Industrial Safety & Health Top Stories - Articles - Page 49

Older drivers at work

February 16, 2019

Older workers (those ages 55 and older) bring extensive skills, knowledge, and experience built over the course of a lifespan. However, age-related physical and mental changes may affect older workers’ driving. While such changes are normal, they also put older drivers at a greater risk of dying if they are in a motor vehicle crash.

Cosmic radiation endangers aircraft crews

February 15, 2019

Rude passengers and sleep deprivation from irregular hours aren’t the only work-related hazards that crew members of airplanes have to deal with. They – along with passengers - are exposed to cosmic ionizing radiation on every flight, because of the altitudes at which they fly. Because crew members fly more frequently, they are more at risk from the health effects of the radiation than are passengers. Cosmic ionizing radiation (or cosmic radiation) comes from outer space.

OSHA recommends contract to protect temp workers

February 14, 2019

While the extent of responsibility under the law of staffing agencies and host employers is dependent on the specific facts of each case, staffing agencies and host employers are jointly responsible for maintaining a safe work environment for temporary workers - including, for example, ensuring that OSHA's training, hazard communication, and recordkeeping requirements are fulfilled.

Does air pollution make teens eat fattening foods?

A new USC study suggests that early exposure to traffic pollution may be linked to unhealthy diet in adolescence

February 13, 2019

Could air pollution be making us fat? A new USC study suggests that exposure to traffic pollution during childhood makes adolescents 34 percent more likely to eat foods high in unhealthy trans fats — regardless of household income, parent education level or proximity to fast-food restaurants. The findings on air pollution and obesity in teens appear in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Falls, structure collapses continue to claim lives in comm tower industry

February 12, 2019

The growing demand for wireless and broadcast communications over the past three decades has spurred a dramatic increase in communication tower construction and maintenance – one that exposes workers to specific hazards. In order to erect or maintain communication towers, employees regularly climb towers, using fixed ladders, support structures or step bolts, from 100 feet to heights in excess of 1000 or 2000 feet.

Gas-burning fryers source of carbon monoxide leak at industrial kitchen

February 11, 2019

An uncommon source of carbon monoxide poisoning—industrial gas-burning fryers—caused carbon monoxide poisoning among a large group of workers at an industrial kitchen, according to an investigation published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and potentially deadly gas.

Networked high-tech sensors to the rescue

Smart lighting and signage could provide emergency information in case of fire

Lee Sadd

February 7, 2019

Despite all our best efforts and often those of the employees we train and advise - people have a problem with safety. It can be a hard topic to bring to life, and there’s a fine line between honesty and being accused of scaremongering.

How to get the best from your dropped objects prevention program

“Look out below!”

February 7, 2019

Dropped tools and equipment are some of the deadliest hazards from working at height that often go overlooked. New developments and standards are bringing more focus to this hazard in general, but is your company maximizing the benefits of a dropped objects program?

15 tips for using showers & eyewashes

When every second counts

Dave Johnson

February 7, 2019

The first 10 to 15 seconds after exposure to a hazardous substance, especially a corrosive substance, are critical. Delaying treatment for even a few seconds may cause serious, permanent injury. For chemical exposures and splashes, you need more protection than the use of goggles, face shields and other PPE. Showers and eyewashes are a necessary backup in an emergency to minimize effects of chemical contamination. For guidance, use the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) Z358.1-2014 emergency equipment standard.

Curtain walls trap noise in sonic attacks

Curtain walls trap noise in pockets of protection

A solution for sonic attacks

Chuck Ashelin

February 7, 2019

Loud noises such as a backing semi-trailer or a fire alarm alert workers of impending danger. However, loud noises themselves can be dangerous, causing a host of immediate and long-term problems for employees and operations.