Why my role exists, to me, is that it is simply for the people. The people I get to work with and for each day. When it’s about names, not numbers, there is a True North that continues to direct my vision of what World Class truly looks like.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), some 22 million U.S. workers are currently exposed to hazardous noise conditions. Excessive workplace noise is linked not only to hearing loss, but also to a host of other medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and coronary heart disease (CHD).
Excessive noise is prevalent across industries. From manufacturing to construction, agriculture to oil and gas, more than 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise each year.1 Wherever unsafe levels of noise exist, employers are responsible for providing hearing protection devices (HPDs).
Industrial work environments are not ideal for comfort. They are often hot, stuffy, and stifling. Factor in the appropriate PPE that many workers are required to wear, and regulating body temperature can become extremely difficult, if not impossible. Without preventative measures, the results can be fatal.
The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) produces the American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment, ANSI Z358.1, to establish uniform minimum performance and use requirements.
Stars in the rapidly evolving field of wearable technology, “smart” glasses allow wearers to perform a myriad of functions while keeping their hands free. Wearers can view information, watch and record videos, summon up GPS directions, make phone calls and send texts – all by using gestures, head motions and voice commands.
As the Safety Services Manager for a safety supply company, I am commonly asked by customers to help determine which chemical resistant gloves are appropriate for a given work application.
Advances in machining and robotics have increased operational efficiency in virtually all manufacturing sectors. Production and profits would plunge if operations were done by hand alone. History has shown us that the advantages of machines are undeniable.
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.
Uniforms are the unsung heroes of the workplace. They give team members a sense of pride and unity. They contribute to a polished, professional appearance for the organization as a whole. And they can even help protect employees against potentially life-threatening hazards.