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Study examines role of metabolism in night shift worker health

Spokane, WA — Individual organs in the digestive system contain separate biological clocks that may influence the metabolism of people who work the night shift and help explain a link to shift worker health problems such as obesity and diabetes, a recent study from researchers at Washington State University suggests.




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Sleep loss may contribute to weight gain, help explain shift worker health problems: study

Uppsala, Sweden — Losing sleep, even for one night, can negatively impact metabolism and help trigger excess weight gain – possibly explaining a link between sleep deprivation and shift worker health problems – according to the results of a recent study conducted by researchers at Uppsala University.




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Shift worker health and safety

Shift work is a way of life for nearly 15 million Americans, spurring numerous studies that link the practice to health problems and chronic conditions. “It’s really important to recognize these risks, and we need to understand them and we need to treat them,” a leading researcher says.




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Researchers offer strategies for improving shift worker health

Vallejo, CA — Citing multiple studies that suggest shift workers are at increased risk of developing sleep disorders and metabolic syndrome – raising their chances for heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes – a recent analysis led by a researcher from the Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine concludes with actions both employers and workers can take to help improve shift worker health.




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Sleep health experts release guidance on customizing shift-work duration

Darien, IL — In an effort to balance “the need to meet operational demands with the need to manage fatigue-related risks” related to shift work, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society have issued guidance on designing optimal work shift durations.




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‘Time-restricted eating’ boosts health of firefighters and other shift workers: study

San Diego — Eating within set times while not skipping meals can reduce the cardiovascular health risks of firefighters and other shift workers, results of a recent study show.




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Study ties shift work to unhealthy eating habits

Melbourne, Australia — Rotating shift workers are more likely than other workers to eat unhealthy foods, a new study has found.




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Los Angeles garment industry ‘deeply unsafe and unhealthy’: report

Los Angeles – The Los Angeles garment manufacturing industry – the nation’s largest cut-and-sew apparel base – is “plagued by workplace violations and marked by a lack of worker protections,” according to a new report released by the Garment Worker Center, the UCLA Labor Center and UCLA Labor Occupational Safety and Health.




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COVID-19 pandemic: Health and safety experts call for more federal action on preventing transmission

Falls Church, VA — Former OSHA administrator David Michaels is among more than a dozen health and safety experts calling on the Biden administration to update and strengthen Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to help prevent COVID-19 transmission.




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Survey asks industrial workers about their mental health and support from employers

New York — Workers in the manufacturing, warehousing, construction and transportation industries need better support for their mental and emotional needs, results of a recent survey suggest.




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Survey of California construction workers shows low awareness of nanotechnology, health risks

Silver Spring, MD — Awareness of nanotechnology or nanoparticles in the construction industry remains relatively low among contractors, union leaders and apprenticeship program staff, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by the Center for Construction Research and Training – also known as CPWR.




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Network Health Monitoring: Opportunities & Challenges

Keeping video surveillance systems up and running can be challenging — in large part because not everything needed to keep the camera functioning properly is under the control of the security integrator.




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OSHA withdraws non-recordkeeping portions of its ETS on COVID-19 for health care workers

Washington — OSHA is withdrawing the non-recordkeeping portions of its emergency temporary standard for COVID-19 focused on health care workers, the agency announced Dec. 27.




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Calif. Supreme Court Shields Employer From Penalties in Wage Statement Dispute

A court ruled that an employer’s reasonable and good faith belief in compliance with wage statement laws precludes penalties for failing to report unpaid meal break premiums as wages.




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‘The customer is always right’ may be wrong for workers’ mental health

Amherst, MA — The long-standing approach that “the customer is always right” can take a toll on workers’ mental health and limit their capacity to serve customers, according to a recent study.




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Free calculator aimed at helping make the case for worker health programs

Aurora, CO — A new, free online tool is intended to help safety professionals make a stronger business case for employer investment in safety, health and wellness programs.




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SALTO Systems Earns Certified Carbon Neutral Certification

SALTO Systems, a manufacturer of electronic access control solutions, has received carbon-neutral certification across all of its operations. 




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PE Firm Apax Partners Acquires Altus Fire & Life Safety

Established in 1993 and based in New York, Altus provides a wide range of fire/life-safety services and solutions throughout the Northeast.




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Pye-Barker Expands Tri-State Reach With Altronics Security Acquisition

Serving commercial customers throughout eastern Pennsylvania and the Tri-State area, Altronics will work with Pye-Barker's established fire protection and security teams in the region to provide localized service. 




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Penalties more effective than incentives in wellness programs: study

Philadelphia – Financial penalties are more effective at helping workers reach physical activity goals than monetary rewards in a wellness program, according to a study from the University of Pennsylvania.




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High-altitude respirator

The Adflo Turbo Assembly Respirator with High-Altitude Upgrade provides continuous filtered air to welders working at altitudes up to 10,000 feet.




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Health care PAPR

The SALUS HC is a high-performing powered air-purifying respirator designed to protect health care workers from exposure to particulates and biological aerosols. Its compact and ergonomic shoulder-mounted carriage conforms to all body types to provide uninhibited range of movement.




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ACOEM, NIOSH urge employers to focus on health of aging workforce

Elk Grove Village, IL – To help the aging workforce remain productive, employers need to establish a “culture of health” in the workplace, according to a new article from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and NIOSH.




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NIOSH Total Worker Health webinar focuses on aging workforce

Atlanta – Productive aging is about minimizing losses and maximizing growth. That was the message from James Grosch, NIOSH Center for Productive Aging and Work co-director and research psychologist, during a Sept. 27 webinar, “Productive Aging and Work: Theory, Health Data & Practical Solutions” – part of the NIOSH Total Worker Health webinar series.




