Category Archive

Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced when fossil fuel is burned by furnaces, portable heaters, vehicles, stoves, grills, gas ranges or fireplaces. The National Safety Council warns that winter can be a prime time for carbon monoxide poisoning as people turn on their heating systems and mistakenly warm their cars in garages. Use these flyers to warn family members, employees and others of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning: CDC Protect Your Family From CO Poisoning NSC CO FAQs Prevention …

By Timothy W. Braun, Risk Control Specialist Did you know? OSHA has an online Quick Takes newsletter called “Did You Know?” It’s a free service to give subscribers twice monthly updates to their phone, tablet, or other device. DYK topics provide the latest information on timely topics from OSHA. This recent DYK gives ideas and tips for protecting workers in the warehousing and delivery industries from COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/quicktakes/12072020#covid-warehousing-delivery There are many other topics including: COVID-19 and enforcement actions COVID-19 protection for employees in various work settings Assistance with OSHA compliance Training Resources …and much more. I encourage you to check into these.  To learn more or to subscribe, go to: https://www.osha.gov/quicktakes/ Contact Tim at 717.224.1835 or another member of the Murray …

By Timothy W. Braun, Risk Control Specialist OSHA has an online Quick Takes newsletter called “Did You Know?” It’s a free service to give subscribers twice monthly updates to their phone, tablet, or other device. DYK topics provide the latest information on timely topics from OSHA. This recent DYK gives ideas and tips for protecting workers in the Healthcare industry from COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/quicktakes/12162020 There are many other topics including: COVID-19 and enforcement actions COVID-19 protection for employees in various work settings Assistance with OSHA compliance Training Resources …and much more. I encourage you to check into these.  To learn more or to subscribe, go to: https://www.osha.gov/quicktakes/ Contact Tim at 717.224.1835 or another member of the Murray Risk Control Team at 717.397.9600 …

By Timothy W. Braun, Risk Control Specialist Did you know? OSHA has an online Quick Takes newsletter called “Did You Know?”  It’s a free service to give subscribers twice monthly updates to their phone, tablet, or other device. DYK topics provide the latest information on timely topics from OSHA.  This recent DYK gives ideas and tips for protecting workers in the construction industry from COVID-19: https://www.osha.gov/quicktakes/12172020#covid-construction-industry There are many other topics including: COVID-19 and enforcement actions COVID-19 protection for employees in various work settings Assistance with OSHA compliance Training Resources …and much more. I encourage you to check into these.  To learn more or to subscribe, go to: https://www.osha.gov/quicktakes/ Contact Tim at 717.224.1835 or another member of the Murray Risk Control …

By Eugene V. Schmitt, CSP, ARM, CHST, CFPS, Risk Control Specialist Christmas is a special time but safety shouldn’t take a vacation. According to the United States Fire Administration, more than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles and more than one in every five Christmas tree fires are caused by a heating source too close to the tree. This holiday season, remember these fire safety practices: Keep candles at least 12 inches away from flammable materials. Keep your tree at least three feet away from sources of heat, such as fireplaces. Inspect light  for damage or frayed wires. If you have a live Christmas tree, water it daily. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Following these practices only …

OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, provides five practices you can implement to keep employees safe during the pandemic. Train workers on safe work practices Maintain social distancing between workers and customers Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick Clean and disinfect work surfaces and equipment Encourage workers to report any safety and health concerns For more information regarding keeping your workers safe during the holidays, contact a member of the Murray Risk Control Team at 717.397.9600.

By Timothy W. Braun, Risk Control Specialist OSHA’s role in protecting workers since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic has been multifaceted.  OSHA has and continues to issue helpful guidance documents about COVID-19: how to protect workers; ideas for many work situations; and memos discussing how OSHA will utilize their enforcement capabilities. The traditional OSHA enforcement role is and has been ongoing as well. As of December 4, 2020, OSHA has issued citations stemming from 255 inspections. The penalties for those inspections have amounted to over $3,000,000.  Many of these inspections and citations have been at long-term care facilities and various other healthcare establishments. Among the more commonly cited situations related to OSHA regulations are: Inadequacies, or lack of a …