Washington – After 16 days, the federal government shutdown that ceased the majority of OSHA operations concluded with the passage of a bill to fund the government.

Washington – Prompted by the 2013 fire and explosion that killed 12 firefighters at a Texas fertilizer facility, as well as other recent incidents, OSHA is considering the development of a standard on emergency response and preparedness.

Washington – President Barack Obama has nominated Mark Rosekind to be administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Boston – Elected heads of government may face an increased risk of early death compared with runner-up candidates who did not go on to serve in government, according to a study from Harvard Medical School.

Washington – The Department of Labor should consider alternatives to its proposal that would require federal contractors to provide paid sick leave to their workers, the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy wrote in an April 6 letter.

Lincoln, NE – Nebraska prison officials need to address inmate violence against employees – as well as the overall safety culture – in the state’s correctional facilities, according to the results of a survey of correctional workers released June 1 by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Washington – The House of Representatives has voted to block the so-called “blacklisting” rule that sought to force federal contractors to disclose previous labor-law violations.

Washington – After a narrow vote in the Senate, the so-called “blacklisting” rule that sought to force federal contractors to disclose previous labor-law violations is all but eliminated.

Washington – Mandatory guidelines for drug testing of federal employees have been updated to include testing for four semi-synthetic opioids, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently announced.

Boston – Massachusetts is closer to extending OSHA protections to an estimated 400,000 public workers after the state’s House on Oct. 25 voted unanimously in favor of a bill (H. 3952) that boosts safety standards for all state and municipal government employees.

Washington — The White House Office of Management and Budget has launched an initiative designed to enhance workplace safety and health – and, in turn, reduce injuries – among federal employees.

Washington — Federal employees need more comprehensive guidance from the Office of Personnel Management before they return to the workplace amid the COVID-19 pandemic, House Democrats contended during a June 25 virtual hearing convened by the House Government Operations Subcommittee.

Washington — Former OSHA administrator David Michaels is among three new members named to President-elect Joe Biden’s Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board, Biden’s transition team announced in a Nov. 28 press release.

Washington — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) presided as the chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for the first time on Feb. 9.

Washington — OSHA will conduct a free, three-day training event for federal employees who are responsible for their agencies’ workplace safety and health.

Washington — Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Alma Adams (D-NC) are asking Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, to convene a hearing on child labor violations.

Washington — Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Alma Adams (D-NC) are again asking Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, to convene a hearing on child labor violations.

Washington — A pair of House Democrats are requesting a Department of Labor investigation into potential risks of child labor and occupational safety and health violations in youth workforce programs.

The Certified Environmental, Safety & Health Trainer is a certification dedicated to expertise in the developing, designing and delivering of safety, health and environmental training. The Safety Trained Supervisor certification provides a means for employers to verifysafety and health knowledge of first-line supervisors and managers.

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The Fas-Trac III Ratchet Suspension from MSA was designed for use with market-leading MSA helmets. Our extensive customer research showed that the Fas-Trac III Ratchet Suspension was preferred by more than 95 percent of users versus what they currently were wearing because it improved comfort, retention and stability.

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Quality plastic chain and and stanchions bring awareness to potential hazardous situations.

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The Mount Vernon FR line of AMTEX TC flame-resistant fabrics combines comfort, strength and a high level of protection so workers don’t have to make tradeoffs. The fabrics speak to the unique needs of the FR industry, as they increase both comfort and durability without sacrificing protection.

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We supply assorted ribbons, webbing and other narrow fabrics with various widths of 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material laminated to the surface for your applications: apparel, vests and accessories. We also laminate reflective material to your ribbon or webbing. Optional home and industrial wash and flame-resistant products are available.

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MCR Safety is proud to introduce its new line of FR gear with Max Comfort fabric, including work shirts, denim jeans, solid coveralls and coveralls with reflective materials. All products have a lifetime FR guarantee and meet category HRC2, NFPA 2112 and NFPA 70E UL certification. Visit www.mcrsafety.com or call (800) 955-6887 for all your safety gear needs.

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Junkin Safety Appliance Company manufactures and distributes a variety of safety and rescue equipment including basket stretchers, plastic stretchers, aluminum break-apart stretchers, air-rescue stretchers, aluminum and steel pole stretchers with vinyl covers, stretcher kits, stretcher accessories, wooden and polyethylene backboards, first aid equipment and fire blankets. For more information visit junkinsafety.com or email: junkinsafety@aol.com.

