OSHA has guidance on office climate controls
- OSHA does not have a set rule on temperature and conditions during work but offered: “Office temperature and humidity conditions are generally a matter of human comfort rather than hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm.”
- Employees often complain about the thermostat in their office space, and some workers recently complained that they were going to “pass out” because of excessive heat.
- A recent study revealed that getting the air temperature right can impact worker productivity.
- An environment that is too warm or too cold negatively affected the motivation to do work.
More safety changes for construction workers
- OSHA is updating its standards to “clarify the requirements for the fit” of personal protective equipment that must be provided to construction workers.
- OSHA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, which is a final step before publishing the proposed rule for comment.
- Some employers in the construction industry contend the new rules could be broad and are either overdue or not necessary at all.
- OSHA is responsible for implementing “fit” requirements for hearing, eye and face protection.
Another state adds paid family leave, but benefits could take longer
- Delaware passed a law in July for paid family leave; however, the benefits will not be available for several years.
- State workers will be eligible to receive up to $900 per week for twelve weeks under the state’s new paid family leave policy beginning in 2026.
- “We’ve got a few years out before we start to pay benefits,” Secretary of Labor Karryl Hubbard said.
- That process recently began with the hiring of a full-time paid family leave manager.
Lab faces $907,000 in fines
Employees at Phoenix Environmental Laboratories Inc. in Connecticut complained to management about faulty ventilation systems at the work site and about symptoms.
The dizziness, light-headedness, headaches and unsteady walking can be caused by exposure to methylene chloride, a highly hazardous chemical and a workplace carcinogen.
Due to inadequate ventilation, employees sustained exposures to methylene chloride, including some above the permissible exposure limit.
OSHA cited Phoenix Environmental for six willful violations, 10 serious violations and one other than serious violation and proposed a total of $907,253 in penalties.