Advocacy

California Governor Newsom signs into law legislation requiring ALL employers to develop and implement employee reporting programs related to COVID-19 exposures.

The National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOSH) has created a database that contains information about the health hazards that could be caused by COVID-19 cleaning products and disinfectants and the recommended barrier and respiratory protection workers can use to protect themselves from these hazards.

Printing United Alliance submits comments supporting Gestamp's request for a variance from OSHA's Lockout/Tagout standard. We supported the variance request due to the similarity of equipment used by Gestamp and the printing industry. Our comments echoed our earlier comments submitted in 2019 requesting an update to the standard.

The State of California failed to enact Extended Producer Responsibility legislation in 2020.

The Multipollutant Stakeholder Group (MPSG), formed by the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District (APCD), released its final report on Air Pollution in Louisville, KY.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the list of hand sanitizers being recalled to at least 75. The recall is being issued as toxic levels of methanol or wood alcohol in the recalled products may cause injury or death.

Due to changes in Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations covering walking and working surfaces, ladders, and fall protection requirements, the Washington Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) revised their rules to meet the federal requirements. Read here for more information.

Virginia has now enacted an “emergency temporary standard” (ETS) and it became effective on July 27, 2020. The requirements in the rule are based on the guidance and recommendations issued by CDC and federal OSHA. However, the Virginia rule now requires all employers regulated by DOLI to develop, implement, and enforce COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated its frequently asked questions and answers related to COVID-19. Read here for details.

The new OSHA FAQs site indicates that OSHA is now generally recommending that employers encourage workers to wear face coverings at work. Face coverings are intended to prevent wearers who have COVID-19 without knowing it from spreading potentially infectious respiratory droplets to others. Read here for more information.