The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had its budget cut in 2013 because of sequestration. OSHA was already underfunded before the cuts and did not want to reduce its compliance inspections unless forced. OSHA inspectors are overextended and far too few companies receive annual workplace inspections to ensure that…
A recent study in the Journal of Applied Psychology revealed an increase in workplace injuries in the days after Daylight Savings time. No corresponding increase in the number of work injuries occurred when the clocks switched to standard time. This suggests that lack of sleep when this time switch occurs…
In its 2015 budget, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has expressed a desire to begin targeted inspections of more small businesses. OSHA is currently limited in its ability to conduct inspections on businesses with 10 or fewer employees. OSHA generally only conducts inspections of these companies in industries…
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a wide variety of safety regulations that it enforces. OSHA inspects workplaces on a regular basis, although understaffing has resulted in inspections not being frequent enough. OSHA also launches investigations when a serious injury or workplace death occurs or when a complaint…
Amputation is a known cause of long-term disability and can result from illness, disease, or catastrophic accident. In some cases, a limb infection or other trauma could result complications that then lead to an unexpected limb loss. A recent case involving a CBS corresponded demonstrates that the risk of amputation…
An explosion here in the Northeast has been a tragic reminder of the importance of workplace safety. The accident is still under investigation as authorities are seeking to determine what caused the explosion at a New Hampshire Ball Bearings Plant. The explosion caused massive damage and sent 15 victims to…
The use of chemicals in the workplace can create hazards, especially for workers who are exposed repeatedly over a long period of time. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has created a partnership with the fertilizer industry to promote safety when working with chemicals. OSHA is collaborating with the Agricultural…
The temporary workforce is rapidly growing in America, even as permanent jobs remain hard to come by. When the 2007 to 2009 recession ended and the economy began to improve (albeit slowly), there was a dramatic rise in the number of temp workers. In fact, temporary work has been one…
While workplaces contain many potential risks for employees, certain types of accidents repeatedly occur over-and-over across different worksites and different industries. Identifying the top cause of injuries and illnesses is essential to protect employees and reduce lost productivity and financial loss to employers. Recently, Travelers Insurancepublished some information on the…
Business owners have a lot on their plate as they focus on complying with new laws for employee health benefits and struggle to compete in an economy where growth is still relatively slow. A recent survey, however, shows that for many small businesses, the top concern is not necessarily cyber…