Every year, natural disasters affect thousands of workplaces and disrupt millions of lives. Workplaces and homes are damaged or even destroyed and in the worst cases, lives are lost. While we can never be entirely “safe” from a natural disaster, we can be prepared for anything. With the recent hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the earthquake […]
We’ve all gotten dust in our eyes. It’s very common and typically inconsequential. But even the smallest particle can result in a huge accident. What’s at risk beyond particles easily flushed from the eyes (not even an OSHA recordable incident)? A lot. Consider what might happen to a lift operator in a warehouse. Pain can […]
Each year on March 8, the global community marks International Women’s Day to highlight the challenges women face around the world, reflect on progress and celebrate successes. Since the 1950s, the percentage of women in the U.S. labor force has increased from 34% to 60% today. Women face different health risks at work than men, […]
A fellow youth hockey parent sent me an article entitled, “7 Things Parents Do to Make Their Kids Hate Sports,” by Mark Merrill.
The way employers enable learning and information-sharing plays an influential role in whether new employees will become safety leaders or safety liabilities.
Envision a semiconductor cleanroom. No dirt, no grime, not even a speck of dust. Now imagine the orange glow of molten metal splashing up from a metal foundry’s unfinished concrete floors or a warehouse full of moving forklifts. The stark contrast of these scenes may suggest that ensuring safety is relatively easier in semiconductor and […]
This Monday, September 5, is set apart to recognize the social and economic achievements of workers. Over 100 years ago, on September 5, 1882, the first Labor Day was observed in New York City. Although the founder of Labor Day is not exactly known, it is clear that the Central Labor Union adopted Labor Day […]
Dr. W. Edward Deming authored Total Quality Management, which espoused a group approach to management. Applying his concepts meant that management would encourage employees to join in the process of continuous improvement. His methods helped Japan recover following WWII. In fact, he is still revered there as a business hero.
I saw this question posed recently on a safety discussion thread,“Is intimidation a useful tool in getting people to work safely?” My thoughts? Book answer is “no – don’t intimidate”. Treat people with respect and develop trust. Through trust, people will bring forth ideas and concerns that would have otherwise been suppressed. Learning about ideas […]
Pregnancy can be a period of great excitement and expectation. For some workers and their families, however, it can be a time for grave concern. A recent study by NIOSH has found that flight attendants might be at higher risk of miscarriage due to sleep disruption, physical job demands, and exposure to cosmic radiation. Birth […]