The Safety Brief

The Halo Light makes sure workers are visible at night. It's not just for highway crews. The light is great anytime workers and vehicles mix in the dark. Hear about the safety advantages of the work light that fits over a hard hat. It shoots out light 360° so drivers can see a worker who is a quarter-mile away. In just over a year, The Halo Light has won industry respect, winning 12 safety awards. See the transcript to this podcast for a link to The Halo Light: https://www.thesafetybrief.com/halo-light-for-hard-hats/

Safety Data Sheets must be kept current. Every company with employees exposed to hazardous chemicals is required to keep an SDS on each chemical, says OSHA. OSHA's new Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to follow new guidelines modeled after GHS, the Globally Harmonized System. In this podcast, Dan Clark tells of OSHA’s ongoing standard changeover, and the recent June 1st, 2015 deadline requirements. Safety Data Sheets must be easily accessible for all workers using hazardous chemicals.

Workplace concussions should not be taken lightly. They’re serious brain injuries which should be reported to management, then reviewed by a doctor.In this podcast, hear how a concussion is not just a brain bruise. Host Dan Clark describes what happens inside the head when a concussion occurs. Dan explains that even a slight hit to the head can cause brain injury.Industries susceptible to concussions, and the procedure for reporting and medical review are also detailed.

Heat safety is easier with OSHA’s updated smartphone app in your pocket. Their Heat Safety Tool calculates the current heat index—how hot it feels. Local temperature and humidity greatly affect workers. High temperatures and humidity can make the air feel much hotter than it actually is. Often, a worker’s sweat can’t evaporate as easily, making them susceptible to heat illnesses. In this podcast, Dan Clark relays details of the updated, free application from OSHA. The iPhone/iPad version has a full makeover. The Android and Blackberry versions have modest updates. See the links in the transcript for the free downloads.

https://www.thesafetybrief.com/heat-safety-app-updated/

Self-driving trucks? An 18-wheel big rig now drives itself on the highways of Nevada. Hear from someone who's been in the passenger seat. The Daimler / Freightliner Inspiration is world’s first licensed, autonomous (self-driving) truck. Freelance automotive writer Jeffrey Jablansky rode in the truck at its debut, and Dan Clark asks all about it. Jeff describes the butterflies he felt during the ride, and if he felt the truck was safe. He also tells of the navigation and satellite systems which guided the truck at 70 mph. Dan and Jeff discuss the legal hurdles self-driving trucks face state-to-state, their expected cost, and if they will eliminate jobs.

Unsafe in construction. One group of young, immigrant workers wins the prize for most at-risk in construction. Hear about the study from NIOSH and ASSE.

Hispanic immigrant construction workers under 25, who don’t speak English, and work for small companies, have the highest injury and death rate. In this podcast, Dan Clark explains why, based on the study “Overlapping Vulnerabilities: The Occupational Safety and Health of Young Immigrant Workers in Small Construction Firms.”

The study was published this month by NIOSH, The National Institute For Occupational Safety and Health, and ASSE, The American Society Of Safety Engineers.

Work zone safety near live traffic is critical. Hear advice on keeping your workers safe with a traffic control plan, work zone barriers and more. In this podcast, Dan Clark offers eight ways to protect employees near moving vehicles. Dan describes reflective clothing, warning signs and message boards. Also covered are STOP and SLOW paddles for flaggers.

Fall prevention is up to the employer. Hear OSHA’s Matt McNicholas and NIOSH’s Dr. Christine Branche talk about the National Fall Safety Stand-Down.Protecting construction employees from falls is job 1. Contractors and companies are required to provide equipment, training, and enforce the rules. The 2nd annual National Fall Safety Stand Down, May 4th-15th, is meant to focus on fall prevention education.In this podcast, Dan Clark features interview highlights with representatives from both NIOSH and OSHA, the co-sponsors of the Stand-Down.

Landscaping machines cause many injuries. In this podcast, hear about the three biggest culprits, and how to stay safe around them. Dan Clark tells about this trio of noisy tools and their obvious—and not so obvious—dangers. Listen to hear things you may not know about lawnmowers, weed whackers and wood chippers.

OSHA issued a confined spaces in construction rule. It’s about time. After noodling with it for over 20 years, the new standard goes in effect Aug. 3, 2015. The confined spaces rule for general-industry, initiated in 1994, never fully protected construction workers. OSHA finally catches up. Hear about the five things contractors must determine about jobsite confined spaces. In this podcast, Dan Clark notes the difference between old and new requirements. Dan also describes the construction standard for permit-required confined spaces.