Author Archives: Sandy Smith

About Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the Director of Global Content and Brand for Intelex Technologies. Formerly the Content Director for EHS Today, she has been writing about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990. Her work as a journalist and editor has been recognized with national and international awards. She has been interviewed about occupational safety and health for national business publications, documentaries and television programs; has served as a panelist on roundtables; and has been the keynote speaker for occupational safety and health conferences.

Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries: One U.S. Worker Died Every 101 Minutes in 2021

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In 2021, 5,190 workers suffered fatal work injuries, equating to one worker death in the U.S. every 101 minutes.

In 2021, there were 5,190 work-related deaths in the United States, a. 8.9 percent increase from 2020. The fatal work injury rate was 3.6 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, up from 3.4 per 100,000 FTE in 2020 and up from the 2019 pre-pandemic rate of 3.5. The 3.6 fatal occupational injury rate in 2021 represents the highest annual rate since 2016.  

The increase of nearly 9 percent in fatal work injuries “serves as call to action for OSHA, employers and other stakeholders to redouble our collective efforts to make our nation’s workplaces safer,” the U.S. Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker.

“In 2021, 5,190 workers suffered fatal work injuries, equating to one worker death in the U.S. every 101 minutes, including 653 Black … Read more...

Winter Safety Tips

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These tips can help prevent injuries and illnesses and make the winter months safer and more enjoyable.

Driving safety – Driving on wet, snowy or icy pavement is very different than driving during warmer months. Snow, sleet and ice can lead to hazardous road conditions. Another safety challenge occurs if your vehicle breaks down. Prepare your vehicle for the upcoming winter season with these helpful tips from the National Safety Council:

  • Test your battery; battery power drops as the temperature drops.
  • Make sure the cooling system is in good working order.
  • Have winter tires with a deeper, more flexible tread put on your car.
  • If using all-season tires, check the tread on your tires and replace if less than 2/32 of an inch.
  • Check the tire pressure; tire pressure drops as the temperature drops.
  • Check your wiper blades and replace if needed.
  • Add wiper fluid rated for -30 degrees.
  • Keep
… Read more...

Worker Safety During the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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Worker safety is particularly important at this time of year as stresses, busy workplaces and seasonal distractions can contribute to greater on-the-job risks.

The holiday season – known as the “most wonderful time of the year,” according to Christmas carols – can be dangerous and stressful for many workers. Whether they are warehouse workers, delivery drivers, seasonal workers, retail workers or others, the holiday season brings with it a number of risks – from ergonomics to winter driving to customer temper tantrums to workplace stress.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created a web page to address Workplace Holiday Safety. As noted by the agency on that page: “As the nation enters the holiday shopping season, employers must ensure that all workers are trained to recognize and prevent job hazards and implement safe work practices. OSHA has resources to help keep workers safe at every step, … Read more...

Why Is Driving Risky Business for Workers in Oil and Gas Extraction?

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Recent survey results from researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health showed that long work hours and commutes, insufficient sleep and a lack of employer policies in these areas increased the likelihood of one or more risky driving events.
Recent survey results from researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health showed that long work hours and commutes, insufficient sleep and a lack of employer policies in these areas increased the likelihood of one or more risky driving events.

Long work hours, lengthy commutes and insufficient sleep contributed to risky driving among oil and gas extraction (OGE) workers, according to On the road again: a cross-sectional survey examining work schedules, commuting time, and driving-related outcomes among U.S. oil and gas extraction workers, a study recently published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine. In addition, insufficient employer policies in these areas were associated with a greater likelihood of risky driving.

Compared to all U.S. workers, OGE workers were more likely to die on the job during 2003–2013, according to a previous CDC study. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related death in the industry, yet … Read more...

New Research Shows EHS, ESG Compliance and Reporting Key Differentiators for Today’s Businesses

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Research from Intelex Technologies shows that EHS and ESG oversight and reporting are critical for helping companies attract workers, preserve their reputation and meet regulatory requirements.

The vast majority of environmental, health and safety (EHS) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) professionals believe that a higher level of EHS and ESG maturity in their organizations can drive new business, attract the best workers, and overcome regulatory compliance hurdles, according to findings released today from Intelex Technologies’ “Big Ambitions. Complex Data. Limited Visibility.” report.

