Cause of northern Illinois chemical plant explosion may remain unknown

An investigation into an early May explosion at a silicone plant in Waukegan, Illinois, that resulted in the deaths of four workers, so far has not reached a conclusive cause for the incident. Local fire officials, Fed-OSHA and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, as well as private investigators working for private insurance companies, have been part of the investigation. Chicago Tribune

 

Georgia farmworker fatally struck by pallet

Fed-OSHA is investigating after a 56-year-old employee at at a peach farm was fatally struck by a pallet that was being carried by a forklift last Monday. WMAZ (Macon, Ga.)

 

Vermont construction worker dies after accident at local welcome center

A 52-year-old construction worker died after an accident Thursday at a Guilford welcome center after being struck by a piece of equipment, according to law enforcement. The man was an employee of a company that had been contracted by the Vermont Agency of Transportation to repave the center. VtDigger

 

12 tips to follow when a heat advisory is in effect

Stay informed. Never leave anyone in the car. Hydrate. And more tips to stay safer during heat waves. Source: bob vila

 

Two killed in Oregon lift accident

Two arborists breaking down a shade installation after an Oregon music festival were killed Thursday when the cherry-picker boom lift they were using fell over, as the workers were about 40 feet off the ground. They reportedly were wearing safety equipment and were roped to the boom lift, which was positioned on an incline. KPTV-KPDX (Beaverton, Ore.) [with video]

 

Pork industry wants to increase speed of slaughter line

Pork producers have been pushing for a change to plant inspection regulations that would eliminate the speed limit and reduce the number of federal inspectors, and the federal government is poised to adopt such a change this month. Proponents say speed limits are unnecessary. New York Times [with video]

 

Liability problem could delay supply of emergency respirator

The World Health Organization is struggling to control 19 pandemic, epidemic diseases, including Ebola, SARS and smallpox. Presently, however, respiratory protection recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep healthcare workers safe during a public health emergency is not included in the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, writes Dan Glucksman of the International Safety Equipment Association. However, legislation will be introduced during the 116th Congress to extend the act’s protection for NIOSH-approved respirators to protect healthcare workers during federally declared health emergencies. The Hill