Associated Builders and Contractors participated on Sept. 18 in a White House-sponsored roundtable discussion, “Recovery in the Workplace: Investing to Build the Workforce of Tomorrow,” which convened more than a dozen leading corporations, business groups and government leaders at the White House in Washington, D.C., to highlight the importance of recovery-ready and recovery-friendly workplaces and share best practices.

Vertical mills are essential cutting tools in machine shops, used to remove material from the surface of metal workpieces.

The Lifter is an automated manhole cover remover.

The washable Honeywell Dual-Layer Face Cover features an innovative 3D-knit design that contours to the wearer’s face.

Waltham, MA — Injured workers are more likely to experience psychosocial risk factors that can lead to “poorer functional recovery,” according to a recent study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has issued a safety alert in response to five fatal incidents that occurred when miners situated between a longwall face conveyor and coal face were struck by falling sections of the face or roof.

Washington — Health care workers will be the focus of OSHA’s emergency temporary standard on COVID-19, which will be issued June 10, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh told the House Education and Labor Committee during a June 9 hearing.

Kuopio, Finland – Longer breaks between shifts can help nurses bounce back from the demands of work, according to research from the University of Eastern Finland.

Uppsala, Sweden – A study of current and former shift workers shows that shift work may contribute to cognitive difficulties that take years to recover from, according to researchers at Uppsala University and Malmö University.

Businesses and organizations leveraging LVT Units can access satellite connectivity for both primary connectivity and secondary connectivity.

Cambridge, MA — Early screening for psychosocial risk factors may aid in a worker’s recovery from an on-the-job injury, a new white paper from the Workers Compensation Research Institute suggests.

A court affirmed an insurer’s decision to deny a fire damage claim due to the absence of an automatic extinguishing system.

We’ve all seen the headlines — fearsome storms, flooding, earthquakes and more. Fortunately, these disasters don’t happen every day — at least not in most places — but hearing the news is a reminder that a severe weather event or natural disaster could happen on any given day in your town and at your facility. Do you have a disaster preparedness and recovery plan in place? 

V06/V16 Series Vented Coveralls provide exceptional fit and function with mesh venting incorporated across the back shoulders and underneath the arms to aid circulation.

MicroMax VP Coveralls are specifically designed for protection against bloodborne pathogens and viral exposures.

The FrogWear Premium Self- Extinguishing Coverall with Hood is designed for workers who need a secondary protective layer over their primary flame-resistant garments.

This disposable, nonwoven coverall is designed for workers who need protection against light splashes. The 50-gram SMS material, reinforced triangle crotch and serged seams provide wearers with extra protection. The coverall features elastic ankles, waist and wrists as well as a zipper closure with a storm flap.

The Bizflame 88/12 Iona FR coverall protects wearers against radiant and convective heat while providing guaranteed flame resistance with 100 washes. The garment’s action back offers extra freedom of movement.

The RADNOR disposable coverall features PosiWear BA: Breathable Advantage – proprietary technology that protects against dry particulates and liquid sprays without sacrificing breathability.

Washington – OSHA has issued a new compliance directive to help guide inspectors in the enforcement of the agency’s updated Cranes and Derricks in Construction Standard.

Teledyne FLIR has published “How Layering Multispectral PTZ Cameras and Radars Improve Perimeter Protection.” 

Greenbelt, MD — From May 4 to 6, inspectors across North America checked braking systems, lights, tires and other commercial motor vehicle equipment during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s 34th annual International Roadcheck.

In Episode 25, the S+H editorial team celebrates the two-year anniversary of the podcast with a discussion on the many safety hazards facing storm recovery workers. In addition, Nicole Randall from the International Safety Equipment Association discusses various aspects of personal protective equipment for workers.

Washington — The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is alerting hazmat rail tank car owners and others of “the potential for certain manway assemblies with aluminum protective housing covers to melt when exposed to extreme heat.”

