Thursday, July 03, 2008
Have a safe weekend
Please remind family and friends to never drink and drive, and to leave the fireworks to the professionals. The National Safety Council wishes everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
2009 OSHA budget
$504 millionSenate Appropriations Committee's proposed OSHA budget for fiscal year 2009
Source: U.S. Senate
Senate committee increases OSHA, MSHA funding
The Senate Appropriations Committee on June 26 approved a fiscal year 2009 budget for agencies covered under the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations – including OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
The proposed $154.9 billion budget adds $9.5 billion to the president's request. Committee Chairman Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-WV, said the proposed funding "fills critical gaps" in President Bush's budget request.
The Senate legislation provides $504 million for OSHA and $346 million for MSHA. Those figures represent increases of about $4 million and nearly $15 million, respectively, from FY 2008 levels.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would receive $6.5 billion, including $50 million in mine safety research for sub-agency NIOSH, as well as $507 million for pandemic influenza preparation.
The House Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal year 2009 Labor-HHS budget of $157.5 billion.
Howard's NIOSH reappointment in limbo
Dr. John Howard's position as NIOSH director remained uncertain at press time. A NIOSH spokesperson said Howard, whose six-year appointment formally ends on July 14, has received no commitment from Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt regarding his reappointment.
Howard, who has lobbied to remain in the job amid wide support from stakeholders, wrote Leavitt April 17, saying he would "consider it a privilege" to continue in the position.
Howard, a former director of the California OSHA State Plan, has said he believes NIOSH has made great progress during his tenure. He pointed to the agency's work in meeting new responsibilities for mine safety research; support of the nation's emergency preparedness, response and security goals through respirator research and certification; and addressing emerging health and safety issues.
NIST: Lab workers exposed to plutonium
A plutonium spill at a National Institute of Standards and Technology laboratory in Boulder, CO, has resulted in internal plutonium exposure among a "small number" of personnel, the agency reported last Friday.
On June 9, a vial containing one-fourth of a gram of plutonium-laced powder was discovered to be cracked, and some particles had spilled out. Trace contamination was found on the shoes or clothing of 22 employees. On June 27, NIST announced that urine tests among some of the exposed personnel detected the weak radiation signal of the principle form of plutonium that can cause adverse health effects.
Further testing was underway, and all potentially exposed employees were being monitored, NIST said.
Safety board releases report on Barton Solvents explosion
The likely cause of a disastrous July 2007 explosion and fire at a Kansas solvents distribution facility was a static spark resulting from a loosely linked level-measuring float in a tank filled with a nonconductive flammable liquid, according to a Chemical Safety Board investigative report released June 26.
The incident led to the evacuation of more than 6,000 residents and destroyed the Barton Solvents facility in Valley Center, KS.
Investigators said the spark ignited the air-vapor mixture inside the tank as it was being filled. Nonconductive flammable liquids can accumulate and maintain static electrical energy, which discharges more slowly than from more conductive liquids, investigators said.
Board member William Wark said companies need to understand the hazards associated with nonconductive flammable liquids that were stored and transferred at the Barton facility, and called for improved Material Safety Data Sheets.
Senate hearing discusses federal response plan for a nuclear attack
A June 26 hearing, called by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, focused on the nation's ability to provide care and meet basic needs in the aftermath of a nuclear attack.
Paul McHale, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and America's security affairs in the Department of Defense, painted a bleak picture of the devastation a 10-kiloton improvised nuclear device could bring to a city:
- Total destruction within a one-half- to three-mile radius
- 1 million evacuees
- Contamination up to 3,000 square miles around the explosion site
W. Craig Vanderwagen, Department of Health and Human Services assistant secretary for preparedness and response, said 160,000 volunteer health care professionals in the Medical Reserve Corps could assist in caring for victims. Additionally, HHS has established partnerships with various organizations to treat victims with nuclear blast-related injuries, he said.
NIOSH seeks comment on revised asbestos draft
NIOSH is seeking public comment until Sept. 30 on a revised draft strategic research document that addresses scientific uncertainties about occupational exposure and toxicity issues related to asbestos fibers and other elongated mineral particles.
"Asbestos Fibers and Other Elongated Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research" incorporates public and peer review comments into an initial version of the document that opened for review in 2007.
NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard said the research is designed to help remove uncertainties for the range of stakeholders who are affected by asbestos health issues.
MSHA kicks off initiative to stem roof fall fatalities
The Mine Safety and Health Administration has launched its annual Preventive Roof/Rib Outreach Program through Sept. 30 to highlight the hazards of roof falls and coal outbursts, which have killed 29 coal miners since 1997.
The agency said more roof fall accidents historically have occurred during the hot, humid summer months as warm air carries moisture into mines. The moisture is absorbed into a roof's strata and may weaken the roof, MSHA said.
During the initiative, MSHA inspectors are distributing safety guidelines for roof and rib control, mobile roof supports, and retreat mining, the agency said. Acting MSHA administrator Richard E. Stickler called on miners and mine operators to conduct thorough and frequent checks of mine roofs, and to never work or walk under unsupported roofs.
OSHA schedules hearings on shipyards rule
Two public hearings have been scheduled to discuss OSHA's proposed rule to improve safety in shipyards.
The hearings are scheduled for Sept. 9 in Washington and Oct. 21 in Seattle.
The proposed rule, General Working Conditions in Shipyard Employment, would include requirements for minimum lighting, motor vehicle safety and sanitation.
Fire chiefs association reports on radios and fireground noise
Close proximity to common fireground noise causes communication problems among firefighters using digital two-way portable radios, a new report from the International Association of Fire Chiefs warns.
The Fairfax, VA-based organization said it received reports of fireground noise interfering with intelligible radio communications beginning in late 2006, prompting the formation of a group to investigate the problem. On Monday, IAFC released an interim report (.pdf file), along with recommendations.
The report suggested:
- Enhancing digital technologies to achieve a level equal to or better than analog, which performed statistically better in tests conducted
- Developing standards and guidelines on public-safety communications intelligibility
- Increasing collaboration between government, public safety and industry
FAA warns against flying with fireworks
Airline passengers who try to carry fireworks – including small sparklers – in their luggage for the Fourth of July weekend will face a stiff fine from the Federal Aviation Administration.
An FAA press release warned that carrying fireworks aboard aircraft is unsafe and against the law. Violations of FAA hazardous-materials regulations can range from $275 to $50,000 per violation, while criminal prosecutions can mean up to five years in prison with fines of up to $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for corporations, the agency said.
Truck inspections find improvements in overall safety, problems with brakes
A record number of commercial motor vehicle drivers passed an annual national inspection check for Level I safety inspections, according to results from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Roadcheck 2008.
