Understanding personal protective equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to specialized equipment and clothing worn by individual workers to protect themselves from potential hazards, injuries or exposure to various risks in the workplace and work-related environments. PPE is designed to create a barrier between the wearer and potential sources of harm. It is essential to select appropriate PPE based […]
Fatigue still a deadly issue for emergency medical workers
It is never an ideal time to insist on ideal conditions for emergency medical services workers. The reason is in their job title, and every day can bring multiple life-or-death emergencies. But with every emergency and every long shift, the problem of fatigue has the chance to bring tragic, preventable outcomes. EMS operations have had […]
Workplace safety and the Internet of Things
Injuries and even death are common in workplaces throughout the world. According to research by the International Labor Organization, more than 500 workers are victims of injury on the job every minute. Workplace injuries seriously affect the health and well-being of employees as well as the bottom line of many companies. The Internet of Things, […]
Companies striving for compliance with silica rule
Silica dust can be hazardous to people in Oklahoma or anywhere else who breathe it in. Some of the health hazards include scarred lung tissue, silicosis and the possibility of dying from prolonged exposure. While a new OSHA rule limited the amount of silica to which a worker could be exposed by 80 percent, the […]
Workplace noise can cause permanent hearing loss
Many Oklahoma employees work in noisy environments. Unfortunately, sustained exposure to loud workplace noise can lead to permanent hearing loss. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that approximately 22 million American workers are exposed to hazardous levels of noise each year. As a result, the agency fined employers $1.5 million in 2017 for failing […]
Improving air quality can protect Oklahoma lab workers
Laboratories around the country employ more than 550,000 people according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and these workers face a wide variety of airborne hazards ranging from toxic fumes to deadly pathogens. Exposure to these dangers can cause a variety of debilitating health problems and may even be life-threatening, but the perils of […]
Grain storage and worker safety
People who work in or near grain storage areas in Oklahoma are at risk of being suffocated. A campaign sponsored in part by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is intended to help grain storage workers avoid suffocation accidents. While commercial grain companies are required to adhere to safety regulations and rules issued by OSHA, […]
Trench and excavation accidents high priority at OSHA
Excavating, particularly trench digging, presents significant risks to workers in Oklahoma. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has charted a significant rise in trench collapse fatalities. In 2011, trench collapses killed two workers every month, and 2016 saw fatalities double compared to the previous five years. The agency intends to make excavation safety a priority […]
OSHA to extend alliance with USITT and IATSE
Oklahoma residents who work in the entertainment industry can expect continued support from OSHA. The workplace safety agency has renewed agreements with both the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). While USITT is a professional group, IATSE is a labor union. The alliance, which is […]
Why OSHA enforcement may be best for workers
Employers in Oklahoma and elsewhere must generally abide by workplace standards set by OSHA. However, companies with a proven safety track record may have the opportunity to opt to participate in Voluntary Protection Programs. According to the former assistant secretary of OSHA, there has been no rigorous study proving that VPP is effective. In most […]