SAN DIEGO – The number of fatal work injuries fell 6 percent to a total of 6,120 in 1995, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported. Once again, highway traffic incidents and homicides led all other fatal events, although job-related homicides involving shootings dropped 19% from 1994 totals. Transportation incidents led to 2,560 deaths. …
SAN DIEGO – There are about 1,000 individuals certified to work as asbestos consultants or technicians in California. Pursuant to Title 8 California Code of Regulations 341.15, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) does the certifying. Rick Axe heads the Asbestos Consultant Certification Unit in Sacramento. He explained that under Title 8 CCR …
SAN FRANCISCO – Thirty-three people attended the July 26 meeting of the Loss Control Certification Work Group (the loss control unit is in the Division of Occupational Safety and Health). A majority of attenders represented workers’ compensation carriers. Carriers’ fees are the sole support of the LCCU. DOSH Chief John Howard gave a report on …
SAN FRANCISCO – A lawsuit may not be the best way to determine if something is a workplace hazard, but if allergic reactions to latex can be proved, makers of gloves for medical personnel are in trouble. Almost 30 lawsuits have been filed in state and federal courts around the country by medical workers who …
SAN DIEGO – Recently, the Cal-OSH Standards Board sent out 15-day notices about revisions made after public hearings to two sets of health standards. The comment period has ended. The modifications proposed, based on public comments, to the lead-in-construction standard elicited only two letters. There were 32 responses to the modified ergonomics standard. EXPOSURE TO …
SAN DIEGO – 1996 is an unusual year for Cal-OSHA, which does not often find itself in civil court unless an employer dissatisfied with the outcome of an administrative appeal of the citation takes its plea to a superior court. Usually, it is the Cal-OSH Appeals Board that is challenged. But this year it is …
SAN DIEGO – The latest battle over Proposition 65 began with a private suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by Clifford Chanler (“As You Sow” — AYS) against Turco Products, alleging that the warnings Turco provided for its material safety data sheets and product labels did not satisfy the warnings required by the Toxic …
SAN DIEGO – “We represent Shell Oil in an action As You Sow brought in San Francisco,” Stanley W. Landfair of McKenna & Cuneo told COR. “Most AYS cases are virtually identical. All of Shell’s products, like Turco’s, are used exclusively in the workplace.” AYS took on Shell in San Francisco Superior Court and Turco …