Weekly news round-up
A fatal forklift accident, the health implications of housing conditions and climate change and arc flash myths were among this week’s top EHS-related stories featured on ISHN.com.
OSHA investigates a hospitalized injury due to an arc flash
A crew from the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power was working upgrading the battery room at a receiving substation. (The room provided emergency power for up to 8 hours.) The electric utility had purchased replacement batteries from RSC in Wilmington, CA.
NIOSH ladder safety smart phone app is a finalist for Innovation Award
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)’s ladder safety smart phone app is a finalist in the national HHS Innovates awards contest. The app addresses the major causes of ladder falls by placing a number of interactive and easy-to-use graphic-oriented safety tools, checklists and guides into the hands of ladder users wherever and when they are needed.
Report: Changing climate is affecting Americans’ health, environment
A report released by the EPA yesterday, Climate Change Indicators in the United States, presents strong evidence that climate change is occurring across the United States – and is affecting human health in ways ranging from a longer ragweed pollen season to a rise in heat-related deaths.
Do you have a healthy house?
New standard recommends improving housing conditions in U.S.
The National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) and the American Public Health Association (APHA) have released a new National Healthy Housing Standard targeting the nation’s 100 million existing homes – single family, multifamily, rental and owner occupied.
Forklift modified without manufacturer’s approval; worker struck, killed
Following the death of a worker who was hit by a forklift , OSHA has cited Nicholson Terminal & Dock Co. with nine-including two willful and seven serious-safety violations. The incident occurred Nov. 19, 2013, at the Detroit marine terminal when the worker was struck by a 62,000-pound-capacity forklift carrying a 40,000-pound steel coil.
VPPPA adds counsel to build state, federal support for program
The Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association (VPPPA), has added Courtney Malveaux as its government affairs counsel. According to the organization, Malveaux, a Richmond attorney, will be taking the lead in the organization’s efforts to build state and federal support for OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs.
Successful first staging of Tos+H Expo in Turkey
The premiere staging of TOS+H EXPO, the first Turkish Occupational Safety + Health Exhibition in Istanbul, achieved very positive results with 3,540 visitors and 90 exhibitors participating.
Safety signage: No sharp edges, specific colors
OSHA’s standard 1910.145(a)(1) covers the use of signs or symbols that warn of and define specific hazards that could harm workers or the public, or both, or to property damage. These specifications are intended to cover all safety signs except those designed for streets, highways, and railroads.
Use good design to reduce arc flash hazard (AFH)
Three key factors can determine the intensity of an arc flash harm on you: The quantity of fault current available in your system; the time until an arc flash fault is cleared; your distance from an arc.
NRCA and United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers support National Safety Stand-Down, June 2-6
The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers (UURWAW) and National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) are supporting the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, organized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), taking place throughout the U.S. from June 2-6, 2014.
The heat is on
OSHA launches annual campaign to prevent heat-related illness
It’s that time of year again. OSHA is putting its Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers in full swing, in an attempt to raise awareness and educate workers and employers about the dangers of working in hot weather and provide resources and guidance to address these hazards.
Going to Safety 2014? Make your voice heard!
If you're headed to the Safety 2014 Conference & Expo in Orlando June 8-11, make sure you stop by the ISHN booth to vote on the top, most innovative EHS products in the second annual ASSE Attendee Choice Awards.
How California homeowners can cope with wildfire season
NFPA offers tips to prepare, protect homes
In recent weeks, a number of communities across San Diego County in southern California have been affected by extensive wildfire activity that has scorched more than 9,000 acres and burned at least 30 homes, according to news reports. In some areas, thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate their homes.
Home-based walking program eases clogged leg arteries
A home-based exercise program helped people with clogged leg arteries walk farther and faster, according to new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The program was beneficial even 12 months after participants started the program.
10 arc flash myths
1 - Arc flash explosions do not happen… I have never seen one… Electrical work by its nature is dangerous due to the high energy levels involved and, until an accident occurs, electricity is odorless, colorless, and invisible. Electrical work is the third most dangerous profession, according to OSHA.
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