Are federal facilities prepared for COVID-19?
There’s no central authority that can mandate telework across the federal enterprise. Although agencies have responded to the coronavirus outbreak by expanding telework opportunities, the federal government is still requiring tens of thousands of employees to report for work at federal buildings. The role of the Federal Protective Service at the Department of Homeland Security, the primary agency charged with ensuring the safety of federal buildings, may change over the coming weeks and months. FCW
Coronavirus outbreak raises tricky workplace legal questions
Can I take the temperatures of employees or order them to get tested for the virus? Can employees refuse tasks that might expose them to the virus? Three attorneys discuss. Denver Post
TSA confirms positive COVID-19 tests; Union calls for more protection
As of Tuesday, the Transportation Security Administration has confirmed that eight of the agency’s officers have tested positive for COVID-19. According to TSA, the employees that could have come in contact with the transportation security officers over the past 14 days have been quarantined. Tuesday’s number doubled within the prior four days. WBAL (Baltimore)
Medical waste industry braces for higher volumes
In China, coronavirus has left the country dealing with mountains of medical waste; Wuhan, the first area majorly impacted by the crisis, reportedly is producing more than six times its usual amount. Medical waste companies in the US are closely monitoring the spread of the rapidly changing pandemic, and say the situation is changing by the hour. Waste Dive
Fed-OSHA issues temp guidance for healthcare industry in response to possible respirator shortage
As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the United States, one concern is whether there are sufficient numbers of respirators in order to protect healthcare providers who are on the frontlines of dealing with infected and potentially infected patients. On March 14, the Department of Labor issued temporary enforcement guidance regarding respirators. National Law Review
Florida: Broward County ignores whistleblower complaints, lawsuit charges
A new lawsuit alleges top Broward County administrators have repeatedly covered up employee whistleblower complaints about serious failures, including missteps that led to a fatal scissor-lift incident. Florida Bulldog
Encore Electric Wins AGC Build America Award for Denver-area resort
Encore Electric has won a 2020 Associated General Contractors Construction Risk Partners Build America Award in the category of Specialty Contractor, for its work on the Gaylord of the Rockies Resort in Aurora, Colorado. Mile High CRE