Weekly news round-up
Firefighter cancer rates, hand safety, TSCA reform
New rulemaking from OSHA was the week’s top EHS-related story. In other news: shocking differences between U.S. and U.K. occupational fatality rates and the CSB gives high marks to the NFPA’s new gas process safety standard.
Regardless of the situation, it is always important to protect your hands and fingers. This is the part of the body that is most likely to be injured at work. Even with glove improvements and campaigns to increase hand and finger safety, it is still essential to have a hand and finger safety program readily accessible and widely distributed.
OSHA announces proposed new rule to improve tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses
OSHA today issued a proposed rule to improve workplace safety and health through improved tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses. The announcement follows the Bureau of Labor Statistics' release of its annual Occupational Injuries and Illnesses report, which estimates that three million workers were injured on the job in 2012.
Pioneer in chemical process safety dies
CSB: His lifetime of work has saved workers’ lives
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is vowing to try and emulate the legacy of Dr. Trevor Kletz, a leading authority on chemical process safety who passed away recently.
NIOSH posts web page on cleaning, custodial services
Workers at risk for ergo injuries, infectious diseases
With more than two million workers in the U.S. employed in the cleaning and custodial services, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NOSH) has posted a new topic page that provides informational resources for protecting workers from the hazards commonly found in this occupation.
ISHM announces two applications for one application fee
The Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM) is offering a two for one special for the remainder of 2013
ISHM is offering two applications for one application fee for the remainder of 2013. ISHM recognizes the value of multiple certifications and desires to assist qualified members in obtaining two valuable certifications.
Glove sensor indicates presence of toxic substances by changing glove color
Security takes top priority in laboratories and in production. In the future, employees exposed to risks will only have to put on a glove in order to receive a toxic substance warning: This textile identifies poisonous substances, and points them out immediately.
Oil & gas safety, fall arrest among topics featured at iSHN Virtual Safety Expo 2013
Free online event offers latest info on best practices, PPE
One of the biggest EHS events of the year takes place next Tuesday, Nov. 12, but none of the attendees have made airline reservations or booked hotels. That’s because the 2013 iSHN Virtual Safety Expo will bring together industry experts, thought leaders and PPE innovations in a day-long (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) event that you can enjoy from the convenience of your computer.
Calif. passes bill to protect health care workers from toxic drugs
Chemotherapy drug handling linked to higher cancer risk
Starting January 1, 2014, health care workers in California will have new protections in the form of legislation that establishes workplace safety practices for the safe handling of chemotherapy drugs.
NIOSH study finds higher cancer rates in firefighters
Excessive mesothelioma cases linked to asbestos exposure
A combined population of 30,000 firefighters from three large cities had higher rates of several types of cancers, and of all cancers combined, than the U.S. population as a whole, researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and colleagues found in a new study.
TSCA reform moves forward with House hearing
Both sides call for revisions
A Senate effort to reform the decades-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is scheduled for a hearing next week in the House. The controversial legislation, which was introduced in May by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) and the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), will likely get a hearing by the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee.
Gas releases lead to $707,000 in fines for Sinclair Refinery
Wyoming OSHA investigates follows worker complaint
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration division (OSHA) within the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) has cited the Sinclair Wyoming Refining Company with $707,000 in fines for 22 violations found at the company’s Sinclair, Wyoming refinery operation.
NTSB: Lack of planning caused Texas parade fatalities
Freight train struck float, killing four
A fatal accident in which a freight train struck a parade float in Texas last November was caused by the failure of both the city and the parade organizer to address the risks associated with routing a parade through an active grade crossing, the National Transportation Safety Board said today.
NFPA’s new gas process safety standard goes above & beyond, says CSB
Dangerous “gas blow” procedure prohibited
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is commending the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for exceeding the Board’s recommended actions in developing a new gas process safety standard. The CSB issued an urgent recommendation in June, 2010 following the February 7, 2010, deadly natural gas explosion at the Kleen Energy electric plant – then under construction in Middletown, Connecticut.
Malaria cases in U.S. reach 40-year high
CDC: Take preventive medicine before traveling
In 2011, 1,925 malaria cases were reported in the United States, according to data published in a supplement of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Smart gloves signal end of useful life and need to discard immediately
“New Developments to Improve Safety and Health at Work” was a research paper prepared by Daniel Podgórski, Katarzyna Majchrzycka & Andrzej Grabowski of the Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland, at the 3rd International Scientific Conference, Safety Engineering 2012, held in Ostrava, Czech Republic, 17 October 2012.
Study: U.S. worker fatality rate 3X higher than U.K.’s
Construction industry rate even higher
Workers in the United States were killed on the job at three times the rate of their peers in the United Kingdom in 2010, according to a study published online Sept. 30 in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given airlines the ability to expand the use of personal electronic devices for passengers on board. That means you could soon be able to listen to your music or read books on an e-reader from gate-to-gate on your flight.
NJ shirtmaker runs afoul of OSHA
Blocked exits, lack of LOTO earn company citations
OSHA has cited Individualized Shirt Co., doing business as Individualized Shirts, for 13 health and safety violations following an inspection begun in April in response to a complaint at its Perth Amboy facility. Proposed fines total $50,400.
Handwashing: A corporate activity
Handwashing is an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to prevent the spread of germs and keep employees healthy. Handwashing gives people the opportunity to take an active role in their own health. Most handwashing studies have focused on child care or health care settings.
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