Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Why are successful supervisors in many organizations turning over more safety responsibilities to their employees? It isn’t because they’re shirking their duty. It’s because these supervisors have learned that the more their employees participate in safety programs, the safer the workplace becomes. OSHA has long advocated employee participation as basic to workplace safety. An agency […]
In order to control or eliminate breathing hazards, OSHA has adopted respiratory protection regulations for general industry (except agriculture), shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring, and construction workplaces and for specific air contaminants. Today we’ll focus on the requirements concerning respirator inspection, maintenance, storage, and repair. OSHA estimates that its respirator regulation could save as many as […]
Today we tackle the topic of repeat accidents, including figuring out likely locations, identifying likely suspects, and determining other factors that can aid and abet. It’s bad enough when an accident happens once. But if the same or similar accidents happen repeatedly, the damage multiplies. That’s why it’s so important to break the chain of […]
As we settle into the frosty winter months, it seems an appropriate time to take a look at a new standard, from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), designed to help assess risk and manage work in cold environments. Because of the negative impact of cold on human health and performance, as well as on […]
It may not be fun or easy to fire unsafe workers, but you can’t let them ruin your organization’s safety culture—or bottom line. Call him “Joe.” Joe is the guy who just won’t follow the rules, either because he is too macho or too cool to wear his personal protective equipment (PPE), he doesn’t have […]
Yesterday we explored the leading role that safety professionals can play in helping their workplaces “go green.” Today, we’ll give you the ammunition you need to approach upper management—the environmental, health, and, more important to some, economic benefits of going green. Much like the unfortunate term “bailout package,” perhaps “going green” isn’t the greatest name […]
If your organization employs workers who drive as part of their job responsibilities, you’re already aware of the complex web of regulations that apply. Today we review some guidelines for determining whether OSHA or DOT regulations take precedence, and a tool that will help ensure that your truck-driving workers comply with applicable regulations and safety […]
Yesterday we saw how frequent hand washing may lead to a higher incidence of contact dermatitis (an irritation of the skin caused by chemicals). We turn now to the larger issue of skin protection in general, and look at a resource that explains your legal obligations as well as best practices for limiting occupational skin […]
Yesterday’s Advisor explored steps you can take to ensure your employees take safety training seriously. Today we look at elements of a strong safety culture—including safety committees—and an audio conference that will help you get the most out of yours. OSHA has proclaimed that developing a strong safety culture has “the single greatest impact on […]
Do your employees take your safety training seriously? Our Safety Training Tips editor tells you how to get your workers to take heed. It Starts at the Top Getting employees to take safety training seriously begins with management taking it seriously. If management’s attitude toward training is that it’s an expensive nuisance and something the […]