"The safety of workers operating bag conversion machines should not be compromised due to avoidable hazards," said Mark Stelmack, director of OSHA's area office in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where the investigation was initiated after a complaint was received.
"The sad thing about these fatal events is that they're predictable," said Al Johnson, the First District recreational boating specialist. "What is tragic is that most were preventable."
With a very challenging flu season ahead, year two of the Joint Commission Resources' Flu Vaccination Challenge has a goal of building on last year's success at raising the flu vaccination rate among U.S. health care workers.
The Worker Protection Standard, part of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, contains requirements for the provision of pesticide safety training, decontamination supplies, and emergency medical assistance, as well as the notification of recent pesticide applications and the use of protective equipment.
Only manufacturers licensed by the American Petroleum Institute after meeting strict quality control standards, and who are subject to continued monitoring by API, are authorized to manufacture and sell products containing an API certification mark.
On Aug. 14, 2009, new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act will take effect that are aimed at making children's products safer and increasing consumer confidence in the marketplace.
The repeat violations contributing to the proposed penalties totaling $144,900 included failing to provide guardrails on scaffolds at different working levels, provide access ladders and toe boards, and ensure all working levels were fully planked.
A revision to OSHA's Acetylene Standard replaces references to outdated consensus standards with updated references reflecting current industry practices in the acetylene industry.
The Food and Drug Administration recently announced it has stepped up its efforts to prevent non-compliant investigators and others from participating in new product development. FDA's procedures for debarment and disqualification have been enhanced to better protect participants in clinical studies and for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the medical products marketed to the American public.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is encouraging firefighters and fire departments to focus on health and wellness next week through participation in the Third Annual National Firefighter Health Week, happening Aug. 17-21. The theme for this year is "It takes a healthy heart, mind, and body to do what you do - Keep It Strong."
Daytona Beach, Fla.-based APCO serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world.
"The employer regularly lifted 60-107 tons of precast concrete beams with cranes ill-equipped to handle this kind of load, exposing workers to a variety of hazards," said Mark Stelmack, area director of OSHA's Wilkes-Barre office.
No workers died while working offshore during 2008/09, the second consecutive year with no fatalities, and 30 major injuries during the year was a drop of 14 from 2007/08.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced its Top Ten list of recalled children's products as part of the agency's "Resale Round-up" campaign. CPSC's goal is to protect consumers by getting dangerous recalled products out of resale stores and off the Internet. Re-selling recalled products is a violation of federal law.
In a guidance issued Aug. 6, the Food and Drug Administration says that certain pharmaceutical ingredients used in the manufacture or preparation of drug products should be tested for melamine.
The Oct. 7 public meeting will explore how hospitals, universities, and others who use radioactive materials in conducting research are affected by having limited access to low-level waste disposal facilities.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced that the agency is taking an important step to ensure children's health is taken into account when evaluating the chemical perchlorate.
As side-by-side recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) continue to gain in popularity, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, so does the number of reports of injuries and deaths involving these vehicles. Even though ROVs have a roll cage and seat belts, CPSC is urging all riders and passengers to remain vigilant about safety before hitting the trails and while off-roading.
Managed by the University of Florida, the alliance is known worldwide for approving training courses, trainers, and certifications for seafood safety programs.
"OSHA standards require that circuits be de-energized before employees work on them and that appropriate personal protective equipment be supplied and used in those rare instances where de-energizing is not feasible," said Paul Mangiafico, OSHA's area director for Middlesex and Essex (Mass.) counties.