Cardiac Science Corp. recently announced it will replace approximately 24,000 automated external defibrillators used by first responders and certain medical facilities as part of a recall dating back to November 2009.

AEDs are likely to be used more frequently by first responders and medical facilities, which may increase the probability of malfunction during a rescue attempt, according to a press release from the Bothell, WA-based company. First priority will be given to police, fire and ambulance workers.

Cardiac Science said other customers affected by the recall only require the previously announced software update, which improves the AED's self-test capabilities and detection of the component issue linked to possible machine failure.

Members of the American Trucking Associations voiced both support of and "serious concern" about portions of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidance regarding maintaining duty-status and hours-of-service records, according to comments submitted July 8.

Arlington, VA-based ATA said although it supported FMCSA's efforts to provide clarity on requirements, a primary concern is that the guidance implies mandated use of information and records from electronic communication and tracking systems in HOS oversight activities. Another concern is related to a motor carrier's ability to challenge the accuracy of electronic communications and tracking data used for HOS oversight activities.

FMCSA's regulatory guidance and policy changes went into effect July 9. The changes were made in anticipation of a notice of proposed rulemaking for HOS, slated to be issued before the year's end.

Direct links to Spanish translations of two documents on respirator use are now on OSHA's Respiratory Protection Safety and Health Topics page. The "Medical Evaluation Questionnaire" and "Information for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under Standard" are included in Appendices C and D of OSHA's respiratory protection standard. The new links make it easier to find the Spanish-language versions of these documents, "Cuestionario de Evaluacion Medico obligado por la OSHA" and "Informacion Para los Empleados Que Usan los Respiradores Cuando No lo Exige el Reglamento o Norma," enhancing their usefulness in protecting the health of workers.

OSHA recently issued a directive (.pdf file) extending through September its National Emphasis Program on process safety management.

According to the directive, OSHA will perform programmed inspections of facilities housing highly hazardous chemicals in Regions I, VII and X, as well as unprogrammed inspections in other regions. OSHA encouraged State Plan states to adopt the NEP, which does not include refineries.

Whitco Company LP stadium light poles have been recalled for repair. The poles can fracture or crack and fall over, posing a risk of serious injury or death to patrons and bystanders from being hit or crushed. To learn more, visit the press release from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Even after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the matter, whether companies have to pay employees for the time spent donning and doffing safety gear was still confusing. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is trying to clear that up with a recent interpretation letter.

In a move OSHA said would update and remove inconsistent or duplicative standards, the agency has issued a proposed rule (.pdf file) that would revise or eliminate requirements in several standards.

The Standards Improvement Project – Phase III affects many standards, from those in general industry to construction and maritime. Some changes would be more cosmetic, such as altering the title of Subpart E in the general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910) from "Means of Egress" to "Exit Routes and Emergency Planning."

Other changes would clarify employer responsibilities by eliminating confusing language. For example, language explaining the trigger levels for monitoring in the general industry lead standard (1910.1025) is clarified: The standard currently says certain monitoring is required when levels are "above" the permissible exposure limit, and the proposed changes would tweak that requirement to when levels are "at or above" the PEL.

Comments on the proposed rule are being accepted until Sept. 30.

A NIOSH alert released July 7 outlines several risk management strategies for preventing firefighter deaths and injuries in fires at unoccupied structures.

According to the alert (.pdf file), abandoned or vacant structures pose unique risks because firefighters are likely to encounter unexpected and unsafe conditions, such as dilapidation, decay, damage from previous fires and vandals, and uncertain occupancy status.

Among NIOSH's recommendations to fire departments:

• Develop and enforce risk management plans.
• Inspect and preplan buildings within a department's jurisdiction.
• Adopt and enforce a standard system of marking abandoned, derelict and vacant buildings.

OSHA this week launched a dedicated web address to a webpage providing whistleblower information.

The web address, www.whistleblowers.gov, links to a webpage featuring information on worker rights, provisions under 18 federal whistleblower protection statues and how to file a retaliation complaint with OSHA.

The Department of Transportation has extended the mandatory use date for updated alcohol testing forms to Jan. 1, 2011.

According to a notice (.pdf file) published in the July 2 Federal Register, after DOT published a final rule authorizing use of the updated forms with a mandatory start date of Aug. 1, officials learned the industry may not use all the forms by the mandatory use date.

The rule went into effect July 2.

Although residential fire sprinkler systems are strongly recommended, the National Fire Protection Association this week issued guidance on draining any sprinkler systems containing antifreeze.

The guidance comes on the heels of a study (.pdf file) conducted in the aftermath of a fatal kitchen fire that indicated 70/30 percent glycerin and 60/40 percent propylene glycol antifreeze in sprinklers may present a risk in certain types of fires, such as grease fires. Quincy, MA-based NFPA recommends sprinkler systems be drained of antifreeze and the solution be replaced with water. Because sprinklers reduce death, injury and property losses from fire, NFPA does not recommend the systems be disconnected.

"Fire sprinklers are one of the most effective ways to save lives and property from fire," said James M. Shannon, president of NFPA. "Until we can provide further information based on additional research that is currently underway, we are urging the public to continue the use of sprinklers but to follow our interim safety guidelines by removing antifreeze if it is in their sprinkler systems."

As business owners prepare for the first storm of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, the Institute for Business & Home Safety has released tips to help organizations minimize any disruptions to their business during this time. Things to consider before a storm include verifying employee contact information, updating critical business functions, and preparing a recovery location. For more details, visit the IBHS website.

Health problems push roofers into early retirement, suggests a new paper from the Silver Spring, MD-based Center for Construction Research and Training, which is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.

A longitudinal study of 979 roofers 49 to 59 years old found 10 percent leave the profession within one year; of those, 60 percent exit because of chronic pain, work-related musculoskeletal disorders and poor health, according to a CCRT press release.

Due to their early retirement, workers were 19 times more likely to suffer moderate economic impact and 6.5 times more likely to experience severe economic impact one year later.

Workers who left the trade tended to be older, experienced lower physical function and more pain, and were more likely to have missed work and have work limitations in the two years before the first interview, the release said.

Roofers have the third-highest rate of jobsite fatalities in the construction industry. Researchers said the findings demonstrate the need to change work practices to prevent disability.

The study appeared in the June issue of the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

The New Madrid seismic zone could produce a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that likely would devastate parts of the Midwest, yet many emergency planners are not prepared, according to a report (.pdf file) released last week by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Some of the largest earthquakes in the country occurred in the New Madrid seismic zone in 1811 and 1812. Today, a massive earthquake would result in approximately 86,000 injuries and fatalities and damage to nearly 715,000 buildings and more than 3,500 bridges, according to the report.

Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri would be hardest hit, followed by Illinois and Kentucky. Direct economic losses would total nearly $300 billion, while indirect costs would be possibly twice that amount.

The study, commissioned by FEMA, identifies vulnerabilities and recommends improving infrastructure to potentially reduce the quake's impact.

Celebrating Independence Day often includes shooting off celebratory fireworks, but a number of agencies have issued warnings on the dangers of these explosives.

The Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks – a joint effort of the National Fire Protection Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics – released a video warning people that no fireworks are safe.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 92 percent of fireworks injuries involve fireworks that are legal for consumers to use.

In 2008, seven people were killed and an additional 7,000 were injured by fireworks. Every year, approximately 30,100 fireworks-related fires occur.

USFA offers the following fireworks safety tips:

• Do not use fireworks at home. Attend public fireworks displays lit by professionals.
• Never allow children to play with fireworks. Sparklers can reach 1,800° F.
• Stay clear of people shooting fireworks, as they often backfire or shoot in the wrong direction. Never aim a firework at someone.
• Do not allow children to pick up fireworks after a show. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.

A study by researchers at the Washington-based Pew Research Center shows adults are just as likely as teens to have texted while driving and are "substantially more likely" to have talked on a cell phone while driving.

The findings, released June 18, are based on survey results collected from 2,252 adults from April 29 to May 30 through Pew's Internet & American Life Project. Data was compared to results from a similar survey conducted in September 2009 of 800 teens ages 12 to 17 and a parent or guardian.

Results also showed:

• 49 percent of adults say they have been passengers in cars with a driver who was texting.
• 44 percent of adults say they have been passengers of drivers who used a cell phone in a way that put themselves or others in danger.
• 47 percent of respondents to the September 2009 survey were adults who said they have sent or read a text massage while driving, compared with 34 percent of teens ages 16 to 17 who said the same.

Although insurance is needed to cover a product recall, companies must still establish good recall procedures to promptly replace the product and secure their reputation and brand, said Marsh Senior Vice President Alan Schoem. Insurance should be only part of the company's quality-control program designed to prevent any product recall, Schoem explained. Insurers would be unlikely to renew recall insurance policies for manufacturers that are unprepared, he added.

Witnesses last week testified on the need for a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network as House subcommittee members worked on a bill to fund and develop the system.

The Public Safety Broadband Act – which is in draft form and has yet to be introduced – would require the implementation of the interoperable network, as well as fund its construction, maintenance and operation. The network, a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission, would allow for nationwide communication between multiple agencies and jurisdictions.

During a June 17 hearing before the Energy and Commerce Committee's Communications, Technology and the Internet Subcommittee, several witnesses, including a New York City communications officer and the chief of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission, urged Congress to push for establishment of the network and ensure its proper funding.

Another bill, the Next Generation 9-1-1 Preservation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4829), also was discussed at the hearing. That bill would help migrate next-generation communications such as texting, e-mail and video into the current voice-based 911 system.

Although falls from ladders account for 30 percent of falls from heights, residential apprentices believe ladders pose minimal risk, according to research from the Washington State University School of Medicine in St. Louis; Duke University in Durham, NC; and the Carpenters' District Council of Greater St. Louis and Vicinity.

According to a study abstract, researchers surveyed 1,025 apprentices to assess their fall prevention knowledge, risk perceptions, confidence, training, perceived safety climate and crew safety behaviors. About 16 percent of the apprentices reported falling in the past year, and more than 50 percent knew someone who had fallen, according to a press release from the Silver Spring, MD-based Center for Construction Research and Training, which funded the study.

The biggest predictor of falls was less than one year of experience in construction. Most apprentices said they had not received training on proper ladder use. About 87 percent were trained on fall protection systems, although only 13 percent of worksites used them, the release said.

Recommendations included better fall prevention training for apprentices, and contractors and researchers should work together to improve the safety culture.

OSHA has posted 26 years of data on a Web page detailing workplace exposures to toxic chemicals such as asbestos, benzene, beryllium, cadmium, lead, nickel, and silica. This Web page has since been enhanced by the addition of a search engine to make the data more accessible and expand its usefulness as a research tool. The page's online form now allows users to search and sort records of OSHA samplings for toxic chemical exposure by categories such as establishment, industry, state, year range, substance and OSHA inspection number. Users can also download sampling data from 1984 to 2009, either in one full set or by individual year.

A new training component emphasizing worker rights has been added to OSHA's 10- and 30-hour Outreach Training Program classes as required content.

According to an OSHA press release, "Introduction to OSHA" advises workers on their rights to:

• A safe workplace
• Training
• Make a request for an OSHA inspection
• Be free from retaliation

The two-hour component is required for the 10- and 30-hour construction, general industry, and maritime outreach courses.

"We are confident that this new training will embolden workers to speak up when they find work practices that endanger their lives and the lives of their co-workers," OSHA administrator David Michaels said in a press release.

The Department of Transportation on Tuesday issued a reminder about the hazards of underground digging following two fatal incidents involving excavation workers and high-pressure energy pipelines.

In a press release, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood encouraged construction workers, highway contractors and others involved in digging activities to call 811 before starting a project.

Excavation damage was the leading cause of major pipeline incidents between 2000 and 2009, resulting in 38 fatalities, 158 injuries and $196 million in properly damage, the release said.

Last week in Texas, three workers died in two separate incidents during which workers unintentionally struck natural gas pipes.

DOT said that when excavators call 811 to identify areas for planned digging, utility companies can send crews to mark the exact location of utilities to help prevent unintentional contact.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on June 10 issued regulatory guidance and policy changes on technology-generated records used to track hours-of-service compliance.

The guidance and policy changes relate to FMCSA's authority to access data from commercial motor vehicle drivers' electronic mobile communication/tracking technology, or electronic onboard monitors, which are used to assess compliance with HOS regulations. In a June 10 Federal Register notice (.pdf file), FMCSA addressed concerns that it would use the records solely for enforcement, as well as confusion about requirements for retaining and producing documents upon demand. The agency stressed that the new policy is intended to be used by enforcement personnel as guidance in making enforcement decisions, and is not intended to alter a motor carrier's duty to ensure its employees and agents are complying with applicable regulations.

The changes are being made in anticipation of a notice of proposed rulemaking for HOS, slated to be issued before the year's end.

