News

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has made permanent and expanded a program designed to determine to what extent commercial motor vehicle crashes are preventable, according to a notice published in the May 6 Federal Register.

Salem, OR — In response to a spike in COVID-19-related complaints received in March and early April, Oregon OSHA has begun conducting spot checks “to verify that employers are complying with requirements – including closures to the public – aimed at curbing the coronavirus pandemic.”

Arlington, VA — Think you’re safer wearing gloves during the COVID-19 pandemic? The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology wants you to know that protective vinyl, latex or nitrile gloves could become “more contaminated than bare hands” and “may actually be spreading germs in the community.”

Washington — In the absence of an emergency temporary standard on infectious disease from OSHA amid the COVID-19 pandemic, North America’s Building Trades Unions and CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training have developed national guidance on infectious disease exposure control practices for construction sites.

Washington — NIOSH, along with the National Hearing Conservation Association and the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation, is accepting nominations for the 2021 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award.

Washington — To help protect dental office workers from exposure to COVID-19, OSHA has developed guidance for employers.

Washington — Workplaces, schools and public spaces preparing to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to develop and implement plans to effectively clean and disinfect surfaces, under recently released joint guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Washington — In an effort to better protect workers in the health care and public safety sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic, NIOSH is approving a new class of powered air-purifying respirators, under an interim final rule published by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Washington — NIOSH’s Mine Safety and Health Research Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet June 2 via Zoom web conference.

Salt Lake City — Results of a recent survey show that 2 out of 3 people aren’t comfortable about going back to their workplace as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers – a finding that spans all generations of workers.