The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated disinfecting and social distancing guidance in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The organization provided new guidance regarding workplace cleaning, disinfecting, social distancing and ventilation in response to the evolving COVID-19 situation in the U.S. Social distancing When it comes to social distancing, the CDC recommends establishing […]
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance for handling critical infrastructure employees who are asymptomatic after exposure to individuals suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. On Nov. 16, the CDC updated its prior partial exemption of the 14-day quarantine guidance for critical infrastructure workers with the caveat that this should […]
A coalition of safety groups, businesses and government agencies, led by the National Safety Council, has released a framework for employers during re-opening in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The recommendations are from the SAFER (Safe Actions for Employee Returns) task force. The six focus areas in the framework are: Physical environments: building maintenance, requiring […]
Are you confused by federal OSHA’s reporting requirements for coronavirus cases? You’re not alone. The law firm Baker Hostetler says in a blog post it’s been hearing from employers that they’re confused by OSHA‘s reporting guidance on what to do if an employee gets the coronavirus. Baker Hostetler says OSHA published guidance on its website […]
As of mid-July, federal OSHA received more than 6,800 coronavirus-related complaints. Which industries and regions received the most? An analysis by the Nexsen Pruet law firm, using data as of July 16, 2020, showed federal OSHA is receiving the most complaints from the healthcare industry. Here’s the industry breakdown: Healthcare, including hospitals and nursing and […]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns supplies of N95 respirators can become depleted during pandemics. Signs are here that, due to the coronavirus, this may already be the case. Prestige Ameritech was producing 600,000 masks each day and already struggling to meet demand. Then came calls from the Hong Kong government and […]
As the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak continues in the U.S., employers are being confronted with the possibility of facing workers’ comp claims from employees who either contracted the virus at work or during work-related travel. The Washington Department of Labor & Industries announced March 5 that the state is changing its policy around workers’ compensation […]
One of the few good things to come out of the coronavirus pandemic is your people are likely to be more safety conscious than they were a year ago. Because of the highly contagious nature of the virus, safety isn’t something they can forget about even off the job. For example, to prevent the spread of […]
To help alleviate some of the strain on the medical community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed an online assessment bot for patients. The Coronavirus Self-Checker helps guide people to make decisions about seeking proper medical care. CDC’s system isn’t meant for diagnosis or treatment. The bot […]
An investigation into how an employee contracted COVID-19 in the workplace has caused the CDC to change its definition of “close contact.” This impacts contact tracing and renews emphasis on workplace controls. Previously, the CDC defined “close contact” as someone who spent at least 15 consecutive minutes within six feet of a confirmed coronavirus case. […]
A meatpacking plant and a temporary staffing company face a total of $104,795 in Cal/OSHA fines in connection with an investigation after 303 COVID-19 cases at the facility. Cal/OSHA issued $58,100 in fines to Smithfield Food’s Farmer John plant in Vernon, CA, and $46,695 in fines to CitiStaff Solutions Inc. in East Los Angeles, CA, […]
Private businesses and public agencies cannot be barred by federal law from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). This is via an opinion issued July 26, but dated July 6, by the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel, which came just hours after a Department of Veterans Affairs mandate requiring vaccinations […]
When employers require employees to get COVID-19 vaccinations, what happens? A new National Safety Council (NSC) study has the answer, plus more information on the world of safety during the pandemic. Employer vaccine requirements increased worker vaccination rates by 35%, according to the NSC’s report, A Year in Review, and What’s Next: COVID-19 Employer Approaches and […]
As vaccines for the coronavirus go before the Food and Drug Administration for approval, the logistics of getting them to the general public are still a work in progress. For example, some of the vaccines have to be stored at extremely cold temperatures and must be administered within a certain time after defrosting. In addition, […]
The Biden administration has released details on its requirement for federal contractors to have their employees vaccinated for COVID-19, including a compliance date. Covered contractors must ensure all covered employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 no later than Dec. 8, 2021, unless the employee is legally entitled to an accommodation. After that, all covered contractor […]
Federal OSHA has received thousands of COVID-19-related complaints from workers across the U.S. who are required to work despite the hazards posed by the pandemic. Workers in healthcare, construction, grocery stores, pharmacies and shipping companies filed more than 3,000 complaints claiming their employers aren’t keeping them safe from exposure to the coronavirus. Freedom of Information […]
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