Category: Injuries and Illness

Slips and trips are an all-too-common occupational hazard estimated to cause hundreds of thousands of accidents and injuries on the job every year. The chief cause of slips is (no surprise) a slippery surface, compounded by improper footwear. There are two types of slips: In the first, the heel of the forward foot contacts the […]

Falls from heights are the leading cause of death in construction, and they cause many injuries and deaths in other industries as well. OSHA says that falls from heights can be prevented and employee lives can be saved if you take three simple steps: Plan Provide Train Plan Plan ahead to get the job done […]

Injury and illness prevention is always a big issue for safety professionals especially when incidents result in days away from work. Many companies are responding with injury and illness prevention plans. According to BLS, the total number of injury and illness cases requiring days away from work to recuperate was in 2011(the most recent year […]

A new study finds that simple health interventions can help reduce short-term disability rates as well as worker days away from work. According to a study of 118,000 American workers by health services company Cigna, a combination of predictive analytics and a nurse/health advocate-led intervention can produce a measurable reduction in future disabling illness or […]

Is it possible that your injury and illness records could be used against you as evidence of OSHA violations? The answer may surprise you. In a BLR webinar entitled "OSHA Recordkeeping: What’s Recordable and What’s Not," Adele L. Abrams, Esq., an attorney and nationally recognized expert on occupational safety and health, offered insight into the […]

Here are some exercises you can recommend to employees when you hold back safety meetings. These easy tune-ups can help condition and increase flexibility to prevent back injuries. WARNING:  Advise employees to consult with their doctor before starting any exercise program. If they are badly out of shape or already have a back problem, some […]

So many safety topics are critical for preventing worker injuries. But across the board in all industries, perhaps the most critical is back safety training. Why do your employees need to be trained in back safety? One in 5 U.S. workers suffers a back injury on the job. Back injuries are the second most common […]

Yesterday, we discussed workplace germ control. But germs aren’t the only problem. Other types of workplace dirt and mess can also cause illness and injury. One example of workplace dirt that is downright dangerous is combustible dust. If not properly managed, combustible dust can explode. Accidents of this type have reported killed 1,000 workers over […]

Since we’re in the heart of flu and cold season, this is a good time to talk about workplace germs and simple, sensible housekeeping and hygiene practices that can help prevent the spread of illness. We spend 8 to 12 hours a day in workplaces often rank with germs and grime, the kind of stuff […]

Occupational skin diseases, including occupational dermatitis, are the second most common type of occupational disease, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. More than 13 million American workers face job-related exposures to chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin, in industries ranging from construction to health care and food service. The […]