As the Nov. 30 launch date looms for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's new commercial motor vehicle safety enforcement program, officials are stepping up education efforts. On June 8, officials took part in an interview on the "Land Line Now" radio program to address "myths" about Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010. The interview aired on SIRIUS 147 and XM 171 on June 10. "Land Line Now" is produced by the Washington-based Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

FMCSA also recently reported that as of June 15, an average of 723 new motor carriers, using their U.S. DOT number and PIN, have viewed their safety data through a Pre-Employment Screening Program website launched April 12. To date, 11,259 unique motor carriers have viewed their safety data. The program is intended to allow CMV carrier companies electronic access to driver inspection and crash records as a part of the hiring process.

The devastating tornadoes and severe weather experienced over much of Midwest this past weekend serve as a harsh reminder of the damage that is possible as the U.S. moves through tornado season. The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) encourages homeowners, renters and business owners to prepare in advance for tornadoes, review their insurance policies and contact their insurance agent or company to discuss coverage options. More tips.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released a 14-minute safety video warning of the hazards of welding and other hot work activities in and around storage tanks containing flammable materials. Entitled “Dangers of Hot Work,” the video presents key lessons from the CSB’s hot work safety bulletin, released on March 4, 2010, in Wausau, Wisconsin, near the Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) facility where three workers were killed in July 2008 during a hot work-related explosion. The video uses 3-D computer animations to depict three hot work accidents and also features and interview with an accident victim who suffered burns over ninety percent of his body.

The number of on-the-job firefighter deaths dropped to less than 100 in 2009 for the first time in three years, according to the annual fatality report (.pdf file) from the Quincy, MA-based National Fire Protection Association.

Last year, 82 on-duty firefighters died, down from 105 in 2008. This is the lowest annual total since 1993, when NFPA recorded 79 deaths. Sudden cardiac arrest was the leading cause of death, which highlights the need for wellness/fitness programs and health screenings for firefighters, NFPA said in a press release.

Among other findings:

• Five intentionally set fires accounted for six deaths.
• Six deaths stemmed from vehicle crashes, the lowest since 1983.
• Of the 82 firefighters who died, 41 were volunteer firefighters, 31 were career firefighters, and 10 were employees or contractors of federal and local agencies or private fire safety crews.

Regulations limiting the number of hours employees work also should address shift start times, suggests research from Washington State University Spokane.

A study using mathematical modeling to predict fatigue among workers found shifts beginning between 8 p.m. and midnight yielded poorer performance and less-than-adequate sleep per 24 hours, according to a press release from the Westchester, IL-based American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Shifts that started between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. allowed for the most estimated sleep.

Likewise, the study predicted minimum on-the-job fatigue for shifts starting at 9 a.m. and maximum fatigue for shifts beginning after 11 p.m. However, estimated fatigue was lower for shifts starting after midnight than shifts starting just before midnight. Researchers said this indicates that circadian rhythms might allow employees who work night shifts that start after midnight to get more sleep than those who begin their shifts between 8 p.m. and midnight.

The study was presented June 8 at SLEEP 2010, the 24th annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC.

The Federal Highway Administration on May 27 released a collection of work zone safety training materials and guides.

The information includes a listing of available training provided by states, universities and safety organizations, including the National Safety Council. FHWA organized the information into nine categories, which include intelligent transportation systems, nighttime operations, law enforcement and worker safety.

In 2006, 111,500 nonresidential structure fires occurred in the United States, resulting in 85 deaths and 1,425 injuries, according to a recently released report (.pdf file) from the U.S. Fire Administration. Nonresidential structure fires were the costliest type of fire, resulting in $2.6 billion in direct loss, the agency said.

The highest number of fatalities occurred in storage area fires, where 26 percent of all deaths took place. Injuries most often occurred in fires that struck stores and office buildings. Cooking caused 26 percent of all nonresidential structure fires, followed by intentional fire setting.

OSHA recently amended (.pdf file) its steel erection standard to include a reference to the Federal Highway Administration's requirements for highway bridge construction.

In a press release, OSHA said the technical amendment to the standard is intended to prevent incidents such as the 2004 deaths of three people whose sport utility vehicle was crushed by a 100-foot-long, 40-ton steel bridge girder that fell from an overpass under construction in Golden, CO.

FHWA regulations generally require a registered engineer to prepare plans for temporary braces or supports used to stabilize such structures during highway construction, but the company erecting the bridge failed to do so, according to a report (.pdf file) from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Two recent confined space rescue incidents prompted the International Association of Fire Chiefs to recommend fire chiefs and officers issue an immediate stand-down.

The incidents, which took place in Ohio and Indiana, killed civilians and critically injured firefighters who were attempting rescue, according to an IAFC press release. The Fairfax, VA-based organization recommended fire personnel postpone all non-emergency tasks and use the stand-down to focus on safety training, specifically on the dangers and proper procedures for confined space rescue operations.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on May 28 released the rollout schedule for its new commercial motor vehicle safety enforcement program, Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010.

The goal of CSA 2010 is to identify high-risk motor carriers, strengthen enforcement efforts and improve safety performance data. Included on the schedule:

• April 12-Nov. 30: Motor carriers can preview data organized by Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category.
• June 30: End of Operational Model Test.
• August: Motor carriers will be able to see an assessment of their violations based on the new Carrier Safety Measurement System, which will replace the SafeStat automated algorithm later in 2010.
• Fall/winter 2010: The CSMS will be available to the public, including shippers and insurance companies. FMCSA/states will prioritize enforcement using the CSMS. FMCSA will begin to issue warning letters to carriers with deficient BASICs. Roadside inspectors will use the CSMS results to identify carriers for inspection.

Electrical fires are the No. 1 type of home fire, according to research (.pdf file) released this week by the National Fire Protection Association. In 2007, 51,800 home fires were attributed to electrical failure or malfunction. Equipment commonly involved included electrical distribution systems, lighting equipment, washers and dryers, fans, air-conditioning, space heaters, water heaters, and ranges.

Quincy, MA-based NFPA offers the following electrical safety tips:

• Work on electrical distribution or lighting systems should be performed only by a qualified electrician.
• When buying, selling or remodeling a home, have it inspected by a professional electrician.
• Keep lighting equipment away from items that can burn, including shades, bedding, curtains and furniture.
• Plug major appliances, such as refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers, directly into a wall outlet.
• Replace cracked, loose or damaged electrical cords.

OSHA on May 24 issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (large .pdf file) that would revise its walking-working surfaces and personal protective equipment standards.

Current regulations require employers to provide lanyards and body belts, which OSHA called "outdated and dangerous fall protection equipment" in an agency press release.

The proposed rule would extend requirements for effective fall protection, such as self-retracting lanyards and ladder safety and rope descent systems, to general industry workers. Currently, only maritime and construction workers are required to have them. The changes also would allow OSHA to fine employees for allowing workers to climb certain ladders without fall protection.

OSHA estimates the revisions will help prevent 20 workplace fatalities and more than 3,500 serious injuries each year.

Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by Aug. 23.

An analysis of anti-microbial pesticide exposure in health care facilities in four states identified 401 cases, one of which was fatal, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Anti-microbial pesticides are chemicals such as sterilizers, disinfectants and sanitizers used to destroy harmful microorganisms on objects. Data from California, Louisiana, Michigan and Texas showed exposure occurred most often among janitors and housekeepers (24 percent) and nursing and medical assistants (16 percent), the report said. About half of the injuries resulted from splashes and spills, and eyes were the most common organ affected.

Symptoms were usually mild and temporary, but a 52-year-old asthmatic laundry worker at a nursing home died after being exposed to undiluted bleach fumes for 10-15 minutes.

CDC recommends choosing less hazardous products, training employees, and encouraging them to report and seek treatment for anti-microbial-related injuries.

NIOSH recently posted two documents outlining ways employers can help reduce work-related respiratory disease (.pdf file) and emerging risks (.pdf file) in the manufacturing industry.

According to NIOSH, silicosis, asbestosis, byssinosis, pneumoconioses and hypersensitivity pneumonitis have a higher percentage of death in manufacturing compared with other sectors. Asthma also can be exacerbated by exposures in the workplace. NIOSH said employers should assess the extent of work-related respiratory disease, develop methods to identify where exposures occur and share best practices for reducing them.

To identify and reduce emerging risks, NIOSH recommends employers inventory risk sources; collect and analyze data on potential hazards of agents, processes and new technologies; and publicize proven effective interventions.

NIOSH has redesigned its Web page on occupational lead exposure to make it easier and faster to find pertinent information, the institute said.

The page contains information on how to prevent hazards associated with working with lead, including heart disease, kidney disease, and impairment of the brain or nervous system. It also features links directing users to sections containing information specific for various groups, such as workers, employers and researchers.

Workplace lead exposure can occur in a variety of industries, such as construction and manufacturing, and lead can be absorbed into the body through several different means, such as inhalation or through the skin.

More than 60 percent of early childhood and primary education teachers experience voice problems, according to research from the University of Malaga in Spain.

A study of 282 teachers from 51 public education centers in the Malaga capital during the 2004-05 school year found 62.7 percent experienced voice problems on a daily or weekly basis, said a press release from the Madrid-based Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology.

Teachers speak for long periods of time and have to vary their voice based on classroom size, acoustics, air quality and change in temperature. Researchers said teachers with voice problems felt they had less support from colleagues and superiors, less control over decisions, less respect for their work and role conflict, the release said, noting that the combination of great effort and little reward can create stress. Researchers recommend institutional policies geared toward prevention to reduce the vocal and psychosocial health risks present in teaching.

More than 10,000 police agencies nationwide will enforce safety belt use laws during the Department of Transportation's annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign, which runs May 24-June 6.

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood kicked off the campaign by announcing the 2010 focus would be to promote wearing safety belts day and night, especially for groups less likely to wear them, such as men ages 18-34, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A traffic safety report (.pdf file) released this week shows safety belt use nationwide was at 84 percent in 2009. Fifteen states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico achieved use rates of 90 percent or higher.

Research from NHTSA also shows the odds of being killed in a motor vehicle crash are 3 times greater at night and if the driver is not buckled up. Safety belt use is the most effective protection against serious crash injuries, reducing the risk by 50 percent.

Amendments went into effect this month on a final rule (.pdf file) that sets requirements for drivers and operation of vehicles used to transport between nine and 15 passengers for direct compensation.

Regardless of distance traveled, small passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles must comply with federal regulations no later than June 1. The final rule amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for interstate van operations and makes the regulations applicable to vehicles beyond a 75 air-mile radius from the driver's normal work-reporting location.

The ruling covers:

• Driver qualifications
• Driving of CMVs
• Parts and accessories necessary for safe operations
• Hours of service
• Inspection, repair, and maintenance

Get involved with National Safety Month. Download posters and tip sheets (available in English and Spanish), crossword puzzles, and customizable certificates, and register for member-exclusive webinars.

Approximately 1 out of every 8 pools inspected in 13 states in 2008 was closed due to serious code violations, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pools at child care facilities had the highest percentage of closures (17.2 percent), followed by hotel pools (15.3 percent), and apartment or condominium pools (12.4 percent). Children's wading pools and interactive fountains had the highest percentage of improper disinfectant and pH levels, which can lead to the transmission of germs that can cause gastroenteritis.

CDC offers the following tips for healthy swimming:

• Do not swim in pools when you have diarrhea
• Don't swallow pool water
• Shower with soap before swimming, and wash hands after using the bathrooom or changing a diaper
• Take children on frequent bathroom breaks and check diapers often
• Do not change diapers poolside
• Wach your children thoroughly before they go swimming

Auto thefts in the U.S. dropped for the sixth straight year in 2009, with rates dropping by 18.7% in the first half of last year from year-ago levels, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Laredo, Texas, and four cities in California are the urban areas with the highest auto-theft rates in the country, said the NICB. Read more.

NIOSH recently released a number of documents related to helping reduce manufacturing injuries.

Topics include:

• Preventing catastrophic accidents (.pdf file) such as explosions, fires and building structural failures
• Enhancing knowledge about reducing injuries among small businesses (.pdf file), which account for roughly 91 percent of U.S. manufacturing establishments
• Reducing injuries and illnesses among vulnerable workers (.pdf file)
• Reducing the prevalence of work-related cancers (.pdf file), which are estimated to account for about 4 percent of all cancer deaths

The Arlington, VA-based Chlorine Institute Inc. recently released materials to help prevent accidents caused by improperly mixing sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleach.

Bleach often is used for disinfection in food- and beverage-processing industries and drinking and waste water treatment. A fact sheet (.pdf file) provides a checklist and design criteria recommendations to help avoid injuries and property damage during bulk unloading.

A poster (.pdf file) lists eight steps to prevent situations that can lead to accidental mixing, and is intended for display in bleach-handling areas.

