June 2016 OH&S

June 2016

  • VISION PROTECTION: Use PPE in the Workplace and Keep Your 'Eyes' on the Prize
  • ELECTRICAL SAFETY: Reducing Electrical Hazards
  • INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE/GAS MONITORING: Selecting the Right Gas Detection Solution
  • HEARING PROTECTION: Can Industrial Chemical Exposure Cause Hearing Loss?
  • ASSE SAFETY 2016 PREVIEW: Dateline Atlanta
  • DEFIBRILLATORS & CPR: Working Against Time: Nine Steps to Implementing a Successful AED Program
  • DEFIBRILLATORS & CPR: CPR and AEDs -- Two Important Acronyms for Your Workplace First Aid Program
  • OIL & GAS SAFETY: Seven Ways to Go Back to Basics With Your Safety Program
  • OIL & GAS SAFETY: Weighing BSEE's Well Control Rule
  • HEALTH CARE: Three Steps to Minimize the Risk of HAIs in Your Facility
  • HEAT STRESS: Understanding the Ramifications of Heat in Work Environments
  • HEAT STRESS: It's Not Just the Heat -- How OSHA Enforces Occupational Exposures to Hot Environments
  • TRANSPORTATION SAFETY TRAINING: FMCSA's New Training Standards for Entry-Level Drivers
  • EMPLOYEE GIFTS & INCENTIVES: Strategic Planning in Hard Times: Why Safety Incentive Programs Are a Budget Trimming Tool
  • EMPLOYEE GIFTS & INCENTIVES: Keys to Employee Engagement
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Cover Story

Whenever heat stress has escalated to heat exhaustion, medical services should be called and on-site cooling of the person should immediately begin. Heat stroke can occur suddenly, without any symptoms of heat exhaustion.

Understanding the Ramifications of Heat in Work Environments

By Iris Floyd

Non-weather dependent hot work environments are created by the heat generated and/or contained within the environment, due to the task being performed, or both.


Features

Some are not aware that state-level Good Samaritan protections have advanced considerably over the years.

CPR and AEDs—Two Important Acronyms for Your Workplace First Aid Program

By Mike Stearns

There are still scenarios where the AHA strictly recommends conventional CPR.


The final rule incorporates all or designated portions of several industry standards, including the American Petroleum Institute’s Standard 53, Blowout Prevention Equipment Systems for Drilling Wells, Fourth Edition.

Weighing BSEE's Well Control Rule

By Jerry Laws

While Director Brian Salerno calls it "one of the most comprehensive offshore safety and environmental protection rules ever developed by the Department of the Interior," one industry group said the rule "could result in unintended negative consequences leading to reduced safety, less environmental protection, fewer American jobs, and decreased U.S. oil and natural gas production."


Vendors and health care employees are at risk when unfamiliar with techniques and procedures required to properly handle materials that can be supporting dangerous fungi and bacteria.

Three Steps to Minimize the Risk of HAIs in Your Facility

By Thom Wellington

Despite CDC recommendations, there is no law requiring infection prevention training for any construction worker or other vendor working in a health care facility.


The Georgia World Congress Center hosts Safety 2016, the American Society of Safety Engineers

Dateline Atlanta

By Jerry Laws

For those who attended the 2015 National Safety Council Congress & Expo nine months ago, the facility’s layout and downtown Atlanta are familiar territory.


When using PPE, whether it

Use PPE in the Workplace and Keep Your 'Eyes' on the Prize

By Dustin Boss

Next is the concern that PPE is unattractive or doesn't fit properly. If employees are content with their appearance, they will be more likely to use PPE.


Today, a fleet of gas detectors can be managed more efficiently via an instrument management system, which may calibrate, charge, generate compliance reports, and more, automating the safety task and eliminating time-consuming, tedious paperwork for the busy safety engineer. (Honeywell Industrial Safety photo)

Selecting the Right Gas Detection Solution

By Praveen Sharma

Temperature, humidity, and pressure levels at the location all have a direct bearing on the type of equipment that should be selected.


Military drivers, farmers, and firefighters would be generally exempt from the proposed requirements, as well as drivers applying for a more restricted license.

FMCSA's New Training Standards for Entry-Level Drivers

By Matt Holden

The ripple effects of the 2016 proposed rule have yet to be determined.


By continually raising awareness of the AED program, organizations reinforce a commitment to safety among employees. (American Heart Association photo)

Working Against Time: Nine Steps to Implementing a Successful AED Program

By Jeff A. Woodin

Setting up an AED program takes planning but is not difficult. Here are the key steps to implementing one within the workplace.


Yoga classes were the top wellness activity for incentives, and 41 percent of the survey

Keys to Employee Engagement

By Jerry Laws

Yoga classes were the top wellness activity for incentives, and 41 percent of the MeetingsNet/IRF survey’s respondents said they consciously build wellness opportunities into their agendas.


Recognition is important in hard times, where it is not uncommon for compensation to be cut or become unexpectedly static.

Strategic Planning in Hard Times: Why Safety Incentive Programs Are a Budget Trimming Tool

By Sean Roark

Here are a few responses that will help keep the red pen away from your program.


Employers should consider the most likely types of injuries for the site when assembling first aid supplies. In hot working conditions, this would include supplies to treat heat-related illnesses. (J.J. Keller & Associates photo)

It's Not Just the Heat—How OSHA Enforces Occupational Exposures to Hot Environments

By Lisa Neuberger

If an employee needs medical treatment for heat stress, you would mark that as an illness on the OSHA 300 Log.


Because of the synergistic effect of many chemicals with noise, wearing a respirator and hearing protection together is an ideal defense against hearing loss whenever chemicals and noise are simultaneously present. (Honeywell Industrial Safety photo)

Can Industrial Chemical Exposure Cause Hearing Loss?

By Robert M. Ghent Jr.

It is important to remember that any chemical that is ototoxic is also likely to be poisonous to the kidneys, because the inner ear and the kidneys arise from the same germ layer during embryonic development.


Companies that are committed to doing things right will do so even in down business cycles, rather than abandoning these projects during downturns.

Reducing Electrical Hazards

By Jerry Laws

When safety becomes one of the design criteria for a project, it's a much more economical approach for that customer or company.


While it can be stressful to be in the middle of an unsettled industry, safety professionals are encouraging their teams by reminding them that those still working represent the best of the industry. (Cestusline, Inc. photo)

Seven Ways to Go Back to Basics With Your Safety Program

By Jennifer Choi

Using effective control factors to streamline PPE selection and simplify conformity across sites has the full attention of today’s safety managers.


Departments

Boomeranging: Five Methods For Revitalizing an Aging Workforce

By Robert Pater

Wise companies have attempted many strategies for mitigating the drag-down effects of older workers while trying to maximize their strengths.


The 'Deadliest Catch' No More

By Jerry Laws

Efforts by the fishing industry, Coast Guard, and National Marine Fisheries Service have all contributed to the fleet's improved safety.


Artificial Intelligence