The process of digging the trench, which was not shored, exposed a 3-inch water line that was about 3 feet below grade and ran the length of the trench. No attempt was made to shut off the water line before work began or after it was uncovered.

A 29-year-old steelworker was using a telehandler to move and stage insulated metal panels at a municipal garage building site. He had received training on the equipment and had an operator’s permit.

A 61-year-old loader operator was killed while attempting to repair a hydraulic line on a front-end loader used to move logs. The company had a written lockout/tagout program, but the program did not contain specific procedures for the front-end loader maintenance.

A 62-year-old man was employed by a company that specializes in the manufacture of additives to enhance the performance and durability of concrete. On the day of the incident, the laborer was tasked with the production of a viscosity modifier additive.

Washington — OSHA has scheduled a public meeting in advance of the 44th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

Washington — OSHA should amend its guidance on the control of reactive hazards element of its standard on process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals (1910.119), the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — An Environmental Protection Agency final rule will require manufacturers and importers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to report information on PFAS use, exposures and hazards.

Skin diseases are the second most common type of occupational illness, with more than 13 million workers potentially exposed to chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin.

Working in the hot summer sun can cause more than just discomfort. Serious medical conditions such as dehydration, fainting and heat stroke can send many workers to the hospital – and can even prove fatal in some cases.

Those working outdoors in the summer – or working indoors in hot environments such as bakeries, laundries and manufacturing plants – can be at risk of a number of heat-induced disorders.

Workers who are exposed to extreme cold may be at risk of cold stress. Hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot and chilblain are all examples of illnesses that can be caused by extremely cold or wet weather whenever temperatures drop.

A lightning strike happens faster than the blink of an eye. And just that quickly, lives can be changed.

Corvallis, OR – Sufficient lighting, portable signs and visible police presence are among several contributing factors that help improve worker safety on highway paving projects, according to a study from Oregon State University.

Washington – A new NIOSH document outlines best practices for minimizing the risk of crystalline silica exposure during asphalt pavement milling.

Columbia, MO — Distracted drivers are 29 times more likely to be involved in a highway work zone collision or near collision, according to a recent study from the University of Missouri.

Little Rock, AR — The Arkansas Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Highway Police and other state organizations, has launched a campaign aimed at reducing incidents and fatalities in work zones.

Lincoln, NE — In an effort to help keep road construction workers and drivers safe, researchers at the University of Nebraska have developed prototype hardware that spans gaps between protective roadway barriers.

Columbia, MO — Using a self-driving truck to follow a manned vehicle during “moving work zone” operations could help prevent roadway worker injuries, results of a recent study show.

Olympia, WA — A new law in Washington state allows the use of speed safety cameras in highway work zones in an effort to protect roadway workers.

Washington — Use of temporary, portable rumble strips is more effective than warning signs at reducing distracted driving in work zones, according to a recent National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report.

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.

Electricity can present many dangers for workers, including arc flash hazards. An arc flash occurs when high-amperage currents travel, or “arc,” through the air.

Exposure to electricity resulted in 156 deaths and 1,730 cases involving days away from work in the United States in 2012, according to the 2015 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts.”

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?

Portable generators can be found in many workplaces. Among the risks users face, according to OSHA, are shocks and electrocution from improper use of power or unintentionally energizing other electrical systems, and fires from improperly refueling the generator or not storing fuel correctly.

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.

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.

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.

Iowa City, IA – A new campaign is reminding farmers about the dangers of skin cancer and heat stress, and how to stay protected.

Silver Spring, MD – An online resource offers guidance for employers and employees on preventing heat illnesses in the workplace.

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.

If you’ve ever come in contact with poison ivy, you know how unpleasant it can be. And for many outdoor workers, poisonous plants are a common hazard.

What can employers and employees do to help prevent heat stress during the summer?

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.