Masks stack up in warehouses as nurses reuse N95 respirators
Nearly a year after the shortage of N95 masks first made headlines, nurses continue to reuse soggy and soiled ones although up to 20 certified manufacturers have entered the market. The American Mask Manufacturers Association says its members have an inventory of 233 million N95 respirators or equivalent masks in their warehouses and the capacity to manufacture 298 million per month. The group is calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to revise guidance that discourages the general public from getting them. Roll Call
MIOSHA surpasses 2,000 COVID-19 safety consultations
Since last September, more than 2,000 businesses have participated in Michigan OSHA’s COVID-19 Workplace Safety Ambassador Program, receiving assistance from the agency in implementing pandemic-related regulations. The agency reports that over 90 percent of businesses visited are complying with face covering, cleaning and disinfection and personal protective equipment requirements. WPVB/WGTU/UpNorthLive
Employers and employees adapt to working from home challenges
Getting out of the office may sound wonderful at first, but mental health issues have crept into the new work environment. Over time, many employees may experience unanticipated mental health consequences from mandated remote work. Business North
Employee death at Las Vegas Amazon facility ruled suicide
A man who appeared to have “fallen or jumped” was pronounced dead inside an Amazon facility in North Las Vegas, Nevada, early Monday, police said. The coroner later determined the man died by suicide. Yahoo! News
Bill would strengthen standards for construction contracts in Nashville
A bill introduced by a Nashville city councilmember would raise standards for the city’s awarding construction contracts, emphasizing workplace safety and fair compensation and would make it more difficult for companies that incurred federal or state violations within the past three years to secure such work. The legislation is being introduced on what would be the 17th birthday of a teenager who died at a hotel construction site accident last June. Nashville Post
Wisconsin employer settles with Fed-OSHA following crush fatality
An Eau Claire County, Wisconsin company has reached an informal settlement with Fed-OSHA over the death of an employee last July and has agreed to pay a fine of nearly $11,000. According to the citation, two nylon totes each containing two thousand pounds of beans were stacked on top of each other and were not secured to prevent tipping. The employee was crushed when a tote fell on her. WEAU (Eau Claire, Wisc.)