Risk Management


Colorado Gov. Signs Executive Order on Workplace Violence

As an employer, the state is affected by workplace violence which can compromise the safety of both victims and co-workers and result in lost productivity and increased healthcare costs, absenteeism, and employee turnover, the governor's office stated.

Tortilla Maker Gets Served $231,600 in OSHA-Proposed Penalties

Most of that sum is the result of the company’s failure to correct seven violations identified during a previous inspection that focused on the firm’s lack of an energy control program to ensure machinery would not start up at inopportune times.

This image comes from the new instructional video.

New Video Explains Today's FR Apparel

In "Not All FR is Created Equal," Workrite and Westex simplify the sometimes difficult task of comparing FR garments and fabrics and finding the right one for your application.

Violating hazmat regulations for packaging and handling lithium batteries can bring a maximum civil penalty of $50,000, $100,000 if serious injury, death, or substantial property destruction results.

Lithium Battery Warnings Not Sinking In

FAA and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration published a safety advisory in yesterday's Federal Register citing five aircraft incidents since July 1.

A new card helps health workers and their safety and compliance officers keep track of fit tests and respirator training.

AOHP/OSHA Alliance Creates Respirator Fit Testing Card

The Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare's alliance with OSHA brainstormed the idea during a conference call that included NIOSH’s National Personal Protective Technology Lab.

Contractor Cited for Repeat Fall Hazards Following Worker's Fatal Plummet

"This company was previously cited for workplace hazards and did not take the necessary steps to be in compliance, resulting in this avoidable tragedy," said Lisa Levy, area director of OSHA's office in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.

Contractor Faces $50K in Fines for Lack of Asbestos Safeguards

The company allegedly did not monitor to determine asbestos exposure levels, use wet methods to clean up debris, or provide HEPA vacuum cleaners to collect debris and dust, among other serious violations.

text mesaging with a cellphone

Order Gives Agencies 90 Days to Bar Texting While Driving

The president’s executive order, published in Tuesday's Federal Register, defines "texting" as "reading from or entering data into any handheld or other electronic device, including for the purpose of SMS texting, e-mailing, instant messaging, obtaining navigational information, or engaging in any other form of electronic data retrieval or electronic data communication."



Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman met Oct. 2 with state workers who have reached their walking goal of 360,000 steps.

Wellness Plan Stays on Track

More than 70 state employees have walked more than 1 million steps so far. Gov. Dave Heineman met Oct. 2 with state workers who have reached their walking goal of 360,000 steps.

Canada Training Firm Offers Employers Free Course on H1N1 Responsibilities

"The process of pandemic planning may be unfamiliar to many organizations," said Safety Services Canada President Jackie Norman. "We felt it was necessary to create a course that would answer important questions and give employers a solid foundation regarding H1N1 flu prevention in the workplace."

This Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics photo shows a chemical protective garment from its ONESuit line.

Standards, Fall Meeting Keep ISEA Busy

A revised eyewash and showers standard is available. Comments on a chemical apparel standard are due by Nov. 9, the opening day of the association's Fall Meeting.

a stressed employee

Protecting Safety in Tough Economic Times

In a tough economy it may be tempting to reduce spending by purchasing lower-cost safety equipment or protective apparel, but at what price?

The 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed good progress being made against abuse of prescription drugs and use of methamphetamine between 2007 and 2008 by Americans ages 12 and older.

New SAMHSA Administrator Nominated

Last month, the agency also announced a survey that showed a continuing sharp decline in methamphetamine and a significant drop in misuse of prescription drugs.

Driver Training Firm Offers Free Video on Distractions

The video from Smith System Driver Improvement Institute, Inc. is available until Oct. 31 for only $8 shipping and handling per video to organizations.

H1N1 Vaccine Due This Month; Seasonal Flu Serum Shortage Predicted

A study on the self-reported health of Americans ages 18 to 64 revealed that the flu is responsible for 200 million days of diminished productivity, 100 million days of bed disability, and 75 million days of work absence. Each episode of illness translates into five to six days of symptoms and between a half-day and five days of work missed.

Great Expectations

Anyone who has participated in any of the National Safety Council's 95 previous annual Congresses might have a hard time taking literally the theme of the 2009 version of the event: "Beyond Your Wildest Expectations." That's because most in the industry already recognize it as the biggest show in the safety kingdom, and this year, despite the execrable economy, the preliminary numbers are setting up to maintain that tradition.

Understanding Risk Control

Human behavior is often the focus of safety investigations. Managers and others are primarily interested in how to get people to do the right thing at the right time. Attention is generally given to risky actions taken by people. The desire is for people to be careful, to always watch out, to remember that everyone has a family at home and that risk recognition and management are personal responsibilities. But a key element is often missing from the equation: identification and control of causes that exist in conjunction with behaviors.

The FAA has promised to address pilot fatigue soon with a new rule.

Fatigue Expert Nominated to NTSB

Mark R. Rosekind, Ph.D., president and chief scientist of Alertness Solutions, has been nominated for a term lasting until Dec. 31, 2014.

FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Risk Evaluation, Mitigation Strategies

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced the availability of the first draft guidance for industry on Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS), titled "Format and Content of Proposed Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS), REMS Assessments, and Proposed REMS Modifications," which are required for certain drugs or biologics.

Cutting Noise Down to Size

Tim Pope was immediately intrigued when he first saw the hearing protection device because it was unlike any ear plug or muff he'd ever seen. Pope, vice president and owner of rapidly growing tree service company Terry Tree Service, LLC, then saw the company's claims for the product — comfortable, totally passive hearing protection that allows conversation during use — and just had to try them.

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