Workplace Safety: Guides, Standards, Training
On April 10, 2026, OSHA’s revised Heat-Related Hazards National Emphasis Program took effect. Since then, heat-related inspections have grown from roughly 200 per year before the original 2022 NEP to approximately 2,400 per year, and the question set inspectors bring on-site has quietly shifted from the safety director to the
National Safety Month ends on June 30. On July 1 the federal heat-illness window opens at peak intensity, OSHA Region inspectors return from their planning quarter, and most construction jobsites enter the highest-citation stretch of the calendar year. The supervisors who treat the last week of June as a documentation
In the dynamic landscape of industrial operations, stand-up forklifts are a necessary technology that significantly contributes to the efficiency and productivity of workplaces. Due to their compact design and maneuverability, these versatile machines have become indispensable in various industries, from warehouses to manufacturing plants, and more.
Forklifts are valuable tools for numerous industries, silently working behind the scenes to transport heavy loads, maintain order in warehouses, and expedite operations.
Did you know that falls in the workplace can be a major risk to the safety and well-being of workers?
Regardless of industry, there may be risks that come along with any job. However, individuals that have physically demanding jobs are at higher risk to physical harm. Amongst the most common risks for general industry and construction workers are confined space hazards, which is why these workers must undergo confined
Chemicals are not evil. They aid in the production of many products and play a role in the health and safety of the human race. However, if managed incorrectly, chemicals can pollute worksites and create a toxic or even deadly environment.
Forklifts are not only one of the most useful technologies for warehouses, but forklifts are a useful tool for builders. Enabling companies to move heavy objects and loads, forklifts help workers from various trades get the job done quicker.
It is no secret that working in the construction industry can come with many risks. But one serious risk of the construction industry commonly goes unnoticed; fall risks. Fall risks are so prominent in the construction industry that site workers and tradesmen are required to take OSHA fall protection training
There are a wide range of industries that require hydrogen sulfide certification training. While signing up for hydrogen sulfide certification courses may seem unnecessary, having the proper hydrogen sulfide training can save your life. But before you enroll for hydrogen sulfide certification training, you may have some questions.
Do you work in the construction industry? Are you in an environment where you may frequently encounter confined spaces? If this sounds like you, then chances are that you are either already aware that your job requires confined space training or you have already obtained your certification.
Nature is beautiful. It is also terrifying and mysterious.
Anytime workers enter a permit-required confined space, or PRCS, they should already be equipped with the knowledge and training needed to keep safe. While all workers are expected to obtain confined space certification training, there is often confusion around who is responsible for each role related to working in a
Remember our page of interactive maps showing the most dangerous cities for American workers? We’ve just added the latest data from 2015 with updated rankings and new observations. We also improved our method for mining the data to give you a more accurate view. So where does your city rank now?
Gravity is a serious yet often overlooked safety hazard. Failure to protect workers from falls was the most common OSHA violation in 2015 with 6,721 violations. The risk of worker falls has grown rapidly with the growth of the communications industry and the use of communications towers. By enrolling your
As part of OSHA’s push for higher workplace safety standards, employers must report and record all serious accidents resulting in worker injury or illness. This requirement helps companies improve their environmental health and safety training programs, protect workers, and ultimately create safer working conditions. Review the latest reporting rules (effective
There’s no excuse for putting profits before worker safety. According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) work injury report survey, moving machine parts resulted in 88 percent of all equipment-related injuries among respondents. Investing in lock out tag out (LOTO) training helps save lives, prevent costly legal proceedings, and
Confined spaces rarely make for optimal working conditions. Hazards such as collapsing structures, toxic fumes, electricity, combustion, and suffocation can endanger the lives of unprepared workers. New OSHA regulations require that employers establish a confined space entry policy and ensure that workers receive adequate training in confined space safety standards
Falls are the number one cause of death in the construction industry. In 2013 alone, falls claimed the lives of nearly 700 construction workers. Many employers overlook the importance of workplace safety training, a growing concern among roofing professionals. An OSHA online fall protection course teaches
