Recovering from a Workplace Injury

In 2014 there were nearly 3.0 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses among employees working in private industry, an injury rate of 3.2 cases per 100 full-time workers, according to Bureau of Labor data. Over half of these cases involved days away from work. If you're in this situation, you know how challenging it can be, physically, emotionally and financially. Here are some guidelines to help you endure this trying period and get back on your feet.

Cover Medical Bills

Apart from attending to immediate injuries, one of your initial priorities should be making sure your medical bills are covered. The symptoms of some injuries don't show up immediately, and most states give you a limited time to report injuries and still receive workplace compensation. Workplace compensation covers you even if your own negligence caused the injury, so even if you're not sure you're injured or you think it's not your employer's fault, you should report workplace injuries right away, says AllLaw.com writer Anne Lane.

You should also see a doctor as soon as possible. Go to an emergency room if your injury

New OSHA Eye and Face Protection Standards Effective in April

OSHA has published a final rule that updates requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers in general industry, shipyards, longshoring, marine terminals and construction. The rule takes effect April 25, 2016.

The new rule updates references in OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection Standards to include ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010 Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices, and deletes the 1986 edition of the ANSI standard. OSHA is retaining the 1989 and 2003 versions of the ANSI standard referenced in the standard.

The rule also updates the construction standard to follow the same standards as industries above. OSHA initially proposed changes to its eye and face protection standards in March, 2015.

• Read the final rule here.
• Visit the OSHA eye and face protection site.
• Workplace eye safety FAQ.
• Browse Eye PPE Safety Signs at ComplianceSigns.com.

OSHA Issues Final Rule on Silica Dust

OSHA has issued a final rule to limit exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The rule is comprised of two standards, one for Construction and one for General Industry and Maritime. OSHA estimates the rule will save over 600 lives and prevent more than 900 new cases of silicosis each year, once its effects are fully realized.

Workers Impacted by the New Silica Rule:

About 2.3 million workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in their workplaces, including 2 million construction workers who drill, cut, crush, or grind silica-containing materials such as concrete and stone, and 300,000 workers in general industry operations such as brick manufacturing, foundries and hydraulic fracturing. From 2005 through 2014, silicosis was listed as the underlying or a contributing cause of death

Free Resources for 2016 Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The National Safety Council designates April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month to draw attention to the epidemic of distracted driving - and offers a free cell phone policy kit to employers wanting to establish safe driving policies to protect employees and their business.


Thousands of people have died in car crashes involving cell phone use. New technology allows divers to make phone calls, dictate texts or emails and update social media while driving – all actions that are proven to increase crash risk. And employers share much of that risk, being held liable up to $25 million for employee crashes, even when employees use hands-free devices.

The NSC recommends policies that prohibit both hands-free and handheld devices and apply to all employees, and has created a Cell

Support Safety with Hard Hats that Fit

An article in the March issue of OH&S magazine describes the importance of selecting a hard fat that fits correctly and comfortably. Author Katie Twist-Rowlinson, product manager for Fibre-Metal® Hard Hats and Welding, Honeywell Safety Products, offers some perspective on hard hat construction, regulations and fit tips. Here's a recap of key points:

Basic hard hat design

Hard hats use a rigid shell and internal suspension system to protect the head from impact. The shell acts as a barrier to prevent penetration, and the suspension dissipates impact energy. Though hard hats have been used for decades, their basic materials and mechanisms have been slow to evolve. Recent research and advances in design and materials are paving the way for a new era of head protection.

Hard hat use is required, but...

Latest News from NIOSH: Heat Stress, Aerial Lifts, Oil & Gas Hazard Alert

New Heat Stress Information 

NIOSH has released the updated Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments. Occupational exposure to heat can result in injuries, illnesses, reduced productivity and death. To address this hazard, NIOSH has evaluated the scientific literature on heat and hot environments, and the Institute has updated the criteria document, which was last revised in 1986.

Hazard Alert for Oil and Gas Workers

A new joint NIOSH and OSHA hazard alert identifies health and safety risks to oil and gas industry workers who manually gauge or sample fluids on production and flowback tanks. “Health and Safety Risks for Workers Involved in Manual Tank Gauging and Sampling at Oil and Gas Extraction Sites,” specifically recommends how employers can protect workers from hazards that occur when tank hatches are opened to manually gauge or sample hydrocarbon levels.

New Web Page Addresses Aerial Lift Injuries 

Repetitiveness Means Danger in the Workplace. Repetitiveness Means Danger in the Workplace!

A constant safety reminder is important 
because some hazards don’t occur 
immediately, they’re cumulative.

There are many names for the physical consequences of performing the same motion over a long period of time—repetitive strain injuries, musculoskeletal disorders and cumulative trauma disorders to name a few. Many names, but they all mean potential turnover, losses in employee productivity and medical expenses for employers. 

What’s frightening is this can arise in any workplace where employees must perform the same motions on a consistent basis. Sound familiar? It might because there’s a risk of developing this type of injury in jobs as different as working on a computer at an office and installing ceiling tiles.*

Pain from repetitive stress most commonly occurs in the*:

•     Neck
•     Shoulders
•     Forearms
•     Hands
•     Wrists
•     Elbows
•     Lower Limbs

Because problems manifest at different speeds and in different ways for each individual,