Overdose deaths in the workplace increased by 38 percent annual between 2013 and 2016, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics - and they show no sign of slowing down. As the opioid crisis continues unabated, more and more employers are trying to whether or not they should establish a program that would make naloxone available in the event of an overdose.

A new guideline intended to reduce one of the most significant workplace violence risks in the healthcare industry has been released. “Violent Patient / Patient Visitor Management” by the International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS) urges Healthcare Facilities (HCFs) to establish specific violence prevention and aggression management policies, processes and practices to deter, identify and manage violent events.

The term “Safety culture” has become like the term “engagement” in popular management writings. There is no common agreement on the term. We are left with (mis)interpretations of terms like “safety culture,” which lead to haphazard attempts at changing organizations toward improvement.

When using industrial equipment that emit high voltages, any carelessness in handling electrical transformers can lead to expensive equipment failures and invite unwanted fatalities. This is why inspection of electrical transformers is essential. Regular inspections and periodic maintenance help identify impending issues at the earliest and prevent future problems.

Use Improved Visual Literacy to deliver enhanced safety performance; advance your safety program; and engage employees. COVE – the Center of Visual Expertise – announces dates for its forthcoming two-day Visual Literacy program. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn: 1) Identify, interpret and act upon visual information; 2) Improve hazard awareness, pre-job analysis, BBS; 3) Enhance risk management and communication; and 4) Mitigate bias and improve decision making.

According to accidents reported under RIDDOR in 2017, nine percent of fatal injuries were found to be caused by contact with moving machinery. Improving facility safety is critical to safeguard staff, but did you know safety can impact productivity and machine effectiveness too? Here, Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at obsolete equipment supplier EU Automation, shares his three tips for machine safety.

Distinct Infrastructure Group Inc. (DIG) recently announced that it has been recognized by the Utility Contractors Association of Ontario (UCA) with the Association's 2018 Safety Performance Award. Each year the UCA recognizes contractors who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to safety and achieved outstanding safety results. This year DIG was recognized in the category of contractors with over 250,000 hours of work performed.

An electrical contractor recently celebrated reaching the milestone of one-million safe working hours. Wayland, Michigan-based Windemuller said in August, 2018 it hit the mark without any recordable OSHA injuries as of July. The company’s streak started in May 2016.

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.