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Congresswoman to OSHA: Investigate alleged worker safety issues at Texas poultry plant

Washington — Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) is urging OSHA to investigate reported workplace safety violations at the Sanderson Farms poultry plant in Bryan, TX.




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Facemask use can reduce hog workers’ exposure to MRSA: study

Baltimore — Hog farm workers who regularly wear facemasks on the job may significantly protect themselves and those in their households from exposure to the antibiotic-resistant bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.




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Safety Data Sheets for bulk liquid flavorings may be incomplete, study shows

Morgantown, WV — Two potentially hazardous chemicals are missing from the Safety Data Sheets for bulk liquid flavorings, findings from a recent NIOSH Respiratory Health Division study show.




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OIG to look into whether USDA used flawed safety data to push for faster pork-processing line speeds

Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General is investigating the effectiveness and integrity of USDA’s procedures to develop and advance a controversial proposed rule that would remove maximum line speeds in pork-processing plants, according to a letter obtained by multiple media outlets.




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Survey finds majority of Americans oppose USDA proposal to eliminate pork-processing line speeds

Washington — More than 3 out of 5 Americans are against a U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed rule to remove maximum line speeds in pork-processing plants, according to the results of a recent survey.




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USDA announces final rule to eliminate pork-processing line speeds

Washington — A controversial U.S. Department of Agriculture final rule unveiled Sept. 17 removes maximum line speeds in pork-processing plants and transfers certain inspection responsibilities to plant workers.




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Labor unions sue USDA over final rule that eliminates pork-processing line speeds

Minneapolis — A coalition consisting of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, three local affiliate unions and watchdog group Public Citizen is suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture over a controversial final rule that removes maximum line speeds in pork-processing plants and transfers certain inspection responsibilities to plant workers.




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COVID-19 pandemic: Minnesota issues guidance for meatpacking industry

Minneapolis — Recently released guidance from the state of Minnesota details steps employers in the meatpacking industry should take to reduce worker exposure to COVID-19.




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NELP to USDA: Faster poultry-processing line speeds during COVID-19 pandemic ‘irresponsible and reckless’

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.




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COVID-19 pandemic: Washington L&I releases guidance for food processing, warehouse workers

Tumwater, WA — A new fact sheet from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is aimed at helping food processing and warehouse employers protect their workers from exposure to COVID-19.




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USDA check of safety data used for pork-processing line speed rule inadequate, OIG concludes

Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture “did not take adequate steps to determine whether the worker safety data it used … were reliable” when proposing a controversial rule that removes line speeds in pork-processing plants and transfers certain inspection responsibilities to plant workers, the USDA Office of Inspector General concludes in a report released June 25.




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COVID-19 pandemic: CDC develops toolkit for assessing meat, poultry processing facilities

Washington — A new online toolkit from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is intended to assist safety professionals and health officials in assessing COVID-19 pandemic-related prevention and control measures at meat and poultry processing facilities.




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COVID-19 pandemic: OSHA, FDA create safety and health checklist for food manufacturers

Washington — OSHA and the Food and Drug Administration have teamed up to develop a checklist intended to help food manufacturers protect worker health and practice food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.




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Researcher calls for federal rules, guidelines on workplace safety in cannabis industry

Seattle — The cannabis industry needs federal regulations and guidance on workplace safety, according to University of Washington professor and researcher Christopher Simpson.




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Lawmakers reintroduce bills to prohibit meat and poultry-processing line speed increases during pandemic

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.




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Court puts the brakes on USDA elimination of pork-processing line speed limits

Minneapolis — The U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota upheld a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture on March 31, ruling that a controversial final rule that removes line speeds in pork-processing plants and transfers certain inspection responsibilities to plant workers compromises worker health and consumer welfare.




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USDA to halt elimination of pork-processing line speed limits

Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has indicated it will accept a March ruling of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota that prohibits the removal of maximum line speeds in pork-processing plants.




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Community spread of COVID-19 occurred faster in counties with meatpacking facilities: study

Davis, CA — U.S. counties that are home to beef-, pork- and poultry-processing plants experienced accelerated COVID-19 infection rates during the pandemic, according to a recent study led by a researcher at the University at California, Davis.




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USDA pilot program to allow faster line speeds at some pork-processing facilities

Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service, in collaboration with OSHA, will allow select pork-processing facilities – on a trial basis – to operate at increased line speeds for up to one year while gathering data that “measures the impact of line speed on workers.”




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Booker introduces Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act

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.




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Seafood workers faced increased risk of COVID-19 as pandemic peaked: study

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.




