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Washington — OSHA’s potential emergency temporary standard on COVID-19 and a similar ETS issued in November by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, also known as Cal/OSHA, were – as expected – the major topics discussed during Doug Parker’s confirmation hearing May 27 before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Washington — OSHA has published new guidance and resources intended to help employers and workers navigate the agency’s beryllium standards.

Washington — OSHA is seeking to update the handrail and stair rail system requirements in its standard on walking-working surfaces for general industry.

Washington — The House passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act for the second time in less than a year, with a 315-101 vote on May 14.

Arlington, VA — A new online tool provides a look at the economic and safety impacts of the safety equipment industry last year in the United States.

What does OSHA consider a “competent person”? In Episode 15, the Safety+Health team talks about the requirements. Also: Jim Spigener, chief client officer at DEKRA, helps break down “the ROI of safety.”

Washington — OSHA, NIOSH and a number of safety organizations – including the National Safety Council – are encouraging managers to commit to a safety pledge as part of the Safe + Sound campaign, a national initiative intended to promote awareness and understanding of workplace safety and health programs.

Waterloo, Ontario — Overhead work is associated with shoulder injuries. New resources from the Center of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders, also known as CRE-MSD, are intended to help employers and workers address MSD risks caused by overhead work.

Washington — The full extent of the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the nation’s workforce will likely remain unclear because of the lack of a comprehensive national system to gather such information, according to the AFL-CIO’s annual report on the state of safety and health protections for U.S. workers.

Washington — OSHA has no target date for issuing an emergency temporary standard related to COVID-19, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh testified during an April 28 hearing convened by the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.