California: Freelancers rising up in opposition to new law regulating ‘gig workers’

Since AB5 took effect on January 1, hundreds of thousands of Californians are finding their businesses in tatters. Musicians can’t join bands for a one-night gig, chefs can’t join forces with caterers, nurses can’t work at various hospitals, and writers must cap their submissions per media outlet to 35 per year. These freelancers can no longer conduct the same business-to-business transactions they have for years or even decades. City Journal

OR-OSHA issues penalties for fatal accident at music festival

Oregon OSHA has issued $31,000 in fines to two companies after two men died last August while breaking down a Portland-area music festival, charging the companies failed to follow safety rules governing operation of a boom lift. The agency says two alarm devices on the boom lift had been disabled. KPTV (Portland)

Fed-OSHA investigating incident that injured New Hampshire bridge construction worker

A bridge construction worker was run over by the company truck he had been driving and dragged into a brook February 4 in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. A co-worker jumped into the brook and kept the man’s above water until the fire department arrived. Fed-OSHA is investigating. New Hampshire Union Leader

Fed-OSHA clarifies on headphones at construction sites

There is no specific Fed-OSHA regulation that prohibits the use of headphones on a construction site. However, the proliferation of ‘OSHA-approved’ headphones marketing has spurred the agency to clarify its position on headphones and hearing protection in construction. For Construction Pros

Guidance issued on 2019 novel coronavirus for employers

Fed-OSHA has released guidance for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, recommending employers “adapt infection control strategies based on a thorough hazard assessment.” According to the agency, however, most US workers remain at low risk of exposure. National Law Journal

Ohio workplace injuries decrease

Workplace injuries in Ohio’s private sector fell by more than 8 percent in 2018, and on-the-job fatalities saw an even larger decline, according to the most recent federal survey data. However, the Dayton metro area saw a 20 percent increase in workplace deaths. Statewide, glass manufacturing workers saw the largest increase in nonfatal injury and illness rates in 2018. Dayton Daily News