March 29, 2024
Eclipse safety tips, stand-down for falls event and more
The American Astronomical Society (AAS)
On April 8, many Texans will have an optimal viewing of the total solar eclipse. To encourage viewers to protect their eyes, the AAS explains when and how to use solar filters such as eclipse glasses. For those without solar filters, the AAS gives alternatives for viewing the eclipse indirectly. Tips are also given about the storage and cleaning of eclipse glasses as well as the use of certain welding filters for viewing.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA seeks largest stand-down for falls event
Each year, falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. OSHA will partner with the Construction Safety Week organization for the agency’s 11th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction from May 6-10. During this event, employers will be encouraged to pause all construction activities on May 8 to speak with their employees about how to work safely from heights. The agency hopes this will result in the most widespread construction stand-down to date.
Federal advisory council to discuss naloxone
The next Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) meeting will discuss the guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services and General Services Administration for naloxone use in federal facilities. In addition to subcommittee updates, the meeting will also discuss a toolkit and resources for substance misuse and recovery from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The virtual meeting is open to the public and scheduled for 12 p.m. CDT on April 18.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA bans ongoing uses of asbestos
The EPA finalized a rule prohibiting most ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos, the only form currently imported or used in the United States. Asbestos is a known carcinogen linked to various cancers and claiming over 40,000 lives per year. United States facilities that use or produce this form of asbestos have been given timeframes to transition to other materials or technology. The EPA will also require workplace safety measures to protect employees from exposure during the transition.
Studies, resources, trends, news
Modernizing your personal protective equipment (PPE) program
An Industrial Safety & Hygiene News article explores how to create a positive safety culture through modernizing a workplace PPE program. The article discusses how safety is a long-term investment that benefits both employees and the company. Organizations are urged to move away from traditional PPE reimbursement practices toward a managed program that ensures a variety of appropriate PPE is used properly by employees. These managed programs can increase compliance and improve the safety culture through increasing the oversight of which PPE employees are using.