Labor

Elk Grove Village, IL — The American Medical Association, along with more than two dozen other organizations, has issued a list of recommendations to help end the nation’s epidemic of drug-related overdose and death.

Cincinnati — Workers tasked with enforcing mask compliance can experience feelings of stress and anxiety on top of what’s already generated by their regular duties, cautions an expert at the University of Cincinnati.

Washington — A total of 4,764 workers died as a result of on-the-job injuries in 2020 – a 10.7% decrease from the year before and the lowest number of fatalities since 4,585 were recorded in 2013, according to Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries data released Dec. 16 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Washington — The Department of Labor’s regulatory agenda for Fall 2021, released Dec. 10, includes a proposed rule that – should OSHA decide to move forward on it – would revoke Arizona’s State Plan status.

Edmonton, Alberta — Contract workers who fly in and out of oil sands may experience higher levels of work-related stress and more mental health issues, according to a recent report led by researchers from the University of Alberta.

Richmond, VA — The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Dec. 7 denied former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship’s attempt to overturn his 2015 conviction stemming from a deadly 2010 explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, WV.

Itasca, IL — Programmed inspections related to preventing heat-related illnesses are likely coming this summer, an OSHA official announced during a Dec. 9 National Safety Council webinar on the agency’s current activities.

Washington — OSHA has pushed to Jan. 31 the deadline to submit nominations to serve on the reestablished Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health.

Washington — The Senate on Dec. 8 passed a Congressional Review Act resolution in an attempt to repeal OSHA’s emergency temporary standard on COVID-19 vaccination, testing and masking.

Washington — Certain job characteristics may lead Black and Hispanic workers to be “disproportionately employed in occupations with high COVID-19 exposure risks,” according to a recent study from NIOSH.