NETS Publishes Road Safety Guide for Fleet Employers

The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) has published the NETS' Comprehensive Guide to Road Safety. The guide is available free of charge from the NETS website. The group says the publication was developed by members of its board of directors, who drew from their companies' best practices for road safety. According to NETS, the guide has global applicability for employers that operate both large and small fleets and that have new, developing or advanced road safety programs. It covers key performance indicators, organizational requirements, business case development, continuous improvement, programs and policies.

"The guide provides an excellent starting point for companies and organizations of all sizes with all types of fleets wanting to put in place a road safety program for their operations," says Mike Watson, global road safety manager for Shell International Petroleum Co. He says the publication "also serves as a tool for fleet safety managers to compare their existing programs to those of leading employers in road safety."

"NETS is a member of the UN Road Safety Collaboration and is dedicated to improving road safety around the world," says NETS' Jack Hanley. "We believe publication of the guide is an important contribution to the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 and NETS is pleased to provide employers with this tool to start or improve their fleet safety programs."

MSHA Visits to Focus on Fatality Prevention

Since last October, 20 miners have died in metal and nonmetal mining incidents, including six supervisors. Concerned by this increase in miner fatalities, MSHA is stepping up its efforts to counteract the trend. The agency held two mine stakeholder safety summits over the past 4 weeks, and as a result MSHA enforcement personnel will conduct safety "walk and talks" at mines across the country in an effort to increase miners' and operators' awareness of the fatalities, and to encourage them to apply their safety training and watch for unsafe conditions. The agency's visits will focus on several topics: task training, mine examinations, causes of mining fatalities and best prevention practices. MSHA says its inspectors will continue to look for the types of conditions that led to the recent mining deaths and will enforce regulations as needed.

"MSHA is using all of its tools--education and outreach, training and enforcement--to prevent these incidents," says Joseph Main, assistant secretary of labor for mine safety and health. "But it will also take the efforts of those outside the agency--operators, miners and trainers--to turn this troubling trend around."

ISO Revising Quality Management Standard

ISO 9001, the widely popular quality management standard, is being revised as part of the organization's typical 5-year review cycle. ISO expects to publish the revised standard by the end of 2015. The main changes place an increased importance on risk, ISO reports, noting that risk identification and control are now requirements in the standard. The revision will also require top management to take a more active role in aligning quality policies with business needs. Organizations certified to 2008 version of the standard will be given a 3-year transition period once the new version has been published to migrate to the new edition of the standard.

Learn more on ISO's webpage about the revision. ISO also offers a brochure on how to use ISO 9001 in the supply chain.

Prepare for National Forklift Safety Day With Checklists, Infographics & More

On June 10, 2014, Industrial Truck Association is sponsoring National Forklift Safety Day to raise awareness about forklift operation safety practices and the importance of operator training.

According to OSHA’s webpage on powered industrial trucks, numerous hazards are associated with forklift operation, many of which depend on the type of truck and the environment in which it is used. Here is a partial list of resources that can help identify safe practices for forklift operation:

•State of Washington’s Forklift Safety Guide.

•OSHA’s sample daily checklists for powered industrial trucks.

•Forklift Safety for a Better Tomorrow infographic by Toyota.

•Fact sheet on operating powered industrial trucks provided by Oregon OSHA.

•20 tips for safe lift truck operation by Hyster.

•Fork Lift Truck Association’s fact sheets on forkliftsafety topics, including safe operations, operator selection and training, examination, maintenance and good practices.

•National Safety Council fact sheet on pedestrian safetyaround power industrial trucks.

•Compliance and Safety infographic on forklifts and pedestrians.

Click here for more information on National Forklift Safety Day.

ANSI Introduces Its Smart & Sustainable Cities network

ANSI's Network for Smart and Sustainable Cities (ANSSC) is a forum where city authorities and others involved in urban infrastructure planning and sustainability can network, share information, and coordinate on voluntary standards and related activities. ANSSC's objectives are:

• Collect input from city governments and infrastructure planning groups on the challenges cities face.
• Enable standards practitioners to describe how standardization can help cities and local governments address critical issues.
• Facilitate discussion among U.S. private- and public-sector groups on needed standards for smart and sustainable cities.
• Promote awareness of standards that support smart and sustainable urban planning and development. 

ANSI also reports that ANSSC "serves as a one-stop shop" where stakeholders can engage with ANSI and share perspectives on standardization.

