Membership News Alert

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Michaels calls VPP a 'model program', supports member fees

In an Aug. 23 speech, OSHA administrator David Michaels called the Voluntary Protection Programs his agency's model program for preventing work injuries, but reiterated earlier statements that OSHA's resources need to be focused on noncompliant companies.

Speaking before the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association in Orlando, FL, Michaels defended eliminating federal funding for VPP and the search for nongovernmental funding. Despite criticism that alternative funding, such as participation fees, could hurt the integrity of VPP, Michaels supported the idea, citing other agencies with similar user fee-based programs that are successful.

The integrity of VPP came into question last year when a Government Accountability Office report (.pdf file) suggested the program was allowing unqualified worksites to participate. Michaels said OSHA issued memorandums addressing GAO's concerns and instituted a review examining how regions and the national office implement VPP.

VPP participants have injury and illness rates below the national average for their industry and are exempt from routine OSHA inspections.

OSHRC agrees with appeals court on Summit case

The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission on Aug. 19 reversed (.pdf file) an earlier ruling on a case involving OSHA's multi-employer citation policy.

The case involved OSHA citing a general contractor – Jacksonville, FL-based Summit Contractors Inc. – for a safety violation caused by a subcontractor on a worksite controlled by Summit and where Summit workers were present.

OSHRC originally vacated the citation in 2004, but the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned (.pdf file) that decision and remanded the case to the commission for a second look.

The OSHRC reversal was included in a commission decision on a similar yet unrelated case that also involved Summit receiving a citation under the multi-employer citation policy. OSHRC affirmed that citation in light of the appellate court ruling.

OSHA issues whistleblower rules

OSHA on Tuesday issued three interim final rules intended to protect whistleblowers.

The rules, published in the Federal Register, establish procedures for handling and investigating retaliation complaints from employees under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, and the National Transit Systems Security Act and the Federal Railroad Safety Act.

Comments on the new rules are due Nov. 1.

In related news, the Office of Management and Budget is reviewing an OSHA whistleblower rule that would establish procedures for handling discrimination complaints under federal employee protection statutes.

Two-day NACOSH meeting set for mid-September

The Gulf oil spill and methods for enhancing workers' voices in the workplace are among the topics scheduled for discussion at a National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health meeting set to take place Sept. 14 and 15 in Washington. OSHA administrator David Michaels and NIOSH Director John Howard are tentatively scheduled to attend the meeting.

In addition to the full committee meeting, the Gulf Oil Spill subgroup – formed this past June – will meet Sept. 14 and report back to the full committee the following day.

NIOSH publishes review of coal mine exposures

NIOSH is seeking comment until Sept. 24 on a draft review of information published from 1995 to present day on coal mine dust exposures and related health issues.

The review (.pdf file) found that after a long period of decline, the prevalence of black lung disease has increased, especially in southern West Virginia, eastern Kentucky and western Virginia. However, according to the report, new data has not changed the evidence and basis for recommendations on preventing respiratory disease among coal workers.

Workers rank safety No. 1 workplace regulation: report

Eighty-five percent of workers consider workplace safety the most important labor standard, indicates new research from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago.

The survey report also found the media and public pay closest attention to workplace safety after large workplace accidents. However, coverage of the Gulf oil spill focused more on the environmental risk than the death of the 11 rig workers, the study said.

Although most workers reported being satisfied with their jobs, surveys from 2006 suggest 21 percent of workers "often" find their jobs stressful, while 13 percent feel their work is "always" stressful, according to an NORC press release.

NORC conducted the survey for the Washington-based Public Welfare Foundation.

MSHA issues program information bulletins, letters

The Mine Safety and Health Administration last week clarified its policies on several issues, including employers giving workers advance warning of an inspection.

Following the April 5 explosion at Upper Big Branch Mine-South in West Virginia, MSHA launched inspections at 57 coal mines. During two recent inspections, operators warned miners working underground that MSHA officials were on their way, a practice prohibited by law, according to an Aug. 26 program information bulletin.

Also in August, MSHA released a program information bulletin detailing requirements for self-contained self-rescuers; program policy letters on equipping elevated truck scales and electrical circuit identification; and a procedure instruction letter on a possible problem with SCSRs from Monroeville, PA-based CSE Corp.

NRC schedules meeting on safety culture statement

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will host a public meeting Sept. 28 in Las Vegas to seek comment on revisions to its draft safety culture policy statement. The meeting also will be broadcast via teleconference and on the web.

The meeting will cover revised definitions and traits of safety culture. The revisions stem from a February 2010 workshop on safety culture during which stakeholders offered comments on the original draft.

The revised draft is expected to be released before the September meeting.

Workplace wellness programs save money in the long-term: study

Workplace wellness programs can provide companies with significant long-term savings, according to a study of a Midwest utility company conducted by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The study is one of the only longitudinal studies focused on wellness, according to a university press release.

"One of the advantages of the study is it shows that a sustainable program will give you savings," said Dee Edington, director of the U-M Health Management Research Center and principal investigator. "Previous studies looked at programs that are short and intense and cover the same people."

Over nine years, the company spent $7.3 million on wellness programs, which yielded $12.1 million in savings. The study took into account a number of costs, including indirect costs of implementing wellness programs such as recruitment and the cost of changing menus. 

Overall, the program cost the employer $100 per employee. The cost of lost work time, workers' compensation, and pharmacy and medical expenses among employees who participated each year increased by $96, compared with a $355 increase among employees who never participated.

FMCSA schedules public listening session on strategic plan

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has scheduled a public listening session for Sept. 8 to gather input on the development of the agency's next five-year strategic plan.

According to a notice (.pdf file) published in the Aug. 30 Federal Register, the agency is seeking input on issues facing the motor carrier industry and stakeholders.

Key issues FMCSA hopes to address include:

• Strengthening the agency's role in improving the safety of commercial motor vehicles
• Having a greater impact in the reduction of injury and loss of life on the nation's highways
• Improving the agency's partnership with stakeholders representing state enforcement agencies, safety advocacy groups, the motor carrier industry and the general public
• Advancing vehicle technologies to impact the future of driver behavior, vehicle safety and motor carrier safety

FMCSA is accepting comment until Sept. 30 on the upcoming strategic plan.

FAA hits American Airlines with $24.2 million civil penalty

The Federal Aviation Administration on Aug. 26 proposed a civil penalty of $24.2 million against American Airlines for alleged failure to correctly follow a 2006 airworthiness directive involving maintenance of aircraft.

According to an FAA press release, operators were required to inspect wire bundles located in the wheel wells of the airline's McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft, among other corrective actions required after a March 2008 inspection. The airworthiness directive was aimed at preventing shorting of wires or arcing, which could result in loss of power or fire in a wheel well of the aircraft. Fort Worth, TX-based American Airlines was given 30 days from the receipt of FAA's civil penalty letter (.pdf file) to respond to the agency.

DOT wraps up annual passenger carrier sweeps

State and local safety enforcement agencies across the country completed two weeks of inspections as part of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's annual Passenger Carrier Strike Force sweeps.

Thousands of motorcoach, charter bus and other passenger carrier vehicles underwent inspections at various popular travel destinations, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said in an Aug. 31 press release. The sweeps ran from Aug. 23 to Sept. 4. Throughout the year, FMCSA also performs roadside safety inspections of commercial buses on a daily basis and performs strike force sweeps on household goods movers and drug and alcohol compliance.

FHWA offers grant for truck parking projects

The Federal Highway Administration on Aug. 26 announced it is accepting applications for grant funding for various truck parking projects that improve safety.

Funding will come through the Truck Parking Facilities Program, which aims to help decrease congestion and safety concerns by addressing the shortage of long-term parking for commercial motor vehicles on the National Highway System. Long-term parking is defined as parking available for 10 or more consecutive hours.

Projects and activities eligible for funding include construction of motor vehicle spaces and other improvements that facilitate CMV parking. Officials anticipate CMV drivers will be able to plan rest stops and time their loading or unloading within urban areas more effectively, resulting in reduced congestion in urban areas and safer highway operations.

