Seattle — The owner of a West Seattle construction company has been sentenced to 45 days in jail for his role in a fatal trench collapse, according to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

Salem, OR — Legislation recently introduced in Oregon would significantly increase civil penalties for safety violations that contribute to worker injuries and deaths.

Helsinki — A strong corporate culture is linked to many positive workplace safety attributes, a recent research review concludes.

Philadelphia — Two physician groups are recommending topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – with or without menthol gel – as a non-opioid “first-line therapy” for treating acute pain from non-low-back musculoskeletal injuries.

Melbourne, Australia — Musculoskeletal disorders cost people around the world nearly 140 million years lost to ill-health, disability or early death, results a recent study out of Australia and Iran indicate.

Silver Spring, MD — Employers in the construction industry need to promote “effective, non-opioid pain-management methods” for injured workers, a nonprofit safety group is saying after two of its recent studies found construction workers with musculoskeletal disorders are three times more likely than their co-workers to use prescription opioids.

Washington — Age-specific efforts aimed at preventing musculoskeletal disorders related to overexertion – a significant cause of MSDs among construction workers in the United States – could help address the problem, researchers from NIOSH say.

Columbus, OH — The physical benefits that exoskeletons provide to the musculoskeletal system may be negated by the “mental strain” that results when workers wearing the devices perform tasks that require them to think about their actions, results of a recent study conducted by researchers from Ohio State and Texas A&M universities indicate.

Bilbao, Spain — Excessive workloads, conflicting demands and a lack of support from management are some of the psychosocial factors that can contribute to the development of musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace, according to a literature review conducted by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has released a draft of its revised respirator descriptions for pesticide labels and is seeking public comment.

Washington — Seal checks should be conducted every time respiratory protection is used on the job, and employers and workers should ensure the equipment is worn properly so an adequate seal is achieved, NIOSH states in a recently published list of frequently asked questions about user seal checks.

Washington — OSHA has issued a final rule that adds two fit testing protocols to the agency’s respiratory protection standard (1910.134).

Washington — In an effort to preserve the supply of N95 filtering facepiece respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA has temporarily suspended its requirement for annual respirator fit testing in the health care industry.

Triangle, VA — Citing concerns over the adjacent nature of mining work and the growing prevalence of respiratory illness in the industry, the United Mine Workers of America is calling on the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue an emergency standard to help safeguard mine workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — In response to a nationwide shortage of N95 filtering facepiece respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA has announced further temporary easing of regulations related to respiratory protection.

Washington — A new video is aimed at helping organizations – particularly those in health care – understand the qualitative fit testing process.

Washington — In effort to preserve the supply of N95 filtering facepiece respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA is permitting the reuse of respirators that undergo certain decontamination processes, according to an April 24 temporary enforcement memo.

Washington — The Department of Health and Human Services has reopened until Sept. 25 the comment period on an interim final rule that allows NIOSH to approve a new class of powered air-purifying respirators for workers in the health care and public safety sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic, among other changes.

West Lafayette, IN — Researchers from Purdue University have developed new designs for N95 facemasks they say will extend the shelf life of the respiratory protection commonly used by health care workers.

Dallas — The OSHA Region 6 Training Institute Education Centers has developed a webinar on the proper implementation of a respiratory protection program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — OSHA has issued temporary enforcement guidelines for fit testing of powered air-purifying respirators for workers at high risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Tumwater, WA — A new e-tool from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is intended to help employers and workers choose the appropriate mask, facial covering or respirator based on the COVID-19 exposure risk level of specific job duties.

Washington — NIOSH has extended until Dec. 14 the comment period for a Request for Information on the deployment and use of elastomeric half-mask respirators in health care settings and emergency medical services organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The “Editor’s Choice” and more new products and solutions as described by manufacturers.

Everything online in the industry, from white papers to webinars

2N, provider of internet-enabled intercoms and access control systems, has published a new white paper entitled, ‘Access Control 3.0: the new standards in residential access.’

The System Clean Up Utility feature effectively enables a swift and thorough cleanup of invalid or outdated access control data, resulting in enhanced system management and security.

NAPCO Security Technologies announced a new website to coincide with the launching of its new Napco Access Pro Dealer Program.

Alarm.com service providers will be one of the first groups in the security industry to have this resource which is accessible through the Alarm.com Partner Portal and Alarm.com’s mobile app for service providers, MobileTech.

Robust investment growth in target building segments is expected to drive increased spending through 2023, according to the NSCA’s Electronic Systems Outlook report for Summer 2023.  

The white paper highlights the world leaders in security, as well as their smaller competitors and the investments they are making.

