Weekly news round-up
Safety advocates call for a standard to protect health care workers, health apps could be violating your privacy and OSHA delays enforcing a controversial rule. These were among the top stories featured on ISHN.com this week.
A NIOSH Science Blog post
Improving workers’ health across the globe
According to the International Labour Organization, globally, 6,300 people die as a result of occupational injury or work-related diseases every day – more than 2.3 million deaths per year. This has a tremendous impact on the global community- individuals, families, and employers.
2017 could bring smaller budgets for OSH agencies
It’s only July, but U.S. workplace safety is already being targeted for spending cuts next year.
U.S. under dangerous “heat dome”
Excessive heat warnings have been issued for portions of 21 states, with temperatures expected to reach 115 degrees in some places. Thermometers in Pierre, South Dakota registered 105 degrees on Wednesday afternoon.
How should organizations respond to tragedy?
In the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States since September 11, 2001, the recent mass shooting at Pulse nightclub highlighted important concerns surrounding terrorism. The fact that the shooter specifically targeted a gay nightclub during Latino night adds LGBT and diversity issues into the ever-complicated issue—and leaves many organizations wondering how, if at all, they should respond.
A ProPublica Story
Health gadgets and apps outpace privacy protections, report finds
The federal patient privacy law known as HIPAA has not kept pace with wearable fitness trackers, mobile health apps and online patient communities, leaving a gaping hole in regulations that needs to be filled, according to a much-delayed government report released today.
Conn. mattress maker fails to correct cited hazards
After Recyc-Mattress Corp, an East Hartford, Connecticut mattress recycling company, failed to provide OSHA with information that it had remedied all the hazards cited in a 2015 inspection, the agency began an inspection on Jan. 12, 2016, to verify correction of the hazards.
Healthcare unions want a violence prevention standard
A coalition of unions is urging the U.S. Department of Labor to enact a comprehensive workplace violence prevention standard to protect all workers in healthcare and social service settings.
Home health care worker sexually assaulted on the job
The sexual assault of a home health care worker has resulted in a willful citation against one of the nation's leading providers of pediatric home health and therapy services for medically frail and chronically ill children, after it failed to protect its employees properly from the dangers of workplace violence.
Public health
Utah health officials puzzled by a (Zika) medical mystery
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is helping the state of Utah figure out a medical mystery: how a person with no apparent exposure to the Zika virus contracted the disease.
Fracking neighbors want Obama to hear their complaints
More than 100 families affected by fracking sent a letter to President Obama recently, asking for him to meet with them and hear about their experiences.
FAA: Republican convention is a no drone zone
The Republican National Convention in Cleveland is buzzing with activity, both inside and outside Quicken Loans Arena. There’s one thing that shouldn’t be buzzing around, however – drones.
The death of a Tonawanda Coke Corp. employee who was pulled into the rotating shaft of a coal elevator on Jan. 6, 2016, could have been prevented, an inspection by OSHA’s Buffalo Area Office has determined.
An Arkansas cold storage company reduced its annual workers compensation costs by about $175,000 after using OSHA’s On-site Consultation Program to improve its workplace safety and health practices.
S.D. Allen Iske Jr., PhD, CIH, CSP, will receive award at the AIHA Fall Conference
The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) has announced that S.D. Allen Iske Jr., PhD, CIH, CSP will receive this year's Henry F. Smyth, Jr. Award. The honor is presented annually to an individual who has recognized the needs of the industrial hygiene profession and contributed to the improvement of the public's welfare.
ASSE President's message
As I write this first President’s Message, I find myself reflecting on who we are and what we contribute as safety professionals. I have heard many OSH professionals say that what we do is not a job, it is a noble calling. As safety professionals, we take immense pride in knowing that our work’s primary purpose is to prevent people from being injured or made sick from their work.
If you had heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, before your first stroke, your risk of suffering subsequent strokes and dementia up to five years later may be higher, according to new research in the American Heart Association’s (AHA) journal Stroke.
OSHA is delaying enforcement of the anti-retaliation provisions in its new injury and illness tracking rule to conduct additional outreach and provide educational materials and guidance for employers.
Worker dies while servicing operating coal elevator
Ark. company makes dramatic safety changes, lowers comp costs
AIHA Announces 2016 Henry F. Smyth, Jr. award recipient
Meaningful connections
Pre-stroke risk factors influence long-term health
OSHA delays enforcement of part of reporting rule
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