S+H Staff

Washington — Longtime AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka died from a reported heart attack Aug. 5. He was 72.

Washington — The House passed a package of seven appropriations bills – including one that would give budget increases to worker safety agencies – with a 219-208 vote July 29.

Greenbelt, MD — An unannounced inspection blitz of commercial motor vehicles resulted in 12.6% of those checked being placed out of service for brake-related violations, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance recently announced.

Chicago — OSHA has launched a pair of Regional Emphasis Programs focused on reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities among workers involved in transportation tank cleaning operations in the Midwest and South.

Columbia, SC — South Carolina OSHA has announced its plan to adopt a standard on infectious diseases in the workplace, including COVID-19.

Silver Spring, MD — Severe thunderstorm warnings from the National Weather Service will now be accompanied by a “damage threat” label, and NWS will activate emergency alerts on nearby cellphones for storms considered “destructive.”

Itasca, IL — Learn the basics of safe forklift operation with the new virtual instructor-led Lift Truck Operator Training course from the National Safety Council. Striking the right balance between in-person classroom training and self-paced online training, the OSHA-compliant course’s interactive design integrates group-based activities and hazard-based scenarios presented with graphically rich visual materials.

Oakland, CA — The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health – also known as Cal/OSHA – is reminding employers to protect workers from unhealthy air resulting from wildfire smoke.

Silver Spring, MD — The nation’s largest union and professional association of direct care registered nurses is urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to update agency guidance and reinstate the “recommendation to everyone to wear masks in public or in physical proximity to others outside their own household.”

Washington — Amid concerns from stakeholders – including a trade association representing chemical manufacturers – a trio of Chemical Safety Board nominees defended their qualifications during a July 29 confirmation hearing before the Senate Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight Subcommittee.