Category: Injuries and Illness

Modern safety management goes beyond covering traditional workplace accidents to now being equally concerned with illnesses caused on and even off the job. This section will explain what you need to know to avoid both injuries and illnesses, and to track your progress in reaching this goal.

Chemical plant workers, piping

CSB Cites Chain of Failures in DuPont Plant Deaths

A “chain of failures” in emergency response and process safety management led to the November 2014 deaths of four workers following a methyl mercaptan release at the DuPont Plant in La Porte, Texas, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB).

USA map safety belt

Overdoses and Car Crashes Affect States’ Rates of Preventable Death

Last week, the National Safety Council (NSC) released its annual list of states with the lowest and highest rates of unintentional, preventable deaths, which include poisonings (largely from drug overdoses), car crashes, and falls. Death rates were calculated per 100,000 population, and all analysis was conducted by NSC using 2017 data from the National Center […]

Paint cans, lead paint

EPA Rule Targets Children’s Exposure to Lead Dust from Paint

In a final rule, the EPA has revised its dust-lead hazard standards (DLHS) to address exposures generated by lead-based paint in residential dwellings and child-occupied facilities (COFs). The rule complies with orders issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in December 2017 and March 2018. The court had found in favor […]

Legionella bacteria

Legionella Prevention for EHS Managers: Watch Your Water System

Last week, the Ford Motor Company reported that trace amounts of Legionella bacteria were found in the water system at their flagship Rouge plant in Dearborn, Michigan. According to the report, the bacteria was discovered “in three locations across the plant—including two bathrooms and the medical department.”  Rather than shut the entire plant down, Ford […]

Construction workers

The Top Four Construction Health Hazards Revealed

Employers in the construction industry can control occupational health hazards as effectively as safety hazards, according to new guidance from the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).

Welding fumes

Welding Fume Now Considered a Known Carcinogen

If you employ welders, they may be at risk for lung cancer, regardless of the metals they weld. However, researchers have yet to compile all the information employers need on exposure limits and hazard controls.

Workers compensation comp claim form

The Root Causes of Workers’ Compensation Claims

Many factors can affect the number and severity of your workers’ compensation claims, but none more than the quality of your workplace safety and health program. Some studies have shown that every dollar invested in a safety and health management program can net an employer $3 to $10 in cost savings.

Safe Patient Handling and Mobility, SPHM

Safety 2019: SPHM Programs Reduce Healthcare Worker Injuries

On day 2 of Safety 2019, the annual conference of the American Society of Safety Professionals, taking place June 9–12 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Yeu-Li Yeung, the patient care ergonomics coordinator for Duke University Health System, and Neal Wiggermann, PhD, a specialist research scientist specializing in human factors and […]

Lawsuits for Occupational Illnesses Allowed Under Illinois Bill

Illinois workers and their families can now sue employers for long-developing occupational illnesses under a new state law.  The law enables workers and their families to file civil suits against employers after the clock has run out on the state’s workers’ compensation and occupational diseases laws.