COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Mental Health and Substance Use, Workplace Solutions Training Tool Now Available in Spanish on the WTP Website

The NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP) has developed awareness-level training tools on the prevention of occupational exposure to fentanyl and other opioids, the impact of the opioid crisis on workers, the workplace, and the community, and how these factors interacted with the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Mental Health and Substance Use, Workplace Solutions Training Tool and an activity worksheet are now available in Spanish on the WTP website.

Opioids & Substance Use: Workplace Prevention & Response Webpage

Mental Health Crisis Centers and EmPATH Units: Offering Care That Busy ERs Can’t

Through decades of twists and turns in public policy and health care financing, alongside national neglect of mental health, the emergency room has become America’s default front door to psychiatric crisis care. Emergency rooms, however, are rarely designed or equipped to provide optimal care during mental health emergencies. Innovators around the country are introducing layers of services that can treat people across the continuum from mild to severe crises. Many of these efforts are happening outside the hospital setting, where mobile crisis teams respond instead of police to evaluate and assist people in the field, while community mental health centers and crisis centers help people stabilize.

STAT News [Author: Grace Rubenstein]

Exposed to Agent Orange at US Bases, Veterans Face Cancer Without VA Compensation

Agent Orange is a 50-50 mixture of two ingredients, known as 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. Herbicides with the same chemical structure slightly modified were available off the shelf, sold commercially in massive amounts, and used at practically every base in the U.S. A component of Agent Orange is a known carcinogen linked to several cancers, chronic conditions, and birth defects. In February 2024, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposed a rule that for the first time would allow compensation to veterans for Agent Orange exposure at 17 U.S. bases in a dozen states where the herbicide was tested, used, or stored.

Kaiser Health News [Authors: Hannah Norman & Patricia Kime]

What We’re Starting to Learn About H5N1 in Cows, and The Risk to People

The H5N1 bird flu virus has been around for decades, and the damage it wreaks on chickens and other poultry is well documented, but the recent discovery that the virus has jumped into dairy cattle has dumbfounded scientists and agricultural authorities. H5N1 seems to be primarily infecting mammary glands in cows. The amount of virus in the udders of infected cows is off-the-charts high, making it easy to see how one cow’s infection soon becomes a herd’s problem. Only one human infection, a Texas dairy farm worker who developed conjunctivitis, has been reported, but there are anecdotal reports of other farm workers with conjunctivitis and mild respiratory symptoms.

STAT News [Authors: Helen Branswell & Megan Molteni]

Hospital-Onset COVID-19 Surged After End of Universal Screening, Masking

Ending universal masking and admission testing of all hospitalized patients was associated with an increase in hospital-onset COVID-19 at five Massachusetts hospitals, researchers found. The researchers found that there was a significant increase in case levels after the pre-omicron-to-omicron transition and another significant increase in case levels after universal admission testing and masking ended. Researchers also reviewed the charts of 100 randomly sampled patients with hospital-onset cases of COVID-19, finding features consistent with true hospital-onset cases for 97% of these patients.

Healio [Author: Caitlyn Stulpin]

Artificial Intelligence in Education and Mental Health for a Sustainable Future: A Workshop

This hybrid workshop will discuss artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health and well-being, and AI in education. Participants will review AI tools, applications, and strategies in education and mental health and the implications for sustainable development. Discussions will include knowledge gaps between academia and the private sector, opportunities and key priorities for promoting sustainability, including startup and local perspectives. It will take place on May 30, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EDT.

Event Registration

Optimizing Federal, State, and Local Response to Public Health Emergencies - A Workshop

This virtual workshop will examine factors that affected the ability of public health agencies and federal, state, and local governments to respond successfully to the COVID-19 pandemic and explore approaches that might enable a more effective governmental response to future public health crises. It will take place May 30-31, 2024.

Event Registration

Beyond Fall Prevention Planning: Being Prepared for Fall Rescue

As part of this year’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are hosting this virtual event devoted to educating employers and crew leaders on how rescue planning can save lives. Attendees will learn more about identifying a competent person to lead fall prevention and rescue planning and incorporating key components of a rescue plan into the pre-job planning process. It will take place on May 7, 2024, at 2 p.m. EDT.

Event Registration

NWS/CDC Joint Webinar on NWS HeatRisk

The National Weather Service (NWS) has expanded the availability of a new experimental heat tool called HeatRisk across the contiguous United States. HeatRisk is a collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that uses NWS temperature forecasts and CDC heat-health data to place extreme heat into a climatological context and identify upcoming heat events that will lead to increased heat-health impacts. This webinar from the NWS and CDC covers the new experimental NWS HeatRisk tool and provides an overview of HeatRisk, describing what it is, how it works, and how to understand it.

National Weather Service on YouTube

New Hazard Alert Focuses on Falls from Portable Ladders

Falls involving portable ladders caused 84 on-the-job deaths from 2001 to 2021 in Michigan, prompting a new hazard alert from Michigan State University. 36 of the falls involved extension ladders, 19 falls involved stepladders, and 55% of falls occurred in the construction industry. The alert features selected case narratives, safety tips for using portable ladders and links to additional resources.

