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Feeling burned out at work? Get moving, researchers say

Ann Arbor, MI — Even moderate exercise can help keep workers from feeling burned out, results of a recent study show.




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A ‘second summer’ forecast includes risks of high heat, wildfires

State College, PA — The threats of high heat and wildfires are expected to persist well into autumn, AccuWeather says – meaning workers could be at risk.




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Spending time in nature a popular way to relieve stress, survey finds

Around half of adults – and 58% of parents – visit local parks or spend time in nature to help relieve stress, results of a recent survey show.




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Job stress may contribute to A-fib development

Quebec City — Work-related stress may heighten the risk of developing atrial fibrillation later in life, results of a recent study out of Canada indicate.




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‘Touching base’ on mental health can lead to significant improvements: study

Philadelphia — Automated text message reminders about a digital mental health platform helped decrease the symptoms of depression and anxiety among health care workers in a recent study from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.




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Both workers and CEOs face mental health challenges: survey

Denver — Half of workers have experienced a mental health issue in the past year, results of a recent survey show.




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Senate bill would provide $10B to fund research on long COVID

Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the Senate would provide $1 billion in mandatory funding per year for 10 years to the National Institutes of Health to support research on long COVID-19.




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Does your work desk affect your health and productivity?

College Station, TX — People who work at desks may find that switching to a standing desk from a traditional model reduces discomfort – and also boosts productivity, results of a recent study show.




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As people’s mental effort increases, so do negative feelings: study

Nijmegen, Netherlands — “The greater the mental effort, the greater the unpleasantness experienced by participants,” a recent study by Dutch researchers concludes.




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Which hourly workers leave their shifts ‘feeling good’?

San Francisco — Hourly employees in the supply chain sector “need support,” a software provider’s study of worker happiness shows.




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Digital work may have a detrimental effect on mental health

Nottingham, England — Workers who are worried about missing out on information but also feel overloaded by it are more likely to experience stress and burnout, according to a recent study.




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Drinking alcohol and sleeping on planes not a heart-healthy combo, study finds

Do you like to imbibe in a little alcohol on your flight, and then settle in for a nap? German researchers are warning that the combination may be harmful for your heart – especially during long flights.




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Commutes are a time for unhealthy eating and ‘food mishaps,’ study finds

Miami — Unhealthy fast food – as well as risky driving while eating behind the wheel – is part of an estimated 122 million Americans’ commutes, results of a recent study suggest.




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Weekend catch-up sleep may be good for your heart

Using the weekend to make up for the sleep you missed during the week could help reduce your risk of developing heart disease, researchers say.




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Understanding long COVID: Workers’ comp insurer publishes pamphlet for employers

Albany, NY — People who continue to experience COVID-19 symptoms at least three months after contracting the virus have what’s known as “long COVID.”




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Online game shows how workers experience ‘social determinants of health’

Chicago — A new online game developed by the Center for Healthy Work at the University of Illinois Chicago demonstrates how different workers in an organization are impacted by social determinants of health.




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NIOSH initiative focuses on brain health in the workforce

Washington — Optimizing the health and performance of workers’ brains is the goal of a new NIOSH initiative.




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NSC white paper on MSDs looks at ‘non-physical’ risk factors

Washington — Work organization, job stress and other non-physical risk factors “cannot be ignored” when assessing the likelihood of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, according to a new white paper from the National Safety Council.




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Could artificial light boost shift workers’ sleep and job performance?

Adelaide, Australia — Exposing night shift workers to artificial light on the job may improve their sleep and reduce human error, a recent study shows.




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Survey asks about 40-hour workweeks, flexibility and stress

Guaynabo, Puerto Rico — Seven out of 10 workers think employers should reconsider the 40-hour workweek, according to the results of a recent survey from job search website FlexJobs.




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Can knee exoskeletons make lifting tasks safer?

Ann Arbor, MI — University of Michigan researchers have developed and tested a set of knee exoskeletons that they say help counteract fatigue during lifting and carrying tasks.




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Delaying diabetes may yield long-term health benefits

If you have prediabetes, making positive diet and exercise changes that delay the onset of diabetes “for just four years” can reduce your long-term risk of diabetes-related health problems and death, researchers say.




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BLS: Nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses decrease in 2023

Washington — Workers in private industry experienced fewer injuries and illnesses on the job last year than in 2022, according to Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses data released Nov. 8 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.




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Caregiving for family members takes a toll on workers: report

Chicago — One out of 5 workers who take a leave of absence to care for others later take leave for a medical condition of their own, results of a new analysis show.




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‘Structure Fires Caused by Hot Work’: New report from NFPA

Quincy, MA — Hot work hazards sparked nearly 3,400 structure fires a year over a recent five-year period, according to new report from the National Fire Protection Association.




