December 2011
OSHA announces its National Emphasis Program for chemical facility safety
On November 30, 2011, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its new National Emphasis Program (NEP), which aims to protect chemical facility workers from catastrophic releases of highly hazardous chemicals. "Far too...Read Full Article
OSHA addresses hazards in tire servicing industry with new tire charts
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a revised version of its tire servicing documents to include current hazards in the industry and ensure workers perform large vehicle tire maintenance safely. The revisions...Read Full Article
OSHA announces winners of photo contest to encourage workplace safety
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Picture It!: Safe Workplaces for Everyone photo contest was held in celebration of the agency's 40th anniversary, and was open to anyone with a passion for...Read Full Article
Werner Ladder recognized as Official Ladder of NCAA Basketball Championships
Werner Ladder Co. recently celebrated its role as the Official Ladder of the NCAA Basketball Championships by presenting the University of Connecticut men's basketball team with the two ladders used to cut down the nets after the team won the...Read Full Article
Novel strain of influenza detected in U.S.
On November 20, 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed three new cases of a novel strain of influenza in Iowa, bringing the total number of cases of the strain to 10 since July. The virus, known as swine-origin triple...Read Full Article
Obama Task Force announces final Gulf cleanup strategy
On December 5, 2011, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force released its final long-term plan for restoring the Gulf Coast ecosystem in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The strategy was delivered by the Task Force on December 2...Read Full Article
FRA issues safety advisory over bridge walkway hazards
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently issued its Safety Advisory 2011-03 to remind railroad bridge workers, contractors or subcontractors to a railroad of the dangers of crossing unsecured sections of walkways and platform gratings....Read Full Article
'Merging tsunami' behind Japan's destruction
On December 5, researchers from NASA and Ohio State University briefed the American Geophysical Union on why the devastating March 11, 2011 tsunami in Japan was so powerful. According to the experts, the natural disaster was a...Read Full Article
NIOSH issues Automotive Repair Safety Agenda
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has worked through it's National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) partnership program to develop and release the National Services Agenda which includes safety and health goals...Read Full Article
NOAA invites industry leaders to workshop to reduce impact of violent storms
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) held its Tornado and Severe Weather Workshop and Symposium December 13-15, 2011, in Norman, Oklahoma, titled "Weather Ready Nation Reducing Impacts from Nature's Most Violent...Read Full Article
Senate committee takes up pandemic bill
On December 14, 2011, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold an executive session to take up nominations and S. 1855, the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act Reauthorization of 2011. The bill is a...Read Full Article
Celebrating responsibly this holiday season
To keep holiday drunk driving accidents to a minimum this year, Safety Daily Advisor has reminded workers that December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. December may be a good time to give workers a brief reminder of the...Read Full Article
NTSB recommends nationwide ban on PED use while driving
The National Transportation Safety Board NTSB has made an unprecedented move in recommending that the use of all personal electronic devices (PEDs) be banned while behind the wheel. The action came during a December 13, 2011 board meeting regarding...Read Full Article
Hard hat safety training imperative for workers
On December 16, 2011, Safety Daily Advisor highlighted the importance of hard hat safety in initial training of employees, as well as in refresher training courses. Employees should be trained to select a hard hat that is appropriate for the task...Read Full Article
Survey indicates needlestick injuries remain a problem
MedPro Safety survey finds that 68 percent of healthcare workers believe needlestick injuries are still a major threat in the workplace. The survey took responses from 262 healthcare professionals at the APIC 2011 Annual Educational Conference in...Read Full Article
Supervisor responsibility for workplace safety
Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OROSHA's) December newsletter discusses ways supervisors can better promote safety in the workplace. The newsletter begins by discussing some of America's most tragic workplace...Read Full Article
FDA approves marketing of portable head-injury scanning device
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently allowed the marketing of the first device to be developed that can aid in the detection of life-threatening bleeding in the skull. The machine, called the Infrascanner Model 1000, can be used by...Read Full Article
EPA issues first national standards for power plant mercury pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which are the first aimed to protect Americans from the emissions of mercury and other toxic air pollutants. The new standards will rely on proven...Read Full Article