Commercial motor vehicle drivers who receive effective treatment for their obstructive sleep apnea significantly reduce their health care costs and lost work time, finds a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

According to a study abstract, the chief medical officer from Houston-based Waste Management Inc. and other researchers analyzed the insurance claim records of 156 drivers who received continuous positive airway pressure to treat OSA and 92 drivers who were diagnosed with OSA but received no treatment.

Health care costs for treated drivers dropped an average of $2,700 in the first year of the study and $3,100 in the second year. Drivers treated for OSA also had fewer missed workdays and lower short-term disability costs than drivers who received no treatment.

The estimated total costs resulting from fires in the United States in 2007 was $347 billion – an 86 percent increase from 1980 figures – according to a new report from the National Fire Protection Association.

The economic cost of fire, such as property damage and business interruptions, has decreased by 13 percent since 1980, to $18.6 billion in 2007, Quincy, MA-based NFPA said. The bulk of this cost is in the form of property damage. Human losses from fire are estimated at $42.5 billion. Other costs addressed in the report include provisions to prevent or mitigate the costs of fire, such as fire departments, equipment and insurance.

A free fall prevention curriculum is being offered to home health care workers by the National Council on Aging and Bronx, NY-based health care worker advocate PHI.

The curriculum – which consists of two three-hour, in-service trainings – seeks to increase worker awareness of common fall hazards and improve communication skills. It also includes pre- and post-training exams.

"The incidence of falls can be reduced through lifestyle adjustments and intervention programs," said Jim Firman, president of Washington-based NCOA. "Working with PHI, we can greatly expand training options for the dedicated home health aides who provide so much of the day-to-day care to older Americans."

Falls continue to be the leading cause of injury and injury death among older Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

OSHA is launching a pilot program seeking to partner with building inspectors in 11 U.S. cities to reduce injuries and fatalities at construction sites. Under the program, building inspectors would notify OSHA when they observe unsafe working conditions.

NIOSH recently posted information on reducing injuries and fatalities from contact with objects (.pdf file) and falls (.pdf file), both of which are among the leading causes of death for workers in the manufacturing sector.

To help NIOSH reach its strategic goals for reducing manufacturing injuries related to contact with objects, the agency advised employers to compile information on machine-related incidents, develop and improve manufacturing equipment and training programs, and adopt design recommendations.

For falls, NIOSH recommends applying research findings; disseminating information; and developing a database on occurrences, causes and interventions for fall protection.

Four-person firefighting crews are able to most effectively handle firefighting and rescue operations in a typical residential structure, a new report from the National Institute of Standards and Technology suggests.

Researchers conducted controlled fire experiments in a two-story, 2,000-square-foot test facility and gauged responses to 22 standard firefighter tasks, including occupant search and rescue, time to put water on the fire, laddering, and ventilation. Crews of two, three, four and five firefighters were timed in their performance of these tasks.

Results found that four-person crews were able to complete the tasks 30 percent faster than two-person crews and 25 percent faster than three-person crews, the report said.

NIST said the report is the first to rate the impact of crew size on residential fires, although previous reports have indicated the benefit of five-person crews in larger, higher-hazard structures.

To speed up emergency response efforts related to the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended the exemption period for certain motor carrier transportation regulations in the region, according to a notice (.pdf file) published May 11.

In the notice, Field Administrator Darrell L. Ruban states that the declaration of regional emergency has been extended for the southern region, including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Relief from certain motor carrier transportation regulations is "necessary to ensure timely delivery of essential equipment and supplies, including specialized oil well equipment to seal the ruptured well head, and booms, skimmers, chemical dispersants, flammable liquids and other oil containment equipment," Ruban said in the statement. The declaration, originally scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 14, has been extended to May 30.

The deadline for mandatory use of the Department of Transportation's recently updated alcohol testing form has been extended to Jan. 1, 2011, according to a notice of proposed rulemaking (.pdf file) published May 11 by DOT's Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance.

The notice states the final rule had set a compliance deadline of Aug. 1, but after revisions were published Feb. 25, officials learned vendors and users of the form would not be able to deplete their current supply by August.

The final rule (.pdf file), which went into effect Feb. 25, included direction for use of the updated ATF. It made final a June 13 interim final rule that authorized employers in DOT's drug and alcohol testing program to disclose to state commercial driver's licensing authorities the drug and alcohol violations of employees who hold CDLs and operate commercial motor vehicles when state law requires such reporting.

Methylene chloride is a volatile, cancer-causing liquid used in different industries including metal cleaning and degreasing and in the manufacture of products including pharmaceuticals and paint remover. OSHA recently reviewed its Methylene Chloride standard, as required within 10 years of enactment, to determine how well it was fulfilling its purpose of safeguarding the health of America's workers. The review clearly showed that the standard has been effective in saving lives. The study estimates that each year the standard protects as many as 30,000 to 54,000 workers from damage to their respiratory and nervous systems and prevents approximately 34 deaths from cancer and other illnesses caused by methylene chloride exposure. This standard's success reflects the overall importance of OSHA standards in protecting workers' safety and health. See the Federal Register notice for more information on this review and OSHA's Safety and Health Topics page on methylene chloride to learn more about reducing the risk of worker exposure to this hazardous chemical.

OSHA is also requesting public comments during a review of its Bloodborne Pathogens standard intended to protect workers such as healthcare and emergency personnel who are regularly at risk of contracting diseases from exposures to bloodborne pathogens including hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency viruses. The review will determine the standard's effectiveness in minimizing or eliminating these workers' exposure to bloodborne infections and diseases and whether advancements in technology or other factors have eliminated the need for continuing the rule. Comments may be submitted online. For further information, including how to submit comments by mail or fax by the Aug. 12 deadline, see the Federal Register notice.

Storing pesticides and other chemicals up high in a locked cabinet--out of reach of small children--is an effective way to ensure that kids do not mix with dangerous chemicals. Properly disposing of pesticides presents its own challenges. EPA offers these tips.

As the summer brings more road-construction projects and increased travel, companies should make sure they provide safety training for their workers who will be driving, safety officials say. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health estimates the average cost to an employer for a vehicle accident is $16,500, and transportation accidents are the leading cause of work-related deaths.

Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, which can sharply increase truckers' risk of nodding off at the wheel, according to officials from the National Transportation Safety Board. Truckers are almost five times more likely than the general population to suffer from sleep apnea, officials note, and fatigue is implicated in more than a quarter of single-vehicle accidents. "The good news is that those suffering from sleep apnea can be treated and then return to work," said Christopher Hart, NTSB's vice chairman. Read more.

A new federal database lets freight companies screen prospective employees, giving access to an applicant's five-year crash record and three-year inspection record. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the tool "sends a strong message to commercial carriers and drivers that we are serious about having the safest drivers behind the wheel of large trucks and buses." Learn more about the program here.

Scientists have removed estimates for storm surges and inland flooding to update the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale in time for the 2010 storm season. The change was made to avoid confusion arising from discrepancies between the estimates and what actually occurs when a storm makes landfall, said an official with the National Hurricane Center. Review the updated scale here.

OSHA issued an enforcement memorandum directed at protecting Latino and other non-English speaking workers from workplace hazards. It directs compliance officers to ensure they check and verify that workers are receiving OSHA required training in a language they understand. "This directive conforms with Secretary Solis' clear and urgent goal of reducing injuries and illnesses among Latino and other vulnerable workers," said Assistant Secretary Michaels.

As federal, state, and local governments mobilize efforts to assist in the containment and cleanup of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, NIOSH posts a web page with resources for protecting response workers from potential safety and health risks. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/oilspillresponse/.

NIOSH is seeking assistance from pesticide handlers in the agriculture sector to learn about potential barriers to the proper selection and use of PPE by agricultural pesticide handlers and their employers. Additional information is available under "Spotlights" at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/ or email KFaulkner@cdc.gov.

OSHA in April released several standard letters of interpretation covering topics such as repairing extension cords, minimum distance between guardrails on industrial truck work platforms, and strength requirements for manhole covers.

In an April 12 letter, Bill Parsons, acting director of OSHA's Directorate of Construction, said employers can repair flexible No. 12 or larger extension cords. Repaired cords can be returned to use if they are in an "approved" state, according to an April 4 letter.

In another April 12 letter, Parsons said the distance between balusters within a guardrail system should not exceed 19 inches and employees should wear fall protection to be in compliance with 1926.451.

A study by a scientist at the University of Akron in Ohio identified four regions in the country that are highly prone to tornado activity. The findings indicate that the area long-considered to be "tornado alley fails to represent the areas of highest activity in the United States," said the researcher. Learn more here.

Scientists in California have discovered more than 50 new faults during the past 20 years based on a map released by the California Geological Survey. The map includes all of the faults in the state to promote awareness among residents of earthquake-prone areas and information about the fault lines..

In the latest study linking health or wellness complications to shift work, researchers reveal that working the night shift interferes with sleep, particularly for workers in their 30s and 40s. Read a summary of the study for more details. .

Every day, about 14 Americans fail to come home from work to their families. Tens of thousands die from workplace disease and more than 4.6 million workers are seriously injured on the job annually. In an effort to address these workplace safety and health concerns, OSHA is implementing a new Severe Violator Enforcement Program and increasing civil penalty amounts. Learn more.

On April 28, OSHA announced it is releasing 15 years of data providing details of workplace exposure to toxic chemicals. This data will offer insight into the levels of toxic chemicals commonly found in workplaces, as well as how chemical exposure levels to specific chemicals are distributed across industries, geographical areas and time. Learn more.

Between 1998 and 2007, the fatality rate for young workers – defined as people between the ages of 15 and 24 – declined 14 percent, indicates a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The death rate for young workers is 3.6 deaths per 100,000 workers – lower than the death rate among workers 25 and older. However, the injury rate for young workers is 5 emergency care-required injuries per 100 workers – approximately 2 times higher than the injury rate among older workers.

Overall, younger workers make up 14 percent of the workforce and often are engaged in riskier work activities than older workers, according to the report.

Approximately 280,000 automated external defibrillators in use may be at risk of malfunctioning, the Food and Drug Administration warned this week.

AEDs deliver an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. However, 14 defibrillator models manufactured by Bothell, WA-based Cardiac Science Corp. may fail to properly deliver a shock. The devices also may fail to properly analyze heart rhythm.

Affected models include:

• Powerheart models 9300A, 9300C, 9300D, 9300E, 9300P, 9390A and 9390E
• CardioVive models 92531, 92532 and 92533
• Nihon Kohden models 9200G and 9231
• GE Responder models 2019198 and 2023440

FDA recommended repairing or replacing these AEDs. If an alternative is not immediately accessible, the agency recommended continuing use of these devices, as they may still deliver necessary therapy.

NIOSH recently released information (.pdf file) on preventing paramedics' exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

Results of a national survey of the 2,664 paramedics conducted from 2002 to 2003 showed about 22 percent of respondents experienced at least one blood exposure in the previous year, according to NIOSH. Paramedics in California, which implemented a needlestick prevention law several years before a federal one was established, had half the rate of blood exposure. NIOSH found 80 percent of needlesticks involved non-safety devices, and the main factor in employee use of a safety device was whether the employer provided one.

NIOSH recommended paramedics:

• Follow universal precautions
• Attend safety training on bloodborne pathogens and other topics
• Properly dispose of sharps
• Report all blood exposures
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis B

NIOSH researchers would like to hear from English-speaking supervisors about how their companies communicate safety and health information to non-English-speaking or limited-English-speaking workers. U.S.-based supervisors in the construction, agriculture and service (with the exception of health and social services) industries who are interested in participating in this study should e-mail Sheri Hester at sheri.hester@orise.orau.gov to set up an appointment for a brief telephone interview. No personal or company identification information will be disclosed to NIOSH.

NIOSH hopes to use the information to produce and disseminate model training products that will help supervisors across a broad range of work sectors and encourage the training industry to produce more useful products.

The Federal Highway Administration is accepting comment until April 22 on proposed amendments to its Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that will establish a uniform minimum level of nighttime pavement marking performance.

A notice _{(.pdf file)} published in the April 22 Federal Register said the proposed amendments would include standards, guidance, options and supporting information relating to maintaining minimum levels of retroreflectivity for pavement markings. FHWA officials said the proposed revisions are "based on the visibility needs of nighttime drivers" and will promote safety, enhance traffic operations, and facilitate comfort and convenience for all drivers.

Adults older than 75 are nearly 3 times as likely to die in a home fire than all other age groups, and the risk increases by more than 3.5 for people older than 85, according to a new report _{(.pdf file)} from the National Fire Protection Association. Between 1980 and 2007, the percentage of people 65 and older killed in home fires increased to 29 percent from 19 percent.

