Thursday, July 02, 2009
Children treated for fireworks injuries
85,000Number of people age 19 and younger treated for fireworks-related injuries in emergency rooms from 1990 to 2003
Source: Nationwide Children's HospitalSolis: Texas safety initiative to focus on construction
OSHA is launching a construction safety initiative in Texas, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced June 29.
The state leads the nation in worker deaths, with 67 construction industry fatalities in 2008 and 33 so far this year (as of press time), according to a Department of Labor press release. In an effort to prevent future injuries and deaths, OSHA said it is increasing its number of inspectors in Texas who are empowered to launch an investigation if they observe unsafe hazards at a jobsite.
The announcement comes after the Austin, TX-based Workers Defense Project released a study (.pdf file) in which surveyed construction workers reported a lack of safety and health training, company-provided personal protective equipment, health insurance and sick days.
EPA posts 'high hazard' impoundment list
EPA has designated 44 units that handle coal combustible residues – also called coal ash – "high hazard potential" impoundments.
Coal ash consists of various metals, such as arsenic, lead and mercury. Although levels of these metals are typically low, coal ash can cause risks to human health and the environment if not properly managed, EPA said.
EPA's rating of the impoundments, which are located in 26 different locations (mostly power plants), indicates the potential for loss of life in the event of a failure. The rating does not reflect the integrity of the impoundment, the agency noted.
The Natural Resources Defense Council, a New York-based environmental group, has been calling for stronger coal waste regulation recently, particularly in light of last year's impoundment failure at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston Fossil Plant, which caused hazardous coal sludge to flood the surrounding area.
CSB seeks comment on accidental chemical release reporting
The Chemical Safety Board has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (.pdf file) seeking comment on how best to proceed with requirements for reporting accidental chemical releases.
Under EPA's Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the board is required to establish procedures by which facilities must report accidental releases either to CSB or the National Response Center. NRC will notify the board of any reported releases that fall under CSB's jurisdiction.
The comment period closes Aug. 4.
Congress addresses fishing vessel safety in Coast Guard bill
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is considering new safety standards for fishing vessels as part of the Coast Guard Modernization Act of 2009 (H.R. 2650).
Introduced by committee chairman Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN), provisions being considered would require new construction methods on vessels, as well as increased crew training and mandated Coast Guard inspections. Oberstar noted that commercial fishermen die at a rate more than 25 times higher than the national average rate of occupational fatalities.
The bipartisan legislation would authorize Coast Guard funding levels for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, establish marine safety as an agency mission and require the Coast Guard to produce various annual reports on marine safety topics.
MSHA outlines family liaison plan
A Mine Safety and Health Administration program policy letter outlines how the agency will meet provisions in the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act that require MSHA to assign an individual to serve as a liaison between the agency and the families of workers killed in multiple-death mine accidents.
In the policy letter, MSHA said it would develop a pool of qualified officials who will serve as family liaisons. Those selected will have the appropriate expertise to respond to technical questions, as well as skills in crisis and grief management and communication, the agency said.
Liberty Mutual releases annual safety research report
Overexertion was the leading cause of disabling workplace injuries in 2006, accounting for $12.4 billion in direct costs to businesses, according to the most recent annual report on workplace safety research from the Hopkinton, MA-based Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety.
Falls on the same level and to a lower level were the next highest causes, accounting for 24.1 percent of all causes and a cost of $11.7 billion to businesses, the report said.
The report also includes findings from studies in areas such as hand-tool interface, office ergonomics, lower back pain and driver distraction.
OSHA continues inspections of federal workplaces
OSHA will continue its inspection program for federal worksites, the agency announced last week.
The Federal Agency Targeting Inspection Program (.pdf file) focuses on federal agency worksites with a high number of lost-time cases. These worksites are staffed by either federal employees or contractors supervised on a day-to-day basis by federal employees.
The program was created last year in response to a Government Accountability Office audit showing 109 inspections of high-hazard federal worksites found multiple violations of OSHA safety and health standards.
Police work leads to higher risk of heart disease: study
Stress – not lifestyle factors – may lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among police officers, according to a new study from researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Factors such as lack of exercise, smoking and diet were statistically controlled and ruled out as the reason for police officers' increased risk for the arterial thickening that precedes a heart attack or stroke, according to a UB press release.
"This led to the conclusion that it is not the 'usual' heart-disease-related risk factors that increase the risk in police officers," study author and UB associate professor John Violanti said in the release. "It is something else. We believe that 'something else' is the occupation of policing."
The study was published in the June issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
FRA seeks comment on interim interpretation of employee rest
Rail employers will be prohibited from contacting train employees at home during rest periods under amendments to the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, set to go into effect July 16.
According to a notice published in the June 26 Federal Register, the Federal Railroad Administration is seeking comment until July 27 on an interim statement and related interpretations of hours-of-service amendments for employee rest. Train employees are limited to 276 hours of time on duty per month, and may not work more than 12 consecutive hours at a time. The new HOS rule requires 10 hours (instead of eight) of uninterrupted off-duty rest during the 24 hours before the employee can go back on duty.
Railroad carriers, contractors or subcontractors would be prohibited from communicating with train employees or signal employees by any manner that could reasonably disrupt the employee's off-duty rest, except in the case of emergency.
VTTI releases data on CMV driver distraction
Findings from an 18-month naturalistic study on commercial motor vehicle drivers show distraction was a factor in 78 percent of crashes and 65 percent of all near crashes.
During the study period, researchers from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute in Blacksburg, VA, observed 100 CMV drivers who drove a total of 735,000 miles. According to a presentation (.pdf file) of the study released in early June, drivers were 2.9 times more likely to be involved in a safety-critical event when taking their eyes off the forward roadway for longer than two seconds. Texting, cleaning a side mirror, reaching for objects and interacting with the dispatch device had the highest risk.
Study results showed a total of 4,452 safety-critical events, including:
- 21 crashes and 197 near crashes
- 3,019 crash-relevant conflicts
- 1,215 unintentional lane deviations
VTTI researchers recommended no texting, manual dialing of cell phones or use of dispatching device while driving; and redesign of devices and instrument panels, among other recommendations.
CVSA announces roadcheck inspection results
Results from the Roadcheck 2009 nationwide highway safety compliance inspection show fewer commercial motor vehicle drivers were placed out of service and significantly fewer safety belt violations were found.
