OSHA | The Pump Handle

Education Mapping technique reveals spatial clustering of workplace injuries and potential new venues for outreach

June 26, 2015 Kim Krisberg

A common hurdle in the field of occupational health and safety is delivering what can sometimes be life-saving information to the people who need it most. After all, not all employers are amenable to workplace health and safety education. But what if safety advocates could find and connect with the most at-risk workers out in the community? Perhaps even reach vulnerable workers with safety education before they experience an injury at work?

Food Safety & Nutrition Crippled hands, strained bladders: OSHA cites Delaware poultry company

June 22, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

For the just the second time in 10 years, OSHA issued citations to a poultry company for repetitive motion hazards that cause musculoskeletal injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Agriculture Occupational Health News Roundup

June 16, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Historic agreement reached between farmworkers and agribusiness in Baja California; New York fast food workers testify in support of higher wages; Cal-OSHA to strengthen its heat exposure oversight; and labor advocates say an upcoming visit from Pope Francis could be a boost for workers.

Government Fatal work injury that killed John Dunnivant was preventable, OSHA cites Kia Motors

June 11, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

The fatal work-related injuries that killed John Dunnivant, 57, could have been prevented had his employer followed worker safety regulations.

Labor Rights Advocates must push regulators to improve, enforce standards

June 9, 2015 The Pump Handle

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health held its national safety conference last week in Baltimore, Maryland. This recap includes comments from OSHA administrator Jordan Barab, national reporters, and advocates who participated.

Government Massachusetts extends OSHA protections to state workers: It’s about ‘creating an infrastructure that supports health and safety’

June 5, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Back in 1970 when the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration was established, local policymakers could choose whether or not to extend OSHA protections to state employees. Unfortunately, Massachusetts took a pass. But decades later — and after years of advocacy, organizing and research on the part of worker advocates — employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can now look forward to safer and healthier workplaces.

Government Predicting key regulatory action on new worker safety protections should not be that difficult

May 29, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 1Comment

OSHA and MSHA have a pathetic track record of estimating target dates for key regulatory action on new worker safety regulations. The Labor Department’s explanation for why they miss the mark just doesn’t hold up.

Injury Control & Violence Fatal work injury that killed Tito Hernandez was preventable, OSHA cites Scott Materials

May 23, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 3Comment

The fatal work-related injuries that killed Milton “Tito” Rafael Barreto Hernandez, 22, could have been prevented had his employer followed worker safety regulations.

Environmental Health OSHA gives DuPont a 50% discount on penalty for death of 4 workers

May 22, 2015 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 3Comment

OSHA gave DuPont a 50 percent discount on a repeat violation that contributed to the death in November 2014 of four workers at the company’s LaPorte, TX plant. Instead of a $70,000 penalty, the company got off cheap with an even cheaper $35,000 one.

Environmental Health Occupational Health News Roundup

May 19, 2015 Kim Krisberg

Injured workers testify before Illinois lawmakers on preserving the workers’ comp system; OSHA fines DuPont for failing to prevent the deaths of four workers; journalists arrested in Qatar while trying to investigate migrant working conditions; and a new report finds that service members who report sexual assault are likely to face retaliation.