News Digest 7-28-2020

 

OR-OSHA offers heat illness prevention advice

Exposure to heat can lead to headaches, cramps, dizziness, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, and even seizures or death. Addressing the threat may become more challenging for employers and workers this summer as they also implement measures, including face coverings, to protect against COVID-19, according to Oregon OSHA. KTVZ

 

Four Tennessee contractors injured at chemical facility

Four contract workers at a Charleston, Tennessee chemical manufacturing facility were injured Friday while performing maintenance on non-operating equipment in a process building at the polysilicon production plant. The plant makes a key product for solar panels and semi-conductors. Chattanooga Times Free Press

 

Maine man crushed under mobile home

Fed-OSHA is investigating after a 54-year-old man, reportedly the son of the owner of a mobile home, was pinned beneath the structure when it shifted and fell off its jacks on Friday. Bangor Daily News

 

Texas: City officials discuss health of first responders

City of Bryan, Texas officials last week spoke about protecting the health of first responders, particularly how the city would help those who contract COVID-19. City officials said there are three first responders with claims related to COVID-19 in the workers’ comp process, but none reportedly from firemen. Bryan Eagle

 

MIOSHA focuses on service industries with greater COVID-19 transmission risk

Michigan OSHA has launched a state emphasis program focused on retail, restaurant, bar and service industry establishments that addresses the need for increased partnership, education and enforcement to reduce spread of COVID-19. The program includes businesses such as bars and restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores, grocery stores and other retail establishments. WKHM

 

Fed-OSHA withdraws position on reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths

Now that Fed-OSHA has quietly removed its updated COVID-19 Reporting FAQs, employers have to speculate whether the agency’s recent guidance an employer’s responsibility to report COVID-19 hospitalizations and fatalities is gone for good, or whether they need to be on the alert for it to return, writes Gillian G. W. Egan, Counsel, with Jackson Lewis. National Law Review

 

Beryllium standard finalized

Fed-OSHA has issued a final rule on occupational exposures to beryllium and beryllium compounds. Like other health standards, the final rule requires that employers in the general, construction, and shipyard industries conduct an exposure assessment to identify and evaluate occupational beryllium exposures. Under the final rule, the agency maintains employees’ exposure to beryllium should be limited to a specific 8-hour time-weighted average that the agency says will reduce employees risk of health impairment or disease to the greatest extent feasible. JD Supra