Labor

Washington – A final OSHA rule that would update the agency’s industry classification system and amend employer reporting requirements was submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review on Feb. 19.

Washington – OSHA administrator David Michaels has written a letter to employers regarding legal requirements and best practice recommendations for the safe storage and handling of ammonium nitrate.

Washington – OSHA has updated its guidance document on the enforcement of shipyard safety and health standards.

Columbia, SC – Shift workers are more likely to have a diet promoting chronic inflammation, which could partly explain the association between shift work and a variety of diseases, a recent study from the University of South Carolina suggests.

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.