In this podcast episode, safety professional Heather Chapman, MS, CSP, CHMM, CEAS, shares her thoughts on the current state of the safety industry and where she thinks it is heading this year.

Warehouses worldwide have reorganized, streamlined, increased staff and taken other measures to optimize operations. However, one aspect managers often forget about is the air quality.

It’s perhaps not shocking to describe communication as an essential factor in promoting workplace safety. What may come as a surprise, though, is how critical it is for departments to speak to one another in regard to health and safety within an organization.

An important part of managing safety in the workplace is understanding how to respond to accidents and how to investigate them so businesses can stop them from reoccurring. This article is an introduction to incident investigation, how non-complex incidents can be investigated effectively.

Nowadays, nearly everyone orders online and receives a package within a day or two. But how many of us stop and think about the man-hours and processes that have moved in sync to make this fast delivery possible? 

OSHA has again cited Amazon for failing to keep workers safe, and has issued hazard alert letters after inspections at three warehouse facilities – in Deltona, Florida; Waukegan, Illinois; and New Windsor, New York – after finding workers exposed to ergonomic hazards.

Scarcities in assembly components the last few years have led to more on-the-job manufacturing injuries. In part, this has been a consequence of plant managers reengineering long-established processes to adapt to a new "normal” of uncertainty and delays.

Money is behind the hollowness of many companies’ stop work policies. Sure, if you see something, say something. A change in weather conditions. An emergency situation. A near-miss incident. A lack of knowledge as to how to proceed. Unsafe conditions. Equipment used improperly. All legitimate risks. All often ignored by the workers who have the authority to halt work. Why? 

Here are some actionable ways to increase distribution center safety and make the building a better place for everyone to work.

Indoor air pollution may not be visible, but the symptoms of it are diminished cognitive function, poor concentration and reduced productivity. Employers need to understand the risks of poor indoor air quality and the steps they can take to improve it.