S+H Staff

Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture “did not take adequate steps to determine whether the worker safety data it used … were reliable” when proposing a controversial rule that removes line speeds in pork-processing plants and transfers certain inspection responsibilities to plant workers, the USDA Office of Inspector General concludes in a report released June 25.

Washington — OSHA moved three items off its list of long-term actions in the Department of Labor’s regulatory agenda for Spring 2020, but – as expected – a standard on infectious diseases wasn’t among them.

Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Safety and Health Codes Board on June 24 voted to approve the adoption of an emergency temporary standard on infectious disease prevention amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sacramento, CA — California has enacted two standards designed to help protect nighttime agriculture workers from on-the-job hazards.

Washington — Seeking “uniformity” in the enforcement of its silica standards, OSHA has published an instructional directive for its compliance safety and health officers.

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA intends to develop separate emergency temporary standards to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and then expand them into a permanent standard on infectious diseases, according to a tentative timeline released by the agency June 26.

Washington — Canceled Fourth of July fireworks shows across the country are prompting many Americans – against the advice of safety advocates – to put on their own displays.

Itasca, IL — The rate of motor vehicle-related deaths rose an alarming 36.6% in April compared with the same month last year, according to preliminary estimates released by the National Safety Council.

Glasgow, Scotland — More regular deep cleaning of ladders is among the tips the Ladder Association has developed for employers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted to recently furloughed commercial motor vehicle drivers a 90-day waiver from certain preemployment drug testing requirements, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.