Twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. Every year, an estimated $242 million is spent on workers’ compensation for hearing loss. On top of that, businesses in the U.S. annually pay more than $1.5 million in penalties for not protecting their workers from noise. These financial losses represent an…
After severe storms and flooding, property owners are often dismayed to learn that their insurance policies don’t necessarily cover all of the damage. The most common point of confusion relates to water damage, which may or may not be covered by a standard policy, depending on how the water damage was incurred. It’s often up…
An exposure assessment is a necessary and important tool for ensuring the health and safety of your workers. But many employers don’t understand exactly what it is, why they need it, or how to do it right. Here’s what you need to know. Definition: An exposure assessment evaluates the nature and magnitude of exposures to…
Hazard Communication Plans (HCPs) are a required, and often overlooked, element of any company’s workplace health and safety plan. Failure to communicate hazards appropriately has steep costs in terms of worker health, both in the short and the long term. Yet in the past year, OSHA has issued more than 5,000 citations for violations of…
Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) are a leading cause of workplace injuries year round, and in winter the dangers increase. Icy sidewalks, frost-heaved walk surfaces, wet entryways, and dark stairwells all contribute to potential STFs. Property owners and employers can both be held liable for injuries that occur on the premises or while working, especially…
Nearly 2.9 million non-fatal workplace injuries occurred in the most recent year reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Another 4,836 workplace incidents resulted in a fatality in the same year. That’s approximately 3 out of every 100 full-time employees who were harmed on the job. Obviously, none of us wants to put even one…
Despite being outlawed in 1978, lead-based paint continues to be the main way people in the U.S. become exposed to lead. Lead exposure causes a variety of health problems, including behavioral disorders, seizures, and death. Children under the age of 6 are most at risk, but even adults can suffer health consequences. It’s no wonder,…
It’s common to think that only the owners of old houses have to worry about lead paint. Unfortunately, that’s simply not true. Anyone who works in the renovation, repair, or painting industry needs to understand the hazards of lead paint and how to protect themselves and their employees as well as the building occupants. This…
No property owner wants to hear that one of their buildings has a mold problem. Unfortunately, any building can be susceptible under the right conditions. All a mold outbreak needs is moisture, warmth, and organic matter to grow on. Moisture can be caused by a natural disaster, a leaky pipe, or even simply excess humidity…
When hurricane winds blow out and flood waters recede, the work of hurricane recovery begins. Our crews are currently on the ground in both Texas and Florida assisting in hurricane recovery efforts after Harvey and Irma. I’m personally overseeing asbestos and water damage assessment teams at seven sites in Texas and 24 in Florida, ranging…
