The Ebola epidemic has already infected the US health care workforce and medical professionals have been evacuated to US based medical centers for treatment. Treating workplace acquired infections is similar to dodging a speeding and ricocheting bullet.
Infection is the workplace can result in devastating epidemics. Today's post highlights this concern and is shared from the nytimes.
"Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warns that as the epidemic “continues to spiral out of control,” the risk will rise that a mutation might make it more transmissible. And while many experts think the risk of a mutation is small, Mr. Obama echoed these concerns when he said in a recent interview with “Meet the Press” that an easily transmissible virus could be “a serious danger to the United States.” In any case, health officials will need to be vigilant in monitoring how this virus evolves as the caseload expands."
Click here to read the entire article.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Thursday, September 11, 2014
NATIONAL CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES IN 2013 (PRELIMINARY RESULTS)
A preliminary total of 4,405 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2013, lower than
the revised count of 4,628 fatal work injuries in 2012, according to results from the Census of Fatal
Occupational Injuries (CFOI) conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate of fatal work
injury for U.S. workers in 2013 was 3.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, compared to a
final rate of 3.4 per 100,000 in 2012.
Final 2013 data from CFOI will be released in the late spring of 2015. Over the last 5 years, net
increases to the preliminary count have averaged 165 cases, ranging from a low of 84 in 2011 to a high
of 245 in 2012. The revised 2011 figure was 2 percent higher than the preliminary total, while the 2012
figure was 6 percent higher.
Key preliminary findings of the 2013 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries:
Fatal work injuries in private industry in 2013 were 6 percent below the 2012 figure. The
preliminary 2013 count of 3,929 fatal injuries in private industry represents the lowest annual
total since the fatality census was first conducted in 1992.
Fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers were higher in 2013, rising 7 percent. The
797 Hispanic or Latino worker deaths in 2013 constituted the highest total since 2008. Fatal work
injuries were lower among all other major racial/ethnic groups.
Since 2011, CFOI has identified whether fatally-injured workers were working as contractors at
the time of the fatal incident. In 2013, 734 decedents were identified as contractors, above the 715
reported in 2012. Workers who were working as contractors at the time of their fatal injury
accounted for 17 percent of all cases in 2013.
Fatal work injuries involving workers under 16 years of age were substantially lower, falling from
19 in 2012 to 5 in 2013—the lowest total ever reported by the census. Fatal work injuries in most
other age groups were also lower in 2013, though fatal work injuries among workers 25 to 34
years of age were higher.
Work-related suicides were 8 percent higher than in 2012, but workplace homicides were 16
percent lower. Overall, violence accounted for 1 out of every 6 fatal work injuries in 2013.
The number of fatal work injuries among firefighters was considerably higher in 2013, rising
from 18 in 2012 to 53 in 2013. The large increase resulted from a few major incidents in which
multiple fatalities were recorded, including the Yarnell Hill wildfires in Arizona which claimed
the lives of 19 firefighters.
Fatal work injuries among self-employed workers were lower by 16 percent from 1,057 in 2012
to 892 in 2013. The preliminary 2013 total represents the lowest annual total since the series
began in 1992.
the revised count of 4,628 fatal work injuries in 2012, according to results from the Census of Fatal
Occupational Injuries (CFOI) conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate of fatal work
injury for U.S. workers in 2013 was 3.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, compared to a
final rate of 3.4 per 100,000 in 2012.
Final 2013 data from CFOI will be released in the late spring of 2015. Over the last 5 years, net
increases to the preliminary count have averaged 165 cases, ranging from a low of 84 in 2011 to a high
of 245 in 2012. The revised 2011 figure was 2 percent higher than the preliminary total, while the 2012
figure was 6 percent higher.
Key preliminary findings of the 2013 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries:
Fatal work injuries in private industry in 2013 were 6 percent below the 2012 figure. The
preliminary 2013 count of 3,929 fatal injuries in private industry represents the lowest annual
total since the fatality census was first conducted in 1992.