Safety + Health Magazine

Work-Related Deaths from Falls Using Portable Ladders

SafetyPod: Confronting Workplace Violence, Harassment and Mental Health

Workplace violence, harassment and mental health have become increasingly prominent areas of concern in recent years. Yet, given the sensitive nature of these topics, it is often difficult to determine what the reality is for today’s workers. This episode will discuss the significant findings of a new survey, Fear Factors: A 2024 Employee Survey Report on Workplace Violence, Harassment and Mental Health, along with the impact of hybrid work models and what employers can do to combat workplace violence, harassment, and mental health in their organizations.

Occupational Health & Safety News Online [Author: Robert Yaniz Jr.]

Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Ban on Most Uses of Methylene Chloride, Protecting Workers and Communities from Fatal Exposure

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a ban on most uses of methylene chloride, a dangerous chemical known to cause multiple types of cancer, neurotoxicity, liver harm, and even death. Since 1980, at least 88 people have died from acute exposure to methylene chloride, largely workers engaged in bathtub refinishing or other paint stripping, even, in some cases, while fully trained and equipped with personal protective equipment. EPA’s final action will protect people from health risks while allowing key uses to continue safely with a robust new worker protection program.

EPA News Release

U.S. Department of Labor Finalizes Farmworker Protection Rule

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule to strengthen protections for farmworkers. The rule targets vulnerability and abuses experienced by workers under the H-2A program that undermine fair labor standards for all farmworkers in the U.S. The H-2A program allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers when the department determines there is a lack of able, willing and qualified U.S. workers to perform the agricultural labor or services. The final rule adds protections for worker self-advocacy, clarifies “for cause” termination, makes foreign labor recruitment more transparent, ensures timely wage changes for H-2A workers, and prevents labor exploitation and human trafficking, among other changes.

DOL News Release

CDC Updates Guidance on Protecting Workers from Bird Flu

Responding to an outbreak of avian flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated interim guidance intended to protect workers exposed to certain animals and animal products. CDC says poultry and livestock farmers and workers, slaughterhouse workers, veterinarians, and public health responders are among the occupational groups that may be at increased risk of exposure and recommends avoiding unprotected direct or close contact with sick birds, livestock and other animals, along with animal products that may be contaminated. The updated guidance also includes recommendations for personal protective equipment.

Safety + Health Magazine

Influenza: Updated Interim Recommendations for Worker Protection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

U.S. Chemical Safety Board Applauds New National Fire Protection Association Guidance to Prevent Fires and Explosions Involving Hazardous Materials

The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) applauded the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) for taking new actions to prevent fires and explosions associated with hazardous materials. NFPA 401, titled Recommended Practice for the Prevention of Fires and Uncontrolled Chemical Reactions Associated with the Handling of Hazardous Waste, went into effect on December 21, 2023. The NFPA developed the new recommended practices in response to recommendations issued by the CSB in several investigations of fires and explosions involving hazardous materials.

CSB News Release

Mental Health in the Workplace: Washington L&I Launches Webpage

A new webpage offers resources for fostering mental wellness in the workplace and supporting workers who have a diagnosed mental illness. Created by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), the webpage includes information for employers, managers, supervisors and workers. Resources include videos on suicide prevention and practicing emotional first aid, a toolbox talk on mental health and workplace safety, a safety talk on mental health, among others.

Safety + Health Magazine

Mental Health in the Workplace Webpage

UAW Health and Safey Department Seeking Certified Industrial Hygienist

The United Auto Workers (UAW) are seeking a certified industrial hygienist to join their health and safety department. The role of the certified industrial hygienist is to support the needs of the UAW membership by working closely with leadership from national departments (Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, and all other sectors of the UAW), as well as health and safety managers from the companies of the members UAW represents. This position is full-time and based in-person in Detroit, MI. When clicking on the link, scroll down to see job posting.

Job Posting

National Nurses United Seeking Health and Safety Representative

National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association for nurses, seeks a health and safety representative for a position based in either the Los Angeles or San Francisco Bay area. The health and safety representative will serve as a general resource on work-related health and safety issues, and will plan, organize, coordinate, and present education and training programs on work-related health and safety issues, prevention, applicable standards and enforcement at a grassroots and leadership level.

Job Posting

New York State Department of Health Seeking Research Scientist/Industrial Hygienist

The New York State Department of Health's Bureau of Occupational Health and Injury Prevention is seeking a research scientist/industrial hygienist to participate in all phases of industrial hygiene research, intervention, and field studies. They will assist in identifying workplace stressors, developing research proposals and workplace evaluation plans, collecting exposure data including personal and bulk samples, evaluating control measures, and preparing written reports and recommendations. The position is hybrid and located in Albany, New York.

Job Posting

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