Asbestos exposure, a commercial fishing accident story with a happy ending and how perceptions can pose a real danger for workers are among the week’s top EHS-related stories as featured on ISHN.com:
Work-home interference contributes to burnout
Especially for women, lowering work-home conflicts may reduce burnout
Conflicts between work and home — in both directions — are an important contributor to the risk of burnout, suggests a study in the April Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).
FRA to issue proposed rule on minimum train crew size
"You never allow a single point of failure"
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Wednesday announced its intention to issue a proposed rule requiring two-person train crews on crude oil trains and establishing minimum crew size standards for most main line freight and passenger rail operations.
NHTSA announces final rule requiring rear visibility technology
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a final rule requiring rear visibility technology in all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds by May 2018. This new rule will significantly reduce the risk of fatalities and serious injuries caused by backover accidents.
So How Accurate Are These Smartphone Sound Measurement Apps?
A NIOSH Science Blog post
The purpose of this NIOSH Science Blog is to explain what is currently known about an important aspect of respirator filtration. For decades, respirator researchers have been asked whether filters need to be tested with aerosols similar to those encountered in the environment
Ten killed in Calif. truck-school bus accident
A collision between a truck and a school bus early this morning on a California freeway killed ten people and injured dozens more.
How operators of unsafe mines can fix their problems
MSHA outlines a plan for taking corrective action
The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has issued a Program Information Bulletin reminding the mining community of the process for submitting a corrective action program for MSHA approval and the tools MSHA makes available to assist mine operators in monitoring compliance.
“Frankenfood” fight playing out on state, city levels
Albuquerque latest city to consider bill to require labeling of genetically engineered foods
Concern over the potential health and environmental risks of genetically engineered foods (GMOs) has led to more than 20 states and a number of cities making legislative efforts to require greater transparency so that consumers can make informed food choices.
Illinois manufacturing workers exposed to amputation hazards
Interlake Mecalux Inc., a manufacturer of storage and racking systems, has been cited by OSHA for 17 serious safety violations, many of which expose workers to amputation hazards*. OSHA has proposed penalties of $71,700, following the October 2013 complaint inspection of the Melrose Park-based plant.
New video tells story of how personal flotation devices saved lives
Paul Revere: A Story of Survival in Bristol Bay
NIOSH’s Alaska Pacific Office has released a new safety video highlighting the use of personal flotation devices as a critical tool in preventing deaths from rapid capsizing and man overboard events in commercial fishing.
NTSB: NY ferry crashed because of captain’s confusion
Switching between modes caused speed increase
The captain of the ferry that struck a pier in NY in January 2013, seriously injuring four people, lost control because of confusion about the mode in which the ferry was operating, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which has issued its report on the accident.
Lack of machine guarding and eyewash stations found at NY manufacturing co.
A New York paper manufacturer exposed its workers to falls, electrical hazards and combustible dust, according to OSHA, which has fined Burrows Paper Corp. $298,100 for safety violations found at two of the company’s work sites.
Do your workers have the illusion of being invulnerable?
Study: How people conceptualize risk can hurt them
No matter how many safety training courses emphasis how dangerous it may be to work with electricity, chemicals or cargo unless proper safety protocols are followed, there is always a percentage of employees who believe they aren’t vulnerable to such risks — until it’s too late.
Welding with arc-welding equipment
A NIOSH Self-Inspection Checklist
This checklist covers regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the general industry standards 29 CFR 1910.254 and 1910.306, and the construction standards 1926.351 and 1926.353. It applies to the use of arc-welding and cutting equipment.
UBB victims’ families furious about Blankenship video
Former Massey CEO funds Youtube effort to clear his name
Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship has taken to video to defend himself against charges that he is responsible for the Upper Big Branch disaster – to the outrage of victims’ family members. Dozens of them and their supporters gathered earlier this month outside a federal courthouse in Charleston, West Virginia, to protest the claims made in the video.
National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) announces 2014 Executive Council
The National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) has announced the members of its 2014 Executive Council. “The new NHCA Executive Council represents the diversity of our membership and reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the practice of hearing loss prevention,” said NHCA incoming President Beth Cooper.
Back pain a problem around the world
Study finds men most affected
A study from the University of Sydney finds that lower back pain (LBP) is a significant cause of work-related disability. It affected 26 percent of the global population in 2010, and varied considerably with age, gender and region.
Calls to poison centers about e-cigarettes rise dramatically
New CDC study finds more than half involve young children
The number of calls to poison centers involving e-cigarette liquids containing nicotine jumped from one per month in September, 2010 to 215 per month in February, 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Combustible dust and hazmat exposure found at NY cabinetmaker
Company cited for inadequate PPE as well
A New York manufacturing company exposed its workers to fire, explosion hazards and a potential occupational carcinogen, according to OSHA, which has levied a $51,800 fine against Salko Kitchens, Inc. "These workers face both immediate and long-term health and safety hazards from on-site conditions," said Kimberly Castillon, OSHA's area director in Albany.
Want to know how much your fellow safety pros earn?
New database search tool makes it possible
The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) has launched Safety Salary Source, a new reporting tool that allows users to view survey data on safety, health and environmental (SH&E) practitioners' salaries in new detail.
API: Be safe, prevent accidents, call 811 before digging
The American Petroleum Institute is promoting the seventh annual National Safe Digging Month by reminding all Americans to always call 811 before any digging project. “Dialing 811 before you put the shovel in the ground will keep you and your neighbors safe,” said API Pipeline Director Peter Lidiak.
$2 million+ fine for management co. that exposed workers to asbestos and lead
Exposure occurred during renovation of former Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center
Cleaning up a site in preparation for a tour by potential investors has resulted in a $2,359,000 for Olivet Management LLC, a real estate development and management company that owns the former Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center in Dover Plains, N.Y.
New OSHA brochure helps protect nursing home workers from MSD injuries
AIHA offers companion Quick Tips sheet
OSHA has developed Safe Patient Handling: Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders in Nursing Homes, a new brochure that addresses the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders among nursing home and residential care workers.
Welding and manganese: potential neurologic effects
Welding fumes are composed of metals and most fumes contain a small percentage of manganese. There is a concern by workers, employers, and health professionals about potential neurological effects associated with exposure to manganese in welding fumes. NIOSH has been conducting research and reviewing the published scientific literature to assess this problem.
