A new warning about the skyrocketing rates of e-cigarette use among young people, a film crew member killed in New York City and 2017 work-related fatality statistics from the BLS were among the week’s top occupational safety and health stories featured on ISHN.com.

OSHA enforcement across the USA

December 20, 2018

OSHA cited wholesale auto and truck parts distributor Parts Authority Georgia, LLC, for exposing workers to smoke and fire hazards. Inspectors determined that the company allowed obstructed exits; exposed workers to struck-by hazards from damaged storage rack supports and shelves; and failed to provide training on recognizing chemical hazards.

Enjoy the holiday season with fire safety in mind

Christmas trees, holiday lights, and decorations help make December a leading month for U.S. home fires

December 19, 2018

Festive meals, flickering lights and holiday decorations are all hallmarks of the holiday season. However, Christmas trees, candles, electrical decorations, and cooking all contribute to an increased number of home fires during December, making it one of the leading months for U.S. home fires. “Fire can quickly turn this festive time of year into a tragic one,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of NFPA’s Outreach and Advocacy division.

10 ways to avoid holiday weight gain

Eddie Fatakhov M.D.

December 19, 2018

It probably comes as no surprise that the top resolution of last New Years Eve was to lose weight and be healthier. This resolution is a favorite the world over so, if you are one of the millions wanting to lose weight and make positive lifestyle changes in 2019 I have a simple tip… Start now! Gaining weight is much simpler than losing it so instead of saying “I’ll start making better choices in 2019” why not keep a few pounds off ahead of schedule?

U.S. Surgeon General: ANY e-cigarette use by youth is dangerous

December 19, 2018

An advisory by U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams prompted by the skyrocketing rates of e-cigarette use among teens warns parents that any use of e-cigarettes is dangerous. “E-cigarette aerosol is not harmless,” said the Surgeon General. “Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine – the addictive drug in regular cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm the developing brain – which continues to develop until about age 25.”

BLS: Fatal falls up, workplace violence fatalities down

December 19, 2018

Statistics released yesterday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed that workplace fatalities declined by less than one percent in 2017. The BLS’ 2017 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries noted that 5,147 fatal injuries were reported last year, as compared to 5,190 in 2016. The fatality rate among full-time workers was also down slightly.

Looking on bright side may reduce anxiety, especially when money is tight

December 18, 2018

Trying to find something good in a bad situation appears to be particularly effective in reducing anxiety the less money a person makes, possibly because people with low incomes have less control over their environment, according to research published by the American Psychological Association (APA). “Our research shows that socioeconomic status has a powerful effect on whether reframing a situation can reduce anxiety, both in the short term and the long term,” said Claudia Haase, PhD, of Northwestern University and co-author of the study.

Dairy employee killed by auger in grain bin

December 18, 2018

OSHA has cited Thiele Dairy in Clearwater, Nebraska for failing to develop and implement safety and health programs related to grain bin entry after an employee suffered fatal injuries. OSHA inspectors determined that an operating sweep auger lacerated an employee's leg as he attempted to remove corn from inside a grain bin at the dairy.

A NIOSH Science Blog post

Workplace medical mystery at the North Pole

Julie Tisdale-Pardi MA

December 18, 2018

What is going on at the North Pole? Several elves in the toy making department have reported congestion, cough and shortness of breath. While it is cold and flu season, all of the elves have had their flu shots and the issues seem to be contained to the elves working in the toy shop. A handful of elves also report sore throats, burning eyes and fatigue.

A Confined Space blog post

Court says OSHA can be sued for recordkeeping delay

Jordan Barab

December 18, 2018

Just days after OSHA rushed its final “Electronic Recordkeeping” regulation into OMB review, the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled against OSHA’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Public Citizen concerning OSHA’s suspension of requirements in its “electronic recordkeeping” regulation.

A FairWarning Story

Feds find memory boosters were falsely labeled but refuse to say which ones

Stuart Silverstein

December 17, 2018

When the federal government examines widely sold dietary supplements and finds that they are falsely labeled, shouldn’t consumers be warned? That’s an issue some critics are raising following a recent evaluation by the Government Accountability Office of three leading dietary supplements marketed as memory boosters.

Fla. contractor repeatedly exposed employees to fall hazards

December 17, 2018

Being cited four times in the past five years for fall hazards apparently did not cause a Florida roofing contractor to change its workplace safety practices. In its most recent interaction with OSHA, Turnkey Construction Planners Inc. was cited for failing to provide fall protection to its workers. The Melbourne-based company faces $199,184 in penalties.

NYC film crew worker accidentally killed by co-worker

December 17, 2018

A film crew employee who was placing traffic cones last week at a Brooklyn location where a TV show was set to film was struck and killed by a co-worker, according to news sources. The early morning incident took the life of Pedro Jimenez, 63.

Vaping way up, opioid misuse down among U.S. teens

December 17, 2018

America’s teens report a dramatic increase in their use of vaping devices in just a single year, with 37.3 percent of 12th graders reporting “any vaping” in the past 12 months, compared to just 27.8 percent in 2017. These findings come from the 2018 Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey of a nationally representative sample of eighth, 10th and 12th graders in schools nationwide, funded by a government grant to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.