In the realm of commercial driving, telematics continues to emerge as a vital tool for enhancing safety on our roads. However, it's crucial to recognize that while telematics offers valuable insights into driver behavior and vehicle performance, it alone cannot transform driver habits. A holistic approach as part of a comprehensive fleet safety program is necessary, one that integrates…
March 2024 has been designated as National Ladder Safety Month by the American Ladder Institute. This event is intended to raise awareness of ladder safety and decrease the number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities. Safety is everyone’s responsibility! According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, thousands of ladder-related injuries occur in the workplace every year.…
Every February, the United States observes National Heart Month, a dedicated time to raise awareness about heart health and cardiovascular diseases. Heart disease remains a leading cause of death globally, making it crucial to prioritize prevention and education. National Heart Month serves as a platform to encourage individuals to adopt heart-healthy lifestyles, including maintaining a balanced…
April 2024 has been designated as Distracted Driver Awareness Month by the National Safety Council (NSC). This event is intended to raise awareness and promote safe driving practices to decrease the number of on-the-road-related injuries and fatalities. Safety is everyone’s responsibility! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distracted driving refers to any activity…
For the 13th year in a row, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) indicated that citations related to fall protection topped their most frequently cited workplace safety violation list. According to the preliminary list released Oct. 25, 2023 at the National Safety Council’s Safety Congress & Expo, the full list of top violations for the 2023 fiscal year,…
September 17-23, 2023 has been designated as National Farm Safety & Health Week by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety. This event is intended to raise awareness of critical areas of safety and health specific to farmworkers and the hazards they face. Areas of focus for this year’s National Farm Safety & Health Week include Equipment and Rural Roadway Safety, General…
In any workplace, it is important to identify potential hazards and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. Workplace hazards can range from physical hazards such as slippery floors or heavy machinery, to chemical hazards, such as exposure to toxic chemicals to comic hazards like poor workstation design that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Identifying and addressing these hazards can…
Every year, workers in agriculture and other industries become ill due to exposure to high temperatures. Some of these injuries, unfortunately, also become fatalities. As temperatures increase, it is important to take precautions to prevent heat illness. Following guidelines created by Cal/OSHA and other safety professionals will help workers from experiencing heat illness. Workers should be…
April 2023 has been designated as Distracted Driver Awareness Month by the National Safety Council (NSC). This event is intended to raise awareness and implementation of safe driving practices to decrease the number of on-the-road-related injuries and fatalities. Safety is everyone’s responsibility! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distracted driving refers to…
Cal/OSHA’s draft standard for indoor heat illness is expected to be published on March 31, 2023. It is expected that the formal publication will be followed by a 45-day comment period, which will likely culminate with the Cal/OSHA Standards Board meeting on May 18th. Pending since 2016 when SB 1167 was signed in September of 2016, priority on the development of the standard was overcome by…
The American Ladder Institute has designated March 2023 as National Ladder Safety Month. This event is intended to raise awareness of ladder safety and decrease the number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities. Safety is everyone’s responsibility! According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, thousands of ladder-related injuries occur in the workplace every year. Workplace…
Cal/OSHA issued a recent news release announcing citations for companies that failed to protect employees from hazards pertaining to confined spaces. While none of the businesses in the release were specifically agriculture businesses, the citation provides a reminder to agriculture businesses to take action to properly train employees and account for confined space hazards. Generally…
Emergency Preparedness – Planning and training are the most critical steps to ensure appropriate actions are taken when an emergency occurs. Agribusiness, like most workplaces can face unexpected emergencies or disasters. In an effort to reduce the potential impact of a disaster, employers should develop Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) to prepare for emergencies and disasters before they…
Although injuries resulting from slips, trips and falls are often easily preventable, they still occur frequently; these types of accidents can cause serious pain: everything from cuts and bruises to head injuries, back injuries, broken bones, sprains, and strains. There are many ways businesses can protect workers against slips, trips, and falls everywhere from the field to the production…
June has been designated as National Safety Month by the National Safety Council. This event is intended to increase awareness of workplace safety topics and reinforce our collaborative responsibility to keep each other safe. Safety is everyone’s responsibility! Starting on June 1st, there will be a four-part weekly series in the Spotlight newsletter following the topics designated for…
July 2023 has been designated as National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This event is intended to raise awareness of the potential for motor vehicle theft. According to data from the NHTSA and the National Insurance Crime Bureau, more than 1 million motor vehicles were stolen in 2022, with…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering virtual workshops on Nov. 15 and Dec. 13, 2022 about the latest improvements to the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and the Micro Farm insurance options. These insurance options are available to specialty crop, organic, urban and direct market producers. Recent updates to these insurance offerings include: Doubling the ...
For many commercial fleets, driver and public safety is a top priority, and organizations often take great care to prevent costly and potentially deadly accidents. While a number of factors can lead to a crash, distracted driving is a common, preventable cause of accidents. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that ...
In a bulletin issued April 20, 2022, the FBI warns the agriculture sector that cybersecurity threats against the agriculture sector – in particular ransomware – may increase during critical planting and harvest seasons. Cyber attacks such as data breaches and ransomware can result in devastating disruption and damage. As a result, cyber liability insurance has become ...
Millions of injuries occur in the workplace every year. Musculoskeletal injuries, including sprains, strains, and tears to muscles and connective tissues, are some of the most common injuries workers experience. Injuries within this classification can result from lifting injuries, being struck by objects, or even a simple misstep. Sprains occur when a ligament is stretched ...