YOU must start thinking safety early. One of the most frequent mistakes system designers make is thinking only of the production process and ignoring the fact that the system will be safeguarded later to prevent injury, before it is put into productive use.
MOLD problems and reports of suspected mold-related illness and injury are quickly becoming a health issue for many safety professionals. When excessive moisture accumulates indoors, mold growth often occurs, bringing with it health complaints ranging from asthma to severe allergic reactions.
THE North American multi-sensor gas detector market is very large. Most of these instruments are purchased, at least in part, for use in confined space entry programs.
CHOOSING the best chemical protection garment can be complicated. An ideal garment for one situation may be too much or too little protection in different conditions. However, by assessing workplace risks and applying the right evaluation methods, the garment selection process becomes less complicated.
TODAY there are a variety of sensors used to detect flammable gases. There are also many different flammable conditions, each requiring a specific type of sensor to be accurately measured.
INDUSTRIAL hygiene gas surveys play a key role in helping industrial hygienists evaluate and determine whether workers are being exposed to hazardous conditions within their workplace environment. Portable gas monitoring instruments can be a valuable tool used in these surveys to provide data that is vital to the success of the mission.
WE'RE entering the season when OSHA wants employers to pay special attention to heat-related illnesses. Managers should know the symptoms and take quick action when heat-related problems occur.
A risk communication strategy is an important component of the response to any event. Risk communication has two major components: hazard communications to emergency responders and to the public.
ASSESSING your company's respiratory protection program is serious business. In some instances, it may mean the difference between life and death.
CANCER, disease, famine . . . all are proven killers. However, many people are unaware there is a silent killer on the loose that can be just as deadly as any disease if not properly monitored. Many times, this predator is not taken as seriously as it should be, and thus the chances rise that employees will be caught by this looming problem.
WHEN OSHA's revised Respiratory Protection Standard for General Industry, 29 CFR 1910.134, became effective on April 8, 1998, it provided employers with an all-inclusive reference source for fit testing guidelines.
WHEN we were kids, a game of "tag" always had a "home base" or a safe zone, where the unfortunate player who was "it" couldn't get to us.
I smile whenever I see a program that integrates occupational health and employee assistance services. Having considerable exposure to both of these disciplines, I can see the sheer logic behind integrating them.
IN three years' time, the United States' perspective of public safety has dramatically shifted. Decades of relative stability within our country's borders have been usurped by the threat of violence, illness, and economic uncertainty.
THE emphasis on designing workplaces to accommodate individuals having a variety of physical differences has increased due to the knowledge and public awareness surrounding ergonomics. As both manufacturers and consumers understand, work environments that are more comfortable to use and adjustable to individual needs can reduce discomfort, the potential for fatigue, and cumulative trauma, as well as increase job productivity.