What drone owners need to know, safety advocates blast a new pro-industry trucking regulation and chemical safety reform gets closer to being a reality. These were among the top occupational safety and health related stories featured on ISHN.com this week.
Loggers bring down large trees with no PPE
OSHA fines Ray Clearing Inc. more than $35K for federal violations
An OSHA inspection of a Ray Clearing Inc. worksite found that employees were using chainsaws to fell 12-inch diameter trees without the proper protection--chaps, heavy duty logging boots, eye protection and face protection. They also lacked the head protection necessary for working in woods, where there is a potential for being struck by falling limbs.
Issues notice of proposed rulemaking on improved rear impact protection
The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that focuses on upgrading the Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSSs) that address underride protection in light-vehicle crashes into the rear of trailers and semitrailers.
In response to a petition and lawsuit by environmental and open government organizations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will propose regulations requiring natural gas processing plants to start reporting the toxic chemicals they release.
Did you ask Santa to bring you a drone for Christmas? Or perhaps you got up early on Black Friday to get a great deal on that shiny new camera-equipped model you’ve been yearning for. You can’t wait to get into the sky and let loose your inner high-flying aerial photographer, right?
Blue Rhino affirms safety violations, accepts $52K in penalties
For employees working with hazardous substances, an oversight can be disastrous - an unfortunate lesson learned by six Florida workers at a Blue Rhino propane tank refurbishing facility in Taveras, Florida who were injured during a fire.
Following two oversize load crashes that led to partial bridge collapses, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a Safety Alert to remind motor carriers of the importance of obtaining permits and carefully reviewing routes before transporting oversize loads.
A $305 billion highway bill approved by Congress and signed by President Obama last week includes several provisions aggressively sought by the trucking industry that, critics say, will undermine traffic safety.
The conviction last week of former Massey Energy Co. CEO Don Blankenship on charges related to the 2010 disaster at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia will hopefully keep miners alive going forward, according to United Mine Workers of America International (UMWA) President Cecil E. Roberts.
But vaccination has saved an estimated 17.1 million lives since 2000
The number of measles-related deaths has decreased 79% from 546 800 at the beginning of the century to 114 900 in 2014. New data released by WHO for the Measles & Rubella Initiative, estimates that 17.1 million lives have been saved since 2000, largely due to increased vaccination coverage against this highly contagious viral disease.
Bipartisan, industry support make 2016 likely for passage of Lautenberg Act
Chemical safety advocates are cautiously optimistic about 2016 finally being in the year when Congress takes action to reform the nation’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) – 40 years after it was adopted.
DOT moves ahead on truck tech rule
EPA may require pollution reporting by natural gas plants
FAA warns new drone owners about the regs
OSHA reaches settlement in 2013 propane explosion that severely injured 6 workers
NTSB issues safety alert on oversize loads on bridges
Critics fault new highway law for concessions to trucking industry
UMWA: Blankenship verdict sends a message
Measles still taking a heavy toll
Is U.S. (finally) on the verge of chemical safety reform?
Deck the halls - safely
NFPA's "Project Holiday" campaign puts focus on fire safety
When you’re decking the halls this year, make sure to keep fire safety in mind. That’s the main message behind “Project Holiday,” the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) annual holiday fire safety campaign, which works to educate the public about the increased risk of home fires during the holiday season.
A teenaged employee who was required to operate a press break and sheer cutting machine – in violation of child labor laws – had his thumb partially amputated in a workplace accident.
A salon manager who was fired after warning her colleagues about an occupational health hazard will get $165,000 from the salon, in a settlement with the U.S. Labor Dept.
Hearthside Food Solutions is nation's largest cookie, cracker manufacturer
A 41-year-old worker cleaning product waste from a factory floor suffered severe scalp injuries and multiple lacerations when a machine caught her hairnet, resulting in her hospitalization for four days. This is the third serious injury involving machine hazards reported this year by Hearthside Food Solutions LLC, which bakes cookies and crackers for national brands.
Ga. company violates child labor laws; teen suffers partial amputation
Formaldehyde firing results in big payoff for salon employee
Bakery worker suffers severe head injury when hair is caught in machine
