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Charities would be an ‘essential partner’ of a Labour government, shadow minister pledges

Labour plans to engage with the sector on policy development and delivery, Lilian Greenwood tells a voluntary sector hustings event



  • Policy and Politics

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British Red Cross volunteer retires after 50 years of service

Steve Bradley joined the charity as a cadet aged 11 and continued to serve for the next five decades, meeting the woman who would become his wife along the way




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Court order allows DOL claim for enterprise-wide abatement to move forward

Washington – In what OSHA is calling a “precedent-setting” decision, a judge has determined that the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission may have the authority to order enterprise-wide abatements of hazards.




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FMCSA renews charter for Medical Review Board

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has renewed the charter for the Medical Review Board, according to a notice published in the Dec. 7 Federal Register.




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OSHRC fully staffed again after Senate confirms two nominees

Washington — The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission can resume its work after the Senate confirmed Cynthia Attwood and Amanda Wood Laihow by voice vote Jan. 9.




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Computer vision syndrome

Computer vision syndrome, also referred to as digital eyestrain, encompasses a group of vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer, tablet, e-reader and smartphone use, according to the American Optometric Association.




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Pressure to check work email after hours can be bad for your health, personal relationships: study

Briarcliff Manor, NY — You’re at home with family in the evening when you receive an email notification. It’s from your boss. Do you respond? A new study finds that pressure to check work email from home can negatively affect your health, your relationship with your significant other, and his or her health.




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Survey: More than half of workers say colleagues skip handwashing after bathroom breaks

Menomonee Falls, WI — It’s common knowledge that handwashing helps prevent the spread of germs in the workplace. But are people taking that message to heart? Not everyone, according to the results of a recent survey.




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Safe guidelines for use: Space heaters

Winter is coming, or so whispers that chill of cold air making its way through your office. To keep warm, you may be considering using a portable space heater at your desk.

Before you plug it in, know that portable electric space heaters can present a “major workplace safety hazard,” according to Electrical Safety Foundation International.




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Chemical Safety Board launches interactive PSM training based on Texas City disaster

Washington — Recently released interactive training from the Chemical Safety Board incorporates agency findings from a deadly refinery explosion to form guidelines for managing hazardous chemicals and complying with OSHA’s standard on process safety management.




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NIOSH center offers free online course on Total Worker Health

Lowell, MA — A new online training course is designed to introduce Total Worker Health concepts to occupational safety and health professionals.




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Third Sector Awards 2019: Enterprise Award - Stonewall Equality

Awarded to a social enterprise or charity that has significantly improved its income from its commercial activities in recent years




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Targeted interventions may help workers after knee replacement: study

Newcastle upon Tyne, England – Increased awareness and targeted interventions may help improve return-to-work outcomes for workers who undergo total knee replacement procedures, according to a recent study from Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University in England.




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Returning to work after a stroke

Almost one-third of strokes occur in people younger than 65 – many of whom say they plan to return to work. To help stroke victims get back on the job, employers need to understand possible impairments and how workers can be accommodated, experts say.




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Long-term opioid use significantly delays return to work, workers’ comp study shows

Cambridge, MA — A Workers Compensation Research Institute study of workers with low-back injuries shows those who receive longer-term prescriptions for opioid painkillers take significantly longer to return to work than those who are not prescribed opioids.




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Workers returning after hospitalizations often face issues away from the job: study

Ann Arbor, MI — Nearly 3 out of 5 workers who are hospitalized with traumatic injuries return to their jobs after being discharged, but many of them endure financial hardships and other issues, results of a recent study led by researchers from the University of Michigan show.




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Study finds long-term pain an issue for many injured workers

Toronto — A recent study of injured workers in Ontario “reinforces the importance of modified duties (if necessary) and return-to-work planning,” researchers say after results showed 70% experienced persistent pain 18 months after being injured.




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Indiana lawmaker looks to bolster protections for public safety officers and their families

Indianapolis – A recent spike in targeted attacks against public safety officers, including one in his home state, has prompted an Indiana lawmaker to take action.




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New posters highlight 11 best practices for lowering firefighter cancer risk

Greenbelt, MD — Following up on their release of a report detailing 11 best practices for minimizing cancer risk among firefighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council and the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Volunteer and Combination Officers Section have unveiled new posters to highlight each practice.




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Vast majority of fire-related firefighter injuries linked to structure blazes: USFA

Emmitsburg, MD — Of the estimated 26,000 fire-related firefighter injuries that occurred annually from 2015 to 2017, 87% were related to structure fires, according to data published in the July edition of the U.S. Fire Administration’s “Topical Fire Report Series.”




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Firefighter safety stand-down to focus on roadway operations

Greenbelt, MD — “Building a Superhighway to Safety – Protecting our Responders on Roadways” is the theme for the 2020 Firefighter Safety Stand Down.




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On-duty firefighter deaths fall to lowest total on record: USFA

Emmitsburg, MD — Sixty-two firefighters died while on duty in 2019 – the fewest since the U.S. Fire Administration began tracking such data in 1977, according to an annual report recently released by the agency.




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Row house fires: New safety resources for firefighters

Washington — A new poster and fact sheet from NIOSH are designed to help educate firefighters about the unique nature of row house fires and how to stay safe when fighting these blazes.




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Wildland firefighters and COVID-19: CDC publishes FAQs, posters

Atlanta — Aimed at protecting wildland firefighters from exposure to COVID-19, a new website from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention features answers to a series of frequently asked questions.