New Video Addresses Work Related Stress

Napo Films has released a new video to raise awareness and drive attention to workplace triggers that increase the risk of work-related stress.

Stress at work accounts for a high percentage of lost workdays and a drop in productivity, and studies show that the number of people suffering from stress-related conditions is increasing. “When Stress Strikes” identifies some of the causes of stress at work. Using humor, this film illustrates the psychosocial risks in the workplace, such as excessive demands, low control, constant pressure, unacceptable behavior, lack of respect, change, bad planning and contradictory instructions, and can be used as a tool to open up discussions on some of the most difficult issues facing workers, managers and supervisors.

Managing psychosocial risks in the workplace provides a better working environment for workers and may increase company performance. To learn more about the negative implications of work-related stress and how to prevent it visit European Agency for Safety and Health at Work's (EU-OSHA) Healthy Workplaces Campaign website.

Get to Know the ASSE Risk Assessment Institute

Guest Post From Tom Cecich, CSP, CIH
ASSE 2014-15 Senior Vice President-Elect

In June 2013, the ASSE Risk Assessment Institute was formed to focus on the importance of identifying and reducing occupational related safety and health risks. In addition to promoting the value of risk assessment to organizations, the institute is promoting the value of safety professionals as being uniquely qualified to manage workplace risks.

The ASSE Risk Assessment Institute was created to respond to several troubling trends in workplace injuries:

1. The fatality rate in the U.S. as reported by BLS has reached a plateau after a slow but steady decline for many years. Past ASSE President Terrie Norris issued a call to action that focused on initiatives that ASSE could implement to address the lack of national progress in reducing fatalities.
2. Many large corporations indicate that although their overall injury and illness rates have steadily declined, the rates of serious injuries and fatalities have remained steady for several years. Recent studies have shown that the safety processes and techniques that have been effective for reducing minor injuries are not as effective in preventing serious injuries.
3. A recent study funded by ASSE reports that fatality rates in the U.K. and other European countries are approximately one half the fatality rate of the U.S. after adjusting for differences in injury and illness reporting. The study concludes that the use of risk assessment processes that are mandated in European regulatory systems may account for the improved safety performance in other industrialized countries.

In light of these trends, ASSE concluded although traditional approaches to improving SH&E performance that focus primarily on injury rate reduction and/or regulatory compliance are necessary components of SH&E programs, they are not sufficient to reduce all the incidents that can result in serious injuries, fatalities and major business losses. Increasingly, global leaders in SH&E performance are building their safety management processes around the identification and mitigation of significant risks.

Furthermore, senior management is transforming how risk is identified and managed in organizations. Through the use of processes such as enterprise risk management, senior business leaders are focusing on what risks pose the greatest threats to their organizational success. ASSE believes strongly that safety professionals should be viewed as being uniquely qualified to identify workplace risks and propose controls to eliminate or mitigate significant risks that can threaten their organizations.

Consequently, the ASSE Risk Assessment Institute seeks to promote of the value of occupational risk assessment to organizations and to advance the risk assessment competencies of safety professionals via the following:

1. Educate executives and the business community on the role and value of safety professionals in their risk management processes.
2. Improve risk-related training and education of SH&E professionals to ensure that they are fully capable of communicating business and occupational risks at the highest levels of their organizations.
3. Provide a platform for the SH&E community to contribute to the development of new evidence-based risk-related policies, processes and solutions.
4. Act as a clearinghouse for risk-related information and tools relevant to the SH&E profession.

Visit the ASSE Risk Assessment Institute website to learn more.

NTSB Issues Recommendations on Certification of Lithium-ION Batteries

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a series of recommendations on the evaluation and certification of lithium-ion batteries for use in aircraft systems, as well as the certification of new technology.

The five safety recommendations, addressed to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are derived from NTSB's ongoing investigation of the Jan. 7, 2013, fire that occurred in a lithium-ion battery on a Boeing 787 parked at Boston Logan Airport.

According to investigators, the battery involved in the Boston 787 fire showed evidence of not only an internal thermal runaway but also unintended electrical interactions among the cells, the battery case, and the electrical interfaces between the battery and the airplane.

The agency points to a gap in standardization of thermal runaway tests, which render the processes used in the 2006 to support the certification of the lithium-ion battery designed for the 787 inadequate. Furthermore, due to the lack of a standardized thermal runaway tests, lithium-ion battery designs on airplanes currently in service might not have adequately accounted for the hazards associated with internal short-circuiting.

