Orlando airport concessions employees file Fed-OSHA complaint
Thirty-five employees of a food concessions company at Orlando International Airport have filed a complaint with Fed-OSHA that their employer has failed to protect them against coronavirus exposures, by not providing masks or hand sanitizer, or observing social distancing between employees. WMFE [with audio]
Miami-Dade construction sites take COVID-19 precautions but stay open
Although several Miami-Dade cities have banned most construction jobs within their jurisdictions, no such ban exists for Miami and the rest of the county. Some experts warn construction sites remain a potential hot zone for spreading COVID-19, no matter what safety precautions are taken. Miami Herald
Grain bin deaths spiked last year; trend expected to continue
Thirty-nine people died in grain bin accidents last year, up from 27 in 2018, according to Purdue University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program. At least seven people have died in grain bins so far this year, and safety experts expect those numbers to remain high. UPI
Scammers target Oregon construction sites
Impostors have been posing as Oregon OSHA officials and visiting jobsites statewide, claiming safety regulations are being violated and demanding these fines be paid on site immediately. KTVZ
Groups petition Oregon OSHA for increased farmworker protections
OR-OSHA is considering a petition that would require farms to increase field sanitation and housing protections for agricultural workers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Proposed actions include adding more portable toilets and handwashing stations in fields where they are picking crops. The current standard is for farms to provide one station for every 20 employees; the groups want one station for every five employees. Bend Bulletin
Amazon says face masks available for staff; employees dispute it
Amazon last week said it has made millions of face masks available to its employees and delivery partners throughout its worldwide logistics network, but some employees say only a portion of employees are given masks in their warehouses and inventory is already limited. They also said temperature checks are not being strongly enforced. CNET
Labor Secretary criticized amidst virus unemployment crisis
United States Department of Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia is facing growing criticism for limiting the scope of employee assistance programs and not being aggressive enough about protecting employees from health risks during the coronavirus pandemic, including the wearing of masks. Stamford Advocate
Liability concerns prompting employers to protect regular employees from COVID-19
On April 3, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommended that all people wear cloth face coverings in public and “especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.” Employers are starting to realize they face potential liability for failing to protect their employees from contracting COVID-19. Forbes