Workplace Exposures

Washington — NIOSH has issued criteria and interim guidance to help manufacturers produce and design masks intended to protect workers from COVID-19.

Philadelphia — A vast majority of employees who are returning to the workplace after working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic say they plan to continue practicing elevated hygiene amid concerns over the cleanliness of their offices and being around colleagues again, according to the results of a recent survey commissioned by hygiene and health company Essity.

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA has adopted an emergency rule that strengthens employer requirements for protecting workers from the effects of high and extreme heat, including expanded access to shade and cool water, after a farm worker in St. Paul died on the job during a recent record-breaking heat wave.

Washington — Two environmental groups, along with 75 salon workers from across the country, have filed a citizen petition asking the Food and Drug Administration to ban hair straighteners containing formaldehyde.

Toronto — Findings over the past decade – including the results of case studies in the past two to three years – have strengthened the link between the lung disease sarcoidosis and on-the-job exposures to, most notably, silica and silicates, dust from the World Trade Center, and metals, according to a recent research review.

Washington — NIOSH has planned a series of free, confidential health screenings for current and former coal miners via the agency’s Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program.

Chicago — Although a growing number of employers are purchasing air purifiers as part of reopening their workplaces amid the COVID-19 pandemic, one type of the technology might not be as effective as advertised, results of a recent study show.

Washington — OSHA has revised its National Emphasis Program on COVID-19 and updated its Interim Enforcement Response Plan.

Washington — OSHA is extending until Aug. 20 the comment period on its emergency temporary standard for COVID-19 focused on health care workers.

Tumwater, WA — Fully vaccinated workers are not required to wear a face covering under updated COVID-19 workplace protection rules and guidance issued by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries on June 30.