Thousands of trucks and buses at more than 1,500 locations across North America were inspected June 3-5 as part of a comprehensive roadside inspection by certified inspectors from Washington-based CVSA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Results from the 2008 inspection show:
- 95 percent of drivers inspected passed the safety inspection – a 14.5 percent improvement from 2007.
- 96.2 percent of all drivers were in compliance with hours-of-service rules.
- 97.6 percent of drivers were compliant with hazardous materials regulations.
- 15.8 percent of vehicles were placed out of service for brake-related defects.
- 9.9 percent of vehicles were placed out of service for brake adjustment defects.
- 3.8 percent of vehicles with self-adjusting brake adjusters were placed out of service.
Kerry proposes cruise ship safety legislation
Days after having chaired a subcommittee hearing on cruise ship passenger safety, Sen. John Kerry, D-MA, proposed legislation intended to make ships safer and hold the cruise line industry accountable.
Cruise ships, which operate under foreign flags of convenience, are not required under U.S. law to report crimes that occur outside of U.S. territorial waters. Kerry's legislation (S. 3204), introduced June 26, would require crimes aboard cruise ships to be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard and the FBI. The legislation also would require:
- A U.S.- licensed medical practitioner on every cruise ship
- Installation of 54-inch-tall guard rails, peep holes for crew cabin and passenger stateroom doors, security latches, and time-sensitive key technology
Bay Area commuters to test travel and safety technology system
San Francisco Bay Area commuters will have access to one of the world's largest field-tests of intelligent transportation systems technology, Department of Transportation officials said June 25.
The technology will give commuters real-time traffic, transit and road safety information as part of a $12.4 million effort between DOT and the California Department of Transportation, according to a DOT press release. The "Safe Trip-21" initiative will involve various ITS technology applications intended to reduce gridlock and traffic-related fatalities and injuries, and improve commuting times and overall safety, officials said.
CDC: Diabetes on the rise
Nearly 24 million Americans – 8 percent of the total population – have diabetes, according to new figures from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention.
Diabetes currently ranks as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. The release of the agency's 2007 Diabetes Fact Sheet indicates the number of diabetics has increased by more than 3 million in the last two years. Additionally, an estimated 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts them at increased risk for developing the disease.
However, the data also indicated fewer diabetics are unaware of their condition. CDC estimated that over a two-year period the number of people who were unaware they had diabetes decreased to 25 percent from 30 percent.
Rotavirus declining; vaccines may be helping
Fewer children are contracting rotavirus this season, which may be due to a recently introduced vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
Rotavirus is highly contagious and is the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in babies and children, the report said. Typically, more than 410,000 infants and young children visit doctors offices and 55,000-70,000 are hospitalized annually because of rotavirus in the United States.
However, research indicates that the 2007-2008 season of rotavirus started later, ended earlier and was overall less severe than it had been in the previous 15 years. The number of laboratory tests conducted to check for the disease was 37 percent lower than usual, and the number of tests that turned up positive for rotavirus was 79 percent lower than usual.
In 2006, CDC recommended a routine rotavirus vaccine for all infants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.
Plan ahead for 2008 Congress & Expo
Council members who register before Aug. 15 for the National Safety Council's 2008 Congress & Expo will receive $160 off the onsite fee. Taking place Sept. 19-26 in Anaheim, CA, the world's largest gathering of safety, health and environmental professionals will feature educational and networking opportunities for safety professionals at all levels of experience.
Council targets future safety professionals, launches Faculty Portal
Extending its reach to future safety professionals, the National Safety Council is offering free membership to full-time college students pursuing careers in safety, health and environmental programs. Student member benefits include opportunities to network with seasoned safety and health leaders, stay current on industry news, and tap into the council's 95+ years of safety knowledge and experience.
The council also has launched a for college and university faculty who teach future safety professionals. Once registered, faculty will be able to order desk copies of books, access a complete list of NSC Press books and obtain industry news.
New on the Members-Only Website
- 2008 Industry Leader Award winners are now posted in the Occupational section.
- Previously recorded National Safety Month Webinars are available for download.
- New photo galleries are now available.
Do you believe occupational injuries in the United States are underreported?
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Deaths from heat exposure
423Number of U.S. workers who died from environmental heat exposure from 1992-2006
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Foulke defends OSHA's construction industry enforcement
Amid a rash of high-profile construction accidents involving cranes, OSHA administrator Edwin G. Foulke Jr. defended the agency's "strong enforcement" of the industry's safety and health standards.
During fiscal year 2007, about 51 percent of total OSHA inspections were conducted in the construction industry, Foulke testified June 24 before the House Education and Labor Committee.
A special OSHA advisory committee of construction industry experts negotiated and proposed an updated construction cranes and derricks rule in 2004, but OSHA has not yet finalized the rule. Foulke said the agency is in the "final stages" of developing the updated rule.
Committee Chairman Rep. George Miller, D-CA, said recent incidents involving cranes have highlighted "concerns about whether government health and safety agencies are doing enough to ensure safe working conditions at construction sites." Miller also noted that 12 construction workers have died in construction accidents on the Las Vegas Strip in less than two years.
Suspended OSHA official says injury reporting is inaccurate
OSHA's process of collecting injury and illness data is inaccurate and misstated, an OSHA official currently on paid administrative leave has alleged.
Testifying June 19 before the House Education and Labor Committee, Bob Whitmore, who directed OSHA's injury and illness recordkeeping system from 1988 until he was placed on leave in July 2007, told the panel the agency willingly accepts underreported and falsified information from employers.
Committee Chairman Rep. George Miller, D-CA, cited a committee report that said only about one-third of all injuries and illnesses are reported to OSHA. He said "growing evidence" suggests data cited by OSHA showing decreased occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities in recent years is "grossly inaccurate."
Kenneth Rosenman, chief of the division of occupational and environmental medicine at Michigan State University in Lansing, said OSHA's current data-collection system should be expanded to include information from other sources, including employees, workers' compensation records and hospital records. However, Baruch Fellner, an attorney and former Department of Labor official testifying on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, cautioned that melding OSHA recordkeeping with other data-collection systems is mixing "apples and oranges."
MINER Act review shows progress, but more to be done
The Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response (MINER) Act of 2006 has helped improve the safety and health of the nation's coal miners, but more needs to be done to fulfill key mandates set out in the law, according to testimony at a recent congressional review of the act.
Testifying June 19 before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee's Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, Richard E. Stickler, acting administrator for the Mine Safety and Health Administration, said MSHA has published six new final rules, issued one emergency temporary standard and proposed four additional rules.