According to a notice (.pdf file) published in the Federal Register, funding for the program was extended under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users for fiscal year 2010 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 (through Dec. 31, 2010).

Application deadline is Oct. 26.

NHTSA seeks comment on child safety restraint study

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration researchers recently announced the agency is seeking comment until Oct. 1 on plans to study the levels of child safety restraint use in passenger vehicles.

According to a notice (.pdf file) published in the Sept. 1 Federal Register, NHTSA wants to collect information to examine whether the levels of use are related to any specific characteristics of drivers, their passengers, the child restraints or the vehicles. Researchers also hope to examine effectiveness of a uniform child restraint attachment system, known as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, which was established in 1999. LATCH was established to provide an easier method of attaching a child restraint to a vehicle.

CDC: Influenza fatality rates vary widely

Between 1976 and 2007, the estimated number of deaths from influenza has ranged from a low of 3,300 to a high of nearly 49,000, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These findings differ significantly from a previous, widely cited estimate of 36,000 annual influenza deaths.

The report found death rates are closely related to type of influenza. Seasons when influenza A (H3N2) viruses were prominent had 2.7 times higher death rates than in years when influenza A (H1N1) or B were more prominent.

Deaths reported were influenza-associated from respiratory and circulatory causes. About 90 percent of these deaths overall were individuals 65 and older.

The report noted that because influenza death estimates vary so widely based on age and influenza strain, death rates should not be presented as a single annual number.

Less sleep leads to mental distress among teens: study

Young adults who sleep fewer than eight hours each night are at an increased risk of psychological distress, indicates a study released this week by the George Institute for Global Health of the University of Sydney in Australia.

According to a study abstract, researchers relied on self-reported nightly sleep duration among 17- to 24-year-olds and found higher levels of depressive and anxious symptoms among teens who reported less than eight hours of sleep each night. The risk of distress increased by 14 percent for each hour of sleep loss, and those reporting less than six hours of sleep each night were twice as likely to suffer psychological distress as average sleepers.

The study was published in the Sept. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP.

NSC seeks volunteers to review OSHA safety and health topics pages

As part of its alliance agreement with OSHA, the National Safety Council is seeking individuals to serve as volunteers on the editorial boards for OSHA safety and health topics pages. Volunteers on an editorial board are responsible for reviewing the topics page at least once a year and assisting the page's editor in ensuring the information is complete and accurate. If you have an expertise in one or more of the topics page subjects and are willing to serve as a volunteer, please contact Luke George, NSC government relations manager, at luke.george@nsc.org or (202) 974-2480. 

Drive safe this Labor Day weekend

Labor Day weekend is a deadly time on America's roadways. Remember to buckle up and drive sober. From 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 6, NSC estimates 368 traffic fatalities and an additional 19,900 nonfatal disabling injuries will occur. Safety belt use is the most effective protection against serious crash injuries. Law enforcement also will be stepped up as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. campaign, which is aimed at removing impaired drivers from the road this holiday weekend.

New: Member-exclusive Spectrum of Safety survey

How does your safety program measure up? Find out by using the National Safety Council's free Spectrum of Safety survey. The survey was developed for members to gain insight into their safety performance and see how their program compares to others. Your responses will help you assess various aspects of the safety program at your workplace.

Upcoming webinar

Making $ense of Safety – Sept. 9

Thursday, August 26, 2010

I am thinking about installing a swing set in my backyard. What are some things I should consider?

FMCSA extends deadline for inspection report final rule

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently extended the deadline for a final rule concerning the inspection, repair and maintenance of intermodal freight equipment.

According to a notice (.pdf file) published in the Aug. 20 Federal Register, FMCSA granted a partial extension to the final rule, which requires drivers and motor carriers to prepare a driver-vehicle inspection report on intermodal equipment even if no damage or deficiencies are discovered by the driver. The deadline, originally set for June 30, was extended to June 30, 2011.

According to FMCSA, inadequately maintained intermodal equipment creates crash risks, and the regulations help ensure commercial motor vehicle operations are safer.

The agency said the extension will provide sufficient time to address issues raised by the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association and the Institute of International Container Lessors. The two Washington-based organizations requested repeal of a provision in 390.42(b) of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations that requires motor carriers to prepare "no-defect" DVIRs. They contend the requirement is an undue burden that would result in more than 38 million unnecessary reports annually.

PHMSA issues million-dollar fines to two pipeline companies

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued hefty fines this month against two companies for violating pipeline safety procedures.

A more than $1 million civil penalty was issued to Findlay, OH-based Marathon Pipe Line LLC after an investigation into the March 2009 pipeline failure in Vacherie, LA. One welder was killed and three workers were injured when hazardous vapors in a crude oil sump ignited during maintenance. According to a Department of Transportation press release, investigators allege Marathon failed to institute and follow required procedures to safely and effectively perform maintenance activities, among other violations. Marathon has 30 days to respond to the allegations.

PHMSA also imposed a $2.4 million fine against Houston-based Enbridge Energy Partners LP for violations related to a November 2007 incident that resulted in the deaths of two employees in Clearbrook, MN. An investigation found that Enbridge failed to maintain and repair its pipeline, which leaked crude oil, ignited and killed the employees attempting repairs. PHMSA issued additional fines totaling $57,800 for violations at two other Enbridge facilities.

NHTSA seeking comment on ABS report

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is accepting comment until Dec. 20 on a technical report (.pdf file) on anti-lock braking systems in heavy truck-tractors and trailers.

According to a notice (.pdf file) published in the Aug. 20 Federal Register, the technical report covers NHTSA's Safety Standard 121, Air Brake Systems. The standard requires an ABS on tractors manufactured on or after March 1, 1997, and air-braked semi-trailers and single-unit trucks manufactured on or after March 1, 1998.

Findings from the report, released in July, show:

• The best estimate of a reduction by an ABS on the tractor unit for air-braked tractor-trailers is 3 percent. The findings are based on data from seven states.
• An ABS can influence a large reduction in jack-knife crashes, off-road overturns and at-fault involvements in collisions with other vehicles (except front-to-rear collisions).

Cost of motor vehicle crashes exceeds $99 billion: study

The cost of one year of medical care and productivity losses associated with injuries from motor vehicle crashes has exceeded $99 billion, according to a new study by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

Findings from the study, released Aug. 25, are based on data from 2005 – the most current source of national fatal and nonfatal injury and cost data from multiple sources, according to CDC.

According to a press release, the study also found:

• One-year costs of fatal and nonfatal crash-related injuries totaled $70 billion for people riding in motor vehicles; $12 billion for motorcyclists.
• Fatal motor vehicle-related injuries cost $58 billion.
• More men were killed (70 percent) and injured (52 percent) in motor vehicle crashes than women.
• Teens and young adults (which represent 14 percent of the U.S. population) made up 28 percent of all fatal and nonfatal motor vehicle injuries and 31 percent of costs ($31 billion).

The study was published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention.

New research shows need for enforcement campaigns against drunk driving

Eight percent of all drivers – representing approximately 17 million people – admitted to driving drunk at least once during the past year, according to survey results (.pdf file) released Aug. 25 by the Department of Transportation.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration researchers conducted the survey from September through December 2008 by phone to 6,999 respondents 16 and older. Survey results show:

• 1 out of every 5 Americans drove within two hours of drinking alcohol in the past year.
• 28 percent of drinking drivers consumed alcoholic beverages three or more days a week, compared with 10 percent of drivers who drank but did not drive afterwards.
• 8 percent of people 16 and older said they had ridden with a driver they thought may have consumed too much alcohol to drive safely in the past year.

DOT officials referred to the study during a kick-off event for its annual Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. campaign. The law enforcement campaign, which runs Aug. 20 through Sept. 6, involves thousands of police agencies from across the nation.

CSB releases report on confined space regulations

Stronger confined space regulations from OSHA are necessary to prevent disasters similar to the Xcel Energy Inc. plant accident that killed five people three years ago, according to the Chemical Safety Board.

