Dear Reader, Of all the elements in a Safety and Health Management System, Leadership Engagement is by far the most important. A recent cross-sectional study of 155 construction companies in South Africa revealed that leadership visibility and behavior affect safety culture and safety performance in the construction industry (Skeepers & Mbohwa, 2015). Another study of construction companies in Indonesia recognized that one of the main drivers of improving safety performance is safety culture. Safety leadership has been identified as a significant factor shaping safety culture itself. Project owner safety leadership […]

We’re accustomed to dealing with the occupational hazards we can see, hear, feel, or smell. But radon is detectable only by testing, and it’s present in some amounts almost everywhere. This naturally occurring gas has been found in every state, including Florida, and becomes hazardous to our health when concentrated. The following are common questions and answers about radon gas.   What is radon? Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, invisible, and chemically inert gas that comes from the decay of radium in the soil. Radium is a decay product of […]

I could reference multiple sources regarding the importance of management involvement in a safety management system and developing a safety culture. However, I believe sharing an experience would better get the point across. I worked with a company years ago that had over ten recordable injuries, some of which included lost time. When I met the contact, they asked that I close the door so no one could hear our conversation. This was a “red flag” that something was amiss. The contact reluctantly communicated that several supervisors and managers were […]

Answer: Refuse and food waste, what we call putrescible waste, was left on the floor and hanging in a plastic trash bag. OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.141(a)(3)(i) states that “All places of employment shall be kept clean to the extent that the nature of the work allows.” Similarly, OSHA regulation […]

The new year brought along new faces! It’s a new year and with that the USF College of Public Health is happy to welcome the following new faculty and staff, adding to the college’s diversity and research specializations. Tricia Penniecook, MD, MPH Dr. Tricia Penniecook joined the COPH on October […]