Weekly news round-up
A national effort to prevent falls in construction, revisions to the head protection standard and a look at the status of government regulations that are currently in the pipeline were among the top EHS-related stories featured on ISHN.com this week.
Unsafe working conditions common in global apparel industry
AIHce 2014 speaker says ruthless competition is behind problem
In his Wednesday AIHce 2014 General Session address at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Scott Nova, the executive director of the Worker Rights Consortium in Washington, D.C., detailed the hazardous working conditions in the garment manufacturing industry, particularly in Bangladesh, where economic and political pressures have exacerbated longstanding safety problems to a greater extent than in other countries.
NIOSH chief predicts that technology will transform IH
John Howard talks trends, future directions at AIHce 2014
In his AIHce 2014 General Session address, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Director John Howard, MD, MPH, JD, LLM, predicted how the health effects of emerging manufacturing technologies and technological innovations in sampling practices will change the IH profession over the next 75 years.
Wisc. paper company exposes workers to sulfur dioxide vapors
OSHA has cited Flambeau River Papers for failing to protect workers from hazards associated with exposure to sulfur dioxide – a substance used to treat wood pulp for paper manufacturing that can cause numerous adverse effects to the respiratory tract when vapors are inhaled.
AIHce speakers discuss the digital revolution, product stewardship
In his Opening Session keynote to thousands of OEHS professionals gathered at the 2014 American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), entrepreneur Peter Leyden described the digital revolution as one of the most life-altering periods in history, with repercussions that we are just now beginning to understand.
OSHA issues willful citations for lack of arc flash protections
OSHA cites Mass. contractor for violations following arc blast
OSHA in 2012 cited Interstate Electrical Services, a North Billerica, Mass., electrical contractor, for alleged willful and serious violations following a November 2011 arc flash blast at an Andover jobsite. Two workers installing electrical service were seriously burned when a piece of equipment made contact with an energized part of an electrical panel, resulting in the arc flash.
Mine rescue skills put to the test
The National Mine Health and Safety Academy in Beaver, W.Va., played host to the 2014 West Virginia Alliance Mine Rescue Skills Competition May 13-15.
Updated industrial head protection standard approved by ANSI
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved ANSI/ISEA Z89.1-2014, American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection.
Eating out can make you sick
CDC: Norovirus is leading cause of disease outbreaks from contaminated food
Most norovirus outbreaks from contaminated food occur in food service settings, according to a Vital Signs report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infected food workers are frequently the source of these outbreaks, often by touching ready-to-eat foods served in restaurants with their bare hands.
"Deadly Dust" video wins international award
"Deadly Dust," an OSHA educational video on the hazards of silica exposure, has won first place in the safety category in an international competition to find the best business communications videos.
New website helps future public health professionals sort out educational options
Public Health Online is less than six months old, but its goal is an ambitious one: to provide students, parents and general readers with accurate and expert-driven information and resources about public health topics, careers and the post-secondary educational landscape.
Semiannual regulatory agenda published
The Office of Management and Budget has published the Spring 2014 unified agenda. The agenda lists regulatory actions now in development and under consideration by each federal agency, providing information about each rule and its stage of development.
Transform Your Safety Communication
Book shows how to create targeted and inspiring safety messages for a productive workplace
Transform Your Safety Communication is for safety leaders and communicators who are frustrated with inconsistent and uninspiring safety messages that get ignored.
Survey uncovers gaps in arc flash awareness, analysis and action
In 2007, General Electric surveyed industry professionals working in facilities related to the oil and gas industry, pulp and paper industry, and power generation. Survey questions were directed at whether or not workers in these industries knew the current hazard risk categories in their facilities.
Company that retreads tires repeats hazards
American Made Tires faces $160,280 in OSHA fines for recurring fire, mechanical and electrical hazards
American Made Tires, an Elmira Heights, NY tire retreader, failed to correct 12 hazards cited during a 2013 inspection by OSHA. Because of that inaction, and the discovery of new and recurring hazards during a follow-up OSHA inspection, the company faces an additional $160,280 in proposed fines.
EPA’s McCarthy makes the case for taking action on climate change
About a month ago, I took a trip to the Cleveland Clinic. I met a lot of great people, but one stood out—even if he needed to stand on a chair to do it. Parker Frey is 10 years old. He’s struggled with severe asthma all his life. His mom said despite his challenges, Parker’s a tough, active kid—and a stellar hockey player.
EPA proposes bold plan to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants
Coal industry angry, public health experts happy
The EPA today unveiled a plan to reduce carbon pollution from power plants by 30 percent over the next 15 years – a big goal which is sure to meet with stiff opposition from the coal industry.
Good news: IH salaries have gone up
Average pay for IH professionals has increased by more than $10,000 since 2008
Industrial hygienists are being compensated more for their work than they were five years ago, according to new data released by the American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA). A 2013 AIHA survey, conducted among IH professionals to determine prevailing annual salary and total compensation levels, indicates that the average salary increased from $94,947 in 2008 to $105,166 in 2013.
National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction begins today
OSHA is hoping that 25,000 employers and half a million construction workers participate in its National Safety Stand-down to Prevent Falls in Construction, which starts today and runs through Friday. Reaching that goal means reaching nearly one in ten workers in the industry.
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
