The World Health Organization (WHO) gathered recently in an emergency committee meeting to discuss MERS coronavirus. International experts worked to come up with some advice for the WHO director general concerning this public health issue of international concern. The committee should have a working plan in place soon.
Topics: Emilcott, The World Health Organization (WHO), MERS coronavirus, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, MERS-CoV infection
In an effort to educate young workers, the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently held a contest to build a mobile app. Four winners were awarded prizes between $3,000 and $15,000.
Topics: Emilcott, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSH, DOT, Worker Safety and Health App Challenge, OHS Phone Applications
Topics: Emilcott, emergency preparedness, Emergency Preparedness Week, National Safety Council
Record heat is in the news again which may spur a new round of petitions for OSHA to execute an emergency temporary standard (EST) for a heat stress threshold, followed by a permanent Heat Stress Standard. Petitions for both were denied last summer. Many citizens and watch-dog groups felt that OSHA was simply opting for continued employer self-policing. However, even though there is an absence of a Heat Stress Standard, OSHA can hold employers accountable through enforcement outlined in the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1).
Topics: Emilcott, hazard of heat stress, heat stress is employers responsibility, emergency temporary standard (EST)
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was passed in 1976 with the goal of outlining the proper disposal of solid and hazardous waste. We often hear of big offenders paying out millions in fines for violations. However, companies are fined for smaller violations every day. It may not be newsworthy, but we understand that even a small fine can put a hardship on a small or mid-size business. Consider five common RCRA violations.
Topics: Emilcott, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Five Common RCRA Violations, RCRA Violations
Workplace safety is in everyone’s interest. OSHA recognizes that small business owners face special challenges when trying to implement health and safety training procedures. For starters, operations with a limited staff do not usually have the resources to employ workers whose job description almost exclusively deals with health and safety. Yet business owners, employees and officials also understand that a safe work environment is of paramount importance to companies of any size.
Topics: Emilcott, health and safety training, small business compliance, h&s training for small businesses, Health and Safety Training for Small Business Comp
Topics: Emilcott, Critical Incident Stress, OSHA Critical Incident Stress, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), CISD
Following the deadly explosion of the fertilizer plant in West, Texas, lawmakers in DC are seeking a review of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorist Standards (CFATS) which was established in 2007. The program was designed to protect high-risk chemical plants and other facilities from terrorist threats.
Topics: Emilcott, Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorist Standards (CFATS), Fertilizer Plant West, Texas, CFATS Programs
On March 27, 2013, EPA announced the list of 23 chemicals it will begin assessing in 2013, including 20 flame retardant chemicals.
Topics: Emilcott, Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), TSCA Work Plan, TSCA Chemicals Announcements, EPA list 23 chemicals
Topics: Emilcott, west texas fertilizer plant disaster, west texas, fertilizer plant explosion west texas
