Employers need to do more to protect workers from wildfire smoke

• The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has issued permanent rules on the hazards caused by wildfire smoke to protect workers against unhealthy air
• The rules, which go into effect Jan. 15, are intended to protect workers from fine particles contained in wildfire smoke that can reach the deepest part of the lungs.
• This can cause severe health issues such as aggravated asthma, reduced lung function, heart failure and potentially early death.
• Employers will be required to check the Air Quality Index and monitor workers who show signs of injury and illness to determine if medical care is needed.
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OSHA provides training for forklift drivers covers a lot of ground

• OSHA requires comprehensive forklift operator training that blends formal instruction, hands-on practice, and a detailed performance evaluation.
• There are various topics designed to forge proficient operators well-versed in workplace safety and truck operation nuances.
• Some of the main issues include industrial truck training, which encompasses essential safety practices for operating different types of lifting equipment within varied work environments.
• The course content involves videos, interactive lectures, and written materials to solidify their understanding of skid steer safety and aerial lift operations.
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Stop-work order lifted on Donkin Coal Mine

• Nova Scotia has lifted the stop-work order previously imposed on the Donkin Coal Mine.
• The mine’s operator, Kameron Coal Management Ltd., fulfilled the Phase 1 safety requirements under the latest compliance order issued by the government.
• These Phase 1 safety requirements encompass the revision of the hazard assessment classification system and the implementation of additional monitoring measures within the tunnel.
• The mine had been inactive for approximately five and a half months after a roof collapse. Prior to that, it had reopened in September 2022, following closure in March 2020 due to recurring government stop-work orders related to roof collapses.
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Oregon offers scholarships for disabled, killed workers

• Oregon OSHA is offering a scholarship fund that helps finance higher education for family members of Oregon workers who have been fatally injured or permanently disabled on the job is open for applications.
• The Workers’ Memorial Scholarship awards are available to any high school graduate, graduating high school senior, GED recipient, or current college undergraduate or graduate student who is a dependent or spouse of an Oregon worker who has been fatally injured or permanently disabled while on the job.
• Students may attend any Federal Title IV financial aid-eligible institution in the United States. That includes four-year universities, two-year community colleges, private and nonprofit institutions, and vocational and trade schools.
• If the institution does not have a six-digit federal identification number on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, then it is not a qualifying institution.
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