Labor

Washington — Seal checks should be conducted every time respiratory protection is used on the job, and employers and workers should ensure the equipment is worn properly so an adequate seal is achieved, NIOSH states in a recently published list of frequently asked questions about user seal checks.

Washington — A more vigorous process safety management system approach likely would have helped identify, evaluate and control the hazards that led to a hot work-related explosion that killed three workers and injured seven others last year in DeRidder, LA.

Athens, OH — Blows to the head are common among performing arts theater personnel but often go unreported by workers who may not understand how serious head injuries are, according to a recent Ohio University study.

Chantilly, VA — The theme of the 2018 Firefighter Safety Stand Down is “Be Aware – Get Checked,” emphasizing the importance of annual medical evaluations and physicals for firefighters and emergency service workers, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Volunteer Fire Council recently announced.

Rochester, MN — A consortium of medical groups has published a framework intended to minimize and manage burnout among U.S. physicians.

Washington — While President Donald Trump seeks another sizable cut to the Department of Labor’s budget, Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta is attempting to boost enforcement funding in certain agencies, including OSHA.

Muncie, IN – Worry over losing their jobs to automation may affect workers’ physical and mental health, according to a recent study from researchers at Ball State University and Villanova University.

Fort Collins, CO — Nearly half of workers in Colorado’s legalized cannabis industry have received minimal or no workplace safety training, according to a recent study from the Colorado State University Department of Psychology.

Washington — NIOSH is seeking comment on a draft of its first National Occupational Research Agenda for Musculoskeletal Health. The agenda incorporates knowledge about injuries and illnesses, the state of the science, and the likelihood that new information and approaches will make a difference in preventing musculoskeletal disorders.

Washington — For oil and gas workers, fatigue caused by a combination of long work hours and lengthy commutes can contribute to motor vehicle crashes – the leading cause of death in the industry, a new fact sheet from NIOSH states.