Temperatures are soaring as the hottest months of the year have arrived in south Florida. Heat illnesses is a very real threat for outdoor workers, and according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), thousands of workers each year become sick—and even die—from exposure to heat. About one-third of heat-related worker deaths occur in the construction industry. OSHA released…
Heat illness can be deadly. Every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and some even die. These illnesses and deaths are preventable. OSHA’s nationwide Heat Illness Prevention Campaign aims to raise awareness and teach workers and employers about the dangers of working in hot weather and provide valuable resources to address these concerns. Begun in 2011,…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced Jan. 8, 2013, that at least 1,260 randomly selected workplaces will be inspected as part of the agency’s 2012 site-specific targeting (SST) program. The inspections will be conducted throughout 2013 and will focus on workplaces that have more than 20 workers and higher-than-average injury and illness rates.
OSHA recently unveiled the top 10 violations of 2012. It was no surprise that familiar violations from the past few years crowded the list. Fall protection led the list with more than 7,000 violations, followed by more than 4,500 violations of the hazard communication standard. Most Cited Violations of 2012 Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926.501) 7,250 violations Hazard Communication (29…
Every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat. Any company that employs a significant number of outdoor workers needs to take the time to review its policies regarding the protection of those workers from the elements. With OSHA’s New Heat Safety App, employers can have vital safety information available whenever and wherever they need it — right on their mobile phone. The App allows workers and supervisors to calculate the heat index for their worksite, and, based on the heat index, displays a risk level to outdoor workers. Then, with a simple click, employers can receive reminders about the protective measures that should be taken—such as drinking enough fluids, scheduling rest breaks, planning for and knowing what to do in an emergency, adjusting work operations, gradually building up the workload for new workers, training on heat illness signs and symptoms, and monitoring each other for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness….
Everyone recognizes the value of protecting employees from harm. Businesses must also recognize that violations of workplace safety and health standards come with some form of civil or criminal penalties. With civil penalties of up to $70,000 for each violation, penalties can reach into the millions of dollars…