Additional findings from the report:

• Between 1980 and 2007, the home fire death rate for children younger than 5 declined to 9 percent from 18 percent. However, this age group is still 1.5 times as likely to die in a home fire than the general population.
• People 20-34 have a fire injury risk 28 percent above average.
• People 35-49 have a fire injury risk 17 percent above average.
• Males have a 29 percent higher risk of fire death and a 16 percent higher risk of fire injury than females.

FEMA this week launched a mobile Website to deliver information on emergency preparedness via smart phones.

The Website is laid out in a question-and-answer format, outlining what to do in a disaster, where to find assistance and what can be done to help others.

"This service will provide yet another avenue for the sharing of important information that is so critical to ensuring the public is prepared for emergencies," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "Oftentimes after a disaster, mobile devices become a crucial lifeline to provide information to survivors."

The widely publicized suicide of a Massachusetts teen and an $800,000 award to a Michigan teen, both of whom allegedly were bullied by classmates, are expected to generate more litigation against school districts, observers say. School district risk managers should address the problem by implementing a policy and providing training to students, staff and parents. Learn more here.

Companies can fire employees for using medical marijuana even if the employee has a prescription, according to a decision by the Oregon Supreme Court. Companies can maintain an anti-marijuana policy because the state law decriminalizing possession, growth and distribution of the drug does not override federal law, the court ruled.

The Department of Transportation's recently released schedule for significant rulemaking includes 77 possible or already published rules for all modes of transportation.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published updates on 21 rulemakings. FMCSA plans to publish a number of rules this summer and in early fall, including rules for certification of safety auditors, safety investigators and safety inspectors; a national registry for certified medical examiners; minimum requirements for entry-level commercial motor vehicle operations; and carrier safety fitness determination.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration updated seven rules, including a plan to publish a rule by July that would require the installation of safety belts on motorcoaches.

The Federal Aviation Administration updated the status of 23 potential rules, including possible rules for photo requirements for pilot certificates and flight duty and time limitations for pilots.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on April 19 released a presentation to educate drivers about Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010, its new commercial motor vehicle enforcement program.

FMCSA officials said the presentation seeks to explain what CSA 2010 will mean for CMV drivers and covers frequently asked questions. The agency published a notice (.pdf file) in the April 9 Federal Register requesting comments by Sept. 30 on plans to replace its Motor Carrier Safety Status Measurement System with an improved Carrier Safety Measurement System. According to the notice, individual motor carriers can review their safety performance data by the CSA 2010 Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories on a Data Preview Website until Nov. 30.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance will host its annual Roadcheck June 8-10.

According to Washington-based CVSA, Roadcheck is the largest targeted enforcement program for commercial motor vehicles in the world, with approximately 14 trucks or buses being inspected, on average, every minute from Canada to Mexico during a 72-hour period.

Results from the 2009 Roadcheck showed fewer CMV drivers were placed out of service and received significantly fewer safety belt violations than during the previous year. In 2009, the number of CMV drivers wearing safety belts increased by more than 22 percent from 2008 counts, while compliance rates increased to 77.8 percent for vehicle compliance with a driver compliance rate of 96.1 percent – the highest rates ever, representing a 7.1 and 20.4 percent increase from 2008 totals, respectively.

Injuries related to riding lawn mowers led to an estimated 66,341 emergency room visits from 2002 to 2007, according to a study published in the Journal of Safety Research (Vol. 40, No. 5).

Researchers from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville determined the majority of people injured were between the ages of 20 and 59, with the injury rate highest among men and older adults. While 90 percent of those injured were treated and released the same day, older adults experienced the highest rate of hospitalizations from injuries.

The most common injuries included contusions (24 percent), sprains and strains (22 percent), and fractures (17 percent), according to a study abstract.

Approximately 44 percent of injuries occurred when individuals fell off the mower or when the mower rolled over while in use. This cause of injury was attributed to 74 percent of all riding mower injuries among children from birth to 9 years old. Children in this age group also suffered the highest rate of run-over injuries.

The Journal of Safety Research is published by the National Safety Council.

More than 100 propane tanks designed for use with gas grills have been stolen during the past month in Alabama. Theft in the past has been linked to scrap sales or methamphetamine manufacturing, but the large number of tanks this time has the police concerned "that somebody has a greater plan of some type of sabotage or possibly a terroristic idea, [whether] that be domestic terrorism or something of another nature," said Guntersville Police Chief Jim Peterson. View the entire article at the WAFF website.

Productivity at Helwig Carbon Products shot up 17% from 2005 to 2009, and the company credits its successful wellness program for at least part of the gain. Learn about the wellness success of this and other companies in Milwaukee here.

With the arrival of spring, many homeowners are gearing up for outdoor home improvement projects. To help protect these homeowners from possible hazards they may face while installing new decks or gardens, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is coordinating National Safety Digging Month, an awareness event designed to increase the practice of safe digging across the nation.

The long-awaited cranes and derricks in construction standard from OSHA is undergoing review in the Office of Management and Budget.

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, a division of OMB, received the rule for review April 9.

The final rule is tentatively scheduled for release in July. It updates regulations on a variety of issues, including crane assembly and disassembly, operator certification and training, and crane inspection.

The rule has been in the works since at least 2002. Some stakeholders have criticized OSHA on the length of time it has taken to promulgate the rule. In recent years, several high-profile crane incidents have occurred in which workers and members of the public were injured and killed.

Shiftwork's negative impact on sleep patterns seems to be experienced most severely by workers in their 30s and 40s, finds a new study from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine in Elk Grove Village, IL.

According to a study abstract, the most common sleep issue associated with shiftwork is waking up too early.

Although former shiftworkers tend to have more sleep problems than people who have never performed shiftwork, study authors believe the effects are reversible – but it may take some time after giving up shiftwork for sleep patterns to normalize.

The study was published in the April issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Since 1983, 36 teenagers and six young adults have been killed in explosions at oil sites. To highlight the dangers of entering oil production areas, the Chemical Safety Board has released an 11-minute video telling the story of two teens killed in such an incident.

In some rural communities, these sites are common hangouts for young people who do not understand the dangers of getting too close to oil tanks. The flammable contents can easily ignite with a match or cigarette, and result in a powerful explosion.

CSB reports that although certain states and municipalities have laws about securing oil sites, no federal regulations have been established, and sites often have no fences, barriers or warning signs.

"No Place to Hang Out: The Dangers of Oil Sites" also will be released on DVDs that will be available on CSB's Website.

OSHA's new Filling, Moving and Placing Sandbags fact sheet explains how to protect flood response workers as they perform the physically demanding job of protecting communities from damaging and potentially deadly floodwaters. The fact sheet explains how workers should be trained to prevent back strains and other injuries caused by repeatedly lifting and carrying heavy loads, and frequently working in awkward positions filling and stacking sandbags. The fact sheet also encourages employers to provide equipment such as safety glasses and waterproof work boots, gloves, and other gear that protects workers from such hazards as exposure to chemically treated sandbags and polluted floodwater. For more fact sheets on other safety and health topics, visit OSHA's publications Web page.

The Milwaukee-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers is offering a new OSHA-approved safety decal for rough terrain forklifts free of charge.

The decal, which states "Employer-Certified Operators ONLY," signifies the machine should only be operated by personnel who have received proper training and evaluation according to OSHA standards.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is considering amendments to the Hazardous Materials Regulations that apply to the transportation of combustible liquids.

According to an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (.pdf file) published in the April 5 Federal Register, PHMSA is considering whether to harmonize the domestic regulations for combustible liquids transport with international transportation standards. The agency also is "examining ways to revise, clarify, or relax certain regulatory requirements to facilitate the transportation of these materials, while maintaining an adequate level of safety."

PHMSA is seeking comment on setting the flashpoint for combustible liquids in domestic and international transportation. Comments on the ANPRM must be received by July 6.

Injuries among young athletes have been on the rise in recent years, leading the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons to launch a prevention campaign highlighting the risks and prevention efforts.

STOP Sports Injuries will release public service announcements and encourage athletes, parents, coaches and health care providers to sign an online pledge to support measures that reduce sports injuries.

"Regardless of whether the athlete is a professional, an amateur, an Olympian or a young recreational athlete, the number of sports injuries is increasing," said campaign co-chair Dr. James Andrews, "but the escalation of injuries in kids is the most alarming."

Rosemont, IL-based AAOS reports that approximately 3.5 million children 14 and younger are treated for sports injuries every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-half of sports injuries among children are preventable.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will delay the launch of CSA 2010, its new set of safety standards for the trucking industry, to incorporate feedback from carriers and regional testing. The system, originally to have been launched this summer, will be rolled out incrementally, with a major data-collection system expected to be in place by December.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration unveiled a regulation that will require the installation of electronic recorders in the fleets of trucking companies that repeatedly violate the driver-time-limit rule. The recorders are designed to record the time spent by drivers behind the wheel but will be imposed only on firms that do not meet the requirements during on-site compliance reviews. Find the details here.

A heat wave hit the Northeast this week, causing temperatures in Providence, R.I., and other areas to rise to record levels. The National Weather Service raised a red flag warning for Southern New England, where a possible outbreak of brush fires could occur. Learn more.

The 11th annual National Work Zone Awareness Week will be observed April 19-23, with a national kickoff scheduled for April 19, 10:30 a.m., in New York City at Battery Park. This year’s theme is “Work Zones Need Your Undivided Attention.” See the following Web sites for ideas and resources for promoting work zone awareness: NIOSH work zone safety research (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/highwayworkzones), American Traffic Safety Services Association (http://www.atssa.com/cs/root/news_pr/nwzaw), and a national resource for work zone safety (http://wzsafety.tamu.edu).

Rosin-core solder is commonly used by workers in many industries to make electrical connections. When rosin-core solder wire is heated by a soldering iron, fumes are produced that contain a wide variety of chemicals, including aldehydes, terpenes, and resin acids. Inhalation of these fumes can aggravate existing asthma or lead to new onset asthma, and can cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes, and dermatitis can result from skin contact.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services’ (NJDHSS) Work-Related Asthma Surveillance and Intervention Project has identified 13 workers since 1990 who have experienced the development or aggravation of asthma as a result of exposure to solder flux fumes. On-site industrial hygiene investigations revealed that local exhaust ventilation systems are often lacking or improperly used.

NJDHSS developed a concise brochure intended to alert solderers of the fume hazard and methods for preventing exposure: http://www.nj.gov/health/surv/documents/wrarosin.pdf.

The United Kingdom’s Health and Safety Executive has published more detailed safety and health information on solder flux fumes: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg249.pdf.

The Sioux City, Iowa community school district and the Desert Sands Unified School District in La Quinta, Calif., have become the first two school districts in the nation to develop policies that address the problem of teachers bullying other teachers. According to Gary Namie, the cofounder of the Workplace Bullying Institute in Bellingham, Wash., the policies are necessary because schools cannot persuade students not to bully their peers if they see a principal bullying a teacher. The schools also say that eliminating the absenteeism and lost productivity caused by bullying will provide a financial benefit that can be used to educate children. Read the full article.

Retaliation is defined as any adverse action by an employer against an employee because of a complaint the employee made about discrimination or harassment. Retaliation may also occur against an employee who exercised their rights within laws such as workers' comp and Family and Medical Leave Act. Giving a bad reference for a former employee based on their engagement in such activity may also count as retaliation. Last year, more than 93,000 discrimination claims were filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 25 percent of which were retaliation claims. Businesses should have defined anti-discrimination and sexual harassment policies, and all management teams should know and understand them. Supervisors and managers should also understand what legally constitutes retaliation, as employers have been accused of retaliation when they took action with good intentions, such as transferring a complainant to another department. Companies should investigate and resolve any complaints that are brought, maintaining confidentiality and documenting the process as much as possible. Learn more here.

A new emergency response quick reference guide is available on EMC's website. The one page guide summarizes response actions for schools to take in case of emergencies - actions include evacuation, shelter-in-place, clearing the halls, and lockdown. To download the pdf, visit our forms section under Safety Tools & Resources. Click on School Emergency Response Quick Reference Guide.

The National Safety Council (NSC) recently released a white paper describing the risks of using a cell phone while driving. The paper addresses the lack of understanding about the dangers of using cell phones and hands-free devices while behind the wheel, a task which requires the brain to multi-task, a process it cannot do safely while driving. The white paper is available for free download on the NSC Website.

Helping your employees understand why exercise is important, how much they need, and how they can stay motivated just got a little easier with WELCOA's new Tool-Kit on Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight. Specifically, this WELCOA Tool-Kit consists of a high-quality presentation on physical activity, handout masters for distribution, and an in-depth fact sheet to help you prepare. It can be used in a variety of ways within your organization—from lunch and learns to presentations to general assemblies. With all the materials at your fingertips, this WELCOA resource should significantly jump start your physical activity initiative.

