S+H Staff

Washington – OSHA soon will publish a final rule aimed at simplifying standards and reducing employer burdens, the agency announced May 26.

Baltimore – Handshakes may not spread as many harmful germs as people may believe, suggests research recently released by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Atlanta – Despite having similar or lower injury and illness rates than younger workers, the length of time older workers are absent because of injuries and illnesses increases steadily with age, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Beckley, WV – The explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine-South that killed 29 miners on April 5, 2010, was a “man-made” disaster that could have been prevented if Massey Energy had followed basic safety procedures, a new report concludes.

Washington – To assist employers with federal reporting requirements for occupational injuries and illnesses, OSHA has launched an online tool.

Washington – Select private-sector employers will be asked to complete a survey to help OSHA design future rules, compliance assistance and outreach efforts, the agency announced May 23.

Kuopio, Finland – Musculoskeletal pain, obesity and smoking can increase the risk of lower back disorders that result in work disability, indicates a study published in the May Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Washington – The National Council of La Raza, a Latino advocacy group, on May 24 published a report detailing the experiences of Latino workers and announced a partnership with OSHA to increase awareness and offer training.

Offered in conjunction with National CPR/AED Awareness Week, the Standard First Aid, CPR and AED online course will be offered for free from June 1 to 7.

Tempe, AZ – School closings and social distancing measures helped limit transmission of influenza in Mexico during the 2009 pandemic, indicates research released May 25 by the Fogarty International Center at the National Institutes of Health.