News

San Diego — A U.S. Department of Agriculture proposal to remove maximum line speeds in pork-processing plants “will translate into even more illness and injury” among workers, according to the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.

Washington — Public Citizen has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Labor and OSHA, alleging that the agencies illegally violated OSHA’s Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses final rule by denying requests the watchdog group submitted under the Freedom of Information Act.

Pittsburgh — The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the National Association of State EMS Officials have partnered on a set of guidelines aimed at reducing work-related fatigue among emergency medical services workers.

Washington — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration are moving to repeal a 2015 requirement for electronically controlled pneumatic brakes on rail cars that carry large volumes of flammable liquids, according to a notice published in the Dec. 13 Federal Register.

Elk Grove Village, IL — Wellness programs and insurance coverage that includes bariatric surgery can help manage worker obesity and alleviate its economic costs to employers, according to a recently released guidance statement from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Richmond, VA — Recognizing nurses for their compassionate care can boost morale and reduce their emotional stress, a recent study from Virginia Commonwealth University suggests.

Washington — An updated contingency plan released by the Department of Labor during the short-lived federal government shutdown could serve as a guideline should another hiatus occur next month.

New York — The number of OSHA inspectors fell 4 percent over the first nine months of 2017, according to information obtained by NBC News through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Washington — Employers required to keep and maintain an OSHA 300 injury and illness log must publicly post their 300A summary sheet from Feb. 1 to April 30.

Washington — Scott Mugno, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead OSHA, received a second approval from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Jan. 18, and now awaits confirmation from the full Senate.