Safety Tips

Exposure to wood dust can cause health problems for workers. Wood has natural chemicals and may contain bacteria, molds or fungi, according to the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety.

A landscaper died after entering the hopper of a bark blower truck and becoming entangled in its rotating auger system.

The American Academy of Dermatology cautions outdoor workers to be aware of an invisible hazard: the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Exposure to these rays for hours is a major risk factor for a number of skin cancers, including melanoma – the most serious form.

Boston — Bagels and donuts during the breakfast meeting. Cake for birthday celebrations. Consuming extra food is a common occurrence for many workers. But before you grab that free donut, know this: Workplace snacks may be adding more than 1,000 calories to your daily diet.

Washington — A few days away from the office may help clear your head and leave you feeling more positive about work. But how long does that positivity last once you return? Not long at all, say about two-thirds of respondents to a recent survey conducted by the American Psychological Association.

London — Workers who experience depression may be less prone to miss work when managers show greater sensitivity to their mental health and well-being, recent research from the London School of Economics and Political Science shows.

Lexington, KY — The Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center has issued a hazard alert advising employers on how they can help reduce unintentional drug overdoses in the workforce.

Boston — Construction and extraction workers in Massachusetts are six times more likely to suffer an opioid-related overdose death than workers in all other occupations, according to a recent report from the state’s Department of Public Health.

Falls continue to plague the construction industry. According to OSHA, falls are the leading cause of death in construction.

Puncture wounds can be serious. They often have small openings, but the objects tend to go in deep, which can make the injured worker vulnerable to a blood infection.