Vigilant Blog

Focused and caring leadership is a significant factor in preventing injuries. It’s hard to measure on the front end, but we can see the favorable outcomes. Here are some ways to make prevention more visible and tangible in a production setting so you can prevent injuries from occurring and build a positive and transparent safety…

Federal OSHA recently proposed penalties totaling $174,453 after an employee at a pallet manufacturing company in Wisconsin was killed while clearing a jammed machine. The machine wasn’t locked out when the 57-year-old employee removed a board that was stuck in it. According to OSHA, as soon as the board was pulled out, “the metal carriage…

Question: Help! I think we need a better reporting program for near-misses and good-catches. What do you recommend? Answer: Great question! A robust near-miss/good-catch reporting program can significantly enhance company safety by focusing on leading indicators. Documenting near misses (e.g., equipment falling without injury) and good catches (e.g., identifying a frayed wire) is as crucial…

With the quickly warming weather, it’s time to review your safety plans for protecting workers from heat illness hazards and to ensure compliance with state regulations. Cal/OSHA and Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) requirements depend on outdoor temperature thresholds, while Oregon OSHA rules apply to indoor or outdoor work when the heat index…

If you’re offering summer jobs to teen workers, be sure you understand and comply with all state and federal employment regulations specific to the employment of minors. Generally speaking, teen worker regulations prohibit hazardous job duties, such as operating or cleaning heavy machinery, frequently driving on public roads, and working from heights. These regulations also…

On April 1, 2024, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a final rule that “clarifies” (in reality, expands) the rights of employees to authorize a representative to accompany a Compliance Safety and Health Officer during an inspection of their workplace. Federal law gives the employer and employees the right to authorize a representative…