Today's Safety News - Articles - Page 119

Mississippi manufacturer cited after worker fatality

October 4, 2019

OSHA has cited Howard Industries Inc. – a manufacturer and supplier of electrical transmission and distribution equipment – for exposing employees to struck-by and fall hazards after a fatality at the company’s Laurel, Mississippi, facility. The company faces $53,040 in penalties. The employee was performing a leak test on a transformer when a drive chain supporting the equipment failed.

California fights wildfires with new laws

October 3, 2019

California Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday signed into law nearly 22 measures aimed at preventing and fighting wildfires, which have caused tremendous damage and loss of life in the state in recent years. The bills were based on key recommendations from a state task force.

Good news / bad news about breast cancer in the U.S.

October 3, 2019

Although a decades-long decline in the breast cancer death rate continues (with a slowdown in recent years), breast cancer incidence rates are on the rise. These trends are outlined in Breast Cancer Statistics, 2019-2020, the latest edition of the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) biennial update of breast cancer statistics in the United States, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, and the accompanying Breast Cancer Facts & Figures.

From safety expert Richard Hawk:

Five ways to energize on-site safety trainings

October 3, 2019

As the keynote speaker at the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) Fall Conference, safety expert Richard Hawk presented "The Future of Safety in Manufacturing Plants: A Hawk-Eye View of What's on the Safety and Health Horizon." Hawk, who has more than 35 years of experience in the health and safety field, offered tips for how to energize on-site safety trainings at manufacturing plants and facilities.

CDC says this may be behind vaping lung injuries

October 2, 2019

A new report from the CDC sheds some possible light on the spate of lung injuries associated with e-cigarette use. Although the exact cause of the injuries is unknown, the latest findings – which were published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) – suggest that THC products are playing a role in the outbreak.

Two states, two workplace accidents: two workers killed

October 2, 2019

OSHA is investigating two workplace deaths that occurred last Thursday – in Pennsylvania and Illinois. News reports say 38-year-old Luke Marzano was part of a crew cleaning up the site of the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. headquarters – which was demolished four months ago – when he was killed in an incident.

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For Your Health & Wellness: Do cell phones pose a health hazard?

October 2, 2019

The weight of scientific evidence has not linked cell phones with any health problems. Cell phones emit low levels of radiofrequency energy (RF). Over the past 15 years, scientists have conducted hundreds of studies looking at the biological effects of the radiofrequency energy emitted by cell phones.

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For Your Health & Wellness: Catching a quick nap is smart business

October 2, 2019

Sleeping on the job was once considered taboo, but today, more companies are encouraging employees to take a mid-shift snooze. And it’s a wise practice: 29 percent of workers report falling asleep or becoming very sleepy at work, and a lack of sleep costs the United States $63 billion each year in lost productivity.

ASSP adding virtual participants to classroom safety training

October 1, 2019

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) is taking its live safety training to the next level by using two-way video projection that will enable virtual attendees to participate from their home or office. The new option – called Live Virtual Classroom – means that safety professionals can enjoy the benefits of face-to-face instruction without the travel time or expense. Virtual participants will be able to ask the instructor questions in real time, interact with the entire class and even join the class when breaking into small groups for discussion.

Risk management failure at root of fatal train crash

Two employees killed, dozens of people injured

October 1, 2019

A collision last year in South Carolina between an Amtrak passenger train and a CSX freight train was caused by CSX Transportation Corporation’s failure to assess and mitigate a specific risk, according to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. The incident killed two employees and injured 91 passengers and crewmembers.