Weekly news round-up
A 20-year veteran of Cal/OSHA accuses the state of illegally using federal funds meant for worker safety; roofers say OSHA’s proposed silica rule will increase their fall protection hazards and bad news about allergies. These were among the top EHS-related stories featured on ISHN.com this week.
Welding and manganese: potential neurologic effects
Welding fumes are composed of metals and most fumes contain a small percentage of manganese. There is a concern by workers, employers, and health professionals about potential neurological effects associated with exposure to manganese in welding fumes. NIOSH has been conducting research and reviewing the published scientific literature to assess this problem.
From the Director's desk
NIOSH Disaster Science Research Initiative to enhance responder safety and health
The traditional occupational safety and health programs of the twentieth century were designed, by and large, to prevent work-related injury, illness, and death in workplaces where hazards usually were recognizable and predictable. In the twenty-first century, scientists and decision-makers have had to develop additional skills and strategies to address another type of hazard: the risks that emergency responders face in the line of duty from unpredictable, uncontrolled conditions encountered in large-scale disasters.
A ProPublica Report:
One third of skilled nursing patients harmed in treatment
A study by Medicare’s inspector general of skilled nursing facilities says nearly 22,000 patients were injured and more than 1,500 died in a single month — a higher rate of medical errors than hospitals
One-in-three patients in skilled nursing facilities suffered a medication error, infection or some other type of harm related to their treatment, according to a government report released today that underscores the widespread nature of the country’s patient harm problem.
OSHA wants changes in Arizona’s fall protection standards
Agency hints at possible federal takeover
In a letter sent last month to the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health , OSHA said it does not believe that Arizona’s residential fall protection standards are at least as effective as federal OSHA standards.
Vision problems in the U.S.
Prevalence of Adult Vision Impairment and Age-Related Eye Disease in the United States: Estimated Number of Cases by Vision Problem Age ≥ 40.
Idaho makes battery against emergency nurses a felony
Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter for has signed into law a bill that makes it a felony to assault or batter emergency nurses. Violators could face up to three years in state prison if convicted.
E-cigarettes not proving helpful for smoking cessation
Although electronic cigarettes are being aggressively promoted as tools that can help people quit smoking, scientific studies are not bearing that out. A report published recently in JAMA Internal Medicine noted that the effectivenss of e-cigarettes (or electronic nicotine delivery systems) in smoking cessation efforts has been “unconvincing” in studies conducted so far.
Making a Splash: Three fishermen saved by personal flotation devices!
A NIOSH Science Blog post
On the night of June 26, 2010 the fishing vessel Paul Revere, a salmon setnet skiff, capsized while setting their gear in preparation for the start of fishing season. The skipper and her two crew members were thrown in the waters of Bristol Bay near South Naknek, AK.
Safety tips & different welding techniques
Welding is the result of a combination of heat and pressure to melt materials joining them with a filler material. It can be performed in many ways using different energy sources gas flame, electric arc, laser, friction, ultrasound & electric beam. Arc welding is a basic welding process which requires a power supply, electrodes, welding rods, shielding gas, and proper safety equipment.
NRCA testifies on OSHA’s proposed crystalline silica rule
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) provided testimony today on OSHA’s proposed rule to amend its existing standards for occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The testimony was part of a three-week public hearing process being held by OSHA.
Where you live doesn’t affect whether or not you get allergies – just which ones
Study counters notion of allergy-free zones in U.S.
In the largest, most comprehensive, nationwide study to examine the prevalence of allergies from early childhood to old age, scientists from the National Institutes of Health report that allergy prevalence is the same across different regions of the United States, except in children 5 years and younger.
Whistleblower claims California is misusing Cal/OSHA funds
A 20-year-veteran of California’s workplace health and safety agency has filed a whistleblower complaint charging that the state’s Department of Industrial Relations is misusing state and federal funds designated for Cal/OSHA.
OSHA announces final rule for power generation, transmission and distribution standard
40-year-old standard revised
OSHA’s final rule revising the standards for power generation, transmission and distribution will be published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2014. It will be effective 90 days following publication, although OSHA has adopted delayed compliance deadlines for certain requirements.
Toolbox Talk: Eye Safety
EYE INJURIES: some facts . . .About 1 ,000 work-related eye injuries occur each day. CONSTRUCTION HAS THE HIGHEST RATE! Every day, more than 120 construction workers are disabled and forced to miss work because of an eye injury. The alternative . . .
Newest way to study environmental health: wristbands
Silicone accessories go beyond trendy causes
For some time now, wristbands in various colors have been worn to show the wearer’s embrace of certain causes, like the fight against cancer or the need to end cruelty to animals. A new wristband could help scientists determine the potential disease risks of exposure to substances like pesticides. The project was reported recently in the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) journal Environmental Science & Technology.
Fla. worker trapped in hot liquid asphalt
Rescue took eight hours
A Florida construction company employee suffered severe burns to his legs and feet after becoming tripped in hot liquid asphalt – an incident which earned his company OSHA citations for ten serious safety and health violations. Proposed penalties are $63,360.
CDC wants more state Medicaid coverage for smoking cessation programs
Few states provide comprehensive coverage
More smokers would quit if state Medicaid programs covered more cessation treatments and removed barriers to coverage, according to a CDC study published in today’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. All 50 states and the District of Columbia cover cessation treatments for at least some Medicaid enrollees.
Is your pilot flying tired because of sleep apnea?
FAA clarifies how condition affects pilot medical evaluations
In response to concerns from the aviation medical community, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has sent out draft guidance for Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) to key industry medical representatives to review within 14 days. Untreated OSA has always been and will continue to be a disqualifying medical condition.
Chemical co. cited for 15 PSM violations
According to its website, Diversified CPC International, Inc. “believes that all injuries, occupational illnesses, and safety incidents are preventable.” Furthermore, the company “is committed to the protection and promotion of employee health and safety.”
Welding fumes
Synonyms vary depending upon the specific component of the welding fumes. Physical Description: Fumes generated by the process of joining or cutting pieces of metal by heat, pressure, or both. Properties vary depending upon the specific component of the welding fumes.
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