Workplace Exposures

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.

Atlanta — Employers should prioritize COVID-19 exposure controls for essential workers whose existing medical conditions put them at higher risk of severe illness from the potentially deadly disease, say researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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 — 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.

Washington — Two new fact sheets from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are intended to help fitness center employers and workers reduce the spread of COVID-19.