Category: COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak is at top of mind for environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals nationwide.

COVID-19 PPE, OSHA ETS

Safety Advocates: OSHA COVID-19 Guidance Is First Step, ETS Needed

Workplace safety and health organizations acknowledged the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) updated guidance on protecting employees from COVID-19 exposures as an important first step but reiterated their support for an enforceable emergency temporary standard (ETS).

OSHA Binder

OSHA Releases New, Stronger Guidance on COVID-19

On January 29, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued stronger workplace health and safety guidance for protecting employees from COVID-19 exposures. On January 21, President Joe Biden ordered OSHA to issue updated guidance within 2 weeks and consider establishing an emergency temporary standard (ETS) for workplace COVID-19 protections by March 15.

Facial hair and respirators

NIOSH’s Facial Hair and Respirators Infographic Viewed by Thousands

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently acknowledged that the infographic “Facial Hairstyles and Filtering Facepiece Respirators,” which was used in a November 2, 2017, blog post, has been downloaded over 19,000 times. NIOSH said that 95% of the downloads were made in 2020.

Virginia state flag as facemask, COVID-19

Virginia Adopts a Permanent COVID-19 Standard

Virginia adopted the nation’s first permanent standard for workplace exposures to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19. The regulation includes requirements for written preparedness and response plans, as well as cleaning and sanitation, personal protective equipment (PPE), social distancing, training and recordkeeping, and ventilation.

Michigan flag and COVID-19

Michigan Continues to Cite Employers for COVID-19 Violations

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) announced citations of 10 additional employers for violations related to workplace COVID-19 exposures. The state agency cited seven employers for violations of its emergency temporary COVID-19 rules and three employers under the General Duty Clause.

Oregon and COVID-19, Oregon OSHA

Oregon OSHA Warns Against COVID-19 Retaliation

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) reminded employers they are not allowed to retaliate against employees who must isolate or quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 PPE, OSHA infectious disease standards

President Biden Orders OSHA to Take Action on COVID-19

On January 21, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order (EO) directing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue updated employer guidance within 2 weeks on protecting workers from COVID-19. The EO also instructed the agency to consider establishing a COVID-19 emergency temporary standard (ETS) by March 15. It also ordered the Mine […]

White House

President Biden Issues Federal Employee Mask Mandate and Selects Acting OSHA Leaders

On January 20, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order requiring mask wearing in federal buildings and on public lands and requiring all federal employees and contractors to wear masks while on duty. The order also instructs federal personnel to maintain social distancing and comply with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]

COVID-19 vaccine

EHS on Tap: E63 The COVID-19 Vaccine and Your Company: What Is the Role of EHS?

Vaccines for COVID-19 are rolling out now, providing the world some much needed optimism for the coming year as we continue to combat the pandemic. However, environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals have a lot of questions about the vaccine and what their role, if any, should be in organizational vaccination programs. Fortunately, we’re joined […]

Michigan flag and COVID-19

A New Round of COVID-19 Citations in Michigan

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) inspected and issued citations at several more workplaces for violations of the General Duty Clause and the state’s emergency temporary standard (ETS) for COVID-19 exposures.