Work-related musculoskeletal disorders – also referred to as repetitive motion or repetitive strain injuries – are a group of painful conditions that affect the muscles, tendons and nerves. According to the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, workers can develop an MSD from bending, gripping, straightening, holding, twisting, or reaching with their arms and hands.

From boxes of paper near the printer to large packages in the mailroom, office settings contain a number of objects – some quite heavy – that require manual lifting. Are you following safe lifting practices?

What’s one way workers can cut their risk of a back injury in half? “Store it off the floor,” the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries says.

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%.

Menlo Park, CA — Thirty-four percent of employees say they’re more burned out than they were a year ago, according to the results of a recent survey developed by global staffing firm Robert Half.

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.

Raleigh, NC — Some people may believe that colleagues who step away from their desks are avoiding work, but the results of a recent study conducted by researchers from North Carolina State University show short breaks actually can help boost productivity and manage energy.

Halifax, Nova Scotia — Nearly half of employees working remotely are experiencing higher levels of exhaustion caused by a combination of more virtual meetings and pressure to be on camera for them, results of a recent survey show.

San Francisco — Slightly more than 70% of employers expect their workers to want a hybrid model when their physical workplace reopens, but only 55% plan to offer that option, according to the results of a recent survey.

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.

Washington — Employees’ satisfaction with physical safety conditions in the workplace has returned to levels that predate the COVID-19 pandemic, results of an annual survey indicate.

Washington — Workers who have diabetes may face a heightened risk of developing depression, according to a recent NIOSH study.

Barcelona, Spain — Exposure to printer toner, cleaning products and mold circulated in air conditioning systems – along with poor ventilation – can trigger asthma in office workers, results of a recent study out of England suggest.

Tucson, AZ — Reimagined office spaces can help reduce worker stress and enhance overall well-being, a pair of University of Arizona researchers say in a recently published paper.

Boston — Improved air quality in offices can boost worker focus, response times and overall cognitive ability, researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health claim.

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.

Atlanta — People who travel frequently for business may have trouble keeping the pounds off, researchers from Emory University say.

Copenhagen, Denmark — Performing “simple and brief strengthening exercises designed to strengthen the primary muscles used during work” – known as micro-exercise – while on the job may help prevent long-term sickness absences, according to a recent study out of Denmark.

Ann Arbor, MI — Employers with remote workforces can look at workers’ use of positive or negative emoji – those small images or icons featured in text communications and email – to help gauge if employees are experiencing stress or burnout, researchers at the University of Michigan say.

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.

Oulu, Finland — “Even light physical activity may foster work engagement,” researchers in Finland are saying after studying on- and off-the-job data for more than 6,800 workers.

Adding physical activity to your daily routine could lead to a longer life – regardless of genetic predisposition, say researchers at the University of California, San Diego.

Changsha, China — Night shift workers who have high blood pressure may be at increased risk of developing heart disease and diabetes, or experiencing a stroke, results of a recent study show.

Boston — Employees who use illicit substances have increased absenteeism – a “compelling argument” for employers to promote employee treatment programs, results of a recent Boston University study show.

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

Tucson, AZ — A noisy office can increase stress levels. But now researchers are saying that near or complete silence at work isn’t so great either.

London, Ontario — Employers can help workers avert the harmful effects of prolonged sitting on the job by taking an active role in changing their sedentary habits, a recent study shows.

Atlanta – Lead exposure remains an issue for workers, with elevated levels most common in manufacturing, construction, services and mining, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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.

Olympia, WA – The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has issued a hazard alert for workers who use thermal cutting tools to de-tension cables embedded in concrete structures such as bridges and freeway overpasses, warning them of the dangers of lead exposure.

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.

Lansing, MI — Michigan has become the first state to lower permissible blood lead levels – by as much as half – to protect workers, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently announced.

Sacramento, CA — Workers with high blood lead levels will now have their cases referred to the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health – or Cal/OSHA – for review and possible action, under legislation signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Oct. 10.

Cincinnati — Workers replacing old water service lines may be exposed to lead piping or lead-contaminated soil – and could bring the metal home, a new NIOSH guidance document cautions.

Falls are the leading cause of injury and death in work-related accidents. When a fall hazard exist, fall protection equipment is necessary to protect the worker by incorporating a personal fall-arrest system. Elk River manufactures, in the USA, the finest harnesses and lanyards on the market. We also research and test accessory products to ensure that the fall-arrest system is the best available. Visit www.elkriver.com today for more information.

Click here for more information from Elk River, Inc.

Keep safety glasses and headlamps secured to hard hats with the Goggle Guard™ Clip and Accessory Kit! The clip fits full-brim and cap-style hats to hold glasses or goggles while the accessory kit safely secures a headlamp, preventing it from riding up and falling off.

Click here for more information from Glove Guard, LP

The Magid® D-ROC® GPD820 Lightweight NitriX® Palm-Coated Work Glove is the lightest weight ANSI Cut Level 5 glove on the market, delivering superior grip and longer wear-life. The GPD820 is perfect for jobs with laceration hazards along with heavy oil or coolant exposure. Visit Magid at Booth #806.

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Steel Blue Work Boots are unsurpassed in underfoot comfort with a patented Tri Sole Comfort technology that cushions your feet, knees, hips and lower back from day-to-day fatigue. Backed by a 60-day money-back comfort guarantee on every style in the range.

Click here for more information from Steel Blue Boots

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.

The Overman Boot features Wolverine CarbonMAX – one of the first safety-toe boots using nanotechnology for the most advanced combination of protection and lightweight comfort that meets ASTM standards. The Overman also features Wolverine MultiShox compression pads to absorb shock and return energy, and has a contour welt construction for ultimate flexibility.

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Founded in 1924, the production of ABUS padlocks has set a worldwide benchmark for security. “Made in Germany” stands worldwide for excellent engineering and the highest quality levels. Products include various grades of padlocks, chains and cables, file bars, diskus locks, lockout/tagout devices, and more. Visit www.abus.com for more information.

Click here for more information from ABUS USA

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

BCSP provides accredited safety certifications, including the CSP, ASP, OHST, CHST, STS, STSC and CET, that lead to promising careers at professional, technician, technologist, supervisory and trainer levels in the environmental, health and safety industry. The CSP certification has been recognized as the “gold standard” for more than 45 years.

Click here for more information from Board of Certified Safety Professionals

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

Don’t chance workplace safety – take lockout/tagout beyond compliance with a comprehensive program your employees can rely on. “The Expanded Guide to Lockout Tagout” provides tips on compliance, evaluating your current program and achieving world-class standards. Download the guide at http://forms.bradyid.com/LotoEBook.

Click here for more information from Brady Worldwide, 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.

Don’t let the first time your workers handle an extinguisher be during a real fire. Prepare them to act with BullEx’s R.A.C.E. Station. Teach workers important response skills – how to alert others when there’s a fire, how to confine and extinguish the flames, and how to evacuate if necessary. Train right in your break room or on the shop floor. Visit www.bullex.com for more information.

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

DEB® sun protection at work. Deb’s Stokoderm Sun Protect 30 PURE products feature SPF 30 sunscreen to protect the skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Perfume-free and non-greasy, Deb’s sunscreen is ideal for outdoor workers – who have a higher-than-average risk of developing skin cancer. Visit http://info.debgroup.com/sun-home-us for a free sample.

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

The most intelligent supplied air gas detection monitor on the market. The RPB GX4 is a multi-gas smart device that tracks everything from gas levels and alarms to calibrations and power usage. All of this information can be viewed from any device through the unit’s integrated Wi-Fi connection.

Click here for more information from RPB 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.