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29
Apr
Archive for April, 2010
29
Apr
OSHA to crack down on unsafe workplaces.
No doubt that the West Virginia mine disaster is pushing regulators to crackdown on on unsafe workplaces.
ABC World News (4/28, story 5, 2:45, Sawyer) reported, “A National Workers Memorial was dedicated near Washington, DC and on this day, we learn the Federal Government is about to launch a sweeping crackdown on dangerous work places.” Statistics show that “thousands of other workers are killed on the job every year.” ABC (Ross) added that in 2007, there were “more than 5,400 Americans killed on the job,” an “average of 14 a day.” David Michaels, administrator, Occupational Safety and Health Administration: “I think there are a lot of irresponsible employers who don’t ensure workers are given safe workplaces to work in.”
Popularity: 16% [?]
26
Apr
Ocean County officer killed in motorcycle accident
I generally avoid posting “bleeding edge” news like this, but I felt that these stories were important reminders for anyone who rides a motorcycle. Even the most experienced riders can get hurt or even killed. Please drive safely.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that an off-duty Ocean County sheriff’s court officer died Saturday night in a one-vehicle accident on Water Street in Toms River, police said. Dan Murphy, 26, of Toms River, who was responsible for security at the Ocean County Courthouse, was traveling east at 10 p.m. when he lost control of his motorcycle while changing lanes, Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said.
Also, the Burlington County Times said that Military authorities have released the identity of an Army Reservist who was killed in a motorcycle accident on the base last week. Sgt. First Class Mary Russell, 45, was killed in the April 20 accident involving a motorcycle and a bus, base officials said.
Popularity: 17% [?]
24
Apr
Motorcycle Training Does Not Reduce Crash Risk, Study Says
This article was recently in the New York Times. Apparently, courses designed to make new motorcyclists safer are not decreasing crashes, according to a new study by the Highway Loss Data Institute.
These findings are part of a number of studies the institutes have just released on motorcycles. The groups have looked at antilock brakes, helmet laws and rider training programs to see what role they play in keeping riders safe and preventing deaths.
The issue is that as ridership has increased, so has the number of fatal crashes. Motorcycle registrations rose to 7.7 million in 2008, which is up from 4.3 million in 2000, according to R.L. Polk & Company data. Rider deaths topped 5,000 in 2008, more than in any year since 1975, when the government began collecting fatal crash data.
Popularity: 16% [?]
23
Apr
FDA to institute stricter oversight of home medical devices
Bloomberg News (4/21, Olmos, Larkin) reports, “US regulators will strengthen their oversight of medical devices used at home as part of an initiative to improve safety of the increasingly popular products, according to information posted” on the FDA’s website. Notably, the “initiative will set new guidelines for home medical device manufacturers, training programs for patients and family members, and labeling and testing standards intended to address use of the devices such as heart monitors and kidney dialysis equipment.” The agency also said that “about 7.6 million people in the US receive healthcare at home from an estimated 17,000 home health companies.” Jeffrey Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said, “Using complex medical devices at home carries unique challenges,” which “may pose environmental or safety hazards that can affect” how these devices function.
Popularity: 19% [?]