US Government | The Pump Handle

Education Mapping technique reveals spatial clustering of workplace injuries and potential new venues for outreach

June 26, 2015 Kim Krisberg

A common hurdle in the field of occupational health and safety is delivering what can sometimes be life-saving information to the people who need it most. After all, not all employers are amenable to workplace health and safety education. But what if safety advocates could find and connect with the most at-risk workers out in the community? Perhaps even reach vulnerable workers with safety education before they experience an injury at work?

Food Safety & Nutrition Crippled hands, strained bladders: OSHA cites Delaware poultry company

June 22, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

For the just the second time in 10 years, OSHA issued citations to a poultry company for repetitive motion hazards that cause musculoskeletal injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Government Perspective on TPP in an unlikely place—a medical journal

June 18, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

A new take on TPP, which appears in the New England Journal of Medicine, gives me another reason to give the TPP a thumbs down.

Agriculture Occupational Health News Roundup

June 16, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Historic agreement reached between farmworkers and agribusiness in Baja California; New York fast food workers testify in support of higher wages; Cal-OSHA to strengthen its heat exposure oversight; and labor advocates say an upcoming visit from Pope Francis could be a boost for workers.

Injury Control & Violence Fatal work injury that killed Richard Johnson was preventable, Arizona OSHA cites Southwest Fabrication

June 15, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

The fatal work-related injuries that killed Richard Johnson, 31, could have been prevented had his employer followed worker safety regulations.

Environmental Health Researchers find association between proximity to fracking sites and low birth weight newborns

June 12, 2015 Kim Krisberg

The science on the health effects of fracking is still very much emerging. Oftentimes, the growing body of research can’t make a conclusive link between the drilling technique and negative health impacts, but it certainly makes the case that more research is needed. Earlier this month, another study joined the pack.

Government Fatal work injury that killed John Dunnivant was preventable, OSHA cites Kia Motors

June 11, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

The fatal work-related injuries that killed John Dunnivant, 57, could have been prevented had his employer followed worker safety regulations.

Government A Q&A with public health leaders on emergency preparedness: ‘It should be approached as a permanent and consistent part of what public health does, not a quick fix’

June 10, 2015 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

“All response is local” is a commonly heard phrase among public health practitioners who serve on the front lines of disease outbreaks, emergencies and disasters. Whether it’s a measles outbreak, a terrorist attack or a hurricane, public health agencies are at the ready to deploy an emergency response infrastructure designed for one overriding purpose: to protect their communities against preventable disease and injury.

Labor Rights Advocates must push regulators to improve, enforce standards

June 9, 2015 The Pump Handle

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health held its national safety conference last week in Baltimore, Maryland. This recap includes comments from OSHA administrator Jordan Barab, national reporters, and advocates who participated.

Government Massachusetts extends OSHA protections to state workers: It’s about ‘creating an infrastructure that supports health and safety’

June 5, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Back in 1970 when the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration was established, local policymakers could choose whether or not to extend OSHA protections to state employees. Unfortunately, Massachusetts took a pass. But decades later — and after years of advocacy, organizing and research on the part of worker advocates — employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can now look forward to safer and healthier workplaces.