Environmental Health and Safety

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Money is behind the hollowness of many companies’ stop work policies. Sure, if you see something, say something. A change in weather conditions. An emergency situation. A near-miss incident. A lack of knowledge as to how to proceed. Unsafe conditions. Equipment used improperly. All legitimate risks. All often ignored by the workers who have the authority to halt work. Why? 

Indoor air pollution may not be visible, but the symptoms of it are diminished cognitive function, poor concentration and reduced productivity. Employers need to understand the risks of poor indoor air quality and the steps they can take to improve it.

There were 5,190 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2021, an 8.9 percent increase from 4,764 in 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Dec. 16, 2022. The stats reveal it was the highest annual rate since 2016. One worker died every 101 minutes from a work-related injury in 2021.

Securing employees' physical safety is a top priority for employers in the construction industry. But what about psychological safety? Keeping your employees’ minds in a safe, healthy space is essential, but, unfortunately, mental health care in the construction industry is falling short.

In hazard-prone industrial projects, some risks can be easier to overlook than others. That’s often the case with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are often not immediately noticeable but can be dangerous nonetheless. 

There is a way to remove snow quickly, safely, and efficiently from trailers with automated machines to help keep fleets clean and running on time.

Employers are responsible for protecting their workers from cold stress and other winter injuries. Learn how to keep workers safe when working in freezing temperatures.

For people who work outside, winter weather can pose a range of risks, including to your portable gas monitor. By following some simple tips, you can worry less about your portable gas monitor’s performance and trust that you can depend on it to prevent exposure to toxic or combustible gases.

Erecting a scaffolding system is its biggest deterrent and the greatest drain on maintenance productivity. Suspended platforms can increase efficiency.

How to use psychological and behavioral knowledge to improve workplace safety. As a safety leader, it’s important to recognize moments when people are looking to you as an example and ensure that your behavior aligns with the values you’re working to instill in others.