USW/TMC Weekly Blog Digest June 20, 2011

http://blog.uswtmc.org/
6/20/11

Each Monday the Tony Mazzocchi Center sends a recap of last weeks health, safety, and environment news. To subscribe, email webmaster@uswtmc.org .

From the TMC Blog :

Grants Available for Health and Safety Programs

OSHA is currently soliciting applications for $4.7 Million in grant funds intended to train workers in identifying dangers in the workplace.

Formaldehyde, Others Added to List of Human Carcinogens

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services has added eight substances to its Report on Carcinogens, raising the total number of substances to 240. Common manufacturing chemical formaldehyde was one of two substance added to the list of known human carcinogens, while six others were listed as reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens.

Pesticide Drift a Serious Concern

The National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety has released a new study that confirms serious risks for agricultural workers who must work near fields where large quantities of pesticides have been sprayed. The subsequent drift of pesticides has been found to adversely affect worker health. 

From the Web :

Third time's the charm?: Passage of Texas Smoke-free Workplace Law down to the wire
Don't mess with Texas. The iconic phrase was actually created as part of an anti-littering campaign more than 20 years ago, however it could be as easily applied to the state's notorious anti-regulatory attitude and penchant for bucking convention. But despite its reputation, the Lone Star State is poised to join 29 other states in passing a statewide restriction on indoor smoking.

'Expendable' mine rescuers

Federal mine rescuers who rushed into West Virginia's Upper Big Branch mine after the deadly 2010 explosion shared some chilling testimony during an investigation.

150 Chemicals Are No Longer Incognito

This month the Environmental Protection Agency made public the names of 150 chemicals that were investigated in health and safety studies but whose identities were withheld as confidential business information.