Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson was chief editor of ISHN from 1980 until early 2020. He uses his decades of expertise to write on hot topics and current events in the world of safety. He also writes and edits at Dave Johnson’s Writing Shop LLC and is editor-at-large for ISHN. Find him at https://www.facebook.com/Dave-Johnsons-Writing-Shop-101316571547263/, and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveljohnsoneditor/.

Personality is rarely the root cause of incidents

Personality is rarely the root cause of accidents

“I know your type”

Dave Johnson

May 16, 2019

Assessing personality types or styles goes back thousands of years. Rob Fisher, a human factors expert, says in ancient Asia, “fire,” “wind,” “water,” “earth” and other terms were used to capture the different personalities of different people.

A developing story: wearable technology for heat stress monitoring & illness prevention

Dave Johnson

May 13, 2019

Workers in many fields – construction, landscaping, oil and gas extraction, emergency response, firefighters among others – toil in high heat stress conditions. These tasks can lead to rapid increases in body temperature that raise the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Arc flash deaths often occur in confined spaces

A study of electrical injuries and fatalities on the job

Electrical injuries: facts & myths

Dave Johnson

May 10, 2019

IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, recently produced a paper1 reviewing 100 years of research on shock and arc injuries. Going back, the first recognized hazard to workers was the shock hazard.

reporting serious injuries and fatalities

Knockin’ on heaven’s door

It’s a sound no one wants to hear in safety – to the harm of protecting workers

Dave Johnson

April 23, 2019

In 2017, 5,147 workers in the U.S. were killed on the job, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, down slightly from 5.190 in 2016. The fatal injury rate in 2017 was 3.5 per 100,000 full-time employees. Three or four people out of 100,000. Not close to one percent. Meaning most everyone escapes being touched by a work-related death.

The danger of taking tiredness for granted

Fatigued? Tell me about it…

Dave Johnson

March 22, 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.

OSHA’s position on incentives

Agency clarifies that rate-based programs OK if reporting is encouraged

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.

15 tips for using showers & eyewashes

When every second counts

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.

Editor's Letter

Out of the loop: Reasons to care about workers who feel alone

Dave Johnson

February 7, 2019

United Kingdom-based newspaper The Guardian recently ran this headline: “UK to tackle loneliness crisis with cash injection. More than 120 projects will receive funding to help those affected and reduce stigma.” This reminded me of a book written in 2000, “Bowling Alone,” by Robert D. Putnam.

Selection, care & use of FR garments

NFPA 2113 standard spells it out for you

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.

Here are ongoing EHS plotlines for 2019

Mission creep & déjà vu

Dave Johnson

January 14, 2019

What’s relevant in 2019 cannot be neatly captured in a news story. We’re talking about issues with origins that stretch back years if not decades, and will have no ending this year.