Professional Safety Journal
Professional Safety Journal (PSJ), the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) flagship magazine, goes out to the organization’s more than 35,000 ASSP members. The publication is a crucial continuing education resource for safety trainers, inspectors, and managers across various industries. These professionals work on the frontlines of workplace safety, helping businesses of all sizes comply with the latest guidelines. The magazine provides the latest industry best practices with helpful tips and solutions for overcoming today’s challenges. Every issue is peer-reviewed by industry experts to ensure the highest journalistic and safety standards.
Browse our published articles here:
Confined Spaces: Avoiding Common Mistakes in Gas Detection March 2021
For maintenance, utility or construction professionals, working in confined spaces tends to be one of the most dangerous aspects of the job. Oxygen may be in short supply when working in manholes, crawl spaces, tunnels and other confined areas. READ MORE
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Lone Worker Safety: How Wireless Equipment Can Improve Safety in the Field November 2019
When workers are alone in the field, they are largely responsible for their own safety and health. They may have to deal with a range of potential hazards and difficult working conditions on their own, which can lead to incidents and injuries. READ MORE
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The Dangers of Gas Detection in Cold Weather February 2019
Accurate gas detection readings in cold weather can mean the difference between life and death. READ MORE
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Gas Prices & Worker Safety June 2018
As gas prices continue to drop across the U.S., occupational safety standards may also decrease to reduce production costs and increase profit margins. Current trends include seeking new ways to most efficiently maintain occupational safety standards without the burden of increased cost. READ MORE
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Founded in 1911, the ASSP is the industry’s longest-running safety community and one of the most respected publications for workplace safety and health professionals. The magazine is just one of the benefits of being a member of the organization. It is a valuable tool for professionals looking to establish their expertise and connect with leaders. Joining the organization is great for building your resume or earning certificates on various health and safety topics.
As a leading supplier of personal protective equipment, PK Safety contributes articles to PSJ to highlight important trends and considerations that can affect health and safety professionals. We are committed to helping the community find the best safety supply when dealing with some of the most dangerous tasks in the field. Our experts have covered a range of issues over the years, including the risks of working in confined spaces, considerations for sending workers into the field alone, and the effects of rising gas prices on U.S. workers.
Use these Professional Safety Journal articles to learn more about the latest events in worker safety management.
What are the biggest challenges facing occupational safety and health professionals?
The professional safety and health industry is evolving as new threats, technologies, and governmental policies come into play. The people tasked with implementing the latest requirements must stay current on what’s happening in the employee safety field to ensure they are using the best techniques available. Here are some of the most pressing issues facing health and safety managers today.
Employee Engagement
Safety managers should think about how to best engage the workforce based on their learning preferences and what’s best for the material. Safety managers can use a range of tools and content delivery methods to pass the required knowledge onto the target audience, including video, webinars, group exercises, and virtual reality systems to simulate high-risk situations.
Trainers should test the workers on the information they’ve learned to ensure they are ready to start work. The company should also be receptive to worker feedback regarding the safety training process. The crew may need to hear the information several times in different formats before fully absorbing it. If someone has trouble grasping the material, the company should look for alternatives to accommodate their needs.
Safety managers should also regularly update and revise the training program to make it as effective as possible. If the crew struggles to adapt to the changing requirements, the manager should explain why the rules are necessary to increase compliance.
Industry leaders research new training methods and safety solutions to improve hazard mitigation and incident prevention. PSJ releases these findings to keep the community informed.
Risk Assessment
Identifying and responding to environmental risks is critical to the job description. Safety inspectors and managers have no shortage of potential hazards to consider. But the changing climate is changing the calculus in many industries.
Extreme weather has become more common over the last few years with bigger, more dangerous storms and hotter temperatures. Outdoor workers and those without access to air conditioning face a higher risk of heat stress, which can lead to long-term health issues and even death if the person’s body temperature remains elevated. Heavy rainfall and rising sea levels can also damage electrical equipment, increasing the risk of electrocution and flash fire. Mold will also spread in damp interiors, spreading toxic pores through the air.
Safety professionals need to consider how these factors may affect the health and well-being of the crew. Their training materials can include information about the changing climate to help workers understand the risks, including emergency preparedness and how extreme weather affects the body.
The company can use a range of cooling devices and moisture-wicking, lightweight fabrics to reduce heat stress. Workers should be encouraged to speak up if they recognize the warning signs, including dizziness, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, nausea, fatigue, and fever. Cooling bags also help quickly lower the person’s body temperature to prevent more serious injury.
Regulatory Compliance
Local, state, and federal government agencies are updating their policies for worker safety to help businesses respond to these challenges. The current administration is working on revising the guidelines for outdoor workers to better protect them from extreme heat. Regulations prohibiting the use of toxic materials are also changing the way some employees do their jobs.
Professional safety managers need to be ready to implement these changes when the rules go into effect. PK Safety and PSJ track these developments to keep the decision-makers informed.
Safety leaders must also document their training efforts and all workplace incidents for compliance purposes, including near-misses and hazards that were remediated before the start of the shift. New technologies make it easier for these professionals to collect the required information. Wireless personal gas detectors and worker tracking tools, such as safety apps, increase oversight of the workplace while automating the documentation process.
PK Safety is a trusted partner of the Professional Safety Journal. PSJ articles are geared toward professionals who want to learn about the latest safety practices. Follow our coverage to keep track of the latest changes coming your way.