By: Kevin Gardner  Technology is inherently linked to employee health and happiness, not just improving productivity. Here are five ways technology can improve employee productivity and happiness in the workplace.1. Improved SecurityCybersecurity can be a source of stress at any organization. If a breach occurs, there can be a high-pressure scramble to address and fix … How Technology Can Improve Productivity and Make Employees Happier

By: Kevin Gardner ​ By nature, large enterprises have many interlocking parts and a wide scope, so it’s important to find easy ways to increase efficiency without causing confusion. Here are some ways to improve employee efficiency.​1. Constructive Feedback and Training for Employees Constructive feedback and criticism are important aspects of employee growth and training. If you offer … Ways To Improve Employee Efficiency at a Large Enterprise

Originally featured in the Autumn 2020 issue of the Leader magazine. By Sabrina N. Williams, Ph.D.Columbia Southern UniversityIn the wake of the COVID-19 global health pandemic, telecommuting has become the “new normal” for many in the American workforce. As states and local municipalities continue to implement stay-at-home and safer-at-home orders, telecommuting remains an integral part of many … Employers Beware: Ergonomic Challenges of Telecommuting During COVID-19

Article originally published here. ​By: John Dreyer Optometrist Bsc(Hons), MCOPTOM, DipCLP What is blue light?  Blue light is a perfectly normal and natural spectrum of light that is found in sunlight. Light ranges from 400 to 700 billionths of a meter (nanometer, nm) 400nm being violet to 700nm being red. When combined the individual spectrums of light creates “white light” or sunlight.Sunlight consists … Contact Lenses and Blue Light

By: Kevin Gardner  Owning a piece of real estate is a source of pride. However, that source of pride goes hand-in-hand with some challenges. Pieces of property can break, leak, wear-out and overheat. The pressure of maintaining your property increases if you rent out your home. A critical piece of machinery in your property is … How to Tell That Your Business Property’s Water Heater Needs to be Replaced

This blog was originally posted here. Do you sometimes find it hard to sleep at night? Chances are that blue light is affecting your body’s biological clock and disrupting your sleep patterns. This is a reality for many people if you consider that an average modern human being spends almost 5,000 hours staring at screens that emit blue … How Blue Light Affects Your Eyes

Nearly 9 million people in the United States have contracted the coronavirus. It seems like now, more than ever, Americans are concerned with their health and the health of their neighbors. The information regarding testing and the treatment of this virus is updated on a regular basis. This means that the previous treatments used for this virus may … Cost of COVID-19 Testing and Treatment: 3 Things to Be Aware of

Modern technology continues to reshape and evolve the way we conduct business. In both business-to-business and business-to-customer companies, the workplace continues to shift, taking advantage of mobile tech, cloud computing and the Internet to meet industry demands. These advances in technology not only help streamline costs and scale operations, but they also help offices adapt … A Look at Five Apps and Technologies That Improve the Way We Work

VPPPA has partnered with experts at MindWise Innovations to present a monthly Q&A article addressing questions that members might be hesitant to ask about. These columns will address your questions about mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, family issues and more. By: Lisa Desai, MindWise Innovations ​ 1. My family and I have different feelings on social … November Behavioral Health Q&A

By: Jessica L. Richardson, CSP, CIT, Professional and Organizational Advancement Manager, BCSPClinton Wolfley, CSP, CHST, STSC, Safety Systems and Services Manager, UCOR-AECOMJ.A. Rodriguez, CSP, ASP, SGE, VPPPA Chairperson This piece was originally published in the Winter 2020 issue of VPPPA’s quarterly magazine, The Leader VPPPA OverviewThe Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association, Inc. (VPPPA) – The … VPPPA Best Practices: A Case Study of Safety Leadership at Every Level

​In the world of construction, budgets and schedules are suggestions, not plans, or so the frustrating conventional wisdom goes. A 2018 study found that 35% of time that workers spend onsite ends up wasted on waiting for customers or managers to arrive or answer questions, hunting down misplaced materials, and other unproductive tasks, even though … 3 High-Tech Ways for Construction Managers To Increase Worker Productivity

By: Jeff Zhou, CEO at Fig Loans COVID-19 has changed the way organizations think about remote work and employee experience strategies. According to Gartner, 48% of employees will likely work remote part time after COVID-19. This unprecedented shift towards a hybrid onsite / remote work model has already created new challenges for employees from a social connectivity perspective. While … Employer Perspective: Approaching a Mental Health and Motivation Conversation With Your Employer

VPPPA has partnered with experts at MindWise Innovations to present a monthly Q&A article addressing questions that members might be hesitant to ask about. These columns will address your questions about mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, family issues and more. By: Lisa Desai, MindWise Innovations  “Hey, How’s it going?”  It’s a question we probably ask … Behavioral Health Column – October 2020