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OSHA asks for input on GHS for UN meetings

Washington — OSHA has scheduled a public meeting for Nov. 15 in advance of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.




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EPA seeks to increase protections for two toxic chemicals

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency wants to strengthen restrictions on two persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals already regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976.




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Women in frontline roles need more support: report

New York — Women in frontline jobs say their safety and well-being needs often go unacknowledged, according to a recently published report.




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Safety board investigation of explosion at paint and coatings plant leads to recommendations

Washington — Chemical facilities should be confirming that equipment can function within the safe operating limits documented in process safety guidance while ensuring quality during all situations – including emergencies, the Chemical Safety Board says.




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California adopts emergency temporary standard on silica exposure

Adopted on Dec. 14, the ETS is set to go into effect Dec. 29.




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Second extension for USDA pork processing line speed trial

Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it’s extending a trial of faster line speeds at select pork-processing facilities so it can design a study to assess worker safety.




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‘Extraordinary effort’: Chemical Safety Board eliminates investigation backlog

Washington — A long-standing Chemical Safety Board concern is no more: The agency has cleared its backlog of open investigations and incident reports.




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EPA to review five more toxic chemicals for risk evaluation

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has initiated its 12-month review process to prioritize five toxic chemicals for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act.




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Washington state updates decades-old rules on refinery safety

Tumwater, WA — Process safety management-focused updates to Washington state’s workplace safety rules for petroleum refineries are set to go into effect Dec. 27.




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EPA shifts away from animal testing to assess eye irritation

Washington — A new Environmental Protection Agency decision framework for determining the eye irritation or corrosion potential of new chemicals aims to “provide results more relevant to humans” – without animal testing.




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‘Incredibly destructive’: Safety board publishes report on fatal dust explosion

Washington — Hazards related to combustible dust “must be controlled beyond the existing regulatory requirements,” says the Chemical Safety Board, which has renewed its call on OSHA to begin rulemaking on a general industry standard.




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EPA requests feedback on draft risk evaluation for TCEP

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on a draft risk evaluation that states tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, or TCEP, poses “unreasonable risk” to workers under certain conditions.




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Safety board calls for an OSHA standard on liquid nitrogen

Washington — Chemical facilities that handle hazardous gases or cryogenic asphyxiants such as liquid nitrogen should maintain atmospheric monitoring and alarm systems and educate workers on hazards.




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Safety board report offers insight into emergency response planning

Washington — Swiftly isolating chemical releases and keeping workers safe “should not be mutually exclusive,” the Chemical Safety Board says.




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CSB looks to the future after clearing backlog of open investigations

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board is “very determined” to avoid an investigation backlog similar to the one it recently cleared, board Chair Steve Owens said during the agency’s first public business meeting of 2024.




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OSHA updates enforcement policy on process safety management

Washington — OSHA has updated its process safety management enforcement policy for the first time in 30 years.




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Raising TSCA implementation fees will bring ‘faster protections,’ EPA says

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency expects a final rule that would increase fees to defray administration costs of the Toxic Substances Control Act to bolster chemical-review efficiency and safety protections.




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Exposure to common ‘forever’ chemicals linked to risk factor for heart disease: study

Nanjing, China — A recent study highlighting the expected ties between exposure to cancer-causing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, and a risk factor for heart disease could impact workers.




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USDA announces another extension of pork-processing line speed trial

Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has again extended a trial of faster line speeds at select pork-processing facilities, saying it’s continuing to study the effect on worker safety.




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EPA says new rule will protect chemical facilities and communities

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is aiming to “improve safety at facilities that use and distribute hazardous chemicals,” as well as protect nearby communities, via a final rule.




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EPA is banning the import and use of asbestos

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency will ban the use and import of chrysotile asbestos – a known human carcinogen – under a final rule announced March 18.




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OSHA hazard alert addresses rise in injuries in food processing

Washington — A new hazard alert from OSHA is aimed at increasing awareness and ensuring actions are being taken to reduce the “alarming number” of serious, preventable injuries in poultry, meat and other food processing establishments.




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EPA wants feedback on draft risk evaluation for formaldehyde

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is accepting public comment on a draft risk evaluation that states the chemical substance formaldehyde poses “unreasonable risk” to workers under certain conditions.




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EPA proposal eyes additional reporting of chemical data

Washington — Chemical manufacturers and importers of 16 different chemicals would be required to submit data from unpublished health and safety studies, under a recently announced Environmental Protection Agency proposed rule.




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EPA rule will mandate response plans for weather-related chemical discharges

Washington — More than 5,300 industrial facilities must submit plans for responding to “worst case” chemical discharges into waterways during adverse weather events, under a new Environmental Protection Agency final rule.