Oregon OSHA gets pushback over rule extension for masks, social distancing

OR-OSHA is encountering resistance over its rule extension that requires masks, social distancing, and other infection control measures in the workplace. The agency reportedly has received more than 5,000 comments, mostly negative and centering on what would trigger a repeal, which would start no later than July. KCBY

 

Contractor helping build Amazon facility fined $170K for deadly 2020 collapse

Fed-OSHA has fined a Louisiana-based steelwork subcontractor on Amazon’s new Suffolk, Virginia fulfillment center more than $170,500 after two employees were killed in a collapse last year. One violation was classified as willful. The two were both on connecting a structural steam beam to the fifth-floor roof when the collapse occurred, according to the agency. WAVY [with video]

 

Employee dies after early-morning incident at Las Vegas construction site

Authorities are investigating the death of a 31-year-old employee of a firm that provides testing and inspection services for construction projects at a construction site in east Las Vegas on Tuesday morning. KTNV [with video]

 

Incident outside Boston Children’s Hospital injures one

Fed-OSHA has been notified after a person was transported for treatment Wednesday night after an incident involving a loading dock in the area of Boston Children’s Hospital. WCVB (Boston) [with video]

 

Study shows Hispanic COVID-19 deaths disproportionately high

Using data from the Centers for Disease Control, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Ohio State University and University of Milwaukee researchers have found Hispanics constituted 40 percent of U.S. COVID-19 deaths, but only represented 19 percent of the population in 2020. One of the study’s author’s says the workplace safety environment in frontline jobs was a key factor in the health disparity, as the higher death rates among working Hispanics had nothing to do with preexisting medical conditions. News 5 (Cleveland) [with video]

 

Nebraska senators narrowly advance meatpacking employees protection bill

The Nebraska Legislature handed narrow first-round approval Thursday to a scaled-down bill that requires institution of basic COVID-19 protections for meat-processing employees for one year. Nearly 7,400 meat-processing employees in Nebraska have tested positive for coronavirus since inception of the pandemic, resulting in more than 250 hospitalizations and 28 deaths. Lincoln Journal-Star