5 simple strategies for healthier holidays

November 1, 2019

Nourishing yourself is smart for your heart and an effective way to take control of your health during the holidays. During Eat Smart Month this November, the American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, offers its latest recipes and science-backed tips to help you be Healthy for Good™.

Oil industry association updates guidance on GHS

November 1, 2019

Given the expanding international market in chemical substances and mixtures, a global system of classification and labeling was proposed at the 1992 Earth Summit by the International Labour Organization, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and many other governments and stakeholders. In response, the United Nations developed the ‘Globally Harmonised System’ (GHS) which is a single worldwide system for classifying and communicating the hazardous properties of industrial and consumer substances and mixtures.

U.S. fast food chains get failing grades for antibiotics in meat

October 31, 2019

Next time you think about getting a burger or some other meat-containing meal from Burger King, Arby’s, Olive Garden, Domino’s pizza, Buffalo Wild Wings, Starbucks or Applebees, you may want to consult a recent report that gave those restaurant chains an “F” for using beef that contains large amounts of antibiotics.

Why a Colorado house blew up

October 31, 2019

“Fugitive” natural gas and an error by local authorities were behind the April 17, 2017 explosion that destroyed a home in Colorado and killed two people. Those findings are from a brief recently released by the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigated the incident. The homeowner and a plumber who was working at the house died in the explosion, and two other residents were injured.

Outdoor work during extreme heat claims a life

October 31, 2019

A company based in Anson, Maine has been cited by OSHA for an employee fatality that occurred at a jobsite in Inman, Nebraska. Smith Mountain Investments LLC is a professional pole inspection company that inspects and treats some of the 150,000,000 wood utility poles in North America to ensure structural integrity. An employee of the company became ill while performing extreme physical activity in excessive temperatures in July 2019 and later died.

Utah moves closer toward renewable energy goal

October 31, 2019

Salt Lake County, Utah this week became the eighth community in the state to commit to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. The county’s council passed a resolution on Tuesday establishing a goal of powering the county with 100% renewable electricity by that year – one which requires local utility Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) to replace fossil fuel generation with renewable energy resources to meet the new commitment.

AIHF launches President's Leadership Award

October 30, 2019

The American Industrial Hygiene Foundation (AIHF) has established the President's Leadership Award. This award, to be given annually by AIHF, will be the foundation's highest scholarship and professional development honor. The award consists of a considerable scholarship as well as a professional development opportunity to attend a British Occupational Hygiene Society, Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists, or comparable international conference on occupational health and safety.

Can chemical combos contribute to autism?

October 30, 2019

In a study which has implications for occupational health, European researchers have found that certain non-toxic substances can have a negative impact on neuronal development when mixed with other substances. The in vitro research project conducted by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) examined this “cocktail effect” by using chemical products belonging to different classes.

Last week: machine, forklift incidents in midwestern plants

October 30, 2019

A series of workplace incidents in Indiana and Illinois last week claimed the lives of two workers and left another hospitalized. In Mooresville, Indiana, 22-year-old Sean Merrell died of blunt force injuries after being trapped in a machine he was cleaning that was re-energized before he could get out.

FairWarning Reports:

Study raises concern about e-cigarette waste

Eli Wolfe

October 30, 2019

Nearly two years ago, Jeremiah Mock heard a student in Marin County, California, complain that her school was littered with e-cigarette waste. A health anthropologist by training, Mock did some shoe-leather investigating in a student parking lot, where he found a significant amount of e-cigarette and tobacco trash. Surprised, Mock went further.

Poll: Most Americans unprepared to help in a medical emergency

October 29, 2019

Most adults are unprepared or lack confidence to help if a medical emergency occurs, according to a new public poll from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). And, that confidence wanes as medical emergencies become more serious. “Anyone can become a first responder in an emergency,” said William Jaquis, MD, FACEP, president of ACEP.

What would pregnant worker accommodation bill mean to employers?

October 29, 2019

A bill that would require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers had a hearing by the House Education and Labor subcommittee last week. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 2694), sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), would mandate that employers make minor job modifications, if needed, to allow a pregnant worker to continue employment. Accommodations could include different seating, more frequent bathroom breaks, or lighter duty.

ISEA releases info about impact-resistant glove options

October 29, 2019

Thirty percent of workers who wear hand protection don’t wear the right kind of glove for the task, according to the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), which has just released a resource designed to help safety managers select the application-appropriate impact protection gloves for their employees. Why does hand protection matter so much? Hand injuries accounted for more than 40% of nonfatal occupational injuries to upper extremities in private industry in 2017 that involved days away from work.

“Preventable” finger amputation reveals workplace hazards

October 29, 2019

An Alabama newspaper publishing company is facing $145,858 in penalties after an OSHA investigation into an employee injury determined that the company has been exposing its workers to amputation hazards. The incident at BH Media’s Opelika, Alabama facility occurred when an employee suffered a finger amputation when their hand was caught in a stacking machine that unintentionally started while being serviced.

NSC reminds parents and drivers to avoid Halloween hazards

Pedestrian fatalities spike after dark, and injuries are 100% preventable

October 28, 2019

With crowds of trick-or-treaters expected in neighborhoods around the country, the National Safety Council (NSC) urges caution for everyone out on the roads during the Halloween holiday. Most crash-related pedestrian fatalities occur when it is dark, according to NHTSA, and pedestrian deaths spike Halloween night. Increased pedestrian traffic, alcohol consumption and lower visibility because of costumes and masks, as well as shorter daylight hours, increase the risk of crashes or incidents.

Four worker fatalities lead to $1M+ fine for Ill. company

October 28, 2019

An OSHA investigation into the deaths of four employees of an Illinois chemical plant has resulted in more than a million dollars in proposed penalties against AB Specialty Silicones LLC. The company has been cited for a dozen willful federal safety violations in the explosion and fire at its Waukegan facility on May 3, 2019 that claimed the lives of four workers.

A NIOSH Science Blog post

Occupational exposure banding and workplace chemicals

Thomas J. Lentz PhD Melissa Seaton MS

October 28, 2019

For workers in a variety of industries, exposure to chemicals is commonplace. American workers handle, transport, or encounter thousands of chemicals every day, from cleaning products to industrial solvents. Although many of these chemicals have important uses, they can also be harmful to workers who are exposed to them.

Anti-cancer cookbook published by ACS

October 28, 2019

"There is no question, what we eat has a tremendous impact on our health, including reducing the risk of many different types of cancer," says Colleen Doyle, MS, RD. "Eating well is a key component of living an overall healthy lifestyle, and there are simple steps we can take each and every day to eat well and improve our health." Doyle is managing director of nutrition and physical activity at the American Cancer Society, which has just published Quick & Healthy: 50 Simple, Delicious Recipes for Every Day.