A water tunnel in Xcel's hydroelectric plant near Denver flashed into flames when vapor from a flammable solvent ignited during a re-coating operation on Oct. 2, 2007. In a report (.pdf file) issued Wednesday, CSB concluded the accident was caused by poor training and not taking necessary precautions with volatile flammable liquids in a permit-required confined space.

Accompanying the report is a video depicting how the Xcel tragedy occurred. On Monday, CSB released a letter (.pdf file) sent to Xcel CEO Richard C. Kelly, admonishing the company for failing to cooperate with CSB's investigation, attempting to block the board from releasing its report and violating confidentiality conditions through the unauthorized public release of a draft of CSB's report.

Current OSHA regulations permit entry or work in a confined space where flammable vapor concentrations exceed 10 percent of a chemical's lower explosive limit. CSB recommended the agency prohibit work in these potentially flammable atmospheres.

OSHA launches 2010 SST Program

OSHA's 2010 Site-Specific Targeting Program (.pdf file) kicked off last week. The 2010 program will focus enforcement efforts on approximately 4,100 different sites with high days away, restricted or transferred rates; or high days away from work injury and illness rates.

OSHA will target:

• About 3,300 manufacturing establishments with a DART rate of 7 or higher, or a DAFWII rate of 5 or higher
• 500 nonmanufacturing establishments with a DART rate of 15 or higher, or a DAFWII rate of 14 or higher
• 300 nursing or personal care facilities with a DART rate of 16 or higher, or a DAFWII rate of 13 or higher

The program is based on 2008 injury and illness data collected in the 2009 Data Initiative, an annual survey on work-related injuries and illnesses. Only nonconstruction workplaces with 40 or more employees are eligible for the SST Program.

Pilot program attempts to reduce mine citation backlog

The Mine Safety and Health Administration announced last week that three of its district offices will participate in a 90-day pilot program to address the agency's backlog of contested citations.

Mine operators can request a conference with MSHA officials to dispute citations, but the conference occurs after penalties have been assessed and contested. The pilot program will allow operators and miners' representatives to discuss and resolve an issue before the civil penalty phase, according to an agency press release.

Congress recently appropriated roughly $18 million to the Department of Labor, along with almost $4 million to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, to help reduce the case backlog, which currently stands at approximately 89,000 citations.

The program begins Aug. 31 at offices in Mount Pleasant, PA; Pikeville, KY; and Birmingham, AL.

Cal/OSHA revises heat regulations

California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health on Aug. 19 adopted revisions to its heat illness prevention standard.

California was the first state in the country with such a standard. The regulation was modified to address high-heat procedure requirements for five industries and clarify shade requirements, according to Cal/OSHA.

The modifications were approved by the state's Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board and must be approved by the Office of Administrative Law within 30 business days. The changes are expected to take effect this fall.

Report calls for coordination of military suicide-prevention programs

Despite creating several programs to prevent suicides, the military lacks a comprehensive, centrally coordinated strategy, according to a report released Aug. 23 by a Department of Defense task force.

The report recommends establishing a policy office to streamline efforts. Current prevention programs suffer from being developed rapidly and separately by the different military branches, the task force said in an executive summary.

This report comes on the heels of an Army report (large .pdf file) on suicides, which linked at-risk behavior to stressors such as relationship problems, work stress and lack of accountability. 

The task force issued 76 recommendations, including:

• Reduce stress on the force; balance the supply-and-demand mismatch.
• Develop a campaign to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.
• Ensure quality behavioral health care.

More than 1,000 service members took their own lives from 2005 to 2009. The task force concluded multiple and long deployments are partially to blame.

USFA releases roadside safety guidelines

The U.S. Fire Administration and the International Association of Fire Fighters this week released new guidelines on improving the roadside safety of emergency responders.

Best Practices for Emergency Vehicle and Roadway Operations Safety in the Emergency Services (large .pdf file) highlights results from a Department of Justice initiative to address common roadside hazards for fire service and law enforcement personnel. The report examines various case studies of incidents, addresses common causes and strategies to reduce hazards, and offers ways to safely and effectively manage roadway incidents.

According to the report, emergency vehicle response and roadside scene safety are two of the most dangerous areas for firefighters and law enforcement officers.

CDC: Heat illness prevalent among high school athletes

High school athletes lose more than 9,000 days of athletic activity a year as a result of heat-related illness, according to a report released this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke – a potentially fatal condition that can lead to permanent neurological or cardiac complications.

Football was the sport with the greatest risk of heat-related illness, with most illnesses occurring in August. The report also found that heat illnesses most often strike athletes during practices, rather than games, and overweight athletes are more susceptible.

According to the National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 31 football players have died from heat stroke since 1995.

The report was based on 2005-2009 data from the National High School Sports Related Injury Surveillance Study.

More than 20,000 children injured annually while sledding: study

More than 20,000 children are injured every year in sledding accidents, indicates a recent study from the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH.

According to a study abstract, more than 229,000 children 18 and younger were treated in emergency rooms for sledding-related injuries between 1997 and 2007. Slightly more than one-half of these injuries occurred as a result of a collision. Fractures, cuts and bruises were the most common injuries; however, traumatic brain injury occurred in some cases, particularly in situations where children were sledding on streets or highways.

"To reduce the risk of injury, sledding areas should be clear of trees and other obstacles and should have sufficient run-out areas away from streets," said study co-author Lara McKenzie. "In addition, sledding on streets and highways should be avoided to prevent collisions with motor vehicles and other traffic."

Researchers further warned that children should never ride sleds pulled by any type of motorized vehicle, such as a car, truck, all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile.

The study appeared in the Aug. 23 online edition of the journal Pediatrics.

Association warns against energy drinks

Energy drinks may help students stay up late to cram for exams, but they also pose serious health risks, the American Association of Poison Control Centers warned this week. 

Alexandria, VA-based AAPCC cautions that energy drinks often are not clearly labeled, making it difficult to discern the amount of caffeine or other added stimulants in the product.

"Many energy drinks aren't clearly labeled with caffeine content because some sources of caffeine may be natural ingredients, such as guarana, yerba mate or cacao," said Barbara Insley Crouch, director of the Utah Poison Control Center.

Health effects of improperly consumed energy drinks can include nausea, vomiting, tremors, insomnia, delirium, sweating, headache, seizures and an increased heart rhythm. Additionally, energy drinks act as a diuretic and increase dehydration, which may be of particular concern to student athletes.

People with questions or concerns about energy drinks can contact their local poison control center at (800) 222-1222.

New: Member-exclusive Spectrum of Safety survey

How does your safety program measure up? Find out by using the National Safety Council's free Spectrum of Safety survey. The survey was developed for members to gain insight into their safety performance and see how their program compares to others. Your responses will help you assess various aspects of the safety program at your workplace.

Advance registration deadline approaching: NSC 2010 Congress & Expo

Mark your calendars – the NSC 2010 Congress & Expo advance registration deadline is Friday, Aug. 27. This is the last chance to save on registration for the world's largest annual safety, health and environmental event.

NSC Supports Drive Safely Work Week: Oct. 4-8

The National Safety Council supports Drive Safely Work Week – sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, in partnership with the Department of Transportation – and encourages NSC members to get involved. The 2010 DSWW tool kit can be downloaded free through Sept. 20.

Deadline approaching for CEOs Who 'Get It' forms

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 2011 CEOs Who "Get It" will be featured in the February 2011 issue of Safety+Health.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Worker deaths continue downward trend

In 2009, 4,340 workers died on the job in the United States, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This number is the lowest preliminary total since the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries program began in 1992 and represents more than a 16 percent decline from the 5,214 worker deaths in 2008, BLS said in a press release.

Finalized numbers of workplace deaths will be released in April, and the final number likely will increase. In the past two years, the finalized figure increased by about 3 percent from the preliminary number, according to BLS.

OSHA to stakeholders: Which PELs should be updated first?

OSHA this week announced it is seeking input from stakeholders on which chemicals should receive priority for updating permissible exposure limits.

