We can all agree that workplace safety can be a daunting challenge. Thus, it’s something that should be tackled one step at a time. The worst thing you can do is try to get too far ahead of yourself. Instead, focus on tasks you can accomplish today that can create a safer work environment for your employees.

Every business in the manufacturing industry should be familiar with NFPA 70E. It provides the basis for electrical safety and fire prevention inside the workplace. Needless to say, it’s a critical part of workplace safety, which also means that it contains a lot of rules and regulations that must be followed. Otherwise, companies can get into trouble with OSHA while also putting the health and safety of employees at risk.

More than a million workers participated in OSHA’s 10-hour training in each of the last two years, with most completing the construction industry training. This and similar programs are available to workers who want to learn more about basic health and safety topics as part of OSHA’s formal outreach efforts. While there’s a 30-hour program that covers more in-depth knowledge, the shorter program is intended to cover introductory concepts.

We can all agree that safety in the workplace, specifically a strong culture of workplace safety, is critical for any business in the manufacturing and construction industries. The problem is that a safe workplace is easier said than done. It’s not something that happens overnight; it requires time, dedication, and sometimes help from the outside.

As a safety professional, you’re trained to recognize safety issues in the workplace. More than that, you have to train your workforce to recognize safety hazards when they arise and how to go about their workday safely.

Workplace safety is a critical component of having an organization that runs well. Safety has a role in supporting employee productivity and morale while minimizing risks and liabilities. But for many companies, it can be challenging to manage all aspects of workplace safety in-house. That’s where the benefits of having a trusted workplace safety store come in.

Although many workplace safety topics stay the same from year to year, there are usually some noticeable trends within individual years that stand out. In 2020, workplace safety was marked by COVID-19; however, there were plenty of other workplace safety topics that shared time on center stage.

While companies have been very busy trying to keep up with all of the changes and new COVID-19 related legislation such as the expansion of FML regulations to include the Families First Coronavirus Response Act or FFCRA, OSHA has been busy investigating the huge influx of COVID related whistleblower complaints.

While workplace safety requirements can vary across industries, it’s important to realize that for these rules to be effective, it requires buy-in from employers and employees alike. These requirements may be issued by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as state occupational health and safety agencies, regulatory agencies, and municipalities.

In 2018, workplace injuries cost a whopping $170.8 billion, an average of $1,100 per worker. How did we get here?