EHS Today

Photo Gallery: EHS Today in Montreal

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:54:00 +0000

EHS Today in Montreal? Oui!

AIHce 2013: Michaels: OSHA Is Committed to VPP

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:20:00 +0000

During a general session at the American Industrial Hygiene conference and expo, OSHA Administrator Dr. David Michaels said the agency in committed to the Voluntary Protection Program

During a May 21 general session at the American Industrial Hygiene conference and expo in Montreal, Assistant Secretary of Labor Dr. David Michaels was asked for his views on OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP).

AIHce 2013: OSHA’s Michaels Discusses Sequester, Standards and More

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:06:00 +0000

At AIHce 2013, what was billed as a conversation about occupational safety and health between Dr. David Michaels and his Canadian counterpart, Minister of Labor, Human Resources and Skills Development Lisa Raitt, turned into a candid conversation between Michaels and one of his predecessors when Raitt was called away.

In a wide-ranging, informal discussion at a May 21 general session at AIHce 2103, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels shared his views on budget constraints, the regulatory process and public policy issues in workplace safety and health with former OSHA Administrator John Henshaw, CIH. Henshaw is vice president of the Academy of Industrial Hygiene.

AIHce 2013: Investigating Surface Spills in the Fracking Industry

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:15:00 +0000

A health scientist shared her research on surface spills in hydraulic fracturing with attendees at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce) in Montreal.

The process of extracting gas through hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” has raised questions of potential health and safety implications, including the possibility of groundwater contamination. At the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce) in Montreal, Heather Avens, Ph.D., a health scientist with ChemRisk LLC, shared what she and her colleagues uncovered about surface spills in hydraulic fracturing.

AIHce 2013: Public Records Bring Safety Concerns to the Surface

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:07:00 +0000

A reporter who investigated potential diacetyl exposure and other occupational health and safety concerns at a flavoring company discusses the impact public records can have on workplace safety.

At a time when many newspapers are eliminating labor and environmental beats to cut costs, public access to stories involving workplace safety issues may be at risk. During his May 21 Upton Sinclair Memorial Lecture at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce) in Montreal, Tony Cook, a reporter for the Indianapolis Star, discussed the impact public records and journalism can have on workplace safety.

AIHce 2013: Measuring Safety Performance with Leading Indicators

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:29:00 +0000

Employees at every level should be involved in using leading indicators to better measure and manage safety performance.

John Leyland, president of Safety Performance Services, opened his session at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce) in Montreal with a true story of a workplace tragedy that took place decades ago: On a morning like any other, a husband and father went to his job at an electrical utility. But on this day, he made contact with a high-voltage line and landed in the hospital. Two days later, he died, leaving his wife a widow and his 5-year-old son fatherless.

Following Investigation of Worker Fall and Death, OSHA Cites Phoenix Industrial Cleaning

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:55:00 +0000

OSHA has cited a Berkeley, Ill.- based company that provides industrial cleaning of cooking exhaust ventilation, tanks, silos and similar equipment at industrial and commercial work sites after a worker died while cleaning a storage tank.

OSHA has cited Phoenix Industrial Cleaning for 28 alleged serious safety violations following the death of Bernardo Martinez, 37, who fell from a ladder inside of a storage tank at Sunnyside Corp. in Wheeling, Ill. – a manufacturer of paint removers, paint thinners and wood care products – on Nov. 29, 2012. OSHA has proposed fines of $77,200.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office ruled in November 2012 that Martinez fell into the 50-ft. chamber, suffering multiple blunt injuries to the head as well as exposure to methylene chloride.

AIHce 2013: Diversity Drives Innovation

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:05:00 +0000

In the opening session at AIHce 2013 in Montreal, attendees learned that in order to truly innovate, they must embrace diversity.

Diversity drives innovation. That’s the message Frans Johansson, CEO of The Medici Group, offered during his May 20 keynote presentation at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce) in Montreal.

“If you combine ideas from different industries, disciplines and cultures, you’ll have a better chance of breaking new ground,” Johansson told the thousands of AIHce attendees who gathered for the conference’s opening session in the Monteral Convention Center.

AIHce 2013: AIHA and ACGIH Celebrate Professional Excellence and Contributions

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:54:00 +0000

Thousands of industrial hygienists and other EHS professionals celebrated the accomplishments of leaders in the EHS field at AIHce 2103 in Montreal.