Intelex, a leading global provider of cloud-based environmental, health and safety (EHS) management software, commissioned an independent market research firm to survey more than 450 EHS and ESG professionals across industries in both the United States and Canada on critical factors impacting their businesses. The survey, conducted in June 2022, showed that both health and safety and environmental oversight and compliance remain key concerns for today’s professionals.… Read more...

Identifying and Tracking Hazards Using Job Safety Analysis Software

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One of the most effective ways to mitigate work-related injuries is to use job safety analysis, also known as job hazard analysis, to identify hazards.
Experts know that one of the most effective ways to identify, track and (hopefully) eliminate work-related injuries is by using job safety analysis, also known as job hazard analysis, to identify hazards.

Every seven seconds, a worker is injured on the job in the United States. Many of those injuries could be prevented through readily available tools, such as job safety analysis techniques and software.

Job safety analysis (JSA) is used to define and control hazards associated with certain processes, jobs or procedures. It is a systematic examination and documentation of every task within each job and is used to identify health and safety hazards and the steps required to control each task.

Experts know that one of the most effective ways to identify, track and (hopefully) eliminate work-related injuries is by using job safety analysis, also known as job hazard analysis, to identify hazards.

What’s the definition of a hazard? … Read more...

Astronaut Chris Cassidy: Leadership Under Pressure (and its Value to Risk Management)

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Capt. Chris Cassidy, a Navy SEAL, led a number of diverse teams as NASA’s Chief Astronaut and Commander of the International Space Station. He’ll share his views on risk management and leadership under pressure.

I think most of us look up at the stars and wonder what it would be like to travel in space. One of my earliest memories is of being allowed to stay up past my bedtime to see Neil Armstrong take that historic step following the moon landing of Apollo 11.

I didn’t really understand what was happening, but I remember my parents were excited and anxious, and my father told me, “We’re seeing history.” And I will ever forget Armstrong’s famous quote: “One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.”

Armstrong’s small step/giant leap was the result of years of training, thousands of hours spent researching and documenting risk management protocols and billions … Read more...

Five Things (You Need to Know About Incident Management and Reporting)

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Incident Reporting Software empowers you to capture, track, investigate, analyze and report on all incidents and near-misses, including injuries and illnesses, spills, property damage and vehicle incidents.

EHS incidents can be painful for injured employees, the environment and your organization’s bottom line, but incident management software and reporting systems don’t have to be a pain point for you.

Safety and environmental disasters rarely occur because of a single event or incident, which is why it’s critical to adopt incident management software or reporting system that identifies root causes and protects your business from future occurrences.

Ask a group of people what caused the Titanic to sink and most will say, “An iceberg.” If one person in that group is a risk or safety manager, he or she might respond that the Titanic tragedy was caused by a series of events—management failures, poor-quality construction, employee errors/lack of training, poor … Read more...

Musculoskeletal Disorders Cost Private Industry $17 Billion per Year, Are Leading Cause of Disability

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Prevention is possible for usculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), the most common cause of disability, involuntary retirement and limitations to gainful employment.
In 2020, NSC reported the private sector experienced more than 247,000 MSD injuries resulting in days away from work.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common cause of disability, involuntary retirement and limitations to gainful employment, according to the National Safety Council (NSC) Recognizing the need to address this prevalent workplace safety concern, the NSC released a new white paper: Preventing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review of Current Interventions and Future Research Directions.

Published through its MSD Solutions Lab initiative, the report discusses the various interventions used to prevent and reduce the impact of these injuries on the job.

In 2020, NSC reported the private sector experienced more than 247,000 MSD injuries resulting in days away from work. Aside from the human toll and cost for workers themselves, MSDs in the private sector cost businesses nearly $17 billion a year, according to the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index. … Read more...

OSHA, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Ally to Promote Workplace Mental Health

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OSHA and AFSP will develop information and products on workplace mental health and suicide prevention awareness in multiple languages.
OSHA and AFSP will develop information and products on workplace mental health and suicide prevention awareness in multiple languages.

Suicide is a leading cause of death among working-age adults in the United States, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)  signed an alliance agreement earlier this month to promote workplace mental health and suicide prevention awareness.

During the two-year agreement, OSHA and AFSP will develop information and products on workplace mental health and suicide prevention awareness in multiple languages that reflect diversity in the workforce and encourage workers’ sense of belonging. Participants will share best practices and effective approaches for promoting workplace suicide prevention awareness, such as AFSP’s “Talk Saves Lives” programming.

“Suicide… deeply impacts workers, families and communities,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “OSHA is proud to join with the American … Read more...