In its examination of the challenges associated with introducing newer technologies into already complex aircraft systems, the agency stated that including subject matter experts outside of the aviation industry "could further strengthen the aircraft certification process" by ensuring that both the FAA and the aircraft manufacturer have access to the most current research and information related to the developing technology.

To address all of these issues, the NTSB asked the FAA to do the following:

• Develop an aircraft-level thermal runaway test to demonstrate safety performance in the presence of an internal short circuit failure
• Require the above test as part of certification of future aircraft designs
• Re-evaluate internal short circuit risk for lithium-ion batteries now in-service
• Develop guidance for thermal runaway test methods
• Include a panel of independent expert consultants early in the certification process for new technologies installed on aircraft

NTSB estimated the final report on the January 2013 Boston 787 battery fire investigation will be released in the fall. 

Click here for more information on the safety recommendation letter to the FAA.

New Food Safety Certification Handbook

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has released a new handbook on food safety certification. The handbook is a compilation of guidance from two ISO standards:

•ISO/TS 22003 Food Safety Management Systems: Requirements for Bodies Providing Audit and Certification of Food Safety Management Systems;
•ISO/IEC 17021 Conformity Assessment: Requirements for Bodies Providing Audit and Certification of Management Systems.

The handbook provides all the information certification bodies need to conduct reliable and efficient audits. Certification to a food safety management system standard, such as ISO 22000, can help organizations identify and control food safety hazards while reassuring customers that steps have been taken to ensure that products are safe for consumption.

Click here for more information.

CPSC Asks Families to Take the Pool Safely Pledge

As we enter the Memorial Day weekend in the U.S., Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) calls for all children to learn how to swim. This follows the agency's report that found nearly 400 children younger than 15 years old drown in pools and spas each year in the U.S. More than 75% of those deaths involve children younger than 5 years old.

"Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for children between the ages of 1 and 4," says Acting CPSC Chair Robert Adler. "Most of these incidents happen at home, and all of these tragedies are preventable. I urge all parents and caregivers to teach children to swim or sign them up for swim classes, put a fence around all pools, and always watch children in and around the water."

The agency is also asking families to take the Pool Safely Pledge, part of CPSC's Pool Safely campaign to help keep kids safe in and around pools. The pledge asks adults to:

• Designate a water watcher every time children in their care are in or near the water.
• Make sure children in their care know how to swim.
• Learn CPR.
• Ensure that all pools have a proper fence, gate and safe drain covers.

Kids who take the pledge promise to never swim alone, promise to ask parents to sign them up for swimming lessons, and promise to stay away from drains in pools and hot tubs.

Six Things Every Employee Should Know About Emergencies

From fires to chemical spills to damaging storms, emergencies of various kinds can occur in any workplace at any time. Without proper training on emergency response, employees may panic, freeze or hastily take actions that may further complicate the situation.

In "Get Everyone on the Same Page" (May 2014  Occupational Health & Safety), New Pig's Karen Hamel suggests that to prepare for emergencies, every employee should be able to answer the following six questions:

1. What is an emergency? Different workers perform different tasks and have different perspectives, so their perceptions of what constitutes an emergency may vary. All employees must understand that emergencies take many forms and prepare for various emergency situations that are likely to occur in their workplace.
2. What is an emergency action plan? Employees should be aware that a plan exists and understand how it helps keep everyone safe in the event of an emergency. Additionally, all workers should know where to access copies of the plan.
3. Who is in charge? Roles and responsibilities to be taken during an emergency should be established before an emergency occurs. Employees should know what their own responsibilities will be and to whom they should report during an emergency. Clear lines of authority for evacuation and emergency response strategies should be established and communicated to all employees.
4. What do I need to do when there is an emergency? Employees must be trained on how to react in the event of an emergency to minimize uncertainty. All workers must know of at least two ways to exit the building, as well as where to go after exiting and to whom they should report. Employees with critical emergency response roles must be able to perform them as if they were part of their daily tasks. Emergency drills must be not only performed, but also evaluated to determine if some individuals need additional training.
5. Who can talk to the media? Establish a media plan that lists names of facility personnel who will speak with media representatives during an emergency. Such a plan must also include policies for posting information about the emergency on social media and should document a means of handling media requests.
6. How is my facility going to recover from this? By establishing a business continuity plan and sharing it with all employees, management can eliminate any uncertainty workers may have regarding whether their jobs will exist in the emergency's aftermath. Business continuity plans can also establish roles and responsibilities for alternate employees to account for the absence of workers who may need to take time off to rebuild their homes after a natural disaster.

Read Hamel's article here. 

OSHA Launches Annual Campaign to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses

OSHA has launched its annual Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers. Now in its fourth year, the campaign aims to raise awareness and educate workers and employers about the dangers of working in hot weather and provide resources and guidance to address these hazards. Workers at particular risk are those in outdoor industries, such as agriculture, construction, landscaping and transportation.

According to OSHA, 31 workers died due to heat-related illnesses in 2012, and another 4,120 became ill. "Labor-intensive activities in hot weather can raise body temperatures beyond the level that normally can be cooled by sweating," OSHA explains. "Heat illness initially may manifest as heat rash or heat cramps, but can quickly escalate to heat exhaustion and then heat stroke if simple preventative measures are not followed. Heat illness disproportionately affects those who have not built up a tolerance to heat (acclimatization), and it is especially dangerous for new and temporary workers." OSHA Administrator David Michaels reports that lack of acclimatization was the cause in 74% of heat-related citations issued over the past 3 years.

For this year's campaign, OSHA has developed heat illness educational materials in English and Spanish, as well as a curriculum to be used for workplace training, also available in both English and Spanish. Additionally, a web page provides information and resources on heat illness – including how to prevent it and what to do in case of an emergency – for workers and employers. The agency also has a free mobile app that enables workers and supervisors to monitor the heat index at their work sites. 

New Guidelines for Residential Care Facilities

Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) has published the 2014 FIG Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care and Support Facilities. The guidelines provide a set of minimum standards for a wide range of long-term care residential care and support facilities, reflecting a shift in the industry toward provision of person-centered care in a more home-like environment. The book contains:

• Planning information for all covered facility types, including design criteria for sustainable design; dementia, mental health and cognitive and developmental disability facilities; and accommodations for bariatric residents and visitors. 
• Updated guidelines for nursing homes and hospice, assisted living and adult daycare facilities. 
• New chapters on independent living settings, wellness centers and outpatient rehabilitation centers. 
• A resident safety risk assessment to help designers and owners identify and mitigate hazards in the care environment.
• The 2013 edition of ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170, Ventilation of Health Care Facilities. 

Earlier this year, FGI released the 2014 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities. Learn more about each resource on the FGI website.

Safe Electricity Aims to Raise Electric Shock Drowning Awareness During National Safe Boating Week

Fourteen years ago 8-year-old Lucas Ritz was killed when he unknowingly swam into energized water in the marina where he and other children were swimming. Electricity was leaking into the water from a boat plugged into shore power. Unfortunately, people are killed each year by what's now known as electric shock drowning (ESD).

May 17-23 is National Safe Boating Week, and as Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kick-off to summer, approaches, it is important to draw attention to these hazards and prepare for a safe season on the water. The Ritz family is working with Safe Electricity's Teach, Learn, Care TLC program to encourage everyone to learn how to avoid and prevent ESD. 

The danger of an electrical current cannot be seen but may be silently lurking beneath the surface.

Kevin Ritz, Lucas’ father, advises people to avoid swimming in marinas or around docks with power, but in the event of a fall it's important to know how to respond to electricity in the water.

Swimmers who feel an electric current the water should shout to let others know, try to stay upright and swim away from anything that could be energized. People on the dock or shore should never jump into energized water water, instead they should throw the swimmer a float, try to eliminate the source of electricity as quickly as possible and then call for help.

Boat or dock owners can help prevent electrical incidents by inspecting and maintaining all electrical systems on or near the water. These measures are recommended for boats:

• A professional familiar with marine electrical codes, regardless of the boat size, should do all electrical system maintenance.
• Boats with alternating current (AC) systems should have isolation transformers or equipment leakage circuit interrupter (ELCI) protection, comply with American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) standards and be serviced by a certified technician.
• If a fuse blows continuously, do not replace it with a larger fuse; instead have it serviced by a professional.
• Check the boat's electrical system at least once a year. Boats should also be checked when something is added to or removed from their systems.