The Washington-based Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance partnered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to conduct the annual inspection, released on June 25. Certified inspectors performed 72,782 truck and bus inspections during a 72-hour period from June 2 to June 4.
According to a press release, results show:
- The overall driver compliance rate was 95.7 percent.
- Vehicle compliance rates improved to 77.8 percent.
- The number of CMV drivers wearing seat belts increased by more than 22 percent from 2008.
In related news, FMCSA released findings from its 2008 Seat Belt Usage Study (.pdf file), which found that safety belt use by drivers of medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles increased to 72 percent last year.
Report: Emerging motorcycle trends concern safety experts
Relaxation of helmet laws, an increase in fatalities, and changes in vehicle types and owner demographics are among the emerging motorcycle trends causing safety and public health experts concern, according to a new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Center for Statistics and Analysis.
Findings from the report, released June 19, show that although motorcycle safety training has increased substantially, the number of motorcycle deaths and estimated injuries have increased at a greater rate than registrations and vehicle miles traveled.
Additional results show that from 1997 to 2006:
- The number of motorcyclist deaths each year increased to 4,837 from 2,116 (a 128.6 percent increase)
- Deaths per 100,000 registered motorcycles increased to 72.3 from 55.3 (a 30 percent increase)
- Deaths per million motorcycle miles traveled increased to 39 from 21 (an 85.7 percent increase)
Researchers said factors accounting for increases in death rates were beyond the scope of the report, but noted a related trend in the relaxation of motorcycle helmet laws. Additional concerns for safety and public health experts include increased sales of bikes to older riders and sales of racing-style motorcycles.
Children's hospital warns parents against purchasing fireworks
Parents should not purchase consumer fireworks for use by or near children, experts from the Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH, advise.
A 2006 study conducted at the hospital's Center for Injury Research and Policy found that from 1990 to 2003, 85,000 children age 19 and younger were treated for fireworks-related injuries in emergency rooms. Burns were the most common injury, although vision and hearing loss are other potential types of injury, according to a press release.
The hospital noted in the release that 28 percent of fireworks-related injuries were attributable to novelty fireworks, such as sparklers or fountains.
CIRP is a member of the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks, which is coordinated by the Quincy, MA-based National Fire Protection Association.
CPSC delays provision in consumer safety law
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a two-year delay on a provision of a new law intended to reduce lead levels in bicycle parts.
CPSC stayed until July 1, 2011, enforcement of Section 101(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which covers certain parts of bicycles, jogging strollers and bicycle trailers designed primarily for children 12 and younger. The section phases in declining limits on allowable lead content in the parts.
CPSC agreed to the temporary stay after a stakeholder group claimed a certain amount of lead is needed in some component parts to maintain machinability, strength, corrosion resistance and functionality.
Improper cane, walker use leads to falls among seniors: study
Older adults need to use walkers and canes more safely, a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study (.pdf file) cautions.
Study researchers examined emergency room medical records from 2001 to 2006 and found that an average of 129 Americans 65 and older were treated each day in ERs for injuries from falls that involved walkers and canes. Fractures were the most common injury, and 1 out of every 3 injuries required hospitalization, the report found.
Among other findings:
- Older adults were 7 times more likely to be injured in a fall with a walker than with a cane.
- Older women sustained 78 percent of walker injuries and 66 percent of all cane-related injuries.
Report examines child injury deaths in NYC
More than a quarter of all child deaths in New York City are attributable to injuries, according to a new report (.pdf file) from the New York City Health Department.
Heath Department officials analyzed the death records of New York children between 2001 and 2007. They found that of the 1,365 child deaths recorded during that time frame, 28 percent were caused by injury – two-thirds of which were unintentional.
Motor vehicles were responsible for 43 percent of the unintentional injury deaths, but 55 percent occurred in the home. Slightly more than half of the unintentional injury deaths in the home were attributable to fire or scald burns. Other common causes included falling or being struck by a falling object, asphyxia, drowning and poisoning.
Data indicated that unintentional injury deaths were more prevalent in low-income neighborhoods.
The department issued recommendations for preventing injuries to children in the home, including legislation to protect children from unsafe temperatures for tap water, novelty lighters, furniture tip-overs, improper gun storage and pool drowning.
Study examines link between alcohol and death
One out of every 25 deaths can be attributed to alcohol consumption, according to a new study (.pdf file) from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto. The report said the majority of those deaths are caused by injuries, cancer, cardiovascular disease and liver cirrhosis.
According to a press release, researchers found the rate of alcohol-related deaths was highest in Europe, where 1 out of every 10 deaths is attributed to alcohol. Average alcohol consumption in Europe was 13 drinks per week; 10-11 drinks per week was the average in North America.
The study was published in the June 26 edition of The Lancet.
Wisconsin governor signs primary seat belt law
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle (D) signed into law a new state budget that includes a primary seat belt enforcement law. Primary laws allow law enforcement officers to pull over a vehicle if they observe an unbelted driver or front-seat passenger.
Wisconsin's daytime adult seat belt use, currently at 74 percent, is expected to increase by 10 percent during the next year as a result of the new law.
Wisconsin is the 30th state with a primary enforcement law and the fourth state to enact primary enforcement this year.
Congratulations to National Safety Council members whose contributions helped lawmakers and other state-level advocates support this law.
Want to be considered for the Membership Advantage Member Profile?
Let others know how your National Safety Council membership is helping keep your employees and community safe. Submit your company's profile today and you could be featured in an issue of Membership Advantage (.pdf file).
Worker safety and health: Does your CEO 'get it'?
Safety+Health magazine is looking for CEOs whose leadership philosophies and actions demonstrate their commitment to worker safety and health.
It doesn't matter if your organization has 50 employees or 50,000. If you believe your CEO should be recognized, submit a form by Aug. 31 to tell us why. The 2010 CEOs Who "Get It" will be featured in the February 2010 issue of Safety+Health.
Participate in the 2009 Fleet Benchmarking Survey
Does your organization operate a fleet? If so, take our confidential survey. This program compiles fleet statistics for organizations to use as an educational tool. Anonymous results will be published in the National Safety Council's annual "Injury Facts." View the 2008 results (.pdf file) and program details (.pdf file). The deadline is Sept. 14.
Call for entries: Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities, accounting for 38 percent of all teen deaths in the United States. The National Safety Council wants to honor individuals and organizations working to change this staggering statistic. The council's Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award has been created to honor exceptional contributions to reducing the number of crashes, injuries and deaths involving teen drivers. The award is based not only on contributions made, but also the lives saved as a result.
