As temperatures plummet and winter serves a cocktail of harsh weather conditions, outdoor workers face unique challenges that amplify health and safety risks.
Imagine this: A construction worker wakes up energized, focused and ready to tackle the day. But it’s the middle of winter. He finishes his coffee at the worksite, unfazed by the biting cold. However, despite wearing multiple layers, the chill inevitably seeps through, compromising his mobility and making him struggle with an otherwise routine task.
This scenario is a reality for the millions of workers who must perform their jobs outside in the cold winter weather.
In addition to lower temperatures and wind chill, winter can bring a cascade of safety hazards that workers must contend with, including icy surfaces and limited visibility. For example, icy scaffolding and tools can lead to slips, trips and falls—the leading cause of construction site injuries. Moreover, the cold affects workers’ motor
The standard establishes a guideline for classification, test procedures, and performance requirements.
As head injuries sideline tens of thousands of workers each year, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) announced on January 15 the new ANSI/ISEA 100-2024 Industrial Bump Cap Standard.
The measure establishes a consistent guideline for classification, test procedures, and performance requirements for bump caps, aiming to reduce injuries caused by head impacts with stationary objects.
Industrial bump caps serve as a category of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect workers from bumps, scrapes, and cuts in environments where traditional hard hats or safety helmets may not be required or practical. The new ANSI/ISEA 100-2024 standard addresses a critical gap in workplace head protection by providing manufacturers with a benchmark
"Safety first is promoted but supervisors look the other way when deadlines are at risk," says BSI report.
US businesses need to "do significantly better" in supporting workplace safety, according to a recent survey from BSI Building a thriving workplace: The power of a leading well-being program.
“We've normalized a culture where working regularly on weekends is the only way to keep up, where “safety first” is promoted but supervisors look the other way when deadlines are at risk, and where showing signs of stress is viewed as a weakness,” said Xavier Alcaraz, global practice director for Health, Safety, and Well-being, BSI Americas Consulting.
“We've created “wellness” programs that only benefit a few, we’re offering an abundance of vacation time while maintaining strict deadlines, and we’re promoting work-life balance while expecting our workers to do more with less, Alcaraz added.
A look at safety articles from parent company Endeavor Business Media.
EHS Today's parent company, Endeavor Business Media, has a number of brands that address safety concerns in their sectors. Here is a sample of some of those stories.
Beyond Iron Man: The Real-World Impact of Exoskeletons in the Workplace
New Equipment Digest contributor, Karl Zelik, who directs the Center for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology, at Vanderbilt University, discusses the benefits of exoskeletons for preventing back injuries and boosting worker productivity in the material handling industry.
Process Safety Lessons from Bhopal 40 years later
Chemical Processing columnist, Trish Kerin, director of IChemE Safety Centre, examines what can be learned from inherently unsafe industrial design.