Eighteen of the 21 workers injured in an explosion at a Texas chemical plant on Saturday have been released from hospitals after being treated for burn injuries and injuries from falling off a scaffold, according to news sources. Both the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) and OSHA are investigating the incident at the Kuraray America facility in Pasadena, which may have been caused by a leak of ethylene, a highly flammable gas used in the manufacture of plastics.

OSHA is proposing a rule to clarify crane operator certification requirements – one which would reinstate the employer's duty to ensure that a crane operator is qualified to safely operate equipment. The agency says a change to the categories of certifications for crane operators under the proposed rule would ensure more operators are able to meet the requirement.

Grilling season is right around the corner and grill gurus everywhere are preparing for many family parties and barbecues. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) encourages grillers to pay attention to safety during the spring and summer months when home fires involving grilling incidents occur most often.

Five years after a catastrophic ammonium nitrate explosion in West, Texas killed 15 persons, destroyed much of the city, and launched reforms in the way the federal government oversees the safety of the nation’s chemical facilities, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt last week told us that he cares more about the concerns of the chemical industry than he does about the millions of Americans living in the shadow of hazardous chemical facilities.

Air pollution is a serious – and seemingly overwhelming -- public health problem, yet changes that individuals can make could help them both avoid some of the effects of harmful pollutants and reduce the level of toxins in the environment. That’s according to the American Lung Association (ALA) and Dr. Eric Presser, a thoracic surgeon and author of An Empowering Guide to Lung Cancer: Six Steps to Taking Charge of Your Care and Your Life.

Non-native workers in the United States employed in small construction companies received less safety and health training than non-native workers in larger companies, according to research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). The research recently appeared in the journal Safety Science.

This year’s AIHce EXP features keynote speakers who are sure to inspire. The opening keynote speaker Monday morning kicks things off with “Three Megatrends and Four Best Practices That Will Shape Your Business Future.” Rich Karlgaard is a respected forecaster and offers a unique vantage point on the trends driving the business and economic climates, which in turn influence the decisions we make in the IH/OH industry.

Restaurant meals are notorious for sky-high sodium levels and are-you-kidding-me calories, but treating yourself to a meal out doesn’t mean settling for poor nutrition. The American Heart Association (AHA) shares three “eat smart” hacks in honor of World Hypertension Day. Outsmarting eating out has gotten easier now that many restaurants offer better-for-you items, calorie count on their menus and access to detailed nutrition information upon request. Still, availability and knowledge are only part of the equation.

An initiative to address the significantly higher fatality rates suffered by Hispanic and Latino workers in the U.S. moved forward at a Hispanic/Latino Worker Safety Workshop held earlier this month in Chicago. The event was launched by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and included representatives from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), OSHA, the National Safety Council, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Latino Worker Safety Center, Oregon OSHA, Associated Builders and Contractors, and other organizations from the agriculture, construction and manufacturing industries.

With workplace sexual harassment continuing to be a high-profile, hotly debated issue, the results of a new survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) will come as a surprise to many people. The national conversation about what is appropriate workplace behavior has apparently not resulted in new policy changes at many companies.