Federal Agencies

Washington — Aimed at protecting construction workers from exposure to COVID-19, a new OSHA safety alert lists measures employers should take during the pandemic.

Washington — Two days after OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued voluntary interim guidance aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 among workers in the meatpacking and poultry-processing industries, President Donald Trump invoked the Defense Production Act of 1950 and declared the facilities “critical infrastructure” in an Executive Order intended to keep meatpacking facilities open.

Washington — This year’s Workers’ Memorial Day, marked on April 28 each year to honor those who have lost their lives on the job, served as a poignant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by the many workers providing essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Atlanta — Workplace violence prevention programs can be enhanced by implementing approaches that are specific to certain worker groups, a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests, citing evidence showing the prevalence, characteristics and outcomes of violent workplace crime vary by occupation and gender.

Washington — Intended to protect package delivery workers from exposure to COVID-19, a new OSHA safety alert lists precautions employers should take during the pandemic.

Washington — Chemical Safety Board member Kristen Kulinowski has submitted her resignation and will be stepping down May 1, CSB announced April 27, leaving the agency with only one board member once again.

Washington — In effort to preserve the supply of N95 filtering facepiece respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic, OSHA is permitting the reuse of respirators that undergo certain decontamination processes, according to an April 24 temporary enforcement memo.

Washington — OSHA recently released a poster that details 10 steps all employers can take to help reduce workers’ risk of exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — The National Transportation Safety Board has announced that three more recommendations from its 2019-2020 Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements have been implemented, boosting the total number of recommendations fulfilled to 38.

Washington — To help determine workers’ risk level for exposure to COVID-19, OSHA has published a chart.