Karoly Ban Matei
HR and Safety Manager
After completing a bachelor degree in Economics with a major in Management, Karoly spent a few years working as an economist in his native country before immigrating to Canada. His background in practicing and facilitating extreme sports (climbing, spelunking, parachuting), gave him a good understanding of how to control and mitigate hazards, so he soon switched his career to occupational health and safety.
Early on his new journey, while training fall protection, he saw the influence he had on his trainees and realized how much he could learn from them. He used this knowledge to improve the health and safety system of the organization he was working for and discovered that this is what he enjoys the most: developing and improving health and safety programs.
Karoly has worked at a senior level (both as an employee and a contractor) for organizations in the construction and manufacturing industries. He likes to say that he knows something about everything, but not everything about something. This motivates him to continuously learn new things. As you learn you gain new perspectives that push you to change and improve, so it comes as no surprise that his favorite quote is: “Change before you have to!”
Safety signs serve an important function in the workplace, but only when they're posted properly. Find out which common safety sign mistakes you need to avoid.
Safety professionals need to start protecting the psychological wellbeing of workers. Only then will we have truly safe and productive workplaces.
Safe Work Practices and Safe Work Procedures may sound similar, but they are distinct safety tools. We go over the difference, and how to use them.
Working in a hot environment can result in a heat edema. But is it a serious condition and should safety professionals take action on it?
Welding tasks produce a number of toxic fumes and gases. Find out how to protect welders and other workers from these serious hazards.
When a worker is exposed to harmful chemicals, every second counts. Find out which steps you need to take to limit the harm when things go wrong.
Measuring long-term contractor engagement is tricky, but not impossible. This article goes over why and how you can do it.
Even if you think your workplace safety program covers all the bases, there are a few hazards you have probably overlooked.
The Noise Reduction Rating is a complicated, confusing, and absolutely essential measure. This article covers everything you need to know about it.
Chemical hazards are not all created equal. Here's how to select the right chemical-resistant glove for each chemical hazard and work task.
Is there a difference between safety management and safety leadership? And does it matter? This article breaks down the two concepts.
Confined space rescue is risky. But with the right equipment, your rescuers might not even need to enter the space. Find out what you need to have on hand for a safe and...
Thanks to hot weather, physical exertion, and heavy PPE, construction workers are at high risk of heat stress. Here's how to manage it.
Construction work involves a large number of ergonomic hazards. In this article, we go over some solutions and control methods to reduce or eliminate ergonomic risks in...
These safety myths leave workers at risk, hold companies back, and create a false sense of safety in countless organizations.
The cannabis growing and extraction process puts workers at risk of gas-related hazards. Find out what employers can do to keep them safe.
Bump tests are essential for ensuring the day-to-day function of gas monitors. This article covers key things you need to know about bump testing.
Medical waste isn't like the waste generated by other industries. It poses a biological hazard and must be disposed of safely. Here's how.
Safety managers are vital to every workplace. But what exactly do they do? This article spells out the various roles a safety manager is expected to play.
Journey to Zero programs are promising, but do they live up to the hype? This deep dive takes a closer look at the facts.
Multi-language workplaces come with some additional safety challenges. Find out how to communicate safety to everyone and mitigate the risks.
It takes more than just common sense to deal with common hazards. Learn about five online training courses that can help your employees work more safely.
When it comes to disposable gloves, there's more to consider than size. Find out what else you need to know to keep workers safe.
It's often easy to overlook the basics. Learn about five effective PPE solutions that can prevent or reduce the severity of common workplace injuries.
Oil and gas workers face numerous hand hazards. Learn about cut resistant gloves suitable for the industry.
You know about welders' masks and gloves, but do you know what else you need to wear to stay safe on the job?
Damage to the eye is often significant and irreversible. Learn how to keep them safe.
Cooling PPE can help you prevent heat stress, but not all of it works in the same way. Find out which type is best for your work environment.
Earplugs and earmuffs look like simple safety gear, but there's quite a bit to know about them. Find out how to use them effectively.
Spill control measures are important for any business that stores or uses large quantities of oil or chemicals. Learn how to do spill containment right.
Paying for more features than you need doesn't make sense. Find out how to convince management to get the right safety software.
Who pays for the PPE? The employees who wear and care for it, or the employers who require it? Find out what the regulations say.
Not all safety shoes and boots provide protection against slips and trips. Find out how to select footwear that will keep you safe and upright.
A fall protection system arresting a worker's fall is only the first step in keeping fallen workers safe. Learn more about fall rescue.
Training is an important element of fall protection, but are you doing it right? Find out how to deliver effective fall safety training.
OSHA's Fatal Four account for 65% of all fatalities in the construction industry. Find out what steps you can take to keep workers safe from them.
Forklift hand signals can prevent the most common causes of fatal forklift accidents. Find out what they are and who should use them.
Washing your FR clothing the wrong way can compromise its flame-resistant properties. Learn how to wash your protective clothing so you don't get burned.
A safety culture is built out of small nudges, not huge changes. Here are 8 that can get you on the right track.
Construction companies face a number of challenges when it comes to developing a safety culture. Find out what you can do to do overcome some of them.
Crystalline silica is a common workplace hazard that can lead to serious chronic conditions. Find out how to keep your workers safe from it.
Not sure where to start when selecting chemical protective clothing? This article will guide you through the process and cover what you need to know.
Keeping your hands safe from chemical exposure means using gloves made from the right materials. Find out which materials you need.
Earplugs and earmuffs are common pieces of PPE that serve the same purpose: reducing the noise intensity that reaches the ear canal....
A large number of studies link sedentary lifestyles to a series of chronic diseases and a shortened life expectancy. Some researchers...
The atmospheric and physical hazards of a confined space, along with its limited means of access and egress, complicate the logistics of a...
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) there are over 2000 eye injuries in the US every single day...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), back injuries have a high prevalence in the workplace and cost the...
Working in hot environments presents its challenges, one of which heat exhaustion and heat stroke. According to OSHA, heat stroke was the...
Welding presents many burning hazards. Recently welded materials, welding spatter, and radiation can all cause painful and unpleasant burns...
Safety footwear is an important part of your day-to-day PPE. You depend on it not only to protect you from the impact of heavy objects but...
When storing oil and hazardous chemicals, we are obliged under the law (EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, NOAA, and so forth) to ensure that these...
Spill containment regulations in the United States are not governed by a single institution, but are shared among OSHA, EPA, US Coast Guard...
Falls can be deadly at heights as low as six feet.There is a saying in the safety world: "It's not the fall that kills you; it'...
A quick review of current legislation and best practices will reveal that there is no consensus regarding who should be responsible for...
Though there might be a debate over how often to wash FR clothing, it is impossible to avoid entirely. Like any other garment, FR clothing...
Whether or not your corporation believes in implementing a safety culture, it's important for all levels of an organization to be...
There are over 26 million foreign workers in the United States whose first language is not English. This is a significant proportion of the...
What Is Silica?Silica is by far the most abundant mineral on the planet, making up around 26% of the Earth’s crust by weight.Most of...
Of the more than 1,000,000 hand injuries reported yearly by OSHA, a staggering 69% are due to lacerations and puncture injuries. In 30% of...
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 110,000 lost time injuries every year and over 1,000,000 workers sent to the...
When working with hazardous chemicals, proper controls should be put in place to minimize employee exposure to these substances. While it...
Chemical protective clothing is, according to OSHA's Technical Manual (Section VIII, Chapter 1), equipment designed to "shield or...
