Hazards

Olympia, WA – The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has issued a hazard alert for workers who use thermal cutting tools to de-tension cables embedded in concrete structures such as bridges and freeway overpasses, warning them of the dangers of lead exposure.

Albany, NY – New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) has signed legislation that will elevate assaults on the state’s utility workers, transit station and terminal cleaners, and process servers – formerly misdemeanors – to Class D felonies.

Washington – OSHA has published an amendment to correct typographical errors in the formulas in its final rule aimed at protecting workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Arlington, VA – An advisory committee has concluded that the Environmental Protection Agency’s draft document on health risks involving the chemical 1-Bromopropane is “a good risk assessment document” overall but could be improved.

Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are the two most dangerous heat-related illnesses, according to OSHA.

East Lansing, MI – Lack of civil behavior in the workplace can cause employees to experience mental fatigue and respond in a similar manner, which can negatively affect an organization’s bottom line, according to a recent study from Michigan State University.

Washington – OSHA is warning workers of the dangers of methylene chloride after a temporary worker died from exposure to the chemical.

Raleigh, NC – More than two dozen pesticides – including the most commonly used herbicide – are associated with respiratory wheeze among male farmers, according to a recent study from North Carolina State University.

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.