Occupational Safety - Articles - Page 218

Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, 2019

14 workers die each day from job-related injuries

April 26, 2019

Just in time for Workers Memorial Day, April 28, the AFL-CIO has released its annual report, “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect.” Among the figures in this year’s comprehensive look at the state of safety and health protections for America’s workers: in 2017, 5,147 workers lost their lives on the job as a result of traumatic injuries, according to fatality data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Cannabis industry and workers comp: A fast moving legal landscape

April 25, 2019

Are insurers required to reimburse for medical marijuana in workers compensation? That is one of the topics covered by Laura Kersey in an online article for the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). Kersey writes that insurers are increasingly receiving requests to reimburse for medical marijuana use for workers compensation treatment, and explains how that issue is complicated by the federal-state schism in the status of cannabis.

CSB wants EPA to update HF study in wake of refinery fires

April 25, 2019

The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is calling on the EPA to review its existing Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) study to determine the effectiveness of existing regulations as well as the viability of utilizing inherently safer alkylation technologies in petroleum refineries. In a letter sent to the EPA, the CSB notes that in the last four years, the agency has investigated two refinery incidents where an explosion elevated the threat of a release of HF.

Bypass-resistant safety devices ensure effective machine guarding

Essential safeguarding

Jim Krebs

April 25, 2019

The most important machine design step is ensuring operator safety. During the design process, hazards are often identified that can be removed, but when a hazard cannot be removed, then various levels of safeguarding must be provided. These typically take the form of machine access guarding and point-of-operation guarding.

National COSH rolls out this year’s Dirty Dozen

Maureen Paraventi

April 24, 2019

The world’s largest online seller of goods tops the “Dirty Dozen” list of unsafe employers released by the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health’s (National COSH) today. The annual reveal is timed to coincide with Workers Memorial Week (April 22 – 29), which honors those who have been injured, suffered illnesses or lost their lives at work. Amazon as had six worker fatalities at its facilities since 2018;.

Starbucks taking steps to protect workers from sharps injuries

Drug users leave hypodermic needles in bathrooms

April 24, 2019

Starbucks is installing needle-disposal boxes in bathrooms at its locations in dozens of U.S. markets, due to employee concerns about sharps injuries from hypodermic needles left by drug-using customers. According to Business Insider, two employees of the giant coffee chain were stuck with hypodermic needles in 2018 at a store in Eugene, Oregon. OSHA investigated and fined Starbucks $3,100.

Colorado workers comp data shows cannabis industry injuries

April 24, 2019

Strains, cuts and slip and falls are the top causes of injuries in Colorado’s cannabis industry, according to Pinnacol Assurance, the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurer. Pinnacol recently released an analysis of the cannabis industry’s most common occupational injury trends in Colorado.

Innovative respiratory protection for welders

Innovative respiratory protection protects welders like never before

You’ve come a long way, baby

Megan McConville

April 24, 2019

Early welding was dirty work. Welders of the past were exposed to flying sparks, harmful fumes, and high temperatures with very little protective gear. From when welding processes were first used in the Middle Ages to the modern, innovative welding helmets of today, personal protective equipment for welding safety has come a long way.

Disney fined for delays in reporting worker injuries

April 23, 2019

The Walt Disney Company has been fined $13,260 for failing to report two workers’ injuries in a timely manner. The injuries occurred at the company’s Epcot Center and Beach Club Resort in December 2018. One was serious enough that the employee required surgery.

Streamlight® introduces waterproof Portable Scene Light II

Rechargeable high lumen scene light features stackable frame, 360° rotating head

April 23, 2019

Streamlight® Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting tools, launched the groundbreaking Portable Scene Light II, a 10,000-lumen rechargeable, waterproof scene light featuring a versatile steel frame and 360° rotating head for precise aiming. With zero deployment time, the Portable Scene Light II requires no set up and is easily used in rapid response situations.