State News

Worcester, MA — Workers in marijuana processing facilities must be informed about the hazards of exposure to ground cannabis dust, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission reminds employers in a recently published safety bulletin.

Columbus, OH — The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation is making available $30 million in funding for research and development of personal protective equipment and technology innovations.

Tumwater, WA — A Washington state law that increases maximum reimbursements to employers in the Stay at Work and Preferred Worker programs is set to go into effect Jan. 1.

Saint Paul, MN — Minnesota OSHA will establish a working group to assist the state’s Department of Labor and Industry in revising regulations on lead exposure for both general industry and construction.

Frankfort, KY — A new virtual scaffolding safety course from the Kentucky Labor Cabinet’s Division of Education and Training is aimed at helping employers protect workers from fall hazards.

Sacramento, CA — A new interpretation app that can instantly translate more than 200 languages and dialects can be used by employers and workers in California to communicate more easily.

Tumwater, WA — Washington state has begun the development process for a rule to address work-related musculoskeletal disorders among airline ground crews.

Washington — OSHA conducted fewer fatality investigations this past fiscal year than in FY 2023, and recorded fewer deaths involving trench collapses and falls – two hazards on which the agency has focused its enforcement resources.

Boston — Intended to give small health care employers an “easy-to-use format” for a written exposure control plan, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has published sample written plans for a respiratory protection program and bloodborne pathogen exposure control.

New York — Both city and state legislation and public health initiatives are needed to protect outdoor workers in New York City from extreme temperatures and poor air quality, according to a new report.