Assessing Brownfield Sites
A brownfield is a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
OSHA Proposes to Revise Lead Exposure Standard
On June 28, 2022, OSHA published an advance notice of proposed rule-making (ANPRM) to revise its standards for occupational exposure to lead. This revision comes after recent medical research on workplace lead exposure shows adverse health effects that can occur in adults at lower blood lead levels than previously recognized. The current OSHA lead standards will be modified to reflect the proper amounts.
Big Increases in Voluntary Benefits Participation
According to a survey by professional services firm Aon, the number of employers offering voluntary benefits increased by 41% from 2021 to 2022.
Hand and Finger Protection
The risk that hand, wrist and finger injuries pose in health care settings is unique because it is associated with another, more serious risk: that of infection with diseases like Hepatitis B and C or HIV. Even injuries that do not result in infection bear the psychological trauma of waiting for definitive test results.
Active Assailant Preparedness
In recent years, active assailant incidents have become a growing concern across the United States. Most recently at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, a doctor’s office at Saint Francis in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and at a 4th of July Parade in Highland Park, Illinois.
Inland Marine Losses
Equipment losses are on the rise and this affects most contractors directly or indirectly. Specifically, Inland Marine carriers are reporting upticks in losses of mobile equipment each year. Items such as skid steers, mini excavators, trailers, hand tools and GPS systems have become prime targets for thieves. In addition, equipment losses from fire have seen a substantial increase in total claim dollars.
Grilling Safety Tips
As warmer weather continues, the smell of grilled food fills the air. According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 9,000 home fires involve grills each year.
Preventing Vehicle Theft
Vehicles are one of the most popular targets for criminals because they are relatively easy to steal. Don’t be the next victim of vehicle theft. Car theft rates spiked in 2020, according to data released by the FBI. Research indicates 810,400 vehicles were stolen in 2020, compared with 721,885 vehicles stolen in 2019.
Best Practices for Substance-Misuse Benefits
Substance misuse among employees has increased, which has been made easier because addictions are easier to conceal in remote and hybrid work situations. The situation was already a serious problem, but human resource professionals have found that substance use, misuse and abuse have increased significantly since the pandemic. In 2014, according to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 55.1% of the US population with substance-use disorders held full-time jobs. Due to the pandemic, however, this figure has likely risen significantly.
Making Changes to Caregiving Benefits in the Era of Hybrid Work
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many workers to adapt their schedules and work styles to accommodate new childcare and eldercare responsibilities. With offices reopening, many working caregivers are wondering how to best manage their time and commitments. While a hybrid work model — a combination of in-office and remote work — may offer the best of both worlds, employers need to consider the unique needs of caregivers when crafting their policies.