Weekly news round-up
Hot work safety, Total Worker Health and an extension for OSHA’s controversial injury and illness tracking rule were among the top EHS-related stories featured on ISHN.com this week:
World Congress to showcase integrated strategies for safety and health
The XX World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 2014 which opens in Germany on 24 August will showcase strategies that promote a workplace prevention culture.
OSH researchers invited to submit proposals for $300,000 ASSE Foundation grant
Largest award in foundation's history
The American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation will award a three-year, $300,000 grant in 2015 to a researcher who best describes how a proposed study will mitigate the risks of injury and illness in the workplace. The grant represents the largest award given in the Foundation’s 24-year history.
Study: Many cancer survivors smoke years after diagnosis
Nearly one in ten cancer survivors reports smoking many years after a diagnosis, according to a new study by American Cancer Society researchers. Further, among ten cancer sites included in the analysis, the highest rates of smoking were in bladder and lung cancers, two sites strongly associated with smoking.
NIOSH Total Worker Health symposium is Oct. 6-8 in Maryland
First-ever international gathering brings together 500 agencies
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is preparing to host the 1st International Symposium to Advance Total Worker Health, which will be held October 6-8 in Bethesda, MD.
OSHA extends comment period on proposed rule to improve tracking of workplace injury and illnesses
OSHA announced yesterday that it will extend the comment period on the proposed rule to improve tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses to Oct. 14, 2014. The proposal, published on Nov. 8, 2013, would amend the agency's recordkeeping regulation to add requirements for the electronic submission of injury and illness information that employers are already required to keep.
Questions and answers on Ebola
The current Ebola outbreak is centered on three countries in West Africa: Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, although there is the potential for further spread to neighboring African countries. Ebola does not pose a significant risk to the U.S. public.
Ohio workers’ comp customers get $1 billion rebate
Governor John R. Kasich and the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) announced a $1 billion rebate to Ohio’s private and public sector workers’ compensation customers, as well as a major new investment in worker safety research and training.
West Virginia prison employees risk bloodborne pathogen exposure
Correctional officers and other staff at McDowell medium-security federal prison in Welch, West Virginia were potentially exposed to bloodborne pathogens and other workplace safety and health hazards, according to OSHA, which has issued notices to the Federal Correctional Institution at McDowell, a part of the U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons.
NTSB proposes changes in investigation procedures
Agency seeks public comments
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking public comment regarding proposed changes to rules governing investigation procedures. The rules are laid out in 49 C.F.R. part 831.
Research offers insight into worker safety in egg production
A new study finds that egg production workers are at risk for pulmonary problems due to exposure to airborne particulate matter inside hen houses.
DOL's ‘Silicosis’ wins Best Safety Video
A short, documentary-style video examining the devastating effects of silicosis has won PR Daily’s 2013 Video Award for Best Safety Video. Produced by the U.S. Department of Labors' Office of Public Affairs, “Silicosis: Deadly Dust” features interviews with doctors, department officials and stone carvers, painting a haunting picture of living with the disease and why it is so crucial that workers be protected from it.
Should 16-year-olds work as loggers?
AIHA opposes efforts to allow younger workers in dangerous industry
The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) has issued letters to Congress in opposition of new legislation that would exempt certain 16- and 17-year-old children employed in logging or mechanized operations from child labor laws.
Environmentalists: Keystone XL will accelerate climate change
A group of national and regional environmental organizations has sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry urging the State Department to be thorough in its review process of the proposed Alberta Clipper expansion by evaluating the cumulative climate impacts of this project along with the proposed Keystone XL pipeline and other foreseeable tar sands pipeline proposals.
Ohio workers unjammed still-running machines
Company culture “does not value safety”
Packaging Corporation of America has been cited by OSHA for eight — including five repeat — safety violations for failing to protect workers from amputation and other serious hazards. OSHA initiated an inspection Jan. 21, 2014, after receiving a complaint that workers were reaching in to unjam machines without turning off the machinery.
CSB info can help you improve hot work safety
Videos, accident investigation info show hazards of welding, cutting near storage tanks
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is reminding safety professionals about hot work safety resources that are available free of charge through the agency’s website at www.csb.gov. The Board previously released safety videos, a safety bulletin, and accident investigations all warning of the hazards of welding, cutting, grinding, and other hot work activities in and around storage tanks containing flammable materials.
Companies bidding on federal contracts must self-report violations
An Executive Order (EO) signed by President Obama July 31st requires companies competing for new federal contracts to self-report safety and other labor law violations.
Is your workplace ready for an earthquake?
Think you don’t have to worry about earthquakes? According to OSHA’s new earthquake preparedness in the workplace web page, all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia are at some risk for earthquakes, which can occur at any time of the year.
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