Nevada OSHA clarifies social distancing guidelines for restaurants

Nevada OSHA this week clarified social distancing requirements for restaurants, including acceptable face coverings and seating, and addressed potential consequences for restaurants violating issued guidance. Face shields are not to be used in place of a fabric face covering; however, the agency says face shields may be used along with fabric face coverings. 8 News Now (Las Vegas)

Teen dies after falling from scaffolding at Nashville worksite

A 16-year-old construction worker who was a part-time employee died Tuesday afternoon after falling from scaffolding at a worksite in Nashville, Tennessee. The scaffolding was 120 feet from the ground. TOSHA is investigating. WSMV

New Jersey: Can my boss make me sign a liability waiver for COVID?

As New Jersey expands its plans to reopen, employees are being called back to work by their employers. Some are also being asked to sign liability waivers, saying they will not hold their employers responsible if the worker gets infected with COVID-19 on the job. Can employees be required to sign this? NJ.com

FDA amends imported non-NIOSH approved respirator emergency use authorization

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this month reissued its late-March letter of authorization to revise emergency use authorization eligibility criteria for imported, non-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health approved disposable filtering facepiece respirators. As a result of the revision, imported, non-NIOSH approved respirators not manufactured in China can be authorized by meeting one of three criteria, according to a group of Faegre Drinker attorneys. National Law Review

Fed-OSHA does not back employee work refusals in all circumstances

As states lift restrictions on construction work, employers should note that Fed-OSHA limits employees’ ability to refuse work, writes Courtney M. Malveaux, attorney with Jackson Lewis. Construction workers cannot walk off a jobsite or refuse to work because of a generalized fear of COVID-19; they must have a genuine and reasonable fear of specific conditions in their workplace. National Law Review