Weekly News Roundup
CSHM certification increasingly sought after by hiring professionals
Safety and health certification programs administered by ISHM include CSHM
Up until a decade ago, when human resources professionals were tasked with hiring a safety management professional they often searched for candidates with formal training and a certification such as the Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
Transocean pleads guilty in Deepwater Horizon Disaster
Company sentenced to pay $400 million in criminal penalties
Transocean Deepwater Inc. has pleaded guilty today to a violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for its illegal conduct leading to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The company was sentenced to pay $400 million in criminal fines and penalties.
OSH pros demand end to silica standard delay
Two-year delay at White House angers occupational health experts
In the two years that a proposed rule to protect workers from exposure to dangerous levels of silica dust on the job has been held up by the White House, more than 100 workers have died and thousands have been sickened by preventable exposure to silica dust.
Most execs think their employees are “average” at best
American Management Association survey shows desire for more skilled workers
A new survey from the American Management Association (AMA) shows that U.S. executives feel that the majority of their workforce is average or below average in four critical skills.
Hazmat emergency? There’s an app for that
With nearly one million hazmat shipments a day across the United States, being prepared for accidents is crucial. “The safety record for these shipments is good, but unfortunately, accidents occasionally happen,” according to the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Crew error caused 2010 CN freight train collision in Minnesota
Human error made by workers caused a 2012 collision of two Canadian National Railway freight trains in Minnesota that injured all five crewmembers on the two trains, according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Older motorcycle enthusiasts suffer more crash injuries
Baby boomers are getting hurt more often and injured more severely in motorcycle accidents than younger riders, according to a study published in Injury Prevention. Researchers examined the differences in motorcycle-related injuries across age groups by checking data from hospital emergency rooms.
Obama “all in” to solve climate change; cut energy waste 50% in next 20 years
State of the Union speech addresses environmental concerns
Direct excerpts from President Obama’s State of the Union speech given Tuesday evening before Congress: “...over the last four years, our emissions of the dangerous carbon pollution that threatens our planet have actually fallen. “But for the sake of our children and our future, we must do more to combat climate change. "
Is it winter blues? Or something more serious?
During the darker days of winter, more people report feeling depressed and tired. For many, it’s a normal response to less sunlight, but for others, it can be a clinical form of depression called seasonal affective disorder.
21-year-old temp worker dies on his first day on the job
Bacardi Bottling Corp. cited for safety violations
OSHA has cited Bacardi Bottling Corp. with 12 alleged safety violations following the death of a 21-year-old temporary worker his first day on the job. Lawrence Daquan "Day" Davis was crushed to death by a palletizer machine at the Jacksonville facility in August 2012.
NTSB, Coast Guard looking into cruise ship fire
No surprise- the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), along with the U.S. Coast Guard, will investigate the cause of an engine room fire that occurred onboard the Carnival Triumph Sunday.
What to know about heart attacks
With heart disease a virtual epidemic in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants the public better informed about its most dire symptom: a heart attack.
Study finds problems with OSH sustainability reporting
A study by the Center for Safety and Health Sustainability (CSHS) reveals troublesome gaps and a lack of transparency in occupational safety and health (OSH) sustainability reporting among organizations rated highly for sustainability performance.
Public health experts: Workplace wellness programs shouldn’t discriminate
The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) has presented formal comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on the proposed rule, “Incentives for Nondiscriminatory Wellness Programs in Group Health Plans” promulgated by DHHS and the Departments of Labor and Treasury.
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Employee fired for reporting workplace violence – committed by company owner
The owner of a marine construction company allegedly created hostile working conditions by making physically threatening gestures, making inappropriate sexual comments and advances, yelling, screaming – and withholding the paycheck of an employee who objected to that behavior.
Montana grain elevator operators enter safety alliance with OSHA
The Montana Grain Elevators Association has signed an alliance with the Montana Department of Labor and OSHA aimed at identifying, reducing and preventing workers' exposure to hazards in the grain handling industries throughout the state.
AIHA announces the 2013 award recipients
The American Industrial Hygiene Association has announced its 2013 Award recipients. The Edward J. Baier Technical Achievement Award recipient is Norman W. Henry, III, CIH.
California lawmaker seeks federal probe of new tanning industry group
A California lawmaker is urging federal regulators to investigate a new tanning industry group he says is using “junk science” to mislead the public about the risks of sunbeds.
Carbine Industries ignored smaller incidents that paved way for fatal explosion
CSB releases final report on on 2011 Louisville blast
A large explosion at Carbide Industries that killed two workers and injured two others resulted from a failure by the company to investigate similar but smaller explosive incidents over many years while deferring crucial maintenance of the large electric arc furnace that blew up, according to a U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) report.
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