Jessica Barrett
Jessica is a freelance writer and editor from Toronto, Canada. She specializes in creating content for nonprofits and has written for organizations working in human rights, conservation, education, and health care. She loves traveling and food, speaks Spanish, and has two dogs, one of whom she rescued while living in Mexico.
Articles by Jessica Barrett
How Data From Workforce Wearables Is Impacting EHS
Safety is increasingly data-driven. Find out how workplace wearable technology is enhancing on-site safety.
What Can the Latest Statistics Tell Us About Slip, Trip, and Fall Prevention
Statistics about slips and trips aren't always promising, but they can help us develop a prevention strategy. Find out more.
5 Things to Know About Safety Signs
Safety signs may be simple, but a lot of thought goes into selecting and placing them. Find out what you need to know about them.
How to Make Sure Your Work Boots Are as Comfortable as They Can Be
To keep you safe, your work boots also need to be comfortable. Find out how to select comfortable work boots and troubleshoot common...
Back Support Belts: The Simple Tool That Can Help Prevent Injury
Back support belts can help reduce back injuries, but only if used properly. Find out what you need to know before using them.
7 Basic Hydration Facts Every Worker Should Be Aware Of
Does coffee dehydrate you? Learn the answer to this and other basic hydration questions.
Heat Stress: Indoors vs. Outdoor
Did you know that indoor and outdoor heat aren't the same? Find out how they differ and what it means for worker safety.
Why Worker Engagement Is Key to Data Capture and Tracking Safety KPIs
Workers engagement and data tracking are closely linked. Find out how.
Advances in Hearing Protection Tech
Hearing protection is about more than just earplugs and earmuffs. Find out how new tech is improving hearing PPE.
How to Select the Right Protective Sleeves for Your Workplace
Gloves aren't always enough. Find out what you need to know about protective sleeves before purchasing some for your workplace.
5 Factors that Impact Women's Safety in the Workplace
Despite gains in employment equality, some factors continue to put women at greater risk than men. Find out what they are and how to...
Sexual Harassment Is a Workplace Health and Safety Issue
Sexual harassment is detrimental to mental and physical health. Find out what steps employers should take to prevent it from happening in...
10 Things to Know About Head Protection
Hard hats seem simple, but they shouldn't be treated casually. Find out when you need them, what type you need, and how to use them.
How to Layer Flame-Resistant Clothing (And When You Should Do It)
Selecting FR clothing is fairly simple - until you decide to layer them. Find out what you need to know before layering FR gear.
Are You Wearing Your Earplugs Properly? (It Might Be Destroying Your Hearing)
Earplugs are standard issue PPE on many worksites, but are they being worn properly? Find out how to use them right and really protect your...
Using Wearable Tech to Enhance Worksite Safety
Wearable tech is about more than just counting your steps or keeping track of your heart rate. Learn about the safety benefits of wearable...
The Top 5 Workplace Summer Safety Hazards (and What You Can Do About Them)
Summer brings a number of safety challenges for outdoor workers. Here are the biggest ones.
On Guard: Simple Warehouse Barriers for Protecting People and Products
More than 110,000 workers are involved in forklift-related accidents every day. Find out which type of barrier you need to make your...
Forklift Maintenance Tips that Help Ensure Worker Safety
Operating a forklift is risky, but too few people realize that inspecting and maintaining it also comes with hazards.
4 Common Forklift Accidents - And How to Prevent Them
Using forklifts in your workplace introduces a number of dangers to the drivers and their co-workers. Find out how to keep workers safe...
The 6 Best Training Courses for Canadian Safety Professionals
Canadian safety professionals have hundreds of training courses to choose from. To help you sort through them, we've selected a few of the...
7 Signs of Fatigue and How it Affects the Workplace
Fatigue is a serious safety hazard but it's often invisible. Find out how to spot fatigue in workers and what you can do about it.
Is Your Contractor Management System Automated? Here's Why It Should Be
Manual contractor management is inefficient. Learn 5 ways you can benefit from automating it.
Fall Protection for the Oil and Gas Worker
Oil and gas workers face many dangers, especially when working at height. Find out how to reduce the risks.
Fire Extinguisher Classifications: What They Mean and Why They Matter
Selecting a fire extinguisher is not as easy as it looks. Find out about the different classes of fire and which type of extinguisher is...
