Job strain linked to increased sick leave

Improving work psychosocial factors may reduce mental health sick leave

Workers with high job demands and job strain are at increased risk of sick leave due to mental disorders, reports a study in the August Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

Million Hearts launches annual blood pressure control challenge

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched an annual challenge designed to identify and honor clinicians and health care teams that have helped their patients control high blood pressure and prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Bloodborne pathogen exposure, safe patient handling among healthcare worker safety priorities

AOHP releases 2015-2017 Public Policy Statement

On behalf of healthcare workers across the nation and beyond, the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP) has released its 2015-2017 Public Policy Statement, which specifically targets health and safety concerns in healthcare.

Ohio nursing facility takes steps to reduce worker MSD injuries

Twin Towers to hire a specialized safety consultant to help improve workplace conditions

Employees at a Cincinnati nursing care facility will benefit from improvements the company is making to its policies and procedures for transferring residents at Twin Towers, a provider of skilled nursing care services.

Clearing the air about COPD

By Pete Stafford

No one disputes that smoking is the major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the difficulty breathing that strikes so many Americans in their twilight years. A new study by Duke University and CPWR researchers, however, reminds us that smoking is far from the only cause, and we still have a lot of work to do if we are going to protect construction workers.

One year later: Is respirable coal dust rule is working?

MSHA’s Main says industry compliance is at 99 percent

One year ago this month, the landmark respirable dust rule went into effect, adding a number of increased protections for coal miners and closing several loopholes that masked their exposure to unhealthy coal mine dust.

1000+ deaths on the job so far in 2015

Total fatalities likely to reach 4,500 this year; 50,000 additional deaths from occupational exposure

The U.S. Worker Fatality Database, an open access volunteer research effort, yesterday released new data about deaths on the job during the first seven months of 2015.

OSHA updates NEP on amputations

OSHA has issued an updated National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Amputations. The NEP has been in existence since 2006 and is targeted to industries with high numbers and rates of amputations.

Tianjin disaster: How prepared is the US chemical industry?

By Roger Marks

On August 12, 2015, in the Chinese port city of Tianjin, a warehouse owned by a logistics company suffered massive explosions and fires that killed at least one hundred people, injured hundreds more, and released toxic fumes into the air.

NSC Congress & Expo educational highlights

Opening Session: Building Safer Workplaces with Deborah A. P. Hersman, President and CEO, National Safety Council and Former Chair, National Transportation Safety Board; Michael Abrashoff, Former Navy Commander and Author.

After the blast: China to review safety of hazmat facilities

21 firefighters among the 114 dead; more missing

The Chinese government yesterday has ordered a nationwide review of workplace safety, after last week’s warehouse explosion that killed at least 114 people and destroyed dozens of buildings in the port city of Tianjin.

CDC recommends 7 steps to avoid illnesses caused by excessive wildfire smoke exposure

The summer of 2015 has scorched the western U.S. with thousands of wildfires. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), exposure to excessive wildfire smoke even at a distance can harm eyes, lungs and heart. The CDC advises that to avoid illness caused by wildfire smoke exposure, seven steps should be taken:

GAO: Thousands of chemical plants not complying with risk level and toxic release threat reporting

The Department of Homeland Security can’t verify threat level reports from thousands of chemical plants across the country, reducing Homeland’s ability to respond to a chemical attack or emergency, according to a new government report.

20 Ohio county employees report upper respiratory illness

Authorities investigating "sick building syndrome"

A county employee who works at the Lucas County (Ohio) Job and Family Services building has been hospitalized for nearly two weeks with pneumonia while some 19 others have called in sick with upper respiratory problems over the past six weeks, county officials told the Toledo Blade.