Calgary, Alberta — Workers performing repetitive manual tasks can avoid muscle fatigue by taking short breaks every 10 minutes, researchers say.

Genoa, Italy — A new video from the Italian Institute of Technology showcases potential uses of collaborative robots, or cobots, to help prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Washington — “If it isn’t equitable, it’s not ergonomic.” Paige DeBaylo, research manager at the National Safety Council MSD Solutions Lab, offered that insight during a July 11 webinar discussing a recently published NSC report.

ATA Extreme Visibility Sleeves push high visibility to extraordinary new heights. For both wearers and nearby co-workers, increased visibility and awareness help reduce incidents.

The flexible DBI-SALA Self-Rescue Device attaches to workers’ current safety harnesses, allowing them to lower themselves to safety in the event of a fall from height.

DuraTech Arc-Rated Self-Retracting Devices are designed to keep workers at height safe from a fall after an arc flash or arc blast event. The SRDs are available in both single- and twin-leg configurations with a variety of connection options.

'Herd immunity' can help prevent spread of flu: study

Tempe, AZ – School closings and social distancing measures helped limit transmission of influenza in Mexico during the 2009 pandemic, indicates research released May 25 by the Fogarty International Center at the National Institutes of Health.

Although motor vehicle-deer collisions can happen year-round, November is the month with the highest risk, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Washington – Despite a downward trend in asbestos concentration levels over the course of nearly three decades, many workers in construction, automotive repair, manufacturing and other industries inhaled asbestos at heightened levels, according to a recent report.

Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency has published a report on risk evaluations as part of requirements established by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on problem formulation documents for the first 10 chemicals slated for evaluation for potential health and environmental risks under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, as well as a systematic review approach document and a proposed significant new use rule for asbestos.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is asking for public comment on a draft risk evaluation that states asbestos, a known human carcinogen, presents an unreasonable health risk to workers under certain conditions, as critics of the agency renew their call for a complete ban of the substance.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has moved to June 8-11 a Toxic Substances Control Act Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals virtual peer review of an EPA draft risk evaluation that states asbestos, a known human carcinogen, presents an unreasonable health risk to workers under certain conditions.

Washington — Critics of the Environmental Protection Agency are renewing their call for a complete ban on asbestos after the agency’s release of Part 1 of a final risk evaluation that concludes that the substance – a known human carcinogen – presents an unreasonable health risk to workers under certain conditions.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on a draft of Part 2 of a final risk evaluation that concludes asbestos – a known human carcinogen – presents an unreasonable health risk to workers under certain conditions.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has announced the availability of the final scope of Part 2 of the final risk evaluation to be conducted for asbestos.

Stockholm — Exposure to dusts and fumes from common workplace agents such as vapors, gases and solvents may increase workers’ risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, results of a recent study out of Sweden show.

Washington — OSHA will prioritize rulemaking for a standard on preventing workplace violence in health care and social settings, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh testified during a May 17 House subcommittee hearing.

Itasca — New guidance from the National Safety Council is aimed at providing organizations with information and solutions to effectively mitigate and address workplace violence.

Provo, UT — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) has signed a law allowing employers to petition for and obtain protective orders against anyone who poses a threat.

San Mateo, CA — Nearly 2 out of 3 frontline workers don’t feel safe on the job, results of a recent survey show.

Washington — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is asking for comment on proposed enforcement guidance aimed at preventing and addressing worker harassment based on sex, race and other protected traits.

In Episode 46, the S+H team examines the December issue’s feature story on best practices for preventing workplace violence. Also, Atanu Das, owner of MSDS Writer, a consulting company, joins the podcast to discuss Safety Data Sheets in the “Five Questions With …” segment.

Washington — New guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is intended to prevent and address worker harassment based on sex, race and other protected traits, outlining when such behavior is against the law.

Collapsible Gate Valve Lockouts are durable and versatile lockout-covering devices available in three sizes to effectively secure valves with 3-inch to 18-inch diameter handles.

Washington — A group of House Republicans is moving to repeal a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration final rule that stipulates minimum training requirements for entry-level truck drivers.

Albany, NY — Public school districts in New York will be required to develop and implement workplace violence prevention programs, under a new state law set to go into effect Jan 4.

Washington — House Democrats have introduced legislation that would make changes to “how, when and where” hazardous materials are transported by railroads.

Tallahassee, FL — Legislation that would prohibit local municipalities, counties or any other “political subdivision” in Florida from enacting regulations requiring worker protections against heat exposure is awaiting the governor’s approval.

Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the Senate is aimed at ensuring firefighters and other workers are properly trained to respond to emergencies involving electric vehicles.

The Blind Flange Lockout Device is a best-in-class solution that offers a secure, highly adaptable and cost-effective option for protecting employees from hazardous energy.

Working on and around heavy equipment – including tractors, forklifts and bulldozers – can result in serious injuries and even death. One potential danger is falling from the equipment.

Cave-ins during excavation work, body parts being pulled into unguarded machinery, standing within the swing radius of cranes and other equipment, and being caught between a piece of equipment and a fixed object – all of these are examples of caught-in or caught-between incidents that can occur at work.

Are quick coupling devices used on your worksite to change excavator buckets and other attachments?

A 16-year-old worker died after his ladder came in contact with a power line.

Washington – A final rule updating OSHA standards for power line workers has cleared one of the final regulatory hurdles and could be published as soon as March.

The ChekVolt allows you to test for absence of voltage and provides voltage presence LED indication – all without opening enclosure doors.

Chemicals in the workplace can create hazards in the home if workers are not careful.

Arlington, VA – The American Trucking Associations has filed formal comments urging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to swiftly issue a mandate for commercial truck drivers to use electronic logging devices.

Washington – Certain patient-moving devices and policies can help nurses avoid injuries, according to a report released June 16 by advocacy group Public Citizen.

New York – Every day, 27 workers suffer on-the-job amputations or injuries that require hospitalization, according to a recent report from the National Employment Law Project.

Turn hard-working boots into ice picks of steely sturdiness with the TREX 6310 Adjustable Ice Traction Device.

The “blue line” is defined as the path workers take to get their work done. The National Safety Council adds: “Blue line reviews are field observations of work by leaders with the goal of better understanding how work is actually performed.”

New Orleans – NIOSH and the National Hearing Conservation Association have honored two companies for their efforts to prevent work-related noise-induced hearing loss.

Fort Detrick, MD — The U.S. Army is developing a new standard to help protect all military service members from hearing problems caused by blast injuries.

OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program is almost 5 years old. Is it working as intended? Stakeholders and OSHA-watchers weigh in.

In this infographic, Magid Glove explains new changes to the ANSI/ISEA 105-2016 cut protection standard: How to read the new cut level icon and how to choose the right cut level for the job.

Washington — A new poster and infographic from OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration offer best practices to help mine operators and workers mitigate heat-related hazards and prevent heat illness.

Cleaning up after hurricanes or other storms exposes cleanup workers to floodwaters, which can carry some serious health risks. Floodwaters can be contaminated with micro-organisms, sewage, industrial waste, chemicals or other substances that can cause illness or death, according to OSHA.