The Health and Safety Executive last week said the combined fatality and major injury rate for offshore oil and gas in 2009-2010 almost doubled the previous year's rate.
Both the hearing and those who are hearing impaired must receive the same message, and it must be specific, consistent, certain, clear, and accurate.
The regulations, which establish procedures for handling worker retaliation complaints, allow filing by phone as well as in writing and filing in languages other than English.
Ninety-one percent of businesses surveyed in 2007 by The Ad Council said it is "very" or "somewhat" important to take steps to prepare for a catastrophic disaster. Yet many companies fail to prepare.
Three public listening sessions on Sept. 8 will help the agency hear from stakeholders, who have a chance to influence the agency's next five-year Strategic Plan.
The violations include inadequate hearing and respiratory protection programs, electrical hazards, improper use of compressed air, as well as employee exposure to silica, lead, and manganese fumes.
The week is a nationwide initiative that revolves around Labor Day and is the result of an on-going collaboration between local Mexican Consulate offices, federal and state labor and workforce departments, labor rights advocates, and others.
"We are concerned that wastes from mineral processing and associated fertilizer production can pose a serious risk to our nation’s drinking water and the health of families," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
A safety alert issued this week notes that fingerstick and POC blood testing devices such as blood glucose meters and PT/INR anticoagulation meters used on more than one patient may not be safe for several reasons.
According to OSHA, an employee operating a tractor struck and hospitalized another worker who was digging a shallow ditch.
“Our message is loud and clear. If you drive drunk you will be arrested and prosecuted,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.
FAA determined that 286 of the airline’s MD-80s were operated on a combined 14,278 passenger flights while the aircraft were not in compliance with federal regulations.
Citations against two USPS facilities in the past week are the latest in a string of penalties against other individual postal facilities nationwide, and follow DOL's filing in July of an enterprise-wide complaint that included 350 postal outposts.
In addition to 18 serious citations, the company received four repeat citations, in part for failing to develop an energy control program, develop and implement a written hazard communication program, and train workers on chemical hazards in their work area.
According to Terminix, reports of bedbug infestations in office buildings and retail shops are on the rise. The company offers tips for keeping the pests at bay.
"Good research and good intentions are not enough," said Otto Cars, chairman of the International Secretariat for ReAct. "Priorities need to be established, along with new guidelines, diagnostic methods and incentives to promote investments in pharmaceutical development. Global cooperation and concrete proposals are required."
The board also released a 15-minute safety video titled "No Escape: Dangers of Confined Spaces," which includes a detailed animation depicting the tragedy that unfolded at Xcel's Cabin Creek plant on Oct. 2, 2007, taking the lives of five contractors.
An extensive accident investigation conducted by PHMSA found Enbridge failed to safely and adequately perform maintenance and repair activities, clear the designated work area from possible sources of ignition, and hire properly trained and qualified workers.
"The company even knew its workers suffered from lead poisoning, yet avoided proper medical attention in favor of providing an unapproved and potentially unsafe treatment," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels.
"Creating a safer environment and eliminating hazardous conditions on the high seas is one of the goals of the NTSB," said Robert Sumwalt, NTSB board member. "The forum will provide a great opportunity to identify strategies to improve safety."