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Compliance at Metal and Nonmetal Mines Improving, MSHA Says

Preliminary data indicate a 14 percent decrease in citations and orders issued at these mines—74,373 in 2010 compared to 64,186 in 2011.

New Tool Helps Prevent Wrong Site Surgeries

The Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare released the Targeted Solutions Tool on Feb. 14 to help accredited organizations install a process for curbing these errors.

DOT Proposes Rules to Limit Use of Electronics in Vehicles

The proposed voluntary guidelines would apply to communications, entertainment, information gathering, and navigation devices or functions that are not required to safely operate the vehicle.



CPSC Invites More Table Saw Comments

Comments are due by March 16. Numerous comments already in the docket say there's no need to enact a new federal safety standard.

Cave-In Hazards at Colorado Excavation Sites Lead to $180,180 Fine

OSHA's Englewood Area Office opened an investigation at a work site in Wheat Ridge on Aug. 30 and a second investigation on Sept. 8 at a site in Colorado Springs, following reports that workers were installing sewer pipes without adequate protection from possible cave-ins.

DoD Campaign Targets Obesity

A new campaign has begun to make military personnel, their families, and prospective recruits more aware of the health risks and the benefits of better nutrition.

650,000 Cases of Multidrug-Resistant TB in 2010: WHO

These cases are becoming more difficult to treat in some countries where medicines may not always be available, according to the public health agency.

OSHA Extends Residential Construction Enforcement Policies

In effect for six more months, until Sept. 15, 2012, are measures giving compliance assistance requests top priority and reducing penalties up to 10 percent.

Worker Loses Hand in Conveyor, Supermarket Fined $182,000

"Publix is well aware of the hazards the cleaning crew was exposed to, yet took no steps to safeguard employees by controlling the conveyor equipment's energy source," said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA's area director in Jacksonville, Fla.

$540,890 in Fines Issued to Three Firms Following Blast at Calif. Plant

The explosion occurred when a pressure vessel containing compressed gas, including oxygen and hydrogen, exploded while the two workers were transferring hydrogen and oxygen gas from one cylinder to another.

JHPH Spotlights Technology's Transformative Power

A new special issue of Johns Hopkins Public Health shows how technology is revolutionizing health care, from home births in rural Bangladesh to a $7,900 device helping a faculty member walk again.

Biodiesel Plant Busted for Process Safety Management Deficiencies

After receiving a complaint, OSHA opened an inspection focused on the agency's process safety management standard for facilities that use hazardous chemicals. Proposed fines total $76,500.

Nik Wallenda's Niagara Walk Approved

Wallenda says his own rescue team and diver will be present, he has a $20 million insurance policy, and costs will be covered by sponsors including Discovery Channel and Red Bull.

CPSC's First Twitter Chat: #TVSafety

Starting at 7 p.m. EST on Feb. 16, it concerns televisions and other objects that can fall on children, causing deaths or serious injuries.

NIOSH Releases Fact Sheet on Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders

A work-related musculoskeletal disorder is an injury in the arms, legs, head, neck, or back that is caused or aggravated by work tasks such as lifting, pushing, and pulling.

Phone Counseling Program Helps Workers with Depression, Study Says

The Work and Health Initiative program improved depressive symptoms along with a number of work-related outcomes, including increased productivity and fewer missed work days.

Study: Cognitive Performance Suffers Following Natural Disasters

The researchers’ findings may point to potentially serious complications arising from post-disaster performance in daily life and work tasks. These findings also suggest that police, emergency responders, and others working in the aftermath of the disaster may also experience cognitive disruption, which can interfere with their ability to perform rescue-related tasks.

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