Weekly news round-up
A workplace injury reduction success story, a real PPE challenge and why spending less on food is not necessarily a good thing were among the top EHS-related stories as featured on ISHN.com this week.
Young workers face special risks on the job
Lack of experience, training can be dangerous
Every nine minutes, a U.S. teen gets hurt on the job. With many young people working summer jobs right now, OSHA is targeting teenagers with safety messages designed to educate them about hazards they may face and ways to stay safe on the job.
Cheap food is a big reason for U.S. obesity
Americans now have the most inexpensive food available in history – and that is at least one factor fueling the obesity epidemic. A new review summarizes what is known about economic factors tied to the obesity epidemic in the United States and concludes many common beliefs are wrong.
A CDC - NIOSH Science Blog post
A Wrench in the Gear: Lockout/tagout in the food industry
The food manufacturing industry includes animal slaughtering as well as the processing and packaging of meat, dairy, fruit, vegetable, grain, seafood, beverages, and bakery products. The industry employs nearly 1.5 million workers.1 Work in food manufacturing is typically fast-paced and workers can face exposure to hazards such as slips trips and falls, musculoskeletal disorders, and machine-related injuries.2
How to fall-proof your home
Declutter, use adequate lighting
Six out of every 10 falls happen at home, where we spend much of our time and tend to move around without thinking about our safety.
TOP CEOS, AHA launch initiative to shift the culture of health in the workplace
U.S. workers think they're healthier than they really are
A new survey showing that American workers grossly overestimate their health is at the heart of a groundbreaking initiative announced this week by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the CEOs of 22 U.S. companies representing more than two million employees.
How to have a happy and healthy summer
Helpful tips from the EPA
Planning fun summer activities, such as beach trips, hiking, and gardening? The EPA has some useful recommendations that are good for your health, your wallet, and your environment.
How one company cut work-related accidents by 60 percent in two years
A company-wide initiative that included management commitment and lots of employee commitment led to a 60 percent decrease in Lost Time Accident Frequency (LTAF)* at UPM, a company involved in reformation of bio and forest industries.
“Problem” drug users in E.R. rooms drive up health care costs
Identifying, intervening may help control effects
Nearly two-thirds of emergency room patients who reported drug use in the previous 30 days met the criteria for having a drug problem, according to a study published online Thursday in Annals of Emergency Medicine (“Identifying Patients with Problematic Drug Use in the Emergency Department: Results of a Multi-Site Study”).
MSHA’s PROP Outreach sounds the alert on coal mine roof falls
Roof fall accidents remain a leading cause of coal mining injuries
Although improvements in roof control technology have led to a significant decrease in accidents related to roof and rib (wall) falls, such accidents are still a leading cause of injuries in underground coal mines, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
How snow shovelers were exposed to fall, fire and electrical hazards
An OSHA investigation initiated in response to a complaint that employees of TLD Ace Corp. were exposed to falls while removing snow from the plant's roof found additional hazards at the facility.
NTSB turns down bid to reopen TWA Flight 800 investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it stands by its investigation of the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800 and has denied a petition for reconsideration of its findings by a group claiming that a missile – or something like it -- caused the accident.
How to work out at work
Many of us have long workdays – often sandwiched between long commutes – which makes it hard to set aside time devoted exclusively to exercising.
What PPE to use when cleaning out radioactive room at nuke site?
Workers at Hanford Site helped select equipment, develop training
When workers enter the hazardous and historic McCluskey Room at the Hanford Site this summer, they will be safer due to their preparation and involvement in planning and training for the job.
Dollar Tree Stores shows “deliberate refusal” to address hazards
Virginia-based discount retailer cited for similar dangers at other stores nationwide
Repeated visits by OSHA inspectors to a Massachusetts Dollar Tree store found blocked exits and other hazardous conditions in the store’s stockroom – and OSHA says similar hazards have been found at other Dollar Tree stores in the U.S.
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
