Industrial accident kills two Houston workers
A large piece of equipment toppled over and pinned two workers Thursday evening at an East Houston industrial facility. One worker died at the scene; the second died after being hospitalized. The men were moving the equipment at the time. Fed-OSHA is investigating. Houston Chronicle

Perry weapons manufacturing plant cited over fatal 2018 explosion
Fed-OSHA has cited a Florida weapons manufacturing plant, where two employees died in an explosion in September, for seven alleged violations. The workers were loading explosive powder into a blast strip inside protective booths when it ignited and exploded. Cited violations include failure to implement written procedures for the increase in pyrotechnic powder in or near protective blast booths. Tallahassee Democrat

Wyoming backcountry outfitters seek bear safety standards
An association of Wyoming big-game outfitters is coordinating with Wyoming OSHA to develop best-practice guidelines for hunting in grizzly bear country, following the fatal mauling last year of a hunting guide in the Teton Wilderness. Wyoming OSHA did not cite his employer for training, preparedness or manpower-related factors, but issued it a proposed $5,000 penalty for not reporting the high-profile death within eight hours. Jackson Hole News & Guide

NIOSH seeking participants for firefighter cancer registry
Firefighters have higher odds for digestive, lung, throat and urinary cancers. In order to help researchers better understand these increased risks, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is creating a voluntary registry and seeking more than 1.1 million firefighters to participate, particularly minorities and women, who have not been well-represented in past research. Enrollment is expected to begin in 2020. U.S. News & World Report

OR-OSHA offers new safety training tool
Most employers in Oregon must have a safety committee or hold safety meetings. With the goal of creating more comprehensive and efficient ways to train safety committee members, Oregon OSHA has has translated three of its courses into Spanish three courses and housed all of them in a central location: the new Safety Committee Suite web page. News Guard (Lincoln City, Ore.)

Michigan: Chamber event to tackle impact of legalized cannabis
The Ionia, Michigan Area Chamber of Commerce will host an event May 2 to help local businesses navigate the effect of newly legalized marijuana use. The program will feature guest speakers and address topics including workers’ compensation, whether to keep or implement drug testing, MIOSHA ramifications and more. Holland Sentinel

Michigan launches trench safety campaign
Michigan OSHA is launching an educational and enforcement campaign to reduce excavation and trench accidents by focusing on current requirements, the dangers of working in those operations and safety procedures. Seven Michigan workers have died from trench collapse accidents or cave-ins since 2013, according to state data. U.S. News & World Report