Respirators are worn by millions of U.S.

It’s summer, with longer days and more leisure time, it’s a great time to get active.  Consider these reasons to invest in yourself as advocated by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/features/physical-activity/index.html

As summer approaches, now is the time to create safe work practices for outdoor work in the heat.  Cal/OSHA recommends these 4 steps:

This week we celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW). Join the CDC and the American Public Health Association in creating the healthiest nation in one generation. Public health begins with safe communities, water, and food. In addition, having access to healthcare and preventing injuries and illnesses are essential to our nation’s health.

Check out these resources for more information and activities!

Learn more about the Healthiest Nation 2030 goal and a new public health topic every day this week on the National Public Health Week website 

Close contact with co-workers can make staying healthy a challenge during flu season.  Getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to prevent flu.  The CDC recommends these other important actions to protect yourself and others from getting and spreading the flu: (https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/workplace/employees.html)

1. Stay home when you are sick

Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone 

Cal/OSHA’s new Silica standard took effect in June, 2017, and has been enforced since Fall 2017.  The standard contains a new permissible exposure limit (PEL) as well as new requirements for medical surveillance. https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/1532_3.html

Workers who inhale fine crystalline silica particles are at increased risk of developing serious silica-related diseases, including:

This holiday season, join the CDC in promoting sustainability with its “Go Green for the Holidays” suggestions (https://www.cdc.gov/features/greenholidays/index.html).  The season of giving can be an opportunity to give responsibly and with care for the environment.  How you wrap gifts, which types of decorations you hang, and how you shop can positively impact your environment and your community.  Here are some of the CDC’s sustainable holiday ideas:

This week is the California Department of Public Health’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 22-28). Many workers are still exposed to lead on the job, and may risk inadvertently exposing their families to lead when bringing home lead dust from work on clothes, shoes, or tools. In work environments with lead, employees can prevent exposure with careful personal hygiene such as washing hands at break times and changing clothes prior to leaving the worksite. Click on the links below to learn more about working safely around lead:

According to AAALAC International, Allergic reactions to animals, occasionally resulting in the development of occupation-related asthma, are among the most common conditions that adversely affect the health of personnel in the animal research environment. It is estimated that the prevalence of allergies in animal care workers range from 10% to 44%. Preplacement screening evaluations, attention to facility design, work practices, and the use of personal protective equipment can reduce the potential development of laboratory animal allergy and possibly alter its severity.