The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) recently reported that after a general decline between 2007 and 2013, the rate of occupational fatalities in the state steadily increased through 2016. Among racial/ethnic groups, fatalities to workers identified as Hispanic or Latino were “persistently higher” when compared to other racial/ethnic groups.

The recent hurricane season has prompted OSHA to issue a fact sheet on safely installing plastic tarps on damaged roofs.

OSHA has published a final rule in the Federal Register that clarifies certification requirements for crane operators at and maintains the employer’s duty to ensure that crane operators can safely operate the equipment. According to the agency, the final rule will maintain safety and health protections for workers while reducing compliance burdens.

In addition to government, which is defrauded of tax revenue, workers are often a casualty of the underground economy. Underground businesses are not likely to expend effort to protect workers from occupational hazards, much less comply with federal and state workplace safety rules.

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is once again drawing attention to the hazards of combustible dust in the workplace.