The safest fleet vehicles have written policies that restrict the use of mobile devices and check mobile phone records after all collisions regardless of severity, according to the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety 2012 fleet safety benchmark study. The study Strength in Numbers, which involved a collective fleet of 521,000 vehicles and 9.8 billion miles traveled, also found
Archive for News
OSHA Investigating Lack Of Protective Gear For Hurricane Sandy Clean-Up Workers
(CBSNewYork) – As the clean-up effort continues in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, some concerns have surfaced over a lack of proper tools and protective gear for workers. “We don’t want to see the situation happen again, we should learn from it,” Floyd told WCBS 880?s Marla Diamond. “We’re concerned about the long-term effects because when you don’t properly clean an area, the mold and the chemicals still exist.” “Because of what happened at the World Trade Center, you don’t Read more [...]
Carbon monoxide leak at Atlanta school sickens nearly 50 people
Nearly 50 students and teachers were hospitalized in Atlanta on Monday after becoming ill due to a carbon monoxide leak at an elementary school, officials said.The 43 students and six teachers from Finch Elementary School were all "conscious and alert" when they were taken to the hospitals, Atlanta Fire Department spokeswoman Marian McDaniel said. Officials determined a faulty furnace at the 3-year-old school to be the source of the leak, McDaniel said. Carbon monoxide levels inside the Read more [...]
OSHA Fact Sheet Provides PPE Guidance for Hurricane Cleanup Efforts
As cleanup efforts for Hurricane Sandy are still underway, OSHA has issued a fact sheet that provides guidance as to what PPE to use in what hazardous situation. The "Hurricane Sandy Cleanup PPE Matrix" lists potential hazards that workers may encounter and also provides the appropriate PPE workers should wear to best protect themselves. "All PPE has limitations and is the control method of last
Automotive plastics industry workers five times more likely to develop breast
Automotive plastics industry workers five times more likely to develop breast is a post from: Eco Child's PlayOnce again, a new study has raised the alarm on the safety of plastics. This time, the exposure of factory workers is cause for grave concern. Workers in the automotive plastics industry were discovered to have a higher rate of breast cancer, almost five times that of other women. Are these factory workers’ health problems the warning that will wake up our society to the Read more [...]
Military Uniforms Of The Future Will Automatically Turn Into Chemical Suits In The Presence Of Threa
[UMass Amherst] Combating Chemical Agents A U.S. Army private prepares for a chemical training drill wearing the service's current chemical protection suit, which is both hot and restrictive. United States ArmyNext-gen combat fatigues could incorporate a new kind of breathable fabric that instantly turns into a protective shell in the presence of chemical or biological threats. Soldiers on the battlefield may soon be getting a second skin. Researchers at UMass Amherst are developing a new nanotube-based Read more [...]
New Jersey bridge collapse derails freight train; chemical leaks
Yahoo! News...New Jersey - A railroad bridge collapsed on Friday over a creek in southern New Jersey, causing a Conrail freight train to derail and spill hazardous chemicals into the air and water, authorities said.Seven of the 82 cars derailed, and a tanker car that fell into Mantua Creek leakedvinyl chloride into the waterway, which feeds into the Delaware River near Philadelphia, said Deborah Hersman, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board.More Read more [...]
FAA Proposal to Improve Flight Attendant Workplace Safety
A proposed policy from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would allow OSHA to enforce occupational safety and health standards that are currently not covered by FAA oversight. "Under this proposal, flight attendants would, for the first time, be able to report workplace injury and illness complaints to OSHA for response and investigation," says Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Winter Weather & Safe Driving
Winter is looming which means icy roads, snowfall and more commuters. Motorists should take extra precaution when driving by slowing down when roads are icy or snowy, allowing extra travel time and keeping distance from other vehicles. Follow these tips to stay safe on the road this winter season:
Pack a winter travel safety kit. Kit should include an ice scraper and brush, a tow rope, cat
Reminder: Upcoming Transitional Date for Basic Shipping Description Sequence
On December 29, 2006, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a final rule in the Federal Register harmonizing certain aspects of the U.S. Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the International Civil … Continue reading → Read more [...]
