As we settle into the holiday season and we celebrate with those holiday parties, keep safety a priority. Traveling with family and friends exposes everyone to risks of bad weather, bad conditions, busy traffic, as well as frustrated and possibly impaired drivers. Continue Reading →

Deck the halls this season, but keep in mind some ways we can prevent house fires. Decorations like trees, candles, and lights are hallmarks of the holiday season, but they also present fire risks that can quickly turn this festive time of year into a devastating one. In addition, although working alone is not the best option, with the holiday approaching and more people taking time off of work, you may find yourself working alone. Continue Reading →

During these unprecedented times, our old ways of coping may not always be sufficient. We need to put more effort into it, create new habits, and have positive coping skills. The stress that many people are feeling can really take a toll on our physical and mental health. The holidays, lost friends and loved ones, sickness, employment, and a host of other topics are causing quite an issue. During times of extreme stress, being aware of declining mental health is really important. Many people are able to see others decline much sooner and more clearly than they may see themselves. It is normal during stressful events to feel some sadness, fear, and anxiety. If these feelings are left unaddressed for too long, they can lead to more significant problems such as suicidal thoughts, violence, and addiction. Continue Reading →

OSHA requires businesses to have an Emergency Action Plan for the workplace that addresses possible emergencies and how employees are to respond to such emergencies. The plans are to provide emergency response contact information, as well as exit routes, shelter-in-place locations, and safe areas for different types of emergencies. Employers should test their plans to ensure that their plan works and employees have practiced the plan. Although not specifically mandated in OSHA, there is a strong suggestion that emergency plans be tested to identify errors and to get employees involved. This is commonly viewed as a lesson learned and a great opportunity to test the plan for needed updates. Continue Reading →

Nearly one-third of reportable injuries and 40% of fatalities in construction result from slips, trips, and falls (STF). These injuries result in 50% more days away from work than other injuries. Let’s take a look at some common areas of risk and some safe work practices. Continue Reading →

OSHA maintains general industry regulations on walking / working surfaces that guard against hazards such as; excess clutter, protruding objects, and wet conditions just to name a few. These hazards can harm everyone in a facility, regardless of their job title or job responsibilities. In the images below, we look at some of the most common STF hazards found on industrial sites. Keep an eye for these types of hazards when performing work on industrial sites. Continue Reading →