Health Care Workers

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Washington — The Department of Health and Human Services has reopened until Sept. 25 the comment period on an interim final rule that allows NIOSH to approve a new class of powered air-purifying respirators for workers in the health care and public safety sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic, among other changes.

Silver Spring, MD — More than 3 out of 4 nurses say their employer isn’t providing a safe workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic, results of a recent National Nurses United survey indicate – a finding the labor union claims underlines the impact of businesses “reopening too soon.”

Lansing, MI — Michigan OSHA is increasing its presence in hospitals as part of a recently launched state emphasis program aimed at ensuring health care employers are providing workers who care for COVID-19 patients with the personal protective equipment they need, the state’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity has announced.

In women-dominated industries such as health care, as well as those in which women aren’t well represented, including construction and the trades, female workers are facing unique challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — In an effort to help health care facilities maintain their supplies of personal protective equipment, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a reference table that summarizes strategies employers can adopt to “optimize” PPE.

West Lafayette, IN — Nurses are experiencing a new type of psychological harm specific to their daily work – insufficient resource trauma, researchers from Purdue University say in a new study.

Washington — NIOSH has extended until July 30 the comment period on three draft documents pertaining to hazardous drugs in health care.

San Francisco — Mental health and well-being among nurses has declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, results of a recent study show.

Tumwater, WA — Ethylene oxide should not be used to sterilize filtering facepiece respirators for reuse because “this extremely hazardous toxic chemical poses a severe risk to human health,” the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries warns in a new alert.

Irving, TX — Nearly 1 out of 3 U.S. adults say they’ve delayed or avoided seeking medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic out of fear of contracting the disease, results of a recent survey indicate.