By: Kevin Summ, Contributor In the face of rising surcharges from Publicly Operated Treatment Works (POTWs), an aging workforce and changes in demand from the global COVID-19 pandemic, food manufacturers are looking for cost-effective strategies to stay in compliance while keeping operating costs low. Food production has always been a demanding and competitive process, and…
Read More >>By: Dave Risi, CIH, CSP, Contributor Respirators are the last line of defense between workers and harmful air contaminants, irritants and other workplace respiratory hazards. Yet, simply wearing a respirator isn’t enough. If respirators don’t fit properly, they provide little or no protection for workers. That’s why regulations like OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard require employers…
Read More >>By: Shelby Jenuwine, Contributor Eye injuries in the workplace are fearfully prevalent. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that every day, nearly 2,000 workers in the U.S. alone sustain job-related eye injuries that demand medical attention. Safety experts and eye doctors believe that using correct eye protection can decrease the severity…
Read More >>Prevent Blindness (www.preventblindness.org) recommends the following 10 measures to preventing eye injuries at work: 1. Assess: Inspect all work areas, access routes and equipment for eye hazards. Study eye accident and injury reports. 2. Test: Uncorrected vision problems can cause accidents. Include vision testing in employee physical exams. 3. Protect: Select protective eyewear that is…
Read More >>By: Barbara Nessinger, Editor-in-Chief According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that more than 2,000 people a day injure their eyes in the workplace, resulting in an average of 19,000+ lost workdays a year. In about 90% of incidents, minor to severe eye injuries and permanent vision loss could have been…
Read More >>Protective eyewear is not required for people who spend most of their day on computers and other electronic devices. However, there are some recommended ergonomic and personal adjustments to reduce the likelihood of vision-related complaints, i.e., headaches, fatigue, tired eyes, difficulty focusing. Especially given the increase in working remotely, due to the pandemic and likely…
Read More >>Before time and money are invested in implementation of noise controls, the first step should be to ensure the noise concern is not due to improper equipment setup and/or maintenance related. The recommended step here is to meet with engineering and maintenance representatives to ascertain their opinions on the matter as it relates to elevated…
Read More >>By: Ben Kanner, Contributor Mobile device use is now ubiquitous in the working world, allowing everyone to stay connected, whether employees are at home or on-site. This is especially important for those on the frontlines. According to a report by IDC, frontline workers account for 57% of American workers. They are continuously on the move—loading…
Read More >>By: Paula Shovels, Contributor The use and possession of cannabis is still officially illegal under federal law. The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 lists cannabis as a Schedule I drug, which prohibits even medical use. However, at the state and local level, it is a different story. The laws in many states are increasingly at variance…
Read More >>Functional redundancy (FR) is essential for reliably and quickly detecting fires By: Albert E. Ketler, Contributor Carbon monoxide (CO) sensors on 1,000ft centers are used in U.S. coal mines for “early detection” of conveyor belt fires caused by bearings overheating, electrical arcs or spontaneous combustion of coal dust. Temperature detection was phased out decades ago…
Read More >>Leaders in Industrial Hygiene
Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC)
Subscribe!
Sign up to receive our industry publications for FREE!