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Based on its investigations of combustible dust incidents, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board has concluded that they are entirely preventable. (Photo by Andrew Hancock, Huntington Herald-Press, included in CSB

Combustible Dust Comments Due to CSB Soon

The safety board wants comments by Nov. 26 on the management and control of combustible dust from companies, regulators, inspectors, safety training providers, researchers, unions, and workers exposed to dust-related hazards.

Cigarette Smoking Among U.S. Adults Reaches Lowest Level Ever Recorded

In 2017, an estimated 14 percent of U.S. adults (34 million) were current (past 30-day) cigarette smokers, a decrease of 15.5 percent in 2016 and a 67 percent decline since 1965. Notably, the number of young adults aged 18 to 24 years decreased from 13 percent in 2016 to 10 percent in 2017.

BLS Reports Private-Industry Recordable Case Rate Declined Slightly in 2017

The 2017 rate of total recordable cases was 2.8 per 100 FTE workers, down from 2.9 the year before.



Kubota Recalls Mowers and Compact Tractors Due to Burn Hazard

According to the recall notice, hot coolant can spray out onto users from the overheated and pressurized coolant reservoir tank and pose a burn hazard. Kubota has received three reports of burn injuries from the coolant ejecting from the reservoir tank.

NYC Postpones Construction Safety Training Mandate

The six-month delay doesn't affect the ultimate aim of the law requiring workers to have 40 hours of training by September 2020. Supervisors will be required to have 62 hours.

ISEA Seeks Public Comments on Proposed Industry Standard for Impact Resistant Gloves

ISEA Seeks Public Comments on Proposed Standard for Impact-Resistant Gloves

The standard, currently designated ISEA 138, would establish minimum requirements for performance, classification, and labeling in hand protection products designed to protect the knuckles and fingers from impact forces while performing tasks at work.

WorkSafeBC Video Stresses Use of Personal Flotation Devices in the Fishing Industry

Commercial fishing is one of British Columbia’s most dangerous occupations, and drowning is the leading cause of death for the province’s fishermen.

Duck Boat's Captain Charged

The indictment alleges Kenneth Scott McKee failed to properly assess the nature of the severe weather while the vessel was on the water and operated it in violation of the conditions and limitations specified in the vessel's certificate of inspection. When severe weather arrived at the vessel's location, the indictment says, McKee failed to instruct passengers to don personal flotation devices and also allegedly failed to immediately increase speed and head to the nearest shore.

California Voters Approve Proposition on Ambulance Workers

Proposition 11 was passed Nov. 6. It will allow ambulance providers to require workers to remain on call during meal and rest breaks, being paid at their regular rates.

Contractor Fined Legal Maximum After Worker’s Fatal Fall

Northeast Framing Inc. faces a penalty total of $311,330, the maximum allowed by law.

About 5,000 Vehicles Pulled from Service During Brake Safety Week

Enforcement personnel throughout Canada and the United States inspected commercial motor vehicles for brake violations. During the week, they placed 4,955 vehicles out of service until critical problems with their brakes could be fixed.

NTSB to Hold Investigative Hearing Next Week on Southwest Engine Failure

The failure occurred on Southwest Airlines flight 1380 on April 17, 2018, after takeoff from New York City's LaGuardia Airport. Fragments from the engine struck the plane's fuselage, causing rapid depressurization, and a female passenger died as a result. Eight others suffered minor injuries.

Michigan, Utah, Missouri Voters Approve Marijuana Measures

The only Nov. 6 statewide ballot measure to fail was North Dakota’s Measure 3 to legalize recreational use by adults.

Eying Natural Disasters, Virginia's Governor Signs Resilience Executive Order

It calls for designating Virginia's secretary of natural resources as the chief resilience officer of the Commonwealth, a review of the vulnerability of Commonwealth-owned buildings, development of a Virginia coastal resilience master plan, a review of pre-disaster mitigation programs, and a review of compliance with flood protection and dam safety laws.

Wrong Equipment Cited in Drowning Investigation

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada's investigation found that the third officer used a rope ladder to read the seaward draft marks in the middle of the vessel. When resting flat against the vessel's hull, this ladder leaves little room for hand and foot holds, making it unsuitable for this task, and the rope ladder was rigged to the guardrail in such a way that there was no safe way to access the ladder from the deck.

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