January 21, 2022
Update on OSHA’s vaccine-or-test standard, new OSHA civil penalty amounts and more
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
U.S. Supreme Court blocks vaccine-or-test standard
Last week the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the stay of OSHA’s standard for COVID-19 vaccination and testing. The emergency temporary standard would have affected employers with 100 or more employees. The court did allow a vaccination mandate for federally funded health care facilities.
OSHA announces new penalty amounts
OSHA civil penalty amounts are increasing 1.06222% this year to adjust for inflation. The maximum fine for serious, other-than-serious, failure-to-correct and posting-requirement violations have increased to $14,502. The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations is rising to $145,027. The new amounts became effective January 15.
Electronic injury and illness data submissions are due March 2
Employers who are required to submit injury and illness data to OSHA must do so by March 2. The agency began collecting 2021 Form 300A data on January 2.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
CDC updates mask guidance for COVID-19 prevention
The CDC updated guidance on masks for the public, explaining that N95 and KN95 masks offer the best protection against COVID-19. These masks were not previously recommended for the public due to the potential impact on the supply for health care employees, but the agency explained that shortages are no longer a concern.
Studies, resources, trends, news
In a Back to Basics article from EHS Daily Advisor, tips are shared on how to prevent violence in the workplace. The article discusses anti-bullying, signs of weapons concealment, domestic violence and high-risk areas.