If you know someone deserving of this award, submit a nomination (.pdf file). The deadline is July 31, 2009.
Rising to the FirstGroup Challenge
Double the power of your donation to the National Safety Council now by contributing to the FirstGroup Challenge Grant. Through this generous offer, FirstGroup, recipient of the council's 2009 Green Cross for Safety Medal, will match new or increased donations to the council and double our ability to make the world safer.
2009 Congress & Expo: Plan ahead
Registration is open for the National Safety Council's 2009 Congress & Expo, scheduled for Oct. 25-30 in Orlando, FL. This year's Congress offers attendees an exceptional learning and networking opportunity at a cost-effective price, including a 120 percent increase in advanced technical sessions and more than 800 exhibiting companies.
Upcoming Webinars
- Keeping Your Employees Healthy – July 8
New on the Members-Only Website
- Recordings of the National Safety Month Webinars are now available for free download.
- The updated "Promoting Off-the-Job Safety: It Makes $ense" customizable presentation (PowerPoint file) is available in the Toolbox section under the Knowledge Center.
- Visit the National Safety Council channel on YouTube.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
What's your opinion on OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs?
What's your opinion on OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs?
Combustible dust violations
3,662Number of violations identified in a 16-month period under OSHA's National Emphasis Program on combustible dust
Source: OSHACSB: Ammonia possible source of fatal explosion
The Chemical Safety Board is examining the role of ammonia in an explosion that killed three workers and injured several others June 9 at a ConAgra Foods meat processing plant in Garner, NC. The explosion caused the facility's roof to collapse, knocked down walls and blew debris around the area, CSB said.
CSB investigator Don Holmstrom said in a statement (.pdf file) that a large quantity of hazardous ammonia was used at the plant and was regulated under the EPA Risk Management Program and the OSHA process safety management standard. Holmstrom said responders to the incident reported to CSB that ammonia from the plant's refrigeration system was discharged into local surface waters; harmful levels of ammonia were detected in a nearby creek.
OSHA issues citations for combustible dust hazards
As part of an ongoing national effort to identify workplace combustible dust hazards, OSHA said June 18 that its compliance officers identified 3,662 violations during 813 inspections in a wide range of industries during the past 16 months.
The enforcement visits are part of a National Emphasis Program intended to reduce worker exposure to combustible dust hazards. The program was created in response to a number of high-profile incidents.
OSHA said it made more than 100 visits to targeted facilities in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi and issued 667 citations.
BLS releases detailed occupational fatality data
The Bureau of Labor Statistics on June 12 released a compendium of detailed data that analyzes its Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries for the period 1992-2006.
The document shows a high of 6,632 worker deaths in 1994 and a low of 5,534 in 2002. In another analysis, the report charts the rising number of Hispanic worker deaths, from 533 in 1994 to 990 in 2006. Other categories analyzed include selected fatal transportation events, multiple-fatality incidents, employment and fatalities by worker gender, and fatal occupational injuries by major occupation group.
House labor panel announces changes
Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, announced Richard Miller would occupy the senior labor policy advisor position vacated after Jordan Barab took over as acting OSHA administrator.
Richard Miller previously served as an investigator on the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, a senior policy analyst at the Government Accountability Project and a policy analyst for the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union.
In another action, the House Republican leadership elevated Rep. John Kline (R-MN) to the committee's new ranking member, replacing Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-CA), who recently left the committee to serve as the ranking Republican for the House Armed Services Committee.
Study finds construction violations in Austin, TX
Most construction jobs in Austin, TX, have violated federal and state regulations, according to a new study that examined construction working conditions in the second-fastest growing urban area in the country.
The study, Building Austin, Building Injustice (.pdf file), was released this month from the Austin-based Workers Defense Project, a nonprofit community organization that promotes improved working conditions for the city's low-wage workers.
The study surveyed construction workers, interviewed workers and industry leaders, and examined government data. Results showed 64 percent of surveyed workers lacked basic health and safety training; 47 percent of residential construction workers had to provide their own hard hats; and the majority lacked health insurance, pensions, sick days or vacation days.
NGA: Interoperable communications need improvement
Despite advances in interoperable communications, hurdles remain for first responders, public safety agencies and leadership to effectively communicate during a crisis, a new report from the National Governors Association said.
The issue brief (.pdf file), released June 18 by the Washington-based association, identified five areas in which states still need to improve:
- Informal oversight and governance
- Uncoordinated standard operating procedures
- Incompatible and obsolete technology
- Infrequent and inconsistent training
- Difficulty of integrating interoperability into routine use
The 12-page brief also offers strategies governors can use to overcome these challenges.
Veterans Affairs launches health study
A newly launched study aims to examine the health of 60,000 new veterans for 10 years, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced this week. The study will include 30,000 veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom and 30,000 nondeployed veterans who served during the same time frame.
According to a press release, researchers will collect medical data through surveys and physical evaluations, and compare the results of deployed and nondeployed veterans. Specific health issues examined will include chronic medical conditions; post-traumatic stress disorder; traumatic brain injury; reproductive health; and behavioral risk factors such as smoking, drinking, speeding, and seat belt and helmet use.
WCRI: Michigan comp system provides 'better' value
The sixth multistate study of a series examining workers' compensation found Michigan offers a "better value proposition" to both injured workers and employers.
According to a study abstract, researchers from the Cambridge, MA-based Workers Compensation Research Institute examined how much Michigan employers pay for medical costs compared to the outcomes workers experience for that expense, then compared that information to that of 10 other states.
When examining the areas of health recovery, return to work, and access to and satisfaction with health care, Michigan workers generally fell in the middle group of the 11 states studied. However, medical costs and utilization per claim with more than seven days of lost time were lower than "typical," researchers found.
NIOSH focuses on health care workers in correctional facilities
A new NIOSH topics page focuses on the bloodborne pathogen exposure risks faced by health care workers inside correctional facilities.
Although all health care workers potentially could be exposed to hepatitis B or C viruses and HIV, those in correctional facilities are particularly at risk due to security issues, an unpredictable work setting and the potential for higher rates of disease among inmates, NIOSH said.
The page lists best practices for frontline health care workers and their managers. Among the recommendations are worker vaccinations, proper use of protective barriers and proper handwashing.
NACOSH announces meeting
The National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health is scheduled to meet July 15 in Washington.
