Workplace Exposures

Quincy, MA — A newly funded research project will investigate how chemical exposures from lithium-ion battery fires affect firefighters’ personal protective equipment.

Washington — OSHA’s proposed rule on infectious diseases in “health care and other high-risk environments” is among the potential regulations listed as “withdrawn” on the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs website.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency recently updated its Spanish Translation Guide for Pesticide Labeling to include information on restricted-use pesticides, first aid, personal protective equipment, engineering controls and storage.

Washington — Employers in the electronics waste recycling industry should monitor worker exposure to mercury and provide control measures and training, a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study concludes.

New York — OSHA’s New York City Region has renewed its emphasis program on worker exposure to noise.

Washington — OSHA has extended for another year its National Emphasis Program on outdoor and indoor heat-related hazards

Washington — “Robust worker safety programs” that protect against exposure to the chemical substance carbon tetrachloride will be required, under an Environmental Protection Agency final rule that went into effect Jan. 17.

Washington — OSHA has terminated its rulemaking on COVID-19 exposure in health care settings to “focus its resources on the completion of an infectious diseases rulemaking.”

Washington — The Department of Labor has revised the Black Lung Benefits Act to require self-insured coal mine operators to “post adequate security for their benefit liabilities.”

Waltham, MA — The number of heat-related illnesses “increases significantly” once the temperature rises above 80° F, results of a recent analysis from the Workers Compensation Research Institute show.