This health, safety and environment electronic update comes from Chip Dawson and the Rochester Business Alliance as a service to member companies. There are currently 290 names on the list.

Lost Workday Cases Continue Decline...According to U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao, the new BLS data on workplace injuries is good news. "This report shows that, from 2005 to 2006, there was a six percent reduction in the rate of lost time injuries and illnesses, as well as a four percent reduction in the overall number of those injuries and illnesses, both of which represent significant improvements. We now also have new data on selected injury and illness rates by occupation, gender and age group that helps us identify those employers and employees who most need our assistance." For a look at the BLS summary and access to detailed charts, click here.

Worked to Death...A Toyota Motor Corp employee died of overwork after logging more than 106 hours of overtime in a month, a judge ruled on Nov. 30, reversing a ministry's earlier decision not to pay compensation to his widow. Click here to read more.

OSHA Introduces New Publications Web Page...Visitors to the new Publications Web page will find a more refined, user-friendly approach to access OSHA's resources. The page was designed to provide customers with five different ways to search for products: by publication number; keyword; alphabetically; industry/topic; and by type of publication. Customers can order up to 25 copies of a maximum of five publications. As one of the most popular pages on the agency's Web site, OSHA wants the Publications page to serve as the comprehensive resource for safety and health products and information.

Violence On the Job...In 2006, 441 people were killed and 15,000 injured in physical attacks at work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A little more than a quarter of these were the result of co-worker violence. For more on this topic, click here.

NYS Legislation Requires OSHA 10-Hour Training...Assembly Bill A02721, signed by the Governor on July 18, 2007, requires that all workers involved in public works contracts with any unit of state or local government be certified as having completed the OSHA ten-hour construction safety course. Many area companies have long required such training for contractors on their sites and now the state joins in the movement. If you don't have such a provision in your contracts, it might be time to consider it. For a look at the new law, effective on July 18, 2008, click here.

Late Shift Work Linked to Cancer...According to the Associated Press, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer arm of the World Health Organization, will classify shift work as a "probable" carcinogen in December. Following suit, the American Cancer Society said it would most likely add shift work to its list of "known and probable carcinogens" when the IARC makes its reclassification. Up to now, the society has labeled it an "uncertain, controversial or unproven effect." According to the report, the link comes from disruption of the circadian rhythm, reduced melatonin production (which is known to suppress tumor growth), and sleep deprivation. To see the AP report, click here.

Miter Saws Recalled...Performax and Wilton 10" Sliding Miter Saws manufactured by WMH Tool Group Inc. have been recalled because the saw handle's switch can fail, causing the saw to smoke, spark and trip circuit breakers, and disable the safety brake. The saw also can keep operating unless the unit is unplugged, posing a laceration hazard to consumers. The recall includes Performax model 90206 and Wilton model 34570 10-inch sliding miter saws with date code/serial numbers ranging from W062505 to W070405. The model, date code/serial numbers are printed on a black label on the motor housing of the saw. Sold at home centers and hardware retailers nationwide from August 2006 through March 2007 for between $150 and $250. To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, click here.

Keeping Employees Alert @ Work...Circadian Technologies, in their recent e-newsletter, offers a number of tips to keep people, especially shift workers, alert on the job. Here are the highlights of what they said:

• Encourage exercise - especially those with sedentary jobs - while at work
• Use bright light to improve alertness (but not so bright it is annoying
• Set up a room where workers can nap after work and before hitting the road
• Allow controlled napping for 10 to 20 minutes early in the shift
• Make the workplace comfortable with fatigue-reducing furniture and products
• Train shift supervisors on how to keep their crews alert

From Managing 24/7 for November 2007, www.circadian.com.

Fall Protection Guide Available...Miller Fall Protection has prepared a ten-page illustrated summary of the new ANSI Z359 fall protection standard that you might find quite helpful. To get a PDF copy, click here.

List Removal...If you do not wish to receive these HSE updates, please send an e-mail and include "Remove HSE Update" in the subject line.

Lawrence H. "Chip" Dawson
Dawson Associates
Rochester Business Alliance Coordinating Consultant for HSE
6 Saddle Ridge Trail
Fairport, NY 14450-9584
(585) 425-1639