Labor

Washington – The Ebola outbreak is a “major wake-up call” that highlights gaps in the United States’ management and containment of severe diseases, concludes a new report from the nonprofits Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Firefighters face higher rates of prostate cancer and melanoma than the general public, according to a study from Monash University.

Dallas – A beeping monitor that detects radiation exposure during certain heart procedures can help protect medical workers, according to a recent study from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

New York – Sleep deprivation affects one-fifth of all workers, making them more likely to experience an increased risk of injury, according to a study released Dec. 17 from Global Corporate Challenge, a provider of employee health and performance services.

Minneapolis – Although most health care workers take measures to guard against aerosol-transmissible diseases, deficiencies in respirator use and other areas may be putting some workers at risk, according to a new study from the University of Minnesota and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The Senate has confirmed two new members to the Chemical Safety Board.

A group of 15 organizations is calling for a formal response to its request that OSHA develop a work speed standard for meatpacking and poultry plants.

Temporary and contractor workers should be included in all efforts employers take to ensure the safety of workers, according to National Safety Council recommendations released Dec. 18.

A new online toolkit offers guidance on increasing flu vaccination coverage among workers in long-term health care facilities.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) has been tapped to serve as the top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in the new Congress.