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Washington – The applicability of permissible exposure limits to federal agencies will be one of several topics discussed at a meeting of the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health, scheduled for Dec. 1 in Washington.

Washington – “Insufficient data” exists to determine whether exposure to emissions from open-air burn pits on military bases causes long-term health effects such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease, concludes an Institute of Medicine report.

Washington – A review of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act program has identified “promising” practices that could help prevent fraud, but has also uncovered some vulnerabilities in the program, according to recent testimony from a Government Accountability Office official.

Washington – OSHA administrator David Michaels announced an upcoming National Emphasis Program on nursing home and residential care facilities in response to recent figures showing an increase in injuries requiring days away from work in the health care industry.

Washington – Two proposed rulemakings that would regulate construction activities will be combined in an effort to streamline the comment process for both rules, OSHA recently announced.

Des Plaines, IL – The rates of violence and verbal abuse against nurses remained stable between May 2009 and January 2011, according to a survey conducted by the Emergency Nurses Association.

Chicago – Health care workers who wear gloves while treating patients are less likely to wash their hands before and after contact with patients, according to research from the Royal Free Hospital NHS Trust in London.

Tumwater, WA – The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is seeking comment through Dec. 16 on proposed standards for health care providers who treat injured workers.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration has extended the comment period to Nov. 28 for its proposed rule on proximity detection systems.

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