HHS Unit Makes Recs on Workplace Violence

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response has issued a bulletin on workplace violence in healthcare that includes recommendations for strengthening security protocols, enhancing emergency preparedness, supporting workforce mental health and promoting information sharing.
Among the recommendations are: to strengthen security protocols; to enhance emergency preparedness; to support workforce mental health and retention; and, to promote information sharing.
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North Carolina State University announced that NIOSH will resume its investigation into a potential cancer cluster at the school’s Poe Hall, reversing an earlier decision to close the evaluation.
More than 225 people who were in that building, now closed since late 2023, have reported that they have developed cancer after spending time in the building.
The university closed the building after levels of toxic PCB chemicals were found inside.
Dr. Robert Herrick, a former occupational hygienist with NIOSH, told local WRAL News that he’s happy that the investigation is progressing again, but said cuts to NIOSH could hinder future investigations.
“The cuts that NIOSH has sustained make it impossible for them to take on any new requests like this,” he said. “People who may have similar concerns are not going to have this resource to turn to.”
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Safety accidents occurred at Georgia factories operated by Korean companies Hyundai Motor and Hanwha Qcells, resulting in two deaths this week.
The worker killed at the Hyundai Megasite in Ellabell, Georgia was the second fatality in less than three months.
In March, a construction worker died after being hit by a forklift at the construction site of a joint venture between LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motor Group inside the Metaplant.
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