Hazards

Boston – Despite an overall drop in secondhand smoke exposure in the workplace, workers in industries such as installation and repair, construction, and transportation remain at high risk, concludes a study from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Falls Church, VA – The American Industrial Hygiene Association on Oct. 31 issued guidance about safely removing corrosive drywall from buildings.

Washington – Ninety-five law enforcement officers died on the job in 2012, according to FBI data released Oct. 28.

Silver Spring, MD – A new online tool from the Center for Construction Research and Training (better known as CPWR) allows users to confidentially save, retrieve and edit plans for reducing worker exposure to silica.

Washington – OSHA is extending until January the comment period for its notice of proposed rulemaking on crystalline silica, the agency announced Oct. 25.

Washington – Calling current permissible exposure limits “antiquated” and “dangerously out of date,” OSHA administrator David Michaels unveiled two web-based resources he said will help companies keep workers safer around chemicals.

State College, PA – Workers whose alertness has been reduced through lack of sleep may not be able to fully recover merely by sleeping in on weekends, concludes a study from Penn State University.

Morgantown, WV – Butter flavorings used as an alternative to diacetyl may not be safe, concludes a new study from NIOSH.

Montreal – A recent publication from the scientific research organization IRSST focuses on work-related cancer.

Want to know what OSHA is up to? You might need to search beyond the usual channels.