Time to Collect the Salt Shakers

The reduction of factors contributing to cardiovascular disease would make any workplace a lot healthier. Recently, Mayor Bloomberg equated the deadly effects of asbestos exposure with salt intake.

Now comes a recent study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) that illustrates that even a minor reduction of salt intake would produce a significant reduction in cardiovascular events.

NEJM states in an editorial, "The large potential benefits of reducing salt intake observed by Bibbins-Domingo and colleagues may even represent an underestimate. Salt reduction is associated with reduced blood pressure in children and an attenuated age-related rise in blood pressure in adults. Neither of these benefits was modeled in the present analysis. There is also evidence that salt reduction may reduce the risk of gastric cancer, end-stage kidney disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, and osteoporosis."

As employers have eliminated other co-exisitng contributing factors such as tobacco smoke, they would be indeed wise to also consider the reduction of other factors, such as salt intake. Such action could only make the workplace a healthier environment.

Click here to read more about salt intake and possible workers' compensation consequences.

Senators Call for Toxic Substances Act Update

The New York Times today reports that Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ.) is anticipated to introduce new legislation to modernize The Toxic Control Substances Act (TSCA) originally enacted in 1976. 


"There's no question that chemicals are essential to our modern lives ... but when we use these products, the chemicals in them can end up in our bodies," Lautenberg said. "And when the chemicals used in flame retardants, plastics or rocket fuel show up in our children's bodies, we have a potentially dangerous situation."


Click here to read more about toxic exposures and workers' compensation.

Meso for Miles - Supporting Mesothelioma Research

A Walk/Run in support of research to treat and cure mesothelioma was successfully held in South Florida today. Hundreds were in attendance to support the research effort and demonstrate to ban the use of asbestos in the United States.

The legacy of disease caused by the innocent exposure to asbestos exposure continues in epidemic proportion. Asbestos, a known carcinogen, exposure results in asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

......

Click here to read more about asbestos and workers compensation.

Zurich May Face a Surge in European Asbestos Claims

It has been reported that Zurich Insurance in Britain may be facing a huge increase in asbestos disease claims.The British House of Lords may act on legislation permitting recovery for asbestos disease claims where there is evidence of scarring called pleural plaque.


Bloomberg News reported, “There could be a material deterioration in prior year profitability,” said David Masters, a London-based credit analyst at Moody’s. “There remains a risk that pleural plaques claims costs could spiral over time.”


The century old workers compensation programs have become stagnated in processing occupational claims. Huge delays in compensating victims of asbestos disease in Britain have been reported. This mirrors what is occurring in the US. Workers' Compensation systems that have also been dilatory in with the disposition of these claims for numerous reasons.


Rating agencies have indicated that costs for asbestos related disease through Europe may have significant impact upon the reserves of insurance carriers including large one like Zurich.


Asbestos exposure is a cause of latent and fatal diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. 


Click here to read more about asbestos and workers compensation.

Click to read more about asbestos litigation.

Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma and Occupational Exposure to Asbestos

A strong relationship has been reported between industrial uses of all forms of asbestos is generating an increase in mesothelioma-related diseases and deaths among Mexican workers.

"Environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos in Mexico in the past has been a cause of deaths and health damages. Its magnitude is unknown to date. Our objective was to identify the proportion of cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) that can be attributed to and occupational exposure to asbestos."

"As a public health policy, Mexico should the use of asbestos in all production processes with the aim of controlling the epidemic and preventing the occurrence of new cases of MPM."

"Case-control study of pleural mesothelioma in workers with social security in Mexico", Am. J. Ind. Med. , Jan. 28,2010.

Click here to read more about asbestos and workers compensation.

Click to read more about asbestos litigation.

US Department of Labor’s OSHA cites C.A. Franc $539,000 for willful fall hazard violations

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined the C.A. Franc construction company $539,000 following the investigation of a roofing worker who fell 40 feet to his death at a Washington worksite. The Valencia, Pa.-based roof installer – whose owner is Christopher A. Franc – was cited for 10 per instance willful citations for failing to protect workers from falls.

“Mr. Franc knowingly and willfully failed to protect his workers from falling to their death,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “Despite repeated requests from workers that he provide fall protection, on this step roof, Mr. Franc refused to provide readily available protection. We will not tolerate this type of blatant and egregious disregard for the health and safety of workers.”

OSHA began its investigation immediately following the worker’s death on Aug. 15, 2009, and found the C.A. Franc company had failed to provide any fall protection to its employees working on a pitched roof 40 feet off the ground. In addition, Mr. Franc failed to train a newly hired college student in hazards and the necessary safety measures for roofing work. As a result of the investigation, the company has been cited for 10 alleged per-instance willful violations, one for each employee working unprotected on the roof, with a proposed penalty of $490,000, and one additional alleged willful violation for failing to train the new employee, with a penalty of $49,000.

General contractor Hospitality Builders Inc. also has been cited with one willful violation and a proposed penalty of $70,000 for failing to ensure that C.A. Franc workers had fall protection.

“This fall fatality was one of five that occurred during a 15-day span in the Pittsburgh area,” said John M. Hermanson, OSHA’s regional administrator in Philadelphia, Pa. “Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry. Failure to provide employees with fall protection is unconscionable. We urge construction companies to take the necessary action to ensure their workers are protected.”

OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health. Detailed information about fall hazards and safeguards is available on OSHA’s Web site athttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/construction.html.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The investigation was conducted by OSHA’s Pittsburgh Area Office; telephone: 412-395-4903. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.

In a related criminal charge, Christopher A. Franc today entered a guilty plea in federal court to a violation of 29 U. S. C. Section 666(e). Sentencing is scheduled for June 18.

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 assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, outreach, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

Click here to red more about OSHA and workplace accidents and illnesses.

New 911 Photos Dramatically Illustrate Toxic Cloud

The horrific tragedy of the attack on the World Trade Center on 911 and the toxic cloud of fumes and dust are vividly portrayed in newly released photos. The massive extend of the spread of toxic substances has given rise to resultant disease and illness to emergency first responders and residents of lower Manhattan.

ABC secured the release of the photos by a Freedom of Information Act Request to the New York Police Department (NYPD). The photos were taken  from an NYPD helicopter immediately following the attack when two large jet liners, loaded with fuel and passenger, were seized by terrorists and crashed into the buildings.

The fight to secure adequate medical care for medical conditions flowing from the exposures has been very problematic. While several local agencies have attempted to provide medical care, the lack of funds and a unified program has left many without appropriate medical care.

Click here to read more about 911 and medical care programs.