Safety/Health

A matter of balance: Medical marijuana, the ADA and drug testing

12/04/2017

In Pennsylvania, case law says employers should balance an employee’s privacy interests against the need for random drug testing.

Jersey contractor cited for Philly scaffold hazards

12/04/2017

Federal OSHA investigators have issued citations totaling $191,215 in proposed penalties to DH Construction for violations discovered at a Philadelphia job site.

OSHA electronic reporting delayed

11/28/2017

E-reporting for organizations with 250 or more employees was to have begun Dec. 1, but the compliance deadline has been pushed back to Dec. 15.

$1.8 million fine for fatal explosion

11/21/2017

OSHA has proposed $1,837,861 in fines against a Wisconsin corn mill following a May 31, 2017, explosion that killed five workers and injured 12 others.

Syracuse firm agrees to OSHA hazardous waste settlement

11/15/2017

OSHA inspectors were called in when employees at TOMRA NY Recycling in Syracuse reported being exposed to blood and other infectious materials as they sorted bottles and cans.

Not every ‘safety’ fear amounts to whistleblowing

10/30/2017

In Pennsylvania, workers are protected for whistleblowing. However, the law has specific requirements. For example, the worker’s complaint must be “objectively reasonable” and not merely a complaint about some perceived safety issue.

A heart-smart strategy: The legal ABCs of AEDs

10/19/2017

The American Heart Association estimates there will be 350,000 sudden cardiac arrests this year, but automated external defibrillators could save 50,000 lives.

Falls continue to be No. 1 workplace safety problem

10/19/2017

Employers were cited for violations of OSHA’s “Fall Protection: General Requirements” standards more than 6,000 times in fiscal year 2017.

Harvey aftermath: Government offers flood clean-up resources

08/29/2017

Hurricane Harvey and the flooding that occurred in its wake mean weeks or months of clean-up, repair and rebuilding for Texas employers and employees. That will be dangerous work that will likely expose workers to hazardous conditions.
These official resources can help make the process as safe as possible.

Screen time: Teach employees the 20-20-20 rule

08/24/2017

The average American spends seven hours per day on digital devices, and all that exposure is leading to more eye strain and sleep problems.