The arrival of the hot summer season brings the risks and dangers of heat exposure for many employees throughout the United States. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a reminder to employers of their duty to protect employees, along with some guidance on ways to recognize and mitigate the risks of heat
OSHA Guidance
OSHA Issues Guidance on Prevention of COVID-19 Cases at Construction Sites
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidance for construction industry employers to prevent spread of COVID-19.
In addition to measures the agency suggests for all employers, the guidance includes a variety of preventive measures at construction sites, such as:
- Using Environmental Protection Agency-approved cleaning chemicals from List N or that have
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OSHA Issues Guidance Clarifying Recording Obligations for COVID-19 Cases
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published new guidance requiring employers covered by OSHA’s recordkeeping standards to determine whether employees have contracted COVID-19 while at work.
In an effort “to provide certainty to employers and workers,” beginning on May 26, 2020, the agency is requiring all employers to record all COVID-19 cases that:…
OSHA Offers Carryout Guidance for Restaurateurs
With many restaurants limited to offering food and beverage carryout and curbside pickup options because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published guidelines suggesting best practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
To prevent exposures with customers, OSHA recommends that food and beverage vendors:
- Avoid direct hand-offs when possible;
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OSHA Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19 Matters
On April 13, 2020, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) announced an Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) related complaints, referrals, and severe illness reports. While OSHA has issued several enforcement memorandums on COVID-19 related issues in recent weeks, this guidance is specifically directed to OSHA’s Area Offices on conducting investigations…
OSHA Issues COVID-19 Alert Identifying Safety Tips for Package Delivery Workers
In light of the ongoing safety concerns related to COVID-19, OSHA issued an alert identifying various voluntary safety measures that employers can take to keep package delivery workers safe from exposure to coronavirus. OSHA’s safety tips included:
- Establishing flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts) where feasible;
- Minimizing interaction between drivers and customers by leaving deliveries
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OSHA Expands Guidance on Respirator Fit-Testing to Cover all Industries
Due to the evolving coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and emergence of outbreaks across the country, there have been widespread reports of critical shortages of personal protective equipment (“PPE”), such as masks, face shields, and gowns. OSHA previously issued guidance, including an April 3, 2020 memorandum and interim guidance and a March 14, 2020 enforcement memorandum,…
Los Angeles, New York Impose New Construction Requirements and Restrictions Due to COVID-19
While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and some states have offered guidance to prevent employee exposure to COVID-19, Los Angeles, the state of New York, and New York City are enforcing more restrictive measures for construction sites.
Based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Los Angeles…
Construction Industry Coronavirus Guidance from NYC and OSHA
Construction workers received guidance on best practices in preventing the spread of novel coronavirus from New York City. The city has recognized that ordinary practices at construction sites – shared tools, huddled shift meetings and packed schedules with varied trade contractors – can present unique dangers at construction sites.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration…
OSHA Recommends Best Practices to Prevent Whistleblower Retaliation
You might be surprised to learn that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces 22 different whistleblower protection laws. This includes laws governing workplace safety and health at construction, manufacturing, energy generation or distribution and other worksites. It also includes a broad array of laws that regulate hazards and prohibited activities specific to airlines,…