What you need to know about electrical safety and docks:

• Have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breaker installed on the circuit(s) feeding electricity to the dock. A GFCI will trip the circuit and cut off power quickly if there is a problem.
• The metal frame of docks should be bonded to connect all metal to the AC safety ground at the power source.
• Neighboring docks can also present a shock hazard. Inform neighbors of the need for safety inspections and maintenance. Marinas should comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes.
• A professional electrical contractor familiar with marine codes and standards should preform all electrical installations.
• Dock electrical systems should be inspected annually.

"Every time we have to go back and think about and talk about what happened, it's tough," said Lucas' mom, Sheryl Ritz, "but the reason that we do it is we keep tracking this stuff, and it's still happening. People don't know, and that was us 14 years ago."

Learn more and see Lucas' story at SafeElectricity.org

BCSP Releases New CET Examination

After having completed beta testing, BCSP has released a new 200-question version of its certified environmental, safety and health trainer (CET) examination to SH&E trainers. According to BCSP, information gleaned from the beta test was used in the validation of the exam's items by a third party psychometrician, ensuring the quality of the exam.

"BCSP appreciates all certificants who participated in the beta test of the CET examination," says BCSP's Treasa Turnbeaugh, CSP, CET. "Their support provided us with information that will maintain the CET as an outstanding certification with proven value."

New EU-OSHA Report Addresses Cost of Illnesses and Incidents

A new report by European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) addresses the cost of incidents and illnesses in the workplace. The report, titled Estimating the Cost of Accidents and Ill-Health at Work: A Review of Methodologies, uses the findings of numerous studies to identify the costs of workplace incidents, as well as the costs of occupational illnesses such as cancer, asthma and back pain.

The report finds that five primary categories of costs exist:

1. Productivity costs, which are related to decreases in output or production.
2. Medical costs, including direct costs (e.g., pharmaceuticals) and indirect costs (e.g., caregiver time).
3. Quality of life losses. This refers to the monetary valuation of the decreases in quality of life, including physical pain and suffering.
4. Administration costs such as applying for social security payments or reporting on a workplace incident.
5. Insurance costs, including compensation payments and insurance premiums.

Click here to download the report.

NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety Launches 5-Year Strategic Plan

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Center for Motor Vehicle Safety, recently released a 5-year strategic plan to reduce the burden of work-related crashes.

The Strategic Plan for Research and Prevention, 2014–2018 describes the vision, mission and scope for the NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety, placing the Center’s work in the context of complementary work of other federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and international partners. This plan aims to advance understanding of the risk factors associated with work-related motor vehicle crashes, evaluate a range of interventions to reduce these risks and develop and communicate research-based prevention information to employers, workers and other stakeholders.

For more information about the Center for Motor Vehicle Safety, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/motorvehicle.

EPA Seeks Comment on Reporting of Chemicals Used in Fracking

EPA has released advance notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register regarding hydraulic fracturing chemicals and mixtures.

EPA seeks comments regarding what information should be reported or disclosed for hydraulic fracturing chemical substances and mixtures, as well as how this information should be obtained. Mechanisms for obtaining fracking chemical information could be regulatory, voluntary or a combination of both. Other considerations include best management practices and third-party certification and collection. Additionally, EPA is soliciting comments on potential incentives could be used to prompt disclosure of chemical information and encourage the development and use of safer chemicals in hydraulic fracturing.

Stakeholders and the public can submit comments on or before Aug. 18, 2014. Click here to view the advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

Report Details Red-Light Running Trends

Something to keep in mind as Americans make plans for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, this weekend last year was the holiday period with the most red-light running violations. This and other data were published by National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR) in its biannual publication, Safer Roads Report 2014: Trends in Red-Light Running. Examining trends across 20 states, the report is designed to help raise driver awareness of the dangers of red-light running. Intersection-related vehicle crashes caused more than 8,500 casualties in 2011 (the most recent year for which data are available), NHTSA data show.

Other data from the NCSR report include:
*Halloween had the lowest number of red-light running violations in 2013.
*Friday was the worst day for intersection safety last year, while Sunday had the least number of violations.
*Drivers most often ran red lights in the afternoon--30% of violations occurred between 1 pm and 5 pm.

"By highlighting the data and trends around red-light running, we hope to educate the public on the dangers of running red lights," says NCSR's David Kelly. "The information in the report reveals when we are most vulnerable on the road and reminds everyone to stay alert and safe near intersections."

