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All Posts in Category: OSHA

Comments Off on Why a Sports Medicine Professional Should be Implementing Your Heat Illness Prevention Plan

Why a Sports Medicine Professional Should be Implementing Your Heat Illness Prevention Plan

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Heat-Related Illness (HRIs) in the industrial workplace and the traditional sports world share a common intersect. While the environments may differ, the physiological mechanisms and preventative strategies overlap. When taking into account the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Heat Stress Illnesses, it is hard not to look at the sports world as an analog for proactive and preventative measures. Both athletes and industrial workers are subject to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, leading to heat stress and related illnesses. The physiological responses such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and core temperature increases exist and are similar in both settings.

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Comments Off on Addressing the Growing Threat of Heat-Related Illnesses in the Workplace

Addressing the Growing Threat of Heat-Related Illnesses in the Workplace

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Heat-related illnesses are a significant and growing concern across various industries, with thousands of workers affected annually. Many of these cases result in serious health consequences, hospitalization, and even fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention strategies. Unlike many other occupational hazards, heat-related illnesses are largely preventable. By leveraging the specialized skills and experience of Athletic Trainers (ATs), organizations can implement comprehensive programs that significantly reduce the risk of heat stress among their workforce.

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Comments Off on What Employers Need to Know About OSHA’s Proposed Heat Illness Prevention Rule

What Employers Need to Know About OSHA’s Proposed Heat Illness Prevention Rule

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Heat-related illnesses in the workplace—such as heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke—are serious concerns that can jeopardize worker safety and productivity. OSHA classifies these conditions as Heat-Related Illnesses, and the statistics are alarming. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), from 2011 to 2020, there were 33,890 work-related heat injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work, averaging 3,389 cases annually. Furthermore, the BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries reports that from 1992 to 2021, 999 U.S. workers lost their lives due to environmental heat exposure, equating to an average of 33 fatalities each year. Importantly, these conditions are entirely preventable.

Few work-related injuries and illnesses offer the opportunity for complete prevention. However, by implementing effective safety processes, providing thorough employee and management training, and actively managing environmental risks, businesses can eliminate the threat of heat stress illnesses in their workforce.


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Comments Off on Prevent Occupational Hearing Loss

Prevent Occupational Hearing Loss

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In an industrial work environment, at-risk behaviors such as poor posture and improper eye protection can be observed and corrected almost immediately. But another critical aspect of workplace safety often goes undetected– until the damage is already done. In the U.S., 22 million workers per year are at risk of occupational hearing loss [5]. Hearing damage typically occurs painlessly and progressively, but frequent and repeated exposure to high noise levels in the workplace can result in permanent hearing loss. Due to numerous sources of noise hazards such as heavy machinery and power tools, the mining, manufacturing, and construction industries experience the most incidences of work-induced hearing damage [1]. Although completely preventable, it has remained one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns for nearly three decades.

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Comments Off on OSHA’s Final Rule on Injury Data Collection

OSHA’s Final Rule on Injury Data Collection

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On March 11, OSHA published their long-anticipated final rule, “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses”, just two weeks after being reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget. The workplace injury reporting and record-keeping rule proposes more frequent data collection from employers and remains a subject of interest and controversy in the public sphere.

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Comments Off on Prevent Workplace Eye Injuries in 3 Steps

Prevent Workplace Eye Injuries in 3 Steps

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In the context of modern labor, workplace eye injuries have become nearly as common as slips and falls. According to the CDC, about 231,100 emergency room visits per year are due to work-related injuries to the eyes or face. Eye injuries alone cost businesses over $300 million per year in worker’s compensation payments, medical expenses, and lost productivity; in addition, around 20% of work-related eye injuries result in temporary or permanent vision loss.

In order to avoid these consequences, employers must do their best to prevent workplace eye injuries from occurring in the first place: by 1) assessing hazards, 2) using proper eye protection, and 3) encouraging worker compliance.

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