Recognizing that the unique structure of construction jobs can leave workers in the industry especially vulnerable to workplace harassment, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued a new guidance document outlining specific steps industry leaders can take to combat harassment in construction workplaces. The new document, “Promising Practices for Preventing Harassment in the...
Companies may think they have workplace safety resources covered, but they may not have taken into consideration one very important detail: Whether their workforce can understand them. One-hundred percent of industrial workers say that safety training is essential for fostering a safe workplace, according to the Vector Solutions State of Industrial Worker Safety and Well-Being Report....
Understanding workplace safety risks and being properly prepared can help protect businesses and employees from a wide range of potential workplace hazards, including spiders and robots. Pie Insurance Services Inc. recently surveyed 1,034 small business owners, those with less than 500 employees, to uncover insights into top safety concerns, how prepared businesses are for summer...
When an employee experiences an occupational illness or injury, their eventual return to the workplace can create considerable challenges, putting significant stress on both the individual and their employer. Nevertheless, return-to-work (RTW) programs can help alleviate these concerns by supporting staff as they reintegrate into the workforce. These programs may entail having an injured employee...
On Feb. 5, 2024, OSHA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to issue a new safety and health standard, titled Emergency Response, to replace the existing Fire Brigades standard. The new standard would address a broader scope of emergency responders and include programmatic elements to protect emergency responders from various occupational hazards. OSHA requests...
OSHA maintains records on the most frequently cited standards from worksite inspections for each fiscal year and compiles a list within particular industries. The latest records outline the top 10 standards cited within the construction industry during fiscal year 2023 (October 2022 through September 2023) and the total number of violations for each standard. By...
OSHA recently released its list of the top 10 most frequently cited standards following inspections of worksites by federal OSHA. The list, which consists of preliminary data and is subject to change, reflects the citations across industries and accounts for citations that occurred between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 29, 2023. OSHA notes that workers...
Fostering a strong safety culture provides many benefits. In addition to reducing the risk of workplace accidents, such a culture can also help improve employee morale, enhance a business’s reputation and minimize related costs and liabilities. This article explains what it means to have a strong safety culture, outlines associated benefits and provides strategies companies...
Minimizing workplace injuries is vital for businesses across industry lines. Especially as it pertains to new employees, implementing safety orientations in the onboarding process could play a major role in preventing injuries. In fact, recent research found that 40% of occupational injuries occur among workers who have been in their roles for less than one...
On July 19, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking intended to clarify the personal protective equipment (PPE) standard for the construction industry. The stated goal of this action is to align construction, general industry and maritime standards. Comments and hearing requests must be submitted by Sept. 18, 2023,...