Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Workers’ compensation cost a lot, so you want to be sure you’re not wasting money. That means having answers to all the important questions. Today, we feature a brief Q & A on some critical issues. In a BLR webinar entitled “Workers’ Comp 101: What HR Must Know,” attorney Susan Fahley Desmond offered some important […]
Ouch — those repetitive stress injuries hurt, not only the worker, but the corporate pocketbook as well. A typical employer can pay between $35,000 to $75,000 for a single carpal tunnel case. If surgery doesn’t cure it, the payout can reach $150,000 to $200,000! Does that mean you need to throw money at the problem […]
“Think Safety.” How many times have you seen those words in a workplace? It sounds good, but what exactly does it mean? Many supervisors unwittingly play a safety con game with their employees. They tell them that they are responsible for their own safety. They encourage the workers to “think safe,” “act safe,” “be safe,” […]
Preventing musculoskeletal disorders is a major concern for safety professionals. One important factor is the tools employees use. Tools should be designed to help workers maintain a neutral body position and avoid: Twisting Vibration Static muscle loading Pressure on tissue and joints Other important considerations: Use supports or counterweights to minimize the weight of the […]
Some hazards at work simply can’t be eliminated completely by engineering solutions or substitutions. That’s when the company must provide its workers with personal protective equipment. Sounds simple—yet, is it? Every supervisor has heard all of the standard excuses. “The glasses give me headaches.” “The shoes pinch my toes.” “This hard hat is too heavy.” […]
Many employees today work nontraditional shifts, especially if a company has to operate on a 24/7 schedule. A well-designed work schedule can improve health and safety, worker satisfaction, and productivity. Allowing employee input in establishing such a schedule is advantageous both to the organization and the employee. Should there be a permanent night shift or […]
Employees bleary-eyed after hours on the computer? Help them avoid eyestrain with these simple tips. Employees who work all day at a computer are at risk for eyestrain unless they take some simple precautions. As a senior legal editor at BLR, David L. Galt knows first hand about working at a computer monitor all day. […]
Are your first-aid kits at work just dust collectors, stored on a shelf and forgotten? Like any piece of equipment, they need maintenance from time to time. Use this checklist to make sure your first-aid kits will be ready when you need them: Has it been over a year since the first-aid kits were inspected? […]
If you are faced with an unforeseen emergency at work, such as a fire or explosion, you don’t want to waste precious moments trying to figure out what to do and who to listen to. That’s why all workplace emergency plans have a chain of command that links one person with overall responsibility for managing […]
Between workers comp expenses, lost-time, medical charges, and property damage, common slip, trip, and fall accidents can get expensive. Here are some important tips to pass on to your workers: Slips On slippery or wet surfaces, take short steps, walk with your feet turned outward slightly, and make wide turns at corners. Wear slip resistant […]