The tentative agenda includes a presentation on the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act panel report on occupational exposure to diacetyl and food flavorings containing diacetyl. The meeting also will offer updates on joint OSHA-NIOSH collaborations.
More states enact booster seat laws
Alaska and Texas recently enacted booster seat legislation, bringing to 47 the total number of states that require the use of booster seats.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) on June 17 signed into law Senate Bill 72, which, according to a press release, specifies age, weight and height requirements for booster seat use. Children must be properly secured in a booster seat that meets or exceeds the standards of the Department of Transportation if they are older than 4 but younger than 8, weigh 20-65 pounds and are less than 57 inches tall.
In addition, Texas lawmakers on May 29 filed Senate Bill 61 (.pdf file) without Gov. Rick Perry's (R) signature. The law sets penalties at $25 for the first offense and more than $250 for the second and subsequent offenses for drivers who fail to secure children in restraint systems that meet state requirements. The law goes into effect Sept. 1.
National Transportation Safety Board Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker praised state lawmakers in a June 18 press release. He said lawmakers in Arizona, Florida and South Dakota – the three remaining states without a booster seat law – should enact similar laws.
Intermodal equipment rule in effect
A final rule intended to strengthen safety requirements for intermodal container chassis that hold cargo containers went into effect June 17.
The special trailers are used to transfer cargo from ship or rail to truck for final delivery. According to a notice of the final rule published in the Federal Register, the new regulations would make intermodal equipment providers subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations and establish shared safety responsibility among IEPs, motor carriers and drivers. IEPs must have regular and systematic inspection, repair and maintenance programs in effect by Dec. 17, while marking of equipment with a Department of Transportation identification number must be in effect by December 2010.
FMCSA releases results on spring 'strike force'
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced June 22 results from a spring "strike force" enforcement initiative to improve passenger bus safety.
Department of Transportation officials said in a press release that law enforcement officials performed approximately 8,700 roadside inspections, which resulted in more than 650 buses and 225 drivers being placed out of service for non-compliance with federal regulations. More than 665 bus companies were contacted for onsite comprehensive compliance reviews. The effort is part of FMCSA's "Operation Safe Student," which was carried out May 8-21 nationwide and in U.S. territories. Additional "strike force" efforts are underway.
WHO releases report on traffic crashes
Although road traffic death rates have declined in recent decades, an estimated 1.27 million pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists are killed in road traffic crashes every year, according to a report released June 15 by the Geneva-based World Health Organization.
The report, Global Status Report on Road Safety, provides the first worldwide analysis of how well countries are implementing various road safety measures, including speed limits, anti-drunk driving efforts and seat belt use regulation.
Additional findings show:
- The highest death rates are seen in the Eastern Mediterranean and African regions, while the lowest death rates are among high-income countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
- Less than half of countries use the recommended blood-alcohol concentration of 0.05 grams per deciliter as a measure to reduce drunk driving.
- Helmet laws exist in more than 90 percent of countries, while only 40 percent have a law that covers both riders and passengers and also requires helmets meet a specified standard.
- 57 percent of countries have laws that require all car occupants to wear seat belts.
Effects of recession lower traffic fatalities: study
Fewer Americans are dying on the nation's roadways, not only because they are driving less, but because of decreases in certain types of driving, according to an analysis by Michael Sivak, head of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute's Human Factors Division in Ann Arbor.
According to a study abstract, Sivak conducted a multiple regression analysis of monthly crash data from January 2007 to December 2008 and found factors that contributed to a decline in traffic fatalities included decreases in riskier types of driving such as rural driving and leisure driving.
Lack of social activity leads to loss of motor skills: study
Participating in fewer social activities may be linked with declining motor skills in older adults, a new study from Chicago's Rush University Medical Center suggests.
According to a press release, researchers tracked more than 900 older adults for five years, surveying them on the regularity of their social activities, such as volunteering, visiting friends, and attending church services or sporting events.
According to a study abstract, annual assessments of motor skills – such as muscle strength, walking and balance – found that people who participated in social events less frequently had a more rapid rate of decline than those who were socially active.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one-third of Americans older than 65 fall every year. In 2005, 15,800 seniors died from injuries caused by a fall, and an additional 1.8 million were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal fall injuries.
The study was published in the June 22 edition of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
WHO, UNICEF: Protect hospitals, schools from disaster
Governments need to take action to protect schools and medical facilities in the event of a disaster, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund said last week.
In a joint press release, the organizations called on governments to focus specifically on strengthening four key areas:
- Building the infrastructure of schools and health care facilities to disaster resilience standards
- Assessing the safety of schools and hospitals, and taking measures to make them safer
- Ensuring hospitals and schools implement emergency preparedness programs, including staff training and drills
- Educating, training and involving communities in disaster risk reduction
According to WHO and UNICEF figures, 175,000 children are affected by disasters annually.
North Carolina's texting ban a step in the right direction
North Carolina has become the 14th state to pass a law banning all drivers from text messaging while driving. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, in the first six months of 2009, seven states passed legislation banning text messaging while driving, bringing the total to 14 states and the District of Columbia. Washington-based GHSA posts state-specific information on cell phone driving laws on its Website.
Although the number of states banning text messaging while driving is expected to grow, Janet Froetscher, National Safety Council president & CEO, cautions that texting is only part of the ban advocated by the council. "No matter how you use a cell phone, for texting or conversation, your mind is on the cell phone, not on driving. Drivers using cell phones are at a four times greater risk of crashing than other drivers. We are calling for states to ban all forms of cell phone use while driving."
Council updates Emergency Alert Network Website
Along with the World Health Organization's decision to raise the threat of an influenza pandemic to Phase 6, the National Safety Council has updated its Emergency Alert Network Website to include news, Webinar transcripts and other H1N1 flu information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The site also includes employer and employee guidelines for pandemic planning from CDC, OSHA and EPA.
New information on NSC-OSHA page
The National Safety Council has added articles to its NSC-OSHA Alliance Web page. See newly listed "OSHA Developed Articles" on topics including drug-free workplaces, Voluntary Protection Programs and Hispanic outreach.
Nomination deadline approaching: National Safety Council Board of Directors and Board of Delegates
The Nominating Committee of the National Safety Council is seeking strong candidates who are knowledgeable about a specific safety area. Nominate a safety leader for the council's Board of Delegates by completing this form (MS Word file).
