Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson is the industry's longest-tenured editor, with 31+ years experience leading ISHN. Dave has conducted state-of-the-industry White Paper reader surveys since 1983. He launched the industry's first magazine web site in 1995, and the For Distributors Only business supplement also in 1995. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in magazine journalism from Ohio University.Contact Dave at johnsond@bnpmedia.com.

Articles

ARTICLES

The danger of worker fatigue

The danger of taking tiredness for granted

Fatigued? Tell me about it…
Davejohnson
Dave Johnson
March 5, 2019

Last month in Seattle the National Safety Council's Campbell Institute held a conference where one of the major topics was, "Fatigue: Managing the Hidden Risk." My question: What's so "hidden" about fatigue? Everyone you talk to in today's 24/7 wired world is fatigued, tired, beat. Just ask them.


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regulations

OSHA’s position on incentives

Agency clarifies that rate-based programs OK if reporting is encouraged
Davejohnson
Dave Johnson
February 26, 2019

No, OSHA has not banned safety incentive programs. In fact, on October 11, 2018, agency regional administrators received a memo from Kim Stille, acting director of enforcement programs, which walks back the Obama administration OSHA’s more hard line stance on safety incentive programs. Even under former agency head Dr. David Michaels, OSHA never out-and-out “banned” incentive / reward programs. Michaels and his leadership team took a tougher line on incentive / reward programs that retaliated against or punished workers for reporting work-related injuries or illness.


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15 tips for using showers & eyewashes

15 tips for using showers & eyewashes

When every second counts
Davejohnson
Dave Johnson
February 7, 2019
The first 10 to 15 seconds after exposure to a hazardous substance, especially a corrosive substance, are critical. Delaying treatment for even a few seconds may cause serious, permanent injury. For chemical exposures and splashes, you need more protection than the use of goggles, face shields and other PPE. Showers and eyewashes are a necessary backup in an emergency to minimize effects of chemical contamination. For guidance, use the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) Z358.1-2014 emergency equipment standard.
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Selection, care & use of FR garments

Selection, care & use of FR garments

NFPA 2113 standard spells it out for you
Davejohnson
Dave Johnson
January 18, 2019
NFPA 2113: Standard on Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire (latest edition 2015, next revision 2020) guides you to avoid risks associated with incorrect selection, use, and maintenance, as well as contamination and damage of flame-resistant (FR) garments.
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workers stifle reporting illnesses & stressors

Fear & insecurity stifle reporting illnesses & stressors

Millions of workers suffer in silence
Davejohnson
Dave Johnson
December 17, 2018
Chronic pain we know about too well. The opioid onslaught has taught us that. The pressure to work through pain is real, particularly in industries with a macho ethos such as construction and oil and gas. But step back and look at a larger picture — chronic diseases — and the untold millions of adults who work through a chronic illness.
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Tesla reported hiding worker injuries

Tesla denies accusations of hiding injuries

In industry, the motivations are many to under-report
Davejohnson
Dave Johnson
December 12, 2018
One month after ISHN published its October issue cover story on Tesla’s quest to have the safest factory in the world, Tesla’s safety and health practices were again in the news. On November 5, 2018, the Center for Investigative Reporting published an article, “Inside Tesla’s factory, a medical clinic designed to ignore injured workers.”
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the EHS world in 2030

50 predictions for the EHS world in 2030

How programs will evolve. What won’t change.
Davejohnson
Dave Johnson
December 4, 2018
Come next month, January 2019, we’ll be but 11 years from 2030. In 2030, Adam will have 14 years of experience and be in his prime, 38 years old. What will his EHS world, and the broader business world, look like?
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Who “actively cares” for Congolese miners?
Editor’s Letter

Who “actively cares” for Congolese miners?

Empathy only goes so far
Davejohnson
Dave Johnson
November 21, 2018
Just by putting “Congo miners” in the title here will have most readers flipping to the next page. I learned this lesson years ago writing an article about workplace safety, or the lack thereof, in China. “Why did you write this article?” asked a reader. “I don’t read ISHN for articles about China.” Another reader opined: “Everybody knows nobody values life in a country like China.”
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