Fatal work injuries among Hispanic or Latino workers were higher in 2013, rising 7 percent. The
797 Hispanic or Latino worker deaths in 2013 constituted the highest total since 2008. Fatal work
injuries were lower among all other major racial/ethnic groups.
Since 2011, CFOI has identified whether fatally-injured workers were working as contractors at
the time of the fatal incident. In 2013, 734 decedents were identified as contractors, above the 715
reported in 2012. Workers who were working as contractors at the time of their fatal injury
accounted for 17 percent of all cases in 2013.
Fatal work injuries involving workers under 16 years of age were substantially lower, falling from
19 in 2012 to 5 in 2013—the lowest total ever reported by the census. Fatal work injuries in most
other age groups were also lower in 2013, though fatal work injuries among workers 25 to 34
years of age were higher.
Work-related suicides were 8 percent higher than in 2012, but workplace homicides were 16
percent lower. Overall, violence accounted for 1 out of every 6 fatal work injuries in 2013.
The number of fatal work injuries among firefighters was considerably higher in 2013, rising
from 18 in 2012 to 53 in 2013. The large increase resulted from a few major incidents in which
multiple fatalities were recorded, including the Yarnell Hill wildfires in Arizona which claimed
the lives of 19 firefighters.
Fatal work injuries among self-employed workers were lower by 16 percent from 1,057 in 2012
to 892 in 2013. The preliminary 2013 total represents the lowest annual total since the series
began in 1992.
September 11th: Remembering....
The 2014 annual Tribute of Light in New York City memorializes the lives lost in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Consisting of 88 light bulbs, the light beans skyward in two streams of light that symbolize the two towers of the World Trade Center.
This photo was taken looking south east from just south of the George Washington Bridge.
This photo was taken looking south east from just south of the George Washington Bridge.
Photo Credit: Jon Gelman
Pres Obama, Def Sec Hagel, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dempsey at Pentagon for 9/11 remembrance
Photo Credit: Pete Souza, Official Whitehorse Photographer
Supplier for Samsung and Lenovo Accused of Using Child Labor
| Today's post is shared from nytimes.com China Labor Watch said it had found more than 10 children working at the factory of a China-based supplier for the technology giants Samsung Electronics and the Lenovo Group in an investigation in July and August. The group, based in New York, also said its investigation had found more than 100 student workers who were not being paid overtime wages or a subsidy for working at night. The supplier, HEG Technology, denied the accusations, and Samsung said it had found no children or students working on the Samsung production line at the factory, in Huizhou. A Lenovo spokeswoman said the company would look into the report. In a statement, China Labor Watch said it shared evidence with Samsung last week and that Samsung had demanded that the supplier pay some students’ wages. But it did not say whether Samsung had acted on the matter of child labor or whether it had provided the information to Lenovo. In response, Samsung said it had proposed to China Labor Watch that they conduct a joint investigation “for more precise verification” of the accusations. Samsung also said it had informed the watchdog about its own investigation, adding, “We find it regrettable that CLW issued the allegations today without any mention of our statement.” HEG Technology said the company had never hired children, and that it had facial recognition systems to ensure workers were not under age. This is the second time in two months that China Labor Watch has said it found... |
Editorial - Unscrupulous businesses hurt workers, honest competitors and economy
Today's post is shared from starnewsonline.com/
[Click here to see the rest of this post]
| Dishonest contractors are cheating taxpayers of millions of dollars and undercutting the livelihood of employees and law-abiding competitors. Regulators who are supposed to curb this type of abuse have done little to stop it. By deliberately and illegally classifying construction employees as "independent contractors," these companies avoid paying unemployment, workers compensation and withholding taxes, among others. The extent of this abuse was documented in The Raleigh News & Observer and the Charlotte Observer as part of a larger series by McClatchy newspapers. The impact is mind-boggling. Since 2009, the newspapers estimated that North Carolina contractors have cost state, federal and local taxpayers $467 million. The problem extends beyond the taxman. Workers are cheated out of health insurance, workers compensation should they be injured on the job. The company doesn't pay into unemployment insurance designed to cover workers who are laid off through no fault of their own. Many of these companies do not withhold payroll taxes, either, meaning that workers don't get credit for paying into Social Security. These "independent" workers often are paid in cash, many of them vastly underreport their income – thereby shortchanging Uncle Sam and the state kitty. Moreover, companies that illegally cut corners often can underbid honest contractors who obey the law. Over the years there have... |
