from the Department of Defense Biotechnology High Performance Computing Software Applications Institute.

Does your workplace really need to be prepared for the possibility of a tornado? The answer is “Yes.” Tornadoes can occur anywhere and at any time, OSHA states, adding that an average of 800 tornadoes are reported across the nation every year. So, what can employers do to help keep employees safe in the event of a tornado?

Muncie, IN — Concerts, fireworks, auto races, road construction and mowing the lawn are all summertime happenings that can cause permanent hearing damage, cautions Ball State University audiologist Lynn Bielski.

Seven facts about on-the-job heat exposure

What are Personal Attenuation Ratings and can they be used in lieu of annual audiograms?

What hearing protection is most appropriate for arc flash hazard areas?

Can you tell me more about hearing protection products that help provide situational awareness at work?

My earmuffs are too bulky. What other types of hearing protection can I use? Are there other ways I can preserve my hearing?

What is “acoustical confusion,” and what are some solutions to this problem?

How does fit checking minimize the risk of hearing loss claims and help workers properly use hearing protection products?

A growing number of workers wear hearing aids, such as behind-the-ear or in-canal models, that can’t be used with foam earplugs. What does OSHA allow, and what actually works to mask most noise but allow conversations with earplug-wearing co-workers?

What is double hearing protection, and when is it needed?

How can employers alleviate noise hazards above and beyond using hearing protection?

Can noise-canceling hearing aids serve as my hearing protection at work?

How can bringing a hearing testing program in-house improve workflow efficiencies?

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

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.

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.

Work-related hearing loss is the second most self-reported occupational illness or injury, according to NIOSH. An estimated 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise on the job, with the most at-risk industries being agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing and utilities, transportation, and military.

OSHA requires respiratory protection to be worn whenever work is being conducted in hazardous atmospheres. Although different respirators are required in different atmospheric situations, in all cases training must be provided to employees using such devices.

Approximately 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work, according to NIOSH. Hearing damage caused by exposure to loud noise may occur long before changes in hearing are perceived.

The workplace can create many hazards for your hands, whether from chemicals, cuts or burns. No single glove can provide appropriate protection for every work situation, so it is important to assess the risk for each task and select a glove that provides specialized protection.

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

Making sure respirators are in proper working order is critical to ensuring they perform as intended. The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety recommends following a number of steps when caring for your respirator.

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.

This white paper is filled with expert tips on building and maintaining an effective PPE program. Learn about your obligations regarding PPE and empower your employees to protect themselves on the job.

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 — Spontaneous activity, such as moving your feet back and forth, while seated can burn more calories than using a standing workstation, according to the results of a recent study.

Morgantown, WV — Nanoparticles from printer toner emissions can cause “very significant” changes to workers’ genetic and metabolic profiles, results of a recent study led by a researcher from West Virginia University show.

Every day in the United States, roughly 2,000 workers experience an eye injury serious enough to require medical attention, according to NIOSH.

Eye injuries on the job are not uncommon. In 2012, 20,300 eye injuries involving days away from work occurred, according to the National Safety Council chartbook “Injury Facts.” What can workers do to help reduce this number?

The Bench Grinder Safety Gauge is designed for use during the installation, maintenance and inspection of bench/pedestal grinders to ensure compliance with OSHA 1910.215.

Orlando, FL — OSHA is seeking to harness the power of employers as a “force multiplier” to improve worker safety and health, according to agency leader Doug Parker.

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 — A traveling NIOSH exhibit spotlights research that has advanced medical treatment and awareness of the health problems experienced by workers who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

What’s the best way to centralize/consolidate LOTO procedures?

Atlanta — Emissions from 3D printers may contain fine and ultrafine particles that can damage airway cells and negatively affect respiratory health, result of a recent study show.