South Carolina tree service worker succumbs to injuries

A 32-year-old Pendleton, South Carolina man who was injured last week while a cutting tree on a golf course died from his injuries, according to the local coroner. South Carolina OSHA is investigating. WYFF (Greenville, S.C.) [with video]

One highway worker killed, one injured in electrical accident in rural Illinois

A 41-year-old McLean County, Illinois Highway Department worker was fatally electrocuted last week in rural Hudson. A second worker suffered non life-threatening injuries during the incident. 25 News – Week (Peoria, Ill.)

Worker dies after accident at Tennessee plant

Tennessee OSHA is investigating after a fatal workplace accident last Wednesday in Antioch, Tennessee. WTVF/NewsChannel 5 (Nashville)

Sulfuric acid leaked last month at Alabama plant, according to state

Alabama Department of Environmental Management records show there was an emergency response to a sulfuric acid release at the 3M plant in Decatur, Alabama on August 15, when more than 390 gallons leaked. Fed-OSHA records show the most recent inspection of the plant in 2017, when an employee reportedly was burned while setting up a hose. WHNT (Huntsville, Ala.) [with video]

Most US prisons are filled with toxic waste

Exposure to raw sewage and related contaminants can lead to illness due to the bacteria, funguses, parasites, and other biological hazards that can live in waste. America’s jails are full of such environmental hazards that can compromise the physical and mental health of the people who work and live within them. Vice

MSHA seeks information on silica dust exposure

Following an NPR investigation last year that found that Mine Safety and Health Administration had failed to sufficiently regulate silica dust exposure, the agency last week announced it will collect information on how dust from silica, or quartz, has contributed to Appalachia’s worsening epidemic of black lung disease, and ways that mining operations might prevent exposure. It’s a departure from MSHA’s previous stance, which was that a request for information on the effects of a 2014 coal dust rule would be sufficient. Resource [with audio]

Violence in the healthcare workplace

Fed-OSHA has gathered statistics showing that health care workers are subjected to a high rate of workplace violence. Consequently, employers in the industry must heed the growing concern in their workforces about the risk of job-related violence, and that also be aware that unions representing healthcare workers are increasingly raising the workplace violence issue in negotiations, according to attorney Michael F. McGahan of Epstein Becker Green, P.C.. National Law Review