Note to our subscribers: OSHA Today is taking its annual summer break from July 5-16. We will resume publication July 19.

 

Detroit automakers lift mask mandates for fully vaccinated employees

Leaders of the Detroit automakers and United Auto Workers union have agreed to make face masks optional for employees who are fully vaccinated against Covid -19. Employees for the companies, including non-salaried workers, won’t have to show proof of vaccination, according to officials. CNBC

 

Tampa lead factory gets credit downgrade

Following reported revelations that a Tampa, Florida lead smelter exposed hundreds of employees to extreme amounts of lead, leading to a continuing federal inspection of the facility, the company has been downgraded by a global credit-rating agency. Fed-OSHA has not said when it expects to wrap up its inquiry. Tampa Bay Times

 

Training essential for yard truck safety

Because yard tractor drivers must meet the same criteria as over-the-road drivers when operating on a public roadway, fleets need to ensure these professionals are properly trained, continually updated on new policies and treated the same as their over-the-road drivers. Some common injuries include catching hands in pinch points, slips and falls, slipping off the yard truck and muscle strains. FreightWaves

 

Data shows Fed-OSHA received relatively few COVID-19 complaints related to agriculture

The agriculture industry has generated relatively few complaints since Fed-OSHA began tracking complaints about the coronavirus by industry. Out of about 67,000 complaints, agriculture accounts for 562. The Counter

 

Oregon farm employee dies during heat wave

An employee working on a crew moving irrigation lines died of heat-related causes while working at a nursery in St. Paul on Saturday, according to state workplace safety officials. The man reportedly came to the U.S. from Guatemala a few months ago. KGW (Portland)