FDA approves sterilizing used N95 masks
Because of the surge in cases and a limited supply of personal protective equipment for first responders, the Food and Drug Administration has approved decontaminating and sterilizing used N95 masks. The FDA says more than 6,000 hospitals already have the systems. Spectrum News
Could infections of meatpacking plant employees have been prevented?
Even before the risks posed by the coronavirus, meat processing plants were notoriously dangerous for employees. During the coronavirus pandemic, there are few enforceable federal laws on employee safety, according to a former Fed-OSHA staffer during the H1N1 outbreak. Philadelphia Inquirer
What businesses must disclose when a worker is diagnosed with COVID-19
When an employee notifies an employer that he or she has been diagnosed with coronavirus, businesses must disclose enough information to maintain a safe work environment under the federal OSHA Act, without sharing employees’ health conditions. Newsday
Fed-OSHA clarifies recordkeeping rules for COVID-19
Fed-OSHA, responding to requests from employers for guidance, late last week clarified circumstances under which it will hold employers responsible for recording cases of coronavirus. In a memo, the agency stated employers do not need to record instances of infected employees unless the case is confirmed as COVID-19, as defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the case is work-related. Engineering News-Record
HR consultant advises employers empathize during pandemic
Employers should show empathy while making tough decisions to maintain morale and avoid getting sued, including for wrongful termination, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Portsmouth, New Hampshire human resources specialist says. New Hampshire Union Leader
Fed-OSHA is joining with industry leaders and safety professionals nationwide for the Stand Up4 Grain Safety Week, which focuses on grain-handling hazards and taking advantage of available training tools to implement best practices and effective safety and health programs. Sidney Herald
COVID-19 will create ‘new normal’ for construction safety
The construction industry is responding to the measures required to operate a site safely during the outbreak of COVID-19. This moment should be a catalyst for the industry, Brad Tabone, Co-Founder HammerTech, writes. Construction Dive