Occupational Health and Safety News- May 2023
SafetyConnect
Helping safety heads have a peaceful night of sleep by ensuring employee safety while on the road and on the job.
Report looks at ‘impacts of a warmer world’ on workers
A report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers warns that heat waves and rising temperatures pose serious health risks for workers and are the most common cause of weather-related deaths. It also estimates that heat stress at work will cost $2.4 trillion worldwide by 2030. The report highlights the importance of achieving thermal comfort in the workplace and how poor thermal comfort can lead to decreased productivity, unsafe behavior, and increased safety risks. Adapting industries to a warmer world will be essential for the future successful functioning of societies across the globe.
Organization aims for global standards for fleet safety technologies
The Together for Safer Roads NGO has launched the Fleet Trucking Global Safety Standards Initiative, which seeks to establish industry standards for fundamental safety instruments and technologies, such as telematics, airbags, and seat belts, contributing to safer roads for all. Experts have reported a lack of unifying standards for informing the purchase of the “right” vehicle safety instrument for both new vehicles and the retrofitting of existing ones. The initiative aligns with the UN's Vision Zero goals and aims to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by half by 2030.
New app aims to boost shift workers’ sleep and well-being
Researchers at Monash University ’s Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health have developed a mobile app called SleepSync to help shift workers manage their sleep cycles. The app allows users to input work and social schedules, as well as data on sleep/wake time cycles and mood, to create personalized recommendations for sleep timing. During a two-week trial, users slept 29 minutes longer a night on average, and over 80% of participants reported improved sleep quality. The app can potentially improve shift workers' health and well-being and could be integrated with wearable devices in the future.
New research on occupational safety and health professionals is now available
The research provides a review of OSHA qualification systems across 14 countries highlighting differences and similarities regarding regulation, education, training, and qualification, and context surrounding OSH professionals employed in workplaces to carry out functions for OSH management.
Mental Health at Work: It's time employers took notice of the other pandemic
A new study has found that poor workforce mental health costs Indian employers around $14 billion each year, with 80% of the Indian workforce reporting mental health issues. Despite this, there are currently no Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) norms in India to deal with mental health at work. To address this, the authors, in collaboration with psychologists at Nuvah Medical And Healthcare Institute , have developed a prototype for a framework to enhance mental well-being in the workplace. The framework includes a comprehensive policy, periodic internal audits, and a behavioral assessment covering five major dimensions of psychological safety to focus management's interventions on key areas.
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OSHA to Host Meeting on Voluntary Protection Programs on June 15
OSHA is holding a meeting on June 15th in Washington, D.C. to discuss its Voluntary Protection Programs. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss modernizing, improving, and expanding the program. Those who wish to attend the meeting, either in person or virtually, must register by June 1st through the website.
OSHA Launches National Emphasis Program on Falls
OSHA recently launched a National Emphasis Program on fall prevention to combat the high number of workplace fatalities resulting from falls. This program aligns all of OSHA's fall protection resources to address one of the most preventable causes of workplace accidents. Under this program, OSHA officers have the right to inspect employees working at heights to ensure their safety. If no inspection is needed, they will provide outreach on fall protection and leave the site. Additionally, Area Offices and Regions are required to provide general outreach every quarter, which may include seminars, materials distribution, and collaboration with other OSHA programs.
OSHA, Georgia Agencies Collaborate to Encourage Mental Health Discussions through Stand-Downs
During National Mental Health Awareness Month, OSHA has partnered with the Georgia Department of Public Health and Mental Health America of Georgia to promote mental health discussion in the workplace. They plan to use a "stand-down" approach, where everyone takes a break from work to talk about caring for their mental health and supporting their co-workers' wellbeing. OSHA has many resources available to help employers develop workplace programs that support mental health and assist employees in seeking help if needed.
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