COVID-19 Resources

• OSHA issued a Statement on the Status of the OSHA COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on December 27, 2021.
• Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued a Statement on the Supreme Court ruling on OSHA ETS on Vaccination, Testing on January 13, 2022. 

Heat Injury and Illness Prevention

OSHA has initiated rulemaking to protect indoor and outdoor workers from hazardous heat. The agency issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on October 27, 2021, and is now accepting public comments through January 26, 2022. OSHA also issued a 60-Second Video Message on Heat Illness Prevention. 

New Maritime Industry Resources

OSHA updated its Shipyard Industry Standards booklet, and issued three new posters for longshoring and marine terminals:

• Five Ways to Stay Safe When Working on Chassis
• Six Ways to Stay Safe When Working on Cranes
• Five Ways to Stay Safe When Working on Refrigerated Containers “Reefers”

The agency also published a fact sheet, Whistleblower Protection for Employees Reporting Unsafe Intermodal Cargo Containers (also available in Spanish).

Working Safely Around Manure Storage

OSHA issued a new flyer/handout, Working Safely Around Manure Storage Containers. Waste storage structures can expose farm workers to toxic gas, oxygen deficient atmosphere, fire, explosion, mechanical, and drowning hazards. Proper structure identification, worker training, and implementation of a safety and health program that includes an emergency action plan, are critically important to keeping workers safe.

Needlestick Infographic

With input from the Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare and the International Safety Center, OSHA published an infographic (also available in Spanish) with tips for preventing sharps and needlestick injuries. November 27, 2021 marked 20 years since the issuance of OSHA's revised Bloodborne Pathogens directive, which was updated to include revisions mandated by the 2001 Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act. Visit www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens for more information.

OSHA at 50

As OSHA wrapped up its 50th year, the agency released a video looking back on half a century of advancements in worker rights and protections. Visit www.osha.gov/osha50 for more information.

New NIOSH Resources

NIOSH issued a number of new publications between October 1 and December 31, 2021, including:

• Workplace Solutions documents on conducting:
  • Daily Inspections of Powered Industrial Trucks consistent with OSHA's PIT standard (29 CFR 1910.178(q)(7). (October 2021)
  • Periodic Inspections for a Hazardous Energy Control (Lockout/Tagout) Program consistent with OSHA's LOTO standard (29 CFR 1910.147(c)(6). (December 2021)
• NIOSH and CPWR Toolbox Talk: Respiratory Protection for construction workers exposed to unsafe airborne contaminants. (December 2021)

NIOSH FACE Reports and Products

The NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program conducts investigations on workplace fatalities to identify the factors that contributed to these fatal injuries. This information is used to develop comprehensive recommendations for preventing similar incidents.  The following are NIOSH FACE Program reports and products issued from October 1 through December 31, 2021.   See the NIOSH FACE website for all the latest reports.

Construction

• Roofer Falls 10 Feet from Fixed Ladder (WA)
• Framer Falls 8 Feet from Extension Ladder (WA)
• Pipefitter in Trench Died when Struck by an Excavator Bucket (CA)
• Heavy Equipment Operator Dies when Struck by an Excavator Bucket (CA)

Tree Care

• Operator Falls from Boom Lift while Tree Trimming (WA)

Manufacturing

• Machine Operator Fatally Struck by Safety Block Ejected from Mechanical Power Press (NY)

Warehousing

• Forklift Operator Crushed by Full Pallet of Soft Drink Cans (OR)

Waste Management

• Town Sanitation Worker Fatally Crushed while Riding on Riding Step of a Refuse Collection Truck (NY)

Other

• 2018-2019 Massachusetts Fatal Injuries at Work. 

NIOSH Science Blog Posts

The following are selected NIOSH Science Blog entries posted from October 1 through December 31, 2021.  See the NIOSH Science Blog website for more entries.

• Learning from Workplace Fatality Investigations. (December 14, 2021)
• Workplace Violence Research. (December 14, 2021)
• Musculoskeletal Disorders Research at NIOSH. (December 3, 2021)
• From Brick and Mortar to Beyond: Protecting Workers in the Wholesale and Retail Trade Industries. (October 19, 2021)
• Supportive Leaders Drive Organizational Improvements and Employee Health and Well-Being.(October 13, 2021)

2020 BLS Injury and Fatality Data

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its summary of the 2020 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Data (SOII) in November 2021, and a summary of the 2020 national Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) in December 2021.  Key findings, interactive charts, and  additional details are available from BLS on their website.

New CPWR Resources

The following are recent resources from CPWR- The Center for Construction Research and Training:

• November 2021 Data Bulletin examining construction safety management during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• New Data Dashboards:
  • Characteristics of Construction Businesses
  • Characteristics of Construction Business Owners
  • Hispanic Employment in Construction
  • Construction Establishments by Payroll Status
• New episode of the Construction Safety and Health podcast series featuring OSHA's Andy Levinson and CPWR's Lynn Goldenhar discussing tools and resources for improving a company's safety climate. 
• Updated COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs for Construction (also in Spanish) 

Harwood Grants

No new materials developed by grantees under OSHA’s Susan Harwood Training Grant Program were posted on the OSHA website from October 1 through December 31, 2021. See the OSHA website for a complete list of a materials developed by Harwood grantees. These materials do not necessarily reflect the official views of OSHA.