Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has extended until Aug. 8 the comment period for a proposed rule intended to “improve the efficiency” of the agency’s chemical review process.

Dallas — Chemical facility operators along the Gulf Coast should take steps to actively prevent releases during hurricanes or other hazardous weather events, the Environmental Protection Agency says.

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board says it’s on track to clear its investigation backlog by the end of the year, with a growing staff focused on “moving the CSB forward.”

Washington — Chemical facilities should create processes to control or eliminate “dead legs” – stagnant sections of piping that may be susceptible to corrosion or hazardous materials, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — OSHA should amend its guidance on the control of reactive hazards element of its standard on process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals (1910.119), the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — Hurricanes and high winds could “significantly impact” the U.S. bulk-power system and lead to the release of hazardous chemicals if facilities lose power, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — Chemical facilities “need to act now” to prepare for a hurricane season that’s predicted to be more active than usual, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — An Environmental Protection Agency final rule will require manufacturers and importers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to report information on PFAS use, exposures and hazards.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency intends to issue a proposed rule that would ban the use of the toxic chemical trichloroethylene.

Washington — By steadily increasing investigative staff and restructuring tasks, the Chemical Safety Board is “getting close to at least hitting on all cylinders,” Chair Steve Owens said during a July 25 public meeting.

Missoula, MT – Salon workers are frequently exposed to products that contain harmful chemicals linked to conditions such as cancer, reproductive issues and asthma, concludes a new report from environmental health advocacy group Women’s Voices for the Earth.

Durham, NC – Workers exposed to oil dispersants during cleanup of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster are likely to experience respiratory issues and other health problems, according to a new study from the National Institutes of Health.

Washington – The Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health has scheduled a public meeting on March 31 and April 1 to discuss a proposed revision to OSHA’s crane operator qualification requirement.

Washington – A new NIOSH document outlines best practices for minimizing the risk of crystalline silica exposure during asphalt pavement milling.

Fairfax, VA – OSHA’s forthcoming crane operator qualifications rule will be different from a draft previously issued, an agency official recently told stakeholders.

Columbia, MO — Using a self-driving truck to follow a manned vehicle during “moving work zone” operations could help prevent roadway worker injuries, results of a recent study show.

Washington — Vehicle-mounted electronic signs indicating that tow truck drivers and first responders are roadside may have significant outcomes for worker safety.

When selecting an extension cord for use with a power tool or high-powered machine, cord length is not the only thing that should be considered. Improper use of extension cords can easily cause appliances to overheat and can lead to fire.

Jump-starting, testing or inspecting a vehicle battery without taking proper safety precautions could lead to a serious eye injury, warns Chicago-based Prevent Blindness America.

Between 1992 and 2005 at least 154 workers were killed by electrocution when a metal ladder came into contact with overhead power wires, according to the most recent data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Inattention to electrical hazards can lead to burns, shocks and electrocution. It is important to always be mindful of any potential electrical risks, both on and off the job.

Improperly using electrical equipment can create very serious hazards for workers. Special safety features built into equipment often are rendered ineffective when equipment is manipulated or misused.

Although injuries from electrical hazards represent a fraction of total on-the-job injuries, they are more likely to result in death than injuries from other causes, according to the Arlington, VA-based Electrical Safety Foundation International.

Understanding electrical safety on the job is critical. But can you separate electrical safety myths from facts?

When thinking about where electrical hazards are commonly found, your first thought likely isn’t your office. However, the Georgia Institute of Technology states that electrical equipment used in offices can be hazardous and result in serious injuries if not properly maintained.

OSHA recommends workers follow eight “rules to live by” regarding downed electrical lines.

A 62-year-old mechanic died after being crushed when the 994-pound electrical cabinet he was working on tipped over.

Exposure to electricity resulted in 141 workplace fatalities and 2,090 cases with days away from work in 2013, according to the 2016 edition of “Injury Facts,” a chartbook from the National Safety Council. How can workers stay safe?

On-the-job electrical hazards are more common than people may realize.

Struggling to figure out how to remove or minimize human error in the workplace? The simple answer is to adopt a three-step technological approach of “monitor, inspect and manage” to create an ecosystem of safety-focused operations that remove the human element’s risk.

The life cycle of electrical assets typically spans 25-30 years under ideal conditions. However, many companies don’t maintain their electrical assets, which may result in reduced asset life.

In Episode 45, the S+H team examines the November issue’s feature story on common electrical safety errors. Also, T.J. Lentz, a lead health scientist at NIOSH, joins the podcast to discuss workplace chemical safety in the “Five Questions With …” segment.

The NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace has been updated for 2015.

United Academy is an effective training solution that uses cutting-edge technology to minimize the overall cost and complexity of operator and safety training, as well as the credential tracking for customers and employees.

When handling chemicals, it is important that workers protect their hands.

Workers in a wide variety of jobs and industries wear high-visibility safety apparel to alert others of their presence, particularly in dark or dim places. Users include utility linemen, construction workers, police officers and school bus drivers, to name a few.

Wearing a facemask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 can present obstacles to communication, “an important and complex transaction that depends on visual and, often, auditory cues,” says Debara L. Tucci, director of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

Tokyo – Office workers who spend long hours in front of computer screens experience changes in their tear fluid similar to people who have dry eye disease, according to a study from the Keio University School of Medicine in Japan.

Birmingham, AL – Can your office’s thermostat setting affect how much you eat at work? Recent research from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, indicates “yes.”

Olympia, WA – Workers are spending more time on computers and, as a result, the percentage of office workers with musculoskeletal issues is increasing, according to an ergonomics evaluation study conducted by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

Chicago — Workers can get quite heated when it comes to office temperatures. In a recent Harris Poll survey of 1,012 full-time U.S. adult employees, conducted between April 4 and May 1, 46 percent of respondents said their office is either too hot or too cold.

Tokyo — Long-term exposure to powdered toner or toner-using machines has no significant impact on lung health, concludes a recent study of copier industry workers by researchers at Japan’s Showa University.

Morgantown, WV — Nanoparticles from printer toner emissions can cause “very significant” changes to workers’ genetic and metabolic profiles, results of a recent study led by a researcher from West Virginia University show.

Lansing, MI — Michigan OSHA, along with the state’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, has published a 25-page guidance document intended to help employers safely return workers to office settings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.