Agriculture/Forestry/Fishing

Washington – After a recent visit with workers in tobacco fields and labor camps in North Carolina, members of an international delegation said they were shocked and saddened to see widespread worker abuse.

Indianapolis – The risk of injury and death at grain-handling facilities can be reduced by recognizing the dangers and taking necessary precautions, the Indiana Department of Labor states.

Tumwater, WA – The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health has released a bulletin that warns about the hazards of bark and mulch blower systems.

Washington – The Office of Management and Budget is reviewing a controversial U.S. Department of Agriculture final rule that would speed up poultry-processing lines, a move safety advocates warn could lead to more worker injuries.

Washington – Implementation of the Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention Initiative in 1996 has helped reduce the number of agricultural injuries suffered by children, according to a recent report from NIOSH.

Washington – Employers of fruit pickers and landscapers have new resources – in both English and Spanish – to help keep workers safe on and near tripod orchard ladders.

Portland, OR – Three preventable logging fatalities in Oregon have prompted a new set of discussion points for supervisors to share with their crews.

Washington – The U.S. Coast Guard is accepting applications for seven openings on its 18-member Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee.

Washington – Livestock haulers will receive a one-year exemption from taking a mandated 30-minute break during an eight-hour shift, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced.

Washington – Workers in distant-water tuna fishing fleets face a greater risk of death and injury than workers in almost all other types of fishing fleets, according to a new report from NIOSH.