News

Washington — A bipartisan bill that would allow drivers younger than 21 to operate commercial motor vehicles interstate is “a step toward safety,” American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear said during a Feb. 4 hearing convened by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee’s Transportation and Safety Subcommittee.

Silver Spring, MD — A projected five-year study on the use of exoskeletons to curb ergonomics issues in construction is in need of participants for the first of its four phases, researchers said during a Jan. 29 webinar facilitated by CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training.

Washington — Effective Feb. 4, OSHA has revived its National Emphasis Program on respirable crystalline silica for general industry, maritime and construction to “identify and reduce or eliminate” silica-related hazards.

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board has issued a long-anticipated final rule that requires owners or operators of chemical facilities to report to the agency within eight hours certain information regarding incidental releases of hazardous chemicals resulting in death, serious injury or substantial property damage.

Washington — The Department of Labor’s discretionary funding would be cut 10.5%, while the Chemical Safety Board and OSHA’s Susan Harwood Training Grant Program are facing elimination once again, under President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2021 budget proposal.

Itasca, IL — Evidence-based prevention programs that address prescription opioid misuse among young people are needed, say researchers at the University of Michigan and the National Safety Council, whose recent study showed that about 1 out of 10 young adults and 1 out of 20 adolescents have misused prescription opioids.

Oakland, CA — In response to the coronavirus outbreak, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health – or Cal/OSHA – has published interim guidance on requirements for health care employers to protect workers from exposure.

Triangle Park, NC — Use of permanent hair dye or chemical hair straighteners may increase women’s risk of breast cancer – and more so with each treatment, researchers at the National Institutes of Health and the University of North Carolina caution.

Buffalo, NY — Are fast-food burgers and sweet treats a regular part of your diet? If so, you may be putting yourself at risk for late-stage age-related macular degeneration – a leading cause of vision loss in people older than 60 – according to researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Silver Spring, MD — A new hazard alert from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training highlights ways to recognize and control hazards associated with radiofrequency radiation exposure.