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NIOSH study examines workplace hearing loss trends over 30 years

Washington – The risk of work-induced hearing loss http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ohl/ may be declining, but efforts are still needed in industries such as mining, construction and health care, according to a new NIOSH study.




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NIOSH study shows prevalence of work-related hearing loss, tinnitus

Washington – Increased awareness and targeted interventions may help protect workers from experiencing hearing loss and/or tinnitus, according to a recent study from NIOSH.




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Mining, manufacturing have highest prevalence of worker hearing loss, study shows

Washington – More than one out of eight workers exposed to on-the-job noise suffer from some form of hearing impairment, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.




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Calling all innovators: Safety agencies launch hearing-conservation technology contest

Washington – In an effort to encourage the development of technology to combat work-related hearing loss, OSHA, NIOSH, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration have partnered on a new competition.




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Study links changes in the brain to age-related hearing loss

Bethesda, MD – Declining speech-processing abilities in the brain may contribute to hearing loss in older adults, according to a recent study from researchers at the University of Maryland.




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Listen up: OSHA announces hearing-protection technology contest winners

Washington – Four inventors have been recognized by OSHA, NIOSH, and the Mine Safety and Health Administration for their innovations in developing technology intended to combat work-related hearing loss.




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Researchers find elevated risk of hearing loss in certain agriculture, forestry and fishing subsectors

Washington — Although work-related hearing loss in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector is lower overall than most other industries, three specific subsectors “would benefit from continued hearing conservation efforts,” according to researchers from NIOSH.




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Exposure to certain chemicals may cause hearing loss, OSHA warns

Washington — Ototoxicants – chemicals that can cause hearing loss and balance issues when inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin – are found in certain pesticides, solvents and medications, and the risk of their adverse effects increases when workers are exposed to elevated noise levels, OSHA cautions in a Safety and Health Information Bulletin published March 8.




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Study links on-the-job noise exposure to high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol

Cincinnati — Workers exposed to loud noise on the job are at increased risk for hypertension and high cholesterol – key risk factors for heart disease – according to a recent study from NIOSH.




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Older construction workers at increased risk for hearing loss: study

Silver Spring, MD — More than half of former construction workers have experienced hearing loss, and certain factors can exacerbate the condition, according to a recent study by the Center for Construction Research and Training (also known as CPWR).




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Hearing loss on the rise among Canadian oil and gas workers: study

Richmond, British Columbia — More Canadian oil and gas workers in the drilling sector are showing signs of job-related hearing loss, according to a recent study from WorkSafeBC.




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Study links occupational hearing loss to faster aging of auditory system

Montreal — Noise exposure in the workplace can accelerate presbycusis – the normal loss of hearing as a result of aging – according to a literature review conducted by researchers at the Canadian scientific research organization IRSST.




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Study finds elevated prevalence, risk of hearing loss in many service industry subsectors

Washington — “Large numbers” of workers in the service industry “have an elevated risk of hearing loss and need immediate hearing conservation efforts,” NIOSH researchers say in a recent study.




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Use of hearing protection iffy among noise-exposed workers: NIOSH

Washington — More than half of workers who are exposed to hazardous noise on the job don’t consistently use hearing protection, results of a recent NIOSH study show.




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CDC releases biosafety tips for avian flu workers

Atlanta – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published biosafety recommendations for laboratories working with highly pathogenic avian influenza.




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NIOSH seeks to survey school workers about health issues

Washington – NIOSH is seeking comment on a proposed survey of school workers to gauge the relationship between building conditions and worker health.




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EPA: Outdated lights in schools may be leaking toxic chemical

New York – As part of an effort to reduce potential exposure to a toxic chemical found in some older fluorescent light ballasts in schools, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued guidance on the proper maintenance and management of the ballasts.




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CSB issues guidance on safety during science demonstrations

Washington – Three recent incidents that left both children and adults with burn injuries have prompted the Chemical Safety Board to issue a safety bulletin on educational science demonstrations that use flammable chemicals.




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Improving academic lab safety

In the wake of severe injuries – including a death – involving laboratory researchers at U.S. universities, the Chemical Safety Board and the American Chemical Society are exploring the issues of education and training, near-miss reporting, and safety culture in university labs.




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Teachers face threats, physical violence: report

Washington – Threats of physical violence from students can result in teachers becoming discontented with the profession – and sometimes quitting it altogether, according to a newly released report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National Center for Education Statistics.




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Burnout may be contagious among newer teachers: study

East Lansing, MI – Less-experienced teachers are more likely to experience burnout if co-workers feel the same way, suggests a recent study from researchers at Michigan State University and the University of Virginia.




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School science presentations and fire safety: CSB releases video

Washington – A new video from the Chemical Safety Board reminds teachers, staff and school administrators of the hazards of using flammable materials such as methanol during classroom science demonstrations.




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Violence against teachers: 1 in 5 educators say they don’t report incidents

Columbus, OH — One out of five teachers who experiences physical or verbal violence on the job does not report it to school administrators, according to a study led by researchers at Ohio State University.




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‘Don’t Mess with Mercury’: Videos for teachers highlight spill awareness, response

Atlanta — As a new school year gets underway, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has released two teacher training videos as part of a campaign intended to call attention to the dangers of mercury exposure.




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Federal agencies launch website on school safety and security

Washington — The Department of Education – together with the departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, and Homeland Security – has launched a new website it calls a “one-stop shop of resources” for K-12 teachers, administrators, parents and law enforcement to identify, prepare for, respond to and mitigate school safety threats.




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Campus fire drills ‘may never have been more important,’ fire marshal says

Newburyport, MA — Fire drill schedules on college and university campuses should be maintained, and fire drill plans and responses updated or modified, during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to University of Delaware Fire Marshal Kevin T. McSweeney.




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Survey puts spotlight on ‘crisis of violence’ against teachers, school staff

Washington — A third of teachers and nearly 2 out of 5 school administrators have experienced verbal harassment or threats of violence from students during the COVID-19 pandemic, results of a recent American Psychological Association survey show.




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Chemical Safety Board reminds schools of hazards in chemistry labs

Washington — In response to a recent fire in a high school chemistry laboratory that resulted in multiple injuries, the Chemical Safety Board is calling on schools and educators to review agency guidance for lab and classroom work involving flammable liquids.




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Working during vacation time keeps you exhausted, study of teachers shows

London — Although spending time on work-related activities while on vacation can help reduce your anxiety levels when returning to the job, it also impairs recovery from work exhaustion, results of a recent study out of England suggest.




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Shifting away from a focus on grades and test scores may make teachers safer

Columbus, OH — Schools that foster a culture of deep engagement in learning – rather than prioritize grades and test scores – may be keeping teachers safe from violence, researchers claim.




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Review underway on OSHA beryllium rule

Washington – A proposed OSHA rule that would update the permissible exposure limit for beryllium is under review by the Office of Management and Budget.




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Proposed beryllium rule should exclude construction, manufacturer says

Washington – The construction industry should be exempt from OSHA’s forthcoming proposed rule on beryllium, according to a manufacturer of industrial abrasives.




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Advocacy group urges OMB to complete review of beryllium rule

Washington – Watchdog group Public Citizen is urging the Office of Management and Budget to complete a review of OSHA’s proposed standard on beryllium and open the rule for public comment.




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Despite delays, OSHA says to expect several rules soon

Washington – Several final and proposed OSHA rules – including a long-delayed update to the beryllium rule – are expected to be published in the next few months, according to the agency’s spring regulatory agenda, released May 21.




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White House completes review of proposed rule on beryllium

Washington – The White House on July 7 completed its review of OSHA’s proposed rule on beryllium, clearing the way for the agency to publicly publish the proposal.




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Proposed rule on beryllium would dramatically lower worker exposure limits

Washington – OSHA is proposing to dramatically lower its 34-year-old permissible exposure limit for beryllium to one-tenth of its current level, the agency announced Aug. 6.




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Reducing beryllium exposure

OSHA’s proposed rule on beryllium has been released. It aims to dramatically reduce the current permissible exposure limit – a move supported by both labor and industry – and save hundreds of lives a year.




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OSHA under Obama: The final year

This time next year, the nation will be electing a new president, who could move OSHA in a different direction. What can the agency accomplish in the remaining months of the Obama administration? OSHA-watchers weigh in.




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OSHA schedules stakeholder meeting on beryllium rule

Washington – OSHA has scheduled an informal public hearing in Washington to gather more input on the agency’s proposed rule on beryllium.




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OSHA reschedules beryllium hearing

Washington – OSHA has rescheduled an informal public hearing intended to gather more input on the agency’s proposed rule on beryllium.




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Advocates call for OSHA to strengthen proposed rule on beryllium

Washington – OSHA’s proposed rule on beryllium is “a step in the right direction” but could be stronger, according to a pair of worker safety and health advocates who testified at an informal hearing on the proposal.




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Maritime advisory committee to receive update on beryllium rule

Washington – OSHA’s Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health is scheduled to receive an update on the agency’s proposed beryllium rule during a May 3 meeting.




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OSHA panel talks agency’s ‘current activities’

Anaheim, CA – The status of OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program was in the spotlight during the “OSHA Current Activities” Technical Session on Monday at the 2016 NSC Congress & Expo.




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Beryllium standard moves to final rule stage on fall regulatory agenda

OSHA’s final rule on occupational exposure to beryllium is scheduled for publication in January, according to the Department of Labor’s fall regulatory agenda, released Nov. 17.




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OSHA releases final rule updating decades-old beryllium exposure limits

Washington – OSHA has issued a final rule lowering occupational exposure limits for beryllium. The standards apply to general industry, construction and shipyards.




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OSHA releases final rule updating beryllium exposure limits

OSHA has issued a long-awaited final rule lowering occupational exposure limits for beryllium, a lightweight metal used in various industries. Supporters of the rule say it's the result of an innovative collaboration between industry and labor.




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OSHA delays effective date for beryllium rule

Washington – OSHA has delayed until March 21 the effective date of its final rule intended to protect workers from exposure to beryllium.




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DOL delays effective date of beryllium rule

Washington – The Department of Labor is proposing to delay until May 20 the effective date of a final rule intended to protect workers from beryllium.




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Final rule on beryllium: OSHA pushes effective date to May 20

Washington – A final rule intended to protect workers from exposure to beryllium has been delayed a second time.




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Beryllium rule: OSHA seeks to eliminate provisions aimed at construction, shipyard workers

Washington – OSHA has issued a proposed rule that would roll back certain provisions of its final rule on worker exposure to beryllium in the construction and shipyard industries.