In a move that echoes one made on this side of the Atlantic, the European Commission plans to review – and possibly eliminate -- regulations that it says are hindering business growth and job creation. In a reaction that echoes some heard on this side of the Atlantic, labor and workers’ rights advocates are not happy about the plan.

The European Union (EU) has reached an informal agreement on the review of legislation to limit worker exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) – although it does not take into consideration demands from trade unions to look at the long-term effects on human health of exposure to these fields.

A recent study found that smoke-free legislation leads to a sharp decrease in hospitalizations and deaths from heart and respiratory diseases.

There are a number of industries in the United Arab Emirates that have excellent safety records, ensuring workers are cognizant of what is required for their own benefit, while keeping to the optimum level of efficiency.

With dangerous chemicals causing about 4.9 million deaths a year – according to the World Health Organization (WHO) – and China and India both experiencing jumps in cancer rates, both countries have begun beefing up legislation on the production and marketing of chemicals.

A Senate committee’s approval this week of an amendment to the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 is either a victory for American families or a defeat for bipartisan cooperation – depending on who you ask.

American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown is warning that the latest round of House budget cuts “puts patient care on the chopping block.”

In an argument that sounds familiar on this side of the Atlantic, a group of European employers say that a proposed work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) directive would impose an unbearable administrative and financial burden upon companies – especially small businesses.

Although occupational safety and health legislative activity is "stalled" on the federal level, a number of states are pursuing regulatory and legislative agendas related to workplace safety.