Hazard Communication


FDA Provides Information to Consumers About Triclosan

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated its Web site with information about triclosan, a common ingredient added to many consumer products to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination. It may be found in antibacterial soaps and body washes, toothpastes, and some cosmetics--products regulated by the FDA.

NQF: U.S. Health Care Not as Safe as It Should Be

Communication failures between patients and health care providers are at the root of systems failures and human errors that lead to harm, says the National Quality Forum, a nonprofit organization trying to improve the industry.

9/11 FDNY Rescuers Show Lasting Lung Damage

A study of nearly 13,000 rescue workers from the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) shows that the significant proportion who suffered acute lung damage after exposure to World Trade Center (WTC) dust have not recovered normal lung function in the years since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Correct Exercise, Posture Key to Older Adult Fall Prevention

Being able to stay in their homes and remain independent is a daily struggle for many older adults. As we age we tend to lose our flexibility, our connective tissue tightens, and we have prolonged reaction times. Problems with vision, including depth perception, all increase the likelihood of falling. When a child falls it may result in a few bumps and bruises.

Fatal Injuries Rise in Older Americans

The risk of dying from injuries is increasing for Americans ages 65 and older according to a new report from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Injury Research and Policy.

29 Confirmed Dead in Mine Blast; Officials Respond

"The investigation team will work tirelessly to evaluate all aspects of this accident to identify the cause of the disaster," said Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary of labor for MSHA.

Northeastern to Host Global Regulation of Nanotechnologies Conference

Leading international experts on the global regulation of nanotechnologies, including scientists, lawyers, ethicists, government officials, industry stakeholders, and nongovernment officials will join in a two-day conference May 7-8, 2010, at Northeastern University's School of Law in Boston.

Iowa Becomes 21st State to Ban Texting for All Drivers

NHTSA says distracted or inattentive driving has become a national epidemic, accounting for an estimated 6,000 deaths and half-a-million injuries in 2008. In 2009, more than 200 distracted driving bills were under consideration by state legislatures, and the pace is expected to increase this year.



25 Killed in West Virginia Coal Mine Blast

"West Virginia is in mourning today,” said Representative Nick J. Rahall II on location at the mine, which is in his district. “We will scrutinize the health and safety violations at this mine to see whether the law was circumvented and miners’ precious lives were willfully put at risk, and there will be accountability.”

white paper sums up dangers of distracted driving

Study: This is Your (Distracted) Brain While Using a Hands-Free Cell

While many people understand the increased crash risks caused by drivers texting while driving, the lack of understanding about the dangers of hands-free phones remains a challenge, says the council, which has produced a study explaining the limitations of the human brain as it pertains to multitasking.

OSHA to Continue Targeted Inspections of Federal Agency Sites

During FY 2009, field inspectors conducted 59 inspections of high-hazard federal worksites and found 336 violations of OSHA safety and health standards -- more than twice the number cited in 2008.

DOJ Seeks Permanent Injunction against Texas Egg Roll Manufacturer

The Department of Justice, in an action initiated by the FDA, is seeking a permanent injunction against Chung’s Products LP ("Chung's"), an egg roll manufacturer in Houston; Charlie A. Kujawa, the company's president; and Gregory S. Birdsell, the firm's director of quality assurance.

Tips for Communicating in an Emergency

According to the Federal Communications Commission, it is important for consumers to keep in mind that during an emergency, many more people are trying to use their wireless and wired line telephones at the same time when compared to normal calling activity. When more people try to call at the same time, the increased calling volume may create network congestion.

FDA Evaluating Stalevo Clinical Trial Data

FDA is evaluating clinical trial data that may suggest that patients taking Stalevo, a Parkinson's disease medication, may be at an increased risk for developing prostate cancer. In this trial, patients taking Stalevo were compared to those taking carbidopa and levodopa (sold as Sinemet), a combination medication also used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Study: Tweets on Antibiotics Can Go Viral

Researchers from Columbia University and MixedInk studied the health information content of Twitter updates mentioning antibiotics to determine how people are sharing information and assess the proliferation of misinformation.

Wisconsin Dairy Cited Following Farmhand's Death in Manure Pit

Citations address the farm's failure to provide a guarding mechanism to prevent power-driven machinery from accidentally falling into the earthen manure storage facility, alteration of seat belts on that machinery, and the lack of adequate training and instruction for operators of the skid-steer machinery, among other things.

Why Cost-Cutting Safety May Cost You More

Cutting back on safety expenses could amount to gambling with not only the health and well-being of workers, but also with profits and perhaps the company itself.

ASSE Paves Way for Work Zone Safety Webinar

The free, one-hour event will focus in part on the new A10.47 standard, which covers flagger safety, run over/back over prevention, equipment operator safety, illumination, PPE, and more.

It is estimated more than 3 billion syringes generated outside of health care are discarded in regular trash annually.

Assessing the Hidden Problem of Medical Waste Disposal

Throwing sharps containers, red bags, and spill cleanup materials into the trash sends up a red flag to commercial or municipal trash collectors because they are not allowed to take this waste.

Ready for Anything

Being prepared for an unexpected disaster requires planning well in advance in order to manage any emergency situation. Whether it is a natural, weather-related, man-made, or technological disaster, the key to survival lies in your pre-disaster efforts. Taking the time to assess the company's functions, develop plans to keep the business operating, detail strategies to lead recovery, and conduct employee training can make the difference between survival or closure for a business.

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