Do you have a recommendation for a potential member of the National Safety Council Board of Directors? Review the profile and expectations (.pdf file) and complete the Board of Directors nomination form (MS Word file).
All nominations should be submitted to Sloane Grubb at sloane.grubb@nsc.org by June 30, 2009.
Time is running out to take the Claritin Pledge
Pledging takes two minutes and requires no personal information. Spread the word on your Facebook and MySpace pages so your friends can pledge. You will help the National Safety Council reach its Claritin® donation goal of $30,000. Deadline is June 30.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Foodborne disease outbreaks
1,270Number of identified foodborne disease outbreaks in 2006
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
MSHA issues final mine rescue rule
A final rule on mine rescue teams for underground mines released June 17 revises existing standards in reaction to a recent court decision.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration published a final rule on Feb. 8, 2008, that established new requirements intended to improve mine rescue capabilities, response time and effectiveness, and the quality of rescue team training. However, earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled the final rule was inconsistent with the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act. According to MSHA, this latest final rule revises portions of the existing rule to be in accordance with the MINER Act, including:
- Mine rescue training must occur annually at large mines and semiannually at small mines.
- All full-time state employees who are members of a state-sponsored team and whose primary duties include mine rescue teams or underground inspections must participate in two mine rescue contests each year.
- Members of state-sponsored teams no longer may substitute their regular job experience for 50 percent of the required mine rescue contests and site training.
OSHA has little documentation, internal controls for VPP, GAO says
Poor internal controls may be allowing unqualified worksites to participate in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs, according to a Government Accountability Office report (.pdf file).
VPP sites are exempt from routine inspections, but are still subject to inspections following fatalities and serious injuries. However, the GAO report, which analyzed data on VPP participation from the program's 1982 inception through 2008, found OSHA lacks policies to ensure regional offices document follow-up responses to such incidents at VPP sites. As a result, some sites with "serious safety and health deficiencies" that contributed to fatalities have remained in the program, according to the report.
Further hampering the program, GAO said, is that OSHA has no review process to ensure regional offices are consistently complying with VPP policies when monitoring a site's injury and illness rates or conducting onsite reviews. GAO also found that OSHA has no goals or measures by which to assess VPP's performance, and said the agency's efforts to evaluate the program's effectiveness were inadequate.
GAO recommended OSHA address these issues; the agency said it was in the process of doing so.
Chemical facilities bill introduced amid objections
House members on June 17 introduced legislation intended to make permanent the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 (H.R. 2868), amid objections from Republicans who claim the bill is being rushed through the legislative process without sufficient review.
The bill is intended to mandate how chemical facilities conduct vulnerability assessments of their plants and to analyze how internal processes to reduce the consequences of a terrorist attack could be changed. Reps. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, co-sponsored the bill. The Obama administration previously supported extending the current law for an additional year before making it permanent. Additionally, a number of business groups opposed provisions in the bill.
Thompson and Waxman said in statements that the bill would help keep facilities secure and protect facility workers and the surrounding community from risk.
California inspectors: Appeals board is 'undermining' process
The California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board has "sabotaged" the appeals process, claims a cease-and-desist letter from state compliance officers and inspectors.
Forty-seven field inspectors, senior managers and district managers signed the June 13 letter sent to appeals board members, alleging the board's policies and practices have "undermined our ability to do our job of protecting the lives, health and safety of California workers."
During the past four years, the board has overbooked hearing dates so that the same judge has three to four hearings scheduled at the same time at the same location, according to the letter. The letter also claims hearings are often held at distant locations, making travel difficult for some witnesses, and the board has denied "legitimate" requests for continuances.
Such actions have left compliance officers unable to defend citations on appeal, leading to "hundreds" of settlements over the years with reduced penalties that are "pennies on the dollar," the letter said.
The group asked the board to cease what it sees as unfair policies toward personnel of the state's Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
NYCOSH releases report on workplace fatalities
Workplace fatalities in New York remain "unacceptably high," and OSHA provides "little incentive to abate hazards," a report from the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health said.
Dying for Work in New York (.pdf file), released June 11, provides a summary of recent occupational safety and health data, and includes older data for historical perspective.
Although the number of worker deaths in the state declined in 2007, the report said the 219 work deaths that year were still too high and OSHA lacks the resources to ensure safe worksites. According to the report, at the agency's current staffing levels, OSHA can conduct only about one construction inspection a day in New York City. Also, the average proposed fine for an on-the-job fatality was $5,193 – too low to provide an incentive to abate hazards, according to the report.
NYCOSH recommended New York develop a strategy for reducing worker injury, disease and death.
GAO: Feds need to monitor agency pandemic preparedness
The government needs to monitor and report on federal agencies' readiness to protect federal workers during a pandemic, a new Government Accountability Office report recommends.
Federal agencies are required to develop operational pandemic plans. Although a range of planning was underway at the 24 agencies GAO surveyed, no mechanism to assess those plans is currently in place, the report (.pdf file) found.
GAO recommended the Homeland Security Council request the secretary of Homeland Security to monitor and report on federal agency readiness to the Executive Office of the President.
OSHA seeks new members for NACOSH
OSHA is seeking nominations for seven new members to serve on its National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health.
The vacancies will be filled with two public representatives, one management representative, two labor representatives, one occupational safety professional and one occupational health professional.
The nomination deadline is July 11.
CSB video urges preparation for potential accidents
The Chemical Safety Board on June 10 released a safety video that urges emergency responders, workplaces and communities to work together more closely to prepare for potential chemical accidents.
The video uses computer animations, interviews and news footage to depict a series of chemical accidents that illustrate the need for effective training, communications and community planning, CSB said.
Accidents highlighted in the video include an allyl alcohol toxic chemical release, a vapor explosion, propane explosions, chlorine releases and reactive chemical explosions.
Federal grant money available to improve 911 call center technology
Four federal agencies on June 9 announced the availability of $40 million in federal grant funding to help states and territories improve 911 call centers.
The grant funds, authorized under the Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 Act of 2004 (H.R. 5419), are intended to improve emergency response by tracking wireless caller locations and information with improved networked communication devices to enable the transmission of text messages, photographs, data sets and video, among other upgrades, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the Departments of Transportation and Commerce.
NHTSA officials claim the upgrades are necessary because approximately one-third of the estimated 240 million 911 calls made each year originate from wireless telephones.
