Wearable safety tech for construction workers, Uber automated vehicles are unsafe at any speed and the toll of antibiotic resistant infections in the U.S. were among the top occupational safety and health stories featured on ISHN.com this week.

NTSB reveals cause behind frightening depressurization on plane

“It is important to go beyond routine examination of fan blades”

November 21, 2019

A fractured fan blade. That’s what started the dangerous chain of events aboard a Southwest Airlines flight on April 17, 2018 that ended with one passenger dead and eight others injured. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) this week revealed what happened – and why - after flight 1380 departed New York’s LaGuardia Airport that day, headed for Love Field, Dallas, Texas.

Experienced lineman killed in transformer accident

November 21, 2019

OSHA and the city of Palo Alto, California are investigating the death of an electrical lineman employed by the city. Forty-two-year-old Donatus Okhomina, described in news reports as a “seasoned electrical lineman,” was killed Saturday morning in an incident involving an electrical transformer. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Here’s the latest from OSHA

November 21, 2019

Have suggestions for making OSHA’s online training classes more affordable? Want tips on preventing cold stress among your employees? Here are updates from OSHA:

Florida construction company reduces injuries, gets SHARP

November 20, 2019

A Florida construction company has logged 0 injuries and illnesses this year, after a steady decline in incidents that the company attributes to working with the University of South Florida (USF), SafetyFlorida Consultation Program. Stile Construction’s workplace safety success has earned it membership in OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) program, which recognizes small business employers who have used OSHA On-Site Consultation Program services and operate exemplary safety and health programs.

NTSB report on deadly automated vehicle crash slams Uber for safety lack

November 20, 2019

There was plenty of blame to go around in the report released yesterday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into its investigation of an automated test vehicle crash last year, but most of it was assigned to Uber, the company conducting the test. A pedestrian was killed in the March 18 collision in Tempe, Arizona involving an Uber Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) vehicle - a 2017 Volvo XC90, modified with a proprietary developmental automated driving system.

A mining disaster that led to safety changes

"Mining is a hazardous profession"

November 20, 2019

Fifty-one years ago today, a massive explosion killed 78 coal miners in West Virginia and led to significant changes in mining safety through the passage of the 1969 Coal Mine Safety and Health Act. On Sunday, family members of the workers who perished in the Farmington Mine disaster and coal miners and their families gathered in Marion County for a solemn ceremony that has taken place every year for more than a half a century.

Who is still smoking?

Great American Smokeout draws attention to "hidden epidemic"

November 19, 2019

Although smoking rates have dropped dramatically in the U.S. - from 42% in 1965 to 14% in 2017 - some groups continue to have high prevalence of cigarette smoking. That’s according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), which is using the upcoming Great American Smokeout as an opportunity to highlight this “hidden epidemic.”

“Practical and creative" safety professional honored by ISEA

Abby Ferri awarded for contributions to workplace safety and health

November 19, 2019

The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) bestowed its 2019 Robert B. Hurley Distinguished Service Award on Abby Ferri, CSP at its Award Dinner on Nov. 18 at the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City, Arlington Va. “The Distinguished Service Award is reserved for an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement and promotion of workplace safety and health,” said Charles Johnson, President of ISEA.

Feds to grant funding for roadway safety tools

November 19, 2019

State and local governments and metro planning organizations are among the entities who can apply for up to half a million dollars each to use in developing, refining, and deploying safety tools that address specific roadway safety problems. The funds – which will be disbursed by the U.S. Department of Transportation – are intended to help the awardees use innovative data tools and information to improve roadway safety.

NSC, OSHA enter Alliance Program Ambassador relationship

November 19, 2019

The National Safety Council (NSC) and OSHA have renewed their commitment to continue working together to promote workplace health and safety. Lorraine M. Martin, NSC president and CEO, and Loren Sweatt, deputy assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, yesterday signed an Alliance Program Ambassador relationship. The two organizations have been in an Alliance since 2003.

Construction workers use marijuana, cocaine more than others

November 18, 2019

Construction trade and extraction workers (CTEW) are at high-risk for drug use, according to a study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, that found marijuana, cocaine, and non-prescription opioid (NPO) use in particular was higher among that group. Construction trade and extraction workers: A population at high risk for drug use in the United States, 2005–2014 also revealed that: Precarious employment was associated with increased odds of marijuana and NPO use.

A NIOSH Science Blog post

Wearable technologies for improved safety and health on construction sites

Scott Earnest PhD PE CSPJohn Snawder PhD, DABTCapt. Alan Echt DrPH, CIHElizabeth GarzaRick Rinehart ScD

November 18, 2019

Wearable technologies are an increasingly popular consumer electronic for a variety of applications at home and at work. In general, these devices include accessories and clothing that incorporate advanced electronic technologies, often with smartphone or ‘internet of things’ (IoT) connectivity. While wearables are increasingly being used to improve health and well-being by aiding in personal fitness, innovative applications for monitoring occupational safety and health risk factors are becoming more common.

DOL updates tech assistance guide for construction contractors

November 18, 2019

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has released a comprehensive Technical Assistance Guide (TAG) for the construction industry. The guide will assist contractors meet their legal requirements and responsibilities for equal employment opportunity by preventing violations before they occur.

Antibiotic-resistant infections in U.S. kill 35K a year

CDC: Significant progress since 2013 could be lost without more action

November 18, 2019

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and fungi cause more than 2.8 million infections and 35,000 deaths in the United States each year, according to a report released recently by the CDC. That means, on average, someone in this country gets an antibiotic-resistant infection every 11 seconds and every 15 minutes someone dies.