November 12, 2021
FAQs and update on OSHA’s newest ETS, 2020 Texas injury and illness reports and more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA publishes FAQs for vaccination and testing standard
OSHA published a list of FAQs related to the new COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard (ETS). The resource covers a variety of topics including how to determine the employee count as it relates to the ETS qualifier and verify vaccination status.
Court halts OSHA’s vaccination and testing ETS
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay on OSHA’s vaccination and testing ETS with an emergency motion, meaning the standard has been temporarily halted but will go through an expedited legal review. The suit is one of many court challenges the ETS faces.
The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)
DWC releases 2020 injury and illness reports
DWC released reports on workplace injuries and illnesses that occurred in Texas during 2020. One report covers all injuries and illnesses while the other includes those requiring days away from work. The reports are available to the public for the purpose of helping employers, safety professionals and policymakers identify and address safety and health issues.
DWC publishes five revised forms (PDF 125KB)
DWC has officially adopted five revised forms related to the rejected risk employer program and accident prevention services. The documents include DWC Form-101, 102, 104, 105 and 109. The revised forms are available to download for immediate use.
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
ASSP publishes new and revised voluntary standards
ASSP published several new and revised voluntary standards to help employers address safety and health hazards. New standards include topics on promoting well-being, implementing descent controllers for fall protection and evaluating rope access systems for working at heights. The revised standards focus on general safety and fall protection topics.