The U.S. Senate on Monday voted along party lines to confirm California workplace safety chief Doug Parker to lead OSHA. The post was filled for the first time in more than four years by a vote of 50-41.

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) maintains data-driven and solutions-based positions on issues that impact occupational safety and health. ASSP has developed new policy statements on anticipated federal standards related to heat stress and COVID-19 as it aims to inform government officials and key stakeholders in improving the regulatory approach to workplace safety and health.

OSHA announced its preliminary Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2021 at the 2021 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Orlando, Florida. Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA's Directorate of Enforcement Programs, presented the list virtually on Tuesday, Oct. 12. 

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

OSHA has recommended that Tootsie Roll Industries pay more than $136,000 in fines after a machine at its Chicago plant cut off part of an employee’s finger this year, according to The Associated Press. 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announces an opportunity for the public to provide information and comments to help improve the mental health and well-being of the nation’s health workers.

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. 

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the award of more than $11.6 million in grants to 93 nonprofit organizations nationwide to fund education and training on hazard recognition and prevention, and on rights of workers to safe workplaces and the responsibilities of employers to provide them.