Weekly news round-up
Firefighters’ deaths lead to a lawsuit against a construction company; nurses get the recognition they deserve and new studies show what we’ve known all along: staying active can help you live longer.
For older adults, more physical activity could mean longer, healthier lives
March 5, 2020
Two studies demonstrate that older adults may be able to live longer, healthier lives by increasing physical activity that doesn’t have to be strenuous to be effective, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2020. The EPI Scientific Sessions, March 3-6 in Phoenix, is a premier global exchange of the latest advances in population-based cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians.
NSC urges employers to practice active shooter drills with staff.
March 4, 2020
The recent active shooter incident at the Molson Coors facility in Milwaukee was not an isolated incident. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), assaults are the second leading cause of workplace deaths and account for more than 16,000 injuries each year. “Thankfully active shooter events are still rare but when they happen, they are terrifying and can turn deadly in seconds,” according to the organization.
DOL's construction safety advisory committee to discuss opioids, suicide
March 4, 2020
A pair of trending topics will be on the agenda at tomorrow’s meeting of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) Workgroups. The Emerging and Current Issues workgroup will meet from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST to discuss opioids and suicides in construction.
Retaliated-against safety whistleblower to get thousands from ex-employer
March 4, 2020
OSHA has determined that Universal Trucking Solutions LLC – a defunct Hartford, Connecticut, commercial motor carrier – and its co-owner, Juan Ramirez, violated the whistleblower protections of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA). Agency investigators found that the company and Ramirez retaliated against a driver who repeatedly voiced concerns to management about faulty vehicle maintenance.
OSHA cites two companies after employee’s fatal fall in Media, Pa.
March 3, 2020
OSHA has cited CLF Construction Inc. and Toll Brothers Inc. for exposing employees to fall hazards after a CLF suffered fatal injuries in a fall at a worksite in Media, Pennsylvania. OSHA proposed $170,560 in penalties for Philadelphia-based subcontractor CLF Construction, and $74,217 for Horsham, Pennsylvania-based general contractor Toll Brothers.
FAA issues final rule on air carrier pilot training
March 3, 2020
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a final rule aimed at enhancing the professional development of air carrier pilots. The Pilot Professional Development rule requires specific training for newly-hired pilots and supplemental training for captains.
A NIOSH Science Blog post
Year of the Nurse
March 3, 2020
The World Health Organization has designated 2020 the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. Nurses play a critical role in our healthcare system and in the lives of the patients they care for. The very act of caring for and serving others can place nurses at risk for many workplaces injuries and illnesses.
Health groups urge Supreme Court to uphold Affordable Care Act
March 2, 2020
Patient and health advocacy groups representing millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions are applauding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to hear arguments in the case of Texas v. United States this term. The case is the latest court challenge to the health care law known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The groups filed an amicus brief urging the Court’s swift action and citing the detrimental impacts and uncertainty patients would face were the case left at the lower court level.
Fallen firefighters’ families sue construction co., building owner
March 2, 2020
The families of two Pennsylvania firefighters who were killed when a building under construction collapsed have filed a lawsuit against the construction company and the owner of the building, according to news reports. York City firefighters Ivan Flanscha, 50, and Zach Anthony, 29, died on March 22, 2018, when a partial building collapse caused them to fall from the second floor and be buried under debris.
Health groups join forces to help Americans control blood pressure
March 2, 2020
In a move toward meeting goals for better cardiovascular health in the United States over the next decade, the American Heart Association (AHA) is joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Hypertension Control Roundtable (NHCR)® along with other founding members in a public, private and non-profit collaboration committed to increasing blood pressure control rates to 80% by 2025.
New Campbell Institute research guides employers on how to prevent serious injuries and fatalities
March 2, 2020
The Campbell Institute, the global center of EHS excellence at the National Safety Council (NSC), has released a new white paper, Designing Strategy for Serious Injury and Fatality Prevention, the second in its series on this emerging safety trend. The report shares the perspectives of 11 Institute member and partner organizations on a variety of topics surrounding the development of their serious injury and fatality (SIF) prevention strategies and long-term goals, including metrics, tools, communication and performance.
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