How to Reduce Noise Levels in Your Workplace
PPE is your last line of defense against noise hazards. Find out what controls you should implement first.
One Size Does Not Fit All When It Comes to Protective Clothing
One-size-fits-all protective clothing is not as simple as it sounds. Find out why a proper fit matters.
6 Important Items that Get Left Off Too Many Safety Budgets
Are you cutting too much out of your safety budget? If you're leaving these items off, you just might be.
Safety Symbols and Their Meanings
Health and safety symbols deliver important information, but they only work if everyone knows what they mean.
How to Deal with Winter Weather on the Construction Site
Construction sites are risky places, but even more so in the winter. Learn about winter construction site hazards and how to deal with them.
How to Stay Safe When Spray Painting and Coating
Spray painting has risks that aren't present when using a roller or paintbrush. Find out how to keep workers in industrial painting...
A Spotlight on Mold Remediation
Mold issues should be dealt with immediately, but mold remediation carries its own risks. Find out what it takes to treat mold safely and...
Confined Space Safety 101: First Steps You Need to Take Before Sending Workers into a Confined Space
Safety in confined spaces is particularly challenging. Find out what you need to know before sending workers into one.
6 Things to Look for When Selecting Machine Guards
Machine guards are a simple and effective way of preventing severe injury. Find out what you need to look for when selecting yours.
Reducing Environmental Risks: Biological Hazard Control
Biological hazards are common but rarely discussed. Find out how to identify them and keep your workers safe.
Reducing Environmental Risks: Indoor Temperature Control
Indoor work environments can put workers at risk of heat stress and cold stress. Learn about the risks and how to control them.
6 Steps to Securing Transport Loads
Imbalanced or off-centered loads are a serious risk. Find out how to secure cargo the right way.
How to Conduct a Risk Assessment
Risk assessments are a cornerstone of workplace safety. Find out how to conduct and effective and thorough one.
How to Use Technology to Engage Workers in Workplace Safety
Disengaged workers are associated with a 49% increase in workplace accidents. Find out how technology can help you keep your employees...
First Aid for Major Trauma: Crushes, Amputation, Impalement
First Aid isn't all about nicks and cuts. Find out what to do when one of your workers has suffered a crushing injury, accidental...
How to Safely Dispose of Caustic Waste
Caustic waste is harmful to humans, damaging to the environment, and causes trouble for wastewater treatment plants. Learn how to dispose...
Workplace First Aid Basics: Minor and Severe Cuts
You've got first aid kits posted in your workplace, but do you know exactly how to use them? Find out how to respond to minor and severe...
Workplace First Aid Basics for Broken Bones
Bone fractures are one of the most common seriously workplace injuries. Do you know what to do if a worker suffers one at your business?
5 Best Practices for Dust Control in Manufacturing
Dust in manufacturing can be toxic or combustible, especially when it accumulates. Find out how to control the spread of dust in your...
Why Your Whistleblower Policy Is Important for Your Safety Culture
Your whistleblower program does more than just provide an avenue for reporting. It can also strengthen your workplace's safety culture....
Major Safety Concerns for Construction Workers and What to Do About Them
Compared to most professions, construction comes with a high risk of injury and fatality. Find out how to keep workers safe on the...
Major Safety Concerns for Welders and What to Do About Them
Welding is an inherently hazardous job, but there are things you can do to make it safer. Learn about the risks and how to mitigate them.
Uneven Ground Conditions: Solutions and Precautions
Uneven ground surfaces don't look dangerous but they account for a number of trip and fall incidents. Learn more about mitigating this risk.
HAZWOPER: A Primer
Does HAZWOPER apply to you? Find out if it does and what responsibilities this entails.
Safety Certifications 101
With so many safety certifications to choose from, it's hard to know where to start. Learn more about certifications and how to know which...
Q&A by Jessica Barrett
How can nurses and other healthcare workers deal with fatigue at work?
Fatigue is a serious safety concern that can affect workers in nearly any sector or industry. There are two types of fatigue:Acute fatigue...
What are some of the key safety benefits of implementing a visitor management system on a work site?
Whether it’s a manufacturing plant or a construction site, keeping track of visitors is of the utmost importance. Visitor management...
Are nitrile gloves safe?