To access the presentation, handouts and fact sheet simply visit this link.

Flooding can damage a propane system, and so installation experts offer homeowners important tips to protect their propane system and home. Among them: turn off the pilot light and gas valves before evacuating; if you smell gas upon returning, extinguish smoking materials and open flames; and finally, have an inspector check valves and regulators for damage. Read the entire article here.

OSHA recently released several standard letters of interpretation covering topics such as fall protection exemption and fall protection requirements for working on an elevator shaft, fully planked and decked scaffolds, operating trucks in reverse on construction sites, testing requirements for "lifting blinds" or "lifting covers" on pressure vessels, drilling near a hole loaded with explosives, and controlled access during curtain wall construction.

In a March 5 letter, Acting Director of the Directorate of Construction Richard Fairfax said 1926.905 permits activities required for loading holes in a blast area, such as using a drill to clear out a previously drilled hole so the hole can be loaded with explosives.

In another letter issued March 2, Fairfax said the space between scaffold planks or between scaffold planks and uprights should be as narrow as possible and may only exceed 1 inch in width if reducing the space would require modifying the planks used to construct the platform. He added that in no situation can the width between scaffold planks exceed 9.5 inches.

The Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced a new rule that would prohibit interstate commercial truck and bus drivers from texting while driving.

According to a press release, the proposed rule would make permanent an interim ban announced Jan. 26 that prohibits truck and bus drivers from texting while driving and subjects violators to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750. Guidance (.pdf file) for the texting ban was published in the Jan. 27 Federal Register.

DOT also announced its partnership with Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, to increase public participation in the rulemaking process. The Cornell e-Rulemaking Initiative partnership allows people to learn about and discuss proposed federal regulations online.

Compact fluorescent lights are at least as safe as standard incandescent lights, suggests recent research from Underwriter's Laboratories in Northbrook, IL.

UL performed safety tests with CFL bulbs in standard household lamps and open fixtures, according to a press release from the laboratory. The tests found no additional safety issues or hazards when compared to an incandescent bulb. Research indicated that recent advances in CFL technology eliminated prior safety concerns of popping sounds or smoke when the bulbs burned out, and temperature tests found CFL bulbs emitted less heat than a standard 40-watt incandescent bulb, the release said.

"UL's research will help give peace of mind that CFLs are safer and will provide valuable information for manufacturers as CFL technology evolves," said Alex Boesenberg of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association in Rosslyn, VA, in the release.

UL reports CFLs currently are installed in approximately 11 percent of available sockets in homes.

With discrimination claims to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission resulting in the recovery of a record $294 million in back wages in 2009, attorneys are advising companies to take action to avoid becoming a claims statistic. Legal experts recommend educating employees and managers about discrimination laws, reviewing all firing decisions to ensure workers are treated equally, and carefully recording the events leading to letting an employee go. Learn more.

The National Equipment Register, a division of ISO Crime Analytics, has unveiled a Web site designed to assist heavy-equipment owners and insurers in fighting theft. The site has an interactive map feature that enables visitors to study theft patterns across the country as well as receive alerts and other data on heavy-equipment theft. Learn more here.

As part of an update to its 2004 "Emerging Health and Safety Issues in the Fire Service" study, the National Volunteer Fire Council has asked first responders to complete a survey to help identify new or changing safety and health issues confronting fire and emergency services personnel.

Survey results will help shape the second edition of the "Emerging Issues" study, which will address key findings, initiatives, programs and strategies to help reduce first responder fatalities, according to a press release from Greenbelt, MD-based NVFC. Findings also will be used to identify future efforts to keep emergency responders safe.

The confidential survey is open until May 1.

NIOSH recently released guidance (.pdf file) on reducing illnesses among workers at indoor water parks. The document states that lifeguards can be exposed to disinfection byproducts and microorganisms that cause health problems such as eye and respiratory irritation, skin rashes, and flu-like symptoms. It outlines risks and includes recommendations for reducing them.

More commercial truck and bus drivers are buckling up, according to new data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

For the Seat Belt Usage by Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers 2009 Survey (.pdf file), researchers observed a total of 20,818 CMV drivers at 827 roadside sites. Findings, released March 19, showed the overall safety belt usage rate for drivers of all medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses combined was 74 percent, compared with 65 percent in 2007.

Data also showed:

• Safety belt use was observed to be higher in states governed by primary belt use laws (78 percent) than in states that have secondary belt use laws (67 percent). Primary laws allow law enforcement officers to pull over a vehicle if they observe an unbelted driver or front-seat passenger. Secondary laws allow officers to ticket for violations only after stopping the motorist for another offense.
• Safety belt use was higher among drivers for regional or national fleet (78 percent) compared with independent owner-operators (64 percent).
• Safety belt use rates for commercial drivers and their occupants were highest at 79 percent in the West, compared with 75 percent in the South, 68 percent in the Midwest and 64 percent in the Northeast.

A new Environmental Protection Agency rule targeting safe work with lead-based paint goes into effect April 22 after years of development.

Under the new requirements, established in 2008, no paid renovation or remodeling work can disturb painted surfaces in a pre-1978 home or child care facility unless the firm performing the work or the individual contractor has completed a one-day training session and has been certified by EPA in safe work practices. These practices include posting warnings, spreading plastic to pick up debris, refraining from using sanders and other tools without a filter, and adequate worksite cleanup.

EPA will make exceptions for jobs where less than 6 square feet of painted surface is disturbed on the interior or 20 square feet on the exterior. Jobs in which paint could be proven to be lead-free also will be exempt.

Lead, which was used in many paints prior to being banned in 1978, has been linked to health problems in children, including behavioral issues, learning disabilities, seizures and even death.

As the U.S. moves into tornado season, PCI encourages homeowners, renters and business owners to review their insurance policies and contact their insurance agent or company to discuss coverage options. Learn more here.

Employers must notify affected workers of all exposures to hexavalent chromium, regardless of whether the exposures fall above or below the permissible exposure limit, OSHA declared in a new rule that amends the 2006 hex chrome standard.

OSHA this week published both a notice of proposed rulemaking and a direct final rule amending the standard. The rule was issued in response to a court order calling on OSHA to reconsider its decision to limit employee notification of exposure to only instances in which the exposure exceeded the PEL; this ran counter to the proposed hex chrome standard and OSHA's past practice in other substance-specific standards.

After re-examining the final hex chrome standard, OSHA said it decided to amend the provision to be consistent with language in the proposed standard requiring employee notification of all exposures.

If the agency receives no significant adverse comments on the direct final rule by April 16, it will go into effect June 15. If adverse comments are received, OSHA will withdraw the direct final rule and proceed with the notice of proposed rulemaking.

OSHA recently issued a standard letter of interpretation on using a stepladder as a non-self-supporting ladder.

In the letter Richard Fairfax, acting director of the agency's Directorate of Construction, said using a stepladder as a non-self-supporting ladder would violate 1926.1053(b)(4) unless the ladder was designed for that purpose. He added that because stepladders usually are designed so the rungs are level when the ladder is open and locked on a stable surface, it is likely that positioning a stepladder for use as a non-self-supporting ladder would make the rungs unlevel – also a violation of the standard.

Playing on the artificial surface FieldTurf increases knee and ankle injuries among professional football players, indicates research presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Association.

The study examined injuries that occurred to players in the National Football League between 2002 and 2008, and found teams that played on FieldTurf had a 27 percent higher lower-extremity injury rate than those that played on natural surfaces. According to a press release from the Rosemont, IL-based American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the greatest difference was seen among injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament and eversion ankle sprains – where the ankle twists outward. Playing on FieldTurf was associated with an 88 percent greater risk of ACL injury and a 48 percent increase in eversion ankle sprains.

Lead author Elliott B. Hershman stressed in the press release that the study only focused on NFL players and called for further study to determine what impact, if any, playing on FieldTurf had among younger players or those playing different sports, such as soccer.

The National Equipment Register, a division of ISO Crime Analytics, has unveiled a Web site designed to assist heavy-equipment owners and insurers in fighting theft. The site has an interactive map feature that enables visitors to study theft patterns across the country as well as receive alerts and other data on heavy-equipment theft. Learn more here.

OSHA added another trainer to its "Outreach Trainer Watch List" after an investigation showed the trainer failed to comply with program guidelines. The list comprises individuals whose training authorization status has been revoked or suspended because of fraudulent activity. OSHA's investigation of Tyrone Nichols revealed he failed to collect and retain course records and falsified information on OSHA-issued student course completion cards for an OSHA 10-hour construction safety course. Nichols' training authorization was revoked. OSHA's voluntary Outreach Training Program features a national network of more than 16,000 independent trainers. The agency continues to strengthen the program's integrity by stopping frau dulent trainers from conducting courses.

Despite the slow start of the tornado season this year, the U.S. could still experience more twisters this spring following a fierce winter season, warned the Institute for Business & Home Safety. "As the southern and plains states heat up this spring, so will the chances for severe thunderstorms, including tornadoes," said IBHS President Julie Rochman. Read more here.

More than a third of the U.S. could experience above-average flooding this spring as heavy snow pack brought by recent winter storms begins to melt, with the Dakotas, Minnesota and Iowa facing the highest risk, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. "We are looking at potentially historic flooding in some parts of the country this spring," said NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco. Read more here.

Following an explosion at the PCA Corrugated Mill in Wausau, WI, that killed three maintenance workers, the Chemical Safety Board on March 4 issued a safety bulletin (.pdf file) on the hazards of "hot work." Hot work includes burning, welding, cutting, brazing, grinding, soldering or similar spark-producing operations that can ignite a flammable atmosphere, according to a CSB press release.

The bulletin said seven hot-work accidents have occurred since July 2008. All resulted from a flammable vapor coming into contact with an ignition source created by welding or cutting being performed in or near tanks containing flammables.

CSB recommends the following safety procedures:

• Perform a hazard assessment prior to starting hot work.
• Use properly calibrated combustible gas detectors to monitor the work area.
• Test surrounding tanks or adjacent spaces for flammables.
• Ensure qualified people review and authorize hot work and issue permits.
• Train personnel on hot work procedures, combustible gas detectors, safety equipment and job-specific hazards.
• Supervise contractors and inform them of nearby flammable materials.
• Use alternatives whenever possible.

Severe winter weather on the East Coast last month has led OSHA to extend at least two stakeholder deadlines.

OSHA proposed a rule on Jan. 29 that would restore a musculoskeletal disorders column to the OSHA 300 log. The original deadline for submitting comments was March 15, but OSHA this week extended the deadline to March 30.

OSHA also has reopened and extended the deadline for nominations for the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health. The new deadline is March 31.

OSHA recently issued two new Safety and Health Information Bulletins.

The first bulletin covers hazards associated with the unintended (double) cycling of mechanical power presses (.pdf file). It discusses an incident in which an operator's hand was amputated when the safety component designed to stop the press from cycling upon detection of body parts in the area failed and the machine double-cycled.

The second bulletin outlines the regulatory requirements for the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Program (.pdf file). It provides information on when and why certification is necessary and how to identify products that have been properly tested and certified.

Employers spend an average of 2 percent of their annual health care budget on health improvement programs, according to survey results recently released by the National Business Group on Health in Washington.

An online survey of 121 mid- to large-sized companies conducted between September and October 2009 found most have initiated an average of 21 employer programs focused on wellness, health management and education. Slightly more than half of those companies plan to implement additional programs in 2010.

Some of the more common employee wellness programs offered included employee assistance programs, onsite flu shots, preventive care reminders, and stress management and smoking cessation programs. Incentives to encourage workers to participate in wellness programs were offered at 57 percent of responding companies, most commonly in the form of a reduction in employee health care premiums.

A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration notice published in the March 8 Federal Register outlines employer requirements for accessing commercial motor vehicle drivers' crash and safety inspection histories.

According to the notice, the pre-employment screening program will provide access to a secure Website as an alternative to submitting a Freedom of Information Act request or Privacy Act request to FMCSA for a driver's crash and inspection history. Motor carriers will pay a fee to access the data.

FMCSA on Feb. 26 announced the launch of Phase I, which gives motor carriers the opportunity to visit the Pre-Employment Screening Program Websiteand preregister for the program. In accordance with federal privacy laws, drivers first must give written consent for their records to be released to a prospective motor carrier employer. FMCSA expects to fully launch the program this summer.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on March 3 released a safety advisory (.pdf file) reminding manufacturers or users of composite cargo tank motor vehicles to test tank and material compatibility.

The advisory is directed at people authorized under Department of Transportation special permits to ensure materials for transport in the cargo tank are compatible with the materials used in the construction of the cargo tank. It was prompted by a December 2009 incident in which a composite tank failed catastrophically while carrying incompatible materials and released its contents onto a highway.

