Environmental Health and Safety

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A new report from the Campbell Institute indicates not all employers are getting worker wellbeing right, and it could be affecting the sustainability of their business. While many organizations today are focused on wellbeing programs that tackle smoking cessation, weight loss or nutrition – not bad programs in and of themselves – the Campbell Institute report indicates a more multifaceted approach to worker wellbeing can lead to sustainable, and even increased, employee health.

OSHA has delayed the enforcement date for its final rule on occupational exposure to beryllium in general, construction, and shipyard industries until May 11, 2018 – a move that angered the United Steelworkers (USW) union. The start of enforcement had previously been set for March 12, 2018. The agency said the 60-day delay will “ensure that stakeholders are aware of their obligations, and that OSHA provides consistent instructions to its inspectors.”

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has begun offering a series of free, confidential health screenings to coal miners as part of the Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP). The screenings are intended to provide early detection of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), also known as black lung, a serious but preventable occupational lung disease in coal miners caused by breathing respirable coal mine dust.

When it comes to choosing gas detection equipment for oil and gas applications, getting the most “bang for your buck” without sacrificing or compromising worker safety is a key factor in the decision making process. There are many choices in the market today including equipment rental, CPO (Certified Pre-Owned), and disposable equipment, but how do you decide what’s best for you?

Dr. David Michaels testifies before Congress about compliance v. enforcement, New York City considers sexual harassment training legislation and data sheds new light on why pedestrian deaths are increasing. These were among the top stories featured on ISHN.com this week.

OSHA’s FY 2019 budget request reflects an emphasis on compliance assistance, an increase in enforcement and the elimination of a longstanding safety and health training grant program – a move sure to draw the hire of some in the occupational safety community. The agency says its request for $549,033,000 for FY 2019 will allow it beef up its VPP initiative and restore 24 of the 33 compliance assistance positions that were lost in a five-year-long budget crunch.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Hearing Day, which raises awareness about preventing hearing loss and promoting hearing care, is fast approaching. This year’s theme, “Hear the Future,” focuses on strategies to prevent the expected increase in the number of people living with hearing loss.

Expectations drive both the leader and follower. Various forms of research suggest that when leaders have higher types of expectations for their followers, those followers often live up to the expectations.

We live, we love, we learn, and we leave a legacy.” This profound quotation from Stephen R. Covey has fueled my motivation to keep teaching at Virginia Tech well beyond retirement age and a comfortable pension.