Dennis O'Dell, administrator of occupational health and safety for the Fairfax, VA-based United Mine Workers of America, testified that attention to safety has improved, but urged the Senate to pass legislation to supplement the original MINER Act. The S-MINER Act already has passed in the House.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-WA, who chairs the subcommittee, questioned whether MSHA can meet a key MINER Act mandate requiring mine operators to install wireless communications systems in underground mines by June 2009. Stickler and Jeffery Kohler, associate director for mining and construction at NIOSH, said technological issues will make it difficult to achieve true wireless systems, but that the agencies are testing hybrid wireless and wired systems.
Survey: Nurses being stuck by standard syringes, not reporting needlesticks
Nearly two-thirds of nurses have been accidentally stuck with a needle while working, according to the results of an online survey conducted by the American Nurses Association, Silver Spring, MD.
Despite the passage of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act of 2000, which mandated the use of safety syringes, 75 percent of the needlestick injuries reported in the survey involved a standard syringe. Even more troubling, the survey found, is that only 79 percent of needlestick incidents were reported, and one-third of all nurses who were stuck failed to have the injury evaluated or treated.
Further, fears about workplace safety affects the way nurses do their job, the study found. More than 80 percent of the 706 nurses surveyed said that increasing workloads and on-the-job stress levels impact their workplace safety. Fifty-nine percent of nurses said when they feel pressured, they are more inclined to work faster and take shortcuts.
CDC warns of heat-related deaths among outdoor workers
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns of the risks of heat-related illnesses and deaths among workers in outdoor occupations such as farming.
During 1992-2006, 423 workers in U.S. industries were reported to have died from exposure to environmental heat, the report said. Of those, about 24 percent occurred among workers employed in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industries, including 16 percent among workers engaged in crop production or farming support activities. CDC statistics show the heat-related average annual death rate for crop workers was 0.39 per 100,000 workers, compared with 0.02 for all U.S. workers. The majority of crop workers who died from heat-related illnesses were foreign-born, the report said.
Report: Occupational health nurses can help care for health care workers after disasters
Emergency preparedness officials need to take into account how to provide care to health care professionals in the immediate aftermath of terrorism or natural disaster events, according to a report published in this month's issue of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses' AAOHN Journal.
When responding to a large-scale incident, health care professionals must treat a surge of patients, which could affect them physically, emotionally and spiritually. The report authors suggest occupational health nurses – who have a duty to monitor the well-being of all employees, including caregivers – play a larger role in health care organizations' plans to care for employees during disasters.
DOT rule aims to thwart manipulation of commercial driver drug tests
Transportation safety officials plan to close a loophole in a drug and alcohol testing policy that may have allowed commercial motor vehicle drivers to use products that manipulate test results.
The Department of Transportation published a final rule (.pdf file) in the June 25 Federal Register that amends provisions of the department's drug and alcohol testing procedures to require mandatory validity testing for urine specimens in an effort to help detect specimens that may have been adulterated, diluted or substituted. The final rule, which goes into effect Aug. 25, also intends to thwart manufacturers of adulterate specimens by no longer disseminating information on which adulterants laboratories are testing for and the scientific cutoff levels at which laboratories are testing them.
DOT officials said the rule's goal is to create consistency with the requirements of the Department of Health and Human Services.
TSA to begin new airport security initiative
Airline passengers may notice heightened security at airports nationwide as the Transportation Security Administration begins a new security initiative.
TSA officials announced the airside and perimeter security enhancements on June 18. The measures include an "airside vulnerability reduction team" intended to strengthen coordination among TSA, law enforcement, airlines and airport security partners, according to an agency press release. TSA also plans to increase random screenings at airline gates as part of the Aviation Direct Access Screening Program, which allows security to check identification and boarding passes, conduct physical screens of carry-on luggage, use handheld explosive detection units, and screen individuals. Meanwhile, TSA said, behavior detection officers will screen travelers for involuntary physical and psychological reactions that indicate stress, fear or deception.
Senior falls result in brain injuries: study
Nearly 8,000 older adults died and another 56,000 were hospitalized in 2005 after falls resulted in traumatic brain injury, new figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate. According to a study published in the June issue of the National Safety Council's Journal of Safety Research, TBI accounted for half of all unintentional fall deaths that year.
TBIs are caused by a blow to the head, and often result in long-term cognitive, emotional or functional impairments. Such injuries can often be misdiagnosed among older patients, the study said.
The study further found that while hospitalization rates for TBI among older adults are about the same among men and women, more men die of fall-related TBI – 26.9 per 100,000 men compared with 17.8 per 100,000 women. In both genders, death and hospitalization rates increased with age.
CPSC publishes guidelines on new pool safety law
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has released a guidance document (.pdf file) outlining the technical requirements for public pools and spas to comply with new safety laws.
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act – signed into law in December 2007 – requires all public pools and spas to be equipped with anti-entrapment covers that limit suction to prevent entanglement. Pools and spas must be compliant with these new regulations by Dec. 18 of this year.
According to the guidance, most pools or spas can be retrofitted with a safety vacuum release system that provides a release of suction when drain blockage is detected. Viable options for new or rebuilt pools include a suction-limiting vent system or gravity draining system, CPSC said.
Distribution or importation of a drain cover that does not meet the requirements will be punishable with a $1.8 million penalty and possible jail time, CPSC said. Congress is considering legislation that would raise the fine to $10 million.
Senate holds hearing on cruise line safety
A Senate subcommittee listened to testimony last week to ascertain if Congress should take a larger role to ensure passenger safety on cruise ships.
Current law does not require cruise lines to report crimes that occur outside U.S. territorial waters, Sen. John Kerry, D-MA, said at a June 19 hearing of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee's Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee.
Kendall Carver, co-founder and president of the Sammamish, WA-based International Cruise Victims Association, chided the cruise ship industry for not following up on its own policy of zero tolerance for crimes. Carver's daughter disappeared from a cruise ship in 2004.
Terry Dale, president and CEO of the Fort Lauderdale, FL-based Cruise Lines International Association, insisted that the industry has been "reporting all incidents – even allegations – and this reporting system is working well."
Kerry, however, noted such reporting was the result of a voluntary agreement between the FBI, the U.S. Coast Guard and the cruise ship industry. "I'm suspicious of any agreement that has the industry voluntarily reporting on incidents that damage their reputation," he said.
Off-the-Job Safety and Health Symposium discusses solutions
The National Safety Council held its 3rd Annual Off-the-Job Safety and Health Symposium this week in Denver, bringing together safety and health professionals from corporate, government, nonprofit and academic institutions to discuss how businesses can more effectively correlate employee health and safety, with the goal of maintaining more personalized, targeted and efficient safety programs. Areas of specific focus included prescription painkillers and the American workforce, pandemic planning, and workplace wellness programs.
