Today's Safety News - Articles - Page 199

Employer held accountable after social service worker stabbed to death

March 8, 2019

In a landmark case, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) has ruled that Integra Health Management, a social service employer, is accountable for failing to protect workers from workplace violence. Integra was cited for safety violations following the tragic death of an employee who was stabbed nine times, then left bleeding on a front lawn after a December 2012 home visit to an agency client with a history of mental illness and violent criminal behavior.

Inspector with clipboard and hardhat image

New guide shows safety students, pros how to advance careers

March 6, 2019

A new eGuide from the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) offers recommendations to industrial hygienists and occupational hygienists on ways to manage and advance their careers – no matter what stage of their career they’re at. The IH Professional Pathway eGuide (PDF), offers practical suggestions to IH/OH professionals, with advice aligned with three different "tracks": technical, management and leadership. AIHA says the eGuide can be used by college students pursuing a technical course of study – even if they have not yet decided on a specific vocation - or more established professionals, perhaps contemplating a career change.

One Basin – One way to streamline safety orientation in oil and gas

March 6, 2019

There's a new safety orientation program for contractors in the oil and gas industry that aims to save time and money for employers. Thousands of contractors have to attend safety orientation for each company they work for each year. That leads to a lot of repetition and lost hours they could be working. Safety is one of the number one concerns for workers in the oil and gas industry.

ACGIH® releases 2019 editions of TLVs® and BEIs® BOOK and Guide to Occupational Exposure Values

March 5, 2019

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) has released its 2019 editions of the TLVs® and BEIs® book and the Guide to Occupational Exposure Values. The information in the user-friendly, pocket-sized TLVs® and BEIs® book is used worldwide as a guide for evaluation and control of workplace exposures to chemical substances and physical agents. Threshold Limit Value (TLV®) occupational exposure guidelines are recommended for more than 700 chemical substances and physical agents.

Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Practice for Design, 30th Edition

Released by ACGIH® Signature Publications Series

March 5, 2019

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) has released Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Practice for Design, 30th Edition, which is one of over 25 titles featured in the ACGIH® Signature Publications Series.

No forklift training for injured distribution center employee

March 4, 2019

OSHA has cited Hilti Inc. – a hardware merchant wholesaler – for exposing employees to struck-by hazards after an employee was injured while operating a forklift at a distribution center in Atlanta, Georgia. The Plano, Texas-based company faces penalties of $164,802.

Coal company officials charged with lying about Black Lung risks

“West Kentucky miners are about action, not just happy talk"

March 4, 2019

The number of coal company officials charged in a case involving defrauding regulators about black lung disease has risen to nine, according to a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Labor. U.S. Attorney Russell M. Coleman said Glendal “Buddy” Hardison, the former manager of all Armstrong Coal mines in western Kentucky, is the latest official from thecompany to be charged by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to defraud an agency of the U.S. government by deceit, trickery, and dishonest means.

Workplace violence prevention in healthcare bill generates controversy

March 4, 2019

A bill intended to reduce workplace violence in the healthcare industry is getting strong support from the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and nursing organizations, but a labor lawyer says it prevents stakeholders from having a say in the rulemaking process. Recently re-introduced by Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT), H.R. 1309 is entitled, "Caring for Our Caregivers: Protecting Health Care and Social Service Workers from Workplace Violence.”

Safety pros shine a light on hazards & grievances

You’re holding the Flashlight

Christian Fournier

March 4, 2019

Being a safety professional is not black and white like what you learned in university, college or what a safety enforcement officer will tell you. It is in fact, different shades of gray. This you will learn as you grow as a safety professional.

Workplace amputation leads to OSHA fines for Texas food company

March 1, 2019

OSHA has cited Bruce Foods Corporation – a Mexican food manufacturer based in El Paso, Texas – after an employee suffered an amputation. The company now faces $194,350 in fines. OSHA cited the company for 24 serious safety violations including failing to train employees in lockout/tagout procedures, inadequate machine guarding, lack of fall protection, and exposing employees to live electrical parts.