Occupational Illnesses

Washington — Farmworkers who are owners of indoor cats should remove their work clothes and footwear and rinse off any animal byproduct before entering their home to prevent spreading bird flu to the animals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.

Washington — Using quieter machinery and tools or isolating machinery from other work areas can help protect recycling workers from noise-induced hearing loss, NIOSH says in a new guidance document.

Washington — Continued testing of cattle herds, milk tanks and anyone exposed to cattle may help protect veterinarians and other people who work with animals from exposure to bird flu, concludes a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

Melbourne, Australia — Cases of silicosis among workers in Australia’s stone countertop industry spiked over a recent eight-year period, according to researchers from Monash University.

Washington — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued updated interim guidance on protecting workers from exposure to bird flu to include employees at zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, fur farms, aquariums and wildlife rehabilitation facilities.

Gainesville, FL — Heatstroke can lead to long-term organ damage and obesity, results of a recent study suggest.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on a proposed rule requiring respiratory protection and cleaning plans to help reduce worker exposure to the chemical substance Pigment Violet 29.

Washington — OSHA is no longer enforcing its COVID-19 recordkeeping and reporting requirements, the agency announced in a Feb. 5 memo.

Washington — Citing technological advancements, a recent NIOSH policy update calls on employers to use “individual, quantitative fit testing” to assess the effectiveness of workers’ hearing protection devices.

Salem, OR — Avoiding unprotected direct or close physical contact with sick/dead animals and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment are two key ways workers can limit their risk of contracting bird flu.