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IMPORTANCE OF DATA ACCURACY

State of Safety 2015

December 21, 2014

Kyle W. Morrison

2 Comments

Safety professionals, government agencies and researchers rely on injury and illness data to understand how workers are getting hurt, and to determine where to direct prevention efforts. But is that data accurate?

FALLS UP; OVERALL INJURIES DOWN

BLS releases third report on 2013 injury data; same-level falls up

December 16, 2014

The rate of fall injuries leading to days away from work increased in 2013, according to data released Dec. 16 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

HOUSE, SENATE PASS OSHA BUDGET AGREEMENT

House, Senate pass budget agreement giving slight bump to OSHA

December 15, 2014

A weekend session of Congress resulted in passage of a $1.1 trillion budget agreement that will provide stable funding to OSHA and other federal safety agencies.

PART TWO: OSHA RECORDKEEPING

More data, more problems?

A forthcoming rule may increase the amount and timeliness of injury data available to OSHA and the public. But stakeholders have concerns.

November 23, 2014

Kyle W. Morrison

No Comments

As OSHA prepares to issue a final rule that would significantly increase the amount of injury data it collects from employers – and release it to the public – stakeholder concerns continue. Among them: How OSHA will ensure the privacy of injured workers, and could the data unintentionally cast some employers in a bad light? (Part two of a two-part article.)

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OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION

'Fracking' and worker safety

U.S. oil boom is in full swing, as are questions about hazards

November 23, 2014

Tom Musick

No Comments

Technological advances have led to a steep increase in hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” in the oil and gas industry. As fracking ramps up, questions have arisen about what is being done to protect workers from both short- and long-term hazards.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION

Returning to work

Successful programs can help lower employer costs, including workers' compensation

September 28, 2014

Kyle W. Morrison

3 Comments

Workers' compensation costs are increasing nationwide, but experts say those costs – as well as fears on the part of injured workers – can be reduced with a well-designed return-to-work program.

CHEMICAL FACILITY SAFETY

Inherently Safer Design

The concept gains attention as chemical facility incidents continue to occur

September 28, 2014

Tom Musick

No Comments

After investigating a series of recent fires, explosions and toxic leaks at chemical plants, the Chemical Safety Board has emphasized the need for Inherently Safer Design. What does the term mean, and how can employers use the principles of ISD to create safer workplaces?

PART OF THE JOB?

Workplace violence in health care

Experts say 'part of the job' mindset needs to change

September 28, 2014

Sarah Trotto

One Comment

Violence from patients, families and visitors is a common hazard for nurses and other health care workers. Although several states have recently strengthened penalties for assaults on health care personnel, worker advocates are calling for additional action.

'HOT BUTTON ISSUE'

Medical marijuana and workplace safety

Amid a flurry of new laws, more questions than answers exist

August 24, 2014

Tom Musick

10 Comments

Laws and attitudes are changing rapidly regarding medical marijuana, which has been legalized by nearly half of the states in the country. But each state’s law varies, leaving more questions than answers when it comes to employers with safety-sensitive positions.

WHAT IS A NEAR MISS?

Reporting near misses

Why are they important, and how can safety pros get employees involved?

August 24, 2014

Kyle W. Morrison

25 Comments

Observing and abating hazards before someone gets hurt is vital to ensuring worker safety, and a near-miss program can help. Learn what near misses are, how they work, and how to collect reports on them.