Washington — Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the House would direct OSHA to create employer guidance on acquiring opioid overdose reversal medication and training workers on its use.

Washington — Physical assaults on health care workers in hospitals could lead to federal penalties and up to 20 years of jail time, under new bipartisan legislation.

Albany, NY — Public school districts in New York will be required to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs, under a new state law set to go into effect Jan 4.

Tallahassee, FL — Legislation that would prohibit local municipalities, counties or any other “political subdivision” in Florida from enacting regulations requiring worker protections against heat exposure is awaiting the governor’s approval.

Washington — Two senators have reintroduced a bill to establish the 32-hour workweek as an American standard.

Washington — A pair of House Democrats have introduced legislation that would “prohibit, or require disclosure of, the surveillance, monitoring and collection of certain worker data by employers.”

Sacramento, CA — Legislation recently introduced in California would help ensure workers have uninterrupted personal time by establishing a “right to disconnect” from emails, texts and calls outside of work hours.

Trenton, NJ — New Jersey’s Senate Labor Committee has advanced a bill that would require the state to establish a heat stress standard by June 1, 2025.

Springfield, IL — Legislation intended to protect workers from retaliatory conduct by employers, as well as strengthen current protections under Illinois state law, is awaiting approval from Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D).

Denver — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) has signed legislation that includes funding aimed at establishing recovery friendly workplaces and supporting people in recovery from substance use disorders.

St. Paul, MN — Legislation recently signed into law by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) updates excavation safety statutes with utility worker safety in mind.

Washington — Legislation recently introduced by House Democrats would increase fines for workplace safety and child labor violations.

Springfield, IL — Workers in Illinois now have protections against retaliatory conduct by employers.

Albany, NY — Retail workers in New York now have more protections against workplace violence and harassment, under a new state law.

Sacramento, CA — Naloxone hydrochloride or another Food and Drug Administration-approved opioid-reversal medication must be included in all workplace first aid kits in California no later than Dec. 1, 2028.

New York — Both city and state legislation and public health initiatives are needed to protect outdoor workers in New York City from extreme temperatures and poor air quality, according to a new report.

Boca Raton, FL — “Mental injuries” (such as post-traumatic stress disorder), cannabis and independent contractors were among the top workers’ compensation-related issues that state legislatures focused on this year, a new report shows.

In Episode 31, the S+H editorial team dives into the September issue’s feature story on setting up a volunteer first aid response team in your workplace, and discusses the ins and outs of worker engagement and buy-in with Shawn Galloway, CEO of ProAct Safety.

Will you be working in hot conditions? You’ll need to take steps to protect yourself from the heat.

In Episode 48, the S+H team examines the February issue’s CEO’s Who “Get It” feature and some of OSHA’s most unique cases. Also, National Safety Council colleague Maria Cordova joins the podcast to discuss the benefits of first aid at work in the “Five Questions With …” segment.

Workrite has a new line of 3M Thinsulate^TM Platinum FR outerwear. It’s warmer and less bulky than standard insulated FR workwear.

The NEW Justin Original Workboots 10-inch steel toe logger offers Vibram Tacoma TC4 Plus outsole, padded collars, Dri-Lex lining, heavy duty waxed laces and the Justin Jel removable orthotic with mesh spacer footbed cover.

Working alone presents employees with a number of challenges. Yet lone work is not inherently unsafe, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety in Hamilton, Ontario.

A lone worker is defined as a worker who cannot be seen or heard by another person, and cannot expect a visit from another employee.

Miners working alone should always tell a responsible person their location and travel path through a mine, the Mine Safety and Health Administration says.

Operating heavy machinery can create significant hazards on a construction site.

Woodworking equipment can be extremely dangerous if used incorrectly or if proper safeguards are not in place. Common injuries include lacerations, amputations, severed fingers and blindness. Additionally, wood dust can contain hazardous chemicals, which may cause skin and respiratory diseases.

Woodworking machines – with their moving parts and sharp blades – can be extremely dangerous if not used correctly. Amputations, blindness and lacerations are common injuries related to working with these machines.

Because of their youth and inexperience, extra attention needs to be paid to teen workers, cautions the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

In an effort to better protect temporary workers – who are at an increased risk of work-related injuries and illnesses – OSHA and NIOSH partnered to release a report containing recommended practices for staffing agencies and host employers.

Having a job can be an exciting and rewarding experience for young people. But according to OSHA, people younger than 25 are 2 times as likely as older workers to be injured on the job, and more than 170,000 young workers were injured and 361 were killed at work in 2012.

According to NIOSH, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths among people ages 16 to 24 in the United States.

In woodworking, potential contact with a saw blade presents a very serious hazard. Even though guards offer protection, it is important to remember they alone cannot prevent an injury from happening.

Washington – Dog bites, falls and vehicle collisions were the leading causes of injuries among U.S. Postal Service employees in 2012, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Sept. 26.

Telework can offer plenty of benefits for employers and employees alike. But how can companies promote safety for workers who are out of sight, working from a home office? Learn some tips from safety professionals, human resources directors and other telework experts.

Solitary work is a fact of life in many industries. How do organizations ensure safety for employees they cannot see? Safety experts and government officials offer advice on protecting lone workers.

The definition of the gig economy is far from clear-cut, but experts agree that the ranks are growing – raising questions about who is responsible for gig workers' on-the-job safety and health.

Wearable technology offers EHS pros another way to help employees stay safer and healthier. But with its potential comes concerns.

Tumwater, WA — The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has published guidance on a new state law intended to protect workers in the hospitality industry from sexual harassment and assault.

Experts on NIOSH’s Total Worker Health approach hosted a webinar exploring the “opportunities and complexities” of sensor technology.

Washington — A new white paper from the National Safety Council is intended to help employers identify and implement monitoring technology to keep lone workers safe.

Washington — Location geofencing is the subject of the latest white paper from the National Safety Council’s Work to Zero initiative

Washington — New fact sheets from NIOSH are intended to help workers at gas stations and convenience stores – and their employers – reduce the risk of violence on the job.

The Voltclaw-12 Tool is leading to safer, faster and more productive work methods for electricians and maintenance professionals.

Los Angeles – Better laws and more resources are needed to protect workers throughout the country, several safety advocates said in an April 23 teleconference sponsored by the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.

Albuquerque, NM – Many farm laborers in New Mexico face unsafe working conditions, according to a recent report from the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty.

Washington – OSHA is supporting the efforts of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety in promoting National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 15-21.

Sacramento, CA – Legislation intended to prevent California employers from retaliating against immigrant workers who report unsafe or unfair working conditions awaits the governor’s signature.

San Diego – Most U.S. workplace deaths are preventable, and several approaches can be taken to reduce exposures to hazardous conditions, suggests a new report from the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.

New York – A new report claims 42 percent of workers surveyed in New York City’s food manufacturing industry have been injured on the job.