Environmental Health and Safety

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Our brains are powerful information processing systems, but they are not an unlimited resource. Our brains evolved to look for efficiency. This efficiency often happens without us even realizing it. These biases arise because of how our brain handles information and help us get to decisions quickly, but may also place the quality and effectiveness of our decisions at risk.

Back in 2012, OSHA aligned its Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom or HCS) with Revision 3 of the United Nation’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling (GHS), which resulted in the current HazCom 2012 Standard.

Digitalization has improved safety over the past three years, even where cutbacks have been widespread, according to 40 percent of those surveyed by DNV GL. “Technology has helped us improve safety monitoring systems; data analytics helps us determine which processes, areas and equipment are more accident-prone; while we have wearable equipment to monitor workers in case they faint or fall,” noted one respondent, Lu Nianming, secretary-general of the China Chemical Safety Association (CCSA).

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has announced that it has appointed Jon Franke to the role of Vice President of Safety and Health for the company, effective Sept. 1. Franke is currently PG&E’s Vice President of Power Generation.

What are the big headlines in the respiratory protection world this year? Here are three areas safety and health professionals are watching closely.

A decade-old standard developed to help companies with risk management has been revised and adopted as a U.S. national standard. The new version reflects the evolution of risk management from a separate, departmentalized activity to an integrated management competency.

If there is one constant in regulatory compliance, it’s change. This is a challenging reality for professionals whose success depends on keeping up with the regulations governing their respective industries.

Without proper footwear and appropriate support for the job, employees can be subject to more than just discomfort. Workers are often faced with back, ankle, knee and hip pain, bad posture and foot problems like plantar fasciitis, sprains, bunions and corns.

It’s easy to think of head injuries as catastrophic, and they certainly can be. It’s also easy to think of hard hats as the only head injury prevention solution, and they certainly do provide essential protection.

OSHA is reminding emergency crews and residents of the Gulf Coast region of Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi faced with debris caused by Tropical Storm Gordon to be aware of hazards they may encounter and take steps to stay safe.