Through ClopayED — the company’s online learning platform — anyone who wants to expand their industry knowledge while earning professional credits can access Clopay’s full suite of courses accredited by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

This cloud-based service productivity tool provides service providers with enhanced real-time data access, allowing them to optimize the management of individual systems, sites, and site groups with data for informed decision-making and resource optimization.

Avery® makes GHS and safety labeling easier. Labeling chemicals properly is a critical part of being compliant with the OSHA-mandated Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling. Avery makes it easy with UltraDuty™ Labels and free GHS Wizard software and safety templates. Print them yourself using a laser or pigment inkjet printer, or Avery can print them for you. Visit Avery at the 2016 NSC Congress & Expo at Booth #2489. Learn more.

Click here for more information from Avery Products Corp.

Visit Columbia Southern University at Booth #1471 at the 2016 NSC Congress & Expo to learn more about our online degree in occupational safety and health.

Click here for more information from Columbia Southern University

Are you ready for winter? The Therma-Flow® Freeze Protected Shower from Encon® resists freezing down to -40° F/C and is built to withstand winter’s extreme temperatures. Encon® offers a customized model selection, allowing you to design a product that meets the specific needs of your facility. CSA- approved with FM and UL components for NEMA 4 enclosures.

Click here for more information from Encon Safety Products Inc.

Model 7501T is the only tempered portable eyewash in the market. The 9- gallon, gravity-fed eyewash uses a heated, insulated blanket that provides ANSI-compliant tempered water in ambient operating temperatures from -30° F (-34° C) to 100° F (38° C). Ideal for remote locations without access to a continuous potable water source. Haz Loc and 240V versions are available.

Click here for more information from HAWS Corp.

“Ready for the Moment, Guaranteed for Life™.” In your line of work, a day on the job can turn from habit to hazard in a single moment. Be ready for gas hazards and more with the Ventis™ Pro Series. Detect up to five gases, receive alarm messages like “EVACUATE,” and assign users and sites in real time. Visit indsci.com for more information.

Click here for more information from Industrial Scientific Corp.

Improve safety and security of confined spaces with Master Lock. Prevent the hazards of confined spaces with Master Lock's Confined Space Covers. Combining clear signage and secure barrier protection, this best-practice solution prevents unauthorized entry and guards against weather and debris. Learn more at www.masterlocksafety.com.

Click here for more information from Master Lock Co.

We know what’s at stake. Unpredictable work environments often are part of the job. That’s why it’s critically important to have the right safety equipment at the moment it matters most. MSA’s complete lines of safety solutions help protect those workers at the heart of your operation.

Click here for more information from MSA, The Safety Company

The Scott Protégé ZM Single Gas Monitor is an easy-to-use, zero-maintenance gas detection solution that delivers high performance in a small package. Once activated, the Protégé ZM monitor does not require charging or calibration. It will operate for two years – maintenance- and hassle-free.

Click here for more information from Scott Safety

Skedco Inc. has created a new kit for rapid emergency evacuation of hospitalized patients or victims in an active-shooter incident. The system is designed to hang on a wall or behind a door, and provides a quick way to safely package and remove someone from a dangerous environment.

Click here for more information from Skedco Inc.

Flite™ Boots are a revolution in protective footwear™. Made from Aerex 1.5.5™ molecular polymer, these boots are self-insulating and more than 40 percent lighter than most steel toe boots. An ASTM F2413-11 safety toe provides superior protection and a cushioned heel offers maximum comfort. An ideal choice for food processing, chemical/petrochemical, farm/ag and lawn/garden industryworkers.

Click here for more information from Tingley Rubber Corp.

LVC Companies Inc. (formerly Low Voltage Contractors) began as it would continue — as an entrepreneurial leap of faith brought about by a customer’s need.

This free white paper from the experts at J. J. Keller provides a detailed listing of the most cited OSHA standards from fiscal year 2021, along with proven tips to help ensure compliance.

This white paper provides a detailed listing of the most cited OSHA standards across all industries, along with proven tips to help you reduce risk and ensure compliance.

Sacramento, CA — A California Senate committee recently approved legislation that calls for a study on gender-based monetary disparities in state workers’ compensation benefits.

Boston — Detailed site safety plan requirements, free training and education, and ramped-up enforcement are the three key elements of a new construction safety ordinance in Boston.

Tumwater, WA — To clarify its crane decertification and reinstatement requirements, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is proposing changes to its regulations on cranes and derricks in construction.

New York — In response to fatal overdoses in the local construction industry, New York City’s health and buildings departments are teaming up to conduct outreach at worksites.