Construction Injuries & Fatalities Raise Costs in California
Construction injuries and fatalities cost California residents $2.9 billion from 2008-10, a new Public Citizen report states. “The Price of Inaction: A Comprehensive Look at the Costs of Injuries and Fatalities in California’s Construction Industry” reports that in the 3-year time frame, there were 50,700 ccupational injuries and illnesses in the construction industry and 168 deaths.
FDA Safety Tips Help Prevent Food-Related Illness
In the midst of holiday season, families may find their refrigerators and kitchens packed full with food, some fresh and some leftover. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urges the public to be aware of food safety and offers tips to help prevent food-borne illnesses. The FDA website lists helpful tips for refrigerator strategies, keeping food at the proper temperature, types of
Free Arc Flash Safety and NFPA 70E Electrical Training Powerpoints – #NFPA #FIRE #OSHA #SAFETY
Arc Flash Safety Training Powerpoint (Download ppt) Created by: West Virginia University Topics Covered: * Introduction to Arc Flash * NFPA 70E: Revised * Electrically Safe Work Conditions * Flash Protection Approach Boundary * The NFPA 70E * Flash Protection Computations * Using the Appropriate PPE * Minimizing Arc Flash DangersDate Created: 2011 Number of Slides: 81 OHSA Regulations: This presentation is complaint with 29 CFR 1910.333. Created Read more [...]
NHTSA Reports Highest Seat Belt Use Percentage in 2012
Recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research shows that seat belt use in the U.S. reached 86% in 2012. The agency reports this is an all-time high, which has been increasing since 1994. NHTSA also reports that the southern region has shown the most dramatic increases in seat belt use, rising to 85% in 2012 from 80% in 2011. In addition, the agency says that seat belt use
Firefighting, Nursing Among Most Dangerous Jobs in #Health and #Safety
Fire protection is one of the most dangerous types of work in the nation. Last year, almost 71,000 injuries to U.S. firefighters occurred in the line of duty, and the rate of nonfatal injury and illness in fire protection was more than three times the rate for all industries, according to government and industry estimates. But injuries can occur in any workplace, and there were more than 3.8 million work-related injuries and illnesses last year. Firefighters as athletesLast year, fire protection Read more [...]
OSHA fines MFG Chemical after explosion in Dalton
Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Dalton, Ga.-based MFG Chemical Inc. $77,000 for 20 alleged safety violations following a plant explosion in May that required hospitalization for about 40 employees of other companies working in the area. The explosion was caused by a runaway reaction from an overheated reactor, OSHA reported. During the production of coagulant 129, a compound used in water treatment, an increase in temperature caused the reactor to overpressurize, rupturing the Read more [...]
Clean Cities Initiative Adds 20 New Projects
As part of its Clean Cities initiative, U.S. Department of Energy has added 20 projects to help U.S. cities improve fuel efficiency of vehicles, which may help communities reduce fuel costs and protect the environment. The projects include transforming community infrastructures, providing safety training for fleet operators and helping fleets incorporate petroleum reduction strategies into
Joint Commission Publishes Monograph to Improve Patient & Worker Safety Efforts
Preventable medical errors result in 44,000 to 98,000
patient deaths each year, according to an Institute of Medicine report. These
statistics are well known among patient safety professionals. However, SH&E
professionals are familiar with BLS statistics, which show that healthcare
workers experience some of the highest rates of nonfatal occupational illness
and injury.
