Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Promoting Health, Safety, and Recovery Training Following Declared Disasters in 2022 (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This initiative would support partnerships between WTP grantees, worker populations, local community organizations, and other federal partners with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality related to responding to and recovering from activities associated with major disasters. Applications are due by April 25, 2023.

Full NOSI Announcement

New WTP Training Tool: Respiratory Infection: An Overview for Workers and Employers

Respiratory infections are common among adults and are a common cause of absenteeism in the workplace. This guidance will inform workers and employers about the infectious agents in workplaces that can cause respiratory infections and illnesses.

Infectious Diseases Page

NIEHS Seeks a Health Specialist

The position will review data and progress reports, and implement corrective actions needed to achieve adequate research progress. Plan, implement, coordinate, and evaluate programs and initiatives in the assigned specialty area of research. Participate in the development of Program Announcements, Requests for Applications, and Requests for Proposals in areas of research. Applications are due by March 24, 2023.

Job Posting Delegated Examining (open to the public)

Job Posting Merit Promotion (current or former Federal employees)

A Nuclear Power Plant Leaked Contaminated Water in Minnesota. Here's What We Know

Minnesota officials are monitoring the cleanup of a 400,000-gallon leak of contaminated water from a nuclear power plant in the city of Monticello run by the energy giant Xcel Energy. Officials said there is no danger from the leak. The leak was detected nearly four months ago and reported to state and federal regulators, but state agencies did not notify the general public until early March 2023.

NPR [Author: Kaitlyn Radde]

Miners In 3 States Have the Highest Risk of Lung Disease-Related Death

Coal miners in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia may be more than eight times more likely than the general public to die from black lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. That’s according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Safety and Health Magazine

Driver Strikes Highway Workers in Maryland, Killing 6

Six highway workers, including two brothers from El Salvador and a father and son, were killed on a busy highway outside Baltimore when they were struck by a car that plowed into their work zone, the authorities said.

New York Times [Authors: Johnny Diaz and Eduardo Medina]

Request for Information (RFI): Input for Developing the 2024-2028 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Strategic Plan 

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) solicits input from stakeholders in academia and industry, health care professionals, patient advocates and advocacy organizations, scientific or professional organizations, federal agencies, and other interested members of the public by reviewing the goals in the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan and proposing new goals for the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. Responses must be received by April 20, 2023. 

RFI  

Electronic Submission Form 

National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Work Group: Notice of Meeting

This meeting will discuss recommendations on potential elements of heat injury and illness prevention rulemaking. Members of the public may attend the meeting virtually. The work group meeting will be held on April 27, 2023, 2:00 p.m. EST.

Event Registration

2023 FOA - SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant applications from small business concerns (SBCs) that propose to further the development of Technology-enhanced training products for the health and safety training of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) workers. Technology-enhanced training products as defined by the Worker Training Program (WTP) include, but are not limited to, supporting training through various venues such as online training, mobile device training, virtual reality, and serious gaming. Applications are due July 14, 2023.

Current Funding Opportunities

Is a common Industrial Chemical Fueling the Spread of Parkinson's Disease?

A cancer-causing chemical, Trichloroethylene, that is widely used to degrease aviation components and heavy machinery could be linked to Parkinson's disease. Trichloroethylene (TCE), is a colorless liquid that has been used to remove gunk from jet engines, strip paint and remove stains from shirts dropped off at the dry cleaners. Decades of widespread use in the U.S. have left thousands of sites contaminated by the TCE.

MSN [Author: Tony Briscoe]

Outdoor Workers Would Gain Increased Protection from Heat Exposure in Proposed Rule Update

A new proposal this week to update Washington’s permanent heat rules would increase protections for agricultural, construction, and other workers exposed to dangerous outdoor temperatures on the job. The proposed changes address the need for more preventative measures in the rules.

Washington State News Release

Health Sector Commitments to Emissions Reduction and Resilience

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the Health Sector Climate Pledge will be accepting new signatories on an ongoing basis. The announcement comes after multiple health sector stakeholders requested to join the initiative. Going forward, organizations can sign the Pledge at any time and will be recognized through announcements on two occasions each year.

HHS Release

U.S. Department of Labor, Power Generation Workgroup Alliance Promotes Importance of Safety for Workers

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Region VIII and the Power Generation Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Workgroup have established an alliance to increase safety for power industry workers. Among the two-year alliance's goals is the development of a Qualified Electrical Worker Training Program to develop best practices for protecting the safety and well-being of employees working near high voltage.

OSHA News Release

Deep South Center for Environmental Justice Releases Two-Year Impact Report

The Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) released its two-year impact report highlighting the organization’s community-centered work through 2021 and 2022. DSCEJ’s efforts to empower communities historically impacted by environmental racism, promote community-led solutions to the climate crisis and put environmental justice at the center of all climate action were bolstered by philanthropic funding and high-profile engagements with federal, state, and local lawmakers.

Full Report

A Warm Line for Families Impacted by a Work Displacing Healthcare Event

The Kind Souls Foundation offers 30-minute emotional support virtual or phone sessions to persons displaced from their jobs due to health care issues. The support sessions are available to injured or ill employees, employers, and family members of the displaced. Appointments can be made through the website or by calling 1-833-KindSoul.

Kind Souls Foundation

EPA Seeks an Environmental Protection Specialist (EJ Program: Grants/Engagement/Policy)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hiring to support environmental justice initiatives in multiple locations. The position will serve on teams and workgroups and assist in the development, implementation, and monitoring of plans and projects funded through Environmental Justice grants to support communities with environmental justice concerns.

Job Posting

AFSCME Seeks a Health and Safety Advocate

The American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) seeks a health and safety advocate to perform a variety of duties related to work-related illnesses, policy issues, and union activities. Areas of focus, inquiry, and research include, but are not limited to biological hazards, workplace exposure to infectious diseases, safety problems, physical hazards, general health and safety issues, illness and injury data, handling and storage of chemicals, laws and regulations, protective contract language, and health and safety committees.

Job Posting

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