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USDA to study whether faster poultry-processing line speeds harm workers

Washington — Seeking to “best assess” the impact of increased line speeds on worker safety in poultry-processing plants, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service plans to study the effects.




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OSHA emphasis program targets food production workers in Illinois and Ohio

Chicago — OSHA recently launched a launched Local Emphasis Program aimed at protecting food production workers in Illinois and Ohio, who are experiencing “significantly higher” injury rates than other workers in the manufacturing industry.




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Study spotlights high injury risk among food supply chain workers

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.




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USDA extends line speed trial at pork-processing facilities

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.




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GAO calls for stronger infectious disease protections for meatpacking workers

Washington — A new Government Accountability Office report recommends OSHA look at “available actions” – including developing a standard on infectious disease – to help protect workers in the meat and poultry processing industries.




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Bird flu exposure: CDC report details worker safety measures

Washington — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising dairy and poultry facilities to take steps to protect their workers and the public from exposure to bird flu.




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Smart Thermostat Market in U.S. Forecast to Reach $3.9B by 2029

The U.S. market is projected to be increasing at a compound annual growth rate of (CAGR) of 17.2% during the forecast period.




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Allegion Launches New Seamless Access Solution for the Multi-family Property Market

Zentra’s integrated solutions (combining software, hardware and related services) — initially offered in the United States — will secure properties while enabling hassle-free access.




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Kaadas Now Alarm.com Certified, Announces New Distribution Partners

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




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State of the Market: Exploring the Evolving Landscape of Security & Smart Home Market

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.




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Multifamily Market: Why Security Dealers Should Make the Investment

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. 




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Parks Associates: 16% of U.S. Internet Homes Now Have Smart Thermostats

In a new white paper released in partnership with Resideo, Parks Associates examines practical solutions and the latest advancements in smart home technology that contribute to energy management.




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Delta Controller Integrates With VIVOTEK’s New AI Camera for Smart Buildings

Delta recently showcased its integration with VIVOTEK AI surveillance camera and Delta Controls’ new Red5-PLUS-ROOM controller, an IoT-based native BACnet building controller, to enable comprehensive control of building HVAC, lighting, access and more.




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Ultimate Safety Net: The Vital Importance of Home Cellular Backup

Here's why cellular backup security has become essential in ensuring continuous protection among the various options available.




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State of the Market: How Smart Home Integration Fuels the Security Market

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.




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2GIG Empowers Security Dealers to Thrive in Smart Home 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.




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How AI Is Making Smart Homes More Secure

Highlighted are benefits of AI-enabled automation and interoperability, while addressing key considerations for security integrators in managing vulnerabilities and optimizing smart home ecosystems.




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ASSA ABLOY Acquires Level Lock to Create Ambient Property Technologies Subsidiary

Level Lock was founded in 2016 by John Martin and Ken Goto and has approximately 70 employees. 




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Attendant and entrant squawk talk

Do all confined spaces require electronic equipment for effective communication between the attendant and entrants?




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Working confidently in confined spaces

Shane McEwen, Blackline Safety, explains how organizations incorporating "connected safety" into their worker safety programs can minimize the risk of hazardous tasks performed in confined spaces.




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Workers in certain industries and jobs at higher risk of dying from COPD: CDC

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.




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EPA aims to reduce worker exposure to ethylene oxide

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency wants to lower emissions of ethylene oxide – a gas that’s used to sterilize medical devices and has been linked to cancer and neurological problems.




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Female health care workers need better protection from radiation, doctors say

London — A group of physicians is calling on health care employers to provide female workers who are exposed to on-the-job radiation with added protections to minimize their risk of breast cancer.




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Healthy desk duty

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that sitting for long periods of time at work can increase your risk of stress and strain.




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Take steps to prevent eyestrain

Do you ever find yourself rubbing your eyes, blinking repeatedly and looking away from your computer screen? You may be experiencing eyestrain.




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Preventing the spread of sickness

We all work in a close work environment. When one person becomes ill, we all seem to get sick. Are there any safeguards we can put in place to minimize the spread of viruses and infections among co-workers?




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The 5 Universal Wastes: Keeping Employees and the Environment Safe

Download a free white paper containing expert guidance to help you keep your business, your employees and the environment safe when dealing with universal wastes.




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Hand protection and skin health

What measures can we take to promote hand health in industrial settings where employees frequently handle stains, grease, adhesives or chemicals?




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Men exposed to extremely low EMFs at work may face increased risk of ALS: study

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.