Is Rural America In Decline?

America’s rural population is shrinking. In just a few decades, the rise of computers, the Internet, and wireless technologies has created a high-tech, interconnected world that is changing society forever. But this brave new “digital age” is contributing to the steady decline in rural populations. […]

Women Who Dig Mining

It’s hard to imagine, but mining has been around since ~42,000 BC. And historically, women have long been involved in those mining communities, working alongside their male peers to excavate precious minerals and other valuable resources. By the 1860s, American women worked as “prospectors, ore […]

Strike Gold (or Copper) With a Job in Underground Mining

Humans have been mining since before recorded history. From the earliest mining of flint to make tools and weapons to today’s modern mining of coal, iron, bauxite, phosphate rock, gypsum, and other precious minerals and metals, mining is one of the most critical foundations of […]

DOT Oral Fluid Final Rule

Drug testing just underwent a historic change. Effective June 1, 2023, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will soon allow the use of oral fluid testing as an alternative to urine tests, as outlined in its final rule (published in Federal Register 88 FR 27596). The […]

Fentanyl and Its Impact on the Workplace

“Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered,” according to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. But what can employers do about fentanyl use among workers? Before we try to tackle that pressing question, let’s take a quick overview of what fentanyl is…and why […]

CBD – Is It Safe or Are You At Risk?

Health, legal, and employment factors to consider before ever trying a CBD product. Over the decades, the Western view of cannabis has changed as the study of the plant’s properties continues to advance. Due to voter demands, many states have taken measures to legalize or […]

Impairment Recognition in the Workplace

The Dos and Don’ts of a Successful Program No matter what line of work you’re in, it’s risky when an employee comes in impaired by drugs, alcohol, or other factors. But in many industries, the impact of such occurrences is potentially disastrous. Impaired employees working […]

Succession Planning for Safety-Sensitive Positions

Prepare for Change “Change is the only constant in life,” noted the Greek philosopher Heraclitus. And though not a businessman, his casual observation encapsulated one of the greatest organizational challenges in the world. Change is inevitable in every organization, with the most common type being personnel […]

OSHA’s View of 2022

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) oversees and enforces workplace safety policies for nearly every industry in America, except those falling under the domain of other federal agencies, such as the Mine Safety and Health Administration. OSHA collects data related to certain work-related employee […]

THC ~ Delta 8, Delta 9, & Delta 10 ~ What’s the Difference?

Researchers still debate how many species the cannabis plant is divided into. Some claim there’s only one – Cannabis sativa. Others insist Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis are distinct species. Between all three, there are over 700 strains and hybrids on the market today. Strains are named by […]