Hazards

Portland, OR – A hazard alert from the Oregon Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program emphasizes the importance of abiding by the manufacturer’s instructions for construction equipment and building materials.

London – In an effort to help protect health care workers who work with patients carrying the Zika virus, the journal BMJ has released a set of free online resources.

Washington – OSHA has rescheduled an informal public hearing intended to gather more input on the agency’s proposed rule on beryllium.

Cincinnati – Two frequently used weed killers cause the majority of deaths related to herbicide use, and many exposure-linked illnesses could be prevented, according to a NIOSH study.

Washington – NIOSH is seeking comment about its draft bulletin on the health effects of worker exposure to silver nanoparticles.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Workers exposed to textile dust may have more than double the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study from the Allergy and Immunology Research Center at the Institute for Medical Research.

Philadelphia – Emergency medical technicians and paramedics are 14 times more likely than firefighters to be assaulted on the job but rarely report assault-related injuries, according to a study from Drexel University.

New York – Fewer than 1 in 5 nurses adhere to all nine standard precautions for preventing infection, potentially exposing them to bloodborne pathogens, according to a study from Northwell Health system.

Montreal – More research is needed to understand the extent to which men and women respond differently to chemical exposures in the workplace, according to a study conducted by scientific research organization IRSST.

Arlington, VA – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit on Jan. 25 rejected two challenges from coal industry groups about a Mine Safety and Health Administration final rule intended to lower miner exposure to coal mine dust.