Workplace Solutions

Atlanta — Workplace water systems in facilities that have had reduced occupancy or have been unoccupied during the COVID-19 pandemic are at increased risk for bacterial growth such as Legionella, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a Canadian safety and health training center are warning employers and building managers.

Washington — Two dozen Democratic senators have taken issue with the dollar amounts OSHA has chosen to levy against employers in its individual COVID-19-related fines.

Silver Spring, MD — In response to a stakeholder request, as well as recommendations from OSHA and NIOSH, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training has developed a free online tool aimed at helping employers create strategies to control construction worker exposure to COVID-19.

Raleigh, NC — Health care professionals are at significantly greater risk than the general public of experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, results of a recent study show.

Washington — The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has “continued to fulfill its mission” during the COVID-19 pandemic by performing safety and environmental inspections for offshore oil and gas operations, the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General concludes in a report issued Sept. 21.

Washington — The American Wind Energy Association is offering free resources in October in conjunction with its annual monthlong worker safety awareness campaign.

Washington — OSHA has updated a series of answers to frequently asked questions on protecting workers from exposure to the coronavirus to include a section on the need to report confirmed, work-related COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.

Sacramento, CA — California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Sept. 17 signed into law a pair of bills intended to expand worker protections related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — OSHA has issued temporary enforcement guidelines for fit testing of powered air-purifying respirators for workers at high risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Washington — The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on workplace safety is among the issues explored in the AFL-CIO’s annual report on the state of safety and health protections for U.S. workers.