Worker Health and Wellness

Boston — Grocery store workers who interact with customers may be five times more likely to contract COVID-19 than their colleagues who don’t have direct contact with customers, results of a recent study led by researchers from Harvard University show.

New York — The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has teamed up with multiple veterinary organizations to develop a free resource guide designed to support workplaces in the aftermath of a veterinary worker’s death by suicide and help prevent additional deaths.

Cambridge, MA — Beginning physical therapy days, rather than weeks, after suffering a low back injury is associated with better outcomes, according to the results of a recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

New York — Exposure to pollutants such as vehicle exhaust, pesticides and wood smoke may be linked to structural and functional heart abnormalities that could lead to cardiovascular disease among Latino workers, results of a recent study published by the American Heart Association indicate.

London — Employee burnout is most likely to occur at age 32, according to the results of a recent survey out of the United Kingdom.

Washington — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed part of its criteria for COVID-19 contact tracing, altering its definition of “close contact.”

Wigston, England — The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, in conjunction with the World Travel and Tourism Council, has issued guidance intended to help employers in the travel and tourism industry ensure a safe return to work for employees – as well as the safety of travelers – amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has again updated its list of registered disinfectants that can help prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 – extending the total number of disinfectant products on the agency’s sortable, searchable database to more than 500.

Raleigh, NC — Many people may not be preparing frozen foods safely, leaving them – and their families – at risk of illness, results of a recent study indicate.

New York — Fewer than 3 out of 10 employees who are working remotely amid the COVID-19 pandemic expect to return to their physical workplace by the end of the year, and some groups feel more pressure than others to do so, results of a recent survey suggest.