How do I choose between a full-face respirator and a half-face respirator?

Can I use earbud-type devices as hearing protection in industrial settings?

How do I implement respirator fit testing at my facility?

What are the biggest factors that affect compliance in hand protection?

How can using the Hierarchy of Controls help with protecting workers from hazardous noise?

What features are commonly used in the construction of safety shoes to protect against impact and compression hazards?

How can I best protect my workers from noise-induced hearing loss?

What are the biggest hand and arm protection issues safety professionals should be concerned about?

Geneva — Health care workers who treat COVID-19 patients deserve more robust occupational safety and health programs, according to the World Health Organization and the International Labor Organization.

Toronto — To increase health care workers’ knowledge, awareness and prevention of occupational hand dermatitis, the Center for Research Expertise in Occupational Disease has launched a free e-learning module.

Gaithersburg, MD — The use of ultraviolet light to disinfect N95 respirators has minimal impact on their form and function, allowing frontline workers to reuse the masks, results of a recent National Institute of Standards and Technology study show.

Durham, NC — The rates of “moral injury” that health care workers experienced during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic was akin to those of U.S. military combat veterans, results of a recent study show.

North Kingstown, RI — More than 4 out of 5 health care workers experience headaches associated with the use of personal protective equipment, according to a new report from the Association of Migraine Disorders.

Silver Spring, MD — Around 7 out of 10 recently surveyed nurses say staffing has gotten slightly or much worse recently, while nearly half of hospital nurses report an increase in workplace violence.

Columbus, OH — Legislation recently introduced in the Ohio Statehouse would direct health care employers to develop and implement a workplace violence prevention plan within six months.

Tumwater, WA — Health care workers should rely on their clinical recognition skills, workplace safety protocols and personal protective equipment to avoid contracting and spreading monkeypox, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries advises.

Pleasanton, CA — The transportation, health care and government sectors have experienced the greatest increases of “higher worker burnout risk” over the past year, according to a recently released report from software provider Workday.

Sacramento, CA — New guidance from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is aimed at protecting workers from monkeypox – a viral disease that spreads mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who’s infected.

Washington — The National Academy of Medicine has unveiled seven priorities it says will help strengthen the well-being of the health care workforce and “restore the health of the nation.”

Washington — Current NIOSH and industry regulations and professional guidelines aimed at preventing unintentional exposure to pathogens during the sterile processing of medical devices may not be sufficient to ensure provider and patient safety, results of a recent study suggest.

Schaumburg, IL — The Emergency Nurses Association and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership have updated their Guiding Principles on Mitigating Violence in the Workplace and related toolkit.

Washington — Do you have an idea for improving fit testing of respirators? NIOSH is offering $350,000 in total prize money as part of its Respirator Fit Evaluation Challenge.

Washington — The House has passed legislation that would eliminate a rule requiring health care industry employers who participate in Medicare and Medicaid to ensure their workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Washington — Two lawmakers have reintroduced a bill that would mandate nurse staffing levels in hospitals in an effort to create better working conditions.

Tallahassee, FL — Legislation in Florida that would strengthen criminal penalties for assault or battery on hospital workers has advanced out of two Senate committees.

Washington — OSHA is requesting feedback as it considers developing a possible standard aimed at preventing workplace violence in the health care and social assistance industries.

Edmonton, Alberta — A recent study of workers’ compensation claims filed by workers in long-term care facilities shows that the majority involved care aides and musculoskeletal injuries.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency wants feedback as it considers a training program for health care providers on recognizing, treating and reporting pesticide-related illnesses and injuries.

Toronto — Most workers who use cannabis to treat work-related injuries and illnesses do so without medical guidance or authorization, a recent study out of Canada suggests.

Washington — Health care workers are reporting burnout and poor mental health at levels higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bozeman, MT — Industries in which workers are prone to sleep loss should develop and adopt policies that prioritize sleep to ensure better daytime function and well-being, researchers say.

Denver — Legislation recently introduced in Colorado would require hospitals, freestanding ERs, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and federally qualified health centers to establish a workplace violence prevention committee.

Salem, OR — Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in Oregon would strengthen the penalty for assaulting a hospital worker and require hospitals to work harder on preventing violence.

Pittsburgh — Respiratory Protection Week, intended to promote proper respiratory protection practices via the sharing of related research findings and educational tools, is set for Sept. 3-6.

The SparxLift Welding Helmet, designed for use with Bullard’s EVA Powered Air-Purifying Respirator, provides welders and grinders with NIOSH-approved respiratory protection and ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010 high-impact face protection in a single package.

Designed for demanding industrial welding and grinding applications, the Titanium 9400i Welding Helmet’s integrated grind shield allows users to weld and grind without removing the helmet, providing a 180-degree view for increased versatility and safety.

Backed by a three-year warranty, the new generation of VIKING Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets offers better optical quality and durability.

The Loner Safety Monitoring Device provides instant emergency alerting accompanied by real-time location information, allowing organizations to exceed worker safety regulations.

The Tango TX1 single-gas monitor features a three-year run time and DualSense Technology that increases worker safety – regardless of bump-test frequency – while reducing overall maintenance costs.

Annapolis, MD — Legislation recently introduced in Maryland would allow multiple speed cameras in work zones and raise fines for speeding offenses.

Washington — NIOSH will continue to research how construction sites that use robotics can be kept safe for workers, agency Director John Howard says.

New York — The New York State Supreme Court has indicted a company for operating a “sham safety training school” connected to the death of a “trainee” on a construction site.

Toronto — The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association has published a guide on reducing the risk of struck-by incidents in the workplace.

New York — The New York City Department of Buildings has issued a construction advisory on the dangers of aging brick facades, which could create unsafe conditions that lead to catastrophic events.

Springfield, IL — Legislation that would require driver’s education courses to feature lessons on worker and driver safety in highway constructions zones is advancing in the Illinois Legislature.

Silver Spring, MD — Developing a strong safety climate on construction worksites can improve safety outcomes, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training says in a new video.

Silver Spring, MD — Thirty-nine workers died while performing trench/excavation work in 2022, up from 15 in 2021, according to a new report from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training.

Blacksburg, VA — Construction employers can help stem the industry’s elevated suicide rates by enhancing their crisis management skills via training, as well as providing flexible leave policies and counseling.

Arlington, VA — Recent changes to an American National Standards Institute/International Safety Equipment Association consensus standard are intended to enhance worker and facility protections from dropped objects on jobsites.

Albany, NY — Two separate bills recently introduced in New York state are both aimed at protecting workers and drivers in highway work zones.