Noting many PELs are based on science that is nearly 60 years old and are inadequate to protect today's workers, OSHA administrator David Michaels asked for help in identifying chemicals to focus on. "We must assure the protection of workers currently exposed to well-recognized chemical hazards for which we have an inadequate PEL or no PEL at all," Michaels said in a press release.

In the first two years of OSHA's existence, the agency established 400 PELs, according to the agency. Since then, OSHA has established PELs for only 29 chemicals, and most PELs have remained unchanged despite NIOSH and consensus organizations strengthening their own recommended exposure limits.

Chemical nominations are being accepted until Aug. 27.

Budget office concludes reviews of OSHA standards

The Office of Management and Budget has completed reviews of two interim final rules and one proposed rule from OSHA covering whistleblower protections and cooperative agreements.

On Aug. 12, OMB finished its review of rules establishing procedures for handling and investigating retaliation complaints from various transportation employees and consumer product industry employees. Both interim final rules are expected to be published sometime this month.

OMB on Monday also concluded its review of a proposed rule revising regulations concerning the circumstances in which OSHA may conduct inspections of sites participating in an onsite consultation program. The revisions concern employers in the agency's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program, which recognizes small businesses with "exemplary safety and health management systems." A notice of proposed rulemaking is scheduled to be published in September.

MSHA issues guidance on ventilation systems

Prompted by "troubling testimony" concerning the April explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine-South in West Virginia, the Mine Safety and Health Administration on Aug. 16 released four program information bulletins on ventilation systems in underground coal mines.

The bulletins address inadequate ventilation, intentional changes to ventilation systems, working face controls and methane monitors.

According to an MSHA press release, testimony from victims' family members during a House Education and Labor Committee hearing in May raised doubts about whether the Upper Big Branch mine had followed ventilation standards.

Adequate ventilation helps ensure flammable, explosive, noxious and harmful gases, dusts, smoke and fumes are diluted and carried away. Otherwise, methane and dust can accumulate, potentially causing a fire. Inhaling harmful levels of dust also can lead to black lung disease, the release said.

Researchers outline hazards to Gulf oil spill workers

Major areas of concern for volunteers, fishermen and cleanup workers in the Gulf Coast area include air quality, skin irritation and mental health, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco suggested in a commentary published in the Aug. 16 online edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

According to a university press release, previous oil spills in Alaska, Spain, Korea and Wales caused workers and residents to experience an increase in DNA alterations, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychological stress and self-reported neurological impairment.

In the early months of the Gulf oil spill, more than 300 people – mostly cleanup workers – reported symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, vomiting, cough and respiratory distress. However, air quality – a prime concern because of volatile organic compounds – has improved now that the leak has been stopped, the press release said.

Also this week, OSHA administrator David Michaels issued a statement warning employers to promptly issue certificates to cleanup workers for completing training under the hazardous waste operations and emergency response standard (1910.120). Michaels said OSHA has received several complaints of employers withholding certificates to prevent employees from leaving. Some complaints have been referred to the Office of Inspector General within the Department of Labor.

NIOSH: Workers' comp data may be useful for injury prevention

Workers' compensation data can be used to track occupational injuries and illnesses and identify intervention methods, according to a new NIOSH report (.pdf file).

The requirement for employers to carry workers' comp coverage and the information tracked in workers' comp systems – such as lost worktime – provides valuable injury and illness information, and can even identify cases not captured in Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the report said.

Such data can be used to analyze trends, identify health hazards and evaluate the effectiveness of injury and illness prevention programs, according to the report.

FMCSA updates CSA 2010 data preview website

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Monday updated its Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010 data preview website to allow motor carriers to view their individual safety assessments, which will be publicly released in December.

The website provides motor carriers and enforcement staff with information on their standings in Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories, which are based on roadside data and investigation findings, according to an FMCSA fact sheet (.pdf file). FMCSA officials said the information was made available to give motor carriers the earliest possible opportunity to improve compliance by addressing safety issues and updating their information.

The site is part of the agency's efforts to implement a new compliance and enforcement program to better identify high-risk motor carriers, strengthen enforcement efforts and improve safety performance data.

DOT issues final rule on drug and alcohol testing policy

A final rule amending Department of Transportation drug testing procedures to make them consistent with some Department of Health and Human Services' requirements is scheduled to go into effect Oct. 1, according to DOT's Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance.

A notice (.pdf file) published in the Aug. 16 Federal Register said some changes will affect the procedures for laboratory testing of urine specimens and the roles of and standards for medical review officers.

In related news, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's annual drug and alcohol strike force sweep took place June 21 through July 2 and resulted in the removal of 109 commercial bus and truck drivers. According to FMCSA, more than 175 motor carriers face enforcement actions due to violations of federal drug and alcohol testing requirements. The drivers and carriers will have an opportunity to contest the alleged violations and the amount of the civil penalties. 

NHTSA proposes safety belt requirement for new motorcoaches

A notice of proposed rulemaking (.pdf file) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would require lap-shoulder safety belts for each seat in new motorcoaches – including passenger and driver seats, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced Aug. 16. The goal is to prevent driver and passenger ejections during a collision.

An average of 19 motorcoach occupants are killed each year. Lap-shoulder belts on motorcoaches are expected to reduce the risk for passengers being killed in a rollover crash by 77 percent, NHTSA research shows.

Comments on the NPRM must be received by Oct. 18. The proposed rule would take effect three years after the final rule is issued.

Safety board issues recommendations related to 2009 train crash

The National Transportation Safety Board on Aug. 11 issued 22 safety recommendations related to a 2009 fatal train crash on the Red Line in Washington, D.C.

An NTSB investigation determined failure of a track circuit module was the probable cause of the collision of two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority trains on June 29, 2009. The failure caused the automatic train control system to lose detection of one train, allowing a second train to strike it from the rear. Nine people aboard the second train were killed and dozens were injured as a result of the incident.

The safety recommendation letters (.pdf file) are directed at 12 organizations and government agencies, including:

• Department of Transportation
• Federal Transit Administration
• Tri-State Oversight Committee
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Board of Directors of WMATA
• Alstom Signaling Inc.

Fourteen of the recommendations were directed at WMATA, including those relating to train detection, inspection and maintenance procedures, safety information availability, removal of processes that interfere with train control systems, and safety analysis.

Advisory committee to host meeting on fatigue management

An upcoming three-day meeting before a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration advisory committee will focus on fatigue management among commercial motor vehicle operators.

According to a notice (.pdf file) published in the Aug. 17 Federal Register, FMCSA's Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee will meet Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town hotel in Alexandria, VA. FMCSA plans to task the committee with providing information, concepts and ideas on developing a safe and efficient fatigue management system for CMV operators in the United States.

Fatigue management experts and government officials from Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United States are scheduled to give presentations. A report of the findings and recommendations from the meeting will be presented to FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro at the committee's December meeting.

Positive approach influences teen drivers to put down cell phone: study

Adults should emphasize to teens the positive effects of staying off the phone while driving, instead of focusing on the potential negatives, according to findings from a recent study by researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute.

Researchers studied 5,500 teens and found that positive motivators for teens who said they seldom use cell phones while driving include being able to pay better attention to their driving, being less likely to have a crash and following the law, according to a hospital press release. Teens who said they frequently use cell phones while driving believed refraining from use would result in:

• Becoming lost or forgetting something
• Not being able to let others know where they are or when they will arrive
• Not having their parents be able to reach them

Findings from the study were determined from the National Young Driver Survey, conducted by the institute's Center for Injury Research and Prevention.

The study was published in the July issue of the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention.

Hearing loss on the rise among teens: study

The number of adolescents suffering hearing loss increased significantly during 1988-1994 and 2005-2006, indicates a study released this week from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

According to a study abstract, researchers relied on data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and NHANES 2005-2006 for the study. The more recent data showed that 6.5 million teens 12-19 years old suffered some degree of hearing loss. That figure represents 19.5 percent of all teens – a 31 percent increase over NHANES III data.

