Safety inspections

December 1st, 2023

This article provides guidance on conducting workplace safety inspections for safety officers and other workers who are assigned responsibility for safety but do so in addition to their regular assignments. Workplace inspections are an important tool for identifying hazards and resolving them. Set up a schedule to inspect the workplace on a regular basis— perhaps […]

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OSHA offers $12.7 million in training grants

May 31st, 2023

The U.S. Department of Labor will provide a funding opportunity for more than $12.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to support training initiatives designed to promote safety and health in the nation’s workplaces. Administered by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the grants will support recipients’ efforts to provide instructor-led remote and in-person hands-on training for […]

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Penalties for OSHA violations increase

January 16th, 2023

The U.S. Department of Labor is increasing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties for violations based on cost-of-living adjustments for 2023.  OSHA’s maximum fines for serious and other-than-serious violations will increase from $14,502 per violation to $15,625 per violation. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations will increase from $145,027 per violation to $156,259 per […]

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OSHA administers $11.7 million in training grants

June 22nd, 2022

The U.S. Department of Labor will provide a funding opportunity for $11.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to support the delivery of training and education to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards. Administered by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the grants will target disadvantaged, underserved, low-income, and other hard-to-reach, […]

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The lighter side of OSHA

June 1st, 2022

When most of us hear the word “OSHA,” we instantly conjure up images of ticket-writing cops invading our workplace. And these aren’t the $35 tags that grace our windshield when we linger in a parking spot too long. These citations can easily hit the four- or five-digit mark depending on the severity of the violation. […]

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OSHA creates program to protect workers against heat

April 21st, 2022

For the first time, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a National Emphasis Program to protect millions of workers from heat illness and injuries. Through the program, which went into effect April 8, 2022, OSHA will conduct heat-related workplace inspections before workers suffer completely preventable injuries, illnesses or, even worse, fatalities. According to OSHA, […]

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Winter weather safety

December 1st, 2021

Winter weather presents a multitude of hazards—slippery roads and surfaces, environmental cold, strong winds, etc.—so it is important for employers to prepare for inclement weather and implement safe work practices. While winter weather may slow tent rental business, it rarely halts it. From holiday markets to ice fishing tournaments and winter weddings, tenting continues throughout […]

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OSHA revises handbook for small businesses

August 12th, 2021

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently collaborated with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to revise a handbook on workplace safety and health information for small business employers. The Small Business Safety and Health Handbook highlights the benefits of implementing an effective safety and health program, provides self-inspection checklists for employers to identify workplace hazards and […]

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Workplace safety: follow these face mask recommendations from OSHA and the CDC

October 1st, 2020

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people wear masks in public settings, especially when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. While a mask might not protect the wearer, it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others. In response to the ongoing […]

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Working safely in hot weather

July 18th, 2019

A new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) alert offers information and resources to protect workers from heat-related illness when performing activities in high temperatures and humid conditions. Symptoms of heat-related illness include fainting, dizziness, nausea and muscle spasms. Keep workers safe by following these simple safety practices: Provide water, frequent rest breaks and shade. […]

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