CalHHS Secretary Extends Mask Mandate to Mid-February

Mark Ghaly, M.D., MPH, Secretary of the California Health & Human Services Agency, has extended California’s indoor mask mandate by another full month, through February 15. OSHA Today

Idaho utility contractor faces $173k fine for cave-in hazards

Fed-OSHA has fined a Post Falls, Idaho-based utility contractor more than $173,000, for five serious violations and one willful violation, after allegedly failing to provide adequate protections from possible cave-in hazards for employees working in trenches. Bloomberg Law

Postal Service asks for temporary waiver from vaccine mandate

The U.S. Postal Service has asked federal labor officials for a temporary waiver from the employer vaccine mandate, setting up a showdown on pandemic safety measures. The mandate takes effect January 10, but Fed-OSHA officials said the agency would not issue citations for violations until February 9. Washington Post

Citigroup will fire US employees who refuse vaccine

Citigroup will fire US employees at the end of January if they have not been vaccinated or received an exemption, according to a person briefed on the matter. More than 90 percent of employees at Citi are vaccinated, and management at the bank expect that to increase in the lead-up to the deadline. Financial Times