Occupational Safety - Articles - Page 132

NTSB addresses aviation safety in rough terrain areas, distracted driving

January 7, 2020

Aviation safety, cell phone use by motorists and welcoming new board members kept National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) busy in recent months. On September 6, in Anchorage, Alaska, NTSB facilitated a roundtable of industry operators, government officials, educators, and aviation associations to discuss ways to improve the safety of Part 135 flight operations in Alaska.

Not so fast: "OSHA-compliant" headphone claims are false

January 7, 2020

A quick online search of hearing protection/headphones using the term, “OSHA-compliant” invariably returns a list of various devices offering different features, such as: OSHA-compliant Bluetooth Hearing Protection; OSHA-compliant Professional Hearing Protection; OSHA-compliant Wireless Noise Reduction In-Ear Headphones; OSHA-compliant Noise Isolating Earbuds. The problem?

New product announcement:

Caliber™ cut-resistant goatskin gloves from Cordova Safety Products

January 7, 2020

The newest additions to the CALIBER™ glove line from Cordova Safety Products feature soft grain goatskin leather with 360-degree ANSI Cut Level A5 protection. The unique cut & sewn HPPE/Steel linings match the construction of the leather outer providing better comfort and flexibility.

Falls persist in comm tower industry

January 7, 2020

In Wichita, Kansas, a 25-year-old worker performing cell tower maintenance was killed when he fell 50 feet. In Louise, Mississippi, a worker installing microwave dishes on a cell tower was killed when he fell 125 feet. The worker, who was not using a double lanyard, fell after disconnecting his positioning lanyard to reposition himself. In Coats, NC, a worker performing installation services for Sprint died from a fall.

NSC President named to 2019 Most Influential Corporate Board Directors list by WomenInc.

Lorraine M. Martin recognized for work on Kennametal Board of Directors

January 6, 2020

Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council (NSC) has been named to WomenInc.’s 2019 Most Influential Corporate Board Directors list. The honor will appear in the winter edition of WomenInc. magazine as part of a comprehensive list of more than 700 female executives, influencers and achievers who are contributing their leadership to corporate boards.

A NIOSH Science Blog post

Outbreak of silicosis in artificial stone countertop affects workers in four states

Katelynn Dodd MPH Amy Heinzerling MD, MS Cecile Rose MD, MSW Carolyn Reeb-Whitaker RPIH Dr. Robert Harrison MD, MPH

January 6, 2020

Artificial stone countertops, also known as "quartz stone countertops," are made by polymerizing quartz aggregate and resin binder. These materials look similar to natural stone and are increasingly used in residential construction and home furnishings. Between 2010 and 2018, imports of quartzite countertops in the United States have increased by nearly 800% (US International Trade Commission).

Thousands hospitalized for vaping lung injuries in 2019

CDC releases final figures

January 6, 2020

Some 2,561 people were hospitalized last year for lung injuries associated with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use EVALI, according to the CDC. EVALI hospitalizations or deaths were reported by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 2 U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

Legalizing medical marijuana may result in fewer occupational fatalities

January 3, 2020

Workplace fatalities were found to be lower in states that have legalized medical marijuana – at least among a certain age group - in a study published on ScienceDirect. “Although there is increasing concern that legalizing medical marijuana will make workplaces more dangerous, little is known about the relationship between medical marijuana laws (MMLs) and workplace fatalities,” according to the study’s authors, who set out to determine what, if any, relationship existed between the two.

Workers at Indiana manufacturing co. exposed to amputation, other hazards

January 2, 2020

OSHA has cited Wright Metal Products Crates LLC – based in South Bend, Indiana, and operating as WMP Crates – for exposing employees to amputation, chemical and other safety hazards at a worksite in Lavonia, Georgia. The company faces $195,034 in penalties.

“We will not rest until we know the circumstances”

End-of-year workplace incidents claim lives

January 2, 2020

Late-December workplace incidents in coal mining and construction left three workers dead and their families devastated. In West Virginia, 21-year-old Raymond L. Starkey was fatally injured Dec. 23 while helping to repair a beltline at Murray Energy’s Marshall County Coal Co. Mine near Cameron. The incident is being investigated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training, United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) safety experts and Murray Energy.