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(c) 2010-2024 Jon L Gelman, All Rights Reserved.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Coffee Workers at Risk for Lung Disease

Today's post is shared from cdc.gov

RoastedCoffeeBeans
Roasted Coffee Beans
Obliterative bronchiolitis, an irreversible form of lung disease in which the smallest airways in the lung (the bronchioles) become scarred and constricted, blocking the movement of air, was previously identified in flavoring manufacturing workers and microwave popcorn workers who were occupationally exposed to diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) or butter flavorings containing diacetyl. Now, NIOSH research finds that workers at coffee processing facilities may also be at risk.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Chief Judge of NJ Division of Workers' Compensation Announces New Appointments

New administrative appointments have been announced by Hon. Russell Wojtenko, Jr., Director and Chief Judge of Compensation of the NJ Division of Workers' Compensation:
"I am happy  to announce,  with the  approval and consent of Harold  Wirths, Commissioner  of Labor and Workforce Development, effective Monday, January 4, 2016, Judges Emille Cox and Philip Tornetta were appointed Administrative Supervisory Judges for the Division of Workers' Compensation.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Sanders Proposes Universal Health Care: The Path to Federalization


Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has announced a plan to move forward with a Universal Medical Care program in the US. The concept will absorb the nation's ailing the medical workers' compensation delivery system into a universal care system.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

OSHA schedules public hearing on proposed rule on occupational exposure to beryllium

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has scheduled a public hearing on the agency's proposed rule to amend its existing exposure limits for occupational exposure in general industry to beryllium and beryllium compounds. The hearing will be held Feb. 29, 2016, in Washington, D.C.

The proposed rule, published on Aug. 7, 2015, would dramatically lower workplace exposure to beryllium, a widely used material that can cause devastating lung disease. This hearing will provide the public an opportunity to testify or provide evidence on issues raised by the proposal.

The hearing will begin at 2 p.m. ET in Room N-4437 A-D, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC. If necessary, the hearing will continue from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on subsequent days in Washington, D.C.

Individuals who intend to present testimony or question witnesses must submit the full text of their testimony and all documentary evidence by Jan. 29, 2016. Submissions may be sent electronically to www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Additionally, submissions may be mailed or delivered; see the Federal Register notice for details.

Currently, OSHA's eight-hour permissible exposure limit for beryllium is 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Above that level, employers must take steps to reduce the airborne concentration of beryllium. That standard was originally established in 1948 by the Atomic Energy Commission and adopted by OSHA in 1971. OSHA's proposed standard would reduce the eight-hour permissible exposure limit to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter. The proposed rule would also require additional protections, including personal protective equipment, medical exams, and training.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Insurance Company Plans to Track Movements of Workers In The Name Of Safety

A major workers’ compensation insurance carrier is planning to “tag” workers with individual movement trackers in the name of safety. Privacy issues were not addressed in the announcement.

American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) today announced a strategic investment in Human Condition Safety (HCS), an early-stage technology startup company developing wearable devices, analytics, and systems to improve worker safety.

Friday, January 8, 2016

"Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act" a Corporate Giveaway

The following is a statement from American Association for Justice (AAJ) CEO Linda Lipsen in response to the U.S. House of Representatives passing H.R. 1927, the Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act justice.org.:

“If I said Congress was considering a bill to shield Volkswagen from being held accountable for the fraud on its customers, and then combined it with a bill to protect companies that knowingly poisoned people with asbestos, no one would believe me. But that’s exactly what the House just passed. This is a bill that only helps corporations that killed and cheated people, plain and simple.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

United States Files Complaint Against Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche for Alleged Clean Air Act Violations

The Department of Justice, on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today filed a civil complaint in federal court in Detroit, Michigan, against Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations LLC, Porsche AG and Porsche Cars North America Inc. (collectively referred to as Volkswagen).