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Vaping among U.S. workers up slightly: CDC

Washington — E-cigarette use among U.S. adult workers rose slightly in recent years, results of a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show.




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New posters highlight 11 best practices for lowering firefighter cancer risk

Greenbelt, MD — Following up on their release of a report detailing 11 best practices for minimizing cancer risk among firefighters, the National Volunteer Fire Council and the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Volunteer and Combination Officers Section have unveiled new posters to highlight each practice.




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Vast majority of fire-related firefighter injuries linked to structure blazes: USFA

Emmitsburg, MD — Of the estimated 26,000 fire-related firefighter injuries that occurred annually from 2015 to 2017, 87% were related to structure fires, according to data published in the July edition of the U.S. Fire Administration’s “Topical Fire Report Series.”




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Firefighter safety stand-down to focus on roadway operations

Greenbelt, MD — “Building a Superhighway to Safety – Protecting our Responders on Roadways” is the theme for the 2020 Firefighter Safety Stand Down.




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On-duty firefighter deaths fall to lowest total on record: USFA

Emmitsburg, MD — Sixty-two firefighters died while on duty in 2019 – the fewest since the U.S. Fire Administration began tracking such data in 1977, according to an annual report recently released by the agency.




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Row house fires: New safety resources for firefighters

Washington — A new poster and fact sheet from NIOSH are designed to help educate firefighters about the unique nature of row house fires and how to stay safe when fighting these blazes.




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Wildland firefighters and COVID-19: CDC publishes FAQs, posters

Atlanta — Aimed at protecting wildland firefighters from exposure to COVID-19, a new website from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention features answers to a series of frequently asked questions.




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Study finds higher levels of potentially harmful chemicals in volunteer firefighters

Piscataway, NJ — A recent study of volunteer firefighters shows that their bodies have higher levels of “forever chemicals” than those of people in the general public, and the amount of these potentially harmful substances likely rises with time and exposures.




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Reflective vehicle markings plus high-intensity lights may make first responders harder for drivers to see

Harrisburg, PA — The combination of high-intensity lights and high-visibility markings on emergency vehicles may make first responders working nighttime roadway scenes difficult for approaching motorists to see – even when the responders are wearing hi-vis vests, the “surprising” results of a recent study show.




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Study links firefighter workload to greater odds of developing A-fib

Shreveport, LA — Firefighters’ risk of developing atrial fibrillation – an abnormal heart rhythm that can trigger serious health problems – increases with the number of fires they respond to, results of a recent study show.




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Firefighter study shows inexpensive silicone wristbands can help track chemical exposures

Durham, NC — Researchers at Duke University have identified a new tool they say can help doctors and public health officials track firefighters’ exposures to cancer-causing chemicals, as well as determine when and where the risks may be greatest.




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Firefighting officially a cancer-causing profession, World Health Organization says

Lyon, France — The World Health Organization has reclassified firefighting as a carcinogenic profession.




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‘What’s killing us’: Firefighter groups warn of health risks linked to protective gear

Washington — Concerned that firefighters’ protective gear may contain potentially harmful “forever chemicals,” the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association are advising their members to take precautions to reduce exposure.




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How to use multi-gas monitors: a safety advisory for firefighters

Morgantown, WV — A new safety advisory from NIOSH is aimed at helping firefighters understand how to use multi-gas monitors when responding to natural gas or propane incidents.




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Fighting row house fires: NIOSH video spotlights challenges and tactics

Washington — A new video is intended to help firefighters stay safe when responding to fire incidents at row houses.




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Firefighter safety stand-down to focus on lithium-ion batteries

Emmitsburg, MD — “Lithium-Ion Batteries: Are You Ready?” is the theme for this year’s Firefighter Safety Stand Down.




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AI tool may help prevent sudden cardiac arrest among firefighters

Gaithersburg, MD — Recently developed artificial intelligence software can determine whether firefighters may be about to experience a potentially fatal cardiac event, researchers say.




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Helping firefighters respond to pipeline emergencies: new training

Washington — New online training from the National Volunteer Fire Council is intended to help fire departments better respond to pipeline emergencies.




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Pipeline safety agency awards grants for firefighter training

Washington — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is providing more than $41 million in grants for hazardous materials safety programs and hazmat training for firefighters.




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Study of carpenters finds lower rates of falls from heights

Durham, NC – The incidence of falls from heights among union carpenters in Washington state dropped more than 80 percent from 1998 to 2008, according to a new study from Duke University.




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Nurses union calls for higher standards for Ebola protection

Silver Spring, MD – Hospitals should put in place the “highest standards” for protective equipment and hands-on training to protect health care workers from Ebola, National Nurses United said in a statement issued Oct. 12.




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Teamsters call for strong federal oversight of driverless trucks

Washington — Federal regulation of autonomous trucks must “prioritize both workers and safety,” the International Brotherhood of Teamsters says.




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GHS chemical labeling requirements

The chemicals I ordered over a year ago that are still on the shelf … do I need to re-label them?




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OSHA highlights 2 fatal events, offers tips on avoiding future incidents

Washington – Two new resources from OSHA detail worker fatalities involving electrocution and engulfment and explain how similar events can be prevented.




