Workplace hazards - Articles - Page 7

Missouri company repeats trenching hazards

November 27, 2019

When OSHA inspectors saw employees of Blue Nile Contractors, Inc. exposed to trenching and excavation hazards while installing water lines at a Kansas City, Missouri jobsite, it wasn’t a first for the company. Among the violations arising from that May 2019 inspection were four repeat violations, along with five serious ones – with proposed penalties of $210,037.

A NIOSH Science Blog post

Wearable technologies for improved safety and health on construction sites

Scott Earnest PhD PE CSP John Snawder PhD, DABT Capt. Alan Echt DrPH, CIH Elizabeth Garza Rick Rinehart ScD

November 18, 2019

Wearable technologies are an increasingly popular consumer electronic for a variety of applications at home and at work. In general, these devices include accessories and clothing that incorporate advanced electronic technologies, often with smartphone or ‘internet of things’ (IoT) connectivity. While wearables are increasingly being used to improve health and well-being by aiding in personal fitness, innovative applications for monitoring occupational safety and health risk factors are becoming more common.

Are toxic cultures rampant?

Survey paints discouraging picture

Dave Johnson

November 3, 2019

Google “safety culture” and you get about 1,600,000,000 results in 0.95 seconds. Safety and health managers have long known the importance of culture – the organization’s values, beliefs and leadership - on safety, morale, productivity, engagement, presenteeism and absenteeism. Culture has been at the top of safety and health issues for the past ten years at least.

New job hazard analysis sheets can help concrete contractors

August 23, 2019

The Concrete Polishing Council (CPC), a specialty council of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), has developed seven Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) sheets for tasks primarily related to the process of polishing concrete. JHAs are used on the jobsite, prior to starting work each day, to remind craftsmen of the risks inherent in the work for that day, and the precautions that must be taken to avoid accidents.

Fall, trenching hazards keep OSHA busy this week

August 22, 2019

Two themes emerged this week in the safety and health violations OSHA issued to non-complying companies: workers endangered by fall and trenching hazards. L N Framing, Inc., a residential and commercial framing contractor, was cited for exposing employees to fall hazards at a Jacksonville, Florida worksite. The company faces $58,343 in penalties for failing to ensure that employees used a fall protection system while installing roof trusses and interior framing on the second floor of a residential home under construction.

Company cited after employee killed in trench collapse

August 12, 2019

OSHA has cited Payne Enterprises Inc. – a plumbing contractor based in Dayton, Ohio – for exposing employees to multiple trenching and excavation hazards following an employee fatality. The company faces penalties of $145,860.

Learning to SEE

July 19, 2019

The Center of Visual Expertise presents a one-hour free webinar on Wednesday July 24: “Learning to SEE: A New Perspective on Risk Utilizing Visual Literacy. In this webinar, COVE Chairman and Managing Director Doug Pontsler introduces concepts that help enable workers to process visual information more clearly.

AIHA offers info for safe cleanup after wildfires

July 16, 2019

The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) has launched Think and Act Fire Smart, a one-stop information center for wildfire preparedness and recovery. The resource center aims to raise awareness about the hidden dangers in the cleanup process that follows a devastating wildfire, especially in urban areas.

Vineyard worker dies in machinery

May 31, 2019

A Napa Valley grape company is contesting the violations that OSHA issued to it after the death of a worker in a field in October 2018. Following an investigation into the death of 49-year-old Leon Marcelo Lua, OSHA issued citations for five safety and health violations – three of them serious - against De Coninck Vineyards in American Canyon. Proposed penalties: $38,000.

Visual Literarcy a hazard recognition tool

Visual Literacy is a new hazard recognition tool

Identify hazards before an incident occurs. Here are three steps you can take.

Doug Pontsler

May 23, 2019

Identifying hazards in the workplace, determining the degree of risk they represent, and taking appropriate action is a fundamental component of any safety management system. While simple to say, it can be more difficult in practice than we might expect.