Labor

New Haven, CT – Obese workers cost the nation about $8.65 billion per year and miss more work than normal-weight workers, according to a recent study from Yale University.

Washington – Congressional Democrats have introduced legislation intended to strengthen a federal benefits program for miners suffering from black lung disease.

Canton, OH – The Partnership for Workplace Mental Health recently awarded grants to four organizations to help raise awareness about depression in the workplace.

Boston – Chasing and restraining suspects, in addition to other chaotic encounters, puts police officers at an approximately 30 percent to 70 percent higher risk of sudden cardiac death, suggests a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health and Cambridge Health Alliance.

Silver Spring, MD – Nurses and their employers need “a stronger collaboration” to help diminish the risks of fatigue related to shift work and long hours, the American Nurses Association recently announced in a revised position statement.

Washington – In an effort to bolster its wellness initiative, known as Total Worker Health, NIOSH has proposed a National Occupational Research Agenda for the program.

Sacramento, CA – National Nurses United is urging OSHA and state governments to help protect nurses and other health care workers from Ebola by adopting safety standards issued by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

Missoula, MT – Salon workers are frequently exposed to products that contain harmful chemicals linked to conditions such as cancer, reproductive issues and asthma, concludes a new report from environmental health advocacy group Women’s Voices for the Earth.

Washington – A Nov. 14 video from OSHA details upcoming changes to employers’ incident reporting requirements.

Washington – The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Nov. 14 released injury and illness data for 2011 and 2012 to correct previously disclosed data processing errors.