January, 2015 | The Pump Handle

APHA Annual Meeting Local New Jersey officials integrate worker safety into restaurant inspections; collect new insights on occupational risks

January 16, 2015 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

Food safety is at the top of the list for local restaurant inspectors in Rockaway Township, New Jersey. Recently, however, inspectors tested out the feasibility of adding a new safety checkpoint to the menu — the safety of restaurant employees. The effort was a success and one that organizers hope will ultimately lead to safer working conditions for food service workers statewide.

Injury Control & Violence Not an “accident”: Richard Johnson, 31, suffers fatal work-related injury in Phoenix, AZ

January 16, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 2Comment

This week’s snapshot of just one work-related fatality in the U.S. This one occurred on January 12, 2015 in Phoenix, AZ.

Food Safety & Nutrition LPNs supervised by an EMT: Poultry company’s answer to an employee health clinic

January 15, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

OSHA found what I’d call medical malpractice going on at a nursing station at a Wayne Farms poultry processing plant. The agency called them on it in a letter to firm’s operations manager.

Agriculture Child and adolescent farmworkers report serious safety gaps on the job, new study finds

January 14, 2015 Kim Krisberg

With agriculture ranked one of the most dangerous industries in the country, many Americans might be surprised to know that it’s still perfectly legal for farms to officially employ children. For years, advocates have been working to address this gaping loophole in the nation’s child labor laws, often citing children’s increased vulnerability to workplace-related injury, illness and exploitation. A new study confirms those concerns, underscoring the need to better protect the children and youth working in American fields.

Agriculture Occupational Health News Roundup

January 13, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Staten Island worker death highlights risks facing Latino construction workers; fight continues to ban asbestos; Minnesota minimum wage increase in jeopardy for tipped workers; and researchers look for ways to protect respiratory health among dairy farm workers.

Environmental Health Transportation and poverty in the suburbs

January 12, 2015 Liz Borkowski, MPH 1Comment

Poverty rates are rising in many suburban areas, but suburban public transit systems are often inadequate for low-income residents trying to get to work.

Environmental Health 2012 train derailment, first responders and “indefensible actions”

January 9, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

Emergency responders to a 2012 train derailment were exposed to vinyl chloride. Many did not wear respiratory protection, and some suffered acute health effects. An MMWR report describes those findings, but an NTSB report illuminates how and why their safety was compromised.

Injury Control & Violence Not an “accident”: Timothy Winding, 50, suffers fatal work-related injury in Claycomo, MO

January 8, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

This week’s snapshot of just one work-related fatality in the U.S. This one occurred on December 30, 2014 in Claycomo, MO.

Cancer Courtney, Stephanie and Paul: three too many asbestos disease stories

January 7, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

Reporter David McCumber introduces us to three individuals whose lives forever changed because of asbestos exposure. There will be more of them if companies, like the ones just cited by OSHA, continue to violate asbestos regulations.

Cancer Study: Data from nurses’ study finds link between night shifts, higher mortality risk

January 6, 2015 Kim Krisberg

A new analysis of data from the world’s largest and longest-running study of women’s health finds that rotating night shift work is associated with higher mortality rates. The new findings add to a growing awareness that long-term night shift work comes with serious occupational health risks.