The state of Minnesota is implementing a new set of standards to reduce on job risk for window washers. The standard requires employers whose workers are suspended more than 14-feet above grade to have a comprehensive written safety plan and provide employee training for window-washing and building-maintenance activities. It also addresses and outlines worker safety [...]

Ever since man picked up a rock more than 2 million years ago and used it break apart wood, bone and other objects the hammer was destined to become an integral tool in the construction of human society. Yet despite more than 2 million years of experience using hammering devices, mankind still suffers from hammer [...]

Vehicular accidents are the most common cause of workplace injury and death. Follow the bellow safety tips when navigating vehicles on company premises to help minimize accidents . Before Entering Vehicle Check tires to make sure properly inflated Check to make sure any attachments of the vehicle are properly secure Check top ensure all lights [...]

According to a recent blog post by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, David Michaels, OSHA will begin to target texting while driving to crack down on employee injuries and death. In 2009, distracted driving accounted for more than 5,400 traffic fatalities, or 16 percent of traffic fatalities. In terms of workplace [...]

OSHA has rescinded a January 2009 letter of interpretation regarding the use of a particular shock-absorbing lanyard in aerial work platforms. The original letter of interpretation stated because of the requirement of certain lanyards to have an anchor point at a height of 18.5 feet, their usage would likely not comply with OSHA standards when [...]

Portable power drills are one of the most useful tools in the construction industry, but without the proper safety training they can quickly become one of the most dangerous. According to a study released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission more than 2,500 people a year receive hospital treatment for power drill injuries. To [...]

“Oh I’m a general contractor so it’s the subcontractor’s responsibility.” “I’m a subcontractor so it’s the general contractor’s responsibility.” One of the common myths involving a general and subcontractor is safety is the other person’s responsibility. OSHA has decided everybody is responsible for safety. If you have a jobsite you have to be compliant with [...]

Petzl America Inc. of Clearfield, Utah, is voluntarily recalling about 375,000 Scorpio and Absorbica shock-absorbing lanyards sold between 2002 and 2011. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall July 12. Some of the lanyards are missing a safety stitch on the attachment loop, which could cause the lanyard to separate from the climbing [...]

Starting June 15 federal inspectors from the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, will kick off 15 months of increased forklift enforcement in four U.S. states. The inspections will focus on companies using forklifts in OSHA’s Atlanta-based region, which includes Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. The area witnessed 27 forklift related [...]

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the forthcoming release of a new rule that is aimed at streamlining and simplifying standards while reducing employer burdens. “We estimate that the final rule, without reducing employee protection, will result in annual cost savings to employers exceeding $43 million and significant reductions in [...]