Fed-OSHA conducting 200 coronavirus investigations
Fed-OSHA inspectors are conducting nearly 200 coronavirus-related investigations, about half of which involve employee deaths or hospitalizations. Targets include nearly 50 hospitals and two dozen nursing homes. In all, the agency is reviewing workplaces in two dozen states with a total of 96,000 employees. USA Today
Ag industry pushes back as Oregon enacts temporary regs protecting farmworkers
New temporary OR-OSHA regulations that take effect May 11 require Oregon farms to maintain social distancing during work, break and meal periods, as well as in employer-provided transportation and housing. Vehicles, toilets, handwashing facilities and other high-contact areas must be regularly sanitized and occupants of employer-provided housing must be provided with cleaning materials. The Oregon Farm Bureau issued a statement that farmers and ranchers only have 11 days to comply with the regulations, and that agricultural producers are already facing supply chain issues and economic pressures. Salem Reporter
Oregon: Construction safety guidelines being developed
The Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council has launched an industry-wide group, which includes representatives from trade unions, contractors and other industry partners, to produce safety guidelines to help contractors work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Daily Journal of Commerce (Portland, Ore.)
Why aren’t face masks mandatory at certain businesses?
The Wisconsin Economic and Development Corp., the state agency that promotes business, has health guidelines for companies allowed to operate during the pandemic. But while face masks are required in states like New Jersey and New York, along with some US cities, they are not mandated in Wisconsin or by federal officials. Wisconsin Public Radio
COVID-19 outbreaks at several North Carolina food processing plants
North Carolina agriculture officials last week reported COVID-19 outbreaks—two or more positive cases—at five food processing facilities in five counties. Food processing plants report that they are doing temperature and symptom checks, encouraging sick employees to stay home and implementing paid sick leave for those with COVID-19 or suspected of having COVID-19, and are providing personal protective equipment and employing social distancing policies where possible. WLOS
World’s largest pork producer requests flexibility on virus guidelines
Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork producer, last week told a Missouri judge in an injunction hearing that it was trying to comply with federal guidelines intended to slow spread of coronavirus, but that the company needs flexibility in an industry where pork-processing employees typically work side by side. The hearing occurred as the state health department reported 92 asymptomatic workers at another pork plant had tested positive for the virus. Spectrum News
Georgia carpet restoration company fined $183K after fatal inhalation incident
Fed-OSHA has fined a Georgia-based carpet restoration, plumbing and resurfacing contractor more than $183,000 for allegedly exposing employees to safety and health hazards after a fatal incident at a worksite in Perry, Georgia, when an employee inhaled lacquer thinner, which was used to resurface a bathtub. AllOnGeorgia
Injury at Indiana tunnel site investigated
IOSHA is investigating a Fort Wayne worksite after a report of an employee’s injury April 17. The Deep Rock Tunnel project is the largest public works project in the city’s history. WPTA (Fort Wayne, Ind.)