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Washington — The House passed a package of seven appropriations bills – including one that would give budget increases to worker safety agencies – with a 219-208 vote July 29.

Chicago — OSHA has launched a pair of Regional Emphasis Programs focused on reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities among workers involved in transportation tank cleaning operations in the Midwest and South.

Columbia, SC — South Carolina OSHA has announced its plan to adopt a standard on infectious diseases in the workplace, including COVID-19.

Washington — Amid concerns from stakeholders – including a trade association representing chemical manufacturers – a trio of Chemical Safety Board nominees defended their qualifications during a July 29 confirmation hearing before the Senate Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight Subcommittee.

Washington — OSHA has published an instructional directive to ensure the agency “communicates its fatality inspection procedures to the victim’s family and facilitates the exchange of information throughout the inspection and settlement process.”

Tumwater, WA — Spurred by “the real impacts of climate change,” the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has issued an emergency rule that increases protections for workers exposed to extreme heat and published a hazard alert on heat illness.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has finalized an interim final rule that delayed, by two years, the compliance date for its initial final rule on minimum training requirements for entry-level commercial motor vehicle drivers.

When done correctly, incentive programs can boost workplace safety, experts say.

Columbus, OH — The physical benefits that exoskeletons provide to the musculoskeletal system may be negated by the “mental strain” that results when workers wearing the devices perform tasks that require them to think about their actions, results of a recent study conducted by researchers from Ohio State and Texas A&M universities indicate.

Washington — A group of 88 House Democrats is calling for the inclusion of “universal, comprehensive” paid family and medical leave in any potential infrastructure package.