News

Washington – Exposure to low levels of methane and other combustible gases can lead to “catastrophic” consequences for helicopters traveling to and from offshore oil and gas platforms, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement recently cautioned.

Bologna, Italy – Occupational safety and health professionals have underemphasized the significance of exposures to vapors, gases, dusts and fumes that may lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in workers, international scientific academy Collegium Ramazzini claims in a statement released July 19.

Richmond, VA – Virginia experienced 29 workplace-related fatalities in the first seven months of 2016, eight of which occurred in July alone, according to the state’s Department of Labor and Industry.

Davis, CA – Drinking more water at work may help you avoid the temptations of “food altars” such as birthday cake, donuts or other junk food placed in common areas, according to researchers at the University of California, Davis.

Baton Rouge, LA – Service industry workers in Louisiana report a higher prevalence of poor health, chronic health conditions, and risk factors such as smoking and binge drinking than all other workers in the state, according to an analysis conducted by the state’s Occupational Health and Injury Surveillance Program.

Washington – OSHA has established an interim citation policy regarding concentrations of chemicals listed in Appendix A of the Process Safety Management Standard, according to a recent memorandum issued to regional administrators and State Plan designees.

Washington – The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has scheduled a public forum to discuss critical offshore equipment failures.

Washington – OSHA is accepting nominations until Oct. 31 for membership on the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health.

Arlington, VA – The overall permissible level of respirable dust in coal mines has been lowered to 1.5 milligrams per cubic meter of air from 2.0 as part of the third – and final – phase of the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s rule on limiting miner exposure to coal mine dust.

University Park, PA – Temporary structures used on construction sites can be monitored and assessed for safety through the use of data-collecting sensors, according to new research from Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Architectural Engineering.