By: Kevin Gardner  It’s never been a more important time to pay attention to the well-being of your employees. Changes in working conditions, social unrest, and making adjustments to daily rhythms all have an effect on wellness and productivity. Your workers will be much more effective if they are healthy in mind as well as … 5 Ways to Boost the Wellness and Productivity of Your Employees

By: Kevin Gardner  Every seven seconds, a workplace accident takes place in the United States. These accidents can cause long-term injuries and in some cases death. If you are a business owner, you know how hard it can be to get back to normal following a workplace accident.One of the main goals you should have as a … Focus on Safety: How to Reduce the Number of Workplace Accidents

Mesothelioma Awareness Day is recognized on the 26th of September every year to help spread awareness about this lesser known cancer and its only known cause, asbestos exposure. This year marks the 17th anniversary of this day, and is an important time to shed light on how exposure to asbestos can lead to life-lasting health … Mesothelioma Awareness Day (MAD): The Lingering Effects of Asbestos

Infographic and article contributed by Ben Gomez Visit: https://www.mobilehealth.net/respirator-fit-test-infographic/ to download the infographic and learn more.  If you work in the nursing, manufacturing, construction or other industries commonly affected by airborne hazards, you’re probably familiar with the respirator fit test.Simply put, a respirator fit test is a test that will show if a tight-fitting respirator can be worn … Quantitative vs. Qualitative Respirator Fit Test

In times of a global pandemic, it is difficult for residential and commercial property owners to know exactly what to do to keep their buildings and landscape safe and healthy. Each property owner should have a plan in place which covers some basics such as landscaping, contracted services and common areas as well as cleaning … Property Maintenance and COVID Concerns

67% of employees use their personal devices at work, and with an increasing number of people working remotely, this number is sure to rise. When we think of a business’ health and safety practices, we often think of things employers can do to protect the physical health of staff, but in an increasingly online world, it’s vital … Online Safety For Employees: The Obvious Details That Could Prove Hazardous If Overlooked

COVID-19 was announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. With this global health crisis announcement, it became pretty clear that the coronavirus was going to affect the societies and economies of the world like never before. The United Nation’s Framework for the Immediate Socio-Economic Response clearly warned how the pandemic’s impact … Lessons Learned from the Pandemic

By: Lisa Desai Welcome to the newest edition of the Behavioral Health Q&A Column! VPPPA has partnered with experts at MindWise Innovations to present a monthly Q&A article addressing questions that members might be hesitant to ask about. These columns will address your questions about mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, family issues and more. We will … Behavioral Health Q&A – August 2020

As our bodies and organs get older, they undergo a number of changes, which can impact our daily life and overall wellbeing. Aging is classified by the gradual decline of cellular function and structural changes that occur in the organ systems, including the kidneys, and as we get older, it becomes more and more important … How Aging Impacts Your Kidney Health

World Lung Cancer Day is August 1st, and is a time to recognize the importance of lung health. As the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, early detection and prevention around lung related diseases can be beneficial for timely treatment and support. Of the 200,000+ new lung cancer cases each year, as … Respiratory Health Hazards On the Job: Asbestos Awareness

By Jessica Larson, SolopreneurJournal.com​​Although working from home used to seem like a dream for many, a quarantine that requires people to be stuck at home for months on end might seem more like a nightmare. No matter how much you love being at home (or love your work), staying in the same setting for days at … Quarantine and Mental Health: How Remote Workers Can Avoid Burnout

By: Lisa Desai  Welcome to the newest edition of the Behavioral Health Q&A Column! VPPPA has partnered with experts at MindWise Innovations to present a monthly Q&A article addressing questions that members might be hesitant to ask about. These columns will address your questions about mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, family issues and more. We … July 2020 Behavioral Health Q&A Column

By: Amara Lang, junior account manager, FEI Workforce Resilience​The COVID-19 crisis has wreaked havoc on our world, our country, our workplaces, communities and ourselves. So far countless people have lost their lives and millions have lost their jobs and cannot pay their rent, mortgage or other bills. There’s no sugar coating it: Many of us are suffering.The United States has … Finding Gratitude in Uncertain Times

​By: Kevin GardnerJuly 2, 2020 By now, you’ve heard the importance of being eco-friendly. Making changes like going paperless, recycling, and reducing energy consumption are essential for reducing your carbon footprint. Individuals and businesses alike should be striving to make more sustainable, green choices.​While eco-friendliness is essential for a healthier environment, going green does have … 3 Ways an Eco-Friendly Office Boosts Productivity

