☕Are Cyber Risks Safety Risks?

Good morning! The holiday season is in full swing, and while the lights are twinkling, the safety challenges don’t dim. Whether you're wrapping up projects or just dodging seasonal hazards, we’ve got you covered. Today’s updates are packed with insights to keep you sharp and ahead of the curve. Let’s dive in and make every move count!

THIS WEEK’S TIPS

This week’s safety upgrades:

• NIOSH-Women, Coal Mines & Black Lung

• TSCA and formaldehyde

• Cyber Risks Are Safety Risks

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This Weeks Professional Development Tip

• How to Survive the Office Holiday Party

ACC Pushes Back on EPA’s Formaldehyde Draft

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) claims the EPA's draft formaldehyde risk assessment is deeply flawed, accusing the agency of prioritizing political timelines over science.

In a November 2024 letter, the ACC highlighted stakeholder concerns about rushed evaluations and scientific shortcomings. They argue the EPA is ignoring the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requirement to use the best-available science, potentially leading to unnecessary regulations affecting industries like housing, agriculture, and healthcare.

Formaldehyde—a critical chemical in building materials and other products—is under scrutiny. Explore the ACC's full critique and what's at stake here.

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NIOSH Study: Women Coal Miners and Black Lung—A Rare Pair

Here’s a curveball: only 1 in 200 women coal miners show signs of pneumoconiosis (aka black lung), says a new NIOSH study. Why? Shorter stints in the mines and less exposure to high-dust jobs like drilling.

But wait, there’s more. NIOSH also dropped heat illness tips for firefighter recruits and a fresh respirator guide for healthcare pros. Whether you’re in the mines, on the front lines, or anywhere in between, staying safe is the name of the game. Catch up here.

Cyber Risks Are Safety Risks: Time to Get Serious

Cyberattacks aren’t just an IT problem—they’re a safety problem. The 2024 CrowdStrike outage proved it, disrupting operations and putting workers at risk.

Here’s the kicker: IoT devices and weak cybersecurity can open the door for hackers to shut down equipment or mess with safety-critical systems. The solution? Team up with IT for better firewalls, antivirus software, and lockout/tagout tech.

Bottom line: good cyber hygiene isn’t optional. It’s a must to keep your people safe and your operations running. Don’t wait for a breach to prove the point. Learn how to protect your team.

Your Ergo Solution.

Overexertion is costing companies $12.49 BILLION each year and feeding into a much larger problem! That’s why we’ve partnered with 3motionAI to enhance workplace safety with their Risk Flashlight solution. Together, we’re empowering EHS professionals to tackle these costly problems at the root, building a safer, more equitable workplace.

Steps to Take:

1. Learn more about 3motionAI: Read, here

2. Show company leadership how you can protect the bottom line.

3. Earn the respect you deserve by making a real impact.

NEWS
Your Virtual Water Cooler

• Protecting workers: When Occupational Health, Medicine doctors step in

• NSC Secures $950K in Grants to Improve Roadway Safety

• OSHA Extends Public Comment Deadline for Heat Exposure Rule

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