Today's Safety News - Articles - Page 156

National COSH rolls out this year’s Dirty Dozen

April 24, 2019

The world’s largest online seller of goods tops the “Dirty Dozen” list of unsafe employers released by the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health’s (National COSH) today. The annual reveal is timed to coincide with Workers Memorial Week (April 22 – 29), which honors those who have been injured, suffered illnesses or lost their lives at work. Amazon as had six worker fatalities at its facilities since 2018;.

How a fatal apartment building explosion could have been prevented

"This tragic event could have been avoided if the necessary checks were done"

April 24, 2019

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that the Aug. 10, 2016, natural gas fueled explosion and fire in a Maryland apartment building that killed seven people was caused by the failure of an indoor mercury service regulator with an unconnected vent line. The unconnected vent line and failed service regulator resulted in a leak of natural gas that accumulated in the apartment building’s meter room until it reached explosive levels and ignited.

Starbucks taking steps to protect workers from sharps injuries

Drug users leave hypodermic needles in bathrooms

April 24, 2019

Starbucks is installing needle-disposal boxes in bathrooms at its locations in dozens of U.S. markets, due to employee concerns about sharps injuries from hypodermic needles left by drug-using customers. According to Business Insider, two employees of the giant coffee chain were stuck with hypodermic needles in 2018 at a store in Eugene, Oregon. OSHA investigated and fined Starbucks $3,100.

What’s next in OSH: Edible safety messages

April 22, 2019

A Certified Safety Professional (CSP) with 17 years’ experience in the field has found a way to communicate safety messages to workers by way of their taste buds. Cynthia Braun, who is also a Certified Environmental Trainer (CET), and Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), is the is the President and Principal Consultant of Braun Safety Associates, LLC, an occupational safety consulting and training firm in Littleton, CO.

Fast first aid treatment depends on knowing injury cause, severity

Cooling the burn

Karen Hamel

April 22, 2019

Not long after toddlers take their first tentative steps, they’re likely to be told, “Don’t touch the hot stove.” Either by heeding that warning or sadly through their own experience, they learn that a hot stove may burn them.

ASSP election results highlighted by Stegall’s move to president

April 18, 2019

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the world’s oldest professional safety organization, has announced its new leaders from the 2019 Society elections. All terms begin July 1. Diana Stegall, CSP, CFPS, ARM, SMS, CPCU, will serve as ASSP president for 2019-20. “Elections are the heart of a professional society, and it’s great to see our members staying involved,” said ASSP President Rixio Medina, CSP, CPP, whose term expires June 30.

Creating the right climate for safety

Leaders need to show their competency, and their caring for co-workers

David Sarkus MS, CSP

April 18, 2019

During my college summer breaks, I worked at a few different high-risk construction sites. On one job, I had a boss who liked to holler and was not very well liked. He was known as Hog Jaws and I’ve mentioned him previously.

Going far beyond OSHA

Michigan OSHA’s lead standard has very strict exposure limits for pregnant workers. Are OHS pros ready to face a six-fold reduction challenge?

Dan Markiewicz MS, CIH, CSP, RMP

April 18, 2019

Appendix A to federal OSHA’s 1978 lead standard (current today) provides that blood lead level (BLL) of workers, both male and female, who intend to have children should be maintained below 30 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL) “to minimize adverse reproductive health effects to the parents and to the developing fetus.

After deadly week, NYC worker advocates demand better safety training

April 17, 2019

A coalition of New York City labor organizations is holding a protest today about safety training inadequacies in the city, particularly for immigrant workers. The protest comes on the heels of a particularly deadly week in the city’s construction industry, which saw three immigrant workers killed in incidents at three different worksites.

A confined spaces analysis

Learn how to define spaces, reclassify them, and five life-saving principles to minimize hazards

Robert "Scott" Goodwin, CHST

April 17, 2019

We have all read the articles or posts on the questions regarding confined spaces such as “What is a confined space?” or “What makes your confined space permit required?” You might have even been asked “How do you re-classify a permit-required confined space?” or one of my favorites, “When do I need a rescue team at my confined space?” Let’s break it all down.