Oregon OSHA Warns Against COVID-19 Retaliation
The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) reminded employers they are not allowed to retaliate against employees who must isolate or quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Category: COVID-19
The COVID-19 outbreak is at top of mind for environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals nationwide.
President Biden Orders OSHA to Take Action on COVID-19
On January 21, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order (EO) directing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue updated employer guidance within 2 weeks on protecting workers from COVID-19. The EO also instructed the agency to consider establishing a COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) by March 15. It also ordered the Mine […]
President Biden Issues Federal Employee Mask Mandate and Selects Acting OSHA Leaders
On January 20, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order requiring mask wearing in federal buildings and on public lands and requiring all federal employees and contractors to wear masks while on duty. The order also instructs federal personnel to maintain social distancing and comply with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]
EHS on Tap: E63 The COVID-19 Vaccine and Your Company: What Is the Role of EHS?
Vaccines for COVID-19 are rolling out now, providing the world some much needed optimism for the coming year as we continue to combat the pandemic. However, environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals have a lot of questions about the vaccine and what their role, if any, should be in organizational vaccination programs. Fortunately, we’re joined […]
A New Round of COVID-19 Citations in Michigan
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) inspected and issued citations at several more workplaces for violations of the General Duty Clause and the state’s emergency temporary standard (ETS) for COVID-19 exposures.
Latest OSHA Enforcement Roundup Highlights COVID-19 Violations
In conducting COVID-19-related inspections, OSHA has frequently cited employers for violating certain standards. In the fourth quarter (Q4), OSHA cited 176 employers for COVID-19-related violations, including failure to protect employees from exposure to COVID-19 and not following respiratory protection standards. These penalties resulted in $2,936,089 in fines, ranging from $1,000 to nearly $33,000.
Cal/OSHA Issues Citations for COVID-19 Violations in State Meatpacking Industry
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) cited eight employers across the state for not protecting workers from COVID-19 following inspections at meat processing facilities. Many were cited for violations of the state’s injury and illness prevention program standard—a state regulation with no corresponding federal standard.
ASTM Developing Nonregulatory Standard for Face Masks
ASTM International, a standards-setting organization formerly known as The American Society for Testing and Materials, is developing a new specification for face coverings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended cloth face coverings for the general public to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has […]
Pesky PFAS Insert Themselves into Timely Topics
Two big news stories that you have no doubt been following lately are the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and the presidential transition. However, what is a little less widely known is that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so-called “forever chemicals” that have become a concern for environmental regulators as well as environment, health, […]
EEOC Clarifies Employers’ Rights to Require COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has updated its guidance on how employers can navigate federal antidiscrimination laws while requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.