Washington — A House committee has approved legislation that would set a limit on how long an acting secretary can lead the Department of Labor.

Albany, NY — Public school districts in New York will be required to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs, under a new state law set to go into effect Jan 4.

Tallahassee, FL — Recently introduced legislation in Florida would lift restrictions on the number of hours 16- and 17-year-olds can work, and when.

Washington — A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers have introduced a joint Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal the National Labor Relations Board’s recently revised joint employer rule.

Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the House would equip OSHA and the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division with “the resources needed to tackle federal labor law violations.”

Washington — The House has passed a Congressional Review Act resolution intended to nullify the National Labor Relations Board’s recent rule revising the definition of “joint employer.”

Washington — New bipartisan legislation is intended to better protect workers and visitors in federal buildings.

Tallahassee, FL — Legislation that would prohibit local municipalities, counties or any other “political subdivision” in Florida from enacting regulations requiring worker protections against heat exposure is awaiting the governor’s approval.

Washington — Two senators have reintroduced a bill to establish the 32-hour workweek as an American standard.

Providence, RI — Rhode Island lawmakers have reintroduced legislation intended to protect workers from psychological abuse – such as bullying – on the job.

Washington — A pair of House Democrats have introduced legislation that would “prohibit, or require disclosure of, the surveillance, monitoring and collection of certain worker data by employers.”

Sacramento, CA — Legislation recently introduced in California would help ensure workers have uninterrupted personal time by establishing a “right to disconnect” from emails, texts and calls outside of work hours.

Washington — Legislation aimed at strengthening Department of Labor civil penalties will be introduced soon, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) announced April 30.

Trenton, NJ — New Jersey’s Senate Labor Committee has advanced a bill that would require the state to establish a heat stress standard by June 1, 2025.

Hartford, CT — Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) has signed into law legislation that expands the state’s 13-year-old paid sick leave law.

Springfield, IL — Legislation intended to protect workers from retaliatory conduct by employers, as well as strengthen current protections under Illinois state law, is awaiting approval from Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D).

Denver — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) has signed legislation that includes funding aimed at establishing recovery friendly workplaces and supporting people in recovery from substance use disorders.

St. Paul, MN — Legislation recently signed into law by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) updates excavation safety statutes with utility worker safety in mind.

Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the Senate is aimed at ensuring firefighters and other workers are properly trained to respond to emergencies involving electric vehicles.

Washington — Legislation recently introduced by House Democrats would increase fines for workplace safety and child labor violations.

Springfield, IL — Workers in Illinois now have protections against retaliatory conduct by employers.

Albany, NY — Retail workers in New York now have more protections against workplace violence and harassment, under a new state law.

Sacramento, CA — Naloxone hydrochloride or another Food and Drug Administration-approved opioid-reversal medication must be included in all workplace first aid kits in California no later than Dec. 1, 2028.

New York — Both city and state legislation and public health initiatives are needed to protect outdoor workers in New York City from extreme temperatures and poor air quality, according to a new report.

Boca Raton, FL — “Mental injuries” (such as post-traumatic stress disorder), cannabis and independent contractors were among the top workers’ compensation-related issues that state legislatures focused on this year, a new report shows.

New York — Hotel operators in New York City now must provide panic buttons to their workers, under a new law signed by Mayor Eric Adams (D) on Nov. 4.

The presence of automated external defibrillators in the workplace can be a lifesaver if a co-worker becomes unresponsive or suffers cardiac arrest.

Shock is a medical emergency that “may result from trauma, heatstroke, blood loss, an allergic reaction, severe infection, poisoning, severe burns or other causes,” according to Rochester, MN-based Mayo Clinic.

In 2012, exposure to electricity resulted in 156 work-related deaths and 1,730 cases with days away from work, according to the 2015 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts.”

In the event of an emergency, having a properly working eyewash station is crucial. And keeping your eyewash station clean and free of contaminants is part of that.

A choking incident can occur anywhere – including the weekly staff meeting or at someone’s desk. If you saw a co-worker choking, would you be ready to help?

If a co-worker is choking, you need to act quickly. If the person is able to cough forcefully, encourage him or her to continue to clear the object.

A corneal abrasion occurs when a person’s cornea – the clear, domed covering over the eye’s iris and pupil – is scraped or scratched.

Puncture wounds can be serious. They often have small openings, but the objects tend to go in deep, which can make the injured worker vulnerable to a blood infection.

In Episode 31, the S+H editorial team dives into the September issue’s feature story on setting up a volunteer first aid response team in your workplace, and discusses the ins and outs of worker engagement and buy-in with Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety.

An AED is used to assess a person’s heart rhythm during a medical emergency. After reading the rhythm, it will administer an electric shock, if needed, to help restore a normal heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest.

Will you be working in hot conditions? You’ll need to take steps to protect yourself from the heat.

In Episode 48, the S+H team examines the February issue’s CEO’s Who “Get It” feature and some of OSHA’s most unique cases. Also, National Safety Council colleague Maria Cordova joins the podcast to discuss the benefits of first aid at work in the “Five Questions With …” segment.

Workrite has a new line of 3M Thinsulate^TM Platinum FR outerwear. It’s warmer and less bulky than standard insulated FR workwear.

Exclusively developed for Mechanix Wear^®, the Material4X® Original® Glove features synthetic leather that redefines durability with superior wear, higher abrasion and greater tear resistance than standard synthetic work gloves.

The NEW Justin Original Workboots 10-inch steel toe logger offers Vibram Tacoma TC4 Plus outsole, padded collars, Dri-Lex lining, heavy duty waxed laces and the Justin Jel removable orthotic with mesh spacer footbed cover.

OLIVER^® Safety Footwear is uniquely suited for workers in the most extreme working conditions — mining, oil and gas, heavy metal fabrication and construction.

Working alone presents employees with a number of challenges. Yet lone work is not inherently unsafe, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety in Hamilton, Ontario.

A lone worker is defined as a worker who cannot be seen or heard by another person, and cannot expect a visit from another employee.

Drowsy driving is responsible for more than 6,400 U.S. deaths annually, according to the National Sleep Foundation, and you’re three times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle-related crash if you’re driving tired.

Miners working alone should always tell a responsible person their location and travel path through a mine, the Mine Safety and Health Administration says.

Knowing which type of respirator to use – and how use it properly – is crucial to protecting chimney sweeps from exposure to airborne hazards, NIOSH says in a fact sheet.

People who work on or around roller-compactors are at risk for rollover or struck-by injuries, according to NIOSH. Although rollover injuries and fatalities can be reduced by increased use of safety belts and rollover protective structures, the agency stresses that a safe work space and appropriate training are vital to preventing injuries related to rollers.

Operating heavy machinery can create significant hazards on a construction site.

According to the 2014 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts,” contact with objects and equipment was responsible for 15.1 percent of workplace deaths by event or exposure in 2011.