The best way to start off AIHce 2013 in Montreal is a celebration of industrial hygiene professionals and others who have made significant contributions to EHS.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists announced the following 2013 Award recipients:

AIHce 2013: The Art and Science of Professional Judgment

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:19:00 +0000

With a theme of “The Art and Science of Professional Judgment,” AIHce 2013 addresses innovation in industrial hygiene and occupational safety and health.

Bonjour! EHS Today is in Montreal for the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce), where thousands of occupational and environmental health and safety professionals have convened to discuss the latest trends in industrial hygiene innovation.

I Rode My Bike to Work ... Now Where’s My Cookie?

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:53:00 +0000

Happy Bike to Work Day! This annual event is celebrated across the nation to promote the fun, eco-friendly, healthy way of getting to work: on two wheels that you pedal yourself.

EHS OutLoud Blog

Off-the-Job Safety: Cancer Experts Issue Warning on Grilling Safety

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:03:00 +0000

Charring or burning meat on the grill can increase our risk of cancer. These five tips can help reduce that risk and provide guilt-free grilling.

In time for the start of grilling season, experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), an organization that studies the impact of lifestyle on cancer risk, issued a warning about the hidden health hazards of cookouts and campfires.

Run, Hide, Fight: The New Response to Active Shooters?

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:25:00 +0000

”Run, hide, fight” has been the standard responses forever to workplace and campus violence, including shooters. Yet ”run, hide, fight” is not a list of choices. It is a continuum of decision making for intended victims.

EHS OutLoud Blog

USDA and EPA Release New Report on Honey Bee Health

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:45:00 +0000

Honey bees are dying and the USDA and EPA report that it’s a complex problem with multiple factors playing a role.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and EPA on May 2 released a comprehensive scientific report on honey bee health. The report states that there are multiple factors playing a role in honey bee colony declines, including parasites and disease, genetics, poor nutrition and pesticide exposure.

Voting Open for Green America ‘People & Planet’ Award to Recognize Small Businesses

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:38:00 +0000

Ten small businesses are competing for the Green America Award recognizing entrepreneurs with an overall green way of doing business and a commitment to a sustainable food system.

The public voting period now is open for the 10 finalists of the fourth Green America "People & Planet" award, which recognizes America's best green small businesses. Each of three winners will receive $5,000. Voting ends on May 31.

Musculoskeletal Disorders on the Rise

Wed, 15 May 2013 19:15:00 +0000

Whether a worker sits at a desk, provides bedside care in a hospital, drives a truck or works on a production line, he or she is at risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).

EHS OutLoud Blog

EPA Says Intel, Microsoft, Top the List of Green Power Users

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:48:00 +0000

EPA’s Green Power Partnership released an updated list of the Top 50 organizations that are choosing to use electricity from clean, renewable sources.

Intel Corp. continues to top the list of U.S. organizations using the most green power.

Is Your Leadership Hurting the Bottom Line?

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:42:00 +0000

Corporate leaders often don’t realize that what they do and say can have a huge impact on public perception of their leadership and their companies.

What can business leaders and managers learn from watching the earnings of publicly traded companies?

“Plenty,” says Kathleen Brush, Ph.D., a 25-year veteran of international business and author of “The Power of One: You’re the Boss,” a guide to developing the skills necessary to become an effective, respected leader.

Tips for the Safe Handling of Cleaning Chemicals

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:36:00 +0000

There's a reason why the U.S. Department of Labor continues to list custodial work as one of the most dangerous jobs in the country: cleaning chemicals.

When used properly, both conventional and green cleaning chemicals are relatively safe. However, accidents do happen and there are precautions that should be taken for the proper handling of cleaning solutions.

This is one reason why the U.S. Department of Labor continues to list cleaning and custodial work as one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, mainly because of the many accidents involving chemicals that occur each year.

Here are the key components of a cleaning chemical safety program:

Jail Time for Man who Faked Work Injuries to Get Drugs

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:27:00 +0000

A drug seeker thought he’d come up with the perfect plan to feed his addiction by claiming he was hurt on the job.

Jose Ramon Amaya-Hernandez thought he found the perfect way to get prescription narcotics – go to a hospital claiming to be in pain due to a work-related injury. However, an investigation by the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) uncovered the scam.

Amaya-Hernandez recently pleaded guilty to three counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and was sentenced to 45 days in jail on each count to run concurrently. He also must pay fines as well as a yet to be determined amount of restitution to the hospitals he defrauded.

Why Workers Are Stressed

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:36:00 +0000

A new poll reveals that job insecurity, job reorganization and high workloads are the most common causes of occupational stress among workers in Europe.

