Federal Agencies

Washington — Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) are among six legislators calling on the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General to investigate OSHA’s “handling of inspections and citations” during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as DOL’s decision not to issue an emergency temporary standard on infectious diseases.

Washington — After weighing public and stakeholder input, the Mine Safety and Health Administration has rescinded a program policy letter intended to clarify requirements for providing emergency escapeways for underground metal and nonmetal miners, determining that the clarification “is not needed.”

Washington — An infectious diseases standard won’t be coming anytime soon, acting OSHA administrator Loren Sweatt indicated during a May 26 hearing convened by the House Workforce Protections Subcommittee, adding that “the regulatory agenda speaks for itself.”

Washington — A new safety alert from OSHA lists steps that owners of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities should take to reduce worker exposure and potential transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — OSHA has made available $11.5 million in grants to improve worker safety and health as part of its Susan Harwood Training Grant Program.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency has moved to June 8-11 a Toxic Substances Control Act Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals virtual peer review of an EPA draft risk evaluation that states asbestos, a known human carcinogen, presents an unreasonable health risk to workers under certain conditions.

Bethesda, MD — Although alcohol is a key ingredient in hand sanitizers that can help kill the coronavirus, alcoholic drinks don’t have the same effect and may actually hinder your immune system’s response to COVID-19, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is cautioning consumers.

Washington — A new OSHA safety alert lists measures employers in the manufacturing industry should take to protect workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Atlanta — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released guidelines intended to help businesses, as well as schools and mass transit operations, safely reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — OSHA has revised its enforcement policy for recordable cases of COVID-19, adding that it will increase workplace inspections.