OSHA seeks comments on its revised safety and health program management guidelines, CDC resists antibiotic resistance and the MSHA puts its new comm system to good use in a simulated mine disaster. These were among the top OSH and public health stories posted on ISHN.com this week.
CSB safety videos win awards
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) received awards for two safety videos at the annual Television, Internet, and Video Association of DC (TIVA DC) dinner on Saturday, November 14. Award recipients included Shock to the System, a safety video detailing key lessons for preventing hydraulic shock in ammonia refrigeration systems based on the CSB’s Millard Refrigerated Services investigation, and the computer-generated animation of a massive explosion and fire at the Caribbean Petroleum terminal facility.
A FairWarning report
Lorillard Tobacco donated nearly four times as much to Republican candidates as to Democrats in the 2014 congressional elections. No surprise there — most businesses count on Republicans to hold the line on regulations and taxes.
Business Pulse: Workplace Safety and Health, launched today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation, focuses on innovative employer strategies using science-based solutions from CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to address emerging worker safety and health issues and well-recognized workplace hazards and exposures.
Two groups sign a Memorandum of Understanding
The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) and the Southern African Institute for Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to lay the foundation for a cooperative partnership between the two organizations. SAIOH, the professional registration body for occupational hygiene in South Africa, strives to ensure healthy working environments in Africa through excellence in occupational hygiene.
New comm system can track movements of underground teams
Earlier this month, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, Central Plains Cement Company and Missouri Department of Labor’s Mine Cave Safety Program joined forces to stage a mine rescue exercise at Eagle Materials Inc.’s underground mine in Sugar Creek, Mo.
A May, 2015 workplace accident brought OSHA enforcement officers to Clarion Sintered Metals, Inc. in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, where they found dozens of violations – including the one that led to the worker’s injury.
Statement by ASSE President Michael Belcher: “ASSE appreciates OSHA’s commitment to encouraging better employer management of workplace safety and health risks in the draft update of its Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines. Likewise, ASSE appreciates OSHA’s effort to engage stakeholders in the development of final guidelines and looks forward to sharing the views of its members who are the leaders in addressing workplace risks through safety and health management plans.
Antibiotic resistance – the rise of deadly germs no longer stopped by the drugs that once controlled them – “threatens to take us back to the days when minor infections commonly killed,” according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), which has made combating antibiotic resistance a top priority.
Voyage date recorder of cargo ship still not found
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says it has completed the video documentation of the cargo ship El Faro and the associated debris field, but the vessel’s voyage data recorder has not been located.
OSHA is seeking public comment on an updated version of its voluntary Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines. First published in 1989, the guidelines are being updated to reflect modern technology and practices.
Racial politics flavor debate over banning menthol cigarettes
CDC Foundation’s new Business Pulse focuses on workplace safety
AIHA, SAIOH begin collaborative partnership
MSHA uses simulation to train mine rescue crews
After leg amputation, OSHA finds 37 safety & health violations in PA workplace
ASSE "disappointed" OSHA hasn't adopted workplace safety standard
CDC, partners to fight antibiotic resistance
NTSB continues investigation into El Faro sinking
OSHA updates Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines
No emergency showers, PPE for costume jewelry industry workers
A lack of emergency shower and eye wash facilities were among the safety deficiencies found by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in an investigation into the potential hazards in the Rhode Island Jewelry Industry.
Poultry workers are twice as likely to suffer serious injuries and six times more likely to get sick on the job than other private sector workers. In response to this, OSHA has launched a new Regional Emphasis Program in eight states to reduce musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic stressors affecting industry workers.
New standards offer guidelines for emergency response
People at risk, be it from natural disasters, terrorist attacks or other incidents in daily life, need to be able to take appropriate safety actions based on a proper understanding of the level and nature of the emergency.
Winder Power reached a major milestone this month by recording three years without a reportable accident or lost-time incident.
A Proclamation by President Obama: Every American has a role to play in preserving our planet for future generations. Being good stewards of our environment and protecting our natural resources are imperative tasks for ensuring our children and grandchildren live in a clean and sustainable world, and recycling is a pivotal way each of us can do our part.
These occupations are at high risk of hearing loss: Firefighters and other first responders; military personnel; disc jockeys; subway workers; construction workers; musicians; factory workers; mine workers.
OSHA focuses on safety of poultry industry workers
Improving public alerts in emergency situations
Winder Power celebrates a three year safety milestone
Obama draws attention to environment with "America Recycles Day"
Millions are exposed to loud noise levels at work
