Safety Columnists

Create a culture of safety with updated hazard communication

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Employees often work with hazardous chemicals and materials. Keeping them informed about hazard communication is essential for reducing exposure and preventing accidents. Here are the steps to enhance hazard communication.

Developing the safety mindset: Why it matters

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The primary goal of every employer is to ensure workers return home safely, reflecting the concerns of their families. Achieving this requires buy-in and strong leadership, supported by five key safety principles.

Be prepared with a disaster preparedness plan

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Disaster preparedness is essential for business owners to manage risks and minimize losses. By creating a comprehensive plan with risk assessments, preventive measures, and effective claims management protocols, businesses can better secure their operations and reduce property or financial losses.

Ensuring safety in crane and hoist operations: A crucial guide

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

According to OSHA, cranes are involved in numerous fatal and non-fatal incidents each year, with common causes including equipment failure, improper use, and inadequate training.

A standard for electrical equipment maintenance

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

FEMA reported over 8,000 non-residential electrical fires in 2022, resulting in over $374 million in losses. Implementing an Electrical Maintenance Program can help reduce the risk of fires and ensure safe operations.

How hot is too hot?

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

As summer approaches, the risk of heat-related illnesses in the workplace becomes a significant concern. OSHA emphasizes the importance of recognizing, preventing, and responding to heat stress. Read how you can protect your workforce.

Everyone is a risk manager

Wed, 08 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

At work, everyone is a risk manager. It's important to maintain safety and a risk management culture.

Pioneering safety: The CEO’s role in safety culture

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Is safety just a slogan at your PHCP business? Learn how leaders can champion safety for a thriving, injury-free work environment.

Understanding critical incident stress and its impact at work

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In 2024, OSHA emphasizes mental health in the workplace, urging employers to implement programs and resources to support workers, recognizing its impact on safety and productivity.

The important relationship between safety and maintenance

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Safety is crucial in the PHCP/PVF industry. As a safety professional, I focus on the relationship between safety and maintenance for seamless operations.

Being proactive vs. reactive for safety

Taylor.Wiechert@jhlarson.com (Taylor Wiechert) — Sun, 07 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The most important questions being asked about workplace safety are: how do we effectively impact safety awareness to keep our employees from being injured? How, as an employer, do we reduce the drastic increases in workplace incidents as shown over the past year?

ASA announces winners of 2023 Safety Award

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This year, we are pleased to announce the winners of ASA’s 2023 Safety Award: The Collins Companies.

Abatement, communication and advice are key to incendent response

mplace@dsginc.biz (Michael Place) — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

What happens after the dust clears on the immediate aftermath of an incident? What should workers, supervisors and managers be focused on then?

The benefits of telematics solutions and in-cab technology

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Technology allows business owners to step into the cab with their drivers through the use of telematics solutions and in-cab technology.

A comprehensive approach to efficiency and well-being

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Beyond mere operational efficiency, a well-designed ergonomic warehouse contributes to a healthier workforce, reduces injuries, and fosters a culture of safety and productivity.

Eye on Safety: OSHA's heat hazard emphasis program

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has always been at the forefront of ensuring the health and safety of workers across various industries.

Eye on Safety: How housekeeping impacts safety culture

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Housekeeping is as crucial in the workplace as it is at home, especially when it comes to operating in a safe environment. Effective safety management in a warehouse or any workplace goes beyond mere policies and procedures; it encompasses every aspect of the work environment, including safety housekeeping.

Eye on Safety: Making safety a part of your culture

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0400

A culture of safety needs to be championed at all levels of the organization to ensure that everyone is aware of the importance of safety and takes the necessary steps to prevent accidents. In this article, we will explore why a culture of safety can be beneficial to business owners, and actionable strategies to begin growing a culture of safety at your organization.

Eye on Safety: Steps to take for fall prevention

Tue, 09 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

In this article we are going to discuss ladder safety. However, before touching on using ladders themselves, first we must ensure the housekeeping of the area in which the work will be conducted is maintained in adequate form — as with any on-the-job-project.

Eye on Safety: Hot work

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0400

For many, the term “hot work” might conjure up an image of a vast mill, where molten ore is ever present in vats, being poured into casting molds amidst a shower of sparks and extreme radiant heat. Or perhaps one imagines a metal worker operating a plasma table cutting thick sheets of steel like a hot knife through butter. While these are definitely both examples of hot work, the term covers a much wider array of activities performed in varied work environments.

Eye on Safety: In the blink of an eye

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Workplace hazards can, quite literally, lead to injuries in the blink of an eye. Your eyes are one of your most valuable senses, and are definitely not something to take for granted. Protecting yourself should be high on your list of things to remember while working. Any negligence could lead to devastating injuries, long-term pain or side effects, or even loss of eyesight, if an accident were to occur.

Eye on Safety: Heart disease facts and stats

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Heart disease refers to a variety of conditions that affect the heart — from infections to genetic defects and blood-vessel diseases. Most heart disease can be prevented with healthy lifestyle choices, yet it’s still the number one health threat in the world!

Eye on Safety: Injury prevention in an ART form

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0500

All too often, what appears to be a minor sprain or strain escalates to a recordable injury because the only alternative for the employee is a trip to the ER or doctor’s office. Invariably the visit results in an anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxant prescription and/or chiropractic therapy; both defined by OSHA as recordable.

Eye on Safety: Load securement

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Commercial motor vehicles have a strict obligation to comply with several federal regulations to ensure that our roadways are safe for travelers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA regulation subpart 392.9) requires commercial vehicle drivers to inspect and properly secure all cargo before starting and operating their vehicles.

Eye on Safety: Active shooter preparedness

mplace@dsginc.biz (Michael Place) — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500

The purpose of this article is to raise awareness on the importance of having an established active shooter program. Given the nature and unpredictability of these events, nearly every business benefits from doing so.

Eye on Safety: Cold weather aches and pains

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0400

A common cause that supposedly exacerbates or even causes this back pain is commonly thought to be linked to cold weather. Individuals that currently suffer from pain in their lumbar area often state the conditions worsen in colder winter months.

Eye on Safety: Hazmat training for different roles

Thu, 12 May 2022 14:00:00 -0400

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) enforces hazardous materials transportation operations with oversight by the Department of Transportation (DOT).

Eye on Safety: Evaluate mental state behind the wheel

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400

At times, our thoughts can feel like they’re racing faster than the traffic around us while we’re on the road – but letting our minds stray behind the wheel is a form of distracted driving. Mental distractions can be just as dangerous as physical ones, whether we’re consumed by anger, worry and stress, or just simply letting our minds wander.

Eye on Safety: OSHA top 10 most-cited standards and other benchmarks

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0500

In October 2021, OSHA released preliminary data for the top 10 most-cited standards in fiscal year 2021. The data includes violations cited between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021. The preliminary data was presented at the 2021 NSC Safety Congress and Expo by Patrick Kapust, deputy director of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs at OSHA.

Eye on Safety: Slips, trips and fall season

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

While people fall year-round, the freezing season is the perfect time to think about fall prevention. Fall hazards such as slippery leaves, wet pavement and frozen water are common in the colder season. They can't be ignored, even when businesses are extremely busy. The injuries sustained from a fall can range from the bruised ego to death. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 5,333 fatal occupational injuries in the United States in 2019. Out of the 5,333 fatalities, approximately 900 or 17% of the total were the result of slips, trips and falls.