Activists respond to fatal Georgia chemical leak
Framing the situation as a systemic issue across all poultry and meatpacking plants, activist groups and lawmakers from across the country on Monday demanded change after six employees died in a liquid nitrogen leak at a chicken processing plant in Gainesville, Georgia last week. WXIA (Atlanta)
Two more COVID-19 cases reported Saturday at Iowa Capitol
Two more people who work at the Iowa Capitol tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, including a state representative, making the third and fourth known positive cases at the state capitol this year. The capitol is operating under safety protocols set by Republican leadership prior to the start of the legislative session. Des Moines Register
Virginia board adopts final ‘permanent’ COVID workplace rules
Virginia’s first-in-the-nation mandatory workplace safety regulations, which cover mask-wearing, social distancing and outbreaks among employees, among other COVID-related subjects, are now “permanent” for the duration of the state of emergency designated by the governor. The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Safety and Health Codes Board voted to adopt the permanent standard on January 13, and it became effective on January 27. Pilot Online
Oregon: 1,300 complaints, 3 fines for Lane County businesses violating COVID-19 rules
A Register-Guard analysis of state-provided data showed more than 1,300 complaints about Lane County businesses to Oregon-OSHA between March 13 and December 11, 2020, and most were about businesses not enforcing social distancing and mask-wearing. Only three complaints resulted in fines in Lane County, which remains in the state’s “extreme risk” for COVID-19 category. Register-Guard
Indiana Senate passes COVID-19 civil liability immunity bill
On January 28, 2021, with an approval vote of 40-8, the Indiana State Senate passed Senate Bill No. 1, a COVID-19 civil immunity bill, write several attorneys at Ice Miller. Lexology [may require registration]
What to know about KN95 and N95 masks
Masks are now required on planes, buses, trains and all public transportation hubs in the United States. Where can you find masks that meet the highest standards? And how can you keep the cost down? Oregonian