New proposals for infectious diseases, and workplace violence
- OSHA is moving forward with new rules for the healthcare industry, including proposals for infectious diseases, and workplace violence.
- The agency will propose an infectious diseases rulemaking to protect employees in health care from exposure to and transmission of persistent and new infectious diseases.
- The agency already has a standard addressing the hazards of bloodborne pathogens and needle
- OSHA will consult with small businesses for new rules for workplace violence prevention in health care and social services where there is no current federal workplace violence standard.
Ammonia leak sends four to hospital
- Ammonia at a food plant in North Carolina forced employees to evacuate and sent four workers to the hospital.
- The gas, which is potentially dangerous, was released into the plant hours before a worker was found passed out in its parking lot.
- That employee died, but it was unrelated to the ammonia release, according to Smithfield Foods.
- A freezer malfunctioned, releasing ammonia into a refrigerated part of the building.
Labor Dept. renews ‘Star’ designation of Millstone Power Station
- Millstone Power Station in Waterford, Connecticut, earned OSHA’s VPP star renewal following an onsite evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts.
- OSHA first recognized the Millstone Power Station in 2004 as a “star” site – the highest level of recognition that the agency’s Voluntary Protection Programs offers.
- Millstone Power Station is owned and operated by Dominion Energy, the Millstone Power Station employs about 1,200 workers, including 300 contractors.
- The power generation facility generates over 2,000 megawatts of electricity through its two nuclear reactor units to a central power distribution station for New England.
Employers must submit the required 2022 injury and illness data
- OSHA is reminding employers that the agency is collecting the calendar year 2022 Form 300A data.
- Employers must submit the form electronically by March 2, 2023.
- Establishments under Federal OSHA jurisdiction can use the ITA Coverage Application to determine if they are required to electronically report their injury and illness information to OSHA.
- Establishments under State Plan jurisdiction should contact their state plan and must connect their Injury Tracking Account to a Login.gov account to submit their 2022 workplace injury and illness data.