In This Issue

Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases 2007 Workplace Fatality Data

A preliminary total of 5,488 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2007, a decrease of 6 percent from the revised total of 5,840 fatal work injuries reported for 2006. Based on these counts, the rate of fatal injury for U.S. employees last year was 3.7 fatal work injuries per 100,000 employees, down from the final rate of 4.0 recorded for 2006, and the lowest annual fatality rate ever reported by the BLS fatality census. "We are pleased to see both the number and rate of fatal work injuries continue to decline," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "These numbers show that OSHA's balanced approach to improving safety is working. However, we will continue to work to eliminate all fatalities since one fatality is one fatality too many." The final results for 2007 will be released in April 2009.

14th Victim of Imperial Sugar Co. Explosion Dies in Hospital

On Aug. 22, the fourteenth victim of a Feb. 7, 2008, explosion at the Imperial Sugar Co. plant in Port Wentworth, Ga., died of injuries sustained in the accident. One victim still remains in the burn center after the disaster, which drew the third-largest fine in the history of OSHA for safety violations identified at the company's facilities in Port Wentworth, Ga., and Gramercy, La. "We are deeply saddened by this additional loss of life stemming from this terrible tragedy," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. "We will not rest until we make certain that all employees go home safely to their families and friends at the end of every work day."

Make Workplace Safety and Health a Top Priority This Labor Day

On this Labor Day, OSHA reminds everyone to make workplace safety and health a top priority. Through its balanced approach, OSHA helps to assure employee safety and health by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. There are a number of OSHA resources available to assist employers and employees in identifying workplace hazards and possible solutions to those hazards. One is the On-site Consultation Program, which is a free and confidential service. Some consultation program participants can qualify for a one-year exemption from routine OSHA inspections. Visit OSHA's Web site for more information on how employers can help protect their employees. Back to Top

OSHA Publishes Proposed Rule on PPE and Training Standards

OSHA announced in the Aug. 19 Federal Register that it is accepting public comments on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on personal protective equipment (PPE) and training standards. The proposal clarifies that when an OSHA standard requires an employer to provide PPE or training to employees, the employer must do so for each employee subject to the requirement, and that each employee not protected may be considered a violation for penalty purposes. For more information on the proposal and details on how to submit comments, refer to the Federal Register notice. Comments will be accepted until Sept. 18.

New OSHA Guidance Document on Working with Portland Cement

Portland cement is a generic term used to describe a variety of building materials valued for their strong adhesive properties when mixed with water. Employees who work with portland cement are at risk of developing skin problems, ranging from mild and brief to severe and chronic. OSHA recently released a new guidance document, Preventing Skin Problems from Working with Portland Cement, aimed at helping employers and employees understand the hazards associated with portland cement and the applicable OSHA regulations.

P.J. Hoerr Partnership Makes Great Strides in Promoting Safety and Health During Construction Project

In April 2007, P.J. Hoerr Inc. formed a strategic partnership with OSHA and the Illinois On-site Safety and Health Consultation Program aimed at reducing injuries and illnesses for employees involved in the Illinois Medical Center construction project. The project is an $18 million, five-story medical office building with a two-story parking garage. It is scheduled to be completed in 2009. During the project's first 14 months, the partnership recorded a days away from work, restricted work activity, or job transfer rate of zero and a total case incident rate that was 45 percent below the Bureau of Labor Statistics' national average for the construction industry. OSHA congratulates the participants of this partnership on their successful efforts to maintain safe, healthful working conditions for construction employees, and wishes them more good fortune during the remainder of the project.< /a>