More safety for healthcare workers

• The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, officially introduced in Congress would mandate that OSHA create a federal standard requiring health care and social service employers.
• The measure would help develop and implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans.
• This legislation has been deemed vital by lawmakers because healthcare and social service workers face high rates of workplace violence.
• Nearly 85 percent of nurses in a recent study claimed they experienced more than one type of workplace violence over the previous year.
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Employers can decide ongoing vaccine requirements

• Authority to implement mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies never derived from federal or state public health emergency declarations.
• Employers can opt to end their COVID-19 vaccination requirements and make COVID-19 vaccination voluntary.
• However, employers should remember their obligation under the OSHA’s “General Duty” clause to provide a safe and healthful workplace, as well as any state law COVID-19 workplace mitigation requirements.
• It is vital employers should ensure they have properly documented employees’ accommodation requests and the resulting interactive process.
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More support for firefighters with cancer risks

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, through NIOSH, launched the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer online enrollment system for firefighters across the nation.
• The NFR for cancer is the largest effort undertaken by the nation to support and advance the understanding of cancer in the fire service.
• Numerous studies show that firefighters’ exposure on the fire ground, where smoke and hazardous chemicals are released from burning materials, may increase the risk of certain types of cancer.
• President Biden has signed two laws that seek specifically to advance firefighter health, safety, and protection from toxic exposures on the job.
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Tennessee trench collapse prompts investigation

• The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration launched an investigation into a collapsed trench at a Knoxville construction site that left two men injured.
• Two construction workers were installing piping at a new apartment complex off of Inskip Drive on Monday when it collapsed, partially covering them in mud and gravel.
• They were freed after several hours by the Knoxville Fire Department and other city workers.
• The investigation can take six to eight weeks to complete because it involves surveying the scene, reviewing company procedures, and conducting interviews.
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