Top 10 Workplace Safety Articles of 2019
These 10 occupational health and safety articles from our Connection newsletters generated a lot of interest in 2019. We do our best to keep you up-to-date on new rules, tools and tips that can help keep your workplace safe and in compliance. All these posts are worth a second look as you plan for a safe workplace in 2020.
COSH Publishes “Dirty Dozen” List of Companies That Put Workers at Risk
The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) has released it’s annual “Dirty Dozen” list of companies that they say show disregard for worker and community safety. Criteria for inclusion included severity of injuries to workers; exposure to unnecessary and preventable risk; repeat citations; and activity by workers to improve health and safety conditions. Companies that made the list include: Amazon, Facebook, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Purdue Pharma and others.
Review the List (pdf).
Top 10 OSHA Violations of 2019: Citations Drop 18 Percent, but List Unchanged
When the top 10 OSHA violations of 2019 were announced at the National Safety Council Congress and Expo on September 10, the biggest change was the number of citations issued, not the standards included on the list. The number of OSHA citations issued for each standard dropped dramatically in 2019 compared to 2018 – with up to 46 percent fewer citations in a single category.
Guns in the Workplace: What Employers Can – and Can’t – Do
Workplace violence continues to be a major concern for employers across the country. Every year, 2 million American workers report having been victims of workplace violence. In 2014, 409 people were fatally injured in work-related attacks, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An active shooter situation is by far the deadliest incident. But what can employers do to limit firearms on company property? The answer varies greatly depending on where you are.
A Discussion of Legal Marijuana and Workplace Safety
At the ASSP Safety 2019 conference, a panel discussed marijuana and workplace safety. Widespread marijuana and CBD legalization in the U.S. has created a “crazy quilt” of laws across 33 states and the District of Columbia, with courts working to interpret them. Marijuana is still illegal under Federal law. The big question at ASSP was, “How can a safety professional or employer conduct a test to prove a worker is impaired by marijuana?”
New Safety Glove Guidelines Can Reduce Hand Impact Injuries
If you work in the automotive, heavy equipment, construction operation, cargo handling, oil/gas, towing/transportation or other industries where hand injuries are common, a new safety glove standard will make it easier to select appropriate hand PPE for your workers. The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has released a new standard — ANSI/ISEA 138-2019, American National Standard for Performance and Classification for Impact Resistant Hand Protection — to improve on the impact performance of industrial gloves.
Free Workplace Safety Resources for National Safety Month
NIOSH and the National Safety Council (NSC) observe National Safety Month in June, a time to improve safety at work and home. The NSC offers free downloadable resources that can be used anytime, including tip sheets, social media graphics and articles. This year’s resources cover a different safety topic for each week during the month: Hazard Recognition; Slips, Trips & Falls; Fatigue; Impairment.
Learn more about National Safety Month.
2018 Positive Workplace Drug Test Rate Highest Since 2004
The rate of positive workforce drug test results hit a fourteen-year high in 2018, according to a new analysis released this month by Quest Diagnostics. Analysis of more than ten million workplace drug test results shows increases in marijuana positivity across nearly all employee testing categories. Increases in positive post-accident tests in the general U.S. workforce outpace those for all other testing reasons, including pre-employment screening.
Free Resource Helps Healthcare Facilities Meet CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule
NFPA has released a new white paper designed to help healthcare officials meet and re-examine the emergency preparedness requirements set forth by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Healthcare facilities are required to adequately plan for both natural and man-made disasters, and coordinate with federal, state, tribal, regional and local emergency preparedness systems in order to be reimbursed by Medicare or Medicaid.
Workplace Safety and the Flu – How To Protect Workers
It’s flu season! The time of year when people head indoors and share germs and end up feeling miserable. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say there are many influenza viruses that constantly change. Fortunately, some basic precautions can help people avoid the flu and stop it’s spread in the workplace.
Up-to-Date Labor Law Posters for Your State
Across the U.S., most employers are required to display state and federal labor / employment notices in a conspicuous location. Most states update their posters annually, and you can now order 2020 posters for all states from the source you trust: ComplianceSigns.com.
Select your 2020 posters for your state.