On February 26–27, 2020, VPPPA members gathered on Capitol Hill to educate members of Congress about the importance of workplace safety and health. The VPP Act (S.904) grants VPP its own line item in OSHA’s budget. VPP is a small program with a big impact. Currently, the programs are funded through “Compliance Assistance—Federal,” alongside other … An Interview with Senator Mike Enzi

By: Kevin Gardner  Businesses the world over are undergoing a technological revolution. There are a number of relatively new technologies that are only now really taking root in the world of commerce, and these new developments are proving to be more effective and more efficient than traditional tech. Below is an introduction to recent hardware … 3 Ways That Technology is Revolutionizing Business

By: Lisa Desai, MindWise InnovationsJune 18, 2020  Welcome to the newest edition of the Behavioral Health Q&A Column! VPPPA has partnered with experts at MindWise Innovations to present a monthly Q&A article addressing questions that members might be hesitant to ask about. These columns will address your questions about mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, family … Behavioral Health Q & A Column – June 2020 Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month

By: Aric Asplund, International Enviro Guard The heavy equipment used to build our communities and the machines that drive manufacturing at high rates of speed are also the leading causes of workplace injury. In the construction industry, caught-in between or compressed by equipment accounted for 5.5 percent of the worker fatalities in 2018.  Per OSHA, workers who operate and maintain … Why Machine Guards are Essential

By: Jeson Pitt D & F Liquidators Hayward, CA  Numerous electrical systems and electrical products are prone to arc flash hazards. By individually analyzing these systems and labeling the arc flash boundary, you can increase worker and workplace safety tremendously along with reducing shock hazards and arc flash injuries. Arc Flash Hazard Study and Analysis Short Circuit Calculations: Data … Conducting an Arc Flash Risk Assessment

By: Lisa Desai, MindWise Innovations​Welcome to the newest edition of the Behavioral Health Q&A Column! VPPPA has partnered with experts at MindWise Innovations to present a monthly Q&A article addressing questions that members might be hesitant to ask about. These columns will address your questions about mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, family issues and more. … Behavioral Health Q & A Column – May 2020 Resilience through Relationships in COVID19

By Ann Lloyd, Student Savings Guide During the early days of the coronavirus quarantine, when we were just beginning to learn about the virus and its impact, often it seemed the criteria governing best practices for health and safety were changing by the hour. Now, after almost 60 days of social distancing and precautions, we’re getting … Staying Safe and Healthy Under COVID-19 Quarantine

Over 3.5 million Americans are diagnosed on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and these individuals currently remain one of the most valuable yet untapped workforces out there. Yet, many of those with autism continue to experience difficulties either joining or thriving in the workforce. Approximately 85 percent of graduates with autism are unemployed, according to recent … Key HR Policies For Creating A Safer Workplace For Employees with ASD

By: Jackie Edwards Across America, workplace allergies — in particular occupational asthma — accounts for approximately 10% of all asthma cases, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Symptoms can be mild where employees are uncomfortable and may need to use an inhaler more often or they can be severe where going to … Identifying and Eliminating Allergies in the Office

The odors in your workplace can sometimes be unpleasant. From the smell of unusual lunches to the scent of an overcrowded meeting room, there are many scents that can be an irritant. Then there are the more serious smells, like industrial cleaner, chemicals, paints and waste. These odors can actually cause some serious health issues … Why It Matters: Combatting Workplace Odors

​Christopher J. Colburn, MEng, CSP, CHMM, Grad IOSH While the information regarding the exact mode of transmission of the 2019 novel Coronavirus Disease is limited, there are cases that demonstrate that the virus can be transferred as the result of virus-laden aerosolized droplet traveling through Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. IntroductionFrom January 26 … ​Controlling novel COVID-19 Transference through Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems

By: Lisa Desai, MindWise InnovationsApril 16, 2020  Welcome to the newest edition of the Behavioral Health Q&A Column! VPPPA has partnered with experts at MindWise Innovations to present a monthly Q&A article addressing questions that members might be hesitant to ask about. These columns will address your questions about mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, family … Behavioral Health Q & A Column – April 2020

By: Jackie Edwards The United States spends around 3.5 trillion a year on healthcare expenses, which clearly demonstrates the importance of health insurance for workers. A Clutch survey showed that over half of all people surveyed believe that health coverage is a fundamental component of job satisfaction and security for workers. Younger generations may value other considerations (think: … The importance of workplace health insurance to keep a workforce covered

March 26, 2020 By: Jackie Edwards​OSHA has begun paying closer attention to worker safety with nonprofit organizations in the last few years, awarding nearly $11 million to help high-risk workers. Safety standards have begun to shift to having heavier regulations more akin to for-profit companies, helping to protect those in the employ of nonprofits. As some adopt new … Setting Examples & Safety Standards As A Nonprofit