Researchers said certain risk factors, such as listening to loud music, may be of particular importance regarding adolescents.

Although the majority of the impairments were slight, the prevalence of mild or worse hearing loss rose even more sharply, with data indicating a 77 percent increase in hearing loss between the two studied time periods. Males and individuals who fall below the poverty line were most likely to suffer hearing loss.

The study was published in the August 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Rural fire awareness campaign launches website

The International Code Council and National Volunteer Fire Council this week announced the release of a new website for "Sound the Alarm" – a community outreach program focused on reducing fire hazards in rural areas.

Through "Sound the Alarm," local fire departments and volunteers conduct home inspections and install smoke detectors in residential buildings. The program currently is being piloted in rural parts of Alabama, Pennsylvania and Tennessee – all of which have high fire-death rates.

The website includes educational materials and tools, such as fire safety checklists and smoke alarm data sheets.

NIH offers online info on alcohol use among seniors

Recognizing that the effects of alcohol on individuals can change as people age, the National Institutes of Health's NIHSeniorHealth website launched a webpage on "Alcohol Use and Older Adults."

Aging can lower the body's tolerance for alcohol, causing impairments that similar drinking habits would not have caused at a younger age. "Older adults can experience the effects of alcohol, such as slurred speech and lack of coordination, more quickly than when they were younger," said Kenneth R. Warren, acting director of NIH's National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

The new webpage includes information on safe amounts of alcohol for older adults and any precautions that should be taken for those on medications.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

BP agrees to pay record-breaking OSHA fine

BP Products North America Inc. agreed to pay more than $50.6 million in penalties for failing to abate hazards as part of a settlement agreement from a 2005 Texas refinery explosion that killed 15 employees, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced Thursday.

Along with agreeing to pay the full record amount, the Houston-based company also has agreed to an "unprecedented level of oversight" at the plant, which will include quarterly progress reports to OSHA, third-party audits and frequent site inspections, assistant OSHA administrator Jordan Barab said during a press conference.

An additional $30.7 million in proposed penalties for new violations found during inspections in 2009 is still being negotiated.

It's official: OSHA publishes cranes and derricks regulation

OSHA's long-awaited final rule on cranes and derricks was formally published in the Federal Register Monday.

In the works for a decade and informally released by the agency two weeks ago, the regulation is scheduled to go into effect Nov. 8. New requirements include crane operator certification and pre-erection inspections.

In related news, the Fairfax, VA-based nonprofit organization National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators recently published a guide on the personnel qualification requirements in the new rule.

OSHA investigating workplace shooting

OSHA has launched an investigation into the workplace shooting deaths of eight employees at Manchester, CT-based Hartford Distributors Inc.

An opening conference has taken place, an OSHA spokesperson verified, but details about the agency's investigation were not available at deadline.

According to several news reports, the gunman, who killed himself after the slayings, was a former employee of the beer distributor.

NFPA approves amendment prohibiting indoor gas purging

The National Fire Protection Association last week approved an emergency code change (.pdf file) prohibiting indoor gas purging of certain industrial gas lines.

The change, known as a Tentative Interim Amendment, is designed to require outdoor purging for industrial, large commercial and large multifamily buildings, according to a statement from Chemical Safety Board member John Bresland.

The new provisions are similar to those adopted by ConAgra Foods and the state of North Carolina following the fatal 2009 natural gas explosion at a Slim Jim manufacturing plant in Garner, NC.

Bresland urged Quincy, MA-based NFPA to make a prohibition on indoor purging and other related safeguards a permanent part of the National Fuel Gas Code.

Grain bin deaths spur OSHA letter

In response to several cases of workers being trapped in grain bins, OSHA issued a letter Aug. 4 advising grain elevator operators to ensure workers do not enter storage facilities without proper equipment, precautions and training.

In July, two teens suffocated and a third worker was injured in Illinois after being engulfed in a grain bin they were trying to clear.

West Lafayette, IN-based Purdue University documented 38 grain entrapments in 2009, according to OSHA. Grain entrapments usually occur because of employer negligence, noncompliance with OSHA standards, or poor safety and health practices, the letter said.

OSHA advised workers to take several precautions, including:

• Turn off and lock out all powered equipment associated with grain bins.
• Prohibit "walking down" and similar practices in which an employee walks on grain to make it flow.
• Give all employees a body harness with a secured lifeline or boatswain's chair.
• Station an observer outside the bin or silo being entered by an employee.

H1N1 pandemic is over, WHO declares

The Geneva-based World Health Organization announced Tuesday that the H1N1 virus that grew to pandemic levels has largely run its course.

While localized outbreaks may continue, WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan said the virus has moved into a "post-pandemic period." A pandemic was declared in June 2009 for the influenza strain commonly known as "swine flu."

As of Aug. 1, more than 214 countries, territories or communities worldwide had confirmed cases of the virus that has caused at least 18,550 deaths.

Day laborers don't receive safety equipment: report

The majority of day laborers in Newark, NJ, suffer from several types of workplace abuse, including not receiving appropriate safety equipment for the job, according to a report (.pdf file) from Seton Hall University.

The report, issued July 27 by the university's law school in Newark, found 80 percent of day laborers surveyed rarely received safety equipment such as goggles, hard hats or protective masks from employers.

One-fifth of surveyed workers reported being injured on the job, with 60 percent of those workers paying their own medical costs associated with the injury, according to the study. Another 20 percent reported being assaulted while going to and returning from an informal hiring location.

Full risk of nanoparticles remains unknown: report

Information about the hazards of engineered nanoparticles is still fragmentary even though the number and variety of products manufactured using the technology continue to increase, according to a report (.pdf file) from the Occupational Health and Safety Research Institute in Quebec.

Research shows a chemical substance's nanoparticles are generally more toxic than the same substance of larger dimensions. However, the report, which summarized current data on risks associated with the technology, concluded that the risks cannot be quantified because the toxicity of products, levels of dust contamination and potential for fires have not been adequately documented.

Researchers said most methods used to limit exposure to ultrafine particles should be effective against nanoparticles, but more research is needed.

Bricklayers at risk for back injury: survey

The decentralized nature of the masonry industry and the prevalence of small contractors prevent masonry workers from using products, equipment and work practices geared toward reducing the rate of musculoskeletal injuries, according to a recent survey from the Center for Construction Research and Training in Silver Spring, MD.

Researchers conducted a telephone survey of 183 masonry contractors in 16 states and found safety usually ranked third among reasons for using an intervention, behind time savings and increased productivity.

Bricklayers commonly handle 200 concrete masonry units weighing at least 38 pounds each day, according to a CCRT press release. They have the highest rate of back injuries in the construction industry. Mason tenders have the highest rate of overexertion injuries in the industry.

CCRT, which is affiliated with the Washington-based labor federation AFL-CIO, recommended tailoring information to individual practices and regional differences.

The findings were published in the August issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.

Training reduces pain among home health care workers: study

Training can ease some of the pain experienced by home health care aides, suggests new research from Pennsylvania State University in University Park. In addition to helping patients with daily activities such as bathing and eating, health aides may be required to lift patients.

An analysis of data from the 2007 National Home Health Aide Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, showed a drop in injury rates when aides received training, according to a university press release.

Researchers noted that employees who felt their training had not prepared them were 3 times more likely to be injured than those who felt their training was adequate, the release said. Also, employees who felt they lacked supervisor support had a higher risk for injuries than aides with supportive supervisors. Non-injured employees had higher rates of job satisfaction and less turnover.

The research was presented this month at the 2010 Academy of Management Annual Meeting in Montreal.

Ultrafine particles present heart risk to firefighters: study

Exposure to ultrafine particles may increase firefighters' risk of developing coronary heart disease, according to a study published this month in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati measured levels of breathable particles during various stages of fire and found that ultrafine particles – those measuring less than 0.1 micron – account for 70 percent of particles in all fires, a study abstract said.