In general, nitrile gloves are safe. However, whether they are the right choice for a given application depends entirely on the...
What is the difference between absorptive and evaporative cooling products?
In hot work environments, cooling gear is a necessity to help workers stay comfortable and combat heat stress.What many people don’t...
Does every layer of winter workwear need to be flame resistant?
When possible, it's a good idea to make every layer flame resistant.When it comes to layering FR clothing, both the outerwear and the...
When do I need high-visibility safety apparel?
For workers on job sites where traffic is a concern, there’s one question that tends to be paramount over all others: how well can...
How often should you replace high-visibility clothing?
High visibility clothing is an essential part of the PPE package for workers who need to ensure that others can see them on the job site....
Is a sit-down forklift safer than a stand-up forklift?
As you might expect, there’s no clear-cut answer to this question. Both sit-down and stand-up forklifts have their safety benefits...
How many wheel chocks should be used at a loading dock?
Loading docks can be dangerous places, and using wheel chocks is one way to help mitigate hazards like trailer creep (learn about 5 Loading...
Are there ways to reduce the carbon monoxide output of our warehouse forklifts?
Carbon monoxide poisoning in warehouses is more common than you might think. And since CO is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, it’s...
Do forklift operators need to wear PPE?
While engineering and administrative controls are always the first line of defense against injuries in the workplace, personal protective...
How often does a forklift need to be inspected?
Forklifts are dangerous, heavy machines. While they only account for about one percent of all warehouse or factory accidents, they make up...
When should you lockout a forklift?
Before we talk about when you should lockout a forklift, let’s discuss what the term even means.Locking Out a ForkliftLockout/tagout...
Is it possible to promote safety culture with temporary workers?
Creating a strong culture of safety among your permanent staff is important, but it’s equally as important with temporary or contract...
What are OSHA's regulations for post-accident drug testing?
In December 2016, OSHA introduced a final rule (29 CFR 1904) that revised their regulations on recording and reporting occupational...
Should management take part in safety training?
Creating a safe workplace isn’t just about training lower-level workers to identify safety hazards and enabling them to take action...
Do workers need different respirators during the summer months?
While some respirators are intended for cold weather use, you won’t generally find ones specifically for use in hot weather. During...
What questions should I ask before buying a cooling vest?
For workers in hot environments, keeping cool is about more than just comfort – it’s about and protecting their health and...
What is the difference between a warning sign and a caution sign?
It can be tricky to determine the meaning of signs, especially when the words all seem to be synonyms with each other. But don’t be...
Regarding a fit test, what is the rainbow passage and why is it said?
When it comes to respirators, fit testing is critically important, and OSHA advocates for it on a regular basis. Though it can be laborious...
What are positive and negative pressure seal checks and how are they performed?
It’s important to understand that respirators aren’t a one-size-fits-all piece of PPE. If a respirator doesn’t fit...
Must I be medically evaluated and cleared to use a respirator?
To maintain the safety of all workers, OSHA standards mandate that every employee required or volunteering to use a respirator undergo a...
What is the difference between arc flash and flame resistant clothing?
The world of PPE can be confusing, and it's not always easy to choose the right gear for a particular application. But when it comes to...
What is the difference between primary and secondary flame resistant (FR) garments?
We use flame resistant (FR) protective clothing to protect against hazards like electric arcs, flash fires, and combustible dust. But not...
How often should I inspect a loading dock?
Loading docks can be dangerous places. In fact, about a quarter of all reported warehouse injuries occurring on loading docks. The causes...
What kind of training do loading dock workers need?
The loading dock is one of the most dangerous areas in a warehouse. About a quarter of all industrial accidents happen there – and...
What should I do when facing multiple hazards?
A hazard is defined as any practice, behavior, or physical condition that can cause injury, illness, damage to property, damage to...
What is the best way to handle fogging in a Level A suit face visor?
Getting comfortable in your Level A safety suit is no easy feat. When you're working, you might notice your visor starting to fog up...
What is silica and why is it hazardous?
A natural mineral found in the Earth, the most common form of silica is quartz. It’s a widely used industrial material and is...
What is the difference between acute and chronic chemical exposure?
Chemical exposure of any kind can be dangerous. Generally, there are three routes of exposure through which a toxic substance can enter the...
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