News

Washington — Teen drivers are up to seven times more likely to be involved in a crash if they’re distracted by smartphones or other items, results of a recent National Institutes of Health study show.

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration is extending to Sept. 25, 2020, the deadline for a Request for Information on ways to monitor and regulate miner exposure to diesel exhaust in underground mines.

Washington — OSHA, NIOSH and a number of safety organizations – including the National Safety Council – are teaming up for the third annual Safe + Sound Week, set for Aug. 12-18.

Cambridge, MA — More than half of U.S. states have not adopted medical treatment guidelines for workers’ compensation cases, a recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute shows.

New York — OSHA enforcement activity “continues to decline” under the Trump administration, according to the National Employment Law Project, citing the agency’s own metrics. The advocacy group also claims that OSHA’s fatality/catastrophe investigations climbed to their highest level in a decade in fiscal year 2018.

Washington — Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) have reintroduced the Healthy Families Act (S. 840 and H.R. 1516), legislation that would allow workers to annually accrue up 56 hours of paid sick leave.

Washington — Offices in the legislative branch should be required to comply with investigative subpoenas related to workplace safety and health, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights states in its biennial report to Congress, issued March 4.

Boston — Frequent changes to health care environments and protocol have contributed to an increased rate of burnout among physicians – creating a public health crisis that “urgently demands action,” a recent report from the Harvard Global Health Institute concludes.

Dallas — Nearly half of U.S. adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, based on a recent change in the threshold for high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association’s annual report on heart disease and stroke.