In other news, PHMSA published a notice (.pdf file) in the Feb. 26 Federal Register announcing the minimum random drug testing rate for covered employees will remain at 25 percent during calendar year 2010.

Legislation recently passed by the House seeks to protect children from the misuse of restraints and seclusion in classrooms.

The Keeping All Students Safe Act (H.R. 4247) was drafted in response to a report (.pdf file) released by the Government Accountability Office last spring detailing incidents in which children were injured or killed as a result of improper restraint measures enforced by untrained school staff. In some cases children were restrained with ropes, duct tape, straps and bungee cords.

The legislation would prohibit school staff from restraining or secluding children unless a threat of imminent danger exists. Mechanical restraints (such as straps and tape) and chemical restraints would be prohibited. Further, any measures would need to be conducted by trained staff, and parents would need to be notified immediately of any incident that resulted in the restraint or seclusion of their child.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers has released several poison prevention posters. The posters – which focus on the hazards associated with household cleansers, toiletries, alcohol and medications – can be downloaded free of charge.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on Feb. 26 announced the launch of Phase I of a driver pre-employment program that, when fully activated, would give motor carriers access to commercial motor vehicle drivers' crash and safety inspection histories.

According to a FMCSA press release, Phase I gives motor carriers the opportunity to visit the Pre-Employment Screening Program Website and pre-register for the program by submitting company contact information. In accordance with federal privacy laws, drivers first must give written consent for their records to be released to a prospective motor carrier employer. FMCSA expects to fully launch the program this summer.

In related news, the Department of Transportation made final an interim rule that requires disclosure of test results for CMV licensed drivers who have drug and alcohol violations. According to a notice (.pdf file) published in the Feb. 25 Federal Register, the interim final rule, published June 13, 2008, now is a final rule authorizing employers in DOT's drug and alcohol testing program to disclose such violations to state commercial driver licensing authorities.

Criminals have devised a new way to skim payment card details from people buying gas, by concealing skimming devices within the gas pump. Devices nesting within the pumps were found at about 180 Utah gas stations, and this development reflects the increasing sophistication of card skimmers. Police say more than $11,000 was stolen from California ATMs using data skimmed from a 7-Eleven store in Sandy, Utah. A cell phone-sized Bluetooth skimming device was hidden in the pump and attached to the card reader, according to reports. Police officials say that Bluetooth-enabled sniffers and wireless technology enable criminals to capture data remotely rather than having to physically retrieve the devices. Analyst Bruce Schneier says that criminals in Europe also are hiding skimming devices in gas pumps in an effort to evade detection, and it is unclear whether such fraud is an inside job. "The moral is they are getting better and better at this," he says. Schneier also notes that some of the attacks may be the work of organized criminal gangs. Read the entire article here.

Since 1980, more than 130 workers have been killed and more than 780 injured in combustible dust explosions. OSHA is reminding workers and employers about the hazards of combustible dust and ways to avoid those hazards. OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Web page on combustible dust discusses what current standards apply to help eliminate worker exposure and identifies other agency resources, such as Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts* and Hazard Alert: Combustible Dust Explosions fact sheet*, on identifying and controlling the potential for explosions. OSHA is considering rulemaking to develop a combustible dust standard. On Feb. 17, stakeholders participated in an informal meeting meant to seek information for the development of a protective and suitable standard. Comments from a similar meeting held in December 2009 are available on OSHA's Web site.

OSHA has notified approximately 15,000 employers that injury and illness rates at their worksites are considerably higher than the national average. In a letter sent to those employers, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels explained that the notification is an active step to encourage employers to act now to improve safety and health conditions in their workplaces. To view letter and list of worksites, visit OSHA's Freedom of Information Act Web page.

OSHA updated the Screening and Surveillance: A Guide to OSHA Standards* pocket guide that provides occupational health professionals with an overview of OSHA requirements on medical screening and surveillance. It describes what physical examinations and tests, such as chest x-rays, lung function tests and blood tests, are required to measure worker exposure to chemicals such as hexavalent chromium and benzene, and other workplace hazards such as noise and bloodborne pathogens. This quick-reference tool also points to the appropriate standards for more specifics. Copies can be ordered online from OSHA's publications Web page.

The All-Hazard Consequence Management Planning for the Water Sector (All-Hazard CMP) helps drinking water and wastewater utilities incorporate all-hazard consequence management planning into their emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plans and programs. The All-Hazard CMP was produced by a workgroup made up of drinking water and wastewater utilities, water sector associations, and representatives of state and Federal water programs. It includes:

• Customizable lists of preparedness, response, and recovery actions that will improve resiliency across all hazards.
• Consequence-specific lists of actions for potential hazards that are most relevant to drinking water and wastewater utilities.
• Example incident-specific flow charts and checklists developed by a utility with links to the downloadable and customizable versions online.
• Information on how the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) are used in preparedness and during response and recovery.

As temperatures begin to rise, so does the risk of possible flooding in many sections of the country. The National Weather Service provides flood potential outlooks that you can review for specific areas of the country. Flood outlooks are issued biweekly during the winter and spring with the next winter/spring flood outlook due out Friday March 5th. To see flood and other weather hazards across the country, check out the National Warnings page from the National Weather Service.

Help prepare for potential flooding with EMC's disaster planning links, Loss Prevention Information Manual section, and Water Damage Tech Sheet. If a flood should occur, use HSB's Flood Recovery Alert Document to help you clean and restart equipment safely.

Rutgers University (RU) computer scientists have demonstrated how rootkits could surreptitiously instruct a smartphone to eavesdrop on a meeting, track its owner's location, or rapidly drain the battery. Smartphones "run the same class of operating systems as desktop and laptop computers, so they are just as vulnerable to attack by malicious software, or malware," says RU professor Vinod Ganapathy. Rootkits attack the operating system of a computer's software and can only be detected using a virtual machine monitor from outside a corrupted system. Rootkit attacks on smartphones could be especially effective because smartphone users tend to carry their phones with them all the time, which creates opportunities for attackers to eavesdrop, extract personal information, or pinpoint the users location using the phone's global positioning system. Smart phones also have new ways for malware to get into the system, such as through a Bluetooth radio channel or via text messages.

Beginning April 2010, federal requirements will change for contractors performing renovation, repair, or painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 that are visited regularly by a child under the age of six. These contractors must now be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Learn more at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf.

Five organizations recently released a guide (.pdf file) on best practices for aerial work platform equipment as part of a larger initiative to promote safety and increase risk management knowledge.

The document addresses:

• Education on industry-recognized and supported standards
• Presenting best practices and minimum general training guidelines for AWP operators
• Emphasizing the differences between general training and familiarization to all parties responsible
• Clarifying minimum qualifications of the trainer

The American Rental Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Associated Equipment Distributors, Scaffold Industry America and International Powered Access Federation jointly released the guide.

Employees who suffer from depression have higher costs related to short-term disability and absenteeism, even when they seek therapy for the condition, according to a new study from Washington-based Thomson Reuters Healthcare.

According to a study abstract, researchers examined insurance claims and employee health and productivity databases to determine the effect of antidepressant treatment on employer costs, and found workers with depression miss more days of work and are about twice as likely to use short-term disability. Workers with severe depression were about 3 times as likely to use short-term disability. Even while receiving treatment, costs associated with depressed workers remained significantly higher than costs for workers with other ailments, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, the abstract said.

The study was published in the February issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

An online course has been developed to help employers, public health professionals and educators develop violence and injury prevention programs. TEACH-VIP E-learning offers 20 lessons that can be customized to meet individual needs, such as preventing injuries, violence and suicide, and provides guidance on developing programs to address these concerns. Each lesson contains interactive quizzes, activities and resources.

"Injuries are a major global public health problem, killing nearly 6 million people each year and harming millions more," said Dr. David Meddings of the World Health Organization. "Yet knowledge on injury and violence prevention is lacking."

TEACH-VIP E-learning was developed by the Boston-based Education Development Center Inc. in collaboration with WHO.

Although space heaters are the cause of only 32 percent of home heating fires, they are responsible for 79 percent of home heating fire deaths, according to a report issued this week from the National Fire Protection Association.

In 2007, 66,400 home fires were caused by heating equipment, resulting in 580 deaths, 1,850 injuries and $608 million in property damage.

To prevent home heating fires, Quincy, MA-based NFPA recommends:

• Do not allow children or flammable items such as paper, bedding or furniture within 3 feet of open fires or space heaters.
• Never use your oven for heating.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
• Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Be sure heaters are placed on a level surface.
• Plug power cords directly into the outlet, not an extension cord. Check cords for damage before use.
• When using a liquid fuel heater, be sure to use fuel recommended by the manufacturer and refuel outdoors after the appliance has cooled.
• Only start a fire with newspaper or kindling. Never use liquid lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline.

Days before an explosion during gas purging at a Connecticut power plant killed five people, the Chemical Safety Board approved urgent safety recommendations on gas purging at a public meeting in Raleigh, NC.

The recommendations (.pdf file), issued Feb. 4, stem from the agency's investigation into the deadly June 2009 explosion at the ConAgra Slim Jim plant in Garner, NC. Preliminary findings show the ConAgra explosion was caused by the accumulation of natural gas that had been purged indoors during the start-up of a new water heater, according to a CSB press release.

CSB recommends the National Fuel Gas Code – published jointly by the National Fire Protection Association and the American Gas Association – be changed to require venting purge gases indoors, approval from local officials before indoor purging, use of combustible gas detectors, training on odor fade and odor fatigue, and warnings against using odor alone to detect gases.

CSB has launched an investigation into the Connecticut explosion, the cause of which has not yet been determined.

Cardiac Science Corp. on Feb. 3 announced a voluntary recall after determining approximately 12,200 of its automated external defibrillators may not deliver an electric shock during resuscitation attempts.

A company press release said Cardiac Science found the problem through its internal quality systems and has not received any complaints. The affected AEDs were manufactured or serviced between Oct. 19, 2009, and Jan. 15, 2010, and include the following models:

• Powerheart 9300A, 9300E, 9300P, 9390A, 9390E
• CardioVive 92532
• CardioLife 9200G and 9231

Customers can go to the company's Website to see if their AED is involved.

Cardiac Science also announced its AED software update, originally scheduled for release in May, will be available later this month. According to a press release, AEDs manufactured between August 2003 and August 2009 may have resistors that fail and go undetected by periodic self-tests, which could render the AED unable to deliver a shock during a rescue attempt.

The affected models are:

• Powerheart 9300A, 9300C, 9300D, 9300E, 9300P, 9390A, 9390E
• CardioVive 92531, 92532, 92533

The use of disinfectants has increased because of the concern about exposure to infectious agents, such as the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. A patient seen recently at the Michigan State University Clinic, one of the clinics in the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics, complained of respiratory symptoms that had developed at work after exposure to a spray disinfectant. Aerosol cans of disinfectant had been distributed by supervisors and, when people coughed at work, disinfectant was inappropriately sprayed in the air instead of surfaces, according to the clinic. A summary of the allergenic/irritant effects of disinfectants can be found at www.oem.msu.edu/userfiles/file/News/v20n2.pdf.

Regardless of distance traveled, small passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles, such as stretch sedan limousines and commuter vanpool operations, must comply with federal safety regulations, according to a final rule (.pdf file) issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Feb. 1 in the Federal Register.

The final rule amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to require motor carriers operating CMVs designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers, including the driver, to comply with the safety regulations. The rule makes FMCSRs applicable to vehicles beyond a 75 air-mile radius from the driver's normal work-reporting location.

FMCSA estimates that 558 fatal crashes involving large vans with between 9 and 15 passengers aboard at the time of the crash occur each year, and 2,234 injury crashes each year involve 9- to 15-passenger vehicles.

The rule goes into effect May 3.

Approximately 80 workers die from electric shock and other related hazards each year while working in jobs related to transmission and distribution of electric power. To address that issue, OSHA recently published an eTool to help workers and employers be in compliance with 29 CFR Part 1910.269, the Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Standard.

Beginning Feb. 1, employers must post a summary of their 2009 OSHA 300 logs for employees. The summary, OSHA Form 300A (.pdf file), must remain posted through April 30.

Work-related injury and illness data submitted annually to OSHA by thousands of employers now will be publicly available, the agency announced this week.

OSHA uses the information to calculate injury and illness incidence rates and focus its Site-Specific Targeting Program. The data has been submitted to the agency by about 80,000 employers every year since 1996, and includes days away, restricted, transfer (DART) rates; days away from work (DAFWII) rates; and total case rates through fiscal year 2007.

Construction workers in open-air excavation or trenching worksites are not likely to be exposed to radon radiation above the permissible exposure limit, but workers in an enclosed space could be, OSHA said in a recent standard interpretation.

