Labor

Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry has issued a hazard alert warning of the potential dangers of unsafe materials handling and storage in the beverage distribution and retail industry.

Cleveland, TN — Eaton Corp., a manufacturer of power management solutions, has issued a safety recall of 26 models of safety switches that may transport power when the handle is in the “off” position.

London — Workers who experience depression may be less prone to miss work when managers show greater sensitivity to their mental health and well-being, recent research from the London School of Economics and Political Science shows.

Washington — The American Staffing Association on Sept. 12 will host a webinar reviewing OSHA’s latest Temporary Worker Initiative bulletin, which addresses noise exposure and hearing conservation.

Washington — OSHA has revised its safety and health topics page about Legionellosis to include updated information on preventing, identifying and managing workplace exposure to Legionella bacteria hazards.

Nashville, TN — Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta on Aug. 28 announced the opening of the Office of Compliance Initiatives, a cross-agency effort that the Department of Labor claims will complement DOL enforcement activities “by strengthening and innovating compliance assistance outreach.”

Lexington, KY — The Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center has issued a hazard alert advising employers on how they can help reduce unintentional drug overdoses in the workforce.

Atlanta — As a new school year gets underway, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has released two teacher training videos as part of a campaign intended to call attention to the dangers of mercury exposure.

Washington — NIOSH has released a list of recent accomplishments by its Small Business Assistance Program, an initiative intended to help organizations with fewer than 50 employees limit occupational illnesses, injuries and fatalities through research and prevention.

Spokane, WA — Individual organs in the digestive system contain separate biological clocks that may influence the metabolism of people who work the night shift and help explain a link to shift worker health problems such as obesity and diabetes, a recent study from researchers at Washington State University suggests.