Sacramento, CA — Legislation signed into law by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Sept. 5 authorizes the creation of a council charged with establishing minimum standards on working conditions, hours and wages for fast-food workers statewide.

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.”

Washington — Legislation that would prevent the T-Band spectrum – a public safety radio network intended to ease communication among first responders in 11 metropolitan areas – from being auctioned to other users has garnered support from International Association of Fire Chiefs President and Board Chair Gary Ludwig and International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger.

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.

Washington — OSHA is eyeing January for publication of a proposed update to its standard on emergency response to expand safety and health protections for first responders.

Washington — OSHA is seeking to “address the full range of hazards currently facing emergency responders” via a recently released proposed rule.

Chicago — People exposed to organic solvents on the job may have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure, according to a recent study of Latino workers.

Arlington, VA – The Mine Safety and Health Administration on Sept. 25 issued a new guide for miners’ representatives.

Las Vegas – Members of the United Steelworkers have unanimously approved a resolution aimed at improving worker health and safety.

Pittsburgh — A new guide on stop-work authority from the United Steelworkers is aimed at helping workers develop and bargain for programs that allow them to halt unsafe or unhealthy operations and processes until hazards are abated.

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has set new recommendations around lower hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) monitoring, and I have heard that OSHA may consider doing the same. How will these changes impact my gas monitoring program and safety audit?

Washington — The Department of Labor has issued a final rule that targets “employee misclassification” of workers as independent contractors.

Washington — President Joe Biden has vetoed a Congressional Review Act resolution intended to repeal the National Labor Relations Board’s “joint employer” rule, which remains in legal limbo.

The Pocket Blade Dispenser helps reduce worker injuries by safely dispensing one blade at a time.

Help protect construction workers from injuries caused by falling tape measures with the Gear Keeper RT4 5603 Retractable Tape Measure Tether.

The Jobsite Saw is the lightest, most portable and most affordable SawStop yet.

The Alert Band is a wearable early-warning Bluetooth fatigue detector band that attaches to a driver’s forehead.

The Squids 3405 Metal Detectable Grabber with Belt Clip not only helps prevent objects from being dropped, it also signals metal detectors in food processing to prevent it from becoming a harmful foreign object.

The RT3-5605 Retractable Tether minimizes user fatigue and dangling tool entanglement.

The Jobsite Saw PRO Table Saw carries forward all the features of the original Jobsite Saw, including SawStop’s contact-detection technology, while adding new capabilities optimized for the construction and woodworking industries.

Gear Keeper’s ANSI/ISEA-121 compatible RT3-5603 and RT3-5604 Retractable Tethers keep tools (up to 2 pounds) close to the body.

The RT3-5605 heavy-tool retractable tether is designed for tools up to 3.5 pounds. When a tool is retracted, lanyard exposure is minimized to avoid snagging.

The Nexus E:Protect lighter-weight hard hat is made of plant-derived bio polymers, wood fibers and recycled plastics. It uses Centurion Safety’s six-point webbing suspension and ratchet adjustment and has an optional chinstrap.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown C-suite leaders the value of safety professionals.

With a unique curved-stem design, Glide Earplugs allow workers to find their custom fit.

The Fader Plug is an adjustable mechanical earplug that gives users control over how much sound enters their ear with the simple turn of an attenuator.

The Sena Tufftalk Bluetooth Integrated Earmuff offers protection from harmful noise, while the ambient mode feature allows users to amplify external sounds – generating a greater sense of awareness so important alarms or calls can be heard while hearing remains protected.

Unlike earbuds that can eliminate all surrounding noise, potentially putting a worker in danger, Zulu Audio Wearable Bluetooth Speakers use magnets to attach to a worker’s clothing for wireless audio streaming.

This comprehensive lineup of disposable earplugs features 14 new products that include corded, uncorded and metal-detectable styles.

The new ISOtunes LINK and ISOtunes XTRA 2.0 maintain ISOtunes’ SafeMax Technology while introducing enhancements in design and functionality.

The Air Defender AM/FM has a noise reduction rating of 24 decibels and is IPX4-rated for water/sweat resistance. It has a foam headband, ear cushions, and an auxiliary cable to plug into smartphones or other devices.

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.

Austin, TX — The Texas Department of Insurance’s Division of Workers’ Compensation has published a plain language glossary intended to make workers’ comp insurance easier to understand.

Bardavon Health Innovations recently has expanded into injury prevention to protect workers from musculoskeletal disorders in addition to helping with recovery. In this endeavor, they have acquired the leading workplace injury prevention company, Preventure.

Morgantown, WV — A permanent disability caused by a work-related injury can increase the risk of other serious health disorders and even premature death, results of recent study suggest.

Four gloves have been added to the Panther-Guard Disposable Gloves series.

These Nitrile Disposable Gloves offer superior hand protection for workers who need shielding from grease, dirt, oil, chemicals and more.

Lightweight and nylon-lined, CC9009 and CB9009 gloves are 100% polyurethane coated and washable, ideal for ambulance drivers, nursing home workers and police officers, among others.

In non-medical consumer and industrial situations, it’s often advantageous to wear ultrafine nitrile-coated washable gloves, such as the multi-use Aquila NR18E.

Made of 6-mil, powder-free nitrile, these high-visibility orange gloves have a raised diamond pattern that ensures better grip than other disposable products.

According to NIOSH, a number of fires have spontaneously ignited when workers attempted to fill portable gas cans in the backs of pickup trucks with plastic liners or in cars with a carpeted interior surface.

Bleach is a chemical that is diluted and used as a cleaning agent to kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. Handling bleach requires caution and care because it’s corrosive, which means it can irritate or burn the skin and eyes, according to the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety.

Storrs, CT — Heat exposure and heat-related illness cause the vast majority of exertion-related injuries and deaths in the workplace, according to researchers from the University of Connecticut.

Washington — An OSHA standard aimed at protecting workers from extreme heat exposure could prevent at least 50,000 injuries and illnesses annually, a watchdog group contends.

Washington — OSHA’s proposed rule on protecting workers from extreme heat exposure in indoor and outdoor settings is progressing toward potential publication – and the agency wants feedback.

Washington — OSHA says it’s allowing more time for stakeholders to comment on a proposed rule aimed at protecting workers from extreme heat exposure in indoor and outdoor settings.

Washington – OSHA recently issued a fact sheet about protecting workers from abrasive blasting materials.

Silver Spring, MD – The Center for Construction Research and Training (also known as CPWR) has published 52 free toolbox talks on construction topics.

Washington – A new publication from NIOSH is intended to help public health researchers better understand workers’ compensation insurance and how records can be used to help prevent workplace illnesses and injuries.

Washington — A new fact sheet from OSHA seeks to help shipyard employers evaluate their fire and rescue services.