S+H Staff

Washington – NIOSH has developed a new five-year research and prevention plan aimed at reducing work-related deaths caused by motor vehicle crashes – the leading cause of worker fatalities.

Washington – The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration must make improvements to its oversight of state pipeline safety programs, concludes an audit released May 7 by the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.

Boston – Workers who are exposed to paint, glue or degreaser fumes may experience cognitive issues such as memory loss during retirement, according to a recent study from the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies.

Washington – Electronic logging devices used to track truck drivers’ compliance with federal hours-of-service regulations help prevent HOS violations and crashes, according to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-sponsored report issued in April.

Washington – Children of smokers become more likely to take up the habit – and become heavy smokers – the longer the parent smokes, according to a study from the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Chicago – Even light physical activity such as pushing a shopping cart or vacuuming – when done daily – may help reduce a person’s risk of disability, according to a new study.

Phoenix – OSHA’s threat to take away Arizona’s oversight of construction safety – prompted by alleged inadequacies in the state’s fall protection standard – is unnecessary in light of recently passed legislation, an attorney representing the state said in a May 1 letter to the federal agency.

National Safety Month is around the corner

Cambridge, MA – Narcotics are frequently prescribed within the workers’ compensation system to help relieve pain among injured workers, and the prescribing frequency varies from state to state, according to a new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

Washington – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing a rule that would prohibit carriers, shippers, receivers and other entities from forcing truck and bus drivers to violate federal regulations so shipments or passengers can be delivered faster.