State News

Tumwater, WA — In response to a labor union petition, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is working on new standards for reinforcing steel and post-tensioning in construction.

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA has created a webpage that offers access to the agency’s free online training courses intended for safety committee members.

Tumwater, WA — The Washington state Safety & Health Assessment & Research for Prevention Program has released a Hazard Brief warning logging industry employers and workers of the dangers of cellphone-related distractions.

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA is inviting all employers in the state to take part in its 16th annual “Safety Break for Oregon” to help raise awareness and promote “the value of keeping people safe and healthy” on the job.

Lansing, MI — Michigan has become the first state to lower permissible blood lead levels – by as much as half – to protect workers, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently announced.

Lexington, KY — The Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center has issued a hazard alert after data from 2016 showed that 405 workers in the state were treated in emergency rooms for job-related traumatic brain injuries.

Oakland, CA — Certain employers in California must comply with OSHA’s electronic recordkeeping rule and submit their Form 300A data online to the federal agency.

Washington — OSHA has redesigned its State Plans webpage to help simplify access to contact and jurisdictional information for each state, the agency announced Oct. 16 in its “Quick Takes” newsletter.

Washington — In response to a recent increase in trench-related worker deaths, OSHA has updated its National Emphasis Program on trenching and excavation safety, effective Oct. 1.

Olympia, WA — The Washington state Safety & Health Assessment & Research for Prevention Program has released the second in a series of reports on work-related immediate inpatient hospitalizations in the state.