Labor

Washington — The number of safety hazards identified during inspections of congressional offices throughout the 117th Congress dropped 27% from the prior Congress, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights states in a biennial report.

Baton Rouge, LA — How effective are fans at reducing heat stress and improving worker comfort under hot and humid conditions in industrial environments that don’t have air conditioning?

Washington — A House Republican has introduced legislation that would create a structure to allow pork- and poultry-processing plants to operate at faster line speeds – a move opposed by worker safety advocates.

Jefferson City, MO — A new Missouri law repeals a proposition – approved by a majority of voters – that granted certain workers paid sick leave.

Washington — The first regulatory agenda of President Donald Trump’s second administration, officially published Sept. 4, includes the recent spate of proposed rules issued by the Department of Labor’s safety agencies.

Washington — Are you aware of any recent revisions or updates to the worker heat protection rules in your state? If so, the Natural Resources Defense Council wants to know.

Washington — A House appropriations subcommittee is proposing 8%, 10% and 14% funding cuts to OSHA, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, and NIOSH, respectively.

Washington — Enforcement of a Mine Safety and Health Administration final rule on miner exposure to respirable crystalline silica has been delayed to Oct. 17 after the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a temporary stay of the rule.

Geneva — Exposure to extreme heat “is already harming the health and livelihoods of billions of workers,” an expert from the World Health Organization says.

San Jose, CA — A California utility provider has reached a first-of-its-kind settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency related to allegations that the company violated the Chemical Safety Board’s accidental release reporting rule.