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Money Chatter: What Industry Says Are the Real Costs of EPA’s Proposed Ozone Standard

Note: The current health-based ozone standard is 75 parts per billion (ppb). The groups discussed in this article all recommend that the EPA retain the current ozone standard. National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) NAM commissioned a study concerning the costs of EPA’s proposed ozone standards.  The initial (July 2014) and updated (February 2015) study was […]

Long Hours Put Emergency Responders at Risk: What Managers Can Do

After a large-scale disaster, workers often work longer shifts and more consecutive shifts than they would typically work. The fatigue and stress that may arise from strenuous work schedules can be compounded by the physical and environmental conditions in the affected area after a disaster: nonexistent, damaged, or limited critical infrastructure (roads/traffic signals, utility lines, […]

Money Chatter: What EPA Says Is the Real Cost of the Proposed Ozone Standard

By law, the EPA cannot consider costs when setting a health-based National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).  Nonetheless, to inform stakeholders, the Agency typically calculates the costs of meeting the NAAQS as well as the monetary benefits. Note: The current health-based ozone standard is 75 ppb. The EPA estimates costs at $3.9 billion in 2025 […]

Long Hours Put Emergency Responders at Risk of Fatigue

Emergency workers who deploy to work at disaster sites caused by weather, earthquakes, epidemics, and other catastrophic events often put in much longer than 8-hour shifts. Although workers in these fields are generally highly committed to their jobs and find the jobs rewarding in ways that make long hours seem bearable, they are at substantially […]

Calculating Your Monthly Hazardous Waste Generation

Counting Hazardous Waste You know you generate hazardous waste at your facility and you want to keep your disposal costs down. Well, then, you have to keep down the amount of hazardous waste you have on-site each month. If you are a large quantity generator (LQG), your responsibilities and costs will be greater than if […]

Train Employees to Use Mobile Devices Safely

More and more employees are using mobile devices to accomplish their jobs. That opens up a new need for training. Today’s Advisor gives you expert ergonomic tips for using mobile devices safely. Not so long ago, only the folks in the front office used tablet computers. Now it seems these devices are everywhere, including on […]

7 Steps for an Effective HazMat Training Program

DOT’s Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) require that hazmat employees receive “adequate training” for their specific job duties. As a hazmat employer, you are left in the dark as to what “adequate training” actually means. As a matter of fact, DOT has written a letter of interpretation that states the agency’s position on the meaning of […]

Could Athletic Trainers Reduce MSDs in Your Workplace?

Ever hear of the “industrial athlete”? The concept is that employees, like athletes, perform better when they are properly trained and fit for duty. Proponents say that the right training leads to fewer injuries, quicker return to work, and reduced costs. Keep reading to decide whether your workplace would benefit from an on-site athletic trainer. […]

Are Your Workers Stretching to Prevent Ergonomic Injuries?

Overexertion, slips, trips, and falls cause 60 percent of lost-time occupational injuries in the United States and cost employers over $30 billion in direct workers’ compensation costs in 2013. One strategy you can use to control these costly injuries is an effective worksite stretching program. The aging workforce is one factor that increases the likelihood […]