Silver Spring, MD — The Solid Waste Association of North America has submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services orders for more than 2.4 million complimentary cloth facial coverings to be distributed to sanitation and recycling workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Richmond, British Columbia — New safety guidelines from WorkSafeBC and Canada’s Automotive Retailers Association are intended to protect workers from shock-, fire- and fume-related hazards associated with electric vehicles and the high-voltage lithium-ion batteries that power them.

Washington — The opioid epidemic has had a wide-ranging impact on U.S. workers, but employers who support recovery can help, a new policy report states.

Lexington, KY — A new toolkit from the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center is intended to help small businesses hire, support and retain workers recovering from a substance use disorder.

Washington — The White House wants to help employers support workers who are dealing with substance misuse – as well as those in recovery. As part of the effort, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has released a toolkit.

We discuss content from the October issue of Safety+Health and share our thoughts on the 2024 NSC Safety Congress & Expo. Also, Jamie Osborne, a public health analyst at NIOSH, joins us to discuss recovery-friendly workplaces in the “Five Questions With …” segment.

When a natural disaster, biological incident or other event occurs, first responders and recovery workers often rush to the scene. That means it’s crucial they have the proper personal protective equipment ready and know how to use it.

Twist and Secure Push Button and E-Stop Safety Covers are designed to temporarily prevent access to machine start and engaged emergency stop buttons for production and facility utility operating equipment.

Denver — Nearly half of young small-business owners – and 3 out of 10 overall – regret not emphasizing worker safety when they started their business, results of a recent survey show.

Arlington, VA — Choosing head protection can be “confusing and complicated” because of the numerous options available, especially when trying to discern the key differences among them, researchers say.

The PIG DrainBlocker Drain Cover is designed to seal off floor or storm drains entirely so no unwanted liquids get into the water supply.

Buffalo, NY — What do workers do to recover when their boss or manager engages in “nonphysical aggression such as humiliating or threatening subordinates, or taking credit for their work”? A pair of researchers recently set out to answer that question.

Industrial workers who use access ladders step onto one of the most dangerous spaces: the slick, small foot surface area on ladder rungs.

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.

People who work in hot, humid conditions may not like the idea of wearing a facial covering to decrease their risk of exposure to COVID-19. But it’s necessary.

Confined space covers provide a best-practice, all-in-one solution of signage and barrier protection to exceed the OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146 standard for permit-required confined spaces.

Washington — NIOSH has added all types of uterine cancer to the list of health-related conditions covered by the agency’s World Trade Center Health Program.

Boot Saver Disposable Covers provide temporary, 100 percent liquid-proof protection and contamination prevention for boots and shoes.

Data suggest restaurant menus can showcase new regional and global takes on chicken soup. This will give consumers new ways to enjoy an old favorite. As plant-based options continue to take off, soup provides both easy and innovative ways to incorporate more vegetables and meat alternatives.

The use of tart cherry products to aid recovery after strenuous exercise is becoming increasingly popular – relied on by college and professional athletes, as well as recreational exercisers.  

The Sun-Maid Board of Imagination embarked on a top-secret mission to create a new product to captivate taste buds and spark imaginations. These young innovators considered everything from color and texture to taste, using their knowledge of flavor profiles to choose their favorite combination.

Flooring manufacturers and retailers are setting a quick pace on innovation, focusing on higher product quality, more transparent marketing and easier-to-digest messaging for consumers. 

Everyone in the tile industry needs to push the quality bar to the next level and beyond.

The funds raised during the tournament will directly support the FCIF's mission of providing financial assistance to individuals within the floor-covering industry who are facing significant hardships due to illness, disability, or other unforeseen life-altering circumstances. 

Flooring franchise Floor Coverings International continues its expansion in Arizona with a new mobile showroom in Sunrise. As the real estate market booms and demand for its services grows, the franchise actively seeks partners in several Arizona cities.

Resilient Floor Covering Institute President and CEO Bill Blackstock offers an update on the association's key initiatives for the second half of 2024 and provides an outlook for the resilient category of flooring.