OHS November 2013 issue

November 2013

  • HEAD & FACE PROTECTION: Top of the Line Protection
  • CONFINED SPACES: Is That Really a Confined Space?
  • RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: Dust Mask or N95?
  • RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: Exploring Crystalline Silica Exposure
  • HEALTH CARE: Health Protection/Promotion for the Workforce: The Business Case
  • HAND PROTECTION: Food Production Begins with Your Hands
  • HAND PROTECTION: Toward Safer Cleaning Operations
  • TRAINING: FALL PROTECTION: Creating a Safe Workplace
  • DEFIBRILLATORS & CPR: The Latest Scoop on AEDs
  • DEFIBRILLATORS & CPR: Preparing for the Silent Workplace Catastrophe
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Cover Story

Both OSHA and the Canadian Standards Association have head protection standards designed to protect workers.

Top of the Line Protection

By Robert Kravitz

This is a perfect time for employers to become more familiar with ways in which they can protect their workers from head, face, and eye injuries.


Features

Food service workers face a variety of hazards, so no glove provides universal protection.

Food Production Begins with Your Hands

By David Shutt

Because the food-processing environment is multifaceted, no one glove can be considered the industry standard.


Atmospheric testing is vital to ensure confined space entrants

Is That Really a Confined Space?

By Dan Keener

When a person is performing atmospheric testing, he or she must accurately sample the atmosphere to ensure no hazardous gases are present.


Sudden cardiac arrest should be recognized in standard safety planning. (CardioReady chart)

Preparing for the Silent Workplace Catastrophe

By John Ehinger

Given the known prevalence of SCA, prudence dictates recognizing cardiac arrest in the safety planning process.


Employers must have a written program outlining employees

Dust Mask or N95?

By Barry R. Weissman

OSHA's respiratory regulations require that you have a written program outlining your company's usage of respirators. The program needs to be reviewed annually.


Hand hygiene and designating a new MRSA Prevention Coordinator at each facility were included in the national initiative at VA long-term care facilities.

Health Protection/Promotion for the Workforce: The Business Case

By Robert Eric Dinenberg

We all feel the hurt when employee health is not addressed.


Hand injuries from chemicals are a leading cause of injury in the cleaning industry.

Toward Safer Cleaning Operations

By Robert Kravitz

According to OSHA, 40 percent of all janitorial injuries involve eye irritations or burns; 36 percent are skin irritations or burns; and 12 percent are the result of breathing fumes.


According to ANSI standards, fall protection should be inspected by the user before each use. (Gorbel photo)

Creating a Safer Workplace

By Kevin Duhamel

According to ANSI standards, fall protection equipment should be inspected by the user before each use and inspected at least once a year by a competent person.


This image is a screen capture from an American Heart Association video promoting hands-only CPR.

The Latest Scoop on AEDs

By Greg Slusser

The latest research, best practices, and results show these life-saving devices are appropriate for workplaces everywhere.


Head protection that is either too large or too small is inappropriate for use, even if it meets all other requirements.

Exploring Crystalline Silica Exposure

By Karen D. Hamel

When respirators are used to lower exposure to respirable crystalline silica, employers must establish a written respiratory program meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134.


Departments

Everything Really Is Bigger in Texas

By Jerry Laws

"We hit a sweet spot. We'll be here for the long haul," Honeywell Life Safety President Mark Levy said Sept. 18.


Safety Strategy: What Great Leaders Do Well

By Shawn M. Galloway

Great leaders choose an improvement direction after it is clear to them and those who support it precisely where they are going.


Leadership Leverage

By Robert Pater

Practical training for supervisors and managers should both inspire and provide them with tangible skills for making real change occur.


Artificial Intelligence