Electrical safety is a crucial part of OSHA compliance. The 2015 revision of NFPA 70E requires employers to conduct an arc flash risk assessment. If risks exist, employers must establish safety protocols to protect employees from electrical hazards. With proper arc flash analysis training, employees can conduct hazardous electrical work
In fields such as construction, manufacturing, and medicine, proper safety training is a must. Employees need to know how to safely operate tools and machinery, respond to emergencies, recognize safety hazards and help prevent accidents. Many companies today rely on automated training tools to keep employees up to speed. When
Lower back injury is a leading cause of worker disability. Low back pain affects roughly a quarter of the global population each year, resulting in over 20 million healthy years lost, according to a study by researchers at the University of Sydney. Reducing the incidence of lower back injury is
Companies that manufacture products requiring refrigeration commonly use ammonia. Ammonia is a generally safe and cost-effective way to regulate temperatures and prevent spoilage. However, ammonia is a hazardous chemical, and, without proper safety procedures, ammonia leaks in the workplace can endanger workers and even the public. Development and compliance with
Contractors and construction workers all know New York’s Scaffold Law, officially known as Labor Law 240: irrespective of workplace safety training and equipment, any workers injured by elevation-related injuries in construction, repair, or demolition work cannot be held liable for their own injuries even if they were personally negligent, such
Poor Welding Safety Practices Lead to Disaster Even with advances in welding technology, attention to safety remains a serious issue. That became especially evident to Black Elk Energy, a Houston-based offshore oil producer that racked up 356 citations in just three years for violating OSHA safety regulations and endangering the
Workplace safety can be a big topic to cover, but all workers should be aware of the Focus Four causes of deaths in the workplace and how to avoid them. These Fatal Four cause the majority of fatal accidents because workers and their employers are not trained to put safety
OSHA safety standards protect workers against electrical hazards. Among the most common dangers are power lines and lack of ground fault protection, but other hazards lurk as well involving improper use of extension and flexible cords and of electrical equipment when workers do not follow manufacturer guidelines. Our informative infographic
In November 2013, Douglas Klein, a 25 year old communications worker in Wichita, Kansas fell 50 feet to his death while descending a cell tower after performing routine maintenance. OSHA issued three serious citations and $21,000 in fines to his employer, Pinpoint Towers. This was one of 13 preventable deaths
Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Hydrogen sulfide is an extremely dangerous gas known for its smell which is similar to that of rotten eggs. It is sometimes referred to as sewer gas or swamp gas. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health describes hydrogen sulfide as an acute toxic substance
Twin Pines Construction, Inc., an Everett, Massachusetts-based wood framing contractor, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for alleged willful, repeat, and serious violations of workplace safety standards regarding fall hazards at its Durham, New Hampshire work site. Workers at the site were
Tornado season is once again upon us. Businesses should prepare for the possibilities of tornadoes by creating an emergency plan to try to keep employees as safe as possible. A good emergency plan should include such details as where to take shelter and accounting for all personnel. Consideration should also
Walter Cardin, 55, of Metairie, Tennessee, was sentenced on April 12 in U.S. District Court for lying about worker injuries while working as safety manager for the Shaw Group. Cardin was sentenced to six and half years in prison followed by two years of supervised release. In November Cardin was
Every year on April 28, the anniversary of the date in 1971 when the OSH act went into effect and OSHA was officially established, the U.S. Department of Labor and other occupational safety and health organizations in the U.S observe Workers’ Memorial Day. The day honors workers who have died
A number of facts have come to light regarding the recent fire and explosion at the West Chemical & Fertilizer Co. plant. Although there are plenty of federal and local standards and laws in place to ensure occupational and environmental safety, something didn’t work to prevent the tragedy that occurred
Having an effective safety and health management system (SHMS) can help reduce work-related illnesses and injuries and save injury-related costs for businesses. It is estimated that injuries and illnesses cost U.S. businesses approximately $170 billion a year. An SHMS will help a business go beyond just complying with laws to
Dust explosions caused by combustible particles in a workplace are a serious hazard that can cause not only destruction of buildings and property, but also injuries and deaths of employees. Awareness of the conditions that can lead to these explosions can help to prevent them. While fire requires the three