Feature Article Increased Protection Urged for ‘Critical’ Manufacturing Sectors The Department of Homeland Security has designated certain manufacturing sectors as critical to the U.S. economy, laying the groundwork for increased protection from terrorist attack for those sectors and their employees. Read this article

Safety & Security News Experts: Florida ‘Guns at Work’ Law Presents Problems for Employers The new law that prevents Florida employers from prohibiting employees from keeping firearms in their locked vehicles at work creates a new class of protected workers, experts say. Health Care Industry’s ‘Culture of Sacrifice’ Assailed Health care managers' expectation of employee self-sacrifice is fueling worries of overwork, stress and back problems among those workers, say officials with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Workplace Health, Safety Research Slated for Review At least three independent evaluations of federal government workplace health and safety research will be issued by May 2008, says the top official for the agency that contracted the assessments. Research Agenda Open on Improving First Responders' Protections Suggestions for research that the federal government should undertake to improve the safety and health of emergency personnel who respond to large-scale disasters range from providing such personnel with advanced bio-hazard training to requiring that they undergo annual medical exams.

Safety and Security Issues Workplace Violence Problem of Workplace Bullying Demands Attention, Researchers Say Workplace bullying appears to inflict more harm on employees than sexual harassment, according to a new peer-reviewed study. Illness and Disease More Employers Taking Preventive Flu Action The number of organizations offering free flu vaccinations to employees, sending sick employees home and taking other measures to prevent the spread of flu slightly increased in 2008. Report: U.S. Pandemic Flu Strategy Needs Job, Wage Protections The U.S. government’s pandemic flu strategy should include job protection and income support for those who contract the disease, says a report on pandemic flu preparedness. Regulatory News OSHA Proposes Changes in Shipyard Standards to Cut Dangers Because of the high rate of fatalities and injuries in shipyard employment, the U.S. government is proposing changing its standards on general shipyard working conditions. Crew License Upgrades Needed if Coast Guard Ends Supply Vessel Tonnage Caps Offshore supply vessel (OSV) crew members will have to upgrade their vessel operation licenses if the Coast Guard accepts an advisory panel recommendation urging the end of OSV tonnage caps. Conventional Fall Protection Best for Some Construction Sites? Conventional fall protection (CFP) plans at residential construction sites provide more protection than alternative fall protection (AFP) plans, says a construction firm's safety director.

From SHRMStore Leading People Through Disasters Sooner or later, most organizations will face some kind of disaster - flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake, workplace violence, bombings, even the arrest or sudden death of the CEO. It is people who make a business run. Leading People Through Disasters shows how to prepare by getting the right people together to examine the critical issues: defining the roles and responsibilities of individuals and departments in a crisis, ensuring the business continuity plan addresses human as well as business issues, considering communication issues and developing HR policies that anticipate the unique problems that arise during and after a catastrophic event. More about this book More Health, Safety and Security titles