Occupational Safety - Articles - Page 331

Acosta appears headed for Senate approval

Secretary of Labor nominee gets backing from unions

February 24, 2017

Labor Secretary nominee Alexander Acosta appears headed for a much smoother confirmation process that the one experienced by his predecessor, Andrew Puzder, who was forced to withdraw after losing support from both Republicans and Democrats alike.

A FairWarning story

A grim pattern: Presidential voting and workplace deaths

Paul Feldman

February 23, 2017

More than 4,800 American workers are killed on the job each year. But in states that were carried by Donald Trump, the chances of dying at work are higher than in states that Hillary Clinton won. With a single exception, the states that voted Republican had at least three job-related deaths per 100,000 workers, according to the most recent federal labor statistics for 2015. In all but two states that went Democratic, the workplace death rate was less than three.

MSHA to award $1M in mine safety training grants

‘Brookwood-Sago’ grants honor 25 fallen Alabama, West Virginia miners

February 22, 2017

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has announced the availability of up to $1 million in grants for education and training programs to help identify, avoid and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around the nation’s mines.

A NIOSH Science Blog post

Using 3 data sources to create a single wildland fire fighter on-duty death surveillance system

February 21, 2017

Wildland fire fighters are required to pass an “arduous duty” physical fitness test annually to help ensure that they are prepared for the physical nature of the job. Unlike structural fire fighting, wildland fire fighting often requires long work shifts that may last up to 14 continuous days, and often takes place in environments that are challenging with regard to temperature and terrain.

How a Utah company reduced its recordable injuries by 60%

February 21, 2017

Jennmar Corporation is a family-owned company that develops and manufactures a broad range of quality ground control products designed to make mining and tunneling safer and more efficient. The Clearfield, Utah business has been in business since 1993 and has 60 employees.

Get ready for Ladder Safety Month

February 20, 2017

Falls from ladders account for about 20,000 injuries and 300 deaths in the U.S. each year, so it’s no surprise that ladder safety is getting its own month in March.

Weekly news round-up

February 18, 2017

A Trump nominee drops out, a new salt rule for NYC restaurants is upheld and an industry-specific occupational illness has an unwelcome resurgence. These were among the top stories featured on ISHN.com this week.

Puzder no longer in running for labor secretary

February 16, 2017

President Donald Trump’s nominee for labor secretary, Andrew F. Puzder, withdrew his nomination Wednesday amid a growing wave of bipartisan opposition. Puzder, a fast-food executive who opposed the Affordable Care Act and raising the minimum wage and has strongly promoted the use of automation in the workplace, has been accused by liberal groups of being aligned with interests of company owners instead of with those of workers.

Teaching young workers about safety

Start with NIOSH 8 Core Competencies

February 16, 2017

Many young workers under age 25 enter the workforce before they have had a chance to develop foundational job skills. In fact, most high schoolers—an estimated 80 percent— hold a job at some point during their school years.

ISHN readers want next OSHA chief to…

More results from our online flash survey

February 15, 2017

With a new administration taking a new approach to federal agencies, ISHN thought it a good time to survey our readers to find out what they feel should be the shape and direction OSHA takes going forward. For instance, the majority of respondents felt that increased educational tools and programs should be the top priority for the next OSHA Chief. Half or more respondents expect a thorough review of standards or increased support for the voluntary protection program.