Researchers warned the risk of ultrafine particle exposure may be highest during the overhaul stage of firefighting (when the fire has been extinguished and firefighters work to ensure it does not reignite) because many firefighters remove respiratory protection, believing the exposure risk no longer exists.

According to the study abstract, coronary events are the primary killer of firefighters during fire suppression and cause nearly one-half of all on-duty deaths.

Senators introduce bill to raise truck weight limits

Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID), Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) on Aug. 5 introduced a bill that would allow truck weights to increase to 97,000 pounds from 80,000 pounds on the Interstate Highway System in any state that opted-in to the plan.

The Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2010 (S. 3705) is identical to legislation (H.R. 1799) introduced in the House last year by Reps. Mike Michaud (D-ME) and Jean Schmidt (R-OH).

The senators claim the legislation will result in reduced emissions, fewer trucks on the road and a decrease in fuel usage, in addition to allowing states to determine if the weight increase would be allowed on the highways throughout that state. Critics have said allowing an increase in truck weight without requiring any additional axles or brakes for control or stopping power will cause more traffic crashes, as heavier trucks take longer to stop.

NTSB warns Coast Guard about cell phone distractions

The National Transportation Safety Board on Aug. 11 warned the U.S. Coast Guard about the potential for crewmembers to be distracted by the use of cell phones and other wireless devices while engaged in vessel operations.

According to a safety recommendation letter (.pdf file), the warning was issued in light of two marine incidents involving U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats. The incidents remain under investigation.

NTSB recommendations include:

• Develop and implement national and local policies that address the use of cell phones and other wireless devices aboard U.S. Coast Guard vessels.
• Issue a safety advisory to the maritime industry that promotes awareness of the risk posed by the use of cell phones and other wireless devices while operating vessels, and encourages the voluntary development of operational policies to address the risk.

FRA: Switching operation fatalities have decreased

The railroad industry has seen a significant decline in fatalities involving switching operations since a workplace safety group issued safety recommendations in 1999, according to preliminary findings in a report (.pdf file) released Aug. 10 by the Federal Railroad Administration.

The report analyzed the efforts of the Switching Operations Fatality Analysis Working Group – a workplace safety partnership that examines factors contributing to fatalities in switching operations. SOFA recently analyzed 54 fatalities involving train and engine service employees who died while engaged in rail yard switching operations from January 2004 to November 2009.

The report concluded that the SOFA 2010 Working Group's tools and processes are systematic and rigorous; and evaluators urged the railroad industry to give careful consideration to the new findings of the working group in the interest of improving rail yard safety in the years ahead.

In its 1999 report, SOFA identified five operating recommendations that have significantly helped decrease the number of fatalities related to switching operations, according to an FRA press release.

Surface Transportation Board to form new committee

The Department of Transportation's Surface Transportation Board has announced plans to form a new advisory committee. According to a notice (.pdf file) published in the Aug. 10 Federal Register, the Toxic by Inhalation Hazard Common Carrier Transportation Advisory Committee will be responsible for providing independent advice on issues related to common carrier obligations with respect to the rail transportation of toxic-by-inhalation hazards. It also will outline a railroad's reasonable response to a shipper's request to transport TIH cargo.

The committee is expected to convene for a two-year period and produce a recommended policy statement for consideration by the Surface Transportation Board. The deadline for comments on the scope of the committee's mandate is Sept. 24. Nominations for membership must be received by 5 p.m. on Oct. 25.

Parents want stricter GDL laws: study

Parents want stronger Graduated Driver Licensing laws for their teen drivers, including raising the licensing age, according to a new report (.pdf file) from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Researchers from Arlington, VA-based IIHS surveyed 1,226 parents of 15- to 18-year-olds from Feb. 19 to March 1. Findings show that parents favored licensing policies that include higher permit and licensing ages, long learner's permit periods with high practice hour requirements, and longer nighttime and passenger restrictions.

Additional findings include:

• 94 percent of parents support enhanced penalties for traffic violations.
• 75 percent support tougher tests, such as tests for full license status.
• 96-98 percent support cell phone and texting while driving bans.
• 65 percent support license status identifiers (decals) on vehicles.
• 61 percent support application of GDL rules for novice drivers 18 and older.

Health care-associated MRSA on the decline: study

The number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections stemming from health care-related sources declined between 2005 and 2008, according to research released this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Using data from nine metropolitan areas, researchers found 82 percent of MRSA cases were health care-related, but the overall number of infections decreased significantly. Incidence of hospital-onset MRSA declined 28 percent, while incidence of health care-related community-onset infections declined 17 percent over the course of the study.

Increasing awareness of MRSA risk caused many hospitals and health care centers to establish MRSA prevention programs in recent years, which researchers believe may have had a bearing on the declining number of infections.

The study was published in the Aug. 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Health experts: Young athletes need to stay hydrated

Many organized football and soccer practices start in late summer, making it vital for young athletes to remain hydrated to prevent heat illness, warns the Rosemont, IL-based American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.

AOSSM is a member of the STOP Sports Injuries campaign, formed by a coalition of health experts to educate the public on the prevention of athletic injuries in children. The campaign recommends coaches, parents, trainers and athletes be trained to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of heat illness, such as:

• Chills
• Dark-colored urine
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Headaches
• Muscle cramps
• Thirst
• Weakness

The campaign suggests young athletes drink at least 8 ounces of fluid, such as water, juice or sports drinks, before beginning practice, and up to 5 ounces or more every 20 minutes throughout.

Emergency room visits increasing: study

The number of annual visits to the emergency room increased significantly between 1997 and 2007, indicates a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to a study abstract, researchers used data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and found the annual number of visits to ERs increased to 116.8 million in 2007 from an estimated 94.9 million in 1997 – a 23.1 percent increase, and nearly double what would be expected given the population growth over the same time period. The greatest rise in ER visits was among adults 18-64 and those on Medicaid.

Researchers also found the number of ERs available decreased by 5 percent over the course of the study, even though the number of ER visits increased. Median wait time to see a physician rose to 33 minutes from 22 minutes.

Study authors expressed concern over more recent events, speculating that the recent economic downturn and rising number of uninsured individuals has caused even more patients to seek care in ERs.

The study was published in the Aug. 11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

NSC announces safety leadership and performance award recipients

In July, the National Safety Council awarded nine organizations with Safety Leadership Awards and one organization with the Superior Safety Performance Award. Safety Leadership recipients have achieved five consecutive years and Superior Safety Performance recipients have achieved 10 consecutive years without an occupational injury or illness resulting in lost workdays or fatalities. View the winners.

National Safety Council announces recipients of 2010 Industry Leader Awards

The National Safety Council has awarded 81 companies with the 2010 Industry Leader Award for safety performance in their industries. The Industry Leader Awards are one component of NSC's Occupational Award Programs, which recognizes outstanding safety achievements of NSC members and represent the top 5 percent of member companies that have qualified for the National Safety Council's 2010 Occupational Excellence Achievement Award (based on 2009 calendar year data).

Receive a free subscription to the NSC Job Board

During the NSC Congress & Expo, all NSC members are eligible for a free subscription that will allow employers to post job openings at no cost for two weeks (a $175 savings). To take advantage of this special offer, stop by the NSC Career Center and speak with an EHSCareers.com representative or contact EHSCareers.com at (877) 353-6866. Attendees actively seeking new safety employment or who are curious about the employment marketplace should check out the hundreds of current job openings listed on the NSC Job Board.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Barab thanks safety and health professionals

Thursday, August 05, 2010

OSHA proposes more than $16.6 million in fines for Kleen Energy explosion

OSHA this week proposed $16.6 million in fines for 371 alleged safety violations related to the deadly Kleen Energy Systems LLC power plant explosion earlier this year.

Six workers were killed in the Feb. 7 blast at the Middletown, CT, facility during an operation in which natural gas was pumped through lines to clear out debris. The Chemical Safety Board has urged the energy industry to stop the use of "gas blows" and similar operations, calling them "inherently unsafe."

The proposed OSHA penalty – assessed to three different companies and 14 site contractors – is the second-largest amount the agency has issued this fiscal year.

