Health Care


PAHO Praises Brazilian Anti-Smoking Law

The new law will make Brazil the largest country in the world to declare all workplaces and indoor public spaces 100 percent smoke-free, according to the Pan American Health Organization.

AHA: Middle-Age Blood Pressure Changes Affect Heart Disease, Stroke Risk

Researchers found people who maintained or reduced their blood pressure to normal levels by age 55 had the lowest lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease.

Wal-Mart to Pay $275,000 Settlement over Firing a Worker with Cancer-Related Disability

In its lawsuit, EEOC charged that the company denied a 12-year employee a reasonable accommodation after he had cancer surgery, which left him with weakness in his right shoulder.

International Asbestos Awareness Conference Slated for March

Conference presentations will include advances in diagnosing and treating asbestos-related diseases, preventing asbestos exposure in the home and workplace, patient resources, and a global advocacy session.

Rubber Parts Fabricator Fined $77,600 for Plethora of Violations

OSHA opened inspections in July after receiving complaints alleging burn hazards and poor housekeeping throughout the plant.

Virologists Debating Value of Flu Research Moratorium

The U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity asked the scientists involved and the journals Nature and Science to remove certain details when two papers on H5N1 transmissibility are published.

MSHA Announces Results of November Impact Inspections

MSHA recently announced that federal inspectors issued 315 citations, orders, and safeguards during special impact inspections conducted at 10 coal mines and six metal/nonmetal mines last month.

NIOSH Releases Video on Police Bike Safety

Over the last several years, NIOSH researchers have investigated the potential health effects of prolonged bicycling in police bicycle patrol units.



Air Pollution Levels from Deepwater Horizon Spill Similar to Large Urban Area: NOAA

About eight percent, or about one of every 13 barrels of the Deepwater Horizon-spilled oil that reached the ocean surface, eventually made its way into airborne organic particles small enough to be inhaled into human lungs.

NIOSH Releases Roster Summary Report on Deepwater Horizon Response Workers

The work from which the report was drawn marks the first time that NIOSH has developed a prospective, centralized roster of workers for a response event of this magnitude.

NIOSH Seeking Respiratory Disease Studies Deputy Director

The division conducts surveillance, field studies, and research on occupational diseases such as asthma, COPD, and pneumoconiosis -– also called black lung disease, which is caused by inhaling coal dust.

OSHA Nails Five Contractors for Hazards at Casino Construction Site

The contractors have been cited for inadequate safeguards to protect workers exposed to airborne concentrations of lead while performing torch cutting operations. The citations carry a total of $127,400 in proposed fines.

137 Big U.S. Relief Operations in 2011: Red Cross

“The number of lives affected by large disasters in the past year is simply staggering,” said Charley Shimanski, senior vice president for Red Cross Disaster Services.

America's Heart Health Needs Improvement: AHA

More than 67 percent of U.S. adults and 31.7 percent of children are overweight or obese. Over the past 30 years, the prevalence of obesity in children has increased from 4 percent to more than 20 percent.

Health Canada Backs Drug Shortages Reporting System

Shortages of prescription drugs -- the same issue that prompted a Dec. 15 interim final rule from HHS to require manufacturers of some critical drugs to report manufacturing interruptions to FDA –- also is prompting Canadian action.

Texas Work-Related Injuries, Illnesses Decrease in 2010

With the 2010 decrease, Texas has seen a decline in such workplace injuries and illnesses for four years in a row, according to the Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers’ Compensation.

Survey Shows Continuing Concern about Needlesticks

MedPro Safety Products, Inc. said it surveyed 262 health care professionals during a conference in mid-2011, and 43 percent of them said they don't believe safety features in place to prevent injuries are always used.

Joint Commission Alert Recommends Fatigue Measures

Sentinel Event Alert Issue 48: Health care worker fatigue and patient safety was created to help health care organizations address the risks of extended work days and cumulative days of extended work hours.

Workers Exposed to 'Dangerously High' Levels of Lead, Firm Fined $54,600

OSHA initiated an inspection after receiving a referral from the Pennsylvania Department of Health regarding an employee with blood containing an elevated level of lead.

Nurse Takes Command as Army Surgeon General

Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho became the 43rd surgeon general in the 236-year history of Army medicine on Dec. 9.

Product Showcase

  • AirChek Connect Sampling Pump

    Stay connected to your sampling with the SKC AirChek® Connect Sampling Pump! With its Bluetooth connection to PC and mobile devices, you can monitor AirChek Connect pump operation without disrupting workflow. SKC designed AirChek Connect specifically for all OEHS professionals to ensure accurate, reliable flows from 5 to 5000 ml/min and extreme ease of use. AirChek Connect offers easy touch screen operation and flexibility. It is quality built to serve you and the workers you protect. Ask about special pricing and a demo at AIHA Connect Booth 1003. Read More

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  • Kestrel 5400 Heat Stress Tracker WBGT Monitoring for Workplace Safety

    Ensure safety with the Kestrel® 5400 Heat Stress Tracker, the go-to choice for safety professionals and endorsed by the Heat Safety & Performance Coalition. This robust, waterless WBGT meter is ideal for both indoor and outdoor environments, offering advanced monitoring and data logging essential for OSHA compliance. It features pre-programmed ACGIH guidelines and alert settings to quickly signal critical conditions. Integrated with the cloud-based Ambient Weather Network, the 5400 allows managers to view, track, and log job site conditions remotely, ensuring constant awareness of potential hazards. Its capability for real-time mobile alerts and remote data access promotes proactive safety management and workplace protection, solidifying its role as a crucial tool in industrial hygiene. Read More

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