While spring may have only just sprung, hazardous heat is already a concern in certain areas of the U.S. The National Weather Service issued heat advisories for April 8 for parts of California, causing Cal/OSHA to issue a reminder about its heat illness prevention standard. Advisories in effect April 8 Heat advisories for temperatures of […]
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has a new safety video about the fatal incident at the Evergreen Packaging paper mill in Canton, NC. The video includes an animation of the events leading up to the incident along with interviews of CSB board members. On September 21, 2020, a fire erupted in […]
As a safety pro, you know about the hazards of fatigue, but do you know what sleep inertia is and how it could affect workers for 30 minutes or more after waking? Sleep inertia is that temporary feeling of grogginess felt immediately upon awakening, according to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigative report. Studies […]
The third annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents is fast approaching and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is taking the opportunity to highlight the hazards of excavation equipment. Specifically, NIOSH has focused on the struck-by dangers involved with quick couplers on backhoes. Struck-by incidents are one of the leading causes […]
The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) introduced a new rule with more stringent requirements for pipeline shut-off valves. This rule is intended to improve public safety by requiring installation of remotely controlled or automatic shut-off valves on new and replaced onshore natural gas, carbon dioxide and other hazardous liquid pipelines. Meant to […]
OSHA wants to highlight the high-hazard grain industry and has teamed up with several industry associations for the sixth year in a row to raise awareness for workers and employers. Nearly six of every 10 workers who get trapped in a grain bin don’t survive, according to OSHA, and the agency is attempting to reduce […]
Multi-employer worksites can make for complicated situations when it comes to safety as there can be confusion over who’s responsible for what. On construction sites, the general contractor is often held responsible for ensuring subcontractors and their employees are on the same page when it comes to safety. In general industry, depending on the contract, […]
An Amazon distribution center in Washington was cited for a willful ergonomics violation, resulting in a $60,000 fine. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) performed an inspection at the distribution center and found 10 of the 12 processes evaluated created serious hazards for work-related back, shoulder, wrist and knee injuries. L&I ergonomists […]
What’s it matter if a piece of equipment has a bolt that’s a little loose, a worker may ask? No big deal, right? It is when it leads to a fire and almost $4 million in damages. The crew of a ferry in Washington’s Puget Sound found out why good maintenance matters when a single […]
