Washington – The Department of Homeland Security should develop a strategy that addresses physical, emotional and mental health to help workers within the department better deal with job-related stress, concludes a report from the Institute of Medicine.

Washington – Local and state government workers can now receive training through a new OSHA certificate program that aims to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths.

Washington – A bi-partisan bill to increase safety protections for correctional officers has passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting the president’s signature to become law.

Washington – The Department of Labor should consider alternatives to its proposal that would require federal contractors to provide paid sick leave to their workers, the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy wrote in an April 6 letter.

Boston – Massachusetts is closer to extending OSHA protections to an estimated 400,000 public workers after the state’s House on Oct. 25 voted unanimously in favor of a bill (H. 3952) that boosts safety standards for all state and municipal government employees.

Washington — Federal employees need more comprehensive guidance from the Office of Personnel Management before they return to the workplace amid the COVID-19 pandemic, House Democrats contended during a June 25 virtual hearing convened by the House Government Operations Subcommittee.

Tumwater, WA — A new online training course from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is intended to enhance safety and comfort for all drivers.

New York — Sitting while watching TV may be more harmful to your cardiovascular health than sitting at work, researchers from Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons suggest.

DeKalb, IL — Programmers and developers of virtual reality applications should focus on minimizing potential ergonomic hazards for users of this fast-growing technology, say researchers from Northern Illinois and Oregon State universities.

Tumwater, WA — For people working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new fact sheet from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries explains how to set up a safe and efficient home workstation.

New York — The average U.S. adult now spends six hours a day sitting – four hours longer than before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – and they’re feeling more aches and pains because of it, results of a recent survey show.

Detroit — Workers in construction and manufacturing may experience a “significantly higher incidence” of carpal tunnel syndrome compared with office workers, results of a recent study by researchers from the Henry Ford Health System show.

In Episode 19, the S+H editorial team discusses the benefits and challenges of being a one-person safety team. Also: Julia Abate, executive director of The Ergonomics Center at North Carolina State University, answers our questions about ergonomic concerns as more workers return to their physical work locations.

Washington — NIOSH has published a booklet intended to help miners learn about reducing their exposure to respirable dust in metal and nonmetal mines while lowering their risk for musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries.

In Episode 33, the S+H editorial team dives into the November issue’s feature story on OSHA’s Multi-Employer Citation Policy.

Olympia, WA — Washington state legislators are once again considering a bill aimed at reducing workers’ risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Olympia, WA — A new law in Washington will repeal state statutes that prevent the Department of Labor & Industries from adopting ergonomics rules intended to protect workers.

Columbus, OH — Cognitive dissonance “may be a previously unidentified risk factor” for neck and low-back pain among workers who perform lifting and lowering tasks, results of a recent study show.

Join the MSD Solutions Lab on Sept. 28 as it explores ergonomics and DEI.

Washington — A new guidance memo from OSHA outlines whether certain treatments for musculoskeletal injuries are recordable.

The flexible DBI-SALA Self-Rescue Device attaches to workers’ current safety harnesses, allowing them to lower themselves to safety in the event of a fall from height.

DuraTech Arc-Rated Self-Retracting Devices are designed to keep workers at height safe from a fall after an arc flash or arc blast event. The SRDs are available in both single- and twin-leg configurations with a variety of connection options.

Washington – Asbestos is one of the first 10 chemicals to be evaluated for potential health and environmental risks under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, the Environmental Protection Agency announced on Nov. 29.

Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency has published a report on risk evaluations as part of requirements established by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on problem formulation documents for the first 10 chemicals slated for evaluation for potential health and environmental risks under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, as well as a systematic review approach document and a proposed significant new use rule for asbestos.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule on asbestos intended to keep manufacturers from reintroducing “discontinued uses” of the known human carcinogen into the market without EPA approval.

Washington — Claiming the Environmental Protection Agency is “rushing forward” with various regulations while much of the nation is focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Jerry McNerney (D-CA) and Mike Quigley (D-IL) recently sent a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, calling on the agency to extend all comment periods for matters related to public and environmental health at least 45 days past the end of the declared national emergency.

Geneva — Nearly a quarter of workers worldwide have endured workplace violence or harassment, but only half of the victims discuss their experiences, results of a recent survey show.

Providence, RI — The Rhode Island Senate recently passed legislation aimed at protecting workers from psychological abuse – such as bullying – on the job.

San Mateo, CA — Nearly 2 out of 3 frontline workers don’t feel safe on the job, results of a recent survey show.

Cambridge, MA — Nine out of 10 customer service workers recently surveyed say they’ve experienced an increase in customer abuse and hostility over the past 12 months.

In Episode 46, the S+H team examines the December issue’s feature story on best practices for preventing workplace violence. Also, Atanu Das, owner of MSDS Writer, a consulting company, joins the podcast to discuss Safety Data Sheets in the “Five Questions With …” segment.

Geneva, Switzerland — Around 20% of workers worldwide have reported some form of violence or harassment, according to a recent report from the International Labour Organization.

Washington — Female workers in the service industry face an elevated risk of gender-based violence and harassment, but “there’s a variety of means that can mitigate that,” OSHA administrator Doug Parker says.

The MEMIC Group, Portland, ME-based specialists in workers’ compensation insurance, has awarded an Illinois State University research team $30,000 to investigate whether wearable sensors can maximize performance and minimize injuries in U.S. workplaces.

Mick Bowden is the new vice president of sales and marketing for Air 
Systems International in Chesapeake, VA. Bowden joined Air Systems in 2004 after starting his industrial sales career with Fastenal.

Updates were recently made to the American National Standards Institute/International Safety Equipment Association consensus standard 121-2023 – Dropped Object Prevention Solutions.

Collapsible Gate Valve Lockouts are durable and versatile lockout-covering devices available in three sizes to effectively secure valves with 3-inch to 18-inch diameter handles.

Lansing, MI — A bill recently introduced in Michigan would increase fines for child labor law violations by as much as 10 times.

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.

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 — 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.

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.

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

Hartford, CT — Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) has signed into law legislation that expands the state’s 13-year-old paid sick leave law.

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.”

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.