In an effort to
OMSHR Website Redesigned for Easier Use
The Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR) has a newly redesigned website that helps users find the latest information about safety and health within the mining industry. The site also includes videos that detail OMSHR research projects and feature stories on current innovations. New online tools help users navigate information easier with improved search functions. Comments and
CDC Tips for Cooking Turkey Safely
The CDC wants everyone to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Here are simple tips for cooking a delicious and safely prepared turkey:
Safe Thawing. Thawing turkeys must be kept at a safe temperature. The "danger zone" is between 40-140°F. While frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely, but as soon as it begins to thaw, bacteria that may have been present before freezing can begin to grow again
How Safe Are America’s 2.5 Million Miles of Pipelines?
The nation's aging oil pipelines are roughly 70 times safer than trucks when it comes to transporting fuel. But when a pipeline does fail, the consequences can be catastrophic At 6:11 p.m. on September 6, 2010, San Bruno, Calif. 911 received an urgent call. A gas station had just exploded and a fire with flames reaching 300 feet was raging through the neighborhood. The explosion was so large that residents suspected an airplane crash. But the real culprit was found underground: a ruptured Read more [...]
3,300 gas leaks are found in Boston.
Natural gas is escaping from more than 3,300 leaks in Boston’s underground pipelines, according to a new Boston University study that underscores the explosion risk and environmental damage from aging infrastructure under city sidewalks and streets.Please continue reading at:http://b.globe.com/1054Vja Read more [...]
My Trip Calculator Helps Plan Most Efficient Drive
Those preparing to travel by car during the upcoming holidays might find the My Trip Calculator helpful when deciding the route and which vehicle to take. The online interactive tool provides routes with turn-by-turn directions, a trip map and estimated driving time. However, it also allows the user to compare fuel costs for up to three vehicles. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, "The
EngineerGirl Essay Contest Announced
As part of its mission to encourage young people to consider
careers in engineering, the EngineerGirl
program hosts an annual essay contest. This year’s contest focuses on engineering
advancements for disease prevention. The 2013
Health Engineering essay contest asks students in grades 3 through 12 to
choose from five diseases listed by the World Health Organization as the
leading causes of death
Please Help Get PPE & Other #Safety Supplies to People Working in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy via@ASSE_Safety
@ASSE_Safety - At the personal request of OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels, ASSE, NSC and AIHA were asked to reach out to companies and others willing to donate PPE and other supplies to aid in OSHA’s efforts to protect workers and others in the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. That need is acute. Talking to ASSE members personally affected by this tragedy, it is much worse and much more dangerous than the news can convey. People in that region need your help in protecting themselves Read more [...]
Please Help Get PPE & Other #Safety Supplies to People Working in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy via@ASSE_Safety
@ASSE_Safety - At the personal request of OSHA Assistant Secretary David Michaels, ASSE, NSC and AIHA were asked to reach out to companies and others willing to donate PPE and other supplies to aid in OSHA’s efforts to protect workers and others in the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy. That need is acute. Talking to ASSE members personally affected by this tragedy, it is much worse and much more dangerous than the news can convey. People in that region need your help in protecting themselves Read more [...]
ASTM Launches Professor’s Tool Kit
Familiarity with standards can enhance a student’s knowledge
and skills before entering the workplace. To improve technical standards
education, ASTM International is offering an academic tool kit to help university
professors incorporate information about technical standards into engineering
and business curricula. The ASTM
Professor’s Tool Kit contains informational tools to help educators
ASSE Foundation Scholarship & Education Grant Applications Due Dec. 1
The 2013 ASSE Foundation Scholarship and Professional Education Grant Program is available to students pursuing degrees in occupational safety and health and to ASSE members and safety professionals working to advance their professional credentials. ASSE is offering more than $180,000 for 2013. The application process is paperless, so applications are online. Applications are due Dec. 1, 2012,
ASSE & OSHA Seek PPE Donations for Hurricane Sandy Cleanup
ASSE and OSHA are seeking PPE donations to help with Hurricane Sandy cleanup and recovery. To speed up the process, the organizations ask that donations be sent directly to 501(c)(3) organizations in the affected areas. Also, those donating are asked to let ASSE know by contacting its public relations department at either tstachura@asse.org or cnorgaard@asse.org. Ideas for donations include
ASSE Joins 85-3 Campaign
ASSE has joined the 85-3 Campaign, which recognizes organizations and employers that have adopted the 85 dBA noise protection level as part of their efforts to protect workers’ hearing. “ASSE is pleased to join the 85-3 Coalition and looks forward to working with the coalition’s members to support the adoption of the 85-dBA average exposure limit for an 8-hour day measured with a 3-dB exchange
ANSI Provides Free Online Standards Courses
ANSI’s online learning portal, StandardsLearn.org, provides free training and educational tools for those who want to learn more about standards and assessment activities. The e-learning content illustrates the value of compliance programs around the world and explains the standards system.
