Seyfarth Synopsis: Today we will begin posting a monthly summary of our Workplace Safety and Environmental blogs posted over the month, as a way to keep you connected and aware of the latest thought leadership. As always, readers are encouraged to reach out to our authors with and comments or questions raised from the
Virginia Adopts Emergency Workplace Safety Regulations
By Benjamin D. Briggs, Patrick D. Joyce, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: In late May, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam directed the state’s Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) to develop emergency temporary standards to prevent workplace exposure to COVID-19. Those rules were adopted on July 15, 2020.
OSHA Updates FAQs on Face Masks in the Workplace
By James L. Curtis, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has updated its frequently asked questions and answers to advise employers about the use of face masks in the workplace.
We had blogged previously about face masks at work. See DOL Issues
First Employer Cited For Violating Washington’s Safe Start Order
By Helen M. McFarland and Amanda J. Hailey
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) issued its first citation against an employer for violating Washington’s Safe Start Order.
As set forth in our May 28, 2020 blog post “Prohibited Business Activities and Conditions for Operations,” the State of Washington is
Heat Illness – A Phantom Menace: Sweatt Blogs on Safety Measures and Heat Illness in the Workplace
By James L. Curtis, Mark A. Lies, II, Patrick D. Joyce, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA Administrator Loren Sweatt recently blogged related to heat illness in the workplace as “forecasters are calling for above-average heat in some parts of the country and scorching temperatures in
DOL Issues FAQs About Face Coverings, Surgical Masks, and Respirators in the Workplace
By James L. Curtis, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a series of frequently asked questions and answers regarding the use of masks in the workplace to assist the regulated community.
Right up front, the FAQs settles once and for
OSHA Issues Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recordkeeping of COVID-19 Cases
By James L. Curtis, Mark A. Lies, II, Adam R. Young, Daniel R. Birnbaum, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has adopted a Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of COVID-19. Under the OSHA regulations and the revised guidance
WA DOSH Issues Emergency COVID-19 Safety Rule Mandating Compliance with Emergency Proclamation and Safe Start Reopening Guidance
By James L. Curtis, Helen M. McFarland, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The State of Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) just enacted Emergency COVID-19 Safety Rules on “Prohibited Business Activities and Conditions for Operations.”
In a first-of-its-kind emergency rulemaking, DOSH enacted an emergency rule
CDC Revises Symptoms List for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Screening
By Daniel B. Klein, Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: In the last two weeks, the CDC has updated the list of symptoms for COVID-19 on several occasions, eliminating the “two or more” list and adding “less common”
CDC and OSHA Issue COVID-19 Guidance for the Nursing Home Industry
By Chris DeMeo, Adam R. Young, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: CDC and OSHA issues specific guidance related to COVID-19 policies, administrative controls, engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and face masks for the nursing home industry.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing homes and care facilities have instituted significant precautions and protocols