Workplace Exposures

Tumwater, WA — In an effort to protect janitorial workers “on the front lines of helping the public” contain the spread of COVID-19, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries has created a series of safety tip sheets.

Washington — Safely getting people back to work as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers is proving to be a complex challenge for officials at all levels of government – including health experts – as well as employers and workers.

Washington — NIOSH is asking for stakeholder comment on three draft documents pertaining to hazardous drugs in health care settings.

Salem, OR — In response to a spike in COVID-19-related complaints received in March and early April, Oregon OSHA has begun conducting spot checks “to verify that employers are complying with requirements – including closures to the public – aimed at curbing the coronavirus pandemic.”

Washington — In an effort to better protect workers in the health care and public safety sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic, NIOSH is approving a new class of powered air-purifying respirators, under an interim final rule published by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Arlington, VA — Think you’re safer wearing gloves during the COVID-19 pandemic? The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology wants you to know that protective vinyl, latex or nitrile gloves could become “more contaminated than bare hands” and “may actually be spreading germs in the community.”

Washington — In the absence of an emergency temporary standard on infectious disease from OSHA amid the COVID-19 pandemic, North America’s Building Trades Unions and CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training have developed national guidance on infectious disease exposure control practices for construction sites.

Washington — NIOSH, along with the National Hearing Conservation Association and the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation, is accepting nominations for the 2021 Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Award.

Washington — To help protect dental office workers from exposure to COVID-19, OSHA has developed guidance for employers.

Washington — Workplaces, schools and public spaces preparing to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic are encouraged to develop and implement plans to effectively clean and disinfect surfaces, under recently released joint guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.