February 2018 OH&S

February 2018

  • RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: What's Ahead for Respiratory Protection in 2018?
  • HAND PROTECTION: Redefining Comfort: The Key to Understanding Non-Compliance
  • HAND PROTECTION: The Invisible Threat Lurking Under Gloves
  • VISION PROTECTION: Changing the Focus of Eye Safety in 2018
  • ERGONOMICS: Keep Lifts Between the Knees and Shoulders
  • INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE: Controlling Ventilation Rates at University Research Laboratories
  • INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE: Everything You Need to Know About OSHA's Respirable Crystalline Silica Final Rule
  • MACHINE GUARDING: I, COBOT: The Rise of Industrial Robotics and the Need for Employee Safeguarding
  • DRUG TESTING: Employers Must Put Safety First in a Drug-Friendly Culture
  • DEFIBRILLATORS & CPR: AED and CPR Overview and Implementation for Special Cases
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Cover Story

The requirement for risk assessments is one of the biggest changes in the new RIA standard. (Rockford Systems, LLC photo)

I, COBOT: The Rise of Industrial Robotics and the Need for Employee Safeguarding

By Carrie Halle

In general, OSHA's view on robot safety is that if the employer is meeting the requirements of ANSI/RIA R15.06, the manufacturer has no issues.


Features

Some industry groups have argued that the rule does not go far enough in protecting workers from exposure and have advocated for a PEL of 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air or lower.

Everything You Need to Know About OSHA's Respirable Crystalline Silica Final Rule

By Clare Epstein

The agency estimates that the new rule will save more than 600 lives and prevent more than 900 cases of silicosis each year.


Proper technique is a skill rarely mastered or used by people in a dynamic work environment.

Keep Lifts Between the Knees and Shoulders

By Allan Brown

When lifting an object to above shoulder height, the core and stabilizer muscles become less efficient, so we change our body mechanics and the risk of shoulder injury increases dramatically.


All batteries, regardless of the type, discharge over time and need to be replaced or recharged.

AED and CPR Overview and Implementation for Special Cases

By Sarah Gherke

AEDs are simple to use. If you are a trained responder who finds someone unconscious and not breathing normally or not breathing at all, the procedure for use is simple.


It

Redefining Comfort: The Key to Understanding Non-Compliance

By Steve Genzer

If we are going to truly redefine the comfort zone of today's worker, it will require technological advances to gloves along with improved education around safety practices and a far more thoughtful, proactive approach to changing behavior and breaking counterproductive habits.


These regulations will potentially have a very large impact on small and mid-sized employers.

What's Ahead for Respiratory Protection in 2018?

By Ken Henry

Here's what you need to know!


The system should only be deployed in low hazard laboratories. Maintaining a lab operational permit system with periodic checkups is advisable.

Controlling Ventilation Rates at University Research Laboratories

By Markus Schaufele

Laboratories' ventilation systems make up the majority of Northwestern University's electricity demand.


One-time use of marijuana is rarely detected in a urinalysis. The detection window must be very precise for this to occur.

Employers Must Put Safety First in a Drug-Friendly Culture

By Jo McGuire

Marijuana is an impairing drug that has become substantially more potent since recreational use came into play, with some products containing upwards of 60 percent THC.


Understanding the habits of employees is the first step to encouraging higher hygiene and skin care standards. (DEB Group photo)

The Invisible Threat Lurking Under Gloves

By Matt Cloward

Gloves should always fit the hands of the workers they belong to for best results. Skin care programs work the same way.


Look for manufacturers

Changing the Focus of Eye Safety in 2018

By Wanda Sanchez-Miller

When we take a holistic view of eye safety by considering the manufacturer, the products and the individual workers who rely on them, we can make great strides toward reducing occupational eye injuries.


Departments

Chain-Breaking Leadership

By Robert Pater

Assess what you've done to address those repetitive injuries that hamper different employees. The real question here is, have you been singing the same song with just slightly different lyrics?


The Wait for ISO 45001 is Over

By Jerry Laws

For a long time, I've been hearing this standard described as a true and much-needed game changer for workplace safety and health.


Demotivate, Motivate, Reward, and Recognize: Improving Performance

By Shawn M. Galloway

At work, management creates an environment that either motivates or demotivates people.


Artificial Intelligence