Painter dies after fall from scaffolding at New Hampshire site
An employee died after falling from scaffolding while painting the exterior of a building Tuesday in Keene, New Hampshire. Fed-OSHA was notified by the local fire department. Keene Sentinel
San Antonio construction worker rescued from collapsed trench
A construction worker was hospitalized after firemen freed him from a trench in which he’d been trapped waist-deep, Tuesday afternoon in San Antonio, Texas. The man’s coworkers, who had been excavating at the site, used a crane to help stabilize the trench as the rescuers freed him. MySA [with video]
Bridge construction worker critically injured at Maine site
A 50-year-old bridge construction worker was seriously injured at a Hampden, Maine highway worksite when several steel sheet pilings fell off a truck as they were being loaded. The construction is part of a Maine Department of Transportation project to replace several interstate bridges. WABI (Bangor, Maine) [with video]
Fed-OSHA cites Washington casino for pandemic-related violations
A Tacoma, Washington casino operated by The Puyallup Tribe of Indians has been cited by Fed-OSHA for allegedly operating with sick employees, overcrowded areas and no enforcement of mask usage. A memo reportedly shared with employees alleges health and safety hazards including that, on July 13, that a dealer was visibly ill with multiple COVID-19 symptoms. Tacoma News Tribune
Oregon restaurant group closes four locations over infection concerns
An Oregon restaurant ownership group announced Monday it is closing all four of its locations, including two in Bend, after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. KTVZ [with video]
Hotlines let Massachusetts employees report bosses for COVID violations
In Massachusetts, hotlines and websites allow employees, customers and others who spot businesses they believe aren’t taking steps to stem the spread of the coronavirus to relay those concerns anonymously to the state. The types of businesses cited range from restaurants, barber shops, car dealers, and fitness centers to medical centers, homeless shelters, pizza shops, furniture stores, contractors and departments in local and state government. Martinsville Bulletin
Outbreak at Iowa meat plant was larger than originally reported
The early April COVID-19 outbreak at a Columbus Junction, Iowa pork processing plant was the first of several at meatpacking plants across the state, and involved twice as many infected employees as previously known. The discrepancy adds to questions the Iowa Department of Public Health faces about its handling of public information during the pandemic. KSTP
Healthy headphone use: How loud and how long?
Despite the convenience of headphones and the increased utility, questions about safety of use have been raised. How loud is too loud? Harvard Health Publishing