More than 912,000 people in the U.S. are employed as landscapers or groundskeepers. Landscaping is a dangerous profession. Heat, power tools, sharp instruments, and repetitive work can all lead to painful and sometimes debilitating workplace injuries. Here are some things you need to keep in mind during the busy summer season. Common injuries for landscapers include cuts, punctures, and amputations.…
Each year, OSHA tracks the top 10 workplace safety standards violations which can lead to workers’ comp claims. For the 2021 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2020, through Aug. 31, 2021), OSHA reported the most common violations, as published by the National Safety Council. Fall protection was the most-cited safety issue for the 11th year in a row in 2021,…
With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, many people are preparing for gatherings with family and friends. All too often, however, Independence Day backyard celebrations can end up with a trip to the hospital for firework-related injuries. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that roughly 18,500 fires are started annually by fireworks. Even a simple backyard sparkler can heat…
From Thanksgiving to New Year, it’s time to enjoy your favorite holiday traditions, celebrating around the table, and making memories with friends and family. To ensure that the festivities are not only happy, but also safe, here are some useful holiday season safety tips to keep in mind this season. Shopping Safety Try not to carry cash—Stealing someone’s debit…
A coordinated, interagency effort is being launched to respond to extreme heat that threatens the lives of workers. OSHA issued a release that points out that while heat illness is largely preventable and commonly under-reported, thousands of workers are sickened each year by workplace heat exposure. OSHA implemented an intervention and enforcement initiative recently to prevent and protect workers from…
On Sept. 9, 2021, President Biden announced that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is developing an emergency temporary standard (ETS). The new ETS will require private-sector employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or test negative for COVID-19 every week before coming to work. Click here to download the Legal Update…
Lightning is a dangerous natural force. Annually in the United States, cloud-to-ground lightning occurs 20 to 25 million times and over 300 people are struck by lightning. During the past 30 years, about 50 people, on average, have been killed by lightning strikes every year, and many more suffer permanent disabilities. Precautions should be taken to prevent worker exposure to…
As we enter the hottest months of the year, it is important to plan ahead for work-related heat exposure and the potential for heat-related illness among workers. Heat stress and heat strain can increase the risk of workplace injuries. Workers in a wide variety of industries are exposed to hot environments during work and are at risk for heat-related illness.…
Keeping your drivers safe on the road isn’t just essential for their health and well-being. Their safety directly impacts other motorists on the road, as well as your bottom line. The Department of Labor (DOL) singles out trucking as one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. In fact, transportation and logistics fleets have some of the highest…
Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) have become a critical component to a complete fleet safety program, and are used for protecting a company against litigation following an accident. When an insurance company runs an MVR check, they will not share the results of that check with the insurance agent, or the employer. They will tell you if the employee is excluded…