MSHA targets safety on roof falls, 'rib rolls'
The Mine Safety and Health Administration has launched an outreach program (.pdf file) designed to highlight the potential dangers of roof falls and rib rolls.
A rib roll refers to loose material that falls from a pillar or barrier of coal left for support. Eighty percent of roof fall injury accidents occur under supported roofs, MSHA said. A majority of accidents occur during summer months because warm, humid summer air carries moisture into the mines, threatening supports, according to the agency.
A mine's roof control plan specifies the minimum roof support required under normal operating conditions, but these requirements do not apply when adverse conditions such as hot weather are factored in, said Michael A. Davis, MSHA deputy assistant secretary for operations.
Through the program, MSHA inspectors speak with miners and operators about the hazard during visits to mines, and distribute informational material that provides safety guidelines.
CDC program highlights women's safety and health
A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outreach program focuses on four key safety and health issues for women at work – job stress, work schedules, reproductive health and workplace violence.
CDC's Office of Women's Health, together with NIOSH, released a podcast that elaborates on the issues and why they are important. In addition, NIOSH publishes information on its Website that contains studies the agency has conducted to improve workplace safety and health for women.
University takes emergency preparedness to virtual world
New research could help determine if a virtual world can improve public health preparedness and response planning.
The University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health is expected to use a $1.6 million Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant to conduct a study on using Second Life – a Web-based virtual world – to train public health workers in emergency preparedness.
Researchers believe using a virtual environment could help solve some of the problems associated with traditional tabletop exercises, such as costs and lack of realism.
FHWA finalizes interim rule for firefighter visibility
The Federal Highway Administration on June 15 made final an interim rule that amends regulations addressing worker visibility requirements for firefighters responding to highway incidents.
The interim final rule went into effect on Nov. 24, 2008, and revised existing regulations to provide an exception for firefighters actively engaged in emergency operations where they are directly exposed to fire, heat, flame or hazardous materials. According to a June 15 Federal Register notice (.pdf file), the change was made after members of the firefighter community expressed concern that new requirements for high-visibility safety apparel would increase the risk of injury, such as having the background material catch fire or melt when exposed directly to fire.
NHTSA releases full report on backover crash incidents
An estimated 292 people are killed and an additional 18,000 are injured each year in backover incidents, according to a report released June 10 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
NHTSA is required to present the report, Fatalities and Injuries in Motor Vehicle Backing Crashes (.pdf file), under the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007.
Results include:
- 78 percent of backover fatalities and 95 percent of backover injuries involved passenger vehicles.
- Children younger than 5 and adults 70 and older have an elevated risk of being a backover victim.
Survey: Cell phone use leads to increased aggressive driving
Drivers who talk on their cell phones may cause other motorists stress, which can lead to road rage, according to results from a survey released June 16 by Affinion Group.
The Norwalk, CT-based marketing organization conducted its 2009 AutoVantage Road Rage Survey (.pdf file) between Jan. 8 and March 24. Results showed 84 percent of the 2,518 people surveyed said the sight of another driver on a cell phone caused them stress and led to aggressive driving.
Other causes of stress that led to road rage include driving too fast (58 percent), tailgating (53 percent), eating or drinking while driving (48 percent), and texting or e-mailing while driving (37 percent).
CPSC nominee receives bipartisan support at hearing
Inez Tenenbaum, the Obama administration nominee to head the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has pledged (.pdf file) to dutifully implement the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The legislation was designed to ensure the safety of imports from foreign countries, particularly products sold to children.
At her June 16 confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee, Tenenbaum said she would review the new law to determine if more stringent amendments are necessary to test for lead in toys – despite protests from small manufacturers who have complained that provisions are burdensome to business.
CDC: Norovirus, salmonella are leading causes of foodborne illness
Norovirus and salmonella were the leading causes of foodborne disease outbreaks in 2006, according to data published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
According to a press release, 11 people died in 2006 and an additional 27,634 became ill as a result of 1,270 identified foodborne disease outbreaks. Among cases where a single cause could be identified, 54 percent were related to norovirus, a disease caused when food handlers do not properly wash their hands after using the toilet. Salmonella, which was associated with 18 percent of the outbreaks, occurs when foods that have been contaminated with animal feces are not fully cooked.
The most commonly identified sources of foodborne illnesses were poultry (21 percent), leafy vegetables (17 percent), and fruit and nuts (16 percent), the release stated.
College drinking problems on the rise: study
Deaths and injuries associated with college drinking are on the rise, according to the National Institutes of Health.
According to a study abstract, the number of alcohol-related unintentional injury deaths among college students 18-24 years old rose to 1,825 in 2005 from 1,440 in 1998. Research also showed rates of binge drinking (consuming five or more alcoholic beverages on one occasion) increased 7 percent, and drinking and driving increased 9 percent from 1999 to 2005.
Further, data from 2001 indicates that 10.5 percent of college students were injured as a result of drinking, 12 percent were hit or assaulted by another college student, and 2 percent were victims of date rape or sexual assault, the abstract indicated.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is calling for the implementation of successful interventions in colleges and universities, including motivational interviews with high-risk drinkers, one-on-one counseling, group interventions, and increases in police patrols and community awareness in problem areas.
CDC releases guidance on H1N1 flu prevention at summer camps
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week issued interim guidance on preventing the spread of novel flu such as H1N1 at summer camps.
Novel flu spreads much the same way seasonal flu does – through coughs, sneezes and contact with contaminated surfaces. The guidance recommends training campers on the dangers of the flu and the importance of frequent handwashing, covering mouths when coughing or sneezing, and staying home when sick. To prevent spread of the disease, both staff and campers should be warned against coming to camp if they have experienced influenza-like symptoms in the previous seven days.
The guidance also recommends camp staff contact local health authorities to determine how best to handle and report illnesses. Campers demonstrating symptoms should be immediately isolated from the general population – either by being sent home or quarantined in an individual cabin or tent – and given medical care.
Council launches 'Death by Cell Phone' billboards
The National Safety Council has launched a new billboard advertisement in 67 markets (MS Word file) nationwide, reaching more than 1 million people daily. Sponsored by Nationwide Insurance Co. and Lamar Advertising, the "Death by Cell Phone" billboards feature Linda Doyle, a 61-year-old wife, mother and grandmother, and Joe Teater, a 12-year-old boy. Both were killed in crashes caused by drivers using cell phones. The billboard directs viewers to a Website featuring a short video telling Doyle's and Teater's stories.
