Tag: coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus

NSC President and CEO Releases Statement Regarding COVID-19

Itasca, IL – National Safety Council President & CEO Lorraine Martin today issued the following call to business leaders across the country to take aggressive action to ensure employee safety from COVID-19. In a survey conducted this week, over 70% of NSC member companies indicated they have employees still reporting to work, unable to work remotely. Many […]

First responders, ambulance corps

COVID-19: First Responders Must Be Notified of Coronavirus Exposure

Healthcare facilities and public health officials now must inform emergency responders when they have been exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. On March 27, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) updated its list of potentially life-threatening infectious diseases to which emergency responders may be exposed (85 Federal Register 17335).

Wastewater treatment, water infrastructure

COVID-19: Enviro Managers and Water Departments Urge Public Not to Flush Wipes

Environmental protection has not proven to be a significant issue as the world grapples with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. One unexpected positive development is an improvement in air quality. At some point in the future, agencies, advocacy groups, and industrial organizations will likely make some use of data from satellite imagery showing less air pollution […]

classroom or day care center, child care

COVID-19: Cal/OSHA Provides Guidance for Childcare Services

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued guidance on COVID-19 infection protection in childcare services. Employers must update their Injury and Illness Protection Programs (IIPP) to protect workers from the spread of COVID-19, according to Cal/OSHA.

disinfectant

How the Coronavirus Is Affecting Small Business

It’s impossible to avoid at this point, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is on everyone’s mind. Sports leagues around the world have shut down, companies are going fully remote, and colleges have switched to being exclusively online.

Semi Trucks

COVID-19: FMCSA Further Expands Hours of Service Relief

On March 19, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) expanded its Hours of Service exemptions for commercial motor vehicle drivers transporting personnel and supplies necessary to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthcare PPE

COVID-19 Crisis Puts Spotlight on PPE at Healthcare Facilities

The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought a renewed focus on personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus—referred to as 2019-nCOV or SARS-CoV-2—first identified in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019.

Coronavirus

COVID-19: Quick Resources and Tips for EHS Managers

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic is currently the top concern for environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals. As of this writing (8:45 a.m. on March 19, 2020), Johns Hopkins University & Medicine’s Coronavirus Resource Center is reporting 9,415 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 150 deaths in the United States alone, with over 220,000 confirmed cases […]

N95 respirator masks

COVID-19: OSHA Issues a Temporary Directive on Respirator Enforcement

On March 14, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued temporary guidance regarding enforcement of annual respirator fit-testing requirements under the respiratory protection standard. The agency directed its field offices to exercise discretion to not cite an employer for violations of the annual fit testing requirement if the employer meets certain conditions.

Coronavirus rendering

ASSP to Hold a COVID-19 Q&A Session

With the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) generating many questions, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) will be hosting a free coronavirus question-and-answer session today, March 18, for occupational safety and health professionals to learn more about responding to the pandemic. While the live Q&A has already reached capacity, it will be recorded and […]