OSHA’s new national emphasis program takes on the initiative to deal with workplaces where hazardous chemicals are released. This has been a concern because the release of highly hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere can lead to toxic fires and explosions—hazards that can very well endanger the lives of many. Policies and procedures for inspecting workplaces [...]

OSHA announced in the Sept 9 Federal Register that they are issuing a final rule revising the personal protective equipment sections of its general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring and marine terminals standard regarding requirements for eye- and face-protective devices, and head and foot protection. “Workers exposed to occupational hazards requiring head, foot, or eye and [...]

Labor data shows that Texas has the highest number of construction worker deaths in the country last year.  Two out of 3.4 workers who die every day are Hispanics, according to the chairman of the U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association (USHCA).  Just this June, three construction workers fell to their death while working on scaffolds.  A [...]

In 2007, an employee of an Alaska-based contractor filed a complaint alleging retaliation by the contractor in violation of Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.  Section 11(c), in part, says “No person shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee because such employee has filed any complaint or instituted [...]

In a recent study by Christopher M. Barnes and David T. Wagner of the Michigan State University, they found an increase in the number of job related injuries on Mondays directly following the switch to Daylight Saving Time in which an hour is lost. During this day workers sustain more workplace injuries and of greater [...]

Eight years may have passed but the effects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks can still be felt, both by the victims and the heroes. In fact, the heroes of 9/11 have become today’s victims. When people rushed to Ground Zero with the intent of helping and being of assistance in any way that they could, [...]

Being struck by an object is one of the most common accidents that cause death, especially in the construction industry. A struck-by accident (SB) occurs when a person is forcefully struck by an object, wherein the force of contact is provided by the object. Workers are most often struck by heavy equipment and moving vehicles, [...]

Workers struck by vehicles or moving equipment is one of the most common causes of work related injuries and fatalities.  The presence of numerous heavy powered equipment and fast moving vehicles does not help and even makes this one of the most common accidents in the construction industry. In fact, it has been reported that [...]

The U.S. Department of Labor has given the state of Illinois’ OSHA the authority to administer their very own occupational safety and health plan for public employees in the state. The notice of authorization for the public employee protection plan appeared in the recent edition of the Federal Register. Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York [...]