Washington – A disturbing rate of worker injuries and fatalities involving captive elephants has led People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to submit a formal petition to OSHA asking for stronger worker protections in the industry.

San Diego – More needs to be done to protect workers, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health says. More than 90 other organizations agree. Those groups have endorsed National COSH’s action agenda, “Protecting Workers’ Lives and Limbs,” released March 15.

Washington – Several public health advocacy groups have filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit that aims to undo OSHA’s requirement for employers to electronically submit worker injury and illness data for public view.

Washington — The state of workplace safety and health protections in the United States is a “national crisis,” according to Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, which has released its annual report detailing the hazards that workers face every day on the job.

Washington — Two months after Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta touted OSHA’s increased number of inspections, the National Employment Law Project has released new data showing that the agency is coming up short in one measure.

Washington — The National Employment Law Project and two other labor advocacy groups have filed a complaint against the Department of Labor, claiming DOL violated the Information Quality Act in its move to roll back child labor laws to allow unsupervised teens to operate powered patient lifts in health care settings.

Washington — AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka cautioned the public not to become “numb” to workplace fatalities and illnesses, as the labor federation released its annual report detailing the hazards workers face every day.

San Diego — The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health has published a list of best practices intended to “enhance workplace safety” for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — Two days after OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued voluntary interim guidance aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 among workers in the meatpacking and poultry-processing industries, President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act of 1950 and declared the facilities “critical infrastructure” in an Executive Order intended to keep meatpacking facilities open.

Washington — A coalition of roadway safety advocacy groups, in conjunction with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation challenging a controversial final rule FMCSA claims will add flexibility to hours-of-service regulations for commercial truck drivers.

Washington — The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health is calling on OSHA to enact an emergency temporary standard related to COVID-19 – an action the advocacy group says won’t require OSHA officials to reinvent the wheel.

Washington — OSHA is developing an emergency rule that will require employers with at least 100 workers to “ensure their workforces are fully vaccinated or show a negative test at least once a week,” President Joe Biden announced Sept. 9.

In 2013, foot injuries resulted in 43,570 cases involving days away from work, according to the 2016 edition of “Injury Facts,” a chartbook from the National Safety Council.

A safe workplace is the best strategy for keeping workers on the job and productive. When injuries do occur, you need a partner you can trust to combat their impact. See what Coventry’s Expertise@Work can do to eliminate unnecessary medical spending and promote injured worker recovery and return-to-work.

Click here for more information from Coventry Workers’ Comp Services

Encon’s Aquarion^® Self-Contained Portable Eyewash with optional temperature control is the ultimate choice in portable eyewash stations where freezing temperatures are encountered. Freeze protection is accomplished using an insulating blanket and an electrical internal heater that is temperature controlled to 85° F (30° C). ANSI Z358.1 and CSA.

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

You can’t smell it, taste it or see it, but it can be deadly. Carbon monoxide – sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” – prevents oxygen from going into the body and can result in death in a short period of time, the Michigan Department of Community Health states. But how does carbon monoxide form, and when are workers at risk?

Think emergency drills are only for schoolchildren? Think again. The National Safety Council urges all workers to take drills seriously.

How can management demonstrate its commitment to a safe and healthy workplace? Try a safety walkaround.

Use of compact fluorescent lightbulbs can save money, conserve energy, reduce waste and lower greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. However, CFLs contain mercury – a potent neurotoxin that, in small amounts, can cause serious health problems. At room temperature, mercury is a liquid and can readily evaporate into the air.

Although ever-present and used on a daily basis, electrical equipment requires constant awareness of its associated hazards, as well as training on appropriate use, storage and maintenance, the Indiana Department of Labor reminds employers and workers.

Not all risks hold equal weight. For example, focusing efforts on reducing the frequency of safety-related incidents doesn’t necessarily lead to a reduction in the severity of incidents.

Extension cords can be found in many types of workplaces, from offices and warehouses to retail stores and construction jobsites. Unfortunately, they’re often misused.

Severed fingers and toes are injuries commonly associated with using truck liftgates. So are crushed feet.

NSC has suggestions for staying engaged at work.

Encon^® Safety Products is the recognized leader in emergency shower and eyewash products. Our products are built to your specifications with a wide choice of available options and materials for unmatched performance and durability. We use premium quality components and heavier-gauge steel so you can count on Encon when seconds matter.

