S+H Staff

Washington – Highway deaths in 2011 decreased 1.9 percent from 2010 to 32,367 – the lowest level since 30,246 fatalities were reported in 1949, according to a new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Dec. 12 announced updates to three of its motorcoach safety initiatives.

Washington – All first-time drunk driving offenders should be required to use ignition interlocks, according to a set of recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Nearly 1 in 4 motor vehicle crashes involves drivers using cell phones, according to the National Safety Council. Employers

Seattle – Nearly one-third of pedestrians engage in distracting activities while crossing intersections, with text messaging representing the biggest risk to their safety, finds a new study from the University of Washington.

Washington – President Barack Obama should issue an executive order to extend safety and health protections, argues the Center for Progressive Reform, a public health and environmental advocacy group.

Washington – Workplace injuries and illnesses took a financial toll on low-wage workers and cost the country more than $39 billion in 2010, a new white paper and policy brief concludes.

Washington – Stakeholders will have an opportunity at two upcoming OSHA stakeholder meetings to share their views on preventing injuries and deaths from vehicle backovers.

Washington – OSHA’s process for accrediting Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories is lengthy, and the agency should implement new strategies to improve timeliness, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

Washington – The inaugural appointees for OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee were announced Dec. 13.