Chemicals
PPE on a near-atomic level: are workers safe from nanomaterials?
Advancements in science allow us to see more of the world around us, but often raise more questions than answers. Such is the case with engineered nanoparticles, and the dilemma of how “standard industrial hygiene practices” apply to a potential hazard that isn’t yet fully understood. Little particles, big question marks Nanomaterials are defined by […]
Craft breweries overlook workplace safety
Serious beer drinkers increasingly turn to craft breweries for more nuanced taste, wider variety and the cachet of supporting small, possibly local businesses. But while taste standards are top priority, beer drinkers, and it seems the breweries themselves, seldom think about standards for workplace safety. In 2009, welder Mark Moynihan died from severe burns suffered […]
Harmful chemicals in healthy foods
Does it make you cringe to wonder if your “sandwich artist” washed his hands before assembling your masterpiece, or if a restaurant is vigilant about keeping foods refrigerated and surfaces bacteria-free? Well, take heart. That apple or container of homemade pasta salad in your lunch may pose a greater health threat. Many foods that we […]
Welding fumes increase risk of hearing loss
Welders are routinely exposed to arc flashes, intense heat, and blinding light, putting them at risk for vision loss and burns. However, recent findings show that welders are also at a high risk for hearing loss. While an obvious reason seems to be their noisy work environment, prolonged exposure to welding fumes could also be […]
Why is worker safety neglected in post-disaster cleanups?
Following a natural or man-made disaster, time is of the essence for mitigating the damage. But does the need for a rapid response justify throwing worker safety out the window? Standards from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration require that workers receive adequate protection against workplace hazards, including protective equipment and training. But from the […]
Safety violations abounded in post-Hurricane Sandy cleanup
OSHA urged cleanup and recovery workers to be wary of hazards amid the post-hurricane Sandy debris. Still, many workers suffered chemical exposure, falls, and electrical shocks, in part due to the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE). An investigation by Daily News revealed that many of thousands of workers who cleaned and rebuilt homes in hurricane-struck […]
The West Texas tragedy: Can oversights lead to an overhaul?
All too often, safety oversights are brought to light because of a tragedy. In the case of the deadly explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. in Texas last month, early investigations have revealed a patchwork of reporting requirements and safety thresholds that may have left workers and the community dangerously exposed. An article on Salon.com states […]
Carbon Monoxide poisoning at home: The silent killer
Frayed or worn out electric chords, wet floors, fireplaces without mesh screens, and smoking in bed are some safety hazards at home that are easy to identify and fix. However, another hazard is lurking in our homes, invisible, and far more dangerous. Recently, Walker Sandford, a property management firm in Glasgow, Scotland threw light on […]
Misunderstood skull and crossbones label caused mass poisoning in Iraq
Understanding that a label with a skull and crossbones represents danger is not entirely universal. Misunderstanding it, in fact, caused one of the biggest mass poisonings in history. This disaster occurred in 1971, before the Iraq war, in Kirkuk, a province north of Baghdad. Patients from local farming communities came into hospitals with exceptionally serious […]
