Top OSHA violations
- For the 12th year in a row “fall protection – general requirement” is the most cited standard violation, according to OSHA.
- All of the violations on this year’s list also appeared on the previous year’s list, although many of the infractions traded spots.
- Last year’s No. 2 violation respiratory protection dropped to third.
- The No 5 violation in 2021 — hazard communication — jumped to the No. 2 spot.
NIOSH names top entry in clothing challenge
- A self-conforming personal protective gown that adapts to different body types has earned first prize in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Protective Clothing Challenge.
- The theme competition was “Leaving No Body Unprotected.”
- The Omni-Fit PPE Gown with Contamination Indicator, submitted by NBU/ED Collaboration Group, features an adjustable, accordion-style waistband and claimed a $25,000 prize.
- NIOSH collaborated with NASA Tournament Lab and HeroX on the competition, which featured more than 35 submissions.
Fallen lumber kills commercial driver
- A 51-year-old semitrailer driver after some lumber fell from his truck and onto him in Michigan.
- A trailer was being unloaded when some lumber fell and killed Levi Linton, 51, of Ontario, Canada, the Grandville Police Department said.
- Police said the accident occurred around 11 a.m. at Standale Lumber in Grandville, which is located southwest of Grand Rapids.
- Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the incident, police said.
Preventing. injuries, cutting costs
- Research from Liberty Mutual Insurance shows that workplace injuries can cost U.S. businesses more than $1 billion a week.
- OSHA sets safety standards and provides resources like educational programming to ensure the safety of workers.
- They require personal protective equipment to be worn on-site, which, in heavy industries, means more than just a mask and can include high-visibility vests, eyewear, and a hard hat.
- Medical bills can cost as much as $600,000 to $1.8 million per case depending on the physical and emotional toll on the injured employee, their family, and co-workers.