Weekly news round-up
Workplace accidents, bad health trend among U.S. children & heat warnings
A construction pro who fears for his job if he complains too much about unsafe conditions; new developments in hand protection for nanoparticles and embarrassment for the NTSB are among this week’s top EHS-related news stories as featured on ISHN.com:
Company co-owner forgoes safety equipment, has fatal fall
The co-owner of a small tree service company in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, was not wearing his safety equipment when he fell to his death July 11 while trimming trees, according to his partner in the business.
Safety pro asks, ‘Who can fight for my rights?’
I'd get fired if I take action - but I'll be held responsible if injuries occur
Since you dealt with problems before here I have a good one for you. I just got hired last week as a Construction Superintendent. I have OSHA training and other safety training. I am 67 years old and was out of work for over 3 yrs.
Health care workers suffer highest total worker injury toll, study shows
650,000 nurses, orderlies, aides affected annually
Health care workers suffer more injuries and illnesses on the job each year than those in any other industry, but OSHA conducts relatively few inspections of health care facilities, according to a new report by Public Citizen.
Gloves may not protect against nanoparticles
New test method may be used on other protective clothing
A newly developed testing method shows that nanoparticles may penetrate through some types of gloves under conditions simulating workplace use.
Study: Handling receipts endangers store cashiers’ unborn babies
Danger comes from bisphenol A in thermal paper
Banned in baby bottles, and removed from a number of products, Bisphenol A (BPA) is still found in the thermal paper used for sales receipts – which could be putting the health of pregnant cashiers’ unborn babies at risk according to a recent study.
You CAN prepare for extreme weather
ESFI offers info on tornado, hurricane, flood readiness
Worried about the possibility of severe weather striking your area? Wondering how you’ll handle the consequences? The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has launched a new collection of severe weather safety resources that will enable people to prepare for storm-related hazards and lower the risk of deaths, injuries and property loss.
Nail gun safety page is aimed at reducing construction injuries
Plenty of resources available for contractors
Nail guns can boost productivity on a construction site, but they also cause tens of thousands of serious injuries each year. In fact, nail gun injuries hospitalize more construction workers than any other type of tool-related injury.
Crane drops load on Colorado worker, causing leg amputation
GBC, Inc. cited for 13 safety violations
An unapproved C-clamp used to attach a load to the hook of an overhead crane slid off a 2,600-pound press brake ram as it was lifted, causing the ram to fall to the ground and pin a worker, resulting in his leg being amputated at the knee.
OSHA webinar to help you get ready for upcoming GHS deadline
Employees must be trained on certain elements by Dec. 1
Still a bit confused about what’s expected of your company regarding OSHA’s GHS deadline that arrives Dec. 1st? The agency and the Society of Chemical Hazard Communication Alliance will present a webinar on the subject on July 25th at 1:30 p.m. EST.
British Columbia proposes protections for workers exposed to silica
Construction industry groups requested it
The Canadian province of British Columbia (BC) has issued a new proposed rule for the construction industry on how to identify and control worker exposure to respirable silica and other rock dust.
High blood pressure on the rise among U.S. kids
Obesity, excess salt being blamed
The risk of elevated blood pressure among children and adolescents rose 27 percent during a thirteen-year period, according to new research in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension. Higher body mass, larger waistlines and eating excess sodium may be the reasons for the elevated blood pressure readings, researchers said.
CSB to decide if OSHA has implemented its recommendations
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) will hold a public meeting in Washington, D.C. on July 25 in Washington, to decide if OSHA has adequately implemented seven regulatory recommendations it issued.
Michaels enlists meteorologists in heat warning campaign
"His death was entirely preventable"
Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health recently spoke to meteorologists and weather forecasters about OSHA's Heat Stress Awareness Campaign:
Type of tank car in Canadian derailment may have made accident worse
NTSB identified “inadequate design” after 2009 derailment
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that the type of tank car involved in the recent Canadian train derailment and inferno be retrofitted or phased out of use because it was unsafe, according to Board records.
Refinery safety group calls for tougher regulations
Recommendations also cover emergency response
A coalition formed to improve California refinery safety in the wake of Chevron’s Richmond refinery fire last August has released a list of recommendations it wants to see enacted.
NTSB red-faced after name gaffe by intern
Phonetic versions regarded as racially insulting
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued an apology after an intern at the agency confirmed the wrong names for the pilots of Asiana Flight 214 – which crashed July 6 at San Francisco International Airport – with a California TV station.
Finger amputation leads to $77,000 fine for company
Employer “fully aware” of hazard, said OSHA
A worker at a Georgia glass company suffered a finger amputation and crushed hand while removing a glass mold from a bottle-shaping facility – leading to an OSHA inspection and citations.
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