Geneva — As telework grows more common, the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization are encouraging employers to develop programs to help make the practice “healthy and safe.”

Copenhagen, Denmark — Performing “simple and brief strengthening exercises designed to strengthen the primary muscles used during work” – known as micro-exercise – while on the job may help prevent long-term sickness absences, according to a recent study out of Denmark.

Ann Arbor, MI — Employers with remote workforces can look at workers’ use of positive or negative emoji – those small images or icons featured in text communications and email – to help gauge if employees are experiencing stress or burnout, researchers at the University of Michigan say.

Los Angeles — A recent survey of people who worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic shows that nearly three-quarters experienced new mental health issues, while 65% developed new physical issues.

Ljubljana, Slovenia — Work intensity is the most commonly identified risk factor for daily stress on the job, European researchers have concluded after conducting a research review.

Guildford, England — Commuters are more likely to bike to work when the average speed of vehicle traffic along their route is below 20 mph, results of a recent study out of England suggest.

Provo, UT — Nearly half of U.S. employees say they work while on vacation, according to the results of a recent survey.

Hartford, CT — A third of recently surveyed business executives expect their workers to answer or participate in work-related calls while driving – and 42% of workers say they oblige.

Leicester, England — Researchers in England have developed a program they say can, when paired with a height-adjustable desk, reduce office workers’ sitting time by more than an hour a day.

Oulu, Finland — “Even light physical activity may foster work engagement,” researchers in Finland are saying after studying on- and off-the-job data for more than 6,800 workers.

Adding physical activity to your daily routine could lead to a longer life – regardless of genetic predisposition, say researchers at the University of California, San Diego.

Changsha, China — Night shift workers who have high blood pressure may be at increased risk of developing heart disease and diabetes, or experiencing a stroke, results of a recent study show.

Boston — Employees who use illicit substances have increased absenteeism – a “compelling argument” for employers to promote employee treatment programs, results of a recent Boston University study show.

Cologne, Germany — Workers who engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors and encourage their colleagues to do the same can help create a more healthful workplace, results of recent study show.

If you have allergies or asthma, clean your smartphone more often to minimize reaction triggers that may be lurking on the surface, researchers recommend in a recent study.

London — Employees – especially younger ones – are concerned about the air quality in their workplace, according to a recently published report from Infogrid.

Tucson, AZ — A noisy office can increase stress levels. But now researchers are saying that near or complete silence at work isn’t so great either.

London, Ontario — Employers can help workers avert the harmful effects of prolonged sitting on the job by taking an active role in changing their sedentary habits, a recent study shows.

Taipei City, Taiwan — Workers who spend most of their workday in a chair have a 34% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 16% higher risk from all causes of death than workers who don’t sit, according to a new study out of Taipei Medical University.

London – Workers in the lead industry are experiencing reductions in exposure, and a majority of them have blood-lead levels below regulatory limits, the International Lead Association announced July 9.

London – A new, free document from the International Lead Association aims to educate workers and managers in developing countries on how to minimize or eliminate the risks of toxic lead emissions.

Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on whether renovation, repair and painting activities in public and commercial buildings create lead-based health hazards.

Olympia, WA – The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has issued a hazard alert for workers who use thermal cutting tools to de-tension cables embedded in concrete structures such as bridges and freeway overpasses, warning them of the dangers of lead exposure.

Lansing, MI – The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking to protect workers from hazards linked to asbestos, lead and cadmium that may be encountered during blight removal projects, as part of a one-year state emphasis program launched in September.

Hundreds of thousands of workers in construction, manufacturing and a variety of other industries may be exposed to harmful levels of lead. What can safety pros do to protect workers from this hazardous metal?

Washington — OSHA has published a fact sheet and Quick Card intended to help employers protect workers from exposure to lead at indoor firing ranges.

Lansing, MI — Michigan has become the first state to lower permissible blood lead levels – by as much as half – to protect workers, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently announced.

Sacramento, CA — Workers with high blood lead levels will now have their cases referred to the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health – or Cal/OSHA – for review and possible action, under legislation signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Oct. 10.

Demolition work presents multiple hazards. Planning can go a long way in helping prevent worker injury and illness.