House passes offshore whistleblower protection bill

In an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote last week, the House approved legislation extending whistleblower protections to workers in the offshore oil and gas industry.

The Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act of 2010 (H.R. 5851) passed the full House in a 315-93 vote July 30 – only four days after it was introduced. The legislation comes shortly after several congressional hearings and news reports revealed workers aboard the Deepwater Horizon oil rig had concerns regarding the safe operation of the rig but were reluctant to come forward for fear of losing their jobs. The April 20 Deepwater Horizon explosion killed 11 workers.

The bill prohibits employers from firing or discriminating against an employee who reports unsafe conditions or violations of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (.pdf file) to government officials.

West Virginia senators introduce mine and workplace safety bill

On the heels of the House Education and Labor Committee's passage of legislation that would overhaul both mine and nonmine occupational safety and health regulations, companion legislation was introduced in the Senate on July 29.

The Robert C. Byrd Mine and Workplace Safety and Health Act (S. 3671) was introduced by Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Carte Goodwin (both D-WV). The Senate bill mirrors many of the provisions found in the Robert C. Byrd Miner Safety and Health Act (H.R. 5663), including stiffer penalties for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and increased powers for the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Both bills were named for the West Virginia senator and mine safety advocate who died earlier this year. The House version passed out of committee July 21 and is waiting to be taken up by the full chamber.

9/11 responder bill fails in House

Legislation intended to provide a long-term solution to care for first responders who became ill in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks failed to pass the House.

In a 255-159 vote July 29, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (H.R. 847) fell short of the two-thirds majority required to pass. The bill may be taken up again at a later date. A Senate version (S. 1334) remains in committee.

Senate committee discusses need for gas well response legislation

Members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee last week discussed planned legislation that would require additional emergency response procedures for gas well operators.

Under the Faster Action Safety Team Emergency Response Act, which has yet to be introduced, OSHA would draft regulations requiring well operators to:

• Contact local first responders within 15 minutes – and OSHA and the National Response Center within one hour – of the start of an emergency situation
• Provide annual training to local first responders on the hazards of the well site
• Have a certified response team available onsite within one hour

Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), who plans to introduce the legislation in the near future, led the July 26 hearing in Pittsburgh.

Mine review commission to receive funding boost

President Barack Obama last week signed a bill providing $22 million in supplemental funding to help reduce the number of cases before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.

Tasked with handling appeals of citations and penalties assessed against mine operators by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the commission has been bogged down in recent years by a backlog of cases. FMSHRC will receive $3.8 million under the Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 4899) to help reduce the backlog, which has grown to more than 17,000 cases.

The Department of Labor will receive $18.2 million for MSHA to use toward enforcement and conference litigation related to the FMSHRC caseload. The funding also may be used for investigation into the Upper Big Branch Mine-South disaster, standards and rulemaking, and other organizational improvements.

Army issues report on suicides, at-risk behaviors

Last year, 239 U.S. soldiers – 160 of whom were on active duty – killed themselves and an additional 1,713 attempted suicide, according to the results of a 15-month study (.pdf file) released last week by the U.S. Army. In addition, 146 soldiers died after engaging in high-risk activities, including 74 who overdosed on drugs.

The report linked risky behavior to stressors such as relationship problems, work stress and brushes with the law, as well as a lack of accountability within the Army.

The report contains more than 200 recommendations, including:

• Improve efforts to identify at-risk soldiers
• Reduce the stigma around behavioral health care
• Enhance policies to improve alcohol and drug reporting
• Implement programs to ensure accountability and discipline in the barracks

Suicides among soldiers have been on the rise since 2004.

DOE seeks comment on expanding drug-testing policy

The Department of Energy is accepting comment until Oct. 28 on including screening for anabolic steroids and other drugs in its randomized drug testing program for contractor employees.

Currently, DOE tests its contractors and subcontractors for marijuana, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine and amphetamines. Other issues under consideration include:

• The availability of analytical testing methods for anabolic steroids
• Adding certain prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements to the substance abuse program
• Whether medical review officers should obtain certification

NTSB determines probable cause of 2009 fatal transit collision

Failure of a track circuit module is the probable cause of a fatal 2009 train crash on the Red Line in Washington, D.C., according to an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

NTSB said it plans to release in the next few weeks the full report of its investigation into the fatal collision of two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority trains. A synopsis of the report states that failure of the track circuit module caused the automatic train control system to lose detection of one train on June 29, 2009, allowing a second train to strike it from the rear. Nine people aboard the second train were killed as a result, including the train operator, and dozens were injured.

The agency said a contributing factor to the crash was WMATA's failure to ensure that a verification test developed after a 2005 incident was used systemwide. Additional contributing factors include a "lack of a safety culture within WMATA, ineffective safety oversight by the WMATA Board of Directors and the Tri-State Oversight Committee, and the Federal Transit Administration's lack of statutory authority to provide federal safety oversight," according to the NTSB press release. 

Congress pushes for more TSA worker protections

A letter (.pdf file) signed by 80 members of Congress urges the newly elected head of the Transportation Security Administration to ensure policies provide workplace and employment rights.

According to a press release from the House Homeland Security Committee, the letter, sent to TSA Administrator John S. Pistole on July 30, asks for comprehensive workplace and employment rights for transportation security officers and mentions legislation (H.R. 1881) aimed at providing TSOs with standard government employment rights to ensure a professional, experienced screener workforce. The group argues that providing standard government employment rights – such as veterans' preference, uniform pay, whistleblowing and collective bargaining – will enhance security by increasing employee retention. Not doing so would lead to high turnover and continuous investments in training, resulting in wasted taxpayer funds, the group claims.

Pistole was sworn in as TSA Administrator on July 1. This month he announced plans to conduct visits to airports and other transportation facilities to gain feedback from colleagues across the transportation security community and hear from TSA staff. He also is soliciting feedback on the TSA website.

Painters at increased risk of bladder cancer: study

Professional painters may face a significantly higher risk of bladder cancer, suggests a new study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France.

Researchers analyzed more than 2,900 cases of bladder cancer in painters from 41 previous studies, according to a study abstract. They concluded professional painters were 30 percent more likely to develop bladder cancer than the regular population, according to a BMJ Journals press release. The study noted painters are exposed to some of the same chemicals found in cigarette smoke.

People who had worked as painters for more than 10 years were more likely to develop bladder cancer, according to the press release. 

The analysis appeared online July 20 in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, published by BMJ Journals.

PHMSA warns against personal electronic device distractions

Following the Department of Transportation's lead in the effort to end cell phone distraction while driving, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on Aug. 3 issued a similar warning to employers.

PHMSA published two notices (.pdf file) in the Federal Register advising owners and operators of natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities of the distraction risks associated with the use of personal electronic devices such as cell phones. PHMSA said PEDs, especially when used for personal business, may distract pipeline employees who are performing operations and maintenance activities. The agency said it is not discouraging use of PEDs as part of normal business operations, but warned that distractions from PEDs may hinder prompt recognition and reaction to abnormal operating conditions and emergencies.

PHSMA recommends operators:

• Integrate appropriate controls into their written procedures for operations and maintenance regarding the use of PEDs by individuals performing pipeline tasks that may affect pipeline operation or integrity
• Provide guidance and training for all personnel on the risks associated with the use of PEDs while driving and while performing activities on behalf of the company if that use poses a risk to safety

Congress extends airline safety act

Members of Congress on July 30 passed a funding extension for the Federal Aviation Administration that contains safety provisions to make air travel safer.

The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 5900), if signed into law, would include provisions to boost pilot training skills, direct FAA to address pilot fatigue, and improve safety on commuter and regional airlines. The language was drafted in response to fatal crashes such as the Colgan Air flight in 2009 near Buffalo, NY, which resulted in 50 fatalities.

The act would have expired on Monday. The recent extension is the 15th of the current law, originally set to expire in 2007. The funding now will expire at the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2010.

