Labor

Chicago — A new Local Emphasis Program from OSHA is aimed at protecting workers in Wisconsin food manufacturing establishments from machine and amputation hazards.

Washington — “The nation must renew its commitment to protecting workers from job injury, disease and death, and make this a high priority,” the AFL-CIO says in its annual report on the state of safety and health protections for U.S. workers.

Provo, UT — Nearly half of U.S. employees say they work while on vacation, according to the results of a recent survey.

Ann Arbor, MI — Allowing exoskeleton users to set their own preferences not only accelerates the customization process, but may also lead to increased adoption and use of the technology, according to the results of a recent study.

Linz, Austria — Shift work may be associated with poorer memory and slower mental processing speed, as well as lower levels of alertness and visual focus, results of a recent study out of Austria suggest.

Denver — A new Regional Emphasis Program from OSHA is aimed at safeguarding workers in the cut stone and stone products manufacturing industry from silica hazards.

Washington — OSHA is among the Department of Labor agencies and offices that will provide resources throughout the Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week, set for May 1-7.

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA has launched a free online training course on silica hazards for Spanish-speaking workers.

Washington — OSHA has scheduled a virtual public meeting to hear comments and suggestions on issues related to the agency’s Whistleblower Protection Program.

Washington — Understaffed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA “lost a valuable opportunity” to better protect workers by “not identifying federal partners in a position to assist during a large-scale safety and health crisis,” concludes a Department of Labor Office of Inspector General audit report released March 31.