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

TECGEN^® Flame-Resistant Garments are an innovative, lightweight and breathable alternative to legacy FR garments. Coveralls, shirts and trousers are NFPA 70E and 2011-2012 certified and designed to withstand today’s demanding work environments while successfully delivering a moisture-wicking fabric solution that is soft to the touch. Visit http://industrial.tecgen.com/ for more information.

Click here for more information from TECGEN

United Academy’s comprehensive training solution leverages cutting-edge technology and engaging content to reduce the overall cost and complexity of safety training and credential tracking for you and your employees. Click here to learn more or to get your operators certified. Summer promo pricing available on all blended learning courses.

Click here for more information from United Academy, powered by United Rentals

RecycLockout^® Lockout/Tagout Kits: ZING Lockout/Tagout Kits protect people and the environment with their heavy-duty recycled components. Kits are available in pouches, belt kits and tool boxes with a variety of options that include pad-locks, tags, ties, hasps, valve, breaker or plug lockouts. Think ZING^® for all your eco safety product needs.

Click here for more information from ZING Green Safety Products

Washington – OSHA has launched a Regional Emphasis Program on noise hazards targeting select New England manufacturing and food production facilities.

New Orleans – NIOSH and the National Hearing Conservation Association have honored two companies for their efforts to prevent work-related noise-induced hearing loss.

OSHA estimates that 30 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise every year. What can safety professionals do to help protect the workforce from hearing loss?

Washington — NIOSH and the National Hearing Conservation Association are accepting nominations for the 2019 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award.

Arlington, VA — The International Safety Equipment Association has launched an initiative highlighting the importance of preventing hearing loss in the workplace – where, according to NIOSH, 22 million people are exposed to hazardous noise each year.

Washington — NIOSH, along with the National Hearing Conservation Association and the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation, has extended to Aug. 15 the nomination deadline for the 2023 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award.

Silver Spring, MD — A recent study of older and retired construction trade workers shows that more than half experience hearing impairment – and the risk increases with age.

Washington — Although some employers may incorrectly assume otherwise, people with a hearing disability can be safe and effective workers, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says in a recently updated document.

Washington — Nominations for NIOSH’s 2023 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award are due June 8.

Cincinnati — Utility workers have the highest occurrence of hearing loss among noise-exposed workers in all industries, results of a recent NIOSH study show.

Heat stress can be deadly, and employers need to protect their employees from the dangers of hot environments. Here’s one tool to give you a better picture on how to do just that.

OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program is almost 5 years old. Is it working as intended? Stakeholders and OSHA-watchers weigh in.

Austin, TX – A majority of food industry employees go to work when sick, according to a new survey commissioned by training and consulting company Alchemy Systems.

Washington — A new poster and infographic from OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration offer best practices to help mine operators and workers mitigate heat-related hazards and prevent heat illness.

Quick access to an emergency eyewash/shower station is vital in the event of an incident.

Working outside in the spring months may mean working alongside insects and animals that could pose a threat to workers. OSHA offers the following tips for avoiding such injuries when working outdoors.

Cleaning up after hurricanes or other storms exposes cleanup workers to floodwaters, which can carry some serious health risks. Floodwaters can be contaminated with micro-organisms, sewage, industrial waste, chemicals or other substances that can cause illness or death, according to OSHA.

Outdoor workers can be exposed to various hazards – including poisonous plants, stinging insects and venomous snakes – that can cause health problems ranging from slight discomfort to a serious allergic reaction. Experts offer advice on to help keep these workers safe.

Disasters can manifest in a variety of ways. Taking preventive measures and planning ahead can help you remain calm in an emergency.

From homes and workplaces to sidewalks and playgrounds, cement is everywhere. According to the Portland Cement Association, cement is one of the safest building materials available – when precautions are observed.

Outdoor workers face a variety of hazards on the job. Beyond the usual suspects – severe weather, extreme temperatures, and traffic – an additional concern may be present: ticks.

Pressure washers are used to clean large areas, including buildings, parking lots, vehicles and other machinery. These high-powered tools also are used in disaster cleanup. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a pressure washer’s intense spray can cause wounds and other serious injuries that may at first appear minor.