Labor

Washington – NIOSH has announced an inaugural symposium that will explore Total Worker Health, the agency’s strategy for advancing worker health by integrating health protection and health promotion.

Los Angeles – Pesticide exposure may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, and individual risk varies based on a person’s genetic makeup, according to a new study from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Washington – Although blast trauma among soldiers can be proven to cause serious eye injuries and may be linked to post-traumatic stress disorder, insufficient evidence exists showing a relationship to tinnitus, vertigo and cardiovascular issues, according to a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

Greenbelt, MD – To help address growing concerns about the prevalence of suicide among firefighters and emergency medical service technicians, the National Volunteer Fire Council is scheduled to host a free webinar Feb. 25.

Washington – The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is severely understaffed, has weakened worker protections and is resource-starved, according to a new report from Garrett Brown, a 20-year veteran of the agency.

Washington – Many industry stakeholders used a public comment period, which closed Feb. 11, to voice opposition to OSHA’s proposed rule on reducing the permissible exposure limit for crystalline silica.

Washington – OSHA has withdrawn from its website a guidance document for compliance officers who inspect grain storage facilities, stating that it is working on a new version to ease concerns that the guidance ignored a law exempting family farms from OSHA inspections.

Des Plaines, IL – Culture change and training are needed to help prevent violence against nurses, according to a recent study from the Emergency Nurses Association.

Boston – Eating a Mediterranean-style diet may help improve the heart health of young workers, according to a new study from Harvard University and Cambridge Health Alliance.

Washington – A new special issue of the Journal of Safety Research features research projects from the 2011 National Occupational Injury Research Symposium.