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Older workers’ health: Finding the right job fit matters, researchers say

Houston — For older workers, the right job fit can benefit overall health and well-being, while a poor fit is more likely to push them into retirement, according to researchers from Rice University and Colorado State University.




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‘Five active generations’: Total Worker Health webinar explores the future of work

Washington — L. Casey Chosewood pointed out the obvious reality every worker faces. “All of us are aging,” the director of the Office for Total Worker Health at NIOSH said during the agency’s June 10 webinar on the future of work and the implications for aging workers.




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Show compassion, provide stability, share hope: Total Worker Health experts talk return-to-work planning

Washington — The director of NIOSH’s Office for Total Worker Health says employers should think about the physical and mental health needs of their employees returning to the job amid the COVID-19 pandemic.




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BSEE halts study of offshore oil and gas inspection program

Washington — The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has issued a stop-work order for a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study reviewing BSEE’s offshore oil and gas operations inspection program, the National Academies announced Dec. 21.




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More mental health supports needed for fly-in-fly-out oil sands workers: report

Edmonton, Alberta — Contract workers who fly in and out of oil sands may experience higher levels of work-related stress and more mental health issues, according to a recent report led by researchers from the University of Alberta.




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Aviation experts to study pilots' emotional, mental health

Washington – A pair of high-profile incidents overseas has prompted a study into the emotional and mental health of commercial pilots in the United States.




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Lawmakers call for action on pilot, air traffic controller mental health

Washington — A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging the Federal Aviation Administration to make the aviation industry safer by taking “decisive actions to reduce the stigma around mental health care.”




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NFPA challenges firefighters, EMTs to take safety and health quiz

Quincy, MA – To mark International Fire/EMS Safety and Health Week (June 14-20), the National Fire Protection Association has created an interactive quiz for firefighters, emergency medical technicians and other fire service workers.




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Who’s more likely to use their employer’s mental health benefits?

St. Paul, MN — Younger workers are far more likely than their older co-workers to use employer-provided mental health benefits, results of a recent survey show.




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Survey shows generational differences in work-related mental health issues

Alexandria, VA — Workers of all ages face mental health challenges, yet younger generations are feeling them more frequently, according to the results of a recent survey.




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Volunteer firefighters group receives grant for safety and health initiatives

Greenbelt, MD – The National Volunteer Fire Council will use newly awarded grant money to create a “culture of knowledge and safety” among emergency service personnel and address emerging safety and health issues, the organization recently announced.




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Senate health committee approves bill to establish cancer registry for firefighters

Washington — Bipartisan legislation to establish and maintain a voluntary registry intended to improve research into firefighters’ risks of cancer was passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on April 24.




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NIOSH asking firefighters to share health data for cancer research

Washington — NIOSH is looking for participants for a soon-to-launch registry intended to aid research on understanding and preventing firefighters’ risk of cancer.




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CDC publishes MERS control checklists for health care workers

Atlanta – To help protect health care providers and facilities from the dangers of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed checklists for infection control actions.




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Environment, Health and Safety Compliance Checklist

The Environment, Health and Safety Compliance Checklist itemizes some of the documents, training and procedures that are required by many state and federal agencies, including hazard communication, emergency response, and environmental documentation.




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PHMSA updates civil penalty amounts

Washington – A Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration final rule issued April 17 revises agency regulations to match the maximum and minimum civil penalties for hazardous materials violations established by law in 2012.




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PHMSA: Pay civil penalties on time or cease hazmat operations

Washington – A Sept. 24 proposed rule from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration would prohibit hazardous materials carriers and associated companies from further operations if they do not pay civil penalties for violations within 90 days.




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NIOSH announces free health screenings for coal miners

Washington – A series of free, confidential health screenings will be available for coal miners as part of the NIOSH Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program.




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Nearly 2 million health care workers have asthma, NIOSH study shows

Washington — The health care and social assistance industry has the highest percentage of workers with asthma among major industry groups, according to a recent study from NIOSH’s Respiratory Health Division.




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NIOSH to offer free health screenings for coal miners

Washington — NIOSH will offer a series of free, confidential health screenings for coal miners through its Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program.




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Respiratory viruses may linger on health care workers, PPE: study

Chicago — Health care workers commonly carry respiratory viruses on their hands, clothing and personal protective equipment after administering care to patients, accentuating the need to practice “complete hand hygiene and use other PPE to prevent dissemination,” results of a recent study suggest.




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NIOSH to offer free health screenings for coal miners

Washington — NIOSH has planned a series of free, confidential health screenings for current and former coal miners via the agency’s Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program.




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NIOSH announces free health screenings for coal miners

Washington — NIOSH will offer a series of free, confidential health screenings for current and former coal miners as part of the agency’s Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program.




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On DOL’s agenda: rules on ‘black lung’ benefits, MSHA civil penalties

Washington – A rule listed on the Department of Labor’s spring 2014 regulatory agenda is intended to address problems with the administration of the Black Lung Benefits Act, through which miners receive compensation for disabilities related to pneumoconiosis – also known as “black lung” disease.




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Institute of Medicine examines health effects of combat blasts

Washington – Although blast trauma among soldiers can be proven to cause serious eye injuries and may be linked to post-traumatic stress disorder, insufficient evidence exists showing a relationship to tinnitus, vertigo and cardiovascular issues, according to a new report from the Institute of Medicine.




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Report: DOD data systems hinder ability to monitor soldiers’ health risks

Washington – U.S. service members deployed to the Middle East may be facing occupational health risks due to a lack of health monitoring and flaws in the Department of Defense’s multiple data storage systems, according to a Government Accountability Office report released June 22.