Labor

Washington – Congress has reauthorized funding for the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides care and medical coverage to workers who responded during the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Silver Spring, MD – A group of lawmakers has reintroduced legislation intended to protect nurses and health care workers against musculoskeletal disorders caused by manually lifting patients.

Hopkinton, MA – Differences among state workers’ compensation policies may play a role in the length of time workers are out on disability for low-back pain, according to a new study from the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety.

Washington – A new omnibus appropriations bill clears the way for OSHA to promulgate a new standard on silica, but restricts the agency’s use of non-regulatory actions such as guidance documents or letters of interpretation.

Washington – OSHA has released a bulletin with information on how to protect workers from carbon monoxide explosion hazards related to electric arc furnaces in the steelmaking industry.

Washington – The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has initiated a pilot program in an effort to improve safety at offshore oil and gas operations.

Boston – A flavoring chemical linked to severe respiratory disease in food manufacturing workers has been found in some flavored electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, according to research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Washington – Newly released draft guidance an OSHA advisory committee recommends that staffing firms and host employers implement a safety and health program describing the responsibilities of both entities to protect temporary workers.

Washington – Rubber-type hoses used in deluge-type water spray and water sprinkler systems could pose safety hazards and are not as effective as steel piping, according to a new safety alert from the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Washington – NIOSH has developed the first database of firefighter body measurements, aiming to help improve the design and safety of firefighter equipment.