OSHA requires that engineering controls be used to achieve necessary exposure reductions unless infeasible; organizations may not simply issue respirators and "be done with" their attempts to lower exposures.
Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic diseases are the first recommendation because stress is such a big factor affecting public safety workers' health.
Most of these preventative maintenance techniques can be rolled into routine good housekeeping plans. Others can be incorporated into regular and periodic safety inspections.
I have heard so many stories from workers who have credited wearing a hard hat with saving their lives.
Given that the United States represents 5 percent of the world's population and consumes 60 percent of the world's supply of illicit drugs, drug testing can be seen as an investment against the cost of low productivity.
Different equipment protects against different risks. Ensure your equipment matches the risk.
One of the CSB's recommendations to FEMA following the explosion in West, Texas, was to fund training for fire departments on pre-incident planning for fires at facilities storing fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate.
I urge leaders to do a "restraining forces audit," assessing what is blocking improvements in higher level Safety performance and culture.
It's not just about the quality of the training, but also the accessibility of the training.
Empowering employees to take responsibility and to get on board with the safety journey is a proven method of increasing engagement levels.