Archive for October 2020
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Read MoreToolkit helps workplaces build customized COVID-19 plans
Earlier this month, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) launched a new customizable toolkit resource to help workplaces across Canada operate safely and prevent the spread of infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anchored by the COVID-19: Workplace Health and Safety Guide, the online hub provides one-stop access to more than 40 free resources to reduce…
Read MoreCOVID-19 vaccine won’t be ready in weeks, nor mandatory
The claim: COVID-19 vaccine will be ready in weeks, and the government will force everyone to get it. These claims were fact-checked recently by USA Today. The global effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine has been a priority since the coronavirus pandemic started. Seven months into the U.S. outbreak, vaccine candidates are facing skepticism by some in the general…
Read MoreCutting down on plastics waste
In an article published on Business Reporter, Gianfranco Zoppas, President, Zoppas Industries, explains why the Circular Economy is central to a waste free world and how a plastic bottle made up of recycled PET can contribute to that vision. The European Union is cracking down on plastics waste, as it pushes forward its plans for the Circular…
Read MoreWhat to do in case of a needlestick
OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standard provides clear guidance on what to do in the event of an accidental “sharps” (often needlesticks) exposure. The standard requires important steps immediately: 1 Evaluate the wound to determine the severity. Does it need medical attention? 2 If it’s determined that you need medical attention, go get it. Take a copy…
Read MoreWashington becomes 2nd state to begin developing wildfire smoke worker-safety rules
The number of acres burned by wildfires in Washington state each year is increasing. And smoke from the Western wildfires last month left Washington with some of the worst air quality in the world at times, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. For outdoor workers in construction, agriculture, and other jobs, being exposed to the…
Read MoreTop OSHA official asserts agency is not lax on COVID-19
Loren Sweatt is principal deputy assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. Since President Trump never nominated an assistant secretary for occupational safety and health (the agency’s lead position), Sweatt is the highest-ranking OSHA official. She released this statement: Since the beginning of the pandemic, the dedicated men and women at the Occupational Safety and Health…
Read MoreAIHA releases new back to work safely guidelines across 26 different business sectors in English and Spanish
As COVID-19 cases spike across the country and schools and businesses brace for the cold winter months ahead, occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) experts urge business owners and schools to implement practical science-based guidelines. AIHA, the association for scientists and professionals committed to preserving and ensuring OEHS in the workplace and community, expanded its…
Read MoreStates submit COVID-19 vaccine plans to the CDC
After the October 16 deadline, states have submitted their plans for distributing the coronavirus vaccine per the CDC’s request. States that have received considerable coverage for their coronavirus cases or ways of handling the pandemic, such as Texas, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Maryland and California, have rolled out distribution plans that vary in detail. Texas The state…
Read MoreFace masks could soon come with COVID-19 rating labels
Safety standard organization ASTM International is leading an effort to establish standards for reusable face coverings. Most construction workers and site managers are very familiar with the personal protective equipment (PPE) that helps prevent workplace injuries to the head, eyes, respiratory system and other vulnerable areas of the body, according to Construction Dive. OSHA requires…
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