Workers in many industries and occupations spend all or part of their workdays on the road. One study showed that compared with other drivers, those who drive as part of their work are much more likely to be distracted. Some of the reasons this occurs is because they are more likely to be in a hurry to reach their destination, think about work, be tired, or use a cell phone.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, workplace unintentional overdose deaths from nonmedical use of drugs or alcohol have increased 619% since 2011. Overdose deaths in 2022 totaled 525, equivalent to nearly 9.6% of all occupational injury deaths that year. Increases have been experienced among all employee demographics, industries, and occupations. The main driver of these deaths is opioids.

If your company is visited by OSHA, for any reason, there is a very strong chance that they will be requesting to look at your Written Safety Plans/Programs, as well as necessary documentation for their visit. The lack of up to date and site-specific Written Safety Plans/Programs and other documentation is a leading cause of OSHA citations.

For employers who are required to maintain work-related injury and illness records, it’s that time of year again. Many, but not all, employers must complete the OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping forms on an ongoing basis. But minor injuries that are treated only by first aid don't need to be recorded.

Winter and the holiday season bring greater risks of injury and illness. In an effort to help prevent these injuries and keep workers safe, we are sharing the University of Minnesota’s 12 Days of Safety.

Compressed air is widely used in industry to power pneumatic tools such as air hammers, nail guns, and pneumatic wrenches. The line pressure needed to operate such tools is typically between 85 and 125 pounds per square inch (psi).

Many times, an injury occurs, and companies are not prepared as to how to handle and track this injury, especially when it comes to whether it is recordable or not per OSHA. Not all injuries need to be recorded on the OSHA 300 Log.

National Preparedness Month, an annual observance to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time, culminates on September 30th with National Preparedness Day, the national day of action. As National Preparedness Month comes to an end and reports of El Niño 2023 amplifying extreme weather, it is the perfect time to get prepared for disasters.

Throughout the first half of 2023, OSHA signaled to employers that enforcement is an agency priority and that it will use a full range of mechanisms to hold employers accountable for workplace health and safety violations. With OSHA’s increased activity, employers must focus on compliance with workplace standards, preparing for inspections, and anticipating other OSHA actions.

If you do not take the right precautions when working in hot conditions, you can experience heat stress which can advance quickly to several heat-related illnesses. Employers and workers should be sure to have plans in place to provide access to plenty of water, take adequate breaks when needed, as well as access to shade or cool-down areas.

Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary of Labor and head of OSHA, announced that the agency will be launching a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) this summer to focus on high injury rates in warehouses.

Workplaces can have many stressors such as long hours, low salaries, heavy workload, tight deadlines, unclear job expectations, and job insecurity. Issues in the workplace can exacerbate the risk of experiencing mental health challenges.

Even if there's no clear regulatory requirement for a written safety plan/program, having one can benefit your business in ways besides compliance. After all, the main goal is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses or deaths that would cause harm and financial hardship to your workers, their families, and your organization.

According to the CDC, every single day, about 2,000 U.S. workers sustain a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. There are more than 15,000 welding equipment-related eye injuries a year and power tools come in second, contributing to nearly 10,000 eye injuries a year. Nearly one million Americans have already lost some degree of sight due to an eye injury.

Every year OSHA compiles a list of the ten most-cited standard violations from the previous fiscal year. The annual list, based on worksite inspections, aims to alert employers about common violations to help prevent them. Although each of these hazards may not apply to every workplace, it can provide a blueprint for implementing a best practice safety program.

For employers who are required to maintain work-related injury and illness records, it’s that time of year again. Many, but not all, employers must complete the OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping forms on an ongoing basis. But minor injuries that are treated only by first aid don't need to be recorded.

With so many families taking Christmas/New Year’s trips together for the first time in three years, it is essential to consider holiday travel safety during these busy times. You can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware. Paula Twidale, AAA’s Senior Vice President of Travel says, “Plan ahead and pack your patience, whether you’re driving or flying.”

Each year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) celebrates National Fire Safety Month in October. During this month, fire departments and fire marshal's offices nationwide play a key role in bringing Fire Safety Month to life in their communities each year and spreading basic but critical fire safety messages, encouraging everyone to practice fire safety at home and in the workplace.

In April of 2022, OSHA launched its National Emphasis Program for Heat-Related Hazards. The first-ever national OSHA standard for heat stress, the monumental program is designed to protect at-risk outdoor and indoor workers from the rising threat of heat-related illness.

Doug Parker the new head of OSHA is the latest signal of big changes that are in store for many business leaders and their companies. The Biden administration has pledged to make significant changes to the American workplace. Parker will be responsible for implementing many of those changes. It is reasonable to think that workplace safety enforcement will be more aggressive and robust under OSHA lead by Parker.