A major climate change initiative from the White House, a survey of safety professionals' salaries shows some interesting variations and a well-known furniture manufacturer wracks up 1,000+ injuries in 3 ½ years at one worksite. These were among the top stories posted on ISHN.com this week.

Aviation accidents on the rise

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released preliminary aviation accident statistics for 2014 today showing a slight increase in fatal general aviation accidents, which increased from 222 in 2013 to 253 in 2014.

OSHA announces breakthrough on new beryllium standard

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels yesterday announced a proposed new standard that would dramatically lower workplace exposure to beryllium, a widely used material that can cause devastating lung diseases.

EPA proposes stronger standards for high-risk pesticide application

Wants improved training, minimum age requirements for certified applicators

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing stronger standards for pesticide applicators who apply “restricted-use” pesticides. These pesticides are not available for purchase by the general public, require special handling, and may only be applied by a certified applicator or someone working under his or her direct supervision.

Senate bill would defund silica regulations

A rider included the U.S. Senate’s proposed fiscal year 2016 budget would block funding related to silica exposure regulations until additional studies are done.

Safety groups urge presidential veto of OSH funding cuts

Calls FY 2016 budget cuts and riders targeting worker health and safety “poison pills”

President Barack Obama should veto the proposed fiscal year 2016 funding cuts to OSHA and the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), said Public Citizen, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) and 74 worker safety, labor, good government, public health, environmental and community groups.

CDC: Increase in drug-resistant infections likely

They currently cause 23K deaths a year

Unless there are immediate, nationwide improvements in infection control and a big change in the way antibiotics are prescribed, drug-resistant infections are going to increase, according to mathematical modeling reported on in the latest CDC Vital Signs.

Worker suffers severe burns at Ohio plastics company

An employee of Wilbert Inc., based in Belmont, North Carolina suffered severe burns at the company’s Bellevue, Ohio manufacturing facility because procedures had not been taken to prevent the machine from releasing hot plastic during maintenance resulting in the injury.

JOEH:

Former Cal/OSHA official calls for protection of adult film performers

A commentary published by the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (JOEH) highlights the potential dangers faced by actors in the adult film industry and reviews potential enforcement actions and regulatory developments concerning the industry.

MSHA could amend policy to add training requirements

The Mine Safety and Health Administration appears to be readying a new policy that could significantly expand and re-interpret mine operator responsibilities in conducting workplace examinations. On July 9, 2015, MSHA briefly circulated a new program policy letter (PPL) on workplace examinations.

Tech firms take lead on “bias-busting” culture-building training

Facebook has developed training to help employees recognize bias in the workplace and call it out. Now it is sharing the training online so anyone can view it. Facebook is one of a number of companies educating employees on the hidden biases that everyone harbors – a barrier to creating a corporate culture more welcoming to different people and ideas.

Obama unveils plan to drastically reduce emissions from power plants

Calls climate change a threat to the future

In a move expected to result in years of legal wrangling, President Obama yesterday announced the most ambitious plan yet to sharply cut carbon pollution emitted by power plants.

Temp worker suffers serious hand injury due to lack of machine guarding

A 30-year-old temporary employee required extensive surgery after suffering burns and lacerations of tendons and ligaments in her right hand after she used a cutting and sealing machine at a frozen bread manufacturer that supplies products to Costco Wholesale Corp., IGA, Piggly Wiggly and others.

What safety pros earn - and how certification affects salaries

Occupational safety and health professionals who have certifications make considerably higher salaries than those who don’t, according to a new survey conducted jointly by the American Society of Safety Engineers, The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA), the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH), the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP), and the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM).

Georgia manufacturer exposes workers to deadly safety hazards

Durand Wayland, Inc., cited for 21 violations with nearly $45K in proposed penalties

After a complaint brought OSHA inspectors to Durand-Wayland Inc.’s LaGrange, Georgia facility, their inspection resulted in the agency issuing 11 serious and 10 other safety violations.

Ashley Furniture didn’t report amputation

One of 1,000+ injuries in 3 1/2 years at one worksite

A 56-year-old employee of furniture manufacturer Ashley Furniture Industries Inc. had his right ring finger amputated because the company has continued to ignore safety requirements to protect workers from moving machine parts. The company also failed to report the injury to OSHA, as required.