National Safety Month wraps up by addressing distracted driving
The National Safety Council's National Safety Month concludes with a weeklong focus on distracted driving, including a Webinar on the dangers of distracted driving on June 22. Many council member companies took the lead on adopting cell phone policies prohibiting employees from using cell phones while driving. If your company does not have a policy and would like to create one, the council's cell phone policy (.pdf file) can serve as an example.
Participate in the 2009 Fleet Benchmarking Survey
Does your organization operate a fleet? If so, take our confidential survey. This program compiles fleet statistics for organizations to use as an educational tool. Anonymous results will be published in the National Safety Council's annual "Injury Facts." View the 2008 results (.pdf file) and click here for more program details (.pdf file). The deadline is Sept. 14.
The National Safety Council is on Facebook
Become a fan of the National Safety Council by connecting with us on Facebook. Expand your safety network, stay on top of the latest council happenings, and share your insight and feedback with us. If you are already on Facebook, it only takes a second to join our group. If you are not yet on Facebook, now is a great time to start. It is free to sign up.
Send the Claritin Pledge to five of your friends and family members
Do your part and commit to safe driving by signing the Claritin® "Clear to DriveSM" pledge. For every pledge received before the June 30 deadline, the makers of Claritin® will donate $1, up to $30,000, to the National Safety Council. Pledging takes two minutes and requires no personal information. Spread the word on your Facebook and MySpace pages so your friends can pledge. Deadline is June 30.
2009 Congress & Expo: Plan ahead
Registration is open for the National Safety Council's 2009 Congress & Expo, scheduled for Oct. 25-30 in Orlando, FL. This year's Congress offers attendees an exceptional learning and networking opportunity at a cost-effective price, including a 120 percent increase in advanced technical sessions and more than 800 exhibiting companies.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Where can I find information to help prevent boating accidents?
Every year approximately 5,000 people die in recreational boating accidents. The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Safe Boating Council provide tips and other information on safe boating. BoatSafe.com also offers coastal navigation courses and tips for children.
How have your habits changed since the National Safety Council called for a ban on cell phone use wh
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Children killed in backovers
99Number of children killed in backover incidents in 2007
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Report examines H1N1 flu response
Despite a showing of strong coordination and communication in response to the recent H1N1 flu outbreak, the United States would be "overwhelmed" by a more severe outbreak, a new report contends.
The report (.pdf file) was issued June 4 – one week before the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic on Thursday. The nonprofit group Trust for America's Health, the Center for Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation contributed to the report.
Among the lessons learned from the outbreak, the report said, were that investments in pandemic planning and stockpiling of antiviral medications paid off, public health departments did not have enough resources to carry out plans, the health care delivery system was overwhelmed, and providing clear and straightforward information to the public is essential to allay fears and build trust.
Recommendations to strengthen preparedness included maintaining the national stockpile of medication, stopping layoffs at state and local health departments, and vaccinating all Americans.
Frieden takes helm at CDC
Former New York City Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden on June 8 assumed the director's position at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Following his May 15 nomination by the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services, Frieden also will serve as administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
MSHA, NIOSH to conduct hearing on dust sampling devices
The Mine Safety and Health Administration and NIOSH will host a public hearing July 8 on a proposed MSHA rule to revise requirements for approving sampling devices that continuously monitor miner exposure to respirable coal mine dust.
The plan also would update application requirements for existing devices to reflect improvements from the past 15 years, MSHA said.
The agency is accepting comment on the rule until Aug. 14.
EPA follows GAO advice, revises risk info system
EPA's second attempt to revise its Integrated Risk Information System program has been met with a better response from the Government Accountability Office.
In a March 2008 report, GAO found serious problems with IRIS, a program considered critical in developing EPA's positions on the potential health effects of toxic chemical exposures. GAO warned that IRIS was at risk of becoming obsolete due to a lack of timely, transparent and credible assessments.
In response, EPA revised the assessment process in April, but GAO said the revision failed to address the office's concerns and could even exacerbate the problems GAO identified.
Last month, EPA issued another new assessment process (.pdf file) for IRIS and acknowledged that the first revision attempt reduced the "transparency, timeliness and scientific integrity of the IRIS process," according to GAO's June 9 report on the latest revisions.
Although more improvements could be made, GAO said the latest revisions would bring "significant improvements" if implemented correctly.
OSHA federal advisory panel schedules meeting
OSHA's Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health is set to meet June 25 in Washington to review the fiscal year 2009 safety and health performance of federal agencies.
Agenda items include updates on the federal agency injury and illness recordkeeping data collection effort, agency inspection targeting, and OSHA outreach and education related to the H1N1 influenza.
Florida rolls back workers' comp insurance rates
In response to a new state law that caps attorney fees, Florida has rolled back its workers' compensation insurance rates for a projected savings of $610 million to employers.
On May 29, Gov. Charlie Crist (R) signed into law Attorney's Fees in Workers' Compensation Cases (H.B. 903), which sets up a fee schedule for attorneys handling workers' comp claims and bars hourly fees.
As a result, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty announced June 3 an order (.pdf file) that rolls back the state's insurance rates to levels that existed before a Supreme Court opinion eliminating statutory caps on attorney fees based on an older state law spurred a 6.4 percent increase.
The new insurance rates go into effect July 1 and will apply to new and renewal business.
OSHA seeks Harwood Grant applicants
OSHA is seeking grant applications for its annual Susan Harwood Training Grant Program for fiscal year 2009. The application deadline is July 24.
The program awards funds to nonprofit organizations that provide training and educational programs for employers and workers about safety and health topics selected by OSHA.
The program emphasizes educating workers and employers in small businesses, training workers and employers about new OSHA standards, training at-risk worker and employer populations, and training workers and employers about high-risk workplace activities.
Presenteeism increases absenteeism: study
Employees who work while ill in an attempt to reduce their need to take sick days actually may be causing the opposite effect.
A study of more than 6,000 workers conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, found that those who worked while sick wound up requiring more future sick days than their colleagues who took appropriate sick leave.
According to a study abstract, the research indicated that workers with more than five days of "presenteeism" – or working while ill – in one year increased the odds of requiring more than 30 sick days in the two following years by 40-50 percent.
