Tag: coronavirus

COVID-19 testing

NSC Says 39 States Need to Improve COVID-19 Response

Thirty-nine states need to do more to protect their residents from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is a respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). The group’s “State of the Response” report assessed states on their efforts in five key areas based on the NSC’s SAFER: […]

California and COVID-19

California Hospitals, Police Department Cited for Failing to Protect Workforce from COVID-19

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) cited six San Francisco Bay Area employers, including hospitals, a police department, and skilled nursing facilities, for failing to protect their employees from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by infection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

COVID-19 safety inspection

Michigan OSHA Hands Out Citations for COVID-19 Violations

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) cited 19 different businesses with serious “general duty” violations for failing to implement safety and health workplace guidelines, exposing employees to hazards of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by infection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

elastomeric half-mask respirator (EHMR)

NIOSH Seeks Comment on EHMR Use, Respirator Stockpile

On September 14, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued a request for information and comment on the deployment to and use of elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs) by emergency medical services (EMS) organizations and in healthcare settings during the ongoing coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (85 FR 56618).

N95 respirator mask

N95 Respirators: Amid COVID-19 Shortages, OSHA Enforcement Goes On

Why are there still shortages of N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs)? Basically, when the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was declared in March, a spike in demand for N95 respirators met a “just-in-time” supply chain. Both industry and government have moved to address shortages. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by an infection of the […]

Facility ventilation systems

Ventilation, Filtration Considerations for COVID-19 Risk Management

You may worry about a workplace outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in your offices or facilities, but do you need to budget for upgrading your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to hospital-grade standards?

California and COVID-19

Cal/OSHA Issues Six-Figure COVID-19 Citations After Illnesses and a Death

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued citations to frozen food manufacturer Overhill Farms Inc. and a temporary employment agency Jobsource North America Inc. for failing to protect hundreds of employees from COVID-19 at two plants in Vernon. The agency proposed penalties of over $200,000 for each employer.

Meat packing plant

Meatpacking Plant Cited by OSHA for COVID-19 Violations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for failing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The agency proposed a penalty of $13,494 for a single violation, which is the maximum allowed by law.

COVID-19 safety inspection

Cal/OSHA Has Cited 11 Employers for COVID-19 Violations

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) announced it had cited 11 employers for not protecting employees from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure during the agency’s inspections of industries where workers have an elevated risk of exposure. The industries included agriculture, food processing, health care, meatpacking, and retail.

COVID-19 coronavirus

AIHA Releases COVID-19 Guidance and Resources

On August 31, AIHA (formerly the American Industrial Hygiene Association) released guidance documents and a white paper for employers trying to control workplace infections during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.