Cancers in Georgia firemen linked to potentially dangerous chemical
Aqueous Film Forming Foam, a special tool for putting out flammable liquids, is made with perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which help stop hazardous fires but are are also potentially linked to prostate cancer. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is researching how PFAS and AFFF exposure impacts firemen. 11 Alive (Atlanta) [with video]
Report: 146 Indiana employees killed on the job in 2019
According to a new report, 146 Hoosier employees were killed on the job in 2019. This analysis, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shows that the job fatality rate in Indiana was 4.7 per 100,000 employees, a higher rate than the national on-the-job fatality rate of 3.5 per 100,000. Chicago Crusader
Amazon announces safety programs, target
Amazon, which has faced criticism for above-industry-average injury rates at its warehouses, announced Monday it is launching new programs in order to cut it half by 2025 the rate of workplace injuries among its nearly 1 million warehouse employees. The “WorkingWell” program focuses on lowering the incidence of injuries caused by repetitive motion in part by prompting employees to take short breaks and stretch. The company is also increasing education on workplace injury prevention and healthy eating, and rolling out a wellness-focused mobile app for employees. Seattle Times
Group of researchers urge strict workplace air quality standards
As the pandemic eases and Americans return to offices, schools, restaurants and theaters, a group of 39 scientists say it’s the right time for a “paradigm shift” in how citizens and government officials think about the quality of the air we breathe indoors. The researchers say air quality in buildings can be improved with a few simple fixes: adding filters to existing ventilation systems, using portable air cleaners and ultraviolet lights, or even just opening windows. New York Times [may require registration]