Category: Injuries and Illness

Modern safety management goes beyond covering traditional workplace accidents to now being equally concerned with illnesses caused on and even off the job. This section will explain what you need to know to avoid both injuries and illnesses, and to track your progress in reaching this goal.

Free Special REport: Does Your PPE Program Meet OSHA’s Requirements?

Understanding Workplace Fungal Threats

A Michigan paper mill recently had to close for intensive cleaning following an outbreak of workplace fungal infections. There were 21 confirmed cases, including 1 fatality, and 76 people at the mill were classified as having probable cases of blastomycosis. Fungal diseases like blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever), and histoplasmosis can infect anyone, according to the […]

Michigan Paper Mill Closed Following Fungal Outbreak

The Billerud Paper Mill in Escanaba, Michigan, has closed for cleaning following an outbreak of blastomycosis fungal infections, Billerud North America announced. The outbreak included a fatality, according to local public health officials. “As a precautionary measure, we will temporarily idle the Escanaba Mill for up to three weeks to facilitate additional proper cleaning based […]

OSHA Releases Form 300A Data

2022 injury and illness data from over 300,000 U.S. workplaces is now available for download from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website, the agency announced March 31. The agency requires certain employers to submit injury tracking data on OSHA Form 300A as part of its electronic recordkeeping requirements. Not all establishments are required […]

FDA Approves OTC Overdose Treatment

On March 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of an over-the-counter (OTC) nasal spray for the treatment of opioid overdoses. Narcan, a 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray, is the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription. The National Safety Council (NSC) said it “is thrilled workplaces […]

EHSDA Song of the Week: Industrial Disease

This week’s entry in the EHSDA Song of the Week actually discusses work-related illness. A few years before they blew up with “Money For Nothing,” English rock act Dire Straits was releasing albums that were well-received on both sides of the Atlantic. On their 1982 album Love Over Gold, the band released the single “Industrial […]

Massachusetts Roofer Facing $137,508 in New OSHA Fines

A Quincy, Massachusetts, roofer is facing $137,508 in new Occupational Safety and Health Administration fines after the agency cited The Roof Kings LLC for again knowingly exposing workers to life-threatening fall injuries, OSHA announced February 9. On December 8, OSHA inspected a worksite on Roach Street in Quincy to check if The Roof Kings was […]

Four Strategies to Prepare for an Emergency

Whether it’s a fire, active shooter, natural disaster, or pandemic, employees should be trained to handle all types of emergencies. BLR Legal Editor Elizabeth Dickinson, J.D., recently spoke at a BLR Trends in 20 Webinar, where hot topics are discussed in 20 minutes, entitled “Prepare for the Next Emergency: Strategies to Address it with Confidence.” […]

Infographic: Emergency Action Plans

What can employers learn from a well-rehearsed emergency action plan (EAP)? According to OSHA, almost every business is required to have an EAP. After evaluating your current EAP, is there more that could be done? How often should employers communicate their EAP to employees? Here’s what you need to know about emergency action plans. Check […]