News

Washington – The Ebola outbreak is a “major wake-up call” that highlights gaps in the United States’ management and containment of severe diseases, concludes a new report from the nonprofits Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Firefighters face higher rates of prostate cancer and melanoma than the general public, according to a study from Monash University.

Dallas – A beeping monitor that detects radiation exposure during certain heart procedures can help protect medical workers, according to a recent study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Montreal – The International Air Transport Association has published an online guidance document to promote the safe handling and transport of lithium batteries on planes.

Lansing, MI – The Michigan Workers’ Compensation Agency has amended some of its rules on prescription opioids in an effort to address drug abuse among injured workers.

Minneapolis – Although most health care workers take measures to guard against aerosol-transmissible diseases, deficiencies in respirator use and other areas may be putting some workers at risk, according to a new study from the University of Minnesota and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

New York – Sleep deprivation affects one-fifth of all workers, making them more likely to experience an increased risk of injury, according to a study released Dec. 17 from Global Corporate Challenge, a provider of employee health and performance services.

Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing industry. But little is known about how nanoparticles affect the health of both the workers who manufacture the products and those who use them.

The Senate has confirmed two new members to the Chemical Safety Board.

Temporary and contractor workers should be included in all efforts employers take to ensure the safety of workers, according to National Safety Council recommendations released Dec. 18.