BCSP Accepting Nominations for Its Board of Directors

BCSP is accepting nominations for its Board of Directors until July 1, 2014. Self-nominations are encouraged from those certificants who can be free of potential conflicts of interest, have the ability to comply with the BCSP Fiduciary Policy, have knowledge of the BCSP Bylaws, and can demonstrate leadership and experience in SH&E practice.

The organization reports its directors typically devote an average of 2 to 3 hours per week to board matters and they also attend semiannual meetings for BCSP business. Those interested may submit their resume and cover letter to BoardNominations@bscp.org.

U.S. DOL to Reestablish Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee Charter

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Thomas Perez reports the agency will reestablish the charter of the Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee. The committee was created to advise and recommend ways to improve efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and fairness concerning OSHA's whistleblower protection activities.

This action will allow committee members to advise on how to improve investigative and enforcement processes; provide OSHA investigator training; and improve regulations governing OSHA investigations and cooperative activities with federal agencies that oversee areas covered by OSHA-enforced whistleblower protection statutes. DOL reports the charter will be in effect for 2 years.

Stefan Bright Receives ASSE's Triangle Award

Stefan Bright (center) receives the Triangle Award from ASSE President
 Kathy Seabrook. Also present is (L to R): AISOHMEX President
Victoriano Anguis, OSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Jordan
Barab and CSSE President Peter Strum

At ASSE's NAOSH Week event, "The Human Cost of Cheap Labor," held in Washington, DC, Stefan Bright was presented with the 2014 Triangle Award for Heroic Dedication. The award is given in honor of the 146 victims of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York City, NY, and it honors an SH&E professional who goes beyond his/her duties to prevent or minimize injury, loss of life or substantial property damage in a workplace.

Bright, safety director for the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA), was recognized for his role in establishing a field manual, training and standards that has reduced fatalities among window washers by 30% over the past 20 years. It's been estimated that more than 6,700 window cleaning professional have attended Bright's training seminars. "When I started, there were no regulations," Bright says. "I was one of the guys hanging off the side of a building. We were forced to figure it out. Every time I give a training session, someone says how much it's helped."

In 1992, he developed a field manual for best practices. Two years later, OSHA recognized professional window washers as a highly skilled occupation, based largely on Bright's efforts. In 1996, Bright developed IWCA's Window Cleaner Safety Certification Program and in 2001, he worked with ANSI to create an industry standard, IWCA I-14, Window Cleaning Safety.

"It's extremely gratifying to receive this award," Bright says.

ASSE to Host NAOSH Week Presentation on Safety & Sustainability

In conjunction with NAOSH Week 2014, ASSE is hosting a presentation focusing on occupational safety and health in global workforce sustainability titled, "The Human Cost of Cheap Labor." The event takes place at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, May 7.

Notable speakers include ASSE President Kathy A. Seabrook, CSP, CFIOSH, EurOSHM; OSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Jordan Barab; Harvard University Professor Robert Eccles; Tom Cecich, CSP, CIH, chair of the Center for Safety and Health Sustainability; Jay Harf, L'Oreal USA Inc.'s assistant vice president EH&S Americas; and Garrett Brown, MPH, CIH, Maquiladora Health & Safety Support Network coordinator.

Check back on the EH&S Works blog for event coverage and follow #humansustainability on Twitter to learn more about sustainability.

NAOSH Week Is Underway!

NAOSH Week kicked off with the Art Contest Awards Program at the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, FL. Pictured here (L-R) are ASSE member and NASA safety engineer Taylor Dacko; Jeffrey Dennis, URS Corp.; Sean McCulloch, first-place winner (11-12 year old age group), Capt. Jon McBride, retired NASA space shuttle astronaut; Pam Perrich, ASSE Region IV Vice President; and Jennifer Johnson, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. Look for more photos to come from the week's events on ASSE.org/NAOSH.

OSHA Reminds Recovery Workers & Public to Be Safe in Storm Cleanup Operations

With recent severe storms and tornadoes hitting parts of the nation, OSHA is urging recovery workers and the public to be cautious of hazards they could encounter when cleaning up or helping on recovery efforts. "Storm recovery efforts expose workers to a wide range of hazards, which can be mitigated by safe work practices and PPE," says OSHA Administrator David Michaels. Such hazards could be related to restoring electricity and/or water services, demolition activities, tree trimming, structural repair and hazardous waste operations.

To ensure safety during these cleanup activities, OSHA offers its Tornado Preparedness & Response website and Flood Preparedness & Recovery website that provide helpful resources.