OSHA has cited Patterson-UTI Drilling, Crescent Consulting LLC, and Skyline Directional Drilling LLC for exposing employees to fire and explosion hazards after five employees suffered fatal injuries.

Suicide rates have been rising in nearly every state, according to the latest Vital Signs report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2016, nearly 45,000 Americans age 10 or older died by suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death and is one of just three leading causes that are on the rise.

The history and motivation behind the efforts NIOSH is putting into expanding and improving occupational safety and health in Wikipedia was discussed in earlier NIOSH Science Blogs (May 19,2015 and July 25, 2018) and thru the NIOSH January 2017 eNews.

REDDING, CALIF. —The National Park Service reports a second firefighter has died while battling the Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County. On Sunday morning, Capt. Brian Hughes of the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots was killed. According to the National Park Service, 33-year-old Hughes was on the east side of the fire in an area with many dead trees when he was struck by one.

Still-raging wildfires in California have already claimed eight lives and destroyed countless homes and other buildings – and they are likely to be followed by more fires, say the experts. Extreme heat and breezy conditions are forecast for the week ahead. That and the bone dry landscape make residents who’ve escaped the worst so far unable to breathe a sigh of relief – yet.

Turns out today is the 12th anniversary of the 35th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Why do we care? Because on this day 12 years ago, OSHA had a little ceremony headed by then-Assistant Secretary Ed Foulke. I’m sure Ed was great, but the highlight of the event was 30+ year OSHA employee Bill Smith, performing a song he had written for the occasion called “To Work Another Day.”

Alcohol-related accidents can affect a workplace more than you might think. Not only are you at risk of being involved in an accident with an impaired driver if you drive for a living, but if you choose to drink and drive in your time away from work, you could put your career or future employment opportunities at risk.

Even as a young adult, being overweight may cause higher blood pressure and thicken heart muscle, setting the stage for heart disease later in life, according to new research in the American Heart Association’s (AHA) journal Circulation.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA®) is pleased to announce they have received two dotCOMM awards, a Platinum award in for their second IH Heroes comic On the Fly and a gold award for AIHA's Annual Report.

Organizations who want help paying for mine safety education and training have until August 23rd to apply for a Brookwood-Sago grant. The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has announced the availability of up to $250,000 in funding through the program, which supports training to help miners identify, avoid, and prevent unsafe working conditions in their workspaces.