News

Boston – Exposure to formaldehyde during the embalming process may put male funeral directors at increased risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, according to a study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Washington – House Republicans are calling on the Obama administration to withdraw a proposed requirement that would force federal contractors to disclose labor law violations.

Bologna, Italy – International scientific academy Collegium Ramazzini is emphasizing its position that all use of asbestos should be banned.

Washington – The Department of Labor and the Kentucky Labor Cabinet have signed an agreement to ensure employees in the Bluegrass State are not misclassified as independent contractors.

Washington – The Department of Labor has extended to Aug. 11 the deadline for public comment on proposed guidance for the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order.

Atlanta – Food industry workers have a 60 percent higher rate of occupational injury or illness than workers in other industries, according to a study from Emory University.

Atlanta – Sedentary work can be detrimental to health, but no conclusion can be reached on how many hours per day a worker should sit or stand, experts said July 13 during a NIOSH Total Worker Health webinar.

Honolulu – Injured public employees in Hawaii must complete a return-to-work program before receiving vocational rehabilitation benefits, under a new state law.

Lansing, MI – Training videos on more than 40 workplace safety and health topics are now available to stream instantly through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ lending library.

Washington – A new OSHA directive based on public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates procedures for carrying out inspections and issuing citations for workplace exposure to tuberculosis.