Albany Law Professor defends 9/11 heroes' ongoing health issues
| Today's post is shared from nyt.com/ Thursday marks the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, a very difficult commemoration for all Americans. One of the first responders who was there credits an Albany Law School professor for easing the pain for him and potentially for hundreds more. Jaime Hazen is a former emergency medical technician who immediately went to the scene on 9/11 to volunteer with rescue efforts, but later, when he developed serious health problems, workers comp turned him down, until the Albany Law Professor donated his services. “Every year at this time, it opens up old wound for all Americans,” says Hazan, noting the tears come far too easily this time each year. “It was a war zone, a war zone, hell,” he recalled. A former EMT living on Manhattan’s Upper West Side at the time, Hazan rushed first to Chelsea Piers to help with triage -- then to Ground Zero itself to volunteer for recovery efforts. Later, like thousands of others Hazan developed serious breathing problems. "I have had two surgeries and I need another surgery now," said Hazan. “This is a group of people who really need to be compensated,” said Albany Law School Professor Mike Hutter. He got involved after the Workers Compensation Board told Hazan and others who volunteered but were not affiliated with a rescue agency that they were not eligible for benefits. Hutter took... |
Benzodiazepine use and risk of Alzheimer’s disease: case-control study
Objectives To investigate the relation between the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and exposure to benzodiazepines started at least five years before, considering both the dose-response relation and prodromes (anxiety, depression, insomnia) possibly linked with treatment.
Design Case-control study.
Setting The Quebec health insurance program database (RAMQ).
Participants 1796 people with a first diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and followed up for at least six years before were matched with 7184 controls on sex, age group, and duration of follow-up. Both groups were randomly sampled from older people (age >66) living in the community in 2000-09.
Main outcome measure The association between Alzheimer’s disease and benzodiazepine use started at least five years before diagnosis was assessed by using multivariable conditional logistic regression. Ever exposure to benzodiazepines was first considered and then categorised according to the cumulative dose expressed as prescribed daily doses (1-90, 91-180, >180) and the drug elimination half life.
Results Benzodiazepine ever use was associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (adjusted odds ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.36 to 1.69; further adjustment on anxiety, depression, and insomnia did not markedly alter this result: 1.43, 1.28 to 1.60). No association was found for a cumulative dose <91 prescribed daily doses. The strength of association increased with exposure density...
[Click here to see the rest of this post]
Design Case-control study.
Setting The Quebec health insurance program database (RAMQ).
Participants 1796 people with a first diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and followed up for at least six years before were matched with 7184 controls on sex, age group, and duration of follow-up. Both groups were randomly sampled from older people (age >66) living in the community in 2000-09.
Main outcome measure The association between Alzheimer’s disease and benzodiazepine use started at least five years before diagnosis was assessed by using multivariable conditional logistic regression. Ever exposure to benzodiazepines was first considered and then categorised according to the cumulative dose expressed as prescribed daily doses (1-90, 91-180, >180) and the drug elimination half life.
Results Benzodiazepine ever use was associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (adjusted odds ratio 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.36 to 1.69; further adjustment on anxiety, depression, and insomnia did not markedly alter this result: 1.43, 1.28 to 1.60). No association was found for a cumulative dose <91 prescribed daily doses. The strength of association increased with exposure density...
[Click here to see the rest of this post]
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