Welcome to NECA’s May Safety Minute bringing you the latest safety news sponsored by NECA and Intec, developers of eSafetyLine. 

May is Electrical Safety month. As electricians and electrical workers, this annual month-long campaign serves to remind us of the dangers working on/or near electricity and emphasizes the safety tactics and strategies to mitigate common hazards. Sponsored by the Electrical Safety Foundation International, this year’s focus is on avoiding counterfeit products, using Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) certified items, recruiting qualified workers, and addressing emerging technology.

OSHA announced the launch of its Safety Champions Program, a new cooperative initiative designed to help employers develop and implement effective safety and health programs.

The agency also announced the launch of its OSHA Cares initiative, an agency-wide effort focused on helping businesses meet federal workplace safety requirements, while also building strong, successful safety and health programs that benefit employers and workers.

The National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH) released a science bulletin on chemicals and hearing loss. Chemicals that can damage hearing are common in the workplace. Every industry and many occupations have the potential risk of exposure. Awareness, monitoring, and safe chemical handling can protect hearing.

Additionally, OSHA updated its National Emphasis Program that protects workers from outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards to direct agency resources where they can make the biggest impact – focusing inspections and outreach in industries and workplaces where heat stress risks are most likely to occur.

As a result, the Center for Construction Training and Research (CWPR) has made resources available for heat stress and working in hot conditions.

The unexpected startup or release of stored energy can result in serious injury or death to workers. Therefore, May’s safety topic addresses Hazardous Energy.. In case you missed it, the April eSafetyline talks addressed OSHA’s struck by hazards.

Subscribers will also find new links to free webinars on Hand Protection, Rooftop Safet, AI in Occupational Health, Dust Explosions, Cutting Edge Safety Solutions, and Respiratory Protection, as well as other on-demand topics.