Off-the-job safety is a focus area for the council, as data shows 10 out of 11 unintentional injury deaths and more than 70 percent of disabling injuries occur off the job. For more information, see the Off-the-Job page on the council's Website or e-mail Donna Stein-Harris, Home & Community Partnerships and Initiatives, at harrisd@nsc.org.
New on the Members-Only Website
- 2008 Industry Leader Award winners are now posted (in the Occupational section).
- Previously recorded National Safety Month Webinars are available for free download.
- "Stump the Library" Week Three winner (on the Special Events page).
Issue
06/26 at 09:34 AM
PermalinkWednesday, June 25, 2008
If a flu pandemic occurred within the next few months, would your organization be prepared to handle
Yes 36.4% No 63.6% Thursday, June 19, 2008
House appropriators seek increase to 2009 Labor-HHS budget
House appropriators on June 13 released fiscal year 2009 allocations (.pdf file) for the 12 federal appropriations bills that will be used as a basis for funding the government, including safety and health agencies such as OSHA, NIOSH, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. David Obey, D-WI, circulated the allocations. Appropriators are seeking increases to Bush administration budget requests for most of the spending bills, including $8 billion more for the Labor-HHS spending bill than the $145.3 billion requested by the administration. The Labor-HHS bill funds most federal domestic spending, including the departments of Labor and Health and Human Services.
MSHA proposes rule on underground refuge alternatives
The Mine Safety and Health Administration is accepting comment until Aug. 18 on a proposed rule (.pdf file) that would require underground coal mines to provide refuge alternatives for miners unable to escape life-threatening situations.
The proposal, published June 16, includes requirements for how refuge alternatives – whether prefabricated or built in place – are to be tested and approved. It specifies that a refuge alternative must consist of a protective structure; an airlock; interior space; and components that provide for breathable air, air monitoring and harmful gas removal. Refuge alternatives also must include provisions for sanitation, lighting, communications, first aid, and food and water.
MSHA will solicit public input on the proposal during a series of meetings beginning July 29 in Salt Lake City. Subsequent meetings are scheduled for July 31 in Charleston, WV; Aug. 5 in Lexington, KY; and Aug. 7 in Birmingham, AL.
House passes nanotechnology reauthorization bill
The House on June 5 passed the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008 (H.R. 5940) by a 407-6 vote. The bill reauthorizes and refines the National Nanotechnology Initiative, particularly strengthening the commitment to environmental and safety research, officials said. House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Rep. Bart Gordon, D-TN, said the bill addresses safety deficiencies in the federal interagency research program.
The bill requires the White House to ensure a detailed implementation plan for safety, health, and environmental research is developed and executed. The legislation also requires development of a publicly accessible database containing SH&E research projects supported by the initiative. "We need to protect the public health and allay any safety concerns," Gordon said.
NYC issues rules on safety harnesses
Contractors working in New York now have to submit detailed plans for worker safety-harness systems at high-rise construction sites. The city's Department of Buildings issued the new regulatory requirements (.pdf file) in response to the death of a window installer in April. The man fell nine floors after his safety harness failed. Department investigators said the harness was improperly installed.
Contractors must obtain engineer-approved drawings of any new safety harness systems that are built into concrete, and site superintendents must sign off on inspections for the harnesses, officials said.
MSHA suspends approval of seal design
The Mine Safety and Health Administration temporarily suspended its approval of several seal designs made by a Pennsylvania manufacturer.
The move to suspend approval of eight of Glassport, PA-based MICON's seals follows an incident in which the core of a MICON 120-psi seal constructed in a Virginia mine showed evidence of extensive heating, and either melted or scorched prior to reaching its design strength.
MSHA ordered mine operators using MICON seals in ventilation plans to immediately halt construction of the seals. In operations where construction of a set of seals has begun but has not been completed, operators must submit a revised plan advising MSHA of the type of seal and the method intended to be used to complete the seal set. All recently constructed MICON seals that have not yet reached its design strength must be examined every 24 hours, the agency said.
NY governor calls for expanded 9/11 disability benefits
More people involved in first response efforts following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks could receive disability benefits if legislation introduced by New York Gov. David Paterson, D, is passed.
Paterson said the legislation would expand disability benefits to a number of public workers who assisted in various efforts following the early morning terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Those include:
- Emergency dispatchers
- First responders who worked any period of time within the first 48 hours after the first plane struck the World Trade Center
- Emergency vehicle radio repair mechanics
- Nonuniformed first responders not required to undergo a pre-employment physical examination
NIOSH publishes emergency responder PPE guide
NIOSH has published a new guide to help emergency responders navigate between various agencies' protection and performance level ratings for personal protective equipment.
The guide (.pdf file) is intended to provide comparison information between OSHA/EPA Protection Levels A, B and C, and Department of Homeland Security adopted PPE performance-based standards for response to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards as a result of a terrorist attack.
OSHA/EPA levels do not specify minimum performance criteria of protective clothing and respirators required for such threats, and relying solely on them could result in dangerous exposures, NIOSH said.
The guide provides details on ensemble standards that establish minimum performance standards for PPE for use in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terrorism incident response.
UK has more work-related deaths than homicides, report claims
The United Kingdom's failure to use more aggressive enforcement tactics in the wake of occupational deaths and injuries has led to few "safety crimes" being prosecuted, according to a report from a London-based nonprofit organization.
In A crisis of enforcement: The decriminalization of death and injury at work (.pdf file), published by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, the authors claim the UK government's "light touch" in regulating business – including fewer workplace inspections – has led to the majority of serious workplace injuries and most deaths. The authors note that deaths and injuries at work typically are the result of infractions of criminal law. These "safety crimes" are not acknowledged as crimes by the government and go mostly unprocessed in the criminal justice system, the report states.
The authors contend that, from 2005-2006, nearly twice as many people in England and Wales died from work-related causes (more than 1,300) than were killed in homicides (765). The numbers cited in the study include members of the public killed in "working environments" and fatalities involving "at-work vehicles."
Study: Working overtime can lead to anxiety and depression
Working overtime may be bad for your mental health, suggests a study published in this month's issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Researchers at the University of Bergen in Norway used a questionnaire to asses the level of depression and anxiety among more than 10,000 Norwegian workers. These anxiety and depression scores were then compared to a number of work-related factors, including the amount of overtime hours each individual worked. The study found both men and women are more likely to suffer depression and anxiety when working extra hours – increasing from 9 percent to 12.5 percent among men, and from 7 percent to 11 percent among women.
Overall, depression and anxiety were more prevalent among workers with low skill levels and low incomes, the study found.
