Workplace Health - Articles - Page 82

Deadly heat wave worsens as recovery from Cyclone Fani continues

May 13, 2019

Areas recovering from destructive Cyclone Fani will have to endure dangerous temperatures as a heat wave builds across northern and eastern India. The heat already turned deadly with at least three deaths from sunstroke reported in Andhra Pradesh, according to OneIndia.

The human body can’t handle the heat

May 13, 2019

The human body can’t handle excessive heat. The processes that keep us alive work best within a certain temperature window. That’s generally between about 36° and 37° Celsius (96.8° to 98.6° Fahrenheit), depending on the person.

Health policy legislation shifts to the states

The U.S. lags behind competing nations. Where there is no critical mass for action, states are filling the void.

Ilise L. Feitshans JD, ScM and DIR

May 13, 2019

We have a swamp of occupational safety and health theory and practice currently. Lack of nationwide clarity undermines what should be unequivocal reproductive health protections, whether preconceptual, post-childbearing for target reproductive organs, or during pregnancy.

A FairWarning Story

Worker advocates burned up over lack of federal heat protections

Marjie Lundstrom

May 10, 2019

On a summer morning near Dayton, Ohio, a temporary worker began his first day with a commercial roofing company around 6:30 a.m. Mark Rainey, 60, was assigned to a crew to rip off and dispose of an old bank-building roof. Within hours, as the heat index reached 85 degrees, his co-workers noticed the new guy was “walking clumsily,” then became ill and collapsed, according to documents from OSHA.

From Rite-Hite: Beat the heat in your warehouse this summer

May 10, 2019

Summer is just around the corner. And while we all welcome the sunshine and a break from the cold and snow…are you ready for higher temperatures, rain and an influx of bugs and pests?

Arc flash deaths often occur in confined spaces

A study of electrical injuries and fatalities on the job

Electrical injuries: facts & myths

Dave Johnson

May 10, 2019

IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, recently produced a paper1 reviewing 100 years of research on shock and arc injuries. Going back, the first recognized hazard to workers was the shock hazard.

APHA calls on Congress to ban asbestos

May 9, 2019

The American Public Health Association (APHA) is urging Congress to urge support of the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019, a bill to protect the public from exposure to the toxic substance. “Asbestos is a potent carcinogen. There is no safe level of exposure to it."

A FairWarning Story

Soaring costs but limited progress in cleanup of ‘scariest’ nuclear sites

Phil Zahodiakin

May 9, 2019

The progress of a Department of Energy (DOE) program to clean up the nation’s most dangerous nuclear waste sites appears to be slowing down even though it’s still devouring billions of dollars.

Industries that place people at risk of asbestos exposure

Gregory A. Cade

May 8, 2019

For decades, asbestos was considered an ideal substance used in a variety of industrial materials and equipment due to its remarkable heat and fire resistance properties, paired with incredible durability, poor electrical conductivity, and high tensile strength. Because of these properties, and because it was available in large quantities and inexpensive to produce, asbestos fibers were often combined with other materials for use in thousands of industrial, maritime, automotive, and building products.

Staying safe from storm-related electrical hazards

May 8, 2019

May is National Electrical Safety Month, and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) reminds us that disasters bring serious risks for electrically related fatalities, injuries and property loss. To highlight those risks and ways to plan for severe weather events, this year’s campaign theme is “Electrical Safety during Disasters.”