The study was published in the June edition of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Trucking industry criticizes FMCSA nominee
Members of the trucking industry have spoken out against President Barack Obama's nomination of Anne S. Ferro for administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Members of the Truck Safety Coalition, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Parents Against Tired Truckers, and Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, sent a letter (.pdf file) on June 5 to Obama criticizing his choice of Ferro, the current president of the Maryland Motor Truck Association. The letter said Ferro supported the Bush administration's federal rule raising the number of consecutive hours truck drivers can be behind the wheel. The group also questioned whether Ferro would "stay the course" by continuing policies set forth by the Bush administration.
Ferro served as Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administrator from 1997 to 2003, according to a June 4 White House press release. She also serves on a number of regional advisory committees relating to freight planning, highway safety and transportation funding.
ATA reveals new safety agenda
The Arlington, VA-based American Trucking Associations on June 9 released a new highway safety agenda (.pdf file) that includes 18 policy initiatives intended to improve driver performance and create safer vehicles and motor carriers.
Among the agenda's recommendations:
- Prohibit drivers from use of non-integrated in-vehicle technologies while driving
- Support uniform commercial driver's license testing standards
- Support strategies to increase seat belt use
Parents should not leave children in cars: study
Federal officials are warning parents to not leave children in cars, following the release of a report showing that heat stroke is the leading cause of non-crash vehicle deaths among children.
Each year, 262 children younger than 14 are killed and 115,000 are injured in incidents on private roads, driveways and in parking lots, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's new traffic safety report (.pdf file) released June 9. Of those, 44 fatalities and 105,000 injuries are the result of incidents involving heat stroke or hyperthermia, strangulation by power windows, carbon monoxide poisoning, and being struck by an object, the report said.
Additional findings show:
- 99 children died in backover incidents in 2007.
- An estimated 52,000 children are injured annually by closing a car door.
- An estimated 11,000 children are injured annually while entering or exiting a vehicle.
NHTSA releases data on use of child restraint systems
Use of child restraint systems for passengers up to 7 years old stood at 87 percent in 2008, down from 89 percent in 2007, according to recently released data (.pdf file) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA's 2008 National Occupant Protection Use Survey also found that restraint use for child passengers remained higher among drivers who wore seat belts.
Additional findings:
- 99 percent of infants rode in rear seats in 2008 – up from 95 percent in 2007.
- Child restraint use decreased "significantly" in the northeast United States (82 percent in 2008 from 88 percent in 2007).
- Child restraint use continued to be higher in suburban areas than in urban and rural areas.
Surgeon General releases healthy homes initiative
Believing that many injuries and illnesses can be prevented if a home is kept free of hazards, Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson this week unveiled the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Healthy Homes (.pdf file).
Steps outlined in the initiative include:
- Install and maintain safety devices such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, safety gates (in homes with young children) and grab bars in showers.
- Develop both a fire escape plan and a response plan for extreme weather.
- Check gas appliances, fireplaces, chimneys and furnaces annually, and replace filters regularly.
- Protect children from poisoning by locking medicine cabinets and storing cleaning products and toxic chemicals safely out of reach.
Study finds increase in computer-related injuries
The rate of acute injuries caused by computers is on the rise, according to a new study (.pdf file) published in the online edition of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Researchers from the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH, found that the number of computer-related acute injuries rose 732 percent between 1994 and 2006. Children younger than 5 had the highest injury rate, most often sustaining head injuries, according to study results.
The study found that, overall, the most common injuries were lacerations, contusions and abrasions. These were generally sustained when the victim hit or got caught in part of the computer (37 percent) or when the equipment fell on the victim (21 percent); however, children younger than 5 and adults older than 60 were most often injured by tripping or falling on computer equipment.
NFPA issues report on fireworks safety
In 2007, approximately 9,800 fireworks-related injuries were treated at hospital emergency rooms across the country, according to a new report (.pdf file) from the National Fire Protection Association. The vast majority (92 percent) of injuries were sustained from legal fireworks, including 36 percent caused by novelties such as sparklers.
The age group most affected was children younger than 15 (42 percent). In addition, children were found to be 2.5 times more likely to be injured by fireworks than adults.
To highlight these dangers, the Quincy, MA-based organization has issued a series of public service announcements featuring people whose lives have been affected by fireworks-related injuries and deaths. NFPA condones controlled public fireworks displays, but is opposed to the use of fireworks by consumers.
Markey seeks to close 'roller coaster loophole'
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) on May 20 reintroduced legislation designed to give federal regulators jurisdiction over amusement park rides.
The National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act of 2009 (H.R. 2514) would close the so-called "roller coaster loophole" that prevents the Consumer Product Safety Commission from overseeing the safety of "fixed-site" (permanently attached to the ground) amusement park rides. The provision in the law has been in place since 1981 despite Markey's numerous attempts to strike it through legislation. Regulation of fixed-site rides is the responsibility of states or municipalities, but Markey contends that oversight is inconsistent and varies widely.
Minnesota enacts primary seat belt law
After years of advocacy by key legislators and the Minnesota Seat Belt Coalition, Minnesota on June 9 became the nation's 29th state to establish a primary seat belt law. Primary laws allow a law enforcement officer to pull over a vehicle if he or she observes an unbelted driver or front-seat passenger. The National Safety Council praises Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) and other Minnesota legislators who have supported a primary seat belt law, including Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing), chair of the Transportation Committee, and Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester).
The council also would like to thank the Minnesota Seat Belt Coalition, which includes the Minnesota Safety Council. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety estimates the new law will save up to 30 additional lives and prevent nearly 400 injuries annually.
Free flyers promote children's safety
As the weather gets warmer and more children are playing outside, take advantage of two new National Safety Council flyers – available in English and Spanish – to help prevent lesser-known motor vehicle-related injuries to children: hot car deaths (.pdf file) and unintentional backovers (.pdf file).
Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award to honor those who steer teens right
The National Safety Council's new Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made great advances in protecting teen drivers. The award focuses on demonstrated and consistent commitment to teen driving safety leadership through four types of action: advocacy, coordination of an effort to adopt best practices, enacting legislation based on proven safety methods, and enhancing public understanding of teen driving safety issues and prevention methods.
If you know someone deserving of this award, submit a nomination (.pdf file). The deadline is July 31, 2009.
Recipients of the Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award will be recognized at the National Safety Council's Annual Defensive Driving Awards Banquet, scheduled for Oct. 24 in Orlando, FL.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
States that have banned texting while driving
13Number of states that have passed laws banning text messaging while driving
Source: Governors Highway Safety Association