Hazards

Madison, WI – Shift workers may be more likely to be overweight, have sleep problems, and develop diabetes or other metabolic disorders, according to a study from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Washington – OSHA is not doing enough to protect nail-salon workers from frequent exposures to toxic chemicals that may lead to respiratory problems, skin disorders, miscarriages and other serious health complications, according to a pair of lawmakers.

Washington – Several final and proposed OSHA rules – including a long-delayed update to the beryllium rule – are expected to be published in the next few months, according to the agency’s spring regulatory agenda, released May 21.

Despite the downward trend in workplace fatalities, safety advocates are calling for stepped-up efforts to protect workers.

In 2012, slips, trips and falls resulted in 704 work-related deaths and roughly 220,000 cases with days away from work, according to the 2015 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts.”

The National Safety Council states that overdoses -- mostly from prescription opioid painkillers such as Vicodin, Oxycontin and morphine -- are the leading cause of unintentional death among adults ages 25-64.

Washington – NIOSH has announced the launch of a consortium to expand guidance and research on occupational health and safety related to nanotechnology.

Washington – Federal workplace drug-testing programs could include new and revised guidelines as part of recently proposed rules from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Washington – As hot weather approaches, OSHA is placing potentially lifesaving information at outdoor workers’ fingertips.

Washington – Safe patient-handling interventions are needed in health care facilities to help protect workers from career-ending injuries, the American Nurses Association and Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) stated during a May 12 briefing on Capitol Hill.