Manufacturing

Washington – The U.S. workplace fatality rate increased in 2014 – the first time it has done so since 2010, according to finalized data released April 21 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Washington – OSHA’s recently issued final rule on respirable crystalline silica received both criticism and support during an April 19 hearing convened by the House Workforce Protections Subcommittee.

Washington – Petitions that request a review of OSHA’s recently issued rule on silica exposure will be consolidated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Court.

Washington – Musculoskeletal disorders account for between one-third and one-half of all injuries resulting in days away from work, job restriction or transfer in six major industries, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report released April 13.

Omaha, NE – OSHA has initiated a Local Emphasis Program for meat processing workers in Nebraska, where employees have an above-average rate of injury.

Schaumburg, IL – The American Foundry Society and the National Association of Manufacturers have requested that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit review OSHA’s recently released final rule on silica.

Washington – Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez faced sharp scrutiny during a recent Senate subcommittee hearing over accusations that OSHA ignored “congressional intent” regarding the agency’s enforcement policy for retail establishments under the Process Safety Management Standard.

Washington – OSHA has released its final rule on protecting workers from exposure to silica, marking the agency’s first updated regulation for the material since 1971.

Kansas City, MO – Federal statistics show that more than 1 in 14 poultry-processing workers suffers recordable injuries or illnesses on the job – a far higher proportion than other private-sector workers.

Washington – NIOSH and the Environmental Protection Agency are seeking public comments on worker exposure to 1-Bromopropane, a potentially hazardous chemical found in certain industries.