Tag: best practices

Diversity Training: What Are the Legal Pitfalls of Diversity Training?

Our management wants me to implement some diversity training. I’ve talked to a number of vendors and colleagues. Some advocate a “touchy-feely” program that encourages participants to “open up” and honestly share their feelings. Frankly, I’m a little concerned about where this might lead—I’m not a trained facilitator or counselor. What recommendations do you have […]

Health & Safety: New First-Aid Guide Available from OSHA

Federal OSHA has published a new guide to help employers develop and implement an effective first-aid program. The “Best Practices Guide: Fundamentals of a Workplace First-Aid Program” lists the primary components of a workplace first-aid program at the workplace, including: identifying and assessing workplace risks, designing a program specific to the worksite and complying with […]

Health and Safety : What You and Your Employees Need to Know About Workplace Fire Safety

The largest single settlement Cal/ OSHA ever collected—$462,000—was for a work-related fire. In 1999, Tosco Refining Co. was cited for 33 alleged violations of state workplace safety regulations as a result of a fatal fire at its Avon plant near Martinez. Thankfully, most workplaces won’t experience such tragedies, but even so, OSHA reports that workplace […]

News Notes: New Ergonomic Guidelines Available For Comment

OSHA has developed the first draft set of industry-specific ergonomic guidelines—Guidelines for Nursing Homes—as part of its comprehensive plan to reduce workplace ergonomic injuries. The guidelines address management practices, worksite analysis and control methods, and include examples of best practices in the nursing home industry.

Ergonomics: OSHA Announces New Ergonomics Strategy Based On Voluntary Guidelines, But California Employers Still On The Hook

Last year the federal Department of Labor repealed the controversial Clinton-era mandatory ergonomics regulations but promised to develop another strategy for reducing workplace injuries stemming from ergonomic problems. Now, rather than apply a single ergonomics standard to a broad range of industries, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has come up with a new […]