Editor's Note: Feeling social?

As I write this, OSHA has just concluded a two-day meeting on proposed changes to its Recordkeeping Standard. One of the main topics of discussion was whether OSHA should make worker injury and illness records available to the public, and if the agency has the resources to remove from those records all information that could lead to individual workers being identified.

Senior Associate Editor Kyle W. Morrison listened in on the teleconference and summed up the meeting in a news brief.

You may not know, however, that Kyle also provided live coverage of the meeting via Safety+Health’s Twitter account (@SafetyHealthMag). Everyone who follows S+H on Twitter was able to read about major points and statements made, just moments after they happened. For Copy Editor Bryan O’Donnell and me (who are in constant contact with Kyle as he’s reporting on meetings), it’s exhilarating to quickly relay important information and quotes in brief, to-the-point statements – and gratifying to see when our followers share them with their own followers.

We provide similar coverage for almost all major meetings and hearings that affect occupational safety and health. It’s fair to call it bonus coverage, as many of the quotes, for reasons such as similarity or limited copy space, don’t make it into the magazine.

All of this is available to you. If you’re uneasy about social media but want to test the water, I encourage you to try Twitter first. (Not sure how to get started? Almost any teenager or twentysomething can show you.) Twitter’s 140-character limit doesn’t appeal to everyone, however, so if you’re more interested in starting, or being part of, a longer conversation, please check out our Facebook and Google+ pages, or join our LinkedIn Group. You can access all of our social media pages from our main website. And, as always, comments about S+H articles are welcome on the website. We look forward to connecting with you.

The opinions expressed in “Editor’s Note” do not necessarily reflect those of the National Safety Council or affiliated local Chapters.