Fed-OSHA investigating New Jersey hospital over staff complaints
Fed-OSHA is investigating Jersey Shore University Medical Center over complaints of a lack of personal protective equipment for staff. The eight allegations focus on N95 respirators and include denial of access to logs listing workplace complaints that would have included illnesses linked to the coronavirus, gowns and training. Asbury Park Press
162 New Jersey employees have filed pandemic-related complaints with Fed-OSHA
New Jersey workers have filed more than 160 health and safety complaints with Fed-OSHA, records show, asserting employers haven’t provided enough protective gear, are making them work near sick colleagues or otherwise are disobeying federal regulations meant to stem the spread of the coronavirus. NJ Advance Media
Low-quality medical masks are being introduced into America’s supply chain, and some are making their way to frontline workers who have daily direct contact with COVID patients. There’s no way of knowing how many low-grade masks have already made their way to the United States. What are some of the signs that a respirator may be counterfeit? brproud
Fed-OSHA issues alert for retail pharmacies on COVID-19
Fed-OSHA last week issued alerted retail pharmacies regarding how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including installing clear plastic barriers between workers and customers at order/pickup counters. A failure to implement a specific suggestion in such an alert cannot automatically serve as a basis for a citation; however, the agency could use such information to establish that employers know about a hazard in the workplace. National Law Review
MIOSHA issues COVID-19 workplace guidelines and hotline
Michigan OSHA has issued workplace guidelines for employers and employees and created a new hotline intended to help protect the state’s workforce from the spread of COVID-19. The agency also has provided further clarification the construction and manufacturing sectors must take to protect workers that have returned to work. WKHM
Complaint against Virginia call center was filed weeks before COVID-19 outbreak
A complaint was filed with Fed-OSHA in mid-April, several weeks before an outbreak of COVID-19 struck a Virginia call center, about its efforts to prevent the virus’s spread. The complaint alleged the company was handing out disinfectant wipes “every 3-4 days.” Martinsville Bulletin (Martinsville, Va.)
No OR-OSHA violations by hemp processor
Completed investigations by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon OSHA of an Ontario, Oregon hemp processing plant, for potential environmental and workplace health and safety violations, have resulted in no citations to the employer. Employees reportedly had experienced ill effects due to poor ventilation. Argus Observer