Food Safety & Nutrition | The Pump Handle

APHA Annual Meeting Local New Jersey officials integrate worker safety into restaurant inspections; collect new insights on occupational risks

January 16, 2015 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

Food safety is at the top of the list for local restaurant inspectors in Rockaway Township, New Jersey. Recently, however, inspectors tested out the feasibility of adding a new safety checkpoint to the menu — the safety of restaurant employees. The effort was a success and one that organizers hope will ultimately lead to safer working conditions for food service workers statewide.

Food Safety & Nutrition LPNs supervised by an EMT: Poultry company’s answer to an employee health clinic

January 15, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

OSHA found what I’d call medical malpractice going on at a nursing station at a Wayne Farms poultry processing plant. The agency called them on it in a letter to firm’s operations manager.

Agriculture Child and adolescent farmworkers report serious safety gaps on the job, new study finds

January 14, 2015 Kim Krisberg

With agriculture ranked one of the most dangerous industries in the country, many Americans might be surprised to know that it’s still perfectly legal for farms to officially employ children. For years, advocates have been working to address this gaping loophole in the nation’s child labor laws, often citing children’s increased vulnerability to workplace-related injury, illness and exploitation. A new study confirms those concerns, underscoring the need to better protect the children and youth working in American fields.

Agriculture Occupational Health News Roundup

January 13, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Staten Island worker death highlights risks facing Latino construction workers; fight continues to ban asbestos; Minnesota minimum wage increase in jeopardy for tipped workers; and researchers look for ways to protect respiratory health among dairy farm workers.

Food Safety & Nutrition OSHA ignores poultry workers’ petition, sixteen months and counting

December 17, 2014 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

Poultry and meatpacking workers submitted a petition to OSHA in September 2013 asking the agency to issue a regulation to address line speed and other hazards that lead to musculoskeletal injuries. Sixteen months later, they’re still waiting for a response.

Agriculture Occupational Health News Roundup

December 16, 2014 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

Petrochemical companies spend millions to undermine the science on benzene; in-depth series sheds light on the horrific working conditions in Mexico’s agricultural sector; National Labor Relations Board rules in favor of worker organizing; and federal officials grilled on response to West fertilizer explosion.

Education The more you know: Study finds calorie signs do influence sugary beverage purchases among youth

December 9, 2014 Kim Krisberg 1Comment

In ongoing public health efforts to curb the obesity epidemic, better menu and nutrition labeling is often tapped as a low-cost way to help make the healthy choice, the easy choice. And while the evidence on the effectiveness of such interventions is still emerging, a recent study found that educating young people on the calories in sugar-sweetened beverages did make a positive difference.

farm workers Occupational Health News Roundup

December 2, 2014 Kim Krisberg

New Mexico dairy farm workers face dangerous workplace conditions and fears of retaliation; Chicago passes minimum wage increase; worker dies at Staten Island car dealership; and Philadelphia task force supports paid sick leave.

Agriculture Pardoning the turkey? Let’s thank farm workers instead

November 27, 2014 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

Wouldn’t it be something if the President’s annual pardoning of a turkey be replaced with an annual Thanksgiving recognition of workers along the food chain?

Cancer New report: More action needed to protect salon workers’ health

November 12, 2014 Kim Krisberg

Decreased lung function, breast cancer, miscarriage, depression and neurological disease. These are just a few of the health and disease risks that salon workers disproportionately face while on the job, according to a new report on the impact of toxic chemicals within the beauty and personal care industry.