Subcontractor falls to death from Florida dry-dock

A subcontracted employee died last week at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay after falling from a dry dock, a base spokesperson confirmed Tuesday. Fed-OSHA is investigating. News4Jax (Jacksonville, Fla.)

U.S. Minerals admits to exposing employees to arsenic at Montana facility

U.S. Minerals, Inc. admitted Monday to violating the Clean Air Act, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and has agreed to settle a related civil case regarding violations brought by Fed-OSHA. The agreement recommends probationary conditions in which the company will implement a nationwide environmental health and safety plan that applies to all of its facilities throughout the US and a medical monitoring program for current and former employees who have been exposed to elevated levels of arsenic during their work at the now shuttered Anaconda, Montana plant. Great Falls Tribune

A readily available drug may help fight COVID-19

An international effort has found that a drug that people formerly used to control cholesterol levels could be an effective treatment against COVID-19. The drug is effective against the Alpha and Beta variants of SARS-CoV-2, and the team is now investigating its effectiveness against the Delta variant. Medical News Today

Oregon enacts outdoor mask mandate

Oregon Governor Kate Brown has announced new outdoor mask requirements that go into effect statewide on Friday. Masks will be required in most public outdoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. The rules do not apply to private residences, but the Oregon Health Authority is recommending people wear masks even for small outdoor gatherings where people from different households aren’t maintaining physical distance. The state’s indoor mask mandate remains in effect. KGW

Attorneys discuss Fed-OSHA’s new COVID-19 guidance

Fed-OSHA now “suggests” employers adopt policies requiring employees to either get vaccinated or undergo regular testing, write Darren Crook and James Seegers of BakerHostetler. In areas of the country where the CDC determines there is “substantial or high” risk of COVID-19 transmission, the guidance advises employers to require fully vaccinated employees to wear masks while working indoors. JD Supra