Worker Health & Safety | The Pump Handle

Cancer The air we breathe: WHO says air pollution is carcinogenic and urges action – scientists contend industry is hindering progress

October 23, 2013 Elizabeth Grossman 3Comment

On October 17, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced that it has classified air pollution as a human carcinogen. Although the composition of air pollution and exposure levels vary widely from place to place, IARC says its assessment is applicable worldwide and notes that exposures in rapidly industrializing countries […]

Occup Health News Roundup Occupational Health News Roundup

October 21, 2013 Liz Borkowski, MPH

EHS Today tackles Bangladesh factory safety; federal employees get paid for shutdown days, but thousands of contractors don’t; and health ministers from across the Americas pledge funds to address chronic kidney disease that’s killing agricultural workers.

Environmental Health Despite shutdown, journalists finding plenty to report on coal miner fatalities

October 17, 2013 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

Reporters were shut out during the shutdown of access to agency information. That situation didn’t stop two of them from continuing to report on deaths of workers in the U.S. mining industry.

Environmental Health USDA to poultry plant workers: no promise we’ll address line speed hazards

October 15, 2013 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 5Comment

USDA continues to insist that worker safety concerns are OSHA’s responsibility, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that its proposed rule to “modernize” poultry slaughter inspection with dizzying line speeds will injure workers.

Occup Health News Roundup Occupational Health News Roundup

October 10, 2013 Liz Borkowski, MPH

As the Mine Safety & Health Administration furloughs employees, three mineworkers were killed on the job in three days; OSHA issues fines in West Fertilizer explosion case; and another Bangladesh factory fire kills nine workers.

Government Turning new page for transparency in worker safety rulemaking

October 9, 2013 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

For the first time in OSHA’s rulemaking history, the agency is requesting that those submitting studies, reports and analysis on its proposed silica standard disclose potential conflicts of interest.

Government Dismissing a widow’s plea, just another reason to dislike the coal industry

October 7, 2013 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 2Comment

Last year, Caitlin O’Dell’s 27 year-old husband was crushed between two pieces of mobile mining equipment. A proximity detection device could have saved his life, but the coal industry insists the devices need more study before mine operators are required to install them.

Government Austerity at OSHA: Report chronicles impact of declining resources

October 4, 2013 Kim Krisberg 3Comment

While OSHA has never been the most robustly funded federal agency, its efforts and regulatory authority have helped prevent countless deaths, injuries and illnesses on the job. However, recent budget cuts and future budget cut proposals threaten those gains, and it’s no stretch to say that worker health and safety hang in the balance.

Government Houston firefighter’s recovery marks fourth month, May blaze killed four in his crew

October 3, 2013 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

Houston Fire Captain William Dowling spent seven weeks in intensive care recovering from injuries suffered in one of the deadliest fires in Houston history. Many more months of rehabilitation await him.

Government Government shutdown halts most federal workplace safety inspections

October 2, 2013 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 3Comment

The federal government shutdown has put a halt on most workplace safety inspections. It’s another important public health program adversely affected by the spending showdown.