Half of workplace deaths investigated in Michigan linked to COVID-19
More than half of the 37 workplace-related deaths investigated by MIOSHA this year are linked to COVID-19. The agency’s “general duty” clause has been used to cite 35 businesses for violations for failing to provide adequate protections against COVID-19. Ten of the COVID-19 fatalities being investigated occurred among healthcare employees. Detroit News
Michigan: Bogus flyers tell businesses to remove mask requirement signs
Flyers with false and debunked information warning businesses to remove “mask requirement” signs or face potential lawsuits reportedly have been circulating in Big Rapids, Michigan. A state health order issued and updated earlier this month requires people to wear a face covering any time people from two or more households are present in any shared space including in any indoor or outdoor public space and in any business, school or government building. Pioneer (Big Rapids, Mich.)
Brewers Association awarded Harwood grant for training on beer line maintenance
The Brewers Association, a trade association that represents small and independent American craft brewers, has been awarded a Susan Harwood training program grant of nearly $80,000 by Fed-OSHA. The grant will fund content development, resource production, training and salary offsets for staff involved in the project. The association says it will develop safety training for proper cleaning of draught beer lines. Craft Brewing Business
Complaint alleges MOSH failed to protect employees during pandemic
Maryland OSHA has conducted “very few” inspections and instead forwarded COVID-19 complaints to local county health departments, a Baltimore public-interest law center claims. The complaint stems from safety allegations at a Baltimore facility that makes and recycles blue wooden pallets used in distribution and retail and alleges MOSH mishandled employee complaints there and took too long to inspect. Baltimore Sun
What to do in case of a needlestick
In the event of accidental exposure to bloodborne pathogens via needlestick exposure, follow these important steps immediately. DentistryIQ
Florida long-term care facility fined for COVID-19 violations
Fed-OSHA has fined a Manatee County, Florida long-term care facility more than $8,600 for citations related to coronavirus hazards. According to the latest data from state health officials, the facility currently is listed to have 13 positive coronavirus cases among people who live there. WTSP (Tampa, Fla.)
Green Bay meatpacking plant among those fined for COVID-19 hazards
Fed-OSHA has announced more than $1 million in fines against companies for violations related to COVID-19. Among those companies is the JBS meatpacking plant in Green Bay, Wisconsin, which has been fined more than $13,000 and was the site of a large outbreak in April. WBAY (Green Bay, Wisc.)
COVID-19 incidents surge in two Connecticut cities
There are now 19 Connecticut communities that are considered at a high-risk for spreading COVID-19, according to data released by state regulators on Thursday. Two cities have average daily infection rates that have skyrocketed to more than 40 positive test results per 100,000 residents. Daily Voice