Disaster in Oklahoma: SHRM Resources
A monstrous tornado swept through the Oklahoma City suburbs on May 20, 2013, leveling the community of Moore, Okla. Rescue and recovery efforts are currently underway. These resources can assist HR with the disaster management process.
Report Finds OSHA Resources Lacking, Penalties Weak
A recently released AFL-CIO report asserted that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is underfunded and understaffed and issues penalties that are too low to be effective deterrents.
OSHA Orders Reinstatement, Back Pay for Nuclear Whistle-Blower
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration ruled that an employee of Enercon Services working at a Kansas nuclear power plant was unlawfully terminated in retaliation for reporting unsafe working conditions.
Managing High-Risk Employees
Success in workplace violence prevention is equal parts intelligent response and observation, using as many team-based resources as possible, in anticipation of the subject’s potential actions, along with a mixture of intuition, experience and a thorough understanding of people who make threats versus those who pose threats.
Injury, Illness Rates Among Nursing, Residential Care Workers Triple U.S. Average
Nursing and residential care facilities recorded injury and illness case rates of up to more than triple the U.S. average for all industries for fiscal year 2011, with state facilities having the highest rates by far.
KPMG: 5 Most Common Cybersecurity Mistakes
Leaving the protection of IT networks to a specialized department of experts is just one of the main mistakes KPMG highlighted in its report. The other most common mistakes are insisting on total security, relying on cyberdefense tools, trying to beat the attackers and aiming to just comply with cybersecurity regulations.
Focus on Business-Travel Safety After Rail Threat
After the unraveling of an alleged plot to derail a passenger train traveling between New York and Toronto in April 2013, a Canadian security expert advised companies pay more attention to their workers’ safety when employees travel throughout North America.
OSHA Announces Enforcement Focus on Temp Workers
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced an initiative to focus more on the safety and health of temporary workers after recent high-profile temp worker fatalities.
Working Safely in Confined Spaces
Even though confined-space work has been regulated since 1993, an average of 92 workers are killed each year in this type of environment. Sixty percent of those fatalities are untrained rescuers who succumb to the same hazard as the initial victim.
Workplace-Violence Rates Higher for Public Employees
The average annual rate of workplace violence perpetrated against government (local, county, state and federal) employees in 2011 was three times greater than for workers in the private sector, according to a report recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
OSHA: Unions May Represent Nonunion Workplaces During Inspections
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration released an interpretation letter clarifying that nonunion employees can select anyone, including nonemployee union representatives, to accompany OSHA officials during safety inspections of their employer’s worksite.
HR Responds to Boston Bombing, Manhunt
HR leaders in Boston helped ensure employee safety, business continuity after two bombs exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, and a massive manhunt for suspects shut down the city.
California Launches 2013 'Water/Rest/Shade' Campaign
The state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health launched its 2013 Heat Illness Prevention Program to educate workers and employers on the dangers associated with heat exposure at outdoor worksites.
Survey Reveals Criminal Records Aren't Deal-Breakers
A majority of HR professionals who responded to a recently released survey are screening candidates in a conscientious manner, auditing providers and educating themselves on legal-compliance issues.
CVS Pharmacy Fined $40,000 for Lack of Emergency Action Plan
The CVS pharmacy in Red Hook, N.Y., was hit with a $40,000 fine because it did not have an emergency action plan for workers to follow if a fire or other emergency were to occur at the store.
AIHA Describes Requirements for 'Silica-Competent Person'
The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) recently released a position paper that outlines the basic body of knowledge needed to provide worker protection from an overexposure to silica.
Crane Operator Certification Requirements Questioned
Crane-industry representatives voiced concerns about and requested changes to crane operator testing and certification requirements that are set to take effect in November of 2014.
Using Exit Interviews to Prevent Disaster
Current and former employees have the information that could prevent accidents and disasters and it’s up to HR to gather it and help solve the problems that could lead to catastrophe, according to Beth Carvin, an expert on employee retention and the use of exit interviews.
Proposal to Overhaul OSH Act Returns
Senate Democrats reintroduced legislation that would amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act by expanding its coverage to public-sector workers and contractors, increasing whistle-blower protections, and significantly raising employer civil and criminal penalties for violations.
Survey: Most Teachers Feel Safe at School
AEDs in the Workplace: Benefit or Burden?
Safety for Temporary Employees: Whose Job Is It?
OSHA Committee Approves Updated Warning Signs
Supreme Court Limits OSHA's Ability to Seek Civil Penalties