News Digest 4-9-2020

 

Hundreds of airline employees test positive for COVID-19

Representatives of Southwest and American Airlines employees have sent a list of demands to their employers for masks and gloves for flight attendants, social distancing on board and thermal scanning in airports. One union officials says she also has reached out to Fed-OSHA and the Federal Aviation Administration. NBC DFW

 

Nurse fired for raising safety issues, union claims

A healthcare employees union claims a registered nurse at Jersey Shore University Medical Center lost his job this week after he raised concerns about the safety of nurses and staff at the hospital amid the outbreak of the new coronavirus. The state president of the union says nurses had been raising concerns about the availability of personal protective equipment and had been bringing masks from home, but were being forced to get rid of them or face disciplinary measures. Patch (Wall, N.J.)

 

Pennsylvania rep questions Postmaster General on safety gear for postal workers

After seeing recent media reports noting shortages of hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and cleaners, masks and gloves. U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania is questioning the postmaster general about access and distribution of the safety supplies to postal workers and letter carriers. A local union official says some employees don’t wear disposable masks because they aren’t mandated. Daily Times

 

Tennessee OSHA office received 164 COVID-19 complaints in a month

From March 1 through April 6, TOSHA received 164 of complaints related to the COVID-19 pandemic, comprising more than 70 percent of all complaints. The documents show employees noted coworkers were coming to work sick and employers were not enforcing physical distancing standards. WJHL (Johnson City, Tenn.)

 

OR-OSHA warns masks will not completely protect essential workers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending wearing non-medical masks while in public. However, Oregon OSHA said masks are not sufficient to keep essential workers safe. News 10

 

Firearm plant employee tests positive for coronavirus

An employee of Sig Sauer at one of the company’s New Hampshire plants has tested positive for COVID-19 and other employees with potential exposure are under quarantine, the company’s chief executive has reported. fosters.com/seacoastonline.com

 

Fed-OSHA fines employer on Georgia road project after employee’s fall accident

Fed-OSHA has fined a construction contractor $23,000 after its employee fell in September at an interstate worksite in Macon, Georgia. The employee was walking across the metal decking on top of the bridge when the decking fell through, causing him to fall more than 30 feet onto a concrete drainage ditch. WGXA (Macon, Ga.)