Exposures to dangerous chemicals at Louisiana plant linked to maintenance
A Geismar, Louisiana manufacturing plant has had 25 incidents in the past decade where leaks of dangerous chemicals exposed employees. The company reportedly has a record of safety violations and chronic failures to maintain pipelines and other crucial equipment, although it has not been substantially penalized by state environmental regulators. The exposures have involved ammonia, aniline, benzene, chlorobenzene, diphenylamine, hydrochloric acid, methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, nitric acid, nitrobenzene, phosgene and sulfuric acid. NOLA.com
Virginia officials hear debate over stricter labor rules
As the expiration of Virginia’s temporary emergency, pandemic-related workplace safety regulations looms, industry and labor groups argued this week before the state Department of Labor and Industry’s Board of Safety and Health Codes about whether they should be extended. The rules require assessments for workplace exposure to coronavirus, categorization of job functions by risk levels, and policies that allow for COVID-19 testing, physical distancing and sanitizing workspaces, among other requirements. Courthouse News Service
COVID-19 sparks more than 1,000 workplace-related lawsuits in 2020
In 2020, the pandemic led employees to file 1,005 workplace lawsuits in state and federal courts, according to the Seyfarth Shaw law firm. More than half involved layoffs and firings, while nearly 200 were related to workplace safety. An even bigger wave is expected in 2021, according to one of the firm’s partners. USA Today
More Michigan restaurants penalized for COVID-19 violations
Some restaurants and bars that have continued to flout Michigan Department of Health and Human Services requirements to cease indoor service are being penalized, including with license suspension and temporary restraining order remedies. Eater Detroit
Faster slaughter at poultry plants weighed despite risks
The Trump administration is working to finalize a rule that would allow poultry plants to increase slaughter speeds. The administration allowed 15 poultry plants to increase such speeds during the pandemic, all of which had reports of severe injuries or a history of federal labor violations. More than half of the locations reported a COVID-19 outbreak before the end of June. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette