Original Articles

  • CalHHS Secretary Extends Mask Mandate to Mid-February

    January 7, 2022

    Mark Ghaly, M.D., MPH, California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) secretary, has extended California’s indoor mask mandate by another full month. The masking requirement intended to combat the coronavirus pandemic now runs through February 15. While citing a recent surge in the state’s positivity rate to over 21 percent, Ghaly also noted data on […]

  • Fed-OSHA seeks suggestions for strengthening VPP

    June 27, 2017

    Fed-OSHA is holding a stakeholder meeting July 17, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the future direction of its Voluntary Protection Programs. The agency’s aim is to “reshape VPP so that it continues to represent safety and health excellence, leverages partner resources, further recognizes the successes of long-term participants, and supports smart program growth.” Fed-OSHA is […]

Curated Content Articles of Interest from Around the Web

    Massive Louisville Airport Explosion Kills at Least 7

    UPS plane explodes on takeoff at Kentucky airport

    • A United Parcel Service jet crashed at the Louisville, Kentucky airport, causing an explosion, giant plumes of smoke and fire that spread a mile.
    • The three crewmembers on board have been confirmed dead, as were four on the ground. Eleven others were injured from the surrounding area. The state’s governor expects the death toll to rise.
    • A shelter in place was ordered for a five-mile area around the airport, which was closed after the incident.
    • The plane crashed as it took off from the airport, heading to Honolulu, Hawaii. The 24-year-old MD-11 airliner was fully loaded with fuel for its trip. A video taken from a taxiing plane shows the massive explosion.
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    Multi-state coalition opposes OSHA proposal on “inherently risky” occupations

    • The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry says it’s leading a coalition of states opposed to a proposed rule by Fed-OSHA that would limit the ability to use the General Duty Clause for known hazards in “inherently risky” occupations.
    • Occupations that would be exempted from GDC enforcement include live entertainment, animal training, motor sports and extreme sports, among others.
    • Many states rely on Fed-OSHA to enforce workplace safety rules for private-sector employment, including Pennsylvania.
    • Other states in the coalition include Illinois, Arizona, California, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Vermont.
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    Employer Groups Weigh in on Fed-OSHA Heat Proposal

    • Industry groups have voiced concerns about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s proposed heat illness prevention standard.
    • Many groups called for a flexible or performance-based standard that takes into account regional differences between facilities and worksites.
    • The National Association of Manufacturers, for instance, suggests taking these differences into account when setting heat triggers and other factors, advising against a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
    • The National Association of Home Builders of the United States said the proposal as written would be infeasible and could create greater hazards at construction sites.
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