Hazards

Washington – Watchdog group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility has filed a lawsuit intended to prompt the Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen its corrosive dust standard to better protect first responders.

Washington – A proposed OSHA rule that would update the permissible exposure limit for beryllium is under review by the Office of Management and Budget.

A Pennsylvania health care provider next year will not be allowing smoking on the job – or off the job.

The death of a camera assistant on a film set has led to penalties for the production company – and sparked a safety movement within the industry.

Geneva – As the largest Ebola outbreak in history spreads across West Africa, the International Labour Organization and the World Health Organization have issued guidelines to help keep workers safe.

Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency on Aug. 28 announced it has identified health risks stemming from the use of dichloromethane, a chemical in paint-stripping products.

Sacramento, CA – New regulations in California will require certain hospitals to implement a safe patient-handling policy that uses devices and lifting teams to move patients, potentially improving the safety of patients, nurses and other staff.

Lebanon, NH – Disabled workers receiving Medicare benefits are increasingly using prescription painkillers, according to a new study from the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice.

Washington – Workers who gauge tanks during oil and gas extraction flowback procedures may be exposed to dangerous levels of benzene and other volatile chemicals, according to NIOSH.