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.

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.

National Safety Month is celebrated annually in June when people focus on how they can keep their workplaces safe and free from danger. It is a time to reflect on the working conditions around the country and how we can create a safer environment for those who work hard for an honest pay. By learning about safety methods, we can increase pressure on employers to offer a safer working environment to their employees.

Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on US roadways. While drivers texting behind the wheel tops what seems like an endless list of distractions, other risky actions include talking — whether it be on the phone or to others in the car, setting your navigation, adjusting what you’re listening to, drinking coffee, applying makeup, and more. By driving distracted, you’re robbing yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash.

ACS is proud to join many organizations across the U.S. including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Optometric Association, and Prevent Blindness to celebrate Workplace Eye Wellness Month.