Workplace exposures

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In the aftermath of devastating weather events, tens of thousands of storm recovery workers respond. A wide variety of potential hazards await.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of OSHA's emergency temporary standard on COVID-19 vaccination, testing and masking, with a 6-3 decision Jan. 13. In response, the agency withdrew its ETS on Jan. 26.

Washington — Evaluating and controlling hazards that stem from preservative coatings during hot work on maritime vessels is the subject of a new fact sheet from OSHA.

Boston — Common types of N95 respirators – widely used by health care professionals providing direct care to patients with COVID-19 – can be safely reprocessed up to 25 times to help augment supplies during future pandemics, results of a recent study by Boston researchers suggest.

Los Angeles — Nearly a quarter of the fast-food workforce in Los Angeles County tested positive for COVID-19 during the first 18 months of the pandemic, a likely result of adverse working conditions and shaky compliance with safety measures, a recent report from the University of California, Los Angeles and UC Berkeley suggests.

Montpellier, France — Long-term exposure to formaldehyde may contribute to cognitive impairment in older age, according to a recent study out of France.

Washington — Proposed legislation would create funding for health care and other benefits for coal miners who have black lung disease by extending, for 10 years, a recently expired excise tax rate increase on coal production.

New York — More than half of nurses in a recent survey say they had trouble sleeping during the first six month of the COVID-19 pandemic – a risk factor for increased feelings of anxiety and depression.

Washington — In an effort to provide “more confidence and certainty” about risks and exposures related to occupational pesticide seed treatment, the Environmental Protection Agency has developed a calculator and released updated worker exposure data.

Arlington, VA — The Mine Safety and Health Administration has launched a pilot program intended to “encourage and facilitate coronavirus vaccinations for America’s miners and their families.”