In an open-air environment such as a trench, radon gas levels generally are diluted through natural ventilation, but workers in a building, mine, cave or tunnel could be exposed to hazardous levels of radon that are artificially enhanced due to confinement. Radon testing at an excavation worksite generally would not be necessary unless the excavations are enclosed or in a geographical area known for high levels of radon, Richard Fairfax, director of OSHA's Directorate of Enforcement Programs, said in the letter.

The agency advises using OSHA's standards for ionizing radiation (1926.53 and 1910.1096) to determine if a given radon level may result in hazardous exposures; control measures can be found in 1926.651(g)(1)(ii).

Other recently released standard interpretations from OSHA include:

• Compliance with 1926.1101 when drilling through asbestos-containing floor tile/mastic
• Clarification on equivalent test nebulizer for qualitative fit tests
• Medical exams and blood testing for zinc protoporphyrin under OSHA's lead standards

Research has shown that burglary rates for businesses can be ten times those of households. To make matters worse, businesses and institutions that are burglarized are often victimized more than once. A new report from ASIS International can help you gain insight into how to assess, manage, and respond to burglaries that occur at commercial and industrial sites. Download the report here - Preventing Burglary in Commercial and Institutional Settings: A Place Management and Parternships Approach.

OSHA recently updated its guidance document Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments that addresses issues causing late-night retail workers to be killed on the job. These workplace violence guidelines include policy recommendations and practical corrective methods to help prevent and mitigate the effects of workplace violence in late-night retail establishments.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics' data, 167 retail trade workers were killed in 2007. Nearly half of these were employed in late-night establishments such as gasoline stations, liquor and convenience stores.

Effective immediately, drivers of commercial vehicles are expressly prohibited from texting while driving. This move is the latest in a series of actions taken by the DOT to combat distracted driving. Truck and bus drivers who text while driving commercial vehicles may be subject to civil or criminal penalties and fined up to $2,750. View the DOT press release for more information on the ban.

Hexavalent chromium is a toxic chemical that can cause cancer and damage to the nose, throat and lungs of workers. The new Hexavalent Chromium booklet explains OSHA's hexavalent chromium standards so that workers and employers know the best ways to prevent illness and death caused by exposure in the workplace. Visit OSHA's publications Web page for more resources on hexavalent chromium and other information on staying safe and healthy on the job.

OSHA has produced two new videos that feature training and guidance on respirator safety. The "Respirator Safety" video shows healthcare workers how to correctly put on and take off respirators, such as N95s. The "Difference between Respirators and Surgical Masks" video explains the particular uses for each one and how they prevent worker exposure to infectious diseases. Viewers can watch both English and Spanish versions by visiting the Department of Labor's YouTube site. Videos have proven to be useful and have been viewed 2,153 times in only two days.

ZOLL Medical Corp. is asking customers whose AED Plus devices have serial numbers with the last six digits below 200000 to perform a software update and submit confirmation to the Chelmsford, MA-based company.

According to a press release, ZOLL determined that some batteries do not work properly when used with defibrillators made before Feb. 12, 2009. The previous software did not adequately detect defective batteries, which could result in the machine failing to deliver a shock.

Passenger vehicle occupants who do not use a safety belt are 17.7 times more likely to be ejected from their vehicles when involved in a crash than occupants who use safety belts, according to a new study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A report (.pdf file) released in late December shows that in 2007, an estimated 15,147 lives were saved by safety belts. Statistics show 35.3 percent of unrestrained vehicle occupants were ejected, compared with only 2.0 percent of restrained occupants who were ejected. Researchers analyzed Fatality Analysis Reporting System data from 2003 to 2007.

Overall, the percentage of occupants ejected from vehicles has dropped significantly among newer model year vehicles – the steepest decline was for sport utility vehicles. Researchers concluded if safety belt use had increased to 100 percent, then an additional 5,024 lives would have been saved.

New OSHA guidance advises employers of emergency medical service responders on best practices for protecting EMS workers who care for victims of hazardous-substance release incidents. Released November 30, the guidance covers hazard assessment and emergency response plans, and appropriate training and personal protective equipment. It is a companion piece to previously released guidance for hospital staff.

Drowsy driving, inattentiveness, and vehicle overcorrection are common factors in a high percentage of fatal crashes analyzed in a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study of single vehicle run-off-the-road crashes. In the study, researchers reviewed crashes recorded between 1991 and 2007 in NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System. The study showed 91.2 percent of drivers were most likely sleepy, 75.4 percent were inattentive, and 85.6 percent had overcorrected the vehicle. Additional factors and conditions include alcohol use, curved roads, speeding, rural roadways, high speed limits and adverse weather.

The calendar says it is almost winter, so OSHA is reminding employers and workers, whose work is concentrated outside, to take the necessary precautions to prevent cold-related injuries and illnesses. OSHA's "Cold Stress Pocket Card" (English/Spanish) provides recommendations on protecting workers in cold environments. Electronic copies can be downloaded from OSHA's publications page.

After a recent increase in the number of workers killed while performing grain handling operations, OSHA is reminding employers and workers of available resources and OSHA standards that identify hazards and offer solutions to prevent fatalities. The Grain Handling Facilities standard and Grain Handling and Agricultural Operations Safety and Health Topics Web pages address industry hazards and ways to avoid them.

We often take walking from point 'a' to point 'b' for granted while on the job, but a routine situation can change quickly and dramatically because of slips, trips and falls. OSHA is aware of that fact and has an assortment of information from standards and rules to training programs to help reduce the hazards that cause these incidents. Walking/Working Surfaces is a Safety and Health Topics Web page that focuses on standards, hazards and controls, and provides a launching point for even more information. Employers and workers may also want to visit OSHA's Web page on Teen Worker Safety in Restaurants featuring a section on slips, trips and falls.

The rate of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses dropped to 3.9 cases per 100 full-time workers in 2008, down from 4.2 the year before, according to new data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday. The number of cases also declined, to 3.7 million in 2008 from 4 million in 2007.

The BLS report comes on the heels of OSHA's recent launch of a National Emphasis Program on recordkeeping (.pdf file) that the agency hopes will ensure more accurate injury and illness data reporting from employers.

NIOSH last week posted an online document (.pdf file) that includes presentations from seven international scientists on how nations can collaborate to protect workers from the potential harm of nanotechnology.

The presentations were given as part of the 18th World Congress on Safety and Health at Work symposium, held in Seoul, South Korea, in 2008.

High-visibility warning garments are required safety attire for highway and road construction workers according to a new letter of interpretation recently released by the OSHA, available here.

In 2004, OSHA issued a letter of interpretation about the use of high-visibility apparel in highway construction. The letter emphasized that section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act requires workers in highway work zones to wear high-visibility apparel. However, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission ruled that OSHA's letter indicated a more limited position: high-visibility garments are only required where the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) mandates their use.

Therefore, OSHA is issuing a new letter stating that all highway and road construction workers must wear high-visibility apparel regardless of whether the MUTCD requires them. OSHA considers road and construction traffic a well-recognized hazard to highway/road construction workers. Bureau of Labor Statistics reinforced the need for using safety apparel when data from 2003 to 2007 showed there were 425 road construction work zone fatalities.

Come Nov. 1, it's time to change your clocks, change your batteries and check your emergency kit, the American Public Health Association recommends.

During the annual daylight-saving time, APHA encourages people to examine their emergency preparedness kits – or create one – when they change their clocks for daylight-saving time as part of its Get Ready: Set Your Clocks, Check Your Stocks campaign.

The time change occurs on Nov. 1 in most areas of the country. Along with checking your emergency kit, APHA and other organizations such as the U.S. Fire Administration remind citizens to check – and, if necessary, change – the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

OSHA published a proposed rule Sept. 30 to align the Hazard Communication Standard with provisions of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. See the fact sheet and Sept. 30 Federal Register notice for details.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the federal research agency for workplace safety and health, recently published guidance for reducing exposure to crystalline silica dust during construction activities. The guidance suggests using a water-spray attachment to suppress dust when operating construction equipment such as a jackhammer. Silica is known to cause the lung disease silicosis. Visit NIOSH's Web site for more information.

The use of surgical masks is nearly as effective as N95 respirators in preventing the spread of influenza to health care workers, according to a study from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

As part of the study, researchers conducted a trial involving 446 nurses at eight Ontario hospitals. The nurses were divided into two groups – one using a surgical mask and the other using an N95 respirator when dealing with patients with influenza. After approximately three months, 23.6 percent of nurses in the surgical mask group and 22.9 percent of nurses in the respirator group contracted the flu – a difference deemed not statistically significant.

The study's conclusion runs counter to recommendations health agencies have given in the past, most recently the Institute of Medicine (.pdf file), which recommended health care workers who may be exposed to the H1N1 virus use fit-tested N95 respirators.

http://ohsonline.com/articles/2009/10/07/alliance-creates-respirator-fit-testing-card.aspx

The Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare's alliance with OSHA brainstormed the idea during a conference call that included NIOSH's National Personal Protective Technology Lab.

The Department of Homeland Security has released new guidelines to help small businesses prepare for 2009 H1N1 influenza. The document covers how to write a preparedness plan and ten tips to help protect the health of your employees.

Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza: A Preparedness Guide for Small Businesses:
http://www.flu.gov/professional/business/smallbiz.pdf

Six years ago, the Department of Homeland Security selected September to be National Preparedness Month in honor of the victims who were lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. Emphasis will be given to teach the public how to communicate important preparedness messages to their family, their business and their community with a new series of customizable materials. Visit http://www.ready.gov for more information.

To help people determine what natural disasters their home or business faces and how to protect against those hazards, the IBHS Web site www.disastersafety.org offers a ZIP code tool that will generate a list of risks at that location. Property protection projects are provided to help minimize the impact of natural events such as windstorms, flooding, earthquakes, wildfires, severe winter weather and hailstorms.

Newly released safety and health information bulletins from OSHA offer tips on the safe use of forklifts.

Standup forklift operators face a crushing hazard when traveling backward while the forks are trailing; an obstruction may enter the operator's compartment and crush him or her (known as an "under-ride"). OSHA recommendations include installing a barrier and ensuring proper training.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released new guidance recommending actions that non-healthcare employers should take now to decrease the spread of seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu in the workplace and to help maintain business continuity during the 2009-2010 flu season.

These toolkits include strategies organizations can use to implement the CDC's flu-related recommendations. They also contain recommendations regarding when a worker who is ill with influenza may return to work.

• Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Businesses and Employers
  http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/business/toolkit/pdf/Business_Toolkit.pdf
• Preparing for the Flu: A Communication Toolkit for Schools (Grades K-12)
  http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/schoolflutoolkit.pdf

OSHA released a new guidance document, Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts, which is intended to assist chemical manufacturers and importers in recognizing the potential for dust explosions, identifying appropriate protective measures, and disseminating this information on material safety data sheets and labels.

The document addresses the combustible dust hazards in relation to the Hazard Communication Standard, which is designed to ensure that chemical hazards are evaluated and the information concerning them is transmitted to employers and workers.

It addresses five key areas:

• OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard
• Identifying and Controlling the Potential for Dust Explosions
• MSDS Preparation
• Product Labels
• Training and Information

For more information, visit www.jjkeller.com/referencematerials/073109dust.pdf

The Department of Labor announced Wednesday that it will pursue a "comprehensive rulemaking" on combustible dust.

OSHA intends to issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, and stakeholder meetings will be scheduled to evaluate possible regulatory methods.

Aggressive driving is a factor in 56 percent of fatal motor vehicle crashes, according to a report released April 21 by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

According to the report (.pdf file), researchers reviewed a number of crashes in which one or more driver actions typically associated with aggressive driving, such as speeding, tailgating or violating traffic control devices, were reported. Those actions were reported in 56 percent of the fatal crashes from 2003 to 2007.

Researchers concluded that the research community needs to conduct additional naturalistic studies to understand the psychological state of aggressive driving and driver intent, in addition to educating drivers about their responsibility to assess their own driving behavior.

Depending on where you live and work, the hot, hazy days of summer are either already here in all their sweltering glory, or they're fast approaching. OSHA wants to remind everyone that the heat can be especially harmful for those who work outdoors in direct sunlight or in hot environments, making them susceptible to heat-induced illnesses such as heat stress, heat exhaustion, or the more serious heat stroke.

Through fact sheets such as Protecting Workers from the Effects of Heat and Working Outdoors in Warm Climates, the agency explains heat stress phenomena and provides recommendations to protect workers from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Employers and workers will find more practical tips for guarding against UV radiation in Protecting Yourself in the Sun, a pocket-sized card addressing various forms of skin cancer. These publications are free and can be downloaded from OSHA's Publications page.

The federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees increases to $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. By law, you are required to post this new information.

Make sure your labor law postings are current

Stress – not lifestyle factors – may lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among police officers, according to a new study from researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Factors such as lack of exercise, smoking and diet were statistically controlled and ruled out as the reason for police officers' increased risk for the arterial thickening that precedes a heart attack or stroke, according to a UB press release.

