Coronavirus Coverage

Who’s calling the shots? A look at the current status of Covid-19 vaccine mandates

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 12:26:57 -0500

Since the COVID-19 vaccination was made available to the public in late 2020, the topic of vaccination has been widely discussed across the country including in the daily news, by governments and agencies, in the courts, in communities, and in the workplace. From the very beginning, federal, state, and local governments/agencies have engaged in campaigns to encourage vaccination; passed laws mandating vaccination in the workplace, public places, government buildings, and elsewhere; and incentivized vaccination. Indeed, President Biden’s Administration made COVID-19 vaccination a predominant part of its national strategy to combat the pandemic.

NIOSH awards more than $5 million in extramural funding to address COVID-19 related challenges

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 11:59:33 -0500

NIOSH provided more than $5 million in extramural funding during fiscal year 2021 to 38 projects that address challenges related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This amount includes supplemental funding for State Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Surveillance Programs and funding for investigator-initiated research through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 response efforts

Biden administration officially withdraws vaccine rule for businesses

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 11:20:55 -0500

The Biden administration has officially withdrawn a rule that would have required workers at big companies to get vaccinated or face regular COVID testing requirements.

Vaxxed, unvaxxed laborers treated the same under new California rule, worsening labor shortages

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 11:21:00 -0500

Workplace regulators recently extended California’s COVID-19 pandemic regulations, including some revisions that could negatively impact the labor shortage. Some business groups have criticized these changes, while organizations supporting workers in the state have supported them.

CDC updates mask guidance: N95 and KN95 provide best protection

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 10:44:00 -0500

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, January 14, 2022 updated its guidance on masks for the general public, now saying that people "may choose" to wear N95 and KN95 masks because they offer the best protection against Covid-19.

Supreme Court rejects OSHA vax-or-test mandate

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 10:28:00 -0500

On January 13, 2022, the Supreme Court issued a highly anticipated decision blocking OSHA's emergency temporary standard (ETS), which required employers with 100 or more employees to implement a COVID-19 vaccination or weekly testing policy, in addition to other requirements.

It might be time to rethink industrial facilities' cleaning and disinfecting practices

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 12:44:00 -0500

Over the past 20 months, many industrial facilities have implemented a variety of intensive cleaning and disinfecting regimens to keep their facilities and their staff healthy. But as we move into 2022 and with the pandemic ebbing, some administrators are reconsidering these measures, wondering if they are still necessary.

US Department of Labor extends comment period for COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 10:46:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has extended the comment period for the COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard to Jan. 19, 2022.

OSHA suspends enforcement of COVID-19 vaccine mandate amid legal challenges

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 10:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration suspended all activities related to the implementation and enforcement of the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for big companies while the mandate is tied up in court.

GOP-majority court to consider Biden vaccine mandate

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:54:00 -0500

Challenges to President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private employers will be consolidated in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, a panel dominated by judges appointed by Republicans, reports the Associated Press.

OSHA’s vax-or-test rule for large employers goes into effect

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 13:34:00 -0400

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday, November 4 announced a new emergency temporary standard to protect more than 84 million workers from the spread of the coronavirus on the job. Employers with 100 or more employees have until Jan. 4 to ensure that their workforces are fully vaccinated.

19 states sue Biden administration over COVID vaccine rule

Sat, 30 Oct 2021 21:27:00 -0400

Eighteen states filed three separate lawsuits Friday, October 29 to stop President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors, arguing that the requirement violates federal law, reported the Associated Press.

OSHA retaliation complaints rising – Have you checked your anti-retaliation program lately?

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 10:17:00 -0400

Most workers in the United States are protected from retaliation for raising workplace health and safety concerns and for reporting work-related injuries or illnesses. While these protections have been in place for decades, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a record number of complaints from covered employees claiming retaliation by their employer. Since

At the National Safety Congress: Safety in a post-Covid world

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 15:58:00 -0400

Corrie Pitzer, a regular speaker at the National Safety Congress & Expo, kicked off Tuesday’s agenda with a “preview” of the opportunities and risks confronting safety and health professionals in a post-Covid world.

How to prepare for COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 11:54:00 -0400

By December 8, 2021, all federal government contractors must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. According to the guidance, contractors are required to obtain documentation on every employee’s vaccination status. Meanwhile, private sector employers with 100 or more employees will more than likely be required to uphold the same standard.

