Occupational Illnesses

Washington – Congressional Democrats have introduced legislation intended to strengthen a federal benefits program for miners suffering from black lung disease.

We all work in a close work environment. When one person becomes ill, we all seem to get sick. Are there any safeguards we can put in place to minimize the spread of viruses and infections among co-workers?

Sacramento, CA – National Nurses United is urging OSHA and state governments to help protect nurses and other health care workers from Ebola by adopting safety standards issued by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

Missoula, MT – Salon workers are frequently exposed to products that contain harmful chemicals linked to conditions such as cancer, reproductive issues and asthma, concludes a new report from environmental health advocacy group Women’s Voices for the Earth.

Washington – To help protect health care workers and other first responders against Ebola virus exposure, the InterAgency Board for Equipment Standardization and Interoperability has released a new set of recommendations for using personal protective equipment.

Washington – A lack of mandatory standards on Ebola for health care workers leaves nurses unprepared and vulnerable to infection, a registered nurse and union official testified during an Oct. 24 House hearing.

Atlanta – Following two cases in which U.S. nurses were infected with Ebola, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tightened its infection-control guidelines for health care workers.

Washington – The Department of Health and Human Services has added four substances to its list of cancer hazards, according to the agency’s 13th Report on Carcinogens.

Washington – Two members of Congress are broadening their effort to protect children as young as 12 from working in tobacco fields.

Düsseldorf, Germany – Job insecurity could increase a person’s risk of developing asthma, a recent study from the University of Dusseldorf suggests.