Environmental Health and Safety - Articles - Page 134

Employee made ill by ammonia vapor

June 7, 2019

After an anhydrous ammonia leak sent a Florida farm worker for medical treatment, OSHA investigators found multiple violations related to the hazardous material at his workplace. The agency cited Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc. – based in Belle Glade –for failing to:

Cal/OSHA to employers: Protect outdoor workers from heat

June 6, 2019

Cal/OSHA is reminding all employers to protect their outdoor workers from heat illness as temperatures rise throughout California. The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories for triple-digit temperatures today in Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties and forecasts high heat throughout inland parts of the state next week.

AIHA launches new professional certificate programs

June 6, 2019

The American Industrial Hygiene Association, a gateway to renowned industrial hygiene/occupational health (IH/OH) knowledge and expertise, has announced the launch of two new professional assessment-based certificate programs, the latest addition to the Association's existing eLearning education and training resources.

Industrial Scientific to acquire Intelex, leader in EHSQ software

Intelex brings environmental, health & safety, and quality management software capability to Industrial Scientific

June 6, 2019

Industrial Scientific, a global leader in connected sensing technology and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortive Corporation (NYSE: FTV), is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive agreement with JMI Equity to acquire Intelex Technologies for approximately $570M. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Can medical marijuana get you fired? Depends on the state.

June 5, 2019

Less than half of the states where the drug treatment is legal protect patients from employment discrimination. Courts have generally sided with employers -- until recently. Summary: Of the 33 states where medical marijuana is legal, 14 protect patients from employment discrimination. Recent court rulings signal a potential shift in favor of employees.

Ohio employers can fire employees using medical marijuana

June 5, 2019

Ohio employers can fire employees who use medical marijuana or refuse to hire them in the first place. Medical marijuana is legal in Ohio, but it remains illegal at the federal level and Ohio employers are testing for it like they would any other illegal drug. “Under Ohio law, employers don’t have to currently hire someone who uses medical marijuana and they don’t have to retain an employee that tests positive for medical marijuana,” said Michael Griffaton, an attorney at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP.

Chasing zero: Don’t forget the names behind the safety numbers

Adam L. Bates, MS, MBA

June 5, 2019

Why my role exists, to me, is that it is simply for the people. The people I get to work with and for each day. When it’s about names, not numbers, there is a True North that continues to direct my vision of what World Class truly looks like.

How Modesto wastewater treatment plant eliminated excessive noise

Taming the turbine

Vince Cavaseno

June 5, 2019

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), some 22 million U.S. workers are currently exposed to hazardous noise conditions. Excessive workplace noise is linked not only to hearing loss, but also to a host of other medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and coronary heart disease (CHD).

When pain causes more pain: opioid hazards in the workplace

June 5, 2019

Discussions about the U.S. opioid epidemic are frequent, but the impact of opioids on workers may be left out of the conversation. Certain occupations, such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, and environmental services, face a high risk of occupational exposure to opioids — including the extremely toxic fentanyl and carfentanil — when responding to overdoses.

Manage extreme heat to avoid exhaustion, stroke, possible death

Climate control respirators

Ashlyn Oswalt

June 4, 2019

Industrial work environments are not ideal for comfort. They are often hot, stuffy, and stifling. Factor in the appropriate PPE that many workers are required to wear, and regulating body temperature can become extremely difficult, if not impossible. Without preventative measures, the results can be fatal.