February Safety News and Notes

Phone Service Automatically Blocks Texting While Driving. DriveSmart Plus automatically detects when a user may be driving and sets the phone to 'Driving Mode', sending incoming calls directly to voicemail and preventing access to text messages. It also sends a text message to the person who phoned or texted, alerting them the recipient is driving and unavailable to receive calls or messages. It is specifically designed for T-Mobile customers with Android™ smartphones. Learn more here.

Revised ICC Standard Builds a More Accessible Environment. The International Code Council (ICC) has made several important updates to ICC A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities. The standard contains technical accessibility requirements for both new and existing buildings, and includes new and revised requirements addressing dwelling units, recreational facilities, restrooms, and variable message signs, among others. Read more here (pdf).

Drug Use At Work: Higher Than We Thought. Fortune reports that since the federal government tightened testing requirements last October, drug testing of employees including pilots, airplane mechanics and train operators has revealed twice as many employees as previously believed are using heroin, and the use of prescription painkillers on the job is soaring. Read more here.

OSHA Video Discusses Proper Respirator Use for Healthcare Workers. OSHA recently produced a training video for health care employers and workers that explains the proper use of respirators and the procedures to follow to assure that respirators protect workers from airborne hazards in healthcare settings. View the video here or visit OSHA's Safety and Health Topics: Respiratory Protection page for more respirator safety and health information.
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