CDC: Northern California has first coronavirus case of unknown origin
The nation’s first coronavirus case of unknown origin has been confirmed in Northern California, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last week. The new case brings the number of infected in the United States to 60, which includes people who’ve been repatriated to the US. Fox News
New York braces for coronavirus outbreak
The New York Health Department says 700 people in the state have been asked to voluntarily self-isolate for two weeks due to coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it’s not a matter of if, but when the coronavirus becomes a bigger issue in the US. WLNY
Is coronavirus worse than the flu?
The new coronavirus outbreak is dominating the headlines, causing more than 80,000 illnesses in just over two months. Both influenza and coronavirus are highly infectious diseases with similar symptoms, transmission, and prevention methods, but is one necessarily worse than the other? Health.com
Fed-OSHA probing fatal collapse in New York City
A 50-year-old demolition worker was killed in a partial building collapse in the New York City borough of Queens last week, near the Long Island Rail Road’s Jamaica Station. The city’s Department of Buildings issued a stop-work order for the site. Queens Chronicle
Trench collapse kills New Jersey construction worker
A 35-year-old construction worker died after becoming collapsed in a trench in Jersey City, New Jersey Thursday morning on a water line installation project. The victim’s father and brother were also at the scene. They were working together to install the water line. PIX
Georgia charcoal company for hazards at Missouri facilities
Fed-OSHA has cited a Georgia-based charcoal manufacturer and fined it nearly $340,000 for exposing employees to safety and health hazards at two Missouri plants, one in Branson and the other in Summersville. Cited violations include electrical, housekeeping, hearing, and forklift hazards and inadequate machine guarding. KCTV
Trucking company coerced driver to violate safety rules: Fed-OSHA
Fed-OSHA has ordered a now-defunct Connecticut trucking company to pay more than $150,000 to an unnamed truck driver who complained and then quit after allegedly facing retaliation for complaining about missing or inoperative headlights and air pressure leaks and refusing to violate safety regulations. CDL Life
Fed-OSHA outlines next steps of silica exposure NEP
Fed-OSHA is establishing a revised National Emphasis Program to identify and reduce or eliminate exposures to respirable crystalline silica in general industry, maritime and construction. Earlier this month, the agency sent the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA) a letter outlining its next steps on enforcement of the rule, including an increase in enforcement of the rule. Waste Today