Safe Site Medical's On-site Medical Services and Workplace Safety Digest

Southern California Worker Deaths on the Rise
Recently released data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the number of on-the-job deaths increased locally, statewide, and nationwide in 2015. 388 workers died on the job in 2015. California, the nation’s largest job market, was second in worker deaths behind Texas. But on a per-worker basis, California was the fifth-safest state to work in. California fatalities were up 44 from 2014, an increase of 13 percent. But 2015 marked the fourth-lowest tally since 2005.
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Emergency Responders to Big Ox Energy in South Sioux For Chemical Exposure
"Like any kind of industrial accident or incident — as the case may be — we certainly will be working with OSHA on this and we'll report as we are required as so on and we'll work cooperatively with them." Kevin Bradley, a spokesman for Big Ox.
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Tighter Beryllium Exposure Limits to Save Worker Lives: OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s final rule (RIN:1218-AB76) lowers the permissible exposure limit for beryllium to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air over an eight-hour time-weighted average, or 2 micrograms per cubic meter of air over a sampling period of 15 minutes. Employers face new requirements for assessing exposure and will have to minimize worker exposure through respiratory protection, personal protective clothing and equipment, housekeeping, medical surveillance, hazard communication and recordkeeping.

“Outdated exposure limits do not adequately protect workers from beryllium exposure,” - OSHA Director David Michaels
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New York City Pol Submits Legislation to End Practice of Ignoring Some Construction Deaths
State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal has submitted legislation that would end New York City's practice of ignoring some construction deaths.

The “ridiculous system” of only tracking certain deaths seemed “like government bureaucracy as justification for inaction.”- NY State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal 
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Workplace Violence Increasingly is Sounding Alarms
AN estimated 1.7 million workers fall victim to non-fatal violence while at work each year, according to US Department of Justice statistics. These are not workplace injuries on an occupational basis, but violence in the form of simple or aggravated assault (which accounts for 95%), robbery, rape, and sexual assault.
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Mid Hudson Concrete Products Fined $15,000 for Workplace Safety Violations
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration began an investigation the day after the accident. Its findings, issued on May 7,  cited six violations it deemed “serious,” resulting in $26,320 in fines being levied against the company. A settlement was reached on June 6 in which the fines were reduced to $15,000. OSHA closed the case on Oct 5.
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National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Industry Groups File Challenge to OSHA's New Injury and Illness Tracking Rule
Among the many issues with the rule, there are significant concerns associated with OSHA’s requirement of employers to submit detailed injury and illness logs to the Agency for public posting.

"Not only does OSHA not have the authority to do this, it also exposes a business to significant reputational harm, all without demonstrating any evidence that it would effectively reduce workplace injuries and illnesses." - Ed Brady, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
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Photo by NICK UT , THE ASSOCIATED PRESS