OSHA has issued a memo detailing a four-part test that must be applied before issuing General Duty Clause citations for respiratory hazards that lack a permissible exposure limit. This guidance, sent to regional administrators on November 2 by Kim Stille, acting director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, outlines the criteria for such citations. According …
HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, has been around for a while now, and its rules have evolved quite a bit since it was first enacted in 1996. Let’s take a casual stroll through the changes and how they’ve shaped the way we handle healthcare data. When HIPAA first rolled out, its main …
An annual review highlights some of OSHA’s biggest hurdles as it works to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. A law from 2000 mandates that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) identifies the most serious management and performance challenges facing the U.S. Department of Labor, which oversees OSHA. The latest OIG report points out that …
Fatigue among workers is an increasingly significant issue, with nearly seven out of ten employees reporting feeling tired at work, according to a survey conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC). This alarming statistic highlights the pervasive nature of fatigue across various industries, particularly those that are safety-sensitive. Fatigue in Safety-Sensitive Industries The percentages of …
When it comes to emergency preparedness, the numbers are a bit unsettling. According to FEMA, while many people take at least one action to prepare for emergencies, only 46 percent take three or more actions. With the increasing frequency of natural disasters like the hurricanes and wildfires we saw in 2017, FEMA’s Ready Campaign in …
Workers’ compensation is designed to provide financial support and medical care for employees who are injured on the job. However, a question often arises: should workers’ compensation benefits be reduced if the injured employee wasn’t wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when the accident occurred? This is a complex issue that involves legal, ethical, and safety …
Control of hazardous energy is critical to ensuring workplace safety, particularly in environments where machinery and equipment pose significant risks. Training workers on effective control methods is a key component in preventing accidents and injuries related to the release of hazardous energy. The Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard from OSHA provides a framework for controlling hazardous energy …
As temperatures soar above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s crucial for managers to proactively monitor and protect their workers from heat stress, a serious health risk that can lead to conditions such as heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. Here’s how managers can effectively screen workers to ensure their safety during high temperatures. Understanding Heat Stress …
Employers are pulling out all the stops with what used to be considered “fringe” benefits, now emphasizing health and wellness perks to draw and keep staff, as noted in the latest annual benefits survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). “With unemployment rates hitting an 18-year low, benefits are becoming a key player …
