Risk Management


NIOSH Issues Medical Screening Guidance for Nano Workers

This interim guidance is not sounding an alarm bell. The agency says scientific and medical evidence remains insufficient to recommend specific screening of workers potentially exposed to engineered nanoparticles.

Auto Parts Plant Racks Up 25 Safety Violations, $302,000 in Penalties

Among the items OSHA cited after an investigation that opened in August 2008 were improper forklift operations, not providing eye protection or eye flushing stations, and improper hazardous energy control procedures during press machine maintenance and repairs.

OSHA Letter Addresses Limits of Some Shock-Absorbing Lanyards

If the distance between a lift's work platform and a lower level will be less than the minimum anchor point elevation stipulated by the lanyard's manufacturer, then a different fall-arrest or restraint system must be used.

NIOSH Extends Comment Period on Hexavalent Chromium Document

The document provides a review of the available literature and an update of the agency's policies on occupational exposure to the compounds, including an assessment of relevant quantitative risk assessments about exposure to them and appropriate methods for sampling and analysis of the compounds in the workplace.

An image of a cooked turkey being taken out of the oven.

Research Finds Americans Unaware of Burn Dangers at Home

In the United States, more than 112,000 people enter a hospital emergency room each year with hot tap water scald burns. Thousands more suffer injuries from hot foods and beverages heated on the stove or in the microwave.

Warehouse/Distribution Center Faces $123,100 in Fines

After a city fire department reported the site had blocked fire exits and aisles, OSHA began its inspection July 29, 2008.

a yellow sign warning of slippery conditions

HSE Starts Phase Two of 'Shattered Lives'

The British campaign to reduce slip-and-fall injuries is focused on seven sectors where they are common: food retail, catering and hospitality, food and drink manufacturing, building and plant maintenance, construction, health care, and education.

MSHA and Coal Watchdog's New Blog Hailed

Ken Ward Jr.'s coverage of the industry and mining safety is now available in a blog on his newspaper's Web site.



EPA Orders Louisiana Waste Treatment Facility to Cease Operations

The action follows an inspection last week that found numerous "deficiencies and discrepancies," all in violation of the requirements of the site's state-issued permit.

Fruit Company to Spend $100,000+ Settling Risk Management Program Violations

The Yakima, Wash.-based company agreed to spend more than $85,000 within the next year for safety improvements and to purchase new communications and rescue equipment for local fire departments.

DOL Gives CANEL Workers Special Exposure Cohort Designation

The Department of Labor has announced that all former Connecticut Aircraft Nuclear Engine Laboratory (CANEL) workers have now been added to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act's (EEOICPA) Special Exposure Cohort (SEC). EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to employees who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. Survivors of qualified employees may also be entitled to benefits.

"Beyond the HIPAA Privacy Rule: Enhancing Privacy, Improving Health Through Research"

Report: HIPAA Privacy Rule Not Private Enough

Among its recommendations, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Health Research and the Privacy of Health Information urges all health research institutions take strong measures to safeguard the security of personal¬ly identifiable health information and advises the Department of Health and Human Services to support the development and use of new security technologies and self-evaluation standards.

USFA, NVFC Release Volunteer Fire, Emergency Services Guide

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), working with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), has issued a revised Health and Wellness Guide for the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services.

OSHA Antes Up for Casino Construction

The 126-acre site in Pennsylvania will hold a 300-room hotel, 200,000 square feet of retail space, 3,000 slot machines, a meeting and convention area, and a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment venues.

Manufacturer Fined $102,000 for Lead Exposure, Defective Machinery, More

The total penalty amount is the result of citations for seven repeat violations, 19 serious violations, and 10 other-than-serious violations found during an inspection initiated by a complaint.

Lawmakers Reintroduce Combustible Dust Bill

U.S. Reps. George Miller, D-Calif., and John Barrow, D-Ga., have reintroduced a bill to force OSHA to issue a regulation intended to prevent combustible dust explosions. U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, who chairs the Workforce Protections Subcommittee of Miller's Education and Labor Committee, joined them.

a cars exhaust, which contributes to urban air pollutants

Ozone Wheezing's Cause, New Treatments Found

Researchers from NIEHS and Duke University said they identified several proteins that can limit the lung irritation and wheezing caused by exposure to ozone, a common urban air pollutant.

Comment Period Extended on Formaldehyde Emissions Rule

To encourage "more complete public participation" on the proposed rulemaking, EPA also has added an additional public meeting that will take place in New Orleans on March 4.

Lindsay E. Booher, CIH, CSP, AIHA president

AIHA Seeks GAO Study of NIOSH's Rightful Place

Should NIOSH remain within CDC? Should it be part of the Department of Labor? AIHA President Lindsay E. Booher, shown here, asked Sen. Ted Kennedy, the HELP Committee chair, to support a GAO study of the issue.

FDA, Eli Lilly Evaluating the Drug Xigris

The agency's safety review of the drug comes on the heels of a recent study reporting an increased risk of serious bleeding events and death in patients with sepsis and baseline bleeding risk factors who received the drug.

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