Golf cart injuries
132%Percent increase in the number of golf cart injuries from 1990-2006
Source: Study, American Journal of Preventive Medicine (Vol. 35, No. 1)
Study links increase in motorcyclist head injuries to repeal of helmet law
Motorcyclists in Pennsylvania suffered large increases in head injury deaths and injuries in the two years following the repeal of the state's helmet law, according to a new University of Pittsburgh study.
Researchers with the university's Graduate School of Public Health and Center for Injury Research and Control analyzed data from the state's public health and transportation departments. They found that since the 2003 repeal of Pennsylvania's helmet law, helmet use has gone down while motorcycle-related head injury deaths and hospitalizations have increased.
Researchers concluded the repeal of the state's motorcycle helmet law was a factor in the large increases. Under current Pennsylvania law, only motorcyclists younger than 21 and riders with less than two years of experience who have not taken a safety course are required to wear helmets.
The study was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. It is scheduled for publication in the August issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
TSA reports production problems in port worker ID program
The Transportation Security Administration is experiencing more delays in a system designed to ensure port security by requiring port workers to obtain an identification card that includes biometric information such as fingerprints.
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, D-MS, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, reported problems with eight of 12 card-printing machines purchased for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential system. In a June 10 letter (.pdf file) to Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, Thompson also reported a production delay of several weeks and questioned how the delay would be remedied.
The TWIC system is administered by the Transportation Security Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard. Enrollment has been underway since October 2007, and the enrollment deadline has been extended to April 15, 2009, from its original 2008 deadline. TSA estimates 1.5 million workers will receive TWIC cards; to date, about 250,000 have been printed.
Indoor radon exposure getting worse; EPA says program goals 'unachievable'
Nearly 20 years after the passage of the Indoor Radon Abatement Act, radon exposure in the United States continues to increase and EPA "does not believe IRAA goals to be achievable," according to a report (.pdf file) from EPA's Office of Inspector General.
Only 469,000 of 6.7 million new single-family homes built between 2001 and 2005 incorporated radon-resistant features, the report found. Out of 76.1 million existing single-family homes in 2005, only 2.1 million had radon-reducing features.
The IRAA, passed in 1988, is a voluntary program that seeks to reduce radon exposure by promoting awareness, testing and installation of radon mitigation systems in homes, as well as use of radon-resistant construction techniques. However, according to the report, not all states require testing for radon prior to a real estate transaction, and real estate agents may be disinclined to test homes for fear of losing a sale. Likewise, some builders may be less inclined to use radon-resistant techniques in the building of new homes due to increased costs.
The report said EPA would not agree to report to Congress that the agency considers IRAA goals unachievable; OIG said it considers the issue "open and unresolved."
Knowledge alone fails to protect hearing, Australian report finds
Despite knowledge among most adults that excessive noise causes hearing loss, nearly half of young Australian adults fail to take steps to protect their hearing, a new report found.
Australian Hearing, part of the Australian Department of Human Services, conducted a survey among adults on their own noise exposures and perceptions about hearing loss. The results were published this month in the report "Is Australia Listening?" (.pdf file)
Of those surveyed, 74 percent believed loud music exposure is the major cause of hearing loss and 71 percent believed listening to loud music through headphones had the greatest negative impact on one's hearing. Despite this, 60 percent surveyed admitted to sometimes listening to music with headphones so loudly that other people would have to shout to be heard by the listener.
A large portion of 18- to 24-year-old survey respondents did not know that hearing could not be restored, researchers also found.
Study: Golf cart injuries on the rise
As the popularity of golf carts has increased in recent years, so has the number of injuries attributed to them, according to a study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH, relied on data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. In 1990, an estimated 5,770 golf cart injuries were reported; in 2006, the number rose 132 percent to 13,411. Although 70.3 percent of these injuries occurred at sports or recreational facilities, study authors point to the increased use of golf carts in other settings – such as college campuses, airports, military bases and business parks – as one reason for rising injury statistics.
Falling or jumping out of the cart is the most common cause of injury, and more than 30 percent of those injured in golf cart accidents were 16 and younger.
House unanimous in support of National Safety Month
The House of Representatives voted unanimously last week to support a resolution that designates June 2008 as National Safety Month. More information is available on the National Safety Council Website, including the proposed resolution (H. Res. 1225) and a four-minute video clip of Reps. Danny Davis, D-IL; Randy Kuhl, R-NY; and John Yarmuth, D-KY, urging support for National Safety Month.
Throughout June, the council's home page will feature a weekly focus on the leading causes of preventable deaths, as well as the lifesaving benefits of CPR/AED training for people in the workplace, at home and in their communities.
Take a safe approach to flood recovery
Many Midwestern states have recently experienced flooding, and the National Safety Council urges people to be aware of the risks associated with flooding and to take steps to avoid injury. When entering a business or home to begin flood recovery, all employees or residents should wear protective gear, including eye protection; make certain electricity is turned off before coming into contact with flood water; be aware of chemical hazards that may be in the water; and step carefully to avoid falls. The council offers a fact sheet on utility and structure safety after a flood and a list of resources to learn more about staying safe and cleaning up after a natural disaster.
Upcoming Webinars
- Falls: No Laughing Matter – June 24
- First Aid in the Summer – June 27
Important deadline
- June 22-25: Summer 2008 Utilities Division Meeting in Nashville. Learn more (MS Word doc) or register now (MS Word doc).
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
What should I know about Fourth of July fireworks?
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fact sheet, in 2006:
Many states ban certain types of fireworks. The American Pyrotechnics Association in Bethesda, MD, offers downloadable lists of regulations by state.
- 11 people died and an estimated 9,200 were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in the United States.
- An estimated 5 percent of fireworks-related injuries treated in emergency departments required hospitalization.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Industry Leader Award winners announced
Sixty-five companies have been awarded the National Safety Council 2008 Industry Leader Award for achieving the best safety performance in their industries. The Industry Leader Awards are one component of the council's Occupational Awards Program. Industry Leader Award recipients represent the top 5 percent of member companies that have met certain criteria and have qualified for the National Safety Council's 2008 Occupational Excellence Achievement Award (based on 2007 calendar year data). Winners are selected based on NAICS code, lowest total incidence rate and employee work hours. A list of winners is available on the Members-Only home page.
Work-related deaths mount among Hispanic workers
At least 11,303 Hispanic workers died from work-related injuries in the United States between 1992 and 2006, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published June 4. In 2006, Hispanic workers were killed on the job at a rate of 5.0 per 100,000, compared with a rate of 4.0 per 100,000 for white workers and 3.7 per 100,000 for black workers, CDC said.
Hispanic workers have moved into high-risk jobs, such as in construction, contributing to their higher work-related death rates, according to the report. In the construction industry, nearly one-third of fatal work injuries occurred among Hispanic workers, the report said. CDC statistics show the number of fatal falls among Hispanic workers increased 370 percent between 1992 and 2006.
