An Amazon warehouse wall collapses, killing two workers; OSHA issues a final rule on crane operators and managers at one company are indicted for obstructing an OSHA fatal accident investigation. These were among the top occupational health and safety stories featured on ISHN.com this week.

 

NIOSH releases beta version of silica monitoring software

November 9, 2018

Mines can now monitor worker exposure to hazardous respirable crystalline silica (RCS) more effectively, thanks to new software developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Program in beta version.

 

Which workers are at highest risk of MSDs?

November 8, 2018

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. Workers may sustain MSD injuries by lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively.

 

New study results show strong cell phone - cancer link

November 8, 2018

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) concluded there is clear evidence that male rats exposed to high levels of radio frequency radiation (RFR) like that used in 2G and 3G cell phones developed cancerous heart tumors, according to final reports released this week. 

 

OSHA issues final rule on crane operator cert. requirements

November 8, 2018

OSHA yesterday published a final rule that clarifies certification requirements for crane operators, and maintains the employer’s duty to ensure that crane operators can safely operate the equipment. The agency says the regulation will maintain safety and health protections for workers while reducing compliance burdens.

 

From the NIOSH Director's Desk:

Preparing and protecting the emerging workforce

Dr. John Howard

November 8, 2018

The “skills gap”—the mismatch between the knowledge, skills, and abilities employers seek in potential employees and the competencies workers actually bring to the job—has been a topic of national conversation, concern, and even controversy for many years.

 

A Confined Space blog post

Shot, stabbed and assaulted: Violence against nurses

 

Jordan Barab

November 8, 2018

Over 2400 nurses are victims of workplace violence every year and the number increased 30% since 2012 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hospitals consider attacks and threats against health care workers to be “part of the job.”

 

Total Worker Health in the spotlight at ASSP event

November 7, 2018

The National Institute for Occupational Safety’s (NIOSH) Total Worker Health® (TWH) model will be the focus of a session at the American Society of Safety Professionals’ (ASSP) Seminarfest 2019 in Las Vegas.

 

Man overboard!

Commercial fishing even more dangerous without PFDs

November 7, 2018

Personal flotation devices (PFDs) save lives – especially in the commercial fishing industry, one of the most dangerous occupations, with a fatality rate in the U.S. 29 times higher than the national average.

 

Alabama tank cleaners face confined space, other hazards

November 7, 2018

An Alabama tank cleaning company exposed its employees to multiple confined space, fire and explosion hazards, according to OSHA, which has proposed $171,281 in penalties against American Remediation and Environmental Inc.

 

AIHA: DOL gives no evidence for decision to change teen worker safety rule

November 6, 2018

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) says the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has presented no scientific evidence for its proposal to let healthcare workers as young as 16 operate power-driven patient lifts without adult supervision.

 

Mfg company managers indicted for obstructing OSHA worker fatality investigation

November 6, 2018

A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Ohio has indicted two managers at Extrudex Aluminum Inc. in Ohio for conspiracy to obstruct justice during a 2012 workplace fatality investigation by OSHA. The agency inspected the aluminum extrusion manufacturer after an employee suffered fatal injuries when a rack containing hot aluminum parts tipped over and pinned him. A second employee suffered severe burns.

 

 

Runaway train kills two crew members

November 6, 2018

Just before a deadly train collision in Granite Canyon, Wyoming, the crew of one of the trains involved radioed the company dispatch center to tell them that due to problems with the train’s airbrake system, they’d accelerated to 50 mph and were unable to stop. The engineer and conductor of that UP freight train would both die a short time later, when their train collided with the rear of a stationary UP freight train.

 

NHTSA urges you to drive safely near school zones and bus stops

November 6, 2018

Last week was a deadly week for kids at bus stops. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says tragedies in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi and Pennsylvania have left parents without children, and have drastically changed families and communities across the country.

 

Mo. plumbing contractor admits to violating trenching safety requirements

November 6, 2018

Following the death of an employee in a trench collapse, Arrow Plumbing LLC has admitted to willfully violating OSHA safety standards by failing to require and enforce the use of trench boxes or other trench protection techniques at a home construction site in Belton, Missouri. 

 

Many oil & gas workers risk hydrogen sulfide overexposure

Continuous air monitoring by a qualified person is required

November 5, 2018

A 46-year-old hockey-playing oilfield worker nearly died last December connecting a hose to a valve at a rural Saskatchewan production operation in February, 2014. His face was sprayed with a mix of gas, water and oil. He inhaled and swallowed it.

 

Klein Tools buys Ergodyne to take advantage of an evolving ecosystem

As the PPE market turns…

November 5, 2018

Klein Tools and Tenacious Holdings, the parent company of Ergodyne, announced in September a major deal in which Klein Tools acquired Ergodyne. The “Tenacious Nation” will remain tenacious, with Ergodyne operating as a separate business unit at its St. Paul, MN headquarters and Tom Votel staying on as Ergodyne president.

 

2 workers die in Amazon warehouse collapse in Baltimore

November 5, 2018

Extreme weather appears to be a factor in the fatal collapse of a wall Friday night at an Amazon warehouse in Baltimore. Two workers were killed in the incident at the online retailer’s southeast Baltimore fulfillment center, which occurred during a severe storm that tore roofs of apartment buildings in the area and caused a ceiling to collapse at a store, injuring three people.

 

Carpenter accidentally fires nail gun at his own arm; company cited

November 5, 2018

Nail gun safety came into focus during a recent Cal/OSHA investigation of an April 17 accident at a Lake Forest worksite in which a carpenter was seriously injured. The worker, who was using an air pressure-powered nail gun to frame wood, was carrying the nail gun in his right hand with his finger on the trigger when a nail was unintentionally discharged into his left arm.