Weekly news round-up
A new standard for construction in the wind energy industry, sobering study results about an understudied, in-the-air group of workers and another city takes on high sodium in restaurants. These were among the top stories featured on ISHN.com this week.
Big prize $$ for innovative ways to analyze crash data
June 29, 2018
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched a contest that will award $350,000 in prize money to technology firms and safety stakeholders who come up with better ways to apply advanced analytics and technological innovations to crash statistics. The goal, according to Under Secretary for Policy Derek Kan: to “dramatically improve safety on our roads.”
Lightning safety for outdoor workers
June 29, 2018
Think those blue skies overhead mean all is well? The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) says: think again. Because lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles, blue skies are not an indication of safety. If you hear thunder, you should move your outdoor workers inside or to a safe space immediately.
A Confined Space blog post
Former CSB Chair moves on to (much) greener pastures
Jordan BarabJune 29, 2018
Last month, without any warning or explanation, Vanessa Sutherland announced her resignation as Chair of the Chemical Safety Board. Earlier this week we learned why. More money and more love.
Don't let risky drinking ruin your 4th of July
June 29, 2018
With the 4th of July just around the corner, the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) wants you to have fun – but avoid risky drinking. “Drinking impairs both physical and mental abilities, and it also decreases inhibitions—which can lead to tragic consequences on the water, on the road, and in the great outdoors,” says the NIAAA.
A FairWarning story
Study links declining union strength to more workplace deaths
June 28, 2018
It’s no secret that the waning power of American unions has contributed to stagnant wages. But a new study suggests that this trend hasn’t affected just worker income. It also may have cost thousands of lives.
OSHA partnership to focus on safety of young workers
June 28, 2018
OSHA has signed an alliance agreement with CareerSafe to provide youth, aged 16-24, educators, and administrators with information and resources on the most common hazards encountered by new workers.
Study aims to improve the health of new construction workers
June 28, 2018
With spring’s warmer temperatures, many workers may be heading off to new jobs in construction. As one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States, construction poses the greatest safety and health risks to new workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cancer strikes flight attendants at higher than average rates
Exposure to ionizing radiation, poor cabin air quality probable factors
June 27, 2018
Flight attendants have a higher incidence of melanoma, along with breast, uterine and other kinds of cancer, according to a study published in the journal Environmental Health aimed at characterizing the prevalence of cancer diagnoses among U.S. cabin crew relative to the general population.
A FairWarning story
Study finds Apple’s CarPlay, Google’s Android less distracting, but still not safe
June 27, 2018
Automakers have packed many of their new models with distracting infotainment features that allow drivers not only to play music and get directions, but to talk, text and use social media while tooling down the road. Now new research has found that two popular smartphone-based systems –Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto – are somewhat simpler and safer to use than the built-in electronics.
OSHA partnership to focus on safety of young workers
June 28, 2018
OSHA has signed an alliance agreement with CareerSafe to provide youth, aged 16-24, educators, and administrators with information and resources on the most common hazards encountered by new workers.
Study aims to improve the health of new construction workers
June 28, 2018
With spring’s warmer temperatures, many workers may be heading off to new jobs in construction. As one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States, construction poses the greatest safety and health risks to new workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cancer strikes flight attendants at higher than average rates
Exposure to ionizing radiation, poor cabin air quality probable factors
June 27, 2018
Flight attendants have a higher incidence of melanoma, along with breast, uterine and other kinds of cancer, according to a study published in the journal Environmental Health aimed at characterizing the prevalence of cancer diagnoses among U.S. cabin crew relative to the general population.
A FairWarning story
Study finds Apple’s CarPlay, Google’s Android less distracting, but still not safe
June 27, 2018
Automakers have packed many of their new models with distracting infotainment features that allow drivers not only to play music and get directions, but to talk, text and use social media while tooling down the road. Now new research has found that two popular smartphone-based systems –Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto – are somewhat simpler and safer to use than the built-in electronics.
ASSP publishes first U.S. standard for construction and demolition of wind turbines
June 27, 2018
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has published the first U.S. industry consensus standard written specifically for the construction and demolition of wind turbines. ANSI/ASSP A10.21-2018 was approved in April by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ASSP is secretariat of the A10 Accredited Standards Committee.
Philly to require high sodium warnings in restaurants
June 26, 2018
The Philadelphia City Council has passed a law requiring chain restaurants operating within the city to have sodium warning labels on its menu for high-sodium items – and the American Heart Association (AHA) couldn’t be happier about it.
Putting a price tag on a person’s life could make America safer and fairer
June 26, 2018
What is the monetary value of a person’s life? Vanderbilt economist W. Kip Viscusi says putting a price tag on the value of a person’s life makes people and products safer. Viscusi defines the “value of statistical life” or VSL as the dollar amount that people are willing to pay to avoid an expected death tied to a faulty product or job-related accident. His current estimate of the value of statistical life is $10 million.
Millions available for mining safety training
June 26, 2018
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has announced the availability of $10,537,000 in state grant funding to provide federally mandated training and retraining of miners and mine operators working at surface and underground coal and metal and nonmetal mines.
Inside NIOSH:
Lift-assist system has baggage handlers’ backs
June 26, 2018
For travelers, restrictions on baggage weight may mean packing fewer pairs of shoes. For airport baggage handlers, weight restrictions, combined with proper lifting, are important to safety and health but may not be enough to prevent work-related back injuries.
Making safety a family affair
June 25, 2018
Riggio Valve is a family-owned small business in Bayonne, New Jersey, that performs rebuilding, welding, and machining services. Several years ago, owner and president Vin Riggio set out to improve his company’s workplace safety and health program.
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