August 16, 2021 | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

August 16, 2021 • Volume 20, Issue 18 • A twice-monthly newsletter with information about workplace safety and health.

OSHA QuickTakes - OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA Updates Coronavirus Guidance

OSHA issued updated guidance on August 13 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in all workplaces.

Safe + Sound Week

Thank you for participating in this year's Safe + Sound Week! Download our certificate of recognition for your efforts to promote workplace safety and health programs.

Safety Training Grants

There is only one week left to apply for a Susan Harwood training grant by the August 23 deadline. Read how a grant has helped workers and their communities.

Tank Cleaning Safety

A new OSHA initiative seeks to protect workers in the tank cleaning industry from atmospheric and confined space hazards.

Construction Outreach

Last month OSHA met with women in the construction industry to discuss their workplace safety and job opportunities.

Electrical Safety Violations

A contractor faces penalties after willfully ignoring safety measures that led to a worker's fatal electrocution.

Forklift Safety Violations

A recycling center that was the site of a 2019 workplace fatality was cited again for continuing to put workers at risk.

Grain-Handling Violations

A grain cooperative was fined for safety failures following a worker engulfment in a soybean silo.

Respiratory Protection Violations

A medical facility and a staffing agency were cited for exposing nurses to coronavirus hazards.

Fall Protection Violations

A contractor faces fines for exposing roofers to deadly fall hazards for the sixth time in three years.

Read about more OSHA enforcement cases.

COVID-19 Safety Training

The Massachusetts On-Site Consultation Program responded to multiple requests from area employers and workers for virtual respiratory protection training.

Alliances Aim to Improve Worker Safety

Job Openings

Are you interested in a career helping to support OSHA's mission of protecting the safety and health of America's workers? We have job opportunities throughout the country.

Social Media

Follow @OSHA_DOL on Twitter. For more safety and health resources and information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor's social media accounts:

SAFETY Q&A

Can an employee be fired for reporting workplace safety hazards?

An employer cannot take adverse action against employees, such as: firing or laying off, demoting, denying overtime or promotion, or reducing pay or hours, for engaging in activities protected by OSHA's whistleblower laws. OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of more than 20 whistleblower statutes protecting employees from retaliation for reporting violations of various workplace safety and health, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, securities, tax, antitrust, and anti-money laundering laws and for engaging in other related protected activities.

QuickTakes Newsletter