Sherry Baron, coordinator of the Occupational Health Disparities Program at NIOSH, said the "most striking" data from the report reveals foreign-born Hispanic workers have a 70 percent higher rate of work-related injury deaths than Hispanic workers born in the United States.
NYC seeks to improve construction safety in wake of crane collapses
Following the city's second fatal crane collapse this year, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Acting Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri on June 4 introduced a legislative agenda that would give the city's Department of Buildings broader oversight and enforcement powers.
On March 15, a tower crane collapsed onto a townhouse and apartment building, killing six workers and a tourist. Another collapse on May 30 killed two people.
If enacted, the proposed legislation would require general contractors and others involved with crane activity to hold a safety meeting before a crane is erected, jumped or dismantled. More training would be required for workers performing rigging operations, and the use of nylon slings would be restricted.
Additionally, general contractors seeking to obtain a building permit would be required to register for a safety control number, which would allow DOB to track their safety performance and compliance record. The legislation also would allow DOB to assign a project safety monitor to sites with poor safety records or hazardous violations.
Hispanic workers: fatal falls
370%Percent increase in fatal falls among Hispanic workers in the United States between 1992 and 2006
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Washington state adopts heat stress rule
A new permanent rule from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries seeks to curb heat-related illnesses among outdoor workers.
The state issued an emergency heat-illness rule two summers ago. The permanent rule has many of the same requirements, including:
- Employee and employer training to recognize heat-related illnesses
- Increasing the amount of water available to workers as temperatures rise
- Ability to respond when employees show signs of heat-related illnesses
Workers' comp unaffected by spouse's income, WY court says
The income of a spouse cannot affect how much an injured employee can receive in permanent total disability benefits, Wyoming's highest court ruled June 2. The Wyoming Supreme Court's decision (.pdf file) upheld a lower court's reversal of a decision from the state's Workers' Safety and Compensation Division to deny an injured employee's application for extended PTD benefits.
The worker, Richard Johnson, was injured in 1984 and determined to be totally and permanently disabled in 1993. However, based on Johnson's "combined household income" – which included his wife's income – the division denied his 2005 request for an extension of his benefits.
Johnson argued that the language in the law regarding extended PTD benefits restricts household income to that of the employee. The hearing examiner for the division noted that Johnson would qualify for PTD benefits if his wife's income were not included.
The district court that heard Johnson's appeal agreed with the appellant and reversed the division's decision, a move upheld by the state's Supreme Court.
HHS seeks comment on pandemic guidance documents
The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public comment until July 3 on three draft guidance documents related to possible pandemic influenza. The documents are:
- Interim Guidance on the Use and Purchase of Facemasks and Respirators by Individuals and Families for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
- Proposed Guidance on Antiviral Drug Use During an Influenza Pandemic
- Proposed Considerations for Antiviral Drug Stockpiling by Employers In Preparation for an Influenza Pandemic
Alert highlights bird flu risks for poultry workers
A recently released NIOSH alert addresses the risks poultry workers may face from infection with viruses that cause avian influenza, or bird flu.
Scientists are most concerned about a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza known as H5N1 that causes serious illness in birds, although it rarely infects humans. The first known cases of human infection with H5N1 avian influenza occurred in 1997 in Hong Kong. No outbreaks have been reported in North, Central or South America, NIOSH said.
The document offers guidance and recommendations about what to do before and after an outbreak occurs. Facilities that handle poultry are urged to develop an avian influenza response plan, follow standard biosecurity practices, and train workers in understanding possible signs and symptoms.
2008 Fire/EMS safety week focuses on culture
2008 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week is highlighting the need for long-term investments and safety culture among the nation's first responders.
The weeklong event begins June 22 and is sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Fighters.
This year's theme, "Committed to Long-Term Results," encourages first responder services to implement the IAFC/IAFF Wellness-Fitness Initiative (.pdf file), initiate an emergency vehicle policy and implement the NFPA 1500 standard – with an emphasis on sections addressing personal protective equipment.
Backup system improves flood information, USGS says
With hurricane season revving up, the U.S. Geological Survey announced it has improved the capability for emergency managers to access critical information.
USGS said a new backup system for its streamflow information downlink system will allow emergency managers to have uninterrupted access to data in case the current system is damaged during a storm. Emergency managers use this information about stream flows to make decisions on flood and storm responses.
The real-time information is obtained from a network of more than 7,000 streamgages and is transmitted to a satellite, which then beams the information to various satellite downlinks.
NHTSA pushes back start date for side-impact vehicle features
Vehicles with improved side-impact features will not be on the market for another two to three years, now that federal safety officials have pushed back a deadline for automobile manufacturers to phase in new testing standards.
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration final rule that substantially upgraded federal motor vehicle safety standards for side-impact protection went into effect Sept. 11, 2007. Provisions included standards for testing vehicle-to-pole crashes for front seat passengers and testing dummies with enhanced injury criteria in the event of an intersection collision.
NHTSA received nine petitions from various automobile manufacturers arguing that the Sept. 1, 2009, start date for phasing in the new requirements is too soon, and requesting it be pushed back to 2011. NHTSA responded (.pdf file) by moving the start date to Sept. 1, 2010.
Discussing funeral plans with aging parents easier than taking away car keys: survey
For some adults, discussing funeral plans with their parents is easier than discussing taking away their parents' car keys, according to a new national survey of baby boomers.
Findings from the "Mature Drivers Survey" were released June 9 by the National Safety Council and San Mateo, CA-based Caring.com. The survey of 1,011 boomer-aged adults, conducted by third-party researchers, found that 36 percent of respondents whose parents are older than 75 – as well as 36 percent of respondents with parents 65 and older – found the prospect of asking parents to stop driving more difficult than discussing funeral plans or asking parents to sell their house.
"With our senior driving population growing, there will be more drivers over the age of 75, potentially causing serious safety issues on our roads," John Kennedy, executive director of the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Programs, said in a statement.
Researchers said the study highlights the need for better communication about driving issues between adults and their aging parents, and for greater restrictions – whether mandatory or voluntary – on senior drivers. Overall, the research shows a desire among baby boomers for more resources and information to help them with issues related to older drivers, officials with Caring.com said.
Insurance report: Teen drivers ignoring cell phone, texting bans
Some teen drivers are ignoring recently enacted laws banning cell phone use and text messaging while driving, according to a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, VA.
The study (.pdf file) involved observations of teenage drivers in North Carolina and a telephone survey of teenagers and their parents, according to a June 9 press release. Researchers found cell phone use increased slightly after North Carolina legislators enacted a cell phone ban for young drivers – this despite support for the restriction from teen drivers and their parents. Both parents and teens said they do not believe the ban is being enforced.
