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.

Washington — OSHA has scheduled a public hearing on proposed updates to its emergency response standard.

Munich — The International Platinum Group Metals Association has released a guide intended to improve safety for workers who are exposed to platinum group metals.

Chesham, England — Safe handling and disposal of metalworking fluids is the topic of a new video series and revised guide from the United Kingdom Lubricants Association.

Tempe, AZ — A recent study indicates that many welding workers believe some of their tasks don’t warrant the use of personal protective equipment.

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.

Washington — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has vacated a 2018 amendment to a 2017 Mine Safety and Health Administration rule that allowed a competent person to inspect the workplace as miners began work rather than prior to a shift – a decision United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts calls “a victory for miners everywhere.”

Washington — Representatives from two labor unions are bringing attention to resources intended to protect workers in “frontline industries” from exposure to the new coronavirus and are calling on the federal government to provide coordinated guidance.

Washington — The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on workplace safety is among the issues explored in the AFL-CIO’s annual report on the state of safety and health protections for U.S. workers.

San Francisco — The Washington State Nurses Association is among four labor unions suing Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia and OSHA in an effort to compel the agency to move forward with rulemaking on an infectious diseases standard that would require employers in the health care industry to protect workers from exposure to harmful infectious diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola and influenza.

Washington — The full extent of the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the nation’s workforce will likely remain unclear because of the lack of a comprehensive national system to gather such information, according to the AFL-CIO’s annual report on the state of safety and health protections for U.S. workers.

Washington — The AFL-CIO and National Nurses United are part of a coalition of labor unions and organizations that has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Labor and OSHA, petitioning a federal court to direct the agency to issue a permanent standard on COVID-19 focused on health care workers.

Washington — “The nation must renew its commitment to protecting workers from job injury, disease and death, and make this a high priority,” the AFL-CIO says in its annual report on the state of safety and health protections for U.S. workers.

Pittsburgh — The United Steelworkers is calling on the paper industry to protect its workers against fungal infections – one of which has proved deadly.

Washington — OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration have scheduled a national Workers Memorial Day ceremony for April 27 at the Department of Labor headquarters.

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

Washington – Staffing firms and host employers looking to better protect temporary workers from job hazards can now review recommended practices in a guidance document issued Aug. 25 by NIOSH and OSHA.

Washington – Newly released draft guidance an OSHA advisory committee recommends that staffing firms and host employers implement a safety and health program describing the responsibilities of both entities to protect temporary workers.

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.

Washington — NIOSH and the American Staffing Association have announced a multiyear partnership agreement to advance protections for temporary workers.

Washington — The House Education and the Workforce Committee has advanced a resolution aimed at repealing the Department of Labor’s rule on determining if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor.

Washington — President Joe Biden has vetoed a Congressional Review Act resolution intended to repeal the National Labor Relations Board’s “joint employer” rule, which remains in legal limbo.

Washington — The National Labor Relations Board has withdrawn its appeal of a federal court decision that blocked the board’s joint employer rule.

Washington — Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) is threatening acting Labor Secretary Julie Su with a subpoena over her “failure to provide the requested information” on the Department of Labor’s independent contractor rule.

Help protect construction workers from injuries caused by falling tape measures with the Gear Keeper RT4 5603 Retractable Tape Measure Tether.

The Alert Band is a wearable early-warning Bluetooth fatigue detector band that attaches to a driver’s forehead.

The L-5 Heavy-Duty Fiberglass-Reinforced Ratchet-Lock Utility Knife with Multi-Pick has a fiberglass-reinforced handle and wraparound anti-slip grip that stand up to everyday rigors on the toughest jobsites.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is increasing the area safety technology may be mounted inside commercial motor vehicles and expanding the definition of “vehicle safety technology.”

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has awarded almost $81 million in grants via its High Priority Grant Program.

Pyramex Safety Ridgeline head protection comes in three styles and a variety of finishes and colors, including high-visibility options and vented versions, and is available with four- and six-point ratchet suspensions for easy adjusting.

This head protection sweatband is blue terry cloth and 100% cotton. The sweatband attaches using plastic snaps that provide a universal method of donning.

I work as a railway inspection and maintenance specialist and have recently noticed workers wearing boots with safety features I haven’t seen before. What trends in footwear safety could benefit me in my line of work?

How do I find the right shoe for the job, according to personal protective equipment standards for footwear?

Does it really matter how my safety boot is constructed?

What should a safety manager look for in seasonal safety footwear?

What are some recent innovations in women’s footwear that workers and safety pros should consider?

Falls Church, VA – The average salary for industrial hygienists has increased more than $10,000 in the past five years, according to survey results released May 30 by the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown C-suite leaders the value of safety professionals.

MAX Small earplugs’ reduced size offers workers with smaller ear canals a more comfortable fit and high attenuation (NRR 30).

Complying with Mine Safety and Health Administration and OSHA hearing conservation regulations has never been easier, thanks to the easy-to-use design of the Solo Occupational DBMS software.

The DM line of universal music plugs may have been crafted for musicians, but all workers can benefit from this hearing protection.

This line of foam earplugs provides an effective single-use solution to combat noise-induced hearing loss. Tested in accordance with ANSI S3.19-1974 standards, these disposable earplugs feature soft, slow-recovery foam.

Adapted from combat-proven technology, the QUIETPRO intelligent hearing protection and communication system provides smart personal hearing protection, digitally enhanced speech communication and clear radio communication.

FirmFit earplugs feature a softer, more comfortable fit and better noise protection than most leading classic-style foam earplugs.

Protect your hearing without missing important sounds and communications with the left/RIGHT Dual Pro Earmuff.

The MX-5 Earmuff features large cup openings designed to fit most ear sizes, a cushion-ribbed headband for all-day comfort and a non-slip wire that makes adjustments easy.

With a unique curved-stem design, Glide Earplugs allow workers to find their custom fit.

Shothunt Electronic Earplugs’ P2i Aridion nanotechnology provides total protection for the electronic components against water, moisture, sweat and other corrosive elements.

The 3M E-A-Rfit Dual-Ear Validation System measures the effectiveness of earplugs and earmuffs.

The SM1R Industrial Headset was designed specifically to enhance two-way radio communication in high-noise environments.