Amy Howell
As a freelance writer, Amy knows just enough to be dangerous to herself when talking with experts in various fields. A typical day might include researching OSHA regulations (for MySafetySign!), treatments for vertebral compression fractures, applications of data-driven insights or advancements in aircraft engines or genetic testing. Covering home design and décor, however, has been her home turf for more than a dozen years. She received her B.A. in Journalism from Miami University (no, not the one in Florida) and recently checked-off a lifelong dream of watching a NASA rocket launch.
Amy Howell's Latest Posts
Do It Yourself, Safely: Roofing
MySafetySign applauds the do-it-yourself spirit of home renovations, but there are often the same hazards in your weekend fixer-upper as there are on professional construction jobs. We want to make sure your project ends with a satisfied feeling of accomplishment, not a visit to the emergency room. Follow along as we cover the basics of […]
West Virginia chemical spill highlights problems in regulation
One month after 10,000 gallons of a toxic industrial chemical leaked into the Elk River in West Virginia, national, state and local health officials continue to disagree over the safety of the water supply, and legislators and health officials are rushing to identify the regulatory gaps that allowed the accident to happen. Just two miles upstream […]
In Colorado, employer drug policy trumps legal marijuana use
Even though Colorado adults can walk into a store and legally purchase marijuana, just like liquor, exercising that freedom off-the-clock could cost them their jobs. Amendment 64 legalized the recreational use of marijuana for those 21 and over in Colorado, but it retained employers’ rights to “have policies restricting the use of marijuana by employees.” […]
Do It Yourself, Safely: Indoor Painting
MySafetySign applauds the do-it-yourself spirit of home renovations, but there are often the same hazards in your weekend fixer-upper as there are on professional construction jobs. We want to make sure your project ends with a satisfied feeling of accomplishment, not a visit to the emergency room. Follow along as we cover the basics of […]
Higher injury and fatality rate for Hispanic workers
As the Senate’s immigration reform bill awaits approval in the House of Representatives, a new report from Congress’ Joint Economic Committee underscores the need for improved workplace protection for the growing number of Hispanic workers – many of whom speak English as a second language. According to the report released by committee vice chair Senator […]
Are super-sized cruise ships a giant safety hazard?
You’re enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime vacation aboard a luxury cruise liner. There are night clubs, a shopping mall, water park and every type of dining destination you can imagine. But what regulations are in place to protect you –and the thousands of other passengers – and prevent a dream from turning into a nightmare? Cruise ship […]
Salmonella outbreak shows poultry safety problems
Just in time for Halloween, a recent salmonella outbreak has raised the fear factor for consuming chicken. As of Oct. 17, officials report that 338 people from 20 states have become ill due to chicken products contaminated with seven strains of Salmonella Heidelberg. The infection, which causes fever and gastrointestinal illness, has been linked to […]
Workplace safety proves a strong investment
Could safer employees yield happier investors? According to new research, published in the September Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, companies with exemplary health and safety programs also excel on the stock market. In the study, titled “The Link Between Workforce Health and Safety and the Health of the Bottom Line: Tracking Market Performance of […]
Go ahead, take a sick day
If you’ve been to the pharmacy lately, you’ve likely been asked, repeatedly, if you’ve had your flu shot yet. It’s an annual reminder that flu season is here and, unfortunately, we’re all in this together. Influenza and other contagious illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses often thrive in workplaces, where there’s the potential for contamination […]
How current lead exposure limits are failing workers
According to findings presented in an analysis from the Environmental Protection Agency, current limits for occupational lead exposure do little to address the potential health risks of low-level, long-term exposure. Lead dust, which has been linked to cardiovascular and neurological deficits, is common in industries such as manufacturing, home remodeling and automotive repair. The Occupational […]
6 shocking old mining safety practices
Given the unforgiving environment and physical requirements, coal miners have faced a higher risk of death and injury than other workers in private industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But before there were conveyor belts, extraction machines, hydraulic roof supports, gas detectors, respirators and electric lights – not to mention child labor and […]