ASSP Safety2021: An OSHA update with Jim Frederick

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 11:04:00 -0400

On the last day of ASSP’s in-person show in Austin, Jim Frederick, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, spoke to attendees on COVID-19 and OSHA’s current priorities.

Now that Pfizer vaccine has FDA approval, expect more companies to begin implementing workplace rules

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0400

With full federal approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for those 16 and older, corporate employers, the military, hospitals and other workplaces have begun announcing vaccine mandates.

National Safety Council calls on all employers to require employee COVID-19 vaccinations

Sun, 29 Aug 2021 00:07:00 -0400

- The National Safety Council (NSC), the nation’s leading workplace safety advocate, urged all employers to implement a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for their workers and unveiled a guide outlining four levels of requirements for various workplace risk profiles.

Video | Study observes relationship between mobility and productivity

Sat, 28 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400

ISHN’s multimedia specialist Layan Dahhan speaks with Joseph Boyle, the CEO of TRUCE Software, a company dedicated to providing mobility solutions in the workplace, about the study and mobile device use on the job.

AIHA backs vaccination as COVID-19 control strategy

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:06:00 -0400

AIHA voices its support for employers who find innovative ways to encourage vaccination among workers or develop workable programs to mandate vaccination in the workforce where warranted

OSHA issues updated guidance on protecting unvaccinated and other at-risk workers from the coronavirus

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 08:44:00 -0400

OSHA on August 13, 2021 issued updated guidance to help employers protect workers from the coronavirus. The updated guidance reflects developments in science and data, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated COVID-19 guidance issued July 27.

COVID-19 masks and breathing devices: The compelling history of today’s most vital resources

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 23:26:00 -0400

In February 2020, amid growing concerns of the novel coronavirus, one forward-looking French fashion designer, Marine Serre, had her models wear facemasks that matched their trendy ensembles on the catwalk at Paris’ Fashion Week. Fast forward to today. So much has changed in the last year and a half. Facemasks have become the norm to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 while the world continues to try and rebound while also preparing for new variants of the deadly virus.

More manufacturing and industrial employers are mandating COVID-19 vaccine

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 23:20:00 -0400

It’s not yet common for companies to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations. However, with the Delta variant spreading rapidly in the United States and elsewhere, there’s a growing number of companies taking that route. Here are five of the related manufacturing and industrial organizations doing it and the specifics associated with each.

OSHA releases new food plant safety guidelines

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 23:13:00 -0400

In 2021, OSHA released COVID safety guidelines for meat plants and other food processing facilities — but stopped short of making them mandatory. The agency recommends using certain safety measures, such as face coverings and paid time off for employees to receive vaccinations. However, it does not require employers to follow these rules or produce written hazard analyses or safety plans.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs mandates COVID-19 vaccines among its medical employees

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 11:44:00 -0400

On July 26, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough announced he will make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for Title 38 VA health care personnel — including physicians, dentists, podiatrists, optometrists, registered nurses, physician assistants, expanded-function dental auxiliaries and chiropractors — who work in Veterans Health Administration facilities, visit VHA facilities or provide direct care to those VA serves.

Some experts recommend upgrading to N95 masks to help fight the Delta variant

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 11:32:00 -0400

As the CDC has recommended all Americans, regardless of coronavirus vaccination status, return to wearing face coverings in indoor public places to help thwart the spread of the highly contagious delta variant, the mask debate is in the spotlight once again. But some experts say the recommendations should specify the kind of masks people should be using.

A sense of normalcy

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400

With the announcement last week that ASSP has opened up registration for their conference in Austin this September, they announced the safety precautions they are taking to ensure everyone who is attending is comfortable.

Consider personal perceptions and levels of transparency when assessing risk to improve safety

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400

In this three-part series, the role of personal perceptions and the influence of invalidated information on them used in risk assessments is explored.

US Department of Labor announces availability of more than $21M in grants for training on workplace hazards, infectious diseases

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 09:45:00 -0400

The U.S. Department of Labor announced funding opportunities for more than $21 million in Occupational Safety and Health Administration training grants for non-profit organizations.

OSHA fines N.J. manufacturer $13K after husband, wife die from COVID-19

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 10:29:00 -0400

A Monmouth County, N.J., manufacturer where two employees — a husband and wife — died from coronavirus and dozens of other employees got infected has been fined more than $13,000 by OSHA for failing to protect its workers from exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.