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As we’re all still determining the “new normal,” many workers have returned to the office in a hybrid model. Workers are opting to go into the office a few days of the week or month, while working from home the other days. Because of this arrangement, companies are replacing dedicated workstations with open desks and […]

When conducting an ergonomics assessment, collecting accurate and adequate data from a workstation is critical. Data collection consists of gathering measurements relating to the tasks being performed. These measurements will support in developing an effective ergonomics-driven improvement plan to reduce musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk. Knowing what data to collect prior to conducting your assessment can […]

As an ergonomist, I often get questions from site safety personnel and program managers regarding new and exciting technology coming onto the market, like exoskeletons, wearable sensors, and even virtual reality training systems. Although marketing claims from the companies producing and selling these products and programs are appealing, especially their promises to be the silver […]

A key element of a strong risk management process is a centralized, electronic Control of Work system, and a solid Control of Work program can’t really “control” the work and ensure the safety of employees if it lacks an organized and efficient Permit to Work system.   A Permit to Work system houses all the information on the types of work to be completed in […]

Using contractors offers many benefits. You can offset labor costs, increase operational flexibility, and get quick access to highly-skilled workers, to name a few, but managing these contractors also creates challenges. It often involves extra administrative work and adds increased levels of uncertainty as to whether the people working at your site possess the training, […]

What is Control of Work? When contractors lack the proper qualifications, the results can be catastrophic, leading to serious accidents or fatalities. Control of Work is a system of safety management that acts as a gate for your workplace, mitigating risks by verifying the contractor’s documentation before they are allowed on-site. This proactive approach ensures […]

Like HAZOP, LOPA is an environmental, health and safety (EHS) term that a lot of people have heard thrown around that sounds like a big, scary deal because it’s an acronym. But also like HAZOP, LOPA isn’t anything to be intimidated by— it’s a simple, straightforward way of assessing and addressing risks that has a big impact.  What is LOPA? What […]

Having solid estimations of costs and return-on-investment for a new program are crucial for getting executive buy-in and consistent support. Some programs, like ergonomics, can be difficult to get approved because they would be implemented to rectify a long-term issue. When determining whether to invest in a program, decision-makers want to know if they’ll get money back, when they’ll get it, and how much […]

HAZOP is another one of those environmental, health and safety terms that sounds like a big, scary deal. But like the EHS umbrella it falls under, risk management, HAZOP is simple to understand when you break it down.   HAZOP is a type of risk analysis, and stands for Hazard and Operability study. “Study,” in this sense, means a structured examination of processes (existing or planned) to identify […]

by Phil Molé On September 21–23, OSHA held an informal public hearing on the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) issued earlier this year that seeks to update OSHA’s HazCom Standard to align with Revision 7 of the UN’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Since February 2021 when the NPRM was […]