News - Articles - Page 389

EPA opts to not ban controversial pesticide

March 30, 2017

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt signed an order yesterday denying a petition that sought to ban chlorpyrifos, a pesticide the agency deemed potentially dangerous to consumers – during the Obama administration. The EPA cited scientific uncertainty about chlorpyrifos’s risks in its decision.

NORA takes on landscaping industry safety

March 30, 2017

With a fatality rate of 25.1 per 100,000 workers compared to 3.8 for all industries, the landscaping industry’s dangers are obvious – even more so when the numbers are broken down by tasks: landscaping/groundskeeping workers (10.1 per 100,000 workers), pesticide handlers (15.4) and tree trimmer/pruners (an astounding 179.9).

New NIOSH checklist helps companies protect workers’ hearing

March 29, 2017

A new checklist developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) can help companies evaluate the effectiveness of their Hearing Loss Prevention Programs* (HLPPs) and better protect their workers from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Beryllium rule delayed, challenged in court

March 29, 2017

OSHA has delayed the effective date of its rule to lower beryllium exposure limits for a second time, to May 20, 2017. The agency said in a statement that the change will allow for “additional review into questions of law and policy.”

Trump takes aim at Obama-era climate change policies

Clean Power Plan, other regulations headed for repeal

March 29, 2017

President Trump yesterday began dismantling former President Obama’s efforts to combat climate change, starting with a move to have the EPA formally begin the process of repealing the Clean Power Plan, which calls for a 32 percent cut in the energy industry’s carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.

Worker crushed inside bank vault

March 28, 2017

A Pennsylvania construction worker was killed yesterday in an accident inside a Cheltenham Township bank vault.

Politicians to get an earful for Workers Memorial Day

March 28, 2017

This year’s Workers Memorial Day, April 28, will be a little different. In addition to speeches and candlelit ceremonies, processions and pancake breakfasts, there’ll be activism – motivated by what advocates say is the Trump administration’s attacks on workplace safety.

NIOSH unveils new system for tracking sharps injuries

March 28, 2017

U.S. healthcare facilities are getting some help in tracking sharps incidents and blood and body fluid exposures among their workers – in the form of a new system developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Would Labor nominee uphold silica rule?

Acosta declines to answer the question during hearings

March 27, 2017

If confirmed as U.S. labor secretary, will Alexander Acosta enforce OSHA’s already-in-effect silica rule? Or will the Trump nominee follow the president’s anti-regulatory agenda and nullify the regulation?

A somber anniversary

BP Texas City Refinery blast was 12 years ago today

March 24, 2017

Statement of CSB Chairperson Sutherland on 12th Anniversary of the BP Texas City Refinery Disaster Twelve years ago today, an explosion and fire ripped through the BP Texas City refinery in Texas City, Texas. Fifteen lives were lost and billions of dollars in fines and settlements resulted. On this anniversary day, we acknowledge those lives lost and offer our condolences to their family members.