Washington — Physical assaults on health care workers in hospitals could lead to federal penalties and up to 20 years of jail time, under new bipartisan legislation.

Washington — A House committee has approved legislation that would set a limit on how long an acting secretary can lead the Department of Labor.

Albany, NY — Public school districts in New York will be required to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs, under a new state law set to go into effect Jan 4.

Sacramento, CA — California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has vetoed legislation that would have banned autonomous trucks weighing 10,000-plus pounds from operating on the state’s roadways without a person on board.

Tallahassee, FL — Recently introduced legislation in Florida would lift restrictions on the number of hours 16- and 17-year-olds can work, and when.

Washington — House Democrats have introduced legislation that would make changes to “how, when and where” hazardous materials are transported by railroads.

Washington — A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers have introduced a joint Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal the National Labor Relations Board’s recently revised joint employer rule.

Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the House would equip OSHA and the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division with “the resources needed to tackle federal labor law violations.”

Washington — The House Education and the Workforce Committee has approved a resolution intended to repeal the National Labor Relations Board’s recently revised joint employer rule.

Washington — Members of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee veered from the focus of a recent hearing by challenging legislation that would require speed-limiting devices on heavy trucks.

Washington — The House has passed a Congressional Review Act resolution intended to nullify the National Labor Relations Board’s recent rule revising the definition of “joint employer.”

Washington — New bipartisan legislation is intended to better protect workers and visitors in federal buildings.

Pierre, SD — A bill that would establish safety and operational regulations for driverless vehicles is advancing through the South Dakota Legislature.

Tallahassee, FL — A bill that would roll back restrictions on the number of hours 16- and 17-year-olds can work, and when, is advancing in the Florida Legislature.

Frankfort, KY — A bill that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to work longer and later hours, among other child labor law rollbacks, is advancing in the Kentucky Legislature.

Tallahassee, FL — Legislation that would prohibit local municipalities, counties or any other “political subdivision” in Florida from enacting regulations requiring worker protections against heat exposure is awaiting the governor’s approval.

Washington — Two senators have reintroduced a bill to establish the 32-hour workweek as an American standard.

Providence, RI — Rhode Island lawmakers have reintroduced legislation intended to protect workers from psychological abuse – such as bullying – on the job.

Washington — A pair of House Democrats have introduced legislation that would “prohibit, or require disclosure of, the surveillance, monitoring and collection of certain worker data by employers.”

Sacramento, CA — Legislation recently introduced in California would help ensure workers have uninterrupted personal time by establishing a “right to disconnect” from emails, texts and calls outside of work hours.

Washington — OSHA could publish a notice of proposed rulemaking for its standard on protecting workers from heat as soon as Sept. 30, acting Labor Secretary Julie Su said.

Washington — Legislation aimed at strengthening Department of Labor civil penalties will be introduced soon, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) announced April 30.

Trenton, NJ — New Jersey’s Senate Labor Committee has advanced a bill that would require the state to establish a heat stress standard by June 1, 2025.

Springfield, IL — Legislation intended to protect workers from retaliatory conduct by employers, as well as strengthen current protections under Illinois state law, is awaiting approval from Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D).

Denver — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) has signed legislation that includes funding aimed at establishing recovery friendly workplaces and supporting people in recovery from substance use disorders.

St. Paul, MN — Legislation recently signed into law by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) updates excavation safety statutes with utility worker safety in mind.

Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the Senate is aimed at ensuring firefighters and other workers are properly trained to respond to emergencies involving electric vehicles.

Washington — Legislation recently introduced by House Democrats would increase fines for workplace safety and child labor violations.

Springfield, IL — Workers in Illinois now have protections against retaliatory conduct by employers.

Albany, NY — Retail workers in New York now have more protections against workplace violence and harassment, under a new state law.

Sacramento, CA — Naloxone hydrochloride or another Food and Drug Administration-approved opioid-reversal medication must be included in all workplace first aid kits in California no later than Dec. 1, 2028.

New York — Both city and state legislation and public health initiatives are needed to protect outdoor workers in New York City from extreme temperatures and poor air quality, according to a new report.

Boca Raton, FL — “Mental injuries” (such as post-traumatic stress disorder), cannabis and independent contractors were among the top workers’ compensation-related issues that state legislatures focused on this year, a new report shows.

New York — Hotel operators in New York City now must provide panic buttons to their workers, under a new law signed by Mayor Eric Adams (D) on Nov. 4.

Workers involved in marine cargo handling are exposed to many hazards throughout the course of standard operations, according to OSHA. To protect these workers, the agency suggests proper adherence to first aid procedures.

Approximately 70,250 cut or laceration cases involving days away from work occurred in the private sector in 2011, according to the 2014 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts.”

Shock is a medical emergency that “may result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes,” according to Rochester, MN-based Mayo Clinic.

In 2012, exposure to electricity resulted in 156 work-related deaths and 1,730 cases with days away from work, according to the 2015 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of 10 people will experience a seizure in their lifetime.

In the event of an emergency, having a properly working eyewash station is crucial. And keeping your eyewash station clean and free of contaminants is part of that.

An injury or emergency situation can happen anywhere at any time. Your son might sprain his ankle at soccer practice. Your neighbor may suffer a heart attack while washing his car. You might be involved in a motor vehicle incident on the way to work. Do you know how to react?

A choking incident can occur anywhere – including the weekly staff meeting or at someone’s desk. If you saw a co-worker choking, would you be ready to help?

Are chemicals used in your workplace? Mayo Clinic notes that chemical burns can be caused by a variety of substances, including strong acids, drain cleaners, paint thinners and gasoline.

A corneal abrasion occurs when a person’s cornea – the clear, domed covering over the eye’s iris and pupil – is scraped or scratched.

Puncture wounds can be serious. They often have small openings, but the objects tend to go in deep, which can make the injured worker vulnerable to a blood infection.

“When most people think of a seizure, they think of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, also called a grand mal seizure,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. “In this type of seizure, the person may cry out, fall, shake or jerk, and become unaware of what’s going on around them.”

If you suspect a co-worker has a broken bone, refrain from moving the person to avoid further injury.

Get a complete overview of OSHA’s first aid regulations and what they mean for your business in this helpful white paper from J. J. Keller.

Get a complete overview of OSHA’s first aid regulations and what they mean for your business in this helpful white paper from J. J. Keller.

In Episode 31, the S+H editorial team dives into the September issue’s feature story on setting up a volunteer first aid response team in your workplace, and discusses the ins and outs of worker engagement and buy-in with Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety.