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NIOSH Research Links COPD Cases to Workplace Exposures

The authors conclude that high COPD prevalences in certain industries and occupations among persons who have never smoked underscore the importance of continued surveillance, early identification of COPD, and reducing or eliminating risk factors such as occupational exposures to dust, vapors, fumes, chemicals, and indoor and outdoor air pollutants.

Three Oregon OSHA Courses Now Available in Spanish

Oregon OSHA urges employers to blend the training offered by the Safety Committee Suite with policies and practices that are specific to their workplaces, noting that doing this will increase the effectiveness of the training and help ensure all requirements are met.

Alaska Governor Signs Disaster Relief Bill

"This bill is going to be very important for Alaska – Southcentral Alaska – to make sure we get our bridges and roads up to speed. As springtime continues to uncover potential infrastructure issues, this relief money is going to help tremendously," Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy said.

Pace of Repairing Deficient Bridges Slows Down: ARTBA

"Since the 2016 election, leaders on both sides of the aisle have regularly cited upgrading America's infrastructure as an area for common ground. This report makes clear that it's about time Congress and the Trump administration stop talking and start solving this national problem," said ARTBA President Dave Bauer.

DOT Kicks Off 2019 National Work Zone Awareness Week

Federal, state, and local agencies across the country are taking part in the week's activities. The kickoff press event is taking place at the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge project site in Washington, D.C.

Miami-Dade County Hosting Sea Level Rise Workshops

Local experts will be available at the workshops to answer questions and to guide small group conversations to learn more about sea level rise in the county and to devise strategies to address anticipated impacts.

Portland, Oregon Mayor Appoints New Public Safety Adviser

"We are at a critical time when it comes to the role of public safety. As my administration continues to navigate how to evolve policing to be relevant to the changing needs of our community, I am pleased to have Robert King join the team," Mayor Ted Wheeler said.

CDC, Others Investigating E. Coli Outbreak

Cases have been identified in Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia as of April 4. The investigation includes infections recently reported by the Kentucky Department of Public Health, which announced March 29 that 20 Kentuckians had tested positive with a strain of E. coli O103.



Three Agencies Collaborate on Charger Testing Recommendations

In joint tri-lateral letters to the standards development organizations in the three jurisdictions, the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican agencies recommended new testing to assess the potential for fire and burn hazards caused by AC-powered chargers for small electronic devices.

Four California Hospitals Fined for Licensing Issues

The California Department of Public Health recently issued penalties to four California hospitals along with fines totaling $224,895 after investigations found the facilities' noncompliance with licensing requirements caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death to patients.

NFPA Updates Energy Storage Systems Training Material

First responders may encounter hazmat issues, thermal runaway concerns, battery explosion and re-ignition, and off-gassing when responding to fires involving energy storage and photovoltaic equipment.

Customs, FDA Agree to Step Up Detection of Harmful Products

During fiscal year 2018, FDA staff posted at the nation's International Mail Facilities examined packages from more than 180 countries, with approximately 90 percent of the packages reviewed by the FDA found to contain products that should not have been entering the country.

NRC Sets May 1 Meeting on Turkey Point Extension

In its application, Florida Power & Light seeks an additional 20 years of operation for Units 3 and 4. Their current operating licenses will expire in 2032 and 2033.

Expert Panel to Evaluate BQE Reconstruction Options

The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway's 1.5-mile section between the Atlantic Avenue Interchange and Sands Street is one of the most complex highway structures in the country. Built in 1954, it includes a triple-cantilever structure, of which the Brooklyn Heights promenade is the top tier.

OSHA Cites Remington Arms Company LLC in Amputation Case

"The violations identified exposed employees to serious and potentially life-threatening injuries," said OSHA Syracuse Area Director Jeffrey Prebish. "Employers can minimize workplace dangers by conducting required job hazard analyses."

Drivers More Distracted Around Emergency Vehicles, Endangering First Responders: NSC

More than 1 in 10 respondents—16 percent—said they have either struck or almost struck a first responder or emergency vehicle stopped on or near the road. Despite these responses, 89 percent of drivers said they believe distracted drivers are a major source of risk to first responders.

Study Links Secondhand Smoke to Early Vascular Aging in Flight Attendants

Flight attendants with past exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) have preclinical signs of accelerated vascular (blood vessel) aging, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Health effects of breathing welding fumes include eye, nose, and throat irritation; possible lung damage; various types of cancer; kidney and nervous system damage; and suffocation when oxygen-displacing gases are involved in welding in confined or enclosed spaces.

National Welding Month is Here

The American Welding Society says National Welding Month is an important opportunity to highlight an industry where trade skills are in dire need, with the industry predicting a shortage of more than 200,000 skilled welding professionals by 2020.

DOL Launches New Resource to Help Employers Understand Mental Health Issues

The U.S. Department of Labor, in coordination with the Department’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and its Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion, has launched a new resource to help employers better understand mental health issues and to provide guidance on how to cultivate a supportive workplace.

ACGIH Announces 2019 Award Recipients

The recipients will be honored during next month's American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition. It take place May 20-22 in Minneapolis, Minn.

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