The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a final rule that expands the rights of employees regarding representation during OSHA inspections. According to a release dated March 29, this development clarifies that workers now have the authority to designate either a fellow employee or an external individual to accompany OSHA compliance officers during evaluations of their work environments.
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This year’s Window Safety Week is for April 7-13. The annual initiative, established in 1997 by the Window Safety Task Force in partnership with the National Safety Council, is aimed at raising awareness of actions homeowners can take to prioritize window safety and fall prevention year-round. Task force Co-Chair Angela Dickson said, “…the task force urges those in the industry to share window safety tips [developed by the task group] to keep children safe – post tips on your website and share via social media to help spread the word.”
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Back to Basics is a weekly feature at EHS Daily Advisor that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, they examine workplace fire preparedness such as ensuring clear exit routes and having emergency action and fire prevention plans in place as required by OSHA.
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A California work safety board has approved standards that would require companies to protect employees from excessive indoor heat, particularly in warehouses. The rules still need to overcome opposition by another state agency.
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The National Safety Council has launched a new set of initiatives targeting opioid overdoses in the workplace. Overdoses account for nearly 10% of workplace fatalities and are the leading cause of unintentional death in the United States.
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The White House is calling on stakeholders across all sectors to “commit to save lives” by increasing training on – and access to – lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medications. The White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose is a call to action for organizations and businesses nationwide to “help ensure all communities are ready to use this lifesaving tool to reduce opioid deaths.”
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For Workplace Eye Wellness Month – observed every March – the advocacy group Prevent Blindness is offering free resources. The use of eye safety equipment can protect against flying shards, wood splinters, metal shaving, chemicals and other hazards.
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As of January 1, 2024, specific employers in high-hazard industries are required to submit injury and illness information under a new OSHA electronic reporting rule. This article discusses who must follow the new OSHA recordkeeping requirements and how to navigate this critical development with specific steps on what you should do next.
A new report, Construction Working Minds Whitepaper 2024, was recently released in an effort to raise awareness of the unique mental health challenges faced by construction workers. “It offers evidence-based and evidence-informed approaches to address workers’ mental health challenges and will help advance development of effective programs and initiatives to support workers’ well-being and reduce tragedies like addiction, overdose, and suicide,” said Cal Beyer, one of the report’s co-authors.
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In her 2023 Enforcement Report, Solicitor of Labor Seema Nanda revealed enhanced coordination with OSHA to hold employers and supervisors accountable for repeat and willful violations, especially those that lead to worker fatalities. OSHA violations – especially repeat, willful, and failure to abate – can and do lead to criminal penalties and enforcement.
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World Millwork Alliance (WMA) 54 TH Annual Convention & Tradeshow will hold its’ premier event at the Memphis Cook Convention Center from September 11-15, 2018. WMA will offer Veterans and Students complimentary access to the exhibit hall during Millwork Career Day on Friday, September 14, 2018 during the show hours of 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WMA welcomes Veterans and Students to explore a career in the millwork industry. Learn from worldwide millwork professionals while viewing the finest millwork products. Meet with industry distributors and manufacturers about the opportunities in a millwork career.
Pre-registration for a name badge is available by completing a WMA Registration Form. Any local Student or Veteran who has pre-registered will pick up their complimentary “Expo – One Day Pass” with a valid student ID or Veteran ID at the WMA registration desk in the Memphis Cook Convention Center.
Veterans must show a Veteran’s Administration (VA) identification card to receive an “Expo-One Day Pass” and to gain entrance into the exhibit hall on Friday, September 14, 2018.
Students must show a valid Student photo I.D. card to receive an “Expo-One Day Pass” and to gain entrance into the exhibit hall on Friday, September 14, 2018.
Pre-registration is open until August 13, 2018; thereafter, registration is onsite at the WMA registration desk in the Memphis Cook Convention Center.