Great American Smokeout
Tomorrow marks the Great American Smokeout, an event sponsored by the American Cancer Society encouraging smokers to quit smoking. The Society suggests these five strategies to assist in the process:
1) Get Ready. Set a stop date, change your environment, think about past attempts to stop and what did and did not work, and once you stop, don’t smoke again.
2) Get support and
Nominations for OSHA Construction Advisory Committee Due Jan. 7
OSHA is seeking nominations for eight new members to serve on its 15-member Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. Committee members advise OSHA representatives on construction standards and policy matters, and will represent employee, employer, public, and state safety and health agency groups. Nominations are due by Jan. 7, 2013, and can be submitted via online, fax or mail.
Dust collector probable fuel source for an explosion in fiery New Jersey blast.
Federal investigators are focusing on a newly installed dust collector as the probable fuel source for an explosion and fire inside the U.S. Ink plant that injured seven workers in October, an agency official said.
Please continue reading at:
Aerosols: Is Further Harmonization Needed?
With so much focus over the years on harmonizing the dangerous goods regulations, one commodity that can definitely benefit from a focused review is the entry for aerosols. This is particularly a concern relative to U.S. regulations, where the definition … Continue reading → Read more [...]
FEMA Guide on Reconstruction After a Hurricane
In light of Hurricane Sandy, FEMA is distributing training courses and publications detailing best practices for how to mitigate risks after a disaster. The Agency’s guide on reconstruction following Hurricane Sandy includes technical bulletins, construction fact sheets and flood protection. The guide also includes access to Recovery Advisories, a publication from FEMA’s Mitigation Assessment
ANSI Document Provides Key Steps to Standards' Approval
ANSI’s newly updated "ANS Key Steps" document lists the key steps involved in the approval of voluntary consensus standards as American National Standards (ANS). The updated version provides links to related forms and resources. According to ANSI, "in order to qualify for ANSI accreditation, organizations must meet the Institute’s requirements for openness, balance, due process and consensus in
FEMA Snow Load Safety Guide
In light of Hurricane Sandy, FEMA is distributing training courses and workshops with information on how communities and homeowners can build stronger and minimize damage from natural disasters. The Agency’s guide on snow load safety includes warning signs of overstress conditions, key safety issues and risks, and methods of snow removal. It also includes safety measures for removing snow:
FEMA Disaster Centers Shut Doors ‘Due to Weather’ is an EPIC fail
...FEMA disaster recovery centers in Hurricane Sandy-ravaged sections of the city that were supposed to provide assistance to hurricane victims went MIA Wednesday morning, posting signs saying that they were closed due to the approaching Nor’easter.The temporary shuttering of the facilities, which help victims register for disaster relief, as well as city food distribution centers come even as many of those still reeling from the monster storm were not told that they had to leave Read more [...]
Safety & Environmental Job Opportunities in SE Wisconsin
Environmental Engineer - SE Wisconsin A growing company with a bright future is seeking an Environmental Engineer to monitor, report, perform and coordinate activities necessary to ensure compliance with the environmental policy and all legal requirements. They prefer someone with a Bachelor's degree, 5 - 7 years of experience as an Environmental Engineer in an environment with heavy manufacturing and machinery. This person must also have strong leadership skills with the ability to think Read more [...]