The findings led researchers to conclude the law did not reduce cell phone use. Eleven percent of teen drivers were observed using cell phones before the ban went into effect Dec. 1, 2006, and 12 percent of teen drivers were observed doing so five months later.
NTSB: Drowsy pilot incidents highlight need for more regulation
The National Transportation Safety Board on June 10 reviewed four incidents in which fatigue was a suspected factor in pilot errors.
The most recent incident occurred in February, when two pilots for Go! Flight 1002 fell asleep and overshot the airport in Maui by 26 nautical miles before the flight crew responded. Although there were no injuries in that incident, fatigue also was determined to be a factor in an October 2004 crash of Corporate Airlines Flight 5966 near Kirksville, MO, which killed two pilots and 11 passengers.
NTSB issued two recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration to address human fatigue within airline operations:
- Develop guidance, based on empirical and scientific evidence, for operators to establish fatigue management systems .
- Develop and use methodology that will continually assess the effectiveness of fatigue management systems implemented by operators.
CDC releases estimates on outdoor recreation injuries
Outdoor recreational injuries sent nearly 213,000 people to hospital emergency rooms in 2004 and 2005, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study (.pdf file) released June 10.
Wearing helmets can protect snowboarders, snowmobilers, sledders and rock climbers from the risk of a traumatic brain injury in the event of a fall, study authors said. Additionally, outdoors adventurers can help prevent injuries by maintaining their levels of fitness, knowing their skill levels and experience, and not exceeding their limits.
The study, published in the June issue of the journal Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, noted that of those injured each year, about 52 percent are between the ages of 10 and 24. For both men and women of all ages, the most common injuries were fractures (27.4 percent) and sprains (23.9 percent). Most injuries were to the arms or legs or to the head or neck.
House panel debates chemical compounds in consumer products
A House subcommittee is considering proposals to discontinue or restrict the use of two chemical compounds used in consumer products, including children's toys.
The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection met June 10 to hear testimony on the future use of phthalates and bisphenol A. The Senate recently passed an amendment to a consumer product safety reform bill that banned or restricted use of the compounds in children's toys.
Phthalates are a family of chemicals that are used to make plastics soft. Bisphenol A is used to make plastic hard and shatterproof, such as in items such as baby bottles and teething rings.
Supporters of a ban said enough scientific proof exists to show that the compounds are dangerous when used in certain consumer products. However, officials from the National Institutes of Health and the Consumer Product Safety Commission said more study and research is needed before moving forward on restrictions.
Helmets and face guards will improve baseball safety: study
High school baseball players would be better protected from injuries if they wore a helmet and face guard while both batting and fielding, a new study suggests.
Researchers from the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH, calculated the rate of baseball-related injuries from 100 high schools across the country. They found that while baseball is relatively safe when compared to other high school sports such as football and soccer, young baseball players are still at risk of injury. Nationally, 131,555 baseball injuries occurred during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years, or 1.26 injuries per 1,000 athletic exposures. Strains to muscles and ligaments, contusions, and fractures were among the most common injuries.
Most injuries stemming from a batted ball occurred to the face or head (48 percent) or the mouth and teeth (16 percent). Study authors recommended helmets and face guards be worn by all high school ballplayers while batting, pitching or playing infield positions.
National Safety Month: 'Make a Difference'
"Make a Difference" is the theme of the National Safety Council's 2008 National Safety Month observance. Throughout June the council's home page will feature a weekly focus on the leading causes of preventable deaths – motor vehicle collisions, unintentional poisonings from overdoses, and falls – as well as the lifesaving benefits of CPR/AED training for people in the workplace, at home and in their communities. Participation in National Safety Month is just one way businesses and other organizations can support council efforts to prevent accidental injuries by encouraging safe and healthy behaviors.
Upcoming Webinars
Last day for early registration discount: 2008 Congress & Expo
The early registration discount deadline ends June 13 for the National Safety Council's 2008 Congress & Expo, the world's largest annual gathering of safety, health and environmental management professionals, which will take place Sept. 19-26, in Anaheim, CA. The event provides learning and networking opportunities for thousands of safety and health professionals; business leaders; and representatives from local, state and federal governments. Register today.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Magnitude of the Utah mine collaspe
3.9Magnitude of the seismic shock caused by the Crandall Canyon mine collapse in August
Source: University of Utah Seismograph Stations
Froetscher named president and CEO of National Safety Council
Janet P. Froetscher, president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, has been selected as the National Safety Council's new president and CEO, beginning June 30.
Joseph J. Ucciferro, chairman of the council's Board of Directors, said Froetscher brings strong professional experience in nonprofit strategic operations, civic development, and banking and finance. "Most significant, however, is Janet's desire to 'make a difference,' which is exactly what we on the search committee were looking for," Ucciferro said in a statement.
Clinton urges Foulke to act on cranes and derricks rule
In light of recent high-profile fatal crane accidents, including a May 30 collapse in New York that killed two people, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-NY, has written to OSHA administrator Edwin G. Foulke Jr., saying the agency is moving too slowly on updating its cranes and derricks standard.
Clinton noted that an OSHA advisory committee completed a negotiated rulemaking on cranes and derricks in 2004, but the rule has yet to be finalized. "I am writing to call on you to issue the long overdue safety standards for cranes and derricks, and to provide an explanation for your failure to act until now," she wrote.
Other serious crane accidents have occurred this year in Missouri, Iowa, Wyoming and Nevada.
Noah Connell, acting director of OSHA's Directorate of Construction, told OSHA's Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health at a May 15 meeting that OSHA hopes to publish a proposed rule on cranes and derricks by August.
Howard seeking NIOSH reappointment
John Howard is hoping to extend his six-year term as head of NIOSH, but has received no commitment from Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt. Howard wrote to Leavitt on April 17 requesting reappointment on July 1, saying he would "consider it a privilege to continue as NIOSH director."
Howard has received wide support from safety organizations and lawmakers. He told Safety+Health magazine he believes "NIOSH has made great progress in the past six years" under his watch.
However, Howard said he has yet to receive commitment from Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of which NIOSH is part. Observers have called Howard and Gerberding's relationship strained since 2004, when CDC sought to make organizational changes that observers said would have reduced NIOSH's influence. In his letter to Leavitt, Howard noted steps that NIOSH has taken under his leadership to align itself with Gerberding's administrative priorities.
IBM study to proceed, NY lawmaker says
A $3.1 million study of cancer rates among IBM workers in Endicott, NY, will proceed as scheduled, according to Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-NY. Last week, NIOSH officials announced the study would have to be delayed because of lack of funding.
