Our Blog
Learn about the latest news when it comes to OSHA compliance, staying safe at the workplace, and much more.
You May Find This Shocking!
Electrical fires are the #1 cause of fire in the workplace. Any electrical citation from OSHA is considered a serious violation and usually results in fines that can range from $1,190 to $6,913 for a low gravity violation, and can reach up to $161,323 for a willful or repeated violation.
OSHA’s Severe Injury Report Dashboard
Earlier this month, OSHA launched its Severe Injury Report (SIR) Dashboard, an online tool that users to search its severe injury report database and view trends related to workplace injuries. The dashboard is sortable and searchable by year, NAICS code, state, establishment name, event or exposure, source, nature, and body part. OSHA encourages workers and employers to use the SIR dashboard to learn how severe injuries happen in their industries and use the agency's available resources to help prevent workplace injuries.
Warning Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Soaring temperatures this summer serve as a critical reminder of the dangers posed by extreme heat. It is important to be aware of occupational risk factors and how heat affects the human body in order to prevent heat-related illnesses.
OSHA Updates Hazard Communication Standard
OSHA has issued a final rule that updates the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to align primarily with the seventh revision of the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The final rule was published on May 20, 2024 and takes effect on July 19, 2024.
Lockout/Tagout – Developing a Strong Program
Year after year Lockout/Tagout has remained one of the top 10 most cited violations by OSHA (6th in 2023), so the odds are good you might encounter one. Violations are generally for failing to have a machine specific Lockout/Tagout procedure, not training authorized or affected employees, and for failing to conduct periodic inspections of Lockout/Tagout procedures (aka annual audit).
What to Do When OSHA Requests Documentation
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.
Reminder to Post Your OSHA 300A Summary
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.
Twelve Days of Safety
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.
Beware of Compressed Air - It Can Be Dangerous
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).
OSHA 300 Log – Recordable or Just First Aid?
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.
Managing an OSHA Inspection
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.
Heat Stress and How to Avoid It
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.
New OSHA National Emphasis Program - Warehouse Safety
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.
Stress in the Workplace
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.
Importance of Written Safety Plans
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.
Workplace Eye Wellness Month
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.
OSHA’s Top 10 Safety Violations of 2022
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.
Reminder to Post Your OSHA 300A Summary
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.
Holiday Travel Safety
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.”
Fire Safety Month 2022
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.