Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service in April approved 15 poultry processing plants’ requests to increase line speeds 25% – despite reported cases of COVID-19 among workers and at least one fatality related to the ongoing pandemic, according to a new policy brief from the National Employment Law Project.

Washington — Legislation reintroduced March 11 by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) would prohibit line speed increases in meat and poultry-processing plants during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the House and Senate is aimed at improving working conditions and whistleblower protections in the meat and poultry processing industry.

Chicago — A new Local Emphasis Program from OSHA is aimed at protecting workers in Wisconsin food manufacturing establishments from machine and amputation hazards.

Durham, NH — U.S. seafood workers were twice as likely to contract COVID-19 as workers in other food industries during the height of the pandemic, results of a recent study indicate.

State College, PA — Workers who play a role in the U.S. food supply chain are at high risk for being hospitalized with severe injuries, results of a recent study show.

Washington — A trial that allows select pork-processing facilities to operate at increased line speeds will continue, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service says.

2023 is looking like an extremely opportunistic year for security and smart home professionals as consumers revisit smart home systems installed during the pandemic.

This, along with in-home ADT professional advice, can help customers get an ideal smart home security system for their needs.

The Android Auto app ecosystem keeps growing, and the latest name to join Google's car-optimized experience is smart home solutions provider Alarm.com.

Kaadas signed three new distribution partners as select Kaadas Z-Wave-enabled smart lock models receive Alarm.com Certification.

As the security and smart home market continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the convergence of technology and security has sparked a surge in innovative products and services, each promising enhanced safety, convenience and peace of mind.

Additionally, Brilliant functions as a whole home lighting system with built-in motion detection, which can be paired with a Resideo Security System.

Don’t spend all your time focusing on the single-family residential sector. You should be including a strategy to capitalize on the multifamily housing trend. 

This enables the ability to integrate Google Nest products with ClareOne empowers its partners to deliver comprehensive home automation and security through an intuitive unified touchscreen with the ability to add automations.

Research continues to show that tenants both want and expect smart home technology from their rental properties and security solutions are some of the most prioritized.

The “U.S. Cyber Trust Mark Program” aims to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions and encourage manufacturers to meet higher cybersecurity standards.

Home management solutions continue to see significant advancements, offering consumers enhanced convenience, security and energy efficiency.

Industry insiders from leading companies elucidate how smart home integration and shifting consumer preferences are driving growth and future trends in the residential security market.

As the smart home market continues to expand, security dealers are seeking reliable and innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of homeowners and businesses.

Explore how proptech is transforming the real estate sector, while addressing key challenges and opportunities for security integrators in this evolving landscape.

Can I use one attendant to electronically monitor multiple 1910.146 confined space entries?

When it comes to protecting workers in confined spaces, what are some monitoring best practices?

Atlanta — An elevated risk of death linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among workers in certain industries and occupations highlights the need for better employee health policies and targeted interventions, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

How can I tell if an employee’s hearing is being affected by medications, noise exposure or both? What can be done about it?

Utrecht, The Netherlands – On-the-job exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields may double men’s risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, according to a new study from researchers in The Netherlands.

Denver – On the heels of a recent Purdue University study suggesting that a popular method for repairing water pipes can release hazardous chemicals into the air, the National Environmental Health Association will host a one-hour webinar on Oct. 5 to discuss potential risks to workers and the public.

Washington — OSHA has published a Safety and Health Information Bulletin intended to help underground utility workers and employers avoid hazards associated with horizontal directional drilling.

Watertown, SD — Workforce expansion in the communication tower industry has created “a huge untapped potential for women” while enhancing the need for proper safety training for all workers, Andrea Lee, the National Tower Erectors’ Women of NATE committee chair, said during a recent Federal Communications Commission podcast.

Corvallis, OR — When temperatures rise, so do the rates of traumatic injuries among outdoor workers, according to the results of a recent Oregon State University study.

Watertown, SD — Increasing electrical safety awareness among workers in the communications infrastructure industry will be the focus of new training curriculum to be developed by the National Association of Tower Erectors, the nonprofit organization has announced.

Watertown, SD — Communication tower workers should always maintain proper minimum approach distances and use a spotter when working near energized power lines.

How can risk management tools be applied within EHS organizations?

I’m on my company’s COVID-19 response team, and I’ve been asked to monitor social distancing and contact tracing. How can I take a proactive approach to this so we’re prepared when we have a case onsite?

Are monitoring devices cloud connected? In other words, are they sending data in real-time on the location, state and wellness of employees?

Changing traditional approaches can change safety culture for the better, experts say

In this special episode, the Safety+Health team previews the 2023 NSC Spring Safety Conference & Expo – set for May 17-19 in Indianapolis – and interviews keynote speaker Brandon Schroeder.

Spring is a great time to change up our personal routines and see what we can update and refresh in our professional lives, safety pro and motivational speaker Richard Hawk says.

In Episode 43, the S+H team examines the September issue’s feature story on aerial lifts. Also, Ryan Pietzsch, a program technical consultant for driver safety at the National Safety Council, joins the podcast to discuss fleet safety in the “Five Questions With …” segment.

“Deliberately paying attention to your environment and inner feelings without judgment” can help strengthen safety, motivational speaker Richard Hawk says.

“When we feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves, it feels good and stirs us to action,” Richard Hawk tells us.

“Curiosity drives us to ask questions, and being a skillful questioner benefits us in many ways.”

In Episode 49, the S+H team examines content included in the March issue, such as a quiz on ladder safety, advice on having difficult conversations at work and issues for women in construction. Also, National Safety Council colleague Amy Artuso joins the podcast to discuss Distracted Driving Awareness Month in the “Five Questions With …” segment.

In Episode 50, the S+H team celebrates a milestone and examines content from the April issue, including the results of the annual Training Survey, safety and health for remote workers, and work zone safety. Also, SafeStart’s Tim Page-Bottorff joins the podcast to preview his presentation on Safety I vs. Safety II, in partnership with Corrie Pitzer, to be made at the 2024 NSC Spring Safety Conference and Expo.

“The best moments I’ve had while working, even at nuclear power plants with strict rules, were when my colleagues and I enjoyed what we were doing and had fun.”

In a live episode live from the 2024 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Orlando, FL, the S+H editorial team interviews Lori Guasta.

A NIOSH publication addresses preventing slips, trips and falls in wholesale and retail trade establishments.

To help workers protect themselves from the hazards of mold exposure, Honeywell Safety has published a “Mold Remediation Overview.”

Washington – OSHA has released a new guidance document that focuses on how employers of temporary workers can comply with injury recording requirements.

Washington – NIOSH has released a document outlining dozens of safety recommendations aimed at reducing deaths and injuries caused by backing construction vehicles and equipment.