My nearly fifteen-year-old son's learning to drive is unnerving my peace of mind. “Dad,” he said to me from behind the steering wheel, “You’re actually really terrified, aren’t you?” It must have been my stomping the invisible break petal on the passenger-side floorboard that gave it away! We all look forward to monumental moments in our lives. We don’t all think carefully or biblically about how we are going to get through them when they come. We look forward to their high school graduation...

On July 16, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the Portland Cement Association, which represents America’s cement manufacturers, will receive more than $2.4 million to lead a project that will improve both the quantity and quality of industry Environmental Product Declarations.

UL Environment has certified a pair of new Environmental Product Declarations for CertainTeed’s Symphony mineral fiber and VOC Compliant Symphony fiberglass ceiling panels.

An environmentally friendly work surface option for control room consoles, called Marmoleum from Winsted Corporation, is made of natural and sustainable raw materials, which emit no volatile organic compounds and are completely biodegradable.

Washington — Two environmental groups, along with 75 salon workers from across the country, have filed a citizen petition asking the Food and Drug Administration to ban hair straighteners containing formaldehyde.

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.

At my facility, many areas have small leaks and drips outdoors that represent either an environmental risk or a slip, trip and fall hazard due to the slick surface they create. When dealing with these small hydrocarbon spills in the rain or on waters, are there any products or solutions that absorb the oil while allowing clean water to filter through, or other solutions to keep my employees safe?

Denios pop-up barriers are self-contained and passively powered. They are a self-closing solution that can save your facility – and even lives. No power, people or external sensors are needed.

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.

Washington — Approximately 18,000 miles of decommissioned oil and gas pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico pose safety and environmental risks, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

Charlottesville, VA — Coal miners with black lung disease commonly face various mental health issues, including thoughts of suicide, results of a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Virginia show.

Washington — A new approach to assisting military personnel who have mental health concerns “helps people get the specific care they need in a timely manner,” a military health care provider says.

Washington — The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences’ Worker Training Program has published Spanish-language versions of its resources on COVID-19’s impact on mental health and substance use.

The V-Gard GREEN Protective Helmet is the first industrial safety product produced from renewable resources.

Columbus, OH — Three out of 10 law enforcement officers have experienced a work-related head injury, putting them at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, according to a recent study.

Bilbao, Spain — A new report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work suggests practical measures – such as changes in work environment, hours and patterns, as well as tasks and equipment – that employers can implement to help and retain workers after mental health-related absences.

How can organizations more efficiently create and review document control records, route documents, and conduct change requests using environmental, health and safety software tools?

Hamilton, NJ — Leaders and workers in the civil construction industry lack training and resources on addressing and promoting mental health, according to a recent report published by Dodge Data & Analytics.

In Episode 32, the S+H editorial team dives into the October issue’s feature story on how to help reduce the stigma around workers’ mental health. The team also discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced changes in safety training.

Workers might be facing a number of issues during the COVID-19 crisis that can have an impact on mental health, including furloughs and layoffs, social isolation, financial hardships and worries, and health concerns for themselves and their families.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Take time this month – and all year round – to promote awareness of worker well-being.

Experts say employers need to make workers’ mental health as high of a priority as physical health. A big step in that process: confronting the stigma that often accompanies mental health disorders.

In Episode 44, the S+H team examines the October issue’s feature story on respirable crystalline silica. Also, Suzi Craig, vice president of workplace mental health at Mental Health America, joins the podcast to discuss normalizing conversations and attitudes around mental health in the “Five Questions With …” segment. 

Hartford, CT — Thirty-three percent of people working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic are concerned about their mental health, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by health benefits provider Aetna International.

Tilburg, Netherlands — Employers who take a more tailored approach to supporting workers who return to work after a mental health-related absence “could not only prevent mental health problems from becoming more severe but also help employees achieve a more sustainable return,” according to a new research report from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

San Francisco — Around half of workers say their employer isn’t doing enough to address the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by Total Brain, a mental health and brain performance platform provider.

Los Angeles — A recent survey of people who worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic shows that nearly three-quarters experienced new mental health issues, while 65% developed new physical issues.

Aurora, CO — “Lack of recognition as frontline workers” adds emotional strain to the physical demands, staffing obstacles and COVID-19 concerns of workers who clean and sanitize health care facilities and equipment, results of a recent University of Colorado study suggest.

Washington — Health care workers are reporting burnout and poor mental health at levels higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Washington — NIOSH is encouraging health care industry employers to craft mental health-related communications in a way that helps reduce the stigma around seeking support.

Rockville, MD — Mental health is “just as important for your safety as that harness or anything else that you’re wearing,” Mechanical Contractors Association of America member Ricky Reams says in a new video.

New York — The Building Trades Employers’ Association is calling on local, state and federal leaders to adopt reforms aimed at enhancing mental health awareness in the construction industry.

Silver Spring, MD — Nearly 1 out of 5 construction workers report having anxiety or depression, and the overwhelming majority of them haven’t sought expert help, a new report shows.

Tumwater, WA — A new webpage offers resources for fostering mental wellness in the workplace and supporting workers who have a diagnosed mental illness.

London — People who are aware that their co-workers are using employer-provided mental health benefits may be more likely to use them too, researchers say.

Philadelphia — Automated text message reminders about a digital mental health platform helped decrease the symptoms of depression and anxiety among health care workers in a recent study from the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.

Denver — Half of workers have experienced a mental health issue in the past year, results of a recent survey show.

Nijmegen, Netherlands — “The greater the mental effort, the greater the unpleasantness experienced by participants,” a recent study by Dutch researchers concludes.

Nottingham, England — Workers who are worried about missing out on information but also feel overloaded by it are more likely to experience stress and burnout, according to a recent study.

Montreal — A work-related injury followed by a mental health issue, or the other way around: Which is more likely? Two Canadian researchers wanted to find out.

Washington — Transit agency leaders must help support employee well-being with a clear commitment to addressing mental health, wellness and resiliency – and should provide resources, according to a new report.