Facility Safety


Hospital Report Cards Do Not Appear to Result in Significant Improvements

An analysis of quality of cardiac care following the public release of data on measures of care at hospitals in Ontario, Canada, did not result in significant systemwide improvement in hospitals' performance on most quality of care indicators, according to a study to be published in the December 2 issue of JAMA. The study is being released early online because of its presentation at an American Heart Association scientific conference.

Crowd Control Safety Tips for Black Friday

OSHA has prepared a fact sheet providing crowd control guidelines for retailers to protect workers during major sales events. Last year a worker was trampled to death while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of an after Thanksgiving Day "Black Friday" sales event. The store was not using the kind of crowd control measures recommended in OSHA's fact sheet.

This photo provided by Tyson shows an ergonomics improvement at the Storm Lake, Iowa, pork plant, the use of a bone-in loin stuffer.

Tyson, UFCW Mark 20 Years of Ergonomics Cooperation

The program began in 1989 at the Dakota City, Neb., beef complex, where the recordable injury and illness rate is now 67 percent below the 1991 rate and injuries and illnesses requiring the involvement of a physician are 73 percent below 1991 levels.

Construction Users Roundtable Presents Safety Awards

"The CURT Construction Industry Safety Excellence Award winners have once again established new levels of safety performance, achievement, and innovation that proves zero incidents can be achieved," said Greg Landis, co-chairman of the CURT Safety Committee.

Colorado Grain Fatality Brings $1.6 Million in Fines

OSHA issued $1,592,500 of the $1.6 million in fines against Tempel Grain Elevators LLP of Wiley, Colo., in connection with the May 29 engulfment death of a 17-year-old worker.

Do Z359 Standards Cover Transportation-Related Falls? Yes, Says ASSE

The Z359 Accredited Standards Committee said that an interpretation was not necessary because the scope of the committee and its projects and standards has always included rolling stock and therefore it is not exempt from the standard.

OSHA Issues H1N1 Enforcement Procedures Directive

States are required to notify OSHA whether they intend to adopt policies and procedures identical to today’s Instruction or adopt or maintain different policies and instructions for conducting inspections to minimize high to very high risk occupational exposures to the virus identified as 2009 H1N1 influenza.

EPA Proposes Stronger Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide

For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to strengthen the nation's sulfur dioxide (SO2) air quality standard to protect public health.



More than 1,000 federal and state inspections under the OSHA combustible dust National Emphasis Program uncovered more than 4,000 violations.

Combustible Dust Activist Also Hosting Meetings

Across the street from the site of OSHA's Dec. 14 meetings in Washington, D.C., John Astad will lead group discussions of OSHA's proposed rulemaking.

This photo, posted by the Chemical Safety Board, shows the fuel depot burning.

Strong Parallels Between Bayamon, Buncefield: CSB

The CSB will examine similarities and differences between the two fuel depot incidents in England and Puerto Rico, trying to help the industry understand what went wrong.

DuPont Doles Awards for Safety in the EMEA

This year's five winners "recognize that growth-oriented companies have not taken their focus off of safety or SHE matters -- a testament that safety is a business value and catalyst for growth," said Koen van Neyghen, president of DuPont Safety Resources for the EMEA region.

CSB Safety Message Urges State Adoption of ASME Pressure Vessel Code

Chemical Safety Board Chairman John Bresland released a new video safety message on Nov. 12 asking jurisdictions across the country to adopt the ASME Pressure Vessel Code to reduce the number of accidents involving catastrophic pressure vessel failures in process industries.

Heating, Air Conditioning, Carpets Could be Hazardous to Health

Damp environments, poorly maintained heating and air conditioning systems, and carpeting may contribute to poor indoor air quality, according to experts at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Miami Beach, Fla. Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, where they are repeatedly exposed to indoor allergens and airborne particles that can lead to respiratory symptoms and conditions.

H1N1 Guide for HRs

New H1N1 Guide Offers Practical Tools, Tips for HR Professionals

"We're beyond theory and onto execution," said CIDRAP Director Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H. "The pandemic is here. And we need every business to recognize the impact it can have. It's not too late, but time is of the essence."

EPA Releases Data on Compliance with Hazwaste, Air Regulations

The reports include online graphs, trend information on enforcement and compliance in each state, and comparative reports. Data such as compliance monitoring activity, violations discovered, enforcement actions taken, and penalties assessed are available.

CCPS Launches Benchmarking Program for Process Safety Management Systems

The Center for Chemical Process Safety, a technology alliance of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, has announced a partnership with Phillip Townsend and Associates to establish a program of formal benchmarking in process safety in the chemical, energy, and pharmaceutical industries. Participating companies will compare their process safety programs and performance in an effort to identify best practices and drive process safety improvement across the board.

An image of people at A+A Messe Dusseldorf.

Huge Crowds Fill A+A's Halls

Attendees from around the world are filling some of the lavish booths occupied by the largest PPE companies, including the Uvex unit of Sperian Protection, Honeywell Safety Products, MSA, Ansell, and more.

OSHA Levies More than $100,000 in Penalties against Columbus Steel Castings

OSHA has cited Columbus Steel Castings Co. in Columbus with proposed penalties totaling $102,000 for alleged serious and repeat violations of federal workplace safety and health standards.

guy with respiratory mask

Voluntary Use of Respirators

If there are no contaminants at your worksite or the concentration levels are below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), you, as the employer or Respiratory Protection Program Administrator, may allow your employees to wear respirators for relief from nuisance dusts or other contaminants, including relief from nuisance odors. But before you give the go-ahead, you need to know what your responsibilities are and the options you have as the Employer/Program Administrator.

Nurses, Hospital Reach 'Historic Agreement' on Pandemic Protection

"We are pleased that Catholic Healthcare West is joining with us to set the highest possible hospital safeguards for patients and nurses and creating an innovative model that every hospital in America should follow," said Rose Ann DeMoro, CNA/NNOC executive director.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence

Webinars