Hazards

Washington — The Department of Labor is offering employers, workers and others an opportunity to give input on compliance assistance and outreach strategies concerning the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 18.

Washington — NIOSH is seeking comment on an agency plan to conduct research and develop resources on Workplace Supported Recovery Programs, which assist workers and employers affected by the nation’s opioid epidemic and other substance misuse disorders.

Silver Spring, MD — Aiming to protect construction workers from the COVID-19 pandemic, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training has released guidance for employees and employers.

Washington — Employers with fewer than 500 employees, as well as all government employers, must provide 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave to full-time workers who are in quarantine as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking diagnosis or preventive care for the illness, or caring for affected family members, under legislation signed into law March 18 by President Donald Trump.

Washington — Employers looking for ways to protect their workers from exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic should adopt a team approach, according to NIOSH Director John Howard, who says that “it’s not too late” to develop a plan.

Washington — How can you minimize your risk of contracting – and potentially spreading – COVID-19? Does wearing a facemask help? If you suspect you may have the potentially deadly respiratory illness, what steps should you take before visiting an emergency room?

Washington — NIOSH, in conjunction with Wikipedia, has launched a yearlong campaign aimed at improving the free online encyclopedia’s content related to acoustics and the harmful effects of noise.

Silver Spring, MD — In response to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the nation’s largest union and professional association of direct care registered nurses is petitioning OSHA to issue an emergency temporary standard to protect frontline workers, patients and the public from the potentially deadly respiratory illness.

Washington — House Education and Labor Committee Chair Bobby Scott (D-VA) and 20 other representatives are sponsoring a partisan bill that would require OSHA to issue an emergency temporary standard for health care facilities to implement comprehensive infectious disease exposure control plans.

Washington — Six weeks after the full implementation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, the agency said it had documented nearly 8,000 positive tests for substance misuse among commercial motor vehicle drivers.