By: Grace Irby  I don’t remember hearing much about people successfully working from home when I was younger, but now there are a variety of jobs that can be done from virtually anywhere, allowing work outside of the traditional office to become commonplace. With busy lifestyles, family and other concerns, people are becoming more interested … Safety Lessons for the Home Office or Telecommuting Worker

By: Lisa Desai, MindWise Innovations Welcome to the first Behavioral Health Q&A Column! VPPPA has partnered with experts at MindWise Innovations to present a monthly Q&A article addressing questions that members might be hesitant to ask about. These columns will address your questions about mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, family issues and more. Stay tuned … Behavioral Health Q & A Column – March 2020

By: Kevin Gardener Building a successful business today requires you to have a website. Many small companies put together some surprisingly impressive websites. However, keeping it secure can be challenging. Plenty of startups and small businesses’ websites are exposed to threats from hackers. Fortunately, there are a few best practices that anyone can apply to keep … 6 Ways Employees Can Be Safe Online

By: Patrick Young  When it comes to achieving professional goals, the traditional workplace can present some barriers to people with disabilities. But while it’s true that employees with disabilities may have to deal with some obstacles that others don’t, nowadays, technology is leveling the playing field in the labor market.For people with disabilities, it’s easier … Disability in the Workplace: How Technology Can Help You Get Ahead

By: Alice Mansley  We tend to spend most of our time at work – so our surroundings have never been more important in supporting our wellbeing. Creating the right atmosphere for employees will help with productivity, and workplace design can reduce stress levels. The modern office environment has gone through many transformations as times have changed. … Is Your Office Design Affecting Your Employees’ Health?

By TJ Scimone I imagine you’ve given your fair share of workplace hand-safety talks throughout your career, whether informal talks or as part of your official workplace safety and health program, presented in a formal safety meeting.Have you ever watched your audience to see how—or even if—they’re actually receiving the information you’re sharing? Do you … Hand-Delivering Your Hand-Safety Message

By: Marina Mirkina  IntroductionOccupational health and safety is essentially everyone’s responsibility, in part because it takes both employees and employers working together to make sure that everyone in the workplace is safe and healthy. Depending on your particular industry, it is easy to determine which risks are more likely at your place of business and … How Do Occupational Health and Safety Affect a Company?

While storms like Hurricane Michael might not be the norm, we can usually expect at least a few major storms during the Atlantic Hurricane season each year. And it’s not just hurricanes that we have to prepare for: Tornados, earthquakes and blizzards are just some of the natural disasters that can strike at any time. … How Businesses Keep Workers Safe During Natural Disasters

By: Jeson Pitt  Electricity is one of the main causes of accidents in any plant. There could be a high possibility for accidents like electric shocks, electrocution, etc., to occur. Therefore, you must have an airtight electrical safety program implemented in the plant. It will keep the employees safe and the equipment from getting damaged. … How to Make an Electrical Safety Program for Your Plant

By: Jeson Pitt, D & F Liquidators Hayward, CA   Electricity is one of the leading causes of accidents in plants. An electrical safety program will keep employees safe and equipment from getting damaged. Below are six ways you can design an effective electrical safety program. Study and Implement OSHA StandardsThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) places great … How to Make an Electrical Safety Program for Your Plant

By: Will Zettler, OSHA’s Directorate of Standards and Guidance​The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule of Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) became effective January 17, 2017, revising and updating general industry standards that address slip, trip, and fall hazards, as well as other walking-working surface hazards that cause injuries and fatalities to workers. The … OSHA’s Walking-Working Surfaces Rule Update

Contributed by Mesothelioma.com Cosmetic workers are often exposed to a variety of different chemicals. While some are completely harmless, others contain dangerous toxins. Many beauty professionals are not aware of the harmful materials in the products they frequently use. Even if they are educated on the presence of a certain toxin, they may not know the … Beauty Can Be More Painful Than You Think

Indoor air quality can affect an individual’s health, comfort, and ability to work. Illnesses such as allergies, stress, cold, and influenza are common symptoms associated with poor IAQ. OSHA provides Indoor Air Quality guidelines for commercial and institutional buildings to help identify possible sources of poor IAQ, develop a contingency plan to control a hazard that … What is Your IQ Regarding IAQ?

By: J.A. Rodriguez ​Article originally published here on May 11, 2017.  Work is progressing as usual. There is a very busy day ahead with at least one hundred things to do before it ends. The time is 0600, then 1600. Time flies by and the work activity correspondingly increases to meet commitments. Hands are on the current task, … Hands on This, Mind on That