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Coronavirus

OSHA Says Employers Must Plan for COVID-19 Hazards

As states lift stay-at-home orders and workplaces reopen, employers must plan for potential hazards of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and routine workplace hazards, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminded employers. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 currently is widespread in most U.S. communities and considered […]

N95 respirator masks

OSHA: Surgical Masks Not a Substitute for Respirators for Non-COVID-19 Respiratory Hazards

Exceptions from respiratory protection regulations allowing the use of surgical masks only apply to healthcare facilities and emergency medical services, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminded employers. Other employers must provide respirators, the agency explained in guidance discussing the differences among cloth face coverings, surgical masks, and respirators.

California and COVID-19

California Safety and Public Health Agencies Issue Hotel Reopening Guidelines

As California hotels begin to reopen with the lifting of stay at home orders, the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) and California Department of Public Health have issued guidelines for the hotels and lodging industry. Cal/OSHA and CDPH released the guidelines and a checklist to help employers in the industry keep employees […]

Safety management systems

Read the Transcript of Our Chat with Christian Johnson and Natasha Porter of Gensuite

The environment, health, and safety (EHS) profession continues to be shaped by technology and software. Sometimes it can be challenging to keep pace with all of these changes, and this is especially true as organizations scramble to adapt to the realities of doing business during a pandemic. On this episode of EHS on Tap, we’re […]

Safety program technology

How to Build an Agile Work Safety Program

Safety programs aren’t known for their agility. This is mostly a good thing: Standardizing your processes reduces confusion and noncompliance. But having a rigid safety system can produce undesired effects, such as complacency and heightened risk. Safety programs aren’t known for their agility. This is mostly a good thing: Standardizing your processes reduces confusion and […]

Substance abuse, mental health, safety

NSC Urges Employers to Brace for Employee Substance Misuse Amid Pandemic’s Impact on Mental Health

According to the American Medical Association, at least 30 states are reporting spikes in fatal opioid overdoses and ongoing concern about mental illness or substance use disorders, all in connection with COVID-19. To help employers address these interconnected issues, the National Safety Council (NSC) is calling on employers to prioritize employee stress and emotional and mental […]

Truck on the road

FMCSA Extends and Modifies COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended but narrowed trucking regulation exemptions under its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency declaration. Deputy Administrator Jim Murren extended the exemptions for 50 states and the District of Columbia to July 14.

Gary LoPiccolo

Faces of EHS: Moving Beyond Compliance with Gary LoPiccolo of DYNESI

In this installment of Faces of EHS, we are continuing our focus on the amazing EHS professionals who won our 2020 Safety Standout Awards! This week, we’re proud to present the winner of BLR’s Moving Beyond Compliance Award, Dynamic Energy Services International, LLC (DYNESI). Read on to meet Gary LoPiccolo, CSP, the Vice President of […]