"This led to the conclusion that it is not the 'usual' heart-disease-related risk factors that increase the risk in police officers," study author and UB associate professor John Violanti said in the release. "It is something else. We believe that 'something else' is the occupation of policing."

The study was published in the June issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

OSHA is warning trainers under its 36-year-old Outreach Training Program that the agency intends to crack down on fraudulent trainers in an effort to improve and strengthen the integrity of the program.

The voluntary program has more than 16,000 independent trainers who are eligible to teach workers and employers about workplace hazards and provide OSHA 10-Hour course completion cards. However, some trainers have failed to provide the appropriate training, acting OSHA administrator Jordan Barab said in a statement.

Trainers are authorized under the program after completing a one-week OSHA train-the-trainer course at an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. The trainers are then eligible to teach 10-Hour programs and 30-Hour courses in construction, maritime and general industry safety and health hazards.

Barab said OSHA will refer fraudulent activity to the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, and trainers caught falsifying information will be subject to criminal prosecution.

Numerous states are holding corporate and institutional violators of fluorescent lamp handling requirements accountable for their actions.

The Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) commends the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state governments for taking these violations seriously. While EPA and other agencies recommend that all mercury-containing lamps be recycled, requirements vary state to state, and some residents may not be aware of bans on the disposal of such products that have been enacted in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, with an incinerator ban in Florida.

To find a lamp recycler near you, click here. For information on the applicable regulations in your state, see: http://www.almr.org/statebystate.html. (Note that some local jurisdictions have their own requirements as well.) Consumers can find drop-off sites for used lamps at www.earth911.org.

"Controlling Silica Exposures in Construction," "OSHA's Small Business Guide for Ethylene Oxide" and "Pneumatic Nail Gun Safety Tips" QuickCard™ are three new information resources available on OSHA's Web site.

Ticks can be more than just a nuisance to those who work outside - they can cause serious illnesses, including Lyme Disease. Workers in the construction, landscaping, forestry, farming, railroad, oil field, park and wildlife management, and utility industries - to name a few - are at increased risk of tick-related and other outdoor hazards. OSHA has resource information on these potential hazards and how to prevent them in the "Working Outdoors in Warm Climates" fact sheet. More information is available in the Safety and Health Information Bulletin: "Potential for Occupational Exposure to Lyme Disease."

OSHA issued worker safety and health guidance for H1N1 flu, including fact sheets on "What Employers Can Do to Protect Workers from Pandemic Influenza" (English/Spanish), "Respiratory Infection Control: Respirators Versus Surgical Masks" (English/Spanish), and "Healthcare Workplaces Classified as Very High or High Exposure Risk for Pandemic Influenza" (English/Spanish). QuickCards™ were also released on "Pandemic Flu Respiratory Protection" (English/Spanish) and "How to Protect Yourself in the Workplace during a Pandemic" (English/Spanish).

http://ohsonline.com/articles/2009/05/16/5000-pool-chemical-injuries-treated-annually.aspx

A study in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report is timed to 2009 National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week (May 18-24) with the aim of educating parents, instructors, pool maintenance workers, and others.

For a complete set of prevention recommendations, visit this site. CDC's Health Swimming Web site is www.cdc.gov/healthyswimming.

Employees of indoor firing ranges potentially expose themselves to hazardous lead concentrations and noise levels, NIOSH said in a new alert. The 32-page document (.pdf file) offers steps employers can take to protect their workers from those dangers, and reviews the federal standards that must be met.

The United States Fire Administration offers tips to reduce the chances that you may become a victim of arson. More...

Consumer safety advocates say a new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regulation regarding automotive roof strength doesn't do enough to keep occupants from being crushed when a vehicle rolls over. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers says that it "supports NHTSA's goal of enhancing rollover safety, but enhanced roof strength is only one part of that plan," along with safer driving to prevent rollovers in the first place.

WASHINGTON - Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said Tuesday that the government would soon propose new safety rules to protect workers from industrial dust that can cause explosions and a popcorn flavoring chemical linked to lung disease. The announcement is part of her efforts to boost safety enforcement at the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

One proposal would seek to limit worker exposure to diacetyl, a flavoring agent in microwave popcorn that is blamed for sickening hundreds of popcorn plant workers. Solis said she will convene a special panel next month that would allow small businesses to suggest how any new rules could minimize the economic burden on their operations. Solis also said OSHA plans to propose new standards on combustible dust particles that can cause explosions at some work sites. Investigators blamed sugar dust at a Georgia refinery for a massive explosion last year that killed 14 people. Labor Department officials declined to provide further details on the new rules, which are expected to be proposed later this year.

Drywall manufactured in, and imported from, China for use in construction projects in the United States recently has become a topic of active scrutiny in the media and among some public policymakers. Because drywall is a widely used building material in U.S. homes and commercial structures, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has developed a brief fact sheet outlining concerns about the strength of Chinese drywall relative to similar products, as well as any potential negative impact on other building systems. Please click here to read the fact sheet.

There may still be cold temperatures and even snow on the ground in some areas, but believe it or not, summer is quickly approaching and with it, the risk of lightning increases across most of the country. Due to building materials and contemporary design features, commercial buildings are especially vulnerable to lightning damage. Please click here for tips from IBHS and the Lightning Protection Institute on how to protect people and property from the danger of lightning.

Every building is susceptible to water damage. Whether caused by natural elements or a burst or leaky pipe, knowing how to properly respond to the situation can mean the difference between a quick recovery and potentially losing your business. IBHS offers tips on how to prepare your business so you can respond quickly and effectively in the event of water damage to prevent a minor inconvenience from turning into a major disaster. Please click here for information about how to prepare for, respond to and recover from commercial water damage.

Motor vehicle traffic fatalities and fatality rates have dropped to their lowest recorded rate in 2008, and seat belt use increased, according to a preliminary report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Preliminary data (.pdf file) from NHTSA shows 37,313 motor vehicle traffic-related deaths occurred in 2008, which is a 9.1 percent decline from the 41,059 fatalities reported in 2007. The fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled dropped to 1.28 in 2008 from 1.36 in 2007, representing the largest projected decline since 1961. A final report of actual fatalities will be released in August.

Meanwhile, seat belt use in the United States ranged from a low of 55.7 percent in American Samoa to a high of 97.2 percent in Michigan. Preliminary state-by-state data (.pdf file) shows rates of 90 percent or greater documented in 16 states and territories.

Employee injuries occurring at offsite work-related events may be recordable, an OSHA letter of interpretation has determined.

William K. Principe, an attorney with Constangy, Brooks & Smith LLP in Atlanta, sought guidance from the agency in December about a case in which a worker was injured while go-kart racing during a mandatory offsite team-building event. Principe also requested clarification as to whether the injury would be considered recordable if an employee was injured while watching the go-kart racing but was not a participant.

In the letter of interpretation, Keith Goddard, director of OSHA's Directorate of Evaluation and Analysis, said injuries are recordable if they occur in the "work environment," which agency regulations define as "the establishment and other locations where one or more employees are working or are present as a condition of their employment." In this case, the employee's presence at the go-kart facility was mandatory, and any injuries would be recordable regardless of whether the employee was a participant or spectator.

The construction season begins this month, and highway safety officials are urging motorists to drive carefully through highway construction and repair sites as part of the 10th annual National Work Zone Awareness Week, scheduled for April 6-10.

On March 3, President Barack Obama and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced the release of $26.6 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to states and local transportation authorities to repair and build highways, roads and bridges.

According to a press release from the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 1,000 people are killed in roadway work zones each year.

NIOSH has updated a document that reviews worker safety concerns associated with engineered nanomaterials.

Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology: Managing the Health and Safety Concerns Associated with Engineered Nanomaterials (.pdf file) outlines what is currently known about nanoparticle toxicity, process emissions and exposure assessment, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment, NIOSH said.

The agency said the updated document incorporates some of the latest results of NIOSH research and summarizes its current thinking and interim recommendations on nanotechnology.

According to a report issued by the Jewelers’ Security Alliance this week, crimes against U.S. jewelers increased by more than 16 percent in 2008, resulting in $103.5 million in total losses. The alliance also reported a sharp increase in “grab and run’ type robberies, which were reportedly up by 49 percent in 2008. On a positive note, however, the number of jewelers killed during robberies has dramatically dropped over the last 10 years, with only two being killed last year.

http://www.securityinfowatch.com/Retail/1310700

In conjunction with March being named Workplace Vision Wellness Month, the Chicago-based nonprofit organization Prevent Blindness America is offering a free vision wellness program to employers.

The Healthy Eyes Vision Wellness Program offers educational materials and tools, including:

• A Vision Wellness in the Workplace promotional guide
• A PBA Healthy Vision Observance calendar
• Monthly e-mails containing vision health and safety posters, fact sheets and updates
• A poster outlining common eye myths

PBA said the program can help make workers more productive and reduce vision-related disability claims, sick leave and early retirement stemming from eye health issues.

When "horseplay" between workers turns violent, should resulting injuries be considered recordable? OSHA says yes.

The agency issued a letter of interpretation, dated Feb. 9, in response to an inquiry from a contractor in Whiting, IN, regarding an incident between two workers in a construction trailer.

Motorists tend to overestimate their ability to drive well while engaged in various mental tasks, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety in Boston.

Findings from the study found that drivers devote more attention resources to activities that are more engaging. When put in a driving situation and asked to perform in-vehicle tasks (a mathematical task and quickly answering guessing-game questions), many participants in the study failed to account for the added demands on driving performance. Researchers said the study results have implications for employers, as crashes caused by distraction – both on and off the job – carry tremendous costs, including injuries and lost productive work years.

The study was published online in the National Safety Council's Journal of Safety Research.

On Feb. 1, employers were to begin posting a summary of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred last year. Employers are only required to post the Summary (OSHA Form 300A) -- not the OSHA 300 Log -- from Feb. 1 to April 30, 2009. Copies of OSHA Forms 300, 300A and 301 are available on the OSHA Recordkeeping Web page.

The danger of a flood does not end when the rains cease. Cleanup crews must work together and look out for one another to ensure safety. For more information call 888-246-2675 or see NIOSH’s Storm and Flood Cleanup site at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/flood.html.

Health and Safety Recommendations for Workers Who Handle Human Remains

Employers and workers face a variety of health hazards when handling, or working near, human remains. Workers directly involved in recovery or other efforts that require the handling of human remains are susceptible to bloodborne viruses such as hepatitis and HIV, and bacteria that cause diarrheal diseases, such as shigella and salmonella. For more information on this, and other health-related issues affecting workers, visit OSHA’s Web site at www.osha.gov. More detailed guidance addressing this topic can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website at http://www.cdc.gov.

TAMPA - Tornadoes are a grim reminder of nature's power and unpredictability. While such destructive storms were once unexpected in winter, some of the fiercest outbreaks in recent years occurred during January, February and March, as evidenced by yesterday's deadly storms in Oklahoma. More information about disaster-resistant construction and increased protection from all hazards is available on the IBHS Web site http://www.disastersafety.org/.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today published in the Federal Register final changes to its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) that, among other enhancements, allow participation by companies with mobile workforces.

The VPP, the agency's recognition initiative for workplace safety and health excellence, will provide new options for construction contractors and other employers who may have employees at various locations. Other VPP changes for eligible organizations include a streamlined application process, outreach and mentoring, and onsite workplace evaluations.

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=17270

OSHA is proposing revised fit tests for determining the effectiveness of respiratory protection facemasks, according to a notice of proposed rulemaking published Jan. 21. The plan proposes two revised fit test procedures under the agency's respiratory protection standard (1910.134).

Some fit tests expose wearers to airborne agents; others use a machine to measure how much of a test agent leaks into a respirator. The proposed revisions would allow certain machine-based fit tests to be conducted more quickly and increase the required score for passing them.

OSHA incorporated the two categories of respirator fit tests into its respiratory protection standard in 1998.

An interactive blog that can serve as a tool for fire personnel has been launched by the United States Fire Administration. The agency encourages users to post comments and success stories. The purpose of this blog is to facilitate an ongoing dialogue with the Fire Service that contributes to fostering a solid foundation in prevention, preparedness, and response with respect to fire and related emergencies.

New Product Safety Requirements

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is reminding the public that in February 2009, new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act take effect. Manufacturers, importers, and retailers are expected to comply with the new Congressionally-mandated laws.

When CPSIA was signed into law on Aug. 14, 2008, it became unlawful to sell recalled products. All resellers should check the CPSC Web site for information on recalled products before taking into inventory or selling a product. The selling of recalled products also could carry civil and/or criminal penalties. The agency has underway a number of rulemaking proposals intended to provide guidance on the new lead limit requirements.