May 24, 2010
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA seeks members to serve on committee for improving construction workers’ safety, health

WASHINGTON — OSHA is accepting nominations for individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH). The group advises the Secretary of Labor on developing safety and health standards and policies that affect the safety and health of construction workers and the construction industry.

Established as a continuing advisory committee under the Construction Safety Act of 1969, ACCSH and the Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA have consulted for nearly 40 years on construction safety issues such as women in construction, recordkeeping, crane safety, and safety and health resources for Latino construction workers.

OSHA is seeking nominees with experience and expertise in construction-related safety and health issues to fill two employee, two employer, one state safety and health agency, and two public representative vacancies. All 15 members serve two year terms, except the representative designated by the Department of Health and Human Services and appointed by the Secretary of Labor, who serves indefinitely. ACCSH meets two to four times a year.

Nominations may be submitted at www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal. If submitting nominations by mail, send to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2010-0005, U.S. Department of Labor, N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20210. Nominations not exceeding 10 pages may be faxed to 202-693-1648. The deadline for submissions is June 14, 2010.

General inquiries should be directed to Michael Buchet, OSHA Office of Construction Services, at 202-693-2020. Press inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Ashley, OSHA Office of Communications, at 202-693-1999.

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, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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1. Ergonomic back tip: Use your whole body for turning instead of twisting your spine when lifting heavy objects.
2. Ergonomic back tip: Choose a chair that provides maximum comfort when sitting all the way back against the backrest.
3. Ergonomic tip: At the computer your upper arms & elbows should be close to the body (not extended outward)
4. Ergonomic tip: At the computer, your trunk should be perpendicular to floor (may lean back into backrest but not forward)
5. Ergonomic tip: At the computer, your head & neck to be upright, or in-line with the torso (not bent down/back)
6. Ergonomic stretching can help ease the stiffness of your major muscle groups. Stand up and try it now.
7. Ergonomic tip: At the computer, your head, neck, & trunk should face forward (not twisted)

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What would be your quick, easy, cost effective Ergonomic Tip?

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My Rating of the UGLee Pen

****½ (4.5/5)

1. Like/ Dr. Lee’s UGLee Facebook Page – Click Here

2. Like my Facebook Page – Click Here

3. Send me an e-mail – sam at todayinehs.com

4. Wait two weeks and see if you WIN!

Thank you to my 9 year old son for being my cameraman even when you weren’t feeling well!

For more information on the ergonomic pen, the UGLee Pens visit http://www.ugleepen.com/

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Statement of US Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on Workers Memorial Day

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on Workers Memorial Day, April 28, 2010:

“Mary Harris ‘Mother’ Jones once said, ‘Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.’ That call to arms rings especially true today, on Workers Memorial Day, and on the heels of a tragic month for the nation’s working families.

“In April, our nation’s consciousness was jarred by the loss of workers in the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster in West Virginia, an oil rig explosion south of Louisiana and a refinery fire in Washington state.

“The pain brought on by each of these tragedies is beyond comparison, and we should not think of the incidents as isolated. The fact is they all involve worker safety issues, which merit national attention and point to a disturbing pattern of deadly neglect that our country can no longer tolerate.

“More than 4.6 million workers suffer serious injuries each year. And, every day across America, more than 14 men and women lose their lives in preventable workplace incidents. That’s nearly 100 preventable deaths per week!

“No one-regardless of his or her occupation-should have to be injured or killed to earn a paycheck.

“No worker’s loved ones should have to wake up to news of trench cave-ins, scaffold collapses, amputations or electrocutions. We don’t need more refinery fires or mine explosions.

“On this Workers Memorial Day, the mission of the Department of Labor’s worker safety and health protection agencies-MSHA and OSHA-is clearer than ever. And, our effort to save lives-through enhanced enforcement, a forward looking and progressive regulatory agenda, expanded outreach and a relentless commitment to enforcing the law-has never been more necessary.

“So, let us honor the memory of fallen workers, and the pain of their families, by gathering our collective strength and making injury, illness and fatality prevention activities a priority-today and every day.”

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Should we as EHS Professionals ensure we are the picture of health and wellness?

I think leading by example in fitness and our behaviors (I’m referring to smoking I guess) is a very important part of being a credible EHS Professional.  How can we tell someone to stay safe and reduce their risks in the workplace when we don’t in our lives…just my opinion – What do you think?!

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#EarthdayTips 1: Donate your unwanted used items to local charities instead of throwing them out.

#EarthDayTips 2: Replace paper napkins and towels with cloth napkins and towels

#EarthdayTips 3: 30% of waste in the U.S. is due to yard & food waste. Use this waste to add nutrients to your soil through composting!

#EarthDayTips 4: Try using a push reel lawnmower. They make ur lawn beautiful w/o the costly gasoline or an engine that needs servicing.

#EarthDayTips 5: Allow grass clippings to stay on your lawn to decompose & return to the soil naturally.

#EarthDayTips 6: Rain barrels help cut back on the H20 bill by storing H2O for the garden, car washes, & window cleaning.

#EarthDayTips 7: Save $15-$20/mo. w/cloth diapers compared to disposable diapers. They prevent diaper rash & keep waste out of landfills

#EarthDayTips 8: Bamboo is a naturally sustainable resource that grows rapidly & makes for durable, beautiful furniture.

#EarthDayTips 9: Use Solar LED lights; they’re brighter, cooler, & much more energy efficient w/o the use of electricity/batteries.

#EarthDayTips 10: Eco patio furniture made w/eucalyptus wood meets the FSC standards, which protects the envrnmnt & forest-dependent areas

#EarthDayTips 12: Relax in a beautiful hammock that’s made of hand-woven recycled polyester derived from old soda bottles. Who knew?!

#EarthDayTips 13: Look for kitchen islands made from birch, theyre self sustaining, non-endangered N. American hardwood

#EarthDayTips 16: Outdoor chairs that’re made from strong recycled plastic polymers won’t crack, warp, or rot

#EarthDayTips 18: When purchasing outdoor decor try biodegradable planters Theyre made of plant fibers thatll return to the earth w/in 3 yrs

#EarthDayTips 19: Teak wood is gr8 for outdoor furniture b/c it is naturally resistant to moisture, rot, warping, insects & fungus

#EarthDayTips 20: LED string lights add the perfect accent to any outdoor/indoor celebration & cut back on the electric bill

#EarthDayTips 21: Skip the shopping bag. Bring your own reusable bags to the mall & grocery store.

#EarthDayTips 22: Use electronic billing to cut back on paper & mail.

#EarthDayTips 23: Bring your lunch to work/school to cut back on fast food paper waste, spending, & fuel use.

#EarthDayTips 24: Make coffee at home & use a travel mug to take to work. If you grab coffee on the go take a travel mug to min. ppr waste

For more Earth Day tips and other information please follow @hayneedle and tell her thank you!

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My Rating of Worknit HD Gloves
****~ (4/5)

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