DOT launches more campaigns against distracted driving

The Department of Transportation this month announced two campaigns aimed at increasing public awareness about the dangers of texting and cell phone use while driving.

On Aug. 2, DOT announced a collaboration with Seventeen magazine and AAA to launch a video contest to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of talking and texting while driving. The "National Two-Second Turnoff Day Viral Video Challenge" will run from Aug. 2 to Sept. 10, according to a DOT press release. Contest organizers are challenging teens to develop a creative anti-distracted driving video to promote safe driving. The winner will receive a $2,000 prize. The video be will featured at DOT's second National Distracted Driving Summit on Sept. 21 and on Seventeen.com.

DOT on Aug. 3 announced a partnership with State Farm Insurance and ESPN's On the Road to Camp, a cross-country bus tour to all 32 pro-football training camps. The tour, which runs from July 29 to Aug. 16, will include education about the dangers caused by distracted driving.

House passes carbon monoxide safety bill

A bill aimed at reducing carbon monoxide poisoning was passed by the House on July 29 and sent to the Senate for consideration.

The Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (H.R. 1796) seeks to establish the American National Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms as a mandatory safety standard. The legislation would make it illegal for manufacturers or distributors to import or distribute any new detector that does not comply with the standard, and would require all portable generators to be sold with warnings about the risks of CO poisoning.

The bill also would establish a grant program for states and municipalities to enact laws requiring CO alarms in new residences. The Consumer Product Safety Commission would be in charge of oversight.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CO poisoning kills more than 400 Americans and sends an additional 20,000 to emergency rooms for treatment every year.

Cooking causes most residential fires: report

Cooking remains the leading cause of residential fires, according to two U.S. Fire Administration reports released this week.

An estimated 253,500 fires occur (.pdf file) in one- and two-family residential buildings each year. These buildings include detached dwellings, manufactured homes, mobile homes and duplexes. An estimated 2,150 civilians were killed and an additional 8,775 were injured in these fires, which also resulted in $5.3 billion in property loss.

An estimated 108,400 fires annually strike (.pdf file) multifamily residential building – defined as apartments, townhouses, rowhouses, condominiums or other tenement properties. These fires resulted in 250 deaths, 3,800 injuries and $1.1 billion in property loss.

Because the leading cause of residential fires is cooking, fires peak during evening dinner hours, the reports stated. The number of fires also spikes in the winter months, as heating- and holiday-related fires become more common.

The reports were based on data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System for 2005 to 2007.

Household cleaner poisonings on the decline: study

The rate of pediatric injuries associated with household cleaning products decreased by 46 percent between 1990 and 2006, finds a new study from the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH. 

An estimated 267,269 children younger than 6 were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries related to household cleaning products during the 16-year study period, with nearly 12,000 injured in 2006 alone. Children 1-3 years old accounted for 72 percent of the injuries. Ingestion was the cause of poisoning 62.7 percent of the time, followed by contact, which occurred in approximately one-third of cases. Bleach was associated with 37.1 percent of poisonings.

Researchers noted that although the rate of poisoning by substances stored in bottles or original containers decreased during the study period, the rate of injuries related to substances stored in spray bottles remained consistent at 40.1 percent.

The study is scheduled for publication in the September issue of the journal Pediatrics.

Fractures sideline high school athletes: study

Bone fractures require young athletes to miss more competition time than any other high school sports injury, suggests new research from the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, OH. According to a study abstract, researchers found athletes who suffered fractures missed three weeks or longer in 34 percent of cases, and were disqualified from participation for medical reasons in 24 percent of cases.

Fractures also are costly to treat, researchers found. Expensive diagnostic imaging – including X-rays, MRIs and CT scans – was required to diagnose 95 percent of fractures. Sixteen percent of fractures required surgery.

Fractures are the fourth most common high school sports injury behind ligament sprains, muscle sprains and bruising. Hands and fingers were involved in the highest percentage of fractures (28 percent), followed by wrist (10 percent) and lower leg (9 percent). Boys experienced 83 percent of all fractures. 

The study was published in the July issue of Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine.

Cigarette ads increase teen smoking: study

Advertisements for cigarettes make adolescents more likely to begin smoking, indicates a study published in the August issue of Pediatrics.

The study focused on 1,681 children 11-14 years old who had never smoked. Researchers from Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA, monitored how often the teens visited convenience, liquor and small grocery stores, and assessed the stores' level of cigarette advertisements and pack displays. Overall, 18 percent of study participants began smoking, but the rate was found to be related to cigarette ad exposure.

Teens who visited stores with a high level of cigarette ads less than twice a month reported a 9 percent smoking initiation rate, compared with a 29 percent smoking rate among those who visited such stores at least twice a week.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

OSHA releases final rule on cranes and derricks

OSHA on Wednesday released the highly anticipated final rule (.pdf file) that will significantly update its standard on cranes and derricks in construction for the first time in nearly 40 years.

The rule's release comes after more than a decade of efforts to amend the standard, which some stakeholders asserted had not kept pace with changing and developing technologies.

Approximately 89 people are killed each year in crane-related construction incidents, according to OSHA. The agency estimates the new rule will prevent 22 deaths annually. "We think it's a big step forward in saving the lives of workers, and also passersby," OSHA administrator David Michaels said during a media briefing on Wednesday.

Among the major changes:

• Crane operators must be certified.
• The standard does not pre-empt local or state certification requirements.
• Tower crane parts are required to be inspected before erection.
• New procedures for working in the vicinity of power lines are included.

The final rule is expected to be published Aug. 9 in the Federal Register, and is scheduled to go into effect Nov. 8.

Senators question BP's safety culture

Members of a Senate subcommittee last week criticized BP's safety culture, questioning whether the company has made strides in improving workplace safety in light of numerous high-profile incidents, including the recent Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion that killed 11 workers.

The July 22 hearing before the Senate Health Committee's Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee had only one witness – Steven Flynn, BP's vice president of health, safety, security and environment. For more than two hours, Flynn attempted to deflect accusations that his company has not done enough to protect workers.

Flynn testified that since the 2005 Texas City refinery explosion that killed 15 people and the 2006 Prudhoe Bay oil spill in Alaska, BP has made safety its highest priority and developed a new global agenda to carry it out.

Senators continually questioned BP's progress, bringing up recent allegations of worker safety concerns being stifled and shortcuts taken at the Deepwater Horizon rig, as well as the large number of citations, fires, deaths and injuries that have occurred at BP sites in recent years.

Republican offers alternative miner safety bill

West Virginia Republican Rep. Shelley Moore Capito last week introduced mine safety legislation, presenting it as an alternative to sweeping legislation from Democrats.

The Mine Safety Accountability and Improved Protection Act (H.R. 5788) removes some provisions of the Robert C. Byrd Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010 (H.R. 5663), including those that would amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Many Republicans objected to the provisions, saying OSH Act changes should not be included in a mine safety bill.

While acknowledging the Miner Safety and Health Act was a "good starting point" following the deaths of 29 miners last April at a West Virginia mine, Capito said in a press release that "sweeping regulatory reform does not automatically ensure miners' safety."

CSB case study includes recommendations on hazardous waste

A Chemical Safety Board accident case study released July 21 calls for better safety standards for hazardous waste processing, handling and storage facilities, as well as revision of fire protection codes.

The case study (.pdf file) examines the 2009 explosion at the Veolia ES Technical Solutions LLC facility in West Carrollton, OH, that injured four workers and damaged eight plant structures and about 20 homes and businesses.

According to a CSB press release, the explosion occurred when flammable vapor released from a waste recycling process ignited. OSHA had previously cited the company for inadequate attention to process safety management.

Among CSB's recommendations:

• Veolia, which plans to rebuild the plant, should restrict occupancy in buildings near the operating plant to trained personnel.
• The National Fire Protection Association should require companies to use engineering analyses to determine a safe distance between buildings occupied by non-essential personnel and buildings with potentially hazardous process equipment.
• The Environmental Technology Council, a hazardous waste industry trade group, should petition NFPA to develop guidance on reducing fires, explosions and releases at hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities.

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