Washington — OSHA is requesting public comment on a proposed rule that would revise the agency’s standards on occupational exposure to lead in general industry and construction.

Washington — In response to multiple stakeholder requests, OSHA has extended until Oct. 28 the comment period on a proposed rule that would revise the agency’s standards on occupational exposure to lead in general industry and construction.

Cincinnati — Workers replacing old water service lines may be exposed to lead piping or lead-contaminated soil – and could bring the metal home, a new NIOSH guidance document cautions.

The BullsEye Laser-Driven Fire Extinguisher Training System uses self-generating digital flames to simulate class A, B and C fires.

Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death in the workplace. Control your liability costs and reduce vehicle incident rates with DDC Online courses from the National Safety Council.

“Arc Flash Electrical Safety,” a nine-module online course series, is a convenient and affordable self-paced course designed to help individuals who may otherwise find it difficult to attend classes through a more traditional method.

Safety managers can keep worker training records up to date and accurate with Credential Verification Service’s new mobile app, which eliminates the errors and delays associated with paper sign-in sheets.

The Luffing Tower Crane Training Pack is the first simulation-based LTC training platform on the market.

The Signaller Training Station is a simulation-based solution that allows trainers to simultaneously engage multiple students in a single exercise.

A new and improved R.A.C.E (Rescue, Alert, Confine, and Extinguish) Station is now available. It offers a variety of product options, such as an interactive emergency smartphone, pull station, electric cut-off, strobe light and annunciator, and a digital fire extinguisher stand. Each prop uses Bluetooth 5 technology to communicate between each other for up to 150 meters. The station can be used with a variety of LION training tools.

This bundled series of 15 commercial motor vehicle safety courses covers essential compliance topics. Intended for any employee who needs to regularly or occasionally operate a CMV, the interactive, driver-focused courses are designed to capture trainees’ attention and test their understanding of required concepts.

The 24-Hour HAZWOPER – Emergency Response Technician online course provides 24 hours of classroom competency training required by OSHA for employees identified by HAZWOPER regulations as “hazardous materials technicians.”

Online education provider Columbia Southern University has unveiled 27 new academic programs for interested safety professionals and students. Earn a degree or additional specializations in your field.

NSC Fleet Essentials is the most comprehensive fleet driving program. Course content is tailored to specific vehicles, including passenger vehicles, delivery vans and medium-duty trucks.

The workplace virtual tour is educational software that provides users with a fully interactive experience in which participants learn how to use either a noise dosimeter or a sound level meter while touring a workplace.

The Intellia Mini Excavator Simulator Training Pack offers detailed metrics to track safety violations and performance, allowing employers to objectively determine when an operator is ready for the field.

Safety Toolbox Trainer is a one-stop solution for busy safety trainers who need to keep up with their management and compliance obligations on the go.

AVO's new Online Arc Flash Electrical Safety Awareness Training Series provides everything you need to know about arc flash safety right at your fingertips, including all NFPA 70E 2015 updates. Purchase the bundle – which includes all nine course modules – and save! Each course module is sold separately.

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Falls are the leading cause of injury and death in work-related accidents. When a fall hazard exist, fall protection equipment is necessary to protect the worker by incorporating a personal fall-arrest system. Elk River manufactures, in the USA, the finest harnesses and lanyards on the market. We also research and test accessory products to ensure that the fall-arrest system is the best available. Visit www.elkriver.com today for more information.

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One of two touchscreen-capable models in Ergodyne’s new ProFlex® Trade Series, the 710TX Heavy-Duty Utility Glove features touchscreen thumb and fingertip zones with a padded palm reinforced with abrasion-resistant Tena-grip™ technology. Ideal for your jobsite “Jack of all Trades.” The new ProFlex® Trades Gloves will be available in early April. Email tenaciousnation@ergodyne.com for more information.

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J. J. Keller — your source for safety signs! Choose from thousands of signs and labels from the safety and compliance experts. We offer low prices, fast turnaround and no minimum order. Browse our huge selection of signs, or create a custom sign – with no set-up fees. Visit JJKeller.com/signs for details.

Click here for more information from J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.