A flash burn is a painful inflammation of the cornea, which is the clear tissue that covers the front of the eye. A flash burn occurs when you are exposed to bright ultraviolet (UV) light. It can be caused by all types of UV light, but welding torches are the most common source.
Wildfires continue to range across parts of Tennessee, although rain yesterday helped firefighters rein in the massive blaze, which has killed at least seven people and consumed more than 15,650 acres. A number of people are still missing.
Winter weather presents hazards including slippery roads/surfaces, strong winds and environmental cold. Employers must prevent illnesses, injuries, or fatalities, by controlling these hazards in workplaces impacted by winter weather.
La Nina, the climate phenomenon that sometimes appears in the fall and influences winter weather, is expected to have an effect this year, leading to warmer than normal conditions in the south and colder than usual temperatures in the north.
With a large number of kids using ear buds and headphones, noise-induced hearing loss is a serious issue, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Last year, the World Health Organization estimated 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of hearing loss due to the unsafe use of personal audio devices, including smartphones, and exposure to damaging levels of sound at noisy entertainment venues such as nightclubs, bars, and sporting events.
For many, a sweater or an extra degree on the thermostat is all that’s needed to keep warm at work on a cold day. Not so for those working outside or in an area that is poorly insulated or without heat.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers the following tips for both employers and employees about avoiding cold stress when working in frigid environments.
Hypothermia - When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body's stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature.