In 2016 OSHA issued a final rule on respirable crystalline silica which called enforcement in the construction industry beginning June 23, 2017. But this spring OSHA delayed that compliance schedule in order to “conduct additional outreach and provide education materials and guidance for employers.” So for those in construction, you have some extra time. Enforcement will not begin until September 23, 2017.

As we discussed last May, OSHA issued a final rule related to the collection of workplace injury and illness data. One aspect of this rule was the electronic submission of records. OSHA has recently shared their intent to propose a delay in the submission deadline.

Rigging. It’s a common work practice in construction, but many in general industry also have a need for lifting loads. If done incorrectly, rigging can be incredibly dangerous. Not only can a dropped load cause property damage, but it can lead to a serious injury or fatality should the load hit someone.

Knowing how to identify rigging hazards, understanding how to use rigging properly, and ensuring the proper inspection of all rigging is critical for workplace safety.

When an emergency strikes, will you and your employees be ready to respond? Do you have an emergency action plan in place? Even if you have a written plan in place, will everyone react according to the plan?

Having a plan is critical, especially in an emergency, but it won’t do you any good if your employees don’t know how to respond! You can help lead the fight by effectively communicating and training your employees on what the plan is and how to respond in case of emergency.

From safety and quality, to production and turnover- supervisors face a variety of challenges and responsibilities in their roles. Supervisors are key to an organization’s ability to develop personnel and establish expectations for the implementation of a proactive safety culture. They are the hidden heroes! Are you arming them with the tools, resources, and training to effectively develop their teams?

In January 2017 OSHA issued a final rule related to workers’ exposure to beryllium and beryllium compounds. The new rule establishes protective measures to prevent beryllium-related disease in the workplace.

Violating OSHA standards can not only result in costly fines for your organization, it can also put your employees in danger. But there are so many OSHA standards, where do you begin?

When winter weather strikes it can dramatically change your workplace. Snow, ice, freezing rain, and cold temperatures bring with them a whole new set of safety hazards than the rest of the year. Taking proper precautions can help keep workers safe throughout winter. Consider these 4 hazard areas:

In November 2016 OSHA issued a final rule on walking-working surfaces and personal fall protection systems. Most provisions of the new rule become effective on January 17, 2017. Is your workplace ready to comply with the updated OSHA standard?

Each year OSHA releases the 10 most frequently cited standards. Many of the same standards have found themselves on this list in recent years. For the sixth year in a row, Fall Protection (Standard 1926.501) tops the lists. And the only change from 2015 to 2016 is the Machine Guarding and Electrical Wiring swapped spots. 

Are you taking proper precautions to avoid these hazards in your facility and promote workplace safety?