Charles River Analytics awarded SBIR grant to create VR hazardous waste training modules for NIEHS
16
Mar
By Annemieke Tapp
News & Updates, Safety, TNEC Training

Charles River Analytics awarded SBIR grant to create VR hazardous waste training modules for NIEHS

Charles River Analytics announced it was awarded a SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grant for NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) to create virtual reality (VR) modules that enhance training for hazardous waste operations & emergency response (HAZWOPER). This award is geared towards creating training modules for firefighters, emergency responders, and environmental and industrial workers, who may all encounter hazardous materials. These hazardous materials can pose health and safety risks such as chemical burns, illnesses, fires, and explosions. To read the article in it's entirety, please click here.
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Construction workers say their anxiety and depression has gotten worse amid pandemic: CPWR
10
Feb
By Annemieke Tapp
COVID-19, News & Updates, Safety

Construction workers say their anxiety and depression has gotten worse amid pandemic: CPWR

Safety+Health published a new article citing construction workers are at greater risk for anxiety and depression.  Their symptoms have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among women and workers living in poverty, according to a new report from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training. The Center for Disease and Control and Prevention study concluded that male construction workers have one of the highest suicide rates among all industries and are at four times greater risk than the general public. To read this alarming article in it's entirety, please click on the following link.
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Back to Basics: Cold Stress
26
Jan
By Annemieke Tapp
News & Updates, Safety

Back to Basics: Cold Stress

As winter continues and temperatures are often in a downward trend, it is important to revisit safety measures for personnel.  According to OSHA, winter weather can present hazards.  For example, slippery roads and surfaces, strong winds and environmental cold that can often lead to illnesses, injuries or fatalities.  All of these can happen if employees are exposed to cold stress. To learn more about types of Cold Stress, please click here.  
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Over 100 lawmakers urge OSHA to issue permanent standard on COVID-19 for health care workers
14
Jan
By Annemieke Tapp
COVID-19, News & Updates, Safety

Over 100 lawmakers urge OSHA to issue permanent standard on COVID-19 for health care workers

In a letter dated Jan. 11th addressed to President Joe Biden, lawmakers cite the recent surge in COVID-19 cases including the omicron variant for the need to enhance protections for healthcare workers.  It also states they are exhausted and scared and beyond their breaking points. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) has joined 114 other members of Congress in calling on OSHA to issue a permanent standard on COVID-19 focused on health care workers. To read the article in its entirety, please click here.
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Report: Opioid-related worker deaths skyrocket in Massachusetts
10
Dec
By Annemieke Tapp
News & Updates, Safety

Report: Opioid-related worker deaths skyrocket in Massachusetts

In this week's Safety & Health publication, an article stated the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths among Massachusetts workers in 2016 and 2017 rose 83.7% over the previous five-year period, with construction and agricultural occupations experiencing dramatic jumps. This was cited from a report from the state’s Department of Public Health. In a press release from the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health, the worker advocacy group calls on policymakers to allocate funds to “workplace prevention and recovery strategies” as well as programs intended to aid workers with opioid misuse disorders.
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Short staffing ‘continues to be the biggest risk’ to Chemical Safety Board
01
Dec
By Annemieke Tapp
News & Updates, Safety

Short staffing ‘continues to be the biggest risk’ to Chemical Safety Board

The Chemical Safety Board has only filled one of its five board seats this year and this continues to be detrimental to the agency's operations, as stated by the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General in a new report .  It has appointed three board seats but is awaiting senate confirmation and no date has been set for those hearings. During a Sept. 29 hearing before the House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, CSB Chair and CEO Katherine Lemos testified that CSB is “on an upward trend” despite its long-standing and well-documented operational and staffing challenges. To read the article in…
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YouTube Video Advertising our Health and Safety
03
Nov
By TNEC
Safety

YouTube Video Advertising our Health and Safety

Our COSH partner in New Hampshire, NH COSH, produced a YouTube video advertising our Health and Safety Series in October. It also discusses New Hampshire's Worker's Memorial on April 28th. Presented by Brian Mitchell NH COSH and Tom Estabrook Ph.D. The New England Consortium (TNEC).
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