The proposed study will look for a link between trichloroethylene – a solvent used extensively at the Endicott plant – and a number of illnesses experienced by plant workers, including cancer, brain damage and birth defects.
Hinchey – whose district contains many homes contaminated by TCE – said in a media release that he received an e-mail from officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying that the study will proceed with the funds currently at NIOSH's disposal. The five-year study will use $400,000 from the agency's 2008 budget to establish protocols and peer review, and will rely on funds from future budget allocations for data collection and analysis, NIOSH said.
Study: Earthquake did not cause Crandall Canyon collapse
A new study (.pdf file) on last year's Crandall Canyon Mine tragedy in Utah, which killed six miners and three would-be rescuers, suggests the fatal underground collapse lasted only seconds and was located "very close" to the victims.
A seismic event from the Aug. 6 collapse registered a magnitude of 3.9, causing some people, including the mine's owner, to claim an earthquake caused the mine collapse. But new research from the University of Utah revises preliminary estimates of the seismic activity's epicenter, placing it very close to where the killed miners had been working, according to a university news release.
"As seismologists, we're as certain as we can be that the seismic event registered as a magnitude-3.9 shock was due to the collapse of the mine and not a naturally occurring earthquake," said Walter Arabasz, study co-author and director of the Salt Lake City-based university's Seismograph Stations.
The 53-page report was submitted to the journal Seismological Research Letters and to the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
As radioactive waste storage facility closes, NRC issues guidance
In response to the closing of a prominent radioactive waste storage facility, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a guidance document outlining steps waste producers should take.
The low-level waste disposal facility in Barnwell, SC, is set to close June 30 to most of the nation, leaving no disposal options for entities in 36 states that are licensed for certain products that produce Class B and C waste.
The guidance advises how to minimize the amount of Class B and C waste produced, and whether or not licensees should pursue an extended license to allow onsite waste storage.
The document is geared to radiochemical producers and those in the industrial, research and medical communities producing radioactive waste. They represent the source of about 5 percent of all Class B and C wastes, with the other 95 percent being nuclear power plants that have the expertise and experience to store radioactive material for extended periods, according to NRC.
NACOSH meeting addresses workplace driving, GHS rule
In a May 29 meeting before the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health, a NIOSH official outlined the continuing dangers of workplace driving. NIOSH scientist Stephanie Pratt said workplace driving deaths are the first or second leading cause of death among workers in every major U.S. industry.
Pratt urged employers to understand the "business case" for road safety programs at work, including recognizing that driving is part of worker protection responsibilities, ensuring that senior managers are given responsibility for road safety programs, and managing risk to reduce employer costs.
During a briefing at the meeting, an OSHA official said the agency expects to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in October on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.
Study links pesticides and diabetes
Exposure to chlorinated pesticides may lead to an increased risk of diabetes, according to a study conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.
Researchers studied data from more than 30,000 licensed pesticide applicators – mostly non-Hispanic white males – involved in NIH's Agricultural Health Study, and conducted a five-year follow-up.
The study, which was published in the May issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, found chlorinated pesticides appeared to be most often linked to diabetes, and workers who used the chemicals more frequently were at greatest risk. The strongest relationship was found with trichlorfon – a chemical previously used in bug abatement and now used in turf applications. Infrequent users increased their risk of diabetes by 85 percent, and those who used it more than 10 times experienced a 250 percent increase in diabetes incidence, according to the study.
HHS: $1 billion available for health emergencies
The Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that nearly $1.1 billion has been made available for public health and medical emergency preparedness in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster.
The funds are intended to help public health departments, hospitals and other medical care organizations strengthen their response to and preparedness for public health emergencies, according to HHS. They are available through the Public Health Emergency Preparedness agreement, which provides grants for states and metropolitan areas, and the Hospital Preparedness Program.
NHTSA denies petition to make in-vehicle technology inoperative while driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on June 3 denied a petition (.pdf file) from the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety asking the agency to initiate rulemaking that would require all vehicle-integrated personal communication systems to become inoperative when the vehicle is in motion.
CAS officials said the goal is to "make the driving environment safer by reducing the availability of devices that have been proven to be hazards." They said the request was spurred by the increasing use of built-in communication technologies that can result in distracted driving and related crashes.
In the June 3 Federal Register (.pdf file), NHTSA said Washington-based CAS did not provide information or analysis showing that the requested rule would result in safety benefits. NHTSA officials also said if integrated cell phones and other telematic devices were inoperative, drivers would instead use their own cell phones.
Congress holds hearing on passenger-vehicle roof strength
Safety advocates criticized the federal agency charged with overseeing vehicular safety standards during a June 4 hearing on rollover crash protection.
Jacqueline S. Gillan, vice president of Washington-based Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, told members of the Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Insurance and Automotive Safety that despite drafting legislative instruction to address rollover crashes, federal safety officials continue to take an "inadequate and piecemeal approach."
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking for a roof strength standard in January. The agency's deadline for issuing a final rule is July 1.
James Ports, deputy administrator for NHTSA, told the subcommittee that extensive testing on roof strength for vehicles currently on the market has been conducted as part of the rulemaking process.
NIOSH launches online global library resource
NIOSH this week announced the launch of a new online library to house global resources for preventing work-related road traffic injuries and fatalities.
Agency officials said in a press release that the new "Road Safety at Work" online library will feature several resources, including best practices on engineering controls, policies, administrative procedures, and injury and fatality statistics. The World Health Organization and the World Bank have projected that if effective interventions are not implemented, road traffic injuries will increase from 1.2 million in 2002 to 1.9 million in 2030.
Safety alert: Propane tanks being used to make crystal meth
Propane tanks that have been used to store anhydrous ammonia in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamines are turning up at cylinder exchange and refilling stations across the country, according to the National Propane Gas Association.
The ammonia deteriorates the valve and could result in a dangerous expulsion of the valve from the tank, which could cause injury or death, Washington-based NPGA warned in a safety alert posted on its Website.
A blue-green stain on the brass portion of a valve is an indication the tank has been used to store anhydrous ammonia, as is the scent of ammonia on or near the tank, NPGA said. If you suspect a tank has been used to store anhydrous ammonia, try not to move the tank, and restrict access to the area. If the tank must be moved, point the valve away from yourself and others. Contact your local fire department for instructions on how to properly dispose of the tank.
Upcoming Webinar
- Dangers of Distracted Driving – June 11
Early registration discount extended for 2008 Congress & Expo
The early registration discount deadline has been extended to June 13 for the National Safety Council's 2008 Congress & Expo, the world's largest annual gathering of safety, health and environmental management professionals, which will take place Sept. 19-26, in Anaheim, CA. The event provides learning and networking opportunities for thousands of safety and health professionals; business leaders; and representatives from local, state and federal governments. Register today.