Hazards

Salem, OR — Oregon OSHA has announced plans to repeal the basic face covering and physical distancing requirements in its COVID-19 workplace protection rules when 70% of the state’s residents are at least partially vaccinated against the virus.

Columbus, OH — Workplace exposure to COVID-19 is a substantial factor in the “disproportionately high” rate of cases and deaths among Latinos in the United States when compared with whites, results of a recent study by researchers from Ohio State University and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee show.

Itasca, IL — In an effort to help employers and workers mitigate the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and develop techniques to prevent these injuries, the National Safety Council is teaming up with Amazon to establish new research, technology and processes as part of a five-year partnership to combat a leading cause of workplace injuries.

Washington — OSHA has issued an emergency temporary standard on COVID-19 that focuses on health care workers, as well as updated guidance for other workplaces and additional resources.

Sacramento, CA — Six days after voting to readopt California’s emergency temporary standard that requires employers to protect workers from COVID-19-related hazards, the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board voted unanimously to withdraw the revisions.

Washington — Health care workers will be the focus of OSHA’s emergency temporary standard on COVID-19, which will be issued June 10, Labor Secretary Marty Walsh told the House Education and Labor Committee during a June 9 hearing.

Sacramento, CA — An updated version of California’s emergency temporary standard that requires employers to protect workers from COVID-19-related hazards has been adopted by the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.

Washington — As warmer summer temperatures approach, OSHA has unveiled a new poster intended to help workers reduce their risk of heat-related illness.

Tumwater, WA — Fully vaccinated workers in Washington state do not have to wear masks or follow physical distancing protocol unless otherwise required to do so by their employer, according to updated COVID-19 workplace safety and health guidance from the state’s Department of Labor & Industries.

Davis, CA — U.S. counties that are home to beef-, pork- and poultry-processing plants experienced accelerated COVID-19 infection rates during the pandemic, according to a recent study led by a researcher at the University at California, Davis.