National Electrical Safety Month: Six Safety Tips for Working Near Overhead Power Lines

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:58:00 +0000

In honor of National Electrical Safety Month this May, spark a safety-conscious conversation by sharing these six tips for working near overhead power lines.

It was just a typical day at work. Gary Norland and his coworkers were discussing weekend plans as they worked near overhead power lines. But when Norland leaned back and came into contact with 12,500 volts of electricity, he suffered life-changing burns the required a 4-month hospital stay and more than 50 surgeries.

Now, 20 years after the accident, Norland has a message: “Everything you are going to do is going to affect others for the rest of your life. So if you get injured, it's an impact that's going to affect everybody.”

West Fertilizer Explosion Investigation Continues

Fri, 10 May 2013 20:01:00 +0000

The investigation by the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office into the origin and cause of the West Fertilizer Co. fire and explosion continues, with some causes now being ruled out.

Originally slated for completion by May 10, the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office says the investigation of the West Fertilizer Co. fire for at least another week, possibly two. Investigators revealed that ammonium nitrate stored on site detonated in the explosion.

Over 70 investigators from agencies including the State Fire Marshal’s Office and ATF continue the investigation. The two agencies have developed over 200 leads, and conducted more than 400 interviews. Also on site are federal investigators from OSHA and the Chemical Safety Board.

Infographic: The Link Between Cell Phone Use and Fatal Car Crashes

Fri, 10 May 2013 15:29:00 +0000

According to a new infographic released by the National Safety Council, data alone cannot capture the scope of cell phone distraction on our nation’s roads.

“If cell phone distraction is an important factor in crash fatalities, why don’t we have a complete picture of the crashes that involve drivers using cell phones?” This is the question posed in the National Safety Council’s (NSC) “The Underreporting of Cell Phone Involvement in Fatal Crash Crashes” infographic, which was released along with a report suggesting cell phone distractions are underreported in car crashes.

Tales from the Crime Scene

Thu, 09 May 2013 18:31:00 +0000

I now live six blocks from a notorious crime scene. Never thought those words would come out of my mouth.

Notorious. Crime. Scene.

For more than a decade, Ariel Castro imprisoned three girls after first kidnapping them from Cleveland streets. For over a decade, Castro and these three women – Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight – lived on Seymour Avenue, which is six blocks from my house. I rarely drive down Seymour and I’ve never walked it. And even if I had, I would not have known about the house of horrors there.

EHS OutLoud Blog

Share Your Safety Story During NAOSH Week

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:07:00 +0000

Every safety professional has a story. Tell yours during North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week, held this year through May 11.

With a theme of “Worker Safety Works for Everyone,” the 2013 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week strives to raise awareness about occupational safety and health and encourages EHS professionals to share their safety stories.

Take the Time to Thank an EHS Professional Today

Wed, 08 May 2013 19:21:00 +0000

May 8 is the time for EHS professionals to shine: It’s Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day, a chance to celebrate, thank and appreciate the EHS professionals who keep our workplaces safe.

Every year, on the Wednesday during the North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week in May, the safety community celebrates EHS professionals through Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day.

Dropped Call: Cell Phone Distractions Underreported in Car Crashes

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:49:00 +0000

A new report from the National Safety Council suggests that cell phones play a more frequent role in car crashes than is typically reported.

A review of fatal car crashes that involved driver cell phone use suggests that cell phone use may be underreported or inconsistently reported, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). NSC President and CEO Janet Froetscher said the number of crashes involving cell phone use and distraction likely is “much greater” than current reporting indicates due to a variety of complicating factors.

Amusement Park Safety Shouldn’t Be a Roller Coaster Ride

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:44:00 +0000

Every day during the summer months, approximately 20 injuries related to amusement rides occur nationwide. Follow these tips to ensure your family stays safe while enjoying the ride.

A new study reveals that between 1990 and 2010, 92,885 children under the age of 18 were treated in emergency departments for amusement ride-related injuries in the United States. Most injuries occurred between May and September, averaging about 20 injuries per day during those summer months.

NIOSH Puts Health Hazards to Bed at Metal Furniture Manufacturer

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:14:00 +0000

By Scott E. Brueck, MS, CIH; Jessica Ramsey, MS; Manuel Rodriguez, MS, CIH, CPS; and Ayodele Adebayo, MD, MPH

Researchers and investigators from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health offer an insider's glimpse into a health hazard evaluation of a workplace where metal furniture such as beds and cabinets are manufactured.

Employees of a metal furniture manufacturer asked the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to evaluate health hazards at their workplace.