Today's Safety News - Articles - Page 168

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Safety yesterday, today & tomorrow

Construction of the Brooklyn Bridge took 14 years—and multiple lives

August 5, 2019

Fourteen tons of fireworks illuminated the New York night on May 24, 1883, to celebrate the completion of one of the greatest engineering feats of the Gilded Age—the Brooklyn Bridge.

Safety tips for cyclists and pedestrians

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Safety tips for pedestrians and cyclists

The statistics

August 5, 2019

At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. While pedestrian fatalities remain high, there was a 1.7% decrease in the number of pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in 2017, totaling 5,977 deaths, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Poultry industry injuries decreasing

August 2, 2019

Although the injury and illness rate for poultry workers remains higher than for all private industry workers, new Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that the rate is trending downward. The BLS reported that there were approximately 230,000 poultry processing workers in 2016. That year, there was an incident rate of 4.2 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time equivalent workers; higher than the rate for all private industry workers, which was 2.9 per 100.

From the NIOSH Director’s Desk:

Using occupational exposure banding to assess chemicals hazards in the workplace

Someone once said, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot.”

Dr. John Howard

August 2, 2019

They may have been on to something. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) believes that having the right amount of knowledge helps protect workers from harmful levels of chemicals. For this reason, NIOSH recently released a report on occupational exposure banding to assess chemical hazards in the workplace.

Lumber mill fatality results in citations

August 2, 2019

OSHA has cited Pukall Lumber Company Inc. – a lumber mill in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin – for exposing employees to multiple safety hazards following a worker fatality. The company faces penalties of $348,467. An employee suffered fatal injuries when caught in an outdoor bark conveyor belt in January 2019. OSHA cited Pukall Lumber for two willful violations for failing to implement energy control procedures, and ensure the conveyer had adequate guarding to prevent employees from coming in contact with the moving parts.

California nurses demand better workplace violence protection

August 1, 2019

After multiple violent attacks on registered nurses – and just ahead of upcoming contract negotiations –nurses this week held a demonstration in front of Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, California to demand that a workplace violence prevention proposal be included in their contract. "Registered nurses go to work with the goal of helping our patients heal. We must be allowed to do this in the safest possible environment."

Gas line rupture claims a life in Kentucky

August 1, 2019

A fire caused by a gas line rupture early this morning in Kentucky killed one person and injured at least others, according to news reports. The fire damaged a half dozen mobile homes as well as train tracks. Don Gilliam, director of Lincoln County Emergency Management, said the 30” gas line breached shortly before two a.m in Hustonville.

Dozens with minor injuries after Texas refinery fire

August 1, 2019

ExxonMobil sent 66 of its employees and contractors for medical evaluation yesterday after an explosion and fire at one of its Texas oil refineries. News sources say an estimated 37 people sustained minor burn injuries. The incident at the Baytown facility, which processes propane and propylene, occurred shortly after 11 a.m. Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for approximately 5,000 area residents.

Friendly persuasion beats negative safety training lectures

Safety needs a “common language”

Larry Wilson

August 1, 2019

Be careful, pay attention, watch what you’re doing, follow the rules... and you won’t get hurt!” Not exactly the most positive form of communication, is it?