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J.J. Keller’s new "Back Safety: Keep Your Back in Action" training program helps educate your employees on maintaining a healthy back and taking preventive measures to avoid accidents and injuries. This DVD-based training also is available in pay-per-view and online formats.

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With occupational safety and health online degrees offered at various levels, Columbia Southern University can provide the education needed for success. Contact CSU today to learn how our affordable tuition can help you take your career to the next level!

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The Guarddog Self-Closing Safety Gate from BlueWater Manufacturing Inc. is tough, durable and easy to install. The gate is available in powder-coated, galvanized and stainless steel finishes, as well as in five nominal sizes. Provide your employees with the best safety gate available with the Guarddog.

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Experience the benefits of thenew 3M^TM Adflo^TM Turbo Assembly with High Altitude Compensation. With this version, you can work at altitudes from sea level up to approximately 10,000 feet with the HE filter, and up to approximately 5,000 feet when using the OV/AG cartridge.

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Tumwater, WA — A new online training course from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is intended to enhance safety and comfort for all drivers.

New York — Sitting while watching TV may be more harmful to your cardiovascular health than sitting at work, researchers from Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons suggest.

London — Use of wheeled waste collection bins – instead of bags, boxes or baskets – may reduce musculoskeletal injuries and lost worktime among sanitation workers, according to a recent study out of the United Kingdom.

Silver Spring, MD — The rate of nonfatal, work-related musculoskeletal disorders requiring days away from work in the construction industry has continued to decline, while the median DAFW for such injuries remains on the rise, according to a recent report from the Center for Construction Research and Training – also known as CPWR.

Bilbao, Spain — A new virtual toolkit from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, also known as EU-OSHA, consists of a series of videos aimed at helping workers understand their risk of musculoskeletal disorders and how to prevent them.

DeKalb, IL — Programmers and developers of virtual reality applications should focus on minimizing potential ergonomic hazards for users of this fast-growing technology, say researchers from Northern Illinois and Oregon State universities.

Tumwater, WA — For people working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new fact sheet from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries explains how to set up a safe and efficient home workstation.

Cincinnati — Millions of people working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic may be sitting at improperly arranged workstations that increase their risk of eye, head, neck, back, shoulder, wrist and forearm stress and strain injuries, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by University of Cincinnati researchers.

New York — The average U.S. adult now spends six hours a day sitting – four hours longer than before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic – and they’re feeling more aches and pains because of it, results of a recent survey show.

Waterloo, Ontario — A Canadian safety group has added three posters – focused on reducing the risk of MSD injuries in the knees, shoulders and lower back – to its musculoskeletal injury prevention resource library.

Washington — NIOSH has updated its mobile app designed to help mine workers assess the ergonomics of common job tasks and identify potential worksite safety hazards.

Detroit — Workers in construction and manufacturing may experience a “significantly higher incidence” of carpal tunnel syndrome compared with office workers, results of a recent study by researchers from the Henry Ford Health System show.

In Episode 19, the S+H editorial team discusses the benefits and challenges of being a one-person safety team. Also: Julia Abate, executive director of The Ergonomics Center at North Carolina State University, answers our questions about ergonomic concerns as more workers return to their physical work locations.

Munster, Germany — Neck and shoulder problems are common musculoskeletal disorders among dentists, leading more than 1 out of 5 to seek medical care, a recent study out of Germany shows.

Washington — NIOSH has published a booklet intended to help miners learn about reducing their exposure to respirable dust in metal and nonmetal mines while lowering their risk for musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries.

Olympia, WA — Legislation that would restore Washington state regulations requiring employers to establish practices intended to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders was approved by the state House on Feb. 15.

Palma, Spain — Hotel beds with lifting systems can help reduce injuries among housekeepers by at least half, results of a recent study by a safety agency in Spain’s Balearic Islands suggest.

Bilbao, Spain — Employee participation in workplace interventions that target musculoskeletal disorders “strengthens the possibility for identification of the most relevant health problems,” according to a new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

Four special mini episodes focus on National Safety Month, observed every June. Each episode highlights a different weekly theme throughout the month: musculoskeletal disorders; workplace impairment; injury prevention; and slips, trips and falls. Listen to all four now.

Itasca, IL — A new white paper from the National Safety Council details effective interventions to help prevent or reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Itasca, IL — In another effort to help organizations prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the National Safety Council’s MSD Solutions Lab conducted its inaugural MSD Pledge: Small Business Summit on Oct. 13.