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Study finds higher levels of potentially harmful chemicals in volunteer firefighters

Piscataway, NJ — A recent study of volunteer firefighters shows that their bodies have higher levels of “forever chemicals” than those of people in the general public, and the amount of these potentially harmful substances likely rises with time and exposures.




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Study links firefighter workload to greater odds of developing A-fib

Shreveport, LA — Firefighters’ risk of developing atrial fibrillation – an abnormal heart rhythm that can trigger serious health problems – increases with the number of fires they respond to, results of a recent study show.




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Firefighter study shows inexpensive silicone wristbands can help track chemical exposures

Durham, NC — Researchers at Duke University have identified a new tool they say can help doctors and public health officials track firefighters’ exposures to cancer-causing chemicals, as well as determine when and where the risks may be greatest.




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‘What’s killing us’: Firefighter groups warn of health risks linked to protective gear

Washington — Concerned that firefighters’ protective gear may contain potentially harmful “forever chemicals,” the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association are advising their members to take precautions to reduce exposure.




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How to use multi-gas monitors: a safety advisory for firefighters

Morgantown, WV — A new safety advisory from NIOSH is aimed at helping firefighters understand how to use multi-gas monitors when responding to natural gas or propane incidents.




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Firefighter safety stand-down to focus on lithium-ion batteries

Emmitsburg, MD — “Lithium-Ion Batteries: Are You Ready?” is the theme for this year’s Firefighter Safety Stand Down.




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AI tool may help prevent sudden cardiac arrest among firefighters

Gaithersburg, MD — Recently developed artificial intelligence software can determine whether firefighters may be about to experience a potentially fatal cardiac event, researchers say.




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Helping firefighters respond to pipeline emergencies: new training

Washington — New online training from the National Volunteer Fire Council is intended to help fire departments better respond to pipeline emergencies.




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Pipeline safety agency awards grants for firefighter training

Washington — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is providing more than $41 million in grants for hazardous materials safety programs and hazmat training for firefighters.




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Study of carpenters finds lower rates of falls from heights

Durham, NC – The incidence of falls from heights among union carpenters in Washington state dropped more than 80 percent from 1998 to 2008, according to a new study from Duke University.




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Rest crucial to truck driver safety: Teamsters

Washington – The Teamsters union has called for a renewed commitment by Congress to maintain current hours-of-service rules for drivers to help prevent tragedies caused by driver fatigue.




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DOL: Unions should not intervene in lawsuit against OSHA recordkeeping rule

Washington – The Department of Labor and OSHA have an “identical” interest with labor unions in defending a legal challenge to the Improve Tracking of Workplace Illnesses and Injuries final rule, making union intervention unnecessary, attorneys representing DOL said in a legal brief issued May 30.




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Teamsters call for strong federal oversight of driverless trucks

Washington — Federal regulation of autonomous trucks must “prioritize both workers and safety,” the International Brotherhood of Teamsters says.




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Stricter rules, increased corporate responsibility needed to protect temp workers: report

Philadelphia – Staffing agencies that hire temporary workers need to be regulated more vigorously, and employers that use those agencies should carry a heavier load of responsibility for workers’ safety, a trio of Temple University law students concluded in a recent report examining how staffing agencies and host employers may “pass the buck” to get around proper safety training and other requirements.




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FMCSA renews proposal for speed limiters on large trucks and buses

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is moving forward with – and seeking comment on – a proposed rule that would require the installation of speed-limiting devices on trucks, buses and multipurpose passenger vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds.




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FMCSA extends comment period on speed-limiter proposal

Washington — Responding to stakeholder requests, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended until July 18 the comment period on a proposed rule that would require the installation of speed-limiting devices on trucks, buses and multipurpose passenger vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds.




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FMCSA wants to expand Crash Preventability Determination Program

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is seeking comment on potentially expanding a program intended to determine to what extent crashes involving commercial trucks and buses are preventable.




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Bill would halt FMCSA’s movement on speed limiters

Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the House would prohibit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from requiring speed-limiting devices on large trucks and buses.




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Helmet starter kits

Optrel encourages welders to maintain the performance of their Optrel welding helmets with new Helmet Starter Kits for Expert Series and p550 Helmets.




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Auto-darkening filter kit

The Speedglas Auto-Darkening Filter Kit 9100XXi gives welders superior visibility in both dark and light states.




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Firefighter hood

The Honeywell Life Guard Hood for firefighters features an innovative, patent-pending design and proven fabrics that provide better blocking protection against hazardous particulates compared with traditional hoods.




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White paper warns of chemical exposure from building materials

Falls Church, VA – Workers may be exposed to a group of synthetic chemicals used in building materials without realizing it, according to a new white paper from the American Industrial Hygiene Association.




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Noise dosimeter

The CEL-350 dBadge Micro Noise Dosimeter is a compact safety tool designed to measure the noise exposure of an employee over the workday to uncover dangerous areas and ensure compliance with strict OSHA, NIOSH or ISO regulations.




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Intrinsically safe personal noise dosimeter

The dBadge2 Personal Noise Dosimeter has gained intrinsic safety certification for use in industries that operate in highly explosive environments, including oil and gas, chemical, and other sectors.




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Noise-filtering earbuds

FREE 2.0 earbuds filter damaging noise levels while allowing users to listen to music and take phone calls without removing the earbuds.




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Doctors’ assessments for determining worker disability vary widely, study finds

Basel, Switzerland – Health care professionals’ judgment varies significantly when they conduct medical evaluations to determine whether workers should receive disability benefits for an injury or illness, and standards are needed to improve the process, according to researchers from the University of Basel.