Hazards

Washington – OSHA has released its final rule on protecting workers from exposure to silica, marking the agency’s first updated regulation for the material since 1971.

Washington – OSHA’s proposed rule on beryllium is “a step in the right direction” but could be stronger, according to a pair of worker safety and health advocates who testified at an informal hearing on the proposal.

Washington – OSHA’s final rule on silica is expected to be published in the near future, Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez told the House Education and the Workforce Committee during a March 16 hearing about the Department of Labor’s policies and priorities.

Washington – More research is needed to determine the link between driver fatigue and crashes involving large trucks and buses, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Washington – NIOSH and the Environmental Protection Agency are seeking public comments on worker exposure to 1-Bromopropane, a potentially hazardous chemical found in certain industries.

Orlando, FL – About 1 in 2 U.S. adults has a musculoskeletal disorder, costing an estimated $213 billion each year in treatment and lost wages, according to a report from the United States Bone and Joint Initiative.

Cincinnati – NIOSH recently updated its 30-year-old document on hot work environments to better reflect the latest research and knowledge.

Lansing, MI – Even though winter is in its final weeks, workers need to keep taking proper precautions around ice, Michigan OSHA states in a hazard alert released in February.

Pittsburgh – Some N95 respirators are resistant to fluid penetration, potentially increasing the amount of respirator options that could protect health care workers from occupational exposures during emergencies such as influenza outbreaks, according to a study from NIOSH.

San Francisco – In recognition of Workplace Eye Wellness Month in March, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is sharing ergonomic tips to help workers deal with dry and strained eyes.