Tag Archives: occupational health and safety

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...

Being a safe employer pays off: Ontario announces program to reward excellence in health and safety

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The Government of Ontario has announced that it will provide $140 million in WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) rebates over three years for employers who successfully implement occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS) in the workplace. The program is open to any employer regardless of sector or size, and while it will recognize existing safety management systems, it will also encourage organizations that don’t have safety management systems to create them. 

This program is the first of its kind in Canada. The incentive is part of Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers, a voluntary program that recognizes employers who are working towards lowering the accident and injury rate among Ontario workers. The program is accredited by Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) under the authority of the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development with the goal of promoting health and safety in the workplace and encouraging continuous improvement in existing safety management systems. The program has … Read more...

ISO 45001 May Be Particularly Beneficial to Manufacturing

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ISO 45001 will heap a whole lot more responsibility on to the already full plates of top managers. The standard puts business management on the hook to create, orchestrate, maintain, monitor, develop and actively promote a system that takes occupational health and safety (OH&S) policies and embeds these into the culture and operation of a business’s everyday activities. The corollary to this is that leaders will need to find a way to ensure sufficient financial, personnel and time resources are devoted to the successful implementation of a management system for OH&S.

At the heart of the ISO 45001 standard is a need for worker involvement through participation in decision making, evaluation procedures, implementation and feedback mechanisms.

The new standard will amplify a need for an effective safety solution, including tools that will allow manufacturers to connect with different stakeholders throughout their organizations, to foster trust and collaboration at each level.… Read more...

ISO 45001 Challenges Leaders to Lead the Way

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DOWNLOAD NOW ButtonThe effectiveness and ultimate success of any health and safety regulation or standard really does begin and end with leadership.

Full commitment and support by top business management in driving corporate-wide adherence to and support of regulations, policies and guidelines for safety, quality and pretty much any other regulatory directive is essential. It’s the power behind the punch.

That leaders need to lead is hardly an Earth-shattering revelation. But it’s a refreshing and necessary guiding principle behind the upcoming ISO 45001 standard, set for publication in April. The International Labour Organization estimates more than 7,600 people die each day from work-related accidents or diseases – over 2.78 million people every year.

This new standard spells out requirements for an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) through a framework intended to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks and create better, safer working conditions.

What sets ISO 45001 apart is an … Read more...

EHSQ Community | Safety Excellence

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This month our member Sarah Fuller shares a post about environmental assessments, while member Terry L Mathis shares views on Safety Excellence. We invite you to join our Environmental, Health and Safety, and Quality professional community, and share your knowledge with other members.

  • Getting Serious About Safety Excellence by Terry L Mathis

  • Short timelines for environmental assessments not working by member Sarah Fuller

  • Contractor Safety Beyond Compliance – Modeling OSHA’s recommended best practices for contractor management

  • Advertise your event on EHSQ Community for Free! by Tamara Parris

… Read more...

Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline, James Bond Violates Health and Safety Standards

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On this week’s edition of EHS This Week we’ve got the week’s top stories in environment, health and safety news:

  • James Bond Violates Occupational Health and Safety Standards
  • President Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline

Remember to write us with your suggestions, questions and comments. Also, if you are an industry expert and ever want to take part in the program, we’d love to have you. Until next week, enjoy the program!

EHS This Week Resources
For more information on the stories and resources mentioned in this week’s podcast, check out the links below.

  • James Bond exposed…to 50 years of occupational hazards. Click here
  • Obama Rejects Keystone XL Pipeline. Click here

[audio: 2015/11/EHSTW-111315.mp3]… Read more...

How to Handle the Aftermath of a Workplace Injury

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Accidents happen – it’s an unfortunate reality for many employees, who are susceptible to accidents at work, and employers, who often are monetarily liable for medical bills and reparations after the fact. While the proper precautions can significantly lessen the risks associated with workplace injuries, employers should be aware of the proper processes following an accident.

To better control the safety of your individual employees, professional reputation and legal liabilities, follow these three must-do strategies.

1. Respond immediately

Acting fast after an employee is injured limits the risk of life-threatening complications. First, call 911 immediately following a workplace accident – even if wounds seem minor. Head and back injuries can surface hours, even days, post-incident, and many minor injuries worsen when left unaddressed. If an employee is resistant to being medically assessed, insist on their cooperation.

While waiting for medical professionals to arrive, you’re wise to address any injuries requiring … Read more...

EPA New Methane Emissions Rule, Occupational Deaths on the Rise and More!

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On this week’s edition of EHS This Week we’ve got the week’s top stories in environment, health and safety news:

  • Occupational Death rates on the rise!
  • EPA imposes new rule on Methane Emissions
  • Cal/OSHA Issues Citations to Exxon Mobil for Health and Safety Violations

Remember to write us with your suggestions, questions and comments. Also, if you are an industry expert and ever want to take part in the program, we’d love to have you. Until next week, enjoy the program!

EHS This Week Resources
For more information on the stories and resources mentioned in this week’s podcast, check out the links below.

  • Deaths in the Workplace Continue to Rise. Click here
  • EPA New Rule on Methane Emissions. Click here
  • Citations Issued to Exxon Mobil for Health & Safety Violations. Click here
  • Intelex Receives $160M in Strategic Growth Investment. Click here

[audio: 2015/08/EHSTW-082115.mp3]

… Read more...

EHS This Week: OSHA calls fowl on large Poultry Farm, Ebola Research & Employee Safety and More!

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On this week’s edition of EHS This Week we’ve got the week’s top stories in environment, health and safety news:

  • OSHA fines large poultry farm over $100,000 for alleged violations
  • NIOSH creates new resource for: Health Hazard Evaluation Program
  • Proposed Ebola virus research and employee safety

Remember to write us with your suggestions, questions and comments. Also, if you are an industry expert and ever want to take part in the program, we’d love to have you.

Until next week, enjoy the program!

EHS This Week Resources
For more information on the stories and resources mentioned in this week’s podcast, check out the links below.

  • NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Program Booklet: Click here
  • Eloba virus research workshop: Details here

[audio: 2014/11/EHSTW-110714.mp3]… Read more...