Safety and Health Topics

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Safety and Health Topics

Occupational Heat Exposure

Every year, thousands of workers become sick from occupational heat exposure, and some even die. These illnesses and deaths are preventable.

various personal protective equipment | Photo Credit: iStock

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards.

Ergonomics

Work-related Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) can be prevented. Ergonomics --- fitting a job to a person --- helps lessen muscle fatigue, increases productivity and reduces the number and severity of work-related MSDs.

Workplace Violence

Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers and visitors.

Occupational Noise Exposure

Twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year. Last year, U.S. business paid more than $1.5 million in penalties for not protecting workers from noise.

Beryllium

Workers in industries where beryllium is present may be exposed to beryllium by inhaling or contacting beryllium in the air or on surfaces. Inhaling or contacting beryllium can cause an immune response that results in an individual becoming sensitized to beryllium.

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OSHA's Safety and Health Topics pages provide regulatory and enforcement information, hazard identification and controls as well as best practices and other resources to assist employers, workers and safety and health professionals ensure safer workplaces.

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Other Resources

Are you interested in web-based training tools on occupational safety and health topics? Try OSHA's eTools, eMatrix, Expert Advisors and v-Tools! For other training material, visit OSHA's Training web page. If you are an employer or a small business, visit OSHA's web pages for employers and free services to small businesses. For other General Safety and Health Information, visit the General Safety and Health References page.

Report a Fatality/Severe Injury

All employers are required to notify OSHA when an employee is killed on the job or suffers a work-related hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye. A fatality must be reported within 8 hours. An in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or eye loss must be reported within 24 hours.

Report a Fatality or a Severe Injury

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Occupational Safety and Health Administration