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September 04, 2023Safe Workers, Safe Rooftops: A Comprehensive Look at Common Hazards and Fall Protection Solutions
General Industry Fall Safety Standards:
While construction codes govern activities during the erection or renovation of a structure, General Industry codes extend to ongoing maintenance and operation. This guide focuses on the nuances of the General Industry code, shedding light on the fall protection regulations for individuals involved in long-term building maintenance.
Ensuring Safety: The Hierarchy of Fall Protection:
The Hierarchy of Fall Protection is a four-level approach that maximizes rooftop safety. It begins with inspecting the roof site for potential hazards and then implementing a complete system solution that descends down the hierarchy levels. These levels include elimination of risks, collective systems, -
September 04, 2023If you want to improve safety in your organization, a good starting point is to look at your company’s approach to inclusion.
Kimberly Kellermann
Having worked in leadership roles in manufacturing for 25 years, I have long been aware of the link between inclusion and safety. When an organization is inclusive and engenders a sense of belonging, people are more likely to keep themselves and others safe.
Unique and included
It’s important to understand what is meant by inclusion. Diversity, equity and inclusion are often lumped together, almost as if they are synonymous. Yet this is not the case, and it is important to know the difference in order to unravel the connection between inclusion and safety.
It is perfectly possible for an organization to be diverse and equitable – providing equal rights and opportunities for all – -
August 28, 2023Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the inaugural World Safety and Operations Conference (WSOC) will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, 19-21 September 2023 under the theme “Leadership in Action: Driving Safer and More Efficient Operations.” Vietnam Airlines will be the host airline. The event brings together the previous Cabin Ops Safety Conference, the IATA Safety Conference and the Emergency Response Planning and Aircraft Recovery Forums.
“Borders are open, airports are busy, and flights are full. As we rebuild airline networks and balance sheets, it is vital that all aviation stakeholders maintain the same strong commitment to safe operations that we exercised during the pandemic years. The WSOC is the forum to discuss and debate today’s challenges and opportunities to keep the industry on a trajectory of improving safety and more efficient operations,” said Willie Walsh, -
August 28, 2023Cheltenham Construction Services (CCS)—which provides residential and commercial carpentry, siding and crane services—has come under fire due to continued lapses in workplace safety.
In a release dated August 22, OSHA announced that recent investigations into the Missouri-based CCS revealed several safety violations. Inspections in Lake St. Louis and O’Fallon found CCS allowed workers to operate at elevations above 6 feet without necessary fall arrest systems, safety nets or guardrails. Furthermore, the inspection highlighted the company's neglect in safeguarding employees from eye and face hazards while using pneumatic nail guns.
OSHA cited CCS with two repeat and two serious violations, resulting in proposed penalties totaling $334,618. The company's track record with safety isn't clean either. Since 2015, OSHA has identified safety violations related to fall protection seven times at CCS. -
August 28, 2023NOX US LLC—the Ohio-based vinyl tile manufacturing arm of South Korea's NOX Corp.—is once again under scrutiny by OSHA for recurrent safety violations.
In a release dated August 24, OSHA revealed that recent investigations into NOX US's Fostoria, Ohio, plant resulted in the identification of a total of ten violations and $545,853 in proposed penalties. These include the lack of necessary safety guards on machinery, which led to a 56-year-old machine operator suffering a finger amputation in February 2023. Other violations include deficiencies in lockout and tagout procedures and insufficient worker training.
This is not the first brush with OSHA for NOX US. In October 2022, OSHA flagged similar safety failures at the same plant and proposed penalties totaling $1.2 million, a matter NOX US is currently contesting. Since 2017, 14 workers have experienced injuries, with many instances of severe -
August 28, 2023Wildfire smoke and hazardous air quality exposure pose serious risks to workers, and prolonged exposure can even result in long-term health complications like heart attacks or stroke.
FromCanada to Maui, wildfires and hazardous air quality are making headlines across North America. But while wildfire smoke presents a danger to everyone, employees who work outside face heightened health risks.
Though there are currently no federal regulations in place when it comes to hazardous air quality, contractors and organizations must recognize their responsibility and protect workers from wildfire smoke.
This commitment to employee well-being not only aligns with the principles of corporate social responsibility, but underscores the significance of creating a safe work environment. By taking steps to mitigate the effects of wildfire smoke, contractors can demonstrate their dedication to the -
August 22, 2023Advanced technology can provide real-time data collection and trend analysis.
The U.S. freight rail network is recognized as the largest freight system in the world, with almost 140,000 route miles.This vast network comprises numerous separate sections and connections. With such an extraordinary number of connections, even a single connection failure can lead to serious consequences.
The U.S. has also witnessed multiple train derailment incidents, with the recent Ohio incident being one of them. The incident resulted in the evacuation of nearly two thousand nearby residentsfor almost a week due to the release of hazardous materials that posed environmental concerns. Such accidents emphasize the significance of regular inspections and maintenance in preventing disastrous events in the US railroad. It is apparent that inspection and maintenance are crucial in ensuring public safety -
August 22, 2023Agreement focuses on addressing inefficiencies in construction industry
Safety and compliance auditing software provider, AuditSoft, has announced a strategic partnership with SALUS, a safety management platform designed for the construction sector. This collaborative initiative marks AuditSoft's first platform partnership, closely following the introduction of its Open API.
The integration of the AuditSoft Open API with SALUS's platform will enable seamless access and incorporation of essential safety documents, submitted forms, and worker certifications directly into audit reports. This integration eliminates the need for manual data transfer, streamlining the audit process for enhanced efficiency. Through this collaboration, SALUS clients stand to benefit from a more efficient audit procedure, connecting their safety management system to AuditSoft's auditing software.
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August 22, 2023With workplace stress at an all-time high, safety leaders are in a unique position to improve the situation at their companies.
What causes workplace stress? Answering that question might be the most important thing a company can do, not only in terms of fostering better mental health for its employees but also to ensure the company’s own financial health. According to the American Institute of Stress, workplace stress costs US companies roughly $300 billion annually in losses due to absenteeism, diminished productivity and accidents. That number right there makes a pretty solid business case for better understanding—and managing—the causes of stress, since the effects can be devastating.
According to The Healthy Work Campaign (HWC), a public health project sponsored by the nonprofit foundation, The Center for Social Epidemiology, the top 10 causes of work stress are: 1) long work hours, -
August 22, 2023Network of cameras, radars, speakers and strobes help city respond to incidents and make better decisions
The City of Calgary has teamed up with Axis Communications to bolster safety and streamlining operations through the implementation of intelligent security technology upgrades.
This strategic partnership, initiated in 2018, has upgraded the city's approach to security and city management by integrating Axis cameras, security radars, horn speakers, strobes, and analytics solutions across its infrastructure.
"Implementing smart security technology has ultimately transformed Calgary for the better,” says Alex Lee, security systems and technology section lead for the City of Calgary’s Department of Technical Services.
The drive to modernize was sparked by the City of Calgary's decision to transition from its outdated analog security system to a forward-looking
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