Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Just as the COVID-19 threat appeared to be waning, monkeypox has emerged as the newest viral workplace threat. On July 30, 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams declared monkeypox a public health emergency. His announcement was followed by a statement from Governor Kathy Hochul saying the virus created an “imminent threat to public health.” […]
Asthma is a lung condition in which the airways become narrow and inflamed, and it is accompanied by episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), work-related asthma is asthma triggered by an exposure at work. There are over 300 known or suspected substances […]
Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine work-related asthma and NIOSH’s recommendations for prevention. Asthma is a lung condition in which the airways become narrow and inflamed, and it is accompanied by episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness […]
According to OSHA, nail technicians face a wide variety of health hazards every day at work. OSHA has several recommendations for nail technicians to help keep them safe when dealing with the three main types of hazards: chemical, ergonomic, and biological hazards. Here’s what you need to know about nail technician safety. Check out our Back to Basics: […]
On June 30, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed granting initial approval for a Massachusetts state safety and health plan covering state and local government workers (87 Federal Register (FR) 39033). The Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (DLS) has submitted a developmental state safety and health plan for initial OSHA approval. OSHA proposed […]
On June 15, 2022, the EPA released four drinking water health advisories for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the latest action under President Joseph Biden Jr.’s action plan to deliver clean water and EPA Administrator Michael Regan’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap. Drinking water health advisories indicate a level of a contaminant below which adverse health […]
Mold can happen to any building at any time if the conditions are right. Mold is three things: persistent, resourceful, and low maintenance. It requires very little to live and can sneak right into any type of facility if given the opportunity. Once it starts growing, it can quickly become a large-scale problem and begin […]
As the country observes Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the National Safety Council (NSC) has announced that the results of its Workforce Trends Indicator Survey show feelings of depression and anxiety were strongly correlated with how safe a respondent felt at work. Respondents who felt unsafe at work were nearly three times more likely […]
The EPA is serious about compliance, especially when it comes to home renovations containing lead-based paint. “Reducing childhood lead exposure and the associated health impacts is a top priority for EPA,” states an EPA news release. “That’s why EPA inspectors will be working actively in overburdened communities … to encourage greater compliance with the federal […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urged healthcare employers to address a spike in workplace illnesses and injuries among their employees. There was a 249% increase in injury and illness rates in 2020 among nursing assistants, according to the agency, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. There was a 38.3% increase across private […]