OSHA upholds BBP standards with enforcement action
In the waste collection and recycling industry, there’s always the risk of bloodborne pathogen exposure due to the presence of needles and other sharps, which are often contaminated with blood. Residents of Oklahoma who work in this industry should know that OSHA has been doing a lot to uphold its standards regarding BBP determination and […]
How worker classification could impact worker safety
The gig economy has become a common phrase for Oklahoma workers and others throughout the country. While there is no set definition, it generally refers to work that is paid per job as opposed to per a given amount of time. In most cases, those who do gig work are classified as independent contractors, which […]
How floor mats create a safer work environment
Business owners in Oklahoma may be wondering how they can prevent accidents in the workplace. After all, in 2016, employers in the U.S. paid out nearly $62 billion on injury claims for employees missing six or more days of work. Private industry employers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, reported nearly 2.8 million non-fatal […]
Ruling may lead to expansion of machine definition
Oklahomans who work in industrial settings are likely aware of the lockout procedures that are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Under these standards, machines that might release energy that could injure workers are supposed to have their energy sources turned off before the workers can work on them. The lockout standards also […]
Proper protection from arc flashes
Oklahoma employees who perform electrical work can be at risk for arc flash injures. Every year, 2,000 people around the country are treated in hospitals due to injuries sustained by arc flashes. However, electrical workers can minimize their risk to the workplace hazard by wearing the proper personal protective equipment. The clothing used for arc […]
Overcoming blind spots in the workplace
Oklahoma residents who work at loading docks or deal with heavy equipment are at risk from collisions caused by blind spots. The lack of visibility in one’s workplace can result in accidents that cause significant physical injuries and even death. Even if there are safety measures in place, accidents can still occur because the precautions […]
Aging workforce creates new challenges in workplace safety
Oklahomans who have just turned 65 may not be as inclined to retire as their counterparts from previous generations. Financial pressure or the desire to work has prompted people to stay on the job through their 60s and even 70s. According to the Pew Research Center, 18.8 percent of people age 65 and above held […]
Workplace safety violations
Oklahoma construction workers may be interested to know that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has identified falls as the leading contributing factor in accidental fatalities on construction sites. In 2015, out of the 937 workplace fatalities that were reported around the country, 350 of them were attributed to falling. In 2017, construction falls are […]
Safety procedures for lifting workers
All Oklahoma workers need to be given the right equipment and training to do their jobs safely. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated an incident in which a 33-year-old man died after falling 7 feet off a pallet that had been raised by a forklift. In the warehouse where the man worked, it was […]
Disaster planning helps employers keep workplaces safe
Oklahoma is famous for severe storms, and employers have an obligation during natural disasters to maintain safe work environments. Ideally, an organization prepares a crisis management plan during good times so that everyone will understand safety protocols during bad weather or other dangerous events. Good planning could prevent endangering employees and subsequent litigation. After a […]