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The International Building Code (IBC) and OSHA have a lot in common. Do you know where their standards overlap? Are you in compliance?

The post The International Building Code and OSHA appeared first on Dakota Safety.

Choosing the proper safety gate to equip your facility can be tough if you're not sure what to look for. Here's a quick crash course (no pun intended).

The post The Perfect Fit: Choosing the Safety Gate That’s Right for You appeared first on Dakota Safety.

OSHA plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of workers across the nation. Are you up-to-speed on their latest fall protection changes? Here's the facts.

The post Staying Informed on OSHA’s Fall Protection Changes appeared first on Dakota Safety.

If you're a brick and mortar business, chances are there's a fixed access ladder attached to your building. Check out this primer for access ladder basics.

The post Fixed Access Ladders 101 appeared first on Dakota Safety.

The leading cause of occupational injuries and fatalities is falls. In fact, within the past decade, it is the #1 OSHA-violated standard, resulting in workplace tragedies, costing businesses a substantial amount of money and damaging their reputations.

Perhaps it is fair to say that one of the most dangerous work environments is industrial spaces, including factories, warehouses, and manufacturing plants. Such settings create numerous opportunities for tripping, slipping, and falling from greasy floors and damaged steps to clutter and uneven walking surfaces. 

There are many occasions on a worksite when there may be a requirement to work at height. For such a job, you’ll be unsurprised to hear that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) frowns upon clambering up the nearest tall object; you’re going to need a ladder.

But once you’ve made the decision that the task requires a ladder, how do know which type to go for? There are a wide array of options and picking the wrong one could be hazardous.

Here are a few things you need to consider when choosing the right ladder for your worksite.

Workers compensation is a form of insurance designed to help employees recover from injuries sustained in the workplace. While each state has different laws pertaining to workers compensation, benefits typically include paying for medical expenses, death benefits, lost wages, and rehabilitation services.

Despite the amount of preventative actions a company may take, accidents do and will always happen. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “More than 1.1 million injuries happened in the workplace in 2011, with an average recuperation time of 8 days.”

Keeping workers safe on the job is one of the biggest expenses for employers; a large portion of the company budget goes to informing and training employees on safe work practices as well as reviewing facilities and making any necessary changes.

In all industries, there comes a time when a business must evaluate a piece of equipment that is nearing the end of its lifespan and ask an important question: can it be repaired or does it need to be replaced?

For many industries, there’s a bit of wiggle room when it comes to squeezing a few more uses out of a piece of equipment. After all, what’s the worst that can happen if you continue using a laptop that’s on its last leg or an appliance that’s out of date?

On the other hand, safety and fall protection equipment is an area where you can’t afford to take chances.

Forging ahead on a rooftop repair doesn’t need to be an occasion ending in a hospital visit. Whether you oversee rooftop work with a construction company or your workers conduct regular rooftop maintenance, the same rules apply. The chance of injuries are unfortunately all too common. A report issued from The Center for Construction Research and Training surmised from 2008 to 2010, roof-related falls accounted for one third of fall-related construction deaths.

Heeding to a little practical advice is key to preventing a painful – and possibly fatal – accident. Here are 5 no-nonsense tips on how to make rooftop work a cinch.

When it comes to workplace safety, it’s critical for construction companies to look at what could happen instead of what is (or isn’t) currently happening. Incidents can take place at any time and can happen to anyone. You must not take signs of potential danger lightly. A small crack on the wall or a rusty handle bar might be all it takes to cause a major workplace hazard.

Recently, OSHA’s updated regulations were released and the current administration has wasted no time in its enforcement.

While OSHA intends to protect workers and empower employers to maintain a safe, productive work environment, there is a gap in understanding exactly how to adhere to the regulations as the agency expects. It is often difficult to extract an accurate interpretation from the regulatory language and legalese.

Dealing with OSHA regulations is not an easy task for many companies. As an employer, you are responsible for the safety of your workers who are handling chemicals or working on surfaces with unprotected edges or sides above 6 feet on a daily basis. Therefore, it is crucial to stay on top of OSHA changes.

This year, the Obama Administration has set a rigorous agenda for new regulations and enhanced OSHA enforcement. This article will shed light on OSHA changes in 2016 to help you better prepare for them.