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New fact sheets from Cal/OSHA detail worker rights, temp worker requirements

Oakland, CA – Two new fact sheets from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, also known as Cal/OSHA, outline worker safety rights and employer requirements for protecting temporary workers.




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FMCSA awards nearly $81 million in high-priority safety grants

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has awarded almost $81 million in grants via its High Priority Grant Program.




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Lightweight helmet

The EVOLite Skyworker Helmet is an extremely lightweight (less than 1 pound) helmet designed for working at height.




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Firefighter hood

The Honeywell Life Guard Hood for firefighters features an innovative, patent-pending design and proven fabrics that provide better blocking protection against hazardous particulates compared with traditional hoods.




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High-vis hat

The ANSI/ISEA 107-compliant Wide Brim Reflective Safari Hat is made from heavy-duty, high-visibility polyester fabric. It features an extra-wide brim 
(3 inches) to enhance sun protection and moisture-wicking fabric to keep sweat out of the wearer’s eyes.




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Finding the right fit for safety footwear

How do I find the right shoe for the job, according to personal protective equipment standards for footwear?




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Headset for high-noise environments

The SM1R Industrial Headset was designed specifically to enhance two-way radio communication in high-noise environments.




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Overexertion tops list of disabling work injuries for third straight year: report

Hopkinton, MA – “Overexertion involving outside sources” was the leading cause of disabling injuries in the United States in 2014 for the third consecutive year, according to the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, an annual ranking of serious, nonfatal workplace injuries based on direct workers’ compensation costs.




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New report highlights regulatory and legislative action on workers’ comp

Boca Raton, FL — A new report from the National Council on Compensation Insurance provides an overview of key legislative, regulatory and other developments affecting the workers’ comp system.




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New report spotlights legislative actions on workers’ comp

Boca Raton, FL — The National Council on Compensation Insurance has released a new report detailing court cases and decisions that may affect workers’ comp.




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High-tech protective gloves

The 9030P PIRTEK Fluid Power Glove protects the wearer’s hand against the hazards of fluid injection from high-pressure systems.




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Lightweight work glove

AeroDex is a lightweight shell technology glove designed to deliver 360-degree A4 cut resistance – more than 50 percent lighter than a comparable Cut A4.




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High-visibility safety vest

Are you OSHA-compliant? OSHA has mandated rule changes to 29 CFR 1910.269, which now requires the outer layer of clothing to be flame-resistant.




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Accident prevention through hazard communication

Failure to recognize a chemical hazard can threaten workers’ lives by risking chemical burns, respiratory problems, fires and explosions.




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NIOSH: Prevention through Design can help stop construction falls

Washington – A fall prevention guide recently released by NIOSH aims to help building owners and designers build more safety features into their facilities rather than relying on back-end controls.




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Lightning detector

Ideal for outdoor workers, the INO Weather Pro is a handheld weather monitor that detects the distance of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes as far away as 40 miles, providing visual and auditory feedback of lightning strike distances.




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Lightweight low-flow pump

VAPex – an advanced, lightweight low-flow pump – is the ideal solution for seamless chemical exposure reporting at the employee level, resulting in significant time-savings for occupational hygienists.




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Lutron Lighting Control Capabilities Add Energy-Savings Value to Honeywell Home Automation Systems

Most residential and commercial models from Honeywell’s VISTA series of alarm panels now support lighting, shade and temperature control technology from Lutron Electronics, giving security and home-automation professionals a greater range of options when designing connected-home systems for their customers.




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Alarm.com Offers Location-Based Thermostat Automation through Geo-Services

Alarm.com, Vienna, Va., a provider of interactive security and connected home services, announced key enhancements to its Geo-Services offering, including location-based thermostat automation and video recording options.




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Reduce Lighting Control Project Audit and Design Time With New Lutron Energi Advisor App

Lutron Electronics, Coopersburg, Pa., a provider of energy-saving, wireless light and shade control, is making it simpler than ever to propose and evaluate a Lutron lighting control solution for retrofit applications, according to the company.




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OIG to MSHA: Improve oversight of coal mine emergency response plans

Washington – The Mine Safety and Health Administration needs to provide better oversight of coal mine operators’ emergency response plans, according to a recent audit conducted by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.




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Miner deaths and injuries prompt MSHA alert on hazardous highwalls

Arlington, VA — In response to a number of fatalities and serious injuries involving miners working near highwalls in recent years, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert on the associated hazards.




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Do Lighting and Security Go Together?<BR>Brighten Your Bottom Line with Lighting Control

Customers never have to come home to a dark house when the lighting is turned on by this wireless controller.Widely perceived as a residential crime deterrent, lighting is a natural




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Raytec Lighting Cuts Schools’ Energy Costs 90 Percent

By upgrading 66 older metal halide lights in its schools’ parking lots and grounds to energy-efficient low-voltage LED illuminators from Raytec, the Western Quebec School Board, Gatineau, Quebec, has achieved energy savings of more than 90 percent.




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Risk of drowsy-driving crashes higher for night-shift workers: study

Boston – Shift workers have a high risk for crashes due to drowsy driving after working a night shift, according to a study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital.




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Study links rotating night shift to higher risk of heart disease

Boston – Women who work rotating night shifts face a higher risk of heart disease, indicates a study of nurses from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.