After looking at thousands of employers, one state OSHA has found the vast majority comply with coronavirus mask rules. The Washington state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) says since mid-July, it’s looked into complaints concerning more than 4,200 retailers, restaurants and other businesses. L&I says “thousands” of businesses that were the subject of complaints […]
OSHA now permits use of tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirators used as protection against the coronavirus when fit testing can’t be accomplished due to supply shortages. The agency released new guidance Oct. 2 allowing use of tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) if initial or annual fit […]
Federal OSHA cited 37 businesses for COVID-related violations with proposed fines totaling $484,069. Since the start of the pandemic, the agency cited 37 establishments for exposing workers to COVID-19, according to a Department of Labor news release. The violations include failure to: implement written respiratory protection program provide medical evaluation, respirator fit test, training on […]
If you’re having trouble figuring out what to do about reporting work-related coronavirus cases, you’re not alone as OSHA recently added a section on reporting to its COVID-19 FAQ web page. The new FAQ provides information and guidance on how to handle work-related coronavirus hospitalizations and fatalities. Along with information on how to report in-patient […]
Thirty-nine states didn’t go far enough in their COVID-19 response, according to the National Safety Council. A new NSC report reveals that despite COVID-19 claiming more lives than accidental drug overdoses, vehicle crashes and falls combined, most states have an inconsistent approach to safety during the pandemic. The “State of response: State actions to address […]
Six employers were cited by Cal/OSHA for failing to protect workers from exposure to COVID-19 because they didn’t update their workplace safety plans to properly address the coronavirus hazard. The state agency issued coronavirus-related citations to five healthcare facilities and one police department in California’s Bay Area, with fines ranging from $2,060 to $32,000. Some […]
Is six feet really the limit for person-to-person COVID-19 transmission? Unfortunately for businesses, the answer to that question seems to depend on who you ask. Recently, it may also have depended on when you ask. On Sept. 18, the CDC posted on its website that the coronavirus is transmitted mainly through the air. This would […]
Federal OSHA recently issued guidance addressing the use of cloth face masks for reducing the spread of COVID-19 while working in hot, humid environments or while performing strenuous physical activities. Two guidance documents OSHA issued in September recommend employers encourage the use of cloth face coverings to help prevent spreading the coronavirus while simultaneously addressing […]
Six months into the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S., COVID-related citations from state OSHAs are beginning to appear with more regularity. The Oregon and Nevada agencies each fined several businesses for thousands of dollars in mid-September for failing to implement state mask and social distancing mandates. 2 Oregon businesses fined $9K+ each Oregon OSHA fined […]
