News

Washington — The Mine Safety and Health Administration is updating its metal and nonmetal mining regulations to incorporate advances in electronic detonators.

Blacksburg, VA — Researchers at Virginia Tech have launched a project aimed at boosting the effectiveness of dust scrubbers in underground mining to enhance dust control and improve miner safety.

State College, PA — Using a 3D device on a microchip that mimics the behavior of human lungs, researchers from Penn State University will use a $400,000 grant from NIOSH to study the effects of nano-scale coal dust on the lungs of underground miners, the university has announced.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final list of an additional 20 chemicals designated as high-priority substances for risk evaluation under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.

Toronto — Approximately two-thirds of custodial workers in Ontario public schools may be exposed to asbestos-containing material, and some may not be aware of their risk or have the skills to work safely in areas where asbestos is present, according to a recently released report from the Occupational Cancer Research Center.

Manhattan, KS — The Kansas Department of Agriculture has created a website intended to provide resources and support for farmers and ranchers coping with ag-related stress and mental health issues.

New York — Nearly 9 out of 10 workers say they’re concerned about their ability to support a colleague who has cancer or another serious illness, results of a recent survey show.

Washington — In response to a petition for rulemaking, the Federal Railroad Administration is delaying by 16 months the implementation dates of its Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees regulation.

New Orleans — Trampoline-related fractures among children increased an average of nearly 3.9% over a recent 10-year period, coinciding with the rise in popularity of trampoline parks and gyms, say researchers from Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has extended to Jan. 21 the comment period on a draft risk evaluation for the chemical substance N-methylpyrrolidone, also known as NMP.