Employee at South Carolina company dies in machine-related incident
A 54-year-old man became entrapped in a machine and was pronounced dead about an hour later at a Spartanburg, South Carolina fibers company on Sunday afternoon. The company reported that South Carolina OSHA is investigating. WYFF (Greenville, S.C.)
Moderna working on COVID-19 vaccine booster for South African variant
Moderna is planning a clinical trial to test a COVID-19 vaccine booster intended to provide stronger protection against B1351 and potentially against future variants, including more contagious strain of the virus first identified in South Africa. The neutralizing antibody response to the B1351 variant was six times weaker than those the vaccine produced for prior COVID-19 variants, the company said Monday. New York Post
Fed-OSHA directed to consider issuing emergency temporary standards
The Biden administration last week issued an executive order directing Fed-OSHA to work with the appropriate agencies to revise COVID guidelines for workplace safety within two weeks and consider if emergency temporary standards for COVID-19 are needed, in addition to other actions. Government Executive
Dealing with the opioid threat in the construction industry
Opioids pose a substantial threat to the construction industry. The nature of the work itself can lead to injuries for which doctors may prescribe strong prescription drugs. As construction employers work to keep their job sites safe and productive, they should keep in mind some key points regarding employee drug use, according to Nexsen Pruet, PLLC. JD Supra
Unions file complaint over lack of mask mandate at Iowa capitol
Labor unions representing employees of the state of Iowa have filed a complaint with IOSH targeting the lack of a mask mandate at the state capitol. KCRG [with video]
NIOSH issues report on slain fireman
A new National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health report offers recommendations in connection with the fatal shooting of an Appleton, Wisconsin fireman by an overdose patient in 2019. According to the report’s recommendations, firefighters, medics and police need to be properly trained on how to give naloxone and to be aware of its effects on patients. Firehouse
City refuses Michigan OSHA settlement on COVID-19 workplace citations
The city of Port Huron, Michigan rejected a settlement with MIOSHA Monday for COVID-19 workplace citations issued in October, claiming the citations were false and without legal merit. The agency cited the city for allegedly failing to require employees to wear face coverings, not training employees on COVID-19, and failing to maintain records of the daily entry self-screening protocols. Port Huron Times Herald