March 22, 2024
Fall restraint lessons, new fatigue prevention toolkit and more
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
During the ANSI/ASSP Z359 Fall Restraint Forum, members discussed why fall fatalities have been increasing since 2009 and how employers can improve their fall protection programs. A recent ASSP article provides 10 key takeaways, including conducting more in-depth assessments, using quality control in selecting anchorages, verifying products and more.
The National Safety Council (NSC)
NSC provides fatigue prevention toolkit
According to the NSC, 13% of workplace injuries are caused by fatigue and 43% of employees say they’re sometimes too tired to function safely at work. To help businesses keep employees safe and protect their bottom line, the NSC produced a comprehensive toolkit containing sample policies, training materials and research papers.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
NIOSH selects second-round winners for respirator challenge
NIOSH recently selected nine winners for the second phase of its Respirator Fit Evaluation Challenge, which aims to find practical solutions that deliver real-time feedback to users on filtering facepiece respirator fit. The Phase 2 winners used a diverse range of technologies including lidar, embedded sensor networks and AI enhanced facial scanning.
Studies, resources, trends, news
Tips for addressing sun glare while driving
There are over 9,000 motor vehicle crashes related to sun glare each year. An EHS Today article explains the dangers of driving during sunrise and sunset, especially when it coincides with rush hour. The article also provides helpful safety tips involving taking care of the windshield and using practical products.
Considerations for heat illness prevention in construction
A recent study shows that construction employees are at an increased risk of heat-related illnesses even in moderate temperatures. In fact, construction employees are 13 times more likely to suffer heat-related fatalities than the general population. The study suggests that in addition to temperature, employers need to consider the intensity of work, hydration levels and the clothing and equipment required.