Melissa J. Ruminski

The U.S. Fire Administration says that every year, an average of 2,900 home clothes dryer fires cause an estimated five deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property damage.

If you’re a back-page reader like I am, you’ll notice right away this month the kickoff of a new column. “On Research” will feature contributors to the Journal of Safety Research, which operates under the day-to-day direction of my National Safety Council colleague, JSR Managing Editor Katie Porretta.

As 2022 begins, the Safety+Health team remains committed to bringing occupational safety and health professionals news and knowledge to help prevent worker injury and death.

I’ve learned firsthand that, even in a world where opinions are divided, people are kind – and kindness matters.

Although many of you oversee safety at facilities where essential workers have been onsite since the onset of the pandemic, we all know safety plans need to be reviewed and, if necessary, adjusted.

The nation’s largest occupational safety and health event is scheduled to take place – with both virtual and in-person components – Oct. 8-14 in Orlando, FL.

Even when we’re not directly asking for specific comments, we welcome feedback. It’s easy to get hold of us: S+H is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. And if you prefer email, our addresses are on p. 6 of the magazine and on our website. Whatever method you use to reach out, it’s always good to hear from you.

For a number of years after I became editor of Safety+Health, one reader would email me to tell me that the magazine should feature cartoons, and we had some good-natured debate over it.

June is National Safety Month. On this, the 25th anniversary of the observance, the COVID-19 pandemic remains front and center of the discussion about how to keep workers safe.

Editor Melissa J. Ruminski writes about the impact of COVID-19 on people seeking and receiving treatment for opioid misuse.