The amputation of a worker’s fingers in unguarded moving belts and pulleys has resulted in 11 citations and $86,615 in penalties against UMC Acquisition Corp. of Downey, California. California OSHA concluded that the company failed to assess the workplace for hazards, ensure that proper lockout/tagout procedures were implemented, and install guards on moving machinery.

An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have some type of sleep disorder, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Some turn to melatonin supplements to help them fall asleep. Melatonin is a hormone known to promote sleep, but its underlying mechanisms are unknown. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine have discovered how melatonin suppresses neurons in the brain that keeps you awake and alert.

The rate of nonfatal injury from work-related assaults has increased among law enforcement officers, according to a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The study is the first national investigation of nonfatal injuries from assaults and other unintentional injuries, including accidental falls and motor vehicle crashes.

Just last week, a California worker was buried alive under tons of soil in an unprotected 17 foot deep trench and two weeks ago an unidentified 34-year old South Dakota construction worker was crushed to death in a 10 to 15 feet deep trench. Unfortunately, par for course in these United States. Why, I don’t know.

Fatigue may have been behind the fatal April 4 crash in Florida that killed two people – but not pilot fatigue. An investigative update issued by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that “fracture features” consistent with metal fatigue were found on more than 80 percent of the lower spar cap and portions of the forward and aft spar web doublers of the left wing main spar on the Piper PA-28R-201.

Every day in the U.S. approximately 2,000 employees suffer an eye injury that is serious enough to rush to an ophthalmologist. While most of these eye injuries involve small flying particles that abrade the eye, some are severe and result in total blindness. However, eye injuries can be easily avoided by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

How important is it to practice proper hand washing techniques? One of the biggest problems with not washing our hands after using the bathroom is that throughout the day we touch many things. Other people then touch these things and when we then touch our nose or mouth, we pick up infections. As well as this, if you prepare foods with dirty hands, people can catch infections by eating what you have made.

Food allergies are a growing public health issue. About 15 million Americans have food allergies; one in 13 children and one in 25 adults. In some cases, symptoms from ingesting allergens can be severe enough to require medical treatment. Food allergic reactions are responsible for about 30,000 emergency room visits and 150-200 deaths a year.

Employees at a Florida health care facility were exposed to verbal threats as well as punches, kicks, bites and other physical assaults – including some using objects as weapons, according to OSHA, which has cited the company for failing to protect its workers from violent mental health patients.

Last week’s fatal accident in Florida involving an electrical vehicle is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is giving special attention to how emergency responders – including firefighters and tow truck operators -- dealt with the electric vehicle battery fire that followed the crash.