Serious injuries at Amazon’s San Antonio-area warehouses happen at double industry average

An investigation by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting documented alarming injury rates at more than 150 Amazon fulfillment centers nationwide, including that the rate of serious accidents among employees at its pair of large facilities serving San Antonio are double the industry rate. San Antonio Current

Oregon OSHA fines contractor again for fall protection violations

OR-OSHA has fined a Roseburg contractor $42,000for allegedly failing to protect employees from potentially fatal falls. The agency has fined the company twice in recent months, and officials say it has a history of failing to implement adequate fall protection systems. KEZI

Oregon OSHA finalizes temporary COVID-19 rule

Oregon OSHA last month released its final COVID-19 temporary rule, effective November 16, 2020, through May 4, 2021, that sets forth requirements for all Oregon employers and supplementary requirements for “workplaces at exceptional risk.” They include physical distancing; mask, face covering, or face shield requirements; exposure risk assessment and infection control plan; employee information and training and other requirements, write Paul E. Cirner and John F. Martin of Ogletree Deakins. National Law Review

Chicago nurse loses battle with COVID-19

Fed-OSHA is investigating the death of a longtime nurse at Chicago’s Mercy Hospital from COVID-19. A CDC report released Thursday afternoon says that as of Dec. 1, there have been approximately 245,000 COVID-19 cases reported among U.S. health care personnel and 858 COVID-19-associated deaths. CBS Chicago [with video]

MIOSHA cites nine employers for COVID-19 violations

Michigan OSHA has cited nine businesses for violations including lack of health screenings, face coverings, employee training, cleaning measures and overall preparedness plans,

related to COVID-19. They include a $6,300 fine to a restaurant group for lack of face coverings worn for customers, not closing waiting areas and not avoiding large gatherings. Crain’s Detroit Business

IOSHA sees record number of complaints

In a typical year, IOSHA normally receives around 1,200 non-formal complaints. Since Indiana’s governor issued an executive order taking the state out of “Stage 5,” IOSHA has received approximately 250 complaints related to COVID. That compares to more than four thousand received from March to June. WANE (Fort Wayne, Ind.)