Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has extended until Aug. 8 the comment period for a proposed rule intended to “improve the efficiency” of the agency’s chemical review process.

It’s hard to go anywhere these days without seeing people with smartphones – and safety professionals have noticed this, too. So will safety training of the future involve a touch screen?

Denver — Young people who participated in an introductory workplace safety and health training session significantly boosted their knowledge of and attitude toward the topic, results of a recent study show.

Darien, IL — Basic employer interventions such as educating workers about the importance of sleep and sharing strategies to improve it may result in better sleep habits, increased productivity and reduced absenteeism, a recent review of research concludes.

University Park, PA — Using weekends to catch up on the sleep you didn’t get during the workweek isn’t a heart-healthy strategy, a new study claims.

Fall protection compliance remains a problem across the country. At the 2015 National Safety Council Congress & Expo in Atlanta, OSHA’s Fall Protection Standard (1926.501) was named the agency’s most frequently cited standard – for the fifth year in a row. What are the main barriers to compliance? And what are fall protection manufacturers doing to help?

What do workers want from their foot protection? What do they need to know?

It can be easy to operate in the mindset that “bad things won’t happen to me on the job.” But when it comes to protecting your eyesight, stop for a moment and consider: Every day, 2,000 workplace eye injuries requiring medical attention occur, according to NIOSH.

The headlamp on a worker’s hard hat. The lanyard that prevents tools from dropping. The safety blade that smoothly slices through cellophane. These safety tools and knives – and countless more – not only help keep work processes running efficiently, they also help keep employees safe. Here, manufacturing industry professionals speak about what’s new in the field of safety tools and knives, and what workers need to know to stay safe.

After Safety+Health reached out to experts in the protective clothing industry, two things became clear: Protective clothing manufacturers are always striving to improve worker safety, and comfort is king.

In 2011, 5,170 eye injuries involving cases with days away from work occurred in the manufacturing industry, according to the 2014 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts.”

Washington – After 16 days, the federal government shutdown that ceased the majority of OSHA operations concluded with the passage of a bill to fund the government.

Head and face injuries can be as minor as a scratch on the cheek or a small bump on the head, or as devastating as a traumatic brain injury. No matter the severity, any head injury is one too many.

In 2013, 121,500 hand injuries resulted in days away from work, according to the 2016 edition of “Injury Facts,” a National Safety Council chartbook. If that number gives you pause, read on as hand protection industry insiders offer advice on preventing hand injuries and describe what’s new regarding protection.

Unlike personal protective equipment such as hard hats and steel-toe boots, emergency eyewashes and showers are not meant to be used every day. Ideally, a worker will never need one. But should an incident such as a chemical splash occur, it’s vital that emergency eyewashes and showers be ready for use.

Falls are a common cause of serious work-related injuries and deaths. Employers whose workers are exposed to fall hazards are responsible for ensuring not only that those workers have appropriate fall protection, but also that they’re trained on how to use it. Here, fall protection industry insiders describe what’s new in the field and why it’s important to remember that fall protection can be more intricate than meets the eye.

Industry insiders are praising technological improvements in plant safety.

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.

Technology is playing a strong role in the advancement of plant safety, according to people in the safety industry.

For workers who wear protective clothing, getting dressed for the workday is serious business.

Does your knowledge of safety knives make the cut? Here, an industry insider shares his thoughts on new technology, how employers can help prevent misuse and what workers must understand.

In 2013, foot injuries resulted in 43,570 cases involving days away from work, according to the 2016 edition of “Injury Facts,” a chartbook from the National Safety Council.

Washington — NIOSH, along with the National Hearing Conservation Association and the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation, has extended to Aug. 15 the nomination deadline for the 2023 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award.

Quick access to an emergency eyewash/shower station is vital in the event of an incident.

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board has extended to Dec. 31 its deadline for comment on a recent initiative that seeks to better understand why efforts to manage and control combustible dust hazards “have often failed” to prevent explosions.

Greenbelt, MD — Inspectors across North America will examine braking systems, lights, tires and other commercial motor vehicle components May 17-19 during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual International Roadcheck.

Washington — Internal Revenue Service personnel will no longer make unannounced visits to businesses or households, except in certain circumstances.

Washington — OSHA has pushed to Nov. 13 the deadline for comment on its proposal to allow workers to designate someone who doesn’t work for their employer to represent them during OSHA “walkaround” inspections.

Philadelphia — OSHA Region 3 has renewed a series of regional and local emphasis programs, which include a focus on fall hazards in the construction industry.

Noise-related hearing loss has been one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for more than 25 years, according to OSHA.

Roughly 30 million workers in the United States are exposed to hazardous noise every year, OSHA states.

Many workers rely on instruments and monitors, including noise dosimeters and gas monitors, to help keep them safe.

Hearing loss is preventable. Why, then, is it still so common?

Washington — In response to multiple stakeholder requests, OSHA has extended until Oct. 28 the comment period on a proposed rule that would revise the agency’s standards on occupational exposure to lead in general industry and construction.

When used properly, instruments and monitors can provide workers with critical safety information, such as indoor air quality or if a confined space has a toxic level of gas.

Is safety tracking software the name of the game for new technology designed for plant safety?

Washington — Citing data that shows hospitalizations “may increase significantly in the coming weeks,” OSHA has extended its revised National Emphasis Program on COVID-19 until further notice.

Washington — OSHA submitted its permanent standard on COVID-19 for the health care industry to the White House Office of Management and Budget for final review Dec. 7.

As with most personal protective equipment, comfort is paramount for workers who use head and face protection. Manufacturers know this and have responded.

Workers who consider gas detectors and monitors “just another tool” are making a mistake, according to industry experts.

Washington — Three OSHA regions have continued or established a set of emphasis programs, the agency recently announced.

Because hand injuries are so prevalent among U.S. workers – 118,170 private-sector injuries in 2011, according to the 2014 edition of the National Safety Council’s “Injury Facts” – glove manufacturers are working to develop products aimed at reducing those numbers.

Determining proper fit for safety footwear can be daunting.

Just as there are so many ingredients combined in a good sauce, there are many factors that combine to impact new product development in sauces, dressings and spreads. And this is true—seemingly for better and for worse.

The popularity of Vietnamese food and beverages has continued to grow in the US, alongside other Asian cuisine. Enhancing the proverbial “sweet spot” in a trending Vietnamese food by incorporating trusted ingredients can transform a traditional Vietnamese dish into a new variation.

Whole Foods Market’s summer condiment trends predictions come at a time when customers are turning to condiments to elevate their meals more than ever before. According to Mintel, sales for the condiment, marinade and dressing category are expected to hit $2.9 billion by 2024, showing growth of more than 5% since 2020.

Technology continues to play a prominent role in safety programs, and safety incentive programs are keeping pace.

Whether cutting through shrink wrap, slicing boxes open or entrusting a lanyard to keep tools safely secured when at height, workers rely on various safety tools and knives every day.

In 2012, exposure to harmful substances resulted in 110 work-related deaths and more than 15,000 cases with days away from work, according to the 2015 edition of the National Safety Council chartbook, “Injury Facts.”

Listen to a new Prepared Foods interview with Editor Bob Garrison and Carolina Sasson, Chief Operating Officer at Mission Field, recapping trends, tastes and technologies seen at Natural Products Expo West.