Hazards

OSHA announced on March 24 the release of a final rule intended to protect workers from respirable crystalline silica. The agency claims the rule will save more than 600 lives and prevent more than 900 cases of the lung disease silicosis per year, but critics argue the rule is unnecessary and compliance will be costly.

Washington – OSHA’s recently issued final rule on respirable crystalline silica received both criticism and support during an April 19 hearing convened by the House Workforce Protections Subcommittee.

Washington – Petitions that request a review of OSHA’s recently issued rule on silica exposure will be consolidated in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Court.

Washington – OSHA’s Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health is scheduled to receive an update on the agency’s proposed beryllium rule during a May 3 meeting.

Washington – Congressional Democrats are urging OSHA to pursue a rule on preventing workplace violence in the health care industry, following the publication of a Government Accountability Office report that concludes the agency could do more to help keep health care workers safe on the job.

Washington – Citing “an epidemic of workplace violence” against bus drivers and other transit operators, a group of organizations is calling on the Federal Transit Administration to issue a final rule that would strengthen protections against physical assaults and other attacks within the industry.

Omaha, NE – OSHA has initiated a Local Emphasis Program for meat processing workers in Nebraska, where employees have an above-average rate of injury.

Boston – Hospitals and other health care facilities in Massachusetts would be required to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs to protect their workers as part of legislation advancing through the state House and Senate.

Washington – Climate change may increase the frequency and severity of occupational hazards and exposures – and create new ones, according to a report from the U.S. Global Change Research Program.

Wellington, New Zealand – New research has identified certain occupations and industries that may contribute to the risk of workers developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a group of related cancers affecting part of the body’s immune system.