Workplace Solutions

Chicago — Health care workers commonly carry respiratory viruses on their hands, clothing and personal protective equipment after administering care to patients, accentuating the need to practice “complete hand hygiene and use other PPE to prevent dissemination,” results of a recent study suggest.

Experts offer insight into ways this essential personal protective equipment can be misused or overlooked.

What are the health risks associated with a post-fall condition? How can fall protection harnesses mitigate these risks?

Is there a difference between waterproof and water-resistant gloves?

How can we enhance employee EHS training and increase learning?

Washington — Surface coal miners, especially those who work in drilling, may be exposed to higher concentrations of respirable dust or quartz. This puts them at elevated risk of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis – a deadly but preventable disease known as black lung, results of a recent NIOSH study show.

Wigston, England — The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health has released a pocket card intended to help protect workers from diesel exhaust fumes.

Bootle, England — Great Britain’s Health and Safety Executive, which regulates and enforces workplace safety and health, has updated a calculator intended to help determine worker exposure to hand-arm vibration.

Silver Spring, MD — The Center for Construction Research and Training, also known as CPWR, has released a series of toolbox talks on nanomaterials.

West Lafayette, IN — Researchers at Purdue University have outlined recommendations for enhancing the safety of a popular method for repairing water pipes that may release hazardous chemicals into the air, as part of a recent study on rehabilitating damaged drainage culverts.