Railway safety, a deadly trench collapse and a big uptick in workers testing positive for drug use were among the top EHS-related stories featured on ISHN.com this week.
Florida company cited after painter shocked by power lines
October 31, 2014
A 30-year-old painter was hospitalized after he received second and third degree burns when his ladder came into contact with overhead power lines. As a result, OSHA has cited ShayCore Enterprises with five safety and health violations.
Want to lower your stroke risk?
Eat lots of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and nuts
October 30, 2014
Eating Mediterranean-style diets, regularly engaging in physical activity and keeping your blood pressure under control can lower your risk of a first-time stroke, according to updated AHA/ASA guideline published in the American Heart Association’s journal Stroke.
Eight U.S. miners killed in accidents in third quarter of 2014
MSHA releases fatality data
October 30, 2014
The eight miners who died in accidents in U.S. mines from July 1 to Sept. 30 are “a harsh reminder of why mines must be vigilant in ensuring effective safety programs and fostering a culture of safety first,” Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Joseph A. Main said.
Michigan man killed in trench collapse
"A horrible, horrible experience"
October 30, 2014
The owner of a construction company was killed and a police officer injured yesterday in a trench collapse in suburban Detroit. News sources say 59-year-old Leland Rumph, owner of Rumph Construction, was digging a trench into a sewer in Grosse Pointe Woods when the trench collapsed, burying him up to his neck in heavy clay in the 20 foot deep hole dug by a backhoe.
CSB calls for tougher safety regs for refineries
New video shows how 2010 Tesoro refinery accident happened
October 30, 2014
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a safety video into the fatal April 2, 2010, explosion and fire at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington. The accident occurred during startup of the refinery’s “naphtha hydrotreater unit” after a maintenance shut down.
Faith-based organization tackles U.S. Hepatitis C epidemic
Baby Boomers make up 75% of HCV cases
October 29, 2014
The numbers are sobering: While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3.2 million Americans are currently infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the World Health Organization (WHO) further estimates that a staggering 130–150 million people globally have a chronic HCV infection and that 350 000 to 500 000 people die each year from HCV-related liver diseases.
NTSB: Safety (mis)management behind five Metro-North Accidents
Six fatalities, 126 injuries within 11-month period
October 29, 2014
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says it identified several recurring safety issues in its investigation of recent five Metro-North accidents. Among them: inadequate and ineffective track inspection and maintenance, extensive deferred maintenance issues, inadequate safety oversight, and deficiencies in passenger car crashworthiness, roadway worker protection procedures and organizational safety culture.
Workplace blast kills worker in Ontario, Canada
Dust collection system exploded
October 29, 2014
An explosion and fire last Saturday at an industrial facility in Sarnia, Ont. claimed the life of one worker and injured five others, one of them critically. Three of the hospitalized workers reportedly suffered serious burns.
Europe on track to reach 2020 climate goals
October 29, 2014
European Union (EU) greenhouse gas emissions fell almost 2 % between 2012 and 2013, putting the EU very close to its 2020 reduction target, according to new analysis from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The EU is also on track to meet two other targets to boost renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2020.
Georgia trash hauler failed to provide vaccine to employees
October 28, 2014
Stafford Transport Inc., a solid waste removal trucking company, has been cited by OSHA for five safety and health violations following an inspection at the company's Mableton facility. OSHA initiated the inspection in July 2014 as part of the agency's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which directs enforcement resources to workplaces with higher-than-average rates of injuries and illnesses.
Hanford nuke cleanup site workers sickened; exposure monitoring shows no problems
October 28, 2014
A series of toxic chemical exposures at the Hanford Site is prompting stepped up safety measures at the vast nuclear cleanup site in southeastern Washington, according to documents obtained by KING 5 News.
Does exposure to artificial turf fields threaten young athletes?
October 28, 2014
Artificial turf fields are now everywhere in the United States, from high schools to multi-million-dollar athletic complexes, states a recent report by NBC News. The tiny black rubber crumbs of which the fields are made -- chunks of old tires -- get in players’ uniforms, their hair, and in their cleats.
Developing countries cited for rampant chemical exposures to workers
October 28, 2014
The rampant use of toxic chemicals at almost every workplace is putting the huge number of the country's workforce at high health risk, as according to a survey, at least 21 people die in Bangladesh every month due to use of such chemicals.
Every other day a gas leak in the U.S. hurts or kills people; damages property
October 28, 2014
About every other day during the past decade, a gas leak in the United States has destroyed property, hurt someone or killed someone, a USA TODAY Network investigation finds. The most destructive blasts have killed at least 135 people, injured 600 and caused $2 billion in damages since 2004.
Exposure monitoring required for Halloween costumes?
October 27, 2014
The Ecology Center's healthystuff.org tested 106 Halloween-related products, including costumes, accessories, decorations and party favors and released a report documenting the toxic chemicals found in them. "We really want to give folks that information so they can make an educated decision on whether or not they want to bring these products into their home," said Rebecca Meuninck, one of the authors of the Halloween products study.
Vandals open valves on discarded gas tanks
Could have blown up part of a Texas county
October 27, 2014
About 30 old propane storage tanks sitting out on a property fronting State Highway 274 in Seven Points, TX, were tampered with October 13 in an apparent attempt to empty them and remove their regulators for scrap, according to The Monitor Online news agency.
More workers testing positive for drug use
Rate increases for the first time in ten years
October 27, 2014
The percentage of positive drug tests among American workers has increased for the first time in more than a decade, fueled by a rise in marijuana and amphetamines, according to an analysis of 8.5 million urine, oral fluid and hair workplace drug test results by Quest Diagnostics.
Texas oil driller failed to maintain emergency escape line
October 27, 2014
Ensign United States Drilling (S.W.) Inc. has been cited by OSHA for two repeat safety violations for exposing workers to possible hazards during oil well explosions. The repeat violations were cited for failing to correct deficiencies found during a 2011 investigation.
Public health
Post-hurricane clean-up, repair dangerous, too
October 27, 2014
While severe weather poses risks at the time it’s occurring, the aftermath of a storm can be risky as well, according to an article on nonfatal injuries during the week after Hurricane Sandy in this week’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Report.
