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Experts from PPE manufacturers talk about the latest trends, as well as innovations and new technologies that are here or on the horizon.

Washington — Responding to the “significant increase” in worker and whistleblower complaints during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with completing inspections and investigations – all in a timely manner – are among the challenges facing OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Washington — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service in April approved 15 poultry processing plants’ requests to increase line speeds 25% – despite reported cases of COVID-19 among workers and at least one fatality related to the ongoing pandemic, according to a new policy brief from the National Employment Law Project.

Cincinnati — Former OSHA Assistant Secretary of Labor Eula Bingham died June 13, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine announced on its Twitter account. She was 90.

Washington — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on June 11 rejected an AFL-CIO lawsuit calling on the Department of Labor and OSHA to issue an emergency temporary standard on infectious diseases amid the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the Senate would require the Mine Safety and Health Administration to issue within seven days of enactment an emergency temporary standard to help protect mine workers from exposure to COVID-19, followed by the issuance of a final rule.

Oakland, CA — Data from OSHA’s Form 300A is not confidential – in part because employers already are required to share injury and illness information with current and former employees, who in turn are free to share it, a federal judge has ruled.

Tumwater, WA — Ethylene oxide should not be used to sterilize filtering facepiece respirators for reuse because “this extremely hazardous toxic chemical poses a severe risk to human health,” the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries warns in a new alert.

Washington — OSHA has denied an AFL-CIO petition that asks the agency to issue an emergency temporary standard on infectious diseases amid the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, claiming the labor federation “lacks compelling evidence.”

Washington — The Department of Labor Office of Inspector General is reviewing OSHA’s enforcement activities and guidance amid the COVID-19 pandemic, DOL Inspector General Scott Dahl indicated during a House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee virtual briefing June 1.