Trenching, machine and chemical hazards result in worker injuries and penalties to companies, while a scientific study supports the use of a popular supplement to help combat sleeplessness. These were among the top safety and health stories featured on ISHN.com this week.
3 ways to eat healthy in a restaurant
May 18, 2018
Restaurant meals are notorious for sky-high sodium levels and are-you-kidding-me calories, but treating yourself to a meal out doesn’t mean settling for poor nutrition. The American Heart Association (AHA) shares three “eat smart” hacks in honor of World Hypertension Day. Outsmarting eating out has gotten easier now that many restaurants offer better-for-you items, calorie count on their menus and access to detailed nutrition information upon request. Still, availability and knowledge are only part of the equation.
Collaboration a key to reducing Hispanic worker fatality rates
May 18, 2018
An initiative to address the significantly higher fatality rates suffered by Hispanic and Latino workers in the U.S. moved forward at a Hispanic/Latino Worker Safety Workshop held earlier this month in Chicago. The event was launched by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and included representatives from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), OSHA, the National Safety Council, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Latino Worker Safety Center, Oregon OSHA, Associated Builders and Contractors, and other organizations from the agriculture, construction and manufacturing industries.
Poll: Employers not addressing sexual harassment
May 18, 2018
With workplace sexual harassment continuing to be a high-profile, hotly debated issue, the results of a new survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) will come as a surprise to many people. The national conversation about what is appropriate workplace behavior has apparently not resulted in new policy changes at many companies.
Calif. company cited after worker suffers amputation
May 18, 2018
The amputation of a worker’s fingers in unguarded moving belts and pulleys has resulted in 11 citations and $86,615 in penalties against UMC Acquisition Corp. of Downey, California. California OSHA concluded that the company failed to assess the workplace for hazards, ensure that proper lockout/tagout procedures were implemented, and install guards on moving machinery.
New findings explain how melatonin promotes sleep
May 17, 2018
An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have some type of sleep disorder, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some turn to melatonin supplements to help them fall asleep. Melatonin is a hormone known to promote sleep, but its underlying mechanisms are unknown. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine have discovered how melatonin suppresses neurons in the brain that keeps you awake and alert.
More cops getting injured on the job
May 17, 2018
The rate of nonfatal injury from work-related assaults has increased among law enforcement officers, according to a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The study is the first national investigation of nonfatal injuries from assaults and other unintentional injuries, including accidental falls and motor vehicle crashes.
A Confined Space blog post
Trench Deaths: A tale of two Dakotas
May 17, 2018
Just last week, a California worker was buried alive under tons of soil in an unprotected 17 foot deep trench and two weeks ago an unidentified 34-year old South Dakota construction worker was crushed to death in a 10 to 15 feet deep trench. Unfortunately, par for course in these United States. Why, I don’t know.
Plane crashes after losing left wing
May 16, 2018
Fatigue may have been behind the fatal April 4 crash in Florida that killed two people – but not pilot fatigue. An investigative update issued by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that “fracture features” consistent with metal fatigue were found on more than 80 percent of the lower spar cap and portions of the forward and aft spar web doublers of the left wing main spar on the Piper PA-28R-201.
8 ways employers can avoid eye injuries at workplace
May 16, 2018
Every day in the U.S. approximately 2,000 employees suffer an eye injury that is serious enough to rush to an ophthalmologist. While most of these eye injuries involve small flying particles that abrade the eye, some are severe and result in total blindness. However, eye injuries can be easily avoided by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
Infections you can spread by not washing your hands
May 16, 2018
How important is it to practice proper hand washing techniques? One of the biggest problems with not washing our hands after using the bathroom is that throughout the day we touch many things. Other people then touch these things and when we then touch our nose or mouth, we pick up infections. As well as this, if you prepare foods with dirty hands, people can catch infections by eating what you have made.
Dealing with food allergies in restaurants
May 16, 2018
Food allergies are a growing public health issue. About 15 million Americans have food allergies; one in 13 children and one in 25 adults. In some cases, symptoms from ingesting allergens can be severe enough to require medical treatment. Food allergic reactions are responsible for about 30,000 emergency room visits and 150-200 deaths a year.
Kicks, bites & weapons at Fla. mental health facility
May 15, 2018
Employees at a Florida health care facility were exposed to verbal threats as well as punches, kicks, bites and other physical assaults – including some using objects as weapons, according to OSHA, which has cited the company for failing to protect its workers from violent mental health patients.
Deadly Tesla crash focuses attention on emergency response
May 15, 2018
Last week’s fatal accident in Florida involving an electrical vehicle is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is giving special attention to how emergency responders – including firefighters and tow truck operators -- dealt with the electric vehicle battery fire that followed the crash.
Fatal trench collapse results in citations, fines
May 15, 2018
All Power Construction Corp. of Huntsville, Alabama faces $139,684 in proposed penalties following a trench collapse that killed a temporary employee in November 2017. A staffing company, Labor Finders of Tennessee Inc., has $12,934 in penalties levied against it – the maximum allowed.
What those TV ads for pharma drugs aren’t telling you
May 15, 2018
Although the pharmaceutical industry contends that direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising is educational and motivating, a new analysis reported on in the Annals of Family Medicine finds that the educational value of those TV ads has decreased since 2007.
Dangerous beauty
Cosmetics manufacturer cited after fatal fire
May 14, 2018
An OSHA investigation into a fire at a New York State manufacturing facility that claimed the life of an employee uncovered a host of safety hazards – for which the company is facing proposed fines of $281,220. New Windsor-based Verla International LTD was cited by the agency for failing to protect its workers from dangerous chemicals, and other hazards.
New discovery may pave way for non-addictive pain relievers
May 14, 2018
Startling new research findings contradict conventional wisdom about opioids – and may help guide the design of pain relievers that do not produce addiction or other adverse effects produced by morphine and other opioid medicines.
Feds meet with mariners about safety issues
May 14, 2018
The fatality rate in the marine industry may be low compared with other sectors, but more can be done to prevent incidents. That was the message conveyed by the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) Office of Marine Safety (OMS) during its recent “safety advocacy tour.”
CSB IDs location of Husky Energy explosion
May 14, 2018
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) team investigating an explosion at the Husky Energy oil refinery in Superior, Wisconsin has narrowed its focus to equipment within the refinery’s Fluid Catalytic Cracking, or FCC, unit. The April 26, 2018 blast injured approximately 20 employees and caused an evacuation of residents in the surrounding area.
Hearing loss has some surprising causes
May 14, 2018
Think that hearing damage is usually workplace-related? Actually, activities away from work can damage hearing just as much a noisy job. More than half of all adults with hearing damage do not have noisy jobs. Hearing loss is the third most common chronic health condition in the United States. Almost twice as many people report hearing loss as report diabetes or cancer, with about 40 million adults aged 20–69 years suffering from noise-induced hearing loss.
