Chicago — No matter where work gets done, “protecting vision should always be a priority,” advocacy group Prevent Blindness is reminding employers.

Washington — Honeywell Safety Products has issued a voluntary recall of nonsterile eyewash cartridges after a supplier was found to be noncompliant with current good manufacturing practice regulations.

Although disposable respirators cannot completely protect a worker from inhaling airborne particles, they can reduce the number of particles inhaled.

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.

The need and value of personal protective equipment and worker safety have surged over the past two years. More than ever, it is imperative that organizations ensure they mitigate the risk of workplace hazards for their employees as well as their business’s sustainability.

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.

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.

Washington — OSHA is seeking comment on a proposed rule aimed at protecting indoor and outdoor workers from heat-related illnesses.

Washington — Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su has renewed the two-year charter for OSHA’s National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health.

Washington — OSHA is accepting nominations for membership on its Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health.

Gaithersburg, MD — Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Colorado Boulder are partnering to test whether a new breath-test strategy can reliably detect recent cannabis use.

Denver — Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming make up the Denver Region.

What are the biggest gaps in lockout/tagout programs?

Atlanta — Emissions from 3D printers may contain fine and ultrafine particles that can damage airway cells and negatively affect respiratory health, result of a recent study show.

DeKalb, IL — Could altering the language on disability disclosure forms encourage more workers to disclose their conditions? A recent study explored this idea.

Columbus, OH — Three out of 10 law enforcement officers have experienced a work-related head injury, putting them at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, according to a recent study.

Atlanta — Although a majority of LGBTQIA+ workers say they have strong support from allies on the job, more than half still report discrimination and prejudice, which can make them feel unsafe, results of a recent survey show.

Toronto — Workers with “precarious” jobs – which can include temporary contracts, part-time hours, irregular schedules and low wages – face an elevated risk of a work-related injury and illness, results of two recent studies out of Canada show.

The Waypoint 300 is a rechargeable high-lumen pistol-grip spotlight with enhanced down-range lighting capability. Featuring 270,000 candela, a 1,039-meter beam distance and 1,000 lumens on high, the spotlight’s powerful long-range targeting beam is portable and runs for 3.75 to 87 hours on high, medium and low, respectively.

Portable fire extinguishers can be vital in preventing a small fire from turning into a major incident. But the devices cannot provide protection unless they are properly maintained.

Having a fire hose available at a mine can be a lifesaver – but only a hose that is in good condition and in the right location.

According to OSHA, the most common emergency small businesses must plan for is a fire. Fire extinguishers can be invaluable tools to help fight smaller fires in the workplace or to protect evacuation routes in the event of a larger one.

Portable fire extinguishers can be vital in preventing a small fire from turning into a major catastrophe. But the devices provide no protection if they are not properly maintained.

The National Fire Protection Association notes that portable fire extinguishers can “save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives, but portable extinguishers have limitations.”

Do you work in a high-rise office building? Maybe you’ll be visiting one for an upcoming meeting. Either way, you need to know what to do if the fire alarm sounds.

If your facility is considering installing EV charging stations, the Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends a site assessment conducted by a trained and qualified electrician.

You can help prevent a potential head-on collision before it occurs. NSC has developed a lifesaving method for drivers to use: the four R’s.

Although convenient for transporting groups, 15-passenger vans can pose a safety risk to inexperienced drivers, their passengers and other road users.

Hazard reporting is a critical part of any safety program and should be done as soon as a hazard is identified.

Aurora, CO — Anxiety, depression and fatigue increase women’s risk of getting hurt at work, according to a recent study from the Colorado School of Public Health’s Center for Health, Work and Environment.

Menlo Park, CA — Does worry about work keep you from getting a good night’s rest? Forty-four percent of respondents to a recent survey said work-related stress causes them to lose sleep.

Washington — For oil and gas workers, fatigue caused by a combination of long work hours and lengthy commutes can contribute to motor vehicle crashes – the leading cause of death in the industry, a new fact sheet from NIOSH states.

Evanston, IL — People who prefer to stay up late have a greater chance of dying at a younger age than those who are natural “early to bed and early to rise” types, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University and the University of Surrey.

Lexington, KY — Fatigue-related crashes among commercial motor vehicle drivers increase the farther the crash site is located from truck stops, rest areas and weigh stations with rest havens, according to a recent study from the University of Kentucky.

Brough, England — The United Kingdom’s National Workboat Association has launched a campaign aimed at curbing fatigue among crew members of offshore energy support vessels.

Arlington, VA — In an effort to address a persistent concern in the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, the American Waterways Operators has released a guide on various principles of fatigue risk management.

Silver Spring, MD — The American Nurses Association, in partnership with the U.S. Public Health Service chief nurse officer and the University of North Carolina and University of Washington schools of nursing, has launched a campaign with initiatives that include addressing industry concerns such as workplace violence and safe and appropriate staffing levels.

San Antonio — Nearly 1 in 3 nurses may suffer from insomnia, while more than 1 in 8 admit to taking medications to help them stay awake, according to a recent study.

Bethesda, MD — Irregular sleep patterns do more than just make you tired at work – they can have long-lasting adverse effects on your health.

Fort Collins, CO — Employers should prioritize efforts to help workers get a good night’s sleep, researchers from Colorado State University say after their study of construction workers found a connection between poor quality sleep and the risk of workplace incidents and injuries.

The failure to prioritize rest is a growing concern – and taking a toll on U.S. workers. “Most employers underestimate how little sleep deprivation is necessary to result in detrimental outcomes,” one expert says.

Washington — The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking comment on a proposed rule that would require certain railroads to develop and implement a fatigue risk management program as a component of their larger safety risk reduction programs.

Oakbrook Terrace, IL — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic “pushing health care organizations to their limits and workers beyond physical exhaustion,” accreditation organization The Joint Commission has published a special edition Sentinel Event Alert highlighting adverse events and high-risk conditions.

Columbia, MO — Individuals who develop shift work sleep disorder – a condition involving insomnia or excessive sleepiness as a result of working nontraditional hours – may be almost three times more likely to be involved in a traffic crash, according to a recent study by researchers from the University of Missouri.

Linz, Austria — Shift work may be associated with poorer memory and slower mental processing speed, as well as lower levels of alertness and visual focus, results of a recent study out of Austria suggest.

Houston — Offshore oil and gas workers who regularly practice mindfulness may experience less fatigue and emotional and psychological strain – all while increasing their situational awareness and productivity, results of a recent study led by University of Houston researchers show.

In Episode 38, the S+H team examines the April issue’s feature story on workplace fire drills. Also, Lori Guasta, senior director of consulting services at NSC, discusses fatigue in the workplace and beyond in the “5 Questions With …” interview.

Portland, OR — An “evidence-based program designed to help supervisors support their employees’ work-life balance and sleep health” is available from the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences.

Ottawa, Ontario